You soon meet Baleruk in his lair. No sign of 27 this time, the prismatic dragon pacing and waiting. "At last," he declares, "We will leave immediately! A suitable wizard is waiting for us."
"I apologize for keeping you waiting. May I ask who that is who is also waiting on us?" Moore says as he flies over.
"Tepen awaits us," Baleruk declares, "He will LEAD US TO LIMBO!" The prismatic dragon's tail thumps down, coins rattling beneath it.
"Oh." Moore nods. He figured Baleruk could just get them there, but... he's not going to argue!
The two of you find Tepen waiting for you at the gates. He's dressed as he always is, giving Baleruk an impassive look. "Are we ready? Haven't forgotten anything?"
Baleruk merely stares at him, eyes narrow.
"You never know what you've forgotten until you need it, right?" Moore says with a bit of a laugh. "Thank you, Elder Magi."
That seems to lighten the mood, enough for Tepen to smile and head on out. A zone of air surrounds him, water hedged out. "Fly," he suggests, calling back, "Or you'll fall into the water." It's quite a large zone - a circle over a hundred feet in diameter, with Tepen in the middle. Plenty of space, even enough for Baleruk to cram himself in. Once done he intones a few words and a shimmering blue portal appears, crackling with fire and lightning.
"We'll see you in a... well, we'll see you soon." Moore says as he goes to fly into the portal after Baleruk! It wouldn't serve to get lost in Limbo.
Chaos. Swirling. Reality flips upside down and then upright, around and around like a broken top. You stand in open air and flames, but only for a second. Limbo simply stops around Baleruk, becoming a flat plain of scorched earth and open air above you. Farther away is unchecked Limbo, but everything within hundreds of feet of you is stable.
"This is the power of a true anarch," Baleruk intones, "You are not a true anarch, but you have some talent. Use it. Use it any way you can imagine. Create everything. LEAVE NOTHING OUT!"
"As you wish." Moore nods.
Let me know what to roll for the anarch checks here.
With that, he takes a breath and reaches into his mind. Songs, dances, art -- all of these things come naturally to some people and for others, it does not. He calls on his inner motivations, his inner spirits, and a little bit of luck, to bring forth the very picture of inspiration. He will paint the very perfect scene, with the perfect performers using his mind. Oh, and I suppose his anarch powers.
The idea is to almost paint a picture with his anarch powers of his inspirations. I guess you could say it's a Perform check of some nature, but I leave that up to you. If you need me to be more specific I certainly can be.
Please be more specific, yes.
Okay. First he will try to paint, using his anarch powers, what is effectively a visual representation of the Words of Creation (as he understands them) for Inspire Courage.
Okay, make an anarch check.
[20:31] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+9
[20:31] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d20=3]
No good. Moore tries, but Limbo's just not listening to him at all.
Hm, it surely isn't because of Baleruk... or is it?
Perhaps a different visualization is in order, then. He takes a breath and this time, tries to visualize the Words of Creation for his skills at motivating others.
He is trying to paint the Words of Creation for Inspire Competence this time.
Okay, try another check then.
[10:14] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+9
[10:14] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d20=6]
It's still hard. Limbo just isn't replying to him. Baleruk growls low, "Focus! Try something different, chaos doesn't reward the boring!"
Different... hm. Something he isn't good at... fighting!
This time, he casts a spell for a little luck first before he tries something completely different... he tries to create a celestial version of Baleruk! Yes, perfect!
[13:08] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+9+12 (Improvisation)
[13:08] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 33 > [d20=12]
Air forms currents, which form the skeleton for rocks and gold to form around. It's more or less Baleruk, as much as the medium and changes allow. Baleruk stares at it, "Now make water! Then fire looping through clouds!" Baleruk demands, "More! Don't stop! Always something different! CHAOS IS ETERNAL CHANGE, SO CHANGE IT!"
Moore takes a breath. Chaos is ever changing... which means occasionally it can surprise you and be much more different!
