DragonDenn's Dragonlords

Latrius:

Latrius mutters to Kierro very quietly as he gets back.

The dragon answers every question fully and completely.  It tells of its history, having only recently flown over this area and spotted this tower.  She saw it as a good place to make a lair and claimed it for herself. The spiders that were living there were evicted and left as a warning outside the doors.

She does not know the history of the cloak, It was in a small treasure hoarde she seized a month back and brought with her as she sought out this new home.  She seems quite upset at not being able to answer the question, and offers to return to where she found it to seek out those who might know the answer.

"These are members of the cult of the dragon."  Venomfang informs Mylene, nodding to the four members of the cult still nearby.  "They will do as I command or they will die, it is as simple as that."

"We live to serve."  The remaining cleric says, going onto his knees.  The other three nod their agreement.

"I will do as you wish." The dragon tells Mylene, the worship of its eyes not fading, and clearly eager to do as Mylene commands, whatever that might be.

Kierro, to Latrius:

”No; I’m not letting her control it at all. Not on behalf of the cult, anyway.”

Aside, to Mylene:

“Tiamat is evil, you and I both know that, and these cultists with the dragon are pledged to her cause. That cause is bringing her back to this plane where she’ll subjugate the entire world given the chance. Including you. Is that the cause you want to be helping?”

He looks into her eyes. “We’re not making allies out of these people. We’re going to stop them. Ideally, with the dragon listening to you, you would have it either stay out of the fight or assist us. If you don’t want to get pulled into this conflict, leave. That’s an order.”

Mylene attempts to pull Kierro aside, keeping the dragon within distance of a call, noting, "One moment, dear Venomfang."

She gives Kierro a shrewd glance, and speaks in a lower voice.  "Stop them?  That's ridiculous.  Our goal, as we all agreed on it, is to get our items and our memories back.  Either that's concluded or its not.  I am still missing pieces of myself, as are you, and the others.  Two points, Kierro.  One, we are not of this world.  Getting involved in its business is foolishness, until we have restored ourselves to complete personhood.  We would be trying to paint in the dark.  Also, if I put these people to work investigating our missing items, our missing memories, doing our bidding, that certainly keeps their hands occupied, doesn't it?  They can't very well resurrect any dark goddesses if they're busy playing errand boy for us and our people, now can they?"  

Mylene places a hand on her hip, and points with her other to Kierro.  "You agreed to lead us to find our memories.  We're not a bloody adventuring company.  We're not heroes to this world.  We don't even belong here.  Doesn't it make sense that we try not to disrupt whatever this world has going on, and focus on our own recovery?  That's exactly what I intend.  Think about how much good they can go for us, and our cause, and how much trouble they're not causing so long as I keep them focused on a more productive mission.  Now, will you please stow this nonsense about wiping out groups of people you just met, and let us form a plan on our next step towards becoming whole people, finding our next batch of items, as you promised you would lead us to?"  

"Mistress, is this one displeasing you?"  Venomfang asks, eyeing Kierro.  "I could use a snack if you wish him removed from your presence..."

Latrius:

Latrius is now conspicuously absent.

(Stealth: 31)

Mylene - Venomfang - Kierro

”I’m sure he is just a bit testy from his travels, gracious Venomfang,” Mylene says loudly. “And I am sure he is just as grateful as the rest of us for your generosity in aiding us.”

To Kierro, she adds, quieter, “I am in the midst of forming an alliance that will help us. Can you please stay focused on our agreed upon mutual goals, restoring ourselves? I swear, it seems you’re all trying to go about random ‘adventures’ which consist of poorly justified rationalizations for wholesale slaughter of anyone whose way of life or faith doesn’t sit well with a group of three day old people. If you do intend to be an example of good in this world, and for the rest of us, is that how you see good? Killing everyone whose faith, whose way of life, is different from yours? We have no right to go about acting as judge and jury on this region’s business. We don’t belong here. Let us use what resources we can to make ourselves whole as quickly as possible, leaving as little footprint on this world as we can, and then determine from there if we have a home to return to. Don’t put half remembered morals above the practical reality of the here and now. We need allies, and you’re courting enemies. Learn to make a friend, instead of picking fights. Place a bit of trust in me. I believe I can persuade these people to aid us.”  

