While Van waits for Amindil to return he ask "It seems we could help each other. Can you tell me what these traces of heroic activity are you mention in your work?"
Amandil nodded at Endaelin. "Thank you. We'll be letting him out, then, and taking him off your hands. Anything we should know about him? You know his reputation - is he trustworthy?And did you confiscate any gear from him when you locked him up? He said something about his spellbook and arcane focus."
Endaelin shakes his head slightly. "I'll look around for his belongings after I get my cuts wrapped up. Shouldn't be hard, but it'll take just a bit to be sure they're his. I forget his name. I don't remember seeing him in town before. Honestly didn't think much of him, there have been more than a few locked up a day or two since the war started just like him."
The man considers Van's question for a moment before answering. "I'll try to explain briefly. Imagine the smell of various things, such as hair, water, and metal. Everything has a smell- even if you can't tell. The smell of things can be changed- like cooking it or even by walking past it. A dog can follow a person's trail because of such. I have employed methods to detect the smell, so to say, of the Heroic. As you might guess, this is no easy process, but the scent they leave behind is unique to all of simple Divine creation."
With concern, he looks to the stairs, then to Anahn, and continues. "Heroic are comparable to gods in raw power and their passing similarly affects the world about them, but the two are very distinct. Gods are divine, their power fueled by their essence, or what they embody. Heroic have their own power, separate from the essence they came from, but as there can only be so many gods, there are far fewer kinds of Heroic. And far fewer of them- most worlds have a host of gods, but many do not have a Heroic at all."
He frowns. "It was a secret, my work, but I'm hardly concerned about keeping the secrecy of it now. I can recreate my facility, given the resources, on another world." He studies you a moment. "Judging by your reactions, I would presume you did not come specifically seeking my talent. What is your desire of this world before it ends?"
He nodded again. "Got it. Take your time." He headed down stairs and opened the cell. "Guard says you can go. Like I said, the night has passed. If you're ready, lets head up."
Van makes a non-committal noise "Well, I have to say that sounds intriguing. In different circumstances I could see us working together but no offense I'm not sure I'm ready to tell you why were here. Lets get you out of here and take it from there."
As you release the captive, he bows partway in introduction. "Ronaer Pallando, at your service. Please call me Ron."
Endaelin fetches his spellbook and focus, a bracelet, within a few minutes, still out of his armor. Endaelin tells you where the estate is from the back door- to the right, just across the yard. He says that he needs to take care of some things. Leaving without him, you follow his direction to the estate. On the way, Ron points to the sun, says that is to the west, and the direction you're heading in, north. He then explains that this is the town of Mikunn, and you're heading to the Razgerah manor, whom is the Lord of Mikunn and overseer of the Harlequins that train here. He explains that the Harlequins are plane-walking spies that seek out the Heroic, but they have been absent since the war started, and Sir Razgerah's duties have been reduced to merely the mayor of Mikunn, while he himself has been able to conduct more broad research in lieu of his usual work. Looking ahead, he mumbles to himself- 'so... paralyzed and unaware... even a heroic shouldn't be able to...'
You come into view of a white estate, with no windows at the first floor, small circular green stained glass frequently dotting the second, and larger, aesthetically iron-cross-guarded green windows on the third. Two blue-skinned guards in half-plate, holding halberds, stand before a double door, ten feet apart, frozen in the time effect. The one on the right covers his mouth in a yawn, the left looking off to the east, slightly skyward. Ron stops when you're 30 feet from them, waiting for your instruction or lead.
((If you wish, Khorie will accompany you this far to introduce you when the guards are awakened.))
As Anahn concluded with his party after releasing the captive they discovered below, he could not get his mind ahold of the complex politics of this world he has entered. On their walk towards the white estate he will try and find a moment to talk to the mysterious newly freed prisoner and ask, ”You appear a very intelligent man Mr. Pallando. I’m not so much myself, I try my best to understand however. Which is why I wish to ask...Does the title or name of Holy Emperor mean anything to you?(After he answers the first question then) And what of the name Lillaeas?”
