"Maybe I should use the golden disk?" says Thirteen, as he clangs his fingertips against his torso, thinking of what it would be like to be flesh and blood. "Mind you, I'd then be pretty squishy wouldn't I? Plus I'd have to deal with the mess that goes in and out of my body.......... No, on second thoughts I'm pretty happy as I am..... Carry on."
And he waves his hand dismissingly, and sets to sharpening his sword. Just glancing up now and then to see what's happening.
Eerie smiles at Thirteen, "I wonder what you would turn into though if you were made real? A human or hmmm...and eating and sleeping can be a real nuisance sometimes. You're much more heroic as you are, besides what a name 'Warforged' you're extremely rare as you are which many of us flesh beings strive to be."
"How many times can this be used? I can create many small illusions but such a power could be very dangerous....maybe why this place is upside down?" Eerie ponders aloud.
After quite some time trying to decipher the runes, Virjor finally gives up: "Well, I'm awfully sorry to disappoint, but it seems I can only make sense of half the runes - it seems they have been coded. However, they explain that an illusory object or creature - such as yourself Dzaan, can be placed on the disk in order to be made real; if a creature is placed there then a living creature is also needed in order to provide a 'spark' for the transformation."
"I'm not sure I like the sound of putting any of us in harm's way however. Dzaan, how badly do you want this, and do you know anything of the risks involved to the "living creature" involved in the ritual?"
Insight check on response (with Eerie Advantage) to see if Dzaan is telling the full truth about all of this: 17
Max wrinkles his brow listening to the group and the pleas from who he is thinking could be a new friend. "Umm, I don't know much about magic like you all do, but what can I do to help? I could try to help Eeire catch a spider or something, did you know she is a fantastic druid, Dzann?" He seems clearly interested in trying to help if he can in any way.
Carric tilts his head, watching as each of the party tries to gain a better understanding of the runes and the magic. Such things are beyond his knowledge, but he must admit that the case of the not "real" fabrication raises interesting moral and philsophical questions. After a time, he speaks to the fabricated being.
"I would think that you are as 'real' as your maker or any of us,"the elven monk says. "Do you not experience the ceaseless flow of time and witness the ever-changing present? Even if we cannot deciper these runes, you will continue to exist, as real as any other."
At Max's words, Carric nods his head. "Of course if we do decide to pursue some course of action for our new friend here, I will be glad to assist as well."
"Oh, yes, I have lots of little creepy things. Here's a spider I caught just this morning....oh well, nevermind." Eerie says shaking a little jar, "I guess it got out. It's a little cold here but maybe we could find something?" She crouches down to the floor/ceiling and starts to search the crevices, "They like corners and cracks." She adds to Max.
perception13 [PP 12] or if Nature is more appropriate add another +1.
Dzaan ponders Virjor's questions in silence for a while, clearly taking his time before answering.
"My friend, I feel incomplete. I possess only the knowledge that I was created with; I cannot learn and I cannot grow, or age. I am a shadow"
In reply to Carric, the 'wizard' smiles sadly: "That is a charitable description of me, but existentialism unfortunately does not account for my lack of a soul. I am formed of snow and ice, with no true future. What is a being if it cannot imagine a future for itself, or a divine maker from whom to seek comfort?"
Finally, back to Virjor as Eerie and Max secure arachnids:
"I am aware there is a risk, but not how great. Regardless, this is my wish and I truly hope that you can help. If you can, I will offer you all I can; knowledge of my maker's arcane coven, and this"
He hands out an interesting-looking amulet made of rune-carved wood set in a steel circle.
(Virjor detects sincerity and melancholy in Dzaan; he seems sincere)
Max joins in with Eerie and squints as he tries to find a spider or other creepy creature in the wall.
Perception 20
Hearing Carric's words he looks over his shoulder and adds, "I totally agree! I'm not sure I am as up on the philosophy, but you are a real friend of mine, Thirteen!"
Eerie pauses a moment from her child-like search for multilegged crawlie things and reaches out for the amulet, wishing to hold it closer for study. "This is interesting. What do these symbols mean?" She says trying to recall this information on her own as she does so.
