"So, Einar...about the Moonbeast. It laid an enchantment on you that causes you to always consider it friendly. If you think about it, you will realize that you had a shift in attitude about it just after seeing it. In theory, you shouldn't be able to come up with a situation where you wouldn't be friendly with it. I am sure you can think of conditions where you would no longer be friendly with us, given some of your statements today."
"If you really need to be convinced, I do have a scroll of protection from evil that should temporarily suppress the effect. If need be, I can let you use it, although given tomorrow's activities we may want to preserve those resources."
"I can prepare the spell to break the enchantment, but once again we run into the problem of resources needed for tomorrow."
"One thing I can do now is reduce the duration of the spell. I can cut the duration down by half, but it will still last for days."
If Einar allows him, he would use Spell Tinkerer to halve the duration.
---
"For tomorrow, I've never dealt with a siege before. My folk tend to run rather than hold a location. If sounds like much of the attacking forces will be aerial. I know it would be a lot easier if we could see the place we were defending, but any suggestions?"
He would then talk about his own ideas.
Overland flight to get us there
Wall of fire (doesn't appear to need support, can leave it in the middle of an airspace)
Confusion or Fear, leaning towards confusion
Stinking Cloud (once again can be done in middle of airspace) or Wind Wall (block archery)
Dispel Magic (we aren't the only ones with magic)
Haste (we have an army, this is a big force multiplier)
Persistent Glitterdust from cookbook
See invisibility since they can run me out of scrolls.
Blur or Mirror Image (I need some defense, leaning towards blur since they can quickly take mirror image down)
Carry Companion if needed to get Geist there, otherwise Molten Orb
Grease
Vanish
Feather Fall
Obscuring Mist
Burning Hands
Cantrips don't matter.
For a normal siege, he would have been looking at Create Pit, but it sounds as if most of the battle will be aireal. Create Pit doesn't slow down flyers.
Does Hirah need some of the scrolls of Detect Invisibility?
Any other suggestions?
---
In the morning, Mr. Whiskers is ready to go.
"Yes, their patrols found us yesterday and tried to recruit us. We declined their overly generous offer. I don't think we all did it for exactly the same reasons, but that is probably a discussion for another time."
” Guð, held að þeir myndu krjúpa svo lágt að taka á skjön þessum átökum. Það er engin hætta að þeir munu ekki fara að ná sigri, þá rabid dýr.” Bescaylie shudders. ” Allir þeir vita er landvinninga og stríð. Guði sé lof að þú varst ekki swayed yfir af tilboði sínu."
"Ég tók frelsi öðlast einhverja rúnasteinar frá Spurhorn Garrison. Yfirmaður Pharamol vilja vera fær til gefa okkur fyrirmæli í gegnum þetta..” She hands the party a runestone each. ” Því miður, en ég hafði ekki skilið nöfn, nema Crummock fyrr? She points at Crummock, ” Annars vil ég ekki vita hvað ég á að hringja í þig til að fá athygli þína á miðri baráttunni.”
” Vilt þú frekar tala ég draconic eða Triaxian?” She asks the party.
She then repeats herself in Triaxian.
God, to think they’d stoop so low to involve outsiders in this conflict. There’s no end they won’t go to achieve victory, those rabid beasts.
All they know is conquest and war. Thank goodness you weren’t swayed over by their offer.
I took the liberty of acquiring some runestones from the Spurhorn Garrison. Commander Pharamol will be able to give us orders through these.
Sorry, but I didn’t catch your names, except for Crummock, earlier?
Else I won’t know what to call you to get your attention in the middle of a fight.
Would you rather I speak Draconic or Triaxian?
"Ég hringdi Mr whiskers og af þeim tungumálum sem ég veit bara Draconic. Ef ég er að vinna með einhverjum af hermönnum þínum, mun ég þarf einhvern sem getur skilið það tungumál."
"Ég veit önnur tungumál, þar á meðal fjórum elemental tungumálum, ef það mun koma að gagni."
I know other languages, including the four elemental languages, if that will be useful.
"Flugstjóri Pharamol talar bæði Triaxian og draconic. Sumir af ís sjáenda tala Aquan og Auran." Bescaylie answers. She then translates to Triaxian as well.
Commander Pharamol speaks both Triaxian and Draconic. Some of the ice seers speak Aquan and Auran as well.
The party takes off and follows after Bescaylie. Greta goes wolf so that she can take another passenger.
