I know a certain gnome paladin of Smiad that would be perfect for the job!
A Knight of Taldor, eh? Milloy raises an eyebrow at the suggestion. Considering the risk, we should probably be knighted before we leave on such a mission, wouldn't you say?
Milloy turns back to the group. I don't see how we can turn our back on your plight now. The elf's voice then turns more serious. However, anything we find on our quest is ours to do with as we wish. Any supplies and requested by my friends within reason will be provided for, no questions asked. The wizard then looks around the room. Am I neglecting any other points?
Harsk smirks at the wizard's suggestions, "No, lad - I think you've about covered it. Knighthood beforehand does seem appropriate to me - and you folks here in Belhaim don't have much of a choice. I know dragon's can be full of bluster and boasting, but do you really wanna take a chance on evacuation? I wouldn't doubt that the old scaly feller really does have a bunch of li'l minions all over the countryside."
"Aye, we'll kill it. That bastard dragon ruined my boots - or had that flaming drakamawhatsit ruin 'em, anyhow," Kurth says, pointing out his scorched kickers in outrage. "Now, what exactly is included with being knighted? Do we get horses? Do I get to make me one of them sigils they put on your shield. I always wanted a dragon but I'm kinda cross with the bastards at the moment. Maybe a bear, or one a them flying horses."
I know a certain gnome paladin of Smiad that would be perfect for the job!
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Milloy knows that knights are often granted land as part of their knightship and enjoy a fair amount of aristocratic status in Taldor.
Lady Origena looks a bit nervous, "Well, I'm not sure it will be possible to move your knighthoods along any faster; it takes a knight to make a knight, after all, and we don't have anyone in town with that authority. If we did, they'd probably be here with us now. We will see to that later though."
At this point before the party gets too concerned with their upcoming knighthoods, the gnome historian Bassy cuts in, "I've been around for a long, long time, and one thing I've learned is that inexperienced illusionists tend to rely on overwhelming one's eyes and ears, but often forget the details. I was there. I saw the dragon. I heard it speak and roar."
"But I didn't hear it breathe. I didn't hear its talons scraping stone. I didn't feel the air stir when its wings unfurled. Certainly whoever or whatever we face has great power-if that truly was just an illusion, it was still a powerful magical effect."
"For all we know, it could even be a dragon-that certainly fits with what you've learned from the kobolds and Hunclay's Manor. The name Aeteperax is an old one, and the original Aeteperax's bones should still be out there in Dragonfen, coiled around the Crypt of Tula Belhaim. At the very least, if you can confirm those bones are still there, then it seems obvious that what you all saw tonight wasn't really Aeteperax risen from the dead."
An illusion? Hmm, makes sense. Milloy recalls the fact that the incantation that the dragon made was a false one. Yes, I do believe we should check the grave of the dragon first before assessing our next move.
Bassy responds, "Well the tales have been so conflated by now I'm not sure which are true. But the most compelling one tells of a magical sword. Hopefully you can learn what you need by visiting the tomb."
With the party agreeing to help the town, the Sheriff grudgingly offers his ring of protection +2 for the party to use.
The aged Lezara Dodgion's days of crusading are far behind her and she can think of no better home for her flame tongue than your hands and offers you the sword to use in your quest.
The priestess Eupaphenia Targas tells you that any spellcasting services you might require from the House of Abadar will be provided gratis.
Finally, Bassy hands over an ancient brass key-something Lady Tula herself gave Bassy's grandmother over a thousand years ago. Lady Tula also made a strange request: "Keep this key safe until the eed for dragonslayers rises again." Bassy informs you that this key should open the crypt of Tula Belhaim, but warns you that it's been centureies since anyone has entered the tomb, and there are doubtless guardians and traps within to keep all but righteous and true dragonslayers away.
Keep it secret, keep it safe. Milloy says mostly to himself. Thank you for all you have provided.
The Dragonfen is a low and marshy area to the east of Belhaim where legends say the ancient dragon battled off by Tula once lived.
Milloy shares what he knows. Aeteperax mentioned that his ransom should be delivered to the Monastery of Saint Kyerixus. This name refers to an old Iroran monastery on the far side of Dragonfen. The most direct route to the ruined monastery is via the Old Quarry Road. The crypt of Tula can be reached by following the south bank of Eskander Creek near the point where it runs out of Dragonfen and into the hills on the far side of the Dragonfen.
"Now that's a nice blade," Kurth says, drawing the flame tongue partly from its sheath. "That'll put some nice holes in that rottin' old dragon, and burn it, too."
Looking up from the blade, Kurth addresses the others.
"Reckon we ought to check out the old dragonslayer's tomb, then head to the monastery to see if there's anything there to kill."
"Take the ring, Milloy. I'd rather our arcane master have every opportunity to not be hit."
Harsk adjusts his newly-purchased belt. "Alright, let us head to the tomb. How far of a journey is it? I don't suppose we could help ourselves to some basic travelin' supplies from the town coffers?"
