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Message: <blockquote data-quote="shilsen" data-source="post: 4880902" data-attributes="member: 198">Yes, he's back up there again now, though he may not have been so at this particular point. Some of the others were also fairly generous about giving him big chunks out of their own shares of loot to buy him stuff. Not that it totally mollified him, of course <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />Hah! I just got back from Delhi (my first trip there in a dozen years) only about 6 hours ago! I've never actually been to Jaipur and Varanasi, but I gather that there'll be no end of things to see there, esp. in Jaipur. There are a lot of great places to see in Delhi too, esp. if she's interested in historical monuments, such as Humayun's Tomb, the Red Fort, and Qutab Minar. Does she know anyone in India? I'd highly recommend asking someone local for ideas. And that goes double for bargaining. There really is no fixed bargaining level for tourists, and it varies drastically by location, item and the individual seller. If she could find some reliable and well-informed local person to accompany her, she'd be much better off.I hope that helps.And here's an update to boot!* * * * * When the Angels appear near the gates of Io’lokar and walk up to it, making sure to give the guards a chance to see them, they find two of the Arnaaracaex – the stone giant guardians of the city – waiting. The giants politely ask the group to meet their two friends – that is the two members of the Wayfinder Foundation whom the Angels brought here from Sharn – at the Heights as soon as possible. The giants can say nothing more, explaining that their orders simply come from the higher levels of the city. Prine asks nervously if he is included, but the giants reply in the negative, so when the Angels are about to move on he takes his leave of them. Before going, he asks the Angels to not mention anything about what they discovered to anyone in the city, explaining that he needs to talk to some friends about it first.“Very well,” says Nameless, “But if sharing the information will aid our situation in Khorvaire I will have to do so.”“I understand,” says Prine, “And I wouldn’t ask that of you. Thank you for everything.”Once he has left, the Angels travel swiftly through the city, using the automatically accessible dimension door and fly options to make extremely good time. In minutes they are speaking to Tiem and Fanil in the small shop that the two Wayfinders have been given in the Height, the fourth level of the city, where the colleges are. The two of them are pleased to meet the Angels, explaining that they have already disposed of all the items that they brought and are very desirous of going back to Khorvaire as soon as possible to get more. Fanil also has a sealed envelope, which had been delivered to them with instructions for the Angels to read it forthwith before leaving the city again. When they open it, the Angels find a short, official-looking letter, which says that they – and the two Foundation members – are to present themselves at the Bastion as soon as possible. It is signed “The Masters,” which is what the leaders of the city are called.A little checking from people in the area reveals that the Bastion is the highest level of the city, which contains the chambers and residences of the city’s most powerful residents. It also contains the council chambers of the Masters, the Io’lokari who dedicate themselves to the administration of the city. This is an unelected body which changes from month to month depending on when an Io’lokari wants to join, since anyone powerful enough is allowed to. Citizens are free to speak to the council or attend their meetings whenever they want to, but non-citizens are very rarely allowed or invited to do so.When the Angels and the Foundation members head up to the Bastion, they find that the wall gate is the only one in the city between the different wards which is guarded. Four of the Arnaaracaex stand there, and when the Angels arrive, their leader says, “Greetings. You are expected. Please follow me.” He steps through the arch behind him and waits expectantly. Nameless’ arcane sight reveals a number of powerful warding auras extending from the arch, especially abjurations and divinations. Hence he is unsurprised as there is a momentary shimmer when they step through the archway and everyone’s magical equipment and enhancements fail. For just an instant, as if they had stepped through an infinitely thin anti-magic field. The items and enhancements spring back to life again, but the stone giants are staring at Nameless, who has been revealed in all of his tentacled glory for a second. Tiem and Fanil, after a momentary start, quickly back away from him.The leader of the guards says, calmly but firmly, “What are you? Please reveal your true nature and form.” The other three stand by silently, but their hands are on the hilts of their swords.Six sighs at the question and looks at the two Wayfinders. “Pull up a rock and light a fire; this just might take some time.”Nameless calmly removes the hat of disguise and reveals his true form. “I am what I am. I have transcended and am no longer something that is bounded by the nature of this world. It is difficult to explain exactly what I am, as mortal language is insufficient to convey what that is. It would be like trying to explain color to those who have never seen or sound to those who have never been able to hear. And to be completely honest, I do not fully understand it myself.”