Time accelerated...

[DM Bob]

There is a pause, perhaps at the concept that he may have been duped into giving up a secret.

"The urns bind. Shattering one while we are in it has more serious repercussions than if we are released. If let go on our own, we have a greater chance of remaining unfragmented or broken ourselves."

"Look. Tell me what you wish to know and I swear upon my hatred of Harkor that I will leave you be upon my gentle release from this prison. Release Surpanakha as well... if she can be made agreeable, just not at the same moment."

[Deleted]

To Hurk, "We may come to that point, but we're not there yet."

To Narakasura, "In one conversation with Surpanakha, my understanding seems to walk for miles, yet every time we speak your demands of immediate release barely achieve any useful knowledge. I can't get to the point of releasing you unless you decide to help me. There is much I will need to know in order to release you and have any surety of my own safety."

In rapid succession, Mak quickly runs off a list of questions, "Does breaking the urn once you are released make you stronger or weaker? Why didn't your wife survive her urn's destruction? How badly does Gallard want you back? Why was Rajaat having you work on connecting to the elemental planes? Why did Harkor make a pact with Borys to remain in the southern kingdoms?"

With a breath to focus his thoughts, Mak states plainly, "For now, tell me how the urns bind and what power do these urns hold over you once released? The truth Narakasura, the truth."

[DM Bob]

"I desire to see the urn destroyed so I never have to spend another year scraping my soul against the imperfections of this jar. You know? I've counted them. Every. Single. Whorl. If the jar is destroyed I only worry about my remains dispersing too much and if I leave the urn with my senses, we, I can deal with that.

My wife was subject to the dweomer and binding being shattered quickly and her ashes thrown to the winds. I've seen Harkor do it to others... I have a feeling it's similar to the spell Gallard used to torture our spirits to get our knowledge. He would want us back simply for the reason you've stolen us from him. Not that he'd ever want one gloating it could be done, correct?

And concerning the planes other than this?"

You imagine him waving his arms about.

"It wasn't the intent to tap into the primals, such as Flame, Wind, Earth or the Waters. No. He wanted what was *beyond* that, to tap into their power or knowledge. We failed though. We didn't direct our efforts properly... my wife knew more, but was forbidden by the First Magician to speak of it in detail, even to me. But I suspected that instead of finding out a way beyond the elements... that we struck into another aspect of the primals, something smaller or another layer of the same. Much like an onion, or rings on a tree."

There is a deep breath. Odd. Not like spirits need to breathe, but it seemed more habit than anything else.

"Borys came later. He demanded we stay to the plain of black glass... he made a point of dragging a few of us off the ebon field and destroying our remains. Those never came back. But..." He laughs. "The eventual joke is on him. For the obsidian still grows and creeps, albeit slowly. Eventually, even he may become Zhen, unless he has a way off of Athas."

[Deleted]

"That was very... honest. Gallard is seeking the urns, Surpanakha is convinced of this. I believe one of his agents is in close proximity already, so our time is getting short. I do not wish to resort to dumping these urns into the Sea of Silt or smashing them before your release but Gallard cannot be allowed to recapture you both. Surpanakha has been able to keep some secrets from him and he's dangerous enough as he is."

"If your urn was captured... and Gallard's pawn released you... would she then be able to command you back into the urn? Or to her service?"

"I guess what I'm saying is... two birds with one stone... if I let the pawn capture your urn and she released you, could you resist and kill her instead? You'd be free and this lesser enemy of ours would be dead."

[DM Bob]

"Why would Gallard's pawn release us? There is little chance of a pawn having the proper magics and materials needed to bind us back into the urns. Very little, unless he trusts and has prepped such a ward beyond the normal paranoia of a faux-immortal. I think I can speak for Surpanakha... that we simply do not wish to be tortured at the hands of Gallard once more. And he would do so if he suspected our conversations over the last, how long has it been? Days? A month?"

[Deleted]

"We first spoke 3 days ago. Surpanakha 2 days ago. Yesterday my powers were needed to restore the land back to vitality once more. You were liberated from Gallard's domain about a week ago. I promise not to allow you to be recaptured by Gallard."

"The world has changed quite drastically. Gallard has not been called by that name openly for likely over a thousand years if not longer. The King over the city of Tyr has fallen and Borys has invaded the city in his absence. What would you do if released? To where would you go? Back to the Southern Kingdoms? What does a Zhen do with it's freedom?"

[DM Bob]

"Back to plain of course. To ally with one of the other petty rulers of the glass... and one far enough from Harkor's fist. I do not know what he controls any more, too much time has passed to know if he's succeeded in annexing any further territories."

[Deleted]

Mak stays quiet for several moments in thought.

"I am willing to risk my life in releasing you. In a few days we will be near a dwarven settlement. There is a colony of psionic worms, called Psurlons, that need to be wiped out. I ask that in addition to not killing me, you use your great power to kill them. Whatever you want done with the urn, I will do personally."

"I realize that you may just kill me upon your release. I will release you alone, so that only my own life will be lost. All sentient deserve to be free. I'm sure my companions will consent to this. You have but 2-3 days to wait and then you can be free of this prison for good."

[DM Bob]

"What are these psurlons? Psychic worms? Are they mindless... I do not profess knowing these in my living years or heard mention of them before."

[Deleted]

Mak replies, "My companions know more of them than I do. They appear as man sized earthworms with worm-like legs and arms. They are skilled with powers of the mind. They can only be harmed by weapons that bear enchantments upon them. Some of them can take the form and appearance of others, some of them can control the minds of others. I recall mention that they are not native to this plane and hail from elsewhere. I have never faced them myself but they are a threat to the natural balance and must be eliminated. You now know all that I know of them."

Mak says verbally to those physically gathered near him, "Does that cover it? Do we know anything else of use about these Psurlon?"

[Attilius]

"If we encounter their leader, it could be the size of a megapede" Hurk says

[Deleted]

Mak mentally speaks to Narakasura, "The leader of the Psurlons may be excessive in size. Possibly as large as a Megapede. I don't know how size may factor in to things for someone of your... composition."

[DM Bob]

"If they are anything like the insect-risen, between Surpanakha and I, it should not be an issue. Tell her Narak will fight as we once did against the heretics if she would do me the honor. Have her swear on the Flame and tell her when all is over we split. If she wishes to go to her liege, she lets me leave for my own path. If she agrees, I will assist you in this feat."

[Attilius]

HurK remembers more details "There are at least 4 to deal with that the dean of my school knows of. Age and psionic abilities determine their rank. And the leaders size equals it's psionic power as well. When we meet them, we will definitely have a fight of our lives AND MINDS on our hands..."

[Attilius]

Hurk also says,"They must swear to never harm us directly OR indirectly, EVER!"