|
Harmini follows her companions to the roof via her own flight magic instead of the rope offered.
Once on the roof she studies the device alongside Nimaethep and nods in agreement with her assessments: it is missing something.
She then responds to Vash and offers her own input.
"That crystal we found was not necessarily part of the device but actually a Lens of Detection. I'm afraid we must recover what was stolen down below to be sure. We should be cautious, however, what little I do know of dragons would lead me to believe that they are not to be trifled with."
Harmini's observation is correct, the missing piece is much larger than the crystal found at the other compass sight.
Your education informs you that dragons are powerful, vain, haughty and arrogant. But also quite intelligent, they can be open to discussion and negotiation if one acknowledges their magnificence.
Looking out over the sinkhole, the bottom can be seen , some 50ft down.
There lies a pile of treasure, coins and other object, but primarily shiny gems....until you realize what you took for a large pile of gems, is actually the dragon!
Vash suppresses an involuntary gasp as he sees the magnificent but deadly creature. He tries to identify it by its color and size, recalling what he can about the creature from his experience.
It took Nimaethep a few moments to comprehend what she was looking at. "A dragon? Here, in Wati?"
The thought itself was absurd let alone the reality of what was sitting right there at the bottom of the pit.
"I have absolutely no thoughts on how to deal with a dragon, my only knowledge about them comes from stories and fables told by the bards to thrill an audience." she whispered.
|
|
Harmini attempts to assuage her companions given the sudden revelation that they are not alone. She whispers back to Nima via her messaging magic.
"Perhaps this particular dragon will be more interested in negotiation than conflict. I advise humility in our dealings. That being said, be ready for anything, each dragon has as many facets as the gemstones they covet."
Teos looks at the creature in awe. Besides the majestic sphynx, this beast is the most magnificent being he has ever come across.
"Unbelievable. I was never sure that they actually existed...", the warrior whispers.
Nimaethep looked at Harmini "I'm glad to hear that talking might be an option here, the stories always culminated in a battle between the serpent and the hero. But how does one address a dragon? I spent most of my time attending to the dead while the priestess' took care of the needs of the living. I have little experience in the craft of diplomacy and negotiation."
A twitch of the bejewelled tail sends a scree of coins scattering across the bottom of the sinkhole. The dragon's long neck rises, it's eyes glowing with anger as it speaks, "ଯିଏ ବାକି ମହାନ ତଥା ପାୱାରଫର୍ ଶାର୍ଡିଜାଦଙ୍କୁ ବାଧା ଦେବାକୁ ସାହସ କରେ "
Who dares interrupt the rest of the great and powerful, Shardizhad?
|
|
"This is a first time I've ever spoken with a dragon. It seems our presence has been detected. No sense in delaying or attempting to flee. I don't understand what it just said so I hope this dragon speaks the old tongue..."
Harmini descends as lightly as a feather into the cavern with her arms spread out wide. Alabaster encircles her as a halo of ioun stones. She speaks calmly but clearly in Ancient Osiriani with intent to soothe the dragon's aggression.
"Greetings mighty dragon, we come in peace. My name is Lady Harmini Wakestep and I seek your favor on a quest of the utmost importance. Will you speak with me?"
The glassy dragon snorts derisively, responding in modern Osiriani, "You interrupt my rest, know not the true tongue and prattle on with those old moldy words! Begone, lest your bones adorn my lair! " the dragon bellows.
Initially impressed by the sight of the beautiful dragon, as it has raised its head, you can see that this must be a young dragon, not yet reaching it's full size.
Nimaethep stood quietly just behind Harmini and to her left. She held nothing in her hands but just like those of the ancient Order of the Blue Lotus before her, Nimaethep stood ready to step in and intervene on Harmini's behalf should the negotiation go poorly.
Vash waits patiently for Harmini to continue her conversation with this dragon, though he fears it may come to combat if they need part of its claimed treasure to operate the compass.
|
|
Ah ha! At least it speaks a language we share.
Harmini bows her head politely in an effort to avoid a nasty confrontation for a few more minutes. She adjusts her language to modern Osiriani.
"My apologies for the confusion. I have never conversed with one as magnificent as yourself before..."
She looks around the room quickly to try and spot the missing piece.
"You have quite a lovely collection. Please tell me how you managed to acquire such a vast hoard for one so young?"
Teos stands off to the side watching the dragon with awe. His muscles are tense as he readies to defend his friends if necessary.
The dragon nods and assumes a smug expression at Harmini's description of it as 'magnificent', however it's visage return to the previous wrathful expression when Harmini questions it about it's hoard!
