The Land of Rest DM Dan K Tuesday August 8th, 2023 2:02:56 PM
Now how to get home? The general question at the moment. Fortunately the party has sharp eyes and a keen sense of direction and magic. Gaffer picks the direction and within a few steps, Hmerrin spies a faint shimmer in the air. The portal.
Through it, the party does not find themselves in the garden maze behind Maabs Palace, but rather in a side room, extraordinary in decor and comfort that would make any king jealous to be sure, but a side room nonetheless in Maabs grand palace. Light Music and a pleasant floral scent is in the air and a bountiful array of refreshments is available on a long crystal and marble table. Taking in a painting of a mountain lake scene is Atharges. he turns as you 'enter'.
"Welcome back, it is good to see all of you, truly. You have the Crystal and are ready to go home then? Queen Maab extends her congratulations. Refresh yourselves as you wish and I may open a portal to home home in Dirt City as soon as you are ready to leave."
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 86/217 AC:32 T:19 FF:28 CMD:41) Tuesday August 8th, 2023 5:31:11 PM
Hmerrin beams as he finds himself in the well appointed room.
"Ahhhhhh. So much better than multitudes of huge monsters trying to kill you," he replies in greeting to Atharges.
He listens politely to the mage. "I think that since we're likely to end up right in front of a very large dragon, we might wanna get healed up first."
Desdichado (Ryan) [HP:135/211; AC:32/15/30 - CMD 34] Tuesday August 8th, 2023 5:41:48 PM
Desdichado nods at Hmerrin's words.
"Atharges, you had dealings with Vyrnix. Surely you must have been prepared for a possible betrayal - what can you tell us about any weaknesses he or the other dragon may have? How would you have prepared to fight him."
"Let me be clear," he adds, "we have NO plans to attack, but the two of them were already tense last time we were there to provide them with your information. This is for intelligence purposes."
Ramirez (BrianZ) AC32/20/25 HP 113/150 CMD32 Tuesday August 8th, 2023 8:31:41 PM Well to be fair, we did drop in on them unexpectedly. Although, I'm not really sure how you announce a visit to a dragon.
Atharges, if we are not going to see the Queen before we leave, please extend our thanks for her aid.
Ramirez has something to eat, and offers his minor skills with healing for anyone that needs it.
RobC - Nira Wynvyre -- AC 29/15/25 -- CMD 24 -- HP 138/138 -- DarkVision/ArcaneSight/SeeInvis d8=7 ; d8=4 ; d8=5 ; d8=3 ; d8=1 ; d8=4 ; d8=1 ; d8=5 ; d8=5 ; d8=7 ; d8=3 ; d8=7 ; d8=4 ; d8=2 ; d8=7 ; Wednesday August 9th, 2023 2:48:59 AM
The party have survived Fae Skiemir but have certainly taken a beating. Before the group get too comfortable, Nira will cast multiple prestidigitation spells to clean the party of blood (and any guts) so as not to dirty anything here. It wouldn't be a good look to bleed all over Maab's nice marble table!
After that she sets to treating the wounded. Gaffer, Hmerrin and herself took some serious hits, so each get a poke with the Heal staff. Ram and Des then get some powerful cures as well. Once done everyone looks to be back to full health.
Nira looks for the nearest chair and collapses into it. She's exhausted! She closes her eyes and tries to relax. Then Des goes and asks a good question about how to deal with two dragons and she can't help but pay attention.
------------- Use Heal Staff on Gaffer, Hmerrin and Nira. All heal 150pts. (8/10 charges now used) Cast CCW on Ram. Ram is healed for 37pts Cast 2 x CCW and 1 CLW on Des. Des is healed for 39 + 34 + 15 = 88pts
Danko Pureheart (Yves) -- AC 26 (31) -- CMD 36 -- HP 132/132 Wednesday August 9th, 2023 8:29:27 AM
Danko is wrestless. This land where magic works in unforseen ways is not for him. He is ready to return to Dirt City and rest.
He finds himself a spot near Nira and listens in as well.
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 164/164 AC: 37(T:18/FF:32) CMD:35) Wednesday August 9th, 2023 12:13:11 PM
Gaffer steps forward and gathers a plate or armful of the refreshments and slumps into a seat. He offers his agreement. "Definitely a rest before we go." and focuses on getting that rest. Dragons are for another day.
