Baroness nods to Grilnik and Vors as they say they are down to help.
She turns to Bethany who seems worried, "Yes, There is a lot of unknowns. Maybe I can convince some of the town to help out" She looks around the room.
The sherif, speaks up, "Well.. If you are going to go do this, I can keep the peace in the town, but while you are out dealing with this. You can use my family's ring. It is a magical ring passed down. I would want it back after you succeed"
The aging Lezara Dodgion speaks up, "My days of adventuring are long past me. I will be of no help, but you can have my magical Rapier". She pulls out a thin blade with red flames along the length of it.
"I called it Flame Tongue.
The priest speaks up, "Um.. I will offer spellcasting services for free at the House of Abadar. Unless it requires special components we can prepare anything you need. Though I will offer to perfect all of your weapons, if you desire. I know you where also looking to buy those scrolls of restoration. I can offer the remaining 2 to your work."
Bassy jumps in, "All those are nice things, but the best things might be right where you need to be. My grandmother lived a thousand years ago. Lady Tula, who killed Aeteperax, and settled this town gave my grandmother a key. She told my grandmother "Keep this key safe until the need for dragonslayers rises again". Sure sounds like now is that time. The key opens the crypt of Tula Belhaim. Its been centuries since anyone has entered the tomb. But while you go there to see if the old skeleton is still there, you can head in. I am sure there are traps and all that fun adventuring stuff. There is likely stuff that will help you against this creature, especially if it turns out to be another dragon"
The Baroness speaks up once again, "And of course we can deliver any messages you wish. Though it sounds like it might need to wait till we clear the area, sounds like they are surrounding the town.."
Brynn narrows her eyes at the nosy Bassy. Know it all! She smiles sweetly at Bassy.
"It's all well and good to say you think a massive dragon's an illusion, when YOU'RE NOT THE ONE RISKING LIFE AND LIMB to face it. It's easy to offer such opinions when it's the lives of others on the line. But, I'd rather not gamble my life on your opinion. Thank you."
She turns back to the Baroness as the others accept the absurd job offer. "You ask to much and offer too little, Baroness." She considers everything for a moment, then finally replies. "I agree with Bethany. I will agree to travel to the Crypt of Tular Belhaim to see if the remains of Aeteperax are there. If so, I will travel to meet this imposter and determine it's true identity. If not... well, there's not need to worry over that. If the dragon is as it appears it will devour the four of us then lay waste to your town. Nothing we can do will change that."
"For the journey to the tomb, and tracking down an imposter -- if there is one -- I accept your offer of a knighthood. But, if it turns out we must slay a dragon I expect a secondary reward, in addition to the knighthood, upon our return. Saving the entirety of Belhaim is worth more than a well-earned rank."
Brynn considers the offers of aid, clearly aware that the only thing she's getting out of this is a key. "How generous." She takes the key from Bassy and places it in her pocket.
Listening to Brynn's clear language, the Baroness speaks up, "I understand your trepidation. Along with the knighhood, and the items these people graciously gave you, I can make sure your names are spread out the Taldor as a whole. I can tell you that will open up many doors for you. Money will likely not be an issue. I can provide a letter of introduction to the court of Oppara. I will make sure you either get a manor build here in town, or can provide resources and names for you to set up residence elsewhere, including in Oppara."
Bassy jumps in too, "And hey.. If it is a dragon, they sure like hoards. There might be some sweet gold and magic in it for you too". The Abadar priest goes to speak, but the baroness stops her with a hand. Staying quiet.
"Very well. I accept your terms." She offers the Baroness a handshake to bind the verbal contract. Then she looks at the priest. "We'll need healing before we leave. Thank you."
Bassy speaks up, "Well, one thing we shouldn't forget is the illusion also said you are to meet with him at the Monastery of Saint Kyerixus. That is way across the Dragonfen. I know they used to be pretty isolationist, but its been.... 200 years since I have heard of them at all. Wonder what happened to them? Maybe this illusionist is responsible.."
"Anyway. If you have any questions I will be in my house. I need tea" and she just walks way to the shock of the rest of the group.
The Baroness says, "It is late. Let us know if there is anything we can do for you. It is assumed, your stay here in the inn will be continued to be paid for. Stay safe and let us know how things go."
