Jelani's The Witchwar Legacy (Inactive)

Game Master Brian Minhinnick

Ophelia is a bit surprised by Dori's generous offer. Out of everyone present, the little elf would have begged her shadowy counterpart as the most cautious with personal funds. Giving so much to essentially a stranger is a bit... jarring. However, she is nonetheless very thankful.

"Thank you!" Ophelia chirps as she gives the fetchling's waste a tight hug. Before accepting the gift, she hands over two scrolls of Fire Shield to her friend.

"By the way, here are your scrolls," the diminutive elf says as they trade items.

OoOoO

"Better hold off with the Ethereal Plane, Ophelia. It is still crawling with dozens dread wraiths," says Lucero as he gracefully flies back over to his partner's side. He gives Sapphira a grateful nod for giving him the heads up on that.

"That is quite alright, LC; remember, if I ever ask you to do something puts you in needless danger, feel free to disregard me," replies the Sapphire Summoner. With that said, she turns her attention to Sapphira's offer. "If those are frozen, human-sized bodies, then we might have just found our first clue about the witches. If you think it is worth the risk, Lady Sapphira, I believe it would be good to retrieve the bodies and inspect them."

Any knowledge checks the party knowledge monkey should roll?

Poppy eyes the frozen bodies warily and speaks out loud for the first time since Sapphira's arrival. "Do we want to break them free? What if they're mean?" she asks timidly. Then, her nose starts to twitch with what is obviously an incredible effort. Don't ask don't ask don't ask "If you're name is Sapphira then why are you green?" Poppy blurts out.

"The fact that they're human sized makes it seem less like a trap we could trigger, and more like something done to the witches -- possibly an attack from Kostchtchie's avatar, or his ice troll cleric. Any of you know if this seems like their signature?

In any event, let's investigate. Poppy, I think the risk of danger from opening them is likely less than the risk of not learning more by cracking the shell of at least one of them. I'd like to stay at or close to the front, but if any of you want room for stealth or scouting, let me know how much breathing room you need."

* Intent is to be available as muscle without interfering with those with better search/detection than he.
* He has detect alignment active, and more generally is keeping his ears peeled for sounds of life ahead.
* Jelani, I saw your request to post 5 rounds of actions, but I can't quite picture what that'd look like. Do you have an example to point to? (Or if someone in the party has a better sense of how to do so here, maybe they can model it.)

"If your name is Poppy why are you a gay horse instead of a flower?" Sapphira shoots back to the gnome, her voice full of sass. "It's hard to be mean when you're dead. Even if they were mean, nothing that could have died from getting frozen to some steps would be a threat to me."

Gror - Something like this:

Round 1 - Move 20 feet up stairs. Hit ice with claw.

Round 2 - Full attack ice.

Round 3 - Full attack next ice if first one goes down.

Round 4 - Drag revealed frozen body down the steps.

Etc.

While Ophelia was on her shopping trip, Vega simply sat to the side out of sight of the veil and meditated. Seeing as there was no sense in going off without the others, and there would be no point stressing over the delay, he elected to accept it and be productive.

After spending a fair amount of time meditating in the cold, he started to wander the camp. While aware that some undead need a body to be buried in order to cause it to rise as one of them, many need an exposed body, while most often need to make the killing blow. Also, powerful evil mages often need direct line of effect to curse the dead into the unnatural undead. Even enemies deserve some respect in death, even if they earned none in life, and practically speaking, preventing (or at least, hindering) future evil from raising an army of undead from their slain foes is a task worth doing. As such, Vega calmly, quietly, and solemnly takes the giants and ogres that died in the ambush and covers them in a thick layer of snow.

It's not a true burial, but in these harsh lands, it will have to do.

Vega leaves the one or two that were knocked unconscious alone. Either nature itself will claim them, or they will eventually awake. Given the blows he inflicted upon their heads, they will likely not recover until well after they are finished, and so are of little concern.

____________

Upon the discovery of the frozen people at the top of the stairs of the veil, Vega speaks up.

"Be wary. If this is not a trap or a potential ambush against us, that is good news. While this could be the work of the forces that race against us, know that the old crone, when she created this accursed tomb, brought the waters of this fall alive to crush her enemies with a simple gesture... and then instantly froze the whole of the place once more with just a wave of her hand. These bodies may well be remnants of that dire event."

