"You are very kind, Lord Amir," Duwamilly smiles at the powerful Djinni "but you don't need to reward me... rather, I am the one who feels indebted to you, for how you are always ready to defend me and the kids! Your genuine amusement is already a reward for me!"
"But, if you like, since we are sitting here next to each other, you could tell me a little about yourself..." the ex-preceptor actually seems interested "Have you always existed, Lord Amir? Or do you too were you born, were you young and then grew up? And do you remember how it happened that you found yourself... 'connected'... to Yasmina's object? And how did you and her get to know each other? If I'm not being indiscreet, that is..."
The djinni huffs at the praise as he lies back on the too small bunk, but he seems easy enough to flatter. "I have to protect my interests after all. The Half-Elf is bound to free me from my imprisonment so I try to keep her alive for the time being." He says with a shrug. "Regarding me, of course I've always existed like this mortal, I am a djinni, as ancient as this world." He claims, almost like trying to convince himself of something he is not quite sure of, but he doesn't seem inclined to delve deeper into his past. "Suffice to say, the Half-Elf came upon the Sapphire ring that is my prison, and being caught by it's curse she at least has the proper motivation for serving me."He says, glancing over at Yasmina who glares back at the two of you. "Ehm, anyway, I feel my prison calling. Did you have another joke for me before I return to my solitude?" He says in a somewhat pleading tone.
Zander holds Snicker at arms length and looks at it and says:
"I had tried adventuring but my equipment was terrible and I was not very good at it. I had a rusty old sword and leather scraps tied together for protection. My parents were gone, so I thought and dreamed of changing my life and being an adventurer. I didn't have much money in the first place, but I was determined to make my dream of being a hero like my grandfather a reality. I failed, so I had returned home a failure. Only my uncle would having anything to do with me when I returned. I lapped it up. He said one evening he had a gift for me and to stop by his manor. The 'gift' was Snicker, huh." Snicker starts to interject, but Zander asks him to just let him finish.
"Yes, my uncle, the kind caring person I thought. He handed me this great sword and said 'Do you accept this?' I said ya. He stopped and in a very unusual demanding tone he said 'Say your name and that you accept this sword and all its responsibilities.' I didn't pay much attention to the last part. it was a beautiful green greatsword of unbelievable beauty and quality. I would be a fool to not to accept. But... there was a small voice in the back of my mind that 'Don't do it.' I ignored it. I said I Zander Goldleaf accept this sword and all its responsibilities."
He continued. "There was a green flash from the sword. I felt light headed and my vision dimmed. I heard laughter. It was my uncle. He said 'Its your problem now boy.' What. What's going on. He said 'That thing your holding is Snicker Snack. It is a great , but accursed sword.Then I head this silky, sickeningly sweet voice in my head. it said 'I bid you welcome Zander (in a school yard bully voice). You are my new toy to play with. Please be good boy and find us a dragon to play with. My uncle kicked me out of his house and onto the screet at that point .
"For the next year I wandered various dungeons and monster holds by myself. Driven by this... his voice. In time I got better at swinging it. Made some money. Now I wear this green outfit to please him. He decided to come to the Shaded Isle after the war because he was once wielded by an ancient hero who helped seal away the black great wyrm Sserah Nightsbane, and it has been prophesied that this force of darkness will soon be unleashed again. That's when I met Lord Akkron. He took me in and even though he is a litch, he should me the first kindness. The lord wants us to stop this before things get out of hand. And now Lord Akkron has sent for me to join-up with your party."
"Pitiful huh, especially compared you all. I'm just glad that I'm able to be of use. But you have my sword and me."
The djinni doesn't seem to take notice of the Tiefling's comment, but the red-haired Half-Elf does, giving Delvindra a small appreciative smile. "Thanks, but don't bother, he will only hear what he wants to."She says, rolling her eyes.
The Half-Elf then listens to Zander's tale. "Not sure what you mean by pitiful? Are you saying being stuck with a bullying blade is your curse then? Does it control you or is it just that you want to keep it pleased? Also, that awful uncle, did you just accept him treating you like that?" Yasmina asks as the greenclad man finishes his story.
"Gladly, Lord Amir... No one deserves a prison of solitude - except for a few individuals - anyway, you don't for sure! If a joke will ease it, I hasten to tell you this one, which is short - however" Duwamilly waves his wand to underline what he is saying "Delvindra here has a point ... remember to call Yasmina by her name when referring to her; perhaps you have never thought about it, but it is more respectful - and it is typical of noble creatures, to treat others with respect".
After that. the ex-Preceptor is quick to tell the joke, before the noble guest is forced to leave her:
A woman comes home to find her husband in bed with a female gnome! Indignant, she screams at him: "You said you wouldn't cheat on me anymore!" He replies, seraphic: "I know. I'm working on it. Can't you see I'm trying to cut it down?"