Even hundreds of years after the dragon's fall, its bones are an awe-inspiring 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 with a single, rough keyhole.
Before you can use Bassy's key, however, a horrid mass of eyes, mouths, and formless flesh moves out of the skull and stares in all directions, its countless maws yammering ceaselessly. The creature looks hungrily in the party's direction.
Initiative:
1. Harsk, Alice, and Milloy
2. Creature
3. Kurth
Harsk, Alice, and Milloy are up!
A gibbering mouther!It can see everything so be careful! It's sound can confuse victims and it can suck blood from grappled victims. Use blunt weapons!
Milloy will use his wand of
Milloy hits it with a missile and Alice puts two arrows into the aberration!
Harsk will cast shield other on Kurth.
Harsk shields Kurth for the battle ahead! The creature lets out a cacophony of maddening sound.
It then emits a stream of acid from one of its mouths at Alice!
It then steps up to bite Harsk with its many mouths!
Slow to react, Kurth doesn't have his sword drawn when gibbering monster appears. A glazed look falls over his face as it chatters.
"Hey there, dwarf, did you just grab my arse?" Kurth says, drunkenly swinging at the priest with a gauntleted fist.
Milloy clubs himself with his quarterstaff!
"By Torag's anvil, what in tarnation are you doing, Kurth? Get yourself together, man! You too, Milloy!"
Harsk draws his hammer and tries to hit the strange creature.
Alice puts another arrow in the mouthy creature! Confused, Kurth takes a swing at Harsk and Milloy bonks himself in the head. Harsk's swing misses.
The gibbering mouther engulfs Harsk!
It also continues to gibber nonsense!
At the same time one of the mouths spits acid at Milloy!
Shaking his head to clear it, Kurth roars and draws his sword.
"Here now, get your ... hand ... offa that dwarf's arse. Or get the dwarf outta your arse. Whichever!" the big man yells as he hacks at the parts of the weird thing that don't seem to contain Harsk.
Why does my head hurt? Why it is so dark in here? What the hell is going on?
Kurth cuts into the aberration! Alice's confusion causes her arrows to fly wide!
Milloy will simply back away slowly and try to outwait his blindness.
EDIT : Actually maybe I can do something.
Milloy takes a 5' step forward and casts DC 16
Harsk keeps his grip on his hammer and thinks to himself, "What have I gotten myself into? I mean really - what the heck is this thing that's swallowed me?" He struggles inside one of the maws of the creature, cursing his lack of dagger.
Milloy blasts the mouthy creature with fire and Harsk rethinks his life decisions inside the creature's blubber.
The mouther goes after Kurth next!
It then shoots acid at Alice!
Protected by his enchanted mail and sturdy shield, Kurth ignores the snapping mouths of the disgusting creature as well as its weird wailing. Working around the vaguely dwarf-shaped lump in the thing's gut, Kurth hacks and burns at its toothy flesh.
Is it dead? Doesn't sound like it. Milloy will move back 5' and rethink on his tactics.
Harsk struggles in vain against the strange creature. [i]I don't feel so good... I think I might pass out if I don't do something.
The dwarf tries to heal himself.
Alternately, Harsk will try to free himself.
I'm what? No, don't be silly! Ow! It hit me, see?!
With a mighty swing, Kurth brings the beast down!
The door to the crypt is locked with a fantastically complex lock. Inside is a 5-foot-deep alcove in which a 5-foot-wide shaft drops down into the ground.
"Ugh! That fight was a little more ... grabby ... than I'm generally comfortable with," Kurth says, shuddering at the memory of the thing's nasty teeth and insane chattering. "Everyone alright? Can't imagine that thing was any nicer on the inside, and I'm sure Milloy is plenty sore after getting the shaft from Alice. Heh."
When the others are ready, Kurth will follow Alice into the crypt.
Seems I gave myself the shaft as well, Milloy mutters as he weakly shakes his quarterstaff. I'm in a bad way indeed.
Harsk stows his hammer and stands up, wiping mucus and other detritus from himself. "One of the single most uncomfortable experiences of my life - and I was married before taking my vows to Torag! Ha-har!"
Harsk taps himself with his wand of cure light wounds.
"Well, that thing really drained me. I shall have to be more judicious with that shield other spell for y'all."
This oval chamber has two large alcoves, each containing two child-sized stone sarcophagi. In the east end of the room, a shaft opens above a marble statue of a rearing warhorse.
Children. Hmm. Milloy makes no other comment as he scans the area for magical presence.
Kurth grunts in acknowledgement when the shadow-woman appears.
"You think those are actually kids in them sarcoffer ... coffins? Don't seem to make much sense. Maybe this dragonslayer had some halfling buddies, or made friends with them little lizards like we did."
Kurth ambles over to inspect the horse statue and the shaft leading up. "Wonder if you're supposed to sit on it, or just use it climb up this tunnel?"
Maffei responds, "Well, I'm just here to assist you. I feel I owe it to you after you set me free from that Hell."
Milloy detects no magic in the room.