The Root of all Evil

[boomwolf]

Times came and time left, and things are getting harder for evil lately.
You jest heard that a nearby castle owned by some vampire lord has being taken down by paladins and celestials. and it now serves as their new powerhouse of the region.

Entering the meeting area you notice some sort of magical field, you seem to be able to pass it without any problems. once inside a robed men tells you it prevents scrying or entry attempts from the forces of good. relaxing to know its there, if its really what the man claims it to be

The meeting seems rather intense, people argue and even shoot spells and arrows at each other, you know better to be calm and play it cool. it apperas the meeting contains over a hundred, from demons to humans, some of them should not be able to stand out in the open. at one point the man who greeted you at the entrance rises up and speaks.
"My brothers, time is short, the barrier will last only for a while, we have mere minutes before we must scatter. we all know the problems of late, even as we speek the holy alliance is working to fix the castle they jest banished me from. most of us had our homes shattered, being chased off our lands or hunted down like animals. and I say no more.
There is a way to fix this. a lost relic known as "the root of all evil", its whereabouts are unknown to any who live or unlive, yet there must be clues. we must all search for it, find it, and use it to crush the alliance"
A few quickly rose up to claim that trusting into old legends is foolish, and only a new weapon or spell or whatnot they invented will work. they all sound a bit too eager to be the answer to the alliance, foolish ones.
The argument again heats up, but in the middle of it you suddenly hear a voice in your head, clearly as if someone is whispering in your ear, saying "You should stay after the meeting, the barrier will last longer then he thinks."
You consider the voice's advice. there is not much to lose. and curiosity has conquered you by this point.

You remain as the so-called meeting scatter, after a few minutes you see that seven figures have stayed, all don't seem to hurry anywhere. the silence is strong as you wait to see who will raise his voice first.

The figures you see (including yourself) are a freaky looking changeling, three humans, the first is a female in celestial armor, the second is also a female but in witch robes, and the third is a male dressed as a librarian, some sort of demon, a half-elf in light armor, and a massive crimson-and-black drake.

[The Bushranger]

Shrike Mageslayer, NE Human Electrokineticist/Assassin (and more!) (http://www.thetangledweb.net/forums/profiler/view_char.php?cid=17904)

One of those staying is a redheaded woman, a bounty hunter and tomb raider who, although not stunningly beautiful is more than a little attractive. Her hair hangs down to her shoulders, and she studies the others in the room through piercing greenish-brown eyes, eyeing the witch, especially, with barely disguised contempt. Although her celestial armour is designed for concealment, she prefers to wear it as outerwear - having taken it as a prize from a previous target, she likes showing it off.

She leans against the wall and crosses her arms, clearly not intending to be the first to speak...

[Wiz]

Moriel

The witchy-looking woman throws back her hood, revealing someone you might expect to see on the side of good. Very young and beautiful with blonde hair, almost like a storybook princess. She smiles with even, white teeth, and blows a little kiss to the mage-slayer. Yet there is something... not quite sane in her almost white, pale blue eyes.

[Gorgondantess]

A 12 foot tall, hideous green figure stands there, twitching spasmodically. It has 3 symmetrical legs, gnarled green and black and covered with brown pustules, that end in elephantine stumps from which protrude 3 twisted black claws each. Above the legs it can be seen to be sexless, as it wears nothing, and has a crude semblance of a man's torso that has a shape as though it is carved out of wood, with black spines protruding erratically out the back. One single hand comes from its chest, thin, clawed and whithered, barely a foot long, but with a piercing red eye taking up the palm. Its head has a complete lack of sensory organs, and instead a thick tail protrudes from the face, completely taking it up. Occasionally, the figure rears up and howls, a long, peircing thing. It finally goes over to a chair and begins to sit down, somehow, and it seems sure to break it. As it does so, it reaches its hand up to what it has of a face and coughs politely, and in the blink of an eye it becomes a pretty half elf, who is not just more than a little attractive but stunningly beautiful. He has an extremely pretty, somewhat androgynous face, with ash colored hair and peircing black and green eyes. He wears a roguish grin, flashing perfect, long white teeth. His skin is a pale grayish color, matched by his clothes- a fine attire, though simple. Over this he wears a grey cloak that reaches his knees and covers his hands, not much can be seen but his face, and even that is obscure by a large, foppish pointed cloth cap he wears that obscures his eyes a bit. In fact, all his clothes arew foppish. He sighs, crosses his legs, and takes on a wistful manner, somehow managing this while still grinning.
My, my, what a managerie I see before me. A handful of freaks and fools, all of them destined to die... hopefully by my hands. Gods, they look worse than the "heroes". They're in all probability just as stupid, and take the whole senseless violence thing to a whole new level. And then there's that drake... gods, I hate drakes and dragons and all of those stuck up lizard things. They're so self-reightious and stuffy... so touchy about being beaten. What sore losers. That gold I conned was the worst... oooohhh, just thinking about it amkes me cringe... ruined a perfectly good cape.
Jaime goes on this internal tirade for about a second, not showing the least bit of change in his external demeanor.
I'll assume I'm the half elf in light armor. FYI, it's glamered.

