Dungeons of the Kragmor Plains(Devilbird)

[Sallin_Kari]

"I do got stuff to do, but I don't mind walking you to the shop... I can't wait for you though," Elisa informs you. She helps you down the stairs and positions herself between you and the crowd, giving anyone who even looks funny at you a death glare far more intense than you'd expect from the normally upbeat girl. Perhaps because of this, you don't get much more than a glance by the patrons, though Barris does give you a concerned look.

Out in the town proper, you get even less attention, as various groups discuss and march around, occasionally bumping into you, though Elisa does her best to impose herself between anyone who looks like they would do it. Still you are impressed just how many people there are. In fact there are so many people that the dungeon entrance has a line. It's moving quickly though so it's only a few minute wait, but still. Soon enough you find yourself at Kalia's potion shop and Elisa bids you farewell, before disappearing back into the crowd from which you came.

Entering the shop, you see it quite busy, with about twenty people browsing the shelves. Kalia doesn't seem to be manning the counter though, rather a hooded figure stands there silently exchanging coins or pointing people where they need to go. While you can see something underneath the hood you can't quite pick out any specific features.

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Asking the individual for Kalia resulted in him/her pointing behind the counter and opening it up to allow you to pass. Entering you quickly find her mixing up some batch of potion inside a cauldron, and she pauses her stirring to say, "Ah, darling, glad to see you! Now first off, I'm working with you because I wish to keep my contact with the local luddites to a minimum, so would you please not send them to talk to me. Second off, I see the dungeon left you a little... gift. I may be able to help... expedite the shedding of that burden though I expect that means you got a semen sample."

[devilbird]

What Elisa says is fair. I shouldn't hog her time or treat her like a simple follower. I'm grateful for her escorting me to the shop, and I thank her for all of her help. I am surprised by how little attention I recieved, since a pregnant woman in this town was far more likely to be a victim of the dungeon rather than a normal conception. Maybe this happened far too often for people to care anymore? At least that thought made me feel a bit less like a failure.

I enter the shop and see a new person standing at the counter. At least I think it's a person, as I can't see a single thing to prove me right. The figure points me toward Kalia, and I thank them for their time. When I enter the same room as her, I get chastised for sending someone in my stead. With that, my frustration elevates to a boiling point. "You're absolutely right. Where was my head at. It must be my confusion at waking up to suddenly be six months pregnant for the first time. Thanks to that, I inconsiderately wanted to send someone to deliver the very things you asked for on my behalf. I will try to think of your feelings in the future," I yell sarcastically, my politeness from our first meeting now replaced by me channeling far too much of my master, "Yes I have your damn samples. And if you really can speed up getting rid of this parasite inside me, I'll let you keep it too! Can't get a better sample than straight from the tap!"

After my outburst had allowed me to vent, my outrage quickly turned to regret.

[Sallin_Kari]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Welcome to the magi hierarchy.

She patiently watches your outburst with an amused smile, and once you had finished her smile turned into one that you'd expect a predator to have when it cornered it's prey, "You really are your master's pupil, flaws and all. Now, let me remind you of a few things, darling. First off, you were sent to assist me. That means make my life and my job easier, and dealing with the locals is not exactly easy on my patience. While you are here, I am your master, and you will listen to me as such. Second off, when I tell you to do something for me, I expect you to do it, not outsource it to what ever arrogant little twat you find who thinks it her place to lecture me about the quest I gave you. Third off, I don't care what kind of situation you are in, unless you physically can't get yourself here, that does not invalidate the previous statements. Do. I. Make. My. Self. Clear?" The room seems to quake slightly from Kalia's magic overflowing into it. Because of that, despite her even tone during most of it, you can literally feel her irritation with you.

[devilbird]

"Yes. Ma'am," I say through clenched teeth while trying to force as much politeness as I could. I didn't need my temper flaring up again. I had screwed up, and I knew that. If it had been just the lecture, then I would have fully accepted the consequences. But she also revealed some of her true colors in the process. She showed that it didn't matter what happened to me as a result of working for her. Her friendly demeanor from before was gone, and her words spoke to how expendable she saw me as. And that pissed me off. Still, it wasn't like I was capable of doing something about it, even on a good day. And today was not a good day. So I stood there and bit my tongue as she lashed back at me for my outburst.

