GM Tarondor's Dragon's Demand (Inactive)

Game Master Tarondor

I will be travellign and taking care of RL things until Tuesday (9/28) and will be out of contact and ability to post... this is picking up pace, so I want to post intentions in case the game proceeds quick during my absence.

Liam will seek about Belhaim any medium that provides protections against breath weapons to share amongst the group, and opportunities to increase his AC, potions, scrolls, mirror image, vanish, etc. been lacking there for some time now... and seek anything that might increase his gift of gab (mechanically buffing the Charisma skillset; Bluff/Diplomacy/Intimidation)

"Reveka! Yes, you are a genius! That whole thing bypassed me... He did have to have been following current events, and knew about the auction - what of his professed agent? Can we question... umm Claus? Clausyre! that's it. We should review Hunclay's journal also to see if there is any hint of dealing with Aeteperax. That @#%$& wizard seems to have been involved is a LOT of shady things, with all the summoning's we found and promising books to undead dragons..."

Later during the all the prep also...

"The Monastery of Saint Kyerixus. I know from the tales it is sort of a ruins now, but am unfamiliar with it's precise location. The dragon is obviously familiar with the place, and that appears to be battleground we must prepare."

Bassy the gnome historian leans forward.

“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 learned from the kobolds. 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.”

There is a stillness for a moment, as each person considers this. Then Lady Devy looks at you.

“I can’t offer a monetary reward sufficient to lure you into undertaking so deadly a mission. However, I must ask: Will you slay this dragon for Belhaim? If you succeed, I shall raise each of you to the rank of Knight of Taldor. Little Belhaim and its inhabitants are lost if
you don’t prevail. What say you?”

"I'm in. Whether it be dragon or illusion, I believe a threat to be real and it must be faced. I will join Edo with the intent to kill this tyrant. I do think using the tomes as a way to get in close is a good idea, and we should take some amount of gold to play the part. But there are spies among us... who can say how many or who. We will simply have to trust those in this room, but for the rest, we must give our own illusion that we are cowed and fully compliant."

Reveka listened to Bassy and nodded her head with each point raised by the gnome historian.

"Yes, we should look to see if the bones of Aeteperax are there. We must know if it is the dragon raised from the dead or a cunning imposter. I wonder if the servant Clausyre is still in town or fled when the flame drake set upon us?," looking at Little Liam who wisely suggested they question the servant.

Upon the baroness' offer of knighthood upon slaying the dragon, Reveka was simply interested in finding the truth of Aeteperax and keeping the citizens of Belhaim safe from harm. Yet, it was a form of reward and she did not want to offend the noble woman leader.

"We will do what we can to protect the town and its people, my lady. And, discretion as to who knows what we are planning seems shrewd, acknowledging Brandor's caution. "As was suggested earlier by my companion, Liam, we will require better/magical armour, weapons and shields if we are to set forth to fight this creature. Will you kindly provide us with note for the smithy to fit us with the appropriate gear for this mission?"

Diplomacy with Lady Origena: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

"You already have the best that Belhaim has to offer," the baronness replies. "We have no magical forges or crafting guilds. You must make do with what you have, I'm afraid. Though, if there is some piece of gear available in the town which you cannot afford with the funds I have thus far given you, surely the equal of the income of every resident of the town for a year, come to me and we will discuss it."

"Apologies, Lady Devy if our desire to give ourselves and Belhaim the best chance of success instead seemed to come off self-serving. As I previously mentioned, my promise was to return anything not needed or used back it thier proper ownners. We have no intention of enriching ourselves upon these desperate circumstances.

Similarly, Xemne could be beseeching to producesame beneficial concoctions, or even offensive mixtures that could provide an edge against the dragons minions. As stated before, we'd happily return anything nor needed or used up."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
once again with the clutch roll ...not.

"If either of those two give you any trouble, Master Liam, please come see me about it."

Liam bows slightly, "Your grace with our fumbled words and genuine support is greatly appreciated."

"Quite possibly not a dragon at all, but an illusionist? Another wizard, then? Definitely need to go over Hunclay's journal again, now that we have some context... specifically looking for references to meeting or dealing with other caster and those specific tomes."

"What of this Clausyre? His name did not ring any bells with me, not a prominent citizen, so-to-speak. Any of you know of..." a dejected realization plays across Liam's chubby face, "Oh... Yea... We'll never find him. He obviously reported back to his master, which caused this to play out and sets a target on his back. He'll not show his face I'm sure."

