Neolandus frowns at Dandilion after Fondo's speech, "So you're not an Arabasti, but you know an Arabasti who may or may not take the throne. Surely you understand this is a PROBLEM for the succession of any King or Queen now."
"There will forever be a shadow over whoever is crowned - a shadow over their rulership. A shadow over their authority."
He waits a moment for Dandilion to continue, then presses on.
"We must discuss this, discuss it at length, and work out all the angles."
So begins a loooong night of politicking. Plans are made and unmade, proposals - some of them bordering on the ridiculous, are considered and gathered, or put aside. Neolandus, drunk as he is, still leads the conversation and hones in on exactly what makes Fondo... kingly.
As the edge of dawn begins to creep over the horizon, the party, some of whom are awakened, is escorted to a large meeting hall where many of the nobles for that days meeting sit in discussions of their own - many also all night long. They've been debating the benefits and dangers of various nobles on the throne.
Vencarlo calls out in a booming voice, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring you our next ruler of Korvosa!"
- - -
That's it my friends. That is, ultimately, the end.
Thank you VERY much for this last run. Our intro thread began September 19, 2012 and here we are. Wow. Thanks for the creativity you all poured into your characters. It was worth every hour.
Wealday Rova 19, 4707
- The party, on leaving the castle, clears out their home and defends it from all attackers and malingerers throughout the day and overnight.
Oathday Rova 20, 4707
- The party wakes gently and plans their day.
- Riots and battle fill the streets as the rebels begin taking back neighborhoods from remaining Ileosan loyalists, Gray Maidens, and other holdouts. The party prepares to invade the Sunken Queen.
- Fondo clears the bridge to Old Korvosa, handing authority over the span to Cressida’s forces.
- That evening, the party teleports to the Sunken Queen and begins the invasion of the building underwater fighting frog-men and a giant fish.
- Moving up into the structure, the party is met by dread wraiths and Illiosa’s Furies, the erinyes.
- Rushing forward without proper preparation, Barael nearly dies as the Queen is finaly faced.
- A looong battle ensues where the Queen, largely targeting Fondo with spells and other abilities, tries her hardest to stop the party from stopping her!
- Alas, the Queen fails to make her escape with Korvosa’s loot, and her greed is her undoing.
- Charlie, or was it Fondo, with help, stops the ever-growing blue dragon from forming - but it costs Charlie his life.
- There is an interesting discovery as the party collects the last of the treasure from the Sunken Queen.
- The party, after a couple hours of waiting for the anti-magic field to wear off, teleports to Kaer Maga to see to their friend raised.
- Raised by a slightly drunken priest, Charlie rejoins the party as they recall back to their home beneath Korvosa.
- Visiting Cressida, the party learns about the cities plans for a new King - Glorio Arcona.
- Neolandus and Vencarlo also affirm Lord Arcona’s candidacy for the throne though there was drinking involved.
- There is much drinking, and the party puts forth their own potential ruler(s?) of Korvosa.
Neolandus quaffs his wine and looks at Dandilion with a measured slow examination. He takes his time and though his body sways a little, the eyes do not.
He clears his throat and walks over to the group, "Well then. This raises a few issues doesn't it?"
"So, er, exactly how do you draw your lineage to the Queen? Am I right? We're talking of you aren't we?"
Neolandus and Vencarlo, still chatting, enter the throne room casually. They smile and stop their chattering. Neolandus goes for the wine and Vencarlo walks to the group.
"So what's up? What are the heroes of Korvosa going to do next?"
Dandilion and Briar examine the fangs, but cannot think of an easy way to destroy them. They were, after all, scattered and hidden by the last good folks to have them. It will take much research to determine how to best end their existence.
Serithtial cannot do it. If she could, they'd already have been destroyed by Fondo's hand when he destroyed the crown initially. She does however seethe with anger in their presence...
You hear the voices of Neolandus and Vencarlo in the corridor, returning due to Barael's summons, though they've not yet arrived in the room.
Neolandus fills your goblets with more wine and he and Vencarlo move off into the other room, chatting about something you can't quite make out.
You are alone with the throne again. The blood from the recent battle still leaves a few stains on the floor. Though clearly someone has tried to clean it - the Queen's blood-double made quite a mess.
hehehe. I don't think there is a trial by combat option to be King of Korvosa, but if you want to be king - say so. No need to do it over bare blades. :)
Vencarlo shakes his head sadly, "There it stands then. You're opposed to the incoming government, not for what he is, but for what he might be - and you're not willing to build the future - just tear it down."