[The Bushranger]

Shrike

An eyebrow gets raised at the blown kiss, but beyond that the redhead doesn't respond to the obvious baiting.

The shapeshifting whatsit doesn't even get a second glance.
She's seen weirder.

[Kyace]

Ensifer

An inhumanly tall figure leans against one of the darker walls, attempting to stay out of the way for the moment. The figure could well be an underfed scarecrow, wrapped in bandages wearing a dark gray robe over top of that. Only the slightest of movement show that breaths are being taken. Hands with only four digits that barely resemble fingers holds a sword to his side; holding it by the scabbard, as if he is more afraid someone will steal it from him rather than by the hilt, ready to draw it. The sword appears well crafted, with a large onyx on the pummel, set into the adamantine seemlessly.

The figure slowly peers around the room for whoever spoke into his head. I might have to return the favor.

[Adumbration]

Maledict

Mortals, one and all. He wished he could just scorch them all, right there and then. Burn them like the dross they were. The enormous, scaled creature shifted his stance. His physique was not unlike that of a bat - large, folded leather wings acting as a second pair of legs up front - but that was where the similarities ended. His face was that of a red dragon, and a prehensile tail flickered impatiently behind him, the tip laden with poison.

"So. Which one of you. People is the one who. Invited. Us to stay?" The drake bites off the ends of his words, as if insulted by having to speak common.

[Gorgondantess]

Jaime catches the eye of the drake and makes a sly smile. He points to the man, saying in simple abyssal, "Human fellow in the librarian attaire."

[Adumbration]

Maledict turns to face the twisted creature. "Now, now. Is that so? I don't think so. How could you know who it was? I saw you before, among the others." The drake taps the end of his snout with the claw at the end of his wing, and blows a puff of smoke at him, evidently satisfied with himself. He has unconciously switched to abyssal as well.

Jeah, he's a bit like that. The puff of smoke also works as an activator for his Frightful presence. Anyone with lesser than 10 HD, will save DC 17. I don't think this effects anyone, but it's what he would do.

[Gorgondantess]

Jaime smiles, giving a "trust me" look, then taps his right temple a few times in an ambiguous gesture.

Maledict turns to face the twisted creature.
Who you callin' twisted?:smallconfused:

[Wiz]

Moriel

Moriel smiles, batting her eyes at Maledict, "Now... why do you have to be so rude. Did I call you a person? No, but you have to be go and insult me." She shakes her head.

[Krimm_Blackleaf]

Tavrin Callas

The grey-skinned humanoid figure of thin body and somewhat short stature sits in his seat with a small, unnerving smile upon his face. His attire looks like that of an aristocratic sorcerer at a funeral, with the exception of a rapier and a dagger both in his belt. He says nothing, but listens intently to the conversation, even though he's more or less just staring into space.
Krimm, so I can track this thread by searching my name.

[boomwolf]

The librarian watches the drake and half-elf as they argue, quickly adding "Weird, I though it was the changeling who asked us to stay."

[Wiz]

Moriel

Moriel looks around, "I assume we were all messaged... so does anyone care to step forward and let us know why they wanted us here, or shall we just disperse with the rest?"

[Adumbration]

Maledict takes a good, long look at the changeling, and decides to shut up on this particular argument, snapping his jaws shut with a nasty sound. And try to figure it out in his head, since he's pretty certain he saw the man before too. And, though he might not admit it even to himself, he is slightly unnerved by the unwavering smile on his face.

