Tirion Jörðhár |
Getting very frustrated that one of his racially hated enemies attempted to send him to his doom and when caught sought to barter for his life, you can see that Tirion is getting more and more angry by the moment:
He steps over toward the mutant hobgoblin and nearly shouts into the monsters face:
You tried to kill me and my companions through your manipulative magics. You still have not explained why. Why did you seek to send me to release the spawn which would have undoubtedly been my doom. Your master the green archer was dead, or near death. Instead of revealing yourself and seeking our help in escaping, you sought to injure me, bring more foes to attack my friends, and then heal and untie the bound wyrmlord.
My friend, you hide something, something very evil. You will tell us what it is, or your limbs will become fish food, one by one.
Intimidate: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22
Grallak Kur |
"You tried to kill me and my companions through your manipulative magics. You still have not explained why. Why did you seek to send me to release the spawn which would have undoubtedly been my doom. Your master the green archer was dead, or near death. Instead of revealing yourself and seeking our help in escaping, you sought to injure me, bring more foes to attack my friends, and then heal and untie the bound wyrmlord."
"Why must you insist that I tried to kill you? All I did was make some suggestions to you to leave the building. I sent you to the razorfiend's pen in the hopes that you would feed them. This is not the evil that you would see from the Wyrmlords. I did not strike you with any weapon as the Red Hand agents would have done. You are just upset because of the freakish nature of my request. You are not alone dark gnome in your lack of understanding of my cursed gift that I bear. I do admit that I tried to free Saarvith, but I assure you, I had no choice in that matter as long as he was alive. Once you killed him, you freed me of my obligation. You must realize that the goblin lord was a fierce hunter and he would have slain me before long had I not at least attempted to rescue him. However, if you had finished him off sooner, this would not have been an issue."
Thordak son of Throtgar |
Edvard, put that little thing away. If we're executin' him we'll do it proper. Thordak says, indicating his axe.
Here's where Oi stand: either we kill him now, which is ideal, moind, or we have te bring him with us. But if we bring him with us, Oi'm worried about him turnin' invisible an' slippin' off or stabbin one o' us in tha back or tellin' an enemy we're tryin' te sneak up on where we are or somethin. Thordak says, squinting at Grallak.
Moi Pa always said "Don't trust anythin' that don't speak with it's mouth, son!" An' now Oi see why... Ye see, Oi've got no way o' makin' sure ye don't do any o' that stuff, an' so far, Oi've been given no reason te believe that ye wouldn't do somethin' like that... Fer all Oi know, ye could be talkin' te tha damn dragon right now! Wot've ye got te say fer yerself, hobgoblin? An' don't go speakin' in moi head!
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18 46!? You've gotta be kidding!
Bofus Beerswizzler |
"Why must you insist that I tried to kill you? All I did was make some suggestions to you to leave the building. I sent you to the razorfiend's pen in the hopes that you would feed them.
PPPPFFFFHAHAHAHAHA!!! You've got to be kidding me!!! You've just lost what little thread of credibility you had with me. If you're going to lie, you've got to at least make it credible!! We're not magically thralled, you know. Unless you left out "with your own flesh," in which case, yeah, I believe that.
.I'm not putting my neck out for you anymore, little guy. Your information can't be of greater value than the danger you represent--not to mention the MISinformation you're sure to pass along at the same time.
I turn my back on the prisoner, and face Thordak.
I'm done here.
I then face Tirion, and give him a deep bow. Tirion, if my half-hearted defense if this wretch offended you, you have my sincere apologies--and the promise of all the Beerswizzler suds you can choke down, next time we're in a civilized land!
Grallak Kur |
"If we're executin' him we'll do it proper. Fer all Oi know, ye could be talkin' te tha damn dragon right now! Wot've ye got te say fer yerself, hobgoblin? An' don't go speakin' in moi head!"
The telepathic voice enters your mind with a sharp edge in it. The creature tone sounds much more desperate and threatening with each word.
