The Ifrit do not say anything further except to scoff openly when Popol suggests that they should get to know the Oread better.
The alchemist nods, sensing your confusion about the whole situation. "You must think I am a stubborn old fool to not give them what they demand, even though they threaten to destroy my livelihood. But they do not want money and things are worse than you might suspect. Did you know we are not permitted to leave Crystalcrag? I have to trust Tygora's minions to procure rare substances for my work. And they refuse to look for anything that does not have some combative use. Tygora wants me to make explosives for her and other formulas with terrible effects that can only be used to do harm. I have analyzed their intentions, and I fear they mean to attack and enslave some nearby community. I accept that we must serve Tygora, but I won't be made a tool by which she will further her power to oppress more people. She is a megalomaniac of the highest order! I believe she was banished by her own kind for just this sort of aggression and tactical maneuvering. If you have the power to stop her, I beg you to try. Else she will bring the fight to your own people far too soon!"
A 500-foot road extends up from Crystalcrag to Fury’s Hold, giving the structure a commanding view of the whole town. The curtain wall around the palace’s courtyard is 20 feet high and sealed with an immense, barred bronze door.
|
"Actually, I don't think you're an old fool, and stubborness is not a negative thing, Morak. A gilded cage is still a cage, no matter how pretty the bars are. We've heard something similar from Valsog, Eurdan, and the others of this community. We're going to attempt to put an end to it if possible, and if we don't, we're putting down contingencies for that emergency. Are you willing to keep a small note hidden in your things, to be given to a future group of adventurers should we fail?"
Regardless of outcome, Rae will be polite and accepting of whatever decision Morak makes. He will suggest that the oread get a little bit of time to stage their 'sit-in/curfew violation to draw the largest amount of guards from the citadel before the approach is made.
If the party is going up the road will drink the potion of energy resistance(fire) as soon as they start walking it, recommending the others do the same because getting burnt by a fireball is a rough way to start any fight...
The bard is willing to take up the rear of the formation, but is curious if anyone in the party has a good way to defeat the gate, or if going 'over the wall' is the idea, here.
Morak agrees to hold Rae's note and wishes you luck. He walks you out of the shop and seems nearly overcome by the sight he sees there.
It looks as if nearly every Oread in Crystalcrag is out in the streets, standing like statues with eyes turned toward the shining palace of brass to the north. They nod to you solemnly as you join them in the streets. Ifrit are taking issue with them in pockets throughout, but they stand strong like immovable obstacles. Many more Ifrit pour out through the gates and march out to deal with the quiet protest of the Oread. Very little attention is focused on you just now and you feel certain your moment has arrived.
|
"We can use this spell of spider to climb those wall. By the way, let's cast our long time spell."
-Posted with Wayfinder
|
|
Rae places his hands on Dailung and Lars' shoulders.
"This is going to be some very rough fighting, a lot of fire more than likely. We're really counting on the two of you to keep the rest of us alive, so do us all proud."
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
Range touch
Target creature touched
Duration 10 min./level Rae is 9th level, so 90 minutes
Saving Throw Will negates (harmless); Spell Resistance yes (harmless)
This spell imbues a single creature with great bravery and morale in battle. The target gains a +2 morale bonus on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks.
|
Lars looks at the others and tries to keep his tone low.
"I'm not the best at sneaking, although I don't wear full armor and I can certainly try. We have a group gifted with words. Perhaps that would be our best course for now?"
After Rae's spell takes hold, Lars claps the young man on the shoulder.
"You have my thanks. I will do my part should we find ourselves in battle."
|
|
Popol drinks his resistance potion, cast false on him and extend communal spider climb on his members but before going he is gonna take 15 to remember two spell.
-Posted with Wayfinder
|
|
Rae takes up his position at the back of the formation and begins to drum on the well-crafted creation riding on his hip.
He starts with a slow, steady, almost painfully predictable cadence, to reflect the oread attitude, and then speeds it up very quickly with an ifrit-inspired speed-rip before working the two together into a steady rhythym.
