Ebokk will also wait for the skull to reply to Maldorn first but will have a question of his own.
Since we are obviously in agreement about the beholders perhaps we can make a deal. Could we take you somewhere so you dont have to see yourself robbed by those blasted beholders anymore?
He shakes his head. Taking your treasure and then guiding adventurers to take more of your hard earned hoard.
Ebokk tries to muster up all the skills he has seen his mother use to make a deal
By the looks of it its only a matter of time before your left here with nothing, you would want to make arrangements before that time comes dont you?
"Go?" Maldorn cocks an eyebrow. "Go where? Back the way we came or is there another chamber for us to move into? We were given two hours to reach... something. Is this chamber the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?"
The skull pauses, then sort of stutters. "Yes. No. Grath said maze. I said trap. OUR TREASURE! Prize. NO! OURS! Safe. Not safe. Grath gone. I'm here. Every time. EVERY time. Each time. Less me. LESS! Trap. Go. Trap. Go. Trap. Go," it repeats, getting quieter and quieter.
Ebokk finally speaks up, uttering his own idea. "Since we are obviously in agreement about the beholders perhaps we can make a deal. Could we take you somewhere so you don't have to see yourself robbed by those blasted beholders anymore?" He shakes his head. "Taking your treasure and then guiding adventurers to take more of your hard earned hoard."
Ebokk tries to muster up all the skills he has seen his mother use to make a deal. "By the looks of it it's only a matter of time before you're left here with nothing. You would want to make arrangements before that time comes don't you?"
The skull pauses again, then replies, sounding much more lucid, "But the beholders were hired as guards and docents. They have already been paid. This is what is left. We traveled so far and worked so hard — each of us trying to outdo the other. I, the elder, was expected to always lead, and so I did. But Grath ... Grath was relentless. Always one step behind and threatening to overtake me. It was mostly his idea to build the Vault. He wanted a place where we would always be remembered. But how is this the memorial he dreamed of? A hidden entrance ... and ultimately ... death? Who will remember when no one leaves? The years go by, and every time ... every time ... " The voice stops as the skull continues to float above the small pile of treasure. Occasionally, a spark or small arc of lightning appears.
Maldorn whispers to Jambiya and Ebokk: "Do you think this trap was the younger one's, Wrath's, last attempt to overtake his brother in their little one-upmanship game? The older one is here, trapped. The younger one is supposedly 'gone'. Assuming he is not dead, I think that would give us a clear winner."
Erric is waiting for a chance to grab the potion when the skull seems particularly fixated on the group, and away from the treasure pile.
He's still got his crossbow trained on the skull, ready to fire as soon as it seems hostile instead of merely insane. They're still trapped in here, with a dwindling time frame, like gods know how many more deceased adventurers. So he's not ready to befriend this loony floating skull. (This is character progression for the naive halfling.)
Jambiya steps forward a few paces. "Raman, we will remember. If you let us escape the Trap, bring the treasure as proof and our lives as reward, we'll gladly tell the stories of Raman and his little brother Grath, the amazing adventures they had, the treasure they amassed, and the intricate Trap they created. I was raised by two great adventurers, I know what it's like to spin a good story and spread tales far and wide. We will take this for you, and you can rest. Grath may have pushed you to make the Trap, and spent much of your fortune doing so, but you can be the one who makes sure your stories live forever, the way the Trap can't."
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she/her Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands.
Listening to the others Ebokk nods He tricked you.
On the outside your legends are becoming a myth rapidly. Like my friend here says he looks to Jambiya We could tell your legends once more to let the world know you are real.
Erric, the skull has not left its position of hovering directly above the small pile.
Following Jambiya's and Ebokk's assurances, the skull is silent. And silent some more. Some side glances between the party express between them (the visible ones, any way) a question as to what's going on. Finally, the skull's ethereal voice breaks the silence. "You ... would do that?"
Erric circles around slowly, back to the door, reading the room. He's still ready to attack, but he senses that this might be a persuasive effort here, and he doesn't want to spook the skull. When he gets to the door, he plans to move to the side and become visible again and attempt to join the conversation. But that will take a while, I'd guess.
Maldorn senses that Jambiya's persuasive skill might be working well, especially with Ebokk's help. He makes a point to stay silenced for now, not wanting to risk it all with another of his probing questions.
Jambiya nods with vigor. "Of course we would! Look, I'll make you this promise, too, I can put something from your adventures on the wall of the Inn back home. It's kind of cluttered with my dads' stuff, but I'll make them clear a spot, and we'll put it up so that even if people haven't heard the stories, they'll see it and ask about it. Grumpy Dad will be happy to do that, and my other dad, he's a little full of himself, but I'm his only daughter, and I can sweet talk him into making room." She smiles confidently. "That way, if we're out adventuring, we won't even have to be there to get your story told! It's like an adventuring museum, really, and it could stand having something from someone else. Someday, maybe even our little group could have something hanging up there."
