Pizazz's Myth Drannor

Toc seems to focus for a moment, whispering under his breath as he casts a spell.  Then he says, "Simaal is alive. He's...in some rock walled place. He guesses a pocket dimension. He has air, but he's not sure if he can escape on his own."   Toc makes a wry face, "Hmmm, I think I know what I can do here. You guys go ahead and keep searching, this is going to take me a few minutes."  Toc reaches into his pocket and concentrates. A moment later a large gilded chest appears on the ground next to him. He opens it up and begins searching through it, eventually pulling out a steel mirror that looks extremely well wrought, with small gems sparkling in its handle and around the frame.  He closes the chest, and sits next to it cross legged on the ground.  He begins casting magic, starting with a few furtive whispers, and then moving on to something a bit more complex and focussed on the mirror.  

The battle abruptly started, and ended, leaves everyone milling about.  It appears as if the magical doorway stays open for 1 minute after Nuzej leaves the chair. Unfortunately there doesn't appear to be anyway to open the doorway from the other side, leaving Nuzej and anyone else who wants to stay with him, stuck in the star room.  Toc is casting his spells from there, so Nuzej is not alone.  Tic begins poking around inside the 2 story study you've found. Danvoleye steps through the portal, walks to the balcony's edge and keeps an eye on everyone as he looks about the study in interest.

Nuzej, desperately frustrated at being stuck outside an evocation library, asks the others to bring anything at all they find inside out to him. He even suggests that he try stepping inside for 20 seconds to look around himself before rushing back to the chair to reset the timer.

Thyrius is worried but glad that Toc seems calm about next steps when it comes to retrieving Simaal.

"I'll be sure to bring you some tomes, Nuzej." Thyrius affirms as he begins searching within for the tome he came here to find. He'll be sure to pocket a few others that he suspects would pique Nuzej's interest.

Thyrius also admits over the mental link that he does not exactly know what the tome looks like, but he has a feeling he will know it when he sees it. He also reveals its name to his companions (not Danvoleye or Everlast): Book of the Veil.

Are there any obvious displayed tomes that would indicate higher prominence within this library? Here's a perception check: 18

Toc was there, true, but he was busy, so, nothing changed really, except now someone had to watch two of the busy wizards. So, Mirica stayed outside, though the Spiritual hammer remained in the new room. "Can not help you there with the search for magic items,  but shout if something bad happens. Keep an eye on the dragon." She, actually, did it herself, dividing her attention between watching the dragon's moves and the surroundings of the star room.

The group, with an anxious Nuzej suffering some serious FOMO stuck in his chair, and with Toc and Mirica remaining back begin a search of the study. The knowledge held within is vast and will take a long time to absorb. The books here seem to be of a nature that would not be available to most citizens of Ythryn, or even its nobility, but mostly privately kept for the knowledge of Iriolarthas and his eight ruling wizards. You find detailed information about the city of Ythyrn, how it was formed, magical arcana texts on Mythallars that go into construction, magical art and deep arcana. You find books not just on the highest arts of Evocation, but also on every other school.  Like this library back in Myth Drannor, this will take decades to read, and more to understand. Thryius is kind enough to bring back a book to Nuzej so that he can read while he sits trapped in his chair.  You find a whole book dedicated to weather manipulation, one of the major features of the Ythryn Mythallar.  The wizards here mainly focused on a civilization of magical giants that was ancient in their time, and the search for artifacts, one of which was the spindle in the other room. There is also information about 'Black Obelisks', which were built throughout the Netherese empire and had something to do with an entirely new school of magic that dealt with time itself. 

The group also finds a command word, 'Saldrinar', some long-dead netherese archmage, whose name enables the open and closing of the portal from either side. Armed with this, the group experiments briefly but finds that they can now easily open and close the door from both side as needed.

They also find another command word, 'Olostin'.  This one you are more careful with. Apparently speaking it aloud from a certain spot within the study...while looking out the windows at the city, will result in the force field that surrounds the central spire to deactivate. There is detail here, but raising it again is not so simple and involves a combination of spell casting some unknown spell, and being attuned to the Mythallar. 

Lastly you find some items of extreme interest. You find a metal case containing four vials of quicksilver, (worth 500gp each), and an intricate crystal rod (1800gp). Tic seems sure these are spell components, likely for something important. There is also the discovery of several spell books.  

Then there are three unique things of interest.  There is a Staff of Power, a powerful scroll that Tic tucks away quickly but explains is...of a magical power that is beyond anything possible today that summons some horrific giant monstrosity that could lay waste to an entire army or city that is called a Tarrasque, and there upon the desk, Thyrius finds the Book of the Veil.