With the music thus established, he will continue to advance with the party, pulling out a flag that has both the Glyph of the Open Road and a small chaser penant bearing the insignia of Liberty's Edge.
"Hail the Fortress! We are the Pathfinder Society. We would have words with you about your treatment of our personnel and your people. Please open the gate that we may have an earnest discussion about this!"
The gates open as you approach and two huge beings who seem composed entirely of fire and lava respectively address you in return. The fire being's voice roars and crackles like a great bonfire.
"You are the cause of trouble below. You have come to make amends to Queen Tygora for your actions." It is said with the certainty of a statement of fact, not a question.
|
|
Rae will urge the party forward while letting up on the drums, to let the co-joined beat fade into the background.
"No trouble, only misunderstanding. We will talk with Tygora. Thank you. We go forward now."
"Remember to respect Tygora in her house, fellow *Pathfinders*."
It may seem redundant that Rae's saying that, but he's actually attempting to send a pointed message without completely tipping his hand to the guards.
You pass through the sprawling courtyard and up the wide arcing steps into a beautifully decorated entry hall. Two large solid statues flank a set of brass double doors set into the northern wall, and short hallways extend to the east and west. The wall hangings and artwork in this chamber are particularly elaborate, you suspect to impress upon visitor’s Tygora’s wealth and power.
You see some Ifrit milling around, but none of them look inclined to speak to you, moving away quickly as you approach.
|
|
"Whoa, whoa, wait. Hold up. Wait. We can check out east and west first. If we just charge upstairs, then we're possibly facing Tygora and who knows what all she sends our way having prepared. I've been in a similar position where a team has basically had the run of a base, so let's take advantage of it and check out this level first, please?"
Rae attempts to discern if the statues are stone golems in stand-by mode...
The huge creatures guarding the gates are elemental outsiders of Fire and Magma varieties. They are very strong combatants, immune to fire and resistant to physical attacks, but are vulnerable to cold damage.
Unfortunately, the bodies are too badly burned to be sure who they might have been in life. You take some consolation that you are searching for three missing Pathfinders and there are only two bodies here.
|
|
"Perhaps Lymwin could determine what happened to these creatures. Would you have a look Lymwin?"
"As to the locks, I'm not trained in how to pick them. My spear's point is made of adamantine, so it is quite hard. If one of you has a hammer, perhaps working together we could break through. But that would not make us very popular with our host..."
Bronze walls sweep to the east and west, framing a magnificent throne room decorated with metallic mosaics that seem to shimmer and glow with their own incandescence. The throne itself is a large chiseled mass of obsidian, and it rests upon a solid brass dais shaped like a fiery sun. The efreeti queen sits upon her throne, drumming her fingers upon the armrest in a gesture of impatience. To her right stands a powerfully built Ifrit warrior, his arms crossed before his chest and a closed look on his face. Two large creatures that look like red-and-yellow scaled dragons, but lacking forelegs, flank them on either side.
Standing very still, although unbound, the three Pathfinders are positioned within striking distance of the draconic beasts. An ivory skinned oread female is among them as well. As you enter the room Tygora holds up her hand and calls for you to "Halt!" in a commanding tone.
"You have no doubt come for your people. Quite an accomplishment to stir the stoic Oread into resistance. Well done. As you have put much effort into reaching them, you must care for your fellows very much." A smile spreads over her face that is not nearly so genial as her words seem to be. "Such devotion deserves to be rewarded. I will graciously release my Pathfinder guests unharmed and allow you all to go on your way. My subordinates will escort you to the gates and you can all be safely home before the week is out. This is agreeable to you all, yes?"
|
|
Rae takes in the scene and considers the Efreeti's words thoughtfully, while observing the draconic things and the Efreet herself.
"You offered the oread stability and security within your community. Was this a short-term wish spanning only the lifespans of those who made the request, or was there a longer term behind it?
Did all of the oread agree to that request, or only a handful?
