Dragon of Icespire Peak ***CLOSED***

Having finally found the forge, Minsys gave a sigh and smiled.  He approached the place and stood in clear sight of Dwarf.  He knew that some crafts took time and concentration.  Sometimes stopping is what's needed and sometimes stopping ruins a critical moment and the project.  He remains there until the Dwarf is ready for him and only then does he speak.  When the that time finally comes he says, "Forger Dwarf, I got request if you got time."

 After a few quick stops on the way to gather the ingredients necessary to her plans, Tabesha'l enters the small, secluded garden. After assuring herself that she would not be disturbed, she settles beneath an ancient willow tree surrounded by a thicket of boxwood and laurel bushes. Carefully, she begins to unpack and dispose a few small parcels of various herbs on the ground in front of her, with the Butterskull Compendium open next to it. Finally, she pulls out her small portable brazier from her cooking kit along with a small sack filled with charcoal and starts a small fire, upon which she throws the content of the first of the herb parcels. Instantly, the fragrant smell of sage and peppermint rises in the air, tinged by something slightly pungent reminiscent of camphor. She settles in front of the fire, softly blowing on the embers until the contents become a tiny furnace of glowing red nodes, before pouring the contents of the other parcels onto to it as well. The herbs sizzle and burn as they fall amidst the hot coals.

 After a long while sitting cross-legged in a meditative trance, she finally opens her luminescent blue eyes, picks up the old grimoire and starts uttering the arcane words of the ritual, first in a barely audible whisper, then as a haunting, soft lullaby:

 " Kre-Ni Ar-Naa Ennèth Irÿd. Kre-Ni Ar-Naa Ennèth Irÿd. Fjhr Ar-Naa Kothÿr. Kre-Ni Ar-Naa Enneth Kothÿr ! Kre-Ni Ar-Naa Enôm..."

Soon, a soft breeze rises and the mage stops her incantation, all her senses in alert...

The aged dwarf's hammering slows and finally comes to a halt. He lifts the tip of the spear, which looks perfectly formed, twists it a few times to inspect his work and then turns and drops it into a barrel of water. He then notices Minsys, but is not sure how long he had been standing there watching. He replies to Minsys' request: "I got time if'n you got coin...what'd ya have in mind?" The dwarf strokes his chin whiskers as the warrior explains what it is he wants. When Minsys is finished, the dwarf pulls out a small, dingy pocketwatch. He looks at it, then turn it upside down and re-inspects, then shakes it a few times and puts it up to his ear. "Gnomish garbage..." he mutters and tosses it into a small cauldron of some unknown molten metal. "Leave yer heap o' scrap there by the door and I'll have Jols come melt it down tonight. He'll have it ready for me to pour and shape in the mornin'. Twenty gold...a hundred twenty if'n ye want it silvered," the dwarf announces.

Meanwhile, in the secluded garden, the smoke emanating from the burning herbs begins to bellow out of the small brazier, thick and dark. Small electrical discharges can be seen from within the cloud as it swirls and coalesces into a roughly round shape, approximately three feet in diameter, centered over the ceremonial dish. Peering deep into the opaqueness, Tabesha'l hears the distant sounds of terrible beasts and horrified screams and she wonders for a moment if she completely misjudged the spell she had cast...

A form begins to take shape inside the cloud. As the smoke begins to dissipate, the image becomes clearer and she can hardly believe her eyes: a roughly two-foot-tall green humanoid with horns, a barbed tail and clawed fingers and toes kneels at her feet. It then looks up at her with hollow, empty eyes and says in a grating, high-pitched squeal: "What are your commands....master...."

MInsys places his hands on his hips and says, "Silvered?  Nah, we gonna skip that.  I didn't end a foe for that silver so I can't add it."  He pulls out 10 gold and continues, "Here's 10 now and I bring 10 when I pick up tomorrow.  Deal?"

Tabesha'l feels her skin crawl with repressed fear as the demonic-looking homunculus addresses her, but her arcane training clicks in and she quickly regains her composure. She speaks in measured yet authoritative tones, looking every  bit the regal aristocrat she was raised to be. At least, she hopes she does: from its appearance, she suspects this is one of the beings humans call Outter Fiends - while elves have a number of other, more intricate designations for them. Be that as it may, they're famed for their erratic and mischievous ways, so she reflects quickly on how to clearly state her first command.

" I am indeed thy Mistress as 'tis I who summoned thee hence. Name thyself and thy powers, as well as any of the other ways in which thou shalt be serving my purpose..."

TO CONNAK: "Yes, we can wait until next morning. Let us check out this tavern again."

While at the tavern, Vaxis witnesses the many fights and scuffles, and smiles, relaxed. It's a bit harder to hear the dark spirit when there's so much commotion.

