GM Rat Sass's Age of Worms

Game Master Governayle

"Maybe Allustan can help us figure out what this wine is and he may be interested in these books as well." he points out a few things on Mort's broad back.

Mortimer, apparently alarmed, glances at his back to which the gnome points. Huh? BOOKS?! ... I'm carrying BOOKS!"

Mortimer breaks out into a sweat. This is serious!

~~~
At the House of Allustan

Mortimer watches Solrisa hug Allustan with a big smile.

Yea, he should totally be ... clear of mind.

"Allustan, Sir... when you have a moment, I'd like to speak with you alone."

Eidi feels a bit of loss when leaving behind the tomb "I felt I came to know each of you in a deeper different way there inside" the half-elf gives a last glimpse as the tomb is lost in the landscape "What role do you think those Elemental Dukes have in all this Lastday Doom Prophesy we are trying to handle here?"

The elder feels good about visiting Allustan and smiles at the idea of having time to devote to Solrisa's headband "I did pay some attention to those long range transportations we were performing lately and I think I would be able to move us to Egorian and back in a glimpse"

Eri is for seeing Allustan again. "Yeh, let's hea his take on this."

The group makes its way from the Lower Level of Icosiol's Tomb to the Entrance Level. Past the Shadowy Chamber, up the ramp to the Ooze Chamber. Past the Statue of Law, which affects Eri again, and no others. The Hall of Mists, then the entrance Hall of Winds, and you find yourself passing through the Black Portal, still functional from this side.

Returning to the entrance hall of the Whispering Cairn, the air takes on the familiar tinge of regional scents- earthier, and more humid than the sterile air of the Tomb's caverns. The sounds of fauna return to you as you return to the Cairn Hills.

The day's travel back to Diamond Lake is auspicious, save for a single, passing moment. A handful of you get the sense of being watched, and it is not a benevolent feeling. It doesn't last very long, though it is little consolation.

Arriving back in Diamond Lake, little has changed, structurally, from Ilthane's devastation, but much has returned to normalcy, likely due to the reassurances from the Outcasts that the dragon is dead. There is activity around the buildings, and you can identify several miners reassigned from the mines to assist on the reconstruction. For their troubles, the Mine Managers are no doubt receiving compensation from Governor Neff, and the official coffers of the town to do so.

This includes Allustan's home. There are quite a few workers attending to the mage's Manor, perhaps disproportionately so. As for the mage himself, Allustan is easily enough located, at his brother's own Manor.

As evening falls, you are met familiarly by the Governor's Guard, then Jillian, who warmly greets you, and ushers you into the same meeting room as before. She tidies up the seats, and personally sees to refreshments, which soon occupy a side table. It consists mainly of fresh, sliced large seed fruit and tart, pickled vegetables.

In short order, you are joined by Marzena, Governor Neff, and Allustan. On Allustan's shoulder, a familiar psuedodragon preens himself. Raziel's eyes twinkle, as he takes you all in, but for his position, he holds his tongue, and minds his manners, remaining on the mage's shoulder, while the three humans welcome you back.

Allustan looks fit to burst. "Did you... were you... able to...? I am glad to see you all in good health." The old man smiles at Eri, before looking to the group as a whole. "Was it worth the suffering? What have you discovered in the Tomb?"

Allustan pats Mortimer's forearm, recognizing the giant's words, and returns a look that expresses his willingness to speak privately, when the time comes.

"What role do you think those Elemental Dukes have in all this Lastday Doom Prophesy we are trying to handle here?"

Mortimer halts in his tracks, leaving the tomb.

"Well, now -- the Portal we just emerged from -- where we are now -- is in the Whispering Cairns just outside Diamond Lake... There's a Wind Duke tomb here, hidden behind a sort of substantial stash of ... iron. It's where we found this -- " Mortimer briefly nudges the LizardHood Headband out of the way to reveal an edge of the Silver Diadem hidden beneath.

Mortimer frowns.

"To be honest, I don't know how I ended up with it, but it's comfortable, albeit femininish." He readjusts the LizardHood headband to conceal it carefully and fully, and scratches the back of his head thoughtfully.

"Anyway, beyond the stash of Iron Balls was a room full of more or less animated bas-reliefs."

The first, Mortimer narrates: (Profession/Perform +4) -- "This image depicts a peaceful scene featuring several humanoids relaxing in an idyllic country scene. Dozens of perfect circles fill the sky above the frolicking figures. As the steam runs over the image, dark, twisted shapes emerge from the sculpture's edges. The shapes coalesce to form monstrous creatures that look like a cross between spiders and wolves. As the creatures approach the humanoids, the circles in the sky begin to burst one by one.

These humanoids. They look awfully similar to the individual lying on the lid's surface of the sarcophagus in the prismatic chamber. "

Mortimer bows his head in evident rememberence. "Pillette seemed upset by that one, and the humanoids in the image very much resembled the Wind Dukes as they appeared to us in this Tomb. They were a civilization of Wind Folk, now under attack."

The second: "This image depicts a towering humanoid figure standing over a legion of lesser humanoid warriors. He appears to be wearing the glyph of similar design as the word symbols on the frame of the strange apparatus in the alcove towards the entrance of the cairn.

The central warrior amongst the lessers bears a grand glyph, but each figure bears a unique glyph as well. As the steam plays about the image, the warriors raise longswords in salute to the towering figure."

"I don't know who the lesser humanoids were, maybe some blokes -- and Lady -- just like us, Mortimer says, pulling on his cowlick.

"Here's where it get's scary -- "
The Third: "As the steam moves about the image, a lone humanoid warrior impales a demonic entity that looks like a drider with four arms and a human head flanked by two wolf heads. He strikes it with a mighty rod. As soon as the demonic entity is struck, the rod shatters into seven pieces and scatters across the land. A tear in the sky emerges. The demonic entity and warrior vanish into the rift, but not before another warrior is struck by a beam from the demonic entity's eyes. This warrior slumps dead to the ground. "

Mortimer turns to the party. "I think that was actually the Wind Duke whose Tomb we just visitied -- Icosiol. Aside from Flycatcher, I don't really know from talking spiders, though. What really bothers me is the rift."

Mortimer turns to Eidi. "Ooze Plane? Didn't you say something about an Ooze Plane?"

He turns to Ascaria, Sol, "You were there -- in Dourstone.. Was that a pool, or more of a portal? Are the cultists trying to re-open some rift? It seems like history is just trying to repeat itself here, in Diamond Lake for some reason."

He turns to Eri. "If that's the case, it's good that you can appreciate that kind of uncertainty, but maybe the Wind Dukes left us clues to battle it so it doesn't get too weird even for you."

"The forth bas-relief": A group of seven humanoid warriors present a staff-like rod to a council of humanoids sitting on a grand platform. Each of the seven humanoid warriors bears a unique, carven glyph. As the head of the council accepts the rod, a pulsing of light runs through cracks in the rod, defining what might have been seven segments come together to make the singular item.

"I think that was depicting some kind of pact."

~~~
At Neff's

[Jillian] tidies up the seats, and personally sees to refreshments, which soon occupy a side table. It consists mainly of fresh, sliced large seed fruit and tart, pickled vegetables.

Woo. Civilization. Mortimer helps himself to pickles. He grins broadly upon seeing Raziel on Allustan's shoulder.

Sorry, didn't have time to fish... He claps Eri on the shoulder. "So, what did you think -- was it worth the suffering?" Mortimer steps away, and looks at Eri out of the corners of his eye. "We held our own," he says, more humbly. "We brought back some things." he adds, thumbing to his Mule Back Cords.

+1. Good post, Mort!

