Rurik casts a prayer spell to get a bit of an edge in the conflict.
Pemta pulls out and arrow, but doesn’t fire-she knows she’s too far away to make a clear shot.
DC 18 Reflex half
Crasius: 9 damage
Pemta: 0 damage
Pyrrhus: 18 Damage
Thorizmond: 16 damage
The other two dragons put on similar boosts of speed as the first two to close the distance to the allies of Bescaylie and Efrixes. One of them sends out a stream of super cooled mist that explodes into an icy blast near Rurik, Crasius, Pemta, and Thorizmond. Invisible Pyrrhus is caught in the blast as well. The blast is a bit less potent than the first one. The fourth dragon flies in from the north without breathing mist.
Pemta slides around Thorizmond's torso to avoid the blast altogether. Crasius turns his body to protect his chest and head and avoids some of the blast. Thorizmond takes the blast full on, but his cold resistance diminishes the damage slightly. Pyrrhus takes the blast full on. He is now visible, as the blast covers him in hoarfrost that outlines his body.
Thorzimond (16 lethal, Prayer)
Crasius (32 Lethal, Prayer)
Round 2
Pyrrhus (Invisible but visible due to frost, endure elements, prayer, 18 lethal)
FD3 (67 lethal)
FD2
Bescaylie (23 lethal)
Efrixis (11 lethal)
FD1
FD4
The gnome manages to fire the arrow right before she was able to swing back and avoid the cold blast. “You alright?” she asked Thorzimond, with only the faintest hint of concern in her voice.
Crasius begins a chant and says, "The freezing breeze that blows and blows again..."
"Very well then. You want a fight, we will give you one." Thorizmond says, before loosing an arrow and diving away from the group, to avoid a repeat of the earlier attack.
Thorizmond moves away from the group. His arrow hits one of the dragons, causing some hurt.
Crasius begins his always inspiring narration.
Pyrrhus flies around to reposition himself, gaining a bit more altitude before putting his hands together and concentrating. A small sphere of fire materialized between them.
"Shams saghirat fi rahat yadi." He intones, before flinging the fireball towards two of the drakes.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
FD1: Saves, takes 18 fire + 9 fire (vulnerable to fire)
FD3: Fails, takes 36 fire + 18
Pyrrhus' fireball surprises the middle two frost drakes. The one that was already injured by Bescaylie and Efrixis is badly burned as it flies straight into the hottest part of the blast and comes out of the fire falling limply toward the ground far below. The other veers and only gets into the out edge of the blast.
Thorzimond (Prayer, 16 lethal)(move, ranged attack, hits, 12 to FD4?)
Pemta (Prayer)
Crasius (Prayer, 32 Lethal)(starts IC +2)
Round 2
Pyrrhus (endure elements, prayer, IC +2)(casts fireball, 27 to FD1, 54 to FD3.)
FD3 (121 lethal, dead)
FD2
Bescaylie (23 lethal, IC +2)
Efrixis (11 lethal, IC +2)
Ingrit (IC +2)
Wapiti (IC +2)
Rurik (Prayer, 23 lethal, IC +2)
FD1 (27 lethal, 3 rounds to next breath)
FD4
Before Thorizmond moves, she unleashes arrows at the nearest drake.
Vs AC 23
+
Hits for 22
Vs AC 23
Misses.
Bescaylie vs AC 20
Hits for 29
Efrixis
Hits for 20
Total: 49 to FD1
Pemta's first arrow draws first blood on her target by finding a weak spot in its scaly hide. Her second arrow hits, but fails to penetrate far enough to cause an additional wound.
The frost drake engaged with Bescaylie and Efrixis bites her with its powerful jaws, drawing blood and causing some frostbite as well. It swings its tail at her mount, but misses. It continues flying moving south of Ingrit and Pyrrhus (about 50 feet away).
Efrixis turns sharply and flies past the most wounded frost drake allowing Bescaylie to stab him with her lance as she flies by. Efrixis also swings his glaive at the beast as he flies by. Both weapons leave grievous wounds. They keep flying west to near the drake Pemta just shot.
Ingrit (IC +2)
Wapiti (IC +2)
Rurik (Prayer, 23 lethal, IC +2)
FD1 (76 lethal)
FD4 (4 lethal)
Thorzimond (Prayer, 16 lethal, IC +2)
Pemta (Prayer, IC +2)
Crasius (Prayer, 32 Lethal, IC +2)
Round 3
Pyrrhus (endure elements, prayer, IC +2)
FD2
Bescaylie (45 lethal, IC +2)
Efrixis (11 lethal, IC +2)
Thorizmond manages (just) to remain stable in the air while slowly gliding forward at an angle to the enemies and loosing two more arrows at the drake he'd shot previously .