The spell books, Nuzej and Toc all later can discovery contain the following spells: 

 Your search of this ancient tower seems complete. 

Toc says mentally, "Tic and I will return here and transfer all of this knowledge to the Myth Drannor library, but this must wait for tomorrow. For now, I must return Tic to Myth Drannor. Nuzej, I'm unsure if this staff is of interest to you. If not, then I will return it with Tic as well, along with the spell books and components. I have interest in this spindle as well. I wonder if it's ability to divorce magic from the world around it could be used to help us deal with Larloch. But, it can't be moved currently so we will have to play nice with these Shadovar to retain visiting rights. Also, in addition to that scroll of Tarrasque summoning, Tic found a spell that can call down a meteor from the heavens, large enough to lay waste to most of a city. These are powerful, and destructive tools that may make all the difference to our fight." 

Toc also finishes his work helping Simaal. After twenty minutes, he finishes, says a few words to Tic, and then Tic repeats the process.  After that is done, Tic begins casting a spell, powerful magic swirling around Toc's Simulacrum, before a doorway appears in the middle of the room.  Toc walks over and pulls the door open. 

Simaal is within, sitting down, apparently meditating. He opens his eyes as the doorway appears, and then quickly leaves the small alternate dimension he'd been trapped in.  

Toc looks about curiously, and then shuts the door. 

Though not exactly content, Xemnez had all the same wordless stood guard by Nuzej, still yet confident in being able to reach his brother should a similar incident as Simmal's misfortune befell the Leonin. Without the restraints of duty however, what with others figuring out the command word and such, it became Xemnez turn to act as his brother's shadow throughout the exploration of the library, as little piqued his personal interest or seemed to be even understood by him for that matter... regardless of language written in or summary given by others.

Still, he never voiced a word of complaint. And with the matter of Simmal to be eventually seen to following assurances from Toc(or Tic?), any temptation to urgently seek the man had been swiftly snuffed out with little more than gruff huff. 'I have no idea what a 'Tarrasque' is. But your concern is noted, Toc. Do what you must, and we shall endeavor yet not to aggravate the new 'keepers' of the city, by all acounts.' Xemnez had at the very least replied through the link. Aloud he then adds and once given assurances his brother had found what he sought, "I believe that is enough for now. Short of these books containing the means to deal with Auril, we have yet the problem to see to next... Any suggestions? Or should we be figuring how to get past that horde of undead and link up with that other group, if they should yet be alive."

(OOC: Despite this assurance however, if the Dragon had intervened on trying to grab the book from Thyrius, Xem would've unhesitantingly stepped forth to intercept said dragon)

As the golden Leonin keeps one eye on his brother, and another on Danvoleye, he sees the dark skinned dragon man watches everything from the upper balcony without making a move. He seems entirely unconcerned as books, scrolls, staves and valuables are picked up from the library. He watches all impassively and in silence.

Equally impassive and silent is the form of Everlast. He does not appear in the upper study, and instead seems bound to the star room where he stands silent and unmoving.

Now that he's back, Simaal's mental connection is restored and he takes part in exploring the study. 

Toc replies to Xemnez's comments about the other group, silently and mentally as usual. "The other group is safe, downstairs, behind the field. They believe they defeated Auril temporarily in their attempt to destroy some ring. They are now waiting for Zendrak and I to complete our studies, so that they can decide what to do next. I believe I will need another day with Zendrak before I'm ready to proceed." 

After providing Nuzej with some reading material, Thyrius' search inside the library had been single-minded. He was inattentive to the many other discoveries his companions made within, even missing the mention of key words like scroll, spellbook, Terrasque, etc.

Thyrius welcomed the closeness of his brother, knowing he'd also be keeping an eye on the dragon-man. Once the Book of the Veil was found, the black cat moved swiftly to it and made sure his brother came along. From there, Thyrius whispers something mentally just to Xem, using their native tongue for further encryption.

From there, Thyrius is happy to fall back in place and follow his brother's directives regarding exit strategies and next steps.

"I believe we are finally done here then." Mirica ignored the secret whisper among the brothers and went straight to the point. "There is a matter of the dryad. But if Shadovar plan to defrost the city, that problem will be solved too. Tic might want to take as many books with him as he can. With the dragon here and fully aware of how to get to the room, I doubt much will be left here when Tic returns. Speaking of leaving. Do you, Toc have to stay here to learn everything from Zendrak? Or can he teach you that some place else? Would love to leave that ice cube and discuss our next move in a more hospitable place."

