During the travel, Grimnir will ask Vizeran, trying to be as diplomatic as he can be. "Vizeran, I am quite intrigued by your "companion". I remember that when we were fighting the Grick, it did not follow your orders. Is there a problem ? Do we need to be careful about it ?"
During the travel, Grimnir will ask Vizeran, trying to be as diplomatic as he can be. "Vizeran, I am quite intrigued by your "companion". I remember that when we were fighting the Grick, it did not follow your orders. Is there a problem ? Do we need to be careful about it ?"
Vizeran seems annoyed at the question. He continues his hurried pace down the tunnel, and pulls a chain from beneath his collar, attached to which is a small smoky gem. He taps it with his finger, frowns, then shoves it back in his robes. "Nothing for you to be concerned about. I'm sure Kleve knew you had the matter well in hand. Now let's keep up the pace and try to make up for lost time," mutters Vizeran.
You traverse the Wormwrithings for two more weeks. You occasionally feel the rumble as purple worms come near, but do not experience any near misses such as you did that first day. Your companions that were released from their duty split off to head back to the surface world, leaving you with a skeleton crew, and your giant lizard mounts. The shield guardian remains as well.
Eventually Vizeran enters a small side tunnel, and after a few paces, finds a seemingly blank area of cavern wall. "Yes, this is it," he says. He pulls out a rolled parchment and holds it to the wall. A purple glow emits in the form of a doorway, and a thin silver string of web like letters flow across the center. It is Drow script. Vizeran speaks aloud, "Araj!" and the rock rumbles, and gives way to another tunnel. He beckons you follow him, and then dives into the passageway.
The passage behind the secret door is narrow enough that you need to move through it single file, occasionally turning sideways to squeeze. It takes about an hour to navigate its pitch-black darkness, and the journey is filled with a constant echo of distant sounds. The passage then widens, opening out into a cavern whose far walls and ceiling are out of sight in the darkness. Bits of quartz and mica in the stone glimmer as they catch the light, showing a footpath worn into the stone floor. At the end of that path, a vast, dark shape rises — an enormous stalagmite carved into a bleak, black tower.
When you approach the tower, a large iron door opens up to the inside. Another Drow in apprentice robes, stands ready at the door. As Vizeran approaches, he hands his cloak, pack, and other items to the drow. "Thank you Grin, prepare my chambers, and bring refreshments. We'll meet in the study," says Vizeran. He then beckons all of you to follow him inside. The apprentice nods, and then rushes off to some other part of the tower.
Past the heavy iron door that is the tower’s only visible entrance, a short tunnel extends through five feet of solid rock into a cool, dark chamber. As you enter, a floating orb of pale violet light brightens before you, revealing an opening in the vaulted ceiling and a spiral stone staircase with no railing, climbing up into darkness.
Around the stairs, the light reveals a circular audience chamber with cold, unlit lanterns hanging from brackets set into the stone wall, heavy carpets covering the smooth stone floor, and a throne-like stone chair on a raised dais to the left of the entrance.
The ball of violet light floats to a stop beneath the center of the open shaft, beyond the foot of the stairs. It then hovers there as if waiting for you.
Vizeran follows the light, stepping into the central shaft in the middle of the spiral staircase."Repeat after me," he instructs everyone. "Ku'lam!"After saying the command word, Vizeran levitates at a slow steady pace towards the top of the tower.
Vizeran seems annoyed at the question. He continues his hurried pace down the tunnel, and pulls a chain from beneath his collar, attached to which is a small smoky gem. He taps it with his finger, frowns, then shoves it back in his robes. "Nothing for you to be concerned about. I'm sure Kleve knew you had the matter well in hand. Now let's keep up the pace and try to make up for lost time," mutters Vizeran.
OOC: can I roll insight to see if he is lying to me? Is he scared of Kleve ? What kind of relation do they have ? Insight (with guidance if you accept): 8 + 3
Vizeran seems annoyed at the question. He continues his hurried pace down the tunnel, and pulls a chain from beneath his collar, attached to which is a small smoky gem. He taps it with his finger, frowns, then shoves it back in his robes. "Nothing for you to be concerned about. I'm sure Kleve knew you had the matter well in hand. Now let's keep up the pace and try to make up for lost time," mutters Vizeran.