Solrisa nods and smiles gleefully as the very smart Mort explains what all the pictures mean.

"Mort, listen!" Solrisa cheers excitedly. "Look! Do we need to find the other pieces of the rod? 6 more, you think!? Oh, that would be fun! That would be a challenge! We should do that!" Solrisa seems really excited about the idea.

"Oh, Mort! I think we should go to the north! Good adventures always start by going north," Solrisa says passionately, as north was her favorite direction to go all the time. Rae's favorite direction was a meandering south, which is why Sol and Rae ended up south of Kaer Maga and in Cheliax.

"Let's go north! I bet these other rods will be easy to find," She looks to the north (actually looking east by accident) as if to see the rods waiting for her to gather in her butterfly net.

"I think this is a *very* good plan," Solrisa states, thinking that Mort's idea is a good one.

”Well said Mort, well said indeed!” Wow.

”Yeah, that pool may well have been a portal of some sort, but not, I think, of the order we’re talking about. Still, we could check it out now that we’re more capable, and have Eidi - he and Eri can sort out the complexities of the magics better than I. If Allustan doesn’t have any leads, or maybe even if he does, we can check out the cairn more fully.”

…later with Allustan.

Ascaria is more complete with his description of what they did and what they found. ”Eri, show him the rod.”

”We feel it would behoove us to collect all the pieces of the rod, to help us stop them. Again. So we need to slow the enemies efforts - thwarting them at every turn, and we need to gather the pieces of the rod - and assemble them somehow.”

”We’re hoping you can help us there, with some suggestions. We also have other needs, but let’s not get lost in minutia. What do you know Allustan… what do you know?”

When Sol talks of heading north, he remembers his dream... so vivid. Will we be flying north? I don't have the spell as yet...

”All the words”

Eri nods, following along.

”Hmm. Yes, that all makes sense.”

Great analysis! Yowza!

"Was it worth the suffering? What have you discovered in the Tomb?"

”Well, I guess not surprisingly, we discovered death in the tomb. I got better though, and yeah I think it was worth it. Worth it or no, a whole new world is opened up to me and here we are.”

”Eri, show him the rod.”

”Oh, yeh. Here ya go.” Eri proffers the rod.

Allustan steps forward as Eri proffers the Rod. This provokes the Governor, who steps in front of his brother, looking Eri over with the item in question. "Careful now, what do you have there?"

Allustan puts a reassuring hand on Neff's shoulder. "Easy now, brother. I think that they may have... yes, yes, that looks promising..." The old mage takes the Rod Fragment from Eri, and almost as soon steadies himself with one hand on the Governor's desk.

"It's got all the semblance and power of the Rod of Law. I never imagined actually having it in my hands. From the old accounts, the Rod, well, its several Parts, have been known to return to different places, familiar only to its fractured nature. Now we know for truth that the largest Fragment was interred with Icosiol. This is a remarkable thing. In a way, it's a shame that the smallest Fragment was not found instead." Allustan shakes his head, smiling nostalgically.

"The smaller Fragments can be used to find the larger Fragments, you see. Such powerful artifacts as this have wills of their own- the Rod of Many Parts seeks to be whole again. And it has all the time in the world to bring that about." Allustan hands it back to Eri, though deliberately. "Where did you find it? Do not leave out a single hair of detail, my friends." The old man takes a seat, leaving Raziel to perch upon the fine leather backing. On a different day, you suspect Neff would take offense from the psuedodragon's lack of decorum, but today is not any day. Neff doesn't look to his brother, he looks only at you all.

The trio collectively listen to the party's full accounting of the Tomb Raid, Marzena and Allustan rapt with the arcane lore coming forth, Neff setting each word to memory with a cold shrewdness for what it might mean to him and his community. When the accounting comes to a close, Allustan stands up.

"What do you know Allustan… what do you know?"

"Yes, yes. We were talking about more abstract matters. Now, we should turn our attentions to more pressing matters. Eligos, old friend, his paperwork was at turns cryptic, at times quite lucid, and mostly unsettling." Allustan looks to Marzena to center himself. She smiles and nods, beckoning him with a slow blink to continue.

"From your encounter in the Dourstone Mine, to your investigations during the Gauntlet of Asmodeus, you've dealt with various evil actors. In Dourstone, those who call themselves the Ebon Triad, who only talk of unifying three unholy gods, Asmodeus, Urgathoa, and Lamashtu. No words spoken of Kyuss there. When you traveled to Blackwall, here we find the first tremors of Kyuss, with his worms and that black bit... dragon, Ilthane, who is most certainly responsible for placing the egg within the lizardfolk lair. I still don't know if Ilthane herself understood what grew within the leathery walls of that egg, but no matter. She was acting under orders. Eligos found the name 'Dragotha', and other instances in which regional dragons were recruited to dark cause. I think this applies to Ilthane here, locally. I haven't been able to place this other region Eligos speaks of... what was it again, my dear?" Allustan turns to Marzena.

"Redhook, my love." Marzena assists when asked.

"Ah, yes, that. I might research the name longer, but it didn't seem pertinent as a place of focal activity. Where was I? Oh, yes. I speculate that the tiefling creature you found beneath the arena was a cleric of Kyuss, directly tied to that god, not an agent of the three heretofore mentioned gods. More over, I think Loris Raknian was seeking to benefit from the summoning of the Apostle of Kyuss with a form of immortality. For his warrior bent, I believe he sought to become a Death Knight in the exchange, or something similar. Eligos mentions several declarations in Loris's outer circles about avoiding the decrepitude of age." He pauses, his eyes searching for other avenues, until he arrives at the one that seems most appropriate.

"He's asked me to contact my former teacher, Manzorian. For the more ancient historical veins here yet unmined, Eligos believes... um, believed... that he would more readily find the parallels for this most recent of Worm Sign. There are stories of myth which address Kyuss as a sad tale of hubris brought to the darkest depths, but this is as far as my studies avail me. Myth. The tangible evidence of the worms themselves, the ulgurstasta, the spawn of Kyuss... these things are incontrovertible evidence of Kyuss's awakening in the world again. We need to understand much more here. We need to know where Kyuss plans to walk, and who he plans to debase in order to see himself returned. I think Loris is one, Dragotha another... More than that, I fail to see as clearly. For that, I have come to accept that I need to contact Manzorian, and would send you in my stead to learn more."

Allustan grows quiet, and sits back down again. This time, Raziel returns to the old man's shoulder, which seems to have a restorative effect on the old mage.

Solrisa listens to the story while loudly crunching on pickled vegetables (her favorite) and smiling as if she understands everything that is explained. She crunches a head of pickled cauliflower and looks around, ready to ask the next questions.

”Is there anything we can do in the meantime? How long will it take to contact Manzorian?” Solrisa smiles cheerfully, wondering if she’ll have a chance to go home and sleep in her bed (if her apartment still stands).

I wonder if Rae is there!

Solrisa claps happily to herself at a private, joyful thought. Then her thoughts turn back to what was revealed.

”Are we fighting the Ebon Triad? Or this Kyuss? Or both? Or militaristic evil religions? It’s all very confusing.”

"Careful now, what do you have there?"

As the Governor steps forward, Mortimer feels the hair on the back of his neck bristle. Careful now, maybe he's just ridiculously over-protective... He inhales then exhales slowly trying to relax. As the others recount their ordeals in The Whispering Cairns Portal, he returns Neff's stare at them with his own even gaze.

On abstract matters

"[Illthane the Black Dragon] was acting under orders. Eligos found the name 'Dragotha', and other instances in which regional dragons were recruited to dark cause."