"I am disappointed Fondo. I had hoped you would stand for something rather than just against it. But you are master of your own future and must make those decisions for yourself. No one can make them for you!"
He raises a glass in toast to his sparring partner, and sips it smiling.
Neolandus cuts in, his words slurring slightly, "Enough about that! If you're not bound for government work, what does the future hold for you? All of you - what are your plans now? We owe you a lot. If it's not to be Lordships - and all the hassles that can bring - what can we do to help?"
"You call me judge? Have you not judged him fit on the behalf of people whom he'd rule? Would you not crown him king while keeping secrets from Korvosans small and grand alike? Did that work well when Ileosa claimed the throne?"
Fondo shakes his head. "You think him good? Indeed, it may be as you say. If yes, then let him show his face to all, and share with all the magics he does call his own. Enchantments that beguile the mind."
He places his hand on the back of the throne. "As for perfection: No, we do not need an angel king. We need an honest one, who shows the world his face. A man who wears no mask."
Skilled liar that he is, Fondo stands tall in the knowledge: He has been one to stand in the light of day and eschew the shadows. Perhaps too honest for the liking of blue-blooded nobles who pretend to be vigilantes. But a Varisian who would be stunned almost unto death if Chels ever gave him their respect.
Vencarlo replies with friendly warmth, "Even I wear a mask my friend, yet you would have me on the throne."
"No man is without fault and no one judged Ileosa - save perhaps her husband, now cold in the ground for his part. You seem to think there is some back room, and I have decided who is to be King?" He smiles, "There is no such room."
He thinks a moment, and a brief one at that.
"You should join the council - be a part of Korvosan rule, fight for whatever rights you believe in and act as counter balance to the King if you feel that is necessary. It's the perfect place to do so."
Just as a heads up - casting true seeing so as to study your friends, and their gear, would be most uncouth, even very rude. Doing it to Neolandus might even violate some obscure laws of the state in some way. But then that's never stopped this group...
Vencarlo sighs and turns to Fondo, "My dear Fondo no one is telling you not to speak if that is your mind. We're merely pointing out that we have a good man here - and yet you would cast him down, maybe not even as a free citizen for his sister and his race."
"What I hear from you is that you plan to go forth and rally the common man against our new King? Who will you stand in his place? Who is so perfect in your mind as to be without any reproach? I would meet this man - for I have never met him in all my life."
Neolandus speaks first, "Well, Briar, I don't think the Rakshasa are undying - they have a life span same as you and me. Well, more like me I think." he grins.
But Vencarlo chips in as well, "Barael, Dandilion, please. Thank you for your vote of confidence, but I'm really not the right man for the job." he chuckles, "I'm better at fighting government than being in it."
"No, I'll take a seat in the House of Lords - and that's as close as I'll get to the throne I feel."
Nikolay Vasilevich wrote:
"If he becomes the next megalomaniac are you just hoping another group will kill him off, too?"
"Nikolay, you'll be available right?" Vencarlo smiles and then grows more serious. "Look. Glorio Arcona will be a strong king, but he is no megalomaniac. At least no more than any other noble in this position. And we'll have the House of Lords as well exercising some power within the city. A thing we didn't have before."
"Frankly Dandilion, Lord Arcona is all the things you've said about me as well. He has proven his loyalty to the city, he is wise, and he is charming, well known and well loved by many in Old Korvosa, his traditional stomping ground."
Neolandus breaks in, "We did ask Vencarlo here to be King you know. He turned us down flat - and that was when lord Asmodeus was leading the running." He refills Charlie's cup, and offers more to Briar as well - glad that someone is drinking with him.
You feel Neolandus and Vencarlo are their normal selves, though Vencarlo is more deferential than usual. He seems to have a lot of respect for Neolandus. Oh, and Neolandus is a little drunk.
"Risk? Sure, any regime change entails risk. Do we know the person well enough to trust them with this much power? Frankly there is no one that trustworthy in my experience."
He looks at you very seriously, his face scrunching up with concentration. "But we vet them the best that we may, and we put safeguards in place to limit their power. In fact we're putting in more safeguards against this King than any we've ever done before. I like to think it's because of the Queen's recent rash actions, but some of it is certainly racism against our likely new ruler."
Neolandus lowers his glass, "No, no, we retake the castle, and in every way. Militarily and in our hearts. We must drive out the Queen from this place and re-sanctify it in every way."
