Gorig snears, "My well being and risks are my own. If you renege on your deal, very well. Elves, humans and Fey pretend and having rules and laws and order...but they are no better than drow and orcs. Deceitful and selfish." He spits on the ground.
Meanwhile, Chen walks over, seeing a small spider crawling past. Though...small is relative since the thing is two inches across. It's miriad of eyes look up at him, sparkling, as he speaks to it. The spider hops a little in spot to suddenly have some conversing with it, "Hello big thing. You wish to know about the giant green flies? No web could catch such a beast. Not even those of my largest brethren. They come here....the world thrives in their presence. I find myself safe from birds and other predators who no longer venture into these parts. It is a boon for me. They come once every few bright and dark cycles. More than two, but less many. It was last here a few bright dark cycles ago. I expect it will return soon. Please, if you can speak to it, let it know that I am thankful for it's influence in this place."
Seemingly given the go ahead, Jezun nods, and with FinFin darting from branch to branch.....though avoiding the large spider webs and staying away from the dark shadows in the trees.....they advance careful and slowly. (Using your previous rolls for simplicity.)
Jezun moves like a ghost, slipping amidst the greenery and leaving nary a trace of his passing. He moves towards the cave and glances around. A few green dragon scale lays, shed about the cave. (roll Nature to get more info). Hidden, he spots the place is quite large, larger than he was expecting from outside, the greenery does a good job of disguising it. He sees eight ettercaps within, sitting about. Bones and skins of dead animals lay sprinkled about the lair. There is a small pile of supplies near a back wall.....crates and barrels of goods, but no glitter amidst them that he can see from here. He spots at least a dozen large spiders crouched in dark spots along the ceilings and walls. An ettercap raises its head from gnawing on a bone, and looks towards the entrance, it's mandibles waver slightly as it scans the entrance, before going back to crunching on the bone.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
((You forgot to mention devastating loss of 10gp. Or is it free for Warlocks? But even if not, it is 100 times less than a 1000gp for Jesun. What? Too cold for a healer? Well, we are used to hard decisions and tough choices!))
Mirica would definitely stop and pick up a scale (Nature 21 ) Ever since the battle in the forest she was thinking about the armor from that scales. If dragons are good for anything, it's for their scale. The problem was to find a smith capable to work with it.
Chen smiles and asks nothing further, only thanking the spider for his conversation. Such is the way of things, he thinks to himself. While fighting evil, the innocent often suffer. Just like the poor caravan that was wiped out simply because Chen himself was with them. Were the needs of these tiny creatures any less than those of the residents of Hillsfar? In finding the balance, someone always loses. But the needs of the spiders in this case were insufficient to sway Chen from his determined cause. Perhaps he would ask Miricia to do something to help before they leave. 'Finding the balance' was Chen's new creed. Not denying or suppressing either side of one's nature, but giving each their appropriate hour or season. These spiders had flourished, and that boon might soon wane should the dragons be vanquished, but such is life.
Turning to his companions he shares what he learned. The dragons are about due to return. Perhaps we should find a safer haven for the horses.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
((It says I can perform it as a ritual, doesn't count against my spells, etc... but doesn't say I do not need components. So 10gp it does indeed cost. But since FinFin is priceless....))
"Alright, let's cut the goblin loose... " Fianna says, not making a move to do so herself. Instead she turns to stare at the creature and focus all her skills and powers into as intimidating a performance she can muster.
"Know this though... You are being freed of my bonds but not free of my attention. If you return to the accursed spot where we found you, if you con tact the dragon or any of it's minions, if you harry, harass or harm a single Halfling... You will not die for your lifetime and the same again. Instead you shall live well beyond your natural years in pain and suffering so unnatural that you will beg for mercy with every breath we decide to allow you to breath."
"Go now... Flee as fast as you can. Keep your head down. Ensure that I never hear or am reminded of your presence ever again. For if I am, not just my and my companions, but all of Fae shall hunt you down so I can exact my revenge..."
The goblin let's a "pffffff" sound go from his lips and rolls his eyes. Then he holds his bound hands out to Toc to be released. Toc looks down at him....he mutters a few arcane words and then a blast of magic strikes the creature. 7. 79
Where the goblin stood, a fine sprinkling of dust slowly fits to the ground.