The Land of Rest DM Dan K Wednesday August 9th, 2023 5:05:28 PM
No one is in a big rush to get back to Vyrnix and a bit of relaxation and recovery from Fae Skiemir is the order of the day. Nira removes her staff of healing and and uses several charges to Heal her self and friends. Des asks Atharges about Vyrnix.. The dead wizard raises an eyebrow, "Prepared? I prepared to flee in every manner I could think of, if it came to that. I never had a thought about fighting, only escaping. As to weaknesses, I don't know of any, but I never looked. Running, you see. That was my only thought of option. That all said, you have the egg and intend to give it to them and so there shouldn't be a problem."
The food and wine are nearly beyond compare and for every bite you take, the pain and hardships so recently suffered seem to fade to memory.
"To Your home then." and if the answer is yes, Atharges opens a portal to the upstairs of your Dirt City home
Desdichado (Ryan) [HP:211/211; AC:32/15/30 - CMD 34] Wednesday August 9th, 2023 6:15:25 PM
Now it's Desdichado's turn to raise an eyebrow. "Egg?" He glances over to whomever is currently carrying the crystal. "Is this a dragon egg?" he asks.
A little stunned, he walks through the portal back to Tide House in Dirt City. "Any chance we can contact Vyrnix from here and tell him we have the egg...crystal...whatever? Maybe if they know we're coming they'll be less defensive."
After some rest, he checks to see if Tombo has any good food prepared.
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 217/217 AC:32 T:19 FF:28 CMD:41) Wednesday August 9th, 2023 8:07:20 PM
Hmerrin also caught the word 'egg'. Like Dez, he finds himself suddenly paying much more attention to Atharges.
"Vyrnix called it a Crystal," he protests weakly.
Regardless of the wizard's answer, the fighter is more than happy to portal back to their house in Dirt City. He steps through with a loud sigh of satisfaction.
Ramirez (BrianZ) AC32/20/25 HP 113/150 CMD32 Wednesday August 9th, 2023 8:42:16 PM As long as are sure we have the correct object I think we'll be ok. And I'm not worried about dropping in on them this time, they're expecting us. It's what happens after we give them the crystal egg? that concerns me. I think we'll need to do some planning before we go, including an escape plan.
RobC - Nira Wynvyre -- AC 29/15/25 -- CMD 24 -- HP 138/138 -- DarkVision/ArcaneSight/SeeInvis Wednesday August 9th, 2023 11:11:09 PM
Nira isn't sure things are as simple anymore. She was almost right about the mission to Fae Skiemir being a break-out though. "Just going to throw this out there. The egg was trapped in Fae Skiemir for a reason, and releasing it may have greater consequences than we realise. Vyrnix concealed what it really was from us. We don't even know if it's a dragon egg, or an egg for something even worse. Before we return it to Vyrnix, it might be worth doing a few checks"
She starts with a very simple divination: "Will it be in the best interest of the Wold for us to return this egg to Vyrnix?"
------------ Cast Divination. Chance for a correct divination is 88%. If the die roll fails, you know the spell failed, unless specific magic yielding false information is at work.
Knowl checks: 35 on all (Take10) - to determine what sort of egg it is
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 164/164 AC: 37(T:18/FF:32) CMD:35) Thursday August 10th, 2023 9:56:14 AM
Nira raises a valid concern. "The egg may have been stolen by someone who was later trapped, but I agree, we can't hand over one evil to allow us to combat another"
Gaffer is happy to be home and he'll begin with a customary flight over city as a hawk to see if much has changed, and make sure they haven't been away for an unexpected length of time.
----- Perception: Take 10 = 39
Danko Pureheart (Yves) -- AC 26 (31) -- CMD 36 -- HP 132/132 Thursday August 10th, 2023 4:33:55 PM
Danko cringes at the thought of taking on, or trying to trick, dragons. His common sense tells him he should slip out in the dark and escape this foolhardy adventure. The rewards have not been worth the risks so far. However, he feels a bond with the others. A strong bond that he hasn't felt with any one else thus far.
To himself he thinks... { Well, I didn't want to live forever anyway.. }
Desdichado (Ryan) [HP:211/211; AC:32/15/30 - CMD 34] Thursday August 10th, 2023 5:28:29 PM
Over some of Tombo's delicious home cooking, Desdichado is surprised to hear arguments against returning the crystal, if it really does turn out to be a dragon egg. He discusses with the others whether they have any right to not return this egg to it's owner.
"Besides that," he says, "what would we do with it? Who would be willing to hold on to an egg indefinitely?"
"And on a practical note, we'd just be inviting an entire group of creatures as enemies if other dragons found out that we didn't return an egg."
