Rhayna, still distracted in her thoughts, bumps into the person in front of her when the party stops abruptly. Then Rhayna hears someone, or something, singing ahead of the tunnel. She pokes her head to the side, and fixes her spectacles to see if she can spot who or what is the source of the sound. The Cleric is perplexed by the fact that the song is sang in many different languages, and she tries to identify and understand the meaning of it. At last, she sees the source, and she is surprised by the owner of the voice. "Fascinating! A singing Basilisk." She takes her Journal, and records this event.
After hearing Derendil speak in a manner that is familiar to her, she is happy for him for a moment. She goes next to the Quaggoth, and pats him on his arm. "Yes, let us follow our guide. Hopefully we have found Gravenhollow."
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Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
The basilisk leads the group along the faerzress-suffused tunnels, now only softly humming rather than singing, and giving only brief answers when spoken to, including giving its name as Veldyskar. After another hour of travel the tunnel widens to reveal a pair of massive basalt doors flanked by statues of stone giants whose heads move almost imperceptibly as if to watch the new arrivals. Veldyskar nods toward the doors, with eyes still downcast, inviting the group to enter. The doors are opened with only a light push, after which Veldyskar guides the characters in through the gates, instructs them to continue straight ahead, then quickly disappears down a side passage.
Walking across the threshold of Gravenhollow is like stepping into another realm. The oppressive gloom of the Underdark is replaced by light and a sense of openness that brings back memories of the surface world. The corridor beyond the gates is wide enough for ten people to walk side by side, and the bright ceilings rise high overhead, with rainbows trapped in hundreds of crystal formations combining to create a warm and inviting illumination.
The corridor opens into a central well, with walkways crossing its span to the opposite side. You can barely see the ends of the level to your right and left, with doors opening into so many rooms that you doubt you could explore them all in a single day. Looking up or down the well is a dizzying experience. Staircases connect to different levels below, and you soon lose count of how far down they go, but each level seems to contain the same plethora of rooms. And all throughout the library, moving along the walkways or walking in and out of the rooms, are insubstantial apparitions of all manner of beings - mostly humanoid, chiefly stone giants - giving a feeling of life to the place but not detracting from the peaceful tranquility.
A stout, rocky creature detaches from the perfectly smooth wall to your left, leaving an imprint of its body in the wall that quickly smooths out and fades from sight. Trravelerrrrs. I am Hourm. The masterrrs arre occupied. Therre arre rrooms forr all of you. Choose yourr own. The rresourrces of Grravenhollow arre at yourr disposal. You need only ask.
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
“Greetings Hourm. We are here to research regarding death, and perhaps, undeath. Are you able to provide me with materials for my research? That would be greatly appreciated.” Says Rhayna very matter of fact to their guide.
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Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
"Where do I start? Where do I start? Have any materials on the Abyss or the Demon Lords? Anything on planar magic that could bring the demon lords to the Underdark?" Kirin's mouth motored ahead of his brain as looked around with curious eyes.
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Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls - Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against Demogorgon Silas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of Annihilation Done
Kaylyn followed behind the basilisk humming along to the song as they continued towards the gate. Even Pensive, sensing the mood and good will, pokes his head out and brightens at the songs.
"Thank you for the song Veldyskar, I will treasure it in my heart." She says in thanks as Veldyskar leaves.
"Thank you Hourm for your welcome. Magic seems to permeate this entire place. Are the resources easy to access or will we need to spend much time wandering and hoping to find what we seek?"
She also looks inside some of the guest rooms looking at the furnishings to find something she likes.
By now Pax has pulled her helm off, and her gauntlets. The gauntlets are stuffed into the upside down helm and the whole bundle tucked under an arm.
Pax gently places a hand on Rhayna’s shoulder. In a tender but firm voice says, “Rhayna. I know these topics are of interest to you. But the entire world is under threat from demon lords. You have the speakers crystal. We must ensure we use it wisely. Perhaps there may be some time after we get what we need to do a bit more research into our own personal topics. I know I certainly would love to spend months here reading. But for now, we should put the knowledge of the demon lord incursion first on our priorities.”
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What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
By now Sekkar, obviously, revealed himself. The "scientific" (so to speak) beauty of the place left him unmoved, but the size definitely impressed lizardman, inspiring both awe and fear - he did not trust books (no, wrong, he mostly ignore their existence) and the overly smart creatures and apparitions that loved them. Like that moving rock, that suddenly jumped in front of the group from the wall.
"You mean, "how to send those demon lords back from the Underdark", right?" Caught Sekkar Kirin's question. "We have plenty already to summon more."With the same expression of suspicion, he followed the group, quietly hoping that people will stay together, despite the unacceptable offer of their small guide to each of them to find "their own rrrroom".
Meanwhile, Derendil continued to walk on the clouds - the most strange look for a quaggoth. He heard the rocky creature, though, but just shook his head. Choose? How? But he smiled as happily and serenely as it was possible for his crude features. "Shall we meet the masters, Hourm?" Derendil now had just one question to ask those who own the place and hoped they will not refuse him the answer.
In response to Kaylyn's questions, Huorn replies in his gravelly voice: Grrravenhollow is an arrrchive of past, prresent and futurrre. Time will not be an burrden in yourr searrch. Simply concentrrate on what you seek, and the librrarry will dirrrect you. Huorn also points out that the guest rooms are on the level below the entrance. Kaylyn walks past several, looking in through the open doorways, and finds they all appear bare and unadorned. Feeling a little disappointed, but figuring it makes no difference which one she chooses, she enters one of the rooms only to discover that it is in fact beautifully appointed, as if it was so all along, somehow. A soft carpet of green grass covers the floor; shrubs and flowers line the walls, with a burbling water feature dominating one wall; the ceiling is like a night sky filled with stars that slowly turn overhead; one corner contains a large velvet cushion perfectly sized for Pensive; another corner holds a long divan couch beside which is laid a platter of fresh fruits and warm bread; and the far end of the room is taken up by a large poster bed with gossamer curtains, and a mattress sprinkled with rose petals.
Upon entering the library, Rhayna hears a soft hum (or is it simply in her mind) emanating from the stonespeaker crystal that she had carried since Gracklstugh. Huorn also notices the artifact protruding from her pack, and comments: Welcome, favourred of Cairrrngorrrm. That crrystal is a rrarre gift, and will aid yourr searrrch. Rhayna intuitively senses that the crystal will amplify her ability to find information in the archives.
While standing in the Archives of the Past with the crystal in hand, Rhayna can choose to experience a vision of the past. After receiving this vision, she can’t experience another vision of the past until she finishes a long rest. Likewise, a vision of the present or the future can be received while standing in the Archives of the Present or the Archives of the Future. While standing in the appropriate archive, Rhayna can expend 2 of the crystal’s charges to ask an additional question pertaining to the past, present, or future and receive a truthful answer in the form of a vision.