Anahn will also seek to find time to talk with the party as we walk over. He will then quietly walk until he’s alongside both Amandil and Van, several minutes pass with his eyes to the ground lost in thought until he abruptly asks them a question, with a genuinely curious look, “What do you all make of our new companion? Should we seek to pursue his apparent experimental work, could it be one of the secrets of this world that we’re meant to preserve?” He then looks to the figure of Ron as discreetly as possible, his curiosity peaked at the man’s mystery and apparent genius.
Ron answers Anahn's first question almost right away. "As a name, no. As a title, it means to me no more than the title itself suggests, a divine despot of a theocratic empire. We do not recognize any gods on Empyrean- they no longer exist here. I would hazard a guess that this Holy Emperor is a Heroic posing as a divine on some other world, which is a common occurrence."
For a moment, he looks to Anahn as if expecting him to explain, but then nods to the second question. "Yes. The name of the invading red dragon. I doubt there are many on Empyrean who do not know Lillaeas. She was... distinctly observable. A few months ago, she frequently appeared far above the clouds. Describable as a tiny moon, flying across the sky."
He shakes his head. "It certainly was fear-inspiring, even knowing she was severely wounded at the onset of the war. One could hardly tell at that distance. I determined that she was, in fact, Heroic, from a piece of her scales recovered from the battlefields. Heroic dragons are unfathomably rare. I would have believed that there never was one- simply because the chances of it are so tiny, even given the countless worlds out there. It may well be that she is the pinnacle entity of all the Material Planes."
With that, you come to stand before the manor and guards frozen in time.
(Yes, it would be good to Khorie to stay for the introduction to the guards when we trigger them)
On their walk Van introduces himself properly to Ron. "Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I can see having you along will be of benefit so I thank you!" For the most part Van is just listening lost in his own thoughts but upon hearing Anahn's questions replies "It may well be. We should at least try to keep him close to hand. I don't think we will have the time here for him to re-create his lab but I'm pretty sure the wizards back home would be very interested to speak with him at the very least"
When they reach the edge of the manor guard Van asks Ron "Lillaeas told us that our world will be safe when the universe here snaps. I've two questions for you. From what you know of Heroics can we trust her assurances? Also, do you think there is any hope for this world? Any way to stop what's begun?"
"I am glad you see my value,"he resigns himself to say.
He crosses his arms at the next questions, again brushing a hand up to his face at Van's questions. "When it comes to personality, Heroic are merely ordinary mortals with extraordinary abilities. Many pretend to be gods, and many isolate themselves, then there are variations in between. I'm afraid you must use your own judgement in Lillaeas' assurance.
I had spared you the terrifying thought earlier, but... mind you, it is an unconfirmed conclusion from her enemy... Lillaeas was the mastermind of the invasion, seeking to consume the heart of Empyrean. If that's true, her long term goals may include consuming all the worlds linked to this one. This is no mere fantasy. It is a fate often whispered in the Beyond. Even if that's the case, with any luck, she'll get your world long after our lifetimes. To be fair, I don't know the invader's actual motivations. You'd have to speak with an expert in dragons- like gods, dragons have been extinct on Empyrean for over an age.
I admit, your questions give me some insight to your situation. I'm guessing she summoned you and gave you a task- perhaps, to save the world from destruction?" He raises a brow expectantly. "As much as I'd like to save the world, even if only to be consumed so that more might evacuate, I do not know the cause of the world's end. I can only explain the end result, which I would need far more time to analyze to even hazard a guess as to how to stop." He gestures to the guards. "I don't even know if that is related."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Anahn will nod with appreciation at Ron's forthrightness to his questions, appreciating being given answers no matter how much more complex it made his situation seem. Ron's comments on the possibility of Lillaeas being a rare breed of Hero echoed in his mind. Why was this world invaded, and why did this apparently rare breed of dragon choose to involve herself in this invasion? She spoke of defeating the Holy Emperor yet no one has recognized this apparent great enemy? Shaking his head in confusion Anahn finally looks up and sees the guards frozen in front of the double doors, Anahn will follow the direction that the guard on the left is looking to towards the east (mostly out of curiosity to see if he was looking at anything in particular before getting frozen). As he does this he will also be asking Khorie "So what are your thoughts on this Sir Razgerah? Seems like another poor soul seeking to leave his mark on the world to me."