To add to this scene, he tries to will water -- bright, crystal clear rain that comes down in an orderly fashion -- the very opposite of the chaos you'd expect from rain such as that. It rains over a perfect circle for no reason.
Fire... yes, he's heard about golden fire before -- in the midst and the middle of the rain, a golden fireball that the rain simply does not touch.
I am presuming more anarch rolls but please correct me if these are incorrect.
[13:29] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+9+12 (Improvisation) artsy anarchy
[13:29] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 39 > [d20=18]
More. More more more and more. Moore creates more, his art on display before him. "Enough with the MAGIC!" Baleruk bellows, "Dismiss that spell and focus on you and your power!" His tail slams down, earth breaking below it. "Don't stop, don't think, create! Create anything that comes to mind. Go go go! Don't stop until you can't do it any more!"
Time to lose the training sword, is it?
Very well. Moore takes a breath and continues with his art. Places he's seen, places he's been. Yes, yes, an ocean full of light. Light is easy to create, so he wills it to exist. An entire ocean full of light that glimmers like an ugly, angry sun. It shines amidst a mountain sitting in the sea of light -- Mount Celestia. Yes, the light of the mountain is so strong that it must fill everything else, even the entire ocean with light!
[14:14] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+9 the light of Celestia's anarch bonus
[14:14] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 25 > [d20=16]
> roll 1d100
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 10 > [d100=10]
Light comes, then a mountain - then rainbows, then frogs, then a shield of iron, then a sunset. Hills, rocks, boulders. Rain, mist, fog. Letters in the sky. Baleruk drives you and drives you further, time passing as you keep up, working as hard as you can. Sweat trickles down your face as Baleruk gives you no break until your mind can take no more. You stumble to a knee, great heaving gasps taken.
The prismatic dragon looms over you and declares, "Good. A good start. But your ANARCH STRENGTH IS DEFENSE? THEN PREPARE TO DEFEND YOURSELF!" From your side a jet of fire comes right at you.
Moore takes a breath. He's been through worse than this! He holds a palm out, face up and tries to pull the ground itself up to defend himself from the fire!
[14:28] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+9+4 defending champion anarch
[14:29] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=5]
A wooden shield forms to block it, burnt to ashes but stopping the assault. Yet as this happens, a great big rock appears above him, falling towards him.
"FASTER!" Baleruk bellows.
Moore takes a breath -- rocks break on the shores of water... yes! A sudden spiral of water appears above him, strong enough to pulverize the rock with its pressure as it lands!
[14:34] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+9+4 what beats rock??
[14:34] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 23 > [d20=10]
Water erodes rock, only a harmless rain of pebbles reaching you. Then more! A great, gusting wind glowing purple-red is gusting at you from behind, sharp enough to make the air glow with energy.
"FASTER!"
Even you see the wind, a blade of iron appears right besides you, going right for your side.
He's rotated through the elements already that are familiar to him -- time to be more creative!
The wind will get caught in a jar that happens to appear in such a way as to capture it. The iron -- yes, the iron will have to try and get past ...sudden molasses!
[14:48] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+9+4 now it's zany
[14:48] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 31 > [d20=18]
Oh come ON!
Sure, the jar stops it, only for it to shatter into knife-shards that resume the trip to Moore. The sword's stopped, before the blade and molasses burst into flames, threatening Moore anew.
"AGAIN!" Baleruk demands, as a great big morning star appears far above Moore, starting to fall down at him. At least it should take a little bit to reach him, right?
So bigger and stronger, is it? Fine!
An entire library full of books comes raining down directly in front of Moore, enough to surely stop not only the shards but the wind behind it!
The fire... flaming molasses... yes! An entire metal cooking pan comes down to catch the flaming food, with a metal top to come right after that to squelch the flames!
The morning star? ... let it fall just so, so that a armored fist can grasp the hilt and swing it away!
[14:57] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+9+4 Well I thought it was zany before
[14:57] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d20=4]
The books come, stopping the shards, the metal pan coming - but not fast enough. Moore gets a brief scorch, the flames and morning star stopping. Baleruk looks down at him then, "Not bad for a first effort," he growls, "Always flex your mind. You are an anarch, control Limbo like it's a part of you."