He smiles, "Yes, we are considering putting a Rakshasa on the throne, but I'd ask you keep that fact to yourselves. There are some who would view it wrongly and without fairness to the man inside the skin."
He laughs with the glow of wine, "Of course that's not official, there is no law against it, but we're trying to knit the city together, not try to wedge our differences out in the open."
"And yes, I did spend time in the dungeon, but at the hands of his sister, not himself. Granted, he does carry some of the fruit of that poisoned tree, but I think he'll do an excellent job for Korvosa. No one is without flaws after all."
Briar follows along, taking a break from his celebrations and definitely not trying to keep pace with Charlie.
"Of course it is true. Would you think that I would lie or brag without justification?"
"Brilliant! I know many had hoped for capture and a nice public trial, but I had my doubts. I think she'd rather have died than subjugate herself to such ignominy."
"Well done my friends, well done! They shall sing songs about you, I am sure of it!"
He grows a little quieter, though his broad smile doesn't lessen, "You have done us a great service and your city will be grateful - you'll see." He straightens up, "Come, let us have a toast!"
He walks to a sideboard and pours wine into crystal goblets for everyone. Verncarlo, grinning like a cheshire cat, helps him to serve you. The two stand and salute you with their glasses and drink deeply to your success.
The party finishes it's meeting with Cressida on an uneven note, though Cressida thanks you again, profusely, for your efforts.
You travel, presumably, to the Castle of Korvosa. Why it was just a couple days ago it was crawling with gray maidens, devils, false queens, and all manner of other creatures. Now it is swarming with rebel forces.
You are identified quickly, and just as swiftly, lead to the throne room where Neolandus is meeting with a variety of advisors. He sits in a chair on the floor, below the empty throne situated behind him.
Upon seeing you, before you're even announced, he sweeps aside his advisors, who disappear quickly down a side passage, and he strides up to greet you.
"So the Queen is dead! Is it true? Is her reign is truly ended?! I know it's what the wizards say, but they cannot always be trusted."
You see Vencarlo coming toward you with an equally wide grin from the same passage the advisors fled down.
Fondo nods with only feigned respect, quite certain (without rolling) that Cressida has her own dim wits about her.
"I'd ask you only this: Have you seen the face that lies behind his veils? Or traveled through the prison where his family tortured Neolandus and Vencarlo both?" He shakes his head in resignation, knowing that Cressida's only desire is to find a titled noble upon whom to hang her own love of order.
"Have you seen that face or are you just imagining it? Or do you judge him merely by his race, and by his family? Do you discount his actions? Do you think so little of me?"
"How much time have you spent with him? You may be very powerful, but you are not all knowing and I think you are treating our likely new King quite unfairly - but I suppose everyone has their own prejudices they must bear. Frankly, it's good to have opposition in government, it forces everyone to behave - as long as there is compromise."
Barael de Gare wrote:
Barael frowns as Cressida bears down upon the group. "No references?? We had the word of a queen, who at the time you honored, for a reference. 'Heroes of your caliber', I remember you saying. Quite clearly, too." Barael breathes, then continues.
"Clearly you do not know the Glorio we know, so we'll heed your advice, and speak directly with Vencarlo and Neolandus. I'm glad to have fought this corruption with you, and I hope that you can finally rest in the knowledge that this city has weathered a nasty storm."
She smiles, "You had just killed a local businessman in cold blood in his own home. Granted, in time our investigations proved you to be in the right, but in the moment all I knew of you is that you had some stolen goods of the Queens. She, in her wisdom, had decided to trust you and so did I."
"So clearly, I have been fooled before." she laughs, a little.
"Yes, go speak with Vencarlo and Neolandus. Meet with Lord Arcona if you can find the time - I'm sure he would enjoy speaking with you. Spend the night discussing politics with the man. Learn of his plans for our city - I think you will have a different view."
"Or, if you prefer, put your own hat in the ring. Make your own claim for the throne. Everyone is doing it..." she smiles encouragingly.
Field Marshal Kroft leans back in her chair and studies the party a moment. "Such racism! I expected that from Briar here - I'm not sure he'd like a human in that position if an elf were available. But the rest of you!"
"It's a good thing I was not so limiting when we first met. A varisian, elves, half elves, peasants. No jobs and no references. And yet here we are and look what you have accomplished!"
