The tree around the sphere blackens rapidly, but the tree is very old, very hard wood. Once it starts burning it will burn completely and for hours, but it is going to take some time to get it to catch.
I cannot for the life of me find where I said how much fire damage it would take. Do you recall?
Grey nods. Legion disconnects from his face mask and begins duplicating itself.
Soon, everything nearby and able to burn started being drawn toward the tree like it was a lodestone.
A merry blaze soon burns as even leaves and grass are shovelled on the growing blaze. The group leaves as burning branches holding wasp hives catch fire, burn, and crash to the ground.
The tree around the sphere blackens rapidly, but the tree is very old, very hard wood. Once it starts burning it will burn completely and for hours, but it is going to take some time to get it to catch.
** spoiler omitted **
I don't remember. I was a lot. Something like 30 rounds. The bonfire should be sufficient.
The tree is old, hardwood. Centuries it has stood there, towering hundreds of feet into the air. Tons of wood, all of it hard enough to blunt saws. It takes a lot to start it burning, but when it burns it is a conflagration of infernal proportions.
The fire burns for hours, and it is a day till the ground is cold enough to search. Nothing of the Mites remains.
Were you animating anything? Speak now or it burned!
Hours later Simon is staring at the still smoldering ruins.
"Well, that was fun. Should we go back to the Kobolds? I'm sure they've seen the blaze. Perhaps it'll make it easier to make an alliance or perhaps they'll just worship us on the spot. Either way I can work with."
Two days after they left the Kobold cave the Runelords approach it again. This time Ambassador Pimkik is in the lead.
Two days after they left the Kobold cave the Runelords approach it again. This time Ambassador Pimkik is in the lead.
I'll translate quietly for you while others are speaking.
Somewhere in there i'll throw in "One of the first orders of business when we get some down time is that I'm getting you the tome 'Scholar Pimsler's guide to Draconic for kids'."
As you arrive the entire Tribe comes out, lead by a still-sickly Chief.
Pikmik launches into an excited speech, with much pointing. Finally he trickles a small bag of black dust onto the ground.
A crowd murmurs around Pikmik, but stays away from the group.
Finally the Chief approaches the group, coming to stand with Anglon.
"Pikmik אומר לי שאתה נלחם בשיניים שארפ ישנות בעצמו, ורצחת אותו. שיש לך שרפה את עץ קרדית - ההתלקחות שראינו מכאן. שיש לך שנרצח וגדלו סוסי הזמזום שלהם. ניצח אפוטרופוס העכביש הענק שלהם. אבל זה קרדית עצמם ככל הנראה נמלט ממקום.
אלוהים שלך ליסה-Lee ניצח האל הישן שלנו.שמאן צרח אתמול בלילה וברח. אנחנו נעשה לך כבוד גדול, ואנחנו ניקח אותך אלוהים כמו שלנו. אתה השמאי שלנו עכשיו.
הקמנו מושבה קטנה כאן, אבל זה לא הבית שלנו. הבית שלך הוא לשמור. איפה היית לנו להישאר, כאן, או שם."
"Pikmik tells me that you have fought Old Sharp Tooth himself, and murdered him. That you have burned down the Mite tree - the conflagration we saw from here. That you have slain and raised their buzzing steeds. Defeated their giant spider guardian. But that the Mites themselves probably escaped.
Your god Lisa-lee has defeated our old god. The Shaman screamed last night and fled. We will do you great honour, and we will take your god as ours. You are our Shaman now.
We have established a small colony here, but it is not our home. Your home is the keep. Where would you have us stay; here, or there."
Anglon, who doesn't understand a word of what the little kobold said, smiles and nods as his eyes dart around to the other members of his group looking for some kind of help.
Anglon, who doesn't understand a word of what the little kobold said, smiles and nods as his eyes dart around to the other members of his group looking for some kind of help.
Simon translats quietly.
