Bedlam has no problem spending a week eating, drinking, and snoring...oh, and crafting.
Talathel adds to his conversation with the blacksmith.
"If I spend my time here assisting with the creation and repair of arms and armour, would you accept that work towards part payment?"
They look dubiously at Talathel. "Er, sure, if you spend your days in the forge, we'll pay ye 1 GP/day."
Raising an eyebrow at the offered coin, "But I was not there when you found those things."
---
Following the group to the blacksmith and waiting until the others have had a chance to make their requests before making her own, "Would you be able to make me an earth breaker?"
"Fine by me."
Talathel is ready to show his significant skill at making the implements of war.
Anzath too gives Talathel a curious look and decides to leave the elf to play blacksmiths' apprentice. She purchases the best looking crossbow she can find off the smithy and goes about town looking for the others.
"Make preparationz," she tells them, "Ve go hunting Fey."
The days roll by. Bedlam's kettle bubbles and fumes. Tal's hammer rings. Tragershen's pen scratches. Anzath stalks around, plotting against the fey. Aurora preaches the gospel of "Wow, isn't this interesting!" while helping plan a wedding. And Vael supervises the forging of a mighty hammer, keeping an eye on the forests beyond.
On the second day, three more refugees arrive on their own. Bristleback facepalms as Sawen invites them into the palisade district and points out a spot where they can build a house.
On the fifth day, a keelboat arrives from upriver. It is full of onyx hacked out of the high mining camps, and is here to meet Elma and the Laughing Dolphin. The captain and crew look rough and ready, but not evil.
And then. On the twelfth day, something happens.
Aurora is pleased as punch at both the progress of Zelkor's Ferry in accepting its new residents and at the wedding planning — at some point or other, she doubtlessly homes in on the elves for advice on local flowers to suggest to Sawen for bouquets that will be in bloom, because Aurora herself isn't terribly knowledgable on that.
The gospel of "This is so cool!" includes a lesson on diseases — no doubt inspired by recent events — although she is careful to avoid mentioning that the Demon's Maw is currently a vector of such a thing. Instead she focuses on somewhat more distant strains, such as chillbane fever and glacier plague.
Gelver's newfound interest in, ahem, Nethys is noticed, but is he capable of contributing to a NETHYStalk? Therein lay the real questions.
------
2nd—Aid, Shield Other(D), OPEN SLOT x2
1st—Bless, Divine Favor, Sanctuary(D) (DC 14), Shield of Faith (+2)
0 (At Will)—Create Water, Detect Magic, Guidance, Stabilize
Gelver grunts nervously and says, "I taught Talathelf how to use a tower shield..." He blushes and says, "I... I dunno, givin' a talk... not what I need... not too good at it these days, talkin."
On the 25th day of Iuli, everyone is getting ready for a classic Bristleback wedding party. Everyone, that is, who isn't getting ready to fight the fey. The smiths have finished one item for each hero, your choice if you bought two.
All seems well. The palisade around the new neighborhood is coming along nicely. People are gathering flowers and festively suggestive fungi from the forest (under heavy armed guard, of course). The keelboat crew adds a layer of jovial unpredictability to the town, something much appreciated by the refugees. And Brand and Sawen are rather sweet. But Bristleback seems nervous. He tells Talathel, "Zelkor's Ferry isn't the sort of place that can handle change. It's been more or less the same for decades. For generations. Now it's full of newcomers, and Sawen keeps telling them all they can stay. Something bad'll come of it, mark my words."
And, ironically timed, as if to mark his words, shouts ring out from the courtyard. Captain Skorma of the guard bursts into the room, the scarred old warrior pale under his thick beard. "Aragnak"!
Bristleback swears, "By the bullocks of the bull of Mithras, we're in it now. The dragon is here."
You rush into the village's square. Sure enough, a HUGE red dragon circles in the sky overhead. It seems to be looking down at the town, observing what's going on.
What are you gonna do?
Be a relation, Brand?
Brand gives Bedlam a worried grin. "I'm fairly sure Bristleback is the biggest o' me inlaws-to-be..."
To look upon the sky and see is a dragon is quite the gut-wrenching, awe-inspiring experience — perhaps much like seeing a tornado rip across the land or a great storm rip a town apart. Even when the dragon is (so far...) just peacefully flying overhead. The cleric stares, transfixed for a moment by the great creature, a hand curled loosely and resting over where her thudding heart is hidden away behind a breastplate.
But, when the others have gathered, she speaks in a low voice, "Maybe... if we try talking to it... it will go away? Does it accept tribute?"
Bristleback says, "Let's hope he does. Everyone, get your shiniest stuff. Rasmus, you know what this means. Time to clean out your safe. I'll try to see what he wants."
Bristleback gives Sawen a big hug and gives Brand a long look, before hugging him as well. He turns to the party and asks, "Anyone speak draconic? Anyone want to come try to reason with this brute? I can't guarantee you'll have a chance to speak to anyone else ever again, but I'm not always the best with words."