Once the Djinni disappears, the gnome cleric tries to cheer up Zander: "So you too were cheated! An unworthy uncle indeed... I also received my curse because of a deception. I was still working as a Preceptor, at that time... Great job, if you ask me! Not as cool as being Garl Glittergold's emissary into the world, but still cool - if you have kids someday and Garl Glittergold doesn't need me for a while, I might even come and educate them! They would have a lot of fun! Ah, but I digress. It happens to me every now and then. Where was I? Ah, yes, I was working as a Preceptor for a noble family. One day, the eldest member of the family, the elder Mr Scrooge, died a natural death. You can't imagine how surprised I was when the notary summoned me and told me that Mr Scrooge had left me something as an heritage! I thought he couldn't stand me... Yes, I know, it's hard to imagine that there is anyone who can't stand me, and yet, believe me, in the case of Mr Scrooge, I had precisely that impression... But then I was too naive at that time, and I didn't give due weight to my suspicions. I accepted the heritage" she produces from her pocket a mysterious-looking cube, with arcane glyphs on each side. "Needless to say, the object, although incredibly useful, fun and interesting, was cursed... Mr Scrooge, apparently, really hated me... If I were to die before removing the curse, my soul would be forced to spend an incalculable amount of time imprisoned in that cube, forced to continually repeat dice rolls until obtaining an almost impossible combination... A fate so tedious that it almost makes one long for eternal damnation! At least in the Nine Hells there is more movement, more... events... Unpleasant event, that's for sure, but at least not that infinite boredom! I know, because I visited the Nine Hells many times... thanks to the cube! Oh, but I digress again. However, as Garl Glittergold taught me, in jokes you laugh at the end... and I am more than ever determined to ensure that in the end, it will be me who laughs and certainly not Mr Scrooge - whose soul, among other things, is probably still prisoner inside the cube".
Does it control you or is it just that you want to keep it pleased? Also, that awful uncle, did you just accept him treating you like that?"
Delvindra fidgets with the signet ring on her right hand, recalling that it wasn't that long ago the Half-Elf hand asked her a similar question. Yasmina hadn't been shy about sharing her concerns regarding the other accursed. "Does she feel safer around us now," she wonders, "does she feel safe around me?"
Delvindra can't help but admire Duwamilly's tact with the Djinni, and feel gratitude that the Preceptor at least made an attempt...
"Odd that Mina is so concerned about others standing up for themselves while she tolerates so much," she thinks with a wry smile, "in another life, she'd have been a wonderful Ilmateri."
She's feeling so charitable towards Milly, she doesn't even pass judgement at the Cleric's bawdy joke, though that clearly shifts with Milly's far too casual dismissal of the Nine Hells.
"May you never learn the difference between tourism and immigration," she scoffs to herself, thinking of the whispers' assertions about Godrick's fate...
Zander looks at the half-elf and seeing her being critical of his actions at that time and wanting to open old wounds around what 'he should have done' says "Pitiful in regards to my minor annoyance compared to having evil wanting to take you. Regarding my uncle, I guess you're right. I should have done things differently. But that is that and I am here now to help you all on your quest. Please let e know if you need anything, otherwise I will get some sleep."
The djinni chuckles at Milly's joke and gives her a polite nod before disappearing in a thin blue smoke puff.
Yasmina gives Zander a curious look as he seemingly ends the conversation, but then she shrugs and continues enjoying what the unseen servants brought her. She didn't quite get if Zander was somehow controlled, or could be controlled, by the will of the blade, or if it simply was that he couldn't get rid of it and therefore had to endure the seemingly bullying entity of the blade. Also, not everyone was as interested in conversations as the ex-preceptor, and maybe that was for the best. Yasmina would eventually finish up her delicacies and wine and come to rest and sleep among her many pillows.
The remainder of the afternoon passes uneventfully and you all are thoroughly refreshed when Bridgette arrives to bring you before her master a second time.
The lich is in his study this time, surrounded by ancient tomes. A small chest sits on the floor next to his tattered armchair, and in one hand he holds a crystalline orb.
I trust you rested well, he says.
After giving you a moment to respond, he begins to explain what you need to do.
What I have here is a modified orb of direction that I have reworked to point not north, but towards the location of the artifact you need... and as I said before, I built in a safeguard against theft. If it is stolen, the item will shatter and become completely useless, so guard it carefully."
Anticipating the fact that you will likely have more questions, he answers you preemptively.
The item you seek is a luck blade which still has a single wish. But... as I am sure you guessed, it isn't as simple as just taking it. It is in the horde of an adult white dragon who killed its former user... I'm sure that Snicker Snack can fill you in on the details of how to deal with a white dragons... but... I do have something that may help you a bit.
The chest opens to reveal five potions.
These five are potions of invulnerability which I think you may find useful in escaping the dragon with your lives...
As he finishes explaining, three men in gray robes file into the study. One of them is carrying an additional small chest, which he opens to reveal five more potions.
