Boreas nods to Zuriel, then concentrates for a moment, sending to Baldwin through the hat.

Cover is blown with OSA.  Don't think they know about you.  Go South, somewhere safe.  Will message for you.  Is cloud ink still secure?

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 80):

The P.A.R.T.Y. puts Les (and, later, various corpses) to the question, yielding additional answers.

- Darris gives the orders when it comes to Vorite stuff
- Ptolemy's religious affiliation is unknown
- the towers are, in fact "planar aetho-thermometers with aether congruity as the denominator"; Les is impressed with this insight
- Research involved how the spires worked and why the Hells were so "strong"
- Towers were constructed "very quickly" and "with significant violence" in areas where resistance was encountered, such as the Hells. In others, OSA's Order connections helped them build in peace.
- It's unknown how much of OSA as a % serves Vora, but it seems like a significant chunk is at least aware of it being part of the organization.
- Those questioned do not know the exact location of either specified tower
- Vora doesn't gain anything from infiltrating OSA; it's just part of the way the world ends, and thus it has come to pass
- The towers have a "balancing" mechanism in theory, but it is unfinished and untested
- None of those questioned believe a spire empowered by Mah'mout's spell can be destroyed by anything other than a god or Mah'mout himself
- The Vorite wells are a series of portable holes that lead to a common location, like a "cloud ink" for possessions. They are used to quickly equip remote operations with whatever they need without actually transporting anything.

Did I miss anything?

***

Baldwin's handwriting answers Boreas rather quickly: "Cloud ink is uncompromised, as far as I know. I will take your suggestion under advisement. Take care!"

***

Once the questions are complete, the P.A.R.T.Y. meets for dinner in one of the spire's reclaimed rooms, alone except for the knight-captain -- though Faye stands just outside the door, likely not out of earshot.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:27, Thu 31 July 2014.

Zuriel takes a seat next to his father, still somewhat numb at the surreality of the experience of being back with the Flame. He turns his attention to the food before them. Wholesome and filling, if not particularly exciting, the assorted breads, meats, and cheeses had the look of magically conjured fare; spells cast with a mind toward producing as much for as many as possible.

Still, he found he was famished, and the good-but-generic taste did not in any way stop him from taking seconds. After a brief round of small talk, Zuriel launches into a necessarily abbreviated tale of the PARTY's adventures to date. The only thing of particular note he leaves out is Wildheart, an omission that is no doubt picked up on by Boreas, Maeve, and Lyriel, if not Keef.

"Based on what we've heard, it seems there are several organization across the Realms aware of this planar instability. Each is attempting to mitigate it in their own way - except for Vora, of course, which believes collapse inevitable and is working to bring about that end. According to them, however, we're all making such a grand mess of things that collapse is inevitable even without assistance. The biggest question is: what is causing the instability in the first place? This is the second time we've heard reference to an unusual upwelling of power in the Hells. It's possible that whatever is causing this mess has it's origin down here. It wouldn't surprise me. But you would think such a massive power source would be visible..."

Zuriel trails off, looking to his Father. "That's what we're trying to discover. If Darris is a Vorite, then any of OSAs actions are suspect. Baldwin is attempting to chart planar distortion by the relative expression of faith energy as measured via holy symbols. We've one left to recover - Leloth'riel's. That's the next step in our quest. By coming here we've confirmed that Vora is at least partially behind the OSA, while  doubtlessly securing Darris' enmity. We know more now than we did but...it's still not enough to know how to *fix* anything...or what's causing the disturbance to begin with."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:44, Thu 31 July 2014.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 82):

"The bard's purportedly a rather sharp fellow or a drunken sot, depending on who you ask," Edrahil says, chewing thoughtfully for a moment on a hunk of bread. "An interesting combination. But the question I have is more immediate: What do you learn by having the feyic symbol that you wouldn't know without it? Isn't it possible that the evil symbols are enough to unravel this mess? It may just be a matter of time for him to sort it all out... but can he do that if he's fleeing this Darris fellow's wrath?"

"Rest assured, if there's an infernal power source down here, I'll find it," he continues. "And when I do..."

He tears a chunk of bread from the bread and chews forcefully, then swallows and continues.

"I'll destroy it."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:48, Thu 31 July 2014.

Lyriel, who seated herself (predictably) next to Zuriel, clears her throat. Perhaps, if Darris is a Vorite it's all the more reason for him to flee. If Darris suspected Baldwin of closing in on any actual useful truth, I expect he'd take more direct measures to intervene.  As for the Feyic symbol...I don't know. We can't know for sure, but we risk missing a key piece of the puzzle if we don't examine Fey'driel's role in all this. I personally believe the wisest - and safest - course of action is for Baldwin to relocate beyond Darris' reach and complete his research while we find the final symbol. And since my mother has so helpfully - here Lyriel glares off into space as if affixing her mother with her ire - ensured that he is not welcome in the Empire, the only place for him to go is to Lo'driel, and Choso's protection.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:02, Thu 31 July 2014.