Vega makes his way towards the frozen bodies, but stops just before cresting the top of the stairs. He first looks to Gror.

"I would join you near the front as we explore, if only to prevent any dangers we encounter from reaching everyone else. Either way, we should determine the relevance of this find quickly then move on."

Vega then breeches the top of the stairs and gazes into the depths of the veil. He does not start with inspecting the frozen bodies, but checks the general area and as far into this area as he can. If it is safe, then he may turn his attention to the frozen bodies, but not before.

___________________

I guess that would be:

Rnd 1: Go to top of stairs, talk to Gror.

Rnd 2: enter platform at top of stairs, active perception.

Perception: 1d20 + 40 ⇒ (17) + 40 = 57

Rnd 3-5: Continue making perception checks until something changes and/or the others come up as well

Popppy's eyes grow wide in surprise and she cowers as though she were a naughty puppy that had just been smacked on the bottom. "My...my...my mom named me Poppy because of my hair! You can't see it now but it's actually red! Really red!" She keeps babbling. "Maybe you can see it because you can see lots of stuff!" Josiah is so nice but SHE'S mean!

Lucero shifts uncomfortably as he sees Poppy whimper as "though she were a naughty puppy that had just been smacked on the bottom" and barely suppresses an indignant hiss. While he has thus far been rather loose and joking with Ophelia and the rest of the party, his noble Couatl nature flares up in full force as he flies over to Poppy and begins comforting the Pony Gnome.

For the time being, Lucero forces the world of difference between himself and the Planetar in terms of power. "Lady Sapphira, it was an innocent question! Gnomes like little Poppy ask them by nature. Were insults really called for? Please remember who we represent!"

Ophelia chooses not to say anything (at least for now), but she does shoot her Planar Ally a questioning glance.

"When I coalesced out of the undifferentiated soul stuff of heaven, I simply knew my name to be Sapphira. I had no choice in the matter," Sapphira says coolly to Poppy. "You'd think after hundreds of years people would stop asking about it. But ever since you mortals invented your damned common tongue my name suddenly means blue. Sorry if I'm little touchy on the subject."

Then to Lucero, "What was insulting? Is she not "keenly alive and exuberant", does she not "have or induce high spirits"? Unless my eyes are broken she's definitely "a solid-hoofed, herbivorous quadruped." Is my tongues broken again or something?"

---

Sapphira follows Vega up the steps, stopping at the frozen bodies. She begins to hit the ice with her greatsword, chopping the corpses free. She's careful to avoid damaging the bodies with her blows, so the work progresses slowly.

The stairs are much taller than 20 feet. They go up twisting out of sight. Between 30-50 feet of height they are exposed to the outside like you can see in the picture where the geyser has melted the wall. Who else if anyone is going onto the stairs? It's going to take Sapphira one minute to free the bodies.

Ophelia lets out a sigh of relief as the... verbal sparing between big celestials ends. She leans over from her wooden throne toward Cho'ankai and asks the druid, "Do you think your vines could reach the ice? You might be able to smack them from a distance."

Once that is said, she looks over toward Poppy and Messages the Prismatic Pony, "Sorry about that. I accept all blame and will make it up to you, Ms. Pendleton."

Meanwhile, Lucero turns to Poppy and tries his best to do damage control. He gently strokes her mane with his tail and says, "It seems that she did not mean 'gay' in that other context, little one. Evidently words in Celestial do not change their meaning nearly as fast as in Common. However, her word choice could have been better. On behalf of Lady Iomedae, I apologize for the... miscommunication."

The Couatl silently hopes that this is the end of that. Thus far conflict between all parties present has been miraculously low. Despite having been in the minority on every group decision, Vega certainly kept his cool and held his tongue. Poppy's... inquisitive nature has only drawn a few looks, and nobody has told Ophelia to hush up despite her saying more words in one hour than they say in a year. Sapphira worries him a bit, though. Hopefully, she will be more... considerate in the future. He still finds it remarkable that Ophelia shrugged off the greatsword stunt.

To be clear, she didn't actually touch Ophelia with her sword, just pointed it at her throat. However, still, feel free to be upset about it.

I tend to agree with Sapphira that the pony gnome was overreacting...though perhaps it's a good idea to remember that tendency and act accordingly.