...And these are potions of heroism which Boccob's Clerics agreed to provide to give you all an additional layer of protection, both physically and against the terror dragons are known to incite.
Duwamilly's rest is serene, despite the gloomy atmosphere of the Shaded Isle; demonstrating the fact that having the sun in your soul sometimes helps as much as having it shining on your head.
Even Mr Scrooge, who appears to her in a dream, fails to particularly upset her: just as the man was handing her the die with a grin to roll repeatedly in a desperate attempt to reproduce the exact combination of faces activated since the cube was been enchanted, Garl Glittergold enters the scene, begins to observe smiling... and, under the increasingly amazed (and enraged) eyes of the resentful man, the gnome cleric manages to get the right score on each roll, completing the sequence on the first attempt and thus freeing himself from the cube!
"You cheated!" shouts Mr Scrooge, out of his mind "It's impossible! You cheated!"
And Gargl Glittergold replies: "Of course, thanks to me, she cheated! Her curse forced her to get the sequence right... not to do it fairly!"
In waking up with a smile, the gnome cleric discovers her bond with the gnomish god of protection and good humor even stronger than before.
[[ OOC: new cleric level taken ]]
It is for this reason that, later, when Lord Akkron asks her, the ex-Preceptor replies, smiling: "Of course! I rested very well, My Lord! As I have already told you, your courtesy and hospitality do you credit!"
"A luck blade!" Duwamilly gasps, admired "What a beautiful name for a sword! Not that I'm a sword lover... I've already said it many times to the kids here... when violence is resorted to, it's a defeat for everyone. But perhaps a blade that brings enough luck could prevent its owner from having to resort to violence... Oh, but I'm digressing. What I would like to know is: this luck blade... or this white dragon... do we have any more information about them? For example... their name... some details about their story... It's not mere curiosity, mind me. Not that there's anything wrong with curiosity... Without curiosity, there would be no motivation to learn, right? But in this case I'm interested because if by chance we were able to uniquely identify the luck blade or the dragon... maybe we could spy on them from a distance with magic... and maybe with the cube I could open a Gate directly next to the luck blade... After that, just quickly reach out a hand, close the Gate and... with a little innocent prank, job done!"
Yasmina would eventually finish up her delicacies and wine and come to rest and sleep among her many pillows.
Delvindra tosses the pillow from her own bed to Yasmina with a playful smirk and then makes a show of rolling out her bedroll to sleep on the cold stone floor.
... and maybe with the cube I could open a Gate directly next to the luck blade... After that, just quickly reach out a hand, close the Gate and... with a little innocent prank, job done!"
Didi's face hardens as she tries to mask her fear at the thought of facing a dragon, until Milly offers a solution as brilliant as it is practical. Realizing once again that she's underestimated the diminutive accursed, Delvindra can't help but look on with respect and awe.
The blade's former owner was a halfling thief named Gerrod. In fact, he was the leader of a thieves' guild... he apparently got a bit arrogant after he got his hands on the legendary blade and decided to try robbing the dragon... as stated earlier, it didn't end especially well for him. Rumor has it that his frozen corpse is still clutching the blade... which should make it fairly easy to find, unless there are a bunch of gold rapiers being held aloft by freeze-dried halflings in there.
The dragon is nothing particularly special for its species. Cruel, greedy, and hungry. His name is Glethegar, and his lair is at the top of a frozen mountain. You will likely be able to learn more from the local villagers as he has been a nuisance to them for the past few centuries.
Zaander wakes but looks like hell (minimal sleep to get by). As he walks in he is consuming a flask which seems to put some more color in his face and brings his eyes to life [magic item]coffee[/magic item].
Before Zander can speak a word, Snicker says in a loud sickly sweet voice "Dragons!!. Tell me more." After listening to the details he says in a condescending voice to all "Of course you will need me to tell you simple minded folks..." Zander reaches a hand around to tap the hilt of the sword. "Manners, remember." Zander says. "Yes, yes of course. A White Dragon, hmmm. You are correct sir litch, they are cruel, greedy and always hungry for a little flesh bag snack." Zander coughs with stern eyes towards his sword. "A White dragon's lair are usually in icy caves or deep underground in a mountain, high mountains accessible only by flying, or portal. They also like to be up on the ceiling to latch on like bats or slithering down icy crevasses. They also posses innate magic that deepens the cold, almost a freezing fog, for many miles around its lair. You five will likely freeze to death before you even see it. "
He continues. "the beast can pass right thru walls of ice, no matter how thick, as if it was air. It is the least intelligent, and most animalistic of the dragons. I would say a white dragon has feral eyes, a sleek profile, and a spined crest. While the scales of a wyrmling white dragon glisten pure white, as the dragon ages, its sheen disappears and some of its scales begin to darken, so that by the time it is old, it looks pitalful with mottled by patches of pale blue and light gray.