A little while back... Simaal stands up and smiles as he walks to rejoin the group. "Thanks, that seemed like an unpleasant place to be especially when bodily functions would kick in... Still I was all alone, apparently no other has fallen into it." Simaal then looks around at books, especially ones that seem to focus on anything with expanding the mind and the like. Beyond that he does his best to search around also believing they'll like never enter here. That and what are the chances there are no secret cuby holes and the like which he strives to find. If it's at all possible to be out of sight of the dragon, he'll turn to gas and try to push himself through walls and furniture looking for cracks.

Despite Danvoleye's attempt to watch everything all at once, both Simaal and Thyrius are able to do what they wish without his notice. Tic seems to do a good job getting his attention with lots of loud exclamations about each of his interesting finds.  Your search reveals both command words, as mentioned, but you're able to keep them secret from Danvoleye. Even managing to confirm the portal one works without giving anything away. Or at least you hope.  

Simaal's attempt to push himself through cracks and find any way out of this tower or into hidden places comes to naught. It would seem this place, heavily protected by magic, was all the 'secret room' the archmage of Ythryn needed. 

Eventually the search is done and you return to the star room. There, Mirica muses about perhaps doing the work with Zendrak elsewhere.  Danvoleye finally seems to have grown bored, and nods to the group, "I take my leave."  He departs, finally leaving the group alone.  

Still, always overly cautious, Toc begins talking to the group mentally, "Zendrak has shown me sufficient details about the process, that we can leave now if we wish. The question really is, what is our next step. Are we going to try and destroy Auril or break her hold on this region? Or do we leave that to the Shadovar. They haven't said anything about 'defrosting' this city, so I'm not sure if we can rely on them freeing the Dryad. And, in all honesty, are we fine leaving them in control of this city, or do we wish to....force the issue as it were.  There is also research to be done, both on the books we've found here, continuing on the books in Myth Drannor. There are some political situations to deal with, searches for other netherese ruins to check in on.  Then of course there are also these three Lichs that we've temporarily destroyed. Zendrak's ritual is able to locate the rough area of the Lich's Phylactery, sufficient to use teleportation magics. Once there, the 2nd part of the ritual will lead you to the Phylactery.  He has already performed this ritual on all three of the Lich's we destroyed below. Demise, Shock, and Ruin. They are in different locations. Demise's is in a natural underground cave system. Shock's is in an underground lake, in a jungle somewhere. Ruin's is...also in some sort of underground, but it has structures built into the cave systems. Zendrak's allies chose to pursue Ruin. We have only 8 days to find and destroy their Phylacteries or, presumably, they will reform.  So, really, we need to decide what our next step is. In any scenario, I need to send Tic back to Myth Drannor to continue daily rituals that secure that Mythallar from outside forces." 

"Did not you say just a moment ago that "we should play nice with Shadovar"?" Mirica also did not trust the dragon's disappearance and talked mentally. "And now you are asking if we are fine with them in control? Choose already whether you want to befriend those monsters or fight them." Toc's inconsistency was not anything new though the question was not that important. Mirica said as much. "Not that it matters much, of course. Our goal - the only goal! - is Larloch. Auril, liches and even shadovar are secondary. Did not liches act of their own volition? If they did, then, again, it's the shadovar's problem, as well as Auril. If not - then we have an eight days window of opportunity to attack Larloch himself, when he is left without his most powerful allies. It can be our only chance to confront him. If the legends of Tarrasque hold true, we have our weapon too. Just travel to the lair, unleash the beast and wait for the outcome, finishing the winner. Can invite our dear friends - shadovar and the dragon - to the show. I'm sure they would love to check Larloch's treasury."

Toc grimaces, but says nothing, waiting to see what others of the group have to say.

Despite so much and so little going on at the same time(both privately and publicly), Xemnez still respectfully afforded Danvoleye a nod goodbye. Never thinking or showing concern over the dragon possibly having somehow caught on to the more personal matters concerning the group that hadn't been freely vented and vocalized between everyone.

Once he's gone however, Xemnez shows some degree of annoyance over the continued mental chatter; which he had up until then accepted stoically, but grew visibly if but mildly annoyed or frustrated with its use. Still, the Leonin voiced no complaints and dutifully kept up the vocal veneer of further suggestions of a plan of action. Just in case the group were being spied upon, or so he presumed to be the concern. Why else would the others insist on mind speak? His responses in both case are clipped and to the point, as double talk was not exactly the warrior's strong suit.