We did not come here solely on our own strength, but on the strength of the community that you have helped foster here.
To continue down this course is disruptive to the health of the community and to any future plans you might have in the region. This is your realm, your home, and we are guests here, and not traditionally capable of making requests.
However, Your Majesty, since you have opened the discussion, what will become of the citizens who have dutifully and faithfully followed the rules since you became their sovereign?
Will they be punished for raising legitimate and valid concerns to you? Will they be enslaved for doing everything right?
How could we then abandon them to a harsh fate for the sake of them simply wanting to help some simple travelers, here to see the wonders of your new kingdom as it has grown?
I am not sure how much Your Majesty has spoken to our fellow Pathfinders, but we have three dictum placed upon us by our leadership, that we must always follow.
Explore.
Report.
Cooperate.
Since it will not matter what we do here given your clearly evidenced superiority, perhaps some insight on these questions might help us clear our consciences and focus on what really matters?"
You are looking at two Flame Drakes. Flame drakes are the degenerate cousins of red dragons, with all of the rage and temper of true red dragons but little of the reason and intelligence. Flame drakes are brutal bullies who terrorize the lands they inhabit. From those they can frighten, flame drakes exact harsh tribute, and they viciously attack any not so easily cowed. A flame drake can breathe a ball of flame that explodes like a fireball and are rumored to be distressingly fast and mobile. They are immune to fire, paralysis and sleep.
Tygora nods in an understanding way, "You are concerned for the Oread. What compassionate mortals you are! Fortunately, their ancestors insured my protection for their descendants as well as themselves. They were quite shrewd when they considered and decided upon their wish. I merely offered my services, they drew up the specifics. My gift was greatly appreciated at the time, such a shame that gratitude seems to come in such finite supply." She pouts sadly as she says this.
"But you need not worry on their behalf. I take good care of my charges, as I always have. I know well that you have catalyzed this reaction. Things will return to normal as soon as you have gone. The Oread will remain safe and secure under my guardianship, as they have for centuries. None will be punished for falling under your misguided manipulation. I did not hear 'overthrow an effective ruler' among your tenants, so I'm sure you see that a return to the status quo is for the best."
|
|
"It is a terrible thing when mortals try to reach beyond their grasp, isn't it? Especially when it's fear or laziness that motivates them?"
Rae speaks with a slight bit more confidence as he continues.
"The legends of things they ask for, how even the least selfish things become twisted and altered over time, especially when things conspire to help them along, isn't it? It's not their fault. They don't understand, they could never hope to understand the pressures that a truly powerful and important beings have to deal with, could they?"
"And they keep asking, and asking, always taking, never giving, never considering that by accepting such generous offers they're actually chaining themselves to the very words they think are clever, never even stopping to think 'why', do they?"
"And that's the worst part of it. They don't even realize that when they make such a request, take up such an offer, it's binding not only on themselves but on the granter of such a boon."
Rae points to the Liberty's Edge pennant that adorns the flag beneath the larger Glyph of the Open Road.
"Some of us believe in freedom. Not just for slaves -- though that's an important part of Liberty's daily diet -- but also for other individuals, trapped perhaps by folks too clever for their own good by half. Freedom is priceless. Freedom is eternal. Even you must yearn for it, Your Majesty. Am I wrong?"
|
|
I am happy that my spell are active... I think the wish have been twisted by something like a safe community... For iffrit.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Tygora's smile is too wide as she answers Rae's final question. "The freedom to act as one would like is indeed a rare and precious thing. Rest assured, you have championed it's cause here very well." Her eyes then scan over her "guests" and her smile begins to falter as she focuses on one of the men.
|
|
Rae sees the interaction of the one Pathfinder and puts on the best smile he can manage.
Eternal Rose, watch over them!
When he sees the Queen start to dart her eyes over to the Pathfinder being cautious and attempting to warn the party, there's very little time to act or speak...
