Sheela looks around a bit. "Be careful! Maybe you've been cursed more than Luurg and I."
"We were sent here to discover the truth about the supposed witch, Kolvi. I suppose that's you, whom used that axe to kill the king. He's still bitter about that beheading, by the way."
The ghostly woman nods in acknowledgment as Sheela recognizes her as Kolvi. When Alvard comes up, her expression grows grim and she sighs, "Ah Alvard. That old fool. So he's still hanging around too? Probably not, I suppose, since you have his axe." She tilts her head toward the axe Luurg is holding. "I'm sure he's bitter about the beheading, but I think there's more to it than that. I think the linnorm must have put its death curse on him, and that has haunted him ever since he became king, even after his death. I've asked him to help me fight off the beast since then, but I can't rouse him from his gloom and self-loathing."
"We met a few protectors of the forest, Olissara and Moss-on-South-Trees. They told us the king made a deal to hunt a Linworm, but broke his promise. And when you came to broker piece, he attacked. So Moss-on-South-Trees buried them in a snowstorm and you chopped off his head."
Kolvi listens to Sheela's story, but grows more and more confused as she goes on. "Eh...I don't know about any promises or anything, and I certainly wasn't going out to the forest to broker any peace for him. I was hunting a linnorm of my own! But Alvard apparently took offense to the thought of someone else--especially a woman--becoming a Linnorm Queen, so he came out with his posse and ambushed me to stop me from having my glory. Then some strange elk-headed man appeared out of nowhere. Alvard seemed to recognize the elk-man, and shouted at him, but the elk-man waved his hand, and a blizzard came out of the blue. The snow gave me the upper hand I needed, and I killed Alvard. Then the elk-man ran down, tore off the king's head, and handed it to me before running off into the woods. The others ran off after the creature."
She pauses in her story and lets out a sigh, "When I returned to town, there was obviously a stir because I brought the king's head back with me, and I would have been banished, but then that Varmood Coalbraid showed up and accused me of being an ice witch! I've never used magic a day in my life. I'm a proud Ulfen swordmaiden, and that's all I need to be. But Varmood's word won out over mine, and the people took me out of town and..." She trails off and motions to her own ethereal appearance.
"Next thing I knew, I found myself here. I can feel a sort of tug that I belong somewhere else, but almost as soon as I came to here, I felt the linnorm's spirit waking, and I knew I had to fight it. If I couldn't slay one in life, I thought, maybe I could do it in death. I've been slaying that same beast, time and again, for the past three hundred years."
She looks at Luurg. "Was it with this axe? We'd be happy to return it if it's yours. Also, please remove this curse if you can."
"No, that's Alvard's axe. If you took it from him, you must have destroyed what's left of him, at least for now. That's probably for the best."
She looks at Sheela and Luurg and sees a spirit hovering around them, similar to her own, but still different. "I'm sorry, I wasn't any sort of witch in life, and I still don't have any kind of magic to help you with that now. Maybe there's another way to remove the curse. How did you get it?"
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"So, he was jealous a lady couldn't kill a dragon? Pfft. You've been able to kill it for 300 years, you more than qualify." Sheela grins. "Although maybe you should take a vacation..."
When Kolvi asks about the curse, Sheela ponders. "Uh.. let me think." Sheela taps her feet for a bit. "There was a crowd. A crowd of ghosts accused us of being ice witches. Along with a man wielding a hunting knife. Heavily armored. I ...um, panicked."
"I think you guys said the knife was plunged into our hearts or something? And then crowd said something like:
"Twas magic laid our late lord low.
With Witch's deed he died.
Now forever fight Her foul ways
From friend and foe alike."
Sheela shudders as she recites the words, then grows quiet.
"So, he was jealous a lady couldn't kill a dragon? Pfft. You've been able to kill it for 300 years, you more than qualify." Sheela grins. "Although maybe you should take a vacation..."
Kolvi shrugs, "Either he's jealous of my strength like he was in life, or the dragon's curse has darkened his spirit so much that he no longer has the will to actually fight the beast." She pauses at the thought of no longer fighting the linnorm's spirit, "I've...thought about that. I'm afraid that I can't stop, or at least that, if I do let it return to its body, something terrible would happen. Maybe there's another way though. I'm trapped in these catacombs, but maybe if you all faced the linnorm before it returned to its full strength, we could destroy it for good!"
When Kolvi asks about the curse, Sheela ponders. "Uh.. let me think." Sheela taps her feet for a bit. "There was a crowd. A crowd of ghosts accused us of being ice witches. Along with a man wielding a hunting knife. Heavily armored. I ...um, panicked."
"I think you guys said the knife was plunged into our hearts or something? And then crowd said something like:
"Twas magic laid our late lord low.
With Witch's deed he died.
Now forever fight Her foul ways
From friend and foe alike."Sheela shudders as she recites the words, then grows quiet.
Luurg winces as Sheela replays the scene "Ugh don't talk 'bout bad magic ghosties. Dey ruin't all dis gud fruit fer me. Stabbin' Luurg wid dat cold dagger it did, said mean tings, not true tings." Luurg has the face of ultimate innocence (unless you are a farmer, then he is GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY!).
