|
Post by Stephen on Apr 15, 2019 7:24:06 GMT -5
In the rooms given to him by the Council of Waterdeep, Runar begins writing in his journal....
The past week has been interesting. Well more like insane and basically the stuff that nightmares turned into legend are made of. I now have a better understanding why some of the old adventurers I saw growing up kept to themselves not really wanting to talk about their past.
We defeated two dragons up north. Drove them off. We split the treasure and freed the ice hunters from OWD's influence. We partied with them for a bit it was fun. We dropped off Maccath at Luskan and continued south. A storm damaged the ship and we were forced onshore. The crew stayed behind for we were really close to Waterdeep. About halfway to Waterdeep we got attacked by blue dragon cult members. It was a tough fight but in the end we slayed another dragon and several members of the dragon cult.
The water deep council was happy on the results of the mission. The Arcane Brotherhood even happier and joined Waterdeep to fight against the dragon cult. Things are looking up. We have a week or so before we set out on our next mission into the Misty forest to face off against a black dragon and its followers. I am going to brew potions of healing for us all. Hopefully we won't have to use them in the coming days.
|
|
|
Post by dragonforgotten on Apr 15, 2019 15:09:09 GMT -5
Hugging and crying seems like a reoccurring pattern when we fight dragons. I untangle myself from karsi's victory hug and begin the assessing the work of removing the treasure from the perma frost and ice. One of the most annoying habits a white dragon has. Freezing their loot. I detect hints of magic in the ice but just as i warm my hands to firebolt the ice like before i get a sick feeling in my stomach. What if i destroy the items, that wouldn't be good. I snuff out the flames. I mark the source with a big X as a reminder of where these items are buried. Urike the elven ranger casted a spell that create this spectral hawk that flies around in circles. When i entered its radius all my wounds healed. Fascinating. I haven't studied natural magic before. I didn't get to collect a lot of my notes on nature magic after Arnies... well. i searched the place top to bottom. It seems my worries were just in my head. There are no dragon eggs here but with them still alive its still a possibility. We returned to Maccath to report the good news of the dragons retreat. I think she's more than happy to be rid of them and ready to go back to luskan for she left to collect her materials and the Brotherhoods property. I sit next to grahz who's sprawled out on the floor already asleep. I pull out my blankets from my pack and draped it over him. I notice then that karsi is talking to someone at the tents entrance in Draconic, strange. "Who is there?" I calls in Draconic. "A big frog!" Kari respond in common. Frog? "Says he is Senchal of Oyaviggaton. Get over here!" I join her and so does the ranger to be face to face with an ice toad. Marfulb. he was a servant of old white death and is willing to trade information about the dragon for safety out of this icy pit. Unfortunatly he has more physical than i thought. We are poorly lacking in knowledge on dragons and my hazy memories pale in comparison to physical writings. AS much as it pains me to lose a lot of the gold, information is just as vital. We agreed and let him inside promising to retrieve her stuff in the morning. Before bed i desired to open up a little. "For the new warriors who's joined us i think you have proven yourself trustworthy so it is only fair that i do the same." I pull down the collar hiding my tattoo. "This is the symbol of Tiamat. I was once a member of the Dragon cult a life time ago but something happened. Whether an accident or intentional I awoke under a house with no memories of my time in the cult with only my torn up spellbook as any clues. Ive been recovering some of my memories but none that have offered any comfort or clues into what the cult is up to, what i was to them, and how much help i gave them." They took it a lot better than i expected. I ended up sitting next to the ranger listening to Marfulb talk extensively about his experience as i studiously jolt down every word. Suddenly Karsi grabbed my attention, wanting to talk in private. She tellls me of a vision she received in her near death experience. She speaks of her death and her brush meeting with the raven queen. "I finally remembered... it's all been coming back to me slowly, every time I'm close to death." I take a close analytical look at her scar and i tell her my thoughts on this. "There is probably a reason you're forgetting. But if I can help you find her, or to remember more, I will. But be advised, sometimes searching for the truth is more painful than ignoring it." -------
At night im flipping through my spellbook when i notice something. Two pages are stuck together. As i pry them carefully apart, revealing the spell teleportation circle and another spell ill need time to figure out. i come to a chilling realization why the pages were stuck. On both pages their is a familiar stain of dried blood turned rusted with age. Its not just a litttle bit. There is a lot, the ink standing dark against the stain but still legible.. Theres only one location the circle leads to. Neverwinter. But thats impossible. Unless.. Ill consider the ramification later. I scry in the signal to waterdeep and call it a day with the mystery in the back of my mind. ---- In the morning we gathered as much treasure we can carry. We are ready to go but i have a better idea. "At least we don't have to take a boat. I can just take us to waterdeep immediately and we can just travel up there by horse." "That wont due. The brotherhood doesn't have a teleportation circle." spoke Maccath as she hauled book after book into the tent. WHAT! C**** i broke another quill. "You mean to tell me... That this order of mages. This mysterious order of mages who pride themselves on obtaining knowledge. Does not have the foresight to have a teleportation circle. "We pride ourselves in knowledge yes but A portal right in the city is ill advised." "So." I spoke coldly. "You mean to tell me, that instead of just magically appearing at your location you rather risk losing all of it at sea or ambushed." "I have too many books." .... I cant believe her right now. We march, backs heavy in loot just as the ice toads people start to get rallied up. As we ascend back into the village we received a heros welcomes We a greeted with pats on the backs which cause me to cringe and flinch and are each given a smoke from a pipe. Im reluctant until karsi insists, then i regret it not five minutes later. Screw customs. the celebration goes by in a flash and with the ice hunters finally free of the dragon they back up there tents and move as customs dictate. ----
Im sitting on the boat as the ice drifts by. I wish i could have spent more time in Luskan but our time is short. The sea is calm. Too clam. theres a familiar sinking feeling in my gut and I stand up to get the captain. "theres a storm coming." "pardon?" "Theres a storm coming. get your men to order before its on top of us." Of course the moment i turn my back i hear mutterings of me being crazy. How it's perfect today. So i Grab grahz by the arm, startling him from his prayers as i drag him to the mass. Dark clouds are starting to roll in. "Grahz theres a storm coming. Im too weak to pull in the sails." He gets what I'm saying immediately and soon i have everyone working. The waves are starting to pick up and just as i predicted the weather has turned for the worst. We are being thrown back and forth and the boat groans against the beating. "Pull the nose there! LAND!" I scream over the tempest. "How the heck do you know!?" A sailor cries. "I just do! Trust me!" The ship is pulled to the north. Theres nothing more we can do now but whether the storm. Just brace for the impact of the land. ------
The ship is beached and destroyed but everyone is still alive. by some miracle we beached not far from waterdeep. We departed, preparing for a long walk with quick thank you and good bye. I pity the money and work it will take the captain to get his ship sea worthy again. halfway into the march we notice we are being followed. Cultists with a young blue dragon flying in our direction on the horizon. Thanks a lot Maccath and your detours. "What do you know about us!" I shat at them, done with mysteries. Of course, silent as ever. We go back to back, i ready a blast to strike the dragon but then i see it. One of the cultists goes through the familar motion of casting but fails. then another does the same to me and fails and suddenly I'm not think so coherently as i am before. Im back in the past. One in a dungeon fighting my fellow students of magic for the approval of a mentor in red, then back in a tower fighting my fellow mages to the death. "You will not take me!" I scream in Draconic. "There can only be one!" I shoat again, crazed as the fireball i prepared for the dragon is redirected into the two magic casters. I dont even care that theres a dragon at my back. They must suffer and parish. Suddenly the screams of Karsi brings me back to awareness. i turn around to see her covered in blood, fighting one on one with the dragon, alone with only the ranger peppering it with arrows. I look at Dusty on my shoulder and i know i wont be able to make it to her in time. Of course if i had proaperly read my book instead of skim i would have remember that Polymorph is a range spell, not a touch. I know what i must do. "What are you doing?" asks Dusty "Something stupid." I cast polymorph onto myself. I grow large and my teeth grow sharp but i grow stupid. Im a T Rex. ----------
Theres a small dragon in my territory. Die, eat, kill. I charge, bit her in the throat as she whimpers as i taste her blood. Suddenly Dragon goes limp. I shake the corpse about. I hear someone yelling. Small glowing ape is pointing and yelling. There are squishy apes and lizards here as well. Big ape is stealing my kill. I move to bit him but small creatures wave there hands screaming. Suddenly glowing monkey climbs on my back, slapping my head. Don't understand. That way? ok. ---------
I scramble out from under Karsi before her weight cracks a rib. I almost was sick when she mentioned that i almost ate the cultists and parts of the dragon. Im now franticly scrying spells from books and scrolls before it's too late. Im writing like a woman possessed. We are going to be fighting a green dragon. I have nothing to counter the poison. It's been four days, i forget the last time i've actually slept. Suddenly Karsi Barges into my room. I hiss as she opens the curtains and lets in the offending light. Pulling me up from my slouching postion over my books as my head lollys back. "Just a couple more pages!" I whines. "No, Omen. We are going out. You need to get away from your books. It's not good for you!" "No, no I need to finish this! No time, no rest. Cult getting strong. So many new spells! Must become powerful again..." "You know, there's still time to convert-" "I'm not selling my soul!" I snaps, throwing a crumpled up parchment. "I work hard to learn my spells." "Too hard," she grab my by the arm and try to drag her out of her chair but my nails dig in. "NO! Theres no time! NOt enough time! Tiamats coming!" "Not now!" Suddenly she grabs me by the legs and i'm having a fit but too weak to fight her off. I grab my spellbooks just as she drags me across the ground. "Let's. Go." She huffs hauling my over her shoulder as she marches with me out of my room, locks the door.
Omen the Farsighted
|
|
|
Post by bxtreme on Apr 16, 2019 7:07:09 GMT -5
After slaying the green dragon, Ulrich breathes a sigh of relief. "We did it, but we're starting to cut it real close guys...". He makes his way over to the dragon, firmly plants his foot on the dragons head and begins to assess which teeth to extract for his necklace. Ulrich peers across the pond, over to the waterfall as he imagines what treasure might be hidden in the dragons lair. Ulrich smiles at the thought of a new magical bow or armor.
However, Ulrich's stoic nature doesn't allow him to rejoice for long, as he recalls the Wood Elf's village elder. Remembering the suspicious nature of their conversation, Ulrich's face is once again serious as he starts to pull teeth from the dragon's mouth.