Moore lets out a breath as he collapses on the ground. Whew!
"Don't get caught up in a mere snag like reality, is that it?" Moore asks, still panting.
"Exactly." Baleruk sits on his haunches, a throne of rainbow colored stone appearing for him to recline on. "Every slaad understands reality is what you make of it. So is Limbo."
"I wonder if I could weave some of this into my songs..." Moore muses as he sits up. "I mean, a song -- or any sort of music, follows a set pattern... but deviations in the pattern can always create new types of music. Hm... anarchic music... I wonder what it'd sound like."
"The LORD OF COLORS can do that. Anarchic music is POWER!" Baleruk declares, echoing across Limbo.
Moore taps his chin once. "Well, I suppose there's no harm in trying it..." He clears his throat. "No magic this time, I promise." He takes a breath and focuses his mind, looking to Inspire Greatness in Baleruk, with a twist of anarch added in!
I have no idea if this is just a standard anarch roll or something else, so please let me know.
Try one, sure.
[16:51] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+9 no +4 since this isn't really defending someone, I'd think
[16:51] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 10 > [d20=1]
I knew I was due for one eventually.
What comes out is your normal inspire heroics, nothing more. Baleruk barks a laugh, a sound that's loud as his bellow, "Anarchic music is not for you," the prismatic dragon declares, "There is more to it than being a mere ANARCH!"
"Ah, while under normal circumstances I would agree with you, I think in the history of Creation time and time again it has been proven that one can do anything if they set their mind to it." Moore says with a smile. "I'm not the type to be easily discouraged."
With that said, he merely tries again! This time, a different song, a different melody all together.
He's trying Inspire Courage this time.
[18:02] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+9 Clearly Moore listens to the music of the outer spheres
[18:02] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 26 > [d20=17]
Inspire courage comes - the music distorted as notes appear in the air, solid things. But you don't feel any difference.
You're welcome to keep trying as long as you have bardic music, say so if that's your plan.
He'd like to keep experimenting. I can just do several rolls if you want, he has the bardic music to spare.
Sure, roll as many as you please up to your limit of bardic musics.
Moore continues to sing, to orate, to motivate -- he goes through every thought that comes across his mind that he's ever used to inspire others. He uses every ounce of magic and willpower that he's learned in his time with Aurora -- and the time he doesn't yet recall -- to weave word with just a hit of controlled chaos.
[18:44] <Nephrite> roll 15d20 Moore's going to create the soul train in limbo, all of these are at +9
[18:44] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 175 > [d20=12,10,17,15,20,16,6,5,12,8,17,9,5,13,10]
Make an K:A check as well, Moore.
If he can take 10 on it it'd be 45. Alas, Baleruk won't allow cheating with any of his fancy shmancy "magic"
It's not working, and you can tell something's missing. Something vital, something preventing it from working. You just aren't sure what, like trying to have a human live without a heart or lungs.
Baleruk meanwhile watches, shaking his head, "No," he declares, "You are an ANARCH, but your SOUL IS NOT CHAOS. True music comes from the soul."
Moore takes a deep breath and lets it out.
"No, that I agree with. Perhaps balancing them with the Words of Creation..." Here, he shakes his head. "It's something I can study. I have time. There's no need to rush this sort of thing. I think I've learned a lot coming here, regardless of how successful it was. Thank you."
Ready to move on back then, Moore?
Unless Baleruk wants to go visit Renbuu or something, yes.
> roll 1d100
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 75 > [d100=75]
Nah. One doesn't go visit Renbuu, he shows up to visit instead. What's next on your agenda?
Just for my own reference, how long had passed while he was in Limbo? He wouldn't want to miss the dance!
A few hours of training.
His next order of business will be to go talk to Crystalle if possible, but he'll hang around Aurora for today since he's pretty bushwhacked.
Okay, short side scene then.
