[D&D 3.5] Dark Storms Gather

[Rogue 9]

"Ach. Tha's 'eld up surprisin'ly well fer human construction," Gror said as he squinted at the fortress in the distance. "I was expectin' a ruin."

[Comrade Tortoise]

As the wizard got closer, he noticed something and chuckled

"Well this is interesting. See that pile of rocks over there, how it is organized and in a semi-neat stack? Nature does not do that when a building decays. Someone has invested a lot of time, a lot of money, or both to keep this place looking like this"

[Academia Nut]

Doran nodded, a frown on his face. "I don't quite see that much detail, but this is definitely not a natural decay pattern, it certainly looks like some effort has gone into undoing the natural advance of nature upon untended artifice."

[Haizu]

Eddie shrugged "If you say so, just looks like a pile of rocks to me."

[rhoenix]

Just as the travelers were observing the inconsistencies of the ruins of the former Castle Impetrus, a low-pitched hum suddenly sounded from in front of, and behind them. Tears in space itself appeared from those two places, and out of them marched ten heavily armed iron golems each, swiftly enveloping the party.

The golem closest to the castle turned to the travelers, and spoke in a loud, echoing voice. "YOU ARE EXPECTED. COME WITH US."

With that, all twenty golems began to march at a slow walk toward the castle, leaving the travelers little recourse but to keep up. The walk was pleasant, however, and they soon reached the cavernous entrance to the castle. The iron golems in front parted, allowing the travelers to walk between them.

The entrance opened to a hallway, and then to a very large interior room with a high, vaulted ceiling. Despite its appearance from the outside, the roof was still completely intact, and looked almost new from this angle.

A somewhat dusty, but loud woman's voice spoke to them in Common. The voice sounded...somewhat resigned and annoyed, though there was an odd hint of amusement in the inflection of the words spoken. "How interesting. What did the Steward ask you to go fetch?"

When the travelers turned to that side of the room, they saw a very large dragon's skeleton, with glowing blue embers in its eye sockets. It appeared to watch them with amusement. The travelers also noticed the monk from earlier, standing calmly next to the skeletal dragon's left foreleg.

[Comrade Tortoise]

Volans spoke to his companions in common before answering
"Have... less fear than usual. She is an Archdracolich, as opposed to the usual kind who worship death, decay, and engage in mass murder for their own amusement. Still she is not to be trifled with, for we all are crunchy and taste good with a port wine reduction"

He stepped forward dropped to a knee as was proper, and spoke

"Great one!" he said addressing the archdracolich "The Steward of Impetrus I must confess, tasked us with obtaining a set of eight ceremonial chalices. However it was made clear that the Steward had an ulterior motive, and i have begun to suspect that he is something larger and significantly more magnificent than his human form permits me to see. Am I to assume that speaking to you was this ulterior motive?"

[rhoenix]

She instantly appeared to get impatient. "Oh, get up. I did not research how to take this form just so other beings would be impressed and awed. You may address me as Kalya," she said, appearing almost to ruffle her wings in annoyance.

She paused for a moment, appearing to look the travelers over with a critical eye, or what passed for one before answering. "As for the Steward of Impetrus, yes, he was my former mate, long ago. And if he really sent you all the way over here for some stupid golden chalices that are worth about as much as one of those golems out there, I'll eat my tail. Hmm...," she paused.

"Mother? Perhaps these travelers had some trinkets that purportedly brought them together, and needed testing," the monk spoke up.

Upon hearing this, the archdracolich nodded. "Hmm, perhaps. Did all of you show him some bauble someone told you was special?"

[Haizu]

In answer, Eddie fished his orb out of his pocket and held it up for the 'liche to see.

[Comrade Tortoise]

The wizard got up immediatly

"I apologize." He said quickly "But yes. Indeed we did. Though to my knowledge all of them do have noticeable special qualities."

Why of all the silver archdracoliches in all the universe that could have been here, did this one have to be the one that does not appreciate having its continent sized ego stroked? It was just Volans' luck

As for the monk... Sweet Mother of the Universe was he happy that they didnt harm him.

