As the party are leaving, a man walks up to them, moving as fast walking as most men would sprint. He is, tall and attractive, with a presence and confidence that tends to inspire respect. He appears to be unarmed and unarmored, but dressed in a very high-quality cloak, and if the light catches his face at just the right angle, you can see that he wears a very fine, completely transparent mask over his eyes.
He immediately notices the man he met wandering the tower, and approaches him.
"Alacar leoricar? Good to see you again. So you're part of the company he-" He freezes as his eyes settle on the blade Apachai carries.
"Is that you, Delamare? Have you found yourself a new puppet, at last?" He smiles warmly.
You see the man described above, but encased in a massive suit of mithral mechanus plate. There are runes of protection and warding all over it, glowing alternately gold and shining regal blue. A tower shield floats lazily in front of him, made in the same designs, carrying the same runes. However, he still appears to be carrying no weapons.
"Listen Human." Szordrin says without turning to who he is talking to "You may wish for my death, but I am not so easily found. Do think hard before you wish ill against me, you may find yourself in a rather nasty predictament wishing for my aid. Or you may find a blade in your back, please keep that in mind." He says as he walks through the trees, almost hoping Stohr becomes lost and forgotten
"Damn! What in the name of the Spider Queen's Drider pet sock puppet is going on!?"
Quote from Amadi »
Blasphemy! The system is perfect. The ability to create a spell to duplicate gods at skill check DC 10 is totally balanced and doesn't say anything about the system's viability!
"Calling me a human is like calling you an elf, except the complete opposite. You should be honored if one would call you something much more noble than you."
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The Sage is occupied with the unspoken
and acts without effort.
Teaching without verbosity,
producing without possessing,
creating without regard to result,
claiming nothing,
the Sage has nothing to lose.
Z stops and turns around swiftly, staring at Stohr.
"I am far from noble. My hands are stained with the blood of hundreds. I may very well be a brutal killer, but I have repented my past. I now serve a cause that is true and just, whether you believe my words or actions is on you. My skills are not something you find every day, but I assure you, my soul will never be noble in any regards."
He turns around and continues walking, his pace becoming more rapid, as though something of the topic hit him hard
"Damn! What in the name of the Spider Queen's Drider pet sock puppet is going on!?"
Quote from Amadi »
Blasphemy! The system is perfect. The ability to create a spell to duplicate gods at skill check DC 10 is totally balanced and doesn't say anything about the system's viability!
Kaulesh looks around at the others. "I'm still unsure about this, but it appears we have little choice at this point." The swiftblade follows after Z, still looking as if he is intentionally walking slowly despite keeping up with the slightly faster pace.
Catching up slightly to Szordin, he nods. "May I ask where we are going that I or another member of this party could not have simply teleported us? It is my understanding that we are short on time here, so magical means of travel seem a bit more appropriate."
Zenith smiles. "I suppose you wouldn't recognise me, at that. Last time we met, you knew me as Urden Kael."
He thinks for a second.
"That must be about 250 years ago. I trust you are still ending the undead?"
Zen extends his hand to Delamare's current host. "The name is Zenith now. Zenith Kael. It will be an honour and a pleasure to hunt the undead with you again, Delamare."
Continuing his pace into the wildernes, "We are walking into the deep underdark, the Faerzress blocks magical teleportation. Trust me, if we could have gotten there in a flash I would have done so. My shadow power has very little effect in comparison as on the surface." Z says barely looking away from the road ahead.
"Yes, we are in a hurry, but unforunetly we must walk. But I believe this road is very close to our goal. It won't be more than a couple of days before we arrive, assuming that everyone can keep up and not slow my pace."
"Damn! What in the name of the Spider Queen's Drider pet sock puppet is going on!?"
Quote from Amadi »
Blasphemy! The system is perfect. The ability to create a spell to duplicate gods at skill check DC 10 is totally balanced and doesn't say anything about the system's viability!
As the group walks forward, they indeed note a cave that leads inexorably downward, presumably towards the Underdark.
The entrance is not overly large, but it wide enough to admit two walking side-by-side. It looks as if steps, of a sort, have been carved into the stone.
Strange moss glows greenish from the inside, drawing off the sunlight and changing it into a weird form.
Water drips from an unseen source, and the air smells dank and stale.
