Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer Creatures
Frozen Sick
D&D Beyond Basic Rules
Basic Rules (2014)
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Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer CreaturesFrozen SickD&D Beyond Basic RulesBasic Rules (2014)Sign in to view your library & saved favorites.
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“Hard to say. Will you be recognized as a former…..resident? Will those in Vaasa welcome people showing up and asking questions? If conflict happens, how many opponents will you face? Can you face that many with just the five of you?,” he asks.
Kragen ponders Hanny's questions for a moment. "All valid questions Master Hanny, that i am not sure the answer of? To your point, i will need to approach those from Vaasa with caution, care and empathy. Likely, i will need to demonstrate that i have ties to their homeland to gain acceptance, and build credibility. Gaining their trust may provide information on magnitude of the force He (Thistlepig) commands and the resources needed to face such a foe. The Company and I have faced many dangers, even ones which have held high peril. Although dwarves can be thickheaded, i would nary be so reckless as to engage when the odds are clearly stacked against us." shakes his head "Regardless, i seek more information as to the gravity of the situation before decisions can be made." looks about gravely
Then smiles "To my good fortune, i have some of the most adept strategist in all of Faerun." sweeps his hand broadly at his compatriots.
Trolkarl turns his head to look behind the party. Shrugs
Perhaps we were a bit more adept when the monkey was still breathing.
winks
All the same, there are always imbalances. When outnumbered, we never need to directly engage. Instead, we should lay an ambush, inflict a loss, and then retreat tactically.
What do you say, Chadwick? You were trained at a military academy. Sometimes, a bit of subtlety is called for, right?
If this Thistlepig is as oppressive to the people as we have been told, I have no issue setting aside a bit of chivalry to bring his lot to account.
Starker:”It would be best if they were asleep and all gathered in a circle 6 paces across. Then I could murder them with fireballs. Or if we could poison their common rations. If they are awake and not hungry then it is best if we are over 100 paces away and I can hide behind a wall that I cower behind after continually raining fire down on them. You all can surround me and protect me and take blows that are intended for me.
”And the monkey will breathe again tomorrow morning. Join me. It will be fascinating.”
To Kragen:
As for winning the trust of the refugees, I leave that to you Kragen.
But if there are things we can arrange to be sent from here to the Deep Wave to support their challenges, use this at your discretion.
Gives Fire Opal (1k GP)
Kragen blushes again at his friends generosity. "Thank you Master Trolkarl, however that is not necessary. Our good fortune and your combat prowess has left me with more income than i am capable of disposing of." Opens a gem pouch on his belt that is full of gems! "I have the means to see to their immediate needs, Thank you. Dwarves are typically proud folk, they will likely decline the gift, instead choosing to add value in the mines."
"I leave the choice of our next path to the Company. Once Mage Starker has resurrected our Mango loving Monkey, what path shall we take? Investigate Kellistor's Tower? That place does have me concerned given the additonal information we were provided by Xagyg, Deep Wave, or provide Bard Xymox with some Justice on that scoundrel, Almanal."
Starker:”I would be interested to see if Kellistor’s Tower is more accessible now that we have killed, if that is the right word, Illiandal. But I am honor bound to Kragen should he in his wisdom choose a different destination.”
Xymox nods in agreement with mage Starker.
/plans?
Already in his cups Chadwick blows a raspberry, then responds. "If by subtle you mean a pincer maneuver instead of a heavy cavalry charge, then yes." Laughs at his own joke.
"However, we were taught some military history. If we mean to accomplish regime change taking out the warlock might not be enough. Likely the next evil bastard will step up to take his place. Kragen is not disposed some kind of royalty that the people would rally behind, so we need to find that person the commoners know and can get behind." Chadwick seems on a roll, perhaps Dwarven ale is good for his recall?
"Otherwise, we're just another invading force fighting the warlock’s army and possible guerilla attacks from the people we are trying to save.
