You cannot tell weather it is dusk or dawn. As you look around you realize you are now in a courtyard surrounded by low circular hedges of a deep reddish orange color. The courtyard is on a raised flat raised portion of land with steep stairs leading up to it. Down the stairs you can see a town as well as a vast stretch of desert. The land is completely bathed in reddish orange light. Everything has a red, orange, or dark yellow tint to it. The world seems devoid of all other color. Even as you look at each other, it is like you are looking through a reddish orange filter. You soon realize that these strangers around you seem just as confused as you are. All of them accept one anyways. Standing a short distance away from the group, stands a young human girl, probably around 16 years old. She looks a bit nervous, but speaks up nonetheless.
"Um. Welcome Champions. You have been summoned by the great Queen of Dusk. I am her maid, Florie."
After a bit of stuttering, she explains why you have been summoned and what task has been set before you. She beacons you, and you follow her through the grand doors of the Castle. She leads you down several halls and into a large room with an incredibly tall ceiling. A long rectangular table stretches the length of the room, covered in wonderfully smelling food. At the head of the table sits a large Red and Gold Dragon. Florie instructs you to to sit. You do as you are told, though not without hesitation. As you take your places the Dragon opens her maw and speaks.
The Dragon snorts, "So, the summoning finally worked. I hope you’re more competent then the last group. I'm sure Florie has told you why you are here. My name is Cyra, Queen of Dusk. My Brother Zoran has gotten his claws on my crown, and I need YOU to get it back. Understood? Once you do, I'll send you back to your miserable lives, though i can say you will be a might richer. My idiot of a brother is quite a hoarder, feel free to steal whatever you want from him. Any questions?"
Failed Champions:
You stand outside of Cyra's castle, which is located in the center of the City of Dusk, waiting for the coming of the New Champions. You know at any moment they will walk out of the gates and down the stairs to begin their quest.
It isn't long before you notice you are not the only one waiting by the castle walls. (You can see each other and may choose to interact if you wish.)
"So many!" came the quick, eager reply as Jumble whipped out a piece of parchment and his quill. The young bard was almost quivering with excitement as he began taking notes.
"First, just know, yes, of course, I understand our task. But we need to... know things to do well at our quest, yes? So, with that..." He took a deep breath.
"What are the physical dimensions of this realm? Do you and your brother rule over all of it? Will it take us long to travel to your brother's lair? What sort of minions does he command? Oh, and from what I gathered of this ritual, your brother himself is off-limits as a target, we only need the crown, correct?"
Jumble strained to keep from asking further questions. He simply waited for his first batch of answers, his quill poised above the parchment.
Mordred had pressed his body against one of the pillars nearby the gate looking his way toward it. He had seen a few other lost souls just like he. He was lost in thought, lost in thought of his last time at Twilight. The blonde mail had chainmail worn in soot and though it was clear it'd been through the ringer it was well maintained. Mordred had closed his eyes breathing in and out.. In and out. In and..
"Mordred look out-"
He jumped a bit at the phantom voice, what.. "Just another memory. I really need to not doze off." The man's face had look worn with arms crossed. Hunting through Twilight trying to find what he knew was lost. That blasted dragon took him away from everything.. From anyone. He gripped his fist his face twisted in a mound of regret and his heart had nothing left but to lament. "If I'd been stronger.. Or faster." These thoughts would crawl into the former knight's mind. His eyes with black circles underneath, he had taken a deep breath composing his mind and body. It was around this time that scaled devil would explain to the new lost souls. "How long would this go on? The war of these crowns? Back and forth.. Back and forth." How long would these souls be forced to wander? Stripped of the lives before?
"No.. I have to focus."
The knight whispered under his breath shaking his head. He would instead look to the other's waiting, other's like him. The lives they had led, the loss and failure they were granted with hardly a respite in this ever looming twilight.
Nygil Farruner looks around at each of these...strangers. He wrinkles his nose a little, who are these people? When Florie comes in, stuttering like the child she is...he crosses his arms and says, "Speak, girl. What kind of page are you if you can't even give us a message without stuttering? ...Oh, you're a maid... well why are you delivering the message then?"
He listens carefully as she manages to FINALLY get the story out... good grief what had he just fallen into? Oh well, it wasn't as if he had much going on at home right now... perhaps if he gets out of this he can show his parents his true worth... though he somehow doubts that anything he can do will get them to let him come home.
After listening to the dragon queen he says... "So let me get this straight... you can't attack your brother... and he can't attack you. So you called us, complete strangers to your world who may or may not be competent... though I assure you I for one am quite competent myself. ...but I digress. Why are you dragging people you don't know into a foreign world and expecting us to just comply with your wishes? I mean, sure, you're a dragon... so forgive me for talking to you in this way but... We're both nobles here, so I think I have some right to speak my mind." He pauses, as if mentally questioning what he just said... "Whatever, I'm up for this challenge, just because it is a way to test my own worth. And if I can go home with a little extra wealth that might help me out in other ways as well..."