"If you do try to execute me, you will regret that decision for the rest of your life! I have tried to reason with you, but apparently, you are beyond reasoning. Your thoughts are now mine to plunder, and your will is now mine to bend or break! I suggest that you free me now, to prevent the Black dragon, Regiarix, from coming down to eat you for a snack! You will do everything in your power to let me go free until I am well away from here!
Grallak uses an inate skill he calls, 'Push the Weak Mind' (Sp) which acts like a Suggestion spell. Will Save DC 16 to negate.
"I'm not putting my neck out for you anymore, little guy. Your information can't be of greater value than the danger you represent--not to mention the MISinformation you're sure to pass along at the same time."
"Wait! Wait! Stay your blade! Perhaps I was hoping to feed the annoying gnome to the Razorfiends, but you cannot blame me for that! Just look at him! He looks like he is the black dragon's own son! But just wait before you act! I am not finished yet! I have a secret that I would be willing to tell you, but, I will not tell you more unless you agree to free me! Once I am safely out of your harm's way, I will tell you about a secret that involves the Red Hand and their relationship with the Ghostlord. I am sure you will find it most interesting, if not vital to your success!"
Tirion Jörðhár |
He can read our minds. He attempted to send me to my death after the wrymlord was disabled. He assuredly can lie through his teeth. He was probably controlling the wyrmlord as a puppet, not the other way around. Lop off his head Thordak so that we can proceed to eliminate this black dragon and then go find the Ghost lord.
Tirion steps back and waits for the axe to fall.
Thordak son of Throtgar |
** spoiler omitted **
"Wait! Wait! Stay your blade! Perhaps I was hoping to feed the annoying gnome to the Razorfiends, but you cannot blame me for that! Just look at him! He looks like he is the black dragon's own son! But just wait before you act! I am not finished yet! I have a secret that I would be willing to tell you, but, I will not tell you more unless you agree to free me! Once I am safely out of your harm's way, I will tell you about a secret that involves the Red Hand and their relationship with the Ghostlord. I am sure you will find it most interesting, if not vital to your success!"
OI WILL NOT! Thordak suddenly bellows at the hobgoblin. Without another word he grabs Grallak by the throat and forcibly slams his head onto the bench.
Grapple:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
He then steps back and takes Glimdraath in both hands.
Oi told ye not te speak in moi head, an' wot d'ye go an' do? Tellin' me te let ye go! An' that yer gonna plunder moi mind!? Feel free to read the spoiler above.
Thordak brings Glimdraath down in a shining arc of Dwarven fury.
Glimdraath:1d20 + 9 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 33
Damage:1d10 + 6 + 5 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 5 + 4 + 1 = 19
CDG damage:2d10 + 32 ⇒ (4, 4) + 32 = 40 (if DMHW allows it)
Bofus Beerswizzler |
I put a hand up over my face to prevent the splatter from covering up my handsomeness. Well struck, Thordak. and good riddance. The little blighter almost had me convinced, I'm glad that I woke up to reason before we started fighting amongst each other.
Tirion, I'm guessing you won't wear this armor or use this bow (here I indicate the earstwhile wyrmlord's spoils), so does anyone object to me claiming htem, and the arrows? The cloak . . . I'm already using a cloak. I wonder if this is one of those things that will resize itself for the user??
Unless anyone objects, I'll yoink the +2 mithral chain shirt, +1 longbow, and acid arrows!! DMHW, those are +1 and +1d6 acid damage, correct?
While I get undressed and redressed . . .So we should do something about those razorfiends before the dragon gets back. Shall we go check out the pen?
Bofus Beerswizzler |
After admiring the shiny new equipment, I smack my palm against my forehead. D'oh!! Edvard, you mentioned earlier that box--everyone stand back while I take a look at it.
Once everone is at least 10' away, I take out a dragon's eye and search the box for traps.
Perception: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (17) + 20 = 37
If it is trapped, it won't be for long . . .
Disable Device: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (19) + 19 = 38
and then I'll try the key the Wyrmlord had on him.
While working, I chat with the rest. So, what goodies did that little maggot Grallak have? Looks like a lot of stuff . . .