Mortimer tears his eyes from Neff and becomes visibly agitated by these words. Other dragons? 'Dragotha'? He pulls out the dragon tooth pendant he took from Thedrick. Is the Triad pawns like Ilthane too? He ponders over it briefly before putting it back under his shirt.

"The tangible evidence of the worms themselves, the ulgurstasta, the spawn of Kyuss... these things are incontrovertible evidence of Kyuss's awakening in the world again."

"'Awakening in the world again'? Do you mean -- it has been sleeping here all along until just recently?!"

On more pressing matters

"No words spoken of Kyuss [in Dourstone]."

"You know, it's true that there were no Words of Kyuss spoken in Dourstone, but the Queen's Gauntlet with Loris and Kendra there reminded me of Thedrick's and Kendra's little arena with their Ape Half Orc Champion Thing in Dourstone."

Whoa... Mortimer suddenly inhales sharply, remembering something more. "... and Kendra was pregnant! I hope she isn't experimenting in breeding weird little Kyuss things..." he shudders.

"Is there...? How long...? Are we fighting...? Both? Evil religions? Confusing."

Mortimer nods, trying to keep up. "I think," he offers, "I think Kyuss and his agents are the more immediate threats here, don't you all? Allustan -- Manzorian's abode wouldn't happen to be to the North at all, would it?" he asks hopefully, trying to keep Solrisa happy.

Ascaria shudders at the thought of what Kendra might be birthing. ugh!

He waits until Mort's questions are answered, and then adds one or two of his own. "Hey, isn't Eligos' last name Manzorian? (near the bottom of the post) Ascaira asks, turning to Allustan. "Are all you mage types related?"

He too wonders if North is their direction of travel, remembering his magic-fevered dream. "Yeah, is this mage way North? Like over Conqueror's Bay?" he holds his breath waiting on the answer though he doesn't notice it.

"Demon spawn? Yeh, we need to stop that. Let's get started soon. Do we have time to have a hot meal, sleep in a bed and have a little whiskey first?"

Eri munches a pickle and waits.

"Is there anything we can do in the meantime? How long will it take to contact Manzorian?"

"If he's... receptive to a Sending, I suppose we'll know today if he'll hold an audience for us." Allustan smiles awkwardly.

"Have you prepared the spell today, Allustan?" Marzena prods gently.

Allustan turns to Marzena with a mild look of annoyance. "I don't need to prepare it if I have it committed to one of my scrol... oh." The old mage slouches a bit. Marzena smiles sadly. "My house." Allustan nods, before turning back to you all. "I recovered my spellbook easily enough, but not my collections... I should be able to contact him tomorrow. We can take it from there, yes?"

"Are we fighting the Ebon Triad? Or this Kyuss? Or both? Or militaristic evil religions? It’s all very confusing."

Marzena takes up the questions this time, allowing Allustan to regain himself. "Yes, it all feels very vague to me, until a creature of Kyuss is at my doorstep." The mature lady adjusts herself in her chair, allowing her legs to cross comfortably. "We get the sense that the Ebon Triad is a kind of cannon fodder, a zealotry that can be harnessed by a more motivated power. It's ridiculous to me that anyone would pray to merge such hostile entities as the three, let alone claim the ability to do so. But Kyuss is different. The Apostolic Scrolls were a tangible communication with something powerful, something capable of breaching this plane of existence. For that alone, we should pursue a broader knowledge."

"Awakening in the world again'? Do you mean -- it has been sleeping here all along until just recently?!"

The giant's outburst unsettles the three elders. Allustan speaks this time. "Well, we don't know exactly where its origin is. If someone is working towards claiming the power of Kyuss, somewhat like you returned the Rod to the gameboard, we need to understand the players better. We need to know its deeper history."

"Allustan -- Manzorian's abode wouldn't happen to be to the North at all, would it?"

"Yeah, is this mage way North? Like over Conqueror's Bay?"

Allustan appears to relax a little from the building tension. "Magepoint, yes. Yes, it is to the north. Quite a ways north, to be sure, along the Varisian Gulf. It's quite serene. Have you heard of Windsong Abbey? Remarkable structure. If you travel along the southern rim of the Gulf, you eventually arrive at Magepoint. If you enter the Fogscar Mountains, you've gone too far."

"Hey, isn't Eligos' last name Manzorian? Are all you mage types related?"

Allustan regards the gnome's blunt question. "Yes, Eligos Manzorian is grandson of Manzorian. Eligos doesn't like using his surname in Egorian, for the trouble it would bring him. How did you come to know this about Eligos? You should be tactful with that knowledge. Not everyone knows that."

"Do we have time to have a hot meal, sleep in a bed and have a little whiskey first?"

Allustan looks ready to answer his acquaintance, when the Governor speaks instead. "Yes, about that. Your group has been a boon to Diamond Lake, and as a show of appreciation, I'd like to offer you the old Arkaner Estate. Thaddeus left it to Diamond Lake, as he had no heirs to lay claim." Neff paces to the vegetable platter, pulling a pickled cucumber for consumption. "I think you would make fitting owners. It would require some work on your part to restore it to its former glory, what with the dragon damage, but money is surely no object to the winners of the Gauntlet, eh?"

Governor Neff refers to the building just north of Venelle's on the map of Diamond Lake, Destroyed.

Allustan appears to relax a little from the building tension. "Magepoint, yes. Yes, it is to the north. Quite a ways north, to be sure, along the Varisian Gulf. It's quite serene. Have you heard of Windsong Abbey? Remarkable structure. If you travel along the southern rim of the Gulf, you eventually arrive at Magepoint. If you enter the Fogscar Mountains, you've gone too far."

Ascaria whistles low, "That's far. I have a method that'll get us there, but I haven't quite learned it yet. I've been practicing, and almost have it, but not yet. To make such a journey, we'll need some scrolls of Wind Walk or it'll be a long journey indeed."

”How many miles as the crow flies, roughly? For powerful scroll such as these, we’ll undoubtedly need to go to the Azmodean church in Egorian.” his smile fades briefly.

Allustan regards the gnome's blunt question. "Yes, Eligos Manzorian is grandson of Manzorian. Eligos doesn't like using his surname in Egorian, for the trouble it would bring him. How did you come to know this about Eligos? You should be tactful with that knowledge. Not everyone knows that."

"You told us sir, when you mentioned him the first time." Ascaria says with a returning grin, "But I won't say anything."

Allustan looks ready to answer his acquaintance, when the Governor speaks instead. "Yes, about that. Your group has been a boon to Diamond Lake, and as a show of appreciation, I'd like to offer you the old Arkaner Estate. Thaddeus left it to Diamond Lake, as he had no heirs to lay claim." Neff paces to the vegetable platter, pulling a pickled cucumber for consumption. "I think you would make fitting owners. It would require some work on your part to restore it to its former glory, what with the dragon damage, but money is surely no object to the winners of the Gauntlet, eh?"

You unload a house you’ve had to maintain to no good end, and we pay to fix up the town a little in the bargain. Neat little package.

But Ascaria is pleased none the less, he knows the building and has admired it from afar for some time. But so large! He looks at his companions, Well there are a lot of us. He smiles and thanks Neff, ”That’s very generous of Diamond Lake. I suspect it’s not in move-in condition just now, but it’s as good a place to camp as any. With all the housing destroyed by the dragon I suspect we’re not the only folks without a roof!”

”How is the town, is there anything further we can do to aid it while we wait for Manzorian to get back to us? We’ll need to visit Egorian for supplies I think, but we are otherwise free. I know Eidi here has some things to do, but we don’t all need to make the trek into town. Oh I wish I had learned Wind Walk sooner!”

" Yes, it is to the north. Quite a ways north, to be sure, along the Varisian Gulf."

