Macavity is somewhere in the vicinity of the castle walls. He might be able to hear the guards calling out and orders being given.
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Numair looks up from his converstation with Digory at the sound of the bell ringing in the distance.
It appears there is some trouble transpiring in the north. Digory, this is a test Sarenrae has sent. You are still weak and pale, and are not yet fully recovered. Do you choose to come with me, and see what you can do to help, or do you choose to return to our room and retire for the evening? Decide quickly, for time is of the essence.
He stands and draws forth a battle flag, unfurling it with a snap, and locking it in his shoulder-mount with a metallic click. He checks that Sandstorm is loose in its scabbard and that his wand is secure on his belt. As Calendir and Imbakur bolt out the door, he does a quick stretch, preparing to run.
Relplying to Ruul, "sometimes, bells call people to ceremony, or church. Sometimes they announce news. This one sounds like it's sounding an alarm."
Elen perks her head up, dropping her sewing, and runs to her room. She will put her haversack on so that all her combat gear is at hand. Ally will join her as they return to the common room of the Inn. She will cast Message targeting all team members present, which ought to be everyone except for Macavity, so that everyone can relay their words through the spell as needed. She will follow Numair as soon as he heads out, and draws her dagger with one hand.
Ally removes her wands from the holsters on her thighs, ready to use them if needed.
Calendir stands up from the common table as Lagash perks up his ears - It can't be... Can it?
He dashes out the door, to the front of the inn, trying to understand what may be the cause of the ruckus, staring off into the distance, his trained eyes and ears trying to pierce the veil of night.
Perception +11 (+13 vs. EvilOutsiders, +15 vs. Undead, +13 while in Desert terrain): 1d20+11
Lagash Perception: 1d20+5
You and Lagash step outside and at first see nothing. It is dark and only a few lanterns are burning in the street. Then, as if out of the black, you see first one, then a few of what you guess (or hope) are town guards, making for the trenches just to the north of the village, stretching from perhaps 100 yards short of the castle in the west, almost a full mile eastward from that point. This much you know from the amount of time that you and the others spent outdoors in the last few days.
Macavity is somewhere in the vicinity of the castle walls. He might be able to hear the guards calling out and orders being given.
You see and hear what is going on before anyone else in the party. When the warning bell starts to ring, it is from a sentry standing up on a parapet along the castle walls. A moment later, you see him pointing to the North. You look and can make out nearly two dozen creatures, slowly heading towards the village. You look to your right and can see that some of the guards are running towards the trench line that extends across the village. As this happens, you can hear guard captains bellowing orders to man the ballistas and ready the pitch. Then you hear a lower pitched voice cry out
You look up and see a much older man standing atop the castle wall. He is decked in full plate armor, with a few rust spots but still quite serviceable. You see a crest on his armor and shield, although you are not in a position to make out what it stands for. He pulls his sword out of its sheath at his side and point it towards the creatures. You look in that direction and notice more details now as the flying creatures are a little closer. Most of them are gargoyles, of that you have no doubt, although one or two seems to stand out in some way that you can't make out from this distance. The last creature, far larger than the others, is clearly NOT a gargoyle. The way it flies tells you one thing for certain. The dragon, and your new adversary, has been named. It is also quite early to the party.
Ruul picks up his quarterstaff in one hand and offers the other to help Lavinia up.
At first, Maulf hears nothing. Him and his daughter, Molly are tending to the patrons, most of whom are farmers in the village, drinking small beer and listening to the 'bard' play his tunes. At least, the gentleman calls himself a 'bard.' You're not sure what he is in real life, but a 'bard' he is not. There are about 20 or so people in the inn, including yourselves. You hear the bell first, primarily because you are close to the door when it goes off. You happen to look over at Maulf as he is sitting some tankards down a table, when you see him turn, as if listening.
You then see his face go visibly pale. He screams at the top of his lungs for everybody to shut up. Within seconds it is dead still in the room. Everyone can hear the bell now and the look on everyone's face is stunned silence. Before anyone can do or say anything, Maulf screams out
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He stands and draws forth a battle flag, unfurling it with a snap, and locking it in his shoulder-mount with a metallic click. He checks that Sandstorm is loose in its scabbard and that his wand is secure on his belt. As Calendir and Imbakur bolt out the door, he does a quick stretch, preparing to run.