"You seek to flatter me, but I see through your prevarications! I see you casting your greedy eyes about my hoard! A 'collection'?!? You'll rue the day you mocked the Great Shardizhad!!" it roars, lunging upward.
[ooc]
Initiative Order
Harmini
Teos
Nimaethep
Shardizhad
Vash
Teos stands his ground.
"Spread out and let's see if the creature will come to us!"
Nimaethep was dismayed that what started as a potentially peaceful negotiation had so quickly devolved into a fight.
As Harmini flew out of her reach, she turned her attention to protecting Teos and Vash. With a quick flick of her wrist she drew her wand and attempted to activate the magical shield held within.
The sudden escalation of the situation made it difficult to concentrate on coaxing the magic from the wand. A few bluish sparkles was her only reward.
Taking a quick step back, she positioned herself next to Vash and Teos, ready to lend assistance if the dragon should attack.
Harmini's spell coats the dragon and much of it's treasure with a glittering cloud of sparckles .
Shardizhad twists about admiring the sparkle of the spell on it's shiny scales, then looks directly at Harmini, "Ah, an educated foe! I know that one too!". It then directs it's gaze upon Harmini's friends and another area of glittering dust appears around and on Nimaethep, Vash and Teos!
Vash attempts to shut his eyes at the exact correct instant to avoid the dragon’s spell…
Seeing only sparkles, he moves carefully to the side, trying to scatter as Teos suggested, drawing his bow as he moves. At the end of his turn, he attempts to shake off the magic once more…
…and manages to succeed!
Nimaethep knew nothing about the spells that were being bandied about. The sparkling dust that suddenly coated her threatened to overwhelm her sight. Though the magical dust itself caused no pain or discomfort, its brightly sparkling nature flashing colours directly into her eyes caused her to reflexively close them.
It was only through discipline and willpower that she forced her eyes open. It was difficult keeping them open, but at least she could see well enough through the arcane glitter.
will save:
Seeing the sparkling light, Teos closes his eyes tightly...but is not quick enough. A few mottes of glittery dust enter his eyes and no matter how many times he blinked and rubbed his eyes, his vision slowly dimmed.
"Damn that beast...it has blinded me!", he calls out in anger and frustration.
Nimaethep did not want to commit to rushing to the bottom of the pit only to have to climb back out if the dragon took flight. She was also reluctant to abandon Teos in his current condition. "I am with you Teos, centre yourself and focus on clearing your vision."
So she chose to hold her ground until the dragon had committed to making its move. In the meantime she took the opportunity to attempt using the wand once more.
Unfortunately the magic still eluded her.
Will:
Try as he might, the warrior is unable to clear his vision. Not wanting to stumble into his teammates, he stands still while still rubbing at his eyes.
|
|
Harmini scowls at the dragon's apparent magical resilience. She would need a stronger distraction to give her companions time to position themselves. Her circle of flight continues north along the cavern wall in an effort to split Shardizhad's attention.
"A trivial spell. Come closer and I'll show you real magic!"
This is probably not a good idea at all!
Harmini's long tresses of hair unfold from their bindings and come to life as she soars through the air.
The dragon shouts, "Trivial! Indeed I'll come closer!"
With a beat of it's wings, it flies up to be at Harmini's height, then a rainbow of colors emerges from what seems like all of it's scales, flowing out in a fan of color , washing over the hovering Harmini.
Like the other display of magic by the dragon, you can't help but be impressed by how beautiful it looks!
Vash draws a bead on the dragon and fires off a pair of arrows at the distracted creature.
Still unable to see, he does hear the dragon roar in pain and hopes his companions are fairing well against the beast. Rubbing at his eyes to try and clear his vision, Teos can do nothing more while blinded.
Will Save:
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Although Teos was still blinded by the magical sparkles, Nimaethep suspected that Vash would be the target of the dragon's ire should it survive his barrage of arrows. She quickly moved over to him in order to provide what protection she could in the event of a counter attack.
The dragon crows a it's magic takes effect on Harmini, "HA HA! You didn't expect that! Now I -- OW!" it said, then it's intended soliloqy was interrupted by Vash's arrows puncturing it's beautiful scaled hide.
With alarming speed, it hisses in anger and pain and turns towards Vash and Nimaethep, a quick beat of it wings bringing it closer. The broad head is coiled back on it's long neck , then shoots forward, maw wide, colors shimmering along it's neck....a rippling cone of energy suddenly moves through the air towards the two! A blast of incredible noise washes of Vash and Nimaethep.
You are pretty sure that you were hit by a color spray spell.