Ramirez (BrianZ) AC32/20/25 HP 150/150 CMD32 Thursday August 10th, 2023 8:18:22 PM We don't know for sure that it is an egg, what it is, what it does, or why Vyrnix wants it. I think it's a good idea to do a little investigating before we turn it over.
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 217/217 AC:32 T:19 FF:28 CMD:41) Thursday August 10th, 2023 8:37:28 PM
Hmerrin thinks it over.
"Having more information can't hurt. Divine away. "
Home DM Dan K d100=40 ; Thursday August 10th, 2023 8:52:06 PM
Several in the party grow concerned around the news that the crystal is actually a dragon egg. Atharges shrugs as if that fact is not overly important.
Upon reaching home, several investigate the crystal and come away with the same conclusion. The ‘crystal’ is a dragon egg. Nira, then casts a spell for guidance, the answer is a simple ’No’
Tombo is pleased to have you back and nothing odd has occurred with time
Gaffer takes flight and the city, for a lack of anything else, looks like Dirt City
RobC - Nira Wynvyre -- AC 29/15/25 -- CMD 24 -- HP 138/138 -- DarkVision/ArcaneSight/SeeInvis Thursday August 10th, 2023 10:40:17 PM "Well that's concerning" Nira lets the group know the result of the divination. "Apparently it wouldn't be in the best interest of the Wold to return the egg to Vyrnix"
"Do you detect any evil on the egg Dez?"
CORRECTION DM Dan K Friday August 11th, 2023 8:44:23 AM
DM CORRECTION: I misread the divination from my phone last night. Th answer is YES. It would be in the best interest of the Wold to return the egg to Vyrnix
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 164/164 AC: 32(T:18/FF:27) CMD:35) Friday August 11th, 2023 9:18:04 AM "Well, that makes things nice and straightforward." Gaffer smiles between mouthfuls. "Do we have any preperation we want to do before we go again? I think I'm all set."
Desdichado (Ryan) [HP:211/211; AC:32/15/30 - CMD 34] Friday August 11th, 2023 7:59:55 PM
"My guess is that he likely already knows we've picked up the egg. When should we head over there?"
(OOC: I cracked myself up at the thought of the spirit or whatever that provides the divination going "No. Oh, sorry, I wasn't paying attention. I mean Yes.")
RobC - Nira Wynvyre -- AC 29/15/25 -- CMD 24 -- HP 138/138 -- DarkVision/ArcaneSight/SeeInvis Friday August 11th, 2023 11:15:34 PM "Sorry. My mistake. The divination said 'no', and I was getting concerned, but I didn't let it finish. The full answer was 'no... need to worry'."
Nira is fine to return the egg to Vyrnix. "But we shouldn't go straight to the Rak home plane. Once Vyrnix directs us how to get there we should take some time to come back here, recharge, and prepare. I doubt there are many stores there"
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 217/217 AC:32 T:19 FF:28 CMD:41) d8=2 ; Saturday August 12th, 2023 3:32:40 PM
Hmerrin is dubious.
"Last time Vynix opened a portal right then and said, 'Go'. Odds are good that'll happen this time too. Why don't we take a day, unload the stuff we got at the city and re-equip at the Catacombs, and then see the dragon."
OOC -Might take awhile in real time, but game time-wise, selling and buying equipment at Catacombs wouldn't take longer than a few hours
The fighter lays out the inventory from Fae Skimir. "Anything anybody wants to claim?"