Cressida stands, "No, I'll not have it. Clearly you do not know Lord Arcona as we do. He is an honorable man, and he will take care of this city. That said, if any of you wish to put your hat in the ring, it is not too late. It may be presumptive as of now, but the real meeting is tomorrow - and there is yet time to rally the nobles to your cause if you were to wish it.”
”I know Neolandus is very impressed with you, and he has the final say really. Or rather he has the ability to say ‘no’ which amounts to the same thing. Go to the castle - see Vencarlo and Neolandus. Many of the nobles are there still this night. Few are sleeping with such momentous undertakings at these taking place.”
Sense Motive DC 25:
Field Marshal Cressida Kroft does not seem to be under any sort of enchantment that you can discern with this method.
Cressida seems genuinely surprised at the party's reactions.
"He's a just and lawful man. He'll lead Korvosa honorably as the last King had, and I have confidence that things will in fact improve under his leadership. These last few weeks, he has been a staunch enemy of the Queen and a helpful ally in Old Korvosa. Thanks to him, many who would have died survived. Old Korvosa never fully fell to the Queen's power."
"Further, if you're really worried about it, the nobles are taking steps to reduce the power of the throne here in Korvosa. We are creating a house of lords to oversee the actions of the Monarch. It is hoped that the reforms we put into place now will act as a curb to any future Monarch."
She shakes her head.
"Of course I must admit the details are a little unclear to me. My political skills are a little lacking here and I've been busy with other things. However, Vencarlo and Neolandus both approve of our new King, and the reforms, and that's good enough for the military."
"I must tread carefully. I have lead a coup against the government, with your help, and now control the city. I need now give authority to... someone. Lord Arcona is an excellent choice in my opinion. His closest competitor is Archbishop Ornher Reebs, high priest of Asmodeus. There are others, but none with such a following as these."
"I'm not interested in religious rule if we can avoid it."
Cressida is a little overwhelmed at the party's actions - the hugs, the shouting - but she recovers well, and even manages a little laugh at Charlie.
"There was disappointment that the Queen was killed rather than brought up on charges of course, and we do not expect a raise dead to work. I doubt she'll return to anyone we might have do the resurrection."
"But clearly, this is a war, and there are casualties - even at the top." She turns to Fondo, "Our Vencarlo however is alive and well and acting as personal aid and guard to Neolandus who has been reinstituted as the city's seneschal. They're working from the castle."
"Yes, Nikolay, there is much yet to be done to stabilize the city, but the worst of the fighting is over and only small pockets of resistance remain. Charlie, your Eries has been most helpful in rooting out these resisters as well. She has a knack for knowing where they hide."
She stands up and stretches a little trying to work out the kinks.
"There is a council meeting tomorrow morning. I'd like it if you were there. We shall be finalizing our new King and bringing the military in line with the nobles to recreate our government. Vencarlo and I have done much, but we need a King now to seal the peace and re-establish contact with our vassal states and all the things that a proper working government can do."
"He's a friend of yours I understand. He helped you, and you him, in Old Korvosa a few days ago."
Barael, the broad shouldered Fondo, and Majenko (at least) head up into the Harrow House and out the short distance to the Citadel. They’re stopped well from the gates by a squad of Cressida’s troops, and a few back and forths later, you are admitted to the inner sanctum.
Majenko excuses himself just before the meeting and splits off for the barracks and infirmary...
I won't be far, he whispers telepathically to Barael and Fondo, Just holler when you're ready to go if I'm not back.
Cressida is up, as usual, and looking a little haggard at this late hour, but smiling. She greets you warmly and welcomes you into her office. She probably hasn't slept in weeks.
”You did it! You really did it! You killed the Queen!! We were scrying you and saw most of what happened. We haven’t told anyone yet, I wanted to hear from you first.” she thumps down heavily in her seat and leans forward in her chair. ”And of course I didn’t see it. Please, tell me how it went!”
The sensors on the Queen are something. Remember when you tried to 'sense' her magically, you kept going to the quasi-blood creature in the castle. So whoever was scrying her directly, knew how to circumvent that. Maybe they had something of the Queens from after her change to help. Maybe they were her masters.
The party arrives safely at their underground lair below the Harrow House, back home in Korvosa. It is quiet, but well lit with continual flames flickering in many otherwise dark corners.
Alas Fondo the only possible runners are Ruan or Deyanira - here hiding out. Eries is out fighting in the war, in her own way, and you permit no others in your sanctum. You know of course that they were using the church of Pharasma as their base the day before yesterday, but they had been moving it to the more defensible citadel after they took it that day.
