"I will keep this in mind, Eric" Khessa smiles softly at her beloved dwarf - both for the wise advice he gave her, and for saving Zale from death by poison. "Not too much trust in the sentient balde. But there is a certain Rath who is a common enemy... Perhaps, thanks to this blade, it will be more difficult for him to escape! And something makes me fear that Rath and Azbara were not the only Red Wizards in the service of the Cult... At least for a while, our goals and those of Hazirawn should be aligned".
The blonde arcane warrior then approaches Zale, curious to find out what the deadly trap was supposed to protect...
Zale stops convulsing after Eric’s healing touch. She doesn’t get up immediately, instead she just lays there staring at the ceiling. How stupid can she be? She literally just fell for the old needle in the lock trap. Her mother would be so disappointed. Ugh her thief skills must be rusty from all this adventuring.
Sitting up, she smiles at Eric, “Thank ye.” She says in a strained voice. Then she slowly moves back over to the chest and lifts the lid. (If she managed to get it unlocked)
It's still locked...
To Khessa and Eric the Greatsword replies: I'm not your enemy, little Dwarf. And I don't like being talked about as if I'm not there. May I suggest we leave this floating piece of rock while we still can?
"I'm afraid, Hazirawn, that my speech was necessary, nonetheless it was indeed impolite. But, you get a point, and since you've been at Rezmir's side for quite a long time, you may know how to get out of here, don't you? "
Khessa approaches her beloved dwarf again and leans in, putting an arm around his shoulders: "Eric had his reasons to be wary, Hazirawn... Consider that until a few moments ago, you were in Rezmir's hands, trying to cut my flesh and suck my life out..."
"But I suppose you didn't have much of a choice," the blonde arcane warrior shrugs "and I'm glad you mentioned how you like to be treated - it's a sign that you're preparing to spend your time with us. As we work together, we'll learn more and more to be happy together".
"Just a prayer, Hazirawn..." the tall adventuress concludes "I have already told you that you will likely have plenty of mages - red wizards, in particular - to feast upon. And you should like that. And I suppose I will like to cooperate with you, too. Just be careful not to betray us. Never try anything hostile against us - to take control, to deceive us, or, worse yet, to physically harm us. We have enough enemies already, Hazirawn. We will not keep one more with us. I respect your great power and what you can do for us; but you will have to respect us and never betray us, for remember: we managed to kill your possessor and to take this castle - for that is what the sounds of battle you hear indicate - even without your help. Be honest with us, and we will cooperate to our mutual satisfaction. Betray us, and we will reap our successes without you, as we have done until now, after reducing you to a shapeless lump of metal at the first forge. I have a high enough opinion of your intelligence to assume you understand this speech. So... deal?"
"I'm afraid, Hazirawn, that my speech was necessary, nonetheless it was indeed impolite. But, you get a point, and since you've been at Rezmir's side for quite a long time, you may know how to get out of here, don't you? "
Given Hazirawn's aversion to using spell slots his response is predictable: I would suggest a flying mount.
Khessa approaches her beloved dwarf again and leans in, putting an arm around his shoulders: "Eric had his reasons to be wary, Hazirawn... Consider that until a few moments ago, you were in Rezmir's hands, trying to cut my flesh and suck my life out..."
"But I suppose you didn't have much of a choice," the blonde arcane warrior shrugs "and I'm glad you mentioned how you like to be treated - it's a sign that you're preparing to spend your time with us. As we work together, we'll learn more and more to be happy together".
"Just a prayer, Hazirawn..." the tall adventuress concludes "I have already told you that you will likely have plenty of mages - red wizards, in particular - to feast upon. And you should like that. And I suppose I will like to cooperate with you, too. Just be careful not to betray us. Never try anything hostile against us - to take control, to deceive us, or, worse yet, to physically harm us. We have enough enemies already, Hazirawn. We will not keep one more with us. I respect your great power and what you can do for us; but you will have to respect us and never betray us, for remember: we managed to kill your possessor and to take this castle - for that is what the sounds of battle you hear indicate - even without your help. Be honest with us, and we will cooperate to our mutual satisfaction. Betray us, and we will reap our successes without you, as we have done until now, after reducing you to a shapeless lump of metal at the first forge. I have a high enough opinion of your intelligence to assume you understand this speech. So... deal?"
