[Private] What's in a Name?

[Corwyn]

Finn is nearly blinded by the intensely glowing auras of everything in the room. It takes all of his force of will to resist blacking out completely and is forced to suppress the images, ignoring the nimbus of magical radiance that fills the air. Concentrating for too long on any one object threatens to blind the monk, or worse, knock him unconscious.
Monk, you would do well to avoid provoking my anger, but if it will cause you to leave all the sooner, I will answer your questions, the mage seems only partly annoyed by Finn's questions, his demeanor is more of a man who is afraid or nervous, though it is obvious that the magician could defeat the monk with the wave of his hand. It is obvious to me what you seek. As a monk of the dragon clan, you would be sent from your temple for only a few reasons. Were you hungry for power or otherwise a rogue to your people, we'd not be having this conversation. Were you sent to fight a threat to the people directly, your path would have not taken you to me. But since your temple lost their artifact, I can easily assume that any monk of your clan who comes here, is seeking that item. As for having time to help you, this is not the case. At this stage, I am consumed in work and every second you waste here is one of precious few that remains. Anarachim sighs heavily, indeed I could use help, particularly the sort you can provide. However, regardless of what you do for me, it will get you no closer to the artifact you seek. It is strange that you mention the Red Temple and its underground areas, as if you were fated to help me. But my knowledge of that place far exceeds that which could be discovered by merely looking around. The wizard gazes at the wall for a moment as in deep thought, finally his eyes return to Finn, If you really want to trade services for information, than I offer you a task. The mage stands up and selects a book from the shelf behind him, bringing it around to Finn. He opens it to a certain page and hands the book to the monk. Looking at the pages there, Finn sees not words but an image. A blurry and faded image, but alive and moving as if it were not parchment pages but a thick glass pane through which another room could be seen.

In the image, Finn can see a plushly decorated room, perhaps in a palace or castle. It could easily be a throne room but for the lack of a throne or any sort of chairs for that matter. There are no windows, torches or sconces but the room is brightly lit. A man in decorative, but practical-looking platemail stands in the center of the room, a thick cloak draped over his shoulders trails behind him impressively. He carries under one arm a helm decorated with a plume of bright red that matches the cloak. With his other arm he draws a fine looking longsword from his belt and holds it before him, speaking silently to himself the man gazes at the reflections of light in the blade.
Slowly the image recedes, becoming lost in stone and then gliding along a corridor until it is shrouded by stone once more. As the image distances further a castle appears, nestled among sheer cliffs beside a frothy, rocky coastline. Further and higher now, the view looks down at the castle revealing a series of mighty ships harbored nearby. Ships that are far larger than what could be though possible and still float. Furthermore these vessels have no sails and seem to be made all of steel. As the viewpoint continues to raise, it becomes apparent that the cliffside castle is on the southern coast of the continent, many days west of Ocean City. Now there also seems to be shapes in the sky above the castle. Dozens of winged creatures, circling, diving and climbing. The creatures resolve to be that of dragons, all colors and sizes. Then, the images fades and is gone, leaving only blank parchment pages in the otherwose non-descript book.
That man is Lord Valenor, or at least that is what he calls himself. The Blade he wears is none other than the Mindsword itself. The man is building an army and preparing to take over this entire continent. Despite the properties of his Divine Blade, he picks his men carefully, prefering to use the Weapon on his dragon servants who are building his siege engines. Present yourself to this man, convince him you would help him and then slay him when he takes you by his side. If he draws the Mindsword, you need but look upon the Blade and you will become his willing slave, confessing your plan instantly. From all accounts, he prefers not to use the Sword unless he has to, as he'd rather have real loyalty than enchanted indenture. Kill him and bring me the Mindsword. Do this, and I will do all in my power to find the location of your artifact... Anarachim slams the book closed and turns his back on Finn, moving back around his desk. He sits down and folds his hands on the desk in front of him and looks silently at Finn.

