Kheti

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Revision as of 10:03, 6 December 2011

Human. Resident of Kerthis. Expert in ancient ruins and artifacts.

Log dump

[23:19] <Dark_T_Zeratul> The kid you hired to be your guide has agreed to show you to Kheti, the traditional "old guy who knows all about ancient stuff."
[23:24] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Well... Here it is," the kid says, motioning towards it.
[23:25] * Tol_Sigurn[Rng] pays him two copper to wait outside.
[23:25] <Dark_T_Zeratul> He seems more than happy to do just that.
[23:27] * Tol_Sigurn[Rng] knocks on the door
[23:27] <Tol_Sigurn[Rng]> "Are you sure this is the right place?"
[23:27] <Dark_T_Zeratul> You hear the sound of someone moving around inside, followed by a slightly annoyed voice saying, "Yes, what do you want?"
[23:30] <Tol_Sigurn[Rng]> "We're looking for a man named Kheti."
[23:30] * Leardon adjusts his robes
[23:30] <Dark_T_Zeratul> You hear the "click" of the lock, and the door opens.
[23:30] <Dark_T_Zeratul> A tall man with white hair and a wrinkled face stands in the doorway, leaning slightly on a cane.
[23:30] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Yes, that's me. What do you want?"
[23:31] <Tol_Sigurn[Rng]> "We heard that you are an expert in certain fields and we want your advice."
[23:32] <Tol_Sigurn[Rng]> "We're willing to pay for it."
[23:32] <Dark_T_Zeratul> He sighs. "More treasure hunters, eh? Well, at least you're offering to pay me for my services. Come in, come in..."
[23:32] <Dark_T_Zeratul> He turns and walks back inside.
[23:33] * Leardon looks at his allies, and walks in. "We're not exactly treasure hunters, sir.."
[23:34] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Oh? What is it you seek, then?"
[23:34] * Gurrard[ArcTr] walks in behind Leardon
[23:34] <Tol_Sigurn[Rng]> "Certain peoples."
[23:34] * Leardon smiles. "Some advice on things BESIDES treasure. While it's nice, it's not our main concern."
[23:34] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "I see. Go on..."
[23:34] * Tol_Sigurn[Rng] closes the door when eeryone but the boy is inside.
[23:35] <Dark_T_Zeratul> He sits down on a padded chair. Much of the room is filled with scrolls, papers, maps, and various artifacts, but there are a few places around where you can sit.
[23:35] * Gurrard[ArcTr] sits, quickly glancing around the room for anything interesting.
[23:35] <Tol_Sigurn[Rng]> "We're looking for worshipers of Corellon, and also certain artifacts... Regarding Lolth.
[23:35] * Leardon sits calmly, arm habitly covering his bicep.
[23:35] <Tol_Sigurn[Rng]> "
[23:35] <Dark_T_Zeratul> He frowns/
[23:36] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "You had best explain quickly," he snaps.
[23:36] <Leardon> "Oh, I would be the one to explain that."
[23:36] <Tol_Sigurn[Rng]> "We'll explain as much as is safe to strangers."
[23:37] * Leardon smiles, hand still clasped. "See, we've been sorta...asked, by their church, to deal with some people who..well. Favor lolth than Corellon."
[23:37] * Tol_Sigurn[Rng] glares at Leardon.
[23:37] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "And what do you want me to do about it?"
[23:38] * Leardon looks over at Tol and shrugs. "We simply require some information on their closest church. Perhaps advice on what we may risk crossing paths with while heading there."
[23:39] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Hmph. You'll find few followers of Corellon in these lands."
[23:39] * Tol_Sigurn[Rng] whispers to Leardon "What about the Locks? He might know of some."
[23:39] * Leardon looks over. He grumbles. "I will ask. And next time, don't speak Lolth so loud. I hope his face shows what we risk."
[23:40] * Leardon then voices up. "And the Locks. We are curious about those, as well."
[23:40] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "...Locks?"
[23:40] * Gurrard[ArcTr] perks up at that mention
[23:41] * Tol_Sigurn[Rng] clears his throat noisely at Leardons gaffe.
[23:41] * Leardon thumbs over to Tol. "He would know better about it."
[23:41] * Tol_Sigurn[Rng] sighs
[23:41] * Leardon decides to slide the blame off himself!
[23:42] <Tol_Sigurn[Rng]> "You needn't tell him everything. Well, it's out now. We seek certain items which are locks."
[23:42] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "You seek items which are locks."
[23:42] <Leardon> "Sorta."
[23:42] <Tol_Sigurn[Rng]> "They are magical in nature... And Lolth would dearly want them."