Soo, what we need first is information and actionable intel. We can do this by what we already wanted to do, give aid and comfort to the refugees. We should load up a couple of wagons of supplies and head up to the mines. Maybe see if one or both of the new initiates at the temple would come along to help with the wounded. Would be some good real-world experience for them.” He pauses for a drink and ponders a moment. “The warlock probably has a spy or two hidden among them, it’s what I would do if I didn’t have any scruples (his eyes unconsciously drift to Starker), so we’ll need to be on the lookout.
Since Xymox isn’t known around the mine as being our ally perhaps he can ask the more pointed questions under the guise of writing a ballad of suffering and woe? The whole dwarf (gestures towards Xymox) elf thing might prove to be an issue of getting them to open up.” Takes another big drink, thinks, carries on. “Would a disguise spell be too duplicitous in earning trust?”
Another drink, then frowns at empty mug. He stands up, tries to unsuccessfully cover a belch, then announces. “I gotta pee” and heads outside.
Hanny takes in all you have said. After a delicate sip from his new glass of Nimpeth, a prized sweet wine from Vihon, he gives Jotrun an appreciative nod. “Perhaps I was not complete. Those from Vaasa are settled and now a part of the Deep Wave community. They are no longer in distress,” Hanny adds.
Chadwick rejoins the table just in time to catch Hanny's comment. Looks over to Kragen. "So to the tower then?" He asks.
Starker:”Monkey business first, then yes, by all means, let us go to Kellistor’s Tower if Kragen concurs.”
Kragen nods to Chadwick and Starker. "We have unfinished business with that tower. Lets be about it. My fellow Vaasans are in good hands with the Stonejaws. I can gather information at a more fortuitous time."
"I am" pauses for a.moment "interested to see our Monkey return."
I am curious about this monkey and Starker’s theory on it taking on our traits with this ritual.
Think: the wits of Chadwick, the subtlety of Starker, the open mind of Kragen, along with the laconic directness of Xymox. Not sure how I can contribute to that mixture. But this should be exciting.
Before heading up to his room, Starker is in deep consulation with the owner of the inn, and at the end hands him a platinum coin. Starker asks you each to meet him in the stable yard a little more than an hour before dawn.
When you join Starker the next morning it is clear that he had been up for a while already. The tired stable boys lean on their brooms, having swept the yard clean and flat. There is a pentagon twenty feet across lined in fine white chalk in the center of the yard, in the center a scalpel, a vest, and a familiar fez.
Starker, to those members of the company who join him a little before dawn: “Thank you for joining me. If you would please stand at the corners of this 5 sided equilateral figure. Perhaps Xymox to my left, Trokarl to my right and Sir Chadwick and Father Kragen opposite me with Father Kragen (pauses, looks at the sky though a ruby) to Xymox’s left and Sir Chadwick between Father Kragen and Trokarl. Now would you each be so kind as to hold a stick of this fine incense? Good. Now, as I perform the arcane gestures and vocalizations, I would ask each of you to concentrate on the characteristic you possess on abundance that I myself lack. So, for instance, Sir Chadwick might ponder his puissance. You each know where you fill the voids in my character or abilities. Fear not <pauses, ponders, giggles, shakes his head and shrugs> I do not seek transferrence, but merely exemplars for the nascent familiar to ponder as he decides on how he will manifest in this world.
“This will take an hour or a bit more. As a thanks offering, I have arranged a feast of a brunch for the bunch of us back at the inn.
”Do not be frightened as he manifests. It is different each time. Sometimes the skeleton appears first and the the viscera, muscles, and nerves with the skin last. Sometimes it appears that he is coming at us from a great distance in a dimension other than ours and a moist hot wind preceeds him. Sometimes the eyes appear first and then … but you get the picture. It is edifying.
”I am about to begin. Please know that I am grateful and I wish that this version shares your various excellences. Note how each of my schwas will be emphatic!!!”
