A moment before disaster—tension hangs in the air.
Ularan straightens and grabs his fallen mace-staff.
"I will not allow you to leave this chamber alive, I'm afraid."
Siax turns to Ularan and gives him a sharp look.
Idris, having sheathed his sword, places one hand on it.
"We can solve this peacefully. I'd prefer that."
[Idris]
During the conversation Idris would go inward to seek out Eefe, Ebondeath.
"Hey, Eefe,... Ebonfriend," Idris thinks in his mind, sounds a lot nicer than "Ebondeath" though they can probably hear his thoughts anyway.
His tone a mix of his usual humor and urgency.
“I know I promised to keep you safe, but… well, things are really looking dire right now. Any chance you two could whip up something to help me out? Maybe give me a little extra oomph?"
The corner of his mouth twitched as he glanced at the looming presence of Ularan.
“Ebon, you’ve been inside Ularan’s head before. You know how dangerous he is. This fight—if it goes south—we might not get another chance. If anything now’s the time to strengthen our friendship and work together."
Though his words were light, the edge of concern bled through. His usual bravado faltered for the briefest of moments as he clung to the hope that his ancient companions would respond.
[DM]
To set the scene….
Ever since your experience in the Planar Beacon your mind has changed. You've found that you can grasp things extremely quickly, understand concepts you did not comprehend before. But focusing on reality has become harder, keeping a mind on risks, consequences and others aims just a bit harder.
As time has passed and you became more comfortable with the way your thoughts work you found that you could visualise your own mind, a mental construct useful for figuring out things. The longer you did so the more concrete it became. Eventually things started taking shape and what was before a dim void…changed.
Your mind slowly turned into an immense structure lined with thousands of tomes, the weight of the knowledge implanted in it forcing its way into your thoughts as this visual. As it was, you now stand in a ruined library, it’s once grand ceiling so tall that it vanishes into the gloom.
Eefe isn't here, not really, rather she's connected to you by the bond. She shows up spectral and ghostly in what you visualise as your mind. She can't interact with things here, flying through the bookshelves as if they weren’t there. No matter how many times she’s tried she was not able to set a single book on fire.
That is not the case for Ebondeath. Still barred in by your will the gigantic dragon has already had a tangible effect on the library. The ground beneath its feet has turned wet, it’s heavy feet having crushed books and debris into a mush. As the dragon speaks it drools a bit, the green ichor falling unto the ground with an audible hiss as it burns whatever it touches.
“It won’t be a fight, human. The moment you take a step forward Ularan will destroy your very essence. From the dredges of your mind, he will take me and imprison me in his living sarcophagus.”
As he speaks the expression of Eefe's face turns to one that would never be seen in a normal devil’s features, worry. She speaks rapidly, aware that even though time passes slowly in your mental realm it still passes all the same.
"Just break your promise and kick this overgrown lizard out! It stinks and it hates, why would you protect it with your life?!”
Ebondeath snorts, as if affronted and continues on “There is a way for both of us to triumph, however. With the barriers that laced this place destroyed by your companion I could use my magic and disappear from this place before Ularan could destroy you.”
Effie bears sharp needle fangs at the dragon as she asks “Oh yeah? What’s the catch you overgrown lizard?!”
The dragon does not take its eyes off you, its glowing green eyes feeling like they see right through you. “You need to let me out of this cage human. Let me take control of your body.
Only then I will be able to cast my magics and save us. In time I will be able to regain my strength and destroy Ularan. Together we will journey and find me a suitable host. Once that is done you will be freed from me – to do as you will”
A moment passes.
Effie looks around, seemingly lost for words, before she shrieks the following out.
“I wouldn’t trust him Idris! Look, maybe I have something for you. I’m spending all my energy holding this sword together, it’s me now. But I..I could let go." The imp has never seemed so small before, it’s wings gone and it’s form trembling. You realise this would mean it’s true end, something a devil would never voluntary seek. “Yeah…YEAH! And the explosion could take out Ularan and maybe you but maybe it’ll give you the opportunity to get the hell out of this stupid place!"
[Idris]
[@DM (Charalampos "Babis") In this situation right now would it still be possible for Idris to make some kind of check or even use the library to see wether he could make something like an "agreement contract" with the dragon to bind him to certain conditions they make and wether the dragon is being truthful or not about teleporting them away?]
[DM]
[Give me either an Arcana or Religion roll]
[Due to the dragon being in your mind you get a sense of its thoughts. There are no direct lies here]
[Idris]
Unknown
[DM]
[So you know of arcane ways to make enforceable pacts but unfortunately they are beyond your know-how... With one exception.
In the Shrine of Savras you made a pact with your protecting angel, to walk the path between, to touch light and darkness and attempt to bring them together. The angel agreed and was bound by your pact to respect your choises.
You realise you could make a pact with the Dragon. This would mean that you would be bound even more than you already are. But it does mean you'd be able to enforce some demands upon it]
[This would change your warlock subclass btw]
[Idris]
Idris froze as he surveyed the ruined library. Though his mind brimmed with knowledge, it wasn’t always at his fingertips; he had to sift through countless mental pages to find what he needed.