He shrugs. "Husband to Lady Lavender, overseer of the Harlequins, lord-mayor of Mikunn, hmm... Knight-General, and Ambassador. All titles he has. He has power, authority, wealth, information, love. I do not believe he truly earned any of it. He is no exceptional man by his own right. Merely one in exceptional circumstances. Still, he does not foolishly wield what he has, which makes him adequate in all his roles. He does not personally do much. In a way, it makes this a good position for him to fulfill. Of course, he is loyal to his duties, most of all as the lord-mayor. He is the one who ordered that I be detained. Lady Lavender makes him see reason, when she is around to do so."
Within the 35' of haze, you do not see what the left guard was looking at. From a distance, the guard appears strong and disciplined, but otherwise an ordinary blue-skinned humanoid.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
ooc: Insight check to see if he's deceiving us in any way 13
Amandil walked along quietly for a while, listening. All this lore pouring forth from the man was interesting, but he questioned its veracity. And even if true, was it influenced by the man's point of view? He left the question open, deciding merely that he would keep an open mind regardless. A good policy in general. Instead he pressed the man on a different subject. "Can you tell us more about these Heroics you mentioned? What separates them from merely powerful beings?"
Insight: He's holding back some information. It doesn't seem that he's being deceptive, but rather, guessing what he thinks is relevant to you. He seems impatient, but takes care in answering your questions none the less.
"The deviation from the divine. A sort of foreign, mythical aspect. Most living in the Material are of the divine and elemental- forgive me for going to the deep end here- that is to say, formed from mindfulness, order, ambition, dreams, and thought, among other similar qualities, then fused into bodies made of the elements. The mythic aspect is an unknown, but noticeable, as it grants Heroic their strength. It adds itself to creatures somehow. Some say it is from the Beyond or from Elemental Chaos, which should normally be far from the Material. None but a few Heroic themselves claim to understand how it happens. They fear each other, and keep many secrets."
Uncrossing his arms, he looks to the third floor windows for a moment, then back to you, still ready to answer more questions.
Amandil scratched his head. "I don't really understand. Philosophy isn't my forte. Are you referring to souls...? And saying that there's some sort of... element if you will... which makes certain people and creatures special seems a bit of a stretch. Take Van here. Since I've known him he's become quite a bit more powerful, with his command of arcane magic. Does that make him Heroic? In time he may become an archmage, with spells to change reality in drastic ways at his fingertips. Will he become Heroic by dint of accumulating great personal power? Or does he start out with a special quality, and then develop it? It's a nature vs nurture question, I guess."
He nods. "You're right, souls- the nature of it. It is not so dissimilar in concept to a demigod. You could think of them as sorcerers that have the blood of something that should be impossible- only it is the soul that is what is merged with something alien. It appears that the being's divine side remains dominant of the creature, or that the alien side behaves in harmony. Prior to this discovery, they were incorrectly identified as demigods- though some revealed themselves to not be. The key point, however, is that the Heroic attain power disproportionately to other beings."
Van cocks his head at Amandil "Why thank you, Amandil, Hmm, Archmage Van Gogh, sounds strange to my ear. I'll likely just stick with Van but that's a bridge to burn when I arrive at it." To Ron he says "I thank you also. You have given me an idea from your explanations. Perhaps just a seed really but maybe it will grow into something useful should we have to face a Heroic. I have found that often that which bestows great power can also be a great weakness. I wonder if there is a way to sow discord between the soul and this alien power. Could that maybe lessen the power of a Heroic, even for a short period that we could somehow exploit? I'll have to think on it more. As I said really just a seed of an idea"
Van turns back to look at the guard "So shall we?"
He shakes his head. "That's a confounding part of the puzzle- it's not two souls, just one, as harmonious with itself as any other. Despite that, I believe your idea could work on some who show signs of madness. The Heroic themselves are the ones who study their own weaknesses. I don't suppose they're willing to talk of it." Looking forward with Van, he casually adjusts the bracelet on his arm.
Amandil nodded at Van's suggestion. "Yes, we should focus on the task at hand. Khorie, I think you should go ahead. When these fellows see us, from their perspective, we appear as if by magic in an instant. They might assume we're hostiles."
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While Van waits for Amindil to return he ask "It seems we could help each other. Can you tell me what these traces of heroic activity are you mention in your work?"
That's what happens when you wear a helmet your whole life!
