Grivem strides up, his bone armor rattling.
Magic? How?
I am Grivem. Before we accept your offer, I want to ask, which area does your tribe live in?
"The simple answer is north, out of the jungle. But though my people are vast in number, it will be very difficult for you to find us before I teach some of you the magic I spoke of."
What is magic? Why do you need us?
What is magic? Why do you need us?
"Magic is the ability to do things that defy logic." As he says that Tundelso produces a flame in the palm of his hand in front of you. "Much magic is more subtle than this. I can give a man the strength of a jaguar, the armour like bark, reshape wood, protect myself from fire and many other things. I can and will teach your people these gifts if you perform but a simple task for me. An artifact of power and value to my people is stored in a series of caverns 4 days west of here. Unfortunately the cave is protected by magics that prevent any of my kind from entering these caverns. If you bring this artifact to me I will teach your people how to harness the magics of the earth, to create fire with a thought, heal the injured, keep food good to eat, detect poisons and create water."
"That does sound interesting..."
"I am called Dovar and if it is strong warriors that you seek you have come to the right place," Dovar finally says, trying to conceal his amazement at the flame that seemingly appeared out of nowhere. "but what is it that prevents your people from getting the artifact yourself?"
"I am called Dovar and if it is strong warriors that you seek you have come to the right place," Dovar finally says, trying to conceal his amazement at the flame that seemingly appeared out of nowhere. "but what is it that prevents your people from getting the artifact yourself?"
"the caverns are protected by magics that do not allow any of my kind to enter."
Arda gives Dovar a cuff to the head. "Pay attention to his words brother."
Dovar glares at Arda and rubs his head.
Why must she always do that? He thought to himself.
Making careless mistakes had always been in his nature and it was common knowledge amongst their clan that while he was skillful in many areas, he did not have the quickest of wits.
Dovar looks this "king" up and down trying to decern if what this man was saying was truth. Dovar had a deep rooted suspicion of most people especially outsiders.
Dovar glares at Arda and rubs his head.
Why must she always do that? He thought to himself.
Making careless mistakes had always been in his nature and it was common knowledge amongst their clan that while he was skillful in many areas, he did not have the quickest of wits.
Dovar looks this "king" up and down trying to decern if what this man was saying was truth. Dovar had a deep rooted suspicion of most people especially outsiders.
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+2
Everything he has told you seems legitimate.
And so everyone is clear Tundelso's father Tund is the King. Not Tundelso.
"Tundelso, can you share with us what this artefact means to you and what it does, if anything?. I am also concerned about the magics protecting it and what they might do to our people."
"The artifact is of great value to my people. It was forged by the greatest craftsman of my people and is considered his finest work. Do not be concerned by the magics protecting the cavern, they were placed there specifically to prevent my people from reclaiming that which is ours. I and several other magic users of my people have examined the magics from outside the caverns and we all agree that the magics will not affect your people."
Interesting....
"What does the artifact look like?"
"What does the artifact look like?"
"It is a carved bronze staff with many gems inserted into it and a very large, blood red diamond on top. It is about 6ft long."
That sounds to be of great value.
How will you teach us. Will you stay here?
That sounds to be of great value.
"to someone with the right skills it is. But I offer much in return, for I will stay and teach your people the ways of natural magics and what price can you place on rapidly healing wounds, treating poisons or granting your hunters temporary strength, toughness or agility?"
I shall come too.
"I hope I don't live to regret this: I am will go with whichever of my brothers and sisters are willing, to retrieve your artefact!"
"Could one of you lead us to the mouth of the cavern?"
"Indeed, Elmesat will take you there."
I would be honored to hunt for your lost artifact with my brothers and sisters
Ayla smiles with a grin
"I'll come as well, as it'll seem like fun.."
Elmesat leads the party out of the camp just after dawn the next day, he is quiet but helpful. The first day of travel is uneventful. However shortly after you get up the next day you see a form on the horizon heading your way.
"Pokle, it would be best if the demon was not aware of my presence when it arrives. I will return after it is gone, likely it will not harm you." Having said that, Elmesat begins moving away from you towards the nearest dense jungle as quickly as he can.
Demon.... Won't hurt us... Wait, was it summoned to protect the artifact?
Ketu follows Elmesat's lead and tries to find cover in the brush while staying close to the party.
[dice=Stealth]1d20 + 5
He examines the demon to see what kind of a threat it could prove.
[dice=Perception]1d20 + 7
It looks like a very large red scaled flying reptile.
Dovar, who had readied an arrow on his bow, now held them limp at his side and stands, staring in awe at the giant beast that is coming towards them.
Everyone seeming struck dumb by the creature approaching merely stands there while it approaches then lands, its wings folding back to its sides as it makes contact with the earth, a slight rumble passing beneath your feet as it does so. On the ground the creature is clearly over 20ft long, with a thick layer of red scales over it's entire reptilian body. Its mouth filled with razor sharp teeth and wicked looking claws on each of four limbs.