DM Harpwizard |
Bofus does not detect any traps. The iron chest is locked, but can be opened with the key Saarvith carried. Inside are six large leather sacks, each containing 100 silver pieces and 20 gold pieces. Wedged between some of these sacks is a delicate-looking wooden and silver box.
Grallak was already looted and his items are listed in a previous post. The Handy Haversack, the scroll, the wands, etc.
Bofus Beerswizzler |
Ooohhh, look at this . . .
Perception: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (11) + 20 = 31 <--for traps
so, anyone mind if I check spoilers for that info? Doesnt' seem to be out in the open . . .
Tirion Jörðhár |
Yeh - I think it was in a spoiler for me a few posts back. Go ahead and look at it. It was all the mind controlling stuff - Philter of Love and potions like that.
Tirion just shakes his head wondering how creatures become so evil.
Edvard Zamoyski |
Edvard nods as the red headed creature is ended before agreeing "Aye, the wyrmspawn should be ended... though I would also send a message to the black dragon. If you've not the stomach, I suggest you do not watch."
With that, Edvard moves to the Wyrmlord's corpse and begins to strip it of clothes. If no challenge is mad to his actions - he would then drag the naked goblin corpse into outside and onto the boulevard.
Tirion Jörðhár |
Edvard. I do not know what communication the dragon may have with his minions here. But if we can surprise it, that would be preferable. I do not know whether there is a welcoming committee each time it returns from a hunt, however I am pretty sure staking the dead wyrmlord on the dragon's doorstep is unlikely to help us gain any surprise on our attack.
Edvard Zamoyski |
Pausing to reply "I would think you do not wish to fight it here... but hope to draw it to a position where we have advantage. Enrage the beast, drive reason from it's mind so that puts revenge before all else. If we can force it to meet us under the trees, we have the advantage. But here it can assault us from above and below with impunity."
DM Harpwizard |
Bofus, does not detect any traps. Inside the box is a single folded letter that smells of strange perfume, although it's obvious from the indention in the velvet lining that something the size of a child's fist once rested in the box as well. The letter appears written in goblin.
Saarvith -
Take great care with the enclosed phylactery. I need not explain to you what the Ghostlord would do if he knew where I had sent his little bauble for safekeeping. Hide it somewhere safe - perhaps it could be trusted to your dragon friend's keeping? Keep it hidden until Brindol is taken. Should it fall into the hands of someone who could return it to its owner, the consequences for our effort could be dire indeed.
- Ulwai
Bofus Beerswizzler |
Verrrry interesting!!
I read the letter aloud--yes, I speak Goblin.
Neat!! Another cool magical toy to find!!! I'll bet it's somewhere in the dragon horde. Mmmmmm, dragon treasuuuuuuure . . . .
Tirion Jörðhár |
Once we are done in the main room, I would like to proceed into the room where Saarvith attempted to go swimming and I believe is the entrance to the dragon's next.
I will then cast Detect Magic and scan down into the water to see whether I can pick up anything. The detect magic should go through wood and some stone and has a range of 60' which should cover most of the lower floor of the building.
DM Harpwizard |
Tirion, Saarvith went swimming outside when he jumped off of the boardwalk. Is that where you wish to go? Please give me the coordinates of where you cast from. What do you mean by main room? Do you mean Saarvith's chamber with the stuffed animals, Grallak's room, or the Ogres' room?
Thordak, after a day in your possession, the cloak will magically resize to fit you.
Tirion Jörðhár |
My understanding was that Saarvith went through the wall into the D-F/8-11 area which has water. If he simply went out another wall then I was mistaken. I would like to scan the area on this map - Town Hall that is between D8 and F11, what looks like the main hall of the town hall and the place where the dragon has its lair.
Tirion watches Edvard grab the goblin and begin to drag it off.
Edvard - you can stick that horrible monster up as a sign to others to not mess with us. But, you will also be forewarning the wyrmlord's pet black dragon that the settlement has been attacked. I doubt that will be a good idea as I would prefer being able to spring a surprise attack on the wyrm. But, it is your choice.
