Zale blinks, still irritated that this dragon is white and not blue. "Oh eh,"Thinking fast, she pulls out the dagger with runes (+1 dagger) She hadn't really wanted to part with it, but she has a feeling they may end up killing this dragon anyways. "This be it. It was found in the depths of a mine thought to have been dug a millennia ago. It's been enchanted to make the wielder's strikes more precise. Truly a weapon worthy of being in your possession." She holds the dagger on her hands with her palms upward, walks towards the dragon, and lays it on the ground in front of it.
"So Rezmir has not brought you our tribute, oh mighty one?!" Khessa bristles. "I just hope she does not wish to keep it for some black dragon...Anyway, this is a matter we will settle immediately; follow me, troops. But first, as you request, oh mighty one, we will reach the kitchens and have a feast worthy of you sent to you! I suppose you appreciate frozen meat, but is there a particular kind of meat that you like more than others? Or perhaps you like fish more?"
The magically disguised blonde arcane warrior is ready to go immediately (of course taking her 'troops' with her), as if she can't wait to please the majestic monster.
The Dragon doesn't seem impressed by your story: You talk too much, little one. The fact remains that you appear before me without treasure or food. An excellent way to become food yourself.
At that moment Calvin seems to come to his senses: Forgive her, oh mighty Dragon! You know what women are like. Here is our tribute.
Calvin throws a large pouch of coins towards the Dragon. [OOC: Calvin spends 500 gp to save your ass]
Khessa wonders in her heart if the Cult members are really constantly at risk of being eaten at the whim of one of the Dragons they serve... So if someone came in to say, for exmaple, that the fortress was under attack, would they have to bring tribute for the Dragon? And deliver said tribute to the Dragon, before hoping that the Dragon would come out and contribute to the defense? She suspects that the Dragon is not actually allowed to deprive the Cult of its own members... but since Calvin has decided to 'solve' the matter himself, she keeps her doubts to herself - and exits the tower.
The tall adventuress then suggests trying the large tower to the northeast... She, like Eric, would have thought it more natural to control the tower's flight from the center - but that tower seems at least to stand out for its size... it is the largest...
Plus, even for ships, navigation does not work that way. A ship is not steered from the center, but from the stern... It is possible that the Castle is steered in a somewhat similar way to a ship.
Zale tries not to look to annoyed at the dragon as not to anger it. Shes intended the dagger to be used as tribute for the entire party. Tch such greedy beasts.
The Dragon gathers his tribute as you walk away. At a save distance Calvin explains that he thinks this Dragon is a bit on the dim side, thinking of visitors as either servants (who bring him food) or as enemies (who do not bring him food).
"Well, Calvin, I see..." Khessa sighs "In that case, I hope that if our intrusion is discovered, those who go to warn him will forget to bring food with them".
The blonde arcane warrior is comforted by Eric's hand - a sign that her beloved is always there, ready, by her side. And, hoping this time she has had the right intuition, she leads the party towards the new tower.
Khessa enters the first unlocked door and looks around... either for evidence of flight control (or just mysterious) devices or for someone to ask for directions.
A chime attached to the inside of the door rings when you open it (alerting the tower’s inhabitants). A staircase hugs the interior wall of this chamber, leading up to a landing with a door. The room itself contains sturdy wood-carved furnishings of giant proportions, including a table surrounded by four chairs. The walls are sculpted with ice murals depicting an army of Hill, Frost, Fire, Stone, and Cloud giants. Also there are 4 Ogres here. They wear fancy plumed helmets and are grabbing their weapons. They are not happy to see you here!
"Calm down now - the first one who dares use a weapon will have a chat with our white dragon... who should just start feeling a little peckish soon. Do you understand?" Khessa looks at the big ogre unimpressed, speaking calmly and confidently, not even drawing her weapons "I am not here to usurp this tower. And I fully intend to leave immediately, since my destination is the Steering Tower. Show me which one it is, and we can soon forget each other's existence".
Sti-ring-tow-ur? A smaller Ogre replies, visibly confused.
LEAVE LEAVE LEAVE! The big Ogre yells while hitting the ground with his Greatclub (like a kid in the aisle of a grocery store that can't have any candy, only bigger. Much bigger.)