My house rules
Amandil nodded at Endaelin. "Thank you. We'll be letting him out, then, and taking him off your hands. Anything we should know about him? You know his reputation - is he trustworthy?And did you confiscate any gear from him when you locked him up? He said something about his spellbook and arcane focus."
Endaelin shakes his head slightly. "I'll look around for his belongings after I get my cuts wrapped up. Shouldn't be hard, but it'll take just a bit to be sure they're his. I forget his name. I don't remember seeing him in town before. Honestly didn't think much of him, there have been more than a few locked up a day or two since the war started just like him."
The man considers Van's question for a moment before answering. "I'll try to explain briefly. Imagine the smell of various things, such as hair, water, and metal. Everything has a smell- even if you can't tell. The smell of things can be changed- like cooking it or even by walking past it. A dog can follow a person's trail because of such. I have employed methods to detect the smell, so to say, of the Heroic. As you might guess, this is no easy process, but the scent they leave behind is unique to all of simple Divine creation."
With concern, he looks to the stairs, then to Anahn, and continues. "Heroic are comparable to gods in raw power and their passing similarly affects the world about them, but the two are very distinct. Gods are divine, their power fueled by their essence, or what they embody. Heroic have their own power, separate from the essence they came from, but as there can only be so many gods, there are far fewer kinds of Heroic. And far fewer of them- most worlds have a host of gods, but many do not have a Heroic at all."
He frowns. "It was a secret, my work, but I'm hardly concerned about keeping the secrecy of it now. I can recreate my facility, given the resources, on another world." He studies you a moment. "Judging by your reactions, I would presume you did not come specifically seeking my talent. What is your desire of this world before it ends?"
He nodded again. "Got it. Take your time." He headed down stairs and opened the cell. "Guard says you can go. Like I said, the night has passed. If you're ready, lets head up."
Van makes a non-committal noise "Well, I have to say that sounds intriguing. In different circumstances I could see us working together but no offense I'm not sure I'm ready to tell you why were here. Lets get you out of here and take it from there."
That's what happens when you wear a helmet your whole life!
My house rules
Anahn will nod and follow the party through.
As you release the captive, he bows partway in introduction. "Ronaer Pallando, at your service. Please call me Ron."
Endaelin fetches his spellbook and focus, a bracelet, within a few minutes, still out of his armor. Endaelin tells you where the estate is from the back door- to the right, just across the yard. He says that he needs to take care of some things. Leaving without him, you follow his direction to the estate. On the way, Ron points to the sun, says that is to the west, and the direction you're heading in, north. He then explains that this is the town of Mikunn, and you're heading to the Razgerah manor, whom is the Lord of Mikunn and overseer of the Harlequins that train here. He explains that the Harlequins are plane-walking spies that seek out the Heroic, but they have been absent since the war started, and Sir Razgerah's duties have been reduced to merely the mayor of Mikunn, while he himself has been able to conduct more broad research in lieu of his usual work. Looking ahead, he mumbles to himself- 'so... paralyzed and unaware... even a heroic shouldn't be able to...'
You come into view of a white estate, with no windows at the first floor, small circular green stained glass frequently dotting the second, and larger, aesthetically iron-cross-guarded green windows on the third. Two blue-skinned guards in half-plate, holding halberds, stand before a double door, ten feet apart, frozen in the time effect. The one on the right covers his mouth in a yawn, the left looking off to the east, slightly skyward. Ron stops when you're 30 feet from them, waiting for your instruction or lead.
((If you wish, Khorie will accompany you this far to introduce you when the guards are awakened.))
As Anahn concluded with his party after releasing the captive they discovered below, he could not get his mind ahold of the complex politics of this world he has entered. On their walk towards the white estate he will try and find a moment to talk to the mysterious newly freed prisoner and ask, ”You appear a very intelligent man Mr. Pallando. I’m not so much myself, I try my best to understand however. Which is why I wish to ask...Does the title or name of Holy Emperor mean anything to you?(After he answers the first question then) And what of the name Lillaeas?”
Anahn will also seek to find time to talk with the party as we walk over. He will then quietly walk until he’s alongside both Amandil and Van, several minutes pass with his eyes to the ground lost in thought until he abruptly asks them a question, with a genuinely curious look, “What do you all make of our new companion? Should we seek to pursue his apparent experimental work, could it be one of the secrets of this world that we’re meant to preserve?” He then looks to the figure of Ron as discreetly as possible, his curiosity peaked at the man’s mystery and apparent genius.
