14: Better the Demon You Know

[Sierra]

<Eliaphas> After reaching the top and confirming they're the first to arrive, Eliaphas volunteers to place an alarm at the bottom of the stairs so they're not surprised when the other party or unexpected guests arrive.
<Eliaphas> OOC: mental alarm, set on the corridor at the foot of the stairs.
<Madeline> Madeline is already scouring the area with magic, half-expected some sort of divination to have been enacted on the area.
* Eliaphas changes topic to '6Corben: 112/137, Eliaphas: 102/102, Madeline: 66/96(-1wis)| Flame Arrows: 44| '
<Eliaphas> After setting up his alarm, Eliaphas waits on the roof, sat low under the battlements to avoid being seen easily and sometimes sneaking peeks down at their surroundings.
<Madeline> Madeline loiters by a window in the room underneath, covering both the outside and the way up.
<El-Cideon> OOC: as usual, feel free to roll perception anytime you're actively looking for stuff
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+21
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+21 and gets 41."12 [1d20=20]
<Madeline> roll 1d20+18
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+18 and gets 36."12 [1d20=18]
<Eliaphas> He also swaps in some cold iron crossbow bolts.
<El-Cideon> Neither of the watchers notice anything approaching their position at ground level. It's not until the clock to the northwest tolls the specified time that there's any sign of movement. Anyone looking to the south can easily see a winged figure--a familiar one, since you've shot at it before--flying across the courtyard to the tower. It's flying low enough for reflected corridor torchlight to gleam off of black scales, a leisurely glide out in plain sight.
<Eliaphas> Not specifically aiming his crossbow but keeping it ready, Eliaphas stands up and watches the figure's flight, waiting to see if it'll land on the top or on one of the walls to go in through a doorway.
<El-Cideon> The creature's flight clearly takes it towards the tower roof--it angles upward as it approaches.
* Eliaphas is waiting for it!
<Madeline> Madeline is ready to rush up to the tower's roof at a moment's notice!
<El-Cideon> With a thump that can be heard below, it lands in a crouch at the corner of the tower, then rises. Easily seven feet tall, its black-scaled body is packed with muscle and displays no obvious sign of gender. Its hands and feet end in cruel claws, a barbed tail lashes behind it, and its face is dominated by a distinctly draconic muzzle. It sizes Eliaphas up for a moment and then speaks with the sound of granite slabs grinding together. "I speak on behalf of my master, Maxwell Argot."
<Corben> A different demon, then! But Corben is ready to hear the villains speak before they are dispatched, of course.
* Eliaphas nods grimly before pointing his crossbow to the stairs downwards. "We will listen, but not here in the open. The room just below will suffice."
<El-Cideon> "After you," it rumbles, gesturing to the stairs.
<Eliaphas> Snorting in derision, Eliaphas leads the way down the stairs.
<El-Cideon> It follows, taking up position by the stairs before speaking to the group as a whole. "We presume your goal is to eliminate the Duke," it says first.
<Eliaphas> "Presumed correctly," Eliaphas responds curtly.
<El-Cideon> It looks over each of you in turn. "We are not unsympathetic to this cause. We offer to help better direct efforts which we have witnessed to be determined but unfocused. The cessation of mutual hostilities is assumed."
<Corben> "Open the way to the Duke, then," Corben suggests.
<Eliaphas> Mistvalken does make for strange bedfellows... "Tell us about the tokens required to enter the Duke's tower."
<El-Cideon> "The tower opens only for those with the proper token," it says to Corben. "My master has but one. With proper guidance, the other three can be claimed. They are amulets of an opalescent stone that permit the bearer passage through the mists at the castle's center. Without such, one wanders lost until claimed by mist wraiths. Do you not have one, having slain the captain of the guard?"
<Madeline> "He did not appear to possess one of his own," replies Madeline, frowning. "These amulets would be detected by the usual spells?"
<El-Cideon> "They would not," it says. "It has been attempted. The Duke's mania possessed him to ensure they were not easily exploited."