“However, I have no desire to conceal or deceive you about what I am. You merely need to ask those we have had dealings with to confirm that. But I do find many are disturbed by what I have become, exactly as you were just now. So I do not advertise the fact that I have Transcended and adopt a more ‘normal’ aspect, for dealing with those who are unfamiliar with what it is I have become.”He smiles slightly. “Believe me, I am far from the strangest thing we have encountered.”The guard leader studies Nameless silently for a few seconds and then says, “Very well. You may enter, since the Masters wish to see you. But don your disguise again. I do not wish to alarm anyone.” He gestures for the group to follow him and heads into the compound, and one of the other giants falls in behind the Angels. Tiem and Fanil look uncertainly back and forth and then follow, keeping a safe distance from Nameless.As the Angels and the Wayfinder Foundation members enter the area beyond the gate, they can see that the Bastion differs from other areas of Io’lokar in that there seems to be a much smaller population here and most of them are more advanced in age, with no children and few people below middle age visible. Some of those walking around look curiously at the newcomers, but nobody stops or questions them.Eventually, the group comes to a large hall, and one of the stone giants asks them to wait outside while he goes in. He returns a few minutes later and leads them in, through a corridor to a large chamber. The stone giants do not enter but simply gesture for the others to do so. Already present in the room, seated around the large semi-circular table in the center, are four figures – a goblin, two humans, and a half-elf. All are elderly and well-dressed, with Nameless picking up multiple powerful magical auras on them and their clothing and possessions. Many more auras are present in the room, of course.The goblin gestures at the row of seats on the flat side of the semi-circular table. “Please, have a seat.” When everyone is seated, he raps on the table and small bowls of refreshments and glasses of wine appear by everyone’s side. “We are the Masters of Io’lokar,” the goblin says, “You are, of course, newcomers to our city, and we would like to know your intentions here.” He stops and waits expectantly.Six replies, “We came to Argonnessen to gain help in defending Khorvaire from a Xoriat invasion. Io’lokar was a suggestion given to us by Bruntutalephion, a dragon we met, where we could find that help. But it’s been slow going. We have made our case to the Chamber and Council and are awaiting their responses. While waiting, we thought some contact between our peoples could be beneficial, so we brought some Wayfinder Foundation members. We could arrange a few more trips, if you want to continue contact with Khorvaire, but our trips here are sporadic since invasion demands make our life erratic.”The Masters listen silently and then exchange glances. Nameless’ arcane sight reveals that they are likely communicating over a telepathic link. The younger of the two humans, a woman with coal-black hair which belies her middle-aged face, now speaks. “Yes, we have heard that you are in contact with the Chamber. What you wish with them and their views on it are your business and immaterial to us. But this ... invasion is an issue, since we naturally do not want it to impact our city adversely in any way.” She spreads her arms, palm-first, before her and continues, “We are a peaceful city, though we are well prepared to defend ourselves when necessary. And we cannot afford to get involved in the affairs of other lands.” She pauses and throws a sharp look at the half-elf, presumably in response to a mental comment, before continuing. “Though individuals may, within reason, choose to do so. Hence, what we wish to ascertain is that contact between Khorvaire and Io’lokar is not going to be disruptive to our society. So, what can you predict about your people and their attitude to our city? Should we expect a number of visitors? And if so, will they be traders, or people like you, who have business with the dragons? Or even refugees from your wars?” The tone of voice indicates that the last of the lot would not be a preferred option.Nameless is the one who replies, saying, “There is unlikely to be much traffic between Io’lokar and here. Very few people in Khorvaire are capable of the magics necessary to travel here and most of them are in this room. The other methods of travel they might use, such as the airships, would take a very long time to reach here and probably can’t survive the hazards of Argonnessen. They may yet find ways though, should things prove sufficiently profitable.”“Yeah, those dragonmarked bastards…,” begins Luna, before Nameless shushes her, causing her to growl and subside.“Pardon me,” says the alienist, continuing to address the Masters, “So any travel here is likely to be at our sufferance and we can restrict or permit it as you wish. We are unlikely to be bringing many people here for the immediate future, as we are Khorvaire’s main line of defense against the forces of Xoriat and that will consume most of our time.” He pauses, making a vague shooing motion at the invisible whippoorwills whose calling is even more annoying than usual, and says, “Assuming we don’t fall in one of the battles.”Nameless frowns at Korm’s barely sotto voce comment of, “Hey – he’s sounding like me!” and continues, “But make no mistake, if we fall and do not stop Xoriat, they will come here eventually. It might not be until Khorvaire falls or it might be mere minutes from now. You have peace for the moment, but if you do not fight, war will come to you. For the daelkyr are spoiled children who delight in breaking their playthings to see what results. They are currently occupied playing with other toys for now, but they do rapidly grow bored with one toy and soon seek others. They are unreliable and mercurial, but one thing is certain,” he concludes grimly, “The fate of those who fall into their hands is never a pleasant one.”The Masters again exchange glances and then reply to Nameless’ comments, leading to a detailed discussion. To the alienist’s disappointment and growing irritation, they show little interest in the war in Khorvaire and much more in avoiding any negative repercussions from it. They emphasize to the Angels that they have lived peacefully for centuries and want no turmoil in the city. And while they are amenable to contact with Khorvaire and will let it continue, they will keep a careful eye on trade between Io’lokar and Khorvaire and control who and what travels between the two.After a short telepathic discussion amongst themselves, the Masters say that the goblin, Dharna, will be in charge of contact with Khorvaire and the details will be handled by him through the Wayfinder Foundation. “As for your war,” Dharna says, “If it impinges further on us then we will – perhaps – have to take a more active role in it.”Irritated, Nameless drops the diplomatic façade that is so hard for him and snaps, “Of course! Nobody cares until it’s their ass on the line!”The Masters all frown, except for the half-elf – who has barely participated in the discussion – who smiles. Gareth steps in smoothly before any of them can say anything, “My companion, naturally, is a little disappointed that you cannot be of more aid, considering that our fellow Khorvairans are fighting and dying at the hands of an otherworldly threat. I hope you can understand that.”Dharna nods and says, “Yes.” Then he looks around at the Angels. “Is there anything else you need to mention?”