Azarra-Varney's speech was near perfect, but the dragon seemed somewhat addled so you're not entirely clear how much of that got through. She stopped pacing around and simply stares at Azarra-Varney which is kind of unnerving in it's own right.
Azarra-Varney checks the key and it looks like it will fit.
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Ishta gets the whole picture - if they manage to remove the collar and get the dragon out of the cage, all should be fine.
Easier said than done, though. Fortunately, she somehow glimpses the sheep carcasses, and then thinks out loud "Maybe we can spread the sauce on one of those" and she points to the ovine corpses with her chin. She looks around, thinking a bucket from where the dragon could drink would be perfect, but there doesn't seem to be one nearby.
Azarra unlocks the cage, leaving room for the dragon to come out, but talking to her the whole time, telling them exactly what they are doing.
She checks the sheep carcasses that Ishta noticed, to make sure they weren't already drugged. She didn't want to waste all the work she had done getting the dragon to as aware as she could be.
If they are clean, then she nods, and they can administer the antidote inside a sheep carcass.
Once they have the antidote ready, she tells the dragon that this should clear her mind more, and then she checks the collar if she can get close enough.
She is still talking to the dragon the whole time, making sure she understands as much as possible what they are trying to do.
Hard to believe given the size difference but the dragon seemed more than a little scared of Azarra-Varney and she was clearly still under compulsion, so when the door was unlocked she meekly at the sheep as instructed.
Azarra-Varney started to examine the collar, but what happened next is one of those things that afterwards all involved agreed they would never speak of again. Lets just say that feeding a purgative to a dragon is not something that's best witnessed up close. Azarra's mending cantrip wouldn't help (much) this time.
It was rather lucky that a riot was going on inside the big top since a Dragon retching was not quiet. In the end it was Ser Armithia who managed to grab the collar and twist the key which unlatched the collar. The Dragon's reaction was unexpected, the blue color suddenly vanished and the she took fright and jumped landing heavily on a caravan, squashing it.
She shook her head to clear it before drawing herself up to her full height to examine you as if she was seeing you for the first time. She looked at you all curiously, Azarra-Varney in particular. She sniffed and murmured in wonder, "You're really not him are you?" Suddenly her form shifted to that of a beautiful young elven woman and she said, "Thank you, who ever you are. We should get out of here before the realise what's happened. Do you have a plan to escape?"
Ishta puts a serious face. "I've just realised I made a mistake" she says.
She explains her plan, where she would teleport the group about 1500 feet away to a safe place where she could conjure the Watchers' Wagon and good away freely.
"However, I miscalculated, and now only for of us can be teleported. And that's if the Princess adopts a note human-like form." She stops for one second while she tries, without success, to swallow down her throat. "I... I think you are the most fit to make your way alone" she says to Azarra.
Detailing where they should meet, Ishta hopes they have time enough to summon the Wagon while they wait for the fourth member, who should have an easier time thanks to having Varney's appearance and being able to turn invisible, charm through any undesired encounter or perhaps even adopting another persona.
In her elven form, princess Tiamartha raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Ser Armithia stands ready to intervened in any moments of suspension, , but the gold elf just mostly nods and smiles during Azarra's masterful manipulation of the situation.
The Paladin does bow before princess Tiamartha.
Your Highness. We are the Watchers of Dawn. I, Ser Armithia Seendren, Paladin of Helm. May I ease your conditions?
The gold elf also taps the bard.
He looks expectantly at Kardas.
Do we two want to clear the Ladies a path to the Watchers wagon?
Azarra looks at Ishta and says
That's quite all right. I've got this. Teleport with the princess and the others and get her back to feeling as well as possible. See you soon!
She makes sure they are all away through the teleport spell, then casts invisibility on herself. Her current plan is to go backstage, cast spark on one of the curtains (just to make it look realistic), then go into the tent, yell FIRE, and get out in the crowd, working her way back to the meeting spot.
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Kardas snarls when Azarra steps away, having taken the decision to be the odd one out. Perhaps it makes the most sense, but she's also the one they'll be looking for once the real Varney has been found!
"No, we'll let Ishta teleport us and then we lie low until Azarra reconvenes with us. There will be a storm coming for us, we'd be fools to run right back into it."
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Ishta stands with Kardas. "Yes" she says to Azarra. "You're the most skilled one, the one able to make your way to our meeting point. While we wait for you, we'll have the Wagon ready. But before we go, here, this could be helpful." She makes some gestures and whispers a few words in Draconic, putting an enchantment on the strange Varney that she knows is her friend.