The priest quickly produces a, unfortunately mostly empty, flask and offers it to the newly risen.
Shortly thereafter the party is on the streets of Kaer Maga yet again. You could look up Saul - who would certainly be willing to share a jar with you, and a little trade if you so wished. You could even try to track down the halfling Corbinian Farfoot if you wanted something a little less then legal.
You do, presumably, have the Queen's body as well, for what it's worth. It is unrecognizable as the Queen in it's current dry and husky state pummeled by magical lighting and chains.
You can celebrate here - there are bars and pubs a plenty, or you can return with Briar to Korvosa, city under siege, now - just before midnight.
Due to the nature of his death, a full resurrection is required, but you are able to find a priest, up late and a little drunk, but capable and ready to earn a bit of coin.
The spell takes longer to cast than usual, but he finally pulls it off with nary a slur in the wrong spot. Somehow fitting for Charlie.
It's nearer midnight than dusk by the time you're done - but the bars are still open. You overhear, a few tables over, a traveller talking about the uprising in Korvosa. Apparently, a few days ago, the Queen was on her heels, but not quite out of the fight.
Majenko gets up from his kneeling position all smiles.
He smashes the gem, producing a number of smaller gems - still of fantastic value.
Everyone gets near Nikolay (and Barael in the hole) and he teleports to Kaer Maga!
1d100 ⇒ 15
The smell of the city rolls over you like dirty bathwater. Still, it's fresh compared to the gore you've been surrounded by these last couple hours.
It is just after supper on Oathday Rova 20, 4707 and the city is at your feet.
We are, as you know, at the end of the campaign. There are things I would tie up yet, and I imagine you as well. That said, you may, if you wish, level up your characters now. There are, probably, no more combats.
"How does any of this make sense now?" She shakes her head, dazed by the thought. "it can't be true. the Varisian woman in the market place, I remember that. That wasn't a dream. and I remember the stories she told me, of my father, the most powerful mage in all the world, an elf, with green eyes. Only a pretty green, not ugly and vile like the Queen's...." Her mind reels trying to remember any true thing, anything real.
Her grip tightens on her beloved's hand, a tormented catch to her voice as she whispers, "But... that would mean I'm... but I can't be..." but the word trembles in her mind as the name waivers in her sight from unshed tears. It is too much to believe that she might be...
"Chelish."
Majenko thinks for a moment, and flies over to Dandilion.
He lands next to her, and goes down on one knee, bowing before her.
"I... suppose it could be one of Ileosa's cruel tricks, plaguing us still from beyond the Veil, but I don't think so. My airs with my name, it cares nothing for it. It calls me true." Barael places a hand on the small of her back, steadying her.
This is easily proven. Just have Dandilion touch the gem. If it's her name, she'll be effected by it. If it isn't, she won't! Easy. :)
"Now I'm not great at this, but I think this ring is quite a bit better than that gem. Besides, I like rings, and I'm not as big a fan of amulets. I've never had a crown either, but it seems weird. I'm no king or anything."
He looks at the two rings on his hands.
"No, I'll keep this one, if that's OK. Unless we need to sell it to raise Charlie of course." he looks with sad eyes toward your fallen comrade still radiating anti-magic. "We are going to raise him aren't we?" He looks to Briar and the others.
The gem is a Trap the Soul gem. It is harmless save for those whose names are etched into it. "As soon as the subject picks up or accepts the trigger object, its life force is automatically transferred to the gem without the benefit of spell resistance or a save."
The magics are strong on the gem. You do not think dispelling it is an option. The anti-magic should suppress it, but the best thing to do would be to break it - or have it broken. If the party just smashes it, you'll get gem-shards worth ~10,000gp. If you have a gem cutter do it, you should get much more.
Barael:
As you examine the gem, you can barely make out, along it's facets, the names of all the party members are etched lightly into the stone itself. Save Majenko that is. He has been left out by the master scribe.
The gem in question is a 20,000gp Sapphire as big as a baby's fist, resting on a pedestal one level down.
How exactly do you take it? You see no particular method of removing it that won't involve touching of some sort (even if it's at the end of a 10' pole, which you don't see - I'm just saying it's possible you have one).
Majenko hops on Fondo's shoulder (up and down eagerly) and, with permission, dives into the hole. He swims around in the wealth, coins, gems, art objects. He surfaces again and again with large gems, even a few smaller diamonds, but none large enough for the purpose.
Amazingly bad rolls sorry. Apparently someone already scoured the loot for diamonds.