He shakes his head, "So, we have to sneak into your brother's castle. Grab the crown and get out? Sounds simple enough to me. When do we start... which way is it? And for god's sake does this entire world look like a barren wasteland? Where do you get water from? I'm assuming you will provide us with rations? I have some but I may or may not be inclined to share." He looks skeptically at the strangers around him.
He shakes his head, "Ah who am I kidding? I'll share if I have to, but everyone's gotta pull their own weight."
"So many!" came the quick, eager reply as Jumble whipped out a piece of parchment and his quill. The young bard was almost quivering with excitement as he began taking notes.
"First, just know, yes, of course, I understand our task. But we need to... know things to do well at our quest, yes? So, with that..." He took a deep breath.
"What are the physical dimensions of this realm? Do you and your brother rule over all of it? Will it take us long to travel to your brother's lair? What sort of minions does he command? Oh, and from what I gathered of this ritual, your brother himself is off-limits as a target, we only need the crown, correct?"
Jumble strained to keep from asking further questions. He simply waited for his first batch of answers, his quill poised above the parchment.
Cyra stares at Jumble for a moment before grumbling under her breath, "Humans."
She continues in a matter of fact tone. "I do not think it is necessary for you to know the physical dimensions of this realm."(Make an insight check) "Yes my brother and I are the protectors of this realm, though right now, his word is rule. Until you bring me my crown that is. Minions? He has plenty of guards. I've been told his butler is rather nasty. Though i'd worry more about getting across the Great Twilight if I were you. There are plenty of beasts out there. My last batch of Champions didn't even make it across. Incompetent weaklings." She chuckles wickedly, "Oh, feel free to try to end my brother if you wish, just make sure at least one of you survives to bring me my crown."
When Cyra says this last part, you can see Florie standing behind her shaking her head.
Mordred had pressed his body against one of the pillars nearby the gate looking his way toward it. He had seen a few other lost souls just like he. He was lost in thought, lost in thought of his last time at Twilight. The blonde mail had chainmail worn in soot and though it was clear it'd been through the ringer it was well maintained. Mordred had closed his eyes breathing in and out.. In and out. In and..
"Mordred look out-"
He jumped a bit at the phantom voice, what.. "Just another memory. I really need to not doze off." The man's face had look worn with arms crossed. Hunting through Twilight trying to find what he knew was lost. That blasted dragon took him away from everything.. From anyone. He gripped his fist his face twisted in a mound of regret and his heart had nothing left but to lament. "If I'd been stronger.. Or faster." These thoughts would crawl into the former knight's mind. His eyes with black circles underneath, he had taken a deep breath composing his mind and body. It was around this time that scaled devil would explain to the new lost souls. "How long would this go on? The war of these crowns? Back and forth.. Back and forth." How long would these souls be forced to wander? Stripped of the lives before?
"No.. I have to focus."
The knight whispered under his breath shaking his head. He would instead look to the other's waiting, other's like him. The lives they had led, the loss and failure they were granted with hardly a respite in this ever looming twilight.
You can make out another Human and a Kobold who also seem to be waiting for something. Other than those two, you just see the townsfolk going about their daily lives. Some of them nod to you as they pass you by.
Nygil Farruner looks around at each of these...strangers. He wrinkles his nose a little, who are these people? When Florie comes in, stuttering like the child she is...he crosses his arms and says, "Speak, girl. What kind of page are you if you can't even give us a message without stuttering? ...Oh, you're a maid... well why are you delivering the message then?"
He listens carefully as she manages to FINALLY get the story out... good grief what had he just fallen into? Oh well, it wasn't as if he had much going on at home right now... perhaps if he gets out of this he can show his parents his true worth... though he somehow doubts that anything he can do will get them to let him come home.
After listening to the dragon queen he says... "So let me get this straight... you can't attack your brother... and he can't attack you. So you called us, complete strangers to your world who may or may not be competent... though I assure you I for one am quite competent myself. ...but I digress. Why are you dragging people you don't know into a foreign world and expecting us to just comply with your wishes? I mean, sure, you're a dragon... so forgive me for talking to you in this way but... We're both nobles here, so I think I have some right to speak my mind." He pauses, as if mentally questioning what he just said... "Whatever, I'm up for this challenge, just because it is a way to test my own worth. And if I can go home with a little extra wealth that might help me out in other ways as well..."
He shakes his head, "So, we have to sneak into your brother's castle. Grab the crown and get out? Sounds simple enough to me. When do we start... which way is it? And for god's sake does this entire world look like a barren wasteland? Where do you get water from? I'm assuming you will provide us with rations? I have some but I may or may not be inclined to share." He looks skeptically at the strangers around him.
He shakes his head, "Ah who am I kidding? I'll share if I have to, but everyone's gotta pull their own weight."
When Nygil speaks so rudely to Florie, she glances at him for a moment. You can see a flash of fear in her eyes, then a flash of something more sinister. She shakes her head then continues.
Once done talking to Jumble, Cyra's blazing orange eyes focus on the elf, and her lips curl into a snarl. (Roll a wisdom save. She is using her frightful presence on you)
"Puny mortal. Do not speak to me as if you are my equal. You will comply to my wishes or you will suffer the consequences."