Before executing the teleport, she also magically blesses Princess Tiamartha.
Ser Armithia's touch brings color to the princess's cheeks. "My a paladin", she murmurs gratefully, "I think you're the first one I've actually met."
Ishta casts a number of powerful spells, shielding Azarra-Varney and Princess Tiamartha from magical tracking before granting Azarra-Varney the freedom of the skies. Next Azarra-Varney channeling her inner fire starter sets off to perform a little arson...
Ishta then uses several castings of Dimension Door to move the princess and most of the watchers of dawn somewhere.
Azarra-Varney finds it harder than she thought to set the curtains on fire, but after the third casting it burst into flames and soon panic quickly ensues as everyone flees for their lives!
Since Azarra can fly, she will fly towards the field where they are meeting, but stop at a rare trading stall in the merchants area on the way. She looks around for the very most expensive, exclusive shop, then ducks through the door at the same time she dismisses invisibility, which, unless someone was watching really, really closely, should work.
Azarra-Varney chooses the most outrageously expensive thing in the place and tries it out... like a crazy gold-encrusted sword, or really anything that you would just have to be out of your mind or a clueless tourist to afford.
<As Varney, of course> Ho ho. I think this looks like the perfect thing to reward myself with. Tomorrow will be the absolute pinnacle of my career. How much? Or, do you have anything even more exquisite?
Ishta teleports the group near the Fireball camp, and starts searching for - and give instructions to search for - a place where they could hide or, at least, be discreet while she invokes the chariot, which will take her about ten minutes. Hopefully, Azarra should be there by then. The young mage also gives instructions that, in case someone appears and spots them, they should try by all menas to not let them go and give away their position.
That's a nice looking item. I'm going to come back after my triumph and buy it!
Would Azarra singlehandedly take on a potent spellcaster without arranging an extraction point before hand? Of course not! She knew exactly where to go. Moments after setting fire to the big top, she soared invisibly away, no doubt feeling like the cat who'd got the cream. She'd had a wide audience who'd adored her and a far more intimate one who'd been left tied up in a burning tent while she got away scot free.
As Azarra landed softly in the field where the spell moot had been she looked back and saw a large pillar of smoke rising into the azure sky. In the distance there was great commotion but from this distance nothing distinct could be made out. She walked calmly towards the awaiting Watcher's Wagon and presumably sipped on the finest bubbly Chateau de Neuf Briand in ice as Ishta's magic swept the watchers of dawn away.
As you watched the world whistle by out of the window, princess Tiamartha in her elven form, spoke to you, "So... I'm extremely grateful to be away from the circus, but I'm curious about my rescuers. Who are you and where did you learn to do all that?"
Azarra says
Ah, princess, we're just humble adventurers... . I am Azarra, this is Ishta, that is Kardas, and the Paladin there is Ser. We're from a different place, actually... well maybe a different world. There is a Lich there that we must destroy, and we came here for help (she tells the story of the prophecy and shows her the letter). So, you see, someone knew that we could help each other, and inspired the prophecy so that we could come here and help you, and your father in turn could help us... or at least that is what we hope.
"A pleasure to meet you, Your Highness" Ishta greets graciously once in full ride. While Axarra tells the tale, she nods and adds some 'yesses' and 'exactlies'. "Hopefully, you'll be home and safe soon."
Kardas doesn't smile when he talks, even when expressing his 'joy'. "It is as Azarra said. To undo evil, our paths needed to cross, and I am glad we got the opportunity to right this grave wrong."
Ser Armithia smiles warmly at the Princess, as Azarra tells their tale.
I am highly considering retiring here. Most likely, I may need to do something about the evil fey terrorizing the kingdom. But, definitely after that a restaurant.
"A lich!" Tiamartha was taken aback, "You will need aid to fight such a formidable foe. Father is a collector, he has an interest in arms and armaments, I'm sure he can help."
The next couple of days passed in a blur as you retraced your journey back to Jerogal from the comfort of The Watchers Wagon. Ishta found this exhausting for it required multiple castings every day, still this was excellent practice and she noticed her ability to command powerful magics was improving.
You descended from the Highlands to witness the majesty of a wide plane of the most verdant green grass surrounding a now familiar fairly tale castle in the middle on a low hill surrounded by a walled town. You swept up to the gates where Ishta dismissed the spell and you filed inside. Tiamartha's caused quite the stir, there were gasps and cheering and before you knew it this had turned into a procession towards the castle complete with an honour guard of troops.