When questioned about the "healing bunny spirits", Ulrich says "even amidst the chaos of battle, the childhood memory of bunnies from my Homeland of Evereska still calms my nerves." He blushes, realizing he has started to "open up" to this group, and without a single drop of alcohol! Ulrich grabs his flask and takes a swig. He clears his throat and says "Alright, who needs healing?"
|
|
|
Post by Chris on Apr 16, 2019 10:44:41 GMT -5
End Nightal 15 1:05:0 pm, 1489 DR; Year of the Warrior Princess. Selune is new. The Rise of Tiamat Death to the Wyrmspeakers The Misty Forest Investigation at Altand Survivors' Tales The Warden's Story Into the Forest A Timely Rescue Spiders' Haunt Neronvain's Stronghold Pool Dragon Attack MVP = Brian Costa as Ulrich Our plays on RPGGeek.com rpggeek.com/plays/thing/162998?userid=1168080
|
|
|
Post by Aileen on Apr 16, 2019 13:45:16 GMT -5
My week in Waterdeep was a much needed break from adventuring. On the last night, still recovering from a horrible hangover in Omen and I's room, I had an idea. I had absentmindedly been going through some of her spell research when I came across one that appealed to me. One to contact another plane, giving the ability to speak to a higher being.
"Omen, can I really do this?" I ask, slamming the book on her desk. She sighs, glaring at me, then reads over the page. Theres a knock at the door, and I get up to answer it as Omen does my research for me.
"You're not room service."
"I could be," Runar smirks devilishly, pushing me back into the room. His mischievous look turns to disappointment when he sees Omen is still there. "Still studying?"
"She's looking at a spell for me. Pretty sure I can do it."
Omen closes the book and stands up.
"Yes. You can do it. But its dangerous."
"How so?" I ask.
"Best case scenario, you may get through to someone, some demigod or dead sage. Worst case, you go insane."
"She already is, Omen, I see no risk." Runar laughs.
"Right, sounds good." I sit cross legged on the rug, and close my eyes.
"You're not doing it now, are you?" Omen snaps.
"Yes, I am. I want to talk to the Raven Queen."
Runar and Omen join me on the floor, and it takes me a bit to concentrate. I feel my mind drift as the power that always flows through me seems to wash over me like a calming wave. The sounds of the room fade away.
"Ask your questions, warlock." A deep, gravelly voice says. It sounds powerful, but it does not sound menacing. I feel a familiar prying sensation in my mind, the same feeling I had when Rath Modar entered my mind. "Not you!"
Did Omen just try to interrupt my chat with a higher being?
"Does Neronvain have a dragon mask?"
"No."
"Does Talis have the white dragon mask?"
"No."
Well that's a relief.
"Should we destroy the black dragon mask?"
The menacing laughter I am met with makes my blood go chill. Who is this being I am talking to?
"Is the cult of the dragon tracking us?"
"Yesss."
"Are there cultists in Waterdeep?"
"Yesss."
The chilling laughter continues as I find myself coming back to my body. My eyes snap open, and I look to my friends. They're not next to me anymore. My head is pounding.
"Karsi, she clawed me!" Omen's panicked voice comes from across the room, and I look to see her sitting against the wall with her hand under her robes pressed against her chest.
"Maybe you shouldn't have entered my mind. That was a private conversation."
I get shakily to my feet and walk over to Omen and Runar. She shows me her chest, which bears telltale claw marks. Barely scratches, but they're there. I have a sinking feeling that I know exactly who I just spoke to, and it was most definitely not my patron. The Raven Queen does not have the claws of a dragon.
"It's only a scratch." I laugh. "I think I just talked to Tiamat."
Suddenly Omen's hands are grabbing my shoulders in a death grip. I flinch as her eyes seem to flash, and wonder if the dragon-like eyes are a hallucination or her.
"You do not know what you are messing with, Karsi! That was her!"
She returns to normal, letting me go. I slip around her, grabbing my cloak from my bed.
"I dont think I gave her any information that can help them... oh. Wait, she knows exactly where we are going now."
"She always does." Omen says.
"Karsi, let's get a drink." Runar wraps an arm around me, ushering me to the door.
"I'll be here studying." Omen says.
I stay the night with Runar again, not wanting to keep Omen from her work. I'm ashamed that I so naively talked to the one being we are trying to stop. She was actually pretty nice to even talk to me, a lesser being. Now I see why so many people follow her.
The next day we all meet up to hit the road. Runar hands out the healing potions that he made from scratch... I think I'm in love. Grahz has a weird smile on his face, and tells us he bought something.
"What kind of something?" I ask.
"You will see."
The ranger had an unfortunate run in with a scamming devil that tried to make an extremely bad deal with him just to get a potion of frost giant strength, and fortunately he didn't cave. Omen has some new spells, as do I, and the others had a good time just hanging out and drinking or praying.
"I need to tell you guys something. Especially you," I say, looking at Morrigan. "I have a new ability to contact another plane. I used it, and I may or may not have spoken to Tiamat."
Charlie gives me a condescending look.
"Okay. And what did she say to you?"
I can tell the paladin does not believe me. I told them what I asked and the answers I got. Only Grahz, Morrigan and Omen... well, possibly Runar too... know my history with Talis. I had to know if she had the mask, and it was a relief to know she didn't. However Omen had warned me that it could have been all lies. I warn the crew that we need to be careful as there are cultists in Waterdeep and we are being tracked. I suggest we destroy the black dragon mask, but Morrigan does not wish to part with it. I'm pretty sure that's how they are tracking us, but if nobody else is concerned then I guess it doesnt matter.
We head out without any incident. I wave to my new guard friend Julio as we pass through the city, and he smiles and nods. I met Julio at a tavern along with two other guys. A mercenary and a criminal. They may have all been flirting, but i've got Runar now, so I hope I didnt lead any of them on as per usual.
The journey to Altand is surprisingly uneventful. After my talk with Maybe Tiamat I've been extremely on guard, waiting for the cult to jump out and attack us. Every tree, boulder and wild animal looks like a dragon to me. When we get to the Misty Forest and the remains of the elven settlement, I breathe a sigh of relief.
The wood elves have interesting architecture. Up in the canopy of the woods are houses linked with rope bridges and platforms on pulleys. It is clear that these defenses are beneficial when fighting ground forces. A dragon attack not so much. The faces we pass are somber and the devastation of the town is immense. From the townsfolk we gather that a massive green dragon attacked, followed by cultists on the ground who slaughtered in its wake. Some spotted a human riding the dragon. Some say he or she moved like an elf. What is most strange is they took no treasure and the dragon retreated, leaving survivors. Not very characteristic of a dragon attack. We are then directed to the new leader of the town, Galen, and pay him a visit.
We walk into the house in the trees to find a slim elven Male standing before us. His face is welcoming but his eyes are sad, the smile on his face forced. We were told his wife had died in the attack and he was not dealing with things well. That was to be expected.
"I am sorry for your loss." I say to him in elvish. He looks a bit taken aback, probably mistaking me for just a human.
"That is very compassionate of you. Thank you."
Ulrich speaks to Galen in elvish and I listen as I go over to check out his raven in a cage. The bird is smaller than Zoltan, and Z Man trills happily at it as we approach. The ranger asks about the attack and Galen's wife, but Galen is guarded. He has nothing more to add that we haven't already heard. Ulrich keeps pushing, trying to maintain calm, but the poor guy is clearly devastated and doesn't want to talk.
"I know you suffered a great loss, but if you have information you are not giving us that could help us find this dragon... many more may die."
"Why would it come back?" Galen snaps. "Please, just go."
"Come, let's go." Ulrich speaks to everyone in common. "We are not going to get any more out of him."
"Come, Zoltan." I order my little guy, who is happily flapping his wings along with his new friend Raven. He flies back to perch on my shoulder, and we all leave.
We walk down to the village center and talk out of earshot of any villagers. Ulrich reveals to us that he suspects Galen was withholding information, but doesn't know what or why he would not share it. Omen wants to pry into his mind, but we determine it is not worth the risk. Galen is greaving, and even if he is not telling us everything he deserves to be left alone to grieve. As we walk, a rock hits me in the back of the head. I turn to prepare to attack, and realize the villagers are peppering rocks at Morrigan.
"Its the mask, I told you!"
"Stop trying to take my fun!" She huffily takes the mask off and stows it, but the villagers still don't trust her.
"Morrigan, did you get a makeover?" I ask. "You look prettier than I remember."
"You just havent seen my real face in a long time, I've always been prettier than you."
"I wasn't comparing, but alright."
Another rock bounces off her forehead. We hurry out of town, following the trail of the dragon at Ulrich's lead. The forest is as misty as its name implies, but it is pleasant and our walk is danger free. The paladin struts around on his mystical steed and I am more than a little jealous. He doesnt know I was an officer in the Waterdeep Guard, I was just as good a soldier as he was... with half the self righteousness. We camp out in Omen's tiny hut and head out the next morning.
As we proceed through the wood there is the unmistakable sound of a tree falling up ahead, and then a woman's scream of pain. Not thinking, I run towards the sound, Ulrich and Grahz hot at my heels. An old woman lays with her leg pinned under a large tree, and I spring into action with no regard for my own safety or my bad back. I grab the tree as best as I can, and with the help of Grahz and Ulrich begin pulling it up off the poor woman. If it shifts, we risk it falling on us, but that doesn't matter to me. Suddenly the tree... stands up. The old woman's visage disappears and an elf woman lays before us. She springs to her feet, totally fine. Three trees are moving on their own, and I wonder if I'm under the influence of drugs.
"Heroes at last!" She exclaims.
And then Omen decides to cast a spell. The elf woman turns her attention to her, and looks a bit annoyed. She stares her down, and clearly whatever Omen was trying to do failed.
"I don't know what you're about," she says. "Take her!"
Two of the trees take Omen by her arms and pin her. I watch as Omen misty steps thirty feet away. The elf sighs.
"I'm sorry. This will only take a moment. Seize her!"
Three of the trees chase after Omen as she runs, nearly tripping over her robes.
"Omen, get the hell back here!" I yell at my nearly feral friend.
The trees effortlessly pick her up and bring her back to us.
"I was in the process of thanking you before your insane friend attacked." Says the elf. "For those heroes among us, I grant you my blessing."
She begins pulling flowers out of her hair, that weren't there before, and weaves them into garlands. She places one around each of our necks, and after putting Charlie's on him she turns into an owl and flies away. Omen is the only one with no garland. She glares after the trees as they walk away. I now understand from past experiences that the woman was a druid, and the trees Awakened Trees. I hope that we run into her again, I love druids and their quirky ways. Omen clearly doesn't.
Runar does detect magic on the garlands and identifies them as we hang around for a bit. Omen is still fuming and I go to talk to her.
"Omen, next time let's think before diving into something like that. Take a deep breath, count to three, and when in doubt... do as I do. Emulate me."
"It looked like a trap!" She says. "I thought she was going to hurt you!"
"Not everyone is evil. It was a trick, yes, but she was looking for heroes. Not to kill. You can't assume everyone is out to get you."
