Simon Greer |
"I see," Simon says. "I see. One question: how do you propose to restrain this oversized bully once he wakes up, and how do you wish to prevent him from returning even if he agrees to depart now? Is it your intention to return to this island at regular intervals to ensure that he will keep his word?"
Asha Ghadvhi |
"Honestly, yes," Asha says, tilting her head. "And as for how to restrain him? I thought we'd already established that: you were going to threaten to kill him. And he's going to run away." She sighs. "It may not be a threat I can make, or intend to carry out, but I am well aware that such things can be useful in the right hands."
Simon Greer |
"Then I will formally bind you to your word," Simon says in a level tone of voice. "You will become this island's guardian and return here at least once every three years to make sure this dragon has not returned. Do you agree?"
Simon Greer |
"Very well, then," Simon says. The old man looks to the others. "I am about to wake this creature. Prepare yourselves."
Zakarras |
"This seems inept at best, and arrogance the more apt word. Asha, simply put, you cannot best this creature by yourself, so your promise to return every three years is really just placing your personal ideals above the safety and well being of many people. That kind of reckless selfishness is unbefitting anyone who adheres to a code of good, stop thinking about yourself and think of the people on this island, they deserve security and peace more than you deserve to test your strength of will against a vicious creature. Stop this selfish reckless approach and slay this beast, now!" Zak is determined to end the dragon and won't hesitate to do so if the beast stirs.
just playing IC, Zak is TN and motivated by the loss of a friend to a bad guy that got away, so he can't just let the dragon go free if a chance remains that it will hurt others. Though not a Paladin or LG, Zak is still motivated by a moral perspective that fits his world view.
Asha Ghadvhi |
"This dragon has not threatened anyone who hasn't come to attack him in centuries," Asha replies evenly. "I have no wish to 'test myself' against the dragon again regardless. But I won't become the monster you are suggesting he is either. Instead, I will ask you this: stand with me, Zakarras. Let us meet here again in three years, and join me against Huyanwo if he has returned. Prepared, together, he would not stand against us any more than he has today." She pauses, then says quietly, "And if he has returned, and still threatens the peaceful residents of the island... I will not stay my blade a second time."
Zakarras |
At first Zak hesitates, but with Aha's promise to take action if the dragon returns he agrees to her suggestion. "So be it, I give my word that I'll return with you in three years, but we must also receive regular news from the island that all is well for these people." Zak remembers a friend lost to him years ago and hopes that he made the right decision.
Simon Greer |
"Then so be it," Simon says.
Turning to the dragon, the old man kicks a clod of mud at the creature's sensitive snout.
"Rise, you fretful beast! Judgment is upon you!"
Poog Bonebane |
Seeing that his companions are about to wake the dragon, Poog uses his evil eye on the creature lowering his AC and his saves, then activates his ring of invisibility as he stands behind Zarina and chants softly.
Cackling to maintain effects of the evil eyes.
Huyanwo |
The great beast stirs after a time, and momentarily snaps its head around, its slitted eyes flashing with anger. Its lips curl into a snarl as it notices the four of you, all bearing your weapons and holding them, preparing to strike if necessary. "You have strength, ants.", he says, his voice low and rumbling, but still powerful over the crashing surf. "If you wished me dead, then I would already be dead. I presume you wish to parley?"
He listens as Asha gives her ultimatum, and he thinks for a time. "As loathe as I am to leave such a place as Xielan Island, it is clear that I will no longer find a home here, so long as it has protectors such as you. Very well, Asha Ghadvhi. I agree to your terms. I will depart this island, never to return. This dream of conquest went wrong the moment I landed upon this island, and it is time I move on. I had hoped that this year might be different, though. That other group of ants seemed to have promise." He shakes his great head and stretches his wings. "They will have to succeed or fail without my aid." He begins to slink away to the surf.
"Spread the word, ants. You have vanquished the great and terrible Huyanwo, Scourge of the Unspeakable Depths. I am just suprised that we both get to tell our tales." He tenses, and prepares to leap back into the sea.