Kolvi's face darkens as you describe the scene of the haunt you encountered. "Oh no," she says, her hand over her mouth in shock, "That sounds like the day the villagers killed me. Maybe something about the linnorm and Alvard and me are all tied into it. I...don't know. I'm sorry, but I'm no scholar."
Kolvi explains her thoughts about the linnorm's form as you ask what you will be up against, "Do you really not know what a linnorm is? They're the stuff of legend here, and the ones who can kill them become legends themselves. A linnorm is a sort of dragon. Big, deadly, and smart. It's just a spirit right now--that's what I've been fending off for the past few centuries. But I think if I let it win or don't fight it, it will get its body back. So it'll be a dragon when you fight it."
She looks at each of you and sizes you up as warriors. "Listen," she says gravely, "No offense, but you all look like you've seen better days, and like you could use some help. I can't leave these catacombs, but I can give you some aid. Here, take these." She removes a ring from her finger, pulls the heavy furred boots from her feet, and finally hands over the large axe she had been wielding. As she passes them to you, the objects become corporeal and you can feel that they are in fact real.
"It's not much, but maybe these will be enough to help you turn the fight."
Through the particular songs and epics Omar has studied in his skaldic tradition, he recalls that a linnorm is indeed a type of dragon native to this part of the world, but one that lays a terrible curse on those who slay them. The hint about the beast somehow returning to life reminds him of the legend of Fafnheir, the greatest of all linnorms, who can be reborn from the body of his killer. He suspects that the crag linnorm that Alvard felled was a descendant of Fafnheir and had a weaker version of that death curse. The linnorm could be reborn, but at a weaker state.
He also knows that linnorms share some heritage with red dragons, and they tend to breathe fire and suffer no harm from it themselves.
Kolvi tells Spackle that the beast does have the ability to smell out its foes in the hunt, but it relies on its sight during the heat of battle. She warns, though, that it does have the ability to occasionally peer through any illusion or other trickery to find them.
Kolvi nods her head in understanding as Luurg and Omar suggest taking a night's rest to recover somewhat before facing a reanimated dragon. "Luckily," she says, "The beast takes some time to recover its strength from our fights as well. I think you could wait until morning, then return to face the beast when it comes. I'm afraid my time holding it off alone is near its end, though, so don't delay more than that, if you can."
With relief, you leave Kolvi for the night, hoping that the linnorm spirit does not return early and defeat Kolvi in her weakened state.
It takes several hours to retrace your steps back through the forest and across the fields to Frostbreach, but you reach the town safely in the end. You make your way to Gorum's Anvil and seek out Valosi again to ask her to prepare the spells to remove your curses once again. Naturally, she agrees, as a glint of gold seems to shine behind her eyes.
The next morning you wake and return to the Anvil, where Valosi is once again already awake and waiting for you. She brings Luurg and Sheela together. Luurg explains that he wants the spell cast on him until he can eat his beloved fruits again, so she starts off with the half-orc.
Once again, the spell fails to remove the curse initially, but Luurg presses more gold into Valosi's hand, and she casts the spell again.
At last, Luurg no longer feels the icy dagger piercing his heart, and his stomach grumbles hungrily as though begging for a taste of his most special fruits.
Sadly for Sheela, Valosi is unable to cast the spell a third time for the day. She will have to wait until another day for the curse to be removed.
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"Aaaand... DONE!" Tiffany hops up from her cross-legged position in a carved out snowbank. "Magical and mighty Trade Princess Tiffany has everything you'd want in a totally high-fash grippli. Protection from energy, bull's strength - like, I hope it actually works this time, Luurg - and lots of summoned friends! Let's kill this thing!"
With Luurg's curse finally removed, and everyone prepared with their best dragon-fighting spells and abilities at the ready, you finally depart Frostbreach once again. You trek through the Snow Elk Wilds as you did the day before, and once again use Moss-on-South-Trees's token to find your way to the catacombs where Kolvi had been locked in combat with the spirit of Alvard's linnorm for the past few centuries.
Just as you are approaching the entrance, you hear a voice from deep within calling out to you. "It is coming! My friends, it is coming!"
A deep, fearsome roar echoes out from the catacombs, followed by a blast of unbelievable heat as the spirit of the linnorm suddenly appears out of the darkness and flies past you. The spirit rises into the air above you, then turns and dives down into the crags above the entrance. The entire hill begins to rumble and quake as pieces of the bone that had jutted out of the rocks begin to pull free. Where the bones rip away, the stones bleed rivulets of molten rock. Dark storm clouds begin to form from the iron grey sky overhead, and in the midst of the clouds, you see two figures begin to take form.
As they escape from the rocks, the bones gather in the center of the clearing outside the cave entrance, and the body of the linnorm begins to reform.
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"Well, looks like it's time for the big finale. I'll call some help." After pulling some wands and flasks, Sheela begins casting Summon Monster 2 to call forth Clay the Studded, Small Earth Elemental!