Runar finishes identifying the garlands and notifies us that they render us invisible to any creatures that surround the dragon's lair. Forest creatures sometimes serve dragons, and if we were to walk through the wood without these they would warn him we are coming. Omen, realizing she is unprotected, changes into her cultist clothes she still carries around. If you can't hide from them, be them.
We continue on the trail through the woods for another hour and begin to see misty strands of spider webbing in the trees. Omen and the ranger light torches to burn them out of the way, but their wetness makes it difficult. I draw my sword and strap on my shield, ready for an attack if the spiders make an appearance. The webbing becomes thicker as we move further in, and I can see small animals and birds caught in the webs. I nestle Z Man a little closer to my neck, not wanting him to get caught.
As expected, we are attacked from above. Two massive creatures that I recognize as Ettercaps descend, as well as several spiders. Webs shoot out, just missing Runar and I. The spiders have us surrounded, while the Ettercaps seem to be attracted to Runar. I focus on my own spider, ready to hack it to pieces.
I tripped. Somehow in my eagerness to attack, my leg caught one of the spiders many legs, and I fell towards it, hitting the ground. The spider then tripped on my leg, falling prone next to me. I swung out with my sword, missing it again.
"Way to go, Karsi!" Omen cheers. "You've got this!"
I can't tell if shes being serious or sarcastic, but I can't help but to laugh at my situation. Grahz moves in to help me with my spider, and while its distracted by him I get to my feet and attack once more. Now I get my hits in. Soon Grahz and I take it down, and I go after the Ettercaps that are brutalizing my dear Runar.
After the spiders and ettercaps tried to run, we finally get the best of them and all are destroyed. The ranger heals those who are injured up, and we move on. I dont fancy being jumped by spiders again, so we do not wish to linger.
An hour later, finally past the webbing, we come to a high cliff with a waterfall running down it into a pool. Above the pool an emerald green mist rises, obscuring the water. The ranger approaches it and takes a whiff.
"Its not poison!" He declares.
Out of sheer curiosity, I get closer to the waterfall and peer in, trying to see if theres a cave behind it. Suddenly a massive, green, and very angry draconic face comes right at me, and I jump out of the way as the huge green dragon flies up into the air, turning toward us. I feel my flower garland warm against my neck, and Zoltan flies away from danger, croaking every curse word he knows. I run up to join the crew at the edge of the pool, sword readied to fight this thing to whatever end.
Seeing my opportunity to attack, I think back to fighting the last dragon and remember a new spell I learned based on its attack. I raise my sword to the sky, pointing at the dragon, and unleash my own icy blast. It hits the dragon, but doesnt do as much damage as I had hoped. I've been itching to show this one to Omen.
"You see that, Omen!"
"Nice!" She calls back.
The dragon, Chuth as I remember it being called, breathes a sickly green gas down upon us all. I feel instantly sick, and fight back the urge to vomit, standing my ground. Chuth beats his wings, and everyone but Omen and I falls prone. I turn to her with a smile of encouragement, and duck as the dragon flies right above us, going to hover just above the pool behind us. It whips its tail around, striking Omen. I yell in rage as my friend drops, seemingly dead, and turn to blast the dragon again. Once more it blocks out the full power of my cone of cold, and turns to me with it's piercing eyes, grinning cruelly.
I can't dodge out of the way fast enough and it clamps its jaws around my entire body, shaking me like a rag doll before spitting me out. I've been here before, in a much smaller dragon. This hurts a bit more. I scream in horrible pain as it slashes me with its claw, and slip into blessed unconsciousness.
"You shouldn't have cheated on me."
I blink my eyes as Zoltan stares me down, perched on my chest.
"What?"
"You talked to her." He is speaking in a womans voice. Strange.
"Talked to who? The other raven?"
"No, Karsi." A deep, gravelly voice echoes all around me. I sit up, pushing Zoltan away, and he flaps angrily onto a rock beside the pool.
I take stock of where I am... the same pool we were fighting in. None of my friends are there, just me and my bird. A green dragon head emerges from the waterfall, leering at me.
"You are mine now." It says in the familiar voice.
"I am my own." I say. "I serve the Raven Queen."
Zoltan let's out a cry that sounds like laughter.
"See if I help you now, girl!"
The dragon emerges, and then I see it's not just one head. Tiamat herself stands in the pool. The water turns to blood. I scream as all five heads open their mouths, and prepare for multiple blasts.
I am hit with...
Bunnies?
I sit up, still seeing the bunnies, and shake my pounding head to clear it. They don't go away. I look up and the green dragon is still there, it's back to me, attacking my friends.
"Give him hell, Karsi!" Ulrich yells to me.
I stand up, preparing to blast, and am stopped by a demanding cry from Omen.
"The scroll, Karsi!"
Scroll? Oh, right, that one.
I pull it out of my belt pouch and unravel it, reading the spell. It burns up in my hands as I cast, and nothing happens. The dragon is not held by my casting of Hold Monster. Well that blows.
The bunnies leave me and go away to the other side. I still feel awful so may be hallucinating from the poison, but somehow they were very comforting. The dragon beats its wings, and I find myself drifting away again.
I'm barely out a moment before the blackness clears to awareness of someone's hands groping my backside. I look to see Runar grinning, covered in blood yet still handsome as always.
"Get up, girl." He says.
I get to my feet, looking up at the giant dragon that has vexed me one too many times. I throw all my will into blasting it, hitting hard twice. The dragon freezes in midair, wings slumping, and falls to the earth. Runar jumps out of the way just before it can fall on top of him.
The massive carcass lies there, dead from my final blows. I know it wasn't me that killed it alone, all of us put a small dent in him. But once again I am happy to have had the last shot. I catch Omen's eye, and we run towards eachother as is tradition when killing dragons. We are both extremely hurt and look like death, but she let's me jump on her, nearly crushing her.
"You killed a dragon so you're allowed to break my spine, I guess that's fair." She groans.
"We didn't die!!!" I cheer. I mean, we kind of did.
We gather around the dragon as it begins to disintegrate. It was a difficult fight, one I didn't think I would survive. It turns out most of us went down, and I wonder if they saw the bunnies too.
I just hope the Raven Queen isn't mad at me, that had been a strange dream. Zoltan flies back to my shoulder and bites my nose.
"B***!" He sqauwks. "CORN!"
|
|
|
Post by donaldado on Apr 16, 2019 17:11:27 GMT -5
"This place, it smells like, like grandpa." Morrigan managed after vomiting next to the dragon carcass. Ugh, the ticks! how did they find her so fast? She only went golden ape for an hour. If it hadn't been for the bunnies, it would have been the end of this chapter. I wonder if I'd like being a ghost? I could probably drink all day! Of course it'd go right through me. What was that place mother talked about? No not Sigil. Gehenna? No not that place. What was the name of that city of bleeding glass she always was going on about? Supposedly the best liquor on the other side. Hmmm, probably shouldn't go with any suggestion mother made. I never realized that rangers could be such effective healers. Poor Reggie. Runar has been busy all morning building a new Reggie. Maybe this time he'll add a secret orc fire wine compartment. Wow, I'm so thirsty my hand is shaking.
Morrigan took a swig from her emergency stash. Feeling better she surveyed her surroundings.
It was a good victory. Everyone lived praise Selune. If any of her company had not been there it would have been all over. It was good to have purpose. Should I destroy the mask? I want to, but it is so useful. Maybe I can trade it for something equally useful. If that Elminster would do anything but give me the evil eye I'd approach him.
Why on earth did Omen try to attack that tree hugger? I must be missing something. Maybe she got robbed by some fey in the woods in her past. Bless her heart, Omen must not know that you can frisk them right up at the same time! Always love a fey swapmeat. One time I got two amulets of protection as well as a free massage! Course time after I lost em back and only got a bag of dubious herbs. Freely given free to receive is such an excellent policy. It's also never goes down the same way twice. Unlike those boring humans and their dogged devotion to bland consistency.
Maybe we will run into more giant spiders! They make for the best "fried chicken" I ever cooked! Especially with crab spice mix, sugar cane and some bourbon.
I need some new bling.
|
|
|
Post by Stephen on Apr 21, 2019 16:04:35 GMT -5
When Karsi asked me to visit her in her room.... again.....I almost said no. I was tired from gathering the components for healing potions all day. I would rather fight an angry group of gnolls than bargain for lower prices.... dam gnomes. I went to her room and made myself comfortable. Omen was there and the two of them talked about some spell Karsi was going to cast to speak with something from another plane. Sound likes fun except for the whole "I could go crazy for a night and you may have to tie me up" Either way a few minutes later Karsi begins casting and goes into a trance. Omen casts a spell as well.... didn't sound like what Karsi casts and I was correct as Omen was flung across the room. After making sure she was ok Omen said she tried to detect Karsi's thoughts and got thrown out of her mind. Serves her right for doing that without permission. Wonder if she tried that with me? Or anyone else? Omen also claims that she got scratched by none other than the dragon queen herself, while trying to sneak into Karsi's mind. I believe in higher powers, the gods and the natural order of things but I have never heard of or seen a psychic scratch. She lifted her shirt and I saw...nothing. Maybe a couple of red marks but nothing like Karsi's scars. Karsi snaps out of her trance and tells me all about her conversation with who she thinks is the dragon queen. We are being tracked. Cultists in Waterdeep. The black dragon mask cannot be destroyed. Troubling news. This next trip is going to be interesting. A few days go by and I make ten regular healing potions. The council of Waterdeep was kind enough to let me use a laboratory for free. It was nice making those potions. Mainstream healing potions are a deep red color that sparkle a bit when the liquid is agitated. The ones I made are lighter in color and sparkle brighter. I even managed to add a nice bouquet of cherry to the flavor. We gather for our journey to the misty forest to the east. I hand out healing potions and everyone is happy and appreciates it. Our journey east is easy and uneventful. As we make our way into the misty forest....it lives up to its name....Atland eventually comes into view. A beautiful Elven tree town. Least it was. This town has clearly been attacked by a dragon. We enter the town and make our way to Galen the new leader. It is clear that the town and him have suffered a loss and are still trying to repair the village. For some reason the party doesn't believe him. Ulrich thinks he is withholding info. They ask him more questions but get the same answers as before. After a bit we leave Atland and even though it was been over a week since the attack the trail was easy to follow.
The mist thickens as we venture through the woods. We all are surprised to hear the sound of a tree falling and the cry of a woman. We rush forward and a woman is trapped under a tree. I stand watch as the others help move the tree. Suddenly the tree begins to move and stand upright on its own. I see another movement of trees around us and the woman...who looked human but now looks more elven...stand ups and begins to speak to us, that is until Omen casts a spell that failed. Two trees reach for Omen and grab her, she panics and misty steps out of their grasp and finally composes herself after we scream at her to stop. Three trees collect her and bring her back to the group. This powerful woman of the woods made us garlands of protection from flowers that grew from her hair. They were beautiful. We all received one cept for Omen. I don’t understand her sometimes. Very powerful magic user. Makes sense that she has little to no social skills. Capable of making amazing split-second decisions that saves the day and our lives and conversely making really dumb knee jerk reactions that cause more trouble for people and herself.
