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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Nonlethal Force" data-source="post: 3439664" data-attributes="member: 35788">Chapter Six: A SNARE OF THEIR OWNIt had now been a full week since the party returned from Quehalost.  The druid had indeed returned with a look of pure enjoyment on his face.  The bears parted when they saw him coming in order to allow the druid to approach Ischarus and deliver the Black Arum root.  Ischarus and Semeion each had less than pleasant things to say about the agreement, but they held their strongest emotions in check.  There was no sense aggravating the druid.Ophee had collapsed from pain and blood loss, but she was not dead.  Surprisingly, the ape had managed to take reasonable care of her once she had fallen into his chest.  Either the ape had been well trained or it was smart enough to realize that Ophee’s life was important to the completion of the druid’s deal.  Once the Black Arum root had been delivered and the druid had retreated from Ischarus and Semeion once more, the ape brought Ophee and laid her at Ischarus’ feet.  Charis immediately approached and revived her through a healing spell.  There was little she could do with regard to Ophee’s arm.The druid insisted that the party be escorted out of his land until they could arrive at a place where Ophee’s master could safely teleport them back to Eberdeen.  Froves made up the largest portion of the force, but several apes and baboons served as sentries and scouted ahead under the cover of the trees.  Nothing in the land challenged the party with the phrenic host watching their exit from the land.  When they reached the edge of the druid’s forest, the teleport was completed by Ophee’s master.Of course, Ischarus and Semeion had less than polite things to say to the wizard upon their return.  Most of the dialogue focused around Ophee’s great sacrifice.  The wizard’s reaction to Ophee’s sacrifice was considerably odd.  As Ischarus and Semeion were offering a great display of anger, the wizard merely laughed.  He then proceeded to explain that a wizard of his magnificence had many connections throughout the land, and many of those connections were to high ranking officials in some of the priestly orders.The wizard examined Ophee, and found her sacrifice in his service to be genuine.  One of the wizard’s connections was summoned and an agreement was struck.  Ophee’s arm was regenerated over the course of several hours through the use of healing magic far beyond Charis’ understanding.  The wizard supplied the full payment of over one thousand gold pieces as a donation to the priest’s order in exchange for the service.That was the last that the party saw of the wizard for the week.  They had been told that the Black Arum root would need to be examined and tested for its purity. And the process would take a week.  The party was invited to spend their time within the wizard’s quarters until the examination had been completed.  Only once the root was confirmed to be a pure enough sample would the wizard agree to reveal the name of the connection that the party sought within the Ephistaemi.Surprisingly, the week had passed by quickly.  The entire party spent several stunned days at Ophee’s regenerated appendage and her quick ability to relearn its use.  None of the party had known that such a powerful magic existed in the land, and once Ophee was restored they each felt a bit sheepish in their original objection to the wizard and even the misaligned druid’s requirement of sacrifice.  If nothing else the wizard’s devotion to Ophee’s servitude could not be doubted when he hardly blinked at the cost of restoring her to wholeness.  Yet, over the course of the week they had come to grips with their reactions and the realization that they would likely react that way to any physical sacrifice again even knowing what they learned from the experience.After the full week of time had expired, the wizard summoned the party to his office and laboratory within the wizard’s college.  In truth, the party was more or less teleported without their permission.  Fortunately, they were summoned at a time when they were simply relaxing and not out in the public.The wizard greeted the party before any of them could object to the manner of their summoning.  “I have done significant testing of the Black Arum root and am pleased with its results.  It would appear that your quest and Opheiluka’s offer had pleased the druid enough that he gave you a terrific sample of root.  This is one of the most pure samples that I have ever been able to procure.”Semeion looked up to the wizard and smiled honestly.  “Well, thank the gods for that.  The past weeks have not been exactly a highlight of our lives, and I’d like to think that a sufficient ending like this might make it worthwhile.”Rhema nodded in agreement and continued to speak.  “I completely agree.  And now that you know the sample is excellent, I hope that your end of the bargain with help us just as much as you have already been helped.  I would like to find out who in the Ephistaemi are responsible for what was done to my father’s villa.  So, what can you tell us?”The wizard motioned for the party to be seated, and once they were comfortable he took a chair himself.  “As you know, the Ephistaemi are difficult to break into their ranks.  However, can I assume for a moment that you still have access to Darkbringer?”Semeion and Ischarus exchanged looks and then nodded.  Semeion spoke again with confidence.  “I believe that is a reasonable assumption.  Those who hold Darkbringer are easily contacted and we have an equal exchange of trust.  We shouldn’t have too much difficulty arranging for another time of interrogation.”The wizard smiled.  “Good.  If that is the case, then your work will be made much easier.  Interrogate Darkbringer again.  As her work with the Ephistaemi should no doubt indicate, she has been given an absolute failsafe that will free her tongue.  