"Well, I suppose a contract would seal the deal. We Arcanoloths are bound by our word." A parchment appears in the Arcanoloth's hand in a blaze of fire, a quill with it. "Sign, and our deal will be complete."

(OOC - Thorin is not into signing a contract or making a deal that puts everyone at risk. If anything, he's thinking of just running past and entering the tower for the squid.)

Thorn looks at the contract having appeared in the Arcanoloth's hands. He looks back and forth between the way they came from the dragon's lair and the tower, his hands clenching and unclenching.

OOC: Just recapping - The dragon gave this advice - "The Arcanoloths are very deceptive. Do not make any deals with them, for they could turn sour for you." The dragon warns. "Also, the Heart is very volatile. Any sudden, forceful movements could result in cataclysm for you all."

OOC:Also - "I alone could not create the Heart. I possessed the magic, but not the item. So I sought help from the Arcanoloths of the Tower Arcane. In exchange for the Heart, I would give them my services if they needed it. The deed is in my name, but it can be changed. Only the person who's name the deed is in can take the Heart from this plane. If the squid wishes to escape my wrath, which he should, he will seek to change the deed and leave with my Heart." Fragherwe explains.

OOC: Why don't we throw to the mage guide for some advice - doing deals with the Arcanoloth's has been warned against....but we have no idea how strong they are and have seemingly no idea how to convince them to let us pass.

"We have been warned about doing deals with these folk, I am not for going against that advice."  Grix turns to Trajeon   "What say you wizard....any ideas on how to get them to realise the importance of what is going on or just get us into the tower another way" 

(OOC - good point, I forgot the dragon said he's willing to lend the arcanoloths his services.)

"Well, I'd assume they have a Teleportation Circle. We could try to access it and get in that way." Trajeon says. "I can't think of any way in other than dealing with them, and they are very tough."

Thorin scratches his chin, "What if we offered the services o' the dragon for lettin' us in? We're goin' in ta get its egg after all. The dragon did say it'd come ta these folk before, so they would know the importance."

"That's not how I remember their arrangement..." Abzerilan says, confused. "If memory serves, the dragon owes them. Not really useful offering something they already have..."

"Ya no think havin' several favours owed from a dragon is a sweet place ta be? What do ya propose then?" Thorin looks at the tower again, as the time continues to slip away while they discuss this and the rod seems to get further from their grasp.

"Tell you what," The Arcanolth says finally. "We'll let you enter and do whatever it is that you need to do, and you give us the half-elf there." He points at Trajeon.

Abzerilan’s face twists as if he ate something sour. He obviously does not like that latest proposal.

"Are we sure still that killing them first is not the best idea?" Trinity askes.

"We need food either way. And magic secrets and knowledge are always welcome in the Tower Arcane. The half-elf can provide us with both." The Arcanoloth says, clearly annoyed that you have not made a decision yet.

As he speaks, you can see flickers of light from the window the Morkoth entered from.

"Well, I'm no happy ta give up our comrade. An' that thing is makin' a mess in yer tower there," Thorin points up at the window, "This is gettin' too long. I'm with Trin on this one." He cracks his knuckles as he looks out of the corner of his eye at the arcanoloth.

Abzerilan will dig into his knowledge to see what he knows about these arcanoloths.

Religion: 3

(Nothing, apparently)

OOC: I don't want to push for input from the DM, but we are accompanied by an NPC who would have much more knowledge than us about this plane and its inhabitants than us.....and I am sure Trajeon does not want to be eaten, and is our only way home.  He would be acting in his self interest to prevent what the Arcanoloths are asking I am sure.  Just feel like we are being wedged in a situation that we are not equipped to negotiate out of short of attaching the arcanoloth, which are apparently quite strong.   Bit of a loss about how to proceed myself.......if they don't accede to the demand to be let past, do we just leave?

Although, having read back through the posts, Trajeon did respond to a question around another way in by mentioning that there may be a teleportion circle, so I suggest we refuse the offer of the Aracnoloths and see if Trajeon can just magic us in....

As tensions rise between you and the Arcanoloths, a sudden explosion rocks the Tower. The area around the Morkoth's entrance blasts apart from the tower in a massive fireball, and the Morkoth jumps out of the hole.

"What is that?!" The Arcanoloths ask, somewhat rhetorically. The Morkoth turns it's gaze to you all, and upon recognizing the four of you, it's expression turns fearful and it begins to flee. In its arms you can see a large glowing orb and a parchment scroll.

OOC: How far away is the Morkoth?  Any barriers between us and it....eg what is the terrain like.

(The terrain is like the rest of the plane, sloped downwards at nearly a 45 degree angle, rocky, barren, and desolate. There's nothing major standing between you and the Morkoth, but I would say to chase after it would be counted as difficult terrain, because it's not easy to run up a mountain, which is essentially what you'd be doing. Also, it's about 60 feet away.)

Trinity is going to attack one of them using Chaos Bolt 2nd lvl

Attack: 15 Damage: 13 damage type 1 Fire damage wild surge20

"That's the morkoth goin' 'round stealin' all kind o' stuff!" Abzerilan shouts as he turns to the thieving monster. "Looks like it took the Heart o' Unceasin' Combustions and its deed while we were arguin'!"

"Good news fer everyone, we don't need to get your tower anymore!" Abzerilan says as he takes off after the creature.