And yes, no incantatrix for you. Or anyone. That class makes puppies cry. Mostly because they are the former Big Bads who have been Baleful Polymorphed into said puppies. By you. Because you're an incantatrix.
Quote from Yukora »
This is Deraxas we're talking about.
Remember, the girl that just killed an aspect of herself before literally consuming her?
Yeah, I don't see her handling a pissing match in any way other than a duel.
Quote from RedDwarfian »
Yes mistress...
Quote from About epic-level D&D »
There are only so many epic, psuedonatural barbarian/blackguard half-dragon akutenshai vampire balor paragons they can throw at you, right?
Quote from Concerning breeding habits of humans in fantasy games »
I suppose it's true. Though the logistics implied in a human/Great Wyrm Prismatic Dragon pairing makes me shudder.
...Something tells me that even should all arcane casters in the world unite, that the Grease spell would NOT be sufficient.
Alacar shrugs. "I'm used to long walks.. the Underdark I'm no stranger to either, but I still don't like it.. there's always a general musk in the air, even in the more open caves." He grumbled. "I'd prefer it if we didn't come across anything unpleasant down here, but that's as likely as a pig doing an irresistable dance."
"Yes, I agree, it would be very good if nothing bars our path. If you all don't mind, I will scout ahead? But if you prefer I stay in the open then I shall. But my skills are best used in the darkness and alone." Z says stepping down into the declining cave.
"Watch your step, it can be a little slippery on the rocks."
"Damn! What in the name of the Spider Queen's Drider pet sock puppet is going on!?"
Quote from Amadi »
Blasphemy! The system is perfect. The ability to create a spell to duplicate gods at skill check DC 10 is totally balanced and doesn't say anything about the system's viability!
If anyone doesn't have darkvision, I feel sorry for them.
Soon after the party descends, the sunlight feels like a forgotten memory. The chill air enfolds you like a cloak of midnight, and nothing can be seen except walls of damp stone and slick moss underfoot. The echoes of footsteps surround you all, and it's impossible to discern if they come from the group or from an outside source.
And yes, no incantatrix for you. Or anyone. That class makes puppies cry. Mostly because they are the former Big Bads who have been Baleful Polymorphed into said puppies. By you. Because you're an incantatrix.
Quote from Yukora »
This is Deraxas we're talking about.
Remember, the girl that just killed an aspect of herself before literally consuming her?
Yeah, I don't see her handling a pissing match in any way other than a duel.
Quote from RedDwarfian »
Yes mistress...
Quote from About epic-level D&D »
There are only so many epic, psuedonatural barbarian/blackguard half-dragon akutenshai vampire balor paragons they can throw at you, right?
Quote from Concerning breeding habits of humans in fantasy games »
I suppose it's true. Though the logistics implied in a human/Great Wyrm Prismatic Dragon pairing makes me shudder.
...Something tells me that even should all arcane casters in the world unite, that the Grease spell would NOT be sufficient.
"Damn! What in the name of the Spider Queen's Drider pet sock puppet is going on!?"
Quote from Amadi »
Blasphemy! The system is perfect. The ability to create a spell to duplicate gods at skill check DC 10 is totally balanced and doesn't say anything about the system's viability!
"Oh no this wont do!" Oreo says as he stumbles and trips on the darkness, he waves his hand and produces a series of dancing motes of ever changing light
"There! much better!" he says as he surveys the cave for the first time with clear eyes
Using Dancing Lights from my level 0 Sorcerer Spell Slot
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Quote from »
Call me old fashioned, but an evil ascension to power just isn't the same without someone chanting faux Latin in the background.
Oreo, Glazing people better than Dunkin' Donuts since 2009
That is not dead which can eternal lie. And with strange eons even death may die.
And it's not like each and every creature over level 5 in underdark didn't have Ring of Darkhidden, making them invisible to darkvision, anyhow. (And no, even truesight doesn't stop that, IIRC. 2000gp for practical invisibility in many situations.)
Stohr calmly walks in, where the shimmer coming from him fills the cave with eerie light, as optimistic as ever: "What do you expect to encounter? The Illithid are probably wise enough to stay out of our way, and apart from those what there is that poses a danger to us? A giant beholder or a dozen drow matriarchs?"
Private Mod Note
():
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The Sage is occupied with the unspoken
and acts without effort.
Teaching without verbosity,
producing without possessing,
creating without regard to result,
claiming nothing,
the Sage has nothing to lose.