Edvard Zamoyski |
Pausing to reply "I would think you do not wish to fight it here... but hope to draw it to a position where we have advantage. Enrage the beast, drive reason from it's mind so that puts revenge before all else. If we can force it to meet us under the trees, we have the advantage. But here it can assault us from above and below with impunity."
Edvard would have repeated what he's already said - Edvard doesn't feel like fighting the black dragon here... and intends to intentionally raise it's ire.
Bofus Beerswizzler |
that's how I've been playing chess lately and so far it's working out. I'm much better if I just move fast rather than think about it too long. That lends credence to your "low wisdom" theory :-)
DM Harpwizard |
My understanding was that Saarvith went through the wall into the D-F/8-11 area which has water. If he simply went out another wall then I was mistaken. I would like to scan the area on this map - Town Hall that is between D8 and F11, what looks like the main hall of the town hall and the place where the dragon has its lair.
Tirion, Sorry for any misunderstanding. I have reposted the map with the secret door indicated. Most of the walls are stone and you are not detecting magic through them. Please indicated where you wish to go next.
Edvard brings the corpse of Wyrmlord Saarvith out onto the eastern boardwalk of the old Rhest town hall.
Tirion Jörðhár |
Well, I do not know what the crazy witch is doing with the dead goblin, but we have a dragon's horde beneath us somewhere, lets try to find it.
I head back and open the double doors that are behind the picture of Mantooth. Actually, Bofus and Thordak should open them in case something is behind the doors.
If there is nobody in there, I will use detect magic to scan down into the water in any direction I can.
DM Harpwizard |
Bofus does not detect any traps and upon opening the double doors, you see a large room that might have once been a well=appointed library, but now its shelves lie in disarray along the east and west walls. No sign of any books are apparent. A large portion of the ceiling is missing, as is a corresponding portion of the floor, which opens into the dark waters of the lake below.
Tirion, I have not resolved your detect magic yet. I would like to know where you stand when you focus and concentrate. Time is an issue here and you may not have enough time to simply check every corner before another event interrupts.
Tirion Jörðhár |
1 round from F12 which should give me the room itself.
Next round, move to G10 and scan down.
Third round, move to E7 and scan down.
I will not spend a huge amount of time scanning unless I sense something powerful.
I used the coordinates from the older map as you did not include them on the newest map.
DM Harpwizard |
In the southern portion the old library is a glorious sight. A large pile of wealth including thousands of silver coins, a few thousands gold pieces as well as a dozen gemstones and several wondrous items.
Tirion moves into the room at scans the room for magic. In the pile of treasure he detects an aura of magic coming from a suit of full plate mail armor, a periapt, a silvered heavy mace, and a magic horn.
While you are gazing around the room, you hear Edvard rushing down the stairs yelling, "Eyes to the North... the black beast returns!"
Bofus Beerswizzler |
Maybe we shoudl stay here!! I mean, the dragon might be hesitant to destroy its own wealth . . .
I pull out a potion of Expeditious Retreat while speaking, getting ready to quaff it.
Thordak son of Throtgar |
Ooh, gold! Thordak exclaims.
Bah! Damn dragon... Oi guess we'll have te wait! Tirion, quick, see if there's anythin' there we can use against tha dragon! Thordak says, taking out his crossbow and loading it. Using +1 bolts
Bofus Beerswizzler |
I begin to actually hop up and down in delight. OH! OH!! Iv'e just had an idea!!! Does anyone think it would be useful to have me use that Disguise Self wand and disguise myself as the wyrmlord??? Hehehe!! it might at least confuse the dragon for even a moment, buy us one quick action each?? What do you think???
Dammit, just read the discription. Disguise Self won't let you change your creature type, so I don't think this would work. Man, that would have been fun!!
Well, I think I'll hide here . . .
I saunter over to the pile of treasure and find a place to make myself scarce (how about H7 or H8?), potion still in hand, ready to drink as soon as we think the dragon is imminent. I've got my shiny new longbow in the other hand.
Stealth: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (16) + 23 = 39
Edvard Zamoyski |
Grab the best loot before we hide!
To the discussion Edvard adds "We likely have a better chance within, we would make easy targets of ourselves if we took to the water." his eyes turn to the horde and Tirion, who appears to be studying it and waits for his response.
