Miro shakes his head at Catcher's line of thinking. "There is no honor in letting the few die to save the many. And that is if the Green Dragon is truly trying to win a war against the devils and not just set up her own power base. I'm with Gromff on this. I don't care what the dragon is doing with the children, it has no right to them. Even a well-treated slave is still a slave, when you come down to it. And sacrifice seems like a very good possibility, as well. I will not condone any action that approves of this."
Adakos cannot help but nod his consent at Miro's words, "I could not have said it better myself. There is no end result where this kind of action is acceptable. Overcome the devils only to become, or condone, devilry from within? Not I." he says, clearly having a firmer grasp on his own humanity that those who would accept such things as giving over children, children, to a creature like that.
"There can be only one proper action here. To end this." he says as calmly as if he was ordering a mead, "If there are allies you can call on, that would be grand, but this cannot be allowed to continue. The sounds of those children in that cage, screaming in terror, will haunt me till the end of my days."
Roland is all about that bass, but going while the dragon is here is obviously mad. "Indeed that dragon cannot be good. It doesn't make any sense. She is gathering power, that's it. She might want these special kids for a special purpose, but she will need three of those." He smiles, knowing that one of them he will not have so soon. "In any case, fighting she is useless. She is more powerful than armies combined. Joining the army also will be fruitless, since nothing we can do will increase our knowledge about the cave. I see only practical option here: We wait until she leaves again, and make way toward the cave. If we are lucky, Blue will be guarding the place, and we can get the gem and the children. In case they find out about, we can also try some escape route if She is not here."
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"What you did my dumb suicidal Roland?" she asks wide-eyed ”Whatever you did, please, keep it, it’s way better than it was.”
She gives a deep sigh, thinking how frail and petty their beliefs, how insubstantial… they were, They were allies but she wasn't their parents and she had no real reason to expose them to the hard truth of the world. If they wanted to keep living in the sweet lie that saving the world one person at time was the correct answer, she was more than happy to indulge.
”Haven, during your roaming, did you noticed anything we could use as escape route? Or emergency hiding place?” she turns to Miro and continues ”Can you check if there’s any regularity within this place? Of if we can at least try to predict when the dragon will leave again?”
"If you pass our threshold for skill you will be fast-tracked into the ranks, and You may go straight to initiation." The recruiter reads and rereads the letter from Delmont. Looking up at the half-elf, he wears a newfound look of respect. He then explains how each group of initiates -- both military and dragonpriest -- must state their allegiance in their own words and then drink from the dragon's chalice.
Speaking plainly to the recruiter, "And after initiation, if I'm needed elsewhere, are there to be any problems? I have obligations back home and am not privy to when word might come that my presence is required there." he asks. "I just want to be clear that while I am offering my services, I am not turning over my soul."
"Oh gods no, you're not turning over anything. I'm not sure what you mean; are you not staying with us? The chalice ceremony is ceremonial in nature, but more importantly you will be granted the gift."
Adakos raises an eye at the man, curious what the gift is that he is referring to. "This war has many fronts, and there is always a chance that I may be called to another for a time. As long as that is acceptable, you can count on my skills to defend the people of Kingscrown." Thinking for a moment he adds, "This is the first I've heard mention of the gift. What is this exactly? I guess I should blame my own excitement in joining your cause for not asking such details sooner."
Nodding to the barbarian, Adakos says, "I feel that is the only way we are getting any answers. From what I could tell, no one enters that cave except the dragon." He shudders at the thought of encountering any dragon in its lair; blue, green, or purple. "While I am not so keen on throwing my life away, if we are to get answers this might be the only way. That and I cannot stand by while those children are alone in there."
Speaking to the wizard, he says, "Adakos. My name is Adakos. Not Haven. Say it. If you are half as smart as you claim to be then the memory of a simple name should not be that difficult." There is a cold tone to his voice, any levity all but gone at this point.
Nodding to Catcher he says, "Plenty of escape routes, but the problem is we are surrounded by farmland. Any escape would be overland travel, which means in plain sight of anything flying around in the air." He pauses for a moment, bringing details of his exploration to mind as he does so, "There are several small villages in the surrounding areas, so hiding wouldn't be a question. The problem being we might put those people at risk in doing so."
