Hal blinks twice, "Awhat??? The dragonbowl??? Holymoly you guys! I know for a fact the organizer of the whole thing-The Games Master-uh, yes, that's his whole name, is another Manshoon clone in disguise. If you go through level one at your current strength i am sure you will be naturally strong enough for the dragonbowl."
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:59, Fri 06 May 2022.

"I found the factions unappealing in relatively equal measure, considering that they each attempted to manipulate us into killing their rivals.  It was not a difficult choice not to align with any of them."  Hal then proceeded to ask them to kill his rival wizard, which shouldn't have come as too great a surprise.  At least they could be relatively confident that the founder of the infamous Zhentarim criminal organization likely deserved whatever justice that may come to him.

Andromeda frowned, then said, "Each of this Manshoon's clones has likely gathered his own base of power around himself, and will presumably enjoy the protection of his organization...  will we be obliged to essentially eradicate the entire Zhentarim presence in Undermountain?  That is quite the tall order!"  One of her more worldly companions might think to leverage that difficulty for greater reward, but Andromeda was more curious about more arcane questions.  "Are each of these clones a fully independent living being, or are they some form of arcane construct?  Can they be dispelled or otherwise dealt with by any special means we ought to be aware of?"

When the Dragonbowl was raised and Halaster suggested they might make their way to it all the way from the first level, Andromeda was concerned!  "Is the Dragonbowl not taking place rather soon?  I fear that if we must traverse several levels of the dungeon that we might miss it!  King Yek of the arcane market would likely not be best-pleased if we should abscond with his sponsorship gold..."

"I don't think we need to worry about Yek, unless we wish to fight in those games. To be honest, I think we might be better off removing Yek altogether considering what an odious creature he is." Travic's face soured at the memory of dealing with the so-called 'king'.

"As for the clones...well, if they all believe themselves to be the original, and don't fade over time, they very well may be fully formed life. If they did have the overwhelming desire to be the one true 'Manshoon', they clearly have made a temporary or permanent alliance against everyone else. They may even be trying to wake up the other 90 clones." He looked over at Hal...or whoever he really was.

"Is Manshoon evil? The Zhentarim do not have the best reputation. You said the original respected you. Are the clones fallen so far from their progenitor they cannot be reasoned with?"

Hal smiles and claps his hands, "Look at these cute little flags in these limes! I wonder what they mean." He pulls the toothpick out and squirts his lime into the beer. "Salud! It means good health in abyssal." He raises his beer to you, takes a long long pull, then attempts to answer all of your questions in the order they were asked, surprisingly with good short term memory on the questions, surprisingly not-surprisingly, the answers aren't so understandable.

"will we be obliged to essentially eradicate the entire Zhentarim presence in Undermountain?"

"No no, nothing that drastic."

 "Are each of these clones a fully independent living being, or are they some form of arcane construct?  Can they be dispelled or otherwise dealt with by any special means we ought to be aware of?"

"They are each a human wizard, fully flesh and fully independent from each Manshoon clone." Hal smiles, "But my oh my how the cookie crumbles. Heh. The Manshoon on the first level is possibly the last to wake up, as such he is not as fully developed mentally. He -heheheee- thinks he is ME! hahaha! He is hiding."

Then quietly Hal sings in elvish tenor, "Beyond the pillar forest, the Mad Mage waits.

Casting spells behind magic gates."

He snaps out of his little trance, "He's in the northwest corner behind the pillars is a portal gate, he should be easy for you, I'll bet even Travic could solo him."

"Is the Dragonbowl not taking place rather soon?"

"Sign ups begin tomorrow. To be fair I did not know you were planning on competing in it, but my potions will be done brewing by then, you will want those before you compete, wheras you should have no problem fighting Level 1 Manshoon at your current ability."

It seems Hal is unaware of things like "sleeping" and "long rests."

"Is Manshoon evil? ... Are the clones fallen so far from their progenitor they cannot be reasoned with?"

"Yeah super evil. Makes me look like a saint. And I'm not. But I always help my friends. Reasoning got me here, kicked out of the world's greatest megadungeon and reduced to brewing potions because I can't leave the Green Dragon Inn...ah...crap I didn't want you to know that."

