Investigation of Items in Altaruk

[DM Bob]

"How odd. A worshipper of flame? Once, I prostrated myself before the elemental lords. Before that the altar of wealth. But that means nothing now. For I am Zhen."

There is bitterness in his mental voice.

[Deleted]

Nov 16, 2020 8:43:48 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

"How odd. A worshipper of flame? Once, I prostrated myself before the elemental lords. Before that the altar of wealth. But that means nothing now. For I am Zhen."

There is bitterness in his mental voice.

"I am sorry that you are now 'Zhen' my lord Narakasura", Mak says with genuine sympathy despite not knowing what the word Zhen means. Then he continues, "What once was still matters as it serves to guide us as we now are. Would you speak to me of what was or would you prefer to speak of the now and what is?"

Mak pauses for a moment in hopes of engaging in conversation with things as they are, seeing what interests this ancient being.

[Niachi]

Laakh has his own Tower of Iron Will ready, as he sits and watches the proceedings.

[DM Bob]

"I will speak directly then. I have but one wish, to be released from this vessel."

Anger wafts through his thoughts.

"We all knew the word. The term upon our reawakening. Zhen, that is. After the roils of magma and the hardening of volcanic glass, we awoke. Trapped under once liquid stone. In my form I was able to rise through as others more corporeal chipped and their way through the black mirror. On occasion I was able to muster up the strength to manifest upon the physical. It was then I hastened the release of my countrymen and women, and bound them to our cause. Even when we were stolen from our home, were others still escaping the black glass. Their hate and passion made them eager recruits.

Harkor was our King as he was in life. We soon realized others had begun to release themselves from their own dark prisons. We began to rebuild our kingdom, as did others.

It did not take long for us to war again, our past grudges only amplified by the void. We raided others, stole the other dead, their bones, weapons and armor. Our elemental powers now gone, in Death the Elemental Lords would have nothing to do with us. Searching for strength, we found ties with the Black. Why though? WHY?"

He seems to be having issues remaining calm, cool or collected as he screams savagely into the dark.

[Attilius]

HurK whispers to Mak (not psionically) "Tell him to relax, we'll help him... Ask him what his relationships with Gallard and Manion were and why they feel he's so dangerous to keep him bottled up. Also ask him about Shurpanakha and their relationship. Lastly, what he'd do if we did release him."

[Deleted]

Mak exhales a long breath, keeping his own emotions in check. Though much is still unknown, many things are becoming clear. "My Lord Narakasura, you have waited a long time for this. Maintain your patience as we endeavour to free you." Mak's tone changes to the 'matter of fact' neutral tone he wears day to day, "I need to hear the story of your rebuilt kingdom, those you were warring against and the circumstances of your entrapment in this urn. You have enemies and they will oppose us in short order. Assuming Harkor remains..." Mak pauses for a moment trying to find the right word before continuing, "...active, how would we best approach your king should his power be needed in your release? In allying with such a power it would be best if I avoided accidental insult in our first conversation."

Mak simply nods to Hurk in agreement and softly moves his open hand in his direction to indicate 'slowly, slowly'.

[Attilius]

Nov 16, 2020 11:43:04 GMT -12 @rpgagmjay said:

Mak simply nods to Hurk in agreement and softly moves his open hand in his direction to indicate 'slowly, slowly'.

The half giant gives a nod and a thumbs up as he continues to listen in the halflings subconscious

[DM Bob]

The entity cackles. "At one point we were all generally allied. The best, the brightest, elite. On occasion we would stop our general warring - for a bigger foe was growing to out south. Insectoid-Zhen, kreen and spiders were also dying in our lands and forming rank. Harkor could be defeated, but it would only mean he'd rise again to fight under a different banner, fist or claw. Do you understand, mortal? Perpetual unlife. Only to be threatened to be eternally bitten and deconstructed, rearranged and brutalized by the very bugs that wandered into our plain! Once unburied, we needed to rebuild multiple times until we finally managed to get a hold on our borders."

Mak continued.

"I will admit, the conflict you speak of is foreign to me. However, I certainly empathize with you plight and seek to remedy your captivity. Tell me, who put you into this urn and why? Help me find what I need to release you."

The spirit replies.

"Harkor put us here. He only released us in times of need. Combined our power was too much a threat to his sovereignty. You simply need to remove the obsidian cap to this urn. Inside, I am powerless to do so. I do much rather prefer to be here, than there... but the plain calls and I grow weary this far away. Perhaps this is the closest thing to true rest, were it not for the interludes of sheer, dark boredom."

"Us?! How many of you are trapped in urns?! But you tired, farewell my Lord. Until we meet again." Spoke Mac.

"WAIT!" The spirit lashes out. "BUT I'VE WAITED SO LONG!" If you could hear a sneer, it would sound like this.

[Deleted]

Mak breaks his trance and looks around at the others. "I'm not doing that a second time today."

He finds a place to sit and rubs his temples as he goes over the conversation in his head. "What little I know of this world appears to be a drop in the bucket compared to the undead entity that resides in that urn. We're dealing with powers I cannot completely fathom. Just to get a semblance of equal footing I'd need to speak with an expert in the undead lands to the south, an expert on the various planes outside of the 4 elements and someone who knew a great deal of history from 4000 years ago."

[Niachi]

Laakh pats Mak's shoulder,

"That was brave, and it burdened you.  Tomorrow we will search out those two ladies from the wineshop, perhaps they might know something, or at least provide welcome diversion. From what I understand, these entities are not to be casually unleashed. Unless we carefully orchestrate their release into the heart of the worm bastards. But yes, we need to purchase more knowledge.

"Yiska, How much more dreamspider web do we have to ward these two scoundrels from inquiring minds? We need permanent protection."

[Attilius]

[The trio set have been safely hidden away in HurK's pack since we left the stone city roof top. Unless the webbing dissolves over time the urns and tablets should be good, no? Bob?]

[DM Bob]

As long as you don't wear the remaining amount, keeping it in your pack should be fine. The likelihood of being scryed the brief minutes you had them out is probably nil. If it becomes habit for extended periods of time? Then you might hear dice rolling from behind the Ringing Mountains.

[DM Bob]

Closing thread.