It is Primal and Vengeful. White dragons lack the cunning and tactics of most other dragons. However, they are singularly focused on surviving and slaughtering their enemies. A white dragon consumes only food that has been frozen, devouring creatures killed by its breath weapon while they are still stiff and frigid. It encases other kills in ice or buries them in snow near its lair.
Oh, the hobbit, they usually keep the bodies of its greatest enemies as trophies, freezing corpses where it can look upon them and gloat. Though dim whited, white dragons have fair memories. They recall every slight and defeat, and have been known to conduct malicious vendettas against creatures that have offended them. This often includes silver dragons, which lair in the same territories as whites. White dragons can speak as all dragons can, but they rarely talk unless moved to do so.
White dragons can’t abide rivals near their lairs. As a result, a white dragon attacks other creatures without provocation, viewing such creatures as either too weak or too powerful to live. The only creatures that typically serve a white dragon are intelligent humanoids that demonstrate enough strength to assuage the dragon’s wrath, and can put up with sustaining regular losses as a result of its hunger. This includes pitiful dragon-worshiping kobolds, which are commonly found in their lairs.
Loose coins and gems are often spread across a white dragon’s lair. Larger treasures and chests are encased in layers of rime created by its breath, and held safe beneath layers of transparent ice. "
"This will be fun. Oh boy, try not to die. I'd hate to be left and become part of a dragons horde."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The red-haired Half-Elf giggles and throws some of her many pillows back at the Tiefling, almost burying her in pillows before turning over to sleep with a small smile. Her dreams are unusually pleasant and she wakes up in a fairly good mood.
As Bridgette comes and collects the companions, Yasmina obediently comes along to the Lich's study, accepting the offered potions with a polite smile, standing back to listen to him brief them on their mission, then to the ex-preceptors plan and then to the blade briefing them on white dragons. "Can you help us with that?"She asks the Lich as the others finishes. "Help us scry on this Glethegar so that we can gate in and pilfer the Luckblade? It could certainly save us both time and trouble."She says with a warm smile, stepping closer to the Lich.
I could attempt it... but even for me there would be little chance of success as I have never encountered the dragon myself nor been inside its lair.
(Note: mechanically, an adult white dragon is proficient in Wis saves, and gets a +5 bonus to the save as described in the scrying spell's description... oh, and 3 legendary resistances. I would probably roll some kind of percentile to see if the Legendary Resistance actually triggers since the dragon wouldn't know that it's being targetted).
"So, this frozen mountain, where can we find it? Is it be far away from here?"Yasmina continues, seemingly accepting that it wouldn't be possible to scry on the dragon.
"Oh, what a shame..." Duwamilly is slightly disappointed "It would have been such a simple solution... Or at least certainly simpler than invading this monster's lair and trying to get out alive with our prize. There is nothing that we could do to make the scrying more likely to succeed?”
Just to save time I'll go ahead and just lay out a summary for you guys of everything that Lord Akkron can tell you:
The dragon's lair is over a thousand miles away, on another continent, and the lich has never been inside it himself. He met the halfling who once owned the blade (and died with it) a few hundred years ago, and later heard about the little guy's untimely demise from a second-hand source. He re-calibrated the orb to point in the halfling's direction (how he did that is anyone's guess), which is presumably also where the Luck Blade is, or at least close to it. It's also worth noting that the dragon might not be right next to the blade, and the cavern may well be large enough to be difficult to navigate (which is a big part of the reason that you will want to have the orb to find the exact location of the item you seek).
There is a heavily fortified town some distance from the dragon's lair; it was there before the dragon took up residence, and the people who live there were just too darned stubborn to leave when the dragon moved in. The lich did visit the settlement once many centuries ago, before the dragon was a problem, and could scry into the area (thus allowing you to gate into the settlement if you want). The best way to make scrying easier would be to find a piece of the dragon's body, such as a scale that it dropped, which would make the scrying spell far more potent. It is worth noting that the Shaded Isle, especially Lord Akkron's fortress, is protected against interplanar intrusions, so it wouldn't be possible to simply gate back.
Given the new information, Duwamilly proposes: "Well, kids... If Lord Matic Akkron is kind enough to scry into the settlement, I'd say gate into the settlement directly, as first step... First I open a Gate to the astral plane, let's all go there, then from there I open a Gate in the settlement - and we have arrived. The outward journey will be simple and quick. There we could look for information about the dragon, its habits... possibly obtain one of its scales... and decide: if we find out we can have a good chance of sneaking into its lair (because maybe sometimes the dragon stays away - or sleeps - for days), we can try that directly... If not, as soon as we find one of its scales, we return here - passing through Tormere, since we can't get here directly - and after spying on the dragon's lair with magic, we resume the original idea - sudden opening of Gate followed by theft and immediate disappearance. What do you think, kids? Do you like it?"