Moore returns to Aurora. He's plain beat after his training, going back to his room. He flutters onto his bed, not even getting out of his gear. So tired. Lying on his back and dazed, he looks up and yawns. A great big badger-slaad....thing clings to the ceiling perfectly. It's staring right at him, meeting his eyes. It sniffs the air and says, "Anarch," softly and slowly.
"Hello again, 27." Moore says with a smile. "Yes, it looks like I take a bit after Ithea in that regard. My power seems to be a bit weaker and primarily for defense, though."
He did meet him once before, as a reminder. Presuming this IS 27...
It is. If there's more than one badger-slaad in Aurora, goodness help you all.
27 silently falls, landing around Moore's face. He lands in a crouch, covering him completely and eye to eye with him. He stays like this a moment before he licks Moore's face like a dog, leaping off and landing on the floor. "You taste like boiled oranges," he adds, then quietly, "Not every trial is a trial by combat. Not all injuries are physical. Not all thorns can be pruned."
"Don't worry." Moore says with a smile. "I've been through some rough spells before this. It isn't something I intend to try and master right now. It will come to me in time."
27 is expressionless at this then adds, "You can't save everyone, but you might be able to save one. Don't give in to depression, remember your purpose. Don't let Tannin betray you." The slaad goes over to Moore's closet and opens it. You can see your little pixie clothes have been put on the ground, a nest out of them made. 27 curls up in it and closes his eyes.
Moore listens, but then frowns at that last part. "I'm going to guess you won't... or maybe can't, but can you elaborate on what you mean about Tannin?" Moore asks. He's not really expecting much of an answer.
Remember his purpose, though? He hasn't forgotten it, has he? He never really had one, exactly...
27 doesn't answer, seemingly asleep. All that's let is Moore's thoughts and his own fatigue.
Your call if you wanna do anything else here or move along.
He won't get an answer like this, he'll just have to talk to someone about it tomorrow.
His intent is to go to sleep and then see if he can find someone tomorrow who might be able to offer him some insights onto 27's thoughts.
Cool. Who do you intend to ask and all that?
Hmm. Ithea's not home, I think Tepen's out too, Vul'lath, perhaps?
Certainly.
Sage Vul'lath is found in the library, as he usually is. His acolytes are studying away, pouring over a small mountain of books. Sage Vul'lath himself watches them, standing quietly. He simply nods to Moore as he approaches, putting a finger to his lips.
Moore makes some motions to indicate that he'd like to talk to Vul'lath, since he can understand the request to stay silent.
Vul'lath clears his throat, his acolytes turning to him. "If any of you cheat, I'll know," he says, before leading Moore a ways away, into a little nook. "What is it?"
"I'm sorry to bother you." Moore starts with, first of all. "I... hm. I know the nature of slaad is to be chaotic and misunderstood, but 27 said something rather troubling that I wished to get another perspective on."
A sigh follows this, "Very well, but make it quick."
Moore repeats, word-for-word, what 27 said.
He shifts slightly and sighs. "The start and the middle are things I will worry about later, but... well, I think you can perhaps see why I'm a bit concerned. I certainly don't intend to cause turmoil after hearing one small thing, but... well, I suppose I just wanted to get another opinion on the matter."
This gets Sage Vul'lath to roll his eyes, "He's been telling people Tannin will betray them for ages now. Don't pay any mind to it."
Moore smiles. "Very well."
Inwardly, he isn't entirely sure he believes that, but there's no point in pressing the matter right now. He'll talk to Ithea about it later.
For now, he'll see if anyone can get him back to Mineral to talk to Crystalle, or if anyone else wants to go with him.
Anyone in particular in mind, Moore?
Hmm. He'll check with Morniel but he assumes he's already tied up with other tasks. Honestly I think everyone else is tied up with something else, but maybe I'm missing someone. If Morniel isn't available to go, he'll check around and ask and see if anyone would like to. If that's a no-go he'll go himself.
Morniel's found in the war room. He's writing on a piece of paper, several more resting nearby him, the ink on them drying. "Moore," he greets, pausing his writing. "You seek me?"