AT FOEHAMMER"S FORGE: "Bah! Ain't ye ever done business with a dwarf?!" exclaims the blacksmith to Minsys. "This ain't no assassination contract! What'll I do if'n ye get yer head bashed in over at the Talking Troll this eve, eh? I'll have the full balance now or ye can keep yer gold and yer scrap metal and haul yer green-skinned arse right on outa here!" he blusters. Just then, Connak walks in to find the dwarf scolding Minsys on his financial negotiation tactics.

IN THE SECLUDED GARDEN:"My name was once spoken in hushed tones and with great fear and trepidation," the abyssal creature replied to Tabesha'l "but now, I inhabit this...vessel, which haveth the name: Arvithiix. I can become other forms, perhaps you might find this one slightly less...traumatic..." it says and polymorphs into a bat. Tabesha'l then hears the screeching eerie voice echoing inside her head: "How does this form...appeal to you? Or perhaps...something else..." It then quickly changes shape twice more, first to a toad which hops onto the lower hem of Tabesha'l's robes, before shrinking down into a centipede that promptly scuttles up her body and onto the bare skin of her bosom.

AT THE TALKING TROLL: As Vaxis and Ando enter the door of the Talking Troll, the loud crowded tavern comes to a screeching halt as all eyes fall upon the outsiders. A few tense, awkward moments pass and then Mordecai shouts: "It's okay gents, they're with me!" and the tavern quickly resumes it's merrymaking. Mordecai comes over with three mugs of ale for his guests, "Don't worry men, they'll warm up to ya, just not used to visitors in this place. You guys, uh, looking to make a little coin this evening? You see, right now, everyone in here is sizing one other up...then, after we are all good and drunk, anyone who wants to fight can pay twenty gold to throw their name in the hat for the bare-knuckle bouts. Fighters are chosen at random and if you win you get forty gold, less five percent for the house. No weapons, no killin'...just a good ole fashioned bar fight. Whatdya say?"

The elven mage shivers with revulsion and as she stares at the brownish, slimy centipede crawling on her bare skin she barely suppresses a strangled scream. So this is what this unholy magic had invoked, a squirming, filthy demon ! Very well, if  that was to be the way of it, she'd best make sure the fiendling stayed in line. 

" Enough. I thank thee for this... demonstration, Arvithiix. A white hermine suits my needs the best, for now. Here, thou may settle upon my shoulders, just so. I take it that thy true Name shall remain between us, along with the power it holds. To the rest of the denizens of this Plane, thou shall from here on be known as plain Arvi. Come now, we have much to do, starting with finding the rest of my company. And remember thou shall bring no harm to any creature on this level of reality, unless allowed to do so by me and me only !"

As she packed away the rest of her ritualistic materials, she felt a certain tremulousness: what had this demonic entity done to be demoted to such a state, serving a wizard on the Earthly Plane ? She suspected she should be in no hurry to find out...

Suddenly a doubt creeps upon her:

" Demon, I surmise thee canst change thy shape at my command and at the moment of my choosing, correct ? If that were not the case, thou shall adopt the Bat instead, as I wish not to deprive thee of thy ability to fly. Thy Mistress is fair to those who serve her well, as thou shall see..."

Vaxis graciously takes his drink, nearly downing it one gulp. He sizes himself up, noting his massive frame, and sighs.

"I do fear that would be...unbecoming...of an initiate of Bahamut. But Ando here could be having a run for money. Is that how it's said? We uusally say 'Wer nugri di darastrix qe nomagqe gliiwr'*"

TALKING TROLL: "Ah, Bahamut-Schmahamut...I bet you could really put the hurt on a man. And since you're the priestly type - you can heal him, right there on the spot! See, no sins here, just....warrior seasoning. Hardening of the fists, if you will. Go on, give it a try! Or, where's your half-orcian friend...I'll bet he'd be positively salivating over a guilt-free opportunity to pound a man into unconsciousness."

IN THE GARDEN: "Weasel...no...bat...yes..." the diminutive demon responds in a screeching, otherwordly accent as it transforms once again into a small, black bat. It flutters around Tabesha'l's head a few circles, then comes to rest on the back side of her hat of wizardry. For a brief moment, Tabesha'l is able to see using the vision of her creature servant, allowing her to glimpse behind her without turning around. As her vision returns to her own perspective, the voice in her head says, "I do as I wish on this plane, and any other," Arvi hisses, "...but I shall do as you wish...for now..."

"Um... no, I not work with Dwarves before," Minsys replies.  He stands for a moment and smiles.  "I pay now then and be back tomorrow.  Happy for strong weapon, later get more and make strong sword or axe.  If good work, then maybe be back for more."  Minsys then pulls out the rest of the coin and with the transaction complete will head towards the tavern.  

Connak pivots on his foot mid walk and follows Minsys out.  He fills in Minsys on what will probably be the plan.

