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dragons that have been threatening Icenvale.
Asking for outside aid in such an enterprise means
that she is unlikely to be accepted as baroness
because of the Bardic Guild’s perversion of the
prophecy. However, the party’s success in this
mission would gain her enough support to make
Icenvale a republic at last.
dotting
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The day is cold and overcast, and a weak drizzle
makes the small city of Frosthaven look gray and
ugly. Dead weeds stick up through the cobblestones
in the road, and most of the stone houses
show significant wear. Some have been abandoned,
and others have been poorly repaired in
spots with cheap materials such as wood and sod.
Of the three mills visible against the stream, only
one appears to be in good enough repair to function.
The people in the streets hurry toward their
destinations with their heads down, speaking to
no one. Whether they are cold or just disinterested
in their surroundings is difficult to judge,
but they are clearly more interested in getting
back to the warmth of their homes than in greeting
one another.Ahead, beside a broken bridge over a muddy
gully, two people are engaged in an argument.
One is a well-dressed, portly man with a lute
slung over his back. The other is a trim young
woman in armor. Though the two have not come
to blows, their voices carry through the quiet city
streets. Their stances and attitudes suggest that
the argument is an old one, and that they have
addressed this topic many times before.
I walk by slowly trying to listen to find out what it is about.
edit:perception check-->
With nothing better to do right now, I position myself where I can eavesdrop a little without being too blatantly obvious.
Perception check:
Stealth check:
Skender stays silent, as usual.
She peers at the two arguing, canting her head. She then decides to be bold, walking up to them, one hand on her hip. It's a pretty cold evening here, yet you two are out here yelling at each other. What in the nine pits of hell could keep you both out tonight? She's bold, she is.
She's bold, she is.
The four psionics, three Elan and one Wilder, had arrived in this wintry land just a few days ago. Finding themselves beset, under attack while in the Astral Plane, they had been randomly dropped into the closest alternate world as an emergency measure. Now they needed to survive without a Planar Transporter from the Elans. Two were lifelong friends; two were recent associates, comrades in battle. Now they needed to survive in this world until they were contacted by their superiors or they could re-enter the Astral Plane without incident.
The best course of action in this case, they had been informed, was to merely live in whatever world they found themselves for several months or a year. Of course, such strategy usually assumed an urban, civilized environment. Flying head-first into an arctic snowbank at moderate velocity, finding themselves miles or leagues away from the closest village, was less than optimal, in this case.
Depending upon each other's strengths, the psionics nevertheless needed a friendly, civilized local center with infrastructure and employment. None of them had been severely injured in the transition, thank whatever deities they ascribed to. It was thus they found themselves approaching on foot the first sign of Human habitation since arriving.
Manifest an Unknown Power from Another's powers Known, using Skender's telepathic Collective ability: Je'grik's Adapt Body, DC 20, DC 20, DC 20, Spellcraft checks: , , Pass; 9 power points, 9-hour duration
Holding psionic focus: Fire; Power Points: 115-(Repletion)1-(Adapt Body)9=105
Skender Ruggova has Muneshige's psicrystal "Hero" on a permanent basis.
Muneshige was about to start talking with the man and woman himself when the brunette fighter took the initiative. Well, you get to see if the natives are friendly or not, Sandria. he sent to the four of them through the telepathic link. He barely felt the cold, despite his temperate clothing, thanks to the Wilder's psionic power he had "borrowed" that morning. As long as no one noticed his thickened skin and the transparent hairs that kept the winter cold at bay.
Perception check (standing within 5 feet of psicrystal):
Muneshige took in the village's run-down appearance, the people with their heads bowed, the man's girth versus the woman's armor. Thankfully the people were speaking Common; no need for his translation power, then. He was extremely interested in the man's and woman's response to Sandria's challenge-like question. I don't think we have found a capital city. Let's find a general store and an inn, if they have one. A willing widow running a boardhouse, at least. Before the ground gains snow on it as well. he sent drily to the others. The redhead presented himself as an interested listener to the arguing man and woman. A bard, by his instrument, and a...town guard? In armor?
But I like the snow! Haven't you ever had a psychic snowball fight? Je'Grik sends back.
Deciding to keep pace with Sandria requires Je'Grik to take three stride to her two, but he does it gladly. These drizzle was depressing, and the people arguing had piqued his interest.
"Hi." He says to the arguers. "Why are you arguing?"
Nathan is surprised at how the conversation(argument) was just interrupted, but decided to hang back and watch.
Khazak, who has probably gone unnoticed by everybody except Skender, thinks to himself: "Hmm, we are starting to get a crowd here. Well, there's more than one way to get information."
Khazak walks up to the group that is forming, the arguers, Je'grik and Sandria. He says: "Just like a bunch of humans to stand around talking and freezing outside when they could be inside drinking ale and talking. I've had a long trip getting here and I'm thirsty. I'm also buying. Where's the closest inn?"