[Sallin_Kari]

"Good," She says before her smile softens, "Now that, let's us get you that potion I promised you." She turns around and pulls out a small vial, "This will accelerate your pregnancy drastically, and if you do wish to donate the creature to my care, you might as well deliver it here. Don't worry, I can help you deliver it. As for your payment," She pauses once again to retrieve two coin purses and drops them in your hands. Each one contains 100 gold. "One for doing the mission, and two for completing the optional objective of getting me that semen sample. Now, darling, did you notice anything of particular interest during your jaunt within the dungeon?"

[devilbird]

I relent on my outrage, at least for now. Not only was I hilariously outmatched by her, she also was providing help that I needed. I may be green, but I'm not a complete fool. I take the potion and the coins while trading the vials I had obtained. I also relented to letting her help deliver the goblin. I was sure I didn't want her touching me, but I was more sure that I didn't want to keep lugging around the monster inside of me. As I recall what little information I got, I pop the potion and drink it. I tell her about the magic I felt when I entered, as well as the strange stone the walls seemed to be made of. I think back to my experience in the dungeon and remember my conversation with the owlbear. I tell her it's story about how it entered, and how the dungeon seemed to be collecting and trapping monsters.

[Sallin_Kari]

As soon as you drink the potion, you feel your belly starting to gurgle and swirl. She listens intently to your report, nodding at several points until you get to the owlbear, where her eyes light up, "Fascinating. I suppose you need to replenish your numbers somehow, and that would be an easy way of doing so... But from where? I'll have to send a letter to the College to see if anyone has notice any anomalous changes to monster populations. I would very much like to speak with this owlbear, as he might be able to inform us on some more intricate workings of the dungeon, being in there for so long on the 'other side.'" At that point you feel a kick from your stomach and something else. It take you a moment to realize it is starting to come out. Kalia also realize it, and with a snap of her gloved fingers, moves a bedroll out onto the floor and places a localize silence spell, to ensure none of the customers overhears any screaming you might do.

After helping you lie down, she quickly hikes up your robes and removes your undergarments, before producing a towel. "Alright darling, breath," She says as the contractions start in force. Luckily, despite all the rumors you heard about it, it turned out quite painless, and soon enough Kalia is wrapping up the newborn goblin in the towel and placing it in the back. Returning she asks, grimacing slightly at the slime on her gloves, "Good work darling. Need anything to drink or eat?"

[devilbird]

I found myself hesitant to inform Kalia about my plans to release the Cikuma from the dungeon, given my recent impression of her. I doubt she would inform the local guards to hunt him down, but I was confident that she wouldn't have his best interests at heart. Fortunately, the potion's effects provided a perfect distraction, if at the expense of what little dignity I had left. I lay down on the bedroll and started to breath heavily as the contractions started. I expected quite a bit of pain, but quickly found that I was actually grateful that this was the goblin's fault and not Cikuma's. With goblins beings much smaller creatures, the only sensation I felt was the pleasure of the baby passing out of me. It wasn't a horrible experience, to be sure, but I would take that fact to the grave.

When everything was said and done, she took the infant away. I felt a bit guilty of its fate, since it wasn't yet guilty of the same sins of the father, but I was still glad to be rid of it. Abandoning it in the dungeon would just create future problems, and I was in no position to try to take care of it. Kalia returned and asked me if I needed anything. I replied sarcastically, "Depends. How much alcohol do you keep to make your potions? Do I need to worry about any sort of recovery period or aftercare? I have a few more things I need to do." I was eager to keep my promise to Cikuma, and start hunting for a safe spot in the nearby plains.

[Sallin_Kari]

"I keep quite a stock actually... Great for extracting oils out of plants and the like, allowing for potions without bit floating in it. Too pure for drinking purposes though. With that said, I could us it to mix you up a drink if you so desire. As for recovery time... From what I gather from the locals, not particularly for goblins. They're too small to cause much issue, but for larger creatures a simple health potion will get you back on your feet, if a still a little exhausted from the experience," She says, moving to a small cabinet near by, pulling out a small bottle, before heading over to what appears to be a kitchen area.

