DM Feral |
A full day of hard work dragging the ranger's remains later, the party makes it back to Turtleback Ferry. The small town is hard at work on repairs, seemingly unfazed by the losses and damage they've suffered. The mayor greets the party warmly until he sees their grim prizes.
"Welcome back. I see Erastil has watched over you as we asked him to. And the ogres?"
DM Feral |
The elderly garundi man nods. "Some, yes. Some of them were locals, born and raised in the area. Others come from the outlying farms. Others still are loners and former drifters with little known pasts."
He nods solemnly. "If you leave them in our care, we will do what we can to give them a proper burial."
Pirknok Stonemight |
The dwarf lets out a sigh, but gives the Garundi man a nod of assent. He hesitates for a moment, then remarks quietly, "Death's bin greedy here lately. I hope... I hope he lets up on you all fer a while."
DM Feral |
The aged mayor bows in greeting to the gnome. ”I’m afraid we haven’t been introduced but if you’re with these heroes, I have no doubt you can be trusted.”
”I’ve tended to those with life-threatening injuries but there’s still plenty suffering wounds from the day the dam ruptured and Maga attacked. Repairs will move faster if the workers are whole and healthy. If you have some time, I can show you to those most in need.”
Ensu, Cleric of Nethys |
"Ah, my apologies Mr. Mayor, I am Ensu, cleric of Nethys, I had journeyed with these folks around the town of Sandpoint, then left to follow some clues I have for a puzzle I was working on. Ran into them before they attacked and killed the ogres and joined with them. I'd say it was the work of Nethys, but he doesn't really work that way. Perhaps it was fate, perhaps the work of another... Anyway, I hope we have enough time to aid you."
Ensu looks at his companions to see if there is time to tend the sick and wounded.
Siolad Andosana |
If I have time to rest, I can prepare at least one more teleport. I can only use one teleport now because of my arcane bonded amulet, but I can bring up to three people with me. Beaks counts as 2 people since she's a Large creature.
Jessamy Pierce |
I thought about that, but the problem is then it'd take two more castings of teleport, unless Beaks is willing to stay and would be OK without Ventus. Or, I just remembered, Beaks can be stored in Ventus' armor, which means Siolad doesn't have to worry about transporting him too.
DM Feral |
It’d be at least a couple days of almost non-stop flight.
Tapping into the reserve of magic stored in his bonded amulet, Siolad weaves the same spell that brought him to Turtleback Ferry, this time wrapping Pirknok and Jessamy in his magics as well.
The three disappear with *pop* leaving no sign that they’d ever been there.
***
As their senses clear from the disorienting sensation of magical teleportation, the trio recognize that they’re standing within Sandpoint’s Cathedral square - a familiar sight to most. The sound of thunder is heard in the distance, a strange phenomenon considering it’s otherwise a cloudless sunny day. A second *BOOOOM* shakes the entire city and it’s suddenly clear the sound isn’t from inclement weather.
The streets are eerily empty.
Siolad Andosana |
Siolad breathes a sigh of relief as Pirknok & Jessamy arrive safe and sound with him.
The booming noise promptly shatters what illusions of safety he may have had.
"Oh my..." He says, looking around the empty streets. "...where is everyone?"
Pirknok Stonemight |
Pirknok shudders from the magical disorientation and jumps into action. Drawing his sword, he looks frantically around and tries to determine where the sound is originating. "Come on — we gotta find 'um!"
Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30
Siolad Andosana |
Siolad pales as he checks his mental inventory of spells.
Only one fireball... but I still have an ice storm left. A bull's strength spell... one glitterdust, not sure what good THAT'LL do, but it's better than nothing.
"In case we run into trouble, I still have one casting of Bull's Strength left. Would you like me to give it to one of you?" He asks as the other two look around.
Siolad Andosana |
Oh. In that case, Siolad's made a few changes to his spell loadout.
Siolad slaps his head. How is it I manage to forget that I've memorized my spells?! Sis was right--I'd forget my head if it wasn't attached--SIS!
"Lead the way, you two. Jessamy, care for a stoneskin before we go?" He turns to her, already casting his own extended stoneskin incantation. "And should I go back and get the others?"
Siolad Andosana |
Once Siolad has cast his stoneskin spell on Jessamy, he begins uttering the incantation for his teleport spell.
Teleport: Turtleback Ferry (Very Familiar...I think): 1d100 ⇒ 56
He makes it to Turtleback Ferry in a flash!
"GUYS GUYS NO TIME TO EXPLAIN SANDPOINT'S BEING ATTACKED WE GOTTA GO!" He calls out breathlessly, one hand on his bonded amulet.
DM Feral |
After disappearing in a flash and reappearing a moment later, Siolad returns with Ensu, Ventus, and an armor-stored Beaks.