Like you said, I don't have a choice now do I?
For the moment however Hazirawn refuses to attune with you, until you've proven your worth. And your intentions! You can still use him as a +1 Greatsword that deals +1d6 necrotic dmg.
"Well, let's go!" Khessa agrees (even more so when she sees that the chest is empty [[ OOC: is it empty according to Anator, who has Blindsight? If so, she sends Anator back to the safety of his pocket dimension ]]) "Following the sounds of battle, we should find Blagothkus. We can inform him of our success and continue on to where we left the Wyverns".
The blonde arcane warrior immediately begins to lead the group, eager to settle the matter once and for all.
Zale stares at the empty chest, anger welling up inside her. Are you freaking serious?! She thoroughly inspects the interior of the chest, looking for a false bottom and even lifts it up if she finds nothing inside. Why the heck would someone just have a random empty trapped chest in their quarters?! How dare they taunt her like this!
Investigation: 12
If she still finds nothing, she gets to her feet in a huff. Kicks the chest, then turns around to face Khessa and Eric. "Eye if ye be done talking to that bloody sword I agree."She eyes the sentient blade, clearly disliking it.
"I'm sure you and Hazirawn will become great friends, Zale!" Khessa winks at her dragonborn friend "It seems like such a faithful and reasonable greatsword".
[[ OOC: If the chest was indeed empty, both according to Anator and Zale's investigation ]]: "Perhaps the trap that was triggered didn't just have the mechanical component of the needle... but also had a magical component, which destroyed the contents" the blonde arcane warrior shrugs "Rezmir didn't seem so eccentric to keep a trapped chest for no reason".
"Anyway, yes," the tall adventuress agrees "I'd say the introductions have already been made! Let's all go back to Blagothkus!" and heads off towards the battle rumors, sending Anator back to the safety of his Pocket Dimension.
The chest is indeed empty! The “bloody sword” explains that it was magically attuned to Rezmir so that if she dies, its contents are teleported away and out of her slayers’ hands. Helpfully it continues to tell you was inside: Rezmir’s private collection of gems, jewelry, and coins. The gems and jewelry included a set of matched peridot stones on a gold chain (400 gp), a silver torc with dragon’s heads (200 gp), six moonstones of 50 gp each, and a set of 20 loose pearls, worth a total of 3,000 gp. There’s also 600 sp, 200 gp, and 50 pp. Oh, and the Black Dragon Mask was also there, he adds almost as an afterthought.
With that out of the way you make your way back upstairs. It looks like Blagothkus has begun his assault on the Cult’s forces. Cultists and Ogres are fighting all over the place. Most of the combatants are unsure of your allegiance, but you don’t actually have the time to explain so you knock down Cultists along the way while trying to avoid injuring the Ogres. Eventually you reach the upper courtyard. Even in the obscuring mist you notice the towering form of the Storm Giant. He and a few Ogres are just done slaying some Cultists.
Friends! You made it! A look on Harirawn confirms Blagothkus’s hopes. Haha! So it’s done! As promised: one Bag of Holding with Gold and Silver! He tosses the Bag of Holding to Zale and orders a pair of Ogres to bring 2 Wyverns for your departure (the Wyverns are trained and will listen to you, no checks required). However, just as you’re mounting the Wyverns the gigantic form of a Adult White Dragon appears behind Blagothkus. As the Dragon Screams (Frightful Presence, make a Wis save DC 14) the Giant turns to face the Dragon. Seemingly unaffected he says: Leave now, this isn’t your fight. Make your way back to your allies and inform them of the coming war against the Dragons. And how Blagothkus slayed Glazhael the Cloudchaser!
"A really ingenious ward..." Khessa comments the explanation for the chest being empty "That being the case, only by avoiding killing Rezmir we could have loot the chest... But Rezmir really did her best to force us to kill her. She gave nbo quarter and fought to the bitter end".
"But one thing Hazirawn," the blonde arcane warrior is curious "what is this 'Black Dragon Mask' you speak of? Is it an artifact related to Dragons? And if there is a 'Black' mask... does that mean there is also one for each color of the Chromatic Dragons? Is there also a white, a green, a blue and a red one?"