As the party heads towards Spurhorn, they see 3 two-legged dragons with dull blue scales tinged with bright blue ice patrolling the area, wearing the Drakeland coat of arms (a white dragon skull on a dark blue background).
"Sh*t, höfum við verið Spotted af Drakeland vakta!" Bescaylie curses.
Sh*t, we've been spotted by the Drakeland patrols!
Mr Whiskers and Hirah recognize these two legged dragons as Frost Drakes. They are immune to paralysis and sleep and are immune to cold, but vulnerable to fire. They also have freezing mist breath.
Freezing mist breath:
A frost drake can, as a standard action, spit a ball of liquid that bursts into a cloud of freezing mist. This attack has a range of 60 feet and deals 7d6 points of cold damage (DC 18 Reflex half) to all creatures in a 20-foot-radius spread. The mist cakes all surfaces in the area with a sheet of slippery ice that turns the area into difficult terrain for 2d4 rounds, after which the ice cracks or melts enough to revert to the normal terrain features in the area. Once a frost drake has used its freezing mist breath, it cannot do so again for 1d6 rounds. The Reflex save is Constitution-based.
Einar listens to Mister Whiskers carefully, Sipping on his plum wine slowly so as not to get muddled headed. He eventually sets the small cup down and responds. "Mister Whiskers, I don't doubt that the squid faced slaver, or moonbeast as he's called, cast a spell on me. My mother was capable of such spells, so I am not a stranger to them. But it doesn't change the way that I feel. Because it was caused by magic doesn't 'fix' the emotions I'm going through. Whether I should blame squidface for casting it on me knowing my friends would attack or on my comrades for killing it, doesn't change that I am experiencing these feelings of loss. So if in the process of dealing with these feelings I disturbed you with something I said then please understand that I am dealing with that."
He pours himself a small amount of plum wine then tipping the ceramic container toward Mister Whiskers offering to fill his cup. Continuing "My statements to you were born out of raw loss. Again whether caused by magic or true relationship the feelings were real. So I acted out of that, I can't take it back and I will have to live with it. The same way I live with far worse things I have done. But know this, you have been my comrade in arms as have Crummock and Hirah. My loyalty is first and foremost to you three. If and when we go our separate ways, this time we have spent together will hold a special place in my heart."
Sipping on the plum wine Einar continues to share. "I will confess though there is something that is very frustrating. There have been times when we could have used violence to improve our situation. We could have killed the great elk for food. We could have saved time killing the bandits in the lodge. We could have finishing Mierul in the first combat. Or all the other situations that have risen, and there were many. When one of you asked for violence to not be used, or someone or something to be spared I consented. Not because I thought that it was the best solution to the situation, not because I thought it was the most profitable or that we had the most to gain. But I resisted violence because one of my comrades in arms asked. Then when I attempted for something to be spared, when I wanted violence to cease, my request fell on deaf ears."
Einar stops long enough to finish his glass of plum wine. "There wasn't even an attempt. That, my friend, bothers me more than Geist killing the moonbeast. Don't worry about the spells, I can live with the killing. If I can function every day knowing in a fit of rage I killed every blood relative I had, I can live with the death of my 'friend' squidface, at least it will eventually go away."
Nodding, Mr. Whiskers listens carefully to what is said.
"Although I wouldn't call them real, I agree that the feelings are there. Thank you for discussing this with me."
"Please remember that at that time, although I knew it could cause us problems I included you in my haste spell. The warning and that spell were my first response to the situation."
He waits a few moments, to let that sink in.
"As for the use of violence, you keep bringing up the one instance that is the most painful for me. I believe that Muriel was redeemable, but could not figure out a way to undo the magics used on her. I truly wish that I could have."
"As for the elk, I learned to hunt from the Shoanti. There is nothing wrong with hunting when you need the food, but out on the plateau food is scarce. I was taught to harvest all that I could off any kill and to wait for the kill until it was needed. We had food and supplies, leaving the elk meant preserving those supplies for when they may be more needed."
"Lastly, with the bandits. When we left, it looked to me as if leaving them alive was the right decision. Those we left are now guarding the woods."
"Once something is dead, it is beyond my ability to bring it back to life. That is why I try to preserve life when in doubt. I do not always make the correct choice, but I do try."
"That said, I do not always refuse to use violence. With Nazhema, I agreed with you that she should not survive. I didn't agree with what was done to her after that, but I did agree that killing her was appropriate. I may resist violence as an answer, but I do recognize there are cases where it is justified."