Pax stands beside Rhayna as Huorn greets and instructs the cleric, and notices several things. The galeb duhr is not speaking Common, and yet Pax understands it perfectly. In fact with a little experimentation, Pax realises that any language she attempts seems to be equally comprehensible. Glancing around, she sees that the inscriptions above many of the rooms, although written in the language of the giants, are likewise perfectly understood. Three different inscriptions seem to recur however, with each appearing above various rooms on every level. One reads: The past is a crystal, for it can be seen from many facets yet it always remains the same. Another reads: The present is like sand, ever flowing and escaping one’s grasp without mercy or respite. And the third says: The future is a song we remember, but we cannot rush to its end lest we destroy the melody.
Kirin is eager to begin, and heads immediately down the walkways to the second level. Numerous other galeb duhr servants can be seen moving along the walkways of different levels, which stretch downward as far as the wizard can see. He also passes several ghostly apparitions, although he can tell they are not ghosts but simply some kind of echo of others who have visited the library at some point in time, and they flicker in and out of existence around him. With his goal in mind he passes by several rooms, somehow certain that they do not hold the information he seeks. On the fourth level down, he instinctively walks into one of the rooms holding archives of the past, finding it populated (like all the rooms) with rows and rows of carved stone tablets. Reaching for one, he finds it chronicles the movements of Baphomet, the Demon Lord of Minotaurs, from his sudden arrival in the Underdark toward the area known as the Labyrinth. Looking around, Kirin notices one of the ghostly echoes walking through the same room, and is sure he recognises them, at least by description. It is a human wizard - an old man with a gray beard and weathered features, in a long red robe with a pointy hat. His eyes are alert, peering out over a hawk-like nose, and he is puffing on a long pipe...
Sekkar is a little surprised by Derendil's question to Huorm, as well as by the stony creatures reply: Cerrtainly, sirrr. Urrmas is expecting you. The squat elemental turns and walks a short distance to a doorway on the same level through which a steady line of galeb duhr are coming and going, and directs Derendil to enter, not preventing Sekkar from following if he wishes. Inside, a stone giant can be seen seated, facing a large blank wall; however the wall is far from featureless. With constant regularlity, faces and limbs appear from the wall, speaking brief but rapid reports or handing small stone tablets to the giant. The scene is rather disconcerting until it becomes obvious that the appendages protruding from the wall belong to various earth elementals - including galeb duhr and xorn - who emerge from the wall only long enough to pass on their missives and then depart. In addition, the steady line of galeb duhr servants file along behind the giant as he glances at each report and hands it one of the servants with a brief instruction on where in the library to take it. As busy at the giant appears to be, he looks up and immediately stops working as he sees Derendil enter the room, ignoring the elementals in the wall behind him and in the line before him. Ah! At last! I have been waiting for you, he growls. Please enter and tell me of your encounter with the Demon Lord, Fraz-Urb'luu.
(Here's a pic of the three librarians, although Sekkar and Derendil are currently only speaking to the one called Urmas)
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
By placing her hand on her shoulder, Pax jolts Rhayna out of her obsession, and brings her back to reality. “Yes, of course. We are here to research regarding the demon’s invasion of the Underdark.” She looks at Pax. “Thank you, Pax”. She is taken aback by how much her obsession with the pursuit regarding the knowledge of death has clouded her mind, that she has forgotten her purpose here, and also of the crystal. Rhayna then looks around the library, her shoulders relaxes, she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. She feels truly comfortable for the first time since she left Candlekeep, many moons ago. For all its differences, Gravenhollow feels like an old place she has called home for many years.
At that moment, she hears a hum coming from what seems like it is from the crystal. She notices that Huorn also noticed the artifact in the backpack. After his comments, she takes the crystal out. She walks next to the Galeb Duhr, and in a hush voice, like when one speaks in a library. “I thank you for your hospitality, Huorn. Please disregard my previous request. My apologies.” The knowledge cleric instinctively uses the same protocols that is in place in Candlekeep. “I would like to know how the crystal may aid our research, and how can I find out what caused the demon lords incursion into the Underdark. We believe someone or something may have summoned them. We saw Demogorgon first hand, so perhaps we can start with that particular demon lord.”
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
Sekkar did follow Derendil - something that has not been seen since the big escape. More wonder (and more sorcery) did not change lizardman's mind about the place - "suspicious" did not even begin to describe it! Derendil looked incredibly happy still, though, and his formal and respectful bow was still up to the "elven prince" standards. Up until the question was asked... No, the quaggoth did not turn to savagery, and the look of an ever-slave did not return either, not fully anyway, but the happy expression changed to a stoic acceptance of reality.
Derendil slowly nodded and begun to speak before Sekkar had a chance for the "which of them was Frazz, again?" question. Sekkar did not know what languages the quaggoth was using, but the story itself was well told and understandable, he even learned some details he was not aware of - like where his former owner Krimgol had found the gem. The story was clearly painful to Derendil, but he did not try to hide anything and seemed to remember it well. When he was done, the prince's manners left his demeanor completely, replaced now by something neither Sekkar, nor anyone else has seen before - his own true nobility, the dignity of a free self-aware person. "I harbor no ill will toward that demon. Though the dreams I had were all lies, they showed me something I did not know existed, never would think to search for it either. But now I want to learn about the world here and above. Would you allow me to stay and serve the library?"
The stone-faced librarian might have expected it, but to Sekkar the request was sudden and left him with the expression "Et tu, Brute" - everyone here seemed to lost their minds over words on the papers. He did not try to dissuade Derendil, though - after all, he was the one offering the man complete freedom. If this is the place he wanted to spend his life - so be it.
"The Labyrinth? What is the Labyrinth? Demon Lord of Minoaturs and Labyrinth do go hand in hand," Kirin looks at the wizard "Well then. Hello?" Kirin gives carefully waves to the robed old figure, "Are you looking, looked, I'm sure what term to use. Information on the Demon Lords? You know they've come to the Underdark? Maybe know you know or read about what happened to them? For me, their invasion, intrusion is occruing at the moment,"
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Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls - Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against Demogorgon Silas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of Annihilation Done
Pax has much she would like to look into, much personal research she’d love to do, but at this moment, honor drives her. She remains behind Rhayna, silent, and ensures that she is there to help the girl should she forget her mission once again. Plus, being a bit of a scholar herself, she prepares to help. While she watches and waits, she begins packing away her armor and pulling off more and more, until she’s able to change into some normal clothes.
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What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
Kaylyn sets the helmet aside and drops her pack and cloak on the bed. While Pensive flies over and settles onto the cussion Kaylyn lays down on the grass. The mission is forgotten while she stares up at the sky and watches the stars. Peace and contentment fill her as she quietly hums Veldyskar's song.
