Today went remarkably well, all things considered. We met the resident dragon, who identified himself as Del. It realy was quite convivial. Del is about 100 feet long, has green-grey scales that sparkle in the light, eats trees, and has an ego the size of... well, something very big.
Which is probably why Del was willing to talk to us. Originally I had intended to let Gurzurk (the diplomat) do all the talking. However, at the entrance, all Gurzurk did by way of letting the dragon know we were at it's doorstep was a casual "Knock knock, hello" (or something with similar effect). Given that LKyril indicated we should show great respect, I decided to interject with something along the lines of "Oh Great Dragon, we seek your Great knowledge and wisdom". At the time I thought I may have been overdoing it, but after having spent a day with Del... well, I've constantly been, literally, sucking up to Del. Blabbing about how Awesome Del is, how Great He is, making us mortals look truly puny indeed, how... well, the list goes on. Any other creature I'm sure would have been disgusted at me, but not Del. Del just preens at every comment. He truly believes he is absolutely awesome. Well, he does have a pretty impressive entrance hall. Well arranged paintings and other stuff of artistic nature. Must be worth at least several tens of thousands of gold. And this is just the entry hall. We haven't seen any further in.
Another feature that I found greatly suprising is Del's diet. He eats trees. Of all things, he eats trees. He even rests on a (very large) bed of moss. But trees? Perhaps he snacks on the occasional human at other times.
Dragon ego aside, Del has truly been very helpful. More than was even anticipated. Not only has he identified Pyre as being cursed by the vermeil, he will also give us an ancient document and map. The price is information. We get to spend a week telling him of recent world events, with particular attention to the disappearance of Alphatia, and the week of no magic. Amusingly he thought we could have no information that would interest him, but after a couple of comments about continents disappearing, magic failing to work... well, he soon changed his mind. He did not indicate any awareness of magic failing for a week. I suspect that dragons are so magical that they stopped working in any real sense, similar to how Tsaz stopped functioning for that week.
I think to avoid repeating myself, I shall simply document my thoughts at the end of this week with Del.
This week has been particularly informative. It even looks as though we will be travelling with, at least for a little ways, one of the cat people, an associate of Del who goes by the name of Zhi-kallen D'Lan. Zhi-kallen D'Lan, whom we have permission to call Zhi, is the person who first presented Del with the map and parchment fragment. Del was considerate enough to get in touch with Zhi for us. Indeed, it was Del who suggested we speak to Zhi about the parchment and map.
But I get ahead of myself. The information of most import to us was who the wyrm that is red by not red could be, and Pyre appears to match the description. Del calls Pyre a Crimson dragon, but was not willing to explain to us what that actually means. Del also refers to Pyre as "Gutter scum... no, that's too insulting to the scum". So I guess they don't exactly have a cordial relationship, although it could be because Del is not as powerful as Pyre. This I assume by the fact that Del has not stated his obvious superiority over Pyre. In fact, he really doesn't seem happy talking about Pyre. I've noticed how he is happy to assert how he can easily destroy human ships, although in all honesty "they are hardly a challenge at all". Del did go as far as to say that Pyre is not one to be trifled with. It must have been with considerable effort that Del admitted as much.
No wonder there aren't many dragons. They probably can't bear to be around each other for long enough to mate, what with such large ego's.
It would also appear that Del has some sort of telepathic power. At some point Turia was "admiring" some gems, when Del growled directly into her mind: "Don't even think about it, Turia". Del wasn't even looking her way.
Del did see quite interested in world events. He even stated that he "really should do something about those Thyatians". Apparently the people of the baronies have many different kinds of clood in them, one being Thyatian. I have permission to do a sending to Del should I hear any more news of major import.
Although we have good reason to believe that Pyre has a piece of the Sundered Man, we will be pursueing the object of great power, as indicated in the parchment and what is obviously a treasure map. Del told us that he did a little research regarding these items, and found the items being referred to with respect to the Sundered Man, although Del was unable to tell us any further (I believe he just remebered there was a reference, but did not remeber the details - no doubt he would not wish to admit his memory is fallible). He is certain the item comes from a similar time period.
Anyway, the parchment talks of treasure beyond imagining hidden against the day it is needed. The parchment further indicates that "this" is the first of three pieces to a puzzle. Given the somewhat tattered remants of the parchment, it would further appear that the treasure is at a lightning blasted tree, near the Jurunu River in Jibaru (this from the map). Unfortunately, it is indicated that there are vicious monkey men, and the river is infested, though who knows what with. The somewhat megalomaniac sounding author then proceeds to indicate he (she) will have power as no one alive has ever known.
The writing is in Thyatian, which is identical to written Slagovich.
Given we do not know the area, it is quite convenient that we have met Zhi. He has kindly offered to be our guide. He seemed more willing once he learned his homeland was now blanketed in vermeil. Originally he was to have a short holiday, but obviously his plans have changed.
Zhi is an interesting character. As far as I can piece together, he's a gambler. I presume this means he knows how to hustle people. I have images of him playing poorly, then playing with his real ksill. He probably cheats as well. But this is all fine, since I don't intend to gamble money with him.