As you climbed up through the ornamental gardens, the gates of the Chrysanthemum palace were thrown open for the first time in many many months to reveal King Curathz in human form. He was looking positively ancient today, but when he saw Tiamartha a tear ran down his cheek as she ran to embrace him and the crowd cheered wildly.
King Curathz then waved the crowd into silence and he proclaimed, "Let it be known that The Watchers of Dawn have rescued Princess Tiamartha, they are heroes! Today hence fourth be a holiday known as Watcher's day and tonight we shall have a feast in their honour!"
Turning to you the King said, "I am deeply grateful, for what you have done. I ask but one thing more. Please if you will, I would like to hear the story of how you rescued my dearest Tiamartha."
Would you like the story now, or at the feast tonight?
Azarra was hoping he would say later on, so she could take a bath and maybe take a nap, but even if it was here on the steps of the castle, she was sure that they could tell it well.
Ser Armithia bows low to the King. The knight of Helm nodding in agreement with Azarra.
Think that I may have a pebble, or six, in my boots.
Ishta looks at Ser with malice. "What do you mean? Next time you drive!" she jokes.
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King Curathz frowned slightly at the awkward exchange between the Arcanist and the Knight before turning back to Azarra to reply conspiratorially, "Perhaps this evening would be better indeed. No doubt a bath and a nap would be a welcome respite from the road..."
Azarra bows and thanks the king.
Indeed, some rest would be welcome. We look forward to seeing you there tonight, where we will tell our tale in full.
She then reminds Ser about the knives that he ordered, and after stopping by with him to shop a little bit, she goes to her room and sleeps for several hours until it is time to get ready for the feast.
Something about the whole affair bothered Kardas and it wasn't until much later, when he could wrestle with these thoughts in solitude, that the answer came to him: helping these people was merely a coincidence of their own struggle against evil. Without the troubles in Phlan, they'd have never come here to help Curathz free his daughter. Is this the nature of evil? To make you doubt your every step and action?
Kardas inclines his head when the king offers them hospitality. "I would not say no to that, King Curathz."
A guest suite was provided within the palace for the Watchers of Dawn, it was by far the most luxurious and impractical accommodation, requiring a whole retinue of palace staff to operate. This was perhaps not to everyone's taste but and interesting experience none the less.
That evening after at least a full day of time by Faerune's standards the by now well rested and pampered Watchers of Dawn where asked to join a candlelit feast in the great hall. You where led through the palace to the vast chamber where you first met the king, and now you gasped in wonder as it had been transformed.
Before it had been vast and empty, now it was filled with lights and laughter and the irresistible smell of exotic spices. The vast hollow spire was filled with metallic dragons, hundreds of them. Most where occupying one of the many chambers that lined the spire, others where flying far above. In the centre of the floor was King Curathz in his silver dragon form, curled up like a cat next to the considerably smaller form of of his daughter Princes Tiamartha.
Congregating in several different groups in wide floor space are it seems most of Jerogal's human population. None of them seem bothered by the presence of the dragons and presently several are speaking to the king, including the merchant Coalinthaz and his odd friend and sometime business partner Retsn Imle. All around waiters carry tray after tray of canapes and glasses of sparkling wine. At the edges of the chamber there are chefs serving more substantial buffets accompanied by truly mouthwatering aromas.
A fanfare heralds your arrival and a guard of honour escorts you to the King, who addresses you, "Ah the Watchers of Dawn have arrived! Welcome!" A great fuss is made and you are introduced to many people and dragons as the heroes of the day.
After you've had a chance to eat and make some small talk the king asks, "For the benefit of the court, would you be so kind as to retell the tale of how you rescued my daughter? Don't worry about making yourself heard, the acoustics of this chamber are special, it is my will that you will be heard by all without having to raise your voices.
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Ishta responds to the King's greeting with a gracious salute. She doesn't say anything, leaving the chance for Azarra to tell the story.
"Before we go, we must remember to inform the King's alchemists of the recipe for the antidote. It could be useful to them in the future."
Ser Armithia arrives timely all polished and gleaming gold. The gold elf bows to King Curathz. He smiles and enjoys the ambiance.
Azarra gets up to tell the story...
She exaggerates a little bit, making it all sound just a touch more heroic than it was, since that is what bards do, after all. She recounts the hardships of the journey traveling to find the evil Varney, the almost impossible search for his tent among the plethora of others. She talks about Ishta's amazing win at the fireball competition, providing a distraction while Kardas and Ser scouted for the correct place.
