Time Well Spent

[Tom Cashel]

ACT I: The Contract

Your surroundings change as you stumble back through the vortex.

The Nexus Room is gone. You stand in a chamber whose walls are only a hazy violet fog (Spellcraft check). Actual stone walls are visible, but they seem somehow disconnected from your reality. You also see three shapes moving about, but they are also insubstantial...mere images.

The only things that have substance here are a stone sarcophagus covered with somewhat familiar carvings (Knowledge: Arcana or Knowledge: History check) and an extremely tall figure who looks as though he is composed of shadows. His black tattered cloaks move like wisps of smoke, his pupils are a fiery shade of red, and his skin is a dusky ashen tint.

“Glad you could make it on such short notice,” whispers the tall figure. “Will you parley, or must I command your obedience?”

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

"No, no, old chap. No need for that. You've got my attention."

I sit down on stone sarcophagus

"Have you any tea?"

I scan my memory for who this gentleman is and what spells I have memorized

 

[Tom Cashel]

You've no idea who he is.

"Ah, good...shall we make a deal then?"

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

"Sorry, friend... I don't usually deal with mysterious strangers (although there was that mysterious and strange woman in Suzail, but that was an altogether different sort of deal which didn't turn out as expected in any case... )

"Sorry, did you say something about tea?"

 

[Tom Cashel]

"You have no choice, Lucius Foxhound. I have brought you here, and if I chose could command you to perform a service without recompense."

"But I find that free-willed servants are much more...reliable."

"So I offer you this ring, a ring of the darkhidden..." He holds a silver ring (marked all around its circumference with masks) between thumb and forefinger. "...in return for the item you shall procure for me. When you have the item in your possession, you will return to me, and your debt of servitude is discharged."

"If you know anything about Gates, then you'll know I speak the truth. I warn you not to trifle with me."

"...and I have no tea here." He smiles. A chill runs down your spine when you see the elongated fangs where canines should be.

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

Lucius shudders.

"No tea, eh? Too bad... I've got a bad case of the chills just being here on the Ethereal Plane."

"A Ring of the Darkhidden, eh? Lovely, that. Would've come in handy against orcs I just had to deal with. Ah, well. I suppose I've got no choice. But before I agree, tell me about this item you're so keen on."

Taps on the coffin.

"By the way, may I ask who is in the box? Is it a Nether? I've always wanted to see one ... "

 

[Tom Cashel]

"You wanted to explore that mysterious cave as well..." he chuckles. "Now you can say you've done both."

"I am Calumn. When this valley was a thriving military outpost, I commanded it...but that was quite a long time ago. Empires have risen and fallen since I have been trapped here."

"The item I wish you to procure is nothing, really...a trifle. An hourglass with obsidian endcaps, filled with green sand. I believe I have located its current whereabouts--or at least close by. I will send you there, you will retrieve it. As soon as you lay hand upon it you will return to me."

"Then I will give you this ring, which will render you invisible to darkvision as long as you wear it."

"As for the sarcophagus...that is my bed."

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

"I am Lucius Foxhound, Calumn. A pleasure.

"So, I see. So this hourglass is located with the cave then?

"Perhaps this artifact has the power to free you from your prison? That would be quite valuable to you indeed. And as my grandfather once told me, anything is value is guarded by dangerous, dangerous things.

"And since I'm more of an entertainer than a Wizard, I truly would like to risk my skin for something more than a ring that hides me from dwarves. But if that's all you have to offer ...

 

[Tom Cashel]

"No...you are located within that cave. Those hazy images you see moving about are my spawn on the Material Plane, readying themselves to hunt down and destroy your companions.

"Here is a counteroffer. Accept the ring, or I will make you my Spawn as well. The you will willingly help me find someone capable of undertaking this task. And then serve me for all eternity, of course.

"Well? I am growing impatient, Master Foxhound."

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

Lucius stays quiet a few seconds ... then looks up at the Vampire.

"Hmmm. I've considered your counteroffer and do think I'd rather go with the original proposition, if its all the same with you. The ring will do nicely in return for the hourglass... with one small addition...

"After I complete the task, I would ask that you or your minions not hunt down and destroy myself or my companions.

"Agreed, Master Calumn?"