It would also appear that he was impressed by Lani's appearance, as he bent and kissed her hand by way of greeting. Mind you, it's not like he's the first to kiss Lani's hand.
In general, Zhi indicates that he likes to collect games, and to teach people.
But Zhi doesn't appear to be a bad person. Just a bit peculiar. He's certainly very vain, especially about his appearance. How someone has survived so long I don't know. He must be more skilled with the sword than he lets on. His appearance shouts out "I'm rich! Rob me!"
Indeed it is lucky we can communicate with him at all, for he seemed reluctant to speak a vulagr coarse language like Slaag. He much prefers elven, which is spoken among the upper class. What a panzy!
But for all that, Zhi's actually decent, in my honest opinion.
Anyway, we'll be heading back to the falcon tomorrow morning.
We asked Leo another question today. We asked if Vermissa is free, but there was no response.
We got back to the falcon today, and are now flying to the colony on the horn. Although it's a bit early, I think I will et along with Zhi.
Seems these cat people have some strange notions. One of them involves dueling. In one of these duels (supposedly an honourable thing, I guess), although Zhi won, his opponent in a rage did something which ended up in Zhi losing one of his lungs. He says that it would require something like a wish to restore the lost lung.
The perpetrator of this escape. I asked Zhi if, when the means became available to him, he ensured his enemy was killed (using scrying and teleports), but he seemed baffled that that would be necessary, although such measures appear perfectly reasonable to me. Oh well.
One has to make sure that one's enemies are dead (or destroyed in the case of undead) when one can possible do so. Turia has convinced me of this.
Hmph! Lani thinks my theory on how the vermeil is spreading is bollocks. She finds the idea that it spreads to regions inhabited by intelligent people silly, even though we know vermeil effects intelligent creatures more than unintelligent ones.
Lani believes that the vermeil is following the ancient path of the dragon, or that it follows the prevailing winds. Both of which I think fail to explain why the vermeil just happened to cover a swamp very neatly, which we have found out is populated by some group of sentient creatures. Interestingly, she talk of the path of the dragon as if it were real, although my understanding is that it is either a theory, or a myth. I wouldn't be surprised if such a myth started out between a pair of farmers, many years ago, who happened to be wondering about this red sky business.
Anyway, we've arrived at the colony located on the horn. It's been decided that it is more sensible to travel via more regular means to this Jibaru place rather than flying there and realising it is indeed a very silly idea to try and land in a jungle. Instead, what we'll do is catch a boat out to the river, and follow that down, whilst looking for the lightning blasted tree.
Zhi was very useful for arranging for the falcon to be stored somewhere. It would appear he has a number of contacts... across this region, I get the impression. More importantly, I suspect he knows how to get contacts.
Oh, we also have a new party member. A priest of some description. It's really not important. What is important is they can cast Blessed Abundance! No more disgusting gruel. Woo!
The person is called Melany, human, from Harath. She worships Hermes, the messenger god, who apparently just likes his priests to wander around, keeping up to date with events, and of course delivering messenges.
Being attractive, Zhi did his usual trick of kissing her hand in greeting. This mustn't have gone down well, since she has acted in a way that shows her dislike of Zhi. Very strange really, since I cannot see anything which Zhi did wrong to which she could not have simply politely asked him not to do. Indeed, it seems strange she took it so harshly. Perhaps it is some cultural thing that I'm not aware of, or maybe she's just allergic to cat's. Well, as I do not know either of these people very well, I do not feel it is my place to tell them to lay off. Although I must admit Zhi took it very well. Zhi is a very polite person. As you would expect from a gambler. It wouldn't be good to be rude to someone you're winning money off of.
Hmm. Hopefully these monkey men will not be too bad. Everyone we have met have indicated that they are vicious little bastards.
I hate this place already. It's muddy, and there are mosquitos everywhere (we use mosquito nets, and some vile smelling insect repellant - I bet it repels just about everything, dead or alive). Good thing Gurzurk turned the mud into rock. That makes it a lot more bearable. The mosquitos only come out at night. Little buggers.
Safranna noticed some tracks earlier. Human, barefoot. A native, perhaps?
Zhi is envious of me. I'm using cantrips to keep myself and Turia comfortably clean. He wants to pay me one gold a day to use cantrips on him, a request which I'm happy to accept. The poor cat does not like these surroundings.
Well, we know who the tracks belonged to. Some half starved madman called Henry. He seemed to think it a good idea to attack Gurzurk when on watch, in an attempt to get some food. Roland then went to deal with him, and this guy apparently put up quite a fight, before he was held by a spell from Zim.
Henry is a lunatic. A lunatic who was accused of murder (apparently falsely), and does not want to be taken back (we're not even going in the direction of where he doesn't want to be be taken).
Then again, Henry is perhaps a lunatic because he's not had any Cynabryl for months, and he's definitely had his dose of vermeil.
He seems to have calmed down for now, so we can rest and worry about it in the morning.