Round 1: "Sapphira, let's examine the first one after it's freed before we move on to the next." Gror stands 15 feet back, methodically keeping watch in all directions.

Round 2: Continue watch while Sapphira finishes her excavation.

Round 3: If it moves, let Vega attempt to disable it. If it's unmoving, applicable knowledge checks on the body: Is it dead? Undead? Human? Irrisen? Recently frozen or ages ago? Jelani, feel free to make Knowledge checks for me. (Arcana +14, Plane +13, Local +11, History +5/+7 vs enemies of the dwarves, which I assume the Witches are, for Gror)

Round 4: If isn't satisfied he knows as much as he could about the bodies, and assuming it seems safe, call to Ophelia for her encyclopedic knowledge

So I've got Vega, Gror and Sapphira on the stairs, anyone else joining? Vega's probably at 25 or 30 feet keeping his watch while Gror and Sapphira work near the bodies at 20 feet.

I like the idea of most or all of the rest hanging back, in case Something Bad happens on the stairs. Not that it would. Just sayin'.

"I guess I forget some beings are really old and have heard all the stupid questions there are to be asked!" she says to Sapphira as she moves away to join Vega and Gror. Poppy beams. "She called me exuberant!"

Poppy is overwhelmed but touched by Ophelia and Lucero's concern. They must be worried I'm going to have a nervous breakdown! But how would I even know? Would I be especially nervous? Or break down? What does that even mean? She suddenly feels a bit embarrassed to have had such a strong reaction to the planetar's manner of speaking. She grins sheepishly at Ophelia in thanks for her apologies, hoping the wizard isn't too worried about her. When Lucero settles down next to her, her comportment changes from that of a scolded puppy to a curious cat. She looks utterly delighted as all traces of the fear she felt of the planetar disappear. THIS IS SO. GREAT. A REAL COUATL. "Oh, I don't mind if anyone calls me 'gay,' she is just... abrupt in her manner of speaking!" she whispers to Lucero.

Poppy's going to stay back while Gror, Vega and Sapphira check stuff out. So that's five rounds of sitting there chatting and keeping an eye on them.

Ophelia and Lucero stay put. Those three far more durable characters probably have the situation under control.

Dori is busy IRL I believe, but I don't think she'd go up either. I'll play this out when I get home from work later.

Serving as Ophelia's rather unflinching chariot, Cho'ankai is content to remain at a distance and observe the forward progress of others. Surveying the distant frozen waterfall and listening to discussions of what to do with the frozen bodies, he looks up to Ophelia with one of his heads briefly, "If we close the distance to fifty feet or so, they will be within the reach of my roots. That should still be a safe distance, and they are..." Cho'ankai carefully chooses his words, "dexterous appendages. While they cannot hold tools, they can manipulate enough."

Looking back to the corpses, Cho'ankai muses, "Why bother with them? Whatever trap seemed to have been sprung or whatever creature may have done that has afflicted them with great cold; of which, I am immune." Then, on consideration he looks back up to Ophelia.

"Are you?"

The thought that the others may not share his immunities never crossed his mind.

Poppy starts to giggle uncontrollably as Cho lifts one of his heads. Is he three times as smart as I am because he has three brains? Her giggles subside and she looks introspective. Maybe I should have gotten more brains from Josiah.

Upon the discovery of the frozen people at the top of the stairs of the veil, Vega speaks up. "Be wary. If this is not a trap or a potential ambush against us, that is good news. While this could be the work of the forces that race against us, know that the old crone, when she created this accursed tomb, brought the waters of this fall alive to crush her enemies with a simple gesture... and then instantly froze the whole of the place once more with just a wave of her hand. These bodies may well be remnants of that dire event."

Vega makes his way towards the frozen bodies, but stops just above them. He first looks to Gror. "I would join you near the front as we explore, if only to prevent any dangers we encounter from reaching everyone else. Either way, we should determine the relevance of this find quickly then move on."

Vega gazes up into the depths of the Veil. He does not start with inspecting the frozen bodies, but checks the general area and as far into the stairwell as he can. If it is safe, then he may turn his attention to the frozen bodies, but not before.

Sapphira follows Vega up the steps, stopping at the frozen bodies. She begins to hit the ice with her greatsword, chopping the corpses free. She's careful to avoid damaging the bodies with her blows, so the work progresses slowly.