[The Bushranger]

Shrike

Well, I don't know who did it, but I would really like to know why.
The red-headed woman yawns from her place leaning against the wall.
I've better things to do than sit around here engaging in a staring contest, amusing though it might be. Places to go and people to kill, before the paladins get even more bad for business than they already are.

[boomwolf]

Another voice comes out, from an unseen source saying "I am the one who called you here. as for why, I believe Langinan the librarian was not completely honest in the meeting, now langinan, mind telling them the truth to this, elite group I have chosen?"
The librarian seems shocked, quickly yelling out to see who spoke, but with no answer given he turns to you and says "I am quite ashamed. he never agreed to speak to me, and yet now he calls you all and orders me to tell you the truth."

He takes a seat on the floor and starts talking "The nearby castle that jest fell? I was the librarian around there. I also has quite a unique item in my possession, a map written by a long-dead archvillain named Sivian, the only ever to manage to escape the maze of the root. the map refuses to reveal to me, but considering what jest happened I think it will reveal itself to you. and I suspect the map leads to the maze."

He got up, mumbling a few words in a language you do not know, yet you can tell he is cursing and a few moments later he says "Problem is, the scroll is back in the castle, with the entire rest of magical item of dark arts I possessed. had to leave them behind in order to fool the paladins into thinking I was forced to work there so I could make my escape. I don't think they found the stash, but its hidden inside their control now. and getting it back won't be simple."

He leans on the wall, his face buried deep into his palm, mumbling something you cannot understand.

[Adumbration]

"And you. Wish us to do what? Retrieve this... stash for you?" Maledict speaks to the air, peering about, almost disdainfully, his plate-sized red cat-eyes seeking for the source of the sound.

[The Bushranger]

I'm presuming that you're going to say we should go fetch 'em for you, then? Arcanists are more my slaying style, but I wouldn't mind taking out a few of those goody-goody killjoys...
Shrike grins at the prospect of some slayage.

[boomwolf]

The librarian smiles and says "That's about it, get me the stash and I'll tell you how to activate the scroll. but after that i truly hope we shall never meet again, I am not in your league and such meeting would probably be fatal to me."

[Kyace]

Ensifer

The figure looks quizzically at the redhead for a moment for her casual remark.
"What information have you of those that took the castle?" he asks the librarian. An odd harmonic raises his whisper to a level that can be easily understood despite apparently coming from a head completely wrapped in bandages.

[Wiz]

Moriel

Moriel smiles at the librarian, "Too bad I didn't take that spell to let me learn what you know by eating your brain... it would probably speed things up. Tell us then everything you can about this map and the forces currently guarding it. Oh, and what else is in this stash..."

[Gorgondantess]

Jaime sighs, shakes his head, and looks at the librarian, saying in a jolly tone, "You do know that these brutes will just kill you the instant you tell them how to puzzle out the map. Probably for your "stash", but is seems some might just do it out of spite." He walks over to him and says in a low tone, but just high enough for everyone in the room to hear, "Although, if you call the deal off, they'll stil kill you. Either way, you're probably not going to make it out of here alive."
Note: Jaime is not doing this to help the ibrarian, but to throw a monkey wrech in there. Just clearing that up.:smallbiggrin:

[Krimm_Blackleaf]

The changeling finally speaks, in a tone that seems to pierce any argument like a keen knife. "Yes. Yes, I will go find this 'stash' for you, I only hope though, that I will be rewarded richly, and I will receive assistance from whomever might lend it." He doesn't look at anyone in particular as he speaks, he simply stares off into space as he balances his dagger by the tip of the blade on the end of a finger.

[The Bushranger]

Noticing the mummy-man's look, Shrike's eyebrow starts climbing again before she returns her attention to the debate.
What the rest of you do or don't do to our prospective employer is up to you. Me, I just want to get in, get out with the goods, and live to enjoy the reward - which, I agree, had better be hefty...

[boomwolf]

The librarian smiles and says "I'll jest have to set up my own preperations to make sure I can escape then do I?"

He sighs, clearly unhappy and says "The castle was taken by a small army that consists mainly medium-ranked paladins, although a few high-ranked and half a dozen hound archons were also there. my prime concern is a gold dragon that helped them, he was about as big as this one" he points at Maledict and keeps on "As for the stash, its nothing much, a few black onyxes, a sacrificial knife, my familiar, and a badass looking robe. besides the scroll that you get to keep for yourself, I cannot use it anyway."