Zenith smiles. "I suppose you wouldn't recognise me, at that. Last time we met, you knew me as Urden Kael."
He thinks for a second.
"That must be about 250 years ago. I trust you are still ending the undead?"
Zen extends his hand to Delamare's current host. "The name is Zenith now. Zenith Kael. It will be an honour and a pleasure to hunt the undead with you again, Delamare."
Delachai nods.
"Yes, I suppose I should have noticed that grin and aura of undefeatable goodness sooner. Well met, Zenith."
Looking down at the phoenix mage's hand, Delachai shakes his head, and flexes a massive minotaur paw.
"Forgive my impudence, Zenith, but any hands which are capable of single-handedly smashing a wall of force into nothingness are not ones suitable for shaking the hands of long lost friends."
"Mind Flayers are not the only danger of the dark. Apparently you don't come down here much. Dragons, Orcs, Oozes, Dwarves, Gnomes, etc. There are many dangers in the deep dark. Quite a few of them are more powerful than ourselves or they would have been wiped out long ago." Z says stepping off to the side of the path trying to conceal himself a little in the shadows of the cave
"Damn! What in the name of the Spider Queen's Drider pet sock puppet is going on!?"
Quote from Amadi »
Blasphemy! The system is perfect. The ability to create a spell to duplicate gods at skill check DC 10 is totally balanced and doesn't say anything about the system's viability!
"Let me tell you a story, and perhaps even you might learn a lesson. A story that happened far in the south, in the lush jungles. There was a tribe of goblins, wretched little creatures, but they had a wise elder, Thelua. Old by goblin logic, he had lived many decades already. When their leader lost his life to poison of a viper, the elder was elected the next leader, and wise leader he became. He claimed that there was well enough food in the jungles, that the goblins would not have to war with humans and gnomes of the region. Following that came a long era of prosper for the whole area, as they all lived in a mutual nonwritten agreement to not fight. Of course, some broke this agreement, but larger confrontrations were evaded. This lasted for well over two decades. Then, one day, the elder passed away due to natural causes. He was well over the average age for goblins, mind you."
Stohr takes a small pause and sighs.
"The new leader elected was not like him. Not at all. Within the first week of his era, the goblins had declared war on practically everything they could find. Within three weeks, there was no survivors left of the goblins, and only a few remaining humans in the area. The elder's lifelong work of wisdom and peace was wasted in what was moments compared to the time these events took place in. The goblins became a threat, and others had to act on it for their own survival. All this because of one goblin's greed and hunger for power and fame, none of which he reached."
Stohr pauses, looking at Z.
"The key sentence was; Goblins became a threat. There is no need or reason to wipe out a population that poses no threat and causes no real harm. All territory wars between dwarves and duergar, gnomes and kobolds and drow and svirneblin are because one of them became a threat, most often because of foolishness of one group's leaders. These conflicts never ended well for anyone."
"Of course, most creatures of underdark are no threat to the greater powers over here. Illithid see no reason to attack what they regard as lesser creatures apart from hunger and need for slaves. They actually benefit of their existence. Dragons see no reason to wake up for what little treasure a goblin might have, only destroying settlements that have accumulated wealth over centuries. It is another part of the nature, stronger pray on weak, but they never cause extinction, as they benefit from their existence. With the exception of aberrations such as you and your kind, who see killing anything weaker than them as enjoyment."
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
The Sage is occupied with the unspoken
and acts without effort.
Teaching without verbosity,
producing without possessing,
creating without regard to result,
claiming nothing,
the Sage has nothing to lose.
"Your story may very well hold some wisdom to it. But your perception of me is however, very incorrect. Killing is not something I enjoy, but it is something I am good at. To strike down a creature I need a reason and not just any reason will do. I work for my Queen and only if she wills it will someone die." Z looks to Stohr, a hint of goodness in his eyes
"I do not kill for the sake of killing, I kill only if the greater good is served. The lives of many are more important than the life of an individual."
"Damn! What in the name of the Spider Queen's Drider pet sock puppet is going on!?"
Quote from Amadi »
Blasphemy! The system is perfect. The ability to create a spell to duplicate gods at skill check DC 10 is totally balanced and doesn't say anything about the system's viability!
And yes, no incantatrix for you. Or anyone. That class makes puppies cry. Mostly because they are the former Big Bads who have been Baleful Polymorphed into said puppies. By you. Because you're an incantatrix.