"Of course we did it!" the tall adventures laughs heartily in response to Blagothkus "Did you have any doubts? Don't worry, we did our part and we will keep doing it. We will tell about you and your deeds, my big friend - you take care of yourself in the meantime" and she would be ready to welcome her beloved Dwarf behind her on the Wyvern, when the dragon suddenly appears, with its Frightful Presence...
...with its Frightful Presence, makes Khessa involuntarily begin to shiver. She is always ready to fight against evil - especially dangerous evil, capable of causing untold damage to the common folk - but this time she is relieved to be able to leave the task of the hard fight to a giant.
The blonde arcane warrior would have stayed and fought, if necessary, fear or not - but let's just say she is grateful that, this time, her staying to face the terrible beast is not necessary!
Eric hugs his beloved and takes the control of the Wyvern "We have no more power here, he's right, our fight is over for now; our job now is inform Ontarr and out allies" and while the creature takes fly Eric yells to the Giant "Take care, brave friend! We'll meet each other again in the hall of the fathers!"
Zale begins to fume when the sword so helpfully lists out everything they just lost to this bloody spell. Heck it could have at least told them that BEFORE she got poisoned. She doesn't care what Khessa says, she's never gonna like that bloody sword.
However, when Blagothkus greats them, her face brightens. She grins as she catches the bag of holding. Now this is a magic item that she can like...aside from her dagger of venom.
Her expression turns to a snarl when the dragon appears. Those damned creatures, and she'd even sacrificed her second dagger to that devil.
Wis save: 14
A shiver runs down her spine when the dragon screams, however her fiery hatred towards all dragons seems to keep her from being frozen by fear. Zale grabs her wyvern's reins angry veins of electricity crackling, and sputtering around her throat, though her breath weapon is useless now. Had she not been so injured, she would have rushed to fight alongside the giant. However, she hastily swings up onto her mount. "Ye better beat that beasty to a pulp ye hear me Blagothkus! I'm trustin ye matey!"She spurs her wyvern on, staying just alongside Eric and Kessah.
Hazirawn explains what he knows about the Dragon Masks: Tiamat revealed the existence of 5 Dragons Masks to the leader of the Cult, Severin. These masks have some power of their own, but he also believes that they are involved in releasing Tiamat from her prison in the Nine Hells. The wearers of the masks are know as Wyrmspeakers. You also remember Talis the White telling you about the White Dragon Mask, now in the possession of a Dwarf named Varram.
…
The air is filled with the sound of flapping wings as Khessa, Eric, and Zale race through the clouds on the backs of the Wyverns. Below them, the landscape stretches out in a carpet of green and brown, but their eyes are fixed on the menacing shadow that stalks them.
Suddenly, a terrifying roar is heard. Glazhael the Cloudchaser, the mighty Adult White Dragon, swoops down from the clouds and catches up with the Wyverns. With a single powerful slash of his talons, he severely wounds the Wyverns. The air is filled with the sound of tearing scales and the screams of pain.
The Wyverns begin to fall, their wings flapping helplessly. The ground is rapidly approaching, and you feel the cold grip of death approaching. But then, as if out of nowhere, Blagothkus appears on the back of a gigantic Roc. The enormous bird cuts through the air with majestic wingbeats.
Blagothkus raises his Morningstar and casts a spell. A soft glow envelops you, and you feel gravity loosen its grip. Slowly, you begin to float, your fall slowed by the magical power of Feather Fall.
As you slowly drift downward, you see the epic battle between Blagothkus and Glazhael above you. The Giant and the Dragon clash in a fury of claws, teeth, and magic. The air is filled with lightning and the roars of the warring titans.
Slowly, the battle fades from view, the clouds closing in around the fighting figures. When the you finally touch the ground (quite close to 2 dead Wyverns), you look up and see only the flashes of distant lightning, a final echo of the epic battle unfolding now far away from you.
"Well, you can't say Blagothkus isn't a good ally" Khessa comments, gliding to the ground. "I can usually slow down falls too... But the two consecutive confrontations with the Red Wizards first and then Rezmir have completely drained me of magical resources. We would have crashed to the ground without our very big friend".