Don't want to force the exit, leaving time for others to say what they wish and/or posit ideas.

Uhe takes out a journal and quill. The Dwarven Scholar begins writing.
....the original Aeteperax’s bones should still be out there in Dragonfen, coiled around the Crypt of Tula Belhaim.

He looks up.
Anyone have a map?

Ready to get moving when you are. Just let me know what you do next.

MAP on Slide 2

With whomever decides to assist, Liam makes his way first to the House of Abadar, to call on one Eupaphania Targas. He will make whatever polite inquiries are required to get himself ad any others an audience.

I am working on the assumption she was at the auction

"Myself and my companions have volunteered to be Belhaim's agents for ridding the people of its most recent threat," Liam paces a little, looking up to meet the eyes of (priestess?) Targas for emphasis on occasion, "The situation is very serious, there is no possible way to meet the monetary demand of the threat; and even if there was, it would only prove as a lesson to all here that the willingness to use threats of violence is the path to get what one wants in life. That rules are only for the weak that cannot resist," he stops and looks Eupaphania in the eye for a pause before... "that subservience to this evil is Belhaim's fate."

Liam takes a breath. "We come to you seeking your assistance in our endeavor. We expect to encounter the minions of this creature before taking the fight to him? it? There is likelihood of injury that could prove the deciding impairment to delivering the final blows upon this threat, and we have only minor talent in healing arts. We seek curatives of all forms, really. Disease, poisons, restoratives of mind and vigor that the House of Abadar would be willing to donate to the upcoming fight. I am known around here by now as a man of my word, if a little man." Liam smiles for a bit at his own levity, "Anything not used in the fight will be returned with much gratitude, and we will make it known to all how critical the help was from the House of Abadar to the safety of the entire town."

"Perhaps our friend in the cave can help guide us as well?"

Once Little Liam is done schmoozing, Brandor will suggest they head out to the cave to talk to Maffei.

SISTER EUPAPHANIA AND THE TEMPLE OF ABADAR

"I quite understand your position," says Eupaphania, priestess of Abadar. "Now here is mine. I serve a greater lord than Origena Devy of Belhaim, and He does not teach charity. I will not give these things to you in exchange for one copper bit less than they are worth, Mister Liam."

"However, Abadar is also the god of cities, and this one, tiny as it is, is mine to defend and protect. So your payment to Abadar, and not incidentally to me, will be to save my life and my town. That is the only payment I require, but that I do demand."

And she's not kidding. She has a full Abadarian contract drawn up stating that you will do your utmost, up to and including sacrificing your own life in the defense of Belhaim. In exchange, the church of Abadar will loan you a +1 light crossbow and a +2 longsword. It will give you three scrolls of restoration and a wand of cure moderate wounds with 39 charges.

"In addition," says Eupaphania with the barest ghost of a smile, "I shall provide you with all the spellcasting services at my disposal, at your discretion."

____________________________________________________________________

THE GIFTS

Several important town members come forward to present you useful gifts.

THE BARONESS
Origena Devy grants you a writ worth 5,000 gp, exchangeable for goods within Belhaim and promises to replace any unused portion of it with an equal value in gems if you survive the encounter with the dragon.

THE SHERIFF
Sheriff Benhovy grudgingly gives up his ring of protection +2 for the cause.

THE CAVALIER
Aged Lezara Dodgion’s days of crusading are far behind her, and she can think of no better home for her sword Flame of Sarkoris than in the hands of Belhaim's defenders. It is a rare Flame Tongue greatsword.

THE BARD
Bassy the gnome comes forward with a large, ornate key made of blackened iron. "I have kept this for centuries. Now I give it to you. Lady Tula herself gave this to my great grandmother over a thousand years ago. She said something strange then, and my family have committed it to memory. It was this: 'Keep this key safe until the need for dragonslayers rises again'."

"This is the key to Tula Belhaim's crypt. It has been centuries since anyone has dared to enter there. Doubtless there are guardians and traps inside designed to keep all but the righteous away. However, I am certain that Tula meant for you to have this, and that means there is something there that dragonslayers will need."

Liam takes Sister Eupaphania's words to heart, nodding his head slightly at her words. When she produces the contract, he waits until she is done and looks it over for but a moment before politely asking, "Might you have a quill? My word and commitment is to my very end without any contract, but if one is your requirement, I am happy to oblige in earnest to ease any possible doubt."