[Wiz]

Moriel

The young girl chuckles, "I understand the importance of looking badass... now, what was that again about what we get to keep if we go in there and face the paladins you fear so?"

[boomwolf]

The librarian says "I'll tell you how to activate the map, I know HOW to do it, jest can't pull it off. the map will lead you to the root, or at least give you a clue where it is. what more can you want then the keys to ultimate power?"

[Wiz]

Moriel

Moriel laughs, "Do you actually imagine I'm negotiating with you? You keep saying what you'll tell us... but never get around to the actual telling. Please... start... now!"

[boomwolf]

The librarian laughs and says "Or what? face the fact you NEED me, so you cannot hurt me no matter how much you want to. and you need to get your hands on that map first anyway."

[Adumbration]

"This is true. We need you. But ask yourself, do we need your... Legs? Your hands? Think about it. All we really need... is your knowledge." Maledict cranes his neck to meet the librarian's gaze straight on, baring his sharp fangs. They are smoky white. Tiny vapors of steam rise off them. And most of all, they are large. And let's not forget the tongue...

Intimidate check to get the information.

Ranks: 13. Ability modifier: 3. Size modifier: 8.
[roll0]

*facepalm*
Not the best time to roll a natural one...

[boomwolf]

((Yea. epic fail there.))

The librarian bursts into laugh, saying "That was the single, most pathetic attempt to intimidate me I have ever faced."

[Kyace]

Ensifer

Peering intently at the librarian, Ensifer raises his harmonic whisper again. "A simpler question perhaps, one that's less likely to get legs broke: who is the disembodied voice that seems to be calling the shots here?"

He is waiting the librarian to see if he glances in any direction, assuming we can't pinpoint the voice ourselves. Rolling sense motive, as this is trying to interpret body language; if you need a spot instead, subtract 4.
[roll0]

[boomwolf]

The librarian stares at the ground, scratches his head and answers in a weak voice. "I think that was the map. Sivian made it self-aware, and with some psionic powers."

Ensifer
He sounds honest, and slightly confused.

[The Bushranger]

The redhead quietly listens, not interrupting at the moment.

[Adumbration]

As swiftly as a snake lunging, Maledict's head whips forward, catching the librarian by the foot, raising him to dangle him in the air. His voice is slightly muffled by the foot in his mouth. "I think now would be a good time for you to tell me a one good reason to spare you. It appears then that the map is very much active already - we do not need you for that. Neither do we need you for finding the castle. And the stash, no matter well hidden, will be found, even if we have to dig it up from the ruins of the castle. So tell me, petty human. What. Do. You. Have. To. Offer. Us." He punctuates his last sentence with the tightening of his fangs on his foot on each period.


So, it's a grapple attempt.

Touch attack:
[roll0]
Grapple check:
[roll1]
Another grapple check to pin him, I don't want to deal damage. Yet.
[roll2]

And another intimidate check.
[roll3]

I pray that I get no more natural ones.

[boomwolf]

The librarian looks a bit panicked right now. (being pinned down by an abyssal drake does NOT give a good circumstance bonus to fear resistance)
He then gather up the nerve to say "Because my death will cause you nothing but trouble. yet alive I can help you, and I WANT you to get the root."

[The Bushranger]

Ah, but why do you want us to get it? What's your motive?
The redhead lazily grins and pushes herself off from her position on the wall, quietly walking over to where the librarian dangles.
Or I could fry your mind, your choice...

[boomwolf]

He gets angry, as angry as possible in his dire situation as he spits out "Because our only chance of survival lies in the root, and right now I don't care who gets it as long somebody does."

[Adumbration]

"So, you've got some fire in you." Maledict spits him out of his gaping maw. "You are mine now, mortal. If you serve me well, I might let you live." He gloats over him, beating the air once with his mighty wings, his tongue tasting the man's fear. He is satisfied.

[The Bushranger]

Shrike steps back and grins ferally.
In other words, don't make us angry, you won't like us when we're angry.
She considers that for a moment, then shrugs.
Of course, I could care less whether most people like me or not, so I don't suppose that matters much...

