'Stupid oven, it may have broken my leg' Feeling himself drop from the ovens 'maw' Einar quickly ducks down and picks up his dropped sword, grasping it in both hands he swings the borrowed blade that the oven.
The oven snaps at Einar, taking a decent bite out of his arm, but being again unable to find purchase on Einar's greasy armor.
Einar then chops it into two with an overhand swing.
Timmy starts clapping his hands enthusiastically, "That was totally freakin awesome! Can you teach me to do that too?"
Searching the room yields a cauldron of brewing, and a book entitled the Wilewood Labyrinth that contains many ghastly illustrations of shadow creatures.
On the attic whisperer the party finds a fully charged disguise kit(10 uses).
Crates and barrels fill this storeroom, and a rack hangs on the eastern wall, dangling with kitchen equipment and utensils, above a shelf covered in small glass containers. Shallow laundry basins stained a rusty brown inside sit in the southeast corner.
Looking up, the party can see hooks attached from the celling.
A flight of steps climbs to a platform where a short ladder is mounted to the wall, leading to a closed trap door in the ceiling just above it. A single door is set in the eastern wall. The area is otherwise barren except for a column of clockwork gears that rises right through the ceiling above it. An icy draft wafts from above, and the ticking and ratcheting of the giant clock drowns out any other sound.
Listening to the eastern door, Einar hears a woman sobbing.
This comfortable suite holds a bed, dresser, chair and bookshelf. A large mirror hangs on the eastern wall above the bookshelf.
When Einar opens the door, he is faced with a Chelish woman with a tearstained face, frightened eyes and trembling hands. ”W-who are you? A-are you here to e-eat me?” She stammers.
Crummock looks genuinely shocked (and a little frustrated).
"Crivens! Why does everyone around here seem to think we want to eat them!?"
He then delicately eases his way around Einar.
"I take it that ye would be Bella? Solveig asked us to keep an eye out for ye. We need to take care o' the dragon upstairs, but we intend to rescue ye on the way out. Do ye think ye could keep an eye on the wee bairns downstairs in the interim?"
"Yes, I'm Bella. Solveig sent you?" Her eyes light up with delight.”Oh…I never knew she cared so much.” She says, as she hugs herself. ”Sure! I’ll help you keep an eye on the kids. You do know you’ve got one tagging behind you, right?” She points at Timmy.
”Ohhh – so you’re the legendary princess who sings in the tower! I’ll have such a tale to tell when I see the rest!” Timmy exclaims.
Einar looks from the girl to Crummock and then the little boy, "Crummock is right we need to put you someplace safe, is there anything you can tell us that may help us with this place?"
Einar approaches Crummock quietly, "Crummock that stove really messed my leg and shoulder up, can you help me with it?"
Crummock shrugs.
"Well, it was more a matter of two-birds-one-stone; we needed to come here, and since we were already on our way, rescuing ye was a delightful bonus."
He then nods to Einar, and starts healing him.
"Well there are two dragons, one black and one white," Timmy recites, "And you just showed the black one who's boss."
"Then there's a princess who sings, when she isn’t crying.” Timmy gestures at Bella.
”There’s Evy and Granny Nan, have you met them yet? And the rest of the trolls, and Bonepick.”
”Longrivich had me brought here after hearing one of my outdoor performances, prior to the martial law. He said if my singing didn’t please him, he’d gobble me up.” Bella answers. ”Sorry if I hurt your feelings by thinking you were going to eat me…”
'Which on of these two is the story teller? Einar looks from the child to the woman, "One at a time, one at a time." Holding his hands up. Turning to Timmy: "So the second dragon is the stove?" Then turning to Bella "And Longrivich was the troll with the axe?" Then turning back to Timmy:"And who is Evy"
”I think so. The second dragon was supposed to be black and breathed fire. The stove looked pretty hot to me.”Timmy replies.
”Longrivich is a white dragon. H-have y-you e-ever s-seen d-death s-staring r-right a-at y-you? T-that’s h-him. And p-please d-don’t a-ask m-me t-to f-face h-him a-again.” Bella starts stuttering, with fear clearly terrified of the idea of facing Longrivich.
”Evy is the girl the other kids talk about who led them here. Not me though. I was escorted from the orphanage by the trolls because I was giving them too many problems. Apparently they said I wasn’t properly respectful of authority.” Timmy proclaims proudly.
Einar looks from Timmy to Crummock, "there is a child who leads other children to 'granny'?"
"Yes, the other kids say its Evy. Why?"
"Can I come with you and help you slay the dragon?" Timmy asks Einar."And I haven't gotten your name yet. I'm Timmy." He shakes Einar's hand.
Bella shepherds a pouting, sulky Timmy down the stairs.
The party goes up the stairs and opens a trapdoor. There is the sound of jingling coins as the trapdoor opens.