"Fortunately, he seems to know what he's doing..." the blonde arcane warrior shrugs, once on the ground, still partly in awe of the Roc's majestic vision, but on the other hand aware of the need to not delay "he'll probably emerge victorious from the fight with the dragon - and we'll see him again someday".
"Now, however, there is no time to waste..." the tall adventuress is already starting to walk away "We must warn the Harpers and the Gauntlet of the threat! Thanks to the revelations of our new friend Hazirawn," she thanks him with a grateful nod "we now know with even greater certainty that the Cult aims to free Tiamat from Avernus - and we also know that there are these mysterious masks that serve that purpose. Probably, after reporting it we will do well to try to steal them - if not destroy them".
After their dramatic escape from Skyreach Castle and the epic battle that unfolded above them, Khessa, Eric, and Zale finally land on the ground. The adrenaline of battle is beginning to fade, and exhaustion is setting in. Their bodies are heavy with fatigue and pain, and the memory of their fallen friend Calvin weighs heavily on their hearts.
They stumble through the dark forest, searching for a safe place to rest. Eventually, they find a small, sheltered clearing, surrounded by tall trees that protect them from the cold wind. With the last of their strength, they set up a simple camp. The night is silent, except for the soft rustling of leaves and the distant howl of a lone wolf.
Khessa, Eric, and Zale sink to the ground, their bodies protesting with every movement. They feel the pain of their wounds, but also the satisfaction of their victory. They have dealt a great blow to the Cult. Despite their losses, they have taken an important step in their fight against evil.
With a last look at the starry sky, they fall one by one into a deep, dreamless sleep*. The tiredness overwhelms them, and for the first time in a long time they feel a moment of peace.
*except for Khessa:
Khessa dreams about parts of the world are destroyed by cold, choking fumes, lightning storms, waves of acid, and horrible fire. The dream ends with ten evil eyes glaring at you from the darkness. When she wakes up the next morning her mark burns and she feels like she has lost a part of herself. More worrying, however, is that she feels like a Tiamat has left a part of her in Khessa. Well, maybe not a part of her. More like a splinter of Tiamat's mirror image.
The next morning they are awakened by the soft croaking of a raven. The raven lands a dozen paces from the party, then boldly hops closer, a flat parcel wrapped in oilskin strapped to its belly. It eyes them enigmatically for a few moments, then speaks in a familiar voice. Leosin Erlanthar sends his heartiest congratulations! Please use the gift this bird brings to meet me in Waterdeep as soon as possible.
The bird waits patiently while the leather parcel is removed from its harness. The parcel contains a carefully folded spell scroll of teleport and the sigil sequence of a permanent teleportation circle in Waterdeep. This will guide them to their next adventure. But for now, in this moment of peace, they feel the satisfaction of a job well done. They know there are still many dangers and challenges ahead of them, but they are ready to face them, together.
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Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
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"I will keep this in mind, Eric" Khessa smiles softly at her beloved dwarf - both for the wise advice he gave her, and for saving Zale from death by poison. "Not too much trust in the sentient balde. But there is a certain Rath who is a common enemy... Perhaps, thanks to this blade, it will be more difficult for him to escape! And something makes me fear that Rath and Azbara were not the only Red Wizards in the service of the Cult... At least for a while, our goals and those of Hazirawn should be aligned".
The blonde arcane warrior then approaches Zale, curious to find out what the deadly trap was supposed to protect...
It's still locked...
To Khessa and Eric the Greatsword replies: I'm not your enemy, little Dwarf. And I don't like being talked about as if I'm not there. May I suggest we leave this floating piece of rock while we still can?
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
"I'm afraid, Hazirawn, that my speech was necessary, nonetheless it was indeed impolite. But, you get a point, and since you've been at Rezmir's side for quite a long time, you may know how to get out of here, don't you? "
(Can she tell if the trap has been completely triggered? Can she see the needle?)
If it appears safe to try again, she will do so.
Tools:21
Khessa approaches her beloved dwarf again and leans in, putting an arm around his shoulders: "Eric had his reasons to be wary, Hazirawn... Consider that until a few moments ago, you were in Rezmir's hands, trying to cut my flesh and suck my life out..."
