(5.24 PBP) Vault of the Dracolich (IC) Redux

TEAM LAKEFILTRATE - SUBJECT:SHADE-9 - Mark of the fallen star.

Shade-9 remained back with the kayaks, motionless in a shaded recess, just outside the glow of the sword and lanterns. He observed as the two Teams integrated, logging behaviour, accessing profiles and making status assessments
The voices of the two teams mingled—organic tones layered with fatigue, relief, and quiet apprehension. Aywin’s calm leadership again acted as the anchor point, guiding both groups into a semblance of order.

[Identification of allied party members Designation: Team Infiltrate
Lorent Species:Aasimar
Arcane Scholar - Adjunct:Saphirion?
Copper Species:Goliath
Stealth Operative
Terrin Species:Human
Cleric Scholar
STATUS: identification Confirmed. Subjects Display signs of general fatigue, stress levels elevated - REST ADVISED

UNIDENTIFIED [SUBJECT: SPECIES DROW] - Designated STRYKE: Ally status pending confirmation - Monitoring
]

The warforged ranger shifted as Stryke stepped forward to share the story of his capture and disposal of the Bhaalite Idol. Shade-9 could tell that the drow was not entirely comfortable with the current alliance, but circumstance had thrown their lot together and seemed to be directing them towards the south east pool.

Still disturbing the hydra did not present as an optimal choice to Shade-9, especially as previous interaction suggested the creature was non-hostile unless provoked, happy to snap at the passing fish - or the legs of a wayward frog.

But if their success required that the Bhaalite statue be recovered from the Hydras pool before the combined team could proceed, then confrontation seemed inevitable. Shade-9 reviewed what he knew of such creatures, assessment of allied team capabilities and the optimum strategies for entry to the hydra lair without significant carnage.

The silver light of Terrins sunlit lantern striking the obelisk gleamed at the edge of the warforged' optics, and Shade-9 focussed in as the elfish runes revealed themselves with a weak radiant flux and a subaudible vibration [frequency harmonic with subterranean currents - speculate: arcane containment resonance]

Terrin called upon his diety and Shade-9 wondered if the hydra and the obelisk were connected? Could it be the Evil that the obelisk sought to mark and contain, or had it merely be drawn by the residue spilt forth by the obelisks destruction?

[Updating Mission directive: Retrieve Bhaalite idol -/-> determine obelisk containment data for mission archive]
too many variables, too many unknowns ...
 
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"Why not do both. Shade is invisible, you cast invisibility, use druidic spell for additional stralth and with two of you if something goes wrong you have backup." Lorent rests and prepares to call his familiar back, but follows the discussion
 

Terrin AC:15* HP:18/31(36) HD:4/4 PP:14 SSdc14 1/4 2/3 CD:2/2 Slp:0/1
"Yes, Imani himself taught me that art in my apprenticeship," says Terrin in response to Lorent's question.

He props his staff against the nearest cave wall, so as to continue to illuminate his work area, and, aided by Lorent's advice, lifts the chunk of stone into place, carefully aligning and reuniting the two halves of the broken rune in a way he hopes will restore the seal's magic. Reaching into a pouch under his grey robes, he takes out a pair of black metallic stones and passes them ceremonially over the crack in the obelisk several times as he holds the chunk of stone firmly in place and chants out a string of esoteric words for about a minute after which the two sides have been fused together.

 

Team Caves

Urgan allowed Valendra to stand, holding her wrists and threatening her with violent retribution should she resist, while Merrick questioned her, Torhak took the lone remaining mercenary into custody, and Shamal recovered himself.

Valendra answered, "I am not a member of the Cult of the Dragon. I am part of the Arcane Brotherhood from Luskan. Dulsen here is a mercenary from Iriaebor. If your beef is with the Dragon-lovers for usurping your temple, Bhaalite, you should take it up with Wyrmspeaker Silakul."

She went on to answer regarding the green crystals, "That is what I am trying to discover. It seems that this ancient vessel was transporting something from far away. Something not of Toril."
 

Team Lakefiltrate

Terrin lifted the stone into place and used his magical training to mend it into its spot. Not only did he recognize the symbols that glowed on its newly-reformed surface, but he was shown a vision. In his minds eye, he stood on a great height - a flying platform made of living wood, twisted in beautiful elven craftsmanship. Other elves in bright-coloured robes, holding staves of power stood nearby. All were looking out over the forest from high above, and chanting words of power and protective magic.

From the nearby clouds came a thunderous roar and a meteor struck through them, all aflame. One elf shouted how they "could not stop it", so the Uvarenni Mages instead turned their efforts to redirecting the meteor to turn away from the more populated area below to land in the forest near a river and small mountain. It did with fiery destruction - earth exploded upward, the forest burned, the river turned to steam.

His vision moved forward in time, as the elves battled earth elementals that rose from the crater. Eventually, they constructed nine obelisks around the crater-site, and the elementals were trapped, turned to black stone. They buried the site, and the forest grew back over it (though the river's route had been changed, now plunging over a waterfall where it had once meandered down a slope).

The Uvarenni Mages were content that they had contained the threat. As Terrin returned to himself, he saw the final mark that he had revealed with his repair: The mark of Ogremoch, Prince of Elemental Evil. Sealed away for thousands of years, and forgotten when the elves of Uvaren fell, their knowledge lost to history.

OOC: Terrin receives an Uvarenni Blessing: He has Advantage on Wisdom Saves for 24 hours.
 

"I don't care why you're here. We're stopping the cult. And you're helping them or at least not oppose them. If you know of more statues, help us, we help you." Torhak never trained negotiation, he is direct in his offer, but knows enough not to offer information freely.
 

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