“If you do nothing, you’ll be forced to deal with the consequences of your decision all the same, little Goblin. Animosity will continue to grow until it spills your way, and then you’ll have to act with the knowledge that you had the ability to change things, and let it pass. So if you’re to be damned if you do, and damned if you don’t, why not do? It’s the only side that offers anything, after all.”
”You’ve all been vocal about how little you care about these Gods you claim hold no power over you. But you then balk at the opportunity to impact them, instead resigning yourselves to cleaning up their mess anyway. Taking this offer places you at their table. As a piece instead of a player? Perhaps. But at their table all the same.”
”Do not bother with what offers you nothing, and you cannot control. Figure out what you want, realistically, and then move to get it. Will that involve taking chances? Yes. Is there a chance you’ll mess it up? Absolutely. But it’s the only way you’ll stop living like a rag-doll. Abused, and then tossed aside. Reacting, and then shaking your hands at the clouds isn’t good enough, I’m afraid. If you want to live through this with some semblance of Pride or Sanity, little one, you‘ll need to start taking Action.”
”The Gods were here before you, and they’ll be around after. The same can be said of their politics. You’ve managed well enough despite that so far. So stop placing yourselves firmly beneath their boot. Fill your pockets, and then move on with your lives.”
”And if you’re worried about potential fallback, then there is something else you can do. Embark on more tasks than you think you need. Gather more power and favours through them. And then rely on them to navigate through the havoc that might follow.”
Kulloda does his best not to yawn again as the elf keeps talking.
"Yeah. I think fey kicked you out," he final says where there's a gap in the speech. "Nice talk. But not listen. Kulloda already say what doing and why. Tempus get to Limbo good things happen for Kulloda. Gnome or dragon make that happen."
“Hmph”Tristan snorts at the elf “it sounds to me like you do not desire to do any work at all, you speak of action and deals but talk in circles.” Tristan leans against a window, glancing out occasionally at the grounds below, while he cleans his fingernails with a dagger, clearly bored with the turn in the conversation. Even for one accustomed to court intrigue and duplicitous talk.
“What do I want? Information. A chance to upset the hells at their own game by introducing a wildcard who they expressly do not want involved. I have questions for the fallen god, regardless of what they have to offer me. Perhaps I will get the answers, perhaps not, but we will not know until I ask. What do you want?” He echos Kulloda's question in his own. The Regent had all but endorsed their trip to attempt to contact the Traveler and as an emissary who placed the crown above his own interests, well mostly, that was good enough for him. He barely waits for the elf's response before he turns to Dog and the others “I am prepared to leave whenever the group is ready. To the mountain, or elsewhere.” He gives Lyr a sideways glance “but I can also put some pieces at play to find Finnegan and provide options when we return.”
He motions to one of the pages in the room and with a whisper sends for Haleek. He will set the bard out to track down the whereabouts of Finnegan and a certain Tabaxi, and to try to determine the location of the stolen plans and any progress they may have made on construction.
The Regent has reenters the room as Llyr finishes his rallying speech. She allows the others to have their piece, then takes the floor.
"Truly inspiring, ambassador. Am I not paying you enough, emissaries?" she says, looking at Dog, Gash, Martin, and Tristan. A small smile purses her lips. "I understand the want for more, the allure of divine gifts. But..."
She sits in a comfortable chair, primly straightening her dress for a moment, thoughtful. ""I'm sorry, Kulloda," she says. "I have a few things to say. You will find some excitement very soon."
The regent clears her throat, then picks up a small bell and tinkles it lightly. She returns to her thoughts, then continues. "We have no record of gods existing before the forty we have now. But they did. They slaughtered each other, jealous and fearful of those who shared their power. I can't imagine what it was like in the mortal realm as the gods fell, one by one to their own machinations. But then they did something new, and peace lasted for a thousand years, probably two. They are trying something new again. It is frightening. It is ripe for taking advantage of and destabilizing. But there are gods honestly trying to make it work. Gods from the hells and the heavens both. They want to make something new. They want peace."
She looks now at Llyr and at Kulloda. "We could line our pockets and take advantage of them. Maybe we mean nothing to gods. I don't believe that, but maybe it is true. But we can influence them. We have influenced them. Some are listening to our words and deeds," she says and nods to the attendant who brings in tea for the regent and pours her a cup. "I don't want the gods to slaughter each other again, not if I have any chance to nudge things towards peace."
She sips at her tea, pondering her own words for a moment. Then she adds a little honey to the tea and stirs it absently. "I have two thoughts on the matter. One," she says, ringing a few drops off her spoon before putting it down, "We certainly have plenty to gain from aiding the gods. But since both sides have offered boons, the side doesn't matter. We still need to choose. However, we can start down one path and then change our minds as we learn more."
She remembers her tea and takes a sip, this time satisfied with the taste. It clinks on the saucer as she sets it down again. "Two: We do have copious resources we can put towards investigating or aiding your efforts. Perhaps I can send some rangers into the wildlands of northern Poria, for example, or to Finnegan's mage tower to spy or inquire about whatever you wish. Some things we have the resources for. But nobody has climbed Mt. Ulaa, to my knowledge. Nobody else can get to the graveyard of the gods as easily as you. My point is that we can accomplish many things at once here, so put forth your resources to the ends that you need. If you are expecting you will need to teleport to the lands of the Eastern Tribes, we will dispatch someone to acquire a unique item for you to do that."
The Regent takes another sip of her tea. "Here is what I would like you to do," she says. It is less a suggestion than it sounds. "Kulloda, you and Dog shall attempt to reach the summit of Mt. Ulaa. If it does not work, that is okay, but give it your best try.If it is too dangerous, come back. If you can get the sextant, do so.
"Martin and Gash, go to the Graveyard of the Gods. You removed any threats in that place a month ago. Two months? I can't remember. It is probably fine but go cautiously. See if you can obtain a divine item that way, in case Kulloda and Dog have no luck.