"But I suppose you didn't have much of a choice," the blonde arcane warrior shrugs "and I'm glad you mentioned how you like to be treated - it's a sign that you're preparing to spend your time with us. As we work together, we'll learn more and more to be happy together".
"Just a prayer, Hazirawn..." the tall adventuress concludes "I have already told you that you will likely have plenty of mages - red wizards, in particular - to feast upon. And you should like that. And I suppose I will like to cooperate with you, too. Just be careful not to betray us. Never try anything hostile against us - to take control, to deceive us, or, worse yet, to physically harm us. We have enough enemies already, Hazirawn. We will not keep one more with us. I respect your great power and what you can do for us; but you will have to respect us and never betray us, for remember: we managed to kill your possessor and to take this castle - for that is what the sounds of battle you hear indicate - even without your help. Be honest with us, and we will cooperate to our mutual satisfaction. Betray us, and we will reap our successes without you, as we have done until now, after reducing you to a shapeless lump of metal at the first forge. I have a high enough opinion of your intelligence to assume you understand this speech. So... deal?"
Given Hazirawn's aversion to using spell slots his response is predictable: I would suggest a flying mount.
With the poison gone it's now save to pick the lock again. And this time it opens!
Inside you find:
Nothing....
Like you said, I don't have a choice now do I?
For the moment however Hazirawn refuses to attune with you, until you've proven your worth. And your intentions! You can still use him as a +1 Greatsword that deals +1d6 necrotic dmg.
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
"With luck; We could still find the Wyverns upstairs" the dwarf says.
"Well, let's go!" Khessa agrees (even more so when she sees that the chest is empty [[ OOC: is it empty according to Anator, who has Blindsight? If so, she sends Anator back to the safety of his pocket dimension ]]) "Following the sounds of battle, we should find Blagothkus. We can inform him of our success and continue on to where we left the Wyverns".
The blonde arcane warrior immediately begins to lead the group, eager to settle the matter once and for all.
Zale stares at the empty chest, anger welling up inside her. Are you freaking serious?! She thoroughly inspects the interior of the chest, looking for a false bottom and even lifts it up if she finds nothing inside. Why the heck would someone just have a random empty trapped chest in their quarters?! How dare they taunt her like this!
Investigation: 12
If she still finds nothing, she gets to her feet in a huff. Kicks the chest, then turns around to face Khessa and Eric. "Eye if ye be done talking to that bloody sword I agree." She eyes the sentient blade, clearly disliking it.
"I'm sure you and Hazirawn will become great friends, Zale!" Khessa winks at her dragonborn friend "It seems like such a faithful and reasonable greatsword".
[[ OOC: If the chest was indeed empty, both according to Anator and Zale's investigation ]]: "Perhaps the trap that was triggered didn't just have the mechanical component of the needle... but also had a magical component, which destroyed the contents" the blonde arcane warrior shrugs "Rezmir didn't seem so eccentric to keep a trapped chest for no reason".
"Anyway, yes," the tall adventuress agrees "I'd say the introductions have already been made! Let's all go back to Blagothkus!" and heads off towards the battle rumors, sending Anator back to the safety of his Pocket Dimension.
The chest is indeed empty! The “bloody sword” explains that it was magically attuned to Rezmir so that if she dies, its contents are teleported away and out of her slayers’ hands. Helpfully it continues to tell you was inside: Rezmir’s private collection of gems, jewelry, and coins. The gems and jewelry included a set of matched peridot stones on a gold chain (400 gp), a silver torc with dragon’s heads (200 gp), six moonstones of 50 gp each, and a set of 20 loose pearls, worth a total of 3,000 gp. There’s also 600 sp, 200 gp, and 50 pp. Oh, and the Black Dragon Mask was also there, he adds almost as an afterthought.
With that out of the way you make your way back upstairs. It looks like Blagothkus has begun his assault on the Cult’s forces. Cultists and Ogres are fighting all over the place. Most of the combatants are unsure of your allegiance, but you don’t actually have the time to explain so you knock down Cultists along the way while trying to avoid injuring the Ogres. Eventually you reach the upper courtyard. Even in the obscuring mist you notice the towering form of the Storm Giant. He and a few Ogres are just done slaying some Cultists.