This large chamber contains the workings of an enormous clock, with huge clock faces on the north, west and south walls. To the east, the entire exterior wall has been knocked out, and a platform of gleaming ice extends into the open air. A chill wind blows through the opening. Tracked rails weave in and out of the corners of the room, passing through five-foot-square openings in the walls. A block of clockwork gears and mechanisms runs to the celling towards the west.
The gleaming ice holds a frosty white scaled dragon, with its head is crowned with slender horns, and its breath streaming snow. It roars at the party, while mantling its wings, ”Who dares intrude upon my domain?"
Before going through the trap door, Mr. Whiskers uses the scrolls of Resist Energy on those who need it -- including himself.
"I had heard tales of you, Longrivich, and was hoping to talk." Mr. Whiskers says, moving through the trap door.
"Some accuse me of having the curiosity of a cat." he adds in jest.
"Talk then. If your talk amuses me, I may consider sparing your life." Longrivitch looks down his snout at Mr Whiskers.
Amuse them? Oh...they may not find me all that amusing.
"It seems obvious to me why many of the lesser creatures serve the witches. Lust for power, fear of reprisal, or just out of greed are the common answers."
As he says this, he moves towards the center of the room.
"In your case, it isn't so obvious. Why would someone as magnificent as you serve someone like the current queen?"
Gesturing towards the clockwork behind him, he asks "Does she provide something you couldn't get otherwise?"
Longrivitch puffs himself up proudly at Mr Whiskers obvious flattery and looks more at ease.
He lays its head down and his tail makes a lazy semi circle on the ice. "It's a cushy job. I get a cave," he gestures at his surroundings,"All to myself. The food is good, I get a fat pay cheque and basically anything I care to requisition."
So the dragon is just lazy? I must admit, that isn't the answer I expected.
Mr. Whiskers gives a small perplexed frown. "Although nice, it sounds like the queen is getting a better deal. Without your terrifying presence, I doubt the Winter Guard could maintain their position."
"Are you just being modest?" Mr. Whiskers tilts his head slightly to the side, looking at the dragon. Righting his head, he makes a sweeping gesture with his arm and says "Surely the queen has promised you more than just that. What has she promised you that you couldn't have taken on your own?"
Pausing again, he then speculates "Or is it that you are too clever to trust any magical gifts from her, knowing how her magic seeks to take complete control over all who accept them? Several fey were enticed by such gifts!"
No mirrors about. I'm surprised by that. Someone as paranoid as this queen seems to be must be exercising some sort of control though.
"Yes, yes of course. They don't have," Longrivich flaps his wings, "wings," then he shows of his fangs and claws, "claws and fangs like I do."
"Sure, I could have tried taking things on my own. That'd involve me possibly fighting another dragon for its horde, or dealing with people coming after me with sharp, pointy weapons." He sniffs derisively. "Why bother, when you can have things handed to you on silver platter?"
"Oh, whenever I see something nice in the market, I get it ordered and sent to my horde."
The dragon motions for the rest of the party to stay back.
"Yes, it must be wonderful having wings! Yours look exceptionally sleek." Mr. Whiskers admires them and wistfully adds "I hope to someday transform myself into a form capable of flying...although I doubt that I could ever achieve anything as magnificent as your wings."
When Longrivich motions for people to back off a little, Mr. Whiskers nods and moves a little further. I know he didn't mean me, but it puts me that much closer to potential cover.
"Does your name have a meaning in Draconic? I must admit that I'm unfamiliar with how dragons come by their names." Shuffling his feet a little bit, he admits "You are the first dragon I've actually met."
--- ---
"Since it appears that the queen has been having troubles keeping things under control, have you planned out where you will go after this?"
"Thank you, thank you." The dragon fans his wings to Mr Whiskers compliment.
"My name in Draconic means Death on white wings."Longrivich answers."There are lots of us around Irissen, but not many have as a nice home as me."
"The queen does NOT have any problems keeping things under control. The merchant square incident will soon be settled. You'll see. And I'm NOT going anywhere." Longrivich answers firmly.
"Please leave."
Mr Whiskers recognizes Longrivich as a white dragon but knows nothing about him.
I don't think it matters in this occasion as draggo has higher mod but my mod is +5. Also with heightened awareness up I can dismiss the spell for a +4 unit bonus (iirc).
Hirah moves swiftly forward, navigating the slippery ice, but being careful to avoid getting swept off the edge, as she yells a war cry, attempting to scorch the dragon with the force of her personality and bearing. Behind her, the air elemental's soar through the air, unaffected by the terrain as all three attack.
Two of the elementals hit, and Longrivitch does actually catch fire.
’Resistance to ice would be good/’ Einar watches has his friend begins removing scrolls for resistance to cold, ”Mister Whiskers, I would appreciate some assistance with such a scroll, I may be able to read it but stay near in case I make an error.” While his friend stays near, Einar reads the scroll setting the resistance upon himself the then activates his amulet.
Mister Whiskers is very brave attempting to save the dragon, but I think it is too proud to admit someone as small as my friend may be right.’ As the conversation comes to an end, Einar watches Hirah move first, sending her elementals into combat and then setting the dragon aflame. ’How impressive! Moving forward, drawing his hammer as he moves, Einar begins to rage Causing his Cambion ancestry to become very prominent. ”You should have listened to Mister Whiskers Lizard!” and swings the hammer at the dragon.
