Shirak says the Black Robe activating the daylight spell from the Staff of Magius.
Gabriel waits on the group to decide, assuming they wish to go forward and check it out he will lead them through the darkness. If not he will lead them back and check another direction.
The Daylight Spell pierces the darkness and you hear a gurgled hiss as peaking out from the dark hallway appears to be a group of what appears to be four Dargonesti Elves although they definitely don't look very healthy. They have a very pale complexion and their eyes bestial. The surprise of the light apparently has momentary startled them and they hiss showing that their mouths have sharp fangs. Not liking the light of the daylight spell they back away further into the room and out of sight. Knowledge religion can tell what these creatures are. As for their makeup there seems to be 3 male and one female creature.
Alathea looks to Yap and Terevalis, "Does it seem that the items would be hidden here utilizing the Undead as Guardians? If not, we should likely not expend resources in battling these creatures..."
Master Yap sees them and hears Alathea and says, "Undead things probably know things though. They may be able to talk. Great Master Yap can bind these Undead to his will and make them tell us info, yes yes!"
These things appear more beast than Dargonesti, however Master Yap. They may not know more than a rat or a piece of coral would.
"I shall follow your lead here Terevalis, shall we enter with hopes to find what has been stolen from us? If not then let's head in another direction..."
The elf will cast detect magic again to see if he detects any of the artifacts in the room
Wish I had the shard now to deal with these undead., giving a sigh, readying her rapier.
As far as his detect magic says the Artifacts don't appear to be in the room. Unless they're being cloaked in some way by magic, they aren't here.
I detect no artifacts in this area. I do not think that we should waste time on these undead he says. Unless I would be able to bind them to my will through the power of Nuitari.
"Agreed Terevalis, let us head back to the North tunnels and see where they lead..."
"I agree." Gabriel takes the lead as they head back.
"What direction now?"
Knowledge Religion for Yap,
Yap hears this and says, "WHAT! They're just weak undead! Vampire Thralls by the looks of it so they're intelligent. We're stuck here underwater with our spells running out and you're giving up the chance to get some information on where we should go? Ya know what! I'll handle this you weak fools!"
Yap moves into the room and yells out in draconic, "BY THE POWER OF LORD NUITATI I BIND YOU! KNEEL BEFORE YOUR NEW GOD!"
He uses Command Undead. As these are only 4 HD undead he can do so.
When he enters the room the Thralls try and rush him only to stop mid-swim when the dark magic ebbs from Yap and they immediately stop and then kneel before Yap. They give predatory looks to Yap but are cowed by the magics.
The woman vampire thrall looks to Yap and says in Elvish, "What do you want." She gives a confused for a moment look probably never having seen a Kobold before she then responds, "..Scaled one."
Yap cackles evilly and responds in elvish, "Tell me everything you know about this place SLAVE! AH HA HA HA!"
The female vampire thrall looks to Yap and hisses, her fangs showing but prevented from attacking due to the commands. She then responds in elvish, "This is the Brain Coral Garden that surrounds the one time seat of the government of the Town of Surf, the Coral Citadel. Makwur-Sal now rules here and he has for a number of months. He enslaved the people of Surf and subverted Lord Lankanos as the ruler here. The Leaches keep the Dargonesti under his command, while the Kho-Toa act as his direct minions. The Sea Witch Veylora deals with affairs in the town while Makwur-Sal rules from the Citidel. There is also a squid-like monster that accompanied them here, I do not know what he is."
Yap rubs his chin with a sly grin and replies in Elvish, "Humm...quite interesting Slave! How is it that you came here in the first place?"
The vampire thrall once again struggles against the magic but then replies in Elvish, "My companions and I were once warriors of Surf and I was the patrol leader. I...was once called Laerdya. We were out on patrol where we encountered a creature who lurked in the darkness... he made us this way. Makwur-Sal later killed it and then commanded us to follow him and we were compelled to obey. After the town fell to his command he imprisoned us in this place. He once in a while throws us something to feed on but that is hardly enough. We wish to feed... give us something to feed on... scaled one."
Yap snaps back at them, "Don't EVER make commands of me SLAVE! I am your master and you will obey only me now! Grovel before me you worms!"
The thralls are forced to grovel on the ground but definitely don't like doing it.
Yap then looks back to the others and says, "So what do we do now?"
"This is your business now Terevalis. I will have nothing to do with this."
Gabriel says while knowing the information was needed and helps, but unable to associate with such evil things.
"Destroy them and put them out of their misery or leave them. We are here as captives and need to reclaim our items of power and return to that which we are set to do. We cannot interfere in every single terrible thing that happens everywhere. If we do the world will burn while our backs are turned..."
Athola looks at Yap, Well they seem knowledgeable of this place. The question I have, where are the most valuable items kept, and what guards those items.
Yap nods to Athola and then looks back to Laerdya and says, "Tell me where Makwur-Sal keeps his greatest treasures."
Laerdya gives a sneer and then says, "I do not know that Scaled One. Maybe in the treasure chamber or if valuable enough on his person."
And where is the Treasure Chamber, you once known as Leaderya? inquires the Silvanesti in the ancient tounge
The thrall refuses to answer Terevalis but Yap reinforces, "ANSWER THE QUESTION."
She grits her teeth and says, "The treasure chamber is on the second floor in Citidel, the one with the dungeons in the right door from the central shaft."