Pax follows Rhayna along the steps and walkways as the cleric lets the crystal guide her search. After removing a few of the more bulky pieces of armor, Pax looks for somewhere to deposit them to relieve herself of the burden. She enters the nearest empty guest room (hoping that she'll be able to find it again - the levels all look the same!) only to find that as soon as she enters the bare room it suddenly becomes furnished (or perhaps it was all along - weird!) The furnishings are exactly to Pax's tastes - not too ostentatious, but practical and comfortable. And it doesn't matter where Pax casually drops an item - it just seems to be where she needs it when she needs it. There is even a writing desk equipped with all manner of scribing materials, perfect for copying spells. Then fearing that she has lingered too long, Pax runs back out into the hallway, only to find Rhayna in almost the exact same spot as when she left, still in the middle of the same sentence about whether demons could truly die, or some such thing. Thinking this an odd occurence, Pax again enters the room, waits as long as she can bear, and then emerges to find that Rhayna still has only progressed a few inches. What manner of magic is at work, Pax can't say, but clearly the passage of time moves differently in the library, and Pax gets the impression that she could spend hours or even days in her guest room - perhaps in the entire library - without expending a moment of time in the real world.
Rhayna
With Pax following along (and somehow managing to doff her armor along the way) Rhayna grips the crystal as she moves through the library. Looking into each room she sees rows and rows of stone tablets aligned on the shelves, but unlike Candlekeep, there doesn't appear to be any system to it, or even any labels. The only sense of order is that each room is designated by its inscription over the door as being an archive of either the past, present or future. The crystal hums a little more urgently as Rhayna approaches one of the 'past' archives, and so she enters. She moves along the shelves and plucks one stone tablet from high on a shelf, instinctively knowing this is the one she seeks. With Pax listening on, Rhayna reads aloud. The tablet chronicles the appearance of Demogorgon, greatest of all Demon Lords, when he appeared suddenly in the middle of the drow city of Menzoberranzan. In a confused and violent rampage, the demon destroyed almost a quarter of the city as he ploughed his way out and into the tunnels beyond, eventually making his way to the Darklake. Rhayna realises this event must be what Skriss was referring to in her brief sending, that Demogorgon had 'appeared' in the city initially, rather than recently.
Wanting to follow the order of events backwards, Rhayna reaches for another tablet further along the row. Here she finds and reads a suprisingly detailed account of a powerful spell cast by Gromph Baenre, the Archmage of Menzoberranzan. The imperious drow wizard stood in his tower in spider-silk robes casting a mighty conjuration spell. As the ritual drew toward its conclusion, a web of faerzress energy expanded outward. The wizard seemed alarmed by this, his efforts to complete the spell grew more crazed as he realized he’d lost control. And then, madness! Rifts opened in the web of energy around him. These cracks stretched and widened, and through them came horrific fiends that screamed, shrieked, and howled as they were wrenched from the Abyss and cast into the Underdark. A woman’s deep, dark laugh echoed through the city as the drow wizard shrunk away from the demonic hordes he had unwittingly unleashed.
Eagerly continuing her search now, Rhayna reaches for one tablet after another, reading how the very same spell cast by Gromph Baenre was responsible for instantaneously summoning a host of demons and demon lords into the Underdark. The sheer power that would be required is staggering, and it seems incredible that one person could manage to unleash such magic. It seems clear that the results were unintended, but none of the archives specify what Gromph's original purpose was. Through her searching, Rhayna discovers one more interesting fact - all the demon lords - Demogorgon, Zuggtmoy, Juiblex, Fraz-Urb'luu, Graz'zt, Baphomet, Yeenoghu and Orcus - have a recorded account of their appearance chronicled here, except for one... Lolth, the Demon Queen of Spiders, was apparently not summoned to the Underdark.
As Rhayna continues her research, she notices two familiar figures - one small and one large - among the ghostly echoes that roam the halls. The smaller of the two is easily recognised, as Rhayna only recently saw her - it is Yantha Coaxrock, the gnome mage from Mantol-Derith - and she appears to be watching Rhayna and her crystal intently. The other familiar figure is the image of the stone giant Hgraam, the Stonespeaker of the Cairngorm Clan at Gracklstugh, and who doesn't appear to have noticed either Rhayna or Pax.
Sekkar/Derendil
Urmas the librarian looks straight at Derendil for a moment, and although he is thinking deeply, he looks for all the world like a carved statue. Finally he seems to have carefully crafted an answer and replies: Time flows differently here. None know how or when Gravenhollow came into being, but it was here at the dawn of giantkin, and yet Ulthar, Ustova and I have always been its custodians. I oversee the matters of the present, Ulthar catalogs the past, and Ustova views the future.And yet for all this (and he waves his hand around as if to encompass the entire library) all of our thoughts and efforts are focused on things as they pertain to giants alone. I do not know why we know it, but all three of us agree that this should not, nor will not always be so. In time, whatever that means here, the library will expand to engulf the entirety of living beings on this world.
Urmas pauses for a moment, his words gaining more weight in light of his ignoring the urgent hands behind him that continue to grasp impatiently, before proceeding: You have a special status here, Derendil. No echo of the future or past exists for you as it does for other visitors. I cannot invite you to remain here, but I believe the library itself has done so. I do not know what duty you have to perform, but you will discover it just as I did. And when you do you will also discover, just as I will, that you have always been here, from the library's beginning, and will be until its end. Urmas waits to see if Derendil has anything to say in response.
Kirin
The echo of the red-robed mage speaks to Kirin: Oh, the Labyrinth is a region of the Underdark to the south of here. I think you passed near to it when you travelled from Gracklstugh to Neverlight Grove. Perhaps you will go there yet. Or maybe you have already. I can't quite tell. The wizard speaks in the manner of a doddering old man, but the sharp gleam in his eye suggests that he is anything but. As for the arrival of the Demon Lords. Hmm. Perhaps I haven't looked yet. Perhaps I remember it, or haven't ever heard of it. But there is someone here I suggest you speak to. His name is Vizeran DeVir. A wizard like you... and like me I suppose. He may be here now, or perhaps he was here, or hasn't been yet. I'm not sure. Either way, I think he can help you. Nice to meet you again, Kirin Orisis. And with that the wise and kindly wizard turns away and flickers out of existence before Kirin has the chance to ask him how he knows his name, or where he knows him from.
Kaylyn
Kaylyn drifts off to sleep with the basilisk's soothing tune echoing in her mind. She slumbers more deeply and restfully than at any time since before coming to Oakhurst.
(Kaylyn can receive 20 temporary HP that last until they are taken as damage, and are cumulative with any other temporary HP she receives.)
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Derendil did not answer, not with words - at this moment words felt unnecessary even to Sekkar. He bowed low to Urmas, then raised up again with the golden light of Gravenhollow now shimmering in his eyes. Then he looked around as if recognizing his old - new? always existed? - home and quietly but purposefully walked out to disappear in the everchanging and always remaining corridors and rooms of the great library.
Sekkar automatically made a couple of steps after Derendil but then stopped and shook his head. Derendil changed again but this time it looked ... right. "Find yourself and you find happiness", as they say. Or something like this that the lizardnman never truly understood mostly because the idea of losing oneself was completely alien to him. Here and now he could see the very implementation of that statement and could not say whether he liked it or not. Derendil seemed happy and strangely "in place" but the group lost one companion. Speaking of the group... Sekkar looked back at Urmas. "I will check on others, I guess."He paused for a moment but added in the end: "Thank you. He seems to really like it here." The ranger nodded again, awkwardly, and walked away to make sure no one else decided to stay or got lost.