"Please, let me know if you come up with a better solution with respect to the Moonbeast, something I could have done better. This is not just a theoretical discussion. You or I could be hit with magics that could impair or over-ride what we would normally do."
"One of the spells I am looking to use in the upcoming battle causes confusion. It can cause a person to injury themselves or fail to allies fighting alongside them. It is not a pleasant spell, but my understanding is that against large groups it can turn the battle."
"I am not immune to that spell, nor the one affecting you."
Though the friendship will prove to be false, the feelings were real, but it is a moot point.’ Einar smirks, being vulgar to make light of it. ”Everyone knows the love of a whore only lasts as long as the money, but it doesn’t change the feeling or the willingness to do it again.”
Smiling, getting up from the table, lifting the jug of plum wine to take with him. ”You justify your actions. I care not for the reasons. Where I was raised the warband had to fight together to survive, whatever the situation. The petty arguments were saved for the comforts of home. When one asked for support the warband supported him. When I asked for support, Crummock did as he wanted, which doesn’t surprise me. You casts haste on myself and Geist, as if to say the winner will be right. Hirah at least had her lions attack the slave instead of the squidface. I am not mad at you or the others for not behaving like a true warband, just disappointed. I shouldn’t have expected you to behave like one. But having said that you, should not expect me to always support you when I disagree with your decision. I will do as I please.” He then leaves the building to go drink quietly in the gazebo.
Mr. Whiskers flys backwards and readies an action to cast Vanish if any of the drakes come to melee with him.
Hirah doesn't waste time summoning her favoured tigers to the battlefield
This powerful feline predator moves with a deadly grace, its reddish-orange fur slashed with black stripes.
--------------------
Tiger (Irori) CR 5
XP 1,600
Male aerial tiger (Pathfinder Player Companion: Monster Summoner's Handbook 18, Pathfinder RPG Bestiary 265)
N Large animal (air)
Init +6; Senses darkvision 30 ft., low-light vision, scent; Perception +8
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Defense
--------------------
AC 14, touch 11, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +3 natural, -1 size)
hp 57 (6d8+30)
Fort +10, Ref +7, Will +3
DR 3/—; Resist electricity 15
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Offense
--------------------
Speed 40 ft., fly 60 ft. (perfect)
Melee bite +11 (2d6+8 plus 1d6 electricity and grab), 2 claws +12 (1d8+8 plus 1d6 electricity and grab)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks pounce, rake (2 claws +12, 1d8+8 plus 1d6 electricity and grab)
--------------------
Statistics
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Str 27, Dex 15, Con 21, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Base Atk +4; CMB +13 (+17 grapple); CMD 25 (29 vs. trip)
Feats Improved Initiative, Skill Focus (Perception), Weapon Focus (claw)
Skills Acrobatics +10 (+14 to jump), Fly +8, Perception +8, Stealth +7 (+11 in areas of tall grass), Swim +13; Racial Modifiers +4 Acrobatics, +4 Stealth, +4 Stealth in areas of tall grass
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Ecology
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Environment any forests
Organization solitary or pair
Treasure none
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Special Abilities
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Damage Reduction (3/-) You have Damage Reduction against all attacks.
Darkvision (30 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white only).
Energy Resistance, Electricity (15) You have the specified Energy Resistance against Electricity attacks.
Fly (60 feet, Perfect) You can fly!
Grab: Bite or Claw (Large) (Ex) You can start a grapple as a free action if you hit with the designated weapon.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in dim light, distinguishing color and detail.
Pounce (Ex) You can make a full attack as part of a charge.
Scent (Ex) Detect opponents within 15+ feet by sense of smell.
AoO rolls if applicable with Outflank
The first tiger severely wounds the first drake, with the second tiger killing it. Hirah's other two tigers go after the remaining drakes, killing one of them.
The remaining frost drake drops a frost bomb on the rest of the tigers, then retreats 120 feet.
Two of the tigers take the full brunt of the blast, the others not so much.
Crummock delays, feeling that Hirah's flying tigers have the combat well in hand.
Bescaylie begins to urge her dragonsteed, Efrixes to chase the flying frost drake down. The party can see that Bescaylie is moving at about twice the speed of the frost drake, and it's just a matter of time before she catches up.
'well that was anticlimactic' Einar leans down to Greta's ear and yells over the wind. "Should we check the bodies for anything of value?"
Bescaylie charges at the remaining frost drake, her deadly lance levelled at its heart.