"Tristan, you and the ambassador can begin completing some of the more local requests of the gods. See if there is anyone left from the circus...er temple of Leira. We will need to find them in order to restore her temple. You can also stop at the temple of Torm and investigate what sacrifices you may need to make to curry his favor."
She looks around the room at each of the emissaries as well as Kulloda and Llyr. "Talk to your people," she says, mainly addressing Tristan, Dog, Gash, and Martin. "Use them to prepare for the other quests the gods have put forth. Just prepare. Some of these are far away or need to be found. Use your people to pave the way for when...if..you are ever ready to tackle them."
With this, she picks up her cup of tea again, although somehow in a gesture of finality.
Martin moves to Gash. “She makes good points all around. Ready when you are. I think I should be telling the crew some things to be doing, but I’ll admit to being unsure what. I feel a bit incompetent there. I think the old king thought leadership was either a reward or a challenge to rise to, but… I don’t think I am rising to it. I can tell ‘em stuff. But that’s not leadership. I need to get back to doing. Things.”
“Friend should be able to deliver my message to my people. As for you Martin, I don’t fancy myself a leader either… I don’t know if any of us have really. We were thrown into something bigger than us and we treaded water for this long. As you said it’s time to lead. Just believe in what you say. That’s the first step to being a good leader.”
Gash turns to the rest, “we ought to figure out our communications, obviously, I can send to anyone but maybe we each take a sending stone in our teams and leave the other here. That way we can make proper communications when necessary either to eachother or back at the castle. We will need an operator… perhaps Schett if he isn’t too busy? Or perhaps, Regent, you could assign someone?”
Gash turns back to Martin, “Let’s collect our things I will need a little while to prepare spells before we go. But after that I’m ready.”
Kulloda let’s out an almost continuously rolling growling groan as the talking seems to just keep going on and on.
He does raise his eyebrows in acknowledgment when the regent addresses him and when it gets down to the end and he can see actual plans in place he finally smiles.
He claps Dog on the back.
”Ha. Now getting somewhere. Kulloda always ready. Go when big Dog ready. Ready?”
He then looks around at the others. And points a finger at Gash.
”Little friend Gash. Bet Dog and Kulloda back from mountain with sextant before you back. Bet . . . bet . . . You teach Kulloda magic trick if I win.”
When an opportune time arrives, Martin will get with his crew to send them towards the Cloudspire Mountains, to prepare a place for us to clear the path to Mt Daldas. Maybe even to get started, depending on what is needed.
Dog, for once, allows the conversation to arrive at its destination without his questioning. He nods at the Regent's suggestions/orders, and thanks her silently.
He claps Kulloda on the back, and, wishing the others well and ensuring he has one or two halves of a pair or sending stones (the others can be with the Regent and the party?) he goes and finds Gunnur, and gives him a rundown on the quests. "Find out what you can about them. Look into what happens if Selune's shard of moonlight gets stolen by Shar, and if the white elk in the Feywild's critically important to something. And look into any evil kings that need beheading, what the Eternal Cold Flame does, what the hammer would do to the duergar, what this djinni is all about, and what financing this traveling temple circus would take. Obviously, don't do all of those. Pick one or two that seem easy or palatable, and get the team working on them. Work with Tristan's people, and also Viviora. I will hopefully be back soon. This bloke and I are off to find the top of Mt. Ulaa."
He gets his things and says to Kulloda, "you know, Gash taught me some magic tricks. They're fun. And dangerous."He grins. Then he heads to a teleportation circle, or Gash, to get them as close as possible to the mountain. When they arrive, he plans on using the helm to teleport to the summit of Mt. Ulaa. He hands Kulloda an immovable rod and shows him how it works in case they don't have solid footing wherever they arrive -- Dog plans on using his boots if he finds himself falling.
As Dog and Kulloda prepare to enter the teleportation circle, Tristan arrives to see them off. He strides up to Dog and, reaching up, places a hand on his shoulder. “Safe journey to you both. May the mountain rise up to your feet and the wind always be at your back” he sends them with an old saying, providing inspiration to Dog He turns with a final grin. “What are the chances the sextant is just laying on the rocks at the top of the mountain?”
(Providing Bardic inspiration. Add 1d10 to attack roll, ability check, or saving throw of your choice. Doesn’t last long, so hopefully you can find a use in the next 10 minutes)
”Somehow think sending two with thickest heads means not safe. Sextant laying there maybe. Maybe guarded. Just want no digging. Kulloda hate digging.”
He looks down at the immovable rod in his hand and raises an eyebrow. He then reaches into the quiver on his back and pulls out a long broom, barks at it and shows Dog that it hovers in the air.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Kulloda and Dog make their preparations, including a long, studious look at a landscape hanging in the palace. It depicts the Cloudspire Mountains from atop one of the mountains facing north. Many peaks jut into the sky towards lazy clouds. Snow tops every peak, as they likely do now, and trees down the sides of each mountain give them a brush texture, like stiff hairs on pig's hide. In the center is Mt. Ulaa. Indeed, that is the name of the landscape. According to the Regent, it is one of the best depictions of the mountaintop that exists on the entire continent.
Between meeting with his team, preparing his own gear, studying the portrait, eating supper, and studying the portrait some more, it is early evening when Kulloda, finally on his way towards adventure, and Dog teleport to the royal property in Tamsa. There is little else to do from here. Dog pulls the portrait into his mind, realizing it as the painter originally saw it. There are no brush strokes. It is alive with swaying trees in the foreground and moving clouds above. It is dimmer too, the sun already set and only a pink glow cast along the side of the mountains. Dog finds himself facing north, the way the painter did, his eyes closed, his breathing slow as he makes the picture in his mind as real, as perfect as he can.
Then, he and Kulloda disappear.