We move through the woods and the mist thickens. We begin to notice tendrils of spider webs collecting around the tress and undergrowth. The webs drip with moisture and begin to thicken. Just as I begin to think we should turn around we get jumped by several spiders and two ettercaps! They surround us and fighting back to back we eventually kill them. I take a beating but between my magic and the potions I made I heal up some. A short time later we hear the sound of falling water and after about another 30 minutes of travel we come to a beautiful waterfall. The water spills into a pool where green mist raises. The trail leads us hear. Karsi begins to move toward the waterfall, Ulrich proclaims the mist not to be poison. Before I can do much a roar shatters the calm of the falls and flies out of the water! A massive green dragon glares at us, flies up and unleashes a cloud of poison down on us. This dragon is bigger than the two I saw before and nearly kills us all. I use all my tricks to keep some of us healed. Reggie unfortunately gets destroyed. The beast at one point turns his attention to me. It hits me with its claw and sends me flying. Between the poison breath, the beating of its wings on the air creating a blasting force and the claw attack I fall into blackness. Cold calm darkness. Its peaceful. In the darkness I see a small white form. It gets closer to me. It begins to take the shape of a....rabbit? Suddenly I breathe deep and hear the dragon roar in pain. I wake up, stand up and see Karsi Blast the flying dragon with her mystical powers. She looks amazingly beautiful and gut-wrenching terrifying at the same time. I glance up and dive out of the way as the dragon falls out of the sky dead. We look at each other in awe. We did it. We killed a massive green dragon.
|
|
|
Post by dragonforgotten on Apr 22, 2019 14:42:32 GMT -5
After a night of drink and gambling. I was flattered and surprised she was interested in my research, maybe she would like me to tutor her in magic-. I almost did a spit take on her reply. Contact Other Plane. Ive heard damn well about that spell. too well. I had wanted to study it again. I had used it to help Tiamat, now all i wanted to do was beg aid from her brother. Fate is funny that way. Runar steps into our room just as i finish speed reading the book she dropped right onto the writing desk. I closes the book and stands up. "Yes. You can do it. But it's dangerous." "How so?" she asks. "Best case scenario, you may get through to someone, some demigod or dead sage. Worst case, you go insane."
"Thats a risk i have to take. We have been running blindly from one situation to the next. It's like you say 'knowledge is power', we need as much help as we can get. Please Omen. I need your help." I sigh harsh and tired. what to do, what to do. "Alright. I'll help you set up but i wont be much help after. Just please be careful." She squishes me in a big hug. I stiffen before i naturally relax. ----
Runar and Karsi are sitting across each other on the wooden floors our room in the Drunken Whale. I light the incense in the Brazor and join my spot besides her. "Ready?" I ask, hesitant. "Ready." Karsi then closes her eyes, goes through the motions of the spell as it begins. A worm of doubt crawls its way into my chest. What if her mind isn't strong enough. What if she comes into contact with a feind or devil. She is strong but easily led astray by charming voices. No god will abuse my first friend in a long while. I need to know if she's ok. I pull out a my arcane focus, mutter my spell and weave my hands in a complex manner. "What are you doing?" said Runar, standing up. "Making sure she's safe." I then begin to worm my magic as i begin to delve into karsi's mind. I close my eyes trying to concentrate and visualize. I hear muttering of her thoughts. Then I begin to feel a familiar pulling of my mind, trying to break it as its done to others before but I am not weak and i have many tricks. I sense a bad omen and so i snuff out the curse and pull into reality the version where i come out on top of this mental duel. I shrug it off and i begin to hear snippets of karsi's conversation. She's speaking to someone, A dark gravely voice and my heart stops. I feel eyes. Painful eyes staring into my very soul. Spiteful eyes that wish my death. Suddenly i'm pulled out of this moment when a force collides with my chest. Im sent hurdling till i collide with the wall before i even know whats hit me. My eyes are wide my breathing stops. Runar is scrambling to me shocked out of his wits. "What the F**** Omen! Are you alright?" I don't answer, I'm too busy gasping for air and dry heaving. I feel like I've been kicked by a horse. Deep pain blooms in my chest as i place a hand over my shirt only to come away red. I pull the collar of my shirt down to reveal draconic clawmarks mars my chest, from right shoulder to left hip. My breathings becomes erratic as the meaning of this injury dawns on me. I think i'm dying? Am i having a panic attack? Im welled with a series of emotions and honestly. From rejection to pure undulated terror. I'm losing it. Thank Bahumat that Runar is by my side keeping me from losing my s***. "Omen look at me! Look at me!" He shakes me. It will never leave me. I Im starting to come out of it just as Karsis returns from communicating too... too. ""Karsi, she clawed me!" I struggle to stand but honestly i'm too weak in the knees to reach my feet. "Maybe you shouldn't have entered my mind. That was a private conversation." I have her worried considering how i'm acting with a hand clutching the wound as it bleeds red. She asks to let her see so i saw her. "It's only a scratch." I laugh. How could she laugh. This isn't a joke! The deity i betrayed just touched me! "I think I just talked to Tiamat." I grab her arm as if she was my only life line, my knuckles haven gone white in clutching her arm so hard. "Were fools! We played right into her hand! You do not know what you are messing with!" "What!? How do you know? It could have been Bahumut." My grip tightens. As i pull the collar of my shirt low enough to see the top part of the bleeding clawmarks. "Karsi.. A good god doesn't do this. A good god doesn't attack. She never forgives It was Tiamat-." I can bearly choked out her name. Her name has haunted me forever. I thought i could avoid any contact with her but i was wrong. She always finds her ways. ----------
The rest of the week is rather boring after first contact. We spoke to the rest of the group in sharing what karsi manage to learn and as proof of who i believe to be I showed parts of the healing scar. It doesn't change much, only gives me a cold comfort in knowing my fear was right in that we are being watched and that the cult member are in waterdeep. that is If this deity has been honest. I can see her going both way on this. She would take much pleasure in watching us be consumed by paranoia but she doesn't know this group. No. the weak link is me, and thats not a secret to her. Knowing this, its hurts deeply that as long as the cult is active... I cant visit the Porters. I have all the mean to visit but i cant. I would only bring death to them as along as the Tiamat grows in power. It hurts to move the day after my accident but with Runars help i'm back in top form. but the scar still remains. Another reminder that i'm still her property no matter what i do. Karsi feels bad. Ive told her it was my fault that i brought this on myself for my meddling. I should have had more faith. She's done a great job in cheering me up. she's made it a joke that we have matching scars now. that Tiamat has succeeded in only making me look cooler . I guess it does in a way. Only i can get a massive ugly scar in what was suppose to be my long break. Now i have a scar that would make a battle mage proud. At least Grahz had a good time in his shopping. he got a set of magic paints. It's going to be great seeing what he does with them. After picking up my cultist robs from Grains farm and packing them in my bag we head off to misty woods. Travel went well and i got to speak with Ulrich as he tracked for water and food. He has many interesting stories to share about his time in hunting dragons. Of course, he's never gone toe to toe with an adult dragon before until Old White Death and his wife. he asked about how I'm able to tell what will happen in a split second. I tell him that iv'e always possessed this gift for as long as I can remember. I tell him how it works and that if i can see him or his enemies i can switch out there fates to turn the battle in our favor. Im telling him way too much. Its might have something to due that we have a same interest in dragons. This trip was not bad considering our record of bad road trips. At least we wont have to make the track back thanks to the teleportation circle.