Gror ascends a short way as well. He says, "Sapphira, let's examine the first one after it's freed before we move on to the next." While the Planetar works, he methodically keeps watch in all directions. A few seconds into the work, the geyser erupts.

It sends forth a plume of steam and scalding water one hundred feet into the air, completely filling the crevasse it has hollowed out of the face of the waterfall. The stair is protected from this explosion except where it passes through the geyser’s crevasse between the heights of thirty feet and fifty feet.

Vega is caught in blast of steam. Luckily he is impervious to heat. Though it doesn't harm him, he can feel that it's easily hot enough to melt normal flesh into liquid. He can't see anything as the thunderous hissing eruption continues around him, steam and heat filling the stairs. The rapidly cooling water vapor begins to flow and drip down the ceiling of the stairwell.

_______________________________________

1d100 ⇒ 8

1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Gror, you're 5' up the steps. Sapphira is 20. Vega I put at 30. You guys can take next round's actions. The geyser is still going. Outside the stairs is safe, as is everywhere not mentioned above (30-50 ft).

Thanks, these may come in handy. Dori takes the scrolls and pushes them into a side pocket of her haversack where they will be easily accessible.

Dori had been standing back, silently observing the others, when the geyser went off. Careful to stay out of the blast of steam she circles around the geyser studying it.

detect magic
perc: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26
know:eng/geography/nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

I can 'port us past that, but I'm wondering if it is triggered or timed.

"Careful," Vega starts, pointing at the source of the blast. "...hot stuff!"

Vega spends a handful of seconds standing there waiting for the geyser to naturally subside. Whether it does or not, he eventually makes his way further up and past the blast radius, feeling his way if he must.

Once out of the blast of boiling water, he wrings and shakes himself dry. Even with being immune to extreme elements, there's no point risking the water freezing on him later, potentially causing mobility issues. After that, he too watches the eruption, wondering if it is a times phenomena.

"No need to waste resources if you don't have to. Careful steps at the right time work just as well, and hold the bonus of keeping your contingent of powers full and ready for use later when its use may become vital."

As Vega moves past the geyser's steam column, more and more of the water begins to flow down the ceiling of the stairwell and drip down onto the stairs themselves. Sapphira ignores it, continuing to chip away at the frozen blocks. Gror has to dodge quickly back and forth to avoid being soaked with the frigid slurry. Vega and Sapphira, immune to the cold, are only slightly inconvenienced as they have to constantly move their limbs and bodies to avoid being coated in ice. After about twelve seconds the torrent of steam and boiling water shooting out of the hole in the ground stops. Freezing water continues to flood down the ceiling of the stairwell, raining onto the steps below as the rest of the geyser's expulsion drips and freezes its way down to the base of the stairwell.

_____________________

Gror reflex save: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (20) + 17 = 37 Evaded

1d3 ⇒ 1

Gror, if you don't get off the steps in "round 2" (the round where you made the successful save ^) you will take...

Gror reflex save: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24
Cold damage: 10d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 6, 5, 1, 3, 5, 3, 2, 3) = 36 and be slowed

1d100 ⇒ 6
1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

I need to know what Gror's doing before I can move this forward.

Gror sees the steam fly up, thankful he wasn't in it's way...but then sees the frozen slush it starts to dump down on him, and barely dodges out of the way. Not wanting to abandon the bodies -- or quite sure where to go -- he draws on protection from the power granted him by Iomadae and the paladin soul that gifted him it's power.

Speaking words he didn't know yesterday and clapping his hands together, his granite hide becomes flecked with tiny crystals of pale blue and burnt amber.

He glances back at Sapphira -- how much longer til this first body is out? -- and then starts looking to see if he can discern the cause of the geiser (and where/when might be safe from it).

I'm assuming that the cold is just the natural response to the steam melting a bunch of ice. If it looks otherwise, let me know.

_______

Gror casts Greater Evolution Surge for immunity to cold and heat

The geyser erupts again mere moments after the first eruption sputtered out. This time it goes on for nearly thirty seconds. The whole time, and for several seconds afterward, a torrent of freezing slushy rain pours down on the two Chosen and the angel in the stairway. They have to constantly move to avoid being encased in ice, but otherwise are no worse for the wear.

By the time the second eruption is finished Sapphira has freed two of the bodies and tossed them down to the foot of the steps. After a few more seconds, she has the last body free as well, and carries it down to the foot of the stairway.