Cloak of Resistance +5; (25,000 gp) Bracers of Armor +5 (25,000 gp) Ring of Protection +3; (18,000 gp) Pink and Green Ion Stone +2 Cha; (8,000 gp) Trident of Fish Command; (18,650 gp) Gold and Emerald necklace worth 10k Ring of Spell Storing, Minor (18,000 gp); Amulet of Natural Armor +3 (18,000 gp); +4 Breastplate (16,350 gp); Scarab of Protection (38,000 gp) Scroll of Greater Teleport (2,275 gp); Staff of Necromancy (82,000 gp); 15k gold coins Protection: Brooch of Shielding 1500gp set of 6 silver-and-pearl goblets (600 gp each; 3600 gp total) 5,000 gp coin loose Amulet of Alluring Charisma +4: 16000gp
RobC - Nira Wynvyre -- AC 29/15/25 -- CMD 24 -- HP 138/138 -- DarkVision/ArcaneSight/SeeInvis Saturday August 12th, 2023 11:02:48 PM
She also notes the items they found at Atharges: "Diamond dust (5k) 1 ruby (10k) (4) Blessed book Staff of Conjuration, Spell Grimoire 500 page; with 15-1st; 15-2nd; 15-3rd; 15-4th; 10-5th; 10-6th; 10-7th; 5-8th; and 5-9th level spells written into it 410 pages used (11,425gp) Rod Security"
"I used 8 charges from my healing staff during our last excursion. It will take me that many days to recharge it." Nira explains "And I'd still like some time with the grimoire we found at Atharges along with a blessed book"
Ramirez (BrianZ) AC32/20/25 HP 150/150 CMD32 Sunday August 13th, 2023 7:23:58 PM
[]b I feel like we can take a little time to recover and prepare. I agree with Hmerrin, Vyrnix may open a portal immediately. And with all the magic circling Fae Skimir Vyrnix may not know we have returned yet.[/b]
OOC- Ramirez does not have any specific treasure claims
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 164/164 AC: 32(T:18/FF:27) CMD:35) Sunday August 13th, 2023 9:49:58 PM "Isn't the deal that Vyrnix provides us with means to combat the Rakshasa in their plane, are they also providing us access to it?"
----- OOC: Also no claims for Gaffer
To Do with Dragons DM Dan K Monday August 14th, 2023 8:44:25 AM
The group gathers the vast treasures collected and prepares to claim some and sell most to be as most prepared as they can be for learning the location to the Rakshasa home and just in case the dragons change their mind. It will only take a few hours in the magical Catacombs.
During the discussion, Gaffer correctly reminds the team that not only was Vyrnix going to reveal how to get to the Rakshasa home, but he was going to gift the party with the means to destroy the Maharaja. Or at least the means to be able to stand a chance.
The group takes at least 1 day to rest, and recover spells. Hmerrin goes to the Catacombs Nira requires 8 days to recharge the Healing staff
The 'Crystal' sits.....where exactly?
Danko Pureheart (Yves) -- AC 26 (31) -- CMD 36 -- HP 132/132 Monday August 14th, 2023 4:52:02 PM
Danko also wants to head to the Catacombs.
He has no real claim to the current items but does wonder however what his share of the take will be?
Ramirez (BrianZ) AC32/20/25 HP 150/150 CMD32 Monday August 14th, 2023 6:13:19 PM
Ramirez stands, staring at the crystal 'egg'. Every few moments his cloak shifts color as he considers. A veritable rainbow has come and gone before he speaks. So... we're going to be here a few days. And this thing is just laying around. I'm not sure how valuable it might be to anyone other than Vyrnix, but we might want to consider how to keep it safe and secure while we wait.
Desdichado (Ryan) [HP:211/211; AC:32/15/30 - CMD 34] Monday August 14th, 2023 6:31:31 PM
Desdichado decides to make a Catacombs run as well. In the meantime, he doesn't mind doing a little guard duty on the egg.
"We'd set up several magical defenses around this place before we went chasing after the rakshasa, so we were protected against scrying or anyone dropping in unannounced. But that was several years ago, I don't know if those have been maintained."
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 217/217 AC:32 T:19 FF:28 CMD:41) Monday August 14th, 2023 7:26:57 PM
"I'm not sure we have eight days, Nira," Hmerrin replies. "Vyrnix might give us one or two, but then he might start getting anxious. And I don't know how long we want to keep this thing here."
"How about 2 days?" he offers.
"And I'll take the crystal with me. Me and Dez and whoever else in the Catacombs and then I just stay here with it until we're ready to go. I walk around with all kinds of magic, so this stuffed in my haversack shouldn't make any difference."
RobC - Nira Wynvyre -- AC 29/15/25 -- CMD 24 -- HP 138/138 -- DarkVision/ArcaneSight/SeeInvis Monday August 14th, 2023 8:02:50 PM "I don't think two will be enough. If we have to fight Vyrnix and his mate first, then we could be heading to the rak plane without it. If he's been waiting this long for the egg then a few days won't hurt. If he thinks we're dead, then it won't make much difference"
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 164/164 AC: 32(T:18/FF:27) CMD:35) Tuesday August 15th, 2023 8:45:37 AM "I don't think we should rush ourselves. I can sit with the egg at our base until we're ready to go."
[OOC: If Gaffer picks up the egg and wildshapes, will it merge into him? If so, Gaffer can happily spend the week lounging around the Tides base as a cat as an extra precaution.]
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