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"I think it's in there already, Quill. Didn't you hear Kipa say there's a dragon in there? I still think we should leave, though ... maybe we need to deal with it when we know it's there so it doesn't ambush us."
"All depends on what kind of dragon it is, and how old. They get stronger with age, and learn to cast spells. Regardless, it's a cocky one, killing creatures and then abandoning the meat. I'm going to bet it's not hugely smart."
Stumbling back to the group, "Well that was.... interesting. It seems that there is a nest there. I was not able to get a good ID on whats in there but I think its that drake you saw earlier Molly. Or at least one like it. We may be able to take it out with ease but I can not promise that there wont be a larger one coming to get a bit of revenge. Other then that, normal fair I think."
Sander sighs as Storn argues to go fight a dragon.
"I guess it would make more sense to try to kill it in its nest instead of letting it come attack us where it has more room," he says gloomily.
"I could fly up and tag it with lightning from a distance. If you all wait around the entrance, you can jump it when it comes out to murder me," Molly suggests.
Sander nods and makes sure he has his bombs ready. He'll give Molly ones of his extracts of shield to drink before she flies up and then drink the other when she takes off.
"When we are ready, I can show you the way to where it is." WHen everyone is ready, Kipa shows Molly and the others where the nest isand gets ready to fight.
Realizing what they're facing, Storn becomes like a giddy child. Quickly, he swaps into his dragon fightin' gear, grabbing his half-plate from his backpack and grabbing Gorum's Thorn for the fight.
"Gorum has truly blessed us! Come friends, let's go see what valuables it has we can use to fight the giants. Also kill a dragon."
Sander looks for any cover he can hide under for when the dragon -- why in the world are we trying to fight a dragon?! -- emerges from the cave.
Preparations in place, Molly waits for Kipa to climb back up to the temple's entrance before flying up to get a look inside. She quickly realized what Kipa had in his first visit to the temple cave - the brightly lit outdoors contrasted too sharply with the darkened interior for her to simply fire a lightning bolt accurately at the sleeping drake. She was either going to have to have Kipa guide her shot in, or go into the cave herself.
After getting ready to tackle the cliff, Storn takes a long look at it and realizes that this is probably not the best way to do things. He sighs, and sheathes Gorum's Thorn, deciding Heartspit's superior reach is the best way to do things.
"I forgot that dragons fly. Why did I forget that dragons fly."
Sander's jaw drops as he hears Storn.
"If you can signal Molly to hold off a little, I can prepare another extract to let you fly. But it's going to take me a minute!" Sander says with a note of panic in his voice.
"We'll be FINE I brought this really long spear and everything!"
Taking his time to carefully move his way up the cave entrance "I saw it in here, let me take a second and I will head in and help guild you to our target"
Kipa takes a moment to breath then heads in to help Molly get a better shot.
Molly holds off until Kipa can guide her shot, hanging suspended in midair and quietly reciting the incantation...
Kipa
Molly
Quill
Sander
Storn
drake
Kipa moves to where he is exactly between Molly and the drake, signals her to wait, then scampered out of the way. Molly took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, then launched her spell.
Inside the cave was an ear-shattering roar as the drake was abruptly woken from its nap!
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HP 55/55 (+16 for extract)
AC 22, touch 14, flat-footed 18 (inc. barkskin)
Fort +11 (+6 vs. poison), Ref +10, Will +4 (+2 vs. fear)
CMD 18
Bombs: 7/12; Mutagen: 1/1; Spontaneous healing: 0/20; Blast
Sipping jacket: Bomber's eye (3/8); +10 range increment, +1 to hit
Effects: barkskin
Extracts; Blast Finesse ritual: []
1st (5/day): bomber's eye [x], endure elements [], enlarge person [], shield [][]
2nd (3/day): alchemical allocation [], barkskin [x], perceive cues [], XXX []
3rd (2/day) fly [], invisibility [], XXXX []
Sander gets ready to throw when the drake emerges. As long as the creature isn't blue, he'll throw a cold bomb. Otherwise, he'll throw a fire blast.
The roar sends goosebumps along Storn's skin as he grips his spear, waiting. As he does so, he mutters a prayer and his skin becomes as hard and grey as iron.
"FOR GORUM! WWWHARHRHR!!!"
Molly came blasting out of the cave to the screams of an enraged dragon. The veered to the side and landed hard, hoping the drake would ignore her and go after the big guy. Storn cast a preparative spell, and set his spear to receive a charge. Almost on cue, the drake burst out of the entrance to the temple, its wings back-beating as it blinked in the bright light of the afternoon sun, but quickly finding Storn and the others below.
R1: molly, storn, drake, quill, sander, kipa
R2: molly, storn, drake, quill, sander, kipa
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Roaring with delight, Storn mimes throwing an object and a ghostly greatsword manifests before pinwheeling into the air to collide with the drake. He then starts chanting prayers to Gorum, empowering his spear.