"Not a good move." Mirica did not smile and looked at jokers quite coldly. "Not at all." She stepped into the cave but turned at the entrance toward Toc: "Can your double take care of the horses? We can not leave them anywhere near - dragons would smell them."
(Not taking the horses into the gorge though, right? Suggest we (or Tic) find a spot to tether them or perhaps hide them in a magic hut? And then wait for Jezun to return before entering the gorge and making our way to the cave mouth, or does FinFin send a message to come...? How long is this gorge?)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Jezun does not know Nature: 3
He crouches from his spot, looking around for any secret doors, hangings, hole coverings, anything where something might be concealed in or out of the cave. He grabs a few dragon scales, curious about what they are. Then he retreats back to the group. "Seems like it's where a dragon would live. Those spider creatures eat the leftovers, maybe keep away the curious rabble, guard some equipment, but no obvious loot piles. You all have more experience here, is there a way to set up a trap for such a beast, if that's what we're trying to do? I'm bad at planning, but I am curious, really, about what the goal is. Do we want to talk to it? Eavesdrop? Negotiate? Or eliminate. Gorig, what do you think this dragon would be up for?"
Toc nods to Mirica and Chen, "Indeed. Tic, could you take the horses from here? A mile at least. A magic hut wouldn't be large enough. Also, we'll be camping tonight. The spell I use to make the mansion was used to teleport Chen here." Tic nods in a business like fashion and soon the horses and Tic are long gone. Jezun emerges from the cave with a few scales in his hand and gives his details. Mirica takes the scales from him while he finishes his explanation then looks around for Gorig. Toc addresses Jezun, "Gorig is no longer with us."
Mirica gives Toc a stern look and then says, "These dragon scales are not from an elder. It must be one of her two female offspring that come to this cave."
Toc, "So, we could wait here to kill another one, or just surveil and follow her back to her mother eventually."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
Mirica examines them. Scales are a lot like finger prints...each unique to its dragon. She'd have to look in the cave to be sure, but the ones that Jezun picked up all belong to a single dragon.
"The scales were shad by only one dragon. Does not guarantee us from a family visit, but from all I know about dragons and that family in particular, whoever owns that cave would not give away it's location. If we want to ambush a dragon, this should work." She hid the scales away - no need for the dragon to see her scales suddenly self organising into piles.
“I’m wary of tracking a younger hoping to find the elder. Fighting one dragon is nothing I’m anxious to do. I do not want to invite a confrontation with two at once... Most specially if one is a mother protecting it’s child,” Fianna says seriously. “Dragons may not have the strongest familiar ties but all mothers, in my experience, are deadlier when their children are threatened..,”
“But if this is a younger’s nest, I think trying to ambush it may be wise...”
“Jahren, would it be helpful to have Hillsfar agree to surrender us if we return to the city before this happens? To maybe show they’d be willing before we do more damage? It’d show were out of their grasp perhaps?”
If no one else has offered Chen a direct answer on the axe, Jahren will break the news but suggest that they might be able to get it back. There can only be so many buyers for such things, especially considering Hillsfar's general policy on magic.
When Fianna makes her threats Jahren comments in jest "again, remind me not to get on her bad side!"
When there is mention of camping tonight, Jahren says with a sly grin "I bet the ettercaps would share their fire." His mischievous tone hints at him being at least somewhat serious.
Regarding Hillsfar's decision Jahren replies "it might help." "We are expending a lot of magic and energy trying to be in two places at once..."he says, trailing off, seemingly pondering the notion...
"We do have a nice sword which will keep you from getting too warm or cold... A Stone of Good Luck necklace...? Perhaps a silver mirror that never dirties or tarnishes would appease you axe envy?? Dust of Dryness? Invisibility scroll? Fly?? Beacon of Hope????"
"I was going to gift you a goblin but..." Fianna trails off and just stares at Toc.
((So... Is this area still infested with giant spiders and ettercaps? I thought it was sort of hand waved that we overpowered them.... but I was just kind of skimming while at "work" so may have misread or confused with another thread...))