[rhoenix]

Leaning her head down a bit, the skeletal head of the dragon appeared to critically examine the sphere, looking at it from different angles. She answered Volans as she did, which was somewhat unnerving. "Hmm, how intriguing. Yes, young Draconan (and a mage as well! How interesting), it appears that your young halfling companion's sphere is one of the Spheres of Rebirth - the World Spheres."

She sat back on her haunches to regard all of them at once for a moment before continuing. "That is...disquieting. Those were supposed to remain dormant unless the magical seals of the world began to break down. And each of them just...found its way to each of you? Yes, this could be interesting..."

Momentarily forgetting the travelers, the huge archdracolich moved at a shocking speed to one of the walls, where she began to rapidly make markings on the wall with a bony finger, markings which rapidly turned into arcane equations. She appeared to have momentarily forgotten the travelers. As the markings became equations with shocking speed, she was heard talking softly in Draconic.

The monk approached them, bowing to them with his left hand covering his right fist before rising. "Please, forgive Mother - she can get very involved with certain projects when she's interested. In the meantime, help yourself to refreshments, if you wish. Follow me, please."

With that, he motioned to another door, leading off into a smaller room that had a great amount of food and drink within, all piled high onto a single table. "Please eat and drink what you like - this was done for all of you as a gesture of hospitality. She will let you know when she's finished."

[Comrade Tortoise]

Volans was torn. On the one hand, he heard some things before he left the room that interested him very very much. Things like how each seal was a force, and the sixth could unlock a seventh. She of course probably did not remember that Draconic would be his native language when she mumbled in it. But apparently the bit about a seventh seal she wanted to keep secret.

On the other hand, she probably would not appreciate being watched. So he followed her offspring into the room before he spoke to the monk in Draconic

"There is nothing to forgive. I have the same zeal. Would she by chance mind if I tried to soak up knowledge by exposure to her working, or do you think she would prefer to keep her deliberations a bit more... obfuscated?" He said this while showing his appreciation for the hospitality by pouring a chalice of wine from the decanter.

[rhoenix]

The monk looked at Volans oddly for a moment before replying with a smile. "Pardon my surprise - no one has ever asked such a thing before. Just make sure to announce yourself, or if she's too deeply into an idea she might become...startled, which I would recommend heartily against causing. But certainly - she might enjoy the company, particularly if she was right in guessing you also delved into the arcane."

With that he turned his attention to the other travelers, evidently in charge of their welfare, and acting the part admirably. "Sirs, we have a wide selection of drinks as well - including the rare types. Please, indulge yourselves. Thaumatist Kalya insisted you be treated well."

[Comrade Tortoise]

Volans smiled "She is correct. I am a student of Magic, and shall make sure to not startle her. Startling an undead silver dragon Thaumatist who probably became a lich so she wouldn't have to waste time eating is never a good idea." with that he looked down to the table and grabbed a good cheese for his wine, in this case a stilton to go with the Port and headed back into the other room, making sure his foot falls were audible (he clicked his toe claws on the ground) and approaching from the side.

"Kayla, would you mind the company of a student?" he asked, with the tone of a callow youth which by comparison he certainly was.

[Rogue 9]

Gror walked up to the table and briefly examined its contents before drawing a glass of ale and grabbing a hunk of cheese.

"I've got t' say, she takes care o' her guests," the paladin chuckled in a disarming manner before turning to the monk. "One thing, though," he said to the man. "Wha' in th' names o' the gods were ye doin' with tha' lot out in th' woods? Ye dun seem t'... fit with 'em, if ye catch me drift."

[rhoenix]

The monk gave a rueful smile. "When my father, the Steward heard about their crystals, he felt he couldn't afford to not take the chance that they might be the keys to the seals. He sent me along to learn more, but I discovered they were unelaborate fakes. Nonetheless, I had been given the task of taking them to the castle, so I carried their fourth crystal for them as far as they got. After the incident in the forest, I simply came here."

[Haizu]

"Hmm, very sneaky. Have you ever considered becoming a fellow Treasure Hunter?" Eddie asked as he loaded up a plate for himself and a bowl for his dog.