Behind his mask, Grey smiled.
"It wouldn't be terrible to bring them back, but I can see a downside on both. "
Denat speaks softly.
"Maybe better to have them stay here, at least for now."
Denat speaks softly.
"Maybe better to have them stay here, at least for now."
"True. We can always bring them later if needed. "
Anglon whispers to Simon "Please translate for me."
He raises his hands and addresses the kobolds "My new friends, thank you for you generosity. Lissala would be honored to have noble followers join her cause! For the time being, stay here, rebuild, and grow stronger. I look forward to our continued effort to establish a new kingdom together."
He then hold Lissala's holy symbol up high and calls down a blessing on them.
Anglon whispers to Simon "Please translate for me."
He raises his hands and addresses the kobolds "My new friends, thank you for you generosity. Lissala would be honored to have noble followers join her cause! For the time being, stay here, rebuild, and grow stronger. I look forward to our continued effort to establish a new kingdom together."
He then hold Lissala's holy symbol up high and calls down a blessing on them.
Simon repeats in Draconic
The kobolds assent to Anglon's proposal
[Spoiiler=Perception Dc 17]
though one of them murmurs "Seems a bit soft" where he thinks no-one will hear him.
[/spoiler]
Still, nothing is between the group and their return home. Several Kobolds (including the ambassador) are assigned to accompany them.
Seems like these might be the Kobolds that the Chief is trying to offload
Anglon continues to smile like nothing is wrong mostly because he is completely oblivious to what just happened.
Simon Perception
SImon Sense Motive
Molly Perception
Molly Sense Motive
Edit: Molly Murmurs something in Simon's ear.
Grey was unconcerned with the Kobold's thoughts on the situation. Later, after they had proven themselves valuable members of their burgeoning empire, the Runelord of Charity would care a great deal. For now, though, they meant barely more to him than his animated soldiers.
.
"And so in the year 4713 by the old reckoning the Runelords returned to Hargran Stonebound in the place that would become Threshold. There Hargran gave unto Denat his Staff and sent his emissary out amongst the world to gather Hargran's goods, influence and allies."
This quote by Aevis Stonebound has been ready by almost student in the Kingdom, but anyone with an understanding of magic or logistics will see that it is impossible. In truth there was a period of about a year where the Runelords were performing different tasks.
Yes, Denat was the one who used the Staff most frequently, but he was always accompanied by others. An enormous quantity of Hargran's assets were impounded by the Chelish judicial system, but a significant amount was not in Cheliax and was still salvageable. Hargran's influence was mostly felt in the surrounding countries where it was used to gather the disenfranchised. As for all Hargran's allies being called it is obvious that this is non-sensical when considered from the perspective at the time: The Church at this point was little beyond a cell structure depserately staying undercover, there was no understanding of the potential ramifications of the new kingdom, and the Chelish throne had all but declared war. Bringing all Hargran's students and allies would be a risky, poor choice.
It was during this period that the first expedition to the Staglord's keep was sent. Intended as a reconnaissance mission it comprised of Taerine, Caillus and Arioch.
They never returned, referred to now as Lost Runelords.
Hargran forbade further expeditions while he worked on a countermeasure. For nearly a year he worked on it and sadly his notes from the time were destroyed by his death in 4714.
Meanwhile work on the city proceeded apace. The original trading post was converted into the original shopping district. An opulent residential estate was created for the Runelords, Hargran and their employees, and the Smithcraft district was established. In Sootscale village the Kobolds joined the kingdom, but continued to live in militarized squalor.
The kingdom was briefly attacked by a bandit probe, but Hargran and the Runelord's magics quickly saw them off.
Three new Runelords were inducted to replace those who were lost. Given the situation it is understandable that Hargran prioritised martial might.
As he prepared for his unveiling in 4714 seven Runelords were in residence.
