Adventure #67 - To reach the other side (the Bonds...continuation)

[X-LPA/Gaerred Khaiarén (Gray)]

Gaerrad wants to inspect the disk (from afar if necessary), what is on it, anything familiar.  While do so, he speaks to the giant.

"But who closed the way?"

[X-Elinie/RiD (Niels)]

Rashid tries to look past the giant, to the disc and walls. Are there any drawings or writings on the walls?

"How is it opened again?" He yells. Simply to keep the giant talking.

[X-Bellam & BC/TB (Bobby)]

"Do not question, Patriarch!" hisses Bellamie under his breath.  "Command!  Who know how little time remains to us.  If this beast will obey you, so be it; if not, we must dispose of it, and quickly."

[X-Elinie/RiD (Niels)]

Rashid eyes Baron Tristan. Then nods.

"Very good!" Rashid steps closer to the giant.

"You have passed my test and have not forgotten your duty."

"Now stand aside for your Master. I have returned and have business inside. In my name, stand aside for Daouta ibn Hammoud!"

[DM B]

A ten-foot spear now points at the Patriarch's throat.

"None may pass but those immortal. So it was decreed. But since you are of the blood of the Creator - you may have passage if you pay the price of blood. One life for the lot of you."

It's not a real giant. It is something made to resemble one. A golem.

The bronze door/disk is covered with runes and symbols of warding. Those of you with high spellcraft skill (or something like that) can tell that any person trying to open the door will be struck dead. Repeatedly. Utterly.

[X-Points East]

IC:

Elamien looks at those, who stand, with her, some small distance behind the Patriarch, searching each countenance for some indication of intent.  Then, she states, "I reckon that we are, all, willing enough to die in this place.  But now is the time for the weakest, amongst us, to act.  Short of that, the descendent of Daouta ibn Hammoud must make this decision for us", she concludes, an unreadable expression upon her face as she directs a sidelong glance at Rashid.

[X-Points East]

IC:

After a pause, Elamien adds, "Of course, there is a corpse in the banquet hall, if no thing more should be needed than that."

[X-Elinie/RiD (Niels)]

Rashid takes a step back from the spear. And raises an eyebrow at Elamiens suggestion, then glance furtively at the Marshal before continuing.

"Lets think a second. If the gate is wrought with magics that slay anyone trying to open it, then the life required might indeed be for grounding the energy of the gate, making it possible, for a time, to pass it."

"If we destroy the guardian, we cannot replace it. So even if we succeed, we will have lost this one."

"We do not know if we can defeat the gate, if we even manage to pacify the golem."

"Thus, Maester Kaleiman, and indeed the rest of you, can you come up with a replacement theory on how to meet the payment in blood/way to discharge the gate and satisfy the task?"

[X-Points East]

IC:

"If you hesitate to choose at this time", replies Elamien, "then perhaps you could swear that the payment of blood shall be made, upon our return . . . even designating the victim, if necessary, in advance.  That is a formidable oath, as a matter of course; but it would seem to be preferable to losing one of our number, so soon."

[X-LPA/Gaerred Khaiarén (Gray)]

"A life is needed to open the actual portal, the golem to move the warded iris."

Gaerred carefully looks at the portal and then to the Patriarch and then to the golem.

"Patriarch, this portal is better left unopened," he says quietly.

"To open it, could very well release the Grey Duke."

[X-Points East]

IC:

"That may be true", says Elamien, "but,—gate or no gate,—Manethander will soon be free.

"We have heard the words:  'None may pass but those immortal'; and there is but one immortal, here present.  So, should Lannelah step forward and attempt, somehow, to lead us through the gate?  Or should the price of blood be paid?"

[X-Elinie/RiD (Niels)]

Lannelah steps forward.

"I am immortal golem. Would you let me pass?"

[X-Elinie/RiD (Niels)]

Hissing to High Hierophant Gaerred, Rashid says; "There is nothing for it, this is the path we have found and there are no other visible ways."

"Elamien is correct, Manethander will break his prison soon or indeed, will not have to, if his influence is what we have seen so far."

"If the golem would allow the elf to pass, then he can scout ahead. Lannelah, if it allows passage, make sure you can get back here."

At the words, Lannelah gives a small nod but still awaits for the golems reply.

[DM B]

The golem lets the sidhe pass - nothing happens with the gate, but then Lannelah nods in understanding and steps through the bronze disk, as if it was not there.

[X-Points East]

IC:

Elamien steps forward and addresses the golem:  "I am immortal.  May I pass?"