Boneyard catches the hint of a warning from Adalabero and rolls away just before the mud forms.
They are globes of gold, made by an alchemist we once met. Very rare and difficult to make we were told. We truly mean you no harm. We came seeking a key and believe it to be with a dragon named Sycorag. We thought we would look closer on this beautiful lake before journeying to the mountains.
The dragon turns and looks, eyes narrowed at Boneyard.
The dragon looks at the party expectantly.
Kracow, not being the most best at parleying, will offer his golden globe and indicate Bone has the verbal stage.
Mizaru, already on edge, moves fast when the dragon seems to attack Gunser. Unable to attack the dragon straight-on because of the muddy ground, he gains enough coherence to dash to the nearest cover instead. He understands nothing of what is going on.
"You mean to bribe this ambushin' bully?", Gunser asks, as the golden orb is presented.
Mizaru runs and dives through the mud then comes up into a crouch...somewhat blending into the ground coverd in mud as he is
"Easy Gunser and Mizaru, this doesn't need to be a fight..." Boneyard returns his attention to the dragon,
"I'll tell you that after gazing on your magnificent lake, it is clear that this Sycorag must live in the mountains. Perhaps if you could tell us more of Sycorag or even help us obtain his key we could provide you with even more gold than these globes."
Kracow acts as a translator to Varin and Mizaru. Adding that he doesnt think parleying is going well.
I think I'd bet that Sycorag has more gold than we do and given that you haven't claimed it yet, perhaps there is something to exchange.
You expect me to fight Sycorag? You truly are fools. Do not insult my intelligence! I have no reason to assault him.
Perhaps we are. But armed with any information about him you have, perhaps even fools might live. And I'm sure there are some pretty baubles you might be interested in.
I grow weary of this parlay. Make me an offer that makes me let you walk away alive. You have one offer.
"Very well. We offer the globes of gold now and all the gold we recover from Sycorag later. All we want from him is the key. It would be a terrible shame to foul your beautiful lake with blood and gore needlessly."
Will you submit to a lesser geas agreeing to such? That will suffice.
Boneyard smiles,
"Well, I can't speak for my companions, but I would. In fact, depending on your perceptions you might see a few spirits haunting me and they have a nasty way of making me sick as a dog if I don't keep my promises. Once more compulsion isn't going to make much difference to me."
DONE! The dragon booms, then dives under the water.
It returns from the deep a moment later with some kind of an item. Come close.
By your word you shall bring me ALL the gold you collect from Sycorag. Resist this spell and your death will be slow and painful.
You will return with ALL the gold you collect from Sycorag. It is mine.
"All right, I'm agreed to deliver your gold. Now, since we've been so nice, what can you tell us about what we'll be facing."
A dragon. Return with my gold.
With that it dives back under the water.
"Delightful. Sorry all, but at least we avoided fighting that one. Everyone ready to go see Sycorag?"
Our heroes begin the long trek back to the mountain, it takes 6 hours to get back to where they began, after two hours heading back, Kracow begins to sweat and shake, by the time you return to where you started he begns to double over. He looks terrible.
It looks that it will take 6 hours of travel to reach the mountain.
"Alright, I'm calling a rest. This man's not well. If you tell me he needs water, there'll be blood.", Gunser smiles softly.
"Boyo, what's the matter?"
Just need to cast a spell on myself. Time seems to slow then speed up up without notice here.
Kracow casts mage armor from his wand to relieve his overpowering desire for the arcane.
Boneyard looked worriedly at Kracow, but seeing the wand quickly patch him up again, he exhales a held breath and continues once Kracow recovers.
"Time may slow and hasten, but the sun remains immobile."
"That is correct," Mizaru says, looking briefly at the sun. The mud he's caked in has dried but it doesn't seem to bother him.
Small bits of mud flake off of Mizaru as he walks.
After 4 hours of walking Kracow once again begins to shake and sweat. {ooc] just let me know how you deal Kracow[/ooc]
Two hours later the party stands at the base of a mountain. There is interstingly enough a road that winds back and forth up the mountain to the mouth of a cave.
Takng the road will take 6 hours to reach the top, 3 hours to the top if you just climb straight up but that will be tiring.
"So no restin' then? No magics or such to prepare, nor sleep needed?"
Varin looks at the hill then at Krakow. We should rest now and gather our strength for whatis to come . And Krakow may I see if I can help you sleep?
The party pauses as Kracow begins to feel ill, still 2 hours from the mountain.
Kracow you have a choice to cast on yourself or let Gunser or Varin try.
How are you setting up camp, and is there a watch?
If you need to eat who how are you doing so?
Gunser will take the watches, Ring of Sustenance FTW.
Varin putters around and whips up a meal for the crew using some herbs to help increase stamina and restore energy more quickly. When its time to rest if Kracow will let him he will use his sleep hex on him with kracow willing failing the check...
Friends, though I have lived only a short time with this affliction, I do know that only spells affecting me personally can relieve this burning desire.
Not that I wouldn't be grateful for help but I fear I am plagued by a mystical affliction that cannot be cured without serious study into the arcane powers. I hope one day to overcome my physical desires and live on purely magical energies. But that day is not today.
Kracow realizes that there is something about this plane that is changing him further, and the closer he gets to the mountain the more pronounced the change is to him.
Alchemy
Nature
Mizaru rests in a corner, eating some rations from his backpack.
the above is for those who eat varins food