"So, Tarrasque is Legendary Beast? Interesting. Reminds me of Typhon. Would love face both some day, but... not here or there... Beast untrustworthy. Larloch... Powerful. Could turn beast against us. Could make matters worse. Make more unstable his magics too recklessly, and make all worlds suffer.... Need piece of Larloch for ritual anyways, yes? ... If so, deal with others thing first. Remove lieutenants is vote of mine. Not care which first... as for Shadovar and rest, still not good time. Risky either way, but riskier still without more to account for numbers we'd face making enemies.... If have solution for Auril though, then her first... least Shadovar and allies somehow gain control of her power or other magical nonsense."

Out loud Simaal muses "Well there are a lot of things to go over here, I think we need to keep reading in case we find something of interest, there's bound to be some value to these books."

Mentally "I believe Toc is talking about options, and there are a lot of them. Tis the nature of groups without a leader who just decides for the group. Well, not the right time for a tale, so I'll keep it short. I can't think of a single tale where releasing some dangerous thing works out well for the releaser. Even tales where the releaser had control often end up poorly for those that did the releasing in the first place. Equally carrying it around with us seems like a bad idea, so glad to see it stored somewhere. I am not certain of this Larloch character however, one can only assume he has many allies, and as such how can we defeat him directly so that he's without allies. So I would certainly agree with our new allies. Sadly while snippets were heard here and there, I have as much knowledge of where Larloch is and what his powers are as I do of the snow queen, though I guess I know more of the snow queen's abilities."

Simaal flips pages full well knowing he hasn't read them and would require more time than we're obviously being given.

"I would have said let's deal with snow queen first, after all we're here, but knowing where she is and how to defeat here escapes me at the moment. If we deal with liches first at least we don't have to worry about them attacking us while we try to deal with Larloch. It almost sounds like you know where Larloch is and how we can defeat him and get it done within 8 days. Care to share how?"

Thyrius was happy to see the dragon-man leave, though his face never showed it.

Thyrius then listened to his brother's mental ruminations, wondering if he should be worried that his brother seemingly and suddenly lost the ability to use pronouns.

The black cat had little to share on Toc's and Mirica's momentary squabble for now. He was still not sure he understood all the connections and alliances at play here or why each of the potential proposed paths forward truly merited their attention. He wondered which one would be more directly connected to the mission given to the Leonins by their legendary while lion kin. Perhaps the securing of the nearby Mythallar? Perhaps defeating this Larloch? Mirica and Toc had explained it before. If Larloch is defeated, than the corrupting powers they were tasked with interrupting would surely fall too, right?

Not fully familiar with the workings of mental communication himself, some of Thyrius' thoughts would undoubtedly reach his companions.

Mirica answered Xemnez's concerns first. In her usual polite and delicate manner. "I guess you missed the part about time constraints, Xemnez. Right now Larloch is syphoning the power of many mythallars. Every day, hour, minute even, he is getting closer to finishing his world-destroying ritual. The more time we are wasting on anything else - the less time we have to stop him. Add to this that the exact time of ritual ending is unknown to us, and every second can become precious." "As for your stories, Simaal," Mirica looked at the half-elf, "maybe stick to reality? Might help to make peace with the fact that not all of us, if any, will return from this quest, no matter what weapon are we going to use." She glanced back at the golden lion. "Tarrasque is a bit of both - a beast and a force of nature, neither of which can be controlled, of course. Some religions call it "the wrath of gods". Since Larloch is practically achieved godhood, seems like a suitable weapon to me. We know exactly where Larloch's lair is. Not what is inside, of course. But eight days can be spent learning just that and an attempt to finish him or everything he already prepared for the ritual."

Simaal seems to think about it for a while but responds pretty quickly. "Guess that's where my confusion is. If it's known where they lair, and every moment counts, and you think they could be defeated, why even bother with the frozen north, why not go to the lair. If finding these spheres is more important then why are we so focused on Larloch instead of randomly looking for the next sphere which you'd think we'd not find before whatever world ending thing happens. Just so everyone knows, I'm nowhere near a god, just sayin, so I'll try to keep someone or a few folks busy, but that's about the extent of my combat abilities against a practical god."

He takes a short pause. "Ok, just so I understand, our new allies found whatever they're looking for, and so are they sticking around? Larloch, this spend learning about the lair, are we going to get there in 8 days. Also this learning part and are we going to learn about it by watching it or are there other means at our disposal right now?"

"Exactly my point - the part about the direct attack. At the time we learned enough about mythallars and the siphoning, it seemed like a good idea to first free the known mythallars from that, delaying the ritual. Does not seem like the case now with 24 more spheres that we know nothing whereabouts of while, according to the information from our lions here, Larloch is practically at the end of the ritual. Looks to me like we have to go straight to the point. Should the world survive and we are still around, the less significant matters like claiming the lost cities and dispensing of rogue gods are as good an occupation as any other. But first, we have to stop the ritual."