Then she told them about infiltrating the circus and becoming a performer, and how Ser and Kardas and Ishta planned the distraction and the extraction, and then for the last bit she has everyone come up and they all act out their parts... they are in the audience, she is on stage, the show finally ends, she stumbles as she is going backstage, casting a quick spell, she brushes up against Varney, and then suddenly she IS Varney, she gets Ser to help her, the others come in and they all tie him up and keep gag him, and leave him there while they go to find the princess...
They act out the scene where she pretends to be Varney and says... oh, they are rioting in the tent, you must go and calm them down! And they say oh, yes sir, and then they reveal themselves to the princess. Debonair and daring Ser Armithia tears the door to the cage off its hinges, heroic Kardas gives the antidote to the poor captured princess, Beautiful and brilliant Ishta casts a complex and intricate spell to make the collar fall off, and then teleports them all away, just leaving Azarra to turn invisible, yell FIRE, and fly away.
In this version of the story, Azarra stops at several shops as Varney and steals things, leaving them behind with someone to return later, then flies to catch up with the group as they ride away, coming to bring the princess back to her home, and her father who she missed more than anything in the world....
:)
Ishta turns a bit red when the story reaches the Fireball contest, since that is more a lie than a mere exaggeration, but smiles and cheers with her glass to those who look at her.
"Well it doesn't hurt anybody, does it..."
The king and all the court listen with rapt attention to Azarra as she delivers what later became known as the The Ballad of Varney and Tiamartha. When she finishes there was general applause and the feast continued for some time.
It was late and the crowd was beginning to disperse when the king shifted into his human form, and you noticed an immediate difference he seemed younger, many of the worry lines were gone. He said, "You spoke of fighting a lich. Coalinthez's friend Retsun travels the planes and he spoke to me of the enthrallment of Phlan, a great evil has been done there. I can't get directly involved but that doesn't mean I can't help."
He led you through various hallways towards a grey metal door which opened at his touch to reveal a short corridor. Conspiratorially he told you, "I've always been something of a hoarder, I just can't help it. Tiamartha often tells me there's no point having all this stuff and that I should give some of it away. I've always felt it's only worth passing on if it's going to be put to good use."
The corridor opened into a massive armoury, there was row upon rows of armour. There were dozens of racks of swords, and bows and crossbows. Two walls were devoted to different types of arrow. There was a huge collection of wands and rods and staves in all shapes and kinds.
He gave Ishta an appraising look and led the group towards the staves, each of which was neatly labeled. He picked up a twisted staff of blackened yew, one that looked rather familiar. With a far away look he told you, "This is a recent acquisition, Retsun passed it onto me, refused to take any coin for it in fact. He didn't say so explicitly but I think he intended for you to have it, based on its history I think that would be fitting."
He passes it to you, while you've never seen it up close before, it's unmistakably Eaberhard's staff of office.
Cool staff. :)
She whispers to Ishta
What does it do?
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Italia takes the staff and weighs it on her hands.
"Eaberhard!" she exclaims, shedding a small tear when she remembers the old counselor. "But how...? Thank you very much, Your Majesty. As much as a powerful artifact this may be, its sentimental value is, at least, equally appreciated by me."
She quickly bows to the King before whispering to Azarra.
"It throws Fireballs!" she says, covering her mouth with her hand to hide the quiet giggle.
A slight smile formed on the king's lips as he nodded, "I'm sorry about Councillor Eberhard, I'm told he'd been unwell for a long time and they made him suffer at the end."
Shaking his head sadly, the king lead you onto another row in the armoury this time dedicated to bows of all sorts. Ranging from humble hand crossbows via short and long bows to siege ballista, from simple hunter's weapons to elaborate gem incrusted ceremonial weapons. He looked at Azarra before lifting an Orc style horn bow up from the rack. It was far from the fanciest looking weapon, and neither did it have the heaviest draw weight but it faintly crackled with energy. Presenting it to her, he said "This was made long ago, in your world in fact, by a half orc-shaman known as Guinevere Grimlocks to hunt undead. I think perhaps you might find it a boon..."
Azarra couldn't tell what the bow did, but it was so beautiful, and it was oozing more magical power than she could easily comprehend.
I love it; thank you so much, your majesty. I can tell is an amazing and powerful weapon.
She looks at Ishta.
... uh, although, I can't tell what it does exactly. Um, hunt undead... is it a ghost touch weapon, then?
Orcish weapons, brutal things to reflect the nature of their kind. Kardas can't help but find himself thinking that these are exactly the kind of weapons they need for what they're about to attempt.
He bows his head when the gift exchanges hands.
King Curathz explained to Azarra, "I understand the bow was blessed by the gods, and that arrows fired from it are infused with positive energy. In addition some of this energy lingers making it easier for others to hit the target."
