Quote from Secretfool >>

Tamphalic will use 2 cards of the deck of wonders each day after his studies before going in for the night, so 2 more rolls:

day 2: Deck of wonders: 6,10

day 3: Deck of wonders: 13,3

 day 2 effects: 6-> Destiny: This card protects you against an untimely demise. The first time after drawing this card that you would drop to 0 hit points from taking damage, you instead drop to 1 hit point.
10-> Coin: Five pieces of jewelry, each worth 100 gp, or ten gemstones, each worth 50 gp, appear at your feet.

The first card he picks on the 2nd day is the Heart Ace, and he feels some kind of protective enegy fall over him. Even though he doesn't really know what it does he feels its a positive effect. Continueing with the 2nd card he gets the heart 2, and right at that moment treasure appears at his feet: 5 good looking rings. He decides to give each of the party one.

Day 3 effects: 13->Order:  You gain resistance to one of the following damage types (chosen by the DM): force, necrotic, poison, psychic, or radiant. This resistance lasts for 1d12 days.
3-> Night: You gain darkvision within a range of 300 feet. This darkvision lasts for 8 hours.

At the end of the third day he gets a Club Queen, and he feels himself protected again.  With the 2nd card being the diamond queen, at the moment he doesn't feel any change. Untill he moves back to his room to get ready for bet and he can suddenly see everything very well outside in the dark. Unfortunately, when he wakes up in the morning the effect seems to be gone.

2 days of resistance to 3 (assuming you'd roll again @DM, if not tell me which one^^) and still 2 days of Fire resistance left.

Quote from mamoduck>>

OOC:

If Nickeline can use some of the party's treasure, she would use 70 Gp to purchase smith's tools and 50 Gp of powdered silver, with which she would make two vials of holy water.

(OOC: Sure. Go for it! 👍  Making holy water seems like a fine use of funds, and I'm happy to get smith's tools for Nickeline too. What's a gnome without their tools?

Really, we found 800 gp worth of treasure, which would be about 130 gp each if we split it 6 ways, so Nickeline is only spending her share.  Other than maybe purchasing some consumable magic items (healing potions, maybe a spell scroll), I can't think of anything that would be particularly useful to the party for the next step of the quest.  We should probably keep some portion of the treasure to pay for help in the Radiant Citadel.)

She would also offer to cast Enhance Ability on one of the dragonnel test riders (and provide medical attention in case things go wrong).

Hewelathan thanks her for her assistance.  He doesn't offer to let her ride a dragonnel yet. Not until he's more sure of their behavior.  (Never endanger your party's best healer!)

Quote from Secretfool >>

Quote from Secretfool >>

Tamphalic will use 2 cards of the deck of wonders each day after his studies before going in for the night, so 2 more rolls:

day 2: Deck of wonders: 6,10

day 3: Deck of wonders: 13,3

 day 2 effects: 6-> Destiny: This card protects you against an untimely demise. The first time after drawing this card that you would drop to 0 hit points from taking damage, you instead drop to 1 hit point.
10-> Coin: Five pieces of jewelry, each worth 100 gp, or ten gemstones, each worth 50 gp, appear at your feet.

The first card he picks on the 2nd day is the Heart Ace, and he feels some kind of protective enegy fall over him. Even though he doesn't really know what it does he feels its a positive effect. Continueing with the 2nd card he gets the heart 2, and right at that moment treasure appears at his feet: 5 good looking rings. He decides to give each of the party one.

Day 3 effects: 13->Order:  You gain resistance to one of the following damage types (chosen by the DM): force, necrotic, poison, psychic, or radiant. This resistance lasts for 1d12 days.
3-> Night: You gain darkvision within a range of 300 feet. This darkvision lasts for 8 hours.

At the end of the third day he gets a Club Queen, and he feels himself protected again.  With the 2nd card being the diamond queen, at the moment he doesn't feel any change. Untill he moves back to his room to get ready for bet and he can suddenly see everything very well outside in the dark. Unfortunately, when he wakes up in the morning the effect seems to be gone.

4 days of resistance to 1 (assuming you'd roll again @DM, if not tell me which one^^) and still 2 days of Fire resistance left.

Yep, I'm fine with that roll. So looks like you're resistant to force damage. Also, am I the only one who finds it amusing that the Wizard is apparently turning into a tank with all these survival buffs?

I'll go ahead and put up a longer post tomorrow; looks like everyone has decided it's time to get going. Regarding the dragonnels, I'll just go ahead and say whatever you did over the past few days was successful and they're trained mounts now. They were already trained to be ridden by Firion's cultists, so it isn't a huge stretch just to get them to accept different riders.

Quote from Ben_Evolent>>

Hewelathan thanks her for her assistance.  He doesn't offer to let her ride a dragonnel yet. Not until he's more sure of their behavior.  (Never endanger your party's best healer!)

Nickeline definitely does not ask to ride one. Her feet are not leaving the ground unless it's safe.