"Oh, and there are no less than two dozen of those drakes in the area, always not far out of sight. My guess is that they could cover a lot of ground if they were looking for something specific." he continues, not adding a lot of good news to the conversation. "The lizardfolk here seem to worship the drakes like some sort of godlike beings, if that helps at all."
Speaking again to the wizard, he asks, "I don't suppose you have any magical talents that could make us all look like children do you? Maybe we get in that way? Sure beats sneaking in and getting caught and eaten to be sure. He remembers a time, not too long ago, when he saw a similar tactic being used, "I knew this rake, back in Broaklesh, who used a similar spell to look like a waif so he could steal into places without much notice."
Hey, that's a good idea. We could use that to...
Hush.
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"Gild told me the dragoness, once she 'emerged from her sleep', put on a show, hunting a lot of drakes that came to ‘serve’ her, it was a drake-blood bath, maybe, if we can stir then to fight again, that would create the perfect change for us to enter the cave." she says mostly to herself.
To his question about magic she raises an eyebrow ”Actually, I do have. Only its effects last on a couple of minutes, and I wasn’t able to think of any scenario where turning into a child for five minutes would…” she pauses looking at the half-elf ”Maybe it can work. If we know exactly when the next delivery will be done, more than that, what if ‘we’ are the ones guarding it?” she says hinting that they could exploit the army thing.
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"Ahh! One of the flaws in my spells is the need to ‘chant’ the words for it. I’m not strong enough to access the magic without the power words, however, the magic shop in the city have a magic rod that makes you able to cast a spell without need the power words!" she looks around livid ”Maybe should we consider this an option?”
Gromff raises an eye at Gild but says nothing. "Ye saw as well as I that there ain't any guards around the cave except for the lizards and the drakes. And we ain't on good terms with either. The way they take orders from the blue one means we probably can't get them ta fight. Too cowardly. And no guards ta git cushy with. I got enough magic ta probably git us in underwater but that would be most of it unless we got scrolls. Don't one o ye two got magic that can make ye invisible?" he asks of Catcher and Miro.
"If we ain't goin until the dragon leaves we should at least know what's in there. They good senses but they ain't got the sight to see through invisibility right? Probably just as dangerous as looking like a child but I don't see another way around it. Unless we can find another way in. Ye seen anything," he asks, turning to Adakos.
[ooc]I figure this meant you know if they get the abilities naturally.
They were almost getting somewhere with all these ideas. "I didn't see anyone guarding the children when they dragon arrived with them in her talons. I don't think that idea will work. Plus, they have no more children here in Kingscrown, so they will bring them from afar, in which case your spell would not work, Catcher. Hey dwarf, tell me more about this underwater thing... If that's powerfull, we could approach the waterfall and the cave through under the lake and river. We would be mostly unseen, and as long as the dragon is away hunting, there will be no one at the cave to bother us if we manage to make it."
"I've changed my mind again. I think we should join the ranks and get some green robes. We will call less attention that way."
"Green robes or none, no person goes behind the waterfall. I'm not sure how that helps our cause. I can investigate the waterfall to our heart's content, and I will find any regularity to any routines around it. Once I do this, we are going in?"
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"Despite our individual agenda, I think it’s a consensus we need to get inside that cave. The problem is the fact it’s almost impossible to sneak in, even if the dragoness isn’t there. Joining ranks would give us the opportunity to learn more, but that may be dangerous as well. Gild told me most of the magic weavers in the army, don’t study magic, but receive a gift from the dragoness. That bugged me from the moment I heard it."
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”I’ve been avoiding this question for some time now.” the mage says for no one in particular ”After we get inside and find, if there’s any children to be found, how are we planning to save them? Kindly escort them outside a big cave, guarded by an army, surrounded by lizards and drakes and dragons? I doubt that asking nicely will solve anything. Have you considered that, if we actually find any children inside, taking them outside may be as well something that’ll be not good for them? I know many of you think my beliefs are harsh, but as Roland said, not so long ago, are you sure that ‘saving’ the children is the best course of actions?”
