Asphalt

Make your decision quickly, once the keys reset you will face a new set of Monsters and Challenges. Part of the spells encasing this place signal the surface when it is time to send more beasts in. Some is automatic, it draws from the holding pens, others are brought in for special occasions. The Parlor has no down time. I personally, would advice returning with us. Commander Hizari moves to the portal and begins re-ancoring the Portal Keys. He holds the final staff in his hands and looks to the players. Are you ready to leave? QM NOTE: yes if you decide to stay you will have to do it all over again. I didn't really plan for that and based on the number of inactive players at this point it would take quite a while to gather up all 5 again.

"Indeed I am quite interested in seeing not only there but the home of my father. A companion of mine has often commented that I know far too little of my heritage. My father was an Ogre, a druid of some renown among his tribe. But he left to travel to the far north. The land of Ice, wyrms, and Giants. Where he met my mother. I know not her fate, only that my father was forced to leave shortly after my birth. Though the ice of the north flows in my veins I have not returned to the frozen planes since my childhood. I have been on the road most of my life, searching for the path that would lead me to my true destiny. But I bore you with my tale. If it is the Wanderer's will I would indeed see Fellcrest, Baltrok, and the many lands between."

Vindsval gently takes the offered hand. It shames him that even hardened worries are intimidated by his nature, but there is little to be done for that which the Wander saw to forge him into. "Well Met Althior, I am Vindsval, Called the Half-Born, Desciple of the Wanderer, Walker of the Witchery Way. Yes, the Whisperer, the Gray fixer, the Pear Spitter, he seems to have many titles. indeed I put him in a corner. I had thought I was able to speak sense into him, but not all men are created to hold drink, and further measures were needed. There are times when being larger than your average bull has its uses." Vindsval warms to the attention, he is not often sought out as the foremost player in a comedy. Usually there is more screaming and shouts of "monster call the guard." He is beginning to like it in this Hall.

The Half-Giant lets loose with a deep chested laugh. "Indeed there was one recently who thought to ring the call of the mob bell. As the Veiled one implies, I hope that it is a thing best put in the past. But if the drunkard continues his rabble rousing upon waking, I may send him further than a corner. It is well to know that there are those who may be deemed true of heart. Though I hope to be known as more than a mercenary when my tale is told. But that path has yet to be walked."

Hizari listen's patiently as Keliim explains his presence. As the barbarian finishes his tale he sheathes his sword and extends his hand. "Then it would seem that my men and I are in your debt outlander. Perhaps you would hear my tale in return. When we arrived here we searched for the missing Initiates. From what we were able to glean from those we found they were simply overwhelmed by the denizens of the desert. I found their final survivor, a cowering lump of a man, hiding in a chest. I left him where he was and my men and I returned to the portal chamber. There we found the spider. She demanded we set her free, she wove a tale of how the magic of our mages drew her to this place and then trapped her within its walls. We were foolish and arrogant. I thought her nothing but another challenge harnessed for the Parlor. WE attacked and were swarmed by her spiders. I remember a sharp pain in the back of my neck, and then nothing more until I found myself facing you moments ago. I thank you, and I honor the wisdom of the Caliph for sending you." "Mourn not the loss of that coward. He has reaped what he has sown. Now tell me friends, the portal keys have not yet returned to their places within the Parlor. Would you return with us to the Caliph or fight your way through its confines once more?"

"Unique I am by default, how many other have you seen with this face? But it saddens me that such superstitions rule the people of Eubric. I seek only to master that which kills, and to turn it upon those who would use it to oppress the weak. Tell me Karie, I am new to the politics of the city. Am I truly naive to believe that this hall is a force for good within the city and the world? I have heard many speak of the corruption of the leaders of this place, and of the weakness of spirit of those within these walls. How am I to know with whom I should place my allegiance and trust?"

Vindsval is Somewhat taken aback, he is used to walking alone, but to be the only one. "Is there something about this path that I do not yet know? Why is it such an unpopular one. The power it holds at its end seems substantial. Why is it there are no other who walk it?" He is also rather confused by all the discussions going on around him since his return. It is obvious there are many factions within this city. But where to place his alliance?

​Vindsval grins, with all of the comings and going it is to be expected. "I am called Vindsval, among those in this hall perhaps one of the more easily misplaced names, though I would certainly hope not faces. Since we last met, I have succeeded in beginning my journey along the Witchery Way. It is rumored that you and I may be the only ones."

Vindsval looks up as the new group of heroes enter the hall from the fields. He recognizes the witch who sold him the medallion. He moves over to her. Greetings Karie, It is good to see you have returned.

The commander blinks his eyes and looks around him. "Where I am is known to me, though you are not. Explain yourselves." Though unsteady on his feet Commander Hizari's grip on his great sword has not lessened. His eyes clear and he stares down Kaliim in open challenge. "You are no initiates, how are you in this place?"