After a moment of growling she continues, "I don't care how you get the crown as long as you get it. Grrrr Just travel east imbecile where else would Dawn be?"
She doesn't answer the rest of your questions. Instead Florie walks over to you and whispers. "Um. Water comes out of the ground... you just have to dig for it. Uh, Once you are ready, I'll get rations for you."
Nygil immediately realizes his mistake as the fear sets in...what was he thinking? Talking so rudely to a DRAGON. Idiot. He lowers his gaze, sweating visibly.
"W...well, it could be northeast, or southeast... s...so..." He clenches his teeth, great now he sounds like the maid.
He frowns as Florie says water comes out of the ground. "Yes I know that. Obviously. I just wouldn't expect water to be so readily available in a place like this."
"Lets just go already. I'm ready to leave. I was ready for a journey before I was pulled into this blasted place." He cringes a little, almost looking at the dragon but then not...her frightful presence is just to much for him... So annoying.
Sitting down near the middle of the table, close enough to the dragon to not appear rude but keeping far away out of concern for his safety, Zalten keeps a close eye on the dragon as the group sits down at the table, though it is almost impossible to tell where he his looking with his nearly featureless face. While the leathers and the nearly destroyed cleric's robe he wears take on the faint reds and oranges of the twilight this land is bathed in, his skin remains a stark, pale grey. Whisps of his essence flow behind him, the celestial soul granted to him by his god barely clinging to his mortal form. At his sides, his rapier that once shined a bright celestial gold has faded to a dull yellow. Violently torn away from his god's light, he just barely clings to life, the trauma of being disconnected from the god that grated him the celestial half of his soul and ripped into this realm of darkness having scarred his soul permanently
Rough Image of Zalten:
He hears the voice of the dragon as she speaks, but her words only barely regester to him. He can't quite tell how long he's been here without the comforting glow of the sun's light, but he knows it cannot be long, two or three days at most. Seperated from the god he's served for his entirely life, his soul immeasurably damaged, and without access to his magic, he's existed in a stunned stupor since the initial pain of his arrival has worn off, and has done his best to adjust to what minimal capabilities he has remaining. He's not been able to peice together much other than a bit of basic info about the conflict between the two dragons, but he's heard enough that he expected to be brought here sooner or later.
The moment the dragon utters something about him getting to return home, he immediately perks up, as it's the first concrete thing he's heard since his arrival about possibly returning home. With just the thought of returning to his god and restoring his magic, a bit of his formerly radiant shine glimmers where his eyes used to be for a moment. Still, he's cautious about the dragon's words, suspicous of her offer and of this type of political intrigue. Optimistic about the chance of returning home but knowing the dragon must be witholding some details from them, he turns to her and asks:
"And what exactly happens if we cannot retrieve this crown? I assume your brother will be defending it somehow"
Although worried at first that he'd be denied his precious info, Jumble could scarcely contain his glee when he got actual answers. Barely half of what he wanted, but enough. Paying close attention to each word, he quickly scribbled his notes, then tucked them away as the dragon--"Cyra, Queen of Dusk, such a fitting name!"--turned her attention toward the loud, brash elf.
When he first appears in this strange new realm, Rethan takes in his surroundings, a confused look on his face. At first he wonders if perhaps he is dreaming, but as Fiora speaks up and explains the situation, he comes to realize this is no dream, and starts to get more and more frantic.
"My wife, my children! What of them?" Rethan demands when the maid finishes her explanation. "What are they supposed to do while I'm gone? They won't even know what happened! I'll have simply vanished!"
Following Fiora as she leads them through the castle, he pauses momentarily as he enters the large room and takes in the dragon at the head of the table. Rethan selects a seat when instructed to and eyes the food warily. Knowing from past experience that you should take the opportunity to eat when presented, since you never know when the next meal might be, he wants to dig right in, but he doesn't trust this new realm and the unknown ruler before him. From what he's seen so far though, the dragon clearly doesn't have the champion's best interest at heart, she only seems to care about the crown she wants them to retrieve.
Rethan nods along to Zalton's question. "You say you'll send us home if we retrieve the crown as you've instructed us to. What happens if we fail? And is there any other way for us to return to our own realm and lives?"
"Why us?" he asks once the other questions have been answered, gesturing at himself and the other so-called 'champions'. "Why were we selected? And what happened to the last group you sent? You say they didn't even make it to your brother's castle? Is there someone who can give us information on what dangers we might face on the way there?"
A tiny kobold, in little more than rags, that did little to hide her scales beneath with all the holes, and tattered edges... sat impatiently, legs and arms crossed. Despite having the appearance of a city urchin, she held herself tall, even while sitting. Though her eyes still darted to and fro whenever someone new passed by. She seemed to be constantly scanning the crowds, her face always tense. Her body was covered in black scales, and reddish-amber eyes. There was little else of note in the kobolds appearance, aside from several nets within easy reach for her arms, and her small backpack that seemed to hold a few additional things. A thin, reptilian tail curled around her buttox. What Mordred might notice about this is though the kobold was tiny and tense, she seemed far more than prepared for a fight, while simultaneously seeming to tense up farther when certain people walked by, only to relax when they passed.