<Madeline> "I am forced to enquire as to your reasons," states Madeline, after a moment's silence. "With the Duke slain, is it your intent to take possession of Mistvalken itself?"
<El-Cideon> "That is my master's intent," it confirms.
<Madeline> "To what end?"
<Corben> "Did your master take human slaves, as from this last raid?" Corben asks his own question.
<El-Cideon> "To shape it according to his own desires," it says to Madeline. To Corben, only a nod. "Raids would cease. There would no longer be a connection to your world."
* Corben nods back. "Release them, or we have nothing to talk about."
<Eliaphas> "All those captured by Mistvalken must be released," Eliaphas agrees with finality. "One slavemaster will not be exchanged for another."
<Corben> "Can Maxwell open the way outside?"
<El-Cideon> "We are entitled to engage in some bargaining," it says after a moment. "We have no need for humans, provided Mistvalken's native elements are eradicated. My master suggests that you eliminate the demon residing in the library, as a show of goodwill. We will continue to leave those now residing in the west wing to their own devices. My master cannot allow free passage to your world until he has taken the Duke's place, however. Certain elements of Mistvalken's isolation are only under its master's sway."
<Madeline> "We have no real love for any denizens present here," replies Madeline, shrugging. "It is easily done. Do you require a token of the deed?"
<El-Cideon> "We will know."
<Corben> "Tell your master to send the people he took to the west wing," Corben tells the beast. "As his own show of goodwill."
<El-Cideon> Its black eyes take on a distant look, then it nods. "It will be done."
<Eliaphas> "We will see about this librarian and then try another search for Vorela's amulet before dealing with either the ghost or the playwright," Eliaphas suggests.
<Corben> "Indeed," Corben agrees, nodding heavily.
<El-Cideon> "We are certain the surgeon is in possession of one of the keys to the tower," the creature affirms. "We can provide weapons to facilitate her elimination when that time is upon you. Visit the southwest corridor when you have fulfilled our immediate request."
<Madeline> "Let's see where this takes us, then," decides Madeline, straightening up and starting to descend the tower.
<El-Cideon> It seems to take Madeline's statement as sign the audience is at an end, and begins to ascend the stairs. "You will be unmolested by any servants under our sway as long as we collaborate," it says in parting. "Take note of wraiths and spirits. They are not our creatures."
<Eliaphas> "Agreed," Eliaphas nods before following Madeline.
<El-Cideon> The creature soon disappears with a leap off the tower and a wing south. The corridor downstairs is again empty.
<Madeline> "Mistvalken provides a safe refuge in which all manner of deeds could be done without great fear of persecution," notes Madeline, somewhat glumly. "If he truly does not require more slaves should the castle be cleared, then I must wonder what his true aim would be. He was also able to talk the Duke into assisting him..."
<Eliaphas> "This castle taints all that it touches, and we should not be so proud as to think ourselves immune," Eliaphas growls, "But the Duke remains our primary concern."
<Madeline> "As long as we recall why we are here, there will be no problem," decides Madeline. "Lead the way."
<El-Cideon> The inner courtyard can be accessed from the four-way junction in the middle of the west corridor, you find. A covered walkway extends out into the mists, to either side of the flagstone path a perfectly level and maintained lawn. Not far along the way, the path branches off to the north and south, and at the juncture is quietly burbling fountain. A stone knight stands in the midst of the fountain, gazing proudly at the heavens, the word HONOR emblazoned at its base.
<Eliaphas> Recalling the Muse's words about the only safe water in Mistvalken, Eliaphas keeps some distance from the fountain as he reaches the intersection, looking to see if a library-like building is visible down any of the paths.
<El-Cideon> To the east, you can see the path ascends to reach a large building occupying a raised mound. The path also splits around either side of the ascending ramp to terminate in doors at its base.
<El-Cideon> OOC: idly, perception
<Corben> roll 1d20+17
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+21
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+21 and gets 30."12 [1d20=9]
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d20+17 and gets 25."12 [1d20=8]
<Madeline> roll 1d20+18
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+18 and gets 31."12 [1d20=13]
<El-Cideon> Clearly everyone's developed an eye for loose bricks at this point, because everyone spots a slip of paper peeking from between a chipped flagstone at the fountain's base.
* Eliaphas does the honours, this time. He'd almost forgotten about these...
<El-Cideon> In familiar hand, the message reads thus: "More fountains, more poison. Eyes pursue me. Slay them if you can. Suspect they report what they see to their master. Mind topiary as well. It bites. Seeking shelter. --A.P."
* Corben looks about for eyes!
<El-Cideon> There don't seem to be any in the vicinity. Well, except for Eliaphas's and Madeline's.
* Madeline blinks. "Nothing else in the area," she states, deciding to start heading towards the building to the east.
<Eliaphas> Pocketing the note, Eliaphas follows Madeline.
<El-Cideon> The path ascends to the raised building at a gentle slope, and when you reach the top you find yourself standing level with the outer wall of the upper castle. There would've been a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside before Mistvalken became a cursed place. The path leads directly to the long wall of a building replete with tall windows, gilt frames, and ornate carving. A set of double doors lead into a ballroom with brightly polished wood floors.
<Madeline> Most libraries Madeline has visited do not have ballrooms, and she says so.
<Eliaphas> "Lets look elsewhere, it might be like the gallery and extend out from the ring around the courtyard," Eliaphas suggests, seeing nothing useful here. They can take the South path out and look from there.
* Corben agrees with that!
<El-Cideon> Returning to the fountain junction, the group continues along the covered walkway to the south. The path soon circles around to the southeast. Midway along this path, you notice a shape looming in the mists just outside the path. It's a bear--or, on closer examination, a bush expertly carved to represent one, captured mid-rear with jaws open in a silent roar.
<Corben> "It bites?" Corben recalls from the note.
* Eliaphas needs no invitation to give said foliage a wide berth.
<El-Cideon> OOC: how wide? It's about forty feet off into the open, for reference.
<Eliaphas> OOC: I'll give it at least fifteen feet
<Madeline> OOC: Ditto
<Corben> OOC: Works for me. I'll draw my blade!
<El-Cideon> Skirting off into the grass for a moment to enhance the distance between themselves and the imposing shrubbery, the group carefully circles around it. This passes without incident and you soon find yourself at another fountain juncture, with another ramping path to the north. The fountain sculpture this time portrays a scholar examining a scroll. Its base proclaims REASON.
<Eliaphas> Any buildings around this junction?
<El-Cideon> The junction is structurally identical to the western fountain junction, enough to suggest a certain radial symmetry to the area. To the south, the path heads into a corridor that looks much like the western one. To the north, the path ascends to another long facade. The interior looks well-lit, but from your position on the ground, you can only see the ceiling of the interior.
<Eliaphas> "That could be the library, maybe," Eliaphas suggests, approaching the newly revealed building.
<Madeline> Madeline nods her agreement, skirting up towards any obvious entrance.
<El-Cideon> As you approach, it looks very much like one indeed. Rows of bookshelves taller than Corben run east to west alongside the room, every wall also lined with them. Lanterns of frosted glass shed light gently throughout the room.
* Madeline finds her eyes drawn naturally towards the books.
<Eliaphas> If there is a door, Eliaphas will open it!
<El-Cideon> There is indeed a door! And it is open. Directly across from you is another set of doors, these leading out into a cloud of swirling mist that blocks vision past a few feet. There are also doors at the far western and eastern ends of the library. This room is notably warmer than the castle exterior, and a faint flowery perfume wars with every library's natural musty odor. A desk in the southeastern corner is presently occupied: a woman sits here, writing in a heavy tome. Hair a vibrant red and bound into a tight bun, face of portrait-perfect beauty with spectacles sitting on her little nose. She's dressed in a staid, severe librarian's suit, unassuming save that it strains to contain an expansive bosom.
<Corben> The demon, Corben presumes!
<Eliaphas> "Kisantha?" Eliaphas asks, walking into the library's reception area and approaching her desk.
<El-Cideon> A pair of smaller creatures hover around the area, humanlike but perhaps half the size. Lush, translucent wings keep them in flight stocking the shelves. Plain white gowns and long, multihued hair. They're spindly creatures and go about their work with a faintly desultory air, pausing to watch as you approach the woman. She looks up, smiles brightly. "Oh my, guests!" she says with evident surprise in a voice like music. She purses her lips and blows to dry the ink on the page before depositing her work in a drawer. "What can I do for you?"
<Eliaphas> "That depends," Eliaphas replies, unwilling to be swayed by her charms. "Brilliant Crystal Blue Sky Canopy said you might be of aid in slaying the Duke. On the other hand, Maxwell said we'd be better off slaying you and courting his aid instead."
<El-Cideon> "Did she?" She stands up, pushes the drawer closed with a nudge of her hip. "I wonder, did she say anything else?" she mutters. "Well, you obviously have the advantage of me. Could you at least introduce yourselves before we talk of such grisly matters?"
<Eliaphas> "Eliaphas Crane, Inquisitor of the Vigilant Hound," the servant of Norusk replies.
* Corben nods, ready to get that out of the way. "Corben," he says simply.
<Madeline> "Madeline, " replies Madeline, frowning at the woman's obviously transparent attempts to bewitch every mortal she lays eyes upon.
<El-Cideon> "It's you three who've been causing such a fuss out there, I take it?" She sits on her desk, crosses her legs and gestures at one of the pixies, which flutters away for a moment. "Intruders don't usually live this long. I admit to being mildly impressed." Chin perched on her fingers, she seems to consider the three of you for a moment. "Very well. What precisely did Crystal suggest I could do to aid you? And what manner of mischief have you got up to already?"
<Corben> "To get to the Duke, we need a token," Corben says, intending to test the demon from the very start. "What is it?"
<El-Cideon> "Oh, he had these abominable amulets made that permit only the carrier access to the central tower. Grew weary of intruders trying to kill him, supposedly. If you ask me, he just couldn't take his servants' incessant whining and infighting anymore. Let us deal with any trouble, you know?"
<El-Cideon> The pixie flies back in, trailing green-white hair and steam from a teacup carried in one dainty hand. Kisantha takes this as the pixie settles down next to her and ruffles the little fey creature's hair.
<Corben> "Why did we not find one on Cain?" Corben follows up with.
<Eliaphas> "It was suggested you would know of weaknesses and blind spots we could exploit in dealing with the Duke's minions," Eliaphas responds to her question, "We've slain Captain Varelas, but found no sign of any amulet on him or in his room."
<El-Cideon> "Mmm." She sips at her tea, sighs deeply. "I thought as much. I'd assumed he no longer had it--I can't remember the last time I saw him go to the tower, and he was so regular with going up to air his complaints before. I would guess one of the others stole it. Not that he would share that information with me, none of them ever had much time for me."
<Eliaphas> "If someone stole it, surely it would be to use it? If no one else has been attending the tower, it must have been one of the three that already possess amulets," Eliaphas surmises.
<Madeline> "Or to simply prevent him from doing so," interjects Madeline. "Perhaps if he knew something another would prefer the Duke not to know. I can only think of one person who may be concerned for such, so far."
<Eliaphas> "Maxwell?"
<Madeline> "Indeed."
<El-Cideon> "Mary can't leave the east wing," she says. "Nor can her servants. Not that she'd admit to such in person, not that the wretched creature talks to me anyway, but she hasn't left in decades. Maxwell's the obvious culprit, isn't he?" she agrees with a nod. "He runs his own game here and none of us figure into it. I can't help but note you seem curiously well-informed about that."
<Madeline> "I suppose the other possibility would be you," muses Madeline.
<Corben> "Yes," Corben agrees with Madeline, before fixing his gaze upon the demon. "Just what is his grudge against you?"