The geyser is not magical, but the corpses glow brightly in Dori's vision. They appear to be fairly recent and apparently died from extreme frostbite, based on their blackened skin. All three
are Irrisen warriors wearing scale mail and armed with battleaxes and longswords. Gror recognizes their heraldry as belonging to the warriors who serve the Jadwiga (the direct descendants of Baba Yaga).

Sapphira says, "That geyser's probably going to erupt again, better make sure you guys are immune to cold before we go up the stairs."

____________________________________

1d100 ⇒ 52

All three suits of chainmail are magical, one more than the others. There are also a magical dagger, battleaxe, cold iron longsword, a small feather and a ring. There's one battleaxe that's not magical, but it's masterwork.

Ophelia nods at Cho's wisdom. From a glance, Vega, Gror, and Sapphira certainly have everything under control. Also, from a tactical point of view, it would be wise to keep one of the heavy hitters like Cho'ankai in the back, especially one with the druid's extensive reach.

"I believe I am. Heat probably wouldn't do much to me either," replies Ophelia just as the geysers go off. She immediately flinches back into her seat and watches as Vega effortlessly withstands the sheer raw power of nature that swallows him whole. Ophelia barely has time to shout out a warning to Gror and Sapphira, but the Grorgoyle luckily proves to be quick on his feet while the latter's angelic immunities allow her to tank the explosion without harm. Gror also quickly throws a spell up on himself for extra protection, so everybody seems to be alright for the time being.

"...Wow. That was... unexpected," Ophelia remarks to Cho'ankai as she floats from her seat with the druid's staff in hand. Recognizing the recentness of the bodies, the conjurer instinctively activates her Detect Magic vision (which seems to be coming from "Queenie" today instead of her own memory) and begins looking over the assortment of gear before her. Seeing no need to hurry, she takes her time and silently asks for as much Guidance as she can get from whoever has gifted her that spell.

Using Detect Magic, Ophelia takes 10 with the spellcraft to identify the items and uses Guidance each time before racking her brain. That would be a 34 check on each item (10, +23 skill, +1 Guidance).

The Sapphire Summoner, the Prismatic Pony, and the Grorgoyle (probably not officially, lol). I just need to come up with three more!

The Sapphire Summoner, the Prismatic Pony, and the Grorgoyle (probably not officially, lol). I just need to come up with three more!

Oh, it's totally official. Poppy and I have talked about it several times IRL. I was thinking the Silent Shadow or something for Dori. Vega and Cho have me stumped, so I didn't mention it yet :P

A suit of +3 scale mail, two suits of +1 scale mail, a +3 dagger, a +2 battleaxe, a +2 holy cold iron longsword, a masterwork battleaxe, a feather token(bird), and a ring of protection +4

If anyone plans on actually using any of that, I'll write a cool little description of the item. Otherwise I won't waste my time.

The Pacifistic Pugilist?

The Pacifistic Pugilist?

That's a good one :) Lets move this talk to the discussion thread though.

Ophelia is quick to describe each item to the group. Her sapphire blue eyes land on the Ring of Protection and the magic dagger toward the end of her conversation. Out of the various items present, they are the only ones that she could really use.

"Not to be greedy, but I could actually use the dagger and the ring. My only ring at the moment offers is one of Freedom of Movement/Sustenance/Invisibility. That being said, you all are on the frontlines more than I will be..."

"As for the weapons, I only have a butterknife I got at a Desnan festival in Sandpoint, Varisia nearly six years ago. I know there's a bit of stereotype that we elves are good with longswords, but I have always been the exception to that... huge coincidence. My sister is awesome with them, though... Anyway, the armor looks like it will be probably going into my chest. Everyone is either too big, too small, or improperly built to wear it," the little elf looks up at everyone else and asks, "What say you all?"

Vega looks back between geyser blasts.

"If it is not vital to our task, it should be left behind or quickly stashed extra-dimensionally. Too much baggage will simply slow us down. The ring and dagger may come in handy, but are of no consequence to me personally.

Ophelia smiles at Vega's concern and quickly reminds him.

"As I said before, my Secret Chest can hold twelve cubic feet of stuff. We don't need to worry about storage."