To emptiness, "I thank you for your advice. I believe future conversations will be just as confusing.Vizeran DeVir? Vizeran DeVir? Do you know where I can meet Vizeran DeVir?" Kirin askes the librarians.
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Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls - Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against Demogorgon Silas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of Annihilation Done
The temptation for Pax to just sit down, and being scribing is tangible. She somehow tears herself away. She won't let herself be distracted until their purpose is completed. Instead, she sticks close to Rhayna, helping to read the various stones and read the details of the scripts. Pax turns to Rhayna, "You know, if this place is out of time you should look for how the demon lords are sent back. What thing happens that eventually sends them away. I don't know if it works that way, but, what's the harm in looking?"
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What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
Somehow, once she holds the crystal, Rhayna slowly feels like she has walked through these hallways all her life. For her, it feels like when she uses her Knowledge of the Ages, but instead of Selune providing her the insight she is looking for, the crystal provides the information in "real-time" inside the library. While searching the library for the information she is looking for, she notices that Pax, at one point, is carrying her equipment, then the next moment, she has stored them somewhere. She is too busy following her instincts to ask her colleague what happened.
The crystal tells Rhayna which room has her research information, and she enters it. Also, instinctively, she knows exactly which is the stone table she needs, and retrieves it. She makes a mental note where she plucked the "book" from, so she can archive it back later. That small mental gesture, brings her back to her days in Candlekeep before she became an Avowed. She thought it was beneath her to have to return the books requested by the Seekers, but she later found out. How was she going to know the library if she didn't know where the books belonged to. Now she practically knows the placement of most books in the Candlekeep, so returning the table in her possession wouldn't take much effort from her part.
With Pax at her side, she shows her the tablet. It is written in a language foreign to both of them, but they are able to read it fluently. While reading, she mentions. "Demogorgon." Then. "Menzoberranzan." When done reading the tablet, she looks up at another spot on the shelf. "Please hold this tablet Pax." Pax almost drops the table for the sudden movement. She plucks another table. "Gromph Baenre, Menzoberranzan." The Cleric now has a very concerned look on her face, and without a word, she piles that table on top of the one Pax is carrying, then she goes to another spot. "Lolth, the Demon Queen of Spiders..." She clutches that table to her chest with both arms. "Pax, we must inform the others. I have a feeling Lolth is connected somehow to the demon lords appearance in the Underdark." Pax tells her to look into the future. "Yes, eventually we must look into the future, but I am not done yet looking into the past or the present for that matter."
(Rhayna has another related question. "How did Zuggtmoy ended up in Neverlight Grove?" Not sure if she needs to take a long rest for this question)
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
(Divided into spoilers for the sake of space. Feel free to read any or all.)
Sekkar
Urmas bows to Sekkar in acknowledgement and then turns back to the wall to continue his work. Sekkar walks back out into the library, walking with purpose but also lost in thought. Derendil has disappeared from sight. Echoes of past (or future) visitors flicker in and out of view around him, many races being represented, but stone giants being the most common. Dozens of galeb duhr move tirelessly from one room to another, carrying tablets from the archives of the future into the present and on into the past. And the pragmatic ranger has a rare wistful thought that he is standing inside the machine of the world itself, watching its inner workings.
Suddenly the keen-eyed lizardman recognises several of the echo-apparitions moving along one of the walkways a level below. Blurg the orog cartographer they met near Velynvelve is talking with a large kuo-toa that Sekkar doesn't recognise. Immediately behind them, Skriss and Y, the troglodyte and derro pair that aided them recently are in conversation with a mind flayer! All five seem to be moving together with common purpose.
Kirin
Kirin stops one of the many nearby galeb duhr to ask his question. The stout elemental impassively nods and beckons for Kirin to follow, moving deeper and deeper into the library. The levels seem to go on and on endlessly, and Kirin wonders if he will remember how far they have descended, and yet he gets the impression that the top level is still only a few staircases away. Finally his guide stops outside a door to one of the 'past' archives and points inside.
Within are two figures — a withered drow clad in dark flowing robes, and a hulking gray-skinned monster resembling a spiky humanoid toad, its wide mouth full of razor-sharp teeth. The drow’s pinched and lined face speak to his great age, and his red eyes narrow and appraise Kirin suspiciously as he notices him, before speaking venomously in the drow dialect of Elvish. Hss! Darthiir! Thou art no echo. What is a traitor like thee doing in Gravenhollow? The toad-like creature beside him tenses as if expecting trouble...
Rhayna
Thus far, Rhayna's investigations have simply been guided by the crystal, leading her to the tablets she requires to answer her question. But this time as she focuses her question on the crystal, a vision opens in her mind...
A cavern of peculiar beauty opens up before you, with lights of every color shining from the pure essence of life, diffused and amplified by the glow of faerzress. The glow pulses suddenly, taking on a different hue. Shortly after, a weak and frail yet tangibly evil figure crawls unseen into the cavern, and you can feel the life in the cavern rotting away, bursting with infection. The figure gains strength as it drains this life to feed its own, and crawls toward a mushroom growing in the center of the cave, which begins to grow ever larger and taller, pustules forming and seeping as its stem thickens and its cap reaches to the cavern’s ceiling, forming a vast fungal tower. Two myconids approach the site in awe, not minding the carpet of rot under their feet. You sense their minds come alive in wonder, and as they kneel in worship, you know they are doomed. A fell voice sounds out within clouds of spores that fall like snow, soft like a woman's and yet as deep as the infinite Abyss. The voice tells the myconids to prepare for a gift unlike any they have ever known, the promise of a paradise of plentiful soil and moisture, perpetual rot, and beautiful transcendent dreams to be shared in a never-ending communal melding...
The sound of the voice pierces Rhayna with a shock of fear as she recalls her own time enthralled under the Demon Queen. The vision fades, but not before Rhayna recognises one of the myconids as Phylo, one of the two sovereigns of the grove. The other can only be Yestabrod before his horrific mutation into the abomination they faced in the garden.
Pax
Pax follows Rhayna as she plucks one tablet after another from the shelves, stoicly carries the growing pile along behind her, vainly offers suggestions of what to research next, and then waits as she seemingly meditates with the crystal. With her patience gradually waning, Pax looks around the room. Echoes flicker in and out of view (including a high frequency of stone giants), but there is one echo that remains steady, standing just outside the room looking inward as if watching Pax and Rhayna. The figure is as tall as a stone giant, but more lithe and comely. Even in its colourless ghostly form, perfectly sculpted musculature is visible beneath skin like polished obsidian, which in turn is half-covered with an exotic robe that served more to accentuate than cover the body, and a beautiful face is framed with thick black hair. The intense eyes stare piercingly at Pax as their gazes meet.
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Pax glances at Rhayna eyes shut, seemingly meditating, then over at the figure. She glances once again at Rhayna who hasn't moved, and then back at the figure. With her eyes darting back and forth she twists her mouth and decides this could be important, and heads directly for the shadowy creature. "Hello? Are you actually here? Can we interact at all?"