All that tumult seems to have drawn the attention of the upper floor. From the staircase descends a figure that dwarfs even the biggest Ogre. Followed by 2 more Ogres. What is the meaning of this? The Cloud Giant asks with a booming voice. Once he notices the "Cultists" he reaches for his Morningstar and tells them: You better leave while you still can. Fury resonates in his icy voice.
Khessa looks at the Cloud Giant and her blue eyes grow deeply interested: "A giant? I've always known that giants don't look kindly on dragons... and you provide aid to the Cultists? Don't you know that their ultimate goal is to allow Tiamat to arrive in the mortal dimension, possibly ushering in an era of very unpleasant dragon rule? Why would a giant cooperate with this goal? Especially if perhaps someone offered him" she winks "an interesting alternative to sabotage these nefarious plans?"
"As far as I know, a giant - or the soul of a giant - is what allows this Cult fortress to fly. If you are that giant... then we can stop all this"the tall adventuress stares intensely into the Giant's eyes. "Together. Now. If you just wish to".
Khessa follows, confirming: "Given where we are, you'll understand that this disguise was a must. But what I still don't understand is what drove you to collaborate with the Cult".
'Though, on second thought...' the tall adventuress is starting to find it all rather ironic 'In this fortress - apparently at the disposal of the Cult - the Cultists can indeed: be preyed upon by Undead like Sandesyl, be eaten by their own Dragons, be threatened (and probably beaten to a pulp?) by Ogres and other Giants... All in all, it might have been almost safer not to disguise ourselves as Cultists!'
The 2 Ogres (without fancy plumed helmets) follow you upstairs. The walls of this room are sculpted with icy murals depicting Cloud Giants riding giant birds. An enormous bed with a headboard of ice sculpted to resemble clouds dominates the room. Bear furs are heaped upon the bed, and two large wooden chests rest at the bed’s foot.
The blue-skinned Giant sits on the floor with his legs crossed and the 2 Ogres start to comb his snowy white hair. The Giant lets out sigh before he answers your question.
Yes, I guess you've been wondering why the great Blagothkus has been reduced to a delivery boy for a bunch of Dragon worshippers. Well let me tell you that I'm not hauling their treasure to the Well of Dragons out of the goodness of my heart! They... they surprised us... They lured me out and while I was killing their Dragons, they killed my wife, Esclarotta, and took my son, Eigeron. I can't act against them while they have him. But tell me, why are you here little ones?
"This is horrible, Blagothkus!" Khessa is indignant, coming closer and placing a hand on the shoulder (or on the hip, if she doesn't reach the shoulder of the sitting giant) "What filthy b4stards! Just like the drow did to me... They killed a member of my family, my brother Anator, and captured all the others. And now they are holding them hostage, or rather, in slavery... and not a day goes by without me wondering how they are..."
"We will not allow it" the blonde arcane warrior furtively wipes a few tears from her blue eyes. "Tell us what you know, Blagothkus. Tell us where your son Eigeron is being held prisoner. It's time to put our Cultist disguise to good use. We'll free him. After that, you'll take control of the castle's flight (or teach me how to take it) and we'll crash it. The Cultists won't have time to do anything and will die every last one. We'll save ourselves with magic - I know a spell that will slow our fall, we just need to jump off the castle in time".
"As for why we're here," the tall adventuress explains "if it's not already clear, it's to stop the Cult and their mad plan. Tiamat is perfectly fine where she is, in Avernus, on the leash of the Archdevil who rules it, like a harmless multiheaded draconic pet. We stumbled upon the Cult and their plans almost by accident, defending the village of Greenest, which they had attacked (like so many others) to plunder its riches and from that moment on we've always done our best to stop those damned Dragon worshipers".
Zale blinks, still irritated that this dragon is white and not blue. "Oh eh," Thinking fast, she pulls out the dagger with runes (+1 dagger) She hadn't really wanted to part with it, but she has a feeling they may end up killing this dragon anyways. "This be it. It was found in the depths of a mine thought to have been dug a millennia ago. It's been enchanted to make the wielder's strikes more precise. Truly a weapon worthy of being in your possession." She holds the dagger on her hands with her palms upward, walks towards the dragon, and lays it on the ground in front of it.