Huyanwo |
The dragon tenses as his serpentine neck snaps around to search for the source of the speech. "אני מניח שזה עושה לי שום דבר רע לומר . אחד מהנמלים בא אליי לפני כמה ימים . חשב שזה היה אחד מרביםשביקשה להרוג אותי ולקחת את העדר שלי, אבל הוא אמר שזה היה במהירות לכאן לקדם את מטרותיו של אביהכאן בטיאן שיה . הוא אמר שזה לא היה כאן כדי לגנוב את העדר שלי, אבל כדי להעשיר אותו . זה זיכה אותו כמה רגעים , ואני ברכתי אותו לדבר לפני נמאס לי המילים החלקלקות שלה . זה אמר לי שזה היה עובד עם כמה מהמקומיים , כדי להבטיח הצלחהבטורניר , ואם האלוף שלהם ניצח, העדר שלי יהיה הרבה יותר גדול. הוא רוצה את העזרה שלי בהבטחתשהם עשו שם עם הפרס שלהם הערב הזה, נמלה אחרת , אם כיחשוב, ממה שאמר. אם אני סייע להם , ולאחר מכן מחווה רגילה תהיה נתון. זו הייתה הצעה מעניינת , ואחד שהסכמתי . התוכניות של נמלים הן תמיד קצר רואי . עם זמן, אני בטוח שהייתי יכול התהפך התפקידים שלנו - ולא באים אליי בתחינה , הייתי להכתיב את התנאים של ההסדרים שלנו. אבל זה לא יהיה עכשיו."
"I suppose it does me no harm to speak. One of the ants came to me a few days ago. I had thought it was one of many that sought to slay me and take my horde, but it quickly said that it was here further its master's goals here in Tian Xia. It said it was not here to steal my horde, but to enrich it. This earned it a few moments, and I bade it speak before I grew tired of its honeyed words. It told me that it was working with some of the locals to ensure success in the Tournament, and if their champion won, my horde would be far larger. It wanted my help in ensuring that they made away with their prize this evening, another ant, though an important one, from what it said. If I aided them, then regular tribute would be given. It was an intriguing offer, and one I agreed to. The plans of ants are always short-sighted. In time, I am certain that I could have reversed our roles - rather than coming to me in supplication, I would dictate the terms of our arrangements. But that is not to be now."
Huyanwo |
"האם אתה עושה את זה להרגל ללמוד את השמות של כל נמלה שאתה פוגש? אני זוכר את השמות של אלו שעוקצים בלבד." The great dragon levels a yellow eye to Asha, its slitted pupil dilating as it focuses upon her.
Huyanwo continues. "אני לא בטוח איך לתאר את הנמלה שדיבר אליי. זו הייתה אישה, שאין כל ספק, ולא של מניית טיין. זה לא השם שלו אלוף, ואת שמו של אביו בורח לי. ארגון כלשהו נחש, אני מאמין. משהו לעשות עם אפעה."
"Do you make a habit of learning the names of every ant you meet? I only remember the names of those that sting."
"I am not certain how to describe the ant that spoke to me. It was a woman, that much is certain, and not of Tien stock. It did not name its champion, and the name of its master escapes me. Some snake organization, I believe. Something to do with asps."
Huyanwo |
"כן, זה יהיה זה. אני מעולם לא שמעתי עליהם, אבל זה תאר את הארגון כמשפיע. הם, לעומת זאת, רחוקים, ותאר לעצמי שאהיה מסוגל לקחת את שליטה על הדברים כאן בטיאן שיה, בזמן נתון. הם יצטרכו לעשות ללא הסיוע שלי עכשיו."
With that, the great beast leaps into the air and dives into the ocean, leaving you alone on the wave-swept rocky shoreline.
"Yes, that would be it. I have never heard of them, but it described the organization as influential. They are, however, distant, and I imagined I would be able to take control of things here in Tian Xia, given time. They will have to do without my assistance now."
Google Translate. It's an amazing resource!
Simon Greer |
"The Golden League... the Aspis Consortium... This island is in the middle of a gang war," Simon says once the dragon has disappeared beneath the waves. "Or a merger."
Zakarras |
"That's fine and all", hollers Zak as he zips down from his smoke cloud, "but what about the dragon's treasure? Poog and I were planning on getting lootified and the beast just disappeared beneath the waves!"