Quote from Yukora »
This is Deraxas we're talking about.
Remember, the girl that just killed an aspect of herself before literally consuming her?
Yeah, I don't see her handling a pissing match in any way other than a duel.
Quote from RedDwarfian »
Yes mistress...
Quote from About epic-level D&D »
There are only so many epic, psuedonatural barbarian/blackguard half-dragon akutenshai vampire balor paragons they can throw at you, right?
Quote from Concerning breeding habits of humans in fantasy games »
I suppose it's true. Though the logistics implied in a human/Great Wyrm Prismatic Dragon pairing makes me shudder.
...Something tells me that even should all arcane casters in the world unite, that the Grease spell would NOT be sufficient.
"Damn! What in the name of the Spider Queen's Drider pet sock puppet is going on!?"
Quote from Amadi »
Blasphemy! The system is perfect. The ability to create a spell to duplicate gods at skill check DC 10 is totally balanced and doesn't say anything about the system's viability!
I also have nimbus of light, but I don't need to use it since I also have darkvision. In any case, I have mine dimmed since we're in the underdark and don't want to alert every creature in the area of our presence.
"The 'Greater Good'?" Serato ponders aloud; "None are fit to judge what this entails. Live your life doing right, and good will blossom of it."
Alacar rolls his eyes. "Listen guys.. I didn't come here to have a great debate about ethics. I came here to find an essence. I especially don't wanna debate while I'm in the Underdark. There's enough to think about down here besides what's good and what's right and who deserves to die, if anyone."
Alacar sighed. "I remember when Lyia would sing travelling songs..." He says, remembering the good old days with his wife.
He immediately notices the man he met wandering the tower, and approaches him.
"Alacar leoricar? Good to see you again. So you're part of the company he-" He freezes as his eyes settle on the blade Apachai carries.
"Is that you, Delamare? Have you found yourself a new puppet, at last?" He smiles warmly.
Fall of the Draco King Notes
My Characters:
and acts without effort.
Teaching without verbosity,
producing without possessing,
creating without regard to result,
claiming nothing,
the Sage has nothing to lose.
"I am far from noble. My hands are stained with the blood of hundreds. I may very well be a brutal killer, but I have repented my past. I now serve a cause that is true and just, whether you believe my words or actions is on you. My skills are not something you find every day, but I assure you, my soul will never be noble in any regards."
He turns around and continues walking, his pace becoming more rapid, as though something of the topic hit him hard
Fall of the Draco King Notes
My Characters:
Catching up slightly to Szordin, he nods. "May I ask where we are going that I or another member of this party could not have simply teleported us? It is my understanding that we are short on time here, so magical means of travel seem a bit more appropriate."
Winner of the Weekly Signature & Avatar Contest Weeks 51, 59, 78, & 118.
I don't care if I was framed for murder if I only got a warning I would let it go.
Eyes narrowed, the minotaur turns to face the newcomer.
"Yes, I am Delamare Du Senschouzen Alamira. Who are you, and how do you know me?" DelaChai asks the newcomer.
He thinks for a second.
"That must be about 250 years ago. I trust you are still ending the undead?"
Zen extends his hand to Delamare's current host. "The name is Zenith now. Zenith Kael. It will be an honour and a pleasure to hunt the undead with you again, Delamare."
"Yes, we are in a hurry, but unforunetly we must walk. But I believe this road is very close to our goal. It won't be more than a couple of days before we arrive, assuming that everyone can keep up and not slow my pace."
Fall of the Draco King Notes
My Characters:
The entrance is not overly large, but it wide enough to admit two walking side-by-side. It looks as if steps, of a sort, have been carved into the stone.
Strange moss glows greenish from the inside, drawing off the sunlight and changing it into a weird form.
Water drips from an unseen source, and the air smells dank and stale.
"I am in the arcane, and the arcane is in me."
Official Matron Mother of Clan Planar Chaos
Awesome Avatar and signature by DarkNightCavalier
Deraxas, Dark Maiden of Shimia,, still oddly obsessed with a mindmage.
Like freeform roleplaying? Try Darkness Befalls Us
Ryttare Kelasin Luna Orelinalei
"Watch your step, it can be a little slippery on the rocks."