"Mort, orient!" Solrisa cheers happily, clapping her hands. She loves going north. "We get to go north, maybe! Isn't that great? North is the best!"

Solrisa is happy to walk all the way there, because it's going north, which is the best. She remembers that she used to have a horse, but can't remember what happened to it.

Oh. Where did I park my horse again?

* * *

"An estate? We could have an estate?" Solrisa seems simultaneously excited and worried. "Is there room for me *and* Rae? I'd like to have a room for Rae if she comes back."

Solrisa is unconcerned with upkeep or fixing up the Estate until she knows Rae will have a spot therein. Otherwise she is content with her little hovel that she and her sister used to share.

The old mage slouches a bit. Marzena smiles sadly. "My house." Allustan nods, before turning back to you all. "I recovered my spellbook easily enough, but not my collections... "

Mortimer looks somewhat surprised by Allustan's momentary lapse of memory. Spellbook? He -- he lost everything! He looks over at Marzena, and smiles. But he still has you, which is the most important thing!

"Awakening in the world again" The statement echoes through Mortimer's brain. "Kyuss is different. The Apostolic Scrolls were a tangible communication with something powerful, something capable of breaching this plane of existence." ...

"If someone is working towards claiming the power of Kyuss, somewhat like you returned the Rod to the gameboard, we need to understand the players better."

They have no idea what has the power to do this either! Just 'Claiming' the 'power' of Kyuss?! What if it is... ? unable to finish the horrid thought Mortimer suddenly looks astonished, possibly understanding now why his outburst caused such a startle. He glances at the Rod fragment that he knows is concealed in Eri's quiver.

As we might have 'claimed' something...

... I feel weird.

~
Mortimer suddenly snaps out of his reverie in obvious annoyance as Governor Neff speaks.

"I'd like to offer you the old Arkaner Estate. Thaddeus left it to Diamond Lake, as he had no heirs to lay claim." Neff paces to the vegetable platter, pulling a pickled cucumber for consumption.

Mortimer locks his eyes on Neff and cocks a compromised eyebrow. Wow, I don't like the cut of his gib. It's as if Old One Eye blames US for Ilthane's rampage. Didn't someone once say 'Never accept what your enemy offers you.'? Mortimer remains silent, watching Neff pace to the platter. ... just keep your pickles... Mortimer moodily broods.

" ... "

...

"We get to go north, maybe! Isn't that great? North is the best!"

"Huh?! Uh, yah -- he -- I mean," Mortimer stammers, wishing he'd paid more attention to the conversation in general. "Didn't someone just say we were going to the very best North?"

"Is there room for me *and* Rae? I'd like to have a room for Rae if she comes back."

Estate? Really?"If nothing else, she can have MY 'room', and I'll sleep ... somewhere else..."

Eidi calmly picks and eats a carrot while Allustan talks, cherishing at the opportunity to eat real food once again.

"Redhook... mmm..." the half-elf makes a pause as Allustan musters the word "May it be Eligos was referring to Redhand instead? The region, and its capital Alhaster specifically, has long battled for independence from both Cheliax and Nidal. It is interesting another of the dragons was sent to that region, quite to the interest of Cheliax or Nidal's government..."

For the most part of the conversation the elder remains quite letting the town to resolve about its problems alone "Magepoint..." Eidi somehow cheers up "That sounds interesting. Manzorian has worked before with Celeste, so there might be the opportunity to met with her once again. I would like to accompany you in this journey if you are so pleased"

"Is there room for me *and* Rae? I'd like to have a room for Rae if she comes back."

Eidi coughs a bit then asks Governor Neff "Well, I am just a companion here of these group of heroes. It would be better for me to find a more... definitive place. I would be grateful to pay for a small parcel close to Diamond Lake. I got inspired by Icosiol's tomb and would like to spent all that money in building up my own mausoleum" the half-elf finishes the last piece of the carrot "You are the miners here, aren't you? There must be sure a great stonemason at town"

"If someone is working towards claiming the power of Kyuss, somewhat like you returned the Rod to the gameboard, we need to understand the players better. We need to know its deeper history."

Eri blanches a little and swallows hard as he remembers the blankness, the bleakness of the other side.

”I should probably pick up some more defenses if I’m going to be more of a target. Anyone have some ideas on how to do that?”

”I think you would make fitting owners. It would require some work on your part to restore it to its former glory”

”Thank you very much.”

"You are the miners here, aren't you? There must be sure a great stonemason at town"

Solrisa squees again and claps her hands happily. She reaches into her pack to draw out her stoneworking tools, artisan. She shows them to Eidi with her large manhands.

"Eidi, look! It's me! I *love* sculpting in stone! You should see the Dragonchess pieces I used to make! I could sculpt you good, I could! It would be so pretty. You would be delighted to be buried there!"

Solrisa's eyes widen as she begins to think about all the possibilities.

"Sol, I'm sure there's room for Rae - once we fix it up. It's a very large house."

He squares off with Eidii, "You are most welcome to join us sir, AND, to a room in our home. Our home - all of us killed the dragon, so all of us should relish in the reward."

"I think that's a phrase. Anyway, other than Sol here, there are a number of stonemasons as well as it will take more than one to fix up the place. And we can always add on..."

"Eri, you're squishy, and you'll always be squishy because you can't wear armor like me. That's OK, you just need to stay away from others as much as you can. If you do get in a jam - you need a way out."

"You might consider Jaunt Boots if you can find a pair. They make it so you can flee, a bit, without getting attacked. So you can back off and cast, or shoot your bow. My people also like the Boots of Escape, but that only really works when you're grappled, and that's pretty rare."

"Finally, there's a pair of boots kinda like that ring you don't want to wear. Not quite as good, but the same effect - Shoes of Lightning Leaping I think they're called. If you got a pair of those, I could, I suppose, take that ring off your hands. It'll be a while before I can afford the one I want..."

Eidi's eyes light up when Solrisa shows her tools "That is going to be cool Solrisa. I am planning to raise the stone walls then decorate with different motives of my life." she takes the hands of the blond stonemason "With your fine skills I would love you to craft on the walls the part of my life that has to do with your friends and our adventures together."

The half-elf gets into the escaping discussion "That ring we got that allows you to become a lightning, that might also help you to get out of a grapple Eri"

"Alhaster specifically, has long battled for independence from both Cheliax and Nidal. It is interesting another of the dragons was sent to that region, quite to the interest of Cheliax or Nidal's government..."

Mortimer looks at Eidi curiously. "Another? Besides Ilthane? Do you mean this 'Dragotha'? Who or what exactly, is this other Dragon that was sent to that region?"

"Magepoint..."Eidi somehow cheers up."That sounds interesting. Manzorian has worked before with Celeste, so there might be the opportunity to met with her once again."

Mortimer perks up at the mention of Celeste. "Celeste?!!!" Aw, shoot... was that out loud? Oh well ... Meet with her again?! OH! Her name sounds like crystal looks!

"I should probably pick up some more defenses if I'm going to be more of a target. Anyone have some ideas on how to do that?"

"[...] you'll always be squishy [...] You might consider Jaunt Boots [...] also Shoes of Lightning Leaping [...] My people also like the Boots of Escape, but that only really works when you're grappled, and that's pretty rare."

"Yea. Let me know if you ever want any practice in escaping a grapple," Mortimer immediately barks over his shoulder at Eri while looking directly at Governor Neff, the true target of Mort's evident unfriendliness. What am I doing? He gives an almost imperceptible shake of his head and blinks, pinching his forehead in embarrassment. I can't help it, but I should be more... considerate. He swallows hard and averts his gaze to shoot an apologetic look at Marzena and Allustan. He then hangs his head in shame. I should be respectful to Allustan, Neff is his brother -- but it's hard. I really don't like Neff. He turns to Eri in an attempt to recover some decorum.(+4, +2 diplomacy whathaveyou for the NPCs). "I mean, maybe in battle you can conjure some sort of magic to make me a target instead of you? You know -- to distract enemy attention away from you?!"