Then the king lead the Watchers of Dawn to the sword collection, which was particularly impressive. There were multiple blades of every conceivable type from humble daggers to massive curved two hand swords, through exotic eight bladed whip swords and onto parrying daggers and three tine sai's. The weapons ranged from plane and workmanlike through to bejeweled and inlaid with precious metals.
In the longsword section, King Curathz selected a fine looking weapon with a straight blade inlaid with arcane runes and a big ruby pommel with diamonds in the crossguard and a sharkskin pommel. He handed this to Kardas saying, "This wasn't specifically constructed to fight undead, although I believe it will serve you well none the less..." The weapon has an aura of power and it feels incredibly light in the hand.
Finally King Curathz smiled at Ser Armithia and said, "I know the perfect weapon for you..." He walked over to the selection of hand and a half swords and passed increasingly grand looking weapons, each with more and more ornamentation. Several of which glowed brightly. He ignored all of those and picked up a plain looking hand and a half sword and handed it to the knight.
With outstretched hands, palms greeting the sky and showing homage to both the King and Auryl, Kardas accepts the blade. He remains silent for a moment after the weight of what they must do is put into his hands, curious eyes studying the diamonds and the odd leather covering the pommel. "The sword will do what it must, I will see to that."
Ser Armithia bows low to the king, as the knight accepts the humble bastard sword.
May Helm guard and protect your people. And He shall because I shall return here as it's guardian.
Azarra is able to tell Kardas about his sword.
This sword stores spells, has a keen blade, adds sonic damage when you hit, and makes it easier to hit anything. Beautiful one, Kardas.
She is unable to tell Ser what his sword does, however
Ser you're not sure what the sword does, but you sense helm's approval the moment you touched it.
Ser Armithia will take procession of the sword. As the knight lifts it, he feels the call of Helm.
Truly, a worthy blade!
Azarra thanks the king for his help, making sure the gifts matched up to the prophecy. Then she decided to get some sleep before they headed back. She didn't look forward to facing her own world at all, but it was important. The Lich needed to be destroyed.
The feast wound down over the next few hours and the Watchers of Dawn spent the rest of the unnaturally long night resting and nursing hangovers. Still come the fist light of the rather marvellous dawn (accompanied by a sky that looked like it was on fire with colors ranging from salmon pinks to vivivid reds) you got ready to return to Phlan. Before you left, Princess Tiamartha asked to see you. She handed you a tiny vial and she told you, "This contains condensed moonlight, if you break it you'll be briefly transported into a corner of the first world where as you know time passes strangely. This is a small gift in comparison to my father's but one that I believe may grant you some much needed respite in your battle ahead."
Just as before the grass was long but the watcher's wagon made short work of the miles which zoomed by. You stopped at whitegate farm for some supplies before returning to the glade where you first entered this world. You found the crack in the fabric of the universe much as you'd seen it, except the leaf that had been suspended before was on the floor and the shaft of moonlight had moved noticeably. You step through back into Faerune it's a shock to the system, your bodies felt heavier than before almost leaded. The deserted room is still as you left it, but you have changed. Still you came here with a deadly purpose, now was time to act not think!
Azarra glances out the window, realizes they have been seen, and immediately regrets everything about returning to this land. But she takes a breath, reminding herself of the importance of their quest, and says
Something knows we are here. Let's move quickly.
She makes sure they have the storybook safely tucked away so that they can someday return to that world if they wish. Then she starts moving back to the nearest sewer entrance, while staying alert and having her bow ready in case someone makes a play trying to attack them.
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Kardas spent what time he had for himself to brew up one last batch of vile concoctions. Every root, herb, and scrap of harvested flesh and tissue he has collected so far is used (or discarded) as the swordmage burns the otherworldly midnight oil to ready himself for what's to come.
The end result is an altogether disgusting and foul paste that, after diluting it in an acidic drink, is gulped down. The burp that follows burns away a couple of nasal hairs, and it takes the warrior a great effort to keep the stuff down.
When the Watchers meet again, Kardas looks even more sour than normal, a scowl chiseled into his face. Unaware of the look on his face, Kardas tries to radiate nothing but gratitude towards the princess, but alas, Kardas is no skilled archer and the arrow of intent fails to hit the mark. "My thanks, lady. Your greatest gift, one that's already given to us, is hope, the hope that things can be changed, evil can be undone, and for that - and of course this - I thank you."
Once all is said and done, Kardas is blissfully oblivious to whatever may or may not be watching them. All he cares about, and all he can think of, is putting his new sword to good use.