[23:43] <Tol_Sigurn[Rng]> "Show him the dagger."
[23:43] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "I... See."
[23:43] * Leardon nods. "Right.."
[23:43] * Leardon stands up, and opens his pack, unfurling the black dagger, and holding it out, palming the blade. "This..seems to be of importance."
[23:44] <Dark_T_Zeratul> He looks at it, then back up at you.
[23:44] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Perhaps you are not aware, but there are many items in this world that act as magical locks. To search through all of them to determine what you are looking for would take years."
[23:45] <Dark_T_Zeratul> ((The seals on the gate are all disks. The "keys" to them are not."
[23:46] <Leardon> "...Here. I will draw you an image of what I mean."
[23:47] * Leardon grabs his notebook, and opens a few pages. "Aha. I already drew it down." He turns his book around, showing the wise man the drawing of the seal he made.
[23:48] * Gurrard[ArcTr] takes a glance at it.
[23:48] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "And many of these magical locks are circular in nature."
[23:48] <Leardon> "Yes."
[23:49] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "I appreciate the need for discretion as much as the next man, but if you would seek my help you need to at least give me some idea of what it is you want help with."
[23:49] * Leardon looks at Tol. "Well?"
[23:49] * Leardon looks at his allies. "...." Then looks at Gurrard. Then at Tol.
[23:50] <Gurrard[ArcTr]> "Shall we play 20 questions?"
[23:50] * Leardon looks around.
[23:50] <Leardon> "Heads or tails Tol."
[23:51] <Tol_Sigurn[Rng]> "We have no choice I suppose. Know this old man, everyone who has betrayed us has died for it."
[23:51] <Leardon> "Oh. You decided already."
[23:51] * Leardon puts away the silver piece he was ready to flip
[23:51] * Leardon sighs. "I'll explain. Tol has a tendency to...be violent with his words."
[23:51] * Leardon smiles, sitting down, starting with how they began with the problem with the crazed wizard in the tower.....
[23:52] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Do not presume to threaten me, boy. I may look like an old man, but I am more than able to hold my own in combat."
[23:52] <Leardon> "..And that is why Tol is so willing to go insane about any but us hearing these words."
[23:53] * Leardon talks about the crazed wizard in the tower, encountering the gold dragon gone insane, the great orb, the interaction with the high clerics, then fighting the wizard, seeing Lolth, and surviving a shadow, and then the great deity himself interfering, pointing out the Seals, and then pointing out finding the dagger, what the significance, the black cloaked men, the deathless elf, and up till now.
[23:54] * Leardon finds himself taking a good two hours to explain what he can.
[23:56] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "...A fascinating story. Once again, though, I must ask you: what do you want me to do about it?"
[23:56] <Gurrard[ArcTr]> "We need to hook up with some elves. Any elves."
[23:57] * Tol_Sigurn[Rng] looks in Gurrard's direction.
[23:57] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "I assure you, not every elf is completely in tune with the balance of the world and Corellon's plans."
[23:57] <Tol_Sigurn[Rng]> "We nothing. I'm afraid we'll have to go our separate ways soon."
[23:57] <Tol_Sigurn[Rng]> "And you'll keep what you hear here to yourself."
[23:58] <Gurrard[ArcTr]> "Yes, and not every gnome isn't a cannibal."
[23:58] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Not to mention that I am a scholar of ancient ruins and artifacts, not the whereabouts of a bunch of uptight elves."
[23:59] <Tol_Sigurn[Rng]> "We believe that the elves keep an outpost in the extreme south, we were on our way there but we were waylaid when our teleport spell went awry."
[23:59] <Tol_Sigurn[Rng]> "Have you heard of any ancient elf holdings in that area?"
[23:59] <Dark_T_Zeratul> He smiles.
[00:00] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "You're going to the gates, then."
[00:00] <Tol_Sigurn[Rng]> "perhaps. Or near to them."
[00:00] <Leardon> "We believe that's where our..trip, will come to a head."
[00:01] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "That's what you think, eh?"
[00:01] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Yes, I believe I may be able to provide some help."
[00:01] <Leardon> "We believe it, doesn't mean we aren't going to have the luck of it being true."
[00:02] * Gurrard[ArcTr] appears not to have heard Tol's warning.
[00:02] <Tol_Sigurn[Rng]> "In addition, any knowledge you have about the whereabouts of the seals or keys would be very helpful."
[00:02] <Dark_T_Zeratul> He stands up and begins shuffling through the papers scattered about the room.
[00:02] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "The seals are - or should be - in the gate itself. If they weren't, it wouldn't still be closed, now would it?"
[00:02] <Leardon> "...Aaabout that."
