Khalid's ink-black eyes widen even more at this sight. He turns to his allies and mimes tiptoeing back to the base of the tower.

When they can speak again, he says "They were undoubtedly an unwholesome bunch, but I saw no benefit to troubling them. We have no idea what power that woman, if woman she be, possesses. If we need to revisit this place, we can."

Grock nodded. “Agreed. Let’s get ta sailing on by shall we? If we have to turn back for any reason we might visit in the future.”

"Allies in strange places." Jhaartael repeated what he remembered. "I would advocate speaking with her. She does not carry the trappings of death, and might provide us with a temporary beachhead if we play our cards right. The only danger is that a person who lives alone will not want us to linger. We must approach with respect if we opt for this. If we have no wish for this, though, we can simply forge ahead and consider her a loose end."

Grock considered the option that she may be an ally. Nothing ventured nothing gained. “Perhaps we talk with her but be ready for a trap or betrayal? Who knows what lies ahead. We might be able to find a safe place to stay there in the future.”

Rynoth clearly was not convinced. "I'm left with the sense that the best way to be safe is to not alert her to our presence in the first place, and I certainly wouldn't trust the sort of 'safety' that we're likely to find there if it's offered."

*The little Nezumi mouse on Grock's shoulder speaks up* "I'm with Grock, worst case scenario they didn't look that tough."

"How about this?" Jhaartael spoke up, considering their options. "I introduce myself at her door. If she reacts with hostility, I leave, and we come back later if at all. If she's interested in talking, well, I let her know I'm not alone and if that's a problem. If she says it is, I don't go in, and we leave her in peace. Otherwise, we go in, armed and ready for whatever, and we all talk."

In reply to Jhaartael (msg # 76):

"Very well. I insist on accompanying you, but I will defer to you until hostilities appear." Khalid takes off his sheathed sword, whispers to and kisses the hilt, then sets it as the side of the path.

Grock crosses his arms and nods. “Sounds like a solid plan. Most creatures unless they’re crazy don’t pick a fight unless they are willing to pay the cost of battle.”

*Nezumi hops from Grocks shoulder to Jhaartael's* "Feel free to refer to me as your familiar for this ruse but I'm coming in the initial group too."

Rynoth gave the tower a doubting look for a moment, then gave the plan a silent nod of assent. He still didn't like the idea of baiting unnecessary trouble, and being outside of the tower was by no means an assurance of safety, but it was about as cautious an approach as they could muster in the circumstances.

"Alright. Just... stay out of sight. We don't want to come to their doorstep as one until the all clear is given."

Jhaartael returned to the threshold of the tower, approached the door, and gave a bow. "Madame Magus? I am Jhaartael, and this small thing is Nezumi. I seek consul, and momentary respite, and perhaps in exchange I can bring joy in a place that has little of it."

In deference to the plan, Khalid puts his Natural unobtrusiveness to use to be as near as possible, and ready to move in on defense, without intruding.

From behind the table, the dusky-skinned woman looks up and says, “Come in, come in.”
A smile spreads across her dark face as she stretches out a gnarly hand and gives her finger a flick. The door slams shut.
You notice the room is well lit, with a fireplace and numerous candles provides light inside tower.
A table with two chairs, a decent bed and a small kitchen makes the tower feel homey albeit the smell is exotic, from various herbs around the small room.
The hounds whom appear next to her at all time are cautious and could spring to action at any point.
Her eyes wander up and down trying to size you up.
"So you have come by...what do you seek? No one willing or sane travel to the far reaches of the interspace between the shadowfell and that beyond without reason or an agenda..question is..what is yours?"

Jhaartael glanced at the doors behind him with a half-smile, before turning his attention to her. "Is that our metaphysical location? Fascinating. We are idealists, of a sort, or at least I am. I suspect the powers of death beyond death are not your ally, nor are they mine. Perhaps we can come to an accord in our dealings with them. Supplies, information, strength - whatever you can offer. I am optimistic of success."