"You are very kind, Lord Amir," Duwamilly smiles at the powerful Djinni "but you don't need to reward me... rather, I am the one who feels indebted to you, for how you are always ready to defend me and the kids! Your genuine amusement is already a reward for me!"
"But, if you like, since we are sitting here next to each other, you could tell me a little about yourself..." the ex-preceptor actually seems interested "Have you always existed, Lord Amir? Or do you too were you born, were you young and then grew up? And do you remember how it happened that you found yourself... 'connected'... to Yasmina's object? And how did you and her get to know each other? If I'm not being indiscreet, that is..."
The djinni huffs at the praise as he lies back on the too small bunk, but he seems easy enough to flatter. "I have to protect my interests after all. The Half-Elf is bound to free me from my imprisonment so I try to keep her alive for the time being." He says with a shrug. "Regarding me, of course I've always existed like this mortal, I am a djinni, as ancient as this world." He claims, almost like trying to convince himself of something he is not quite sure of, but he doesn't seem inclined to delve deeper into his past. "Suffice to say, the Half-Elf came upon the Sapphire ring that is my prison, and being caught by it's curse she at least has the proper motivation for serving me." He says, glancing over at Yasmina who glares back at the two of you. "Ehm, anyway, I feel my prison calling. Did you have another joke for me before I return to my solitude?" He says in a somewhat pleading tone.
Delvindra visibly rankles at the Djinni's dismissive attitude towards Yasmina.
"She has a name."
Zander holds Snicker at arms length and looks at it and says:
"I had tried adventuring but my equipment was terrible and I was not very good at it. I had a rusty old sword and leather scraps tied together for protection. My parents were gone, so I thought and dreamed of changing my life and being an adventurer. I didn't have much money in the first place, but I was determined to make my dream of being a hero like my grandfather a reality. I failed, so I had returned home a failure. Only my uncle would having anything to do with me when I returned. I lapped it up. He said one evening he had a gift for me and to stop by his manor. The 'gift' was Snicker, huh." Snicker starts to interject, but Zander asks him to just let him finish.
"Yes, my uncle, the kind caring person I thought. He handed me this great sword and said 'Do you accept this?' I said ya. He stopped and in a very unusual demanding tone he said 'Say your name and that you accept this sword and all its responsibilities.' I didn't pay much attention to the last part. it was a beautiful green greatsword of unbelievable beauty and quality. I would be a fool to not to accept. But... there was a small voice in the back of my mind that 'Don't do it.' I ignored it. I said I Zander Goldleaf accept this sword and all its responsibilities."
He continued. "There was a green flash from the sword. I felt light headed and my vision dimmed. I heard laughter. It was my uncle. He said 'Its your problem now boy.' What. What's going on. He said 'That thing your holding is Snicker Snack. It is a great , but accursed sword.Then I head this silky, sickeningly sweet voice in my head. it said 'I bid you welcome Zander (in a school yard bully voice). You are my new toy to play with. Please be good boy and find us a dragon to play with. My uncle kicked me out of his house and onto the screet at that point .
"For the next year I wandered various dungeons and monster holds by myself. Driven by this... his voice. In time I got better at swinging it. Made some money. Now I wear this green outfit to please him. He decided to come to the Shaded Isle after the war because he was once wielded by an ancient hero who helped seal away the black great wyrm Sserah Nightsbane, and it has been prophesied that this force of darkness will soon be unleashed again. That's when I met Lord Akkron. He took me in and even though he is a litch, he should me the first kindness. The lord wants us to stop this before things get out of hand. And now Lord Akkron has sent for me to join-up with your party."
"Pitiful huh, especially compared you all. I'm just glad that I'm able to be of use. But you have my sword and me."
D&D since 1984
The djinni doesn't seem to take notice of the Tiefling's comment, but the red-haired Half-Elf does, giving Delvindra a small appreciative smile. "Thanks, but don't bother, he will only hear what he wants to." She says, rolling her eyes.
The Half-Elf then listens to Zander's tale. "Not sure what you mean by pitiful? Are you saying being stuck with a bullying blade is your curse then? Does it control you or is it just that you want to keep it pleased? Also, that awful uncle, did you just accept him treating you like that?" Yasmina asks as the greenclad man finishes his story.
"Gladly, Lord Amir... No one deserves a prison of solitude - except for a few individuals - anyway, you don't for sure! If a joke will ease it, I hasten to tell you this one, which is short - however" Duwamilly waves his wand to underline what he is saying "Delvindra here has a point ... remember to call Yasmina by her name when referring to her; perhaps you have never thought about it, but it is more respectful - and it is typical of noble creatures, to treat others with respect".
After that. the ex-Preceptor is quick to tell the joke, before the noble guest is forced to leave her:
A woman comes home to find her husband in bed with a female gnome!
Indignant, she screams at him: "You said you wouldn't cheat on me anymore!"