Persuasion (for drama, no mechanical effect on a fellow PC) 12

OOC: Rolled a 2, which is probably about as well as it would go over with the character, lol.

Naivara stay close to Kierro. Her eyes are darting around, and Vale seems to be as on edge as Naivara herself is.

Kierro, seeing the dragon eye him, closes his eyes a bit, then looks toward Mylene, speaking quietly.

"I suppose we have far different opinions on both the cult and our role in it. That said, I see the point you're trying to make - allying ourselves with them will help us restore our memories. However, I ask that you consider this: I've made myself allies already, in a group called the Order of the Gauntlet." He takes a small silver pin out of his pocket, shaped like a gauntlet.

"They, like this cult of the dragon, are likely in possession of resources and people that will be able to assist us in our mission. However, it's important to acknowledge the key distinctions between the two groups. The Order of the Gauntlet has allies everywhere, but will have much more in places such as Neverwinter or Waterdeep, which are both places where we can get information and likely an item or two that appears there. Their presence is larger in big cities, which, if I am correct, are places you would prefer over smaller towns like Phandalin. By contrast, the Cult of the Dragon simply cannot operate in places like that, because they would be found out and their activities stopped."

"Furthermore, people look up to members of the Order, seeing them as protectors. They will be more likely to assist us. Conversely, they will resent members of the Cult of the Dragon, and will do anything to avoid helping them. Being allies with the Gauntlet opens a gateway to more allies - if you join the Cult of Dragons, they're likely all you'll have."

He looks to Naivara and the absent Latrius, wanting to defuse any tensions. "We have allies now, steadfast ones at that. They're the key to our memories. Disregarding wanting to stop the cult, our job will be much harder with the Cult on our side. I just ask that you consider that, and make a decision that benefits you, and us."

Persuasion (Likewise, no real effect on a fellow PC): 18

Leto would have followed Mylene up to claim his item. Addressing the dragon in draconic, though not yet knowing how he knows that language, would have simply uttered a simple greeting. Once he collected his item, and remembering his past, and training, would add (still in draconic - and looking around the group to see who else understands - insight 16) “This world we are in, it is so familiar, yet so different...” 

He then stops to listen to Mylene and Kierro in their discussion.

Mylene smiles brightly, and takes Kierro's hand in both of hers, speaking in a quiet, pleasant tone, in part to keep the dragon calm, and also the better to make per point.  "An excellent achievement, Kierro.  I had no idea.  All we have to do, then, is manage our respective contacts while working towards our shared goal, and keep them at arms-length from each other.  I can keep these people, the Hobgoblins and former Redbrands out of the order's business as best I can, you can keep the Order away from them, and any other high minded violence prone moral judge sorts you've befriended, and we can make use of people who hail from all echelons of power and respectability towards our shared goal of personal restoration.  You've certainly made a good point, there are places this Order you've befriended can likely access without hassle, in the same way I am sure there are places these dragon-worshipers can access that the Order cannot."

She gestures vaguely to the dragon and the erased, as well as their various allies and hangers on, and the cultists.  "The sooner we are restored the sooner we can return to our world, and our lives.  Perhaps, if it's still there, still accessible.  But surely you agree that picking a battle here is without merit, and giving these people a superior focus is to everyone's benefit.  Even your Order of the Gauntlet.  You have to know me well enough to know I'm not rabid cultist, willing to throw away my life and soul to summon some baleful entity that would likely sooner see me burn than reward me.  I'm not insane.  I'm also not one to start pointless battles over idiotic idealism, you know this to be true as well, surely.  I'm trying to cultivate alliances.  Friendships.  Maybe having someone like me is exactly what you need -" she pokes his chest playfully, arching an eyebrow "-exactly what all of us need.  I can make friends of a... different sort.  We can avoid embroiling ourselves in ugly, useless, destructive skirmishes we have no stake in.  And hopefully we can use all resources towards our common goals. Let me make the friends you don't want to.  Keep your halo clean, and let Mylene dirty her soul.  If it keeps these people helping us instead of a multi-headed goddess of darkness, even temporarily, doesn't everyone win?"  

Kierro doesn't seem thrilled with Mylene taking his hand, but he doesn't stop her either. When she pokes his chest, she hits his armor, so he doesn't feel much if anything.