He looks at the Thunder Sword and sighs. Oh! I wish I could talk privately with Allustan already!

~~~

[Eidi] takes the hands of the blond stonemason "With your fine skills I would love you to craft on the walls the part of my life that has to do with your friends and our adventures together."

Mortimer considers this statement solemnly. He looks at Eidi. "Yea, actually... building up your own mausoleum -- that would be very cool, but there's no hurry, right?

"How many miles as the crow flies, roughly? For powerful scroll such as these, we’ll undoubtedly need to go to the Asmodean church in Egorian."

Allustan considers for a moment, his mind set to abstract-made-tangible task. "I'd gauge it to be roughly 700 miles, give or take. Hadn't had to consider that in a while, but my map-making days are long past. It's heartening to know you're growing stronger in your grasp of magic, master gnome." The old mage gives the gnome a fatherly smile.

"You told us sir, when you mentioned him the first time. But I won't say anything."

The smile fades, as Allustan looks Ascaria over for signs of gnomic ribbing. "Surely..." He doesn't continue the forming words, as his eyebrows shoot upwards, then streak downwards in a personal grimace that prevents further thoughts.

"How is the town, is there anything further we can do to aid it while we wait for Manzorian to get back to us? We’ll need to visit Egorian for supplies I think, but we are otherwise free."

Governor Neff heartens at the sound of potential financial support. "The dragon's hubris helped us avoid loss of human life, for the most part, but the strain on our structural integrity is certainly obvious. Your reputation would certainly grow if you were to donate to our emergency funds, which would go to rebuilding several of our foundational families' estates, as well as the Emporium. Such a needless destruction." The Governor leaves the details in the numbers open to generous offers.

"An estate? We could have an estate? Is there room for me *and* Rae? I'd like to have a room for Rae if she comes back."

The Governor looks over those present, counting their heads. "Well, it's certainly yours to do with as you please. You could even build onto the manor house, for all your newfound wealth."

Mortimer locks his eyes on Neff and cocks a compromised eyebrow.

Mortimer finds a single eye locking itself back onto his own two eyes, though the partner eyebrows do not cock, only set firmly in response.

"May it be Eligos was referring to Redhand instead? The region, and its capital Alhaster specifically, has long battled for independence from both Cheliax and Nidal. It is interesting another of the dragons was sent to that region, quite to the interest of Cheliax or Nidal's government..."

Marzena's voice rises to answer the half-elf's. "Ah, I hadn't considered Eligos might have erred. There are quite a number of locations that enjoy the 'Red-' prefix. I'm made less comfortable with Redhand being so close. Relatively speaking, I guess."

"Well, I am just a companion here of these group of heroes. It would be better for me to find a more... definitive place. I would be grateful to pay for a small parcel close to Diamond Lake. I got inspired by Icosiol's tomb and would like to spent all that money in building up my own mausoleum. You are the miners here, aren't you? There must be sure a great stonemason at town."

Neff speaks up again. "I would certainly consider it an honor if you sought to invest in our real estate, master elf. I could engage with Egorian on your behalf, when the time comes. If you wanted to consider purchasing land within Diamond Lake's borders, you can deal directly with me. Make an appointment with Jillian, when you return from your travels. As for stonemasons, there are no better than our friends in Greysmere. If you'd like, I can arrange a sitdown with Dulok Blitzhame. He's quite amenable to quality contracts of stoneworking."

Mortimer immediately barks over his shoulder at Eri while looking directly at Governor Neff, the true target of Mort's evident unfriendliness.

A second time, and Governor Neff does not allow it to pass, without speaking up. "Do you have a problem, Mortimer? You are my guest, but your face suggests an arrogance that is unwelcome here. If you're any man worth his measure, use your words. Stop glowering at me."

"Really, Neff, I'm sure he didn't mean..." Allustan tries to intercede, but his elder brother isn't having any of it.

"No, I can read hostility well enough with one eye, brother. Hells, if I were blind, I might almost feel the heat of his hothead radiating from here." This is enough for the three elders to turn their full attentions back to Mortimer, and what words might come forth in answer to such blunt address.

A second time, and Governor Neff does not allow it to pass, without speaking up. "Do you have a problem, Mortimer? You are my guest, but your face suggests an arrogance that is unwelcome here. If you're any man worth his measure, use your words. Stop glowering at me."

"Really, Neff, I'm sure he didn't mean..." Allustan tries to intercede, but his elder brother isn't having any of it.

"No, I can read hostility well enough with one eye, brother. Hells, if I were blind, I might almost feel the heat of his hothead radiating from here." This is enough for the three elders to turn their full attentions back to Mortimer, and what words might come forth in answer to such blunt address.

Ascaria's mouth opens and closes a couple times. This man just saved your brother, and the town, by killing a dragon!

However, his fear of authority keeps his mouth shut. He just hopes whatever Mort is about to unleash doesn't land them all in jail. Authority is a fickle business, and without the right bribes, anything could happen. Or so he believes.

He looks to Mort, and wonders what the big man is going to say...

"Do you have a problem, Mortimer? You are my guest, but your face suggests an arrogance that is unwelcome here. If you're any man worth his measure, use your words. Stop glowering at me."

This, coming from a guy who has a Triad Cult of Evil under his town. Wow, this guy is really unbelievable.

"I would be loathe to expend any of the ire of my present attitude toward you in front of your brother and the Lady Marzena, as well as my companions," he states. Then, sighing he turns to Marzena and Allustan he pleads, "Forgive me." He glances at his companions and nods.

He sets down the sack containing Ilthane's horns, and cracks his knuckles.

"...But since you asked -- Know that I speak only for myself -- not for my companions. Tell me this -- do you remember where you were, what you were doing when the Dragon Ilthane attacked the town? For three days it was here, rending people, looking for your brother. Did you do anything mitigate the damage or assuage the intent of the destructive Dragon, or did you just cower here? Do you do anything here besides keep books and take up space?"

"We've always been committed to help this town, to improve it and the quality of the lives of the people here. Instead of rewarding us after saving Blackwell Keep, you could have used those monies to help out the people of this city. I regret now, not accepting it and doing so despite your apparent Will -- or lack there of. You knew about the Dragon, and yet did nothing to enhance the Towns fortifications. Yet, just now -- you made it sound as if we -- The Artists and Outcasts -- were responsible for the Dragon's attack. You proffer an Estate we must -- at our own expense -- make habitable again, as if it is some sort of penance to justify what you clearly think of as some wrongdoing on our part."

"No, Sir, Governor Neff," Mortimer says, shaking his head. "We -- and I hope I'm now speaking for my companions as well --We will take care of the town -- and at our own expense if necessary. Not because you offer us an Estate. Not because we think we owe Diamond Lake. Not because we think we need to bolster our renown. We'll do it because we can, and because it's the right and proper thing to do."

"And don't get me started on The Triad. Are you ever going to tell me what happened to your eye -- or do you already know what we found in Dourstone?"

"No, I can read hostility well enough with one eye, brother. Hells, if I were blind, I might almost feel the heat of his hothead radiating from here."

Solrisa tenses up, ready to support Mort in any sense he needs it. She listens intently to his response...nodding all the while.