We make it to the ravage village. A village were the houses are up in the trees which is quaint but did nothing to save them. We learn more of the green dragons attack, another mysterious dragon rider who had the mayor devoured by said dragon, and the hoard of cult members desolating the town but taking nothing. This seems like the typical cult methods. Kill or dominate the leader, it makes taking over easier when there wills have been shattered but why did they not take anything? This is abnormal for them. They need as much gold as possible so why was this village an exception? We visit the new seated leader and he's exactly as i picture as one who have been scared by the cult. A shell of a man afraid to do anything. I cant feel for him as someone who lost everything myself. Everyone has there own sad sob stories but instead of working to find peace in the sorrow he rather mop in his office, not being a help in tracking the cult while his village moves on without him. I have no patiences for his sorrow. I can only offer a short condolence. I had wanted to pick at his thoughts. I know he's not telling us something but there is no where i can do it before it fizzles out or i get caught. Im in way out of my element now. We leave with a sense that we are not getting the full picture yet. Grazh tries to help in the clean up but they turn him down. On the other hand Morrigan isn't welcomed by the villagers. She never takes that mask off and with it on she looks no better then the ones who destroyed this place. They throw stones at her as we walk by following the obvious trail of cultist footfall. Karsi advises her that it's the mask so she shifts it off her face. I start chuckling between the interaction between the two "Whats so funny? "Nothing. Just. I finial notice now that you did get a tan." ----------
Im in the middle of dismissing the hut when we hear a cry ring out in the woods. Of course as big strong heroes we are, we go galavanting to save the day. Theres an old woman trapped under a fallen tree. Gasp! Well i cant do s**** about that, I'll just keep watch. As i watch everyone give a group effort on lifting the fallen tree a thought creeps into my mind. This would be a perfect trap. They are all bunched together with there backs turned. There are no such thing as good people wondering the world. The world is made up of cut throats, theives and lairs. Where did i learn this from? From my mentor? From the cult? My old friends? You know whats coming. You know what to do. You want to keep everyone safe, right? I watch as the trees begin to move and its all the evidence i need as the old woman drops her act and becomes an elf. "Heros at Last-." I throw a hand out in her direction weaving a nostalgic pattern.. I'm not giving her that chance. Im not giving her the chance to hurt us. Ive given way too many chances for other people to hurt us and i'm tired of feel weak and terrorized by forces beyond my control. "Dominate!" she stiffens, My magic attempts to claw and grasp her mind and body but she shrugs it off and turns to me, disgusted and a little disturbed. i forgot about this annoyance of full elves. I am not amused but no matter. "I don't know what you're about," she says. "Take her!" Im grabbed from behind by one of her massive walking trees, I don't struggle. A sinnister laugh echos from my lips. "You think i was born yesterday?" I Misty Step out of its branches and there in perfect formation to create a nice bon fire. I take a healthy step back preparing the blast. Im not bothered by their size or there numbers.They will all burn even if the forest burns with them. "Whos first?" I yell in Draconic hands a blazed. Omen, get the hell back here!" Karsi yells at me with both worry and outrage. I hesitate and look back at my friends past the giant walking trees. They don't look happy. they look afraid, annoyed, concerned. Why are they not helping me? They are going to kill us if we don't fight. They always try to. But.. The look on everyones faces gives me pause. I snuff out my hands and kneel as the trees pick me up. Im braced for the trees to start crushing me to death but instead they drag me to the elf "I was in the process of thanking you before your insane friend attacked." Says the elf. "For those heroes among us, I grant you my blessing." and i watch as she gives everyone a garlet of flowers, turns into an owl and takes her sentient fire kindle with her as it unceremoniously drops me to the ground. Runar does detect magic on the garlands and identifies them, i wonder over to a boulder as i sit down feeling conflicted and very stupid. "Omen, next time let's think before diving into something like that. Take a deep breath, count to three, and when in doubt... do as I do. Emulate me." "It looked like a trap. I thought she was going to hurt you." "Not everyone is evil. It was a trick, yes, but she was looking for heroes. Not to kill. You can't assume everyone is out to get you." "Your too trusting Karsi, Our enemies know about us and we cant risk everything. Runar finishes identifying the garlands and notifies us that they render us invisible to any creatures that surround the dragon's lair. Forest creatures sometimes serve dragons, and if we were to walk through the wood without these they would warn him we are coming. S****. "What are we going to due about Omen. She didn't get one." Urike spoke up and now I'm very worried myself and regretting my actions. then i remember my disguise. The cultist robes i kept. Don't know why i kept them. Maybe sentimental reasons, old habits? I kind of like them? "Well. I still have these. Its probably not going to do anything but better then nothing." I pull out my disguise and both Charlie and Urkies eyes go wide when i completely don the old uniform, the rest of the gang is unfazed. "Why do you still have those?" Charley sneered as i finished changing and adjusted the mask. "Beats me. Must have forgotten about them." "How do i look?" "Like a cult member." "Perfect, let's go." ------
We ran into some spiders. They roughed us up a bit nothing that cant be handled. Ulrich did an amazing shot. I barely could see the bloody spider and he shot it right between the eyes over, hmmm, maybe almost 60-70ft in the brush and thicket. i could use a short rest. I just need one little peek at my books again. just one. We exit the brush to be greeted by a majestic waterfall with gallon upon gallons of water falling into a misty abyss. The Dragon expert has declared that the fog is indeed not poisonious but I must add that fall will definitly kill someone. Before i could eek a word in the green dragon comes screaming out from behind the waterfall. The flower necklaces grow and i can almost feel the dragons pensense fill me with terror till i throw it aside. I have been through too much to fall for this trick. It flies high above my head ( oh s****..) , and then breath posion down upon us. Every part of my body is in agony! My lungs burn! I can bearly see! I despertly throw spells at it but it seems to be only a tickel agains tits green hide. S**** cant breath. THUMP
----
I swat a misquote trying to bit my neck. "Bloody Insects are eating me alive. How can you stand it ------? Living in the muk and verman like this? Its maddening!" He chuckles pushing his untamed hair out of his eyes. "You get use to it when you serve the great Green Dragons. Not a fan of nature are we? "I like the cold, the dank cities, the cold seas, the ice and snow. At least in the north you'r not being assulted 24/7." In the distance we watch The dragon breath his poisonous cloud onto the village in the trees. I chuckle. "Almost feel sorry for the saps. They focus so much on the ground they didnt think to look up." "Bet there running around like ants down there." he smirks taking a long grag from his pipe. I always wonder how crazy he was. He always put on airs of being this laid back man. The one that doesnt seem to give s S*** about anything. I wont be fooled. Not for one second. Ive known him for too long. The moment you show your vulnerable he will exploit it till he has his victims wrapped around his fingers. At least i just steal their minds and have the mercy to kill my victims off. He likes to watch as his prey choke to death. he once told me he gets a laugh when they start crawling on the ground coughing blood. Hes just like a green dragon, he relishes in the suffering. "I thought i told you to stop smoking that s**** infront of me. "Relax. Everything's going according to plan." He takes another drag of the smokeweed "That is. Of course that you don't want everything to go according to plan." Im staring into the eyes of the green dragon himself.
-----
I blink to see Reggie. I groan rolling over on to my stomach. What the eyes of Savars was that. No time for this nonsense. I stand up and throw another fireball, hitting alittle harder now. Smug B****** likes watching us choking doesn't he. oh no. Suddenly i'm slapped with a tale and its dark again. -----
Im surrounded by all four of them back in the tower.
"you'll never be free. You always needed someone else to tell you what to do because you lack the guts to make your own desions. even now your just following instructions from an old book. you only steal knowledge, not share it. you are empty, that why you needed us. You have no perpous without us. Just come back and maybe Mother will forgive you.. We know that you havent changed inside."
Suddenly the four robbed humans transform into dragons. Each representing a color. Red, blue, Green, and black. theres no white? Wheres the white dragon. I look down at my hand to see white scales claw up my arm as my nails grow sharp. I try to frantically brush them away but they wont stop! Blood bleds into my tearing shirt as the shallow clawmarks are suddenly a gaping gushing wound. -----
I snap awake face down in the mud clutching my hand. Runar hovering over me before running off. Mr Porter was wrong, exposure therapy is a bad idea when it comes to dragons. It must be the bloody knock to the head or the swamp gas. Anyway, back to work. I crawl back to my feet a second time to an even dire situation. I spot Karsi getting up in the corner of my eye. "Karsi use the scroll!" "But Eldridge blast!" "WE need time! We wont survive another bretha attack! Use the Damn scroll or so help me!" I throw a hypnotic pattern as the dragon as it hovered over the abyss. It looks like its going to take affect till it shakes it off. Perfect! "Now!" She unflurles the scroll, casts it but nothing happens. F****! The dragon flies high in the sky and takes a familiar postion. NO, no, no! I haven't recovered from the last blast! No sooner i'm choking on the air and out i go. --------
Im clawing at the wooden lid of a coffin. Ill i have is a book i cant read, a bag of gold i cant spend, a dagger and my empty head. Im trapped! "Help! I'M stuck! Someone, anyone!" It feels like an eternity till suddenly, miraculously the lid opens. The light burns my eyes but i see a small hand reach out to me. I take it and i sit up from the coffin. Grateful and free. his tiny wizen person. "What are you?" "Never seen a halfling before? Are you ok miss?"" somehow i can understand him. "No. I cant remember a thing. My head hurts to." "oh thats ashame. You gave us a fright when we hard screaming under our floorboards. You'r in our basement by the way, above us is the bakery. I was hoping you could tell us how you got there. "I don't know. Sorry." I look around awkwardly around them, My hair is extremely long so at least that saves me some modesty. "I hate to impose but you wouldn't happen to have any spare cloths. Preferably my size. "Of course! Of course! be right back!" he scurries off and i'm left sitting here finally able to pick up my book and see the words written on the page. A note falls out of the bindings. I open it up to see a single word "Farsight." That cant be my real name, sir name? He finally reappeared a bundle of cloths in his small arms. "A little small but better than nothing i say." I hold up the fabric and i know I'll look silly but theres a lot of spares he brought with him. "Thank you." "No problem Misss...?" "Farsight." "Ok miss Farsight, just hollar when you'r done." He vanishes out the door and i stand up. An idea hits me. I start ripping up the spare shirts and pants, then i pull on the strings of energy i cant explain and now instead of 5 pairs of halfling pants and shirts i now have one patch worked outfit my size that fits and looks alittle less stupid. "ready!" He comes back in and i begin to feel disheartened. I guess it's time to leave. "Thank you so much for your help. I guess it's time i depart. Ive taken enough of your time." "Do you even know where you'r going?" "No, i've imposed way too much." "Nonsense. Stay for supper. Met the wife and kids. We can sort out the works over hot stew. "Mr....?" "Porter." "Mr porter i cant. i've already taken too much of your time." That seems to get him all red in the face. "You think you'r taking up my time. Hogwash! Look at you! Your skin and bones and dirty! My poor wife would simple would not allow a young girl such as yourself to wonder the streets at night and It's against my honor to turn away a child in need. I'll hear none of it. Now come." he takes my hand and leads me up stairs. were i'm greeted with smiling faces and kindness. I in fact did not leave the next day.
-------
I cough and drag my beaten body across the ground till I'm on my knees. I have nothing left. Were are so close but i cant do anymore. Im sorry. I watch through water eyes, the dragon bloody and burned as a giant ape stands behind it but out of reach as spiritual bunnies hop about healing. I watch as Karsi lifts up her arms determined and casts a familiar bolt of arcane energy. It slams into the dragon and suddenly he falls, nearly crushing Runar had he not jumped and landing inches from my face very much dead. Did we just win?
Omen the Farsighted
|
|
|
Post by Chris on Apr 23, 2019 9:32:43 GMT -5
End Nightal 15 1:18:4 pm, 1489 DR; Year of the Warrior Princess. Selune is new. The Rise of Tiamat Death to the Wyrmspeakers The Misty Forest Neronvain's Stronghold A Druid's gift Omen forgiven Pool Island Chamber MVP = Stephen Penna as Runar Our plays on RPGGeek.com rpggeek.com/plays/thing/162998?userid=1168080
|
|
|
Post by Aileen on Apr 23, 2019 14:11:04 GMT -5
“Corn!”
A persistent beak pecks me in the face, over and over again.
“KARSI!” It squawks. “CORN!”
I feel a talon grab my bottom lip and pry it open, and my eyes fly open. Zoltan clicks his beak and slaps me with one of his majestic wings. I sit up, grabbing the bird, and look around in confusion. We were just standing around looking at the dragon… and then I passed out? A voice speaks in my head, and I look up to see a familiar owl flying away.
“That was a test. Now you know what the dragon can do.”
Son of a b****.
Runar is next to me, blinking in confusion, and Reggie is still intact. We had been covered in blood, but looking at the rest of the party and myself it seems we were never hurt. I feel pretty good, other than the cotton mouth and confusion. Omen, on the other side of me, examines the flower garland around her neck that hadn’t been there before.
“It still counts, right?” I ask. “I definitely got the money shot.”
“Yes,” Says Runar. “I know you like your money shots.”
“She used her hippy magic on us!” Morrigan gets up, glaring into the forest. “That means it’s still in there.”
“This gives us a chance to know what we may be dealing with,” Omen says. “I’ll send my arcane eye into the lair.”
Omen does so, and we wait as she narrates what she sees. A steep slope behind the waterfall. Lots of elves, waiting around talking… we have no way in without running into them. A huge main chamber with stalactites and stalagmites. A pool in the middle with an island. A shrine with a statue of Eldath, goddess of waterfalls. Looks like it needs some TLC. A filthy chamber with trash on the floor and 3 two headed giant things having a slap fight. Six sleeping cultists. A room with long tables and six more cultists on smoke break. Finally, a lushly decorated chamber, and an unarmored elf woman. Omen finishes telling us this.