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What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
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Rhayna, still distracted in her thoughts, bumps into the person in front of her when the party stops abruptly. Then Rhayna hears someone, or something, singing ahead of the tunnel. She pokes her head to the side, and fixes her spectacles to see if she can spot who or what is the source of the sound. The Cleric is perplexed by the fact that the song is sang in many different languages, and she tries to identify and understand the meaning of it. At last, she sees the source, and she is surprised by the owner of the voice. "Fascinating! A singing Basilisk." She takes her Journal, and records this event.
After hearing Derendil speak in a manner that is familiar to her, she is happy for him for a moment. She goes next to the Quaggoth, and pats him on his arm. "Yes, let us follow our guide. Hopefully we have found Gravenhollow."
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks
Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story
Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
The basilisk leads the group along the faerzress-suffused tunnels, now only softly humming rather than singing, and giving only brief answers when spoken to, including giving its name as Veldyskar. After another hour of travel the tunnel widens to reveal a pair of massive basalt doors flanked by statues of stone giants whose heads move almost imperceptibly as if to watch the new arrivals. Veldyskar nods toward the doors, with eyes still downcast, inviting the group to enter. The doors are opened with only a light push, after which Veldyskar guides the characters in through the gates, instructs them to continue straight ahead, then quickly disappears down a side passage.
Walking across the threshold of Gravenhollow is like stepping into another realm. The oppressive gloom of the Underdark is replaced by light and a sense of openness that brings back memories of the surface world. The corridor beyond the gates is wide enough for ten people to walk side by side, and the bright ceilings rise high overhead, with rainbows trapped in hundreds of crystal formations combining to create a warm and inviting illumination.
The corridor opens into a central well, with walkways crossing its span to the opposite side. You can barely see the ends of the level to your right and left, with doors opening into so many rooms that you doubt you could explore them all in a single day. Looking up or down the well is a dizzying experience. Staircases connect to different levels below, and you soon lose count of how far down they go, but each level seems to contain the same plethora of rooms. And all throughout the library, moving along the walkways or walking in and out of the rooms, are insubstantial apparitions of all manner of beings - mostly humanoid, chiefly stone giants - giving a feeling of life to the place but not detracting from the peaceful tranquility.
A stout, rocky creature detaches from the perfectly smooth wall to your left, leaving an imprint of its body in the wall that quickly smooths out and fades from sight. Trravelerrrrs. I am Hourm. The masterrrs arre occupied. Therre arre rrooms forr all of you. Choose yourr own. The rresourrces of Grravenhollow arre at yourr disposal. You need only ask.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
“Greetings Hourm. We are here to research regarding death, and perhaps, undeath. Are you able to provide me with materials for my research? That would be greatly appreciated.” Says Rhayna very matter of fact to their guide.
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks
Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story
Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
"Where do I start? Where do I start? Have any materials on the Abyss or the Demon Lords? Anything on planar magic that could bring the demon lords to the Underdark?" Kirin's mouth motored ahead of his brain as looked around with curious eyes.
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls- Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against DemogorgonSilas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of AnnihilationDoneKaylyn followed behind the basilisk humming along to the song as they continued towards the gate. Even Pensive, sensing the mood and good will, pokes his head out and brightens at the songs.
"Thank you for the song Veldyskar, I will treasure it in my heart." She says in thanks as Veldyskar leaves.
"Thank you Hourm for your welcome. Magic seems to permeate this entire place. Are the resources easy to access or will we need to spend much time wandering and hoping to find what we seek?"
She also looks inside some of the guest rooms looking at the furnishings to find something she likes.
By now Pax has pulled her helm off, and her gauntlets. The gauntlets are stuffed into the upside down helm and the whole bundle tucked under an arm.
Pax gently places a hand on Rhayna’s shoulder. In a tender but firm voice says, “Rhayna. I know these topics are of interest to you. But the entire world is under threat from demon lords. You have the speakers crystal. We must ensure we use it wisely. Perhaps there may be some time after we get what we need to do a bit more research into our own personal topics. I know I certainly would love to spend months here reading. But for now, we should put the knowledge of the demon lord incursion first on our priorities.”
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
By now Sekkar, obviously, revealed himself. The "scientific" (so to speak) beauty of the place left him unmoved, but the size definitely impressed lizardman, inspiring both awe and fear - he did not trust books (no, wrong, he mostly ignore their existence) and the overly smart creatures and apparitions that loved them. Like that moving rock, that suddenly jumped in front of the group from the wall.
"You mean, "how to send those demon lords back from the Underdark", right?" Caught Sekkar Kirin's question. "We have plenty already to summon more." With the same expression of suspicion, he followed the group, quietly hoping that people will stay together, despite the unacceptable offer of their small guide to each of them to find "their own rrrroom".
Meanwhile, Derendil continued to walk on the clouds - the most strange look for a quaggoth. He heard the rocky creature, though, but just shook his head. Choose? How? But he smiled as happily and serenely as it was possible for his crude features. "Shall we meet the masters, Hourm?" Derendil now had just one question to ask those who own the place and hoped they will not refuse him the answer.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Kaylyn
In response to Kaylyn's questions, Huorn replies in his gravelly voice: Grrravenhollow is an arrrchive of past, prresent and futurrre. Time will not be an burrden in yourr searrch. Simply concentrrate on what you seek, and the librrarry will dirrrect you. Huorn also points out that the guest rooms are on the level below the entrance. Kaylyn walks past several, looking in through the open doorways, and finds they all appear bare and unadorned. Feeling a little disappointed, but figuring it makes no difference which one she chooses, she enters one of the rooms only to discover that it is in fact beautifully appointed, as if it was so all along, somehow. A soft carpet of green grass covers the floor; shrubs and flowers line the walls, with a burbling water feature dominating one wall; the ceiling is like a night sky filled with stars that slowly turn overhead; one corner contains a large velvet cushion perfectly sized for Pensive; another corner holds a long divan couch beside which is laid a platter of fresh fruits and warm bread; and the far end of the room is taken up by a large poster bed with gossamer curtains, and a mattress sprinkled with rose petals.
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Rhayna
Upon entering the library, Rhayna hears a soft hum (or is it simply in her mind) emanating from the stonespeaker crystal that she had carried since Gracklstugh. Huorn also notices the artifact protruding from her pack, and comments: Welcome, favourred of Cairrrngorrrm. That crrystal is a rrarre gift, and will aid yourr searrrch. Rhayna intuitively senses that the crystal will amplify her ability to find information in the archives.
While standing in the Archives of the Past with the crystal in hand, Rhayna can choose to experience a vision of the past. After receiving this vision, she can’t experience another vision of the past until she finishes a long rest. Likewise, a vision of the present or the future can be received while standing in the Archives of the Present or the Archives of the Future.
While standing in the appropriate archive, Rhayna can expend 2 of the crystal’s charges to ask an additional question pertaining to the past, present, or future and receive a truthful answer in the form of a vision.