The god TED tells Aurora that red dragons are big and evil, capable spellcasters, guarded by spell resistance, supernaturally terrifying, and duh, they breathe fire. One breath is enough to incinerate someone of your current stature.
"I speak its language, but I'm hardly the wordsmith needed to convince it of anything."
Anzath stares in awe at the terrifying beast circling high overhead. Instinctually she loads her new crossbow and tracks the dragon while hiding between the buildings of the Ferry, using the chaos of the panicked crowd to her advantage.
"Ali govorim jezik? Da. Sem neverjeten predstavnik? Eh... mogoče."
She sighs.
"Shall I prepare the best protection from fire I can muster for all of us? It... will not do much, I fear, but curb the very edge of the flames if it comes to that."
"Were we saving those nice gems from the jewelcrafter for Elma, or did we sell them in-town? I was hardly paying attention to what non-magical goods we were selling and just took my money."
Bedlam walks back into the Tavern. The dwarf steps behind the bar. Reaching into his pouch, he bounces 100gp on the bar.
Me bribe da Dragon donation and me gitt'n drunk fast fee.
The dwarf begins drinking heavily!
Aurora: I think you still have everything except the Sherrif's stuff, so you can toss gems at the dragon!
Talathel jogs in and catches up rapidly.
"I can speak draconic. And I am willing to negotiate as needed."
He thinks about what this specific dragon may wish.
With the negotiations falling to Aurora, he tells her "Before we give away our wealth or the town's, perhaps the dragon would be interested in information we could give it, or get for it."
Staring up at the dragon and nodding, "I can speak its language and I can aid in this hopefully peaceful negotiation."
Dragons don't just go around randomly blazing down villages unless provoked by roving bands of dwarves and halflings.
"Perhapz it vill just leave," Anzath whispers from the shadows.
Watching his companions saunter toward the HUGE red Dragon, the dwarf quickly drinks his Mutagen, and Heightened Awareness and Barkskin Extracts, before picking up the keg; running out with the rest.
Me Be speaking draconic too.
"Of course... of course... just, it might be nice to have ready, if it comes to delivering tribute." The cleric utters a quiet prayer, bringing a spell to heart, and looks back to the others. "Well, whenever you all are ready."
She tugs at her braid a bit, adjusting it and tucking the edge of a loose ribbon in, and looks to the gate leading out of the Ferry. Best to... not do this in the middle of town.
"If it attacks, scatter."
As Aurora bravely leads the parley party, Anzath runs back to Rasmus's store and grabs all the magical goodies he has. If he protests, she'll feed HIM to the dragon.
Rasmus isn't even there. He's arguing with Bristleback. Anazth rushes out through the gates, hot on the trail of Vael and Bristleback (and anyone else who cares to follow). Brand holds back Sawen, and it's almost funny how her feelings for the halfling act as almost a physical restraint on the warrior woman. Maybe it's not him holding her back--maybe it's her sense of being the last of the Bristlebacks.
Those in the negotiating party get briefed very, very quickly by Odo Bristleback. He says, quickly, but with an unwavering voice, "Aragnak's been here as long as any of us. The last of the Rivenrake dragons. Thinks he owns the place. Might be right. Give him whatever he asks for. Evil to the bone. Something must have stirred him up to have him leave his hoard unattended, but this happens ever century or so. If he kills us, I'm sorry. But an old agreement might just still hold, this close to the cyclopean walls of the Ferry... I don't speak much Draconic and the big guy hates speaking Common. Help me out."
”We’ll do whatever you need of us, Bristleback.”
When the dragon is sighted and talk moves to engaging it, Tragershen leaves his pack in the inn and casts mage armor on himself. No reason having my spellbook and family tome torched along with me.
When the group arrays to watch the dragon, Tragershen stays near the middle of the group to cast spells, even though it means he'd probably be dead center for any breath weapon attack the dragon may open with.
Aragnak the Red wheels one last time. He's clearly seen the welcoming party. As he descends, you see, probably for the first time, one of the most legendary creatures in the world. His scales, the shine like LED stoplights, like a thousand thousand red hands at a thousand thousand crosswalks demanding that you pedestrians "DON'T CROSS" (or rubies in torchlight, if you'd rather, but I have never seen those, myself).
He skims the party, a wave of heat brushing against you all. The hot summer day just got a little warmer. Then he lands with a WHUMP, the backdraft ruffling beards and haircuts.
"Ste vi gospodar prašičev?"
Bristleback responds, "Da. Zdravo. Kako ste?
The dragon speaks in a furious roar: "Nekateri tvoji ljudje so prestopili moj otok. Zapalil sem jih in njihove visoke ladje. Vi ste odgovorni za vedenje ljudi na tem otoku. Tukaj sem, da zberem odškodnino za vaš neuspeh. Prav tako se zdi, da ste presegli pooblastila. Nisem odobril gradnje preko zidov."
Bristleback sighs. "Pooblast...ila? Erm, samo trenutek."
He turns to you all, "Damned if I can't make out a word he's saying. My brother was the one with the languages, but he died a long time ago. Do we just kick over the treasure and beg him to leave?"
