At breakfast, Niko calls out, "Occa, you never did tell me if you wanted the potion or not. I believe it's longevity...something you human arch-mages might be interested in."
"He'll take it, whether or not he wants to. We need him young again. Especially, if he's going to continue his work on me."
"Darien, let's check on the mage's guild before it gets too late. Ok?"
Niko goes to cast Preserve on the giant body parts.
"Jesse, can you keep on eye on the mirror and watch Kadlian while I am gone? Call Occa if it looks like he gets into worse trouble."
"Of couse dear," Jesse says, "I will watch them."
Darian gives her a quick kiss. "Thanks, darling."
Ric speaks, "I know there is no temple here of my leige. I can probably train myself, but it will take a month, and cost a great deal, over 6000 gp so that I can create the needed symbols and the like."
He turns to Occa, "I do not want to hold up your rescue of your friend, so you must make the decision, as if it is worth the time, or I will forgo for now, and continue to seek the path with you."
Occa says, "Well, If Salaam is going to die, then he is probably already dead. If not, then he is imprisoned. So, I am not sure if taking more time is a problem or not. Sadly, we have no way to commune to find out. Will this cover all your training that you need? Or part of it?"
"Maybe we should make a nice sized donation to a local temple in exchange for a commune."
"A very excellent suggestion. There are a number of churches in Sandas where we could get help."
"Niko, we can go now?"
Darian and Niko head off to the guild.
Varlen prefers to go off and train first before doing the pools, so off he goes.
"Seems Ric and I are of the same mold, as I have need of similar monies as well as time to reach the next level towards Enlightenment," John says, "I feel though, with your permission to stay here and meditate and when you come back I can rejoin you."
Al arrives back with Occa.
A muffled but familiar voice shouts out from the umbrella stand by the front door.
"Infidel! Infidel! We left you to rot! Go back to your grave!"
"Ha, isn't it quite amusing that the sins of the past follow you," Al says as he gives a kick to the umbrella stand. "Hope you enjoy your new home, Thor is my lord now and I have no need nor desire for you."
"You are no longer a paladin! Just as well, for you were ever a failure! Find me a real paladin, that I may bring truth, justice and the American way to all!"
"No, I am more, I am a Cavalier, the epitomy of knighthood, in the service of Thor, Lord of Thunder!" Al says with a grin.
"That suits you better, paladin-failure!"
Occa says, "Saddam, please have some manners!"
"Never! You are all infidels! You will roast in Hell!"
"Maybe you are right. We are going there to smite devils soon."
"It is ok, Occa, those of Mulhourndi bearing tend to be a little short on manners, I should know," he replies with a grin.
"Don't worry. I have a paladin in mind for you, boyo."
"I am pleased to hear it!"
Darian grins. "Who are you going to saddle with this lump of metal, Occa?"
"I pity the man or woman that has to deal with Saddam," Al replies.
"How is everything?" Al asks, looking at Darian.
"I was thinking Zanax, maybe."
Darian chokes on his chuckles. "Kadlian's group? Perfect! Absolutely perfect! Just what those folks need. Something to justify their paranoia that the world is out to get them."
Occa chuckles. "O ye of little faith. Maybe it will draw them together. Who knows?"
"Did you bring him back?"
"Bring who back?"
"Who knows!"
"My point exactly!"
"Poor guy... I hope he worships a god close to Saddam's demeanor or is that Paladin in for the time of his life," Al says in a serious tone, then a wide smile crosses his face. "At least I don't have to deal with him, instead I have a bad ass hammer named MC," Al says as he pats the head of his hammer.
"Yo! I'm the baaaaaddest of th' bad!" chimes in MC.
"Anyway, what have you all been up to and what is this about a journey to Hell all about?" Al asks.
Darian shrugs. "Mucked up as usual."
Occa says, "Well, simply, we have been up to a lot. We journeyed south in hopes of ending the pirate threat. We found their base and eradicated them. However, Salaam was taken by a devil to the hells. So, we have been working toward getting him out of hell. That is our present quest. Hopefully, we will be able to do so, but it has been a long road. He may not be alive. If he is, he may no longer be sane." Occa frowns and says, "Other than that, we have been to Mestom. In fact, many of the new recruits we have in this group are from Mestom. It is a strange land and magical travel and divination doesn't work there."
Al frowns when he hears of Salaam's abduction, but says nothing, listening to the recount of the events that have befallen the group.
"As I am a stranger to this world, I wouldn't know Mestom from Kalamazoo," Al says with a slight smile, "so what is our plan of attack to retrieve Salaam? Who took him?" Al asks. "I am not the man I used to be, either in power or ability. After Horus removed his touch from me, I found Thor seeking a man of my ability and have devoted myself to his plan. I am able to cast priestly spells as well as wield a hammer like a true fighter. While I am no longer a holy warrior, Thor has blessed me with supernatural abilities dealing with mastery of my mind against all threats and doubt. I have also become an accomplished rider in my time apart from you all." Al says, "so when do we leave?" he finishes with the question.
"Does that mean your psionic, Al?"
"If I am psionic, I am not aware of it. I am immune to fear with Thor's blessing and can radiate that protection for up to approximately 10 feet." Al replies, "I am also resistant to any charming or mind controlling spells, so while not psionic, I am protected against it to a certain degree, thanks to Thor." Al replies.
"Thor! Pah! A chaotic wussy!" snorts Saddam.
"Saddam, I am surprised at you, you seem almost intolerant. This is a stretch for you," Al says with a smile.
"Intolerant?? Me?? Never!!"
"Be civil Sadaam, or I will put you in a hole for the next month or three."
"I am civil, you rotting piece of fungoid matter! Convert! Repent! Or be forever damned!"
"As unyielding as the material of which you are formed." Al says in sagely tone.
Occa says, "We leave when these striplings have trained a bit and I have taken them around to the magic pools."
"While, you're waiting, here's a run down on the treasure haul."
"Each of us gets 3,040 gold pieces which leaves 8 silver left over."
"Then there's the items we found and Niko and I identified."
"I think Ricbane claimed the chainmail and Emm claimed the rope, but I'm not sure."
Indeed they did.
"I'd like the scroll with slow on it," Niko says.
"I am interested in this item," John says, if no one stops him, he takes it.
"Stop grabbing. So far, you, myself and Niko have expressed an interest in this rope. Why don't we wait to see if anyone else wants it. Then we can decide who gets it," Emm remarks.
Niko takes the scroll.
Time passes. John and Ric go and begin training. Emm heads off somewhere with Gonzo. Over the next few days the weather remains cool and overcast, with highs in the 30s and lows well below freezing. The new year comes and goes, and it is 1372.