Weathering the worst of the sonic blast with Nimaethep’s help, Vash quickly sends another pair of arrows flying towards the dragon.
|
|
"Judging by its size and behavior, this certainly not an adult dragon... we should be thankful.
Harmini's pale complexion grows a little bit pinker as she fills with embarrassment for being affected by such a simple spell. She calls after Shardizhad after it flaps away.
"Hey! Don't you fly away from me! We're not finished yet!"
Harmini sails over the hoard following the dragon, raining fire down upon it from her outstretched hands.
Vash's arrows fly unerringly into the dragon's neck and chest, causing it to shriek in pain and anger, beating it's wings in it's fury.
At Harmini's shout, it's pearlescent eye turns to watch her fly past. It's eye widens as the fan of flame emerges from Harmini's hands. With a sinuous movement it manages to slide under most of the flame, but is the flames still lick at it's beautiful scales!
Nimaethep saw the bejeweled dragon coil back and knew what was coming next. She deftly interposed herself between Vash and the dragon, taking the brunt of the attack but sparing Vash the full force.
She had been expecting fire and was unprepared for the cacophony of sound that blasted her with such force she felt as if her entire body had been hammered by a giant fist.
Ears still ringing she shook her head to regain her senses and take in the situation. The dragon was still in the air and there was little she could do about it.
Teos, tears streaming from his eyes, still attempts to clear his vision so he can help his comrades in the fight against this most dangerous foe!
Will Save: Hurah!! Finally
Teos clears his eyes to see what his ears have been telling him....a dragon enraged is truly a terrible, beautiful sight.
Four of Vash's arrows poke from it's scales and an iridescent red area marks where Nimaethep was able to burn it.
With a bellow of rage , it shouts "Cheaters! Thieves! Cutthroats! Poltroons! Malcontents! You'll rue the day you accosted the Great Shardizhad! "
With a mighty beat of it's wings, it flies straight up out of danger. Within moments it is a few hundred feet up, still shouting insults and curses as it puts as much air between itself and the party.
Vash answers with arrows to drive off the ranting creature, ensuring it cannot pause and cast more spells at them in a parting shot...
He then checks on his companions, hoping no one is permanently damaged.
As their foe swiftly retreats from the field of battle, Vash keeps a wary eye on it, even as he nocks arrow to string for yet another shot…Realizing the limitations of his equipment, though, he holds the deadly shaft for now, ready to fire if the dragon decides to reengage
”I do not trust it to stay gone if we all go below after the treasure. I will stay here and watch for its return, should it wish to test our mettle once more,” Vash says, watching the creature carefully, then scanning the skies for its return once it is out of sight.
|
|
Harmini watches Shardizhad shoot off into the sky. She shouts after the dragon, menacingly waving a clenched fist.
"Petulant child! Leave this city... And don't come back!"
"I hope it does stay gone for all our sakes."
Harmini then directs her attention to her companions, returning to the ground nearby gently.
"I'm sorry. That went rather poorly. I thought that a dragon might be reasoned with and clearly I was wrong. Are you alright, my dears?"
Teos watches as the foe flies off. He cannot help but feel anger at himself for being so ineffective during the battle.
"I am sorry I was not more help...that sparkly dust blinded me...I am sorry.."
”There are times when my arrows strike true, and times when a foe is upon me and time when they do not, Teos. No apologies are needed—that dragon was a fearsome foe,” offers Vash. Looking down at the shiny bits in the pit below, he adds, ”Perhaps now we can repair one of the compasses.”
Nimaethep nodded, "I was hoping that the serpent could be reasoned with. It seemed open to negotiations. It is too bad it was not meant to be. I can go down and see what is in the lair."
The catfolk nimbly made her way down to the bottom of the pit, keeping a keen eye out for any traps or other creatures that may have been nesting with the dragon.
Once she was satisfied that the den was safe, she began to carefully pick through the contents of the dragon's hoard. As she did so, a little wave of regret washed over her. All they wanted was the crystal for the compass, but now they were presented with the dragon's entire hoard, a pile of treasure that he had seemed so proud of.
The dragon had been busy, accumulating a fine pile of shiny baubles from the surrounding tombs. Amid a modest pile of coins, glassware and jewelry Nimaethep finds :
-a fine suit of half-plate mail leans against the stone
-a gleaming halberd lays across the 'armors' legs
-a rough , grey cloak un-affected by the elements lays athwart the armor's shoulders
-six vials filled with softly glowing liquid ( 3 of the same color, 3 more of a different color)
-a platinum statue of a dwarf
-a trio of lapis lazuli praying monkey figurines
-and a copper wrapped piece of quartz that looks about the right size to fit into the elegiac compass.