So the next thing will be ascending the stairs. How does everyone want to do this? Blow spells to get immunity? Run up as fast as you can and hope it doesn't blow? Those of you already immune to cold are under no threat unless it goes off while you are in the 30-50' range of steps.

I will probably have to use Maker's Call to get Lucero safely across. Might as well take Dori and Poppy too. He would normally just sail right through in the Ethereal Plane, but those darn dread wraths toss a monkey wrench into that plane. It would be cruel to just order him to fly through. :I

He can hold his breath for a couple minutes, and go inside your secret chest.

Is that 75% failure chance only if the spell is cast with something living in it? If so, I can totally do that. Heck, if being immune to Fire and Ice is enough, Ophelia could just fairy the group sans the Huge Cho across that way as needed.

Is that 75% failure chance only if the spell is cast with something living in it? If so, I can totally do that. Heck, if being immune to Fire and Ice is enough, Ophelia could just fairy the group sans the Huge Cho across that way as needed.

Hadn't actually read the spell until just now, but yeah that's how I'm gonna rule it. Gror, Vega and Sapphira should be fine on their own. So you can ferry Poppy, LC and Dori. Cho probably needs his own solution.

Poppy would be really delighted about the prospect of Ophelia ferrying her.

Sapphira perks up suddenly, and says to Ophelia "You know, I just had an idea. Those of you who aren't immune to freezing can just ride in my portable hole, and I'll carry you up the stairs." She beams, obviously thrilled with her own suggestion. "I don't think I could fit you inside though, big guy," Sapphira says to Cho, tilting her head back and forth examining his dimensions. "Obviously Vega can take the heat, and Gror seems fine."

The angel plucks the hole from the hilt of her sword and stretches it open to an arms' length diameter hoop. "Well, what do you think?" she asks.

The water dripping down the stairs is now frozen solid, become one with the rest of the supernaturally cold ice of the Veil. Thin wisps of steam rise from the puckered crater of the geyser. The cold wind coming off the massive ice of the necropolis would be deadly if not for the Chosen's magical protection, as is, it is less than pleasant.

Since Cho's immune to cold, he just needs to double move past the fire-damage danger zone in the first round of him going up the steps. If Poppy and Dori are down with riding in the hole, we can move to the top of the steps.

"Got enough room for him?" asks Ophelia as she points a thumb at Lucero, who seems to be trying to figure out how to cross under his own power. With simply sailing through the Ethereal Plane not being an option, the Couatl just seems to be thinking about blasting through as fast as possible and healing off any damage. Ophelia is quick to dismiss that notion by saying, "If you don't, then I might have to teleport us over. I have multiple ways to do that."

"Well, it's ten feet deep. We'll probably need to take two trips, but it should be doable." Sapphira replies. "Who's first?"

Vega patiently waits beyond the 'death zone' of the geyser as the others discus ways to safely cross.

I should be helping them divine a way across. They seems to be fine though, no point fussing over it.

As Vega sees a plan begin to form to ensure everyone's safety should it erupt again while in the zone, Vega turns and continues his vigil for other threats, especially living threats.

"I'm immune to the cold, but I wouldn't mind riding in a portable hole anyway! Sounds squishy!" Poppy chirps. She approaches the hole and, avoiding eye contact with Sapphira, sticks a hoof inside. "Teehee!" She hops the rest of the way inside and hides just out of view from the entrance. She snorts, chuckling heartily. "I don't exist!" her now disembodied voice calls from inside the hole. A moment later, she muses, "Whoooo, it's roomy in here!"

Lucero lets out a light chuckle at Poppy's antics. He certainly finds the little pony gnome rather amusing and her optimism welcoming in the such dark times. Once the Prismatic Pony is out of sight, the Couatl begins estimating his own length relative to the depth of the average portable hole. While fully extended he might be bigger than the depths of other dimension, his flexible serpentine form could easily coil up into a much more compact state.

Finally, after some more thought, he presents his plan.

"Ophelia should have no problems crossing of her own accord. As for me, I should probably use your portable hole, Lady Sapphira. I have no resistance or immunity to any elements. If I coil up, I can probably fit. However, take Poppy and Doralis first. You could probably get both of them at once."