“The woman must be the town leader’s wife!” Ulrich exclaims. “He wasn’t telling us something… maybe his wife was taken.”
Possibly Galen and the townsfolk were covering something up. They said she died right in front of Galen and there were witnesses. What if she came here on her own accord? What if she was a trade? Who knows?
“I’m going to disguise myself as that guy,” Ulrich says. “I’ll try to persuade them that I’m here to find my wife.”
“Do we know her name?” I realize none of us asked. Oops.
“No. I’ll call her a pet name, they won’t care.”
And so the ranger cast an illusion, and Galen stood before us.
“Ooh! He had a raven… you can borrow Zoltan!”
I send my bird over to his shoulder, and Z starts swearing his head off.
“Here, corn shuts him up!” I hand over a few dried kernels, sadly the last of it, and Galen/Ulrich feeds him. Zoltan goes silent, munching happily.
We go through the waterfall, following Galen/Ulrich. I barely get a few paces in before almost everyone behind me slip and fall, sliding past those of us in the front. Grahz went right under the paladin’s horse, nearly slicing it with his axe as he slid. They all crash at the bottom, and I stand looking down in dismay with Galen/Ulrich, Charlie and the horse.
“Who are you?!” A voice calls down below. “What are you doing here?”
“Stand down, it is I!” Calls ‘Galen’.
“Who is ‘I’?” The voice replies. I can see movement down below.
“What is his name?” Ulrich whispers to me.
“Galen!” I hiss back.
“It is I, Galen!”
“Ah. Good.” The elf guard replies. “INTRUDERS!”
Zoltan flies back to my shoulder, hiding his head under my chin. I shoo him away, and he flies outside, knowing to stay out of danger. I go down into the exit of the tunnel, into the corridor where our party is getting to their feet at the point of the guards’ weapons. ‘Galen’ tries to talk to them.
“I am here for my wife!” He says.
“Your wife? Who is your wife?”
They don’t buy his reply. We probably should have gotten her name, but I guess we didn’t care that much. The guards attack. I push my way through the fray, not in a good position to start blasting and unable to get to anyone with my blade. I see Morrigan cast a poison spray into one guy’s face, killing him. Omen stabs one with her dragontooth dagger, and it’s clear it really hurts him. I’ve never really seen her do much melee combat, and my heart swells with pride. Arya then finishes him off. An elf in a breastplate grapples Grahz, but the barbarian is no match for him, and he soon perishes. I finally get to a good vantage point, and stand in a line waiting for more to come. An Ettin, one of the two headed things, comes into view. I blast him hard, twice. I’m momentarily distracted as an arrow hits me from behind, bouncing off my armor. Looking down at the arrow on the floor I recognize it as one of the ranger’s.
“Thanks!” I call.
“Sorry!”
The three Ettins move in, and I can hear footfalls coming from the direction the cultists reportedly are. A Dragonfang woman wearing studded leather armor and wielding a sword comes into view. She is the recipient of a couple well intentioned blasts of arcane energy from me, followed by a toll the dead from Omen. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Aria appear between the Ettins and the pool. It looks like a good place to attack from. There is an eruption of water from the pool, and the dragon that we were mislead that we’d killed emerges from the water in a splash of glory. It lands and attacks Aria. Now we are in a pretty serious battle. I could have done without the dragon.
Everything seems to be happening all at once, and I find my attention going from one threat to another. Grahz drops one of the Ettins. The dragonfang comes closer to me, staring me down but looking a bit more concerned with the barbarian. Runar hides behind the corner, a perfect vantage point to stay away from her and kill the Ettins. And then a grinding sound behind me- out from a secret stone door comes an elven knight wielding a greatsword. He attacks Omen, but there’s nothing I can do to help her- hopefully she can hold her own. The dragon beats its wings, and I watch Arya go down. Behind me, a female elf in robes with a dagger at her hip steps around the corner, and tries to cast a spell- interrupted by Morrigan nonetheless. Ahead, Arya is now surrounded by cultists, Dragonclaws. I laugh as I remember I thought I was one for a while… silly Talis. I kind of miss her.The dragon dives back into the water.
The dragon gone, the Dragonclaws move into the fray. I have a good amount of targets lining up in front of me, and the Dragonfang b*** is a little distracted by Grahz. I guess I am too pretty to get hit, but she isn’t. I focus my energy, feeling my sword grow colder in my hand, and send out an icy blast in front of me. A cone of cold washes over the Ettins and the Dragonfang. Dragonfang lady turns into a frozen statue right before me, a look of surprise on her face, sword frozen in mid-swing towards Grahz. A specter emerges from the ice statue, and I welcome my old friend.
“Go help Omen, Chad!” I order, and the spectre flies over to the elf knight.
“They’re necromancers!” One of the elves shouts in alarm.
“That’s right, I am!” I shout, trying to sound menacing. My damn voice is too high. “Now run!”
They don’t run. Omen casts fireball over to the Ettins and some of the dragonclaws, and though they are heavily damaged they do not die yet. The air is a mix of cold and hot, and the mist is getting stronger. Then the mage woman casts another spell. I catch her eye and an evil smile on her face as she blasts us all with the same spell I used on the cultists.
“You’re copying me!” I scream as it tears into me.
It really, really hurts. I guess I got a taste of my own medicine. I shake off the chill, still standing.
“You b***!” The knight shouts in elvish. “What the hell are you doing? He is going to know!”
“I don’t care,” Replies the mage. “Everyone should die.”
Three of the cultists in fact do die. The mage disappears into the passageway. The Ettin in front of me moves, and I seize an attack on it with my sword. It still doesn’t go down, but it’s definitely hurting. We all are. I hit it again and it goes down, so I move in to attack another. One of the cultists swings at me- he misses. I laugh at him- I’m a glowing beacon of “come hit me” and people often struggle to. There is a great roar in the corner, and I look to see Morrigan is now a great ape. Unfortunately, the cavern is a bit too small and she is squished in and angry. Omen screams in anger as the knight comes down on her with his greatsword, calling her a necromancer. I order Chad to end this man’s entire career, and he does. He wanted necromancy; he’s getting necromanced. Chad sucks the last of his life, and the knight falls dead.
“Thank you, Chad!” Omen tries to pat Chad, but her hand goes right through him. She runs off in pursuit of the mage.
With a roar and another great splash, the dragon emerges once more. I look up in silent defeat as it breathes its poison breath down. I cough and gag helplessly, poison filling and burning my lungs, and pass out.
“You fight pretty good. For a woman.”
Chadwick, handsome Chad. Oh how dumb you are, oh how high and mighty you look on your beautiful steed.
“Excuse me?”
Fresh from a skirmish against a small group of bandits, my sword still dripping blood onto the road, I wasn’t having any of his backhanded compliments.
“You fought well.” He dismounted, tossing his gorgeous blond waves. Like a woman.
“That’s not what you said.” I wiped my blade on the grass before sheathing it.
“Relax, Karsi. It’s not attractive when you get militant.”
That was the last straw. Chad went in for a kiss, and found my fist instead. Too long had I stayed with him, too long had I taken his holier-than-though jibes. My friends pulled me off him before I could completely wreck his perfect face. That perfectly angular nose now bled all over his stupid moustache.
“Whose the attractive one now, you son of a-“
“What is the meaning of this?” A commanding voice sent us all scrambling to attention.
“Stormwyk?”
I looked to my commander, his face stern and eyes locked on me.
“It’s fine,” Chad said, wiping the blood off. “I’m leaving. Find yourselves another hero.”
The paladin had only been with us because he met us in the city and wanted to get some action. He got some from me, for sure, but it soon became evident on patrol that he was neither a warrior nor worthy of my heart. He had no heroism to speak of, instead calling shots from a distance on his magnificent horse while the rest of us got down and dirty.
“You’re nothing but a common w***,” He hissed to me as he walked away. "Leave war to real men. Nobody will ever respect you, nor love you.”
My commander came to my side, placing a hand on my shoulder as the paladin mounted his steed. He clearly had heard what the b****** said.
“Goodbye, Karsi. Good luck, you fools.”
Paladins. Damn them all.
I came to, still on the floor of the cavern, a warming light glowing around me as my life returned. I could see Charlie the paladin, a holy light emanating from him and healing those of us who were downed by the dragon. I had never felt more conflicted. I always thought paladins were the same… the one that used me. The ones that called me evil. The one who ordered me imprisoned. Charlie was different. Charlie cared about us, even when he acted otherwise. He was willing enough to trust me even with my fighting specter, even with my talking to Tiamat. I have to trust him more, and I will.
I stand, looking around at the massive puddles of blood surrounding me, and Runar comes to my side. He wraps me in his arms, kisses me like I’ve never been kissed before, and I feel healing magic invigorating me. He pulls away.
“Save yourself, follow them!”
I run, following the others as they pile into the passageway. Chad comes with me, and we make it in. I turn around, seeing Runar and Charlie still out there. The dragon rises from the pool once more, roaring in anger, and flies towards Runar and Charlie. I can only hope they make it into the passageway before the dragon’s breath hits them. Unfortunately, if we can’t find a way out in time, it will get us too. The dragon roars again, coming closer, and green mist rolls out of its gaping jaws.
