In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 848):

We could check the basement... Keef offers hopefully.

Maeve watches Sazed, wondering if the mage is simply waiting for the group to give him the go-ahead or if he legitimately has no idea how to free the imprisoned vivimancer.

Gods, you'd think he would know what to do.  He was *in* the Order after all!

"There's a basement here? I didn't see any doors. Can't hurt to check it out. I'd like to learn more about A'tril. We have about forty minutes before we have to leave for the service...let's see what we can find. Lead the way, Keef!"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:26, Tue 08 Apr 2014.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 851):

Keef happily leads the way to the hidden tapestry door.

In reply to Keef (msg # 852):

Team Jailbreak

Sazed stares at the box for several long moments, a hand resting on his chin as he considers the puzzle before him.

Team Domestic Spelunking

Keef proudly reveals the entrance to the basement, but a quick tug reveals that the door has been locked.

In reply to DM (msg # 853):

(Autofollow)

How did they use to feed me?

He ponders the question silently, walking slowly to the box and reaching out to place an index finger from each hand flat against the glass. Sparks of light emanate from the impact points, radiating outward as he drags his index fingers together across the glass. When they touch, a thin line of crackling energy snakes down toward the ground, and a door-sized chunk of crystal swings outward.

Sazed stares at the open doorway, then at the hunched figure clutching the orb beyond. His eyes narrow as he strides toward the pedestal and gently removes the man's hands from the orb.

As soon as the second hand is free, all color and light vanishes from the cell, and Mah'mout's eyes snap open. They burn orange as he takes in the spectacle around him, and pose Sazed a silent question.

You're being transferred, Sazed says, leading him from the cell. "Don't try anything rash."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:08, Tue 08 Apr 2014.

"Hmm. Was it locked before?"

Keef shakes his head. "A'tril must have locked it himself then. Which makes me all the more curious what he's hiding that he doesn't want us to stumble across. Not to mention, hide behind a hidden door behind a tapestry. You can pick locks, right?" he asks the young wizard.

Keef doesn't seem to want to answer. "It's alright, as with any skill it's all in how it's applied. I think in this case, there's nothing wrong with poking around and seeing what A'tril has squirreled away from view. Take your time with the lock, we're not risking him finding us."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:11, Tue 08 Apr 2014.

In reply to Sazed (msg # 854):

Team Jailbreak

A'tril nods in satisfaction as Mah'mout is brought forth from his cell. The man is moving languidly, as though in a dream, though his orange eyes continue to burn with awareness and a sort of inner power.

"Where..?"

"Keep your tongue to itself," A'tril says sternly. "It's offended the Matron enough as it stands."

The warden leads the group back to the garden, orders a guard to sign a form at A'tril's behest, and sees them back through the gate.

Soon, the group has formed a diamond formation and begun its journey toward the Scared Way, with A'tril in the lead, Maeve and Boreas on either side of Mah'mout, who is in the center, with Sazed bringing up the rear.

The prison is scarcely out of sight when Mah'mout begins to laugh.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:16, Tue 08 Apr 2014.

Maeve's eyes widen in surprise and trepidation as the vivimancer begins laughing as if he's just been privy to a particularly good joke.

"Right then, if you'll just follow us," she says, talking calmly to the liberated mage as if he weren't potentially quite mad.

Please don't let him be insane.  I don't know if the three of us would be able to subdue him.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 857):

"It's all too rich," Mah'mout chortles, rippling with laughter and wiping a tear from his eyes. "It's just... it's just too much."

He pauses to catch his breath, then grins widely at Boreas, Maeve, and A'tril.

"I'm free! Finally free from that wretched cell, and free to feel the wind in my face. I have no doubt the cell you mean to lead me to is every bit as comfortable, so you'll forgive me if I must decline any further... hospitality."

Mah'mout rolls his neck slowly, working out the kinks before continuing, still speaking only to Boreas, Maeve, and A'tril.

"Freedom is a wonderful thing, isn't it? The gift that keeps on giving. I'm offering it to each of you, as you've offered it to me. Leave now, and nothing bad will happen to you."

Through it all, his eyes continue to burn with an orange fire that intensifies as he turns his attention toward Sazed.

"But mercy has its limits, and there can be no justice for what you and your masters have taken from me," he says, the laughter dying in his eyes as they narrow in Sazed's direction. "I'd say it's nothing personal, but if you work for those jackals, I'm afraid it very much is. Make peace with your gods, mage, and take solace that you are but the first to answer for the Order's atrocities."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:50, Tue 08 Apr 2014.

"No!  Stop!" Maeve says, moving to stand protectively in front of Sazed.  "Don't hurt him; he's my friend."

She breathes a sigh of relief when it appears as though blasting isn't imminent.

Ironic really.  It sounds as though these two mages are going to get along famously.

"A'tril, maybe you'd better explain to our new friend here what exactly is going on."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:56, Tue 08 Apr 2014.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 859):

"You are mistaken, my friend. Your freedom is yours to keep. Things aren't always as they seem," A'tril says quietly.  "Take Teddy here. A mage he may be, but he does not serve the Order."

Mah'mout blinks at the dark elf accusingly.