Friends! You made it! A look on Harirawn confirms Blagothkus’s hopes. Haha! So it’s done! As promised: one Bag of Holding with Gold and Silver! He tosses the Bag of Holding to Zale and orders a pair of Ogres to bring 2 Wyverns for your departure (the Wyverns are trained and will listen to you, no checks required). However, just as you’re mounting the Wyverns the gigantic form of a Adult White Dragon appears behind Blagothkus. As the Dragon Screams (Frightful Presence, make a Wis save DC 14) the Giant turns to face the Dragon. Seemingly unaffected he says: Leave now, this isn’t your fight. Make your way back to your allies and inform them of the coming war against the Dragons. And how Blagothkus slayed Glazhael the Cloudchaser!
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
"A really ingenious ward..." Khessa comments the explanation for the chest being empty "That being the case, only by avoiding killing Rezmir we could have loot the chest... But Rezmir really did her best to force us to kill her. She gave nbo quarter and fought to the bitter end".
"But one thing Hazirawn," the blonde arcane warrior is curious "what is this 'Black Dragon Mask' you speak of? Is it an artifact related to Dragons? And if there is a 'Black' mask... does that mean there is also one for each color of the Chromatic Dragons? Is there also a white, a green, a blue and a red one?"
"Of course we did it!" the tall adventures laughs heartily in response to Blagothkus "Did you have any doubts? Don't worry, we did our part and we will keep doing it. We will tell about you and your deeds, my big friend - you take care of yourself in the meantime" and she would be ready to welcome her beloved Dwarf behind her on the Wyvern, when the dragon suddenly appears, with its Frightful Presence...
Khessa's Wis save DC 14: 11
...with its Frightful Presence, makes Khessa involuntarily begin to shiver. She is always ready to fight against evil - especially dangerous evil, capable of causing untold damage to the common folk - but this time she is relieved to be able to leave the task of the hard fight to a giant.
The blonde arcane warrior would have stayed and fought, if necessary, fear or not - but let's just say she is grateful that, this time, her staying to face the terrible beast is not necessary!
Eric hugs his beloved and takes the control of the Wyvern "We have no more power here, he's right, our fight is over for now; our job now is inform Ontarr and out allies" and while the creature takes fly Eric yells to the Giant "Take care, brave friend! We'll meet each other again in the hall of the fathers!"
Zale begins to fume when the sword so helpfully lists out everything they just lost to this bloody spell. Heck it could have at least told them that BEFORE she got poisoned. She doesn't care what Khessa says, she's never gonna like that bloody sword.
However, when Blagothkus greats them, her face brightens. She grins as she catches the bag of holding. Now this is a magic item that she can like...aside from her dagger of venom.
Her expression turns to a snarl when the dragon appears. Those damned creatures, and she'd even sacrificed her second dagger to that devil.
Wis save: 14
A shiver runs down her spine when the dragon screams, however her fiery hatred towards all dragons seems to keep her from being frozen by fear. Zale grabs her wyvern's reins angry veins of electricity crackling, and sputtering around her throat, though her breath weapon is useless now. Had she not been so injured, she would have rushed to fight alongside the giant. However, she hastily swings up onto her mount. "Ye better beat that beasty to a pulp ye hear me Blagothkus! I'm trustin ye matey!" She spurs her wyvern on, staying just alongside Eric and Kessah.
Hazirawn explains what he knows about the Dragon Masks: Tiamat revealed the existence of 5 Dragons Masks to the leader of the Cult, Severin. These masks have some power of their own, but he also believes that they are involved in releasing Tiamat from her prison in the Nine Hells. The wearers of the masks are know as Wyrmspeakers. You also remember Talis the White telling you about the White Dragon Mask, now in the possession of a Dwarf named Varram.
…
The air is filled with the sound of flapping wings as Khessa, Eric, and Zale race through the clouds on the backs of the Wyverns. Below them, the landscape stretches out in a carpet of green and brown, but their eyes are fixed on the menacing shadow that stalks them.
