"I suppose you can rest whilst Ulwai and I muse, perhaps begin some Draconic masterpiece?"
Tirion looks at Red and Tom with some confusion and concern.
If nobody thinks that they leader of these vile dragons and goblins is going to notice that a large portion of his forces lie dead and scattered about his stronghold, then we can rest. If we wish to attack the evil while we may still have the element of surprise, then I think we should continue if we are able.
"I freely admit a cavalier attitude relying almost entirely on the whims and graces of Desna than on calculated strategy and tactics" chimes Red as he pops the cork of a bottle of red wine with his teeth.
"I guess we don't have to be at 100% to face this Tiamat. I am sure it is a task does not require us to be in top form if we get the element of surprise. But if we don't....."
"The High Wyrmlord, Azur Kul has been down in his chamber for what must be nearly a month. He is obsessed with the ritual he is performing and insists on no interruptions. So, as a result, he missed the campaign through the Elsir Vale including the battle of Brindol. He certainly doesn't come up for visits, if that is what you are asking. The only patrols are from hungry hobgoblins making their way to Laryssa's kitchen looking for food. Like I said, it has been rather dull and quiet around here."
Red and Poppy can watch.
Tomkin looks to their new companion. "It looks we will not be traveling -- so you are, as they say, all dressed up with no place to go for now. As you are my responsibility, shall we exchange a few stories and rest till the morn. We will all be having a sleep out together, as this can be a dangerous place."
"So I am to hurry up and wait!" Ulwai exclaims in exasperation. "I can see that this operation is run by men! Well, you better not expect me to be cooking you a meal!"
Ulwai returns to her room and begins removing her armor.
"You are welcome to take the floor, but none of you are to be sleeping in my bed! Well except perhaps you." Ulwai says as she winks at the halfling, Tomkin.
Your rest passes uneventfully as you all get some rest and prepare spells. From the Ulwai's chamber, you are unable to hear any noise coming from the rest of the fane.
Tirion only had to rest for 1 hour due to his Ring of Sustenance.
Red and Poppy are fairly fresh so keep watch whilst the other rest, they try keep their rehearsing to a dull roar.
Tom smiles and bows to the lady.
"I will and I will not take up much space, as I do enjoy my creature comforts. But I assure you my intentions are honorable."
Tom recovers his standard spells after meditation in the morning.
So folks, where to? Explore more of the upper rooms, or are you ready to descend and fight some reptiles?
Lets finish clearing the top level. Working around clockwise for any room we have missed.
"If we agree we can dispatch the wyrms at out leisure, we can indeed search the upper level. If we are on a timetable, and not planning on resting any further, I say we go straight to the wyrms."
Tom looks to Tirion to see his reaction.
He holds out his elbow to the Wyrmlord, "My lady, I can escort you awhile. Perchance we can enjoy a short walk. When it gets dangerous though, I will be riding ahead. Mobility has its advantages, that not conferred by these rather short legs, but by the tunneling through extradimensional spaces."
Tirion looks back at Tom, and then turns to the Wyrmlord. Each time they get to an unexplored door, he asks her it there what and/or who is housed behind the door.
The company explores the guest quarters and find some nice accommodations for any of you interested in sleep. They are furnished with a soft bed, a desk and chair, and a free-standing armoire. The rooms are fully carpeted as well.
The company continues north and enters into a set of double doors. The walls of this chamber are decorated with intricate bas-relief sculptures of dozens of dragons savaging an idyllic countryside. Towns burn, people die, and dragons feed with abandon. A large wooden table fills the center of the room, surrounded by a half-dozen padded chairs.
There is little else of interest in either of these rooms or this level. Please tell me how you wish to proceed downstairs if you even dare.
"I trust you find the accommodations here to your liking. However, imagine you will not find the decor here in the council chamber to your liking. Seeing the Elsir Vale being razed by dragons is not your sort of thing, is it?"
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"I trust you find the accommodations here to your liking. However, imagine you will not find the decor here in the council chamber to your liking. Seeing the Elsir Vale being razed by dragons is not your sort of thing, is it?"
Actually I'm a big fan! It shows how completely WRONG the Hand was in their planning and plotting. I'd keep it as a reminder of plans thwarted!