OOC: can I roll insight to see if he is lying to me? Is he scared of Kleve ? What kind of relation do they have ? Insight (with guidance if you accept): 18 + 3
Despite his words, Vizeran is obviously concerned. He just doesn't want you to know. Or ask any more questions. You're not sure what the gem around his neck has to do with it, but it seems to be important to Vizeran and to the issue with Kleve's obedience.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
OOC: Would Grimnir have a clue of what the necklace is ? (Arcana: 7) If not:
Grimnir approaches Belwar and wispers to him: "Did you notice the gem around his neck? I feel it has something to do with the large creature. Any idea of what it is?"
Brox hangs back. She feels unsure about the whole situation. And somehow she feels even more closed in inside this tower than under the heavy masses of rock everywhere in the underdark.
She will step forward last and utter the word: "Ku'lam"
OOC: Would Grimnir have a clue of what the necklace is ? (Arcana: 9) If not:
Grimnir approaches Belwar and wispers to him: "Did you notice the gem around his neck? I feel it has something to do with the large creature. Any idea of what it is?"
Grimnir, unable to make out what the gem is, describes it to Belwar. Belwar, you understand that what Grimnir is talking about is a control gem, similar to the device you have for your shield guardian. Perhaps Kleve is not the willing servant Vizeran makes him out to be.
As you each step on to the platform and utter the phrase Vizeran used, you slowly but firmly levitate upward. You pass through multiple floors of the tower. As you pass the second floor, you see the servant that Vizeran referred to as Grin when you entered, a male drow in apprentice robes. He seems to be directing someone in a kitchen, preparing food and drink. As you go by the third floor, you notice rooms, and through one open a door a bed and chest. Some sort of guest quarters. On the fourth floor are stacks of books, alchemical equipment, cabinets, and a large desk with writing implements of various natures. The fifth floor is a simple circular walkway and a closed door. You ascent slows down, as you reach the top and final floor, the sixth.
At the top is a luxurious study with couches, chairs, and tables. Vizeran is removing his out cloak, which he hands to... well, you're not sure. His cloak is removed and taken away by something invisible. "Just a minor spell, to help keep the place tidy,"he explains. "Please, sit, refreshments will be here shortly. And now that we are in the relative safety of my sanctum, we have much to discuss."He takes a seat in a high backed chair, snaps his fingers, and lights a fire in a nearby fireplace. The warmth draws you into the lounge. Moments later, invisible servants bring in platters of dried mushrooms, roasted meat, which Vizeran says is rothe, and goblets of some sort of liquor. Vizeran drinks first, and then invites you to join him once more.
Vizeran begins by briefly recounting his time at Gravenhollow, and the reason he went. Something is amiss in the Underdark, and he had suspicions. Much of what you saw in your visions confirmed his suspicions. Eventually, he gets to the point.
“The only one of my kind who could ever match me in the Art is Gromph Baenre. I think we knew from the moment we met that we were destined to be rivals. But where I sought only to master the Art, Gromph was also an astute political manipulator. No more devout than I in the service of the Spider Queen, he arranged for my disgrace and exile. Deprived of my considerable skills, my house fell to our rival, House Do’Urden. Gromph became the Archmage of Menzoberranzan under the auspices of his own house, the First House of the Ruling Council.
“Gromph and I only ever had two things in common: our passion for the Art, and our hatred of the manner in which our fellow mages suffer at the hands of the matron mothers and mistresses of the drow. Gromph has always hungered for power, and not even becoming Archmage of Menzoberranzan was enough to satisfy him.