Simon Greer |
"Did you hear me?" Simon asks. "The Aspis Consortium. The Golden League. Two very large, very well-organized crime syndicates are here. These are extremely bad people who treat the lives of others as expendable if they do not directly benefit them. Both of them are here. And unless I miss my guess, both are plotting conquest."
Simon frowns at Zakarras in disapproval, but then sighs and smooths his expression.
"You may rest assured that their ilk will have treasure in plenty to loot. And there is less chance of moral conundra when we fight them."
Simon Greer |
"Weren't you listening? The Aspis Consortium tried to get the dragon on their side to help conquer the island. The Golden League tried to assassinate us just yesterday. Either or both groups may be responsible for the 'accidents' that have been happening during the tournament," Simon says, waggling his fingers. "It's the kind of thing these people do. When they make their move, if no one stops them from doing so, innocent people are going to get hurt. The Tournament is not going to continue unimpeded, not if those syndicates have their own people in there."
Zakarras |
"Damnit, by the end of this tournament I'll be the paladin, dang altruistic motivations and do-goodyness. Still, innocent people needing protecting does trump my desire for dragon horde." Though he speaks the words, the longing look Zak gives the sea suggests that the internal conflict remains.
Simon Greer |
"Moreover," Simon says, his expression dour, "they may not be fighting one another. These are businessmen" -- the old man spits into the surf -- "so they may be working together to overthrow the island and..."
Simon's voice trails off and his eyes widen. His hands start to tremble and he has to resheath his rapier so that he may lean on his cane for support.
"The Vault!" he gasps. "The Ruby Phoenix's Vault! Treasures beyond imagining! Claim the island, drive out all opposition, and you can claim the Vault and its treasures! Wonders and horrors from the far corners of the universe! Fool! Fool! I am an old fool not to have realized it before now! My last chance!"
Poog Bonebane |
"We am not letting them get our treasure. But first we am having to find dragon's treasure. He am not taking it with him!"
Poog goes back to looking around, unconcerned with the politics of the groups trying to prevent him from his prize. Knowing their reasons doesn't change anything.
It sniffs around as well, trying to find the treasure.
Perception, with It: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 13 + 2 = 16
It Perception: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (2) + 21 = 23
A 1 and a 2? Really?
Asha Ghadvhi |
Watching the dragon leave, Asha nods in satisfaction. But the information about the Aspis and the Golden League takes any hint of satisfaction from her expression. "They will not be allowed to take the island," she says flatly. For a moment it appears that she has more to say, but she simply nods, as though that covers it.
Asha will join Poog's search in the water.
Simon Greer |
I could potentially summon a water elemental, but I wouldn't be able to communicate with it since I don't speak Aquan, and I am not swimming after a brine dragon after it just agreed to stop fighting and *** off. ^^;
Zakarras |
Searching for valuable items first, Zak loads up on treasure. "Have at it friends, whatever gets left behind will likely end up funding those nefarious organizations trying to control this place."
perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34
Poog Bonebane |
"This am good," Poog says. "Though Poog am no sure what these am doing. We should take this back to town and prepare for next fight. It am even more important to win fire so Poog am able to burn those who am trying to take his prize."
Simon Greer |
"I feel we should make public our findings," Simon says once the party has rejoined. "Not just to the Emissary and his, but all the people. We have a gathering of champions who may become targets -- and some of them may have noticed something useful by now. At the very least, forwarned is forearmed; we should spare them being assassinated by cowardly crime lords."
Simon Greer |
"Because the more people those filthy thugs kill, the stronger they become!" Simon says, thumping his cane's heel against the sand. "I came - most of the entrants came here to fight for their prize with every ounce of their skill and power! I will NOT sit back while a scurrulous murderers cuts them down through treachery!"
Simon calms down slightly, and continues. "Also, recall that the criminals want us dead as well. So far, they have been ineffective, but the more people they eliminate, the more resources they will be able to focus against us. Our fellow contestants must challenge us out in the light. The criminals will keep snipping and sniping at us from the shadows. Sooner or later, they will succeed in weakening us."