"Sir Morniel." Moore greets him, flying over near the desk. "I was considering venturing to Mineral to further our diplomatic relationships with Lord Crystalle. I was curious if you would be interested in going, or, if not, if anyone had expressed any interest in that since we had established ties with them."
"Yes," Morniel does not hesitate, "If you need my aid, I will come."
"Then it would be my honor to ask for your accompaniment." Moore says with a smile. "To go along with it, I have reason to believe Lord Crystalle may be someone who can offer us some insight into something. I wanted to try and find a better set of tools for Afina, as I know she works rather tirelessly for our cause. Not to say that what we work with now is insufficient, but I thought at the least to see if we could make improvements."
"Then let us go," Morniel stands, "Elena, would you please see that these letters are delivered to Tannin so he can pass them on? Thank you."
Ready to move along?
Yes.
How are you planning to get to Mineral? Are you able to manage it or do you need someone else to?
He's got Plane Shift but that has its own problems. If anyone's available for Gate we'll do it that way.
With a displeased glare, Sage Vul'lath accompanies the two out of Aurora. His magic holds the water back as he chants, a portal appearing before you. "Go," he instructs, "This will take you where you need to be."
Moore really needs to learn that spell himself someday!
He will go through as instructed, not wanting to take any more of Vul'lath's time.
You are on familiar grounds - the rich, opulent path towards Crystalle's abode. Great gemstones and rich precious metals are everywhere, great veins of them waiting to be mined. This room alone could likely fund all you could ever dream of from Afina.
Morniel looks around briefly, "All that glitters," he murmurs.
"I feel bad for them," Moore says as he starts forward. "It must be difficult to live here and have people from the outside basically coming in to steal things all the time. I can't blame them for being wary of outsiders."
"Yet what good is it here, when the realm itself will produce more forever and ever?" Morniel asks, "But I have long suspected that is not the reason they hoard their endless treasures."
"I think it all boils down to perspective. They clearly have some sort of different meaning to this sort of thing than we do. What that actually is, though... well, there are many possibilities." Moore says with a small shrug. "But I suppose that sort of thing is common when it comes to diplomatic means -- but what do you think that reason is?"
"Minerals are valuable," Morniel says, "Gold, silver, gems and such are in part because they are scarce. Long ago, I was stationed on a Prime Material world. A Waukeenite there discovered a spell to permanently transmute common substances into precious ones. He was a good man and was overjoyed so he went to the poor and turned all their meager possessions into objects of great value."
Here Morniel sighs, shaking his head. "The first few were fortunate, but soon the overwhelming influx of valuable materials reduced their value. Soon they were in freefall, while prices inflated because the value of gold had collapsed. He turned entire walls on peasant farms into pure gold. There was more gold than food in the area...and soon gold was worthless and a meal was far more valuable. The situation deteriorated so greatly that the poor fool was smote by a proxy of Waukeen."
"Look at Mineral. Everything here is greatly valuable to us. But if we took all of Mineral's wealth, would it remain wealth at all?"
Moore nods. "Yes, I think that's a good way to look at it. They don't see it as wealth, there is no monetary value to anything here for them. I think they just see it as part of their plane -- so it's personal to them. They see it as part of themselves, so when someone wants to try and use it for material wealth, then.. well, they basically see it as an insult, almost. That may not be it exactly, but... I think there's some truth to it."
"I was aiming more that it destroys the value of it and thus their own value," Morniel smiles as he walks along, "But yours may have the truth as well."
"I don't disagree with you from a purely economic standpoint." Moore says with a smile. "If we took everything here and sold it, I think we'd have to fight Waukeen herself!" Moore adds with a laugh.
"I wish only not to be beaten with coins," Morniel laughs softly as well, "Or be crushed by a giant one."
Moore nods with a grin. "I'm sure we'll hear if Waukeen takes any offense to our efforts on Aurora afterwards."
Laughter follows as the two of you head along. It's not far to Crystalle's palace, mineral elementals at attention as you approach. Yet the gates do not open. Instead, a figure of shining white metal appears, a silvery-white man over 20 feet tall. He looms over you and yet has no defined features, only a smoothness of body and face. "Platinum I am. Greets you does Crystalle. Forward is the way."