~ Karsi
|
|
|
Post by dragonforgotten on Apr 29, 2019 2:12:54 GMT -5
I staggered towards the corpse, pure joy on my face. "Its over. It was close but we did it!" I reach out to touch it to suddenly I open my eye and see the sky, feeling better than ever. No blooding injuries or tattered cloths. What just happened? Wasn't I just standing? Why am i sitting down cross legged in a circle with my friends with my head tilted to the sky? Come to think of it, how did my spellbook find its way into my lap. I search around confused, the body of Ctuth nowhere in sight. Everyone is looking just as confused and Zolton is screaming about corn again. Whats that smell? I look down to see a necklace of blue flowers around my neck. the Garland? Suddenly a familiar voice echos through my mind. "Not everyone is your enemy." I place my book in my bag, conflicted and very confused. I guess she wasn't that bad afterall. huh. For some reason i feel strangely at peace. I never felt so tranquil in the woods before. "This was merely an illusion of things to come. This was a test. Now you know what the dragon can do.” All semblance of peace was shattered in an instant, replaced with that familiar seething rage that immediately hit my boiling point. Im literally seeing red. I am so enraged Grahz would be proud. "WHAT!" I jump to my feet, i don't even have to crawl onto my knees first. I leap forward like a demon frothing with rage. "YOU B*****!" I shriek into the woods. "ARE YOU HAPPY NOW!? ALL THE PAIN! THE NIGHTMARES! THE SUFFERING! FOR F**** ALLL!" I grab a nearby rock the size of a large pumpkin in rage. I cant pick it up but damn sure i'm going to try. "ILL f***** have your head!" "Omen for gods sake! calm down!" Grahz ironically tells me "Don't tell me to CALM DOWN! I GET ENOUGH OF THIS S*** IN MY VISIONS! Do you realize what this MEANS! Well. have to do that ALL OVER AGAIN and kill the same dragon for A SECOND TIME!" I roar and suddenly something shifts. It's the rock. What can i say, i don't like to being tricked so devastatingly. I have it over my head and with strength i did'nt know i had chuck it into the woods. Im gasping and wheezing, the anger draining out of me leaving only bitter resignation. Everyones giving me strange looks, my outburst haven disrupted our next plans. I sigh, feeling a little better with my outburst. "Im going to Arcane eye. We need all the information we can get." "Whats that?" oh right, Ulrich "Its a magic floating eyeball that allows me to sweep dungeons and give us clarity and insight into our enemies locations for advantages assaults." "But wont they see it?" "Its invisible." I send it in and i immediately see a problem such as a slick dip into the cave, elven guard, more elven guard who i cant understand a word there saying. Possible spell casters. A mysterious shrine, three two head giants, a secret door to nowhere, then finally cultists and a mysterious woman. No dragon. I can only hope he's not home. We come to the theory that she may possibly be either Galens wife or someone important so Ulrich goes undercover. Excellent, "this seems like a solid plan" I thought as a stepped through the waterfall but then my next step sends my sprawled at the bottom of the slope staring into the surprised elven eyes. S****.... Ulrich tries his charms but they don't have a clue what we are talking about. s*****.
--------------
the guard we quickly dispatched. I took a test stab at the elves. So far they are indeed helping the cult in someway. the shrine has me confused now. The shrine is dedicated to a good goddess, why are they helping the cult? Something is not right. Im feeling confident with our odds. Then came the giants, then the dragon fang, then the surprise elves in the back, Then more cultists, Then Aria running forward towards the water and it dawns on me that i didn't check underwater and low and behold there he is.... Im not loving our odds right now. I feel like slapping myself for forgetting to check underwater for the dragon. Karsi freezes the dragonclaw into a frozen statue an da chill goes up my spin with Daja vu as a chad claws out of the husk. "NECROMANCER!" the olf in my ear shouts as he cleaves his sword into me. Aaaa, that smarts. Sure blame the one in robes why don't ya. I cant get away, he's hacking into me and theres absolutely nowhere i can retreat to. Karsi i need help! With him on me i cant cast. Suddenly chad charges and bigs her large spectral claws into the olf and i couldn't be more thankful. Karsi once again saves whats left of my skin. Before i can even call out a thanks i watch from the corner of my eye as the elven mage started weaving her hands in a familiar pattern. I now that signal. I raise up my arms, my magic shield flickering invain. A cone of cold comes bursting through her hands and its collides with not just me but everyone behind me including her allies. What? Through the burning cold and frost coating my arms and hair. I cant stop shaking ands its hard to keep focus but my sight is keen, glaring daggers through my brows. My mind is racing a mile a minute. Such a reckless attack with the chance of a high reward. Something i would have done in the past. “You b***!” The knight shouts in elvish. “What the hell are you doing? He is going to know!” “I don’t care,” Replies the mage. “Everyone should die.” Everyone should die....? That stings way too close to home. Those are the word of someone who's given up. Someone who simply just wants to watch the world burn after losing everything. who is this He? Somehow i pull myself out of the tension of the battle and i shout out to her. "DO i know you!?" I don't get a response, perusal. the battle is starting to turn to our favor now that the dragon has dived back into the water. Probably waiting for us to finish up so it can swoop down and choke us out. The mage darts back down the secret passage way and my blood catches fire. Oh no she doesn't! Not until i confirm my theory! I give chase and i catch her at the far side of the tunnel with me just inside the corridor. I only have one shot, in too injured to get complicated. For once i'm not trying to kill. This wont kill her, i know it wont, but i will find her later. I sharpen my mind into a harpoon of psychic energy and lance it forwards. She throws up a ward blocks it. Did i mention how much i hate other wizards.She starts casting, she's too fast for me to pull up my shield again. "If you survive this and I don't, know that we didn't do this by our own choices." and then and she darts me three times with familiar bolts of magic. Its too much for me as I fall against the wall for support, trying to walk towards her one shaky step at a time. Your not getting away! I reach i hand out to her with my free hand clutching the stone wall. Not yet! NOT yet! I was so close! please don't go.... The last thing i see as i fall is her face burned into my mind. -------
I waken to find Charley hovering over me and everyone crowding into the tunnel with the dragons roar ringing in our ears. I look back to the mage. She's dead, an arrow in her neck. I should feel satisfied, that is why i was chasing her right. Its why I've always been hunting cult mages. They should all die right? but i just feel pity, regret. Back to square one. I scramble to my feet as the dragons roar gets closer. We need to survive first.
-Omen the Farsighted
|
|
|
Post by Stephen on Apr 29, 2019 12:35:47 GMT -5
The Green dragon fell out of the sky, Karsi blasting the life out of it. I barely dodge out of the way as the beast plummets to the ground. I smile and reach for Karsi, her arms wrap around my neck and the scent of her makes my head spin. We close the gap between us......
I open my eyes and find myself laying on my back with Reggie curled up on my chest. I feel no pain, no fear I am not even tired. As if I had a full nights rest. A soft voice enters my mind calming the confusing panic that has begun to set in.
"That was merely an illusion, now you know what the dragon is capable of."
Well, that's interesting. Seeing as how we barely survived the fight the practice is most welcome. I must remember to protect myself and those I can from its breath weapon. I can concoct a simple drink to make us more resistant to its poison.
After a brief discussion about the dream fight and how to proceed, Omen uses her Arcane Eye to scout the lair. It is bigger than I thought. She does a thorough job of exploring the caverns. For some reason Omen and the ranger are hell bent on thinking the village leader lied to us about his wife's death and are convinced that the elven woman Oman saw is her. Whatever. No use arguing with them sometimes it is best to let fanatical ideas based on nothing play out. Maybe a lesson will be learned. Hopefully their idea that this woman is the dead wife will not get us killed.
The ranger assumes the form of Gallen and we head in. The way is slippery and some of us loose our footing and slide down into the lair. The guards are not convinced about Gallen or that we work for him. They attack. Ettins join the fray along with an armored man and a magic using female elf. I am again impressed with the group's ability to manage conflict during a battle. Powerful magic erupts from Karis's hand and freezes some guards to death. Grahz goes toe to toe with Ettins and guards, Reggie and I do what we can. I move back and attack the armored one, the female elf launches her own cone of cold and it hits some of the guards. Interesting, things here are not what they seem. The ice hunters were forced to do OWD and his mistresses bidding, perhaps the situation is similar here behind the waterfall? It is worth investigating. There is a statue of a good goddess here. Perhaps the elves are forced to do the cults work on pain of death? Seems the easy solution. An elaborate ruse involving lying to us about a broken man burying his wife and that very woman is alive here in the liar appears to be even more farfetched than when the ranger pitched it. Cold hard facts. Facts and research go a long way, a wizard should know better.
The dragon emerges from a pool of water and roars! The garland protects me from its fear effect. He attacks Aria...how did she get way over there? The dragon splashes back into the water. We finish off the cultists, Ettins, Armored guy and the magic user. The dragon remerges, flies over to us and gives us a dose of the nasty. It burns my lungs and stings my eyes but I somehow manage to shrug off most of it. Reggie didn’t flinch, tough little bird. Karsi drops and my heart skips a beat. I rush over to hear and wrap her in my arms, I summon tiny spiders from my pouch. They crawl over her and zap her back to life. Her eyes flutter and we finish the kiss we started at the end of the dream fight.
Rushing to the secret door the armored one and magic user use we catch our breath in a short tunnel. I suggest we move forward but Omen and the ranger argue. Least I think they do, the last few minutes have caught up to me and I am in pain and dizzy from the fight. Reggie is ok as he finds my shoulder and silently perches. We need to move away from the dragon and find a place to rest and regroup. Its breathe weapon is gas and will go around corners to hit us in this tunnel. No matter how we entered this lair the outcome would have been the same, the lesson learned here is, Do not slip and slide into the lair of a dragon and lie about why we are here. My old pal Kovatch would have walked right up to the guards and demanded they surrender.
|
|
|
Post by Aileen on Apr 30, 2019 12:54:13 GMT -5
We close the door behind us but can still hear the dragon hurling insults in draconic. It says it's going to kill us when we inevitably have to leave through the cavern, and it's probably right. With all of us in pretty rough condition, Ulrich does rope trick and we hurriedly climb up into it. Sadly Chad cannot climb up, so she sulks in the shadows.
Mohrryn, who ran into us after running from the dragon, a day behind leaving Waterdeep, instantly gets uppity with me. Charlie the paladin has no problem with me raising a specter, yet the cleric does.
"That is an abomination!"
"No, Chad is our friend. Chad took down a knight that was about to kill Omen. She's under my control and she is good."
"Its evil magic!"
"You get used to it," Omen says, coming to my defense. "She doesn't do it on purpose, it just happens."
I try to be a decent person and use my powers for good, but there's always going to be those who mistake me for something evil. Their loss. We heal up in the rope fort, and after an hour I decide to climb down and check the area. Omen is getting angry at Morrigan as I leave, apparently she tried pickpocketing her and failed miserably. I make it mostly down the rope, and it swings around so I'm facing the whole of the room. There's several cultists on either side, and an elf woman whose face just screams bad b****. A little warning would have been good.
"Ah, there they are." The elf woman says. "Kill them!"
I drop down to the ground by Chad, and one of the cultists throws a glowing orb at me. It misses. Another one throws theirs before I can react, and it explodes around me with a flash. I am overcome with a poisonous gas, coughing and gagging until it clears. I really don't feel well, and I am pissed. I hold out my hand and send a cone of cold in the direction of the elf b**** and the cultists. They all take heavy damage, and five of them turn into frozen statues. The dragon roars just beyond the corridor. I'll get you next little guy, don't you worry.
The cultists start rushing me. One misses, only to be followed up by a guy with a scimitar. Chad attacks him, but the guy still manages to get to me. I nearly drop as the scimitar slices into my side and massive pain shoots through my body. I barely feel the next two cultists' attacks, it's just papercuts in comparison. I'm not doing well, and really hoping my party comes to my aid.
Omen swings down as my vision starts to get spotty. She magic missiles the woman that threw one of the poison orbs at me and two of the cultists currently hacking me to death.
"Thanks for dropping in!" I groan through gritted teeth.