Ron answers Anahn's first question almost right away. "As a name, no. As a title, it means to me no more than the title itself suggests, a divine despot of a theocratic empire. We do not recognize any gods on Empyrean- they no longer exist here. I would hazard a guess that this Holy Emperor is a Heroic posing as a divine on some other world, which is a common occurrence."
For a moment, he looks to Anahn as if expecting him to explain, but then nods to the second question. "Yes. The name of the invading red dragon. I doubt there are many on Empyrean who do not know Lillaeas. She was... distinctly observable. A few months ago, she frequently appeared far above the clouds. Describable as a tiny moon, flying across the sky."
He shakes his head. "It certainly was fear-inspiring, even knowing she was severely wounded at the onset of the war. One could hardly tell at that distance. I determined that she was, in fact, Heroic, from a piece of her scales recovered from the battlefields. Heroic dragons are unfathomably rare. I would have believed that there never was one- simply because the chances of it are so tiny, even given the countless worlds out there. It may well be that she is the pinnacle entity of all the Material Planes."
With that, you come to stand before the manor and guards frozen in time.
(Yes, it would be good to Khorie to stay for the introduction to the guards when we trigger them)
On their walk Van introduces himself properly to Ron. "Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I can see having you along will be of benefit so I thank you!" For the most part Van is just listening lost in his own thoughts but upon hearing Anahn's questions replies "It may well be. We should at least try to keep him close to hand. I don't think we will have the time here for him to re-create his lab but I'm pretty sure the wizards back home would be very interested to speak with him at the very least"
When they reach the edge of the manor guard Van asks Ron "Lillaeas told us that our world will be safe when the universe here snaps. I've two questions for you. From what you know of Heroics can we trust her assurances? Also, do you think there is any hope for this world? Any way to stop what's begun?"
That's what happens when you wear a helmet your whole life!
My house rules
"I am glad you see my value," he resigns himself to say.
He crosses his arms at the next questions, again brushing a hand up to his face at Van's questions. "When it comes to personality, Heroic are merely ordinary mortals with extraordinary abilities. Many pretend to be gods, and many isolate themselves, then there are variations in between. I'm afraid you must use your own judgement in Lillaeas' assurance.
I had spared you the terrifying thought earlier, but... mind you, it is an unconfirmed conclusion from her enemy... Lillaeas was the mastermind of the invasion, seeking to consume the heart of Empyrean. If that's true, her long term goals may include consuming all the worlds linked to this one. This is no mere fantasy. It is a fate often whispered in the Beyond. Even if that's the case, with any luck, she'll get your world long after our lifetimes. To be fair, I don't know the invader's actual motivations. You'd have to speak with an expert in dragons- like gods, dragons have been extinct on Empyrean for over an age.
I admit, your questions give me some insight to your situation. I'm guessing she summoned you and gave you a task- perhaps, to save the world from destruction?" He raises a brow expectantly. "As much as I'd like to save the world, even if only to be consumed so that more might evacuate, I do not know the cause of the world's end. I can only explain the end result, which I would need far more time to analyze to even hazard a guess as to how to stop." He gestures to the guards. "I don't even know if that is related."
Anahn will nod with appreciation at Ron's forthrightness to his questions, appreciating being given answers no matter how much more complex it made his situation seem. Ron's comments on the possibility of Lillaeas being a rare breed of Hero echoed in his mind. Why was this world invaded, and why did this apparently rare breed of dragon choose to involve herself in this invasion? She spoke of defeating the Holy Emperor yet no one has recognized this apparent great enemy? Shaking his head in confusion Anahn finally looks up and sees the guards frozen in front of the double doors, Anahn will follow the direction that the guard on the left is looking to towards the east (mostly out of curiosity to see if he was looking at anything in particular before getting frozen). As he does this he will also be asking Khorie "So what are your thoughts on this Sir Razgerah? Seems like another poor soul seeking to leave his mark on the world to me."