He replies, seraphic: "I know. I'm working on it. Can't you see I'm trying to cut it down?"
Once the Djinni disappears, the gnome cleric tries to cheer up Zander: "So you too were cheated! An unworthy uncle indeed... I also received my curse because of a deception. I was still working as a Preceptor, at that time... Great job, if you ask me! Not as cool as being Garl Glittergold's emissary into the world, but still cool - if you have kids someday and Garl Glittergold doesn't need me for a while, I might even come and educate them! They would have a lot of fun! Ah, but I digress. It happens to me every now and then. Where was I? Ah, yes, I was working as a Preceptor for a noble family. One day, the eldest member of the family, the elder Mr Scrooge, died a natural death. You can't imagine how surprised I was when the notary summoned me and told me that Mr Scrooge had left me something as an heritage! I thought he couldn't stand me... Yes, I know, it's hard to imagine that there is anyone who can't stand me, and yet, believe me, in the case of Mr Scrooge, I had precisely that impression... But then I was too naive at that time, and I didn't give due weight to my suspicions. I accepted the heritage" she produces from her pocket a mysterious-looking cube, with arcane glyphs on each side. "Needless to say, the object, although incredibly useful, fun and interesting, was cursed... Mr Scrooge, apparently, really hated me... If I were to die before removing the curse, my soul would be forced to spend an incalculable amount of time imprisoned in that cube, forced to continually repeat dice rolls until obtaining an almost impossible combination... A fate so tedious that it almost makes one long for eternal damnation! At least in the Nine Hells there is more movement, more... events... Unpleasant event, that's for sure, but at least not that infinite boredom! I know, because I visited the Nine Hells many times... thanks to the cube! Oh, but I digress again. However, as Garl Glittergold taught me, in jokes you laugh at the end... and I am more than ever determined to ensure that in the end, it will be me who laughs and certainly not Mr Scrooge - whose soul, among other things, is probably still prisoner inside the cube".
Delvindra fidgets with the signet ring on her right hand, recalling that it wasn't that long ago the Half-Elf hand asked her a similar question. Yasmina hadn't been shy about sharing her concerns regarding the other accursed. "Does she feel safer around us now," she wonders, "does she feel safe around me?"
Delvindra can't help but admire Duwamilly's tact with the Djinni, and feel gratitude that the Preceptor at least made an attempt...
"Odd that Mina is so concerned about others standing up for themselves while she tolerates so much," she thinks with a wry smile, "in another life, she'd have been a wonderful Ilmateri."
She's feeling so charitable towards Milly, she doesn't even pass judgement at the Cleric's bawdy joke, though that clearly shifts with Milly's far too casual dismissal of the Nine Hells.
"May you never learn the difference between tourism and immigration," she scoffs to herself, thinking of the whispers' assertions about Godrick's fate...
Zander looks at the half-elf and seeing her being critical of his actions at that time and wanting to open old wounds around what 'he should have done' says "Pitiful in regards to my minor annoyance compared to having evil wanting to take you. Regarding my uncle, I guess you're right. I should have done things differently. But that is that and I am here now to help you all on your quest. Please let e know if you need anything, otherwise I will get some sleep."
D&D since 1984
The djinni chuckles at Milly's joke and gives her a polite nod before disappearing in a thin blue smoke puff.
Yasmina gives Zander a curious look as he seemingly ends the conversation, but then she shrugs and continues enjoying what the unseen servants brought her. She didn't quite get if Zander was somehow controlled, or could be controlled, by the will of the blade, or if it simply was that he couldn't get rid of it and therefore had to endure the seemingly bullying entity of the blade. Also, not everyone was as interested in conversations as the ex-preceptor, and maybe that was for the best. Yasmina would eventually finish up her delicacies and wine and come to rest and sleep among her many pillows.
The remainder of the afternoon passes uneventfully and you all are thoroughly refreshed when Bridgette arrives to bring you before her master a second time.
The lich is in his study this time, surrounded by ancient tomes. A small chest sits on the floor next to his tattered armchair, and in one hand he holds a crystalline orb.
I trust you rested well, he says.
After giving you a moment to respond, he begins to explain what you need to do.
What I have here is a modified orb of direction that I have reworked to point not north, but towards the location of the artifact you need... and as I said before, I built in a safeguard against theft. If it is stolen, the item will shatter and become completely useless, so guard it carefully."
Anticipating the fact that you will likely have more questions, he answers you preemptively.
The item you seek is a luck blade which still has a single wish. But... as I am sure you guessed, it isn't as simple as just taking it. It is in the horde of an adult white dragon who killed its former user... I'm sure that Snicker Snack can fill you in on the details of how to deal with a white dragons... but... I do have something that may help you a bit.
The chest opens to reveal five potions.
These five are potions of invulnerability which I think you may find useful in escaping the dragon with your lives...