As you think about your plan to summon Cikuma, you note a slight possible complication. Namely the raw resources to summon him. It's nothing particularly uncommon, some ground silver, sulfur, and something to make the actual circle with. Chalk is the standard, but if you are doing it in a field, salt or careful burning of the grass can work. The problem is that you don't have those materials on hand, and it would not be a far leap to figure out your intentions if you bought it from her, unless you have a solid excuse lined up.

[devilbird]

Once again I find myself having to rely on this woman. I would prefer not to involve her in anything other than her own jobs, but I doubted I could create a clever enough lie to get the supplies I needed with out her tagging along anyways. I would have to figure out how to keep Cikuma safe from her later, but at least for now I might be able to profit from her curiosity. For now, she just claims that she would wish to ask Cikuma some questions. As nonchalantly as possible, I try to catch her interest.

"Actually, Ms. Kalia," I say as I constantly try to read her face, after all, I don't want her to turn this on me, "You mentioned wanting to ask the owlbear some questions? I may be able to help you with that. Before we left the dungeon, it gave me one of its feathers. I'm more than capable of summoning it, but it would require some of your stock to complete the ritual. If that doesn't bother you, then all we would need is a safe place to summon it. Perhaps you know of a spot out in the plains that would be suitable?"

[Sallin_Kari]

While you try to work out how exactly to do it, she returns from the kitchen with a pitcher and two cup in hand. She places both on the table and fills them, before handing one to you. Sipping it would reveal it is a cocktail of a variety of fruit juices mixed with alcohol.

As you told her about your plan, her face is neutral with a slight polite smile, almost perfectly disguising any emotion she has, except a twinkle of excitement. "Oh no, feel free to use anything you need, on me... However I would caution against summoning him in the fields. The adventurer type has a habit for sticking their nose where they don't belong, so they might decide to follow us, or simply be exploring by chance, and come across us. And with us summoning him, they might very well take that as us being on the monster's side... Or simply come to the correct, but contextless conclusion that we are trying remove him from the dungeon, and may react badly to that. Rituals like this are often done behind closed doors for a reason, where privacy can be assured. Now you might find it... distasteful, but it would be safer to do this here, especially since I can teleport him to a safe location after we are done. After all, Owlbears are not traditionally plains dwelling."

[devilbird]

"Fair, and I had considered your lab, but considered how those same issues might be more problematic here. First, an owlbear isn't like a demon. You wouldn't be able to bind him to the circle. As such, if he reacts poorly, then who knows how much damage he could cause to your research before he is subdued. Especially since we'd need to focus on non lethal methods so that we don't lose his information. An open area fits that criteria much better, don't you agree?" I ask while still maintaining my poker face, "The second issue I see with this is exactly the same problem you brought up, nosy adventurers. Your shops already has an air of mystery to the average peon. I'm sure you've had to do a lot to turn them away in the past, but conversing with the owlbear does tend to take one's focus. All you'd need is one snoop at that time, and you and your shop would be in danger. They'd have to just make it past the door, where as out in the wild they would have to make it back to town."

[Sallin_Kari]

"For the first issue, I will simply remind you that I am a master mage. If your guest decides to act violently as soon as he is out of the dungeon, I can and will disable him well before he would have the chance to do anything," She returns with a smile before adding, "As for the second issue, while that may be true, they would have to get far closer rather than simply spotting from behind a rock 100 meters away, not to mention get through the various wards I have already placed that work independent of my focus, and that sentry golem I have at the front. It is not as simple as sneaking past the counter, especially since this isn't the room we would summon him in... Or did you really think I my laboratory is so exposed?" She makes a good point... A magic laboratory is universally the mostly heavily guarded portion of a mage's stronghold, both via magical and physical means. This is for the obvious reasons that this is where all their most secret stuff is done, as well as their most dangerous or valuable items are kept, and where they will go to in case of attack, not to mention if something goes wrong, that security will also hopefully contain it, or at least minimize the damage to the rest of the house or even surroundings.