Tom seems to feel a pang of sympathy as he points out to the Wyrmlord.
"Most gentlemen callers may be intimidated to pay visit to this abode. I would think, though, it may tend to weed out the chaff in many ways. I for one, though, would not be so intimidated, as the prize could well be worth the risk."
He reflects upon his life somewhat philisophically: "It is hard to find one to sign up to be with an adventurer, especially one who puts his welfare after others. Kinda would make their place second last in a long line of humanity I guess, just ahead of me."
What began as friendly banter with the Wyrmlord has had Tom look inward and he seems a little down.
Before you are a set of stairs that descend into the depths of the Fane of Tiamat. Bofus Beerswizzler has already told you of what awaits beyond at the bottom of those stairs, five bluish reptiles resting in their nests.
"Actually I'm a big fan! It shows how completely WRONG the Hand was in their planning and plotting. I'd keep it as a reminder of plans thwarted!"
"So you think the Red Hand made a mistake in their planning? I will not bias you with my opinions, however, you must admit that it was impressive that the High Wyrmlord was able to rally so many different tribes of hobgoblins to all fight for him under one red handed banner."
"Most gentlemen callers may be intimidated to pay visit to this abode. I would think, though, it may tend to weed out the chaff in many ways. I for one, though, would not be so intimidated, as the prize could well be worth the risk."
"I certainly have not seed any callers come visit it me this deeply into the Fane. You may consider yourself the first, my dear. And certainly the prize is well worth the risk! Mind you, do pay heed as you descend. The dragons do not take kindly to visitors."
Current Effects:
Longstrider
Resist Energy (lightning)
Protection from Evil
Haste
Bites:
Resist Energy
Protection from Evil
Haste
Tirion's spells:
Protection from Energy(electric) on Tirion, Mirrin, Tomkin Red and Lorth - absorbs first 108 points of damage before Resist Energy kicks in). (I figure with Evasion, Resist Energy and Haste (+16 reflex), Bofus can avoid most breath weapons.)
Haste on all (lasts 20 rounds, will cast immediately before entering).
Invisibility on Tirion, Lorth, Mirrin, Red and Tomkin.
Mage Armor on Tirion.
Enlarge Person on Lorth, Mirrin and Red (seems worthless on Tomkin as small to medium does not increase damage much, or give reach).
Total spells:
Level 1 - 4 cast of 8
Level 2 - 5 cast 0f 8
Level 3 - 6 cast of 6
Level 4 - 0 cast of 5
If Red wants to cast a few Invisibility spells, it will save me a few slots in case I need them later.
Red casts 4 Invis spells (one required from you Tirion) - expending his full allotment.
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Lorth, if you're jonsing to use a Shield Other spell, I'll take it...
Heh! We're about to go pick a fight with five blue dragons?! What could go wrong?? He winks at his friends and disappears down the passageway, bow in hand and dragonbane arrow nocked, and keeping a keen eye out.
<--Wow. I hope these bad rolls don't kill us.
Bofus Beerswizzler, a brave and sneaky thief, creeps down the stairs to a cavernous chamber lit by the flickering illumination of hundreds of red, blue, green, black, and white candles fitted into niches all along the walls or into candle holders affixed to the sides of the long pews that line the southern half of the room. The ceiling vaults to a height of what looks to be nearly sixty feet, but it's hard to tell for sure due to the hundreds of dangling leather strands festooned with scales and claws. These grim decorations clatter and twist softly on faint breezes, hanging in places down to just ten feet off the ground.
The northern half of the room is raised five feet above the floor of the southern half. The raised area is dominated by a large stone altar. Stony dragon heads rise up like the curling fingers of an upturned palm around the altar, which itself is stained, scorched, and pitted. To either side of the altar stands a twelve foot tall stone statue of a five-headed dragon, her leering heads snaking down to look at the altar as if in curiosity. Each statue has a long tail that ends in a hooked stinger.
Five large alcoves twenty feet off the ground overlook the northern half of the room; there seems to be no easy way of reaching those lofty perches. Four of the alcoves are occupied by a dark blue dragon. The one missing dragon is on the ground level lingering near the altar.
The one near the altar turns his head toward the entranceway as you enter. You believe he has taken notice of you. The one furthest to your right also lifts up his head to pay attention.