Connak and Minsys walk in to the Talking Troll and find Mordecai giving his sales pitch to Vaxis and Ando about the fight club action. When he sees them come through the door he shouts: "Aye, there's my champion now! How 'bout a stiff row, eh? I'd stake you for...uhm," Mordecai appraises Minsys up and down while rubbing his chin, "...two hundred gold. If you win, I'll split it with ya...make us both some money! And if you lose, well your dragon friend here could probably patch you up, yeah?"

Ando shakes his head once to Mordecai. "I must decline as well. I do not believe my Lady would view that within my oath. I can offer my aid to those who fall if need be, however."

Minsys stares at the man, "So yous wants me to fight some bloke and if I'm win I get me some gold..." he says and looks at his team.  

"He do know we just killed a bunch of dem ircs at the farm right?  Well, if I kill, I take der weapon as a matter of honor.  I spose, if he agrees, me just beating him to a pulp would be worth the money," he responded.  

Minsys drops his pack by their table and comes back.  "So, how we doing this.  What dem rules ya got?"

" Thou wouldst do well not to displease thy Mistress, creature. Remember that thy True Name gives me the power to banish thee back to yon Abyss whence thou cometh... whereas by fulfilling thy function as my trustee, thou shallt grow in strength along with I," Tabesha'l interjects drily, before pointing towards the town, "As for now, methinks I will test thy mettle and capacities: fly forth and locate my companions. They should be easy enough to recognize as they stand out from the local inhabitants of yon quaint cattle town. Look for a dragonborn in shining armor, an orcish half-breed armed with a great stone-headed hammer, a knight of the Ancient Gods dressed in green garb and an elf sporting dark leather leggings and a sour demeanor. Go now and do my bidding !"

Vaxis smiles a toothy grin.

"Mordecai, I believe you found your fighter. By Bahamuts light...go for it Minsys."

TALKING TROLL: "Oh, perfect, this is just perfect!" exclaims Mordecai. "Easiest money you'll ever make! So, the rules are simple: no weapons, no spellcasting and no striking an unconscious opponent. This is not a duel to the death, so after the first fighter goes down, the bout is over. The fight goes three rounds, assuming both competitors last that long. So you ready to pick your sparring partner?" says Mordecai with a wide smile spreading across his face.

IN THE GARDEN: The screeching voice inside Tabesha'l's head cackles with glee. "Indeed, Mistress - how very...insubordinate of me..." The bat launches from the back side of Tabesha'l's hat a flits around her head for a few seconds before gaining altitude in a flurry of wildly-flapping, leathery wings.

TALKING TROLL: From high above Triboar, the bat spied Connak as he followed Minsys into the ramshackle establishment of the Talking Troll. Arvi entered through one of the many holes in the roof and lighted on a wooden crossbeam overlooking the large common area below. He then polymorphed into a centipede and scurried along the beam for a better view of what appeared to be several humanoids furiously making bets as if they were trading shares at an auction house. From the garden, Tabesha'l heard the voice in her head say telepathically: "I have located your companions...you may see through my eyes at your command..."

With a nod Minsys moves over to a table.  He drops his stone maul next to it.  Then he pulls out his hand axes and lays them down and makes a show of placing each weapon on the table.  He then removes his clothing until it's just his pants and boots on and moves to the ring.  Rolling his shoulders a few times he looks to his opponent and roars.  

OOC: Im having trouble finding the rolls regarding the post so I'll toss out three attacks:

Initiative: 16

AC is: 14

First chance he gets he will rage

Attack 1:13 Damage: 7

Attack 2:17 Damage: 7

Attack 3:9 Damage: 7

or if you prefer Athletics checks:

Athletics 1: 23

Athletics 1: 9

Athletics 1: 21

"We have our first challenge!" shouts the bookmaker and a raucous cheer goes up in response. Minsys' is called forth and the crowd quickly recedes from the center of the room forming a fighting circle with him at one end. His opponent's name is announced, though he barely pays it any attention. As he looks around the room can see heads and bodies being shoved aside as the challenger comes forward. "Stand aside, ye dolts!" blurts a gruff, but distinctly feminine voice, "...I gots me an orc-man to pound!"

The crowd parts revealing a short, muscular female human in fur-lined leathers. She coldly locks eyes with Minsys as she drops two massive axes to the floor and then proceeds to unstrap her pauldron and a heavy belt holding an array of daggers and shortswords. Someone in the crowd clears the items out of the circle as she cocks a sly grin at Minsys while cracking her neck and knuckles. "FIGHT!" yells Mordecai, followed by the sound of an old wharf bell being struck with a brass mallet, sending the fierce-looking female charging in Minsys' direction:

Strength (Athletics): 9 vs. DC 23
Strength (Athletics): 10 vs. DC 9
Strength (Athletics): 14 vs. DC 21