Having Wapiti cut across to her left, Ingrit unleashes another volley at the most wounded of the frost drakes.
Rurik gives Crasius a little bit of the ol' combat healing, just in case.
DC 18 Reflex half
Bescaylie: 28 damage
Crasius: 14 damage
Efrixis: 28 damage
Pyrrhus: 28 damage
Rurik: 28 damage
Ingrit's first arrow finishes off the badly wounded drake, who goes down in flames . She directs more arrows at the closest Drake , leaving it with two more wounds, but still strong and dangerous.
Rurik provides healing for Crasius.
The drake hit by Ingrit's arrows sends a freezing mist ball into the cluster of Bescaylie, Efrixis, Crasius, Pyrrhus, and Rurik.
It then flies at Ingrit.
Thorizmond fires two arrows at this drake, hitting with both.
Wapiti (ready attack on FD4: )
Pemta (Prayer, IC +2)
Crasius (Prayer, 37 Lethal, IC +2)
Round 3
Pyrrhus (endure elements, prayer, IC +2, 28 lethal)
FD2
Bescaylie (73 lethal, IC +2)
Efrixis (39 lethal, IC +2)
Ingrit (IC +2)
Wapiti (IC +2)
Rurik (Prayer, 23 lethal, IC +2)
FD4 (63 lethal)
Otri manages to escape the freezing blast and then reaches for his healing wand to help Pyrrhus.
Annoying creatures. Pyrrhus flies away from his companions, not wishing to be caught again in a blast of cold, and contemplates how to end this quickly.
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
Attack: +10(BAB)+2(Dex)-1(Large Size)+2(Competence Bonus from Inpsire Courage)+1(Enhancement)+1(Luck Bonus from Prayer)
Damage:+5(Str)+2(Competence Bonus from Inpsire Courage)+1(Enhancement)+1(Luck Bonus from Prayer)
Wapiti's timing is perfect, watching closely as the drake swoops toward them, and waiting for the perfect moment to drive his antlers deep into its chest.
Attack: +10(BAB)+2(Dex)-1(Large Size)+2(Competence Bonus from Inpsire Courage)+1(Enhancement)+1(Luck Bonus from Prayer)
Damage:+5(Str)+2(Competence Bonus from Inpsire Courage)+1(Enhancement)+1(Luck Bonus from Prayer)
Wapiti's horns mortally wound the advancing frost drake. It goes limp and plumets toward the ground.
Crasius flies closer to the creature and blows a blast of flame at the last drake as he continues his chant, "Ice and fire clash in the sky..."
Pemta locks eyes with the surviving drake and steadies herself as she unloads multiple arrows at the target.
FD2:
Fails, takes 9 * 1.5 = 13.5 -> 13 damage
Crasius sends a torrent of fire at the remaining drake and burns it. Pemta hits it with one of her arrow shots.
Round 3
Pyrrhus (endure elements, prayer, IC +2, 26 lethal)(healed for 2)
FD2 (19 lethal)
Bescaylie (73 lethal, IC +2)
Efrixis (39 lethal, IC +2)
Ingrit (IC +2)
Wapiti (IC +2)
Rurik (Prayer, 23 lethal, IC +2)
Pemta (Prayer, IC +2)
Crasius (Prayer, 37 Lethal, IC +2)
A quick gestures causes magic bolts to jump from Pyrrhus's hands and seek the last drake.
DC 18 Reflex half
Bescaylie: Takes 23
Crasius: Takes 11
Efrixes: Takes 23
Rurik: Takes 11
Pyrrhus' magic missile slams into the remaining drake, adding to his wounds. The drake can see he is in a fight he cannot win, so he spews forth a freezing mist ball that explodes enveloping Bescaylie, Efrixes, Crasius, and Rurik, and then flies away and down with a burst of speed. Bescaylie slumps forward and wraps her arms around her mount's neck, covered in frostbite wounds. She is near death, but still alive.
Efrixes calls out, "My partner needs healing as soon as possible."