Deception: 18
To Zale (and Zale only) the Dragon replies: An adequate tribute. I' will generously spare your life.
To the others: What do you offer? I'll accept food if necessary. The Dragon eagerly licks his lips looking at Calvin.
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
"So Rezmir has not brought you our tribute, oh mighty one?!" Khessa bristles. "I just hope she does not wish to keep it for some black dragon...Anyway, this is a matter we will settle immediately; follow me, troops. But first, as you request, oh mighty one, we will reach the kitchens and have a feast worthy of you sent to you! I suppose you appreciate frozen meat, but is there a particular kind of meat that you like more than others? Or perhaps you like fish more?"
The magically disguised blonde arcane warrior is ready to go immediately (of course taking her 'troops' with her), as if she can't wait to please the majestic monster.
The Dragon doesn't seem impressed by your story: You talk too much, little one. The fact remains that you appear before me without treasure or food. An excellent way to become food yourself.
At that moment Calvin seems to come to his senses: Forgive her, oh mighty Dragon! You know what women are like. Here is our tribute.
Calvin throws a large pouch of coins towards the Dragon. [OOC: Calvin spends 500 gp to save your ass]
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
Khessa wonders in her heart if the Cult members are really constantly at risk of being eaten at the whim of one of the Dragons they serve... So if someone came in to say, for exmaple, that the fortress was under attack, would they have to bring tribute for the Dragon? And deliver said tribute to the Dragon, before hoping that the Dragon would come out and contribute to the defense? She suspects that the Dragon is not actually allowed to deprive the Cult of its own members... but since Calvin has decided to 'solve' the matter himself, she keeps her doubts to herself - and exits the tower.
The tall adventuress then suggests trying the large tower to the northeast... She, like Eric, would have thought it more natural to control the tower's flight from the center - but that tower seems at least to stand out for its size... it is the largest...
Plus, even for ships, navigation does not work that way. A ship is not steered from the center, but from the stern... It is possible that the Castle is steered in a somewhat similar way to a ship.
Zale tries not to look to annoyed at the dragon as not to anger it. Shes intended the dagger to be used as tribute for the entire party. Tch such greedy beasts.
“Well let us be on our way then”
The dwarf bonds slightly after the Dragon and starts walking slowly backward, holding Khessa's hand.
The Dragon gathers his tribute as you walk away. At a save distance Calvin explains that he thinks this Dragon is a bit on the dim side, thinking of visitors as either servants (who bring him food) or as enemies (who do not bring him food).
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
"Well, Calvin, I see..." Khessa sighs "In that case, I hope that if our intrusion is discovered, those who go to warn him will forget to bring food with them".
The blonde arcane warrior is comforted by Eric's hand - a sign that her beloved is always there, ready, by her side. And, hoping this time she has had the right intuition, she leads the party towards the new tower.
Zale grumbles, “I suppose I shoulda said the same story but gave a plain dagger.”
This 70-foot-tall tower has a parapet rooftop, two unlocked doors at ground level, and no windows.
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
Khessa enters the first unlocked door and looks around... either for evidence of flight control (or just mysterious) devices or for someone to ask for directions.
A chime attached to the inside of the door rings when you open it (alerting the tower’s inhabitants). A staircase hugs the interior wall of this chamber, leading up to a landing with a door. The room itself contains sturdy wood-carved furnishings of giant proportions, including a table surrounded by four chairs. The walls are sculpted with ice murals depicting an army of Hill, Frost, Fire, Stone, and Cloud giants. Also there are 4 Ogres here. They wear fancy plumed helmets and are grabbing their weapons. They are not happy to see you here!
No Cultists here! Yells the biggest Ogre.
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
"Calm down now - the first one who dares use a weapon will have a chat with our white dragon... who should just start feeling a little peckish soon. Do you understand?" Khessa looks at the big ogre unimpressed, speaking calmly and confidently, not even drawing her weapons "I am not here to usurp this tower. And I fully intend to leave immediately, since my destination is the Steering Tower. Show me which one it is, and we can soon forget each other's existence".