She's really quite enthralled with this idea, impressed with the brothers' exploits, and happy to do this. There's no guile to her in this. Her eyes get a little far away... "Maybe we could open an actual museum... in, like, Waterdeep? Ebokk, you know the city, you could help us get a building... maybe next to that famous tavern place? The Giant Hole? The Bottomless Pit? I don't remember what it's called..." She snaps back. "Yeah, so, sure, we'd do this for you."
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she/her Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands.
Ebokk listens to Jambiya words. Uhm yeah i suppose we could get something. Ill have to ask mother, she knows all the folks.
He takes a few steps staring into the ground. Mother is a real business woman. Im sure she can turn it into a museum. A famous adventurer like you would draw in folks from far so mother could get the local shops to pitch in since they would be getting extra customers too.
Ebokk nods to himself then looks to the skull Yeah, so do we have a deal?
"No ... " Raman's skull replies, sounding almost scared. "No more promises of a museum. Forever. Forever I am trapped in this one! Never to leave. No more to live. Only to exist. Over and over! Over and over! How far I have fallen! The great Raman Turntide is no more." The skull continues, lamenting its fall from grandeur.
Maldorn had really hoped his companions' persuasive skills would have sufficed. Nonetheless, sensing some lucidity return to their counterpart, he risks another question or two: "What of your younger brother? Where is he now?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Gone!" the skull practically screams at Maldorn. "Alone now, I am. Alone for all eternity. Over and over! He rests while I never will."
Raman does not respond to Jambiya's offer. Perhaps it is contemplating. Perhaps it is still thinking about Maldorn's question. Perhaps it went temporarily deaf.
41
Erric, Maldorn and Jambiya, you all are starting to feel like the two hours are probably pretty close to running out. You have no idea what that means. Ebokk, you are too wrapped up in what's going on to think about that.
Erric, having made his way back to the group, whispers, "if he's not going to let us out, then maybe we have to win some contest, or battle him to get to an exit? I've had fun here but I don't want to live here forever. Do we put him out of his misery to join his brother, as a surprise?"
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Jambiya will wait to hear the skull's answer to Maldorn's question.
she/her
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands.
Ebokk will also wait for the skull to reply to Maldorn first but will have a question of his own.
Since we are obviously in agreement about the beholders perhaps we can make a deal. Could we take you somewhere so you dont have to see yourself robbed by those blasted beholders anymore?
He shakes his head. Taking your treasure and then guiding adventurers to take more of your hard earned hoard.
Ebokk tries to muster up all the skills he has seen his mother use to make a deal
By the looks of it its only a matter of time before your left here with nothing, you would want to make arrangements before that time comes dont you?
"Go?" Maldorn cocks an eyebrow. "Go where? Back the way we came or is there another chamber for us to move into? We were given two hours to reach... something. Is this chamber the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?"
The skull pauses, then sort of stutters. "Yes. No. Grath said maze. I said trap. OUR TREASURE! Prize. NO! OURS! Safe. Not safe. Grath gone. I'm here. Every time. EVERY time. Each time. Less me. LESS! Trap. Go. Trap. Go. Trap. Go," it repeats, getting quieter and quieter.
Ebokk finally speaks up, uttering his own idea. "Since we are obviously in agreement about the beholders perhaps we can make a deal. Could we take you somewhere so you don't have to see yourself robbed by those blasted beholders anymore?" He shakes his head. "Taking your treasure and then guiding adventurers to take more of your hard earned hoard."
Ebokk tries to muster up all the skills he has seen his mother use to make a deal. "By the looks of it it's only a matter of time before you're left here with nothing. You would want to make arrangements before that time comes don't you?"
The skull pauses again, then replies, sounding much more lucid, "But the beholders were hired as guards and docents. They have already been paid. This is what is left. We traveled so far and worked so hard — each of us trying to outdo the other. I, the elder, was expected to always lead, and so I did. But Grath ... Grath was relentless. Always one step behind and threatening to overtake me. It was mostly his idea to build the Vault. He wanted a place where we would always be remembered. But how is this the memorial he dreamed of? A hidden entrance ... and ultimately ... death? Who will remember when no one leaves? The years go by, and every time ... every time ... " The voice stops as the skull continues to float above the small pile of treasure. Occasionally, a spark or small arc of lightning appears.
Maldorn whispers to Jambiya and Ebokk: "Do you think this trap was the younger one's, Wrath's, last attempt to overtake his brother in their little one-upmanship game? The older one is here, trapped. The younger one is supposedly 'gone'. Assuming he is not dead, I think that would give us a clear winner."
Erric is waiting for a chance to grab the potion when the skull seems particularly fixated on the group, and away from the treasure pile.