Moore takes a moment to fully bow. "Platinum, it is a pleasure to meet you. This is Morniel, the senior diplomat for Aurora. If it would please Lord Crystalle, we would meet with him -- but if you speak for Crystalle as Gold, Silver and Opal do, then we would be pleased to speak with you as well." He doesn't want to impose on the hospitality, although it does sound like they can go in if they'd like to.
"Meeting is now the. Befall will treasure you." The figure says, "Archomental pleased."
Moore bows again. "Thank you. I am here for two reasons -- one, to find out if there is anything further Aurora can do for Lord Crystalle or for Mineral in general, and two, to ask for something. As you may know, General Afina Devilsbane is the primary crafter for us. I believe there may be something Mineral that we might give her as a gift that would allow her to push herself beyond the norm for crafting arms and armor. If Lord Crystalle knows of any such item, we would be in your debt to know more about it. We would not wish to simply take it from here, but if we can trade in favors or other matters for it we would be happy to." Moore says, though he glances at Morniel to make sure he didn't overstep any boundaries.
Morniel smoothly adds after, "We don't seek Mineral's treasures, but the tools one could use to forge the treasures."
"Needing do not tools for natives." Platinum replies right away, its smooth head coming closer as it bows, curling into a perfect 90 degree angle. Its head is just above the both of you, featureless face gazing down.
"Of course, of course," Morniel smiles, a little chuckle, "For you and the natives, all you need is your hands. But not everyone's so blessed, and if natives have ever allowed others to work here, they would use tools."
Diplo checks, both of you. +5 bonus since you're on good terms with them.
Taking 10 for 50.
> roll 1d20+77 Morniel
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 83 > [d20=6]
Morniel being hyperfocused on diplomacy helps him a lot.
"Ringing hammer tongs," Platinum says, words coming despite no mouth. "Ravine lost in air. Talking now archomental."
"Thank you," Morniel says, "In that case, we'll wait for that to conclude."
Platinum stays silent for several minutes, until it kneels down. Its chest spreads open smoothly, metal opening to reveal a cavity within. A small creature hops out, a dwarf. He has a black beard that glistens like gemstones, unlike any hair you've ever seen before. His head is bald otherwise, gleaming with gemstone like facets. He wears mail, tunic and hose, all a metallic platinum shade. He cracks his neck as he lands, "Greeting now...no, no, no. Now I'm greeting? No. Balls fucking. Fucking balls. Bleh, bleh, bleh. We all join with Platinum sometimes, great for learning Mineral and not so good for speaking. Think this needs a civilized language. You two speak dwarven?""
Moore smiles and nods to the dwarf, switching over to Dwarven. "Hello and greetings from Aurora, sir."
"Damn fine, damn fine," The dwarf rolls his neck and stomps on over, "The boss said you were good folk. Not many of them show up here, just greedy idiots who bleed all over the place."
"Are you a denizen of Mineral, sir?" Moore asks, making a motion as if he had a beard. "I've not seen a dwarf with such a unique beard. Ah, if you didn't manage to hear, I'm Moore and this is Morniel." Moore says with an introduction. "And yes, we had a philosophical discussion on that very subject on our way here!"
"Good for you," the dwarf says, "So you want a forge hammer?"
Seeing as his question was ignored, Moore decides to move on. "Yes, that is correct. I don't know if Afina Devilsbane means anything to you, but she's our master craftsman. I was hoping to find something to help push her past what her current limits are."
"Haven't heard of her," the dwarf grunts, "But I've been up in Platinum for the past few centuries." He thumps the side of his head with his palm, a bit of liquid platinum flying out. It sizzles on the ground before solidifying. "She a mortal dwarf or one or from Dwarfhome?"
Morniel smiles at that, "Friend, she's from neither. She's a pixie from the Prime Material."
"What?!" The dwarf sputters, eyes going wide as dinner plates. "A pixie's a tiny thing! She'd only have the muscle to draft a toothpick!"