In reply to DM (msg # 29):

Travic met Hal's eyes, and peered silently. "Are...you a Manshoon Clone? Or...are you indeed Manshoon?" He said flatly. He was not sure what answer Hal could give that Travic would believe him ether way.

Roxanne sat and ate her steak and beer while listening to everyone talk. It was a lot to take in, but she felt she grasped most of what was going on. Essentially they would be slowly reclaiming the entire dungeon for Hal. And so long as the task continued to be as lucrative as it had been, Roxanne had no issues with that. Since she didn't have anything pertinent to add to the conversation just yet, she remained silent.

At least, she remained silent until Travic asked if Hal was a Manshoon clone himself. At which point she spit out her drink all over the table. "Ha! That would be quite a twist, wouldn't it!" She wiped her face on her sleeve, unceremoniously. "Makes sense too. He is trying to kill all of the clones, right? But by his own words, he could never admit he was a clone even if it was true. Hal would assume -nay, insist- he is the original. Not that it matters to me either way." Roxanne sat back in her chair, amused at the potentially absurd situation, and attempted to take a fresh swig of her drink.

Hal snapped his fingers and pointed at Travic like he was proud of him, "That! That right there! That's the question I wanted one of you to ask. I'm neither. I'm Halastar Blackcloak. You're smart enough to know I'm smart enough not to bother tricking you. That ain't my thing. The godsawful truth is always much more interesting."

Andromeda took another look at the flag and smiled, "Oh, isn't this the banner of the southron desert empire of M'exic'o?  Perhaps this beverage is imported!"  She squeezed the lime slice into the fizzy beer, toasted Hal and then took a gulp.  The druidess smacked her lips and said, "Mmm, that flavor is certainly miles away from ordinary!"

The news that each Manshoon clone was an independently-minded wizard was less than reassuring to Andromeda, and she pondered the predicament while much enjoying the succulent meal.  "We shall have to demonstrate great care in facing even the newest Manshoon clone, for there are few things more dangerous than a prepared wizard!  We will want means to counter his magic, perhaps to silence him or otherwise disrupt his spellcasting..."

Hal-aster then proceeded to reveal that he was somehow unable to leave the Green Dragon Inn, which would certainly explain why he preferred to meet here.  With a concerned expression Andromeda asked, "Why can you not leave this inn, Hal?  Are you trapped here by some sort of ward, or curse?  What would happen if you tried to step out the door at this very moment?"  She then added, "Is there anything we can do to help?"

"Miss Andromeda, I'd advise you not to help the mad wizard from leaving his confinement. For the betterment of the City of Splendors and the sanity of its denizens." Devan says as he sips his beer once more,"That said, if all else fails, I can always punch the Manshoon clones to death."

In reply to DM (msg # 32):

Travic nodded at Andromeda's offer to help Hal. "Indeed, she speaks wisdom, as always. I will also try and help you as best I can, as I am sure the others will as well." He smirked in Devan's direction. "Even him."

"As for asking about your true nature, I apologize if any offense was taken. In this world of such bizarre magics, nothing can be taken for granted."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:08, Sun 08 May 2022.

"Hmmmm. Mex'i'co??? Hmmmm. I don't spend too much time in the desert regions. Might visit more once I'm a free man again. Manshoon. Oh boy oh boy, if only there were ten of me, I'd kick the crap out of the ten of him."

The old wizard has given you your task. You are free to do what you want. You are right though, tomorrow is the DragonBowl sign ups, and Yek hasn't exactly informed you WHERE that is to take place. But Hal seems to think you can get back down the Yawning Portal and kick the crap out of Manshoon 1 and have time for a long rest.

After finishing a wonderful meal, you trudge back across the street where half of the Tavern remembers you and half of those people cheer your entrance.

When you approach Durnan - the owner - and explain that you would like to get to the first level he explains, "That's easy enough! You're familiar with the way the tunnels rearrange so that anyone who doesn't understand the symbols won't know where they're going. But you can always reach level 1, just walk backwards out of the elevator, then keep going counter-clockwise around the elevator, and you'll see the correct tunnel in front of you. One gold each for your trip, one gold to haul you back up, you can pay that in advance if you like. I think the odds on betting your return aren't too good compared to last time, but hopefully your speeches have improved."

Then he introduces you to the crowd again and gives you all a chance to brag.