"Since we are in firm agreement that the freedom to act is paramount, let us start with a nice show of faith on both our parts, then? After all, you have all the cards here, it's not like we can even perform any sort of attack on you without completely tipping our hands. What sort of fair price, do you figure, would be worth the lives of your 'guests', including that oread you've lumped with our allies? She must be important for you to have included her with this bargaining, so us removing her for you as a 'nuisance fee' could be agreeable?"
"And given the appetites of flame drakes and their disturbing propensity to char everything in sight with massive flaming spittle, perhaps we should expedite this negotiation before something untoward were to happen?"
He doesn't let 'fear' so much as concern and caution -- after all, he's the 'compassionate one' worried for the oread well-being -- seep into his words.
Tygora's gaze returns to Rae with an audible snap. Her eyes narrow for a moment before she softens her expression and makes a sorrowful little sigh and shakes her head. "Alas, Glaheri must stay here with me. She is, of course, one of my charges. I cannot entrust her safety to fleshlings. That would be a terrible dereliction of my duty, you see." Glaheri says nothing, but the defiant look she shoots Tygora as she raises her chin speaks volumes.
"But you seem to have misunderstood my offer. I need no payment to return your people to you. There they stand. Go on, you have my leave. Take them!" Beads of sweat are visible on the faces of your fellows you came here to retrieve, but they still do not move toward you. Their eyes wide with fear as they stand perfectly still.
|
|
Looking at her companions then at the embroided symbol of the winged sword on her vest Dailung ponders for a moment. Just then there is a voice in her headThere is but one option and you know it! Smiling the tiny girl looks at Tygora she speaks up. "Do you freely grab your snails, and get the hell out or do I have to use my blade to spank you like an unruly little girl. Your decision, but do not cry for your mommy!"
Tygora seethes at this offensive taunt, she shakes with fury at Dailung's audacity.
Intiative - Surprise
------------------------------------------------------------
Popol
Lars
Valeros
Lymwin
Dailung - Intimidates Tygora, she is shaken for 3 rounds
Rae
------------------------------------------------------------Round 1
Popol
Tygora(Blue) - shaken 1/3 rounds
Lars
Flame Drake(Red)
Valeros
Ifrit(Green)
Lymwin
Flame Drake(Yellow)
Dailung
Rae
|
|
"Coward Drakes breathe fireballs, fire useless. Act with "
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, M (a shaving of licorice root)
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Targets one creature/level, no two of which can be more than 30 ft. apart
Duration 1 round/level
Saving Throw Fortitude negates (harmless); Spell Resistance yes (harmless)
The transmuted creatures move and act more quickly than normal. This extra speed has several effects.
When making a full attack action, a hasted creature may make one extra attack with one natural or manufactured weapon. The attack is made using the creature's full base attack bonus, plus any modifiers appropriate to the situation. (This effect is not cumulative with similar effects, such as that provided by a speed weapon, nor does it actually grant an extra action, so you can't use it to cast a second spell or otherwise take an extra action in the round.)
A hasted creature gains a +1 bonus on attack rolls and a +1 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves. Any condition that makes you lose your Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) also makes you lose dodge bonuses.
All of the hasted creature's modes of movement (including land movement, burrow, climb, fly, and swim) increase by 30 feet, to a maximum of twice the subject's normal speed using that form of movement. This increase counts as an enhancement bonus, and it affects the creature's jumping distance as normal for increased speed. Multiple haste effects don't stack. Haste dispels and counters slow.
|
|
What should I do? Use my lightning bolt? I should know a wall spell. could have been extremely useful.
Should I attack her? It could be more hurtful for us. But we need to get them out first. Those drake are the more dangerous.
Maybe she can't attack unless procked. Maybe this is the trap! No stop. This is a white and black situation... Just don't kill her.
"I hate doing this. Protect our kin and find us a way out. ... We had it..."Popol also delimites a area his companion can't go. He uses his ring to cast stinking cloud.
He also urge someone to go close to the drake close to the oread to protect him. On his next he goes and cast him resist energy fire. (oread have now 20 fire)
-Posted with Wayfinder