Relplying to Ruul, "sometimes, bells call people to ceremony, or church. Sometimes they announce news. This one sounds like it's sounding an alarm."
Digory was eating a weak soup with a few root vegetables in it, while attempting to ignore the person attempting to sing, that is, when he wasn't trying to speak. Dear gods in heaven, I've heard cattle make better sounds than this yokel, Digory thinks. His stomach is still sore but at least is keeping food down again. The warm milk that Maulf had given him the last few nights had helped as well.
It appears there is some trouble transpiring in the north. Digory, this is a test Sarenrae has sent. You are still weak and pale, and are not yet fully recovered. Do you choose to come with me, and see what you can do to help, or do you choose to return to our room and retire for the evening? Decide quickly, for time is of the essence.
Digory had to ask him to repeat himself over the yodeling going on by the fireplace. He had slept there the last two nights, the warmth of the fire soothing his bones in a way that would have never mattered to him before that poison...
His thoughts stopped as the place went quiet. When the dwarf shouted a retreat to the cellar, wondering who "Malerix" was. He turns to Numair and says, "Do I have time to cinch my leathers on? I've seemed to have lost a little weight in the last week. Vegetable diet and all." He tries to smile at this, making a joke of it. His rumbling stomach says its opinion on the matter.
Ruul tries to keep the farmers from trampling each other as they rush to the Dragon's cellar.
"Who is Malerix?" the bull shouts over the growing din.
Maulf can barely hear you over the din. The 'bard,' completely oblivious as to what is going on, is till wailing on his stringed instrument. Maulf puts his hands to his mouth and shouts,
When the warning bell starts to ring, it is from a sentry standing up on a parapet along the castle walls. A moment later, I see him pointing to the North. I look and can make out nearly two dozen creatures, slowly heading towards the village. I look to my right and can see that some of the guards are running towards the trench line that extends across the village. As this happens, I can hear guard captains bellowing orders to man the ballistas and ready the pitch. Then I hear a lower pitched voice cry out "You will not lay us low, Malerix. We are ready for you and your bastard kin and we will drive you away as we did before."
I look up and see a much older man standing atop the castle wall. He is decked in full plate armor, with a few rust spots but still quite serviceable. I see a crest on his armor and shield, although I am not in a position to make out what it stands for. He pulls his sword out of its sheath at his side and point it towards the creatures. I look in that direction and notice more details now as the flying creatures are a little closer. Most of them are gargoyles, of that I have no doubt, although one or two seems to stand out in some way that I can't make out from this distance. The last creature, far larger than the others, is clearly NOT a gargoyle. The way it flies tells me one thing for certain. The dragon, and our new adversary, has been named. It is also quite early to the party.
Macavity fast stealths (double move) toward the inn to connect with the team. Good thing the clanliege is well-rested.
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Digory had the following items when he walked on the boat: +1 studded leather, +1 ring of protection, +1 dagger, a MW dagger, a MW set of thieves tools, potions of protection from evil, CSW, and fly, a backpack, fine clothes, some food (caviar, bread, and cheese mostly), and a belt pouch, which contained 10gp and 10sp. I'm ok with those items being counted against my share of the loot on the spreadsheet.
Numair grins broadly. "That's what I wanted to hear!" He hurries with Digory to the room, helps him secure his armor, and hands hum his masterwork dagger. "Now, I don't want you getting yourself killed, unless it's trying to save someone. Going to Pharasma now with all those black spots on your soul won't do a thing for you. So, keep your head down and follow me!" Then he runs back through the common room to outside, with Digory in tow.
Ruul, let's catch up to Calendir. If it's a dragon, we better spread out. Wouldn't do to all get roasted at once. Bet that's why they dug all these trenches. Clanliege is a smart man.
Once outside, Numair will draw Sandstorm and his wand and peer into the darkness. "It's as black as Asmodeous's Ass out here." He goes to activate the glowstone on his Wayfinder, then pauses. "I can bring some light to bear, but I will be a beacon for whatever nasty things are out there. You all may want to stay a good pace away." He waits for a response before activating the Light.
Digory had the following items when he walked on the boat: +1 studded leather, +1 ring of protection, +1 dagger, a MW dagger, a MW set of thieves tools, potions of protection from evil, CSW, and fly, a backpack, fine clothes, some food (caviar, bread, and cheese mostly), and a belt pouch, which contained 10gp and 10sp. I'm ok with those items being counted against my share of the loot on the spreadsheet.