DM shield:
87
16
62
16
34
The magic sends them barreling over the miles towards Mt. Ulaa, striving to find the proper place to deposit them. It yanks them back and forward again, bruising knees and ribs. The journey feels as if it is taking too long for a moment, as if it will not end but just smash them against reality over and over until they end. When suddenly they are there, atop a mountain, kneeling in the snow and catching their breath.
It is somewhat flat here where they have landed but drops off considerably to either side and behind them. Ahead is a slight climb, like a lightning bolt of jagged stone rising from the snow to the true peak of the mountain. Looking around, Dog can tell that every adjacent peak is below them. He can see farther than perhaps any person has before. Mountains to the north and south rise as if to meet them but none come close enough. They have landed on Mt. Ulaa.
There is no immediate sign of a sextant but looking at the stone ahead, a soft glow emanates from beyond the stone to the east. The pair must scrabble over icy rock and loose scree. They find a sort of ledge created from stone that has shorn either as it lifted up or as some sloughed down the slope. Either way, the going is a little easier as they round a small rise to see a pile of bones haphazardly laying on bare stone across a small rent in the rock. They follow the easier path around the peak of Mt. Ulaa, certain they have found the divine bones of a god or angel. Rounding the peak, they find they are not alone. An angel-like creature, haggard, wild in its eyes, long in nail and hair, snaps its gaze towards them. It mewls, almost as a kitten and begins moving towards them in jerky and unfamiliar movements. Greed or lust or hunger fuels this creature looking over its long-dead deity. It has gone mad in the millenia since the god fell to this place.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Martin and Gash have a little longer to wait before they depart. They learn from Dog that the pair arrived on Mt. Ulaa banged up but on target. It is night time when Gash is ready with his spells. He is famished but prepared. A small chunk of some kind of stone sits in his hands as he and Martin eat a hasty meal. Then, Gash utters the incantation and the pair disappear with a soft popping sound.
The appear under the ocean. It is dark, lit only by what light the pair can muster with magic or flame. it is cold as well and quiet. The dome of air persists, still deflated on one side where the water elemental is absent from the circle of elementals keeping the bubble eternally over the sunken graveyard. The large obelisk is obviously gone from the center of the huge, stone tombs lining the dry ocean floor.
Martin and Gash walk between the sarcophagi, reading the inscriptions, thanks to Gash's ritual casting of Comprehend Languages.
List of dead gods (bolded one is the only sarcophagus explored so far):
Rejuna, Goddess Of Home Huagi, God Of Conquest Tharus, God Of Children Othos, God Of Wisdom Riysus, God Of The Dark Qyjun, God Of Glory Omir, God Of Honesty Shodjuni, Goddess Of Dawn Caruer, God Of Infamy Peranto, God Of Honor Amjir, God Of Logic Ixda, Goddess Of Battle Zujun, God Of The Sun Merka, Goddess Of Chivalry Khimdara, Goddess Of Finance Shidara, Goddess Of Animals Nether, God Of Charity Beysus, Goddess Of Fertility Edlios, God Of Mercy Wuzdros, Goddess Of Law Khatoni, Goddess Of Oracles Doborh, Goddess Of The Navigation Udlotl, God Of Extermination Sinas, God Of Freedom Qaxnos, God Of Envy Zinira, Goddess Of Jealousy Oeyara, Goddess Of Triumph Thuesis, God Of Secrecy Natia, Goddess Of Loyalty Fixdum, God Of Tranquillity Gutia, Goddess Of Shelter Imesa, Goddess Of Penance
Before they can select a tomb to plunder, a wheezing cackle sounds behind them. They turn to see a djinn, floating about, studying them with a manic glint in its eye.
"Oh my, oh my," it says, patting its chubby hands together in a soft clap. "Yes, yes. Would you like to join my collection? You must. You really must."
It laughs in delight in a snorting, halting manner.
Initiative, just in case:
Gash: 20
Martin: 18
M: 5
If combat starts, Martin and Gash may go in any order.
Llyr and Tristan head out into the capitol. The first stop is an easy one, that of the temple of Torm. As with most temples in the capitol, they have at least an acolyte staffing the large chamber filled with statues, tapestries, paintings, pottery, and books. It is a small museum dedicated to a single god and always a treat for even the most casual visitor.
Being before supper, a full cleric is on duty at the temple. He is able to answer basic questions about Torm and the practices involved in following him, but turning the conversation towards the very specific quest put forth by Torm's angel is clearly beyond this poor cleric's ken. He holds up a finger. "If..if you will wait a moment, I will consult with Mistress Veleni."
Mistress Veleni is older and more experienced in the ways of the temple but she is also unsure about their question. "Allow me to pray on it," she says, and retreats from the public chamber.
Ten minutes later, she returns, eyes overflowing with tears and a massive smile on her face. "Yes, yes. Torm...Torm spoke to me," she says, barely able to get the words out. "Yours is a truly divine quest. He says, 'Sacrifice that of which you are most proud or that of which you cherish most intensely. Burn it in my pyre or pray to give it to me within my temple walls.'"
It takes a full twenty minutes to extract themselves from the situation, the high priestess of Torm almost clinging to them as she gushes about her divine contact. But extract themselves they do before setting about the more difficult task of finding the survivors of the traveling temple of Leira. They know roughly where they circus, which served as the temple once, was burned. A devil was killed by a demon here, leaving Leira with no devil and no temple. There is little left of the tragedy now It is only an open space of grass, which now shows no marks of fire at all. Only dormant grass remains.
DM shield:
Investigation (16): 16
Rolling (21): 10
Llyr is talking to a woman who lived in a small house here by the open field when the circus burned. "Many of them had no place to go," she says. "I helped one, a young tabaxi man, get a job selling imports by the docks. He has a bit of a knack for it, I think. He's still there."
Tristan, meanwhile, notices that they are being followed. Something...no, two somethings...slink in the lengthening shadows. They show themselves eventually entirely on accident when the cart one is hiding behind moves along, revealing the Chasme exposed and rushing for a new place to hide. He draws his weapon, alerting Llyr who shoos the woman away. They have a lead, but they have more immediate concerns.