Diplomacy check
5 (3/day) Wall of Stone (DC 23), Summon Monster V, Summon Monster V
4 (4/day) Black Tentacles, Enervation, Summon Monster IV, Summon Monster IV
3 (5/day) Haste (DC 20), Haste (DC 20), Fireball (DC 20), Stinking Cloud (DC 21), Dispel Magic, Fly (DC 20)
2 (6/day) Glitterdust (DC 20), Glitterdust (DC 20), Darkvision (DC 19), Resist Energy (DC 19), Invisibility (DC 19), Mirror Image (DC 19), Rope Trick
1 (6/day) Enlarge Person (DC 18), Alarm, Protection from Evil (DC 18), Ray of Enfeeblement (DC 18), Grease (DC 19), Grease (DC 19), Expeditious Retreat (DC 18)
0 (at will) Light, Prestidigitation (DC 17), Read Magic (DC 17), Detect Magic
I have one 4th and one 5th level slot open.
Nathan thinks to himself, "It's not like anyone else is being shy so I might as well walk on over".
The dwarf is asking us where the ale is? Muneshige thought through the telepathic link with a smile. Things here must be desperate indeed. He wondered why none of the townspeople were stopping at hearing the argument. Had they already heard it before? He leaned back on his heels, waiting to hear the man's and woman's responses.
::Yes, apparently.:: Skender sends telepathically, chuckling to himself.
I move in closer and ask "Why are taxes being collected if they are not being used? I am also confused as to who does have the authority to fix the bridge. Why can we just go to them?"
"Yes, who does have authority here?" Museshige asked, echoing the male stranger who had walked up at the same time his group had arrived. ::Best to find out the ruling class here early.:: he sent through the link.
"We are...explorers." Muneshige said, by way of introduction to the two people, as well as the human and the dwarf. "I am Muneshige, this is Skender, with Sandria and Je'Grik." the redhead stated, indicating the others in turn. "We could not help but overhear your discussion, and although we would prefer directions to an inn, much like the formidable Dwarf here, can you explain to outsiders such as ourselves why you have this municipal paradox?" Muneshige asked politely. (Diplomacy check: )
::Sounds good to me.::
Skender nods as he is mentioned.
Je'grik smiles and waves when he is introduced.
::Even if only to avoid making them mad at us.:: Je'grik mentally replies. ::The lower classes might know the truth too, though.::
::It's a possibility::
Gives a light sigh at hearing what the argument is all about, and shakes her head. ::Sometimes I wonder about these people...::
Hangs around growing thirstier by the minute ...
::Set for?:: Muneshige thought. ::Come friends, it seems this woman is more than she appears to be in this town.:: "Of course." he agreed, casting a sidelong glance at the dwarf and the human, to see if they would come along as well.
Khazak briefly looks puzzled by the woman's response, but follows along anyway. He says, "My name is Khazak, thank you for your hospitality."
::Very well.::
Skender merely nods, ready to go inside, out of the cold.
Nathan follows along....
::Does anyone else think it strange that she seems to have been expecting us?:: Je'grik sends the others. Not one to be rude though, he takes a seat and breathes in the aroma of food.
::Actually, it's suspicious as all get-out, unless she's a Clairvoyant, a Seer, and we haven't felt that.:: Muneshige sent back. ::But this Orielle is clad in armor, not the usual robes of a Seer. So she could be a cleric, or touched by the gods. Let's play along for now. I'm glad to get warm.::
"Thank you for your gracious offer, Lady Or-i-elle." the red-headed man told their host politely, saying her name for the first time. "But I must warn you, if you think you sent for us, you must be mistaken. Quite mistaken." Muneshige thought of the Astral Plane encounter, and the randomness of their entry into this alternate world. He took off and placed his backpack next to the chair at the table Muneshige had picked for himself.
The man took a seat, nodding to the others, and looked at his host. "Is there something you need four...six adventuring types for? Something important?" he asked Orielle. Mentally he manifested Detect Psionics, concentrating to suppress the usual display.
Khazak took a seat at the table and sampled the ale. He nodded as Muneshige spoke. When Muneshige finished, Khazak added, "I was simply wandering through the area in search of something to do. I have not been here before. If I was sent for in some manner this is the first that I have heard of it.'
::This is odd indeed, and fairly troubling. Nevertheless, she has shown us now harm. ::
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::Actually, it's suspicious as all get-out, unless she's a Clairvoyant, a Seer, and we haven't felt that.:: Muneshige sent back. ::But this Orielle is clad in armor, not the usual robes of a Seer. So she could be a cleric, or touched by the gods. Let's play along for now. I'm glad to get warm.::
"Thank you for your gracious offer, Lady Or-i-elle." the red-headed man told their host politely, saying her name for the first time. "But I must warn you, if you think you sent for us, you must be mistaken. Quite mistaken." Muneshige thought of the Astral Plane encounter, and the randomness of their entry into this alternate world. He took off and placed his backpack next to the chair at the table Muneshige had picked for himself.