We have decided that we should help "cure" Henry. Melany has indicated that through the use of appropriate spells (remove curse, and maintain), Henry can be brought back to a "normal" condition. He'll still need Cynabryl (or the maintain spell), but hopefully he will be a lot more coherant. The treatment will take a few weeks.
Some good news is that the terrain is becoming a lot less swampy. Soon the swamp will be behaind us. Which is really good, although I still hate this place on principle.
Earlier, we had a discussion with Zhi about the possibility of asking Zim about where a completely unknown deposit of Cynnabryl might be. Zhi indicated he knew people who would pay tens of thousands for this information. Given how much the region really needs this, we'd actually be doing people a favour. Today we asked Zim. The answer is, 31 miles southwest of Mina Do Sul. Unfortunately, no-one has a clue where that is. We can ask later though, or enquire elsewhere.
We met some "monkey" people today, although they don't look very much like monkey's to me. They call themselves the Vanatu. For all their fierce reputation, they are presently escorting us to their capital, and seem fairly polite, if cautious of us. It probably helped that we didn't act hostily in any way, and explained to them what our presense was in this forest.
The Vanatu are smaller than humans, and the fur around their eyes is coloured differently. There are also lots of them, all with blowguns that are no doubt packed with poison. Had a fight been necessary, I think we would have lost.
After asking, we have been told that we should not do anything bad to the forest. Indeed, after hearing this, I thought they might be interested in how we were responsible for the destruction of an undead tree.
These Vanuta aren't terrible fast on their feet, but they are manoeverable little buggers.
Today has been a pretty busy day. We arrived at the Vanatu capital (which is a tree city - one cannot see it from above of below it is so well camoflaged), met the Queen, then got the item we wanted. Again, things have gone a lot better than we could have hoped for. I wonder how long out luck will be this good for. Not long enough I'm willing to bet (but not bet with Zhi).
These Vanatu farm spiders, from which they get their poison. The poison is of the deadly variety. I don't think Turia managed to get hold of any, unfortunately.
There was little delay in being shown to the queen. Before we
knew it, she was asking if we wanted the key. Not just any key, but
the key. Somehow, she knew what we were after. Naturally,
we asked about the key, to which she answered with fairly much
the following words:
"Many generations ago, a human came here. He trusted 'this' to
our care until a strange group [us] would come for it. The key
is kept underneath a crystal pool, somewhat to the north. The
key and another object needed to be separated. They must both
be used to operate some powerful magic."
The Queen also said that a man is supposed to come, who would take what we are after. It was foretold he would come. The Queen confirmed the key is by a tree smitten by lightning.
The Queen was unable to say if it was a good or bad idea to activate the magic, although powerful magic no doubt has its drawbacks. The key was given to the Vanatu as they could protect it. I'm willing to believe that too. All those poison darts around here...
As a further gesture, the Queen approached me and gave me a necklace of wooden beads, and asked for nothing in return. It was avery nice gesture on the part of the queen. I checked if it was magical later on, but it wasn't. But it was still very nice of her.
Although it is late, we have decided to head straight for the crystal pool. We know that we will definitely regret it if we turn up just a little too late.
I feel much more rested now that we have slept through until this afternoon. I am further relieved that we have recovered the key, and no undead horde has tried to stop us.
It was before dawn this morning that we arrived at the pool. With continual light stones in the pool, it was observed there was a tunnel underneath. Of all of us, it appeared that I was the best swimmer (actually, only myself and Melany can swim of al of us).
Zhi was also kind enough to loan me his Ring of Free Action (no wonder he said he was immune to spells such as hold person). At the end of the tunnel was a small cave, no larger than a small kitchen, but with air to breathe. At first I thought I was attacked by undead, but it turned out to be an illusion, when I went back better prepared and equipped. Indeed, there was also an illusion covering an old (falling apart) chest. Originally the room appeared to be empty. Inside the chest is what we presume to be the key, a small hand mirror.
Some detact magics have revealed the mirror to be strongly magical, of the divination school. Well, we could have hoped for it to be overwhelmingly megaical, but strong will have to do for now. At some point someone will no doubt get me to to an identify. Grrr. Maybe I can convince Lani to.
Furthermore, I found a note with the mirror. Again, it is on half rotten parchment. However, the script is different to the other parchment, and the person who wrote it does not sound like a megalomaniac, but rather the person who gave it to these racoon people. No wonder they did not look like monkey people - they aren't monkey people!
This note is also a bit hard to decipher. It mentions "untold power to amplify magic governed by the celestial bodies", whether it is "wise to continue on this course", as well as "cameleon men of Wallara", some guy who is a Keeper of something, who might know lots about rocks. The note concludes mentioning something about a lost city.
Fascinating, absoluetly fascinating. Magic governed by celestail bodies. This implies a magic different to what most of us mages use. Could it be that the magic governed by celestial bodies, if indeed a different "source" of magic, was not effected by the no magic week? Very interesting. Of course, it could all just be the result of superstition, but I had not previously considered there could be distinctly different sources of magic. One day, when I find some time, I would like to investigate this further.