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Pax
Pax stands beside Rhayna as Huorn greets and instructs the cleric, and notices several things. The galeb duhr is not speaking Common, and yet Pax understands it perfectly. In fact with a little experimentation, Pax realises that any language she attempts seems to be equally comprehensible. Glancing around, she sees that the inscriptions above many of the rooms, although written in the language of the giants, are likewise perfectly understood. Three different inscriptions seem to recur however, with each appearing above various rooms on every level. One reads: The past is a crystal, for it can be seen from many facets yet it always remains the same. Another reads: The present is like sand, ever flowing and escaping one’s grasp without mercy or respite. And the third says: The future is a song we remember, but we cannot rush to its end lest we destroy the melody.
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Kirin
Kirin is eager to begin, and heads immediately down the walkways to the second level. Numerous other galeb duhr servants can be seen moving along the walkways of different levels, which stretch downward as far as the wizard can see. He also passes several ghostly apparitions, although he can tell they are not ghosts but simply some kind of echo of others who have visited the library at some point in time, and they flicker in and out of existence around him. With his goal in mind he passes by several rooms, somehow certain that they do not hold the information he seeks. On the fourth level down, he instinctively walks into one of the rooms holding archives of the past, finding it populated (like all the rooms) with rows and rows of carved stone tablets. Reaching for one, he finds it chronicles the movements of Baphomet, the Demon Lord of Minotaurs, from his sudden arrival in the Underdark toward the area known as the Labyrinth. Looking around, Kirin notices one of the ghostly echoes walking through the same room, and is sure he recognises them, at least by description. It is a human wizard - an old man with a gray beard and weathered features, in a long red robe with a pointy hat. His eyes are alert, peering out over a hawk-like nose, and he is puffing on a long pipe...
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Sekkar
Sekkar is a little surprised by Derendil's question to Huorm, as well as by the stony creatures reply: Cerrtainly, sirrr. Urrmas is expecting you. The squat elemental turns and walks a short distance to a doorway on the same level through which a steady line of galeb duhr are coming and going, and directs Derendil to enter, not preventing Sekkar from following if he wishes. Inside, a stone giant can be seen seated, facing a large blank wall; however the wall is far from featureless. With constant regularlity, faces and limbs appear from the wall, speaking brief but rapid reports or handing small stone tablets to the giant. The scene is rather disconcerting until it becomes obvious that the appendages protruding from the wall belong to various earth elementals - including galeb duhr and xorn - who emerge from the wall only long enough to pass on their missives and then depart. In addition, the steady line of galeb duhr servants file along behind the giant as he glances at each report and hands it one of the servants with a brief instruction on where in the library to take it. As busy at the giant appears to be, he looks up and immediately stops working as he sees Derendil enter the room, ignoring the elementals in the wall behind him and in the line before him. Ah! At last! I have been waiting for you, he growls. Please enter and tell me of your encounter with the Demon Lord, Fraz-Urb'luu.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
By placing her hand on her shoulder, Pax jolts Rhayna out of her obsession, and brings her back to reality. “Yes, of course. We are here to research regarding the demon’s invasion of the Underdark.” She looks at Pax. “Thank you, Pax”. She is taken aback by how much her obsession with the pursuit regarding the knowledge of death has clouded her mind, that she has forgotten her purpose here, and also of the crystal. Rhayna then looks around the library, her shoulders relaxes, she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. She feels truly comfortable for the first time since she left Candlekeep, many moons ago. For all its differences, Gravenhollow feels like an old place she has called home for many years.
At that moment, she hears a hum coming from what seems like it is from the crystal. She notices that Huorn also noticed the artifact in the backpack. After his comments, she takes the crystal out. She walks next to the Galeb Duhr, and in a hush voice, like when one speaks in a library. “I thank you for your hospitality, Huorn. Please disregard my previous request. My apologies.” The knowledge cleric instinctively uses the same protocols that is in place in Candlekeep. “I would like to know how the crystal may aid our research, and how can I find out what caused the demon lords incursion into the Underdark. We believe someone or something may have summoned them. We saw Demogorgon first hand, so perhaps we can start with that particular demon lord.”
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks
Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story
Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
Sekkar did follow Derendil - something that has not been seen since the big escape. More wonder (and more sorcery) did not change lizardman's mind about the place - "suspicious" did not even begin to describe it! Derendil looked incredibly happy still, though, and his formal and respectful bow was still up to the "elven prince" standards. Up until the question was asked... No, the quaggoth did not turn to savagery, and the look of an ever-slave did not return either, not fully anyway, but the happy expression changed to a stoic acceptance of reality.
Derendil slowly nodded and begun to speak before Sekkar had a chance for the "which of them was Frazz, again?" question. Sekkar did not know what languages the quaggoth was using, but the story itself was well told and understandable, he even learned some details he was not aware of - like where his former owner Krimgol had found the gem. The story was clearly painful to Derendil, but he did not try to hide anything and seemed to remember it well. When he was done, the prince's manners left his demeanor completely, replaced now by something neither Sekkar, nor anyone else has seen before - his own true nobility, the dignity of a free self-aware person. "I harbor no ill will toward that demon. Though the dreams I had were all lies, they showed me something I did not know existed, never would think to search for it either. But now I want to learn about the world here and above. Would you allow me to stay and serve the library?"
The stone-faced librarian might have expected it, but to Sekkar the request was sudden and left him with the expression "Et tu, Brute" - everyone here seemed to lost their minds over words on the papers. He did not try to dissuade Derendil, though - after all, he was the one offering the man complete freedom. If this is the place he wanted to spend his life - so be it.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"The Labyrinth? What is the Labyrinth? Demon Lord of Minoaturs and Labyrinth do go hand in hand," Kirin looks at the wizard "Well then. Hello?" Kirin gives carefully waves to the robed old figure, "Are you looking, looked, I'm sure what term to use. Information on the Demon Lords? You know they've come to the Underdark? Maybe know you know or read about what happened to them? For me, their invasion, intrusion is occruing at the moment,"
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls- Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against DemogorgonSilas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of AnnihilationDonePax has much she would like to look into, much personal research she’d love to do, but at this moment, honor drives her. She remains behind Rhayna, silent, and ensures that she is there to help the girl should she forget her mission once again. Plus, being a bit of a scholar herself, she prepares to help. While she watches and waits, she begins packing away her armor and pulling off more and more, until she’s able to change into some normal clothes.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Kaylyn sets the helmet aside and drops her pack and cloak on the bed. While Pensive flies over and settles onto the cussion Kaylyn lays down on the grass. The mission is forgotten while she stares up at the sky and watches the stars. Peace and contentment fill her as she quietly hums Veldyskar's song.