"Certainly," Sapphira replies. Once Poppy and Dori are inside, she flies quickly up the steps, passing Vega and Gror on the way. Once she's completely past the height of the geyser's steam column she stops. The ride inside the portable hole is strange. It's a perfectly dark ten foot cube, with smooth black featureless walls. It doesn't feel like they are moving from the inside of the hole. After several seconds of sitting in darkness, the two Chosen ladies see Sapphira's green fingers appear and stretch open the hole to let them out. "Be right back," she says to them, closing the hole and flying back down to get LC. On the way down, just as she passes the open space in the stairs, the geyser erupts again. Sapphira is fast enough to avoid the steam though. Once back at the base of the steps, the planetar ushers the couatl into her hole, and says, "C'mon guys. They're up there waiting, lets move." The geyser goes off for about twelves seconds. As soon as the steam subsides Saphhira shoots quickly back up the stairs on a few flaps of her powerful magical wings.

The whole process of ferrying people took 4 rounds. I'm presuming Gror and Vega would probably have gone up with Sapphira the first round. Everyone gets 8,533 XP for the geyser.

Top of the steps:

After several circuits, the stair opens into a room at the base of a turret-like fortification crafted into the face of the waterfall. The chamber is wide and open with an icy ceiling rising forty feet overhead from which great icicles droop. Another stair exits at the far end, and the south wall curves outward, forming a turret. The floor is scattered with cracked and frozen bones of all sizes. Some are brown with great age, but others are much more recent additions. Sapphira, Gror and Vega take point, stepping into the room. Gror and Vega notice nothing immediately out of place. Sapphira scans the room and cooly says in celestial over her shoulder to the others, "நமக்கு மேலே கூரை மீது தாங்கப்பட்ட ஒரு பெரிய கண்ணுக்கு தெரியாத வெள்ளை டிராகன் இல்லை."

A moment later, a sibilant disembodied voice rings out from the center of the chamber, "I am the spirit of the Veil! Who daress to penetrate my domain? Why have you come to this accurssed place?"

______________________________________

1d100 ⇒ 31
1d100 ⇒ 1
1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
1d100 ⇒ 15

2d4 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5

I removed all the altitude markers and Cho's reach thing because the map was too cluttered. As stated above, the ceiling is 40' up. The floors are icy, so attempts to run or charge require a DC 15 Acrobatics check to avoid falling. Flying avoids this. The dragon is invisible, clinging to the ceiling 40' up. If combat breaks out, I'll roll initiative and put its stats in my profile.

Map

Poppy peeks out of the hole in astonishment as they seem to have moved without even moving. That's on the shopping wish list! She follows the others up the stairs and stops just before the entrance to the great icy room. Her ears perk up as Sapphira speaks, but she scrunches her forehead in consternation when she can't understand her. I should have gotten those extra brains.

Hmmm... maybe someone needs to cast Tongues on Poppy if our secret code language is Celestial. I almost kept Tongues on my list but switched it out at the last second >_<

Geyser steam, bitter cold, the extremes of elements gave no pause to Cho'ankai. This domain of extremes found the three-headed shaman an island between volcanic heat and arctic cold, existing unharmed by either. So too did Cho'ankai prefer his role as a moderate among his group, to straddle the lines between the direct offensive of Gror and Vega to the tactical remoteness of Dori's scouting. Cho'ankai remained squarely in the middle between action and inaction, between fire and ice.

Emerging into the cathedralesque chamber, Cho raises his heads to look up at the ceiling at Sapphira's instruction. Something about the way her relationship with Josiah was explained settled uneasily on the Arcadian's shoulders. Do the celestials have relationships as mortals do? Are they no less subjected to the base desires of flesh as any man?

Contemplation of cosmological philosophy and sociology are pushed aside as a distraction in the face of a more real threat. A dragon that poses as a spirit, threatening the group and acting as protectorate of this place. Moving past the others, carrying Ophelia on his throne-like back, Cho'ankai moves to the forefront of the group just past Gror and Sapphira. There's a momentary look back at the group, and in spite of the language barrier, Cho'ankai feels compelled to represent them. He simply must chose an intermediary, and of them the most temperate is his selection.

"என்னை, Vega, மொழியாக்கம் செய்து இருந்தால்" Cho rumbles in tripartite voice the harmonic and melodious language of celestials. Looking up to the ceiling, not entirely sure of the dragon's location but willing to presume eye contact, Cho'ankai speaks for the party through Vega's interpretation.