Mordred mumbling to themselves drew the kobolds eye for a moment. She scanned over him, and scowled. He was likely going to die, she thought to herself. He's daydreaming in the middle of the street, mumbling, perhaps he was insane? But if he was here, Cyra had something to do with it. She ignored most of it, but in a shaky, female voice, that betrayed her otherwise confident comment Not long, if I have anything to s-say about it. she says, in reference to one of his last remarks I h-hope you are better than the last few I was w-with. she says, somewhat coldly.
OOC @ DM: For some disambiguation, who is the 3rd person outside with myself and Mordred? It wasn't specified but knowing that would help us know who is inside and out, I believe Mordreds player originally thought they had been escorted inside with the others.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Mordred with his arms still crossed over his chest examines the young Kobold. Growing tense with each passing person, almost like a little rabbit afraid of possible prey. Mordred had felt a bit of sympathy for the small kobold but his face only appeared sullen and straight. It'd take some insight to detect any sense of sympathy in those tired eyes of his. The creature's tone had betrayed it's words. Saying one thing while feeling another, he was reminded of a friend in the past. That had felt like a lifetime ago now, but had it been truly that long? Or had this place simply warped his sense of time? He was so optimistic at first but now home felt so far away. He had only raised an eyebrow at it's comment of him lasting long. Strange to hear from such a small and frightened creature. He wasn't really angry though his stern face may appear that he was a bit trifled. He too had a tone and face that at time betrayed the feelings in his heart.
"Better than the last few?" Mordred hadn't cared for the words pertaining his ability proving himself to a stranger served nothing. The ones before? The one's who fought and died beside you before? Now he was angry, a throw away comment on the comrades she had before. Could a creature be so cold? Mordred wasn't off the edge he understood that there was a chance he was misunderstanding. Many thought Mordred much more cruel than he truly was so he wouldn't jump off the deep end quite yet.
"Say what you will of me, but never dismiss the death of those who fought beside you. There lives were given fighting by you're side."
He had pushed himself off the wall towering over the rather small creature he had looked down at the creature. His eyes narrow and fierce (well depends on his intimdation roll Ima do here lol) his fist gripped for but a moment before releasing the tension in his knuckles. He had stared at the small creature not blinking for a single moment as he waited for whatever response it would muster. He did not need an apology only a little respect for those who had fallen in these blasted Twilight's.
OOC
I don't know if anyone's been escorted inside but I know the we have a third failed champion here. While the new ones have been summoned from another realm. (I know this I'm not sure if Mordred would know this himself.)
Also at first I Mordred was another character (Arthur) cause I thought I'd be a new champion. But switched when I found out I was an old champion. I forgot to trade his persuasion proficiency for Intimidation (As it matches Mordred better.)
So sorry if the sheet looked confusing but he doesn't actually have persuasion prof and instead Intimidation that was the last thing I forgot to fix when changing him to match this new character.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
I used this to determine what i should roll to counter that since I wasn't sure -
Opposed Charisma Checks would be appropriate
While it would (IMO) have been better for you two to role play the argument (per DuckTapeAl's point on player agency) both players could agree to a "contest of wills" in the interest of keeping the pace of play going at the table. In that case, it would have been simpler, and closer to how the rules provide resolution for situations via dice rolls, to use opposed Charisma checks.
Contests (P. 58 basic rules )
Both participants in a contest make ability checks appropriate to their efforts. They apply all appropriate bonuses and penalties, but instead of comparing the total to a DC, they compare the totals of their two checks. The participant with the higher check total wins the contest. That character or monster either succeeds at the action or prevents the other one from succeeding.
By using Charisma in this contest you are comparing a like stat versus a like stat. This makes it like an arm wrestling contest (Opposed Strength checks). For Intimidation, use opposed Charisma.
And rolling it as a saving throw since intimidation is technically a debuff effect meant to cause doubt/fear/intimidation, and rollign a persuasion/intimidation/performance etc wouldn't make sense. AKA Rolling to save against being intimidated.
Intimidation Contest: 12
Mordred finds their intimidating presence falls flat on the tiny creature, who despite her presumed skittishness, doesn't even flinch before the larger being. T-there is nothing you could do to me, that others haven't a-already done worse. her voice, despite the stutter, seemed confident in its assumption. The tiny creature turns her head towards him, looking him straight in the eyes as she continues. And d-don't tell me how to behave or t-think. They didn't e-even make it across the great twilight, devoured by insects, of all things. Myself and a-another had to run back here, or be left alone to d-die. Forcing me to live an even w-worse life than before i was stolen away by Cyra. They didn't even f-fight. They just d-d-died. After bragging about how strong they a-all were. Trying to put fear into me l-like you are now.she said, standing to her full height, which likely barely came to his knees, staring at him, nonplussed as she tried to put the same into him as he had just tried to her.
Florie ducks her head as Nygil speaks, "Oh, Uh, well you do have to dig in specific places. Uh, it doesn't appear any time you dig a hole."