[boomwolf]

The librarian jest looks at you and says "I don't like you as you are neither, so it hardly matters. and as said, killing me will only cause trouble. so I advice against it."

[Wiz]

Moriel

Moriel smiles at Maledict, "Since he is yours now... can I make his eyes explode? It won't hurt him... much."

[Kyace]

Ensifer

While the imagine of the librarian's eyes bursting on the point of hot pokers hangs in the air, the robed figure moves toward Shrike attempting to make himself appear nonthreatening. Without his usual harmonics, he whispers, "my sword says you seem worthy enough to bear it."

[roll0] Not explaining /all/ my tricks yet. :P

[boomwolf]

He looks at you and says "True wizards dont use swords."

[The Bushranger]

Shrike

No, Shrike retorts to the Librarian, but swords certainly use true wizards quite well.
She then turns her attention to Ensifer with a raised eyebrow.
Really now? Interesting. In what way am I worthy?

Counterbattery! Sense Motive [roll0] :smalltongue:

[Kyace]

Ensifer

The figure ignores the librarian's comment, letting Shrike's rebuttal stand. To Shrike, he states, "Your hand and a half signifies you as someone who thinks swords are important enough to focus on, train toward, rather than just a tool a warrior uses then discards. That you keep it at hand suggests that you've mastered the difficult length, showing your skill."

You didn't mention your sword in your description in this thread, so I hope you don't mind.

[The Bushranger]

Nah, not a problem at all. ^_^

Shrike

The redhead seems quite flattered by the comment. Thank you. I do like to consider myself quite good with it. It was my father's sword, it was the least I could do for his memory to use it and master it.
She shrugs.
Of course, I've had it enhanced some over the years since I...got it, but it's still the family blade.

[Kyace]

Ensifer

"I shall entrust the sword to your custody. If he doesn't preform to your standards, feel free to grant him to another warrior then." He lays the scabbarded sword down on a table near Shrike and begins walking away (if no one stops him).

I didn't mean to stop the torture, just thought I'd use a lull in the action. :P

Huh, I wasn't aware of that, Bush, I was merely going off remembering seeing a bastard sword on your sheet earlier, and running with it. I guess a broken watch is right twice a day.

Needless to say, Ensifer is still masking the truth, but I won't bother rolling for every dishonesty unless boomwolf tells me to.

[Wiz]

Moriel

Moriel reaches down and picks up a stick lying on the ground. She offers it to Ensifer, "This stick also thinks you are worthy to wield it." She smiles and sets it down on a rock and walks back over to the librarian.

[The Bushranger]

Shrike

Shrike eyes the sword with undisguised interest, but is naturally cautious.
After all, evil swords tend to bite sometimes. ((:smalltongue:))
What are the capabilies of the sword, if I may ask?

She looks the sword over carefully...that'd probably best be Knowledge (Arcana), but since she doesn't have that call it an Int check. [roll0]

As far as I'm concerned the intial rolls work for the whole 'encounter'. :smallwink: She's suspicious, but he seems to be being truthful...so far... :smallamused:

[Kyace]

Ensifer

The figure seems not to hear your question. Assuming you let him, he gets some cover and disappears.

The sword seems to be an adamantine longsword. The hilt's grip black leather with an onyx on the pommel. Assuming you remove it from the scabbard,
you see gilded text etched into the blade. The text is draconic, "ego ensis ensifer et eminor" or translated: "I am sword, sword bearer and fear bringer".

[boomwolf]

((Comp died...using phone for now...))‏
‎

The librarian says "The enemy outnumber us, a plan must be made if we are to attack..."

[The Bushranger]

((*casts Raise Electronic Dead*))

Shrike

And I suppose you have a plan, Captain Obvious?
She studies the sword carefully, then sighs.
I just KNOW I'm going to regret this...
And Shrike picks up the sword and draws it, studying the blade carefully.

[boomwolf]

He look at you and say "I'm afraid making plans without knowing what are my tools is beyond me."

[Adumbration]

"Tell us, then, in more detail. What can we expect?" Maledict cranes his neck to face the librarian again.

[Wiz]

Moriel

The little witch smiles, "They don't call me Moriel of the Many Eyes for no reason... shall I send some prying eyes to get the layout of the fortress and how they are defending it? Give me sufficient instructions and I can even get them down to wherever you keep your stash and confirm if it's been found or if anyone is near it."