She looks down sad with her own words ”Consider for a moment that we actually manage a miracle to remove them from inside the cave. Are we going to fight through the role city escorting what can be, hundreds, if not thousands of children? Did you forget that this city” and there’s hate in her voice at the word city ”gave their children willing? Are you planning on retiring and opening an orphanage? More than that, how are you planning to travel miles and weeks, with a trail of frail children, while at our heels an army and dragons and drakes?”
”Yeah, you can look at me with horror for my choices, but are you absolutely sure mines are the wrong ones?”
"I saw the large gem, is that was you are referring to? What is the significance of the stone?" he asks, unsure of what the yellow gem has to do with anything at all.
”The gem unless we are mistaken, is one of the keys to unlock the Harbingers prophecy. There are three keys, a yellow, a blue and a red. We already found the blue key, and that gem seems to be the yellow one. We already found one of the harbingers, although we don’t know which key is attuned to her. So getting that gem is, at this moment, our top priority, that and check if the dragon has any harbinger in waiting inside that cave.”
Roland tries to solve the misunderstanding. "I'm not saying we should join the ranks to get more information, but just to wear the green robes. Disguised as the rest we would stand out less, and in case we need to get out of the cave and hide among the crowd it would be much easier to do that using their own clothes. But if you think you can go inside that cave and check what's there without danger to yourself Miro, go ahead. I just think it will be very dangerous, but it's your call to make, not mine."
Then he kinda gets depressed with the truth, not the one that Catcher said, but the one he has been avoiding to mention. "Don't worry Catcher, we're not gonna find the kids inside the cave." He's dead serious, and unhappy about that. "They are all dead, but we may find a harbinger if there's any in there."
"Think about it, if no one gets in an out of the cave, how would they still be alive? I saw when the dragon left, and you saw when he got in. He is not taking food for them. If anyone were feeding and caring for them, we would already know by now, wouldn't we? Hell, the fathers would already know by now!"
Unable to refute the wizard's logic, the sad reality of the endeavor strikes hard on the half-elf's heart. There would be nothing they could do if they actually did find any children. Was the act of getting past the waterfall merely a desire to have their own fears be proven to be true? Hearing the barbarian's blunt statement that there would be no children beyond the water only made this realization hit home even harder.
"So what then? If our purpose here, in the grand scheme of things, is to put down the legions of Hell, how does this fit into that?" he asked, his demeanor rather sullen. "Should we just accept that things here are beyond our measure and find some other front to explore? It sounds to me like no one has any hope that this effort will yield a positive result, so I ask the question, why bother?"
He understands little about these gems that keep getting mentioned, but unless he was wrong the last one seen was around the neck of a dragon, and it wouldn't be something the creature would likely be eager to part with. Were they to defeat this creature and steal the gem from its neck? It all seemed so utterly hopeless.
"I think we all agree that something foul is at work here. I also think that none of us is all too eager to side with these creatures, yet we realize that being counted among their ranks might give us some new insight." the ranger says, trying to sort it all out in his head as he speaks. "I move that we proceed with enlisting, get our robes or what have you, and determine our next step from there, after we have been given whatever additional insight goes along with joining this army."
Well, the guy needed to know, so Roland told him right now. "The harbingers and the gems are part of a prophecy, Adakos. We suspect that the Dragon might be looking, or might already have, one of the Harbingers, and that's how it's growing so fast. We should take our chances to free the harbinger as soon as possible, or to try to destroy the dragon's methods. But yes, that Yellow gem will be ours, soon or later. That's the key."
"If the dragon does not hoard treasure, he must be holding that gem fully knowing what it is. It is indeed after the harbingers."
"Anyway, that's two votes for joining the army. Who else?"
"So you are saying that these Harbingers are children? And maybe the blue one is using that yellow gem as some sort of way to screen the children they collect, to determine if one is indeed one of these Harbingers from this prophecy?" he asks, his mind trying to latch on to the facts and make sense of it all. "If that is the case, any children taken behind that waterfall are likely gone. But if we can get our hands on that gem, well, they would have lost their ability to do this screening and might give up on the whole endeavor."