The woman eyed Jhaartel, and seemed curious and alert. She shared something which felt as much as a means to gage your involvement and stature.
“I tell you this, the Sea of Shadow is like a thin membrane to the world of Shadowfell were Orcus, as we speak, is gathering his hordes of demons and undead.
A traitor within the Mages of Saruun has betrayed its Masters and bound them with Shadow Binders at the Vortex of Shadow.
These most feared servants of Orcus are dominating the mages and are forcing their arcane energies into the bronze wardens who stand singing the Song of Breaking around the vortex. Soon the rift will break and necrotic shadow water will burst through and flood the whole Nentir Vale, bringing darkness and undeath in its wake.”

She gages the reaction, obviously harnessing further information, but to understand if that rang any truth to you.
"I can show you how to move on to the named Vortex of Shadow, should you desire to aid that..question is...did I guess right or not? You were vague, so share with me exactly you are doing here and I might be able to provide more...perhaps..."

"Wellllllll..." Jhaartael gave Nezumi a guilty look. "The truth is that we are down here because I'm fairly sure we resolved that above, and we are cleaning up by eliminating these singers of the Song - which admittedly hurts me to say. I like music. But the forces of Orcus are on the backfoot in the Halls at least, and we are making sure they do not regroup in this area with the backup plan. We'd like to make sure that vortex stays closed, or at least so that only fun, mischievous ghosts who want to frighten people for ultimately mutual laughs come through."

"So it seems we are on the same side, if you find that reducing the disposition of spirits from murderous to merely spooky is a goal of yours. My ancestry..." he tapped one of his pronounced ears as he spoke, "...would make it hypocritical to demand an absolute closing of the gates between worlds and a complete eviction of all who come here. But if it is necessary to close it... well... I hope that you don't think less of us for it."

The woman sighed, but not of dismay, but more so of relief.
"You may be of use...or seek something valiant enough to not be trouble. Take heed and listen.
I know what and where you need to go.
The Vortex of Shadow is guarded by the mightiest of Orcus servants – a terrifying shadow dragon named Sjach’haurach ‘Shadow Fate’. He will try to stop your efforts to release the mages of Saruun.
Take this Orb of Indisputable Gravity and use it carefully. When the shadow dragon is hovering low over the waters, use it to force the dragon down in the water and back through the rift. If you are successful you will be free to attack the shadow binders who are entrapping the mages of Saruun.”

She finds a cloth and removed it calmly to expose a sky blue sphere about the size of a large hand.
She extends her hands to anyone willing to take it.

"Take the path north, and onto the large bridge that comes, it will place you at the center of it all, and in the vortex, and your fate and path forward will be decided. Be prepared. You will need every ounce of energy and luck..."



Orb of Indisputable Gravity

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)

+2 orb, Implement, +2 Attack/Damage, crit +1d6
Daily power:
Minor action - Until end of next turn, any attack that hits a flying target within 10 squares, forces the target to gently fall 10 squares - if reaching the ground, it is PRONE but take no damage from the fall.

---

Grock is relieved as the woman seems to be on their side. The orb is definitely a good thing to have. They just need to be careful that the dragon didn’t figure out what they were going to do with it. The directions and indication of what lay ahead helped a lot. He waited for the bars to accept the orb.

Jhaartael took the orb, curiously examining it. "Crash the dragon. A clever bypass of the dragon, permitting us to fight only one force rather than two. Thank you. Unless my partner has something they wish to add, we should probably go. That dragon isn't going to send itself through the portal, after all."

He had no formal skill with orbs, but he didn't need his off hand in combat for anything except comfort and ease.

"Thanks, ma'am." Nezumi jumps off Jhaartael's shoulder as she returns to humanoid form. "Figure since you seem trustworthy there's no point in the charade of being a mere familiar. Name's Nezumi BTW."

The woman, whom were humanoid in appearance but had otherworldly features to her, nodded at them, her voice and purpose served for now.
A quick glance advised that through the heightened tower and thin windows out, she could follow you for quite a while as you wandered onwards.

Grock looked at the others. “All of you ready for this battle? Do you want to sneak in if possible?”

"No sign of battle yet," Rynoth replied calmly. "Jhaartael, if anyone, would sound quite the alarm."

"I can be silent. It would probably surprise you what I can at least plausibly try." When he was away from the hermit, Jhaartael offered an idea. "So, are any of you actually capable of channeling your magic through this orb? I admit freely that I cannot, although I am, thanks to my hybrid training with a sword, able to fake doing so against those who do not understand the arcane. I'm just making sure this is not better off with one of you."