“From this tower of exile, I kept watch on Gromph’s activities. This was no easy task given his suspicious and circumspect nature. Nonetheless, my observations revealed that he was crafting a unique ritual — one that somehow drew on the energy of faerzress to channel incalculable arcane power. When Gromph performed this ritual, the walls between the planes shuddered. Then, as you have by now realized, the demon lords were wrenched from their layers of the Abyss and cast about here in the Underdark. What we all witnessed in Gravenhollow confirms this.”
Grimnir is trying to make sense of all these informations. "So, your friend Gromph, do you think he died during this ritual ? If he is still alive, he might be able to help us, don't you think? Or maybe, you do have an idea on how to reverse this ritual ?" "I also remember talking about pitting the demon against each other, is this still on the table ? We have met one of these Lord demon and they are extremely powerful."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Oorr: Insight 19, trying to understand if he is trying to manipulate the party to do his work for him
"I have a question, archmage. I am familiar with the laws of the planes and their interactions. How can be sure that the separation between the Abyss and the Material Plane has returned solid? Wouldn't sending the demon lords back to the Abyss be pointless if they still can cross the planes?"
Grimnir is trying to make sense of all these informations. "So, your friend Gromph, do you think he died during this ritual ? If he is still alive, he might be able to help us, don't you think? Or maybe, you do have an idea on how to reverse this ritual ?" "I also remember talking about pitting the demon against each other, is this still on the table ? We have met one of these Lord demon and they are extremely powerful."
Vizeran raises an eyebrow at Grimnir, "Yes, they are quite powerful. And your idea is not without merit, but pitting them against each other is no small task. And even should we succeed, there may be one or more that still present quite the threat. But I have some ideas about that as well. As for Gromph, I have not been able to detect him since the ritual. It is unclear to me if he is dead, or has been pulled into the Abyss beyond my sight, or some other fate. I don't know if he intended to bring so many Demon Lord's to the Underdark. Perhaps he thought he could bring in one to bind to his will, but even I don't believe he's foolish enough to think he could bind them all. I will note however, that one Demon Lord has not appeard. Lolth. That cursed spider queen. She remains in the Abyss, plotting how to use this situation to her advantage no doubt. That is why we must get rid of them.
His ritual cannot be reversed, but I have been working on a ritual of my own to send the Demon Lord's back to the Abyss, and it is with that, that I need your assistance."
Oorr: Insight 19, trying to understand if he is trying to manipulate the party to do his work for him
"I have a question, archmage. I am familiar with the laws of the planes and their interactions. How can be sure that the separation between the Abyss and the Material Plane has returned solid? Wouldn't sending the demon lords back to the Abyss be pointless if they still can cross the planes?"
Oorr, Vizeran is a very hard person to read, and while you may have reservations about a Drow wizard who has been estranged from his own people in a secluded tower, you detect no hint of falsehood or manipulation from him. He seems to truly want the Demon Lord's gone, whether his motivations be selfish or altruistic is not clear.
Vizeran turns his attention to Oorr's question, "That is an excellent observation. Based on what I have witnessed, and know about the faerzress and Gromph's ritual, it is my belief that the Demon Lord's presence in this plane is what is creating the instability. The longer they stay, the more likely it is that other demons and aberrations will reach us from the Abyss. If we manage to send them back, the magic and chaos that emits from them will go with them, stabilizing this side of the rift. You're free to question that, but I trust my calculations.
Even if they are defeated here, they will take time to reform in the Abyss, and we have that opportunity to finish sealing whatever is left on this side."
Vizeran looks around at the others, taking a sip from his goblet, and popping a mushroom into his mouth. "Any other questions or should we just get right to it?"
Brox looks around the place and is astonished by its magic prowess. Levitating up to the top level almost made her sick, but she quickly stabilised herself leaning against the wall once arrived. She still feels like she needs to understand this Vizeran guy better. While listening to him, she will close her eyes and "feel" around the place with her Divine Sense[As an action, you can detect good and evil. Until the end of your next turn, you can sense anything affected by the hallow spell or know the location of any celestial, fiend, undead within 60 ft. that is not behind total cover.] .