Eerie studies the amulet, which 'Dzaan' happily hands over.
@Eerie:
It is well made, but not exceptional. However, the runes seem to be in a familiar pattern...yes! You have heard of these, it's a Shield Guardian Amulet. Once attuned, the wearer will take control of a construct known as a shield guardian, whose location will be known to them upon attunement. It makes you wonder - was the tunnel through which you first entered this building created by a shield guardian digging out?
"My creator - the real Dzaan - gave it to me. I have no way of knowing what it is for, sorry"
Max finds a spider in a web in one corner of the corridor. The small brown arachnid seems ambivalent towards the halfling, completely unaware of his intentions.
Carric puzzles over the amulet and Eerie's explanation. Finally, he poses a question. "So, if one were to 'attune' one's self to this amulet, it would establish a channel to this construct guardian?"
"I believe...hmmm. That we need to find the Guardian that this amulet commands and allow ourselves to connect with the power of the amulet. Then we should be able to call it into being and command it. The wearer of the amulet should have a sense of where it is though." Eerie responds to clarify.
"ooo, and that's a nice hardy one Max!" She holds up a container to keep it in for the moment complete with air holds. "They don't last too long in these, but it'll do for now."
She turns to Dzaan, "We have a spider and you, what's the next step to making you real?"
The spider practically hops into the offered jar, such is Max's skill.
Dzaan looks excited and approaches the disk. "I think the illusion is supposed to be stood on the disk, but now it's on the, erm, ceiling, hopefully stepping under it should be enough"
He moves to the appropriate spot in the room and the disk starts to glow softly - silently.
His eyes fixed on the spider in the jar, he says "I really don't know how this works; maybe throw me the jar?"
"Maybe I should use the golden disk?" says Thirteen, as he clangs his fingertips against his torso, thinking of what it would be like to be flesh and blood. "Mind you, I'd then be pretty squishy wouldn't I? Plus I'd have to deal with the mess that goes in and out of my body.......... No, on second thoughts I'm pretty happy as I am..... Carry on."
And he waves his hand dismissingly, and sets to sharpening his sword. Just glancing up now and then to see what's happening.
Eerie smiles at Thirteen, "I wonder what you would turn into though if you were made real? A human or hmmm...and eating and sleeping can be a real nuisance sometimes. You're much more heroic as you are, besides what a name 'Warforged' you're extremely rare as you are which many of us flesh beings strive to be."
"How many times can this be used? I can create many small illusions but such a power could be very dangerous....maybe why this place is upside down?" Eerie ponders aloud.
After quite some time trying to decipher the runes, Virjor finally gives up:
"Well, I'm awfully sorry to disappoint, but it seems I can only make sense of half the runes - it seems they have been coded. However, they explain that an illusory object or creature - such as yourself Dzaan, can be placed on the disk in order to be made real; if a creature is placed there then a living creature is also needed in order to provide a 'spark' for the transformation."
"I'm not sure I like the sound of putting any of us in harm's way however. Dzaan, how badly do you want this, and do you know anything of the risks involved to the "living creature" involved in the ritual?"
Insight check on response (with Eerie Advantage) to see if Dzaan is telling the full truth about all of this: 17
Max wrinkles his brow listening to the group and the pleas from who he is thinking could be a new friend. "Umm, I don't know much about magic like you all do, but what can I do to help? I could try to help Eeire catch a spider or something, did you know she is a fantastic druid, Dzann?" He seems clearly interested in trying to help if he can in any way.
Carric tilts his head, watching as each of the party tries to gain a better understanding of the runes and the magic. Such things are beyond his knowledge, but he must admit that the case of the not "real" fabrication raises interesting moral and philsophical questions. After a time, he speaks to the fabricated being.
"I would think that you are as 'real' as your maker or any of us," the elven monk says. "Do you not experience the ceaseless flow of time and witness the ever-changing present? Even if we cannot deciper these runes, you will continue to exist, as real as any other."
At Max's words, Carric nods his head. "Of course if we do decide to pursue some course of action for our new friend here, I will be glad to assist as well."