Chen dismisses the offers for now at least, and doesn't seem too cut up about the axe. It was just a really nice axe is all. Perfectly weighted head with a blade tapered just right, ideal length in the shaft and just the right thickness for Chen's grip. But his maul was just as functional and had proven effective against the last dragon.
Chen has no comment about the affairs with Hillsfar of which he is not aware, having been on a caravan south at the time. But he does make some tactical suggestions. We had little time to prepare for the last dragon, and all the other hordes to deal with at the same time. Perhaps we should clear the cave first, then attempt to ambush it there. Restricting it to close quarters may neutralize the dragon's advantage of mobility. We should even have time to rest in the cave while waiting for the dragon to arrive.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
The approach to the cave you "hand waved" past some spiders and ettercaps. Now that you're here, they are more numerous, but....if the group desires, they can likely wipe them out with out much trouble. Unless there is something special about these ettercaps, and these spiders, compared to a tumble with powerful demons and undead wizards, they're not much of a challenge for the likes of you. You have not yet though.
"Fighting the dragon alone, with no ettercaps or eight legged freaks on it's side, would be ideal... Or perhaps just as ideal as fighting a dragon ever can get," Fianna says. "However, I do worry if it may not tip our presence to the thing. We his the horses a mile away for their protection and so the dragon wouldn't see, smell, detect them. I can't help but wonder if perhaps the dragon wouldn't smell the blood and death, hear the lack of usual din and activity, and otherwise sense the change to the dynamics of their dwelling if we sanitize it first?"
"I've an idea or two about restricting it's movement when it gets here, whenever that may be," Fianna continues. "I suspect Tic may have a trick or two for that as well... But if the dragon swoops by and finds the area too... different... well then it may not even give us the chance and instead just fly off."
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Gorig snears, "My well being and risks are my own. If you renege on your deal, very well. Elves, humans and Fey pretend and having rules and laws and order...but they are no better than drow and orcs. Deceitful and selfish." He spits on the ground.
Meanwhile, Chen walks over, seeing a small spider crawling past. Though...small is relative since the thing is two inches across. It's miriad of eyes look up at him, sparkling, as he speaks to it. The spider hops a little in spot to suddenly have some conversing with it, "Hello big thing. You wish to know about the giant green flies? No web could catch such a beast. Not even those of my largest brethren. They come here....the world thrives in their presence. I find myself safe from birds and other predators who no longer venture into these parts. It is a boon for me. They come once every few bright and dark cycles. More than two, but less many. It was last here a few bright dark cycles ago. I expect it will return soon. Please, if you can speak to it, let it know that I am thankful for it's influence in this place."
Seemingly given the go ahead, Jezun nods, and with FinFin darting from branch to branch.....though avoiding the large spider webs and staying away from the dark shadows in the trees.....they advance careful and slowly. (Using your previous rolls for simplicity.)
Jezun moves like a ghost, slipping amidst the greenery and leaving nary a trace of his passing. He moves towards the cave and glances around. A few green dragon scale lays, shed about the cave. (roll Nature to get more info). Hidden, he spots the place is quite large, larger than he was expecting from outside, the greenery does a good job of disguising it. He sees eight ettercaps within, sitting about. Bones and skins of dead animals lay sprinkled about the lair. There is a small pile of supplies near a back wall.....crates and barrels of goods, but no glitter amidst them that he can see from here. He spots at least a dozen large spiders crouched in dark spots along the ceilings and walls. An ettercap raises its head from gnawing on a bone, and looks towards the entrance, it's mandibles waver slightly as it scans the entrance, before going back to crunching on the bone.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
((You forgot to mention devastating loss of 10gp. Or is it free for Warlocks? But even if not, it is 100 times less than a 1000gp for Jesun. What? Too cold for a healer? Well, we are used to hard decisions and tough choices!))