I was unable to uncover who she received her orders from, but I understand that her command word was Phoenix.  I believe that choice was appropriate considering what has actually happened to the villa.”Charis sighed at the connection.  “Let’s hope that the use of the word Phoenix is more appropriate than they expect.  The villa will rise again from the ashes caused by the great fire that destroyed it.”Ischarus chimed in with a more tactical response.  “So, you are telling me that all we need to do is go to Darkbringer and tell her the command word Phoenix?  That word alone will get her to spill her guts?”The wizard nodded in the affirmative.  “Indeed.  I am sure of it.  But, might I suggest taking a different form when you do interrogate her?  She already knows your forms and likely wouldn’t believe you when you use the command word.  But, I have need of Opheiluka here for a few more days.  You would be free to use Opheiluka’s image as a disguise when you re-interrogate Darkbringer.”Ophee’s face crossed with a look of disgust.  “You send me to Quehalost but you won’t allow me to help them in return?  They are headed back to Fingerdale.  Is that not still to be my area for gathering the information that you seek?”The wizard looked lovingly into Ophee’s eyes.  “My dear Opheiluka, your sacrifice to my cause has shown your loyalty to me.  Of course you will be returned there.  You have more than made up for your earlier blunders.  I need you to remain here for a few days before you return to Fingerdale.  I have a need for you to gather some significant information for me, and I need to train you specifically for that mission.  I did not think it important enough for you to join them to delay their mission for a few days.  Once you have completed your training here and begun your mission in Fingerdale, you would be welcome to join them on the side if they have you.  It would just mean that you miss the interrogation of Darkbringer, that’s all.  You would be welcome to help them in any further capacity, of course.  I trust you to manage your time between my needs and your hobbies.”Charis and Rhema both felt their stomachs turn at the wizard’s tone.  As women, they were affected by some of the wizard’s control over Ophee, but only so much as to have deeper insight into its presence than either Semeion or Ischarus.  The wizard was obviously controlling Ophee to some extent, but it was not clear as to if the control was simply from a charismatic leadership or from a magical base.  They watched as Ophee’s face melted into his tone and lost the expression of disgust that she had earlier worn.  Her face now appeared as one eager to do the bidding of the wizard.Ophee replied, “Yes, sir.  So long as you assure me that I will be able to help them in the future, I suppose I can miss out on the interrogation.  I have your word that I can help them?”The wizard smiled and reached out a hand to caress her chin.  “My word, Opheiluka, is as good as a promise.  I guarantee that you will be able to rejoin their efforts.”[Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section]Chapter Six: A SNARE OF THEIR OWNIt had now been a full week since the party returned from Quehalost. The druid had indeed returned with a look of pure enjoyment on his face. The bears parted when they saw him coming in order to allow the druid to approach Ischarus and deliver the Black Arum root. Ischarus and Semeion each had less than pleasant things to say about the agreement, but they held their strongest emotions in check. There was no sense aggravating the druid.Ophee had collapsed from pain and blood loss, but she was not dead. Surprisingly, the ape had managed to take reasonable care of her once she had fallen into his chest. Either the ape had been well trained or it was smart enough to realize that Ophee’s life was important to the completion of the druid’s deal. Once the Black Arum root had been delivered and the druid had retreated from Ischarus and Semeion once more, the ape brought Ophee and laid her at Ischarus’ feet. Charis immediately approached and revived her through a healing spell. There was little she could do with regard to Ophee’s arm.The druid insisted that the party be escorted out of his land until they could arrive at a place where Ophee’s master could safely teleport them back to Eberdeen. Froves made up the largest portion of the force, but several apes and baboons served as sentries and scouted ahead under the cover of the trees. Nothing in the land challenged the party with the phrenic host watching their exit from the land. When they reached the edge of the druid’s forest, the teleport was completed by Ophee’s master.Of course, Ischarus and Semeion had less than polite things to say to the wizard upon their return. Most of the dialogue focused around Ophee’s great sacrifice. The wizard’s reaction to Ophee’s sacrifice was considerably odd. As Ischarus and Semeion were offering a great display of anger, the wizard merely laughed. He then proceeded to explain that a wizard of his magnificence had many connections throughout the land, and many of those connections were to high ranking officials in some of the priestly orders.The wizard examined Ophee, and found her sacrifice in his service to be genuine. One of the wizard’s connections was summoned and an agreement was struck. Ophee’s arm was regenerated over the course of several hours through the use of healing magic far beyond Charis’ understanding. The wizard supplied the full payment of over one thousand gold pieces as a donation to the priest’s order in exchange for the service.That was the last that the party saw of the wizard for the week. They had been told that the Black Arum root would need to be examined and tested for its purity. And the process would take a week. The party was invited to spend their time within the wizard’s quarters until the examination had been completed. Only once the root was confirmed to be a pure enough sample would the