Drow Against Midnight IC

[kinem]

The drider Xizho tells you "She did, and she's cruel to those who fail her, so there's no way I'm ever going back."

[razorback]

"Well, why would you stay? Why not do something to help the faithful of Camazotz from the disaster that is upon us? While we all have a hatred of those that live on the surface, what will befall them will befall all... Is there any other help or information that you can think that might be of help to our quest?"

Spoiler

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Diplomacy check per fix.
(1d20+13)[15]

Sense motive to see if his response is truthful
(1d20+4)[10]

[kinem]

The drider replies “My place is here. If there are any faithful of Camazotz, here is where they would come. I do have one piece of advice: Taking on the Azrinae is suicide, so forget about that and flee if you can.”

[razorback]

<Time to leave? What do we do with our friend here? Kyornor thinks along the link.

[Cavir]

Faazeran, growing angry and impatient, scoffs at the drider's attitude.

"You fear her because you are weak and have already failed once. They are one House. Their home in Zirnakaynin has already been taken. WE are the chosen of the other Houses combined. If you hate and fear them so much tell us more to quicken their end. Where on the other side of the lake is this Crystal Plaza? Where does House Azrinae reside now? Do you have a way to contact them? What magic does the statue down below possess?"

[kinem]

The drider growls. "I am strong, but the Azrinae are stronger. Just leave me out of it, otherwise do as you will.

I don't know exactly where the Crystal Plaza is, only that my path did not cross it.

The vault is vast, and I do not know where the drow are now.

Could I contact them? Given time, I could prepare a sending spell to send a short message, but I have no wish to attract their attention.

As for the statue, it protects the shrine. Do not desecrate anything and you will be safe."

[razorback]

Kyronor keeps his face impassive as the two banter back and forth. <I don't know if he knows anymore or is willing to impart us with any further information but... can we leave him breathing if he is so willing to give up information? the Spellfilcher thinks along the link.

[Debatra]

I don't particularly care one way or the other. Just don't start anything quite yet. She will sit back down in front of the altar before speaking. "There's one last thing I want to try, if you will humor our presence here for a few more minutes."

Tela will wait a moment for any objection. If there is none, she will begin casting Contact Other Plane, attempting to contact a Greater Deity of the Outer Planes. She will use Sudden Insight and take ten on the Int check. (1d6+17)[22]

Seven questions, asking one at a time just in case: Is the nearest Earthfall Glyph here in the Livid Sanctum?

[Cavir]

I don't particularly care one way or the other. Just don't start anything quite yet.

Please do. Take your time. We'll keep watch. Plenty to ask about. This place, the Crystal Plaza, House Azrinae, the genie's loyalties. So much to learn. I wouldn't be surprised if the glyph here is the altar itself. Good luck.

Faazeran keeps watch, primarily on the drider.

[kinem]

Tela casts her spell.

Spoiler: Tela

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"No"

[Debatra]

Spoiler: Keeping further questions private for the moment.

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2/7

Can we trust the creature we know as Haiten Bhaq?

[kinem]

OOC: question 2

Spoiler: Tela

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”No”

[Debatra]

3/7

Spoiler

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Is the creature we believe to be Haiten Bhaq actually Haiten Bhaq?

[kinem]

OOC: question 3

Spoiler: Tela

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”No”

[Debatra]

4/7

Spoiler

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Is the real Haiten Bhaq still alive?

[kinem]

OOC: question 4

Spoiler: Tela

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”No”

[Debatra]

5/7

Spoiler

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How many Earthfall Glyphs must we destroy?

[kinem]

OOC: question 5

Spoiler: Tela

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”Seven”

[Debatra]

6/7

Spoiler

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Though confident she already knows the answer, Tela will ask just to be sure. How many of the Earthfall Glyphs are warded against divinations?

[kinem]

OOC: question 6

Spoiler: Tela

Show

”None”

[Debatra]

Over the course of her casting, Tela's face makes a number of increasingly-frustrated expressions. In another few moments, she opens her eyes and stands up. Haiten Bhaq is dead. And worse, the one we spoke to was an impostor. There is no Glyph here, though we now know there are seven in total. I can maintain this spell indefinitely, though I can ask only one more question. Any suggestions?

[Cavir]

Faazeran clenched her teeth as she telepathically listened to the news. So many questions still. Will this drider betray us? What is the imposter? Another genie of the same type? How do we find the Crystal Palace? What awaits us there? Is there another glyph closer? Do we need to destroy all seven glyphs? If the ritual needs seven and there's only one left how can the ritual still happen? She caught herself in the midst of rapid fire brainstorming.

She had been keeping the drider within her field of view the whole time. She turns a little to speak to him directly. "Seems at least some of what you told us is true. Within a fortnight we'll have defeated House Azrinae's plans or this place will be in ruins. You can cast divinations on the subject on your own tomorrow. I hope you realize they misdirected us here to destroy you. It's in your best interest, and in the interest of this shrine, to help us or at least not to betray us. Agreed?"

[razorback]

Kyornor considers the implications of the thoughts racing into his mind. <If you can hold it indefinitely.... well, we can go back to the imposter and extra what information we can from it, which may lead to a question that may better suit our needs than with the information that lays before us right now." he thinks to the others as they can audible hear his teeth grinding.

[kinem]

The drider says "I will not betray you, for you are enemies of my enemies. I will remain here though."

[Debatra]

I can only receive one-word answers from this spell, though there are others I may cast later. The spell isn't an absolute guarantee of accuracy, but it is certain enough that we can trust the answers. With that in mind, the Glyphs supposedly aren't warded against divinations. We'll see about that later.

Then, in response to Kyornor, ...While that is technically true, I should point out that I am in contact with an actual entity that may resent being made to wait for too long. Even if that were not an issue, I would need to maintain concentration for the entire journey. While not impossible, it would be needlessly frustrating.

[Cavir]

Faazeran nods to Tela's response. Understood. Perhaps something like... What kind of creature is the Haiten Bhaq imposter? From Haiten Bhaq's home looking at the lake, which way to the Crystal Palace? Should we deal with the imposter before the glyph?

It might be better to bypass the imposter for now, as much as I'd like otherwise.

[kinem]

Tela’s spell ends.