Moore grins at that. "She had apparently combined the powers of the elementals Fire and Water, but has recently added both Air and Earth." Moore says. "So while she's small, she's absolutely able to do some amazing things."
"That's some daft umber hulk shit," The dwarf mutters, "Damn flies and shit is what it is."
"I assure you, it's true. She's a remarkable pixie," Morniel says, "But that aside, we're trying to find a good hammer for her or a similar tool. Moore, do you know exactly what she'd prefer?"
Moore rubs his chin. "Considering the various work she does, I'd imagine she'd appreciate something that can modify itself based on her needs. Either that or something that can be useful whether it's a major piece and can be used for something delicate." Moore says. "Beyond that, I'd guess something that can help in bring out natural talent would work."
"Hell," The dwarf says, "If she's so good, why doesn't she make her own tools? That's what any self respecting smith does."
"I'm certain that she has her own tools." Moore agrees. "But I thought, surely, in a place like this, there might be something even better, or maybe that might offer her some sort of inspiration. I mean, throughout Creation, there must be something like 'So and so's legendary forge hammer' or something..." He trails off a bit and then gives a happy shrug. "Or maybe even some material she could use to make superior ones."
The dwarf gestures, a swirling portal now before him. "Go there and bring me one of her tools," he says, "If it impresses me, I'll tell you more. But if she's not good enough to make a damn fine tool on her own, it would be wasted on her."
"I'll be right back, then!" Moore says, heading through.
Presuming it's two-way, he'll go and do just that and tell Elena to let Afina know he's doing it just in case. If it isn't two way then let me know.
Okay, unless Afina cares to intervene here or doesn't want her tools going out, this can be done OOC. Afina, what sort of tool would you give Moore?
I have these:
Armourcrafting Apparatus (+10 competence bonus to craft (armour))
Weaponcrafting Apparatus (+10 competence bonus to craft (weapons))
Moore can borrow them so long as they're back within the day. It won't be Afina he has to answer to, it'll be her customers!
Very good, but what do they look like? Need to know for this.
They're... crystals!
Yes. Magic crystals.
They... amplify and focus the magical energies channelled in a Fabricate spell to allow for greater feats of crafting.
That sounds legit, right? What, you thought she went around hitting bits of metal with a hammer? Have you seen the crafting times listed in the SRD?
But you can't make magic items with Fabricate! Has the steam pixie been a lie!?
No, I make magic items with Medi's stuff.
Oh, well all's right with the world then.
Moore returns with crystals. The dwarf takes one look at them and scoffs, "Crystals?"
"It might be better if you just saw what she was working with in general." Moore says. "I can't very easily transport most of it, but these augment her ability to craft things." He looks over to Morniel. "That wouldn't be against any protocols or anything, would it?"
The dwarf scowls and shakes his head, "Magic," he says, and then follows up, "Then why the hell do you need a hammer or inspiration. She's operating on a different level than most smiths. These aren't bad assistants as it is," he looks to the crystals, "For a wizard."
"Well, there's more to it than just magic. Have you ever heard of Medi, by any chance?" Moore asks.
"Rings a bell. Ancient history?" The dwarf asks, "Older than the stones."
Moore nods. "Yes sir, that's correct. I think it'd be easier to show you what we're working with. That way you can tell me if there's really any improvements we could make at all. I'm unfortunately just a dabbler in this sort of thing, so I can't be as specific as you might like."
"And if not, you see something few have in ages," Morniel adds.
The dwarf hmphs again and then nods, "Yeah, yeah. Suspect it'll be that way."
Assuming the portal is still there, Moore will invite the dwarf to follow before he goes through himself.
Moments later, you're swimming in Water and then into Aurora proper. Morniel follows behind as the dwarf shakes off like an oversized dog, looking around. "Nice place," he drawls, "Just a few vampires short of a blood moon."
"I haven't really had a lot of time to look around or explore the history of this place. I really should do that." Moore says as he leads the dwarf and Morniel through the portals to the forges.
