(5E) D&D/Moorcock Multiverse Inspiration PBP

[Steve Gorak]

The hobgoblin attempted to back into the corner to no avail. He spat and sputtered. "Jush one! Jush one!" He had his hairy hands up and dared not make any sudden movements.

Menacingly, Selythin continues his interrogation “You are cooperating, good. I’m sure you are noticing that you’re still alive. Keep it up. Tell me about this “one”. Who is he, what does he do? And what about those fiends, any more of them here?”

OOC: insight check: 19

 

[Steve Gorak]

double post

 

[CharlotteOz]

Alan looked to his left, then his right, then pointed at himself. First a princess and now a queen? he thought. Okay. I need some answers.

"Everyone insists that I'm a princess or a queen or some kind of feminine royalty and - look, I have been through a lot. You are asking me to take a lot on faith, including the notion that everything about my life, down to my gender and my ancestry, is not what I thought it was. I - is there any way you can prove to me that I am who you say I am, this Aloe. If I'm under some spell that disguises me, I'd like it undone. If there's something I have to do... I just want proof." He shook his head. "That's all. Just some way to know."

 

[JharyOConnah]

Selythin had the hobgoblin still up against the wall. The big hairy guy had his hands up and was still eagerly cooperating. He stared hard at Selythin. "Theresh jush Fib'Karna...bossh mansh upshstairs..." He pointed UP with large index finger. "Bossh Fib'Karna and he'ssh makin' tha beastssh..."

It was difficult to understand the brute's accent, but it was obvious he was saying his boss was above.

The hunched little pixie, Oovin, the former grand vizier to the now-dead-queen sipped at the water one more time, panting.

He gestured at the hobgoblin, then he spoke again:

"I think the hairy jailor means the guy upstairs. His boss...some pompous wizard who thinks that Chaos's blessings will last forever...His name's Fib'Karna. We fought. He killed the queen so Chaos gifted him YOUR kingdom...princess...err...queen...Aloe..."

He looked around, at Alan and Selythin, Page and Eovin. Sighed loud. A tear welled up in his eye.

"As for proof...and the powerful illusion which protected you, cocoon-like, until now...If we can reclaim my wand...The Grand Vizier's Rod...which, unfortunately is upstairs in Fib'Karna's clutches...THEN I could remove the magic and reveal your destiny..."

He looked at Eovin, still hovering nearby, rubbing her head after the good whack in the hallway. She muttered something about a welt.

"As for you, Eovin, I suspect you suspect what I suspect...err...My name is Oovin...I'm your kin. The Grand Vizier's lineage is in your blood...magic...destiny...If things would've worked out better I would've come and brought you here myself. Unfortunate. Unfortunate indeed. Your folks would've been proud you made it here all on your own anyway...And to help your dear, decrepit old uncle..."

He looked around at everyone, sniffling wildly. "Does anyone have a hanky?"

Page looked around. After a moment cousin Zenythin produced a handkerchief. "Keep it..."

Oovin blew his nose loudly, a weird sound reverberating about the small dungeon, before he continued:

"So...simply put...Aloe...queen...Eovin...vizier...your destinies shall be fulfilled if you can just retrieve my rod from Chaos' thrall, Fib'Karna...He's taken over the queen's chambers above...with rod in hand I can remove the magic illusions which blind you. You'll see! In the meantime...I'm too old for fighting. And there will be more fighting...I'm sure there are more Chaos beasts...He summons them from the tainted rod...But no more fighting for me...Is there somewhere safe you could escort this old pixie?"

* * *

 

[jmucchiello]

"This place seems to lack comfort. But it is certainly safe," Eovin says. "Outside the tower is no more safe that inside with these Chaos Beasts, I'm afraid. I doubt you want to come with us."

 

[CharlotteOz]

"The Grand Vizer's rod." Alan nodded, and ran a hand through his hair nervously. "It'll undo this... it doesn't feel like an illusion? But... regardless, it should probably be on our side."

He sucked in a deep breath. "What else do we need to know? Guards and other mercenaries? How many chaos beasts can he summon?"

 

[JharyOConnah]

The wrinkly old pixie, Oovin, blew his nose again...loudly. He looked up at Eovin. "I suppose you're right, dear. A sufficient read of the situation...Seems you'll be a good grand vizier to princess...err...queen Aloe here... I'll stay here where it's safe. Perhaps you could remove the hobgoblin and leave Page... I'd feel less like I'm in prison..."

He glanced at the still-cowering jailor. "Not that it hasn't been REAL old chum... I'll remember you always!"

Then the old pixie shifted his gaze to Alan. "No doubt, princess, there are more hobgoblins above. Couldn't be more than a handful, though... Although I have been locked away, I get the distinct feeling Chaos's main body has moved on... There will be more beasts, however... Who knows how many the corrupted rod of the vizier can create... Be prepared for the worst, your highness..."

Zenythin lounged against the wall nearby and gave a loud sigh. "Any chance of figuring out where the hell we are or a way back home?" He spoke to no one in particular, but glanced at Selythin and raised his eyebrows to punctuate the remark.

Page moved across the room and took a seat next to the old pixie Oovin.

 

[Steve Gorak]

Selythin thinks out loud “We need to know what’s up there. And we need to get to that rod fast. Do any of you have the ability to scout discreetly to find who’s there and where the rod is?”

 

[CharlotteOz]

Alan frowned. "I suppose I can try... stealth isn't really my thing, but I've picked up a little here and a little there."

 

[JharyOConnah]

(You can send one person ahead or all stealth to the upper floors. Go ahead and give me a Stealth check whoever goes. If you all sneak up, I need two out of three to succeed. )