---

Meanwhile, Andromeda's pot awakens. A tiny little green sprout. "Yaaaaaaawn." The voice is deep and in no way what we would expect a stargazer lily to sound like. In fact, seems to me the pot itself yawned. "Hello! What would you like to call me?"

Onyxclaw looked at the others with a smile. "Onyxclaw has task before go back. Can peoples wait for onyxclaw finish?"

Devan looks toward Onyx curiously,"Well that's a seemingly random and strange plot point, almost as random as Miss Andromeda's pot of plant. But sure, go head but make it quick will you."

The kobold nods, and gets up, leaving the inn.

See ya man oh fuck! Jhank waved nonchalantly at her buddy leaving then nearly jumped out of her scales when Andro's pet, which she happened to be standing next to, spoke. Apparently being half drunk makes her jittery. Or maybe it's just the talking plants.

Andromeda had been so preoccupied with the conversation that she'd failed to notice the little green stalk sprouting up from the dirt in the pot in her arm.  When the green sprout spoke in a deep voice it startled the druidess so badly that she nearly dropped the pot!  "My goodness!" she cried, then set down the pot on a table to look at it more closely.  Once she'd recovered from the surprise she smiled and waved, "Hello there.  I am Andromeda, and I planted you!  You've awakened rather earlier than expected, not that I'm complaining.  Hmmm, a name..."  She tapped her chin in thought, then raised a finger to declare, "I know!  Cygnus, or Cy for short.  How do you like it?"

Now that they had their mission, Andromeda bade Hal and Onyx farewell for now.  She wondered what the kobold was up to, but was sure she'd be impressed by whatever it may be.  Once they were outside the Green Dragon Inn the druidess yawned and said, "We have had quite the day, haven't we?  I should like to recover before returning to Undermountain.  Shall we find accommodations and then reconvene at the Yawning Portal in the morning...?"  The druidess turned a sidelong glance at Travic.

Devan mostly ignored the talking plant"Hmm, sounds good to me. It gives me some time with the family and Misses Crier. I shall see all of you by the morning, good day." Devan says, leaving as well, but not before he pass another paper to a random passerbys or patron of the inn.

<OOC: To move things along>

The next morning Onyxclaw arrived with a huge smile on his face and the most unusual of sights. At his side was what looked like a metallic version of a lizard with folded wings, almost like a metal drake. The Kobold, dirty, smelly and happy walked with the beast by his side, a mixture of shiny metal, black stone and some treated leather in the joints. The mechanical marvel had two bright purple stones for eyes as it moved.

The kobold sat down, clearly pleased with himself, the steel beast laying at his feet.

"Worked most night on him. Books had much. Help make friend." He looked down at the metallic beast, steam coming from it's nostrils almost like smoke. He looked back. "Named Sliver" The beasts head looked up at it's name, then back down.

Onyxclaw was practically jumping with excitement.

In reply to Andromeda (msg # 41):

"Well named, my lady." Travic said as she gave the plant it's new identity. In the Faywild, talking plants where actually commonplace. This was the first time in years that Travic had actually heard on speak.

When she mentions the need to rest, he grins widely. "I happened to have arrange accomedation ahead of time, if you like. Shall I show you?" It had been at one of the nicer inns, the Tree's shade. It was actually built into a large tree, and the second Travic learned about it he booked a room. Knowing Andromeda's druid calling would find it appealing. He even managed to get the upper tooms in one of the larger branches. So the people in that room could see the night sky from the bedroom area.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:38, Thu 12 May 2022.

Jhank snorted and wiped the drool off her mouth and clattered up from the chair (as she was balanced in it very precariously, truly a dumb way to sleep things off) she had passed out in for the night when she heard Onyx's voice, shuffling over to see what all the fuss was about. After hearing the explanation Jhank smiled and kneeled down and began inspecting the workmanship of the mechanical critter. You did a great job here...is he gonna help us kill stuff? Oh! Maybe he'll help find us stuff? It is a he right? Jhank wasn't vibrating with excitement (too early for that) but she seemed genuinely interested in Silver.

After spending some time celebrating and drinking in the Yawning Portal while she waited for her friends to prepare themselves, Roxanne was ready to go herself. But when Onyxclaw showed up with a mechanical drake of sorts, she couldn't help but be intrigued.