The linnorm finally finishes assembling from among the hills and crags, and stands before you, its enormous wings beating the air. Though it has definitely returned to its physical form, its body is still patchy, and large sections of scale still remain damaged or missing. Thankfully, it appears that you won't be facing this enemy at its full strength.
Overhead, the dark stormy clouds continue to gather, and the figures take on the likeness of the dragon itself, and Kolvi! The cloudy figures begin their final confrontation, just as you begin yours on the earth below.
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Sheela finishes her chants and hoots. Clay the Studded arrives behind the dragon. With both of them on the ground, he slams into the monstrosity!
Sheela notices all of the lichen and grasses nearby and grins. "Wow, usually there's never enough plantlife to affect, but this time!" Sheela casts Entangle and the foliage erupts, trying to hold Clay and the Linworm down!
Clay barely notices the plants growing around him. He's ready to slam!
"Quick, pin the dragon down in the weeds before it escapes!"
Sheela calls another companion from beyond the Material Plane into the world, and the elemental quickly lays into the linnorm. Together with the encouragement of Spackle's song, Clay manages to slam its rocky fists into the dragons scales and deliver a blow, though it doesn't seem especially effective.
Vines and creepers erupt around the linnorm's feet, but it shows little regard for the plants as it lifts off into the air with a stroke of its mighty wings.
The linnorm flies to the southeast, then unleashes a blast of flame that strikes the ground in front of Sheela, then streaks forward from there to envelop Spackle and Omar!
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From behind the linmorn, a leathery-fleshed pink bat poofs into existence, its fangs as bright as diamonds. "Oh my, you're so totally cute!" Tiffany calls up at her pet. "Go on, bite that big jerk!"
The bat shrieks as it swoops down onto the linmorn, fangs out.
Tiffany smiles, looking up at the sky. "And now, I think it's time to summon a different kind of pet! Come on, lightning storm, greet your queen!"
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Clay gives the linworm one more punch as it takes off, noting the creature is no longer connected to the earth.
Sheela hides behind a rock just in time to watch a streak of flame race towards her!
Something inspires Sheela to jump to the left instead of the right, and she bounds away from most of the heat. "Why couldn't it be an acid-spitting dragon for once?"
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Luurg frowns a bit as the dragon flies off and blasts the group with flames. He shakes his head and takes out a pineapple and starts chomping it down. As he swallows you swear you see a ghostly pineapple begin hovering in front of him. After a blink though its gone.
As he eats, Luurg, axe in hand lumber ahead towards the dragon and Sheela. "Stay back Sheeeeelur, Luurg got dis big dead wurm now dat fruits are back!" His usual obese self seems to have thinned up, his ample gut now redistributed across his major muscle groups.
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Watch out! Incoming.... he tries to dodge the flame blast from the creature.
He continues his ragesong, trying to encourage his allies to join his song as he rushes (double move 40') the dragon with his hammer.
♪♫♪♫ Fight the good fight every moment
Every minute of this day
Fight the good fight every moment
Make it worth the price we pay
♪♫
Inspired Rage (Su) At 1st level, affected allies gain a +2 morale bonus to Strength and Constitution and a +2 morale bonus on Will saving throws, but also take a –1 penalty to AC. While under the effects of inspired rage, allies other than the skald cannot use any Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or any ability that requires patience or concentration.
Note: Each willing participant also gains *SCENT* and *2xCLAW* attacks(d6)
Clay strikes out at the linnorm again as it lifts off from the ground beside him, but his fist bounces off of a thicker set of scales this time, and he does no harm against the beast. Sheela, guided by some other force, dodges the linnorm's flames and is only lightly burned.
Tiffany finishes calling upon an ally from the natural world, and a monstrous bat appears in the air behind the linnorm. It strikes out with its fangs, but it can't find a weak spot in the armor to bite.
Omar tries to avoid the linnorm's breath, but is caught fully by the gout of flame. Luckily, he wears Kolvi's ring, and he manages to resist some of the burns through the ring's magic. He begins to chant and sing, magic flowing through his words to inspire bestial rage in himself and his allies if they will accept it. He readies his weapon to attack the dragon if it comes within his reach.
Luurg scarfs down one of his beautiful, unnaturally preserved fruits, and feels his defenses further bolstered by the power imbued within them. He advances on the dragon with Alvard's axe in hand.
Finally, Spackle dives away from the linnorm's breath and fires off an arrow at the linnorm with his bow, his own music empowering the shot. The arrow strikes true, but the linnorm seems to scoff at the tiny bit of harm it does.
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The linnorm snorts as a cloud of glittering particles appear around its head, and a small spout of flame burns off the little bit that was threatening the get in its eyes. Still, the beast is now limned with sparkles, so that's not so bad!
With more opponents crowding in around him, the linnorm reverses course and flies around Tiffany's summoned bat, until it has moved directly behind it. Again, it unleashes a line of fire, this time catching the bat, Sheela, and Luurg in the blast.