Mirica would definitely stop and pick up a scale (Nature 21 ) Ever since the battle in the forest she was thinking about the armor from that scales. If dragons are good for anything, it's for their scale. The problem was to find a smith capable to work with it.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Chen smiles and asks nothing further, only thanking the spider for his conversation. Such is the way of things, he thinks to himself. While fighting evil, the innocent often suffer. Just like the poor caravan that was wiped out simply because Chen himself was with them. Were the needs of these tiny creatures any less than those of the residents of Hillsfar? In finding the balance, someone always loses. But the needs of the spiders in this case were insufficient to sway Chen from his determined cause. Perhaps he would ask Miricia to do something to help before they leave. 'Finding the balance' was Chen's new creed. Not denying or suppressing either side of one's nature, but giving each their appropriate hour or season. These spiders had flourished, and that boon might soon wane should the dragons be vanquished, but such is life.
Turning to his companions he shares what he learned. The dragons are about due to return. Perhaps we should find a safer haven for the horses.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
((It says I can perform it as a ritual, doesn't count against my spells, etc... but doesn't say I do not need components. So 10gp it does indeed cost. But since FinFin is priceless....))
"Alright, let's cut the goblin loose... " Fianna says, not making a move to do so herself. Instead she turns to stare at the creature and focus all her skills and powers into as intimidating a performance she can muster.
"Know this though... You are being freed of my bonds but not free of my attention. If you return to the accursed spot where we found you, if you con tact the dragon or any of it's minions, if you harry, harass or harm a single Halfling... You will not die for your lifetime and the same again. Instead you shall live well beyond your natural years in pain and suffering so unnatural that you will beg for mercy with every breath we decide to allow you to breath."
"Go now... Flee as fast as you can. Keep your head down. Ensure that I never hear or am reminded of your presence ever again. For if I am, not just my and my companions, but all of Fae shall hunt you down so I can exact my revenge..."
Intimidation 6
((Though when I volunteer rolls unbidden they always suck... I am predicting a 7...))
((Ack, screw it! Fianna Eldritch Blasts his goblins butt until he's nothing but a wet puddle of misery!!!))
The goblin let's a "pffffff" sound go from his lips and rolls his eyes. Then he holds his bound hands out to Toc to be released. Toc looks down at him....he mutters a few arcane words and then a blast of magic strikes the creature. 7. 79
Where the goblin stood, a fine sprinkling of dust slowly fits to the ground.
Toc looks up at the group nonplussed. "What now?"
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
((LOL))
Fianna shrugs. "Well, death is a kind of freedom...."
"Not a good move." Mirica did not smile and looked at jokers quite coldly. "Not at all." She stepped into the cave but turned at the entrance toward Toc: "Can your double take care of the horses? We can not leave them anywhere near - dragons would smell them."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
(Not taking the horses into the gorge though, right? Suggest we (or Tic) find a spot to tether them or perhaps hide them in a magic hut? And then wait for Jezun to return before entering the gorge and making our way to the cave mouth, or does FinFin send a message to come...? How long is this gorge?)
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Jezun does not know Nature: 3
He crouches from his spot, looking around for any secret doors, hangings, hole coverings, anything where something might be concealed in or out of the cave. He grabs a few dragon scales, curious about what they are. Then he retreats back to the group. "Seems like it's where a dragon would live. Those spider creatures eat the leftovers, maybe keep away the curious rabble, guard some equipment, but no obvious loot piles. You all have more experience here, is there a way to set up a trap for such a beast, if that's what we're trying to do? I'm bad at planning, but I am curious, really, about what the goal is. Do we want to talk to it? Eavesdrop? Negotiate? Or eliminate. Gorig, what do you think this dragon would be up for?"
He looks around briefly. "Gorig?"
Toc nods to Mirica and Chen, "Indeed. Tic, could you take the horses from here? A mile at least. A magic hut wouldn't be large enough. Also, we'll be camping tonight. The spell I use to make the mansion was used to teleport Chen here." Tic nods in a business like fashion and soon the horses and Tic are long gone. Jezun emerges from the cave with a few scales in his hand and gives his details. Mirica takes the scales from him while he finishes his explanation then looks around for Gorig. Toc addresses Jezun, "Gorig is no longer with us."
Mirica gives Toc a stern look and then says, "These dragon scales are not from an elder. It must be one of her two female offspring that come to this cave."