Ingrit (IC +2)
Wapiti (IC +2)
Rurik (Prayer, 34 lethal, IC +2)
Pemta (Prayer, IC +2)
Crasius (Prayer, 34 Lethal, IC +2)
Round 4
Pyrrhus (endure elements, prayer, IC +2, 26 lethal)
FD2 (35 lethal)
Bescaylie (106 lethal, IC +2)
Efrixis (62 lethal, IC +2)
Despite the great distance, Ingrit takes a parting shot at the diving drake.
"How imborrtant do you feel it would be to kill it? I could get some of us closerr to it again."
"Not worth chasing after if it delays us. They sent a force to intercept us...I think they learned their lesson." Ingrit calls out in reply.
"I agree. We should just move quickly before it can bring reinforcements." Crasius says.
Ingrit's arrow fails to reach the rapidly receding drake.
Rurik moves next to Bescaylie to help with the requested healing.
The flight toward the fortress continues. Closer in, a group of creatures resembling bears with hooves and an apelike head fly at the group using a fly spell. They turn out to be greater Ceustodaemons, summoned by the army below to act as guardians. They use magic to try to dispell the flight magic of the group and when close enough send out a breath weapon resembling a fan of sparks dealing electricity damage. They fight to the death, but the onslaught of arrows and other attacks bring them down, allowing the group to continue toward the fortress.
Soon Spurhorn comes into view, an impressive edifice that can only be entered via flight. About two hundred feet from the fortress, a dragonkin and a triaxian sorcerer rise to attack, throwing spells and breath weapons at the group. They break off their attack after taking serious damage.
Bescaylie and her dragonkin mount take the lead as the last few hundred feet to the fortress are closed. She calls out a pass code, which prevents a barrage of arrows from flying the group's way and everyone lands on one of the eight high turrets.
After some tense moments as Bescaylie relates her adventures with the group, everyone is welcomed and offered food and healing as well as a room in the castle where everyone can await the arrival of the commander who will interview the group and determine your status and learn of your mission.
Until then, armed guards are stationed outside the door. Everyone is given permission to move about top level of the fortress provided the groups stays together and the guards accompany them.
Crasius will talk to the guards and try to find out more about the current situation.
Pemta decides to be a bit of a curious rebel and slip away, though not to far from the group in case ahe got caught. She wants nothing more than to figure out where they are.
Pyrrhus follows along in silence. Letting the others talk for now, he instead focuses on being ready if something bad happens.
Thorizmond stays with the group, listening as Crasius talks, occassionally nodding along, interjecting here and there, and generally doing his best to help out.
Never the most talkative, Ingrit follows the others with Wapiti, taking the opportunity to learn as much as she can from the surrounding environment.
One of the guards quotes a famous historian, "From the ashes and chaos of the War of Heroes, a union emerged, Dragonkin and Triaxians banding together with righteous dragons to stand guard against the wicked tyranny of the Drakelands. From the windswept Parapets—mountains said to have sprung up from the corpses of the Great Ones, that they might continue to guard their comrades even in death—the dragons and dragonriders of the Skyfire mandate continue their ancient alliance. Theirs is a bond of trust, honor, and friendship—and should it ever falter, all the lands of Triaxus shall fall beneath the drakelands’ lash."
Specifically, a powerful white dragon warlord called Yrax, Lord of the Howling Storm, has sent a huge Drakelands army to besiege the Dragon Legion aerie of Spurhorn. The army is led by a silver dragonkin named General Malesinder. The army has superior numbers and the defenders are expecting a full scale attack soon, as in a matter of days, not weeks.
Pemta is able to move about the top of the fortress but she cannot enter any of the bunkhouses or towers, either because the doors are locked or barred or well guarded. There are eight bastions around the outer walls, each 40 feet tall with arrow slits on all sides and a crenellated roof. Atop each tower are several ballistae and other siege engines.
There is a keep in the middle with five towers. The keep is 30 feet tall and the towers are 40 feet tall except for the eastern one which is 60 feet tall. On the east side are two ramps large enough to allow dragonkin and dragons to fly from the levels below. The large doors are bolted from within.
The guest room is at the base of the east tower. It is 60 feet in diameter, with a central area for eating and conversation with three smaller rooms off this area. There are stairs that lead higher in the tower but several armed guards prevent anyone from going up without a fight.
There is one more area Pemta can access: it is an open area atop the keep that normally has a garden during the warm part of the year, but now it is covered in several feet of snow.
Toward nightfall, Bescaylie visits and tells the group that they are all invited to a special meeting of the Dragon Legion's senior officers where they will meet commander Pharamol. "You will have to convince them of your trustworthiness and willingness to aid the legion in order for them to grant you any aid in finding what you seek. Good luck. I will be there, but aside from what I've already told them about your fighting at my side, I cannot sway the council. Good luck."