Then she steps forward. "Vizeran, I don't trust you. What do you get from helping us? But you're the best option we have right now. I will help you to try and send the demon lords back. Just because it is the best and only solution for this plane. But be assured, I will keep my eyes on you, and if you cross us, you will feel the wrath of Dawnbringer."
Brox then crosses her arms and leans back against the wall.
A few seconds later she pips up again, less confident this time: "You are a powerful wizard, aren't you? We lost our friend in the abyss. It was my fault. Are you able to plane shift? Maybe we should visit the abyss, try to rescue our friend and maybe, just maybe if Gromph is there as well, he can give us some clues as to what happened and what he actually tried to achieve?"
While travelling, Oorr becomes one with the Underdark, sensing any non-natural creature within 6 miles.
Primeval Awareness (2nd level spell slots --> 2 minutes)
During the travel, Grimnir will ask Vizeran, trying to be as diplomatic as he can be.
"Vizeran, I am quite intrigued by your "companion". I remember that when we were fighting the Grick, it did not follow your orders. Is there a problem ? Do we need to be careful about it ?"
Currently Playing: Regdus Ironfist (Greyhawk) Lvl 1 Storm Sorcerer ; Goraseth Drerjoxian (Icespeak) Lvl 3 Paladin Oath of Glory; Lerak (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight) Lvl 3 Barbarian Wild Magic
In Pause: Grimnir " Shadow-Feet", Lv 11 Owner of "The Basilisk & the Monk" (OotA) - Kurma Kappa, Lv 8 Priest of Oghma (ToA)
Currently DM'ing: Princes of Apocalypse >> Tomb of Annihilation
You sense an aberration close by, which you know to be Kleve, a death slaad. nothing else seems out of place within the radius of your awareness.
Vizeran seems annoyed at the question. He continues his hurried pace down the tunnel, and pulls a chain from beneath his collar, attached to which is a small smoky gem. He taps it with his finger, frowns, then shoves it back in his robes. "Nothing for you to be concerned about. I'm sure Kleve knew you had the matter well in hand. Now let's keep up the pace and try to make up for lost time," mutters Vizeran.
You traverse the Wormwrithings for two more weeks. You occasionally feel the rumble as purple worms come near, but do not experience any near misses such as you did that first day. Your companions that were released from their duty split off to head back to the surface world, leaving you with a skeleton crew, and your giant lizard mounts. The shield guardian remains as well.
Eventually Vizeran enters a small side tunnel, and after a few paces, finds a seemingly blank area of cavern wall. "Yes, this is it," he says. He pulls out a rolled parchment and holds it to the wall. A purple glow emits in the form of a doorway, and a thin silver string of web like letters flow across the center. It is Drow script. Vizeran speaks aloud, "Araj!" and the rock rumbles, and gives way to another tunnel. He beckons you follow him, and then dives into the passageway.
When you approach the tower, a large iron door opens up to the inside. Another Drow in apprentice robes, stands ready at the door. As Vizeran approaches, he hands his cloak, pack, and other items to the drow. "Thank you Grin, prepare my chambers, and bring refreshments. We'll meet in the study," says Vizeran. He then beckons all of you to follow him inside. The apprentice nods, and then rushes off to some other part of the tower.
Vizeran follows the light, stepping into the central shaft in the middle of the spiral staircase. "Repeat after me," he instructs everyone. "Ku'lam!" After saying the command word, Vizeran levitates at a slow steady pace towards the top of the tower.
Oorr does as instructed and follows the sinister drow mage.
OOC: can I roll insight to see if he is lying to me? Is he scared of Kleve ? What kind of relation do they have ?
Insight (with guidance if you accept): 8 + 3
Currently Playing: Regdus Ironfist (Greyhawk) Lvl 1 Storm Sorcerer ; Goraseth Drerjoxian (Icespeak) Lvl 3 Paladin Oath of Glory; Lerak (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight) Lvl 3 Barbarian Wild Magic
In Pause: Grimnir " Shadow-Feet", Lv 11 Owner of "The Basilisk & the Monk" (OotA) - Kurma Kappa, Lv 8 Priest of Oghma (ToA)
Currently DM'ing: Princes of Apocalypse >> Tomb of Annihilation
Grimnir is really impressed by the construction of such a tower and the carving.