In those split seconds—moments that forced him to revisit every detail since the tower—Idris couldn’t ignore the repercussions of his rash decisions. His diminished wisdom had led him into peril, and the truth was inescapable: harboring this dragon within himself might have been his gravest error yet. He recalled his reckless pacts—with a death eater, defiant challenges to a god, and countless uncalculated gambles—and for the first time, a chilling thought pierced his resolve.
“This might actually be it…” he murmured.
He had always believed that his desperate attempts to save others were noble—a testament to his unwavering commitment to doing what he thought was right. Yet now, he had to admit that even his well-intentioned rescues had cost him dearly. Every heroic act, driven by a sincere desire to protect, came with unforeseen consequences. Though he recognized that not every choice was right, he clung to the conviction that this was the path he must walk.
But it was too late for regrets—his promise to the dragon was already sealed. Even as the weight of his decisions pressed upon him, Idris resolved to follow his beliefs to the very end—even if it meant his own demise. He would embody the hero he had always envisioned, the person in whom people placed their faith, not only for himself but for everyone who believed in him, and to remain true to who he was. He was determined to help all those he could.
Idris masks his worry with a smile, patting the manifestation of Eefe.
"Don't worry I'll make this work out somehow."
Bound by that unyielding pact, his oath now felt like a shackle. His mind raced with the inevitable cost: even if they escaped Ularan, the corrupting influence of this dragon was already taking its toll. It might only be a matter of time before his very sanity crumbled.
Idris locked eyes with this ancient dragon, fully aware of the peril its power entailed. Yet, his resolve remained unshaken—he craved genuine camaraderie even in the midst of chaos. Steeling his voice, he declared,
"Alright. Ebon I'll lend you my body, but we'll do it on my terms. Only for the duration of the escape. It will just be you and me"
As he spoke, Idris drew a mental sigil in the air, channeling his warlock essence. The sigil pulsed with spectral brilliance, echoing the sacred pact forged at the Shrine of Savras with his protecting angel. Now, with defiant resolve, he vowed to bind the ancient death dragon to his terms.
Though he knew this act might unsettle his current pact, Idris believed that his connection to his Guide extended far beyond any mere magical contract. For he realized, she had been his constant companion—a luminous presence guiding him through every trial. This new pact was not a betrayal of their bond, but rather a vivid, tangible symbol of a connection that transcended the limitations of warlock agreements.
[DM]
Ebondeath made a horrible barking noise that you realised was it's laughter.
"Perhaps you do have some Dragon in you human after all. That a creature such as you dared set terms on me would normally be a grave insult - but I have begun to like you."
Ebondeath shifts to face you, bringing a large clawed leg up to rest on a nearby bookshelf and pushes slightly. The bookshelf buckles from the weight spilling tomes unto the ground.
"It we are to do so then the pact must be specific.
You will relinquish your body and power to me until we've escaped this place and a suitable host is found for me, not a moment before. In return I will swear to make this my priority and won't concern myself with items like slaying my enemies until that is complete."
Ebondeath taps a large claw into the ground, leaving a mark across the floor.
"You will assist me to find a host and protect me as I move to it. In return I shall bless you with power meant for the likes of dragons. You shall be the mightiest warrior... of your kind at least."
Ebondeaths wings lazily stretch out as he awaits your response.
[Idris]
Idris paused, his eyes narrowing as he measured the weight of Ebondeath's words. In that silent moment, the stakes crystallized in his mind. "Until we find a suitable host?" he thought. He could allow the dragon to possess his body for a short while, but surrendering complete control until a host was secured was a line he could not cross—even if it meant mutual demise.
Meeting the dragon’s gaze, Idris spoke:
"Listen, Ebondeath, my body will be yours only until we escape. After that, you have my promise that I'll help you find a new host—in fact, I may already have one in mind. Otherwise, I cannot agree; if we both perish here, you gain nothing. I will die knowing I remained true to myself until the end. I will only allow further possession of my body if my will ever falters or if we both consent to it again. Rest assured, I will protect you to the best of my ability until then."
Idris would remain steadfast, determined to see his plan through no matter what.
[DM]
"DEAL"
The dragon reaches down to its side and slashes it deftly. A torn line remains, blood eagerly pouring out.
Its claw soaked, it extends it toward you.
[Idris]
Idris would respond the same, taking out a the broken sword, that used to be his friends memento, slash his hand and grab the claw
[DM]
A surge of power rushes through you, coursing from your mind to fill your body. You are distantly aware of Eeffie disappearing from your mind as the sword falls from your open hand.
The outside world looks different, a dragons senses able to pierce all illusions. You see Ularan as what he really is, you see his cowled servant and instantly know what it is. They disgust you but you are not sure if that is you or the dragons reaction.
In your mind Ebondeath turns it's long sinewy neck to look to the left and as it does so you are aware your body has responded by turning its head to face Ularan, who has already taken a step forward since you started thinking.
A smile slowly forms on your face, as wide as it can. But it is not an expression of joy as your eyes remain cold and fixated on Ularan. The smile opens now, revealing your teeth, almost as if you are planning to tear Ularans throat out.
Ebondeath smiles. Your body responds.
[Idris]
[Since Idris only agreed on having his body taken over not his mind could he sense Ebondeaths intentions?]
[DM]
[Oh yeah, he is absolutely planning to escape. He's just naturally... Scary]