Three days pass quickly. By now, many of Cynurrarth's kobolds have emerged from the Underdark to follow their master into war against Firion. The tiny draconic figures are mostly being overlooked by the Baron's soldiers, simply tag-alongs with their master. But you all know from experience just how dangerous they can really be...

Meanwhile, now that he has been thoroughly convinced that this is a worthy cause, Gorash has called upon the Bloodskull clan to aid in the war as well. Dozens of orcs and orogs now mingle with the Baron's soldiers and casters. The defense force of the Shaded Isle is starting to look like a proper Dark Overlord's horde. Yet you all know that these warriors fight, not for domination, but for salvation. To stop an ancient evil from being reborn.

On the morning of the fourth day, Lord Akkron summons you to the teleportation circle again. Some of your allies are there as well... Ruby and Gorash are ready to see you off on the next leg of your journey.

Lord Akkron looks over you all with an expression that is hard to read... you know, since he doesn't have lips or eyes. Finally, he speaks.

You have all done remarkable things, he says. But I will be clear: this is the most critical mission so far that you cannot afford to fail. And you also cannot afford to delay. Firion is likely moving already. And I must give you one more vital piece of advice. I did not wish to reveal this until the last possible moment, in case Firion's spies are still among us.

He pauses to make sure that you are all listening, before he continues.

The ideal place to perform this transfer is in the presence of a dead god. Many forgotten deities drift through the Deep Ethereal. There you will be able to harness a spark of that divine power to truly bind the shards of Sserah's soul. Once you are there... on the very back of the dead god... you can perform a ritual that will allow you to use all three of the wishes at once as if you had cast only one. It is more difficult than casting a single wish at a time... but I know from experience how unpleasant the side-effects of using a wish can be, and we cannot afford for any of you to be weakened a moment longer than absolutely necessary.

Tamphalic is immediately ears

"Casting 3 wishes as one sounds like an extremely powerfull move, how are we suppossed to do that? And aren't there any extra side effects that way?"

((Did Tamphalic come accross any info regarding dead gods in his studies in the library?))

"When a band performs, each musician plays their part but they are in concert with one another.  As you've seen there's magic in song.  If the wish were a lyric or a chant we say in unison...."  Jodie pauses to catch her breath and hold some excitement.  "Well, maybe we're rouse some dead gods and sprinkle a little divine tinkle on the whole affair."

Jodie starts strumming her lute and humming a tune, as if to work out the wishful harmony with enough persistence.

On the fourth day, Nickeline prays to Flandal Steelskin for the spells she thinks would help with casting the wishes.

"We'll do you proud, Lord Akkron, sir; you can count on us," says Nickeline when the time comes. "I just have one question: Should the dead god be a Good one? Some living gods are very much not good, and I don't know if their dying and then drifting through the deep ethereal would change that. Unless it's a meditative experience, a chance to reflect? I don't know. If it's a factor we should take into account, we should take it into account."

OOC:

Prepared Spells: Bless, Healing Word, Protection from Evil and Good, Augury, Enhance Ability, Gentle Repose, Lesser Restoration

(OOC: Nothing much to add.  I'll adjust Hewelathan's spell list as we get going to something that hopefully provides some useful variety as we move on to the Radiant Citadel.) 

Hewelathan plans to leave the dragonnels here on the island again since moving around the Ethereal plane doesn't really require flight.   He listens intently to Lord Akkron's instructions since he'll be one of the ones making a Wish.  As usual, Hewelathan is even more quiet than usual when they're around Lord Akkron.

Korba asks whether Lord Akkron has any trusted contacts in (on? at?) the Radiant Citadel.  If they need help or guidance to find a "dead god," it would help to start with someone Lord Akkron trusts.  Otherwise, they might accidentally join up with one of the Dragon Cult's spies, who may already be there if Firion has guessed where they're going next.

After listening to the party's questions for a moment, Lord Akkron does his best to answer.

That is the purpose of the ritual that I shall teach you, Akkron says to Temphalic. To ensure that the effects of using three wishes will be the same as if you had cast only one.

Then he turns to Jodie, and a hollow chuckle escapes ribcage.

And you, my dear Bard, are not far off the mark at all... technically speaking, a song is not necessary, but it will take several of you working in a perfect harmony.

Finally, he gives weighs in on Nickeline's concerns.

When a god is dead, then who it was before matters little. Divinity is divinity, whether that power served light or darkness. So it is of little concern unless you are planning to resurrect one of the divine deceased.

He then goes into exhaustive detail on exactly how to perform the ritual. I will leave it to your imagination, but suffice it to say that Lord Akkron gives you all the supplies you will need to perform the ritual. In game terms, this is how it will work:

Three characters, one of whom must be the individual attuned to the Luck Blade, will perform a 10-minute ritual, during which time they will need to hold concentration (as if concentrating on a spell). If any of the participants in the ritual lose concentration, then there will be a backlash that will cause all three to take 1d6 psychic damage, and it will take an action to re-establish concentration. If concentration is not immediately re-established, or if two or more of the participants lose concentration at the same time, the ritual will have to be restarted. If the ritual is successfully completed, the bearer of the Luck Blade (whoever is attuned to it) makes the Wish, which will consume all three of the Luck Blade's charges. The Wielder will be the only participant in the ceremony to suffer the backlash of using the Wish spell outlined in the spell's description.