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Round 1
Quill is surprised by the appearance of the dragon despite knowing it was coming. One might think he would be wary and ready, but no, he hesitates before taking aim and firing thrice.
to hit; (+DF)
magic/electric cold iron damage;
to hit; (+DF)
magic cold iron damage;
to hit; (+DF)
magic cold iron damage;
AC 19
HP 51/51
Bless: 1/7 used
Ferves: 2/7 used
SacWeap: 0/8 used (+1,swift)
PoP 1: 0/1 used
To Hit: +6 BAB, +5 Dex, +1 WF, +1 Magic +1 PBS -2 DA =+12
Damage: 1d8 + 1 Str +1 magic + 2 weap spec +1 PBS +4 DA = +9
[ dice]1d20+10-2[/dice] to hit; (-rapid,+PBS)
[ dice]1d8+9[/dice] cold iron damage.
[ dice]1d20+9-2[/dice] to hit; (-rapid,+PBS)
[ dice]1d8+10[/dice] cold iron damage.
Molly judges the enemy -- and starts chanting a long, complex spell while its attention is on the others.
Kipa knowing he will not do much good till this thing is on land, holds off and stays in hiding till it lands.
HP 55/55 (+16 for extract)
AC 22, touch 14, flat-footed 18 (inc. barkskin)
Fort +11 (+6 vs. poison), Ref +10, Will +4 (+2 vs. fear)
CMD 18
Bombs: 8/12; Mutagen: 1/1; Spontaneous healing: 0/20; Blast
Sipping jacket: Bomber's eye (4/8); +10 range increment, +1 to hit
Effects: barkskin
Extracts; Blast Finesse ritual: []
1st (5/day): bomber's eye [x], endure elements [], enlarge person [], shield [][]
2nd (3/day): alchemical allocation [], barkskin [x], perceive cues [], XXX []
3rd (2/day) fly [], invisibility [], XXXX []
(Only 7 bombs used if readied action didn't go off.)
Sander waits as long as he can for the drake to dive and then throws another bomb but it goes badly awry.
One of Quill's arrows penetrated the drake's scaly armor, but the other two failed to get through the scales. The drake screamed in pain from the arrow, and from the magical hammer pounding it in the back of the head. Molly started chanting and Storn prepped himself for the coming battle.
The drake sped downwards, landing in front of Storn and breathing out a blast of jet-black dust that clung to Storn, Quill, and the ground between them, eating away at their bodies.
Quill and Storn each take 18 damage Will DC 18 for half. You also take a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks for rounds (1 if you passed the save)
R2: molly, storn, drake, quill, sander, kipa
R3: molly, storn, drake, quill, sander, kipa
Here's the map
The drake is on the ground
current status:
kipa 59/59 (energy drain 1)
molly 43/43
quill 42(33?)/51 (hampered until R5)
sander 55/55
storn 58(49?)/67 (hampered until R6)
drake -45
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Round 2
Will -
Quill chokes on the miasma like he would on an honest compliment. He continues to fire at the drake after 5’ stepping closer.
to hit; (+DF)
magic/electric cold iron damage;
to hit; (+DF)
magic cold iron damage;
to hit; (+DF)
magic cold iron damage;
AC 19
HP 51/51
Bless: 1/7 used
Ferves: 2/7 used
SacWeap: 0/8 used (+1,swift)
PoP 1: 0/1 used
To Hit: +6 BAB, +5 Dex, +1 WF, +1 Magic +1 PBS -2 DA =+12
Damage: 1d8 + 1 Str +1 magic + 2 weap spec +1 PBS +4 DA = +9
[ dice]1d20+10-2[/dice] to hit; (-rapid,+PBS)
[ dice]1d8+9[/dice] cold iron damage.
[ dice]1d20+9-2[/dice] to hit; (-rapid,+PBS)
[ dice]1d8+10[/dice] cold iron damage.
Storn roars with delight having just the best time as the drake lands. He stabs out as it closes in, but suffers for his trouble as the drake breathes some sort of nasty dusty gunk all over him. "OWWW WHAT THE HELL IS THIS STUFF?!"
However, that's all part of the fun. With the spear having done its job, Storn drops it and whips out Gorum's Thorn which promptly bursts into flame.
Buffs: Destructive Attacks (9 rounds, +4 damage), Ironskin (8 mins) (+5 natural armor), Sacred weapon (flaming, 8 rounds)
HP: 49/67
Debuffs: Nasty dragon gunk (-2 to most checks for 3 rounds)
HP 55/55 (+16 for extract)
AC 22, touch 14, flat-footed 18 (inc. barkskin)
Fort +11 (+6 vs. poison), Ref +10, Will +4 (+2 vs. fear)
CMD 18
Bombs: 10/12; Mutagen: 1/1; Spontaneous healing: 0/20; Blast
Sipping jacket: Bomber's eye (4/8); +10 range increment, +1 to hit
Effects: barkskin
Extracts; Blast Finesse ritual: []
1st (5/day): bomber's eye [x], endure elements [], enlarge person [], shield [][]
2nd (3/day): alchemical allocation [], barkskin [x], perceive cues [], XXX []
3rd (2/day) fly [], invisibility [], XXXX []
Now that the drake's close enough, Sander throws two more bombs in its direction, realizing he's almost out of the alchemical devices. Still, it's close enough now that the frozen devices hit easily, hopefully staggering the creature.