“No,” says the unmollified Nameless in a biting tone, “The impending end of the world is all we had to mention.”The Masters frown more deeply, but before they can speak there is a polite – and loud – cough from the door. One of the stone giants is poking in his head, and he says, “Masters – your pardon, but you should see this.” There is, as the Angels quickly realize, the soft sounds of a commotion outside.All of the room’s occupants proceed outside the hall to see most of the inhabitants of the Bastion staring off into the distance, as those in the lower circles of Io’lokar are also doing. Miles away, small figures are flying back and forth, and below them the ruins of Io’vakas are exploding again and again, black smoke billowing from the ground.One of the Arnaaracaex guards standing nearby says, “A dragon flew over the city a minute ago and announced that nobody should leave Io’lokar for the next hour, by order of the Eyes of Siberys.”The Angels, having a much better idea of what is going on than the others around them, say nothing about the situation, and most of them are quite pleased when the Masters dismiss them a moment later, asking them to stay in touch. After a quick discussion with Tien and Fanil they decide to return to Khorvaire the next afternoon.As they leave the Bastion, Six takes another look at the dragons ravaging the ruins and snorts mechanically. “Clearly they did not learn anything from their previous attempt to destroy the place.”After stopping at some of the magical artisans in the city to trade away most of the equipment and the mithral that they found in the ruins, the Angels proceed to Nalyna’s place. The old paladin, who has also been studying the draconic activity above Io’vakas, greets them pleasantly and invites them in. When he asks whether they will stay or not, Nameless says that they would like to stay the night. Nalyna says he’d be happy to have them and is looking forward to hearing more stories of their exploits.At an opportune moment, Six speaks to Nalyna alone and tells him all about yuan-ti, including the discovery of the Mask, the powers it possessed, and what eventually occurred. Nalyna takes the information with interest but also with equanimity, not seeming at all surprised when the warforged mentions that they didn’t tell the Masters and that he leaves it to the paladin’s discretion whether to tell them or not. “I will think about it,” says Nalyna thoughtfully, “But I likely will not have to discuss it with them. But I’m pleased that you trusted me enough to tell me, so thank you. Yuan-ti are anathema to dragons and to this city, perhaps the only thing that would be seen as worse being half-dragons.” “Interesting,” says Six. “I will have to learn more about these matters from you, but right now we are busy with other things. We’re leaving tomorrow. Oh, if you get a chance to contact Prine, could you tell him we are? He might want to come along.”Nalyna promises to do so, before Six and he rejoin the others. When they do, they find Nameless smiling uncharacteristically from ear to ear. “I have a small diversion planned for tomorrow, Nalyna. You might be interested.”“What kind of diversion?” asks Six.“Remember the twins leading the aberration army – the ones who escaped us? I’m planning to summon one using a greater planar binding spell. And then…,” he makes a cutting gesture across his throat. Once they explain a little more, Nalyna says, “Certainly. It’ll be good to have a little real exercise for once, and this sounds like a worthwhile endeavor. We can use my gymnasium, if you like.”“We would appreciate that,” says Nameless, “But don’t blame us for any damage to it, okay?”Nalyna promises not to do so and, after a little more conversation, leaves to make arrangements for dinner. After a good meal, the Angels (except for Six, of course) turn in early, expecting to have a busy morning. Hence none of them notice when a scrying sensor pops into existence, hovering above the sleepers for a few minutes before disappearing.* * * * * The next morning, after a heavy breakfast, the Angels make their preparations, beginning with a divination cast by Gareth. The question he asks is “How best can we defeat the twins?” The answer he receives is – “Use blades of goodness to mar their tarnished flesh. Focus your blows on one, since both will feel the effect. But beware their deaths, for they shall spread destruction around them.”“That’s not really reassuring,” says Luna, and Korm glances at Nalyna and says, “You’re sure we can use your gymnasium?”“Yes,” says the paladin. “It’s well-constructed and built to absorb inadvertent damage. I think it’ll be fine.”“Your loss,” shrugs Korm, with a grin. “So, shall we get ready?”An hour later, the Angels have made all their preparations and are prepared and waiting with Nalyna in his gymnasium. Multiple protective spells are cast, before Nameless says, “I shall begin now,” and proceeds to cast his spell. The entire process takes ten minutes, near the end of which he warns his allies, so that they can cast even more protections and augmentations.And then Nameless completes his spell ... and not one but two very surprised looking creatures appear in the center of the room.</blockquote>

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