As Zalten asks his question Cyra reaches a claw over the table and stabs a talon into a roasted pig's head. "If you fail..." She puts the head into her mouth, using her teeth to slide it off her talon, as if it were an olive on a toothpick. "You will either die, or be stuck here until either become a citizen or you find an opportunity to try again." She swallows.
Her gaze lazily falls on Rethan. Why were humans so annoying. "That is a good question. One that I nor my brother can answer. I hate to say that none of you were hand picked by me. Heh, I suppose you could say the universe chose you. The summoning is a complicated matter, and we cannot be to specific in what we ask for." She throws another hunk of meat in her mouth. "I'll tell you this, be wary of the Twilight. There are many threats out there, lurking in it's near-darkness. That is where most of the danger resides. If you can make it through there, you should have no problem completing your task. I'm sure there are some vultures outside that you can ask. Failures looking for a second chance. They can tell you some things about the Twilight." She downs a pitcher of wine. "Now, if you aren't going to eat anything. Then get a move on. I'm sick of waiting."
From Dusk to Dawn
New Champions:
You cannot tell weather it is dusk or dawn. As you look around you realize you are now in a courtyard surrounded by low circular hedges of a deep reddish orange color. The courtyard is on a raised flat raised portion of land with steep stairs leading up to it. Down the stairs you can see a town as well as a vast stretch of desert. The land is completely bathed in reddish orange light. Everything has a red, orange, or dark yellow tint to it. The world seems devoid of all other color. Even as you look at each other, it is like you are looking through a reddish orange filter. You soon realize that these strangers around you seem just as confused as you are. All of them accept one anyways. Standing a short distance away from the group, stands a young human girl, probably around 16 years old. She looks a bit nervous, but speaks up nonetheless.
"Um. Welcome Champions. You have been summoned by the great Queen of Dusk. I am her maid, Florie."
After a bit of stuttering, she explains why you have been summoned and what task has been set before you. She beacons you, and you follow her through the grand doors of the Castle. She leads you down several halls and into a large room with an incredibly tall ceiling. A long rectangular table stretches the length of the room, covered in wonderfully smelling food. At the head of the table sits a large Red and Gold Dragon. Florie instructs you to to sit. You do as you are told, though not without hesitation. As you take your places the Dragon opens her maw and speaks.
The Dragon snorts, "So, the summoning finally worked. I hope you’re more competent then the last group. I'm sure Florie has told you why you are here. My name is Cyra, Queen of Dusk. My Brother Zoran has gotten his claws on my crown, and I need YOU to get it back. Understood? Once you do, I'll send you back to your miserable lives, though i can say you will be a might richer. My idiot of a brother is quite a hoarder, feel free to steal whatever you want from him. Any questions?"
Failed Champions:
You stand outside of Cyra's castle, which is located in the center of the City of Dusk, waiting for the coming of the New Champions. You know at any moment they will walk out of the gates and down the stairs to begin their quest.
It isn't long before you notice you are not the only one waiting by the castle walls. (You can see each other and may choose to interact if you wish.)
"So many!" came the quick, eager reply as Jumble whipped out a piece of parchment and his quill. The young bard was almost quivering with excitement as he began taking notes.
"First, just know, yes, of course, I understand our task. But we need to... know things to do well at our quest, yes? So, with that..." He took a deep breath.
"What are the physical dimensions of this realm? Do you and your brother rule over all of it? Will it take us long to travel to your brother's lair? What sort of minions does he command? Oh, and from what I gathered of this ritual, your brother himself is off-limits as a target, we only need the crown, correct?"
Jumble strained to keep from asking further questions. He simply waited for his first batch of answers, his quill poised above the parchment.
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
New Beginnings
Mordred had pressed his body against one of the pillars nearby the gate looking his way toward it. He had seen a few other lost souls just like he. He was lost in thought, lost in thought of his last time at Twilight. The blonde mail had chainmail worn in soot and though it was clear it'd been through the ringer it was well maintained. Mordred had closed his eyes breathing in and out.. In and out. In and..
"Mordred look out-"
He jumped a bit at the phantom voice, what.. "Just another memory. I really need to not doze off." The man's face had look worn with arms crossed. Hunting through Twilight trying to find what he knew was lost. That blasted dragon took him away from everything.. From anyone. He gripped his fist his face twisted in a mound of regret and his heart had nothing left but to lament. "If I'd been stronger.. Or faster." These thoughts would crawl into the former knight's mind. His eyes with black circles underneath, he had taken a deep breath composing his mind and body. It was around this time that scaled devil would explain to the new lost souls. "How long would this go on? The war of these crowns? Back and forth.. Back and forth." How long would these souls be forced to wander? Stripped of the lives before?
"No.. I have to focus."
The knight whispered under his breath shaking his head. He would instead look to the other's waiting, other's like him. The lives they had led, the loss and failure they were granted with hardly a respite in this ever looming twilight.