Starker takes his place and begins. His gestures are precise, sometimes making it appear that he has three hands, sometimes one. His vocalizations go through the circle of fifths while he seems to be gargling a sea of troubles and by his spell, ending them. After a long time he throws his arms up, fingers splayed, and implores earth, water, air, fire and plasma. He finally screams the first words you understand, ‘Come my cloud giant! Come to me, Cyrus Magnus! Serve me and I will give you a life of meaning and MAGIC!!!!’
The Innkeeper at The Hallowed Tree Inn has not fully bought into wizards and their antics yet. This is clear during his discussion with Starker. There is a lot of negative looking body language coming from him during the discussion. Starker's proffered platinum coin seems to smooth over some of the more stringent complaints. "Just don't make a mess....," you hear him say in parting.
Starker has laid out a perfect pentagram in fine white chalk and an immaculately swept plot of ground outside the back of the inn. A small crowd has gathered. Sannek walks by and gives you a 'Do I want to know?' look. Not long after, you notice two groups of the town guards keeping a watchful eye from a respectful distance.
The ritual begins. You each concentrate on your part of it. Nothing seems to happen at the conclusion of Starker's incantation. Starker holds his pose and a fierce, aquiline look comes over him. Power ripples through the pentagram that each of you can feel. The faint sound of hissing, like steam from a kettle, begins. It rises and grows to a howl. The first wisps of purple, orange and yellow smoke drift up from the ground where the fez, scalpel and vest lie. An eruption of a geyser of co-mingled colored smoke suddenly breaks through the ground and spouts 40 feet up into the air with a deafening, keening, whine. This goes on for several heartbeats that feel a lifetime. Then it is gone. Quiet comes over Shalecliff. You can feel that the energy has diffused away. Standing in the center of the pentagram, facing Starker, is a small monkey. Its eyes are dark and bead-like. Its stance is crouched and ready. There is a smell of sulfur and burnt iron in the air. The monkey grins a sharp-tooth filled grimace and dashes towards Starker. With a lithe movement it climbs his robe to sit upon his left shoulder, tail curled around Starker's neck.
Gasps come from those who had stopped to observe. Most hurry along their way, not making eye contact. The two squads of the watch eye you warily, but remain distant. It is then you notice a goblin clad in black leather armor standing near you. Two scimitars are sheathed on his back. A wide grin is on his face. It is Bronk!
The Innkeeper welcomes you all into his fest hall. A long table is set with candles in silver stems and tapestries covering the walls. Settings are about for all of you. A brief wrinkling of the brow when he sees Bronk is the only giveaway of his prejudice. A new setting is arranged for him as well.
Several courses of dishes are brought out in succession. There are venison pies, a roasted boars head, a roasted peacock, spiced vegetables, a sweet-sour soup of mutton, stewed greens and a large barley pilaf with nuts. Spiced wine and lots of ale accompany the meal. Dried and fresh fruits are served to Cirrus Magnus XVIII. The monkey observes all quietly, his gaze lingering on each of you for an uncomfortable length of time. Initial impression is where Cirrus XVII had an open curiosity, Cirrus XVIII has a resting simian F U Face that is somewhat inscrutable. Marzipan ‘subtleties’ mark the new courses with castles, star bursts and a monkey’s head cleverly carved from the confection.
The staff handles the room nicely. Courses are served and cleared with precision. You do catch glimpse of the Innkeeper looking on from the kitchen with a look of anxiousness.
Starker hands Cyrus a platinum piece and gestures to the Innkeeper. Cyrus strolls over, removes his fez, bows, and offers the coin to the Innkeeper. Starker nods to the Innkeeper and applauds him.
During the meal
Trolkarl sets down his fork and reaches unhurriedly for his cup, eyes moving briefly around the room.
He rises between courses and steps to Kragen’s side, leaning down quietly.
Did you feel anything just now? A brief unease — then gone. May be nothing.
He returns to his seat and resumes eating. His posture is easy. His attention is not.