"Oh, yes, I have lots of little creepy things. Here's a spider I caught just this morning....oh well, nevermind." Eerie says shaking a little jar, "I guess it got out. It's a little cold here but maybe we could find something?" She crouches down to the floor/ceiling and starts to search the crevices, "They like corners and cracks." She adds to Max.
perception 13 [PP 12] or if Nature is more appropriate add another +1.
Dzaan ponders Virjor's questions in silence for a while, clearly taking his time before answering.
"My friend, I feel incomplete. I possess only the knowledge that I was created with; I cannot learn and I cannot grow, or age. I am a shadow"
In reply to Carric, the 'wizard' smiles sadly: "That is a charitable description of me, but existentialism unfortunately does not account for my lack of a soul. I am formed of snow and ice, with no true future. What is a being if it cannot imagine a future for itself, or a divine maker from whom to seek comfort?"
Finally, back to Virjor as Eerie and Max secure arachnids:
"I am aware there is a risk, but not how great. Regardless, this is my wish and I truly hope that you can help. If you can, I will offer you all I can; knowledge of my maker's arcane coven, and this"
He hands out an interesting-looking amulet made of rune-carved wood set in a steel circle.
(Virjor detects sincerity and melancholy in Dzaan; he seems sincere)
Max joins in with Eerie and squints as he tries to find a spider or other creepy creature in the wall.
Perception 20
Hearing Carric's words he looks over his shoulder and adds, "I totally agree! I'm not sure I am as up on the philosophy, but you are a real friend of mine, Thirteen!"
Eerie pauses a moment from her child-like search for multilegged crawlie things and reaches out for the amulet, wishing to hold it closer for study. "This is interesting. What do these symbols mean?" She says trying to recall this information on her own as she does so.
arcana 24
Thirteen leans against the wall, listening to the conversation as well as glancing at the doors in his usual precautionary state.
Eerie studies the amulet, which 'Dzaan' happily hands over.
@Eerie:
It is well made, but not exceptional. However, the runes seem to be in a familiar pattern...yes! You have heard of these, it's a Shield Guardian Amulet. Once attuned, the wearer will take control of a construct known as a shield guardian, whose location will be known to them upon attunement. It makes you wonder - was the tunnel through which you first entered this building created by a shield guardian digging out?
"My creator - the real Dzaan - gave it to me. I have no way of knowing what it is for, sorry"
Eerie's eyes light with recognition. "That's a Shield Guardian Amulet!", explaining to Dzaan and the others how it works.
Max finds a spider in a web in one corner of the corridor. The small brown arachnid seems ambivalent towards the halfling, completely unaware of his intentions.
Carric puzzles over the amulet and Eerie's explanation. Finally, he poses a question. "So, if one were to 'attune' one's self to this amulet, it would establish a channel to this construct guardian?"
"I believe...hmmm. That we need to find the Guardian that this amulet commands and allow ourselves to connect with the power of the amulet. Then we should be able to call it into being and command it. The wearer of the amulet should have a sense of where it is though." Eerie responds to clarify.
"Hey, Eerie, I think I found a spider!" says Max as he sticks his tongue out slightly in concentration to catch the spider.
Animal Handling 14
"ooo, and that's a nice hardy one Max!" She holds up a container to keep it in for the moment complete with air holds. "They don't last too long in these, but it'll do for now."
She turns to Dzaan, "We have a spider and you, what's the next step to making you real?"
The spider practically hops into the offered jar, such is Max's skill.
Dzaan looks excited and approaches the disk. "I think the illusion is supposed to be stood on the disk, but now it's on the, erm, ceiling, hopefully stepping under it should be enough"
He moves to the appropriate spot in the room and the disk starts to glow softly - silently.
His eyes fixed on the spider in the jar, he says "I really don't know how this works; maybe throw me the jar?"
Happy that Dzaan seems genuine, and intrigued to see such powerful magic, Virjor steps back and watches as the process starts.
Making sure his Mage Armor is still cast. "Just in case" he mutters to himself.
Eerie passes the jar carefully to Dzaan and watches in wonder at the glowing disk and quietly blessing the little spider for its sacrifice.