Pax
Pax follows Rhayna along the steps and walkways as the cleric lets the crystal guide her search. After removing a few of the more bulky pieces of armor, Pax looks for somewhere to deposit them to relieve herself of the burden. She enters the nearest empty guest room (hoping that she'll be able to find it again - the levels all look the same!) only to find that as soon as she enters the bare room it suddenly becomes furnished (or perhaps it was all along - weird!) The furnishings are exactly to Pax's tastes - not too ostentatious, but practical and comfortable. And it doesn't matter where Pax casually drops an item - it just seems to be where she needs it when she needs it. There is even a writing desk equipped with all manner of scribing materials, perfect for copying spells. Then fearing that she has lingered too long, Pax runs back out into the hallway, only to find Rhayna in almost the exact same spot as when she left, still in the middle of the same sentence about whether demons could truly die, or some such thing. Thinking this an odd occurence, Pax again enters the room, waits as long as she can bear, and then emerges to find that Rhayna still has only progressed a few inches. What manner of magic is at work, Pax can't say, but clearly the passage of time moves differently in the library, and Pax gets the impression that she could spend hours or even days in her guest room - perhaps in the entire library - without expending a moment of time in the real world.
Rhayna
With Pax following along (and somehow managing to doff her armor along the way) Rhayna grips the crystal as she moves through the library. Looking into each room she sees rows and rows of stone tablets aligned on the shelves, but unlike Candlekeep, there doesn't appear to be any system to it, or even any labels. The only sense of order is that each room is designated by its inscription over the door as being an archive of either the past, present or future. The crystal hums a little more urgently as Rhayna approaches one of the 'past' archives, and so she enters. She moves along the shelves and plucks one stone tablet from high on a shelf, instinctively knowing this is the one she seeks. With Pax listening on, Rhayna reads aloud. The tablet chronicles the appearance of Demogorgon, greatest of all Demon Lords, when he appeared suddenly in the middle of the drow city of Menzoberranzan. In a confused and violent rampage, the demon destroyed almost a quarter of the city as he ploughed his way out and into the tunnels beyond, eventually making his way to the Darklake. Rhayna realises this event must be what Skriss was referring to in her brief sending, that Demogorgon had 'appeared' in the city initially, rather than recently.
Wanting to follow the order of events backwards, Rhayna reaches for another tablet further along the row. Here she finds and reads a suprisingly detailed account of a powerful spell cast by Gromph Baenre, the Archmage of Menzoberranzan. The imperious drow wizard stood in his tower in spider-silk robes casting a mighty conjuration spell. As the ritual drew toward its conclusion, a web of faerzress energy expanded outward. The wizard seemed alarmed by this, his efforts to complete the spell grew more crazed as he realized he’d lost control. And then, madness! Rifts opened in the web of energy around him. These cracks stretched and widened, and through them came horrific fiends that screamed, shrieked, and howled as they were wrenched from the Abyss and cast into the Underdark. A woman’s deep, dark laugh echoed through the city as the drow wizard shrunk away from the demonic hordes he had unwittingly unleashed.
Eagerly continuing her search now, Rhayna reaches for one tablet after another, reading how the very same spell cast by Gromph Baenre was responsible for instantaneously summoning a host of demons and demon lords into the Underdark. The sheer power that would be required is staggering, and it seems incredible that one person could manage to unleash such magic. It seems clear that the results were unintended, but none of the archives specify what Gromph's original purpose was. Through her searching, Rhayna discovers one more interesting fact - all the demon lords - Demogorgon, Zuggtmoy, Juiblex, Fraz-Urb'luu, Graz'zt, Baphomet, Yeenoghu and Orcus - have a recorded account of their appearance chronicled here, except for one... Lolth, the Demon Queen of Spiders, was apparently not summoned to the Underdark.
As Rhayna continues her research, she notices two familiar figures - one small and one large - among the ghostly echoes that roam the halls. The smaller of the two is easily recognised, as Rhayna only recently saw her - it is Yantha Coaxrock, the gnome mage from Mantol-Derith - and she appears to be watching Rhayna and her crystal intently. The other familiar figure is the image of the stone giant Hgraam, the Stonespeaker of the Cairngorm Clan at Gracklstugh, and who doesn't appear to have noticed either Rhayna or Pax.
Sekkar/Derendil
Urmas the librarian looks straight at Derendil for a moment, and although he is thinking deeply, he looks for all the world like a carved statue. Finally he seems to have carefully crafted an answer and replies: Time flows differently here. None know how or when Gravenhollow came into being, but it was here at the dawn of giantkin, and yet Ulthar, Ustova and I have always been its custodians. I oversee the matters of the present, Ulthar catalogs the past, and Ustova views the future. And yet for all this (and he waves his hand around as if to encompass the entire library) all of our thoughts and efforts are focused on things as they pertain to giants alone. I do not know why we know it, but all three of us agree that this should not, nor will not always be so. In time, whatever that means here, the library will expand to engulf the entirety of living beings on this world.
Urmas pauses for a moment, his words gaining more weight in light of his ignoring the urgent hands behind him that continue to grasp impatiently, before proceeding: You have a special status here, Derendil. No echo of the future or past exists for you as it does for other visitors. I cannot invite you to remain here, but I believe the library itself has done so. I do not know what duty you have to perform, but you will discover it just as I did. And when you do you will also discover, just as I will, that you have always been here, from the library's beginning, and will be until its end. Urmas waits to see if Derendil has anything to say in response.
Kirin
The echo of the red-robed mage speaks to Kirin: Oh, the Labyrinth is a region of the Underdark to the south of here. I think you passed near to it when you travelled from Gracklstugh to Neverlight Grove. Perhaps you will go there yet. Or maybe you have already. I can't quite tell. The wizard speaks in the manner of a doddering old man, but the sharp gleam in his eye suggests that he is anything but. As for the arrival of the Demon Lords. Hmm. Perhaps I haven't looked yet. Perhaps I remember it, or haven't ever heard of it. But there is someone here I suggest you speak to. His name is Vizeran DeVir. A wizard like you... and like me I suppose. He may be here now, or perhaps he was here, or hasn't been yet. I'm not sure. Either way, I think he can help you. Nice to meet you again, Kirin Orisis. And with that the wise and kindly wizard turns away and flickers out of existence before Kirin has the chance to ask him how he knows his name, or where he knows him from.
Kaylyn
Kaylyn drifts off to sleep with the basilisk's soothing tune echoing in her mind. She slumbers more deeply and restfully than at any time since before coming to Oakhurst.
(Kaylyn can receive 20 temporary HP that last until they are taken as damage, and are cumulative with any other temporary HP she receives.)
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Derendil did not answer, not with words - at this moment words felt unnecessary even to Sekkar. He bowed low to Urmas, then raised up again with the golden light of Gravenhollow now shimmering in his eyes. Then he looked around as if recognizing his old - new? always existed? - home and quietly but purposefully walked out to disappear in the everchanging and always remaining corridors and rooms of the great library.
Sekkar automatically made a couple of steps after Derendil but then stopped and shook his head. Derendil changed again but this time it looked ... right. "Find yourself and you find happiness", as they say. Or something like this that the lizardnman never truly understood mostly because the idea of losing oneself was completely alien to him. Here and now he could see the very implementation of that statement and could not say whether he liked it or not. Derendil seemed happy and strangely "in place" but the group lost one companion. Speaking of the group... Sekkar looked back at Urmas. "I will check on others, I guess." He paused for a moment but added in the end: "Thank you. He seems to really like it here." The ranger nodded again, awkwardly, and walked away to make sure no one else decided to stay or got lost.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
To emptiness, "I thank you for your advice. I believe future conversations will be just as confusing. Vizeran DeVir? Vizeran DeVir? Do you know where I can meet Vizeran DeVir?" Kirin askes the librarians.
