Channelknight Fadran

Ayia turned back to Variance. "Righto. So how do we free you, mr. ghost sir?" "You seem like an honest guy though."

Hm. "Well, he said he could help you, right? In what ways would you want him to do that?"

Though you mentioned earlier that your stone cost lives... Ayia didn't draw attention to that. "I agree, that's a good start. Right now, I think the worst case scenario is that Variance is what an old friend of mine would refer to as a 'Backstabber,' but due to the conditions on which their imprisonment is managed, I also think it's quite probable that we could set our own conditions to maintain order in their release. For example, 'do not bring harm to anyone' would be more direct and impactful than 'don't kill anyone,' especially considering this guy isn't living or dead... if Variance was evil, then loopholes could be drawn to the difference between living and dead."

"Figures." Ayia turned to explain her questions to the bird lady. "So far I've deduced that this guy isn't a pure manifestation of dishonesty or evil, but I'm pretty sure he's powerful. If we were to free them, what conditions would you set?"

"Great. We're making strides here..." Ayia filed those answers away. "And... Variance, you said? Is that your true name?"

"Wonderful. And what's my name?"

"Aye, that's the rub alright, but first of all... what's two plus two?"

"Forgive my crassness, but before we free you we need to ensure that you aren't... ah..." There really wasn't any way to put this lightly. "We need to make sure you aren't a malicious eldritch horror seeking the destruction of the universe."

"Does your imprisonment prevent you from telling us about yourself?"

"What is your name, ghost?"

"I've killed some reasonably tough nuts in my time. I can handle a wizard." Ayia cleared her throat, and said - louder - "Heya! Specter guy! You can come out now!" She waved both her arms in the general direction of where he'd once 'stood' to emphasize it.

Ayia ran through some calculations over the next few seconds. "I can't immediately think of any way that those could create an ability that requires some form of consent to activate, and I doubt that would be very useful anyways. Worst case scenario this is one of your mages on a power trip, but if that's the case then I bet I could take them down." She looked around. "Specter guy, you can come out now."

"I doubt it. Your magic comes from those stones, right? What's the most complex ability you've ever heard of from one?"

That was... probably a lot of money. "This thing isn't interested in cash. Think about it: it said this whole planet is its prison, right? In situations like these, generally that's because they're an exceptionally powerful being. So the question isn't what kind of game it's playing, but rather whether it's been imprisoned for a good reason or a bad one."

Ayia raised an eyebrow. "Well, if this specter guy is telling the truth, I imagine that they're be mighty helpful with... whatever it is you situation is."

Ayia turned to the bird lady. "Alright. I know you don't exactly trust me that much, but for this situation specifically let's assume we're on the same side."

Wonderful. "Do you mind if I speak with my... ah... associate? Privately?"

"It's your prison? Why are you imprisoned?"

"This place? The cave, you mean?"

Ayia held up a hand to pause the bird lady. It felt a little weird trying to assert herself in a situation she knew nothing about and on a planet she'd never been to, but one way or another, antagonizing this specter seemed... unwise.

"No, that's okay. What do you need? Can we help you?"

Ayia nodded - that would do for now. She then turned to the specter. "I can hear your thoughts. Can you hear my words?"

"I... don't think this is what you think it is." Ayia held up both hands, having vanished her staff, trying to diffuse the tension. "Mages. Okay. Really quick, explain to me what they can do."

That seemed like a no. "Stop struggling! Okay? Just trust me... stop struggling..."