Everyone is slowly exiting the house. At this point its late, getting close to 11pm. The surge of energy from the events of the evening are fading.
While walking back to the inn with her 'companions' Brynn remarks, "Knowing you three is detrimental to my health. But, at least if we survive I'll be set for life." She smiles. "Sounds fair for saving a town."
The aging Lezara Dodgion speaks up, "My days of adventuring are long past me. I will be of no help, but you can have my magical Rapier". She pulls out a thin blade with red flames along the length of it.
"I called it Flame Tongue.
Vors walks up to Ms. Dodgion and examines the blade, whistling appreciatively. "Now THAT is a fine looking weapon! I swear I'll take good care of it."
After receiving the magical rapier, Vors walks over to the abadaran priest. "I'd like some healing before bed, please." The half-orc looks off into the distance. "Gotta tell Talia the bad news."
Grilnik nods with a smile at the priest's offer.
As they adjourn the meeting, Grilnik offers a "goodnight" before heading off with the others.
While walking back to the inn with her 'companions' Brynn remarks, "Knowing you three is detrimental to my health. But, at least if we survive I'll be set for life." She smiles. "Sounds fair for saving a town."
"No need for sarcasm, Brynn. Everyone knows that getting the blood pumping once in a while is important for staying healthy!"
He marches cheerfully in the darkness.
"I can think of much more enjoyable ways to get the blood pumping, thank you." Brynn replies. "Although, if dragon hunting works for you, I won't get in your way."
"I can't think of something more enjoyable. What could be more enjoyable than taking on a foe of legend? Or, you know, whoever is pretending to be one."
"Hmmm."
Grilnik strokes his beard and furrows his brow. The ridges look deep due to the relatively meager light of his Dwarven Longhammer.
Here's hoping the illusionist is at least a dragon...
Right, can't get a message out. Right, I guess I knew that. Well I will write something and if a chance comes up I will appriciate it." she looks at the others "Seems us guards are now going to kill a dragon, I hope we all live to tell the tale. If I die Grilnik, you will live a long time, make sure to let my family know."
She moves to grab the ring if no one else is taking it.
After the abadaran priest heals the half-orc back to full health, Vor rejoins the rest of the party.
"Let's meet outside The Wise Piper in the morning. Good night everyone."
Vors walks back to The Wise Piper to find Talia waiting at an empty table with a single candle lit. Relief washes over the innkeeper as her boyfriend walks through the door. After a quick embrace, Vors sits Talia back down to fill her in on what she missed, the state of the town, and what will happen next. The normally strong young woman falters under the weight of such news and cries, leaping into her lover's arms.
"Please-don't go!" Talia sniffed. "There must be someone else who can go."
"I'm sorry, Talia", Vors apologized. "Everyone else who is capable is defending the town or too old." The half-orc held Talia's head in his hand and looked deeply into her eyes. "I will do everything in my and Cayden's power to come back to you and save Belhaim. This has been the greatest month of my life. You make me feel I have a future here in Belhaim. With you."
Overcome with emotion, innkeeper and cleric passionately embrace. If the rest of the party get back in time, they could see a glimpse of Vors carrying Talia to their bedroom.
Brynn resists the urge to gag.
Brynn resists the urge to gag.
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Bethany watches the exit and shrugs. She is a little preoccupied as she grabs two flagons and a table to sit and right. Over the next two hours she starts several letters finally finishing one that will go to her dad. She is about to fold it before writing one post script to her brother.
'If I don't come back, a dragon has your hammer most likely. Sorry about that."
After likewise gratefully receiving healing at the temple of Abadar, Grilnik simply goes to bed while looking forward to the group's next trip.
The morning comes soon enough. Your 2 week deadline has started. 1 day down. 13 days to go.
Where do you wish to go? Any preping in town, any research you wish to do?
When you go downstairs you find a bag of items. All the promised items have been prepared for you. As well as the Bear Bethany won, with no need to pay for it.
Grilnik waits for everyone to show up at breakfast, hoping to hash out some more definitive plans for the next couple of weeks all together.
Bethany's reluctance with going after a dragon seems to have disappeared and she is back to her chipper self. She will want to inquire about getting Big Brother enchanted, really only so she knows how difficult it will be if she ever has the resources.