Kipa starts to make his way down the wall so that he can join the fight as quickly as he can.
Between them, Quill, Sander, and Storn killed the spire drake, even as the Storn was trying to shrug off the effects of the clinging black dust.
Kipa was starting to climb down, when he saw the others kill the drake. Sighing, he then had to decide to descend or just wait up top.
"Right, then," Molly says. "That plan went off like a dream, apart from Storn getting dusted! Kipa, you see anything up in that cave that looks like it might be useful fer killin' the Giants?"
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”Well okay....good!” Quill shouts happily. ”That plan actually worked. And Storn didn’t get too beat up. That was good!” Quill seems surprised as any that teamwork and planned paid off...or that the team was even able to do that.
He turns his attention to Kipa.
”Yeah, don’t come down. Just see what’s up there and toss that down to us!”
Kipa, with the time to examine the cave without fear of a drake awakening, took his time exploring. The ledge around the cave was littered with giantish baubles, covered in centuries of dust. Many of the items looked to be tablets carved with giant runes. Around the stone in the center of the cave were the enormous bones of a large giant. But, it wasn't until Kipa started examining the drake's nest that he found the valuable items he was looking for.
In the nest was the drakes' haul. Like any good dragonkin, the spire drakes apparently hoarded their favored goods and slept on or near them. In a small pile in the bottom of the nest were a 4'-long spiral horn, an amulet the size of Kipa's head, a few potions and scrolls, a heavy pick that looked like Storn would have trouble lifting, two copper and silver armbands that looked fit for a human, with filigreed snakes eating their own tails, a set of silver thumbrings with different jewels on each ring, a double handful of gemstones, and a pile of coins of different denominations, ages, and source.
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If and when Kipa tosses or brings down the loot to Quill’s waiting arms, he will cast Detect Magic and try to identify anything that’s magical. He thinks there probably is some magic therein.
Spellcraft - horn
Spellcraft - amulet
Spellcraft - potions
Spellcraft - pick
Spellcraft - armbands
Spellcraft - ring
Storn beams as he jams his sword into the drake and it is killed. "RAAAAHHHH!!!! VICTORY!"
A little upset at how short the fight was mentally rating it a 6/10 thanks to excellent planning from the group, Storn cleans off his weapons and takes some time to remove his armour and heal himself with his wand and rub off the drake goo. He then tries to scale the cliff.
Whistling "Well look at all of this now..... Kipa starts throwing what he can to the group. After all the treasure was packed up, he starts to look around to see if they should head up or keep going the way they were to reach their true goal.
The Drakesbane Horn is a 4 -foot-long spiraling horn cut from the skull of a primordial drake. Its surface is carved with an intricate pattern of interlocking knots inlaid with silver and copper. When sounded, the horn can drive off or attract dragons of all varieties. Lesser dragons such as drakes typically flee in terror from the sound of the Drakesbane Horn, while more powerful dragons are compelled to seek out the horn. Creatures must be able to hear the horn to be affected by it.
The Drakesbane Horn affects dragons based on their CR, as detailed below.
Creatures of the dragon type of CR 5 or less within 400 feet must succeed at a DC 13 Will save or be affected as if by scare (no HD limit).
Creatures of the dragon type of CR 6 to CR 10 within 400 feet must succeed at a DC 22 Will save or be affected as if by sympathy. Adult or older true dragons and creatures of the dragon type of CR 11 or greater are immune to the horn’s effects, though they are likely to seek out the horn and attack its bearer.
If the character playing the horn has the bardic performance class feature or the raging song class feature and succeeds at a DC 15 Perform (wind instruments) check, dragons of CR 5 or less are instead affected by fear (Will DC 16), while dragons of CR 6 to CR 10 affected by the horn’s sympathy effect must succeed at an additional Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the character’s level + the character’s Charisma modifier) or also be fascinated for as long as the character continues to play the horn.
A creature that successfully saves against the horn’s effects is immune to further blasts for the next 24 hours. Note that the Drakesbane Horn d oes n ot g rant t he character playing it any ability to communicate with or otherwise control creatures affected by the horn.
DESTRUCTION
The Drakesbane Horn is destroyed if it is soaked in the blood of an ancient dragon and then played by a stone giant elder.
"Maybe we could try to call a dragon down on the giants?" Sander suggests. "Otherwise I think we're going to have to try to sneak in..."