[00:02] <Leardon> "We have a chunk of one."
[00:03] <Tol_Sigurn[Rng]> "Some may have gotten loose."
[00:03] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Well if they've gotten loose then that's that, isn't it?"
[00:03] <Gurrard[ArcTr]> "Unless they foresaw such an occurance and built the lock sturdy enough to withstand a few missing seals."
[00:03] <Tol_Sigurn[Rng]> "Fine then. The keys?"
[00:04] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Not much you can do about that. You break a seal out of a magical spell, and there's no putting it back."
[00:04] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Oh, sure, it can withstand one or two missing ones. It weakens the spell, though. Weaken it enough, and it will break if it's pushed against hard enough."
[00:05] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "The keys... Now that's the question, isn't it?"
[00:06] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "If my research had revealed their location, you can bet that the wrong people would have found it out as well, and likely much sooner than myself."
[00:06] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "I deal in matters lost and unknown to *mortals.* Not what is lost and unknown to the gods."
[00:07] <Leardon> "Well...we're hoping you'll be knowledgable in what the are."
[00:07] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Can't help you there. They really did a good job keeping them completely hidden."
[00:08] <Tol_Sigurn[Rng]> "Very well. Perhaps we will find clues when we reach our allies."
[00:08] * Leardon frowns. "We thank you for your advice, in the least."
[00:08] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "I know about the gate's existence, about how it works, and where it is - if I can find that damned map - but the keys? HA!"
[00:09] <Leardon> "Well. That's..comforting."
[00:10] <Dark_T_Zeratul> He continues shuffling through papers.
[00:11] * Leardon looks about, eventually letting his arm drop from hiding the palm on his bicep
[00:12] * Gurrard[ArcTr] looks deep in thought
[00:12] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Ah-HA!"
[00:13] * Leardon jumps a bit, surprised the old man can be so spry
[00:13] <Dark_T_Zeratul> He pulls out a scroll from a big pile, then clears off a space on a table adn unfurls it.
[00:13] * Leardon walks over, staring at it.
[00:13] <Dark_T_Zeratul> It appaears to be a map of the southern continent.
[00:13] * Gurrard[ArcTr] peers at it.
[00:14] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Now, we are here, in Pheris."
[00:14] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Specifically, here."
[00:14] <Dark_T_Zeratul> He puts his finger on the map.
[00:15] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "The gate is down here."
[00:15] * Leardon watches...he has NO clue what any of this means, but he nods and pretends to look like he does
[00:15] <Dark_T_Zeratul> He points to the bottom of the map. Beyond the gate is a large empty unmapped area.
[00:16] <Leardon> "The land of Lolth's children, I take it."
[00:16] * Tol_Sigurn[Rng] takes note of the distance and scale.
[00:16] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Here is the southern edge of the desert."
[00:17] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "And here is where the frozen waste starts."
[00:17] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "This tiny little strip in here is probably somewhat pleasant."
[00:17] <Dark_T_Zeratul> There's no scale on the map, Tol.
[00:17] <Dark_T_Zeratul> He chuckles to himself at that last one.
[00:18] <Leardon> "..Why are you laughing."
[00:19] <Tol_Sigurn[Rng]> "I imagine that would be the place where an elf would dwell in these parts."
[00:19] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Four hundred miles of desert. Fifty miles of frozen snow and ice. And in between, maybe five miles of barren rock."
[00:19] <Gurrard[ArcTr]> "I've seen people live in worse. Even elves."
[00:19] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Compared to what's on either side, it might be nice enough to live there, hehehehe."
[00:20] <Gurrard[ArcTr]> "Besides, the elves are sure to have a few sentrie outposts dotted around the gate."
[00:20] <Leardon> "....."
[00:20] * Leardon whispers to Tol. "How soon are we going north again?"
[00:20] * Gurrard[ArcTr] thinks for a moment
[00:21] <Gurrard[ArcTr]> "Any trade to the south?"
[00:21] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "If that's where you're headed, I suggest writing your wills now. The land is not so forgiving as it is here."
[00:21] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Everyone who knows better doesn't go any further south than where we are now."
[00:21] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Everyone who doesn't, doesn't come back."
[00:22] <Leardon> "There must be SOME manner to survive there."
[00:22] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "But, for a group of hearty adventurers like yourselves, the trip could be doable."
[00:23] <Gurrard[ArcTr]> "What threats do you know of to the south?"
[00:23] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Apart from the heat, the monsters, and the lack of water?"
[00:24] <Leardon> "Water can be conjured."
[00:24] <Leardon> "The monsters more make me curious."
[00:25] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "If you ever see one, the only things you'll be curious about are escape routes."