[Kyace]

Ensifer

The sword changes minor details in your hand, shrinking down to the size of a short sword and up to a hand and a half, then various elemental energies form along the blade briefly, as a demonstration. It returns to 'normal' longsword length and unenergized afterwards.

OOC: Putting it in spoilers as not to side track the planning going on.

[boomwolf]

((Why don't you reply?))

[Wiz]

((Who reply to whom? I put it out there that I could do greater prying eyes, and if the librarian told me how to direct them I could even get one down to his stash and back... he hasn't replied to me, nor has anyone else responded to my idea.))

[Adumbration]

"Not. A bad idea. For a mortal." Maledict approves of this plan.

[The Bushranger]

Shrike
Shrike grudingly nods in agreement with the blasted arcanist's ((:smalltongue:)) plan as she studies the sword, her interest peaked by its size-changing trick. She tries to concentrate and see if she can make it into an elecricial-charged bastard sword ...

[Wiz]

Moriel

Moriel looks at the librarian and smiles sweetly... "I haven't been mortal for a while now. So... give me the layout please that I may instruct my eyes." She nods to the ground, "Draw it in the dirt if you have no parchment."

[Kyace]

Ensifer

I'm going to assume for simplicity that your concentrating would trigger an intelligent sword's telepathy. If you disagree, I can change it.
In case she attacks someone, the sword is effectively a +1 Shocking Brilliant Energy Magebane Bastard. >.> No point in being subtle now is there? :P
'Silly girl. You're afraid to touch me but freely open your mind to me?'

At the same time, the sword lengthens to bastard length while electricity races from the hilt to the point. As soon as the whole blade is sparking, the blade itself seems to turn into quietly crackling energy from the point down, eventually appearing as if you had a bastard sword whose blade was pure electricity.

'Will that suffice?' the sword thinks smugly.

[The Bushranger]

Shrike

No problem here. :)
And remember, There Is No Overkill... :smallbiggrin:

Shrike can't help but jump slightly as the sword 'speaks' in her mind, then grins.
I wasn't aware you were alive. And that will do...very, very nicely.

[Gorgondantess]

Jaime gets up releived that the drake's brutality is done with- it had him mentally squirming. "This is all well and good, but tell me; why should I want to do this?" he says simply. "You say we shall be rewarded, but money is no use to me. You promise some kind of root, but even if it is great and all, I don't need it!" He begins to have some distressed passion in his voice. "I mean, if I were to do this, I'd have to travel with these imbeciles, and they'll probably kill people, and I'll get blood all over my nice hat, and they'll make me do things and I'll have obligations and have to cast spells for them, and help them, and I won't be able to bathe, or get nice food, and I'll have to get up early and I need my sleep or I'll get baggies and what are we gonna do!?" As he says this, Jaime becomes more and more passionate and incensed and almost condescending, stamping his feet and making forceful gesticulations at every point, getting right in the librarian's face, with watery eyes and for all the world seeming like a distressed, swishy, foppish poof, making quite a scene.

[Wiz]

Moriel

Moriel looks at Jamie. "It's okay, go get some sleep... you don't have to do this. Go home and wait for the forces of good to interrupt your bath." She looks back at the librarian, "Give me the layout please... don't you want to find out if your stash is secure?"

[Kyace]

Ensifer

'It appears you're the most sane one here,' comments the voice in her head wryly.

[The Bushranger]

Shrike

Ya think?, is Shrike's retort to that, as she leans back against the wall again.

Perhaps he'd be more agreeable after a round of shock treatment.

[Krimm_Blackleaf]

Tavrin Callas

The grey-skinned humanoid simply takes a somewhat deep breath while maintaining a small smile, his hands on the table neatly folded. He speaks again, in a voice that seems not only to reach your ears, but at the same time directly into your mind. "This squabbling surely will get us nowhere. It is my belief that we are best to simply go on with any mission we are given here. The risk will no doubt be high but... The prize will surely be as high or higher." He then turns to the head of the table, the organizer of this meeting. "And of course, if our kind host had originally planned on doing not but betray us after using us for his own goals, he would know it to be rather foolish to stab the back of those who are quite powerful. Correct?" Every word he speaks seems to send small shocks through you, as if he were spewing out a long string of the foulest words you've ever heard all at once.