"You built that yourself?" she asked, amazed. She had no idea he was that good with mechanical things. She pulled a tiny spider trinket from her pocket. "I'll have to have you take a look at this thing sometime. I found it at a dig site a long time ago. It moves sometimes, but only when nobody is looking at it." All of Roxanne's swarm shifted to look like the spider-trinket she held.

With nothing else to do in preparation, Roxanne gathered her things and got ready to delve below once again. "Shall we continue?" She gave Cy a little head rub while she waited for everyone to get ready. Her swarm shifted to a cloud of moon-bees that buzzed near the little plant curiously.

---

I am ready to go down the well.

Andromeda was pleasantly surprised to hear Devan's off-hand statement that he was returning to his family.  "I never knew there was a missus Crier!  I'm happy for you, Devan.  You had best get back to them, now."  He had said 'family', so did that mean children too, or was this another one of the pugilist's fanciful fictions?  Andromeda didn't know, but resolved to keep mister Crier alive just in case he really did have a family waiting for him.


"Oh, did you now...?"  Andromeda was nervous of the prospect of going to an inn room with Travic, but also oddly excited.  Blushing, she said, "Show me."  The druidess bade farewell to the others and promised to meet them back at the Yawning Portal later, then departed with Travic while wringing her hands.  The Tree's Shade inn itself was magnificent beyond her wildest imaginings!  Andromeda marveled openly at the way the manmade constructions complemented the natural growth of the great tree.  As they ascended the spiral stairs ringing the great trunk she clasped Travic's hand and exclaimed, "This is so lovely!  I can hardly believe such a place could exist in a city..."  At last they pushed through the door of the cozy cottage-room built into the upper boughs and Andromeda gazed in wonderment up at the stars visible beyond the leafy canopy overhead.  With a bright smile on her pale features, the druidess pushed on the door on the way over to Travic.  Andromeda put her arms around the eladrin's neck and pulled him into a kiss just as the door swung closed...

Morning came eventually, and the Dragonstar Syndicate reconvened at the Yawning Portal Inn to prepare to descend once again into Undermountain.  Onyxclaw arrived with a new metallic drake friend, which Andromeda immediately took a liking to.  The druidess knelt before the construct and said, "What a marvelously clever creation, Onyx!  Hello there, Silver..."  She extended a tentative hand to the metal drake as the way one might to befriend a dog, although she had to wonder if it had the capability to smell.

With Silver and Cygnus added to the crew, it was time to descend once more.  Andromeda agreed with Roxanne, "We shall!  Durnan, please bring us down, if you would."

In reply to Andromeda (msg # 47):

Travic also grinned at Devan. "You...have a wife, Devan? I'm...very surprised! I am sure she is an absolute saint of this world." He chuckled.

Once Andromeda agrees to come with him to the Inn, it turns out she was as pleased as he had hoped she would be. He had to make a note for similar places in the future. Of course, not the same every time-but if this was her favorite he would make note of it. What happened upon reaching the room was more like a wonderful dream for Travic.


Upon returning to the others in the morning, Travic is also very impressed by Onyx's masterwork. "That is amazing work, Onyx. You have truly found your calling."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:44, Fri 13 May 2022.

Onyx beamed at the praiser as he looked at Silver, named ater teh silver color of the metal. Silver lifted his head as each person talked about him, a almost metallic hum that sounded like a pur coming from him.

"Silver is he.  Good fight - help onyxclaw and friends."

When teh talk came to go, he held his hand up, and reaching into his pouch in his side, pulled out his armor. "Onyxclaw get clean." HGe walked out the back, silver watching, then laying down.

When he returned, the kobold had a wet sheet like he jumped in a lake. His leather apron was gone and he had his leather armor with a dagger at his side and the hand crossbow. "Onyxclaw ready."

He reached into a pouch, producing 4 gold pieces. "One silver, one onyxclaw."

*Rewind Time*

Devan scratches his neck bashfully,"Ah, indeed, I have a wife, but I don't tend to talk much of my family or past on the job. But yes, I do, and she's more than a saint my friend." he says and walks back to his home for real this time.

*Back to the present*
Devan looks at Silver curiously,"Hmm, a fascinating device my friend, and if he is as helpful as he is adorable, then I'm sure we are assured to victory. That Manshoon won't know what's coming to him." he says, as he throws his two gold cents to Durnam.