”Yeah, you can look at me with horror for my choices, but are you absolutely sure mines are the wrong ones?”
"Ye ain't wrong. It just ain't good enough. And not everyone here gave up their children willingly." The cold hard truth was hard to accept. There was indeed little they could do right now or in the foreseeable future. They were up against two dragons. Creatures of legend and power. If they died then any hope of the children getting saved was likely lost with them. He growled in frustration but eventually gives in. "If we can't sneak behind it then we might be able to get invited. Their goal is still the same as ours. Killin devils. We're good at that. We'll wait for an opportunity." He is not happy with waiting. Maybe Catcher was right. Maybe Roland was right. Their fate behind the waterfall was unknown but it was doubtful that it was pleasant.
"This is the first I've heard mention of the gift. What is this exactly? I guess I should blame my own excitement in joining your cause for not asking such details sooner."
He gets a self-satisfied, yet not haughty, look on his face. He says, "Ahh yes, the gift... you must be new here! All devoted servants of the Dragon are granted her boon upon initiation. Drinking a draught from the chalice -- a mystical concoction of potion and dragonblood -- the imbiber gains power undreamed of! Our warriors become stronger! Our priests become wiser! Some gain the use of draconic magic!! It is a sight to behold." He pauses and looks into the distance, clearly daydreaming for a moment.
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For what it is worth, Catcher can share this info with the party:
Dragon Senses (Ex): Dragons have darkvision 120 ft. and blindsense 60 ft. They see four times as well as a human in dim light and twice as well in normal light.
On the second day, she intentionally leaves her Grimoire easy to be seen, even if it’s still locked. If that does not incite any question from the other mage, she’ll in the last day, over a cup of tea, try to talk him into sharing their knowledge.
”And here we are, as I promised, having tea and talking about spells.” she smiles to the man. Even if she didn’t felt attracted to him, it was sure better than that hot-head barbarian. At least she was able to have a descent conversation, without having to fight for each word she said. ”Should we compare what we know? At this point I must say I’m fairly curious to see how much I’m behind you.”
•The full white moon (as opposed to the purple moon) will occur in three nights from now. This time has become a celebratory night for the dragon worshipers (cultists!) because the Dragon bestows its powers upon worthy proven acolytes. This ceremony is proceeded by parties filled with food, drink, and sex.
•The full white moon (as opposed to the purple moon) will occur in three nights from now. This time has become a celebratory night for the dragon worshipers (cultists!) because the Dragon bestows its powers upon worthy proven acolytes. This ceremony is proceeded by parties filled with food, drink, and sex.
Gromff may not have been that intelligent or charismatic but he was at least wise enough to know his strengths. And that was to stand between his enemies and his companions. So that's what he did in a way. He kept a look out. Watching the movements of the dragons and especially those of the lizardmen. They had already marked the wizard so most of the time he is nearby.
"Or, instead of joining, we could use the opportunity to sneak inside the cave... I don't know if you think the same as I do, but I'm kinda suspicious of this drink. What if it magically controls those who drink it? You remember Delmont. He seemed like a good guy, yet he did not question the Dragon talking children and remained loyal anyway..."
"We killed some devils. Doubt that's enough. Even if it was I ain't drinkin it neither. Ye heard the woman. We can't sneak in there. Even invisible. And now that I think about it me magic wouldn't last long enough fer us ta swim. We'd have ta start far outside the city so no one saw. Magic I know only lasts a few minutes not hours. Less she can make an item so we could breath we can't do much." Gromff wants to do more. He really does. But he can't see a way around it. Dragons, the ultimate trump card.
Dragons, the ultimate trump card.
Roland is once again bored by the female member of the party. "If you got any brilliant idea we're all ears kiddo!"
Having been silent and contemplative, Miro finally speaks. "I suggest we take this opportunity while they are all busy boozing and gods know what else, and find our way inside the cave. At least figure out what is going on. As for drinking from that chalice, you're out of your damned minds if you choose to. I certainly won't."