”Really – you ask me to get out of my home for NOTHING, and now you’re trying to kill me because I asked you to leave nicely?” The dragon shakes his head.
He then steps back and showers Hirah and Einar with his icy breath.
"I am sorry, but we need to get into the market quarter and it seems the only option we have is through you." Mr. Whiskers replies.
"Hirah, your friends have left no room for me to use my best spells."
Mr. Whiskers then casts his Magic Missile, pumping the power a little bit as he does so.
Mr Whiskers strikes Longrivitch with his magic missiles and the dragon collapses onto the snow.
Einar digs through the ice and finds treasure chest concealed in the ice. In the treasure chest there is a light wooden shield bearing a pegasus on it, midnight blue mithril full plate armor that had speckled stars on it, an Adamantine falchion with a ruby on its pommel, five tourmalines worth 50 gp each, a wand of silent image (12 charges), a wand of true strike (5 charges), a bone scroll tube containing a scroll of see invisibility, a scroll of scorching ray, a scroll of blink and 24pp, 628 gp, 1905 sp, and 7326 cp.
Mr Whiskers identifies the full plate armor as a +1 mithril fullplate armor, and the light wooden shield as a +1 light wooden shield.
The party launches one of the skyrocket fireworks from the tower as a signal.
They hear the cries in the distance as they descend the tower, and see smoke plumes fill various points in White Throne.
"Do you hear the people sing?
Singing the songs of angry men?
These are the voices of the people,
Who won't be under Elvana's rule again!"
Descending to the ground floor, they find Timmy bragging to the various other kids, "So that one," Timmy points at Einar, "Cleaved the black dragon into twain with his sword, then thrust his sword through the heart of the second black dragon." To be greeted by Ooohs and Aahs by the other kids. Timmy sulks when he sees Einar, "You're mean. You didn't let me watch you beat up the white dragon."
Bella is sitting on the floor, her face buried in her palms, shaking her head at Timmy's antics.
The party heads towards the dress shop with Bella and the other kids, rapping the backdoor three times, pausing, then another two times. The backdoor is opened by the undine sisters, Calah and Iryani, and the party makes good their getaway to the Shrine of the Everbloom.
Solveig is overjoyed on seeing Bella, and both Solveig and Bella embrace. Solveig is effusive in her praise of the party's valiant efforts and offers the Shrine of the Everbloom for the party to rest and recover, as well as replenish any supplies they need.
Both Mr Whiskers and Crummock know that the rebellion by the Iron Guard will not be allowed to last long. The moment word gets sent to Princess Cassioche, the rebellion will be swiftly and brutally crushed.
’’Mister Whiskers magical attack, finished him,’ Watching as Mister Whiskers attacks the dragon, Einar stops moving as the dragon drops and passes into oblivion. Releasing the rage, Einar smiles, ”That was easier than killing the stove, sort of sad isn’t it.” Shrugging his shoulders he begins to look for the dragon hoard.
Haling the chest from the ice and opening it up Einar whistles loudly , ”That is very nice armor and the Falchion appears to be adamantine also.” Then pointing at the dragon, ”Give me a moment I would like to take the hide as well. If we can’t use it Shui would certainly purchase it.” Einar then takes the time to skin the dragon with his kunai.
Einar descends the stairs carrying the still full chest on one shoulder and the dragon hide on the other. When he enters and hears Timmy’s story he winks at Bella ”Your getting the fine points down so you can write the song, right?” Dropping the dragon hide down so all the children can see it. ’But don’t feel bad Timmy, I didn’t kill the white dragon.” He nods toward his friend Mister Whiskers. ”It was Mister Whiskers magic that killed it.” He then gives the kids a tooth grin. ”I just softened it up with a great blow from my hammer.” He quickly waves at Hirah. ”And Hirah caught it on fire. You should have seen it burn!”
"I'm very sure there weren't two black dragons in the tower...And the number of black dragons is going to grow with each retelling." Bella sighs. "Soon there will be a horde of black dragons..."
Einar successfully skins the dragon and he has enough to make some dragon hide accessories.
"But I missed out the entire fight. And you said it caught on fire! It must have been such a glorious epic battle!" Timmy complains.
'Where does a street rat hear these stories?' Einar looks at Timmy and smiles his toothy smile. "It was the best sort of battle, we killed him, none of us were hurt." Looking around, "Where is this Evy that sold others into slavery, I would know if she is actually a child or something else."
"Evy usually sleeps with the stores at the second story, and pops around when Granny Nan calls. Have you met her?" Timmy asks. "But wasn't there supposed to be gallons of bloods and buckets of brains spilled in any fight? How long did his intestines stretch?" Timmy asks, with ghoulish relish.
Solveig informs Crummock that Nadya and Thora have left White Throne, for Ellsprin.