Fall of the Draco King Notes
My Characters:
Soon after the party descends, the sunlight feels like a forgotten memory. The chill air enfolds you like a cloak of midnight, and nothing can be seen except walls of damp stone and slick moss underfoot. The echoes of footsteps surround you all, and it's impossible to discern if they come from the group or from an outside source.
"I am in the arcane, and the arcane is in me."
Official Matron Mother of Clan Planar Chaos
Awesome Avatar and signature by DarkNightCavalier
Deraxas, Dark Maiden of Shimia,, still oddly obsessed with a mindmage.
Yep, I've got darkvision, so I'm good:cool:
Fall of the Draco King Notes
My Characters:
Like freeform roleplaying? Try Darkness Befalls Us
Ryttare Kelasin Luna Orelinalei
"There! much better!" he says as he surveys the cave for the first time with clear eyes
And it's not like each and every creature over level 5 in underdark didn't have Ring of Darkhidden, making them invisible to darkvision, anyhow. (And no, even truesight doesn't stop that, IIRC. 2000gp for practical invisibility in many situations.)
Stohr calmly walks in, where the shimmer coming from him fills the cave with eerie light, as optimistic as ever: "What do you expect to encounter? The Illithid are probably wise enough to stay out of our way, and apart from those what there is that poses a danger to us? A giant beholder or a dozen drow matriarchs?"
and acts without effort.
Teaching without verbosity,
producing without possessing,
creating without regard to result,
claiming nothing,
the Sage has nothing to lose.
"Yes, I suppose I should have noticed that grin and aura of undefeatable goodness sooner. Well met, Zenith."
Looking down at the phoenix mage's hand, Delachai shakes his head, and flexes a massive minotaur paw.
"Forgive my impudence, Zenith, but any hands which are capable of single-handedly smashing a wall of force into nothingness are not ones suitable for shaking the hands of long lost friends."
Fall of the Draco King Notes
My Characters:
Stohr takes a small pause and sighs.
"The new leader elected was not like him. Not at all. Within the first week of his era, the goblins had declared war on practically everything they could find. Within three weeks, there was no survivors left of the goblins, and only a few remaining humans in the area. The elder's lifelong work of wisdom and peace was wasted in what was moments compared to the time these events took place in. The goblins became a threat, and others had to act on it for their own survival. All this because of one goblin's greed and hunger for power and fame, none of which he reached."
Stohr pauses, looking at Z.
"The key sentence was; Goblins became a threat. There is no need or reason to wipe out a population that poses no threat and causes no real harm. All territory wars between dwarves and duergar, gnomes and kobolds and drow and svirneblin are because one of them became a threat, most often because of foolishness of one group's leaders. These conflicts never ended well for anyone."
"Of course, most creatures of underdark are no threat to the greater powers over here. Illithid see no reason to attack what they regard as lesser creatures apart from hunger and need for slaves. They actually benefit of their existence. Dragons see no reason to wake up for what little treasure a goblin might have, only destroying settlements that have accumulated wealth over centuries. It is another part of the nature, stronger pray on weak, but they never cause extinction, as they benefit from their existence. With the exception of aberrations such as you and your kind, who see killing anything weaker than them as enjoyment."
and acts without effort.
Teaching without verbosity,
producing without possessing,
creating without regard to result,
claiming nothing,
the Sage has nothing to lose.
"I do not kill for the sake of killing, I kill only if the greater good is served. The lives of many are more important than the life of an individual."
Fall of the Draco King Notes
My Characters:
Nimbus of Light makes you glow, eh? That's two shining beacons... so Alacar, I guess you're good.
"I am in the arcane, and the arcane is in me."
Official Matron Mother of Clan Planar Chaos
Awesome Avatar and signature by DarkNightCavalier
Deraxas, Dark Maiden of Shimia,, still oddly obsessed with a mindmage.
Spot
Fall of the Draco King Notes
My Characters:
Spot:
Listen:
I also have nimbus of light, but I don't need to use it since I also have darkvision. In any case, I have mine dimmed since we're in the underdark and don't want to alert every creature in the area of our presence.
"The 'Greater Good'?" Serato ponders aloud; "None are fit to judge what this entails. Live your life doing right, and good will blossom of it."
Alacar sighed. "I remember when Lyia would sing travelling songs..." He says, remembering the good old days with his wife.
Spot:
Like freeform roleplaying? Try Darkness Befalls Us
Ryttare Kelasin Luna Orelinalei