IC: Dichotomy's Age of Worms Redux, Part V(b)

[TiCaudata]

In the morning, Erdolliel approaches the scholar with a gem in hand."Nethezar... This gem happened to be in my gear after we dispatched the 'other' me. I can see that it is magical, but none of the other information. I was wondering if you could let me know about what properties it might have." The elf pauses a second before continuing. "For future incidents, would you prefer that we do not approach your temples for assistance? It seemed that they took some of your property this time..." She let's the unspoken question hang in the air.

 

[Dichotomy]

Nethezar takes the gem. "Give me some time, and I will tell you." The scholar sighs. "While not technically payment, it may be easier for you to simply think of it as such. Those were my notes on all that we'd experienced, seen, and found. Many of my brethren spend more time in books and less time actually experiencing things. Now they have another book. Oh, they would have gotten it eventually. We are always seeking knowledge. But I'd have... filtered some before passing it along. I write in code, of course, but that is no bar to the serious scholars. The biggest bother is that I did not have time to copy it, so now I am trying to piece it all together by memory."

Nethezar shrugs and spends some time with the gem. When he returns, his eyes betray some alarm.

"I don't know precisely how best to put it. Your... thoughts... They are trapped inside this gem. Abilities that allow one to detect thoughts would be able to be used on this gem just as they could on you. I suspect this is how you were so effectively portrayed. While I'm no expert, I think the gem itself is fairly valuable, so it would be a waste to destroy it. But I'd not want this to fall into the wrong hands."

 

[TiCaudata]

"Is there some way we could remove my thoughts from it? Dispell the magic maybe?" Erdolliel muses as she tucks the gem into her clothing. "We can think more on it later if you wish to return to your writing for now."

 

[o3caudata]

"A gem that links to your thoughts, hmmm. I can't say i've ever heard of such a thing but it must be valuable yes, and dangerous."

"Are we prepared for another day of it?"

[sblock=oc]i'm good.[/sblock]

 

[TiCaudata]

Erdolliel finishes her berakfast and nods. "Yes, let us get to it.

 

[TiCaudata]

Erdolliel leads the way back to the mirror maze. At the end of the ladder leading to the now dry tunnel, she ties a knotted rope so that they can get back out much more easily.

 

[Dichotomy]

The trio makes their way back to the warehouse. The door is still unlocked, at it looks just as you left it.

However, once you reach the "well," you find that it has again filled with water.

 

[TiCaudata]

Erdolliel starts tying some ropes together. "We shouldn't have to worry about anything new being down there, but in case there is, it is better to be safe than sorry. If I tug on the rope twice, haul me back quick. If I make it up to the top of the platform, you can tie the rope to the bottom of the ladder so that we can get back out."

Erdolliel then climbs down the ladder and enters the water.[sblock=oc]Hide +15 Spot +13 Move Silently +15. Sneak down the hallway, if I don't see anything, surface and climb up the ladder and then pull the lever. If the water level doesn't go down, pul the lever again. If the water level still doesn't go down, go back under water and walk along the bottom to the others and arrange to all walk along the bottom.

If the water level goes down, tie a rope to the bottom rung of each ladder before proceeding.[/sblock]

 

[o3caudata]

"Agreed." says Kushnak taking hold of the rope.

[sblock=oc]Proceed as Erd stated[/sblock]

 

[Dichotomy]

Erdolliel dives into the water, just like her imposter did the first time. Erdolliel finds nothing in her way to the platform, and she finds the lever in its original position. When she pulls it, Kushnak and Nethezar see the water begin to lower.

"You have the rope handled? Nethezar settles himself into the large bowl to sink down with the lowering water.
[sblock=Ti]Through the still-open doorway to the south, Erdolliel sees someone quickly dart to the east. She doesn't have a chance to see anything other than that it looked like a humanoid who must have been on guard watching.[/sblock]