"Greetings mortals, why do I smell the stench of one of the Tund here? I am Katagas secondborn, herald of the Unborn Lords."
Arda stands there slackjawed. W-who?
Arda stands there slackjawed. W-who?
The beast moves closer to Arda his head stopping about a foot away from her face. "Did. I. Stutter?"
Arda's more aggressive instincts kick in as it gets in her face. No, but apparently you're too dumb to understand the question. Who are the unborn lords?
Arda's more aggressive instincts kick in as it gets in her face. No, but apparently you're too dumb to understand the question. Who are the unborn lords?
"Ah this one has spirit, I like that. My task may set be a success. Your question was vague and unclear. Perhaps asking more than a one word question next time would be polite. Anyway the Unborn Lords are the leaders of my kind and all who would renounce their bonds of servitude, immortal, created not born. The greatest of their number is Asmodeus Neverborn, the first creation."
"I am a dragon. Those who claim the title of gods and control over all those they deem not to be their equals."
Grivem's eyes widen as he digests all this information.
Gods...
My task may set be a success.
What task?
Grivem's eyes widen as he digests all this information.
Gods...
My task may set be a success.What task?
"Centuries ago Asmodeus Neverborn commissioned one of the greatest artisans to ever live to craft him a staff. Payment was made, yet the staff was not delivered. The Unborn Lords have recently learned that the staff yet exists, but is stored beyond the grasp of them or their descendants."
A staff...
Grivem remembers what Tundeslo and his clanmates said.
We are looking for a staff too. It may be the same one.
A staff...
Grivem remembers what Tundeslo and his clanmates said.
We are looking for a staff too. It may be the same one.
"The odds of that would be incredibly unlikely, unless... One of the Tund was here with you. Sent by them as they cannot retrieve it either."
The dragon starts to move away from you towards the treeline.
"I can smell the stench of your cowardliness from here Tund. I am sure you ran back to your precious new home but the day will come when you will pay for your treachery."
Perhaps a history lesson is in order.
"approximately 700 years ago, Asmodeus Neverborn, the first and leader of my kind approached Tund, the leader of an order of angels to have his greatest artisan craft a staff for Asmodeus and bind Tund and his angels to our cause. But when the day came for the staff to be delivered, Tund claimed that he could not provide the staff. Asmodeus was forced to declare our independence then and there before our plans were finalized to try and sway Tund to our cause, but he would not. A war that was to be short and near bloodless lasted for 400 years and led to the deaths of thousands while Tund and his angels sat out, supporting neither the gods nor us. Eventually we were forced to retreat from heaven and the war ended. The gods banished Tund and his angels from their realm leaving them somewhere between here and there, removed their immortality and took the staff and other artifacts as further insult to injury."
"You say your kind are 'made not begotten'. Who made you and why?"
"the first of my kind were made yes, later generations including mine were as you say begotten. The first generation was made by the gods. To be their greatest servants, or put more properly; slaves to keep others in line."
"I am sure the Tund have made you some kind of promise of a reward, what was it, metal working? Weapons? Their petty tricks they call magic? I offer you true magic, that which flows through the veins of my people. Ours is the magic of power."
As he finishes talking he casts fireball far enough away that no one takes damage but close enough that you can feel the heat and blast.
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Ketu's whole body bristles with fear and exhilaration.
He stares at the claws from which the fireball issued looking for signs of burns and, amazed, sees none. He looks under and around the dragon for an accomplice in what must be a delusion and again sees nothing.
He looks, beguiled, at the beast's eyes: fiery irises, pupils ringed in bright gold like a solar eclipse, milky nictitating eyelids through which the beast continues to look at him.
"Your magic is awe-inspiring! We would be honoured, blessed, to know how to use it. But, we have nothing at the moment to give and can offer no guarantee we ever will. The future is uncertain. If we were to acquire the artefact, where might we find you to give it you?"
"Bring me the staff I and will train you myself. I will be at your village on the next full moon."
Grivem looks at the spot the fireball landed, then back, then the fireball spot, then back.
Whoah...
If the Tund find out, they won't tell where the staff would be. Do you know where it is?
Grivem looks at the spot the fireball landed, then back, then the fireball spot, then back.
Whoah...
If the Tund find out, they won't tell where the staff would be. Do you know where it is?
"roughly, but the Tund know the exact location. I trust you can do what is necessary if you wish to learn the power of magic."
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"I trust we can. I think we've tarried here long enough. Before we leave you, can you tell us roughly where the staff would be?"
"Also, if you don't mind, I'm curious as to why the enmity between the Unborn Lords and the Tund is so strong. Do they not want, as you, to break their servitude to the Gods? Or, is there something else you both deeply desire? Something else, perhaps, the staff will give you?"
Arda thinks briefly. This staff is a point of contention for both. Perhaps it's destruction would serve us better.