"No, Sir, Governor Neff," Mortimer says, shaking his head. "We will take care of the town -- and at our own expense if necessary. Not because you offer us an Estate. Not because we think we owe Diamond Lake. Not because we think we need to bolster our renown. We'll do it because we can, and because it's the right and proper thing to do."

"Yeah," Solrisa says intently even though she's not sure exactly why Mort is so angry. But she's used to Rae always being angry and that was always okay. Like the time when Rae made a mistake and broke her favorite brush but then was angry at Sol about it as if it was Sol's fault...it was okay because sometimes you deserve to be yelled at even when you did nothing wrong.

"Yeah, we do it because it's the right thing to do."

Governor Neff allows the giant to speak his mind. When it is apparent to all that Mortimer has paused for answer, Neff stands, remaining behind his desk.

"Do you know why the Black was looking for my brother, Mortimer? No? Then let me educate you. My brother's name was ripped from the throats of Blackwall soldiers, one of whom provided it a name and a location. Why would the Black be on the hunt do you suppose? If I remember correctly, you were the ones who destroyed a dragon egg within the Mistmarsh. How you choose to interpret my generous offer of estate speaks more about your character than it does mine. Turn down the offer, if it offends you so much."

"Where were you when the Black attacked? When it besieged our town for two hellish days? You were off seeking your fame and fortune in a gladiator tournament. Do not speak to me of cowardice. You were not here." Lanod Neff picks up small bronze bell from the desktop. Moments later, Jillian peeks in, turning an expectant look to the Governor.

"We're done here. Jillian, when you've seen them off, please return. We have things to discuss." Neff waves his hand dismissively, while he sits back down. Jillian motions for you to follow her from the office.

Before you depart, Allustan and Marzena stand. Allustan steps to the desk, readying to speak with his brother in private, while Marzena joins you all in your trek from the Governor's Manor. "I could use the fresh air."

Allustan looks to you all sheepishly from his place at the Governor's desk. "I will let you know tomorrow morning what I hear from Manzorian. Well done, you all. Recovering the Rod was inspiring."

...

Marzena and Jillian walk the length of the entry road. By the time you arrive, Marzena has decided to visit the Hungry Gar for some repast. She welcomes company, though she understands if everyone has obligations elsewhere.

Where do you go? You have the evening to attend to matters both private and shared.

”Eri, you're squishy, and you'll always be squishy because you can't wear armor like me. That's OK, you just need to stay away from others as much as you can. If you do get in a jam - you need a way out.”

Depending on availability, Eri would love to acquire the jaunt boots or Shoes of Lightning Leaping. If that’s not a problem, he’ll seek the Shoes of Lightning. Please and thank you!

”Hmm. Yes, that all makes sense.”

sense motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

”No, Sir, Governor Neff … We'll do it because we can, and because it's the right and proper thing to do."

Eri’s eyes get wide and he holds his hands ready. He might be Allustan’s brother, but Mort is and everything he said is correct. Eri finds himself wishing Neff to make a move.

”Marzena has decided to visit the Hungry Gar for some repast. She welcomes company, though she understands if everyone has obligations elsewhere.”

”You know? I would love to spend time in the real world for a bit. Too much drippy caves and not enough spilled drinks and laughter.”

"Agreed Eri - and thank you for the invitation Marzena - I accept!" Ascaria rushes to the Gar, looking forward to a simple repast with good drink - freely flowing.

The tensions of the last few days ease off his shoulders as he relaxes into his seat. He feels drained, emotionally and physically, and he just goes with the flow, enjoying the evening and getting a fair bit drunk, slowly and with purpose.

Tomorrow can take care of itself.

Solrisa finishes the pickled pickle she was eating and is excited for more and different food, having picked her way through the pickled picks. She is excited for more food...and ham!

Oh! I hope they have ham! I love ham!

”I’m going to meet you there. I want to go home to see if it is still standing...and see if Rae is there waiting for me or if she left a note,” Solrisa says, about to click her pretty boots together. ”I mean, Rae doesn’t usually write notes, but she might have broken some of my unfinished dragonchess pieces in a way that would tell me she was there recently. Rae is very thoughtful about leaving notes like that.”

Will will Sol fly to check things out, pay out a few more months of rent and then meet the party at the Gar for 2nd dinner.

" ... you were the ones who destroyed a dragon egg within the Mistmarsh. ... You were off seeking your fame and fortune in a gladiator tournament. ... We're done here. "

"I could use the fresh air."

Momentarily rendered speechless by outrage, Mortimer fumes at Neff while Allustan and Marzena arise, requiring a prod or two from the others to prompt him to follow. He repeatedly looks back at the Governor's house as they walk toward the end of the entry road, wanting to say something more to the Official in his comfortable home with its expensive couches.

By the time you arrive, Marzena has decided to visit the Hungry Gar for some repast. She welcomes company.

Food? I'm not thinking about food... He grumpily looks back at the House up the road.

"Does he even listen to himself? Did you hear that?!" he cries in outrage, his voice cracking. "We're not even the Governor! It's not our job to protect the town by staying in it! The Egg would have been destroyed by what was in it anyway -- and if we hadn't destroyed what came out ... things would be a lot worse. It was good that we were there! Is he even capable of understanding that?!"

As he follows the others, he mutters, "Doesn't he listen to his own brother? A Manzorian helped get us into The Gauntlet. We were there to find out more about this Kyuss stuff, and Loris and Kendra..." Mortimer shakes his head in disappointment. "He totally missed the point. Sometimes it really just more than seems like he doesn't care at all."

Maybe I should go to Osgood's. Check in on the Gang.
Maybe I should go to the Emporium. ... Oh, right. Nevermind.
Maybe I should go to ... The Salute... and find out what happened to the Sheriff. Mortimer frowns, lost in thought. Nah, didn't Jamis say he fell in the first Dragon wave? ...Didn't think he had that kind of courage.

"I would love to spend time in the real world for a bit."

"Agreed Eri - and thank you for the invitation Marzena - I accept!"

Mortimer frowns. The Smithy is back that way... O.K.. Fine.

Disgruntled and now spent, he follows the others to the Hungry Gar.

Eidi arches his eyebrow and hears attentively at the raising tension between the governor and Mortimer.

Only at the end he makes a short intervention "Easy." he moves his staff in between both men "We all could had done things differently, but we are all in the same side. Remember"

"My bones are crackling. I shall retire for the day and take some rest" the half-elf walks into Diamond Lake and checks the burned down state the Outcasts were given.

After checking the structure the elder starts to conjure the stone and fixes the worst damaged areas raising a new wall with stone wall and the more severely damaged part of the roof with stone shape. Entering into the house and observing the disarray he conjures an invisible servant "Clean-up team. Let's try to make this place habitable for the Outcasts" he then rolls up his sleeves and starts casting different cantrips to clean up here and there. By the end of the afternoon he summons a small elemental to heat up the oven to prepare the kitchen for dinner while he recedes into one of the rooms and sets up camp with some rags, mounting an improvised wench and starting to work once again on Solrisa's headband "Let's see if we can surprise Solrisa with this done before we depart"

Jillian does hand off a set of keys for the Arkaner Manor, of which the elder half-elf takes possession, taking his leave of current company to see to the state of the estate.

New map posted to Campaign Header.

...