"With Baldwin it's hard to tell, though I'm inclined to lean toward "drunken sot." I can only hope that his lackadaisical attitude doesn't endanger his two associates, who happen to be our friends and former charges," Maeve says, helping herself to copious quantities of food.

"Concerning Fey'driel, I'm admittedly inclined to agree with you.  I don't know what this last symbol would provide that all the others haven't been able to.  That said, we do have other reasons for traveling there.  Boreas, for one.  His "arcane specialties," as Zuriel puts it, seem to be linked to a feyic power source, so far as we can tell."

Maeve declines to mention Wildheart as the second reason.

That's a matter to be shared among family in private.

Zuriel stares down at his plate. "But as horrifying as the end of existence in the ambiguously near future is, it may not be our most pressing concern."

He quickly updates his father on the geo-political situation, and how Choso predicts the coming conflict will play out. Without a handy map and set of chess pieces, it's not as dramatically illustrated as Choso's presentation, but it gets the job done. "Harlindon...could cost us the entire Empire."

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 86):

Keef shovels food with his usual gusto.  He does his best to pay attention to the political talk, but is frequently interrupting his own concentration to talk magic and, from what you can gather, the nature of the spires with Longshank.

Boreas looks up from the notebook.  The impending war is a problem, to be sure.  And Fey'driel warrants a visit, for the reasons Maeve mentioned.  Baldwin is fine, by the way, and will take our advice under consideration.

Zuriel nods. "Did we tell him specifically that Darris was a Vorite? That certainly explains the antagonism he's shown the bard..."

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 89):

"The tyrant's predictions are intriuging, especially the numbers -- which aren't off by much," the knight-captain says, looking at the chess pieces thoughtfully. "But even Harlindon isn't blind enough to march on the Empire's forces. What makes him so convinced that will happen? The Empress will forbid it, and that will be that."

"Choso is convinced of Harlindon's arrogance and short-sightedness. He believes the Grand Marshal will attempt to take Lo'driel in a fast military action, and then cede it to the Empress in reparation for breaking her decree. Harlindon likely thinks that if he moves quickly enough, the Flame can take Lo'driel unsupported before the Empire can mobilize to intervene."

Zuriel pauses, taking a sip of his wine. "Do recall, the Empress *has* forbade it. Yet Harlindon still calls his bannermen nonetheless. I've seen the encampments myself. He clearly thinks himself above the will of the Empress."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:26, Fri 01 Aug 2014.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 91):

"Mph," Edrahil grunts, taking a moment to enjoy his glass of lukewarm mineral water before responding further. "It's a show of force, caused in part by my efforts here. The Grand Marshall needs to prove to the world -- and to himself, perhaps -- that he still wields power in the hearts and minds of his people. I seriously doubt he would stoop to marching on Lo'driel in force, in full view of the public."

He swirls his glass thoughtfully.

"I almost wish he would, as it would make the task of unseating him easier."

Silence reigns for a few minutes, interrupted only by the scraping of cutlery and the sound of chewing.

"If he were to attempt such a thing, then it would be in the best interests of both Goddess and country to intervene," he says at last. "But there is not convenient or expedient route home, and I have no desire to backtrack to the Krall gateway... it closed behind us anyway."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:48, Sat 02 Aug 2014.

Zuriel nods. That went...better than I expected.

"That's something I can perhaps investigate with the book. Rifts are unstable and unpredictable. You'd need a portal, but it would almost certainly be guarded. Either one to Aeyris Prime or the Heavens would work..."

Zuriel trails off, noting the look of sudden keen interest from his father.

Liora might have some ideas.

The rest of the conversation passes in pleasant chatter, as the PARTY regales the Knight-Captain with lighter stories of some of the more humorous episodes of their adventures. Zuriel smiles warmly, clearly enjoying the company of friends and being reunited with his father.

[OOC done with dinner on my end :-) ]
This message was last edited by the player at 13:14, Sat 02 Aug 2014.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 93):

When it gets to it, Keef does his best to interpret the stories of their past heroics from the standpoint of a bear, chimera or dragon... not always in the sequence in which he actually was one.

Lyriel laughs brightly at the PARTY's assorted antics and tales. As dinner winds to a close, eventually Maeve, Boreas, and a still-chattering Keef file out. Towards the end of the meal Zuriel was (highly uncharacteristically) silent, and in looking at him it didn't take a genius to see he was dying to speak with his father.

The priestess rises lightly. I'll let you two gentlement catch up, she says, shooting a sympathetic look at Zuriel.