[00:25] <Leardon> "....Well. I have but one more question.'
[00:26] <Tol_Sigurn[Rng]> "We'll deal with them as we always have."
[00:26] <Leardon> "It is said Evening Glory has a temple there. One of her larger ones. Would you konw where it is on this map?"
[00:26] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Of course not!"
[00:26] <AwayFromKeyboard> "..Why not?"
[00:26] * Leardon seems to blanche slightly.
[00:27] <Dark_T_Zeratul> His tone of voice indicates that his answer is meant to end that particular subject of discussion.
[00:27] * Leardon ..just quiets.
[00:27] <Leardon> "Right.."
[00:27] <Gurrard[ArcTr]> "Now, about those monsters..."
[00:28] <Gurrard[ArcTr]> "Have you heard anything in particular from people who escaped them?"
[00:29] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "I have. And none of it makes me want to brave the journey, no matter what valuable artifacts or knowledge may be found."
[00:29] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "I've heard stories of massive creatures, all bone and claws."
[00:29] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Tales of undead that can suck the moisture right out of you."
[00:29] <Gurrard[ArcTr]> "Mmmm, pleasant."
[00:30] * Leardon 's arm has subtly clasped his bicep again.
[00:30] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Giant worms that burrow under the sands and emerge to feed on the unsuspecting creatures above."
[00:31] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "It is not a place most people wish to enter."
[00:31] <Justin-Oakenleaf[Clr}> "Obviously people ran away just to spread the storys I bet"
[00:32] <Leardon> "People trek there for a reason. It's usually a good enough reason."
[00:32] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "HA!"
[00:32] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "People only think it's a good reason."
[00:33] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Most who cross the desert are fools, thinking only of the next big treasure they can sell."
[00:33] <Gurrard[ArcTr]> "Hmmm..."
[00:33] <Gurrard[ArcTr]> "What about the asherati?"
[00:34] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "What about them?"
[00:34] <Leardon> "We wanted to know more about them. Wether they were worth the risk of crossing paths with."
[00:34] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "That depends."
[00:35] <Leardon> "On?"
[00:35] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "On how good your manners are."
[00:35] <Leardon> "Normally very nice."
[00:35] <Dark_T_Zeratul> He grins.
[00:35] <Gurrard[ArcTr]> "Any suggestions for negotiating with them?"
[00:35] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "The asherati are the people of the desert. They are to the sands what merfolk are to the sea. Never forget this."
[00:35] * Leardon says it with a blank..kinda concerned face. Granted he's also been beginning to sweat from the guy's presence.
[00:36] <Gurrard[ArcTr]> "So... no digging?"
[00:37] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "No digging."
[00:37] <Gurrard[ArcTr]> "Do you know how to contact them?"
[00:37] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "They can move through sand and dust as if it were water."
[00:38] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "I do not. But, more likely than not, if you pass through their lands, they will contact you."
[00:39] <Tol_Sigurn[Rng]> "We thank you for your advice and discretion. I think we have learned as much as we can."
[00:39] <Gurrard[ArcTr]> "Hmmm..."
[00:39] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Remember: the desert is a harsh, unforgiving wasteland. If you go in unprepared, you will not come out."
[00:39] <Gurrard[ArcTr]> "What's their diet?"
[00:40] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Why, meat, of course. Few plants grow out there."
[00:40] <Gurrard[ArcTr]> "Do they like fruit?"
[00:41] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "I am not certain... I have never met one myself, and the stories I have heard were not particularly specific in relation to their diets."
[00:41] * Gurrard[ArcTr] hmmms and thinks
[00:41] <Gurrard[ArcTr]> "Very well, then."
[00:42] <Gurrard[ArcTr]> "Leardon, could I borrow that coin?"
[00:42] * Leardon ..? and hands it over, confused.
[00:42] * Gurrard[ArcTr] flips it
[00:42] <Gurrard[ArcTr]> "Heads."
[00:42] * Gurrard[ArcTr] nods and hands it back.
[00:42] * Leardon ...takes it back, lost as to what just happened.
[00:43] * Leardon shakes his head, and whispers to Tol. "I highly much doubt I will get much sleep on this night."
[00:43] * Gurrard[ArcTr] then pulls out two of the pearls he bought for the party in Snarvinblaf.
[00:45] <Gurrard[ArcTr]> "Payment for your patient services, Mr. Kheti. May we meet again with reversed roles."
[00:45] <Dark_T_Zeratul> "Hm, quite nice, yes... Thank you."
[00:46] * Gurrard[ArcTr] tips his... uh, turban and follows the party out of the door.
[00:46] * Leardon is the first to leave, hoping to avoid Kheti's stare.