[devilbird]

Not seeing a way to move her on this issue, I relented to the fact that Cikuma would have to be summoned here. I would just have to figure something out to protect him should she decide not to release him. "I can't find fault with that logic," I conclude defeated, "Very well, I shall defer to your wisdom and expertise. Shall I begin making preparations then?"

[Sallin_Kari]

"Give me a minute to finish up this batch of potions, then we can start," She says, returning to the cauldron, before adding, "Feel free to get more of that cocktail I made, or get some food from the kitchen."

After about five minutes she picks the cauldron up, despite its massive size, and set it on a hook above her head. "Alright," She says as she turns to you, "I'll let that cool there while we move onto summoning your little friend." After which she leads you to what appears to be a normal wall before she touches it and it melts away to reveal a spiral staircase down. As you follow her down you notice despite not having any noticeable light source, it is comfortably illuminated. At the bottom you are greeted with a giant stone room, with multiple sealed rooms branching out from it. She points to a large flat elevated stone in the middle, stating, "There is where the leylines focus, so it would be the simplest to summon him there."

[devilbird]

I nod as I move to prepare the ritual. I had to admit, this place was impressive. As I worked, I kept mental notes of the design while comparing it to my master's lab. Not too early to plan for my own lab some day, and these designs would help a lot. I also tried to identify and mentally reverse engineer any spells I noticed while I readied the circle. From the toughest security to the simple lighting, I was interested in how she crafted them. When I finished all the preparations for the ritual I turn to her and say, "It's all ready for us as far as I can see. Before we start, should I be aware of anything that might interfere with the spell at all?"

[Sallin_Kari]

This had a far more utilitarian feel compared to master's mansion, surprisingly enough, as this lacked any sort of furnishing or decor, while your master's had at least cast iron torches. With that said you can tell that the leylines has been specifically modified to flow through each room and converge onto the point where you are standing. A costly endeavor. Unfortunately for your curiosity, you can't pick up any specifics on the spells active... You can feel them, but without seeing the runes or magical circle maintaining them, all of which are concealed, you can't get a good enough feel for them to have any chance of reverse engineering them. With that said, the simple fact that you can't see a single magical circle implies that this was planned out ahead of time very carefully and was made with absolutely master craftsmanship.

"No, I lowered the dimensional seal so that it won't interfere with your attempts," She informed you. An extreme measure, as exceptions can be made... of course she isn't a conjuror nor is familiar with the individual you are trying to summon, so it likely the only option. As you begin the ritual you are surprised at exactly how easy it is. Normally it takes a few minutes for the ritual to fully charge for a lack of a better term, but it only takes about ten seconds before the there is a bright flash and Chikuma appears before you, looking around in bewilderment.

[devilbird]

As soon as Cikuma appears, I immediately move to let him know that everything is alright. Trying to keep the magic jargon to a minimum, I let him know where he is and what I had to agree to to help him escape. I point him towards Kalia. "This woman would like to ask you a few questions," I look him in the eyes as I say, "Afterwards, she has promised to help get you a forest."

And I intended to make sure she kept her promise. As soon I was sure that Cikuma was alright, I motioned for Kalia to come forward.

[Sallin_Kari]

As you explain, he nods his head to indicate his understanding, looking at Kalia with a wary eye, sniffing the air in her direction.

Kalia, meanwhile, doesn't immediately react to your beckoning, instead leaning back and stroking her chin in thought as a single word, 'Interesting' slips out. She quickly moves up after that, pausing to let Cikuma sniff her hand, before slowly running her hand over him, not as if to pet him, but more like that of a medical examination. Pausing on Cikuma's head, scalp, throat, chest, arms, and basically anything else she can reach.

[devilbird]

I pay attention as she examines Cikuma, and ask questions where I can about her examination. I'm constantly shifting between communicating with her, and my mental link with Cikuma to help keep him calm during the whole examination. That said, I do get more than a little uncomfortable whenever the examination goes toward any personal area. I still try to keep Cikuma calm and convey all the reasons that Kalia gives me to him, but I can't help but remember our introduction, as it was still incredibly recent.