Yap recognizing that's where they have already been there says, "We have already been there and we didn't find what we were looking for. Whatever, tell me where Makwur-Sal resides in the Citidel?"
The vampire responds, "He would most likely reside in the throne room, the chamber at the topmost portion of the central shaft of the Citidel."
Alathea looks surprised, I would have thought the basement to be considered the top under the sea..."
Athola smiles, I believe we now know where to go. Let us get our stuff back, swing her rapier in front of her.
The Black Robe nods Come, let us be on our way
Alathea nods to Terevalis, "Agreed".
Once again she'll use clairvoyance to try and avoid halls with creatures on their way to the throne room.
Where to next?
Back to the Citidel of course. But unfortunately I can't run the game this week due to an upcoming gaming convention. I have a lot of work to prepare for!
Still here.
yep
.
The characters head back to the Coral Citadel. You've explored the bottom temple and the 2nd floor of the citadel (The Dungeons), There is a Main Floor above as well as a chamber all the way at the top.
Should we ascend? inquires the Black Robe.
"To the top according to Master Yap yes?"
Before the group heads to the next floor, they hear some banging from the direction where the beast-master originally came from as something was rattling itself against a metal cage. Do you investigate or do you continue to head up?
Alathea looks to her allies, "Shall we investigate? Perhaps whatever lurks within is a prisoner of these foul creatures?"
Athola moves ahead to see what the source of the sound is. Keeping her rapier ready.
Heading into the direction to the east you head off to the northeast and through the door and you find that there is a series of solid stone-barred cells carved out of rock as metal would rust in an underwater environment. Inside the largest of the cells you see something that surprises you. Chained up inside the largest of cells a large-sized dragon with Bronze scales. Its chained tightly up with numerous strong looking chains and its face is covered in a massive muzzle. The dragon looks like its been beaten and starved as it is covered in scars and looks rather gaunt for a creature of its size. It looks out at you in desperation and taps the bars with the metal muzzle, probably urging you to let it out.
Knowledge Arcana to identify the type of dragon.
Gabriel approaches and speaks to the creature.
Draconic: "My friend how did you come to be here. I am Gabriel Barca. Friend and ally of Sandstorm. With his aid he and I slayed the red called Soulburn. Do not fear. I am paladin and follower of Kiri Jolith. Let us help you be free."
Back to the others:
"Did we find any keys among the things of the beast-master?"
If so Gabriel will take them and free the creature. If not he will have to break him free by prying the cage open.
Alathea will channel energy to heal the Dragon as well as any of her allies still ailing from earlier combats.
Channel Energy
The Dragon nods to Gabriel and taps the bars, probably hinting for you to let him go. Thankfully, the Beastmaster had the keys for the cage and the chains on him. The chains and the cage is specially enchanted to keep the dragon contained, unable to use magic and unable to use any of his special ability. Alathea heals the dragon and some of its wounds start to mend. Eventually the chains are off and the dragon is relieved to be free and gives a respectful nod and speaks.
”Greetings Sir Gabriel Barca and all who travel with him; I owe you my life. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Seaquake, Dragon of Bronze and guardian to the Dargonesti town of Surf. About a month ago, this town and its citizens were infected by a great evil. The foul Makwur-Sal unleashed a plague of Tumbidus Leaches that have taken control of the people of this town. This was further solidified by the mind controlling magics of Makwur-Sal, the influence of the Aboleth Oxpachta and the Sea Witch Veylora. I was overpowered defending the town but was kept alive and imprisoned, tortured by the Beastmaster and occasionally harvested of scales and blood. Now I am free, I must see that my people are freed from this evil lest they continue to be slaves to Zura. I cannot face Makwur-Sal alone though so I ask for further assistance from you good sir knight.”
"You shall have it noble one", replies Alathea as she channels yet more energy to heal his wounds.
Channel Energy
"It is my duty to help any that request aid and I will not turn my back on that here. We too are on a quest, one to save the land and all the people. I would ask after assisting you, that you assist me. You will have my aid regardless of your answer, but for a brief time I had the privilege to enter battle on the back of one of your kind, I would like to again and with your aid I feel we are sure to complete our quest."
Alathea's brows furrow, "Mighty Seaquake, I see you are still injured. Let me assist you".
Wand of Cure Light x6
Seaquake considers Gabriel's words and says, "For rescuing me I would owe you a debt of gratitude. But even if we defeat Makwur-Sal, the people of this town will need my strength to defend them against the threats of the sea. If I were to leave with you, those under my charge will be undefended. Without me, they could be prey to other threats of the sea. Perhaps when things are stabilized here I may be able to lend my strength for a single task, but I know not how long that will be."
"In time we will see then. Until then I am pleased to know another of your kind Seaquake. Are you well enough to help us out of here? We still have items here that were taken from us. Among them a Dragon Lance that we found among the hoard of Soulburn. It has been diminished of some it's magic. We seek to make it whole again as well."
Seaquake responds, "A Dragonlance you say. That is quite an artifact indeed. I would expect that the more valuable items would be in the possession of Makwur-Sal himself. He is likely in the upper most chamber of this Citadel. You shall have my aid to deal with this foul fiend and those that serve him. I am well enough to fight."
"Then let us go and take care of this tyrant."
A debt, even to one of the Black Robes fair bronze? inquires the Black Robe