OOC
https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/6d419da8-3258-464f-909f-c559fd138633/dbartf2-44743e76-d494-4837-9ff2-eb9a56227c24.png/v1/fill/w_1024,h_1428,q_80,strp/fate_proto_saber_alter_by_wes80_dbartf2-fullview.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9MTQyOCIsInBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzZkNDE5ZGE4LTMyNTgtNDY0Zi05MDlmLWM1NTlmZDEzODYzM1wvZGJhcnRmMi00NDc0M2U3Ni1kNDk0LTQ4MzctOWZmMi1lYjlhNTYyMjdjMjQucG5nIiwid2lkdGgiOiI8PTEwMjQifV1dLCJhdWQiOlsidXJuOnNlcnZpY2U6aW1hZ2Uub3BlcmF0aW9ucyJdfQ.6GimhwCS-WN472npOkcs-qcddkZOGaJBtCaXggj74EA
Picture link for my character ^^
Insight Check on the others emotions
18
Perception Check around
14
Nygil Farruner looks around at each of these...strangers. He wrinkles his nose a little, who are these people? When Florie comes in, stuttering like the child she is...he crosses his arms and says, "Speak, girl. What kind of page are you if you can't even give us a message without stuttering? ...Oh, you're a maid... well why are you delivering the message then?"
He listens carefully as she manages to FINALLY get the story out... good grief what had he just fallen into? Oh well, it wasn't as if he had much going on at home right now... perhaps if he gets out of this he can show his parents his true worth... though he somehow doubts that anything he can do will get them to let him come home.
After listening to the dragon queen he says... "So let me get this straight... you can't attack your brother... and he can't attack you. So you called us, complete strangers to your world who may or may not be competent... though I assure you I for one am quite competent myself. ...but I digress. Why are you dragging people you don't know into a foreign world and expecting us to just comply with your wishes? I mean, sure, you're a dragon... so forgive me for talking to you in this way but... We're both nobles here, so I think I have some right to speak my mind." He pauses, as if mentally questioning what he just said... "Whatever, I'm up for this challenge, just because it is a way to test my own worth. And if I can go home with a little extra wealth that might help me out in other ways as well..."
He shakes his head, "So, we have to sneak into your brother's castle. Grab the crown and get out? Sounds simple enough to me. When do we start... which way is it? And for god's sake does this entire world look like a barren wasteland? Where do you get water from? I'm assuming you will provide us with rations? I have some but I may or may not be inclined to share." He looks skeptically at the strangers around him.
He shakes his head, "Ah who am I kidding? I'll share if I have to, but everyone's gotta pull their own weight."
Cyra stares at Jumble for a moment before grumbling under her breath, "Humans."
She continues in a matter of fact tone. "I do not think it is necessary for you to know the physical dimensions of this realm." (Make an insight check) "Yes my brother and I are the protectors of this realm, though right now, his word is rule. Until you bring me my crown that is. Minions? He has plenty of guards. I've been told his butler is rather nasty. Though i'd worry more about getting across the Great Twilight if I were you. There are plenty of beasts out there. My last batch of Champions didn't even make it across. Incompetent weaklings." She chuckles wickedly, "Oh, feel free to try to end my brother if you wish, just make sure at least one of you survives to bring me my crown."
When Cyra says this last part, you can see Florie standing behind her shaking her head.
You can make out another Human and a Kobold who also seem to be waiting for something. Other than those two, you just see the townsfolk going about their daily lives. Some of them nod to you as they pass you by.
When Nygil speaks so rudely to Florie, she glances at him for a moment. You can see a flash of fear in her eyes, then a flash of something more sinister. She shakes her head then continues.
Once done talking to Jumble, Cyra's blazing orange eyes focus on the elf, and her lips curl into a snarl. (Roll a wisdom save. She is using her frightful presence on you)
"Puny mortal. Do not speak to me as if you are my equal. You will comply to my wishes or you will suffer the consequences."
After a moment of growling she continues, "I don't care how you get the crown as long as you get it. Grrrr Just travel east imbecile where else would Dawn be?"
She doesn't answer the rest of your questions. Instead Florie walks over to you and whispers. "Um. Water comes out of the ground... you just have to dig for it. Uh, Once you are ready, I'll get rations for you."
(Oop, lol.)
Wisdom save: 15
(( Insight Check: 14 ))
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
Jumble gets the feeling that Cyra herself doesn't know the answer to this question. Academics don't seem to be her strong point.
Nygil immediately realizes his mistake as the fear sets in...what was he thinking? Talking so rudely to a DRAGON. Idiot. He lowers his gaze, sweating visibly.
"W...well, it could be northeast, or southeast... s...so..." He clenches his teeth, great now he sounds like the maid.
He frowns as Florie says water comes out of the ground. "Yes I know that. Obviously. I just wouldn't expect water to be so readily available in a place like this."
"Lets just go already. I'm ready to leave. I was ready for a journey before I was pulled into this blasted place." He cringes a little, almost looking at the dragon but then not...her frightful presence is just to much for him... So annoying.