"No, it doesn't. It actually makes all of us lose, Mylene. The Order of the Gauntlet likely works against the activities of the Cult of the Dragon, regardless of whether we're in them or not. If you were to join up with the cultists and then our two factions were to come to blows, we would both be pulled into the conflict on our respective sides, which would fragment the group as a whole; some might choose to join me, others to join you, still others to stay out of it all. We'll be slowed down by that, like it or not."

He moves to sit down on a nearby stump/rock.

"But if you didn't join them and the Cult came into direct conflict with the Order, I'm the only one who would be pulled in. The other eight of you would see minimal disruption in the mission to retrieve our memories, and I would still help you out where I could. That's what I want for the group.

The Order and the Cult of Dragons are going to come into conflict at one time or another. The only thing that changes is how many of the erased are enveloped in that conflict. Either me, or me plus you plus a few of the other of the erased. I'm not going to ask you to renounce the cult, just that you not ally with them and bring them with you. I'll ensure that the order helps you, as I will for the rest of the erased."

Mylene sighs, then chooses to hear what she wants to hear from it, summarizing, “Fair enough. The cultists seem a bit fanatical anyway, so I will try to keep my alliance with the dragon specifically.”

She rushes back to resume her strange cuddle with the geeen dragon. “Venomfang, I have to find the rest of the items that are linked to my soul. You don’t happen to have any suggestions on that, do you? Do you have any long range magical communication abilities? Oh, I would so love to see you fly and spread those majestic wings. I can fly on my broom, of course, but it’s nothing compared to the speeds of a dragon.  I don’t know how long I will be in this word, if it’s doomed to be my new home -“ she words this a bit awkwardly, perhaps prophetically “-or just an awkward stopover before we return home, but I do want to remain close friends, regardless. There are true worthy of being a true friend of one such as I, I am sure you know the burden of greatness, dear Venomfang. But a glorious green dragon? Why you’re simply marvelous.” 

Quote from kevtr0n >>

Leto would have followed Mylene up to claim his item. Addressing the dragon in draconic, though not yet knowing how he knows that language, would have simply uttered a simple greeting. Once he collected his item, and remembering his past, and training, would add (still in draconic - and looking around the group to see who else understands - insight 16) “This world we are in, it is so familiar, yet so different...” 

He then stops to listen to Mylene and Kierro in their discussion.

Mylene, Kierro, and Naivara

You would have noticed by now that all of the others (PCs) have disappeared.  Four of the cultists are also no longer around, Alden and Hezra, the two X-redbrands with Vilana and those guys are also gone.  Higgul, as expected, is gone with Honor.

Kierro and Naivara, what do you two do?

Venomfang would agree with whatever Mylene says, offering to take her up on a flight whenever she wishes.

Kierro looks around for everyone, a 'yikes' expression building on his face. Looking to Naivara as Mylene speaks to the dragon:

"Did they all get out of here when the dragon said it wanted to eat me? Huh... I owe them all an apology."

He would attempt to look for any trail left by the others, asking Naivara for help (assuming she's still on speaking terms - he's honestly not sure at this point if he's messed up that bad)

Survival: 8

Adv roll, if applicable: 27

Naivara will help him find any tracks.

Mylene looks thoroughly confused, “You owe others an apology when something wishes to eat you? You feel sorry for looking delicious? You never cease to confuse me.” 

Mylene looks to Leto, and Kierro and the others who haven’t cleared out as of yet. “Where to go indeed. We’ve been following these psychic tugs leading us to our items. I would certainly love a more focused method of acquiring them. Dear Venomfang, in your knowledge and wisdom of this land, do you know of anyone you would consult on such an inquiry? A group of travelers from a foreign land, or foreign plane of existence altogether, seeking items containing pieces of their memories and souls?”

"Well... no, more because if she had attacked me it might've endangered the others." he says.

Mylene would likely see Kierro and Naivara head off toward the woods. Kierro would look back to see if she and Leto followed.

Mylene and Leto

You find that the rest of the group like you has left the hilltop.  Rakari nods to where their path leads downt he hillside when asked.  He feels confident he could follow their trail if you wish him to do so.

Venomfang is a young green dragon, without much worldly experience.  She would tell you of an ancient green that lives in a forest near Waterdeep, or an ancient white that lives in the iceflows to the Northwest of Neverwinter.  Otherwise she would suggest Neverwinter, Waterdeep, or Candelkeep as possible places to seek lore or sages with access to that lore.