Nikolay has a teleport left in his satchel I think. He can only teleport five, so someone will have to ride in the portable hole with the dead bodies for a few rounds if you chose to leave today. Deyanira is scheduled to come back tomorrow morning if she's not contacted otherwise.
It would occur to the party that Charlie could be raised in Kaer Maga yet today, but finding a properly leveled priest with the spell handy will be a possibly impossible chore in Korvosa. Unless of course the party plans to have their celebrations without Charlie and raise him in a few days when the parties are dying down. heheheh.
On examining the Queen (which you do as you strip her), you find her body to be quite desiccated and, having been in the chamber of horrors for a couple rounds, quite damaged. In fact the destruction is so severe you cannot determine that it is in fact the Queen. If you didn’t know any better, you’d say someone stole a long dead and dried out body from some crypt, dressed it nicely, and proceeded to pummel it to hide its identity.
Portable Hole
The collected wealth of Korvosa’s royal family (~215,000gp)
Wand of Magic Missiles (CL 9, maximized) (12 charges)
Rapier +2 dancing icy burst adamantine (appears as desired - currently a fan)
Amulet of Natural Armor +5
Bracers of Armor +8
Wrap of Flight (acts as wings of flying in all ways including slot)
Gloves of Dexterity +6 (acts as a belt of Dexterity except slot is hands)
Ring of Major Spell Storing
Ring of Splendid Security (the one Majenko grabbed...)
This extravagant ring is heavy with precious jewels. Even were the ring itself not magical, it would be worth many thousands. As fashions go in and out of style (or as your fancy shifts), you can alter the appearance of your armor, clothing, and even weaponry as you see fit at will as a standard action; this change is illusory and does not affect the actual abilities of gear or weapons (although drastic changes in size are beyond the scope of this ability).
A ring of splendid security’s primary purpose, though, is to grant you protection from harm. As long as it is worn, the ring grants you a +5 deflection bonus to AC, a +5 resistance bonus on saving throws, and spell resistance 22.
The party shares a moment for Charlie as the low buzz of the anti magic field and the lapping water from a couple levels below are all that is heard.
After a while, Majenko casts prestidigitation and begins to clean the blood and gore from his little body. He then cleans Briar, or at least his shoulder and hair if Briar is opposed, so he has something to sit on and lean against.
He then plays with and admires his new ring, delicately rubbing his tiny fingers along the gemstones.
Your sword is mute. Telepathy is typically listed as a Su, which is blocked by the field I think. I do agree it is still sentient and likely unhappy that it can't tell you what to do.
It'll be debated by scholars for years - did Charlie get hoisted close enough by Nikolay or did Fondo's blade strike true? Hard to know what happened first, but something happened to shatter the magics holding up the dragon.
As it falls, the still brittle bones break and the remnants of flesh fall away. The room is filled with blood and viscera from a once expanding dragon that is no more. Dandilion sees a myriad of scry sensors fade away slowly as the battle comes to a close.
All, for a moment, is quiet...and Charlie falls limp in Nikolay's hands.
As he lowers the old man, he sees he has stopped breathing, and the ashen color of his face and hands is clear. Charlie is dead - having sacrificed himself that the party could succeed. His body fell as the dragons fell, and he is equally gone from this world.
Good Question. If Charlie could be somehow elevated to the center of the room, perhaps by entirely encompassing the dragon it'll just wink out of existence. It might also be that Charlie is blocking the magics and you just need to destroy what's here, as unfinished as it is.
Or maybe just prop Charlie up here for eternity - holding back the tide of blood like some little Dutch boy's finger in a dike. You could stop by and bring fresh liquor every so often... he'll be fine.
Too low a roll I’m afraid. You do not learn anything about the proto-dragon.
As Charlie casts his spell a calming center of quiet surrounds him. The lightning, the chains, even the blood itself fails to pierce the field. Further - blood that passes into the anti-magic, fails to pass out the other side or even fall to the ground.
The dragon seems dimly aware of the sphere and recoils, in as much as it can, as Charlie approaches. He gets right up under the center of the blood sphere and the edges of his sphere twist and pervert the edges of the blood. He has to jump, a little, to encompass part of the blood sphere, but when he does so, everything quiets.
The dragon ceases forming and it’s half-made skeletal form hangs in the air like a marionette without strings, or a master to guide it. The writhing stops, the roaring stops, the chains stop. Everything stops - and the room grows eerily quiet as the last flickerings of lightning echo in the large area.