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls- Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against DemogorgonSilas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of AnnihilationDoneThe temptation for Pax to just sit down, and being scribing is tangible. She somehow tears herself away. She won't let herself be distracted until their purpose is completed. Instead, she sticks close to Rhayna, helping to read the various stones and read the details of the scripts. Pax turns to Rhayna, "You know, if this place is out of time you should look for how the demon lords are sent back. What thing happens that eventually sends them away. I don't know if it works that way, but, what's the harm in looking?"
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Somehow, once she holds the crystal, Rhayna slowly feels like she has walked through these hallways all her life. For her, it feels like when she uses her Knowledge of the Ages, but instead of Selune providing her the insight she is looking for, the crystal provides the information in "real-time" inside the library. While searching the library for the information she is looking for, she notices that Pax, at one point, is carrying her equipment, then the next moment, she has stored them somewhere. She is too busy following her instincts to ask her colleague what happened.
The crystal tells Rhayna which room has her research information, and she enters it. Also, instinctively, she knows exactly which is the stone table she needs, and retrieves it. She makes a mental note where she plucked the "book" from, so she can archive it back later. That small mental gesture, brings her back to her days in Candlekeep before she became an Avowed. She thought it was beneath her to have to return the books requested by the Seekers, but she later found out. How was she going to know the library if she didn't know where the books belonged to. Now she practically knows the placement of most books in the Candlekeep, so returning the table in her possession wouldn't take much effort from her part.
With Pax at her side, she shows her the tablet. It is written in a language foreign to both of them, but they are able to read it fluently. While reading, she mentions. "Demogorgon." Then. "Menzoberranzan." When done reading the tablet, she looks up at another spot on the shelf. "Please hold this tablet Pax." Pax almost drops the table for the sudden movement. She plucks another table. "Gromph Baenre, Menzoberranzan." The Cleric now has a very concerned look on her face, and without a word, she piles that table on top of the one Pax is carrying, then she goes to another spot. "Lolth, the Demon Queen of Spiders..." She clutches that table to her chest with both arms. "Pax, we must inform the others. I have a feeling Lolth is connected somehow to the demon lords appearance in the Underdark." Pax tells her to look into the future. "Yes, eventually we must look into the future, but I am not done yet looking into the past or the present for that matter."
(Rhayna has another related question. "How did Zuggtmoy ended up in Neverlight Grove?" Not sure if she needs to take a long rest for this question)
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks
Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story
Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
(Divided into spoilers for the sake of space. Feel free to read any or all.)
Sekkar
Urmas bows to Sekkar in acknowledgement and then turns back to the wall to continue his work. Sekkar walks back out into the library, walking with purpose but also lost in thought. Derendil has disappeared from sight. Echoes of past (or future) visitors flicker in and out of view around him, many races being represented, but stone giants being the most common. Dozens of galeb duhr move tirelessly from one room to another, carrying tablets from the archives of the future into the present and on into the past. And the pragmatic ranger has a rare wistful thought that he is standing inside the machine of the world itself, watching its inner workings.
Suddenly the keen-eyed lizardman recognises several of the echo-apparitions moving along one of the walkways a level below. Blurg the orog cartographer they met near Velynvelve is talking with a large kuo-toa that Sekkar doesn't recognise. Immediately behind them, Skriss and Y, the troglodyte and derro pair that aided them recently are in conversation with a mind flayer! All five seem to be moving together with common purpose.
Kirin
Kirin stops one of the many nearby galeb duhr to ask his question. The stout elemental impassively nods and beckons for Kirin to follow, moving deeper and deeper into the library. The levels seem to go on and on endlessly, and Kirin wonders if he will remember how far they have descended, and yet he gets the impression that the top level is still only a few staircases away. Finally his guide stops outside a door to one of the 'past' archives and points inside.
Within are two figures — a withered drow clad in dark flowing robes, and a hulking gray-skinned monster resembling a spiky humanoid toad, its wide mouth full of razor-sharp teeth. The drow’s pinched and lined face speak to his great age, and his red eyes narrow and appraise Kirin suspiciously as he notices him, before speaking venomously in the drow dialect of Elvish. Hss! Darthiir! Thou art no echo. What is a traitor like thee doing in Gravenhollow? The toad-like creature beside him tenses as if expecting trouble...
Rhayna
Thus far, Rhayna's investigations have simply been guided by the crystal, leading her to the tablets she requires to answer her question. But this time as she focuses her question on the crystal, a vision opens in her mind...
A cavern of peculiar beauty opens up before you, with lights of every color shining from the pure essence of life, diffused and amplified by the glow of faerzress. The glow pulses suddenly, taking on a different hue. Shortly after, a weak and frail yet tangibly evil figure crawls unseen into the cavern, and you can feel the life in the cavern rotting away, bursting with infection. The figure gains strength as it drains this life to feed its own, and crawls toward a mushroom growing in the center of the cave, which begins to grow ever larger and taller, pustules forming and seeping as its stem thickens and its cap reaches to the cavern’s ceiling, forming a vast fungal tower. Two myconids approach the site in awe, not minding the carpet of rot under their feet. You sense their minds come alive in wonder, and as they kneel in worship, you know they are doomed. A fell voice sounds out within clouds of spores that fall like snow, soft like a woman's and yet as deep as the infinite Abyss. The voice tells the myconids to prepare for a gift unlike any they have ever known, the promise of a paradise of plentiful soil and moisture, perpetual rot, and beautiful transcendent dreams to be shared in a never-ending communal melding...
The sound of the voice pierces Rhayna with a shock of fear as she recalls her own time enthralled under the Demon Queen. The vision fades, but not before Rhayna recognises one of the myconids as Phylo, one of the two sovereigns of the grove. The other can only be Yestabrod before his horrific mutation into the abomination they faced in the garden.
Pax
Pax follows Rhayna as she plucks one tablet after another from the shelves, stoicly carries the growing pile along behind her, vainly offers suggestions of what to research next, and then waits as she seemingly meditates with the crystal. With her patience gradually waning, Pax looks around the room. Echoes flicker in and out of view (including a high frequency of stone giants), but there is one echo that remains steady, standing just outside the room looking inward as if watching Pax and Rhayna. The figure is as tall as a stone giant, but more lithe and comely. Even in its colourless ghostly form, perfectly sculpted musculature is visible beneath skin like polished obsidian, which in turn is half-covered with an exotic robe that served more to accentuate than cover the body, and a beautiful face is framed with thick black hair. The intense eyes stare piercingly at Pax as their gazes meet.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Pax glances at Rhayna eyes shut, seemingly meditating, then over at the figure. She glances once again at Rhayna who hasn't moved, and then back at the figure. With her eyes darting back and forth she twists her mouth and decides this could be important, and heads directly for the shadowy creature. "Hello? Are you actually here? Can we interact at all?"
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.