Liam willingly sets his name with a flourish, catching the last of her words, before trying to imitate what he believes would be an appropriately Abadarian finish to the deal, "I would like to say a fair and mutually agreeable transaction of the highest import has been struck this day, Sister Eupaphania."

Brandor takes the key, and unless someone else wants to have it, the 3 scrolls of restoration and the wand.

Jayla quietly follows along behind Liam until their business with the Sister is completed. "Liam I never thought you'd be the brave one among us. I'll do what I can to make sure you make it back to your village, and keep it safe. Who knows being a Night of Taldor might be fun." She shrugs.

Uhe smiles.

I would like to purchase a +1 heavy steel shield for 1020gp of the available funds.

The Dwarven Scholar quickly signs the document.

Reveka handed the Sheriff's ring to Little Liam, "A little magical protection may be most useful to you," (Ring of Protection +2). "I would like to use the priestess' light crossbow (loan of +1 light crossbow) if I may, Reveka addressed the party. "I would also like to purchase a darkwood buckler before we leave." (203 gp)

Looking to her dwarven scholar companion, she answered, "Good choice of shield for you, my friend."

Liam blushes slightly at Jayla's kind words, then puffs up, "I have strength because my friends are strong!"

As they walk, Liam offers, "This magic longsword could do you some good I think. There are creatures of power out in the world that I've heard can only be wounded or killed by magical weapons. I mean, I don't know for sure, but that is from stories I've heard."

Despite all the bravado, Liam has been feeling ill-at-ease this day, with minor shocks of pain behind his eyes coming suddenly, causing him to shudder on occasion. Tightly closing or rubbing them has not provided much relief, cascades of spiraling colors race through his subconscious. He feels a change coming... similar to the off-kilter eruption of his sorcerous powers not very long ago.

"I wonder... Excuse me, Jayla, an idea has struck."Liam hustles away to Soorey's Garments.

Liam enters the shop, Master? Mistress? hard to tell by fantasy names!"XXX Soorey, good day!" Liam looks about the shop, specifically for a sturdy man-sized shirt (assuming he finds one) "I like this one. Could I trouble you to seal off the hand-holes in the sleeves? Double... no, TRIPLE-stitched on the ends, a nice tight seal, not easily broken through, if you could. I'll gladly pay ahead now, and extra if you could have it delivered to me at the Wise Piper first thing in the morning."

Soorey is a plump middle-aged woman in a simple shift stitched with small flowers at the hem and sleeves.

"You want a shirt with no exits for the hands? Whatever for?"

Uhe hefts his new shield onto his shoulders. The Bard graciously thanks the provider with a few stories of his Uncle Bedlam, who was known for using a shield; for skiing, but, that was hardly the point.....

Going to add a +1 heavy steel shield to Uhe's Inventory.

Liam reassures the fine woman, "It's for a practical joke." But his smile hides a little more.

Liam gratefully accepts the magic ring.

Reveka had accompanied Uhe to the smithy and as she waited for her dwarven companion to make his purchase, Reveka asked politely, "Master Baccus, would you have a darkwood buckler you wish to sell, or, know of one in town that I may purchase? My companions and I are getting ready to face the dragon, you see, and we do not have much time with which to prepare and address this threat. I'd appreciate your help."

Trying the nice smithy first unless there is somewhere else she can try in town.

Diplomacy with Bacchus: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

"No miss," says the big blacksmith. "I'm an ironmonger. But I think I seen something like that out to Biton Lodge."

Not long after, Reveka has purchased a somewhat battered darkwood buckler from Eudomas Biton for 200 gp.

"I am ready to move on. Is everyone ready to face certain death?"

Uhe arrives to the proper meeting place to begin their investigation into the swamp.
Reveka, my dear; it looks like we may need to get our boots a bit muddy.

After receiving some healing from Brandor (or Sister Euphania at the temple?) and making her purchase from Master Bacchus, Reveka packed all her gear and readied herself to head to the designated meeting place alongside Uhe.

At mention of the muddy swamp, Reveka turned and responded to Uhe, "Hopefully the muddy bogs will not be too deep to turn an ankle. It is the least of our worries, I know. We must find Tula Belhaim's crypt and determine if Aeterperax has risen or it is some ruse. Then we shall know better how to proceed with the enemy threatening Belhaim. Uhe, my friend, I kindly ask that you continue to be my eyes past thirty feet."