Everyone is up! While Charlie maintains his position, stretching to the sky, the room is calm.
As Fondo's blade strikes at the dragon, he fails to hit anything of substance even in this state.
However, as his blade courses through the blood and chain, it sizzles and burns and destroys everything in its wake. It even reflects a lighting bolt from its path. It is clear that Serithtial is quite destructive to the formation if not the dragon itself.
Fondo, the proto-dragon is 10' up, so I'm not sure how you're attacking. Do you have lunge? Reach? If you're flying up the 5' to attack him, you only get one swing. Also, the crystal sphere does limit sound a bit, but not completely so the others would have heard you. What is the bonus and type?
Charlie - I think Nikolya's belt is +4 to con, so +2 to fort save. I think you're stunned. You are also not sure what to do to defend yourself against this creature. Perhaps once it has fully formed you can better gauge it. You may, as may everyone, reroll when the dragon is completely formed as it'll be a whole other creature when it's done cooking.
Well, you don’t think it’s artifact level stuff, but it’s at least divinely inspired. It’s the most magic you’ve seen thrown around in a while and the Queen had some tricks!
It is possible to stop this thing from fully forming you think, but the trick is how. Dispel evil might do it. So might an anti-magic field. Disjunction is another possibility - or even a wish.
There may be other methods too, but it’s hard to know for sure.
Nikolay waits and grabs the others to teleport to the top. Barael finds himself stunned and reeling from the noise in the upper chambers. Dandilion too is stunned for the second round in a row. Bad luck bee! Majenko reaches down and helps himself to a bit of treasure, and dimension doors the elements of the party upwards. Briar comes back to hitch a ride on Nikolay’s teleport. Charlie heals Nikolay and hangs on hoping for a ride to the top of the Sunken Queen. Fondo loads up on loot - and the fangs - before teleporting to the upper chambers.
As you reach the upper floor in an instant, many of the noises become clear. The room is filled with blood and noise.
The blood of the pool hovering in the air above you quivers and boils. A draconic talon lances out from one side, an immense skeletal wing from another.
The entire structure shakes and shudders, and a growing roar fills the air again, quickly rising to deafening levels. With each passing moment, an immense shape of blood and darkness rises from the ball of blood suspended above you, assuming the form of a blue dragon from the skeletal inside out.
Lightning crackles and chains of iron writhe and snap through the room. Each round, more and more of its body forms as the chains you heard and now see wrap around the skeleton and transforming into flesh, organs, and muscles. Blood splatters throughout the room and you are quickly covered in it. (Acrobatics DC 17 to move on the slick slanted surface unless you’re flying. Failure means to ‘fall/slide’ to the eastern wall.)
Please make three saves, each round, at the top of your post in this order. These are not spells.
First, a fortitude save (DC 20) to avoid the cacophonous noise. Failure means you are stunned for the round.
Second, a reflex save (DC 20) to avoid the lightning and thrashing of chains filling the room. Failure means bludgeoning:5d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 1, 5, 5) = 17 and lightning:5d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 5, 5, 3) = 17 damage. Success means half damage.
Third, a will save (DC 20) to avoid having fragments of thought stolen by the growing magic swirling in the room. Failure means 2 points of damage to wisdom, intelligence, and charisma.
Map Round 16-17 B1 on the map is the proto-dragon, still forming. It is 10’ up in/around the blood pool. Q1 is the Queens body, rapidly being destroyed by being in this chamber. The ceilings on the top floor are 50’.
Round 13 - Fondo activates tactician: (round 1 of 8): allies within 60 feet who can see and hear Fondo have access to the following teamwork feats: *Allied Spellcaster: add +2 competence bonus to spell penetration when adjacent to ally with this feat; +4 if they have the spell prepared or on spontaneous list, and +1 CL. *Shake it off: +1 competence bonus to saves for each adjacent ally, up to +4. Round 11 - Fondo's challenge: allies have +1 circumstance bonus to hit target of challenge if Fondo threatens it, and its AC is -2. (remember that I track the AC reductions. Do not double stack please) Round 11 - Majenko casts haste on the party. Round 5 - Majenko endows Briar's bow with additional magics: +1 attacks/damage & shock (enhancement->stacks). Round 1 - Fondo inspires the party to greater glory: +4 attacks/damage/saves vs fear (competence/morale). NOTE: This bonus varies, check Fondo’s post for details.
I'll assume Briar spends this round coming back for the teleport rather than swim/fly the whole way up. Saves us a round or two of missing Briar - and I'm sure he wants to be a part of the fun!