Brynn stocks up on arrows, and is ready for the journey. She'll also 'help' Grilnik with the books, which mostly amounts to her sitting with him while he tries to puzzle them out.
Vors travels with the party, helping to carry any supplies and offer advice.
Grilnik sits down with the books. 4 of them seem to be written in Ancient Osiriani. All of which are talking about Astronomy. Various areas of the night sky. Even going into detail about possible planets and stars out in the great dark. You don't find anything too interesting in these books.
The 5th book is called Secrets of the Dreaming Dark. A very large tattered book. Several hundred pages. The writing is extremly cramped and hard to read. Though you can tell this is Aklo, you are able to read it while looking at it.
It includes complex star charts, and maps of strange distant worlds. As well as breathtaking illustrations of eerie monsters. Entire chunks of the text are missing. Before you are able to get very far at all your casting runs out. You imagine, if you could read this without spells assistance, it would take 48 hours to really study it.
You are aware this is the book the dragon was talking about.
In the bag of gear, you do notice that the potions from the auction are actually included, as well as the spellbooks, with a note from the Baroness These are to be used on your quest. Though it would be preferable if you do not use them, as they are owned by others now. Be careful. But use them if needed
2x Vials of oil of keen edge
Potion of undectable alignment
potion of protection from acid
Potion of protection from fire
Scroll of campire wall
Scroll of excruciating deformation
Scroll of haunting mists
scroll of magic circle against chaos
Now the tricky part. The spellbook has 25 1st level, 22 2nd level 17 3rd level, 13 4th level, and 11 5th level spells. So instead of me coming up with the whole list this is how I am going to do this.
If a spell is on the wizard spell list. And you want it to appear in the book these are the odds.
1st level - 90% chance
2nd level - 80% chance
3rd level - 65% chance
4th level - 40% chance
5th level - 20% chance
So if someone wants a spell in the book roll a 1d100. (ie. 1-90 will mean the level 1 spell is in the book).
The temple has offered to turn items masterwork. Though they can only do so many at a time. Each one taking 1 hour. So if you spend the day getting that done, that is fine. Just makes it harder to do more today. I would say getting 4 done will allow you to leave in the afternoon and still have a "day" of adventuring. If you do more items you might need to leave tomorrow.
Then again if you stick in town and talk to people, research, talk to Bassy, whatever. That might delay the time more.
As for the Wand. I know the rules technically say we should be able to roll for it. But I am going to say no on that. I will allow you to buy scrolls though. So Cure light wounds scroll is 25gp. Cure Moderate wounds is 150gp. Little less cost effective. I just dont like the heal sticks.
You can spend 1 hour studying the spellbook version (because of slight variation of spells each wizard uses). After that hour you do a Spellcraft (DC 15 + spell level) (You can take 10 on this). If you succeed you understand the spell and make your own copy into your own spellbook. This does not effect the original spellbook at all, just copies it.
If you fail, you can't try again for that spell for another week. It does cost some money for ink and stuff.
level 1: 10gp
level 2: 40gp
level 3: 90gp
level 4: 160gp
level 5: 250gp
Bethany will buy four scrolls of cure light wounds and be very happy.
As he skims through the books (read the more important looking bits), Grilnik does his best to describe things to Brynn, hoping that she's well-read enough to know some astronomy in addition to weird creatures from beyond the stars.
---
Brynn tries to help make sense of the book...
sitting down and helping Grilnik, you don't make any more headway on the book. It would take days of focused studying to really get anything useful out of it.
After doing some research in the morning, Grilnik tries to get everyone to visit the tomb.
"...C'mon, it'll be great. The sooner we go, the sooner we can find something that can help us with the probably-not-a-dragon and come up with a plan to use it." he urges.
"Sounds like the thing to do", Vors concedes.
Bethany forces a smile and jumps up.
"Yes, lets do this." I'm gonna die.
Suddenly realizing she's going to need to sleep outdoors, Brynn pays a quick visit to the shop to buy a bedroll, blanket, pillow, and a few days of rations. Then she joins the others on the road to the tomb. "Shall we?"
[ooc] I have a rope but would want to pick up some rations along with a tent as well. Just in case. [/oo]
Bethany nods ready to head to the tomb.