Excellent, just as it is needed. The Spider Queen closes her eyes and focuses on the Portal, As she does the colors shift slightly from orange to green and back again, the portal flares and increases in size from a doorway to a small tunnel. Very good, that should take me to within its confines. As the portal forms completely, Королева turns to the party You have done well, You may tell your boy-king what you wish. Keliim, you will know when I choose to claim my contract. Farewell Children, until we meet again. Here is a little something to remember me by. She reaches behind her head and removes her necklace. She tosses it to the floor of the room as she enters the portal. As the Spider Queen passes through the portal she snaps her fingers. When she does a large spider drops from the back of each of the Falcon brothers and scuttles through the ring ahead of her. Perhaps this is what she meant by her Weblings and how she was able to control something outside of her bailiwick. The party watches as the self proclaimed "Lower Etheral" disappears through the portal. Wait, I would join you. You alone have been able to obtain the order which I seek. As the giant spider creatures last legs begin to disappear through the portal Aristune dives into the fiery ring after her. The two pass through its event horizon and it winks out of existence, Leaving the party standing in the Altar room starring at 5 bewildered looking Falcon Brothers and an inactive portal. Королева's Blessing (When equipped the player gains the ability to Animal Speak to Spiders only, and all spiders are Enamored with him for the first three rounds of battle. Accessory, usable by anyone)

When the portal opens I will free these men, whether they choose to go with you or not is entirely up to them. I make no claim as to their actions once I am gone. Asitune continues to watch with awe as the spider queen marks Keliim as her own and moves to place his staff in the Altar. "Allow me to do my part Lady." Two of the five portal keys have been placed in the altar.

"A deal, a trade, an oath offered of your own free will? I accept these terms." Quicker than the eye can follow, Королева strikes out with one of her forelegs. The tip bites into Keliims forearm. Keliim feels the briefest moment of flaring hot pain, but then it is gone. In its place is a bone white scar in the shape of a stylized Spider. "There Brave Barbarian, you now bear my mark. It seals the contract between us. The terms are as you agreed, at a later date I may call upon your for a service rendered, in exchange I will answer three questions regarding my home and travel through it." From this point on until Keliim fulfills his service he will bear the title DEMON SWORN. Aristune moves forward and bows deeply before Королева. "This humble one is honored to be in your presence Mistress." Rise child of the dessert, I accept your homage. ​She turns her attention back to Keliim. "If you wish to leave this place you have but to place the keys within the portal. At such time, I will depart, and you may do as you will after. The Men before you will be released from my service, and you may tell the Red King what you wish."

Quite honestly flabbergasted that a living being could live life without contemplating the gods, let alone without believing in their power and influence, Vindsval smiles at the small man. An opened mind can better see the Path. I am pleased that I could bring you to it Warlen. Walk it wisely.

"Ella's Pie? Curious. Would it be worth it I wonder?"

Clugh fahct muk tah, The woman curses back at Terry for the use of the slur. Do not call me that. Do I refer to you in the terms we used for your mud races at the dawn of your emerging? The manners of the magi have declined as much as their training. The clicking of her mandibles under her speak intensifies as her anger rises. If you must classify me by race in your primitive way, you may call me one of the Lower Ethereals. It was not I that attacked you through the beetles, though I did speak to you after you engaged them. Had you not foolishly charged into their chamber perhaps the encounter would have ended other than you fleeing in cowardice. ​She takes a deep breath and visibly attempts to calm herself. It is not you and your compatriot mage alone or even you in particular who is needed. There are five keys. Just as you need anyone to place the five keys so as do I.

That is what I thought, but I couldn't find a definite answer in the rules anywhere.

Aristune stands silently in the back of the group marveling at the precision and coordination he has seen and continues to see in the Brothers under this woman's command. He wishers to himself under his breath. Such order, such discipline. She controls them as a perfect General controls his phalanx. "Exactly my dear Keliim, you found dead bodies. If I were using them, why would I leave them behind. As far as to what I can tel you of your homeland and how you came to be here, what do you offer to me in exchange for this information? You ask for secrets of my home, would you give everyone who asked they key to your back door? I think not. Perhaps at a later date we can discuss the possibility of a trade between us. My knowledge for . . . well what is it you have to offer me?" Indeed I think you have not. He tastes nothing of the Ethereal, or of my Brothers or Sisters. You on the other hand, you have felt our touch on more than one occasion. AS to what I want of you, I simply wish for you to activate the portal, I will relinquish my hold upon these men, leave, and you shall never have to see this place or myself again.

To completely change the train of this current line of questioning. Which Character Classes can cast scrolls?

Poison can be applied to weapons. Dragons are not weapons.

Nice photo, though she is very happy for a Black Knight.

Certainly, a simple truth freely given to a fellow traveller.

Moongates, you have travelled far. The outer realms connect all of the physical planes, they are everywhere and yet nowhere as well. It is through these realms that you children have once again put it upon yourselves to punch holes. How quickly the minds of men forget. ​Why would you assume these fine men dead. They but serve me, albeit in a limited fashion. I assure you, the dead hold no interest for me, I at least, and no Necrophage. Some of the others in the Realms however have been known to make use of the stray empty vessel. Those who do so often wish to travel your planes unnoticed. You are often such entertaining creatures. The Spinnstress seems about to respond, but checks herself at the last moment. She composes herself once again and turns her attention to Calamity. Is the farm boy serious? Truly if mage training has fallen to this. . . . She directs her gazes back to Terry. ​I spoke figuratively pig herd, I meant only that I attempted to keep you upon the path to your release from this place.

"Aghut'Yun", Королева chuckles softly, a sweet earthy sound, "Has he begun demanding sacrifices yet? You must be careful with that one Daughter, Aghut'Yun has quite the sweet tooth, and there are none quite so sweet as the naive or innocent. I did not answer your question? Well that is a matter of perspective, you say I was toying with you. Does the herdsman toy with his flock when he directs them to food and water?"

Ahh you come to the quick of the matter. The children of your plane have once again begun playing with what you call portals, have they not? How is that you think my brethren and I visit ourselves upon this plane? It was one of these hemorrhages between the vales which brought me to this play place of the one called the Red King. The minds of all insects and arachnids lie within my domain sweet one. I care nothing for the flying vermin. Indeed they do, and I will extend the same courtesy to you beautiful daughter of my kindred. I can smell the Lower Ethereal upon you sweetling. Tell me, which of my brothers did you call forth upon this new realm of men?