Endur's Return to TOEE part 3

Lylamwyn (crystal ball Knowledge Arcana: 11+21=32) understands and explains to Lenya all of the ways that a Crystal Ball with ESP can be used to view others and read their surface thoughts. Lylamwyn also explains that powerful beings might resist or even have ways to attack someone viewing them or reading their mind.

Lylamwyn (orb of silvery death knowledge arcana 1+21=22, lore 14+6=20, knowledge religion 19+6=25, knowledge planes 16+18=34) isn't certain about the Orb of Silvery Death, a rounded silver skull with four small niches placed equidistant around the crown. He believes it is an artifact created by the cultists of Elemental Evil. When Elmo, Otto, and Canoness Y'Dey fought against the original Temple of Elemental Evil, one of the artifacts utilized by the Temple was the Orb of Golden Death. This Orb of Silvery Death seems similar to the Orb of Golden Death. Lenya and Lylamwyn discover that the Orb of Silvery Death gives its bearer the powers at will of discern lies, detect good, detect evil, cause fear, and poison. Lylamwyn knows that the Orb of Golden Death prevented evil cultists (and even the dieties and demon lords that supported the cult) from affecting the orb bearer with their spells; it is possible that the silver orb might be similar. Likewise, the Golden orb allowed the bearer to charm and command evil creatures; the silver orb might have a similar power. Additional powers were granted when one of the elemental gems was placed in the skull. Lastly Lylamwyn knows that the golden orb could corrupt someone that used its magical powers, turning that person into a cultist of evil over time.

Lylamwyn (Fragarach knowledge arcana 16+21=37, lore 9+6=15, knowledge religion 11+6=17, knowledge planes 6+18=24) explains to Torn that Fragarach is a powerful artifact and the original Sword of Answering. It was originally fashioned for a demigod from another plane and eventually passed into the Oerth when the Gods of Good gave it to Prince Thrommel to oppose the Temple of Elemental Evil. Although the bearer of the sword is somewhat slower in swinging the hefty broadsword, the swordbearer never misses those who attacked the swordbearer first. How the cultists obtained the Sword and what happened to Prince Thrommel is a mystery.

Lylamwyn (Talisman of Pure Good knowledge arcana 11+21=32, lore 20+6=26, knowledge religion 9+6=15, knowledge planes 9+18=27) explains to Belaver that the Talisman of Pure Good is an item of extreme potence that a divine spellcaster who is pure good can use to open up a crack in the earth below a divine spellcaster that is utterly evil and banish that evil spellcaster forever. Depending on how pure in thought the good spellcaster is, the enchantment may be unresistable by the evil spellcaster.

Lylamwyn (Deck of Many Things knowledge arcana 10+21=31, lore 12+6=18, knowledge religion 15+6=21, knowledge planes 18+18=36) explains to Kerwyn that the Deck of Many Things allows someone to draw between one and four cards once. Several people can draw from a deck with 1 to 4 cards each, but each person only get one draw. Each card might confer a benefit or an awful fate upon the drawer.

Lenya uses the crystal ball and sees her Mother Aeryn asleep alone in bed. Then she finds her brother Valeris drinking in a tavern.

Lenya is unable to see her sister Sheila. Likewise, Lenya is unable to see the Red Dragon.

Lylamwyn counsels Lenya that there are many reasons why she might not be able to see someone. Perhaps it is too dark to see, or they have a strong will and are resisting the spell, or they may be someplace that is magically protected.

After a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast, Raner straps his armor back on for the first time in days. Feeling better about the situation now that he's no longer locked in a prison cell, he figures he may as well bring it up since no one else has yet.

So, where to next? Seems we have at least three valid choices, each with their ups and downs.

Me, I'm thinkin' we should try an' rescue Craven."

Lenya

“That would be the logical choice, and the closest of the various goals. Before we head to the Temple of Elemental Evil, we will need to find a way to prevent Hedrack from using his magic upon us again. Without that it would be futile to go up against them.”

Toriah responds "Is Hedrack the only cultist that can render us helpless with a few words? Varachan said the rulers of the cult are still in the Black Tower where Craven is being held."

Lenya

“...but not in the basement. And I sure hope they don't come down from their cozy place to join the defense of the tower together with their minions. He said there is another temple at the top, that is where we would find them, if we were looking for them, I suppose.”

"Depending on the construction of the tower, we might not even need to face the masters directly. With the right spells and summonings, we could collapse the entire Black Tower from the basement, after we've freed the prisoners."

Toriah adds, "Defeat the masters of the tower without fighting them directly? That sounds like a great idea!
"Although it might be hard to loot a collapsed tower. Fragile stuff will break."

Lenya

“So what? If we can get by without facing these madmen directly, that's well worth to lose some of the loot.” Lenya then laughs and says. “We sound like their stuff already belongs to us. Maybe we should better make one step after the other. And see that we do not fall over the cliff in the meantime.”

OOC: Sorry for my extended absense. I've caught up with the thread now...

Torn is relieved to know who the traitor in their midst is. This had been bothering her ever since the ghost told them about it. She's also very glad to see that Varachan has seen the error in his ways and has helped them. There is hope more will defect from the cult as their dream of destruction draws nearer. For whom but the insane would want such a fate for Oearth.

Torn marvels at the mighty sword which was given to her. She doesn't doubt that she is the one to use it. The gods must take an interest in these events, for they are very serious. Perhaps this is how Heironeious has chosen to help her. Wearing Naquent's armor and so armed, she feels up to most challenges.

"I agree that we should return to the tower. It is simply too far to the other places to expect to get back in time to be of any assistance to our former companions and the ambassador."