The Charitable Runelord in Grey, bearer of Rune of Necromancy
The Generous Runelord Denat, bearer of the Rune of Conjuration
the Loving Runelord Anglon, bearer of the Rune of Enchantment
The Kind Runelord Simon, bearer of the Rune of Evocation
The Humble Runelord Ronald, bearer of the Rune of Illusion
The Zealous Runelord Valerianna, bearer of the Rune of Transmutation
The Temperate Runelord Taron, bearer of the Rune of Abjuration
The sun beats down on the still figure of the old dwarf lying on the conjurestone altar.
Next to him is a human figure - a servant whose body today is priveleged to house the spirit of Hargran Stonebound.
Around these two are gathered Hargran's seven Runelords; Denat, The Master in Grey, Anglon, Simon, Ronald, Valerianna and Taron.
Around these are gathered the students and masters second only to the Runelords themselves, kept in check by Hargran's bodyguard and enforcer Forsten.
The final circle is a crowd of villagers and kobolds, come to see what their 'king' has been working on for so long.
The dwarf gasps, and sits. He takes from the disoriented servant his staff.
"Runelords! Masters! Students! We are beset by..." a pause, as the energies keeping Hargran alive struggle to keep him breathing. Hargran - renowned for his long speeches, winces as he utters his next words.
"I shall be brief. We face something that trespasses upon the power of a god. Long have I thought on how to combat this - then the answer hit me. They may have a god, but so do we: Lissala! This day I intend to beseech her aid directly!"
Gasps from the crowd at this proclamation, and not a few in the outer ring withdraw whispering of blasphemy.
Hargran raises his staff above his head, intones magic words and raises his voice in prayer.
"Lissala! There are those who doubt you, but not us! We are beset by unbelievers and in sore need of help - but we do not ask for your aid, we ask for your advice. that we may raise a kingdom in name!"
With these last words Hargran rips asunder his staff, and reality.
Hargran has opened a gate and summoned Lissala.
The seven runes of Lissala, the runes of the Runelords, blaze upon Kurshu.
She turns her eyes to each of the Runelords.
Now bereft of runes Kurshu's bolden glimmer starts to pale.
As the subjects gather Forsten remains near at hand, black steely bardiche held at the ready to keep the rabble at bay should their enthusiasm grow too great. He had been honored to be brought from his long seclusion by Hargran to serve upon the council of his new kingdom, charged with maintaining discipline and serving the council's will. Now at the close of the first year of his new freedom he would be blessed to be in the presence of his god.
As Hargan breaks his staff Forsten kneels, bowing his head both out of respect and against the blinding flash of light. When he dares to look up again, to see the source of the wrathful voice he stares upon the mighty form of her herald, watching with awe as her runes are bestowed upon Hargan's preeminent students.
At her wrathful denouncement of Taron he quails, his grip slipping upon his blade, the force of her displease driving him to his hands and knees. The shock of hearing his name wrenches his head up to look upon her divine form once more. He gapes in wonder as the rune floats towards him, and he quickly scrambles to one knee again, firming his grip on his blade, and bowing his head to receive the stone.
As the final rune is bestowed, only then does he slowly rise to his feet, looking from the diminished radiance of Kurshu to the rune as it floats in front of his eyes, to the weapon he holds in his hands. <We have been chosen brother...>
"Truly a spectacle. I would have never thought to see such a being in the flesh, here on this plane of existence..."
Ronald trails off as his thoughts overtake his words.
Valerianna's eyes widen with both awe and terror as Kurshu makes her appearance, a rapturous look washing over her face just before the rune settles upon her. "I will remember. They will all remember, herald." Her words are spoken softly, but with a tone of steel, one part promise, another part oath and vow.
The Master in Grey knelt, prostrate on both knees before they herald of his goddess. He said nothing.
Nothing needed said.
Denat knelt, silent as usual, letting the herald of his goddess read in his heart.
Anglon approaches the messenger of his god and slowly hands over the mysterious relic.