Stepping closer to Bristleback and mumbling, "People trespassed and he burned them and their ships. He wants compensation for that sin and he is mad you built walls with his permission."
And once more, the cleric is transfixed on that massive creature with its glittering scales. A nervous smile creeps to her lips as it lands.
"Without his permission," Aurora offers, here to save Vael from typographical errors. "I believe asking him what is it he wants in recompense would be... 'in kaj želite kot odškodnino?'"
Bedlam just glares....
The dragon listens as Bristleback muddles through Aurora's promptings. "Skromnost, to mi je všeč v služabniku. Poglejmo, kaj imate. Zlato, dragulje, magija. Nagnite ga. Povedal ti bom, ko se ustaviš. In, prašič človek, če me bo človek spet prebudil, bom razmislil o vaši zakupni pravici in ožgali ta del umazanije."
Anzath wonders whose ships those were and watches Aurora for cues, all the while holding a bundle of magic goodies she can’t afford in her arms.
Best be not our ships.
"Bedlam, do not antagonize the situation. Anzath, begin laying out the tribute. Start with the gems."
The dragon nods as Anzath lays down the gems, but it's not until she lays down the magic goods from the shop that he grunts in satisfaction. The Blazing Robe makes him happy.
He scoops up the gems and items and stashes them in his crop. Dragons can do that. Then, he asks for the gold. After taking all of the gold in the town, he prepares to leave.
"Oblikuj, prašič človek. Naslednjič se ne bom tako enostavno spopadla, zato boste bolje dobili veliko več zlata in še boljše čarovnije.
Anzath tries to stay stoic as all of their hard earned wealth is stolen from them.
He instantly sees through Anzath's lies. He looks at her, hard.
"Vi ste lažna ženska. Tvoje orožje je kakovostno. Daj mi jih."
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"Če lahko govorim, kraljevski zmaj?" Aurora tilts her head.
If Aragnak answers in the affirmative, she continues, "Mi smo plačanci; veliko zakladov in redkosti, ki jih lahko dobimo, če imamo orodje naše trgovine. To orožje je orodje njene trgovine. Prepričan sem da je nekaj mogoče urediti?"
Sighing and taking a step forward with her hand held up, "Govori resnico. Lahko bi bolje zbrali čudovite stvari za vas. In s tem orožjem lahko bolje branimo to mesto, ki vam je podrejeno. Če pademo, se bodo drugi umaknili. Ludi smrtniki, ki lahko zavrnejo vašo dobrohotnost in zavrnejo vsakršen poklon, ki ga morate plačati."
Something inside Anzath takes hold, all her childhood years spent in chains, cowing to her masters. She lowers her head deeply and keeps her gaze averted. “Forgive me, Lord,” she says, unbuckling Yaza’s Mace from her belt, “I killed Yaza Mongro for dis mace, and I vill kill her again wid it,” full determination in her voice. She then drops to one knee and pulls Kritfisher out of its scabbard on her back, just enough to let the purple light of the blade show. “Dis blade kame from Dungeon of Gravez. I am hunter. I hunt Demonz of Graves. Demonz who hoard vealth dat is rightfully yourz, Lord. By your vill, let me keep veaponz, and I vill rid land of Demonz and free your vealth, for you, Great Lord.”
Everything she says is true.
The dragon nods appreciatively at Vael. "Govoriš resnico, kljub svoji demonski krvi. In to je zanimiva ptica."
Turning to Anzath, "Temen, ti si moj služabnik v temi pod mojim otokom. Poišči, kar lahko, in mi jo prinesi ob polni luni četrtega meseca. Če najdete stvari, ki so vredne več kot moja rezila, lahko nadaljujete z izposojanjem rezil in vašega življenja, in še naprej lahko delate zame. Zdaj vam bom dal darilo. Če zamudite sestanek, ko še živite, vas bom našel in vzel rezila iz pepela."
"You speak the truth, despite your demon blood. And that's an interesting bird."
Turning to Anzath, "Dark one, I dub thee my agent in the darkness below my island. Find what you can and bring it to me on the full moon of the fourth month. If you find things worth more than these blades, you may keep the blades and your life, and you may continue working for me. I will now give you a gift. If you miss your appointment while you yet live, I will find you and take my treasure from your ashes. "
He pulls a ring off one of his claws and puts it around Anzath's wrist. It shrinks into a sort of bracelet manacle thing, impossible to remove.
He then horks up the rest of the town's gold and flies away (fortunately for you all, you'd already spent most of your currency, so you really only lose the gems, any leftover gold on your persons, and Anzath's freedom).
Bristleback sighs in relief. "Thought I was gonna miss the wedding. That's twice now you've saved the town. C'mon, let's break it to the folks that we'll be on the barter system for a while. Ohhh, dang, Elma is gonna be upset when she gets here..."
Talathel almost stops Anzath, but is beaten to it by the others - and by the dragon's uncanny senses.
He stares at the "ring", and then at Anzath, concern obvious upon his face. Followed by frustration.
Then grim determination.
"We will find a way to get that 'ring' off you. With as much battle or guile as it takes. This I vow."