Initiative:
T: 23
L: 23
C1: 15 C2: 14
Tristan and Llyr may go first in any order. Their foes will go second.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Kulloda claps Dog on his arm when they finally land on the mountain.
"Nothing to it," Kulloda says, rolling his shoulder and rubbing his thigh where he has the makings of a good sized welt from getting banged up on the trip. He's about to say more when the maniacal angel appears, looking very hostile.
All the pent up energy from the past few days adds to the already baseline of seething turmoil that inhabits Kulloda's mind. He throws his own head to upwards and roars to the heavens in response to the angel's mewls.
As the rage boils over, he moves forward in leaps and bounds, quickly cutting the distance between them and the creature. Frustrated he can't get there quickly enough, Kulloda roars again. He reaches back into this efficient quiver and pulls out a javelin; a javelin that crackles with energy.
In one motion he hurls it as hard as he can at the angel, though even in his primordial state he makes sure that Dog is not right behind him when he lets go of the javelin.
Suddenly the javelin is gone, a flash of lightning streaking towards the angel instead, but changing back to the javelin as it reaches its target.
In the same motion, as he releases the javelin, Kulloda reaches back and pulls another, more mundane looking javelin from his quiver and hurls it at the angel.
@DM
Bonus Action - Enter Rage, utilizing Instinctive Pounce at the same time to move 20' towards the angel
Movement - Full 40' more to the angel (total of 60')
Action - Attack w/ Javelin of Lightning - Attack: 19 Damage: 9 (if more than 30' feet away still, then at disadvantage - second roll = 25 ) plus 16 Lightning Damage plus 8 radiant damage from Divine Fury plus 3 damage from being in Rage
Second Attack w/ normal Javelin - Attack: 22 Damage: 12 (if disadvantage second attack roll is 15 ) plus 3 damage from Rage.
After most had left, Llyr calmly and approached the acting ruler of the Land he’d found himself in.
“You’ve offered me an abode to reside in, these past few years. This has placed me in your debt.”— the Eladrin addressed the Regent, politely — “Divine Mail will not be bested by mortal blunt instruments. Living through this, Lady Duliani, will mean finding its chinks. And the only one within your reach is the diminutive Gnome, playing at Angels and Devils. Back him, or don’t. But he remains the key for your little plot of land to pull through this.”
The Envoy bowed, cordially and formally, for perhaps the first time in a good, long while — “This marks the third time I’ll have led your Court to water. And the last I’ll have tried to make you drink. My debt is repaid, young Regent. I wish you luck in the coming tribulations.”
Moving away from the situation, once again, politely, Llyr thrummed at a copper wire coiled around his left ear, wove a series of seals, and spoke a few command words, in Sylvan.
The contents of my character’s Sending spell, spoken in Sylvan:
“Vuko, have my aides follow through with what I’ve outlined, and do away with the feast.”— the Elf glanced behind him, at the gathered few, and sighed — “It will no longer be needed. Thank you.”
“Bard.”— he called to Tristan, looking back at the man once again — “It would appear you’ve been given a job to do. Are you ready to begin, or will you need time to prepare?”
The dealings with the church had gone on about as well as could be expected. Humanity was an odd bunch. They either barked at the everlasting, hoping to avoid the demise that would certainly follow antagonising them, or melted into tears at the chance to participate… the lot seemed to have trouble understanding that performing the job they were asked to do was typically the simplest way to navigate them. Curious, certainly. And slow. But neither were his problem. He was Eladrin. This was not his war, and time was something he had.
“Thank you, miss. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.”— the youngest Silverhand nodded, politely, unconcerned by the blushing woman staring holes into his face. The libido was certainly an aspect of mortal society he’d yet to become accustomed to, and weirdly there was an extraordinary amount of beings positively smitten by Elvenkind. How did the Elves that lacked the Courts’ blessings spend their centuries dealing with this, he wondered, before the sound of steel meeting sheath caused him to look to the Bard — “But I’d have to ask you to return to your home.” — he spoke, not particularly rushed —“Things are looking to kill me, it would seem, and I would much rather end them first. If you’ll excuse me.”With a sly, cocky wink and an impish grin, he stepped into the fray, light on his feet as per usual.
The Bladesinger drew his own weapon, an exquisitely crafted, milky white, thin blade, fashioned of translucent crystal, with a neigh-transparent edge.“Friends of yours?” — he quipped at the Bard.
OOC: I’ll let Tristan go first in combat, so he has less to respond to, in case he wants to.
"The gods?" The djinn says I'm an uncontrollable giggle. "You will be much happier among my slaves."
It floats forward, almost as if taking heavy footsteps.
Gash doesn't wait for anymore action, advancing on them was enough, he releases the scepter and his eyes turn black. "I once again ask for your favor. Protect us."The black drains from his eyes as Barlgura appears before them.
"We gave you the chance. You can still surrender. But I will not be enslaved."
DM MD: (our friend the barlgura has 30 temp hp for durable summons class feature)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Mt.Ulaa:
Kulloda charges forwards releasing two javelins in rapid succession. Both of them find only hard mountaintop.
The angel drifts forward, lurching but smoothly. It looks oddly at Kulloda out of one eye for a long second, and then swings its flail at him in two wickedly fast swings.
Flail Attack: 27 Damage: 36
Flail Attack: 28 Damage: 23
(Dog is up!)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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“If you do nothing, you’ll be forced to deal with the consequences of your decision all the same, little Goblin. Animosity will continue to grow until it spills your way, and then you’ll have to act with the knowledge that you had the ability to change things, and let it pass. So if you’re to be damned if you do, and damned if you don’t, why not do? It’s the only side that offers anything, after all.”
”You’ve all been vocal about how little you care about these Gods you claim hold no power over you. But you then balk at the opportunity to impact them, instead resigning yourselves to cleaning up their mess anyway. Taking this offer places you at their table. As a piece instead of a player? Perhaps. But at their table all the same.”