"நான் Cho'ankai Aju-Taash இருக்கிறேன்," the Arcadian begins, "நான் Kostichie என்ற Torc அழிக்க வந்தேன்." Each sylable, while rhythmic in its cadence carries with it the sheer size of Cho'ankai's form and the depth of his three growling voices.

"இந்த நடக்கும். எங்கள் பணியை ஏற்று வாழ, அல்லது எங்களுக்கு மீறுகின்றனர் மற்றும் அழிந்துவிடும். நாம் குனிய கூடாது." There is resolute confidence in Cho's voice, and why not after experiencing the battle with the scouts outside?

Looking to Vega, Cho raises one brow on one head and awaits translation.

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So Cho is moving up to the front of the class and addressing the dragon. Since Veag is going to be the one translating (unless the dragon speaks celestial) I figure he can reword Cho's somewhat snarly tone to something more diplomatic and use his snazzy Diplomacy skill to help negotiate with the dragon.

Dori wasn't too sure about climbing into a collapsible hole, but she couldn't let the pony show her up. Disconcerting to know she was moving, but not feel it. I'd prefer not doing that again.

Once past the geyser, she fly's along the stair case, a few feet off the steps.

With Saphirra's warning, Dori casts detect magic again and then inverts herself and fly's up to the ceiling of the tunnel where she can peak out from the tunnel and look around herself.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

Where's the light coming from? We are in a tunnel now. Not that it matters much with a dragon...

There is no light. Well besides a very dim diffuse light coming through the ice of the walls. You all have darkvision.

At first, Vega heeded Sapphira's words but did not look directly up when it was mentioned a Dragon was hiding there invisible. Instead he did what he could to keep the area within his peripheral.

Feigning ignorance of the dragon for the moment, Vega simply answers to the air before him.

"Greetings, great spirit!"

Vega pauses for a moment as Cho'ankai speaks his part, and contemplates his words.

Interesting tactic. I heard rumor that dragons can be swayed by impressing upon their ego, but I have only heard stories. I have no actual experience conversing what and actual dragon. Perhaps the more direct approach is the way to go... though I don't know if I can make introducing everyone work without sounding silly... heh, this reminds me of the time in the Hooktongue Slough, when I was sent to deal with an incursion of the Tiger Lord's barbarians. Their leader went looking for an ancestral artifact in a cave, and I entered it in search of him, casually telling those at the entrance exactly what I was there for. That honesty caused them to rage and attack me immediately!

Vega smiles and shakes his head slightly at reminiscing at the old adventure. He then continues as if those thoughts of past misadventures never entered his mind, and keeps his gaze forwards instead of up.

...do not deal with the servants of Elvanna or Kostchtchie... is this a servant of either party, or an independent? I should divine if it will let us pass unhindered before passing judgement on it...

"Please forgive the language barrier, and our intrusion. We are the servants of Josiah, and have learned not only that the Torc of Kostchtchie lies within this realm, but that there are some who wish to abuse its power. Knowing the history of this place, and the pure and utter folly of abusing the power of the Torc, we have been sent to stop this potential abuse. We will not be swayed from our course, and will fight and overcome anything, natural and supernatural, living and otherwise, to see our task through to its end. Due to our charge, there can be no deals and no compromise, but that does not mean things must end in violence. All we care about is the Torc and any who seek to abuse it's power. Will you permit us entrance and the fulfillment of our short task?"

Vega opens his hands palm up as he asks the final question. His tone of voice in non-threatening, but the placement of his firm words hold great weight. He still does not look directly at the invisible dragon, hoping that some humility will sway the heart of the beast.

If this beast is affiliated with our enemies, we shall know soon enough. I hope it's not, and will simply allow us pass unhindered as an independent to this veil who has taken it as its home...

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Even though that could probably be interpreted as either Diplomacy or Intimidation, I think I'm going to try for Diplomacy first, using my Ki Mystic ability to give myself a +4 insight bonus to the check as well. Hopefully it works and we move on without bloodshed! ...but if it fails (or the dropping of specific names outright negates the roll/any chance of success) and the dragons affiliations are not made clear by its (potential) negative reaction, then I'll switch to intimidate in reply to it ...unless it initiates combat as its reply, or claims affiliation with our enemies... then it will have to be put down. >_<

Diplomacy!: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (10) + 23 = 33