[rhoenix]

Smiling, the monk grabbed a bowl of rice for himself while the others were loading up. "Perhaps. I have been asked to check on a number of things when my parents would have found doing so...inconvenient."

He took a glance into the larger room beyond. "I am amazed, I haven't seen Mother this excited in decades. She normally is the type to bury herself in her work for days or weeks at a time, but she seems more fascinated than usual."

[rhoenix]

Looking somewhat surprised, the great skeletal head turned to regard Volens for a moment. Since skeletal eyes could not blink, she simply stared for a moment, surprised. She regained her composure after a moment. "Yes yes, of course - don't just stand there like a naughty child, go get me those three green books over there on the shelf. I'll need the smaller one, but the other two you're welcome to read. Do you know what it is I'm doing?"

[Comrade Tortoise]

"Well, it looks like you are figuring out each sphere, something relating to how magic in general reacts with the world. Unfortunately there are some symbols on that wall I have never seen, which lessens my comprehension somewhat" he said in Draconic, he thought it best to switch into both of their native language

He walked over and got the book she needed from the shelf

"I also overheard you muttering to yourself about six seals, to which the orbs relate. Each one having to do with one of the elements. I know mine deals with air..."

He opened one of the books and started reading through it.

[Cynical Cat]

Saidin said nothing. A cutting, acid remark at this point in time would be stupid and unlike the dwarf, he tried to avoid being stupid. Let the lizard handle the lizards. He was doing well enough.

[Jason_Firewalker]

Quietly following Volans, Sylvandor politely knocked on the open door. "Greetings Misstress, I hate to distrub but I wish to learn bits of the arcane arts via observation, as is a least of traditions amoungst my people. If there is a way I may assist, then please do enlighten me, as I am more then willing to help."

[rhoenix]

The rest of the day passed quietly. While Sylvandor and Volans were deep in discussion with Kalya over magical theory, the others relaxed and made the most of the lady of the castle's hospitality, which was remarkably extensive. Though they were the only ones currently occupying the castle, apart from various golems performing various tasks, the food, drink, and hospitality were fit for visiting and discerning heads of state.

The monk's name was revealed to be Lorek, and he flitted from the two basic groups the travelers had formed into, attending to their needs with grace.

It was hours later, the travelers were gathered around a roaring fire (started by an almost absent-minded fireball cast from Kalya) in the fireplace. Volans and Sylvandor had learned much from Kalya, and she had agreed to teach them about magic or answer questions from them about magic if they wished.

They had also learned much about the World Spheres they held - they were simultaneously keys and magical equalizers for their particular elemental focus, and as such, generally would lead their holder to the lock, enabling the holder to re-seal the lock properly. Evidently, this needed doing for all six of the seals.

"Well, today has certainly been an eventful day," said Kalya to the others, the blue embers in the eye sockets of her skull burning brightly. "Before I get to any other questions, I'd like to take care of something. Good Paladin, could you please hold your particular World Sphere aloft?"

[Rogue 9]

Gror pulled his sphere out of the belt pouch he kept it in and held it up, noting with some suspicion that it was now glowing. He held his tongue, though, allowing the archlich to speak.

[rhoenix]

At this, if it were possible for the skeleton of a dragon to appear to sigh in relief, Kalya did so. "I am so glad to see I was right. Please, come with me - it's time the first lock was sealed."

With that statement hanging in the air, she moved into the larger room. To Grer's surprise, patterns began appearing in the floor, forming an intricate pattern. To his surprise, some of the designs were in Dwarven, though others were Elven, though most of it was Draconic.

"When exposed to the air, the World Spheres can show what must be done," she said quietly. "This is one of the major reasons I called here my home, since I knew I could help defend it against most threats, until the locks began to draw together to begin sealing. Now, good Paladin, you know what you must do. Lock the seal."

In the center of the room, a small circular indent was glowing softly from the very center of the diagram, shining the same color the World Sphere was glowing: a soft, silvery-white light.

[Rogue 9]

Without a word, Gror walked to the center of the diagram and carefully placed his World Sphere into the socket. He rose and took a step back as soon as it was in place.