”Do not bother with what offers you nothing, and you cannot control. Figure out what you want, realistically, and then move to get it. Will that involve taking chances? Yes. Is there a chance you’ll mess it up? Absolutely. But it’s the only way you’ll stop living like a rag-doll. Abused, and then tossed aside. Reacting, and then shaking your hands at the clouds isn’t good enough, I’m afraid. If you want to live through this with some semblance of Pride or Sanity, little one, you‘ll need to start taking Action.”
”The Gods were here before you, and they’ll be around after. The same can be said of their politics. You’ve managed well enough despite that so far. So stop placing yourselves firmly beneath their boot. Fill your pockets, and then move on with your lives.”
”And if you’re worried about potential fallback, then there is something else you can do. Embark on more tasks than you think you need. Gather more power and favours through them. And then rely on them to navigate through the havoc that might follow.”
Kulloda does his best not to yawn again as the elf keeps talking.
"Yeah. I think fey kicked you out," he final says where there's a gap in the speech. "Nice talk. But not listen. Kulloda already say what doing and why. Tempus get to Limbo good things happen for Kulloda. Gnome or dragon make that happen."
He looks at the elf for a moment longer.
"Why you here?"
“Hmph” Tristan snorts at the elf “it sounds to me like you do not desire to do any work at all, you speak of action and deals but talk in circles.” Tristan leans against a window, glancing out occasionally at the grounds below, while he cleans his fingernails with a dagger, clearly bored with the turn in the conversation. Even for one accustomed to court intrigue and duplicitous talk.
“What do I want? Information. A chance to upset the hells at their own game by introducing a wildcard who they expressly do not want involved. I have questions for the fallen god, regardless of what they have to offer me. Perhaps I will get the answers, perhaps not, but we will not know until I ask. What do you want?” He echos Kulloda's question in his own. The Regent had all but endorsed their trip to attempt to contact the Traveler and as an emissary who placed the crown above his own interests, well mostly, that was good enough for him. He barely waits for the elf's response before he turns to Dog and the others “I am prepared to leave whenever the group is ready. To the mountain, or elsewhere.” He gives Lyr a sideways glance “but I can also put some pieces at play to find Finnegan and provide options when we return.”
He motions to one of the pages in the room and with a whisper sends for Haleek. He will set the bard out to track down the whereabouts of Finnegan and a certain Tabaxi, and to try to determine the location of the stolen plans and any progress they may have made on construction.
The Regent has reenters the room as Llyr finishes his rallying speech. She allows the others to have their piece, then takes the floor.
"Truly inspiring, ambassador. Am I not paying you enough, emissaries?" she says, looking at Dog, Gash, Martin, and Tristan. A small smile purses her lips. "I understand the want for more, the allure of divine gifts. But..."
She sits in a comfortable chair, primly straightening her dress for a moment, thoughtful. ""I'm sorry, Kulloda," she says. "I have a few things to say. You will find some excitement very soon."
The regent clears her throat, then picks up a small bell and tinkles it lightly. She returns to her thoughts, then continues. "We have no record of gods existing before the forty we have now. But they did. They slaughtered each other, jealous and fearful of those who shared their power. I can't imagine what it was like in the mortal realm as the gods fell, one by one to their own machinations. But then they did something new, and peace lasted for a thousand years, probably two. They are trying something new again. It is frightening. It is ripe for taking advantage of and destabilizing. But there are gods honestly trying to make it work. Gods from the hells and the heavens both. They want to make something new. They want peace."
She looks now at Llyr and at Kulloda. "We could line our pockets and take advantage of them. Maybe we mean nothing to gods. I don't believe that, but maybe it is true. But we can influence them. We have influenced them. Some are listening to our words and deeds," she says and nods to the attendant who brings in tea for the regent and pours her a cup. "I don't want the gods to slaughter each other again, not if I have any chance to nudge things towards peace."
She sips at her tea, pondering her own words for a moment. Then she adds a little honey to the tea and stirs it absently. "I have two thoughts on the matter. One," she says, ringing a few drops off her spoon before putting it down, "We certainly have plenty to gain from aiding the gods. But since both sides have offered boons, the side doesn't matter. We still need to choose. However, we can start down one path and then change our minds as we learn more."
She remembers her tea and takes a sip, this time satisfied with the taste. It clinks on the saucer as she sets it down again. "Two: We do have copious resources we can put towards investigating or aiding your efforts. Perhaps I can send some rangers into the wildlands of northern Poria, for example, or to Finnegan's mage tower to spy or inquire about whatever you wish. Some things we have the resources for. But nobody has climbed Mt. Ulaa, to my knowledge. Nobody else can get to the graveyard of the gods as easily as you. My point is that we can accomplish many things at once here, so put forth your resources to the ends that you need. If you are expecting you will need to teleport to the lands of the Eastern Tribes, we will dispatch someone to acquire a unique item for you to do that."
The Regent takes another sip of her tea. "Here is what I would like you to do," she says. It is less a suggestion than it sounds. "Kulloda, you and Dog shall attempt to reach the summit of Mt. Ulaa. If it does not work, that is okay, but give it your best try.If it is too dangerous, come back. If you can get the sextant, do so.
"Martin and Gash, go to the Graveyard of the Gods. You removed any threats in that place a month ago. Two months? I can't remember. It is probably fine but go cautiously. See if you can obtain a divine item that way, in case Kulloda and Dog have no luck.
"Tristan, you and the ambassador can begin completing some of the more local requests of the gods. See if there is anyone left from the circus...er temple of Leira. We will need to find them in order to restore her temple. You can also stop at the temple of Torm and investigate what sacrifices you may need to make to curry his favor."