"I am ready to move on. Is everyone ready to face certain death?"

"I am ready to move on. However, not ready to die at this juncture. Let us keep each other alive in this fight," Reveka answered with forced/hopeful bravado.

Assuming the shirt is paid for (let me know how much), Liam will make his way to Xemne's shop to purchase however many antitoxin and antiplague vials she might have (up to 200gp worth) and see if she has or can make by morning a dose of Incendiary Catalyst (splash weapon that makes an opponent vulnerable to fire.)

After that, come morning with the shirt delivered, yea/nay on Xemne's new concoction well fed and rested, Liam is ready to start out.

"Yes, let's not make it an actual GOAL to die, please... I'm not fully recovered from the shock of seeing others close to me die horribly."

Xemne can sell you up to five each of antitoxin and antiplague. She can't make Incendiary Catalyst. She's never heard of it.

Subtracted 300gp. Liam will purchase three of each.

GM Tarondor, Reveka would like to purchase the remaining two antitoxins and two antiplagues, from Xemne, so there’s more potions available to the whole party. I’ll work out the cost (200 gp) and edit her char gear list. Thanks.

You bet.

Tell me when you're ready to head out.

We need to get Maffei first, then head out. Or is that what is meant, the first stage of "heading out"

Uhe prepares to begin their expedition.
Of course, my dear. Have I ever told you the story of a almost blind cow and a rabbit? This cow was only almost blind from a white rabbit spilling hot tea in his face. I heard it had something to do with nothing....

"Cows don't eat rabbits, do they? I spent most of my youth down in the mines..."

Ready to go.

Listening to the tale Uhe was telling her and then Brandor responding, Reveka simply added, "I haven't heard you tell that story before, my friend. Let us go to Maffei."

Ready to go.

Four hours later and the team is assembled with new gear and full packs. Mirary Scalyn of "Breads and Cakes" sent along a basket of good soft bread as well as several dense cakes of bland but nutritious hard tack in case you are in the wilderness for an extended time.

Up the Devy Road to the hills and then to the dreadful cave where Hunclay kept both his riches and his undead monster. Maffei appears rapidly when you call, a shadowy shape in feminine clothing bearing two silvery blades.

"I saw you coming up the road," she says, hanging back in the shadows of the cave entrance, "And knew it couldn't be a social visit with you dressed like that. What's happening?"

Uhe gives Maffei the run down on the recent events. The dwarf is unusually straight to the point.
We have volunteered for the task of finding this Dragon's stronghold, find out the facts of it, and decidedly end the threat. You game?

Liam pipes up, "Yes, I've committed my very life to this task. Either whatever this threat to Belhaim dies, or I do." He then realizes how awkward a declaration that is and quickly changes the subject, "You still appear sort of... weary. I mean no offense... Are you up to joining us? Brandor, could any of those scrolls from the temple help her?"

"However, I am injured. The wall of light hurt me in a way I cannot explain, save to say that I am wearied and do not heal. I would be a better companion if I were healed."

She's not injured - she's been drained of levels. Only a restoration can help her.

I remembered something and dug a little into the thread...

"We also migh have a little something to help you feel better." Brandor holds up the restoration help.

"What is that?" she says, interested.

Reveka watched the interaction between the males and Maffei, and, noted the glint of interest in her eyes at mention of the scrolls to heal her. She deserves to feel better after being locked away behind that wall of light, she inwardly reflected.

Maffei still had not answered Uhe's and Little Liam's questions about joining them on their next mission. Quietly, she added to Brandor, "Maffei appears ready for her healing, if you would be so kind. Perhaps once she is hale, she may be more suitably inclined to hear about our mission to Dragonfen."

Jayla follows along. "Liam what in the world are we going to do with a shirt with no hand holds?"

She takes the sword holding on to it unless Edo wishes to use it at Dragonfen. "If you change your mind Edo. I'll be happy to let you have it."

Brandor examines our shadowy friend to see what healing and restoration is necessary, pulling out the wand of healing (CMW) and a scroll of restoration.

"Come here, now. Let's have a look at you."

Maffei suffers from 3 negative levels. Other than that, she is unharmed.

She takes the sword holding on to it unless Edo wishes to use it at Dragonfen. "If you change your mind Edo. I'll be happy to let you have it."

Edo did say he wanted it, but he put in the Discussion tab.

Jayla hands the sword over to Edo. "Use this well. Can anyone restore damage?"