Perception(for checking out soldier):20
or (Up to you DM)
Investigation(for checking out soldier):15
He shrugs. "Husband to Lady Lavender, overseer of the Harlequins, lord-mayor of Mikunn, hmm... Knight-General, and Ambassador. All titles he has. He has power, authority, wealth, information, love. I do not believe he truly earned any of it. He is no exceptional man by his own right. Merely one in exceptional circumstances. Still, he does not foolishly wield what he has, which makes him adequate in all his roles. He does not personally do much. In a way, it makes this a good position for him to fulfill. Of course, he is loyal to his duties, most of all as the lord-mayor. He is the one who ordered that I be detained. Lady Lavender makes him see reason, when she is around to do so."
Within the 35' of haze, you do not see what the left guard was looking at. From a distance, the guard appears strong and disciplined, but otherwise an ordinary blue-skinned humanoid.
ooc: Insight check to see if he's deceiving us in any way 13
Amandil walked along quietly for a while, listening. All this lore pouring forth from the man was interesting, but he questioned its veracity. And even if true, was it influenced by the man's point of view? He left the question open, deciding merely that he would keep an open mind regardless. A good policy in general. Instead he pressed the man on a different subject. "Can you tell us more about these Heroics you mentioned? What separates them from merely powerful beings?"
Insight: He's holding back some information. It doesn't seem that he's being deceptive, but rather, guessing what he thinks is relevant to you. He seems impatient, but takes care in answering your questions none the less.
"The deviation from the divine. A sort of foreign, mythical aspect. Most living in the Material are of the divine and elemental- forgive me for going to the deep end here- that is to say, formed from mindfulness, order, ambition, dreams, and thought, among other similar qualities, then fused into bodies made of the elements. The mythic aspect is an unknown, but noticeable, as it grants Heroic their strength. It adds itself to creatures somehow. Some say it is from the Beyond or from Elemental Chaos, which should normally be far from the Material. None but a few Heroic themselves claim to understand how it happens. They fear each other, and keep many secrets."
Uncrossing his arms, he looks to the third floor windows for a moment, then back to you, still ready to answer more questions.
Amandil scratched his head. "I don't really understand. Philosophy isn't my forte. Are you referring to souls...? And saying that there's some sort of... element if you will... which makes certain people and creatures special seems a bit of a stretch. Take Van here. Since I've known him he's become quite a bit more powerful, with his command of arcane magic. Does that make him Heroic? In time he may become an archmage, with spells to change reality in drastic ways at his fingertips. Will he become Heroic by dint of accumulating great personal power? Or does he start out with a special quality, and then develop it? It's a nature vs nurture question, I guess."
He nods. "You're right, souls- the nature of it. It is not so dissimilar in concept to a demigod. You could think of them as sorcerers that have the blood of something that should be impossible- only it is the soul that is what is merged with something alien. It appears that the being's divine side remains dominant of the creature, or that the alien side behaves in harmony. Prior to this discovery, they were incorrectly identified as demigods- though some revealed themselves to not be. The key point, however, is that the Heroic attain power disproportionately to other beings."
Van cocks his head at Amandil "Why thank you, Amandil, Hmm, Archmage Van Gogh, sounds strange to my ear. I'll likely just stick with Van but that's a bridge to burn when I arrive at it." To Ron he says "I thank you also. You have given me an idea from your explanations. Perhaps just a seed really but maybe it will grow into something useful should we have to face a Heroic. I have found that often that which bestows great power can also be a great weakness. I wonder if there is a way to sow discord between the soul and this alien power. Could that maybe lessen the power of a Heroic, even for a short period that we could somehow exploit? I'll have to think on it more. As I said really just a seed of an idea"
Van turns back to look at the guard "So shall we?"
That's what happens when you wear a helmet your whole life!
My house rules
He shakes his head. "That's a confounding part of the puzzle- it's not two souls, just one, as harmonious with itself as any other. Despite that, I believe your idea could work on some who show signs of madness. The Heroic themselves are the ones who study their own weaknesses. I don't suppose they're willing to talk of it." Looking forward with Van, he casually adjusts the bracelet on his arm.
Khorie steps forward, ready when you are.
Amandil nodded at Van's suggestion. "Yes, we should focus on the task at hand. Khorie, I think you should go ahead. When these fellows see us, from their perspective, we appear as if by magic in an instant. They might assume we're hostiles."