She looks around the room at each of the emissaries as well as Kulloda and Llyr. "Talk to your people," she says, mainly addressing Tristan, Dog, Gash, and Martin. "Use them to prepare for the other quests the gods have put forth. Just prepare. Some of these are far away or need to be found. Use your people to pave the way for when...if..you are ever ready to tackle them."
With this, she picks up her cup of tea again, although somehow in a gesture of finality.
Martin moves to Gash.
“She makes good points all around. Ready when you are. I think I should be telling the crew some things to be doing, but I’ll admit to being unsure what. I feel a bit incompetent there. I think the old king thought leadership was either a reward or a challenge to rise to, but… I don’t think I am rising to it. I can tell ‘em stuff. But that’s not leadership. I need to get back to doing. Things.”
Paladin - warforged - orange
“Friend should be able to deliver my message to my people. As for you Martin, I don’t fancy myself a leader either… I don’t know if any of us have really. We were thrown into something bigger than us and we treaded water for this long. As you said it’s time to lead. Just believe in what you say. That’s the first step to being a good leader.”
Gash turns to the rest, “we ought to figure out our communications, obviously, I can send to anyone but maybe we each take a sending stone in our teams and leave the other here. That way we can make proper communications when necessary either to eachother or back at the castle. We will need an operator… perhaps Schett if he isn’t too busy? Or perhaps, Regent, you could assign someone?”
Gash turns back to Martin, “Let’s collect our things I will need a little while to prepare spells before we go. But after that I’m ready.”
Gash - Lvl14 Goblin Wizard - The High Court of the Aasimar Queen
Kulloda let’s out an almost continuously rolling growling groan as the talking seems to just keep going on and on.
He does raise his eyebrows in acknowledgment when the regent addresses him and when it gets down to the end and he can see actual plans in place he finally smiles.
He claps Dog on the back.
”Ha. Now getting somewhere. Kulloda always ready. Go when big Dog ready. Ready?”
He then looks around at the others. And points a finger at Gash.
”Little friend Gash. Bet Dog and Kulloda back from mountain with sextant before you back. Bet . . . bet . . . You teach Kulloda magic trick if I win.”
When an opportune time arrives, Martin will get with his crew to send them towards the Cloudspire Mountains, to prepare a place for us to clear the path to Mt Daldas. Maybe even to get started, depending on what is needed.
Paladin - warforged - orange
Dog, for once, allows the conversation to arrive at its destination without his questioning. He nods at the Regent's suggestions/orders, and thanks her silently.
He claps Kulloda on the back, and, wishing the others well and ensuring he has one or two halves of a pair or sending stones (the others can be with the Regent and the party?) he goes and finds Gunnur, and gives him a rundown on the quests. "Find out what you can about them. Look into what happens if Selune's shard of moonlight gets stolen by Shar, and if the white elk in the Feywild's critically important to something. And look into any evil kings that need beheading, what the Eternal Cold Flame does, what the hammer would do to the duergar, what this djinni is all about, and what financing this traveling temple circus would take. Obviously, don't do all of those. Pick one or two that seem easy or palatable, and get the team working on them. Work with Tristan's people, and also Viviora. I will hopefully be back soon. This bloke and I are off to find the top of Mt. Ulaa."
He gets his things and says to Kulloda, "you know, Gash taught me some magic tricks. They're fun. And dangerous." He grins. Then he heads to a teleportation circle, or Gash, to get them as close as possible to the mountain. When they arrive, he plans on using the helm to teleport to the summit of Mt. Ulaa. He hands Kulloda an immovable rod and shows him how it works in case they don't have solid footing wherever they arrive -- Dog plans on using his boots if he finds himself falling.
As Dog and Kulloda prepare to enter the teleportation circle, Tristan arrives to see them off. He strides up to Dog and, reaching up, places a hand on his shoulder. “Safe journey to you both. May the mountain rise up to your feet and the wind always be at your back” he sends them with an old saying, providing inspiration to Dog He turns with a final grin. “What are the chances the sextant is just laying on the rocks at the top of the mountain?”
(Providing Bardic inspiration. Add 1d10 to attack roll, ability check, or saving throw of your choice. Doesn’t last long, so hopefully you can find a use in the next 10 minutes)
Kulloda laughs at the mention of safe journey.
”Somehow think sending two with thickest heads means not safe. Sextant laying there maybe. Maybe guarded. Just want no digging. Kulloda hate digging.”
He looks down at the immovable rod in his hand and raises an eyebrow. He then reaches into the quiver on his back and pulls out a long broom, barks at it and shows Dog that it hovers in the air.
Kulloda and Dog make their preparations, including a long, studious look at a landscape hanging in the palace. It depicts the Cloudspire Mountains from atop one of the mountains facing north. Many peaks jut into the sky towards lazy clouds. Snow tops every peak, as they likely do now, and trees down the sides of each mountain give them a brush texture, like stiff hairs on pig's hide. In the center is Mt. Ulaa. Indeed, that is the name of the landscape. According to the Regent, it is one of the best depictions of the mountaintop that exists on the entire continent.
Between meeting with his team, preparing his own gear, studying the portrait, eating supper, and studying the portrait some more, it is early evening when Kulloda, finally on his way towards adventure, and Dog teleport to the royal property in Tamsa. There is little else to do from here. Dog pulls the portrait into his mind, realizing it as the painter originally saw it. There are no brush strokes. It is alive with swaying trees in the foreground and moving clouds above. It is dimmer too, the sun already set and only a pink glow cast along the side of the mountains. Dog finds himself facing north, the way the painter did, his eyes closed, his breathing slow as he makes the picture in his mind as real, as perfect as he can.
Then, he and Kulloda disappear.
DM shield:
87
16
62
16
34
The magic sends them barreling over the miles towards Mt. Ulaa, striving to find the proper place to deposit them. It yanks them back and forward again, bruising knees and ribs. The journey feels as if it is taking too long for a moment, as if it will not end but just smash them against reality over and over until they end. When suddenly they are there, atop a mountain, kneeling in the snow and catching their breath.
