[DM]
Pine tries to do 'scrying' to find leader of Dead Hand
You feel the spell working, and you get an image which is undefined, a hooded figure, and you feel that this entity the spell sought, let it through for a moment, but shuts it down after a second. But a moment later you hear its voice in his head. It had used the spell to see you instead.
"I have heard word of another with an amulet such as mine. It is time we spoke."
[Pine]
Pine responds to the sending with:
"That was what I sought. The Three bid me come to you to aid in the task they have set me. I serve their bidding."
[DM]
"Indeed?" The voice that spoke was odd, stretching the syllables out, almost as if it was air being released from a tombstone than a voice of a mere man.
[Give me an arcana check]
[Pine]
[Arcana=14]
[DM]
You realise that this is unlikely to be the voice and countenance of the person you now know is called Ularan Mortus. While you do not know how you realise that both are being changed, possibly as a precaution against people trying what you had done, to scry upon them.
[Pine]
While generally a cautious person, Pine is not entirely surprised or suspicious that someone chosen by the Three, someone blessed with magic of a different sort, could do such things. After all, the enemy of the Dead Hand had seen Ularan in a cowl that hosted a searingly bright green glow, and Pine had seen no such glow. In terms of magic, he mostly just trusted in what he was granted without truly understanding it. He wasn't a wizard after all.
"I am not here as a threat to your position," he replied, remembering Bhaal's comment once, "Although I cannot vouch for those I travel with through necessity. I seek an accord."
[DM]
"An accord...
I am either fortunate to find a fellow soul in a time where enemies abound or..
You also are one of my enemies."
The voice continues as you realise that it just exceeded the normal limitations of the sending spell without issue.
"Speak and make your case."
[Pine]
Pine would be confused about this, not the spellcraft as much as the question. It sat at odds with his understanding of the situation, and that confusion would likely be heard in his voice as he replied, a voice, that like Uluran's, was different from the norm.
"I found the pendant many years ago and it guided me in my work to lay the dead to rest in the mountains. The Three tested me on Icespire Peak, and in doing so my path more firmly aligned with their own and we came to an agreement. When I fell in battle doing their work, so they had me rise again and become their agent in the world fully due to that agreement. After completing my task, they sent me here, to the Mere, where I was to seek you out. I do not know why you question. Surely as the one they have a close connection with, they can verify it themselves for you?"
He was honestly baffled by the questioning, having been able to speak to the Three through prayer and otherwise without too many problems. There was no guile in his tone, being just as straight-forward as he was.
[DM]
"Your earnest confusion speaks well for you, among my enemies number skilled manipulators and spies. You could very well be one of those but your story rings true - and reminds me of my past."
While the otherworldly echo continued you could sense the voice softening somewhat.
"The Three have no presence at Merdelain for reasons that will be disclosed to you if you are who you say you are. You must have noticed their diminished presence. It is why I am here, to reach where they cannot. To finish what was started."
[Pine]
"Yes, I have noticed. It is not so very far in distance, but the change is dramatic. Worrying. Things at Leilon have not been optimal, nor my companions actions lately. I fear we may have hampered your efforts unknowingly. This was not my intention."
[DM]
"Have you considered it may be of sinister origins? The Taloists [You assume he means Talos cultists] are normally brutes but they are able to hide among the people if need be.
Your companions, how certain you are that they are not of Talos or the fey world? How sure are you of them?"
[Pine]
"Undead who bore your mark attacked the inn we were staying at, and we had to put them down. As for the rest, we killed and cast out Talos cultists from the town when we got there and have not seen them since. The situation at the tower was a mess."
At the question about his companions, a sigh would be heard through the connection as he gathered his thoughts to respond. He was tired, and the last few days had been fairly relentless.
"I am not sure of them all. Two have been travelling with me since Icespire and Phandalin and both are bound by an agreement with the Three to aid me in my goals here. The two others, I do not know them. One was sent by Lord Neverember," a slight turn in his voice, a deepening, would show his displeasure at that name, "and the other is a fae. The Three never mentioned any issue they had with those of that origin. She seems mostly born of curiosity. A powerful summoner and healer. But no, I do not know either well."
[DM]
"That attack was regrettable, an action born from a frustrated soldier of mine. Thank you for resolving it. Also it seems you have struck blow after blow against the Taloists, one thing I will never look at with anything but joy. They are madmen, intent on destroying all, including themselves."
[Pine]
There was relief there, when the other was not frustrated or angry about the situation at the Inn and more. As someone who routinely didn't get along with many people well, it was important to him not to make an enemy of this person whom he was tasked to working with.
"The Three made it clear that they wish the Taloists stopped, so we try to do so. We may have a way to further that, but lack some navigation information. But my goal was to seek you out. I hesitate to say more here unless you are certain of this spell's security. Magic is not something I am proficient in outside of those spells granted to me. You know more of this area, and the threats of the Mere, than I."
[DM]
"A good point, yes.
I assure you the work that is being done here is of utmost importance and relevant to what you carry. If you are who you say then you know what this means.
You may seek me out, I reside at the ruins of the Ingwë, a tower at the south of the swamp [you remember that the Quickling had confirmed that this was somewhere in the area of 187].
But to do so now would be moot. I am assaulted by our enemies, prevented to take further steps forward to restoring the proper order.
As for your companions do not worry unduly. One that goes against one's will can often be better than a simpering slave. And if they would protest your actions it is best this is found and dealt with instead of mistrust and lies festering between my... your allies."
You notice that for the first time Ularun misspoke, quickly correcting himself and continuing.
"I believe that even the most stubborn of your allies will understand that what I am doing.. What we will be doing is the best possible course against an alternative of endless death and destruction."
[Pine]
Pine would listen to this, attentive, considering of the ways in which he could better secure the accord between them without constantly worrying over trust and security.
[I would like to use Pine's divine intervention, as he's just had a long rest]
Unknown
[YES!!!!!]
[So frickin happy right now]
What had failed for him before, seemed to fare better in these moments while he was conversing with Ularan, who was likewise connected to the Three. His intent was to have the Three facilitate a way that would work to communicate and allow trust between them. Whether that was a temporary relocation to converse, an item to communicate safely, or something else, he doesn't know. He puts his trust in the Three knowing far better than him what is needed in this case.
[DM]
A smothering miasma lay atop the Mere, like a heavy blanket, suffocating and constraining every move. When people first come to its vicinity they feel it, making them feel uneasy. But a few hours pass and it is normalised, becoming mostly unnoticeable.
That is, until it was suddenly removed. A wind picked up causing even the waterlogged swamp plants to sway and bend precariously. With it, that miasma was pushed away. All of you feel like you are finally able to breathe clean air for the first time in a long while.
Pine you hear, clearly, three voices.
We. ARE. Here.
A shocked exclamation comes from the sending connection, Ularun speaking in a tone you hadn't heard before...awe?
"Such power... By a single shard, can it be? The penu.." With a jolt the connection closes.
The presence of the three is all around you, as strong as when you saw them in the mines, as when they stood above Axeholm in judgement. They hear your plea and they grant it.
The Leilon Five instantly fall unconscious.
[To be continued in (RP15) A journey, A destination]
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From an outside perspective the five of you simply collapse, ragdolling to the floor,where you remain still and almost lifeless. Murderrock looks down at you all with confusion. "Hullo?"