As he finishes explaining, three men in gray robes file into the study. One of them is carrying an additional small chest, which he opens to reveal five more potions.
...And these are potions of heroism which Boccob's Clerics agreed to provide to give you all an additional layer of protection, both physically and against the terror dragons are known to incite.
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Duwamilly's rest is serene, despite the gloomy atmosphere of the Shaded Isle; demonstrating the fact that having the sun in your soul sometimes helps as much as having it shining on your head.
Even Mr Scrooge, who appears to her in a dream, fails to particularly upset her: just as the man was handing her the die with a grin to roll repeatedly in a desperate attempt to reproduce the exact combination of faces activated since the cube was been enchanted, Garl Glittergold enters the scene, begins to observe smiling... and, under the increasingly amazed (and enraged) eyes of the resentful man, the gnome cleric manages to get the right score on each roll, completing the sequence on the first attempt and thus freeing himself from the cube!
"You cheated!" shouts Mr Scrooge, out of his mind "It's impossible! You cheated!"
And Gargl Glittergold replies: "Of course, thanks to me, she cheated! Her curse forced her to get the sequence right... not to do it fairly!"
In waking up with a smile, the gnome cleric discovers her bond with the gnomish god of protection and good humor even stronger than before.
[[ OOC: new cleric level taken ]]
It is for this reason that, later, when Lord Akkron asks her, the ex-Preceptor replies, smiling: "Of course! I rested very well, My Lord! As I have already told you, your courtesy and hospitality do you credit!"
"A luck blade!" Duwamilly gasps, admired "What a beautiful name for a sword! Not that I'm a sword lover... I've already said it many times to the kids here... when violence is resorted to, it's a defeat for everyone. But perhaps a blade that brings enough luck could prevent its owner from having to resort to violence... Oh, but I'm digressing. What I would like to know is: this luck blade... or this white dragon... do we have any more information about them? For example... their name... some details about their story... It's not mere curiosity, mind me. Not that there's anything wrong with curiosity... Without curiosity, there would be no motivation to learn, right? But in this case I'm interested because if by chance we were able to uniquely identify the luck blade or the dragon... maybe we could spy on them from a distance with magic... and maybe with the cube I could open a Gate directly next to the luck blade... After that, just quickly reach out a hand, close the Gate and... with a little innocent prank, job done!"
Delvindra tosses the pillow from her own bed to Yasmina with a playful smirk and then makes a show of rolling out her bedroll to sleep on the cold stone floor.
The Tiefling, on the other hand, enjoys a dreamless sleep free from devilish visitations.
(advancing a level in Monk instead of Warlock)
Didi's face hardens as she tries to mask her fear at the thought of facing a dragon, until Milly offers a solution as brilliant as it is practical. Realizing once again that she's underestimated the diminutive accursed, Delvindra can't help but look on with respect and awe.
The lich nods.
The blade's former owner was a halfling thief named Gerrod. In fact, he was the leader of a thieves' guild... he apparently got a bit arrogant after he got his hands on the legendary blade and decided to try robbing the dragon... as stated earlier, it didn't end especially well for him. Rumor has it that his frozen corpse is still clutching the blade... which should make it fairly easy to find, unless there are a bunch of gold rapiers being held aloft by freeze-dried halflings in there.
The dragon is nothing particularly special for its species. Cruel, greedy, and hungry. His name is Glethegar, and his lair is at the top of a frozen mountain. You will likely be able to learn more from the local villagers as he has been a nuisance to them for the past few centuries.
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Zaander wakes but looks like hell (minimal sleep to get by). As he walks in he is consuming a flask which seems to put some more color in his face and brings his eyes to life [magic item]coffee[/magic item].
Before Zander can speak a word, Snicker says in a loud sickly sweet voice "Dragons!!. Tell me more." After listening to the details he says in a condescending voice to all "Of course you will need me to tell you simple minded folks..." Zander reaches a hand around to tap the hilt of the sword. "Manners, remember." Zander says. "Yes, yes of course. A White Dragon, hmmm. You are correct sir litch, they are cruel, greedy and always hungry for a little flesh bag snack." Zander coughs with stern eyes towards his sword. "A White dragon's lair are usually in icy caves or deep underground in a mountain, high mountains accessible only by flying, or portal. They also like to be up on the ceiling to latch on like bats or slithering down icy crevasses. They also posses innate magic that deepens the cold, almost a freezing fog, for many miles around its lair. You five will likely freeze to death before you even see it. "
He continues. "the beast can pass right thru walls of ice, no matter how thick, as if it was air. It is the least intelligent, and most animalistic of the dragons. I would say a white dragon has feral eyes, a sleek profile, and a spined crest. While the scales of a wyrmling white dragon glisten pure white, as the dragon ages, its sheen disappears and some of its scales begin to darken, so that by the time it is old, it looks pitalful with mottled by patches of pale blue and light gray.