The Halfling crosses his arms, returning to his thoughts for a moment. "Let us see exactly what the fate of these children is, and perhaps that knowledge will help spur our next course of action."
"Big ceremony. The big lizard might just decide to make an appearance. The Halfling's right. If that happens it might be the opportunity we need. So let's at least plan for it."
You're escorted into the wooden fort walls, underneath an open-air tent where you're asked to sign a ledger with your name. It appears to be a new book but its pages are filling up fast with the names (and many instances of "Xs and /s" for the ignorant illiterates) of new recruits. A dyed-green goose feather quill rests in a pot of dark green ink, which sits next to a small bowl of sand for blotting.
"Sign your name and where you're from."
For warriors joining the army:
After the signing you are offered an array of freebies and accommodations. First you're given green-painted copper chevrons, two bars thick, to be worn on your chest or upper arm, which will indicate your rank; you're offered a bed in one of the many nearby barracks; you're offered your pick of arms/armors from the armory where you find mostly gear considered subpar to your preferences; you're offered a veracity brooch with a copper seal center, that is until the quartermaster notices that you already wear a gold seal brooch.
For spellcasters joining the dragonpriests:
After the signing you are offered an array of freebies and accommodations. First you're given a green robe lined with silverthread patterns which will indicate your rank; you're offered a bed in one of the many nearby barracks; you're offered your pick of arms/armors from the armory where you find mostly gear considered subpar to your preferences; you're offered a veracity brooch with a copper seal center, that is until the quartermaster notices that you already wear a gold seal brooch.
After this process you're told to be present at the ceremony where you'll be expected to endure the presence of the Dragon, then be given the gift from the sacred chalice. Until then, you're apparently free to roam and do whatever you wish.
This evening at the Golden Piton is the slowest night of business yet seen by the party of heroes. The hustle and bustle that has been prevalent the last few nights -- even here at an inn on the edge of town -- is notably absent. The barkeep looks at our group of heroes sitting at their usual table and walks over. "As soon as your done with supper we're closing up until after midnight. The festival 'n all."
Quickly bringing the dinner dishes to the kitchen, he impatiently shuffles and shoos, hurrying everyone out the door. He pulls out a key, locks the front doors, and begins to jog past the party toward the center of town. "Glory to Her!"
Still debating options, probabilities, dangers, and likelihoods of death, the party follows after the excited barkeep deeper into town. Whether to join the celebration, drink from the chalice, or to use the night's festivities as a diversion to sneak into the dragon's lair is yet to be seen.
The curtain of falling water is both long and treacherous. At the crest it forms an elongated 'U' shape where it cascades down and reforms into a raging white frothy river, rushing along sharp rock formations before eventually calming into hundreds of water pools, straights and streams. These all continue and once again coalesce to reform the Great River, nearly a mile wide.
There is one outcropping of rock that is on the northern side of the 'U', adjacent to the cliff that overlooks the lizardfolk city, that seems to lead behind the falls. The closer this outcropping gets to the falls, the more dangerous it's potential entrance becomes due to the slick algae and moss-covered rocks.
Rounding a bend that joins a major thoroughfare, the party sees Her standing tall and proud, towering over the nearby homes and businesses. Her magnificence is both hushed and accented by the night -- the darkness muffles the brilliance of her green, but the full white moon casts a soft glare that seemed to dance along each scale, horn and claw.
The streets are thick with the unwashed masses, gathering together for this moment to bask in the sheer awesomeness of their liege. The Dragon seems to be almost smiling, turning her neck slowly to observe her shepherded sheep.
Musicians fill the night air with song. Bakers fill your nostrils with scents of roasted meat and flaky fruit pastries. The central town square is filled to overflowing with people, cheering, smiling, laughing, and generally having a good time. The Dragon sits upon a massive circular patch of soft grass, in front of which lies a large masterwork chalice atop a marble tiered dais.
Roland joins the ranks, since he learned there's no need to drink from the chalice, and thus he was safe. He doesn't use the accommodations for now, as they prefer to stick together to avoid the dragon cultists Sess.
"Well, she's out and rolling! It's time to move!"