Suddenly, a terrifying roar is heard. Glazhael the Cloudchaser, the mighty Adult White Dragon, swoops down from the clouds and catches up with the Wyverns. With a single powerful slash of his talons, he severely wounds the Wyverns. The air is filled with the sound of tearing scales and the screams of pain.
The Wyverns begin to fall, their wings flapping helplessly. The ground is rapidly approaching, and you feel the cold grip of death approaching. But then, as if out of nowhere, Blagothkus appears on the back of a gigantic Roc. The enormous bird cuts through the air with majestic wingbeats.
Blagothkus raises his Morningstar and casts a spell. A soft glow envelops you, and you feel gravity loosen its grip. Slowly, you begin to float, your fall slowed by the magical power of Feather Fall.
As you slowly drift downward, you see the epic battle between Blagothkus and Glazhael above you. The Giant and the Dragon clash in a fury of claws, teeth, and magic. The air is filled with lightning and the roars of the warring titans.
Slowly, the battle fades from view, the clouds closing in around the fighting figures. When the you finally touch the ground (quite close to 2 dead Wyverns), you look up and see only the flashes of distant lightning, a final echo of the epic battle unfolding now far away from you.
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
"Well, you can't say Blagothkus isn't a good ally" Khessa comments, gliding to the ground. "I can usually slow down falls too... But the two consecutive confrontations with the Red Wizards first and then Rezmir have completely drained me of magical resources. We would have crashed to the ground without our very big friend".
"Fortunately, he seems to know what he's doing..." the blonde arcane warrior shrugs, once on the ground, still partly in awe of the Roc's majestic vision, but on the other hand aware of the need to not delay "he'll probably emerge victorious from the fight with the dragon - and we'll see him again someday".
"Now, however, there is no time to waste..." the tall adventuress is already starting to walk away "We must warn the Harpers and the Gauntlet of the threat! Thanks to the revelations of our new friend Hazirawn," she thanks him with a grateful nod "we now know with even greater certainty that the Cult aims to free Tiamat from Avernus - and we also know that there are these mysterious masks that serve that purpose. Probably, after reporting it we will do well to try to steal them - if not destroy them".
After their dramatic escape from Skyreach Castle and the epic battle that unfolded above them, Khessa, Eric, and Zale finally land on the ground. The adrenaline of battle is beginning to fade, and exhaustion is setting in. Their bodies are heavy with fatigue and pain, and the memory of their fallen friend Calvin weighs heavily on their hearts.
They stumble through the dark forest, searching for a safe place to rest. Eventually, they find a small, sheltered clearing, surrounded by tall trees that protect them from the cold wind. With the last of their strength, they set up a simple camp. The night is silent, except for the soft rustling of leaves and the distant howl of a lone wolf.
Khessa, Eric, and Zale sink to the ground, their bodies protesting with every movement. They feel the pain of their wounds, but also the satisfaction of their victory. They have dealt a great blow to the Cult. Despite their losses, they have taken an important step in their fight against evil.
With a last look at the starry sky, they fall one by one into a deep, dreamless sleep*. The tiredness overwhelms them, and for the first time in a long time they feel a moment of peace.
*except for Khessa:
Khessa dreams about parts of the world are destroyed by cold, choking fumes, lightning storms, waves of acid, and horrible fire. The dream ends with ten evil eyes glaring at you from the darkness. When she wakes up the next morning her mark burns and she feels like she has lost a part of herself. More worrying, however, is that she feels like a Tiamat has left a part of her in Khessa. Well, maybe not a part of her. More like a splinter of Tiamat's mirror image.
The next morning they are awakened by the soft croaking of a raven. The raven lands a dozen paces from the party, then boldly hops closer, a flat parcel wrapped in oilskin strapped to its belly. It eyes them enigmatically for a few moments, then speaks in a familiar voice. Leosin Erlanthar sends his heartiest congratulations! Please use the gift this bird brings to meet me in Waterdeep as soon as possible.
The bird waits patiently while the leather parcel is removed from its harness. The parcel contains a carefully folded spell scroll of teleport and the sigil sequence of a permanent teleportation circle in Waterdeep. This will guide them to their next adventure. But for now, in this moment of peace, they feel the satisfaction of a job well done. They know there are still many dangers and challenges ahead of them, but they are ready to face them, together.
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil