Temporal pixies

[Anastasia]

"There," A side wall slides away, another stairway going down revealed.

"He's not making it easy," Jetina nods thanks and speaks after, going towards it.

[Nephrite]

"Thank you. We'll likely return once we have things sorted out." He says.

He will go forward into the stairs!

[Anastasia]

Perception.

[Nephrite]

Take 10 for 97

[Anastasia]

You notice faint ripples again, swirling all about.

[Nephrite]

"Be careful." Moore warns the others.

He'll refresh Inspire Heroics for +18 to saves and AC in case of turbulence.

[Anastasia]

Okay, quick Fort then.

[Nephrite]

Everyone should get +22 total to their fort save then.

Moore
[11:54] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+54+2+22 mettle
[11:54] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 89 > [d20=11]

Jetina

[11:54] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+49+22 mettle
[11:54] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 89 > [d20=18]

well, okay.

[Anastasia]

The +22 should make it moot since no chance of failure.

More ripples as you head down.

An ornate room of carved coral and inlaid pearl, of delicate beauty perfectly preserved. In this place, neatly stacked against all the walls, sits chest after chest. There must be dozens and dozens of them here, several top ones open to show gold and treasure within.

There is a marid here. A marid, bone thin and with wide, wild eyes. He wears well kept if haggard armor, a breastplate of what looks to be black, compressed waters. He paces back and forth, hands behind his back. A bow and quiver of arrows floats besides him, following his path.

"And there they are," he says, "In spite of everything they come and why and how are the questions, but the questions won't be answered today because they aren't the real questions I'm being asked here, are you, you're just part of the werewolves who are gently stalking in the shadows, and don't think that fools me, that's not part of her scheme even if there are hers, you see, because I'm smarter than that. The efreet can't listen in this place, nor can the dao or the djinn, it's safe except from you because you're the ones who are here to kill."

[Nephrite]

"We are not here to kill you." Moore says, simply. "We mean you no harm."

If only Ithea were here, this would probably be easier... he seems to have a touch of slaad-ness.

Sanzha, do you recognize them by any chance? He says, privately to the others.

Take 10 on K:P for 119... or... I dunno, K:H or something for the same thing if that's more appropriate. Maybe we get a hint from his breastplate?

I am guessing I can see magic on him - spellcraft for 114 and K:A for 119.

[12:02] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+36+1 CL check
[12:02] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 48 > [d20=11] if needed.

[Anastasia]

His breastplate soaks in your magic, drawing your detection only to it, where it is lost. The spell shows signs of momentarily fraying, but the strength of your divine will holds it together and allows you to at least detect the breastplate. This breastplate draws magic into it like a vortex, ravenous for your spells.

It is not a breastplate.

It is a living creature in the form of such, some manner of parasite. A demon you are certain, most likely a random, unique denizen of the abyss. Perhaps not a demon but instead an unique creature or an obscure obyrith. No, you are certain now it is not a typical demon. It brings to mind a faint memory of 'magic eaters' it is said Orcus once investigated, long ago.

[Nephrite]

Moore's face momentarily flinches in reaction to that.

Do you all see what I see? I don't think that creature may be responsible for our friend's... attitude. He asks them.

"I speak to the creature taking the form of your breastplate." Moore says. He decides to switch to his divine voice to get its attention.

You have feasted on this place, perhaps even this marid, for longer than many would know. I will give you one opportunity to release yourself from him and will not try and harm you.

If the roll is Diplomacy, that's 136. If it's Intimidate, that's 118.

[Anastasia]

The marid's face twists into a too tight grin, to the point blood starts to trickle down from the tips of it. "Once I would have feared you, but now I am mighty!"

Lady Sanzha titters softly, "Oh, you think to play pretend against us, demon?"

[Nephrite]

If you choose to not leave him willingly, then we will be forced to remove you ourselves. This is your final warning, demon. Release the marid.

I'm sure it may take more time than we have due to hostility, but Moore would want to try and work out some way to get the demon parasite off the marid without killing him. Not sure what checks would be involved there but I assume it'll have to be done during fighting. :)

[Anastasia]

You have enough time to at least think, so K:P real quick.