Sti-ring-tow-ur? A smaller Ogre replies, visibly confused.
LEAVE LEAVE LEAVE! The big Ogre yells while hitting the ground with his Greatclub (like a kid in the aisle of a grocery store that can't have any candy, only bigger. Much bigger.)
All that tumult seems to have drawn the attention of the upper floor. From the staircase descends a figure that dwarfs even the biggest Ogre. Followed by 2 more Ogres. What is the meaning of this? The Cloud Giant asks with a booming voice. Once he notices the "Cultists" he reaches for his Morningstar and tells them: You better leave while you still can. Fury resonates in his icy voice.
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
Khessa looks at the Cloud Giant and her blue eyes grow deeply interested: "A giant? I've always known that giants don't look kindly on dragons... and you provide aid to the Cultists? Don't you know that their ultimate goal is to allow Tiamat to arrive in the mortal dimension, possibly ushering in an era of very unpleasant dragon rule? Why would a giant cooperate with this goal? Especially if perhaps someone offered him" she winks "an interesting alternative to sabotage these nefarious plans?"
"As far as I know, a giant - or the soul of a giant - is what allows this Cult fortress to fly. If you are that giant... then we can stop all this" the tall adventuress stares intensely into the Giant's eyes. "Together. Now. If you just wish to".
The Cloud Giant calms down a bit. So, no Cultiste eh? He turns around and climbs the staircase while beckoning the party to follow.
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
Khessa follows, confirming: "Given where we are, you'll understand that this disguise was a must. But what I still don't understand is what drove you to collaborate with the Cult".
'Though, on second thought...' the tall adventuress is starting to find it all rather ironic 'In this fortress - apparently at the disposal of the Cult - the Cultists can indeed: be preyed upon by Undead like Sandesyl, be eaten by their own Dragons, be threatened (and probably beaten to a pulp?) by Ogres and other Giants... All in all, it might have been almost safer not to disguise ourselves as Cultists!'
The 2 Ogres (without fancy plumed helmets) follow you upstairs. The walls of this room are sculpted with icy murals depicting Cloud Giants riding giant birds. An enormous bed with a headboard of ice sculpted to resemble clouds dominates the room. Bear furs are heaped upon the bed, and two large wooden chests rest at the bed’s foot.
The blue-skinned Giant sits on the floor with his legs crossed and the 2 Ogres start to comb his snowy white hair. The Giant lets out sigh before he answers your question.
Yes, I guess you've been wondering why the great Blagothkus has been reduced to a delivery boy for a bunch of Dragon worshippers. Well let me tell you that I'm not hauling their treasure to the Well of Dragons out of the goodness of my heart! They... they surprised us... They lured me out and while I was killing their Dragons, they killed my wife, Esclarotta, and took my son, Eigeron. I can't act against them while they have him. But tell me, why are you here little ones?
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
"This is horrible, Blagothkus!" Khessa is indignant, coming closer and placing a hand on the shoulder (or on the hip, if she doesn't reach the shoulder of the sitting giant) "What filthy b4stards! Just like the drow did to me... They killed a member of my family, my brother Anator, and captured all the others. And now they are holding them hostage, or rather, in slavery... and not a day goes by without me wondering how they are..."
"We will not allow it" the blonde arcane warrior furtively wipes a few tears from her blue eyes. "Tell us what you know, Blagothkus. Tell us where your son Eigeron is being held prisoner. It's time to put our Cultist disguise to good use. We'll free him. After that, you'll take control of the castle's flight (or teach me how to take it) and we'll crash it. The Cultists won't have time to do anything and will die every last one. We'll save ourselves with magic - I know a spell that will slow our fall, we just need to jump off the castle in time".
"As for why we're here," the tall adventuress explains "if it's not already clear, it's to stop the Cult and their mad plan. Tiamat is perfectly fine where she is, in Avernus, on the leash of the Archdevil who rules it, like a harmless multiheaded draconic pet. We stumbled upon the Cult and their plans almost by accident, defending the village of Greenest, which they had attacked (like so many others) to plunder its riches and from that moment on we've always done our best to stop those damned Dragon worshipers".