Bolting north, the Cathedral’s bell rings out in alarm but it’s obvious that this isn’t the first time its rung since the crisis began as there’s nobody on the street to evacuate. Reaching the small courtyard near the city’s northern gate, the party falls upon a gathering of Sandpoint militia. Besides the several dozen men and women dressed in mail and armed with halberd and crossbow, there’s a few familiar faces including, Sheriff Hemlock, Shalelu, Ven Vinder, and John Lowell. There’s an awkward silence as whatever meeting was being held grinds to a halt at the sight of Sandpoint’s heroes.
”I don’t know how the hell you did it but thank the gods you’re here”, Hemlock says finally breaking the silence and offering Adventus a handshake. ”I don’t suppose you’ve got that big fool Krojun hidden somewhere.”
Adventus Artemidorus |
Ventus pauses to release Beaks but follows the others quickly. The situation was bad, if the full militia was out in force.
Pirknok Stonemight |
Pirknok shakes his head at the implied question about Krojun. "He... had ta go another place," he explains sadly. "What's goin' on here though?"
DM Feral |
”Sandpoint’s under attack”, Hemlock explains even though it goes without saying. ”But not goblins this time, giants. F#@*ing giants.”
The sheriff pauses to arrest the nervous glances being exchanged by the militia with a steely glare.
”We can only see three of them out there but the scouts reported seeing more before the bastards started the attack. That was eight hours ago. They’re just hurling stones now – mostly blind as far as I can tell. They’re too far out to really aim the things. I don’t know if they’re trying to bring down the walls or just intimidate us.”
"They've got some aim", Shalelu explains. She's bloodied and one arm is in a sling. "And they're smarter than they look. They're staying out of range of our bows and crossbows."
Spotting her brother, the ranger smiles slightly and gives him a nod. Jessamy gets a similar reaction a second later.
Ensu, Cleric of Nethys |
"Well good thing we gto here so fast, but really Siolad did it need to be so bumpy. Bought lost a tooth on one of those bumps. So let's get down to nut cuttin' where you need us Sheriff?" Ensu says speedily like the words are rushing out of his mouth like a flash flood.
DM Feral |
Some of the militia squirm in place hearing Jessamy’s comment.
”We need to build a perimeter around the city. It’s just a matter of time before-“
Suddenly a loud resonant horn sounds that rattling the bones. The sound of thunder picks up in force now and a shout from a scout atop the walls is heard. ”They’re moving. There’s so many!!!”
”Damn”, Hemlock growls.
”Secure the walls men. The giants can knock them down but make them pay for every brick they scuff. Protecting Sandpoint and her people is our top priority.”
After the militia’s scrambled toward their pre-assigned locations, the Sheriff looks to the party. ”You might be our saving grace. Go wherever you think you’re most needed. I trust your judgment.”
The scouts call out again. ”They’re closing on the eastern walls fast… Is that- it’s a dragon!!!”
A huge red shape flies overhead bringing with it a wind-force that knocks a couple men on the walls from their posts. As it flies by it breathes a strafing line of flames onto several buildings before landing on, ironically enough, Ameiko’s inn, and roars a challenge.
Jessamy Pierce |
"Oh. See, I knew there was a dragon," Jessamy says, voice a mixture of fear, awe and ... possibly excitement.
"I think that's probably where we're most needed," she adds, dryly.
And, yeah, I'd say so, Ensu. You can divide that between all of us and Beaks, and then maybe four of the village leaders? 10 minutes will probably be enough to determine an outcome.
Siolad Andosana |
Siolad remains quiet, his face paling as the red dragon swoops down. "Oh..."
...s**t.
He promptly turns to Pirknok. "I have a spell that'll let you get up to the dragon and fight it in the air. Think you can make use of it?"
Pirknok Stonemight |
"In thuh air?!" asks the dwarf, incredulously. "If we're gonna fight it, then shure, 'cause I can't hit it from down here!"
DM Hope Crusher, pleas don't kilt dorfy.
Siolad Andosana |
Siolad promptly utters an incantation and taps Pirknok on the head. The dwarf berserker lifts slightly off the ground.
"There! Hopefully, it'll last long enough..."
Casting fly on Pirknok: should last for 100 rounds, starting now!
He then turns to Jessamy. "I have one more left. You want it?"
Siolad Andosana |
Siolad repeats the same incantation, tapping Jessamy on the head as well. She lifts slightly off the ground as well.
"Let's hope that'll be enough to at least drive him off..."
Jessamy should have stoneskin and fly on her now: Fly lasts 100 rounds, starting now!
Pirknok: 99/100 fly rounds
Jessamy: 100/100 fly rounds
Pirknok Stonemight |
"A'right... let's kill that thing!" exclaims the dwarf, drawing his sword and preparing to... fly... up toward the monster.
Draw sword and call on totem spirit for allies: All allies gain a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks for 10 minutes.
Jessamy Pierce |
And resist fire, I think...
Jessamy pulls her sword and dagger and takes an experimental step up. Her eyes widen as her foot falls back to the ground.
I don't think it worked. What if he's a fraud? No ... think good thoughts. Think lovely thoughts, think lovely thoughts.
As she concentrates, she begins to rise in the air.