When Marzena and those opting for a later evening repast enter the Hungry Gar, the door chime rings to announce your entry. Moments later, a bedraggled Guld Torikan pokes his head out of the kitchen. "Can I do you...? Oh!" For your numbers, but also for your reputation, the head chef of the Gar picks up his mood, and joins two tables together for your eating experience. There are no other patrons this late in the evening. A late hour, combined with the recent events, this should be no surprise.

Guld waits to hear the kind of mood the diners are in, before excusing himself to find the necessities in his pantry, and begin his work. While he does so, Marzena turns to those who've accompanied her, and regards you all.

"For such a long time journeying, how are you all holding up? Do you have need for errands running? I only want to support you as best I can, while you visit. It seems as though you will only rest when this Doom is forbidden to show itself. I only hope you can continue to survive."

Ascaria is in a good mood, all things considered. Sure, the enemy is unknown and moving, but they've bested them every time, and should do so when they again cross paths. We'll just have to be patient and draw them out into the light. he thinks as he orders what food and drink he can at the Gar.

He turns to Marzena, sipping something alcoholic, perhaps a mead if one should be found available, and begins, "We're holding up pretty well overall. We lost a man, Tynan, to the dragon. But measured against the threats we've faced so far, we've been very lucky indeed."

He hoists his flagon in the air, stands on his chair, and drinks a toast to their fallen comrade.

Sitting back down he'll add, "Yes, we do have some things to obtain, and to sell. I think a couple of us will need to go into Egorian to resupply, while the rest wait here for Allustan's information - and see what can be done for the city."

"So, how much do we want to donate to rebuilding the town. I say a thousand gold has a nice ring to it, and such a sum will go far indeed. What do you all say - is it a deal?"

If we sell what there is to sell, and buy a spare Wand CLW, scroll of Wind Walk x2, Sword alteration for Sol, and make a town donation, we're still looking at around 7kgp each. I'll have the exact number when we've decided what to spend money on. Might want a slush fund for the house as well?

The house is smaller than I thought it would be, but then, I am a gnome...

Looks like Sol and Rae's place survived on the new map.

Solrisa returns home to throw out dead plants and remnants of Rae that might be rotting or stinky. She seems quite sad that Rae isn't there, but hopes her sister is having fund smashing and yelling and breaking things. Those are the things that Rae loved best.

She tidies up, leaves a few knick-knacks behind and heads to the Gar for more food.

* * *

+1 to Asccaria's shop list.

* * *

"Ham! Bring please! And cheese! Oh, I love cheese! Don't you just love cheese?" Solrisa squees as she sits down at the Gar. "Oh, yes, we should offer to help rebuild the town. It was a good town for me and Rae. I would maybe like to return here someday."

"We're holding up pretty well overall. We lost a man, Tynan, to the dragon. But measured against the threats we've faced so far, we've been very lucky indeed."

Marzena contents herself with a small cup of dry sherry, which goes well with the single pork chop she's able to procure from Guld. Finishing her sip, she replies. "I am very sorry for his death, and your loss. Without your help, I would not be here, and for that, I feel lucky, too." She takes another sip, and raises her glass to each of you.

"Ham! Bring please! And cheese! Oh, I love cheese! Don't you just love cheese? Oh, yes, we should offer to help rebuild the town. It was a good town for me and Rae. I would maybe like to return here someday."

"It does have its pleasantries, though I pictured something grander for you all. Certainly after you garnered the Hellfire Belt. You're quite well known in these parts, you know." Marzena smiles, and produces several parchments, well-worn.

"Egorian sent pigeons." She places them before you, each portrait rendered in charcoal of each member of the Artists and Outcasts. For the artwork, each of your faces has been rendered side-profile, with facial features exaggerated, but still distinguishable. "All corners of Cheliax know your names, for better or worse. You'll be all the rage for the next month, I suspect, until the next purge or persecution rises to channel said rage."

The evening proceeds in good spirits, with Ascaria and Eri imbibing a little more than would allow them to retain their full senses. Hard to avoid, when Guld continues to push his finer metheglin, his own herbal mead formulation. Ascaria, Eri, and Marzena are now considered Inebriated.

When it comes time to depart, Guld bids you a good night. The front door locks behind you, and you're greeted by the night-chill, mid-week in Diamond Lake's return to normalcy. Hardly a soul walks the Square this time of night, though the Feral Dog does have its inner, raucous occupants. The next several moments stand out all the more as a result.

Ranged Touch Attack, A: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23
Ranged Touch Attack, Er: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21
Ranged Touch Attack, M: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34
Ranged Touch Attack, S: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20

Four green-glowing rays fire at four of you separately, striking Ascaria, Eri, Mortimer, and Solrisa. Immediately thereafter, four large bony cadavers emerge from invisibility, hovering above the ground roughly 20' up. They stare down upon you all, each one with a raised arm.

They seem to wait. When other voices arise, you understand a little better. From the rooftop of the Hungry Gar comes one voice. "A tie. I thought mine might strike, while yours did not. Still, there's likely going to be a fight, and mine will trounce yours."

From the charred rooftop of the Emporium comes the second voice. "In your dreams, Imaxian. You give orders well beyond your minions' comprehension, and your delayed understanding hurts your efficiency. Watch."

Above you sit two bristly sentinels. Both appear to be the same kind of devil.

The perched devil on the rooftop of the Emporium waves to you. "You have the Rod. Drop it on the ground, and leave, and we'll let you keep your puny lives. Don't, and we'll drop you on the ground, and leave with the Rod anyways." The creature keeps its spiny hand in the air, waiting for your response, in either word or action.

Round 1
Ba- 21 (delay)
Mortimer- 20
Ascaria- 20- (Inebriated/Sickened)
Bo- 16
Solrisa- 16-
Eri- 15 (Inebriated/Sickened)
Marzena- 8 (Inebriated/Sickened)

Mortimer and Ascaria are up! Roll20 Map has been updated.

”We lost a man, Tynan, to the dragon.”

”To Tynan!”

Eri lets the warmth of the Gar wash over him. When suddenly…

spellcraft DC18: 1d20 + 16 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 16 - 2 = 23
kn. planes DC19: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 - 2 = 9
kn. planes DC21: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 5 - 2 = 11

Round: 1, Initiative: 20-

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 16 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 16 - 2 = 26 (sickened) vs DC 18
Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 - 2 = 8 (sickened) vs DC 19
Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 5 - 2 = 16 (sickened) vs DC 21

”Drove of cattle, we’re in a tight spot!” Ascaria shouts in surprise. ”Marzena, take cover - they've cast magics which preclude dimensional flight!” he adds uselessly, there being no cover to be had.

It never occurs to him to sacrifice the rod for their safety.

NOTE: Most of my ‘long term’ spells last ~12 hours. I presume, as it’s late at night, they are expired. So no Heroes’ Feast, Magic Vestment, or Status.

Feeling very flat footed indeed, Ascaria prepares his people for an areal combat by first casting Air Walk Communal (20 minutes), including on Marzena.

To touch everyone he moves through the party standing next to Marzena to be a target instead of her.

Sorry for the delay. Lot's going on.

Immediate for Quick Draw

As they exit the Gar and the Devils begin to speak, Mortimer draws forth Aaqa and the Lightning Sword. He steps between Marzena and the buildings the Devils are perched upon, gently switching places with her.

"You have the Rod. Drop it on the ground, and leave, and we'll let you keep your puny lives. Don't, and we'll drop you on the ground, and leave with the Rod anyways."

Mortimer whistles in a way that conveys exactly how unimpressed he is with their banter and threats.