"No vampires, I'm afraid," Morniel says as you head in. Air elementals fly all around Aurora, while dire wolves are being lead by elven warriors. The dwarf looks around, walking slowly and taking it all in.
"Really? I'm actually kind of surprised we don't at least have one." Moore says with a laugh. He'll fly along and point out some sights as they go along.
Morniel shakes his head at that, and in a bare whisper as he passes by Moore, taking the lead, "Let that one lie," he murmurs in passing.
Moore gracefully continues to point some other things out as they go along, deciding to ask about that topic later.
Soon enough you arrive at the forges. Here great roaring forges are about, smiths of all types working. Some with muscles and hammers, others with words and gestures. Your guest takes one look around and sniffs the air, "Sweat and bad guano," he drawls, "A mixed operation?"
"I think they handle the day-to-day work and Afina handles special orders." Moore says with a look to Morniel for confirmation.
"Yes. We have several specialists who..." Morniel begins to explain, going into the day to day details of the set up.
Anything you want to add to this part, Moore?
He'll show the dwarf his cool hat that Afina made.
What's the abilities of your hat?
Enhanced Badge of Valor and a Helm of Tactics (effects are doubled), while also bestowing the effects of a Belt of Magnificence +6.
Dwarf takes 10 on Spellcraft and Appraise.
The hat gets a long whistle, "This little thing's worth more than its weight in platinum," he says, "She made that with all the things here? I see how the crystals would have helped forge part of it, but most of this is freelance magic work."
"So perhaps a forging hammer isn't the right way to go, but maybe something else that can bring out her natural talents or helps to augments?" Moore suggests. "Maybe I've been approaching it from the wrong angle."
Your hat's returned, "You want the truth? She doesn't need jack shit," The dwarf grunts, "All this pixie magic seems to do the job. But all the helpers around her need more. See, assistants who can find their ass make the lead smith's job easier. Brings a lot of problems right around."
Moore nods. "That makes sense. So perhaps recruiting some better smiths is in order... do you know anyone who might be willing to come here, sir?"
"Yeah, I do. He's a rock of a smith. Ever seen a dragon smith," The dwarf asks.
Moore shakes his head. "I haven't, but that sounds fascinating."
"His name is Goldanariux, he goes by Gold. He's holed up in Mineral, the boss owes him a favor for something on the Prime. He got in some trouble with the chromatics in his world and wanted to get away from it. He's a really good smith and he'd be a good match to help." The dwarf says.
Is it possible that this is the same Gold that they met before?
Not a visual match, but who knows?
Moore nods. "If it's the person I'm thinking of... well, Gold may be a common name there, I suppose. At any rate, I would be happy to speak to him." Moore says with a smile.
"Yeah. See, there's a place on the border between Mineral and Positive Energy called the Steamy Caverns. Real warm sort of place, full of life. He has a cave lair there called Goldenmist. Go pay him a visit," The dwarf explains.
Moore nods. "I can certainly do that. I very much appreciate your advice on this, sir. I'll see if there's anyone else who'd like to go with us and then make my way there, but I don't want to hold you up anymore than I already have. However, you're always welcome to come back if you'd like."
"I might," he says, "But I have more time in Platinum ahead of me. Ah well, it's the eternity I signed up for," The dwarf grunts, stomping on off.
What's your plan now, Moore?
See if Morniel wants to go (I'm guessing he does) and then ask Elena to see if anyone else would care to join them. If not then they'll both go (and try to find someone who isn't Vul'lath to be nice)
Plan is once they get there for Moore to use Find the Path to locate Goldenmist.
Elena appears as commanded, "Hi," she says, dressed in a gauze, ethereal gown held in place by ribbons. "So what do you need?" After listening, "People to go with you to the border region of Mineral and the Positive Energy Plane. Hm, you'll probably need someone who can protect you against all of that. It's for that Afina thing...oh! Why don't you ask her? She's visiting Arrel in his quarters right now."
Moore nods. "All right, I'll go do that."
And he will!
Moving you over to Afina's thread. Locking this one.