Toc, "So, we could wait here to kill another one, or just surveil and follow her back to her mother eventually."
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
One of her two offspring, or both? asks Chen.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Mirica examines them. Scales are a lot like finger prints...each unique to its dragon. She'd have to look in the cave to be sure, but the ones that Jezun picked up all belong to a single dragon.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
"The scales were shad by only one dragon. Does not guarantee us from a family visit, but from all I know about dragons and that family in particular, whoever owns that cave would not give away it's location. If we want to ambush a dragon, this should work." She hid the scales away - no need for the dragon to see her scales suddenly self organising into piles.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
“I’m wary of tracking a younger hoping to find the elder. Fighting one dragon is nothing I’m anxious to do. I do not want to invite a confrontation with two at once... Most specially if one is a mother protecting it’s child,” Fianna says seriously. “Dragons may not have the strongest familiar ties but all mothers, in my experience, are deadlier when their children are threatened..,”
“But if this is a younger’s nest, I think trying to ambush it may be wise...”
“Jahren, would it be helpful to have Hillsfar agree to surrender us if we return to the city before this happens? To maybe show they’d be willing before we do more damage? It’d show were out of their grasp perhaps?”
If no one else has offered Chen a direct answer on the axe, Jahren will break the news but suggest that they might be able to get it back. There can only be so many buyers for such things, especially considering Hillsfar's general policy on magic.
When Fianna makes her threats Jahren comments in jest "again, remind me not to get on her bad side!"
When there is mention of camping tonight, Jahren says with a sly grin "I bet the ettercaps would share their fire." His mischievous tone hints at him being at least somewhat serious.
Regarding Hillsfar's decision Jahren replies "it might help." "We are expending a lot of magic and energy trying to be in two places at once..." he says, trailing off, seemingly pondering the notion...
"We do have a nice sword which will keep you from getting too warm or cold... A Stone of Good Luck necklace...? Perhaps a silver mirror that never dirties or tarnishes would appease you axe envy?? Dust of Dryness? Invisibility scroll? Fly?? Beacon of Hope????"
"I was going to gift you a goblin but..." Fianna trails off and just stares at Toc.
((So... Is this area still infested with giant spiders and ettercaps? I thought it was sort of hand waved that we overpowered them.... but I was just kind of skimming while at "work" so may have misread or confused with another thread...))
Chen dismisses the offers for now at least, and doesn't seem too cut up about the axe. It was just a really nice axe is all. Perfectly weighted head with a blade tapered just right, ideal length in the shaft and just the right thickness for Chen's grip. But his maul was just as functional and had proven effective against the last dragon.
Chen has no comment about the affairs with Hillsfar of which he is not aware, having been on a caravan south at the time. But he does make some tactical suggestions. We had little time to prepare for the last dragon, and all the other hordes to deal with at the same time. Perhaps we should clear the cave first, then attempt to ambush it there. Restricting it to close quarters may neutralize the dragon's advantage of mobility. We should even have time to rest in the cave while waiting for the dragon to arrive.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
The approach to the cave you "hand waved" past some spiders and ettercaps. Now that you're here, they are more numerous, but....if the group desires, they can likely wipe them out with out much trouble. Unless there is something special about these ettercaps, and these spiders, compared to a tumble with powerful demons and undead wizards, they're not much of a challenge for the likes of you. You have not yet though.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
"Fighting the dragon alone, with no ettercaps or eight legged freaks on it's side, would be ideal... Or perhaps just as ideal as fighting a dragon ever can get," Fianna says. "However, I do worry if it may not tip our presence to the thing. We his the horses a mile away for their protection and so the dragon wouldn't see, smell, detect them. I can't help but wonder if perhaps the dragon wouldn't smell the blood and death, hear the lack of usual din and activity, and otherwise sense the change to the dynamics of their dwelling if we sanitize it first?"
"I've an idea or two about restricting it's movement when it gets here, whenever that may be," Fianna continues. "I suspect Tic may have a trick or two for that as well... But if the dragon swoops by and finds the area too... different... well then it may not even give us the chance and instead just fly off."