The frost drake twists at the last moment, preventing a mortal strike, then strikes back, managing to land a bite, knowing it cannot outfly Bescaylie and her dragon.
Bescaylie calmly finishes the job then urges Efrixes down, and wipes her lance clean off its dead body.
"Fjandinn, þetta er ekki góður fréttir. " Bescaylie takes out her runestone, and closes her eyes as if deep in thought. "Ég myndi betur útskýra hvernig á að nota runestones, ef það er verra að koma."
"Yfirmaður Pharamol getur talað við þig í gegnum hlaupastöðvar síðar og ef þú vilt tala við hann aftur, þá þarftu að halda hlaupunum í hendi þinni og hugsa út hvað þú vilt segja við hann. Ég hef tilkynnt honum að þú ert á leiðinni og bað hann um að fá einhvern til að sleppa tungum á hann, svo hann muni geta átt samskipti við þig." She informs the party.
Searching the bodies yield no loot.
Damn, this is not good news.
I'd better explain on how to use the runestones in case there is worse to come.
Commander Pharamol can talk to you through the runestones telepathically, and if you wish to speak to him back, you need to hold the runestones in your hand and think out what you want to say to him. I've informed him that you're on the way, and asked him to get someone to drop tongues on him, so he'll be able to communicate with you.
"Mr Whiskers, could you please give me mage armor? Without my elven chain, I'm feeling VERY vulnerable." Greta says.
She also introduces herself to Bescaylie. "I'm Greta. I usually go around as a human, but what can I say?" She shrugs her shoulders and looks at Einar. "Someone needed a ride. Isn't the first time."
The party follows Bescaylie's lead and continues to fly over the snowy mountain tops.
The party sees 3 brown, shaggy-furred beast stands on slate grey hooves, with their heads resembling a horned head. On seeing the party they immediately take flight to engage the party.
Hirah and Mr Whiskers recognize the creatures as advanced ceustodaemons.
"Guðdómur, þeir eru jafnvel kallaðir Daemons til að styrkja hermenn sína." Bescaylie starts swearing angrily.
God d@mnit, they're even summoning daemons to reinforce their troops!
Seeing the daemons rise from the ground, Einar calls to Greta and Hirah, "Why don't we charge one of those fiends?" As Greta moves toward one of the daemons Einar begins to rage, causing his cambion ancestry to become evident, drawing the hammer he swings it at the flying creature.
Einar deals a devastating blow to the daemon, who howls in pain.
Calling out to the warband, "Hirah, Greta and I will take the middle one, Someone ask the dragonrider to take the one on the right, Crummock and Geist you take the one on the left." As they charge the middle daemon He tells Greta. "Try and place yourself so we can stay adjacent to Hirah."
Mr. Whiskers gets out his prism and a stone. He uses these to provide Mage Armor to Greta. "Sorry, I should have thought of this myself!" He then puts the items away.
Mr. Whiskers quickly relays Einar's directions to Bescaylie and then reminds Hirah to do the same for Crummock.
Then he moves out of the way of the others. I hope they don't have a lot of these sort of troops. If they do, most of my spells aren't going to be useful!
Greta licks Mr Whiskers all over the face in gratitude, making him a ratfolk with a very wet face.
"That tickles!" he says between laughs. He then makes a gap and offers "We probably should do this regardless each day, so you can be ready in either form!"
"Nah, it's ok. Most of the time I have my nice suit of elven chain. This is probably just a one-time occassion." She somehow manages a shrug as a wolf.
Hirah charges at the ceustodaemon, her greatsword upraised. Her great sword cuts cleanly into it, but it doesn't go down.
Bescaylie salutes Mr Whiskers, then charges the ceustodaemon to the right. Her lance does not appear to go fully into the daemon
The other ceustodaemon at the left stares balefully at Einar and gestures. Mr Whiskers recognises it as a hold monster spell.
Einar feels his entire body freeze, his muscles locked into rigid immobility by the daemon's foul magic. He sees the middle daemon leer at him, then step back 5 ft then reach out with his fiendish maw to rip apart his unprotected throat.
Einar feels a blinding flash of pain as the creature bites into his jagular, and a brief sensation of choking on his own blood, and hears Greta give a pained howl, "Einar! Nooooo!", before darkness consumes him.
The party sees the ceustodaemon rip into Einar's throat, then sees his lifeless body fall slumped on Greta's saddle, and Greta howling in shock and grief.