Sitting down near the middle of the table, close enough to the dragon to not appear rude but keeping far away out of concern for his safety, Zalten keeps a close eye on the dragon as the group sits down at the table, though it is almost impossible to tell where he his looking with his nearly featureless face. While the leathers and the nearly destroyed cleric's robe he wears take on the faint reds and oranges of the twilight this land is bathed in, his skin remains a stark, pale grey. Whisps of his essence flow behind him, the celestial soul granted to him by his god barely clinging to his mortal form. At his sides, his rapier that once shined a bright celestial gold has faded to a dull yellow. Violently torn away from his god's light, he just barely clings to life, the trauma of being disconnected from the god that grated him the celestial half of his soul and ripped into this realm of darkness having scarred his soul permanently
Rough Image of Zalten:
He hears the voice of the dragon as she speaks, but her words only barely regester to him. He can't quite tell how long he's been here without the comforting glow of the sun's light, but he knows it cannot be long, two or three days at most. Seperated from the god he's served for his entirely life, his soul immeasurably damaged, and without access to his magic, he's existed in a stunned stupor since the initial pain of his arrival has worn off, and has done his best to adjust to what minimal capabilities he has remaining. He's not been able to peice together much other than a bit of basic info about the conflict between the two dragons, but he's heard enough that he expected to be brought here sooner or later.
The moment the dragon utters something about him getting to return home, he immediately perks up, as it's the first concrete thing he's heard since his arrival about possibly returning home. With just the thought of returning to his god and restoring his magic, a bit of his formerly radiant shine glimmers where his eyes used to be for a moment. Still, he's cautious about the dragon's words, suspicous of her offer and of this type of political intrigue. Optimistic about the chance of returning home but knowing the dragon must be witholding some details from them, he turns to her and asks:
"And what exactly happens if we cannot retrieve this crown? I assume your brother will be defending it somehow"
Although worried at first that he'd be denied his precious info, Jumble could scarcely contain his glee when he got actual answers. Barely half of what he wanted, but enough. Paying close attention to each word, he quickly scribbled his notes, then tucked them away as the dragon--"Cyra, Queen of Dusk, such a fitting name!"--turned her attention toward the loud, brash elf.
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
When he first appears in this strange new realm, Rethan takes in his surroundings, a confused look on his face. At first he wonders if perhaps he is dreaming, but as Fiora speaks up and explains the situation, he comes to realize this is no dream, and starts to get more and more frantic.
"My wife, my children! What of them?" Rethan demands when the maid finishes her explanation. "What are they supposed to do while I'm gone? They won't even know what happened! I'll have simply vanished!"
Following Fiora as she leads them through the castle, he pauses momentarily as he enters the large room and takes in the dragon at the head of the table. Rethan selects a seat when instructed to and eyes the food warily. Knowing from past experience that you should take the opportunity to eat when presented, since you never know when the next meal might be, he wants to dig right in, but he doesn't trust this new realm and the unknown ruler before him. From what he's seen so far though, the dragon clearly doesn't have the champion's best interest at heart, she only seems to care about the crown she wants them to retrieve.
Rethan nods along to Zalton's question. "You say you'll send us home if we retrieve the crown as you've instructed us to. What happens if we fail? And is there any other way for us to return to our own realm and lives?"
"Why us?" he asks once the other questions have been answered, gesturing at himself and the other so-called 'champions'. "Why were we selected? And what happened to the last group you sent? You say they didn't even make it to your brother's castle? Is there someone who can give us information on what dangers we might face on the way there?"
A tiny kobold, in little more than rags, that did little to hide her scales beneath with all the holes, and tattered edges... sat impatiently, legs and arms crossed. Despite having the appearance of a city urchin, she held herself tall, even while sitting. Though her eyes still darted to and fro whenever someone new passed by. She seemed to be constantly scanning the crowds, her face always tense. Her body was covered in black scales, and reddish-amber eyes. There was little else of note in the kobolds appearance, aside from several nets within easy reach for her arms, and her small backpack that seemed to hold a few additional things. A thin, reptilian tail curled around her buttox. What Mordred might notice about this is though the kobold was tiny and tense, she seemed far more than prepared for a fight, while simultaneously seeming to tense up farther when certain people walked by, only to relax when they passed.
Mordred mumbling to themselves drew the kobolds eye for a moment. She scanned over him, and scowled. He was likely going to die, she thought to herself. He's daydreaming in the middle of the street, mumbling, perhaps he was insane? But if he was here, Cyra had something to do with it. She ignored most of it, but in a shaky, female voice, that betrayed her otherwise confident comment Not long, if I have anything to s-say about it. she says, in reference to one of his last remarks I h-hope you are better than the last few I was w-with. she says, somewhat coldly.
OOC @ DM: For some disambiguation, who is the 3rd person outside with myself and Mordred? It wasn't specified but knowing that would help us know who is inside and out, I believe Mordreds player originally thought they had been escorted inside with the others.
Occassional Dungeon Master.