wizard agree to reveal the name of the connection that the party sought within the Ephistaemi.Surprisingly, the week had passed by quickly. The entire party spent several stunned days at Ophee’s regenerated appendage and her quick ability to relearn its use. None of the party had known that such a powerful magic existed in the land, and once Ophee was restored they each felt a bit sheepish in their original objection to the wizard and even the misaligned druid’s requirement of sacrifice. If nothing else the wizard’s devotion to Ophee’s servitude could not be doubted when he hardly blinked at the cost of restoring her to wholeness. Yet, over the course of the week they had come to grips with their reactions and the realization that they would likely react that way to any physical sacrifice again even knowing what they learned from the experience.After the full week of time had expired, the wizard summoned the party to his office and laboratory within the wizard’s college. In truth, the party was more or less teleported without their permission. Fortunately, they were summoned at a time when they were simply relaxing and not out in the public.The wizard greeted the party before any of them could object to the manner of their summoning. “I have done significant testing of the Black Arum root and am pleased with its results. It would appear that your quest and Opheiluka’s offer had pleased the druid enough that he gave you a terrific sample of root. This is one of the most pure samples that I have ever been able to procure.”Semeion looked up to the wizard and smiled honestly. “Well, thank the gods for that. The past weeks have not been exactly a highlight of our lives, and I’d like to think that a sufficient ending like this might make it worthwhile.”Rhema nodded in agreement and continued to speak. “I completely agree. And now that you know the sample is excellent, I hope that your end of the bargain with help us just as much as you have already been helped. I would like to find out who in the Ephistaemi are responsible for what was done to my father’s villa. So, what can you tell us?”The wizard motioned for the party to be seated, and once they were comfortable he took a chair himself. “As you know, the Ephistaemi are difficult to break into their ranks. However, can I assume for a moment that you still have access to Darkbringer?”Semeion and Ischarus exchanged looks and then nodded. Semeion spoke again with confidence. “I believe that is a reasonable assumption. Those who hold Darkbringer are easily contacted and we have an equal exchange of trust. We shouldn’t have too much difficulty arranging for another time of interrogation.”The wizard smiled. “Good. If that is the case, then your work will be made much easier. Interrogate Darkbringer again. As her work with the Ephistaemi should no doubt indicate, she has been given an absolute failsafe that will free her tongue. I was unable to uncover who she received her orders from, but I understand that her command word was Phoenix. I believe that choice was appropriate considering what has actually happened to the villa.”Charis sighed at the connection. “Let’s hope that the use of the word Phoenix is more appropriate than they expect. The villa will rise again from the ashes caused by the great fire that destroyed it.”Ischarus chimed in with a more tactical response. “So, you are telling me that all we need to do is go to Darkbringer and tell her the command word Phoenix? That word alone will get her to spill her guts?”The wizard nodded in the affirmative. “Indeed. I am sure of it. But, might I suggest taking a different form when you do interrogate her? She already knows your forms and likely wouldn’t believe you when you use the command word. But, I have need of Opheiluka here for a few more days. You would be free to use Opheiluka’s image as a disguise when you re-interrogate Darkbringer.”Ophee’s face crossed with a look of disgust. “You send me to Quehalost but you won’t allow me to help them in return? They are headed back to Fingerdale. Is that not still to be my area for gathering the information that you seek?”The wizard looked lovingly into Ophee’s eyes. “My dear Opheiluka, your sacrifice to my cause has shown your loyalty to me. Of course you will be returned there. You have more than made up for your earlier blunders. I need you to remain here for a few days before you return to Fingerdale. I have a need for you to gather some significant information for me, and I need to train you specifically for that mission. I did not think it important enough for you to join them to delay their mission for a few days. Once you have completed your training here and begun your mission in Fingerdale, you would be welcome to join them on the side if they have you. It would just mean that you miss the interrogation of Darkbringer, that’s all. You would be welcome to help them in any further capacity, of course. I trust you to manage your time between my needs and your hobbies.”Charis and Rhema both felt their stomachs turn at the wizard’s tone. As women, they were affected by some of the wizard’s control over Ophee, but only so much as to have deeper insight into its presence than either Semeion or Ischarus. The wizard was obviously controlling Ophee to some extent, but it was not clear as to if the control was simply from a charismatic leadership or from a magical base. They watched as Ophee’s face melted into his tone and lost the expression of disgust that she had earlier worn. Her face now appeared as one eager to do the bidding of the wizard.Ophee replied, “Yes, sir. So long as you assure me that I will be able to help them in the future, I suppose I can miss out on the interrogation. I have your word that I can help them?”The wizard smiled and reached out a hand to caress her chin. “My word, Opheiluka, is as good as a promise. I guarantee that you will be able to rejoin their efforts.”[/Sblock]</blockquote>

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