It is somewhat flat here where they have landed but drops off considerably to either side and behind them. Ahead is a slight climb, like a lightning bolt of jagged stone rising from the snow to the true peak of the mountain. Looking around, Dog can tell that every adjacent peak is below them. He can see farther than perhaps any person has before. Mountains to the north and south rise as if to meet them but none come close enough. They have landed on Mt. Ulaa.
There is no immediate sign of a sextant but looking at the stone ahead, a soft glow emanates from beyond the stone to the east. The pair must scrabble over icy rock and loose scree. They find a sort of ledge created from stone that has shorn either as it lifted up or as some sloughed down the slope. Either way, the going is a little easier as they round a small rise to see a pile of bones haphazardly laying on bare stone across a small rent in the rock. They follow the easier path around the peak of Mt. Ulaa, certain they have found the divine bones of a god or angel. Rounding the peak, they find they are not alone. An angel-like creature, haggard, wild in its eyes, long in nail and hair, snaps its gaze towards them. It mewls, almost as a kitten and begins moving towards them in jerky and unfamiliar movements. Greed or lust or hunger fuels this creature looking over its long-dead deity. It has gone mad in the millenia since the god fell to this place.
Initiative:
RI: 12
Dog: 15
Kulloda: 17
Order: Kulloda, Angel-thing, Dog
Kulloda is up!
Battle Map (5'x5' squares):
Martin and Gash have a little longer to wait before they depart. They learn from Dog that the pair arrived on Mt. Ulaa banged up but on target. It is night time when Gash is ready with his spells. He is famished but prepared. A small chunk of some kind of stone sits in his hands as he and Martin eat a hasty meal. Then, Gash utters the incantation and the pair disappear with a soft popping sound.
The appear under the ocean. It is dark, lit only by what light the pair can muster with magic or flame. it is cold as well and quiet. The dome of air persists, still deflated on one side where the water elemental is absent from the circle of elementals keeping the bubble eternally over the sunken graveyard. The large obelisk is obviously gone from the center of the huge, stone tombs lining the dry ocean floor.
Martin and Gash walk between the sarcophagi, reading the inscriptions, thanks to Gash's ritual casting of Comprehend Languages.
List of dead gods (bolded one is the only sarcophagus explored so far):
Rejuna, Goddess Of Home
Huagi, God Of Conquest
Tharus, God Of Children
Othos, God Of Wisdom
Riysus, God Of The Dark
Qyjun, God Of Glory
Omir, God Of Honesty
Shodjuni, Goddess Of Dawn
Caruer, God Of Infamy
Peranto, God Of Honor
Amjir, God Of Logic
Ixda, Goddess Of Battle
Zujun, God Of The Sun
Merka, Goddess Of Chivalry
Khimdara, Goddess Of Finance
Shidara, Goddess Of Animals
Nether, God Of Charity
Beysus, Goddess Of Fertility
Edlios, God Of Mercy
Wuzdros, Goddess Of Law
Khatoni, Goddess Of Oracles
Doborh, Goddess Of The Navigation
Udlotl, God Of Extermination
Sinas, God Of Freedom
Qaxnos, God Of Envy
Zinira, Goddess Of Jealousy
Oeyara, Goddess Of Triumph
Thuesis, God Of Secrecy
Natia, Goddess Of Loyalty
Fixdum, God Of Tranquillity
Gutia, Goddess Of Shelter
Imesa, Goddess Of Penance
Before they can select a tomb to plunder, a wheezing cackle sounds behind them. They turn to see a djinn, floating about, studying them with a manic glint in its eye.
"Oh my, oh my," it says, patting its chubby hands together in a soft clap. "Yes, yes. Would you like to join my collection? You must. You really must."
It laughs in delight in a snorting, halting manner.
Initiative, just in case:
Gash: 20
Martin: 18
M: 5
If combat starts, Martin and Gash may go in any order.
Llyr and Tristan head out into the capitol. The first stop is an easy one, that of the temple of Torm. As with most temples in the capitol, they have at least an acolyte staffing the large chamber filled with statues, tapestries, paintings, pottery, and books. It is a small museum dedicated to a single god and always a treat for even the most casual visitor.
Being before supper, a full cleric is on duty at the temple. He is able to answer basic questions about Torm and the practices involved in following him, but turning the conversation towards the very specific quest put forth by Torm's angel is clearly beyond this poor cleric's ken. He holds up a finger. "If..if you will wait a moment, I will consult with Mistress Veleni."
Mistress Veleni is older and more experienced in the ways of the temple but she is also unsure about their question. "Allow me to pray on it," she says, and retreats from the public chamber.
Ten minutes later, she returns, eyes overflowing with tears and a massive smile on her face. "Yes, yes. Torm...Torm spoke to me," she says, barely able to get the words out. "Yours is a truly divine quest. He says, 'Sacrifice that of which you are most proud or that of which you cherish most intensely. Burn it in my pyre or pray to give it to me within my temple walls.'"
It takes a full twenty minutes to extract themselves from the situation, the high priestess of Torm almost clinging to them as she gushes about her divine contact. But extract themselves they do before setting about the more difficult task of finding the survivors of the traveling temple of Leira. They know roughly where they circus, which served as the temple once, was burned. A devil was killed by a demon here, leaving Leira with no devil and no temple. There is little left of the tragedy now It is only an open space of grass, which now shows no marks of fire at all. Only dormant grass remains.
DM shield:
Investigation (16): 16
Rolling (21): 10
Llyr is talking to a woman who lived in a small house here by the open field when the circus burned. "Many of them had no place to go," she says. "I helped one, a young tabaxi man, get a job selling imports by the docks. He has a bit of a knack for it, I think. He's still there."
Tristan, meanwhile, notices that they are being followed. Something...no, two somethings...slink in the lengthening shadows. They show themselves eventually entirely on accident when the cart one is hiding behind moves along, revealing the Chasme exposed and rushing for a new place to hide. He draws his weapon, alerting Llyr who shoos the woman away. They have a lead, but they have more immediate concerns.