"Brrobably not good sign zat you wished us luck twice."
"Our story is an odd one. I am sure there are some who fear we are spies sent to subvert the defenses. Perhaps, we will need to offer to perform some act to show our trustworthiness." Crasius says with a shrug as he lounges in a chair.
"He's right. It's hard for us to convince others of our purpose when we don't even really know how or why we're here."
When Pemta is sure they are alone she whispers to the group, “We better be on their good side. I checked the area-guards everywhere. Lots of seige engines too. If they think we’re spies or anything similar we’ll be trapped like a gem in a dragon’s den.”
"They are in need of allies. I am sure we can present a strong enough case that they will be willing to make at least a minor gamble on working with us. Their situation seems pretty dire without outside intervention." Crasius says with with a shrug. "If we are prisoners in here when this place is overrun, their guards and siege engines will not be our biggest concern.
Adding to potential reasons to suspect you is that you are not the same race as the humanoids in the castle, who are Triaxian natives. They are similar to humans but are distinctive with white fur all over, with elfin ears that have distinctive hairs making them seem longer. They have seen elves and gnomes and other races, but they too tend to have evolved fur during the long winter. Their hair is longer on their heads, similar to human hair, and they style their hair in many ways, although warriors tend to keep it short cropped. Some are balding. As a race they call themselves Ryphorians.
Come morning, Bescaylie and some Triaxian guards arrive with news that the council meeting will begin soon. The group is escorted up stairs in the same building as your guest quarters. One level up is a room that fills most of the area of the tower, with a long table, comfortable chairs and accommodations for both humanoid and dragonkin.
The stairway and doors are wide enough to allow the large dragonkin to move without squeezing, so Thorizmond can get to the meeting without a problem.
The military council is already seated except for the commander. They are comprised of five dragonkin (3 female, 2 male) and four Triaxians (2 male, 2 female). Male and female dragonkin look the same while they wear armor and other gear, but the females tend to decorate their horns and claws with colorful pigments and ornaments.
Eventually a solidly built male Triaxian in fine looking armor enters. He introduces himself as Commander Pharamol, then welcomes the newcomers politely but without any particular feeling detected, and then introduces the council members. He has been informed that some in the party speak draconic, so that is the language of the council. He pauses after a few sentences to allow Crasius or Pyrrhus a chance to translate.
Council Members
Amerenth (LN female gold dragonkin): Amerenth is Commander Pharamol’s bonded partner.
Calissus (NG female white dragonkin): Calissus is heavily adorned with jewelry and carries a masterwork guisarme. She has a quiet voice and is a calm and patient presence on the council.
Herjan (N male black dragonkin): Herjan is a veteran of many battles, and his head bears the scars to prove it. He carries his own lance and is bonded with the dragonrider Zusk . Herjan is gruff and pragmatic, and seems bored by the proceedings.
Jarilne (LG female Winterborn Triaxian oracle 10): Almost blind, with her white body fur turning gray, Jarilne is the oldest legionary in Spurhorn.
Nevra (NG female blue dragonkin): Armed with a masterwork glaive, Nevra is a beautiful dragonkin with a slim neck and sleek body.
Sumira (NG female Winterborn Triaxian fighter 8): Sumira is the bonded rider of the dragonkin Calissus . She dresses in immaculate white armor, matching her dragonkin’s scales. She is passionate and inquisitive.
Talsune (N male copper dragonkin): Talsune has large horns and thickly ridged shoulders, and wields a masterwork greatsword in combat. He is intent and determined, and listens carefully.
Thronull (LN male Winterborn Triaxian fighter 8): Wiry and balding, Thronull is not a dragonrider, Instead, he commands Spurhorn’s crossbowmen.
Zusk (N male Winterborn Triaxian fighter 8): Zusk is a muscular Triaxian with short, grizzled body fur. The bonded rider of the dragonkin Herjan , Zusk is confident and insistent.
Commander Pharamol states that the purpose of this meeting is to learn about the strangers and decide what their status is at the fortress. He briefly summarizes what Bescaylie and Efrixis reported as to the assistance provided in helping them to return safely to the base. The two nod after this to indicate they concur with the summary.
"I'm sure the council members all have questions, but first, I'd like to hear your explanation of who you are and why you are in a battle-torn region like this."