Mordred with his arms still crossed over his chest examines the young Kobold. Growing tense with each passing person, almost like a little rabbit afraid of possible prey. Mordred had felt a bit of sympathy for the small kobold but his face only appeared sullen and straight. It'd take some insight to detect any sense of sympathy in those tired eyes of his. The creature's tone had betrayed it's words. Saying one thing while feeling another, he was reminded of a friend in the past. That had felt like a lifetime ago now, but had it been truly that long? Or had this place simply warped his sense of time? He was so optimistic at first but now home felt so far away. He had only raised an eyebrow at it's comment of him lasting long. Strange to hear from such a small and frightened creature. He wasn't really angry though his stern face may appear that he was a bit trifled. He too had a tone and face that at time betrayed the feelings in his heart.
"Better than the last few?" Mordred hadn't cared for the words pertaining his ability proving himself to a stranger served nothing. The ones before? The one's who fought and died beside you before? Now he was angry, a throw away comment on the comrades she had before. Could a creature be so cold? Mordred wasn't off the edge he understood that there was a chance he was misunderstanding. Many thought Mordred much more cruel than he truly was so he wouldn't jump off the deep end quite yet.
"Say what you will of me, but never dismiss the death of those who fought beside you. There lives were given fighting by you're side."
He had pushed himself off the wall towering over the rather small creature he had looked down at the creature. His eyes narrow and fierce (well depends on his intimdation roll Ima do here lol) his fist gripped for but a moment before releasing the tension in his knuckles. He had stared at the small creature not blinking for a single moment as he waited for whatever response it would muster. He did not need an apology only a little respect for those who had fallen in these blasted Twilight's.
OOC
I don't know if anyone's been escorted inside but I know the we have a third failed champion here. While the new ones have been summoned from another realm. (I know this I'm not sure if Mordred would know this himself.)
Also at first I Mordred was another character (Arthur) cause I thought I'd be a new champion. But switched when I found out I was an old champion. I forgot to trade his persuasion proficiency for Intimidation (As it matches Mordred better.)
So sorry if the sheet looked confusing but he doesn't actually have persuasion prof and instead Intimidation that was the last thing I forgot to fix when changing him to match this new character.
25
His Intimidation roll
I used this to determine what i should roll to counter that since I wasn't sure -
Opposed Charisma Checks would be appropriate
While it would (IMO) have been better for you two to role play the argument (per DuckTapeAl's point on player agency) both players could agree to a "contest of wills" in the interest of keeping the pace of play going at the table. In that case, it would have been simpler, and closer to how the rules provide resolution for situations via dice rolls, to use opposed Charisma checks.
Contests (P. 58 basic rules )
By using Charisma in this contest you are comparing a like stat versus a like stat. This makes it like an arm wrestling contest (Opposed Strength checks). For Intimidation, use opposed Charisma.
Note from Skills and checks on the same page:
Charisma
Deception
Intimidation
Performance
Persuasion
From page 57 of the Basic Rules
• Charisma, measuring force of personality
And rolling it as a saving throw since intimidation is technically a debuff effect meant to cause doubt/fear/intimidation, and rollign a persuasion/intimidation/performance etc wouldn't make sense. AKA Rolling to save against being intimidated.
Intimidation Contest: 12
Mordred finds their intimidating presence falls flat on the tiny creature, who despite her presumed skittishness, doesn't even flinch before the larger being. T-there is nothing you could do to me, that others haven't a-already done worse. her voice, despite the stutter, seemed confident in its assumption. The tiny creature turns her head towards him, looking him straight in the eyes as she continues. And d-don't tell me how to behave or t-think. They didn't e-even make it across the great twilight, devoured by insects, of all things. Myself and a-another had to run back here, or be left alone to d-die. Forcing me to live an even w-worse life than before i was stolen away by Cyra. They didn't even f-fight. They just d-d-died. After bragging about how strong they a-all were. Trying to put fear into me l-like you are now. she said, standing to her full height, which likely barely came to his knees, staring at him, nonplussed as she tried to put the same into him as he had just tried to her.
Intimidation: 11
Occassional Dungeon Master.
Florie ducks her head as Nygil speaks, "Oh, Uh, well you do have to dig in specific places. Uh, it doesn't appear any time you dig a hole."
As Zalten asks his question Cyra reaches a claw over the table and stabs a talon into a roasted pig's head. "If you fail..." She puts the head into her mouth, using her teeth to slide it off her talon, as if it were an olive on a toothpick. "You will either die, or be stuck here until either become a citizen or you find an opportunity to try again." She swallows.
Her gaze lazily falls on Rethan. Why were humans so annoying. "That is a good question. One that I nor my brother can answer. I hate to say that none of you were hand picked by me. Heh, I suppose you could say the universe chose you. The summoning is a complicated matter, and we cannot be to specific in what we ask for." She throws another hunk of meat in her mouth. "I'll tell you this, be wary of the Twilight. There are many threats out there, lurking in it's near-darkness. That is where most of the danger resides. If you can make it through there, you should have no problem completing your task. I'm sure there are some vultures outside that you can ask. Failures looking for a second chance. They can tell you some things about the Twilight." She downs a pitcher of wine. "Now, if you aren't going to eat anything. Then get a move on. I'm sick of waiting."
(The third person is EarthTraveler's character. I apologize as i forgot to let you two know that i added another Failed champion.)
(No failed champions are inside)
(It's alright. I don't mind if you fix that as the game has only just started. :) )