Numair grins broadly. "That's what I wanted to hear!" He hurries with Digory to the room, helps him secure his armor, and hands hum his masterwork dagger. "Now, I don't want you getting yourself killed, unless it's trying to save someone. Going to Pharasma now with all those black spots on your soul won't do a thing for you. So, keep your head down and follow me!" Then he runs back through the common room to outside, with Digory in tow.
Ruul, let's catch up to Calendir. If it's a dragon, we better spread out. Wouldn't do to all get roasted at once. Bet that's why they dug all these trenches. Clanliege is a smart man.
Once outside, Numair will draw Sandstorm and his wand and peer into the darkness. "It's as black as Asmodeous's Ass out here." He goes to activate the glowstone on his Wayfinder, then pauses. "I can bring some light to bear, but I will be a beacon for whatever nasty things are out there. You all may want to stay a good pace away." He waits for a response before activating the Light.
Digory places his old dagger back into its sheath and thanks you. "I'm not sure how much good I'll be for you out there. I've never fought a dragon before, even when I was feeling good.'
Digory runs outside with you, but finds that he is quickly winded, his heart thudding mercilessly in his chest. Could it be that more than my stomach was seriously damaged by the poison, he thinks (not for the first time) as he tries to catch up with you.
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Neither have I. I simply pray Sarenrae will grant me the grace to lay it low.
Outside the inn , he looks around for the dragon, then thumbs the glowstone on the wayfinder and soon its glowing with its familiar yellow light. He then takes off running towards the castle, maintaining a brisk pace. He slows once Digory starts to pant. "Breathe deep. It will help." He sets off again, at a more moderate pace, but it's clear he is impatient to get to the castle.
"Azaraunt, should we cast fly on the mêlée fighters?"
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A Dragon... Things are definitely getting ugly FAST.
Calendir fits Lagash and quickly dashes after the others with a snarl to Digory, which only worsens as he begins to lag behind.
"He should have stayed back there" - he comments as Ruul assists the man - "If for no better reason, then simply because he is completely unfit to fight right now."
Quickly turning to the rest of the group, he questions - "What do we know of this Dragon - how can we best prepare?"
"Numair, do you want to be able to fly up and engage the enemy? I or Azaurant could make that happen."
Elen will run out (taking one move action to move 30 feet) and retrieve her spyglass from the haversack. She will peer at the dragon through it, trying to identify if there is anything unique or identifiable about this creature.
Ally will use her wand of shield to cast a shield on Elen and on herself. She will also try to help Elen determine what, if any, can be determined about the creature.
** spoiler omitted **
Macavity fast stealths (double move) toward the inn to connect with the team. Good thing the clanliege is well-rested.
There is no reply from Imbukar.
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"Azaraunt, should we cast fly on the mêlée fighters?"
Maybe to fight the gargoyles. To fly up to meet the dragon would be death, if what we heard about this wyrm is true. But every telling of a drake seems to enlarge it. Perhaps it is not truly as large as the stories we have heard. If the tales are true out best hope is to help the down as they have a proven way to drive it away.
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"Not much. It's attacked Gundrun a few times and been driven off each time but never slain. Based on what we've heard, it spits acidic slime of some kind", Ruul explains as he continues to help Digory along.
"And it's large... very large."
Spit was not the way it was described friend Ruul. The stories seemed to say it shed an acidic slime. I want to see this thing with my own eyes.
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"Perhaps the dragon's lair is close to the WorldWound? Who know what close proximity could do such a magical beast. Perhaps we will be looking at a one of a kind creature, some kind of new demonic dragon breed. This could quite a fascinating encounter and one that we should be sure to document completely." Lavinia looks quite excited at 'discovering' a new dragon breed.
"As long as we survive to document it!"
Kallistiel moves to the castle with the others. She shakes her head upon seeing Digory being brought along, practically carried, with them. What are they thinking bringing him along? In his condition, he's going to be more of a hindrance than a help.
When Diggory stops to catch his breath, Elen will cast Mage Armor on him , and continue on. She notices Kallistiel shaking her head at Digory's inclusion, and privately agrees, but doesn't say anything.