He steps on the plateform and follows his feathered friend. "Ku'lam !?!"
Currently Playing: Regdus Ironfist (Greyhawk) Lvl 1 Storm Sorcerer ; Goraseth Drerjoxian (Icespeak) Lvl 3 Paladin Oath of Glory; Lerak (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight) Lvl 3 Barbarian Wild Magic
In Pause: Grimnir " Shadow-Feet", Lv 11 Owner of "The Basilisk & the Monk" (OotA) - Kurma Kappa, Lv 8 Priest of Oghma (ToA)
Currently DM'ing: Princes of Apocalypse >> Tomb of Annihilation
Despite his words, Vizeran is obviously concerned. He just doesn't want you to know. Or ask any more questions. You're not sure what the gem around his neck has to do with it, but it seems to be important to Vizeran and to the issue with Kleve's obedience.
OOC: Would Grimnir have a clue of what the necklace is ? (Arcana: 7) If not:
Grimnir approaches Belwar and wispers to him: "Did you notice the gem around his neck? I feel it has something to do with the large creature. Any idea of what it is?"
Currently Playing: Regdus Ironfist (Greyhawk) Lvl 1 Storm Sorcerer ; Goraseth Drerjoxian (Icespeak) Lvl 3 Paladin Oath of Glory; Lerak (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight) Lvl 3 Barbarian Wild Magic
In Pause: Grimnir " Shadow-Feet", Lv 11 Owner of "The Basilisk & the Monk" (OotA) - Kurma Kappa, Lv 8 Priest of Oghma (ToA)
Currently DM'ing: Princes of Apocalypse >> Tomb of Annihilation
Brox hangs back. She feels unsure about the whole situation. And somehow she feels even more closed in inside this tower than under the heavy masses of rock everywhere in the underdark.
She will step forward last and utter the word: "Ku'lam"
Grimnir, unable to make out what the gem is, describes it to Belwar. Belwar, you understand that what Grimnir is talking about is a control gem, similar to the device you have for your shield guardian. Perhaps Kleve is not the willing servant Vizeran makes him out to be.
As you each step on to the platform and utter the phrase Vizeran used, you slowly but firmly levitate upward. You pass through multiple floors of the tower. As you pass the second floor, you see the servant that Vizeran referred to as Grin when you entered, a male drow in apprentice robes. He seems to be directing someone in a kitchen, preparing food and drink. As you go by the third floor, you notice rooms, and through one open a door a bed and chest. Some sort of guest quarters. On the fourth floor are stacks of books, alchemical equipment, cabinets, and a large desk with writing implements of various natures. The fifth floor is a simple circular walkway and a closed door. You ascent slows down, as you reach the top and final floor, the sixth.
At the top is a luxurious study with couches, chairs, and tables. Vizeran is removing his out cloak, which he hands to... well, you're not sure. His cloak is removed and taken away by something invisible. "Just a minor spell, to help keep the place tidy," he explains. "Please, sit, refreshments will be here shortly. And now that we are in the relative safety of my sanctum, we have much to discuss." He takes a seat in a high backed chair, snaps his fingers, and lights a fire in a nearby fireplace. The warmth draws you into the lounge. Moments later, invisible servants bring in platters of dried mushrooms, roasted meat, which Vizeran says is rothe, and goblets of some sort of liquor. Vizeran drinks first, and then invites you to join him once more.
Vizeran begins by briefly recounting his time at Gravenhollow, and the reason he went. Something is amiss in the Underdark, and he had suspicions. Much of what you saw in your visions confirmed his suspicions. Eventually, he gets to the point.
Grimnir is trying to make sense of all these informations.
"So, your friend Gromph, do you think he died during this ritual ? If he is still alive, he might be able to help us, don't you think? Or maybe, you do have an idea on how to reverse this ritual ?"