"You think me a fool? Only the Order can operate such a cell."

"Or one who has found himself in a similar situation," Sazed says, a far-away look in his eyes.

Mah'mout stares at Sazed for a long moment, then relaxes his stance.

"I see," he says, smiling once more at he regards the group around him. He begins to laugh again, softly at first, and then a full-forced guffaw.

When he has regained his breath, he turns to A'tril and drapes an arm across his shoulders.

"Well met, then. But tell me, if not to another cell, where do you mean to lead me? No one does anything for free."

"That's true enough, my friend," A'tril says, continuing to walk toward the Sacred Way. "As it happens, we have a job opportunity we'd like to discuss with you, once we're safely away."

Mah'mout's eyes shine with orange light, and he nods cheerfully.

"Let us away then," he grins. "What are we waiting for?"

Mah'mout, I'm eager to hear about this form of magic you practice and what you've been through.  But we need to keep up appearances until we're safely away from prying eyes, Boreas whispers, keeping stride with the prisoner.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 861):

Keef pulls his tools from his bag and gets to work.

"Well met, Mah'mout," Maeve says quietly as they walk, still maintaining her front as a guard.  "Apologies for the bit of trickery, but it was necessary given the situation."

Maeve isn't sure what to think of the vivimancer.  In the prison, she'd seen Boreas startle ever so slightly at one point--probably receiving a Sending from Lyriel detailing what she'd learned from Cassie.  Maeve makes a mental note to ask her "employer" what Lyriel has discovered.

Insane or not, evil or not, it's difficult for her to not like Mah'mout at least a little. His devil-may-care attitude and zeal for everything remind her very much of Sazed.

If he starts hanging out with Keef and Sazed. . . .they're going to be a force to be reckoned with.

"I'm Mariah, of Gaelia," she says, studying their new charge.  "You're a countryman, perhaps?"

[OOC: Mah'mout's about as Arabic (and therefore Gaelian) of a name as they come, so I'm mostly basing that assessment on that fact.  That and the fact that his avatar has the appropriate hair color. I of course could be completely wrong.]

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 863):

Team Jailbreak

The group moves toward the Sacred Way at a steady pace, with Mah'mout playing along... for now.

Team Dilly Dally

Keef spends two minutes hovering over the lock, then smiles as his work is rewarded with a satisfying CLICK. The door swings open.

In reply to DM (msg # 864):

As the group ambles along, Mah'mout begins to glance over his shoulder with increasing frequency.

"They've got to know I'm gone by now," he murmurs. "I hope your plan involves more than walking."

"Excellently done, Keef!," Zuriel exclaims, impressed. "Let's go take a look!"

He allows Keef to lead the way into the basement.

In reply to Mah'mout (msg # 865):

Team Jailbreak

A'tril leads the group around another bend in the road, and the group enters the Sacred Way unmolested. It is here that their luck ends, however, as a small contingent of impeccably dressed dark elves -- men and women both -- look up from their benches overlooking the central pool of water.

"Brother," one calls out toward A'tril, beckoning him over. "A word?"

A'tril sighs and turns to Boreas.

"More Matron's men... real ones, I presume. Nothing good will come from ignoring them. Stay here, I'll be right back."

He wanders over to the group, and soon is engaged in what appears to be a heated conversation -- complete with wild gesticulation.

Team Dilly Dally

The basement is the same as before, with a long staircase that leads to three doors. The western door contains the strange, low-walled well of darkness, the eastern door leads to the menagerie of arms and armor, and the northern door has yet to be explored.

In reply to DM (msg # 867):

Mah'mout raises an eyebrow at the scene, but turns his attention to Maeve after a moment or two.

"You're right, of course. I am Gaelian... ethnically, at least. What a sight we must make, eh?"

He lowers his voice, though his smile remains.

"Tell me more about this job. If everything goes south, I'd like to know if it's worth fighting for."

Zuriel listens as Keef explains what they've explored so far. "Let's start with the weapons room door. I'm *very* curious why our dear A'tril would be stockpiling enough weapons and armor to outfit an army."

Lyriel is more intrigued by the well. Why would you keep a well down in a hidden basement? Sounds...suspicious. Suspiciously magical. I'll go check it out while you boys explore your toy room... She rolls her eyes and heads towards the well.

[Cast Detect Magic once I'm there]

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 870):

Team Dilly Dally

Lyriel's enchanted vision tells her that the well is indeed magical (Conjuration aura).

Keef and Zuriel rush down the winding hallway in the opposite direction, and soon find themselves in the room of arms and armor.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:06, Wed 09 Apr 2014.

"We do stand out just a bit, don't we?  As for the plan, A'tril there could give you particulars, but suffice to say it involves saving the world by restoring balance to the planes," Maeve says with a smile, figuring that her limited understanding of the plan will at least pique Mah'mout's interest.

Keef indicates the door he was working on before being interrupted by Boreas. Zuriel's own sense of curiosity begins building as he examines the rows and rows of armored mannequins. "Yes, I do believe we should continue your explorations, Keef." He gestures to the locked door.

Zuriel continues to examine the armor appreciatively while Keef works on the locked door.