Well since he’s offering, you mutter, wrestling with how you could possibly ask him what the hell you’re supposed to do without outright asking, any um… tips? For this? Bud?
“Stick with the facts:” Replies your new pal in a confident tone! “The Bellcounters are in disarray–plenty of suspects, but no hard evidence. No magical tampering, no sign of poisoning… it bumps our plans up a bit, but we aren’t compromised!”
Trying to wrap your brain around everything you’re learning over the span of the last few minutes, you blink as another unsettling realization hits you: wait, <span class="mu-i">he</span> was there, right? So why are YOU relaying the info!?
You feel the hastily-wrapped stump smack the back of your head! “Because <span class="mu-i">this</span> still hurts, that’s why! And why would you refuse the honor of speaking to our Lord? Frankly I’m doing you a favor!”
Gee, <span class="mu-i">thanks</span>, you frown. Hey uh… can he recite a quick erm, <span class="mu-i">hymnal</span> to his greatness? Before you talk to him, that is?
You’re answered by a pause. A long one. Followed by a guffaw and a slap on the back!
“Hymnals? Brother, are you feeling alright?” Masking your confusion with a laugh, you breathe a sigh of relief as Mr. One-Hand takes it as a joke! “The Master awaits the report, Brother… Let us all work to hasten the completion of his work.”
An unseen force slowly wraps around your head like tin foil as the room’s chanting grows louder!
“<span class="mu-r">THE BURROWER WAKES!</span>”
Before you can process what the hell the cultists are talking about, you feel your head <span class="mu-s">YANKED</span> like an unruly dog on a leash across an incalculable distance! Hurtling along in your astral jaunt like a meteor, your consciousness skids to a halt in a dark expanse.. But even without sight you can sense others…
And one central presence dwarfs them all!
https://youtu.be/6EVlyLXMn1kYou barely have time to acclimate to your new locale before a cruel, rumbling voice rings out across the ether–the sheer commanding tone compelling you to listen!
“<span class="mu-s">At last… I trust there is a reason for your late arrival?</span>”
Opening your mouth to respond, you’re cut off by an incorporeal hand covering your mouth!
“<span class="mu-s">No matter… Time is a luxury we cannot afford to waste any more of.</span>” Feeling his influence shift away from your body, you catch your breath as another presence speaks up–her voice shaky, but determined!
“L-<span class="mu-r">LORD LARIOUS</span>--if it pleases you, I would be honored to impart what I’ve learned-”
“<span class="mu-s">Speak.</span>” Snarls Larious–his features bare save for pure, overwhelming <span class="mu-i">presence</span>, “<span class="mu-s">What tidings do you bring us?</span>”
Clearing her incorporeal throat, the cultist relays her intel:
>Regarding the Southern Seas…>About Khodra and the Skogs to the West…>I bring word of Umberal to the North…>I come bearing information on the Eastern Wilds…>News from the wilderness, my Lord… and our summoning efforts… 