"Watch your backs," he says to the party, meaning it more than figuratively in Eri's case.

He yawns. "Are you related to the Imps that tagged along with us in Egorian? You look like them, somewhat uglier. You should know we hate being strong armed into anything."

Mortimer attempts to rock his new found Charisma to demoralize the Devil on the rooftop of the Gar.
Intimidate: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (20) + 18 = 38

The devil on the roof of the charred Emporium signals, and the four bony horrors disappear from sight. Abruptly. No sooner do they disappear from their positions quite a ways from you, than they reappear 10' above you. Their tails lash out at you from a distance, seeking the junction between the shoulder and the base of the neck.

Stinger Attack, Inviso, A: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 14 + 2 = 27 for 3d4 + 5 ⇒ (1, 4, 2) + 5 = 12 damage, plus Poison, Fort Save DC 20 or suffer 1d3 ⇒ 1 Strength Damage

Stinger Attack, Inviso, E: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 14 + 2 = 24 for 3d4 + 5 ⇒ (2, 1, 3) + 5 = 11 damage, plus Poison, Fort Save DC 20 or suffer 1d3 ⇒ 1 Strength Damage

Stinger Attack, Inviso, M: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 14 + 2 = 17 for 3d4 + 5 ⇒ (4, 4, 1) + 5 = 14 damage, plus Poison, Fort Save DC 20 or suffer 1d3 ⇒ 3 Strength Damage

Stinger Attack, Inviso, S: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 14 + 2 = 31 for 3d4 + 5 ⇒ (3, 4, 2) + 5 = 14 damage, plus Poison, Fort Save DC 20 or suffer 1d3 ⇒ 2 Strength Damage

"Are you related to the Imps..?

"Ahahahaha!! He called you Impbrood!! How'd he know?! He just met you... ahahaha!!" The devil atop the Emporium holds off his attacks to watch what happens next. Delay

The devil astride the Gar looks ready to jump into the fray, when Mortimer cautions him from rash action. Instead, it chooses to remain where it is, and lobs a greasy miasma of grey darkness down into your gathering.

Everyone enjoys 5d8 ⇒ (2, 4, 6, 8, 2) = 22 damage and 1d4 ⇒ 2 rounds of being Sickened. Will Save DC 18 reduces the damage by half, and negates the Sickened condition. Those already 'Inebriated' are already 'Sickened', so don't suffer double the condition.

Marzena regains her senses long enough to weave a jangly pattern in the air, hoping to protect herself against the sudden assault.

Cast Defensively, DC 17: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

Solrisa and Eri are up! Roll20 map has been updated.

Round 1, Init 16-

"Oh, why didn't you ask nicely for the rod? That always works better than being mean."

1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21 Fort vs. DC 20
1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20 Will vs. DC 18

Solrisa rebuffs both stinger and spell, drawing her long sword and embuing it with holy power. She 5' steps.

WillDC18: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

Round 1, Init 15 AC: 15

FORT DC:20, drunk: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 9 - 2 = 18
spellcraft DC:18, drunk: 1d20 + 16 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 16 - 2 = 27
WILL DC:18, drunk: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 9 - 2 = 13
spellcraft DC:16, drunk: 1d20 + 16 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 16 - 2 = 16

Eri casts fireball using combat casting and empower spell 20 feet up in the differently red shape that exactly mirrors the other one. He also 5’ steps.

I assume that fireball is an actual ball. If it is in the shape of a plate, Eri casts it 10 feet up so it hits the beasties.

defensive cast, drunk?: 1d20 + 18 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 18 - 2 = 35
spell pen, drunk?: 1d20 + 14 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 14 - 2 = 18

fireball damage: 15d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 6, 6, 4, 4, 6, 6, 5, 6, 3, 2, 1, 5, 2) = 58

”Drop it on the ground, and leave"

Eri squints and spits.

”You can have that loogie and be on your way.” There's kind of a lot of blood in there, too.

Mortimer crows majestic at the devil atop the Gar, while drawing forth two very fine weapons. Ascaria makes sure his brothers, and aunt, are capable of taking to altitude. Solrisa takes steps to assure that her weapon will punish the evil legion hovering above her and her friends. Marzena prepares a protection of her own, while doing so defensively. Eri ignites the sky, with all the devils in it. Fireballs is balls, Eri. Walls of fire is plates, Eri.

All the bone devils continue to hover above the late-night diners, unaffected by the sudden eruption of fire in their ranks. Immune to Fire

Eri succumbs to the stinger, poison beginning to course through his veins.

"That one. He's carrying it." Spiny devil atop Emporium points directly at Eri, and casts a spell, its spiky hands somehow never criss-crossing barbs.

Eri, Will Save DC 17, please.

Round 2
Ba- 21
Mortimer- 20 (-11hp)
Ascaria- 20- (-22hp?, Inebriated/Sickened, Fort Save DC 20)
Bo- 16
Solrisa- 16- (-11hp)
Eri- 15 (-22hp, Inebriated/Sickened -1 Str/Poisoned, Will Save DC 17)
Marzena- 8 (Inebriated/Sickened, Mage Armor, Will Save DC 18)

Mortimer and Ascaria are up!

Party Buffs
Air Walk

WILL save: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 9 - 2 = 14

The spiny devil's magic clutches Eri where it counts, and the sorcerer finds himself unable to move. Eri is now Paralyzed. On your next turn, Eri, you can attempt another Will Save DC 17, to break free of your magical bonds. For now, you're Helpless, Helpless... Helllpless.

Mortimer and Ascaria are up!

Round: 2, Initiative: 20-

Fort: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 5 - 2 = 11 (sickened) vs DC 20 for 1 strength damage
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 16 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 16 - 2 = 26 (sickened) vs DC 18
Will: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 9 - 2 = 12 (sickened) vs DC 18 for half of 22
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 16 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 16 - 2 = 15 (sickened) vs DC 16

Ascaria absorbs damage from many this round, and he wishes he had joined with Marzena, but it was not to be.*

He first casts Blessing of Fervor on the group before people get too far away. He casts defensively.
Concentration: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25 vs DC 23

He then quickly channels energy to heal the injured (move action). He’s careful to carve out the devils in their midst.
Channel Energy (healing): 8d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 3, 4, 1, 3, 3, 6, 3) + 1 = 28

"You can't have it devil. Our rod, not yours!" Ascaria yells intelligently at their opponents.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 16 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 16 - 2 = 16 (sickened) vs DC 17

Group effects
Air Walk Communal (everyone)
Blessing of Fervor (everyone)

* Eri, Mort, & Sol heal 5hp of damage thanks to Ascaria.

Round 2, Init 20

Mortimer glares at the rooftop Devil.

I have to protect my friends and the rod first.

"You're next!" he shouts.
Mortimer attacks blue.

RAxeKick: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24 -PA
for Damage: 2d6 + 9 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 3) + 9 + 8 + (3) = 24 +Amulet, +Dragon, +PA, +Cold, Magic, Ag, Cold Fe

LSnap: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14 -PA
for Damage: 2d6 + 6 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (6, 4) + 6 + 8 + (5) = 29 +Amulet, +Dragon, +PA, +Cold, Magic, Ag, Cold Fe

TailStomp: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24 -PA
for Damage: 2d6 + 6 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (5, 3) + 6 + 8 + (2) = 24 +Amulet, +Dragon, +PA, +Cold, Magic, Ag, Cold Fe

RSKick: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21 -PA
for Damage: 2d6 + 6 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (3, 3) + 6 + 8 + (6) = 26 +Amulet, +Dragon, +PA, +Cold, Magic, Ag, Cold Fe

Mort, you'll need to ascend in the air 5' in order to close with your devil. They have reach, and hover at 10' up. And yes, I'm waiving the inability to 5' step 'up', this time.

The bone devils get cracking. All of them unleash their full attacks, before they shift back 5', still 10', and disappear. Yes, they have a quickened ability.

Ascaria, Eri, and Mortimer, and Solrisa, I'll need another Fort Save DC 20 v Poison, or suffer 1d3 ⇒ 2 Strength damage.

Marzena delays, waiting to see what Solrisa and Eri can do, before she acts.

Solrisa and Eri are up!