I'll give co-ords once the way forward is decided
Tirion Jörðhár |
How much time Edvard? Do you have time to identify any of these?
I cast Invisibility on myself and then grab the periapt, mace and horn.
Stealth to hide while I identify the items.
Stealth: 1d20 + 6 + 40 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 40 = 50
I will then start to identify the items starting with the mace followed by the horn and periapt.
--> It takes 3 rounds per item.
Spellcraft-mace: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Spellcraft-horn: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
Spellcraft-periapt: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
DM Harpwizard |
Edvard, depending on where the Black Dragon goes, he could be here as soon as three minutes. All of you, please let me know coordinates of where you await the dragon and/or if anything is to be cast and/or done before combat begins. I do not want to retcon that you cast something after the fact. Bofus are you going to attempt the disguise of Wyrmlord Saarvith?
Spellcraft-mace: This is a Silvered Heavy Mace +2.
Spellcraft-horn: You are not clear how to activate the powers of this magical Horn.
Spellcraft-periapt: The simple periapt appears as a blue gemstone fastened to a silver chain designed to be worn around the neck. You believe it to be a Periapt of Health .
Tirion Jörðhár |
If it was several minutes, I would probably not have cast the invisibility spell yet. Your call.
Edvard, can you look at this horn, I cannot figure out how to work it.
I then look at the plate mail.
Spellcraft(plate mail): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Well, this periapt seems to protect a person from diseases of any type. Sounds mighty useful. The mace is a fairly powerful weapon. I can use it if nobody else wants it. I do not think that it will compare to your axe Thordak or your sword Mantooth.
If nobody else wants it, I will put the mace in my Handy Haversack.
Anyone want the Periapt?
Bofus Beerswizzler |
I've got a potion of Expeditious Retreat in hand. As soon as we think the dragon is near enoguh to ent, I'll drink it (it's only got a duration of 1 minute, don't want to down it too soon).
As fun as it would be to try that disguise, I think between a dragon's keen senses, and the fact that they know each oteh rwell--ADN that the real goblin's body is floating out there now--it woudl be ill-advised for me to try that stunt. But I'll keep this wand, if y'all don't mind, I may find future uses, assuming I live through this!! This last is said with a smile and a wink
Tirion Jörðhár |
Any read in the Plate Mail? I got a 19 on that one. Obviously nobody will be able to don it before the dragon arrives due to the 4 minutes required to put it on.
Any thoughts on the best way to proceed? We need to stay under cover until he gets here to hopefully forestall his ability to fly. I can make people invisible, but perhaps that might not be the best option. We can face him right here. As Bofus said, dragons are smart, but greedy. I doubt that he will be firing his breath weapon toward his pile of loot, but obviously when we start to hurt him, then everything may change.
Now, who has the green eyes? I think that Mantooth should have them to minimise damage if he gets hit with that breath. I know that Bofus is good at avoiding breath weapons.
Turning to Edvard: Can you cast any spells that might allow Mantooth to fly? If so, then he can use that if the dragon takes flight.
Back at the rest of the group. Mantooth, Bofus and Thordak need to flank the beast. I will use what spells I have, but these dragons are quite resistant to magic. I will speed you all up as soon as it appears. Trellara anything you have to help us wil be appreciated. And likewise, Edvard, whatever you can do to disable the dragon or help our fighters will be appreciated.
_______________
Mantooth
Mantooth looks over at Bofus. Can you keep an eye out for us. When the beast is less than a minute away, Come down, then I can prepare my abilities. This should also give Tirion, Trellara and Edvard any time necessary to prepare for the battle.[/b]
Mantooth then takes out the noble Magnimara. He holds it up: Iomedae, please bless this blade and allow it to strike true. Great evil comes and I beseech you to grant us your blessing to overcome this blight on the land.
Bofus Beerswizzler |
Will do! I scramble out to where edvard saw the beastie, and keep my eyes peeled north. When he's actually approaching, I'll quaff my potion and head back inside to warn--and hide!
Stealth: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (5) + 23 = 28
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14