As you all head out of the town and follow the Old Quarry Road. Most of which is rarely travled, so plants seem to have started to overtake the road itself. The cobble stone is started to bulge as roots and general ground shifting.
You have to fight off flies and other insects that seem to love the boggy land around the road.
At the end of the road, you need to branch off into the bog itself. Following the direction of the river. Not staying too close, but following its direction. You can hear various animals in the distance, and the buzzing of various insects.
As you get close to the Crypt's location, you can see a giant skeleton. Even hundreds of years after the dragon's fall, its bones are an awe-inspring sight. The Skeleton has partially sunk into the bog, but enough remains that it still appears to be draped over a low, earthen mound. On the side of the mound is a stone door.
"Wow! Vors whispers to himself, in awe of the draconic grave before him. Taking a few moments to appreciate the scene, the half-orc makes his way to the stone door, and examines it.
Grilnik hums merrily the entire way to the new location, in spite of the bog and the sun.
- - -
Wow. Note to self, don't mess with Bassy...
After the mighty Aeteperax's bones are in sight, Grilnik looks back at the way they came.
I guess someone already mentioned us to the bad guy's minions...no one tried to stop us coming here. Hmmm...
While Vors checks out the stone door more closely, Grilnik gets ready for whatever they might find inside.
Grabbing a pinch of dirt he says "Longstrider." The dirt disappears as his already long gate becomes obviously magically enhanced.
Grilnik remembers the bad luck Vors has had with traps in the past, and using his increased speed to stay close to Vors, Vors's and Grilnik's rings flash red briefly as Grilnik casts another spell. "Shield Other. I'll be right behind you, Vors. This magic needs us to stay close."
As they head out Brynn focuses on her arcane powers and traces an elemental glyph on her bow with her finger.
Brynn curls up her nose as they need to start walking through the bog, but doesn't voice any complaint.
Ugh! Disgusting!
Once they're out of the messy, squelching terrain and back on solid terrain she uses her magic to clean herself off. With a nod of her head she continues on after the others.
When they reach the dragon bones she moves forward to examine them, curious what kind and age of dragon they once belonged to.
During the walk you spot a few winged creatures in the distance in the air. It seems they are patrolling the boarder, not really caring too much about the interior of the Fen. As long as you don't try to leave you imagine you will be fine.
Taking a close look at the dragon bones, They seem to be very old, and very large. Likely Great Wrym, which matches with what you where told about Aeteperax. Also the bones seem to very very slowly leaking some sort of acid. not enough to do much, other than corrupt the ground a little. This also matches with the idea of a Black dragon.
As you stand outside this dragon bones, You do see the door to the crypt. You can see it has a simple keyhold. But as you look a strange multiheaded blob of a creature seeps out of the bones near the door entrance.
The creature seems to ooze over the ground toward you all, but it is moving very slowly.
Suddenly all of its mouths seem to start making a strange cacophony of maddening sound.
Grilnik and Brynn seem to get dizzy from the sound.
The creature then seems to expel a strange green blob of liquid at Brynn, it just bearly hits. Landing in her eyes.
Round 1
Creature
Brynn(Confused 1 round, Blind 3 rounds), Grilnik (confused 1 round), Bethany, Vors
26–50 Do nothing but babble incoherently.
51–75 Deal 1d8 points of damage + Str modifier to self with item in hand.
76–100 Attack nearest creature (for this purpose, a familiar counts as part of the subject’s self).
The sounds of the blob creature are so maddening that Grilnik screams "Aaarrrrgghhh!"
Attempting to clear his head of the sounds, he smacks his face into the thing he's got on hand at the moment: his Longhammer.
Luckily he was still holding it as a walking stick at the time, and only managed to smack himself in the face with the haft of his weapon.
Brynn shrieks as the goop blinds her.
Disoriented she blindly fires an arrow at the nearest sounding creature...
Blindly firing an arrow at Bethany!
"Ouch! Brynn, just.... just stop!"
Bethany is not at all sure what to do with this sort of creature. With not direction she does the only thing she can think of.
"Oh, f this!"
She doesnt even bother to rage but does still swing big brother, not sure if it will do any damage to the creature.
did it do any damage if I hit?