He's still got his crossbow trained on the skull, ready to fire as soon as it seems hostile instead of merely insane. They're still trapped in here, with a dwindling time frame, like gods know how many more deceased adventurers. So he's not ready to befriend this loony floating skull. (This is character progression for the naive halfling.)
Jambiya steps forward a few paces. "Raman, we will remember. If you let us escape the Trap, bring the treasure as proof and our lives as reward, we'll gladly tell the stories of Raman and his little brother Grath, the amazing adventures they had, the treasure they amassed, and the intricate Trap they created. I was raised by two great adventurers, I know what it's like to spin a good story and spread tales far and wide. We will take this for you, and you can rest. Grath may have pushed you to make the Trap, and spent much of your fortune doing so, but you can be the one who makes sure your stories live forever, the way the Trap can't."
she/her
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands.
Listening to the others Ebokk nods He tricked you.
On the outside your legends are becoming a myth rapidly. Like my friend here says he looks to Jambiya We could tell your legends once more to let the world know you are real.
Erric’s eyebrows rise in admiration of Jambiya’s gambit. He doesn’t look away from his target but he is sure impressed.
Jambiya will bounce a little on her feet, betraying a little nervousness…
she/her
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands.
Maldorn watches, anxious to hear the brother's answer to Jambiya's and Ebook's words.
Erric, the skull has not left its position of hovering directly above the small pile.
Following Jambiya's and Ebokk's assurances, the skull is silent. And silent some more. Some side glances between the party express between them (the visible ones, any way) a question as to what's going on. Finally, the skull's ethereal voice breaks the silence. "You ... would do that?"
Erric circles around slowly, back to the door, reading the room. He's still ready to attack, but he senses that this might be a persuasive effort here, and he doesn't want to spook the skull. When he gets to the door, he plans to move to the side and become visible again and attempt to join the conversation. But that will take a while, I'd guess.
Maldorn senses that Jambiya's persuasive skill might be working well, especially with Ebokk's help. He makes a point to stay silenced for now, not wanting to risk it all with another of his probing questions.
Jambiya nods with vigor. "Of course we would! Look, I'll make you this promise, too, I can put something from your adventures on the wall of the Inn back home. It's kind of cluttered with my dads' stuff, but I'll make them clear a spot, and we'll put it up so that even if people haven't heard the stories, they'll see it and ask about it. Grumpy Dad will be happy to do that, and my other dad, he's a little full of himself, but I'm his only daughter, and I can sweet talk him into making room." She smiles confidently. "That way, if we're out adventuring, we won't even have to be there to get your story told! It's like an adventuring museum, really, and it could stand having something from someone else. Someday, maybe even our little group could have something hanging up there."
She's really quite enthralled with this idea, impressed with the brothers' exploits, and happy to do this. There's no guile to her in this. Her eyes get a little far away... "Maybe we could open an actual museum... in, like, Waterdeep? Ebokk, you know the city, you could help us get a building... maybe next to that famous tavern place? The Giant Hole? The Bottomless Pit? I don't remember what it's called..." She snaps back. "Yeah, so, sure, we'd do this for you."
she/her
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands.
Ebokk listens to Jambiya words. Uhm yeah i suppose we could get something. Ill have to ask mother, she knows all the folks.
He takes a few steps staring into the ground. Mother is a real business woman. Im sure she can turn it into a museum. A famous adventurer like you would draw in folks from far so mother could get the local shops to pitch in since they would be getting extra customers too.
Ebokk nods to himself then looks to the skull Yeah, so do we have a deal?
"No ... " Raman's skull replies, sounding almost scared. "No more promises of a museum. Forever. Forever I am trapped in this one! Never to leave. No more to live. Only to exist. Over and over! Over and over! How far I have fallen! The great Raman Turntide is no more." The skull continues, lamenting its fall from grandeur.
Maldorn had really hoped his companions' persuasive skills would have sufficed. Nonetheless, sensing some lucidity return to their counterpart, he risks another question or two: "What of your younger brother? Where is he now?"
Jambiya's face falls. "My friend is a bard... I don't know where he's gotten to... he could write a song..?"
she/her
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands.
"Gone!" the skull practically screams at Maldorn. "Alone now, I am. Alone for all eternity. Over and over! He rests while I never will."
Raman does not respond to Jambiya's offer. Perhaps it is contemplating. Perhaps it is still thinking about Maldorn's question. Perhaps it went temporarily deaf.
41
Erric, Maldorn and Jambiya, you all are starting to feel like the two hours are probably pretty close to running out. You have no idea what that means. Ebokk, you are too wrapped up in what's going on to think about that.
Erric, having made his way back to the group, whispers, "if he's not going to let us out, then maybe we have to win some contest, or battle him to get to an exit? I've had fun here but I don't want to live here forever. Do we put him out of his misery to join his brother, as a surprise?"