Initiative:
T: 23
L: 23
C1: 15
C2: 14
Tristan and Llyr may go first in any order. Their foes will go second.
Map (squares are 10'x10'):
Kulloda claps Dog on his arm when they finally land on the mountain.
"Nothing to it," Kulloda says, rolling his shoulder and rubbing his thigh where he has the makings of a good sized welt from getting banged up on the trip. He's about to say more when the maniacal angel appears, looking very hostile.
All the pent up energy from the past few days adds to the already baseline of seething turmoil that inhabits Kulloda's mind. He throws his own head to upwards and roars to the heavens in response to the angel's mewls.
As the rage boils over, he moves forward in leaps and bounds, quickly cutting the distance between them and the creature. Frustrated he can't get there quickly enough, Kulloda roars again. He reaches back into this efficient quiver and pulls out a javelin; a javelin that crackles with energy.
In one motion he hurls it as hard as he can at the angel, though even in his primordial state he makes sure that Dog is not right behind him when he lets go of the javelin.
Suddenly the javelin is gone, a flash of lightning streaking towards the angel instead, but changing back to the javelin as it reaches its target.
In the same motion, as he releases the javelin, Kulloda reaches back and pulls another, more mundane looking javelin from his quiver and hurls it at the angel.
@DM
Bonus Action - Enter Rage, utilizing Instinctive Pounce at the same time to move 20' towards the angel
Movement - Full 40' more to the angel (total of 60')
Action - Attack w/ Javelin of Lightning - Attack: 19 Damage: 9 (if more than 30' feet away still, then at disadvantage - second roll = 25 ) plus 16 Lightning Damage plus 8 radiant damage from Divine Fury plus 3 damage from being in Rage
Second Attack w/ normal Javelin - Attack: 22 Damage: 12 (if disadvantage second attack roll is 15 ) plus 3 damage from Rage.
Gash and Martin:
Gash slides a hand to his scepter and speaks out,
"We have no qualms with you, leave us be. We are here to retrieve something for The Gods."
Gash then waits for a response, keeping his eyes solely on the djinn.
Gash - Lvl14 Goblin Wizard - The High Court of the Aasimar Queen
Gash and Martin:
"The gods?" The djinn says I'm an uncontrollable giggle. "You will be much happier among my slaves."
It floats forward, almost as if taking heavy footsteps.
After most had left, Llyr calmly and approached the acting ruler of the Land he’d found himself in.
“You’ve offered me an abode to reside in, these past few years. This has placed me in your debt.” — the Eladrin addressed the Regent, politely — “Divine Mail will not be bested by mortal blunt instruments. Living through this, Lady Duliani, will mean finding its chinks. And the only one within your reach is the diminutive Gnome, playing at Angels and Devils. Back him, or don’t. But he remains the key for your little plot of land to pull through this.”
The Envoy bowed, cordially and formally, for perhaps the first time in a good, long while — “This marks the third time I’ll have led your Court to water. And the last I’ll have tried to make you drink. My debt is repaid, young Regent. I wish you luck in the coming tribulations.”
Moving away from the situation, once again, politely, Llyr thrummed at a copper wire coiled around his left ear, wove a series of seals, and spoke a few command words, in Sylvan.
The contents of my character’s Sending spell, spoken in Sylvan:
“Vuko, have my aides follow through with what I’ve outlined, and do away with the feast.” — the Elf glanced behind him, at the gathered few, and sighed — “It will no longer be needed. Thank you.”
“Bard.” — he called to Tristan, looking back at the man once again — “It would appear you’ve been given a job to do. Are you ready to begin, or will you need time to prepare?”
The dealings with the church had gone on about as well as could be expected. Humanity was an odd bunch. They either barked at the everlasting, hoping to avoid the demise that would certainly follow antagonising them, or melted into tears at the chance to participate… the lot seemed to have trouble understanding that performing the job they were asked to do was typically the simplest way to navigate them. Curious, certainly. And slow. But neither were his problem. He was Eladrin. This was not his war, and time was something he had.
“Thank you, miss. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.” — the youngest Silverhand nodded, politely, unconcerned by the blushing woman staring holes into his face. The libido was certainly an aspect of mortal society he’d yet to become accustomed to, and weirdly there was an extraordinary amount of beings positively smitten by Elvenkind. How did the Elves that lacked the Courts’ blessings spend their centuries dealing with this, he wondered, before the sound of steel meeting sheath caused him to look to the Bard — “But I’d have to ask you to return to your home.” — he spoke, not particularly rushed — “Things are looking to kill me, it would seem, and I would much rather end them first. If you’ll excuse me.” With a sly, cocky wink and an impish grin, he stepped into the fray, light on his feet as per usual.
The Bladesinger drew his own weapon, an exquisitely crafted, milky white, thin blade, fashioned of translucent crystal, with a neigh-transparent edge. “Friends of yours?” — he quipped at the Bard.
OOC: I’ll let Tristan go first in combat, so he has less to respond to, in case he wants to.
Gash doesn't wait for anymore action, advancing on them was enough, he releases the scepter and his eyes turn black. "I once again ask for your favor. Protect us." The black drains from his eyes as Barlgura appears before them.
"We gave you the chance. You can still surrender. But I will not be enslaved."
DM MD: (our friend the barlgura has 30 temp hp for durable summons class feature)
Gash - Lvl14 Goblin Wizard - The High Court of the Aasimar Queen
Mt.Ulaa:
Kulloda charges forwards releasing two javelins in rapid succession. Both of them find only hard mountaintop.
The angel drifts forward, lurching but smoothly. It looks oddly at Kulloda out of one eye for a long second, and then swings its flail at him in two wickedly fast swings.
Flail Attack: 27 Damage: 36
Flail Attack: 28 Damage: 23
(Dog is up!)