Given the nature of this ritual, I have decided that Gorash would be an extremely valuable ally to you on this excursion into the Ether, Lord Akkron says. I am sure you are already well aware of his skill in the art of abjuration. And your kobold friend has volunteered to join you as well, if you wish to bring her.

(Faux_Beau, feel free to imagine that all three participants are doing some intricate Gregorian chant for 10-minutes straight to mold the three wishes into shape)

"We'd be happy to have both of you join us" Tamphalic addresses Ruby and Gorash. "but just to be sure, you both are aware it might get very dangerous again?"

After a short silence "although, I suppose staying here is gonna be dangerous aswell if firion strikes the island" 

Hewelathan will have prepared three batches of goodberries, using his moon sickle as a focus, just as he has been doing every night when he has the spell slots to spare in case the party is suddenly thrown into conflict with the cult again.  These berries will heal:

• Batch 1: 2 HP each
• Batch 2: 4 HP each
• Batch 3: 5 HP each

In addition to spending gold for Nickeline to get tools and craft holy water, Hewelathan suggests purchasing 300 gp of diamonds.  (Or at least borrowing that amount of diamonds from Lord Akkron.)  He doesn't know how long they will be away from the Shaded Isle, but if the next stage of their adventure is like their previous excursion into the Underdark, he or Nickeline may soon master the Revivify spell.  Given the level of the threats they face, he wants to make sure that they already have the material component for that spell so that they can prepare it as soon as they can.

Nickeline welcomes both Gorash and Ruby, who have proven their strength and trustworthiness.

She is open to purchasing a diamond. She makes no guarantees that she could bring back the dead, as she's never done it before, but declares that, "If Flandal wants me to bring back the dead, he will teach me how, and we would indeed want a diamond then."

(Any input from Jodie and Hildegarde?)

Hildegard has spent the remaining days mostly in prayer and meditation (except for while assisting Hewelathan to train the dragonnels). She also has long coversations with Sir Stephen, getting him on board with their dangerous quest. He's quite excited about it, convinced that the group's victory against Firion will be sufficient penance for him to have his spirit released from his armor.

Hildegard bows deeply to the lich. "Lord Akkron, here we mere mortals touch things that would drive many mad. But the Seven Heroes had to endure a similar fate to defeat great evil. I do not begrudge it, and I am ready to depart."

Jodie nods as she listens to Lord Akkron's instructions.  "It is fitting that I might be the one to hold the concentration of the ritual.  The same mettle a wizard tests in battle, the bard tests in song."  

Jodie looks at the legendary luck blade, "To have the power of a wish in your grasp and suffer never to have that power again.  This may be a sacrifice all mortals must relent, for who are we to twist fate?  Yet this is the burden of good- to endure the storms of tyranny."

Ruby looks up at Temphalic.

"Ruby will do what must be done... it is her duty to stand by her friends when they need her most," the little kobold says so solemnly.

Gorash shrugs his broad shoulders as well.

"Looks like we're all probably in for one hell of a fight either way... and it looks like you lot will need some backup. Having someone around who can save your rear ends if something hits ya'all is probably going to be DAMN important, given how this here ritual is apparently going to go down," he explains. "And I trust that my father and his men know what needs to be done here."

Lord Akkron waits for a moment until everyone has said what needs to be said, before he gives a final nod and taps the circle with the end of his staff. Just like before, magic surges and the runes glow in preparation for your departure.

There is one in the Citadel whom I have given instructions to meet you, he says. You will know her by the fact that she will greet you with a blessing from Boccob. She is trustworthy, and she can help you to find what you need.

(OOC: Now, regarding the diamonds, Lord Akkron is willing to give each of the healers a single diamond suitable for the Revivify spell)

Tamphalic nods at the others and looks around

"Let's head for the Citadel than."

Lord Akkron nods solemnly once more, then touches his staff to the circle. It flares to life, allowing you to cross over to the Radiant Citadel. You emerge from the circle into a bustling metropolis. Merchants and customers of any race you can imagine, and some that look utterly bizarre and alien to you, are calling out their wares and going about their business. Here, you could buy or sell nearly anything you can imagine. You can see the enormous gem that the city wraps around in the distance, and if you look towards the other horizon you can see a massive the rolling mists of the Ethereal Plane.

You are near the town square, in one of six teleportation circles that are set up for travelers like yourselves from the various planes of existence. As you stand here, taking in the new environment, you hear a tiny cough behind you... as you turn, you see a tiny fiend:

"Greetings, Travelers," the imp rasps. "My mistress sends you blessings in the name of Boccob. But let us not linger here; those you wish to avoid may already be far too close for comfort..."

"Yes let's try to stay out of the public, at least as a group." Tamphalic says ready to follow the imp