[Birched]

Finn stands for a while, considering. Information is the very thing I need most. A powerful tool, the most powerful it is said. And that sword, too, looks to be a powerful tool. If I can obtain it... I will have something at my disposal whether this mage helps me or not. The task certainly seems exceedingly dangerous... and the time requirement.... But right now, I find myself with little to go on with regards to my quest for the artifact, especially now that I've lost Tyren. And there's that: with Tyren here, searching, our efforts would be mostly duplicated. Perhaps it would be better if I tried a different angle....

Finn looks at the mage, with as level a gaze as he can muster. "I will do this task, but on one condition. I fear that the world knows more immediate dangers than this man with his sword, and that one of them is in the form of the artifact that I seek and the nature of the one that has it. Time is pressing, and I cannot lose weeks in travel. If you can arrange to get me to Lord Valenor's castle and back again quickly through magical means, then we have a deal. Not only that but, because time is pressing, you can be assured that I will waste no time in completing the task."

Finn waits patiently for the mage's answer.

will save vs. mind reading, if it is occurring

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+16:	(19) + 16	Total = 35

knowledge(arcana) (if knowledge(religion) is more appropriate, his modifier for that is +5 instead of +7)- what does he know of Mindsword

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+7:	(5) + 7	Total = 12

[Corwyn]

Anarachim smiles broadly at Finn's response, his eyes sparkling darkly. It is a strange smile, a mirthless expression that implies only cruelty, Your conditions will be met. Though I cannot get you into his castle directly, I will place you within a few miles of that place. When you return, you will not come to this room, but a nearby chamber. Do not come until you are ready. Once you are here, you must wait for me, I will know when you get here. Anarachim takes a few items from his desk and sets them out. A small jar containing what appears to be a pickled eye, a vial of some sort of gas, that is covered in frost and condensation, a mortar and pestle and two small bowls each filled with metallic powders. He also places a slim silver rod, stylized to resemble an olive branch or similiar twig, complete with leaves that are inlaid with jade. The mage quickly speaks a few arcane words and sprinkles some sparkling powder over the silver branch and then sets that item near the edge of the desk. He then mixes the other materials in the mortar and grinds them together, completing the task by pouring the contents over the book. He opens the book again and then speaks a few more arcane words before taking a thin metal ring from his finger and holding it over the pages of the book. A waft of smoke rises up and passes through the ring. Instantly the ring gleams as if it were no longer steel but platinum. These items will assist your journey. He hands Finn the gleaming ring, you need not wear it, but simply speak the word, "lev'art," while touching it, and it will take you as close to Valenor's castle as possible. He then holds out the small silver branch, when you are ready to return, break this branch and speak the word, "el'biluge". Do not forget the words, or the items will be wasted. I will not be easy to contact otherwise. When you walk through that door, you will be randomly deposited somewhere in Tashagang. Finding your way back in without this branch will be no mean task. Good luck, Dragon Monk. The mage seems extremely pleased, studiously replacing his arcane components and tools, cleaning off his desk and putting everything away. He takes a sip from his glass and looks up at Finn with a benign smile, obviously waiting for the monk to leave.

**There is a skill, a class skill for everyone, called Knowledge (Swords). Without it, it is a general knowledge check (so you get a 6 only). Each time you touch a new Sword, you get a circumstance bonus to the modifier. You know only the most common knowledge about the Mindsword,

The Mindsword spun in the dawn's grey light
And men and demons knelt down before.
The Mindsword flashed in midday bright
Gods joined the dance, and the march to war.
It spun in the twilight's dim as well
And gods and demons marched off to hell.

You have free actions.**

[Birched]

Finn studies the mage for a moment, trying to pick some meaning from his quizzical looks. It has not escaped Finn's mind that this man is possibly looking for the same artifact that Finn is, and that getting Finn out of the way might be useful to him in more than one way. On the other hand, Tyren is here... and that gives me some comfort. Perhaps I will find him, or more likely him me, before I leave.

After studying the mage briefly, Finn bows. "I'll be back soon."

He then takes his leave of the man, and exits through the door. Once back in Tashagang, he will head to the tailor. It's time that I cease to stand out quite so much, I think.

sense motive check on wizard

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+5:	(13) + 5	Total = 18

[Corwyn]

**See the thread, "Finding Finn".