The man took a seat, nodding to the others, and looked at his host. "Is there something you need four...six adventuring types for? Something important?" he asked Orielle. Mentally he manifested Detect Psionics, concentrating to suppress the usual display.
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Orielle sits downs and sighs. The messager must have got waylayed again.Regardless thank you for excepting my invitation. Her demeanor change to serous.*summarize the hook* I really don't care about ruling I only want to do whats best for Icenvale. I would love to accompany you all but some one has to keep the peace.
"Dragons!" Museshige repeated. He quickly sent the thought ::With this locale, they must be white dragons. And a prophecy?:: His psicrystal spoke up telepathically among the psionics A challenge! We go to defend this town! Museshige growled back Quiet, Hero. Dragons are dangerous.
"Dragons are dangerous." the redhead replied to Orielle. "There is more than one? What can you tell us about these dragons? Do they plague this town specifically? Where is their lair? How old are they? Dragons are not known for working together." he asked. "I'm not saying no; you have your heroes, if I may speak for my three companions. But ignorance is death in this matter." Museshige looked sideways at the human and the dwarf. "Perhaps we should reintroduce each other? This locale is not adverse to magical powers, is it? For a strong sword arm is appreciated against dragons, but magical and other powers are invaluable as well."
"I see, so you are Orielle. Thanks for the vote of confidence. I have never taken on a dragon before. What types of dragons are they, and how many are there? What else will we be facing that you know of?" One more thing, my name is Nathan. I guess I should have introduced myself earlier."
Khazak responded, "Taking on dragons can be tricky at best even with a good team that has worked together for a long time. While I am willing to help it will take me a little time to get acquainted with the other people here to figure out how we are going to work our tactics. Most of the questions about the things I want know in more detail have already been asked, but I would also like to know more about this prophecy you speak of."
::Very, very interesting indeed. It seems that anything I would like asked is already being asked. Oh well. I'm going to add her, so she can at least get a sense of me, and know that I have interest as well.::
Skender will, at least temporarily, add Orielle to the collective. If she resists, I'll ask Mune to explain it to her, and hopefully she won't resist again.
::It's a pleasure. I'm Skender, as was mentioned by my companions. I hope you realize that this is a very dangerous thing to be asked, and I'd imagine the going rate for dragon-slayers is fairly high. I just ask that you be aware that this isn't going to be free, provided we accept. This is, at best, incredibly dangerous.::
Sandria walks in, and takes a seat. She's a bit off of an adventure, does have some gear, but no weapons or armor. She listens quietly for a few moments, then when the link is made, if it is, she 'speaks' up.
::Indeed. Dragons aren't known for being easily taken down...And that's after you fight you're way through any traps or guards they have set. Not that we can't do it, but it won't be easy.::
"So I get to blow up some dragons? Great!" Je'grik exclaims. "I hope the dragons are big enough to make a suit of armor. I've always thought those were pretty impressive."
::We still don't even know how big some of these dragons are. We could be going after something the size of a mountain.::
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Oh!exclaim Orielle.You have a teleapath in your misted. A very useful edge when fight a dragon. There are 4 dragons all white. I believe the most dangerous one is named Hinterbite.The other 3 I belive are her broodlings.She pours her self some more ale and downs it in one gulp.Here is the story. Hinterbite slew the last baron of Icenvale more than three hundred years ago and stole his symbol of authority—a rod of rulership. By Icenvale law,an heir to the title must have that specific rod (not some copy or replacement)to take power. That damnable prophecy states that should the ruling family ever lose it, only outsiders—that is, folk not of Icenvale heritage—can recover it. Any Icenvale resident who participates in such a venture is doomed to die before it ends. This odd combination of ancient law
She's pulls out 6 bars of platinum valued at 60000gp
This is all I can offer you and of course the spoils of a dragon lair. I have told you every thing I know.You may stay the night here if you like.
Nathan thinks to himself that it is time to go shopping again.
"Are you going to die if we go because you asked us to?" Je'grik asks, concerned.
Khazak asks, "Do you have any idea where the dragons' lair is located? There is a lot of territory that we might have to search and it would help if it could be nailed down. Also, how will we be able to tell the rod of rulership that you're looking for from any other similar sorts of objects the dragons may have acquired?"
Considering this is the only town within leagues." Muneshige began, carefully watching Orielle for any sign of alarm at the telepathy or other prejudice. "I think we could all spend some coin at the General Store here in Icenvale, if one exists. But this 'Hinterbite' and three young dragons must have every approach to their lair watched. As dwarf Khazak here said, with three hundred years to make a lair, the dragon's horde must be large indeed." Muneshige held up a hand, palm outward, to the offered precious metal. "Keep your reward for now." he told the armored woman. "Where would we spend it? And you will need those bars, in case we fail. If your roads and buildings are in dire need of repair, you might need the dragon's hoard yourself, just to fix this town."
::Indeed.::