"I also remember talking about pitting the demon against each other, is this still on the table ? We have met one of these Lord demon and they are extremely powerful."
Currently Playing: Regdus Ironfist (Greyhawk) Lvl 1 Storm Sorcerer ; Goraseth Drerjoxian (Icespeak) Lvl 3 Paladin Oath of Glory; Lerak (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight) Lvl 3 Barbarian Wild Magic
In Pause: Grimnir " Shadow-Feet", Lv 11 Owner of "The Basilisk & the Monk" (OotA) - Kurma Kappa, Lv 8 Priest of Oghma (ToA)
Currently DM'ing: Princes of Apocalypse >> Tomb of Annihilation
Oorr: Insight 19, trying to understand if he is trying to manipulate the party to do his work for him
"I have a question, archmage. I am familiar with the laws of the planes and their interactions. How can be sure that the separation between the Abyss and the Material Plane has returned solid? Wouldn't sending the demon lords back to the Abyss be pointless if they still can cross the planes?"
Vizeran raises an eyebrow at Grimnir, "Yes, they are quite powerful. And your idea is not without merit, but pitting them against each other is no small task. And even should we succeed, there may be one or more that still present quite the threat. But I have some ideas about that as well. As for Gromph, I have not been able to detect him since the ritual. It is unclear to me if he is dead, or has been pulled into the Abyss beyond my sight, or some other fate. I don't know if he intended to bring so many Demon Lord's to the Underdark. Perhaps he thought he could bring in one to bind to his will, but even I don't believe he's foolish enough to think he could bind them all. I will note however, that one Demon Lord has not appeard. Lolth. That cursed spider queen. She remains in the Abyss, plotting how to use this situation to her advantage no doubt. That is why we must get rid of them.
His ritual cannot be reversed, but I have been working on a ritual of my own to send the Demon Lord's back to the Abyss, and it is with that, that I need your assistance."
Oorr, Vizeran is a very hard person to read, and while you may have reservations about a Drow wizard who has been estranged from his own people in a secluded tower, you detect no hint of falsehood or manipulation from him. He seems to truly want the Demon Lord's gone, whether his motivations be selfish or altruistic is not clear.
Vizeran turns his attention to Oorr's question, "That is an excellent observation. Based on what I have witnessed, and know about the faerzress and Gromph's ritual, it is my belief that the Demon Lord's presence in this plane is what is creating the instability. The longer they stay, the more likely it is that other demons and aberrations will reach us from the Abyss. If we manage to send them back, the magic and chaos that emits from them will go with them, stabilizing this side of the rift. You're free to question that, but I trust my calculations.
Even if they are defeated here, they will take time to reform in the Abyss, and we have that opportunity to finish sealing whatever is left on this side."
Vizeran looks around at the others, taking a sip from his goblet, and popping a mushroom into his mouth. "Any other questions or should we just get right to it?"
Brox looks around the place and is astonished by its magic prowess. Levitating up to the top level almost made her sick, but she quickly stabilised herself leaning against the wall once arrived. She still feels like she needs to understand this Vizeran guy better. While listening to him, she will close her eyes and "feel" around the place with her Divine Sense [As an action, you can detect good and evil. Until the end of your next turn, you can sense anything affected by the hallow spell or know the location of any celestial, fiend, undead within 60 ft. that is not behind total cover.] .
Then she steps forward. "Vizeran, I don't trust you. What do you get from helping us? But you're the best option we have right now. I will help you to try and send the demon lords back. Just because it is the best and only solution for this plane. But be assured, I will keep my eyes on you, and if you cross us, you will feel the wrath of Dawnbringer."
Brox then crosses her arms and leans back against the wall.
A few seconds later she pips up again, less confident this time: "You are a powerful wizard, aren't you? We lost our friend in the abyss. It was my fault. Are you able to plane shift? Maybe we should visit the abyss, try to rescue our friend and maybe, just maybe if Gromph is there as well, he can give us some clues as to what happened and what he actually tried to achieve?"