Majenko, temporarily channeling the spirit of a magpie, reaches down and snatches one of the Queens rings. It is a large gold affair, encrusted with very precious jewels. The ring must be worth thousands of gold - just in gemstones. Majenko, who has only ever worn a ring since you've known him, helps himself.
He then grabs Dandilion's bee body off the floor (can't fly while stunned I think), touches Fondo, and dimension doors to the top floor of the Sunken Queen...
I'll describe it once I see if Nikolay is bringing the balance of the party now, or if they're slogging it up the long way.
The party dimension doored and teleported, chasing the Queen, back to the bottom most layer (map) of the Sunken Queen.
Upon killing the Queen, a loud roaring was heard on the upper most layer.
To get there, from here, you have two main options. 1) teleport/dimension door back up (Nikolay - remember that your teleports have no chance of failure here thanks to your wish) or 2) swim/fly/walk back up.
Option 2 means swimming through the lowest level around to the hole in the ceiling on the other side of the crystal sphere (there is a wall, hard to see on the map, but it is there). Then on to the second level to the next hole in the ceiling. Then on to level three, again flying around the level to the hole in the ceiling, then up to the top.
First floor: 155' underwater then 25' up.
Second floor: 125' mostly in air and 25' up.
Third floor: 35' in air and 25' up.
Nikolay, you may teleport/dimension door instead of infernal healing if you wish. If not, I need to know your swim speed. Briar, if you're not teleported with Nikolay, I need your swim speed as well. And remember haste is still active.
Nikolay removes his belt and offers it to Charlie to keep his pants up ‘cause no one wants to see that. Barael readies for the ever elusive wraith. Dandilion hears the roaring above and is stunned as her ears ring too loudly to think. Majenko steps through the space between the worlds and into the crystal chamber with Fondo and the Dandilion Bee. Briar climbs to the ceiling and starts making tracks for the upper chambers - swimming as fast as he can in the deep water. Charlie takes Nikolay’s belt and puts it on, protecting us all from the horror. Fondo throws down the crown and bursts it asunder!
As the blade touches the crown, there’s a long slow screech - like a train coming to a sudden stop. It reaches a quick crescendo as the sword cleaves the mighty crown in pieces (link) ending in a light *pop*.
Though the crown itself is destroyed, the fangs which make it up are unscarred, and the blade itself has a subtle notch where it connected with the crown. There is a pause in the noise above, followed by a heavy thrashing of chain and a fresh roar. Though it is loud, it is not quite the full-lunged bellow the first was so the fort save, from here, is only DC 14.
Map Round 15-16 The ceilings on the top floor are 50’. The map is largely unchanged, save that Majenko is now with Dandilion and Fondo in the sphere.
Round 13 - Fondo activates tactician: (round 1 of 8): allies within 60 feet who can see and hear Fondo have access to the following teamwork feats: *Allied Spellcaster: add +2 competence bonus to spell penetration when adjacent to ally with this feat; +4 if they have the spell prepared or on spontaneous list, and +1 CL. *Shake it off: +1 competence bonus to saves for each adjacent ally, up to +4. Round 11 - Fondo's challenge: allies have +1 circumstance bonus to hit target of challenge if Fondo threatens it, and its AC is -2. (remember that I track the AC reductions. Do not double stack please) Round 11 - Majenko casts haste on the party. Round 5 - Majenko endows Briar's bow with additional magics: +1 attacks/damage & shock (enhancement->stacks). Round 1 - Fondo inspires the party to greater glory: +4 attacks/damage/saves vs fear (competence/morale). NOTE: This bonus varies, check Fondo’s post for details.
Briar, there is no chimney here - you need to go around to the elevated bit on the other side of the wall behind the crystal sphere. You're already at 10' up. I'll move you to 20' up (ceiling here is at 25') and 40' toward the next chamber. Let me know if that's not as intended.
Also note that you're underwater. Can you move that far? Remember a fly speed doesn't really help underwater. :)
Majenko thinks, I think we're going up? i'll take Fondo, Dandilion, and the Queen's body to the upper chambers. 'course if it's all nasty up there, we may meet you coming the other way!
Majenko steps through the space between the worlds and into the crystal chamber with Fondo and the Dandilion Bee. He carefully cups the bee in his hands, while reaching out to Fondo with his tail.
Climb on and I'll get you out of here. Where are we going? All the way up, or just outside?