"I've got your back!" She says. I'm not sure I'm that comforted, now I have to worry about my best friend getting hit.
Morrigan misty steps down and next to one of the guys hitting me and then poison sprays him. Grahz comes down raging, and kills one. Now the calvary arrives! Ulrich comes down and shouts at the woman.
"Are you Galen's wife?"
"No. I'm taken, sorry Galen." She says snarkily.
Ulrich shoots her twice, and then throws a shot. The woman smirks.
"My turn!"
She summons a bow, and then shoots Ulrich with some kind of energy arrow. It hits, but the second shot does not. I'm half wondering if shes like me, summoning weapons from nowhere.
Runar hops down at my side, and catches me as I stumble. His hands wrap around my hips, grabbing me slightly inappropriately, and gives me some healing. The black spots go away and I can breathe easier. Reggie flies past us and kills one of the cultists. Mohrryn comes down and scared flames the elf. I could really use healing but I know he really doesn't trust me right now, so I'm depending on Runar. Chad takes out a cultist as the two that were gas-orb throwing attack Morrigan. These guys are hard to kill.
I try blasting the elf, but one of the cultists gets in my way and dies instead- I pretend it was on purpose. My next shot gets her, but the evil smile never leaves her face. She seems to enjoy this.
"Where is the wyrmspeaker?!" Omen yells to her.
"Fools, I am the wyrmspeaker!" She laughs.
"How do you ride the dragon? I've never seen anyone do it!" Omen is really trying to flatter this woman.
"Any of you want to ride a dragon, slay one of your party members and swear fealty to Tiamat, and you can too!"
I briefly consider it and can tell others do too. She is messing with our heads.
"BAHAMUT!!!!" Grahz yells in rage, charging the wyrmspeaker.
"What is your name?" Omen shouts.
"I am Neronvain!" The elf responds with arrogant pride.
"Weird name for a woman!" I yell, moving over to blast another cultist.
I'm taken aback as the cleric actually gives me some healing. I guess he sees how useful Chad is, or I just look like a bloody mess and he feels bad. One day we will live in a world where all Chad's are accepted. Except Chad the paladin. He can die in a fire.
We make quick work of the remaining cultists, but the elf woman gets away, running back to the dragon. All of us are beat up once again, so we start downing healing potions. I'm grateful to Omen for having extras, as it takes four of them to get me feeling alright. I didn't know scimitars could hit so hard. We regroup, planning to send ranged fighters up to the ledge and ground fighters go into the cavern. I strap my shield on, really having missed it during the fight, and then cast Armor of Agathys on myself. The frost that spreads over my armor is comforting.
"Runar, I want you to have this."
I hand over my service dagger, which has been mine since I first joined the Guard. Its handle is polished bone and silver, and the crest of Waterdeep carved into the pommel. I hope he can get more use out of it than I do.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Please stay alive." I kiss him once more, hoping this isn't our last. "I love you."
He kisses me back.
"I love you, Karsi." He whispers.
We part ways. I wasn't sure if we were more than casual romps in Waterdeep, but now I know it's real. I head up the passageway to the double doors with Omen, Morrigan and Ulrich. I send Chad with the ground crew. The doors open onto a ledge looking out over the cavern. There is also the shrine that Omen mentioned, although I thought it had been on the island in the pool. I never picture things as Omen describes them, often leading to confusion. The cavern is totally empty, no sign of the dragon or Neronvain.
"Chad, go get that damn dragon!" I order my specter friend. She dives into the lake, disappearing from view.
Omen kneels at the statue of Eldath, placing a gold coin on it as an offering. She prays to her, asking for help. I don't know if I can pray to other gods than the Raven Queen, but feel like it's the right thing to do. Eldath is the goddess of waterfalls and a good deity, so what can it hurt? I drop to my knees beside Omen, and do my best to respectfully ask for aid. I start coughing, a tickle in the back of my throat. I elegantly pull one of Zoltan's down feathers out of my mouth. I got scared for a second, thinking the Raven Queen was punishing me. No, my bird just has no sense of personal space. I hope he is staying out of trouble outside.
I get up and take a drink of the water in the fountain. Ulrich warns me that it's not a good idea, but it tastes nice and earthy and not poisonous. I also notice I can... breathe it? Interesting.
"I'm going to go down there, I don't think the dragon is coming back." I tell the upstairs crew.
"Careful, Karsi." Omen says.
"Always am."
I come up behind Runar, awkwardly. We had our dramatic goodbye and I came right back. Charlie moves into the chamber and stands on the water's edge. There is still no sign of Chad. Charlie splashes the water.
Chuth the magic dragon erupts from the water in front of Charlie. One of Ulrich's arrows hits it, but it doesn't bother him. He tries to whip Charlie with his tail and misses twice, then slips and hits his head on the island with a lot of not very graceful splashes before sinking down in the pool. I move in, readying myself to blast it when it resurfaces. Charlie casts a blessing on himself, Grahz and I, of which I am incredibly thankful for.
Grahz starts running towards the tunnel at the other side of the pool, where the cultists had been. The dragon bursts out of the water again, and I blast it twice, hitting once. And then it opens its mouth. I should know by now how to avoid getting a full blast of poison, but it gets me anyway. If I hadn't put Armor of Agathys on myself I am sure I would have dropped, but somehow I am still standing after more dry heaving. I'm really getting tired of poison.
Poor Charlie takes a bad hit from the tail, and has a rather bad gash across his face. That will definitely scar. He cares a lot about his looks so I'm sure he's not happy, but all women dig scars. Talis liked mine after all. I move closer, hitting the dragon with a curse and blasting it, while Runar blows through some tube and casts a ray of sickness. I can see a fireball come from above, illuminating Omen. She looks powerful standing above us, and a little scary.
The dragon disengages and dives back in the water, and I have no time to process the stupid thing I do.
"If I don't come back up soon, pull me out!" I tell Runar.
I dive into the pool, trying to swim after the dragon. I can see the island below the water, but the dragon is long gone. How fast does that damn thing swim?! I can breathe perfectly well under here, but I'm not sure swimming after the dragon is a good idea alone. I crawl out of the pool, sopping wet.
"Its gone!"
"How deep does the pool go?" Charlie asks me.
"About fifty feet, give or take. I didn't see much but the island is in the way. I'm going back!"
"Wai-"
I dive back in, and start swimming as hard as I can towards the far end of the pool, to look around the island. The water bubbles to my right, and I look to see Charlie swimming next to me, holding his breath. I never expected the paladin to come as backup, and I'm glad to gave a friend with me in case this goes wrong. I keep swimming until I can see something up ahead, about forty five feet away. A passage in the wall on the other side. I motion to Charlie to swim up, and we go up onto the island. He takes a huge breath of air, but I could breathe down there and up here just fine. Thanks Eldath!
"There's a passageway! I think the dragon went out through it!" I shout.
"That probably leads to the pool!" Omen responds.
Reggie flies over me and Charlie and hovers. Grahz, who I didn't realize had jumped in, comes up onto the island with us.
"I have a plan!"
"What is it?"
"The passageway is on this island, right?"
"No, Grahz. It's on that wall, under the water."
"Oh. Nevermind, then."
We really do love our barbarian. He may not be the most intelligent member of the party, neither am I, but he's up for doing anything. I think we could swim out to the passageway, but we may not like what we find on the other end.
"So are we hunting this dragon down or what?" The ranger is eager to track it down. I just want to finish exploring this place, and hope to find Neronvain hiding.
"The wyrmspeaker may have gone with Chuth, but I don't think she would have gone underwater." Omen says, confirming what I am thinking. Shes got to be in here still.
I swim back over to the rest of the group, and start shaking myself off when I get on shore. Omen comes up to me. I give her a hug, my soaking wet armor dampening her robes. She pushes me off.
"Come on, I need a towel!" I whine.
My boots are all sloshy and the armor doesn't feel very good against my wet clothes and skin. This is going to be a fun fight if we go to finish it.
Drip.
I cringe. That damn dripping sound.
"Alright, come on. Let's find this elf b****!"
Morrigan, still up on the ledge, shouts something to the dragon about Tiamat being the illegitimate child of a kobold or something, trying to draw it out. Omen stiffens, hissing.
"That cuts deep!" She says. "I don't even follow her anymore, but I'm a little offended."
"Tiamat is my new friend, we're tight!" I say jokingly. I can feel Omen's eyes glaring daggers into my soul.
Omen holds a hand to her chest, wincing. Maybe she did actually get clawed by her? The cleric gives me a scathing look.
"What?!" He snaps.
"I talked to her! She was nice."
"She contacted another plane and Tiamat hijacked the call." Omen explains to Mohrryn. "Its not funny, Karsi."
I wink at the cleric and Omen and walk away. I don't fear Tiamat, she can't hurt me. The cult is struggling to raise her from the nine hells, and they are not going to succeed. And if they did, I will face her down and I will win. They will praise Karsilene, Emissary of The Raven Queen instead. The Cult of Karsi has a nice ring to it.
"Not my fault she likes me better! Alright. Dragon time, let's go!"
~ Karsi
|
|
|
Post by Chris on Apr 30, 2019 13:51:20 GMT -5
End Nightal 15 2:25:1 pm, 1489 DR; Year of the Warrior Princess. Selune is new. The Rise of Tiamat Death to the Wyrmspeakers The Misty Forest Neronvain's Stronghold Island Chamber A short rest A long ambush A dragon and a Wyrmspeaker retreat MVP = Will Hunter as Charlie Our plays on RPGGeek.com rpggeek.com/plays/thing/162998?userid=1168080
|
|
|
Post by donaldado on Apr 30, 2019 18:28:01 GMT -5
Blood. Blood covering my body. The scent of victory. I have lived again. Should I collect it and offer it in a pyre to the void? It feels... right.
NO! Where did that thought come from?
Clean, I must get clean! I can be more than what I came from. Ulrich, I will always be able to find him now that I have his lucky silver. Omen did not seem too happy tho. Does she really need all that hair? If she doesn't trim the hedges she shall never find a soul to sit by her fire.
The battle was glorious though. How many can say they cause dragons to flee from them? We truly are a force to be reckoned with. We must be the hand of fate. Ulrich, twisting their minds with his word games as he shoots them down. Karsi mistress of the otherworld guiding them to their destination. Graaz, Bahamut's wrath made flesh. Runar the machine breaking our foes down piece by piece. Charlie, strange name but the gods must be with him. Even the dragon could not land a blow upon him. Moryn, the giver of life saved us all. Even Reggie and Chad brought death upon the great enemy. Omen and I, bending reality to our wills to leave the filth who serve the false one Tiamat in wretched ruin. The smell of blood. I must think about something else.
I wonder what dragon tastes like? Probably the way Grandpa smelled. Poor grandpa. I will never forgive mother.
|
|