It is Primal and Vengeful. White dragons lack the cunning and tactics of most other dragons. However, they are singularly focused on surviving and slaughtering their enemies. A white dragon consumes only food that has been frozen, devouring creatures killed by its breath weapon while they are still stiff and frigid. It encases other kills in ice or buries them in snow near its lair.
Oh, the hobbit, they usually keep the bodies of its greatest enemies as trophies, freezing corpses where it can look upon them and gloat. Though dim whited, white dragons have fair memories. They recall every slight and defeat, and have been known to conduct malicious vendettas against creatures that have offended them. This often includes silver dragons, which lair in the same territories as whites. White dragons can speak as all dragons can, but they rarely talk unless moved to do so.
White dragons can’t abide rivals near their lairs. As a result, a white dragon attacks other creatures without provocation, viewing such creatures as either too weak or too powerful to live. The only creatures that typically serve a white dragon are intelligent humanoids that demonstrate enough strength to assuage the dragon’s wrath, and can put up with sustaining regular losses as a result of its hunger. This includes pitiful dragon-worshiping kobolds, which are commonly found in their lairs.
Loose coins and gems are often spread across a white dragon’s lair. Larger treasures and chests are encased in layers of rime created by its breath, and held safe beneath layers of transparent ice. "
"This will be fun. Oh boy, try not to die. I'd hate to be left and become part of a dragons horde."
D&D since 1984
The red-haired Half-Elf giggles and throws some of her many pillows back at the Tiefling, almost burying her in pillows before turning over to sleep with a small smile. Her dreams are unusually pleasant and she wakes up in a fairly good mood.
As Bridgette comes and collects the companions, Yasmina obediently comes along to the Lich's study, accepting the offered potions with a polite smile, standing back to listen to him brief them on their mission, then to the ex-preceptors plan and then to the blade briefing them on white dragons. "Can you help us with that?" She asks the Lich as the others finishes. "Help us scry on this Glethegar so that we can gate in and pilfer the Luckblade? It could certainly save us both time and trouble." She says with a warm smile, stepping closer to the Lich.
Persuasion if relevant: 21
I could attempt it... but even for me there would be little chance of success as I have never encountered the dragon myself nor been inside its lair.
(Note: mechanically, an adult white dragon is proficient in Wis saves, and gets a +5 bonus to the save as described in the scrying spell's description... oh, and 3 legendary resistances. I would probably roll some kind of percentile to see if the Legendary Resistance actually triggers since the dragon wouldn't know that it's being targetted).
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"So, this frozen mountain, where can we find it? Is it be far away from here?" Yasmina continues, seemingly accepting that it wouldn't be possible to scry on the dragon.
"Oh, what a shame..." Duwamilly is slightly disappointed "It would have been such a simple solution... Or at least certainly simpler than invading this monster's lair and trying to get out alive with our prize. There is nothing that we could do to make the scrying more likely to succeed?”
Just to save time I'll go ahead and just lay out a summary for you guys of everything that Lord Akkron can tell you:
The dragon's lair is over a thousand miles away, on another continent, and the lich has never been inside it himself. He met the halfling who once owned the blade (and died with it) a few hundred years ago, and later heard about the little guy's untimely demise from a second-hand source. He re-calibrated the orb to point in the halfling's direction (how he did that is anyone's guess), which is presumably also where the Luck Blade is, or at least close to it. It's also worth noting that the dragon might not be right next to the blade, and the cavern may well be large enough to be difficult to navigate (which is a big part of the reason that you will want to have the orb to find the exact location of the item you seek).
There is a heavily fortified town some distance from the dragon's lair; it was there before the dragon took up residence, and the people who live there were just too darned stubborn to leave when the dragon moved in. The lich did visit the settlement once many centuries ago, before the dragon was a problem, and could scry into the area (thus allowing you to gate into the settlement if you want). The best way to make scrying easier would be to find a piece of the dragon's body, such as a scale that it dropped, which would make the scrying spell far more potent. It is worth noting that the Shaded Isle, especially Lord Akkron's fortress, is protected against interplanar intrusions, so it wouldn't be possible to simply gate back.
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Given the new information, Duwamilly proposes: "Well, kids... If Lord Matic Akkron is kind enough to scry into the settlement, I'd say gate into the settlement directly, as first step... First I open a Gate to the astral plane, let's all go there, then from there I open a Gate in the settlement - and we have arrived. The outward journey will be simple and quick. There we could look for information about the dragon, its habits... possibly obtain one of its scales... and decide: if we find out we can have a good chance of sneaking into its lair (because maybe sometimes the dragon stays away - or sleeps - for days), we can try that directly... If not, as soon as we find one of its scales, we return here - passing through Tormere, since we can't get here directly - and after spying on the dragon's lair with magic, we resume the original idea - sudden opening of Gate followed by theft and immediate disappearance. What do you think, kids? Do you like it?"