[Private to DM; Edrahil Silendril; Zuriel Silendril: Before she leaves, Lyriel gives Zuriel a comforting concerned squeeze on the shoulder and then, in a sudden reckless moment, a quick kiss on the cheek. Blushing furiously at her unexpected daring, she leaves the room quickly, gesturing to Faye to maybe give them a bit of privacy.]

Gods know this particular conversation is well overdue...
This message was last edited by the player at 13:37, Sat 02 Aug 2014.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 95):

The rest of the night passes without incident, though anyone keeping watch would notice that Zuriel and Edrahil talk long into the early hours. Such a person would then observe Faye enter the room after Zuriel's departure, where further conversations of importance doubtless occurred between the lieutenant and the knight-captain, for neither emerge until morning.

Dawn brings with it another meal, and another demonic assault. This one seemed half-hearted at best, for none of the attackers seemed to expect the spire to be properly garrisoned by a professional fighting force.

"If this spire truly is indestructible," Edrahil is saying, speaking through a mouthful of scrambled eggs to the P.A.R.T.Y. members once again dining with him. "Then you couldn't ask for a better toehold into the Hells. I don't trust those tunnels you used, though. It would be better to have a portal or teleportation circle here in the tower itself, and treat the shed as the weak point it is and demolish it."

He spears a sausage from the platter with his knife and brings it to his plate.

"Not that I know the first thing about creating portals and the like. How do you intend to get back, anyway, now that OSA is disinclined to operate those runic walls for you?"

"I would tend to agree," Zuriel says, helping himself to a rather large plate of ham and poached eggs. "If the teleportation runes cannot be used to our own advantage, then the whole tunnel network is weak point. It provides access to not only the OSA, but also leads to a chasm from which the Infernals can issue an assault."

"It would be best, I think, to decommission the runes, if possible. And collapse as much of the tunnel network as we can. You'll simply have to find another way out of the Hells."

We planed to simply Plane Shift out. Imprecise, but feasible for a small group. I don't think it would work for any army with equipment and horses though. You'd scatter your army even if you were able to retreat all at once.

Lyriel considers the predicament. You'll have to use a true portal. Either set one up yourself, or find a functional one. If you're able to fight back to the Krall portal, we could open it from the Aeyris side.

I wonder if the Marquise de Pellanore would have any ideas...

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 98):

The knight-captain nods.

"We'll figure something out. How long are you remaining with us?"

Zuriel exchanges looks with the PARTY.

"Unfortunately, I don't think we can stay much longer. We don't know when Harlindon will make his move. Or when Saul will make his. We need our pieces to be in place beforehand."

He looks around at the others. "I know Lyriel was going to help with questioning the dead. After that's been accomplished, and after we're certain that we've uncovered all that remains to be found here...we must move on. Perhaps this evening. There's no time to lose."

The look Zuriel gives his father makes it clear that the young paladin wished he could stay.

[OOC - last night in-game we would have asked Keef to prepare two Teleport spells.]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:13, Mon 04 Aug 2014.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 100):

The knight-captain nods.

"Then may the Goddess light your path. Let's see what the dead have to see, and then we'll see you off properly."

He claps Zuriel on the shoulder.

"I'm sure we'll be in touch, but... let me know if you do happen upon someone who can teleport an army rather easily, won't you?"

"I think we actually may," Zuriel says with a grin. He and Lyriel had discussed the possibility the previous night. "The Marquise de Pellanore has little love for the OSA. And we know of at least one linked portal she has created. Her magic is formidable, and may be the answer. We will look into the problem at once, you have my word."

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 102):

I'll be the Marquis would know how to get everyone out quickly... Keef notes between shovelfuls of food.

In reply to Keef (msg # 103):

OOC: The answers to the questions Lyriel wanted to ask of the dead were incorporated into the bulleted list of responses I already gave you.

When breakfast has ended, Edrahil bids the group a fond farewell -- particularly to his son and to Lyriel.

"One last thing before you go," Edrahil says, motioning for Faye to come forward. The lieutenant is carrying a bundle wrapped in a blanket, which she lays at the P.A.R.T.Y.'s collective feet. She opens the bundle to reveal a collection of weapons and equipment.

"This gear was recovered during our travels in the Hells, Edrahil goes on. "We're certain that none of it is cursed, but we have no use for these items. Our standard kit is typically enough, and we have clerics to spare for similar enhancements anyway. Please, take them with you. Perhaps they can aid you on your quest."



With that, the P.A.R.T.Y. turns to Lyriel and Keef, and the pair begin the process of weaving their magics around the group to carry them toward their next adventure.

Ding!  Boreas, Lyriel, Maeve, Keef, and Zuriel have reached Level 11!  Please update your sheets accordingly.

~~ End Chapter 10 ~~
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:01, Mon 04 Aug 2014.