Prelude
On the sparsely populated Tandak plains between Taldor and Andoran, the average villager can expect to face no more dangerous threats than a collapsing bridge, rampaging lion, or stealthy ankheg.
Young Stavis had made it through his fourteen years without facing any of those threats directly, though he had carried extra spears for his father on lion hunts and once, when he was six, one of his cousins had fallen into an empty ankeg hole and broken her leg. Vivane came out of the hole dirty and scared, clinging to the back of his father, also called Stavis.
There was also the occasional danger of summer thunderstorms that would sweep across the plains. His Grand’Mere said that the storms were the sendings of wicked Andoran wizards, but Stavis was pretty sure they were just storms.
He had awakened that morning to the surprise of a dry, dewless blanket and the troubled bleating of his goats. The morning air had seemed dry and brittle like winter, but the ground was hot like stones near a fire and snow was still months away. Regardless, he had gone about his morning routine, milking the goats, making a bit of fresh curd for his breakfast and waiting for Vivane to come out with her donkey cart, bringing him empty milk jugs and picking up the full ones. No, she had not noticed anything unusual this morning. Yes, she had brought him the sausage he had asked for. She and the donkey turned away, leaving Young Stavis saddened by her lack of interest in the world. Before the accident, she had been noisy and adventurous, but since the accident had slowed her gait and made her afraid to take chances.
That had all been hours ago, and the goats had stayed near his simple camp all day. He had checked his slingstones and Ankstink, an alchemical distillation of ankheg innards that would Grand’Mere said would ward off lions. He was surprised when dark clouds formed to the east and began rolling toward him instead of away, but such things happened sometimes with strange winds off the sea. When the clouds began to crackle with red lightning, he was torn between watching the terrible beauty and running toward the village. He didn’t even notice when the goats ran fled the camp, and by the time he decided to turn away, he was too late to avoid the whirlwind that reached down and plucked him up, ending his concern and casting him back onto Pharasma’s wheel.
When you arrive on the scene, you see what appears to be a small hurricane, approximately 20 miles in diameter. Unusually, of course, the hurricane remains well formed over land and is a massive wall of dark swirling clouds. The wall ripples occasionally with crimson lightning and spins out smaller whirlwinds and tornadoes.
The storm is moving slowly to the west, leaving behind a path of complete destruction, sand fused into glass, rock pitted with acid, the ground scoured by wind.
The storm is clearly supernatural in nature.
fixed evil hurricane link.
When news of the giant storm hit Absalom, Jacob was tending to his shop, enjoying a relatively quiet morning. It wasn't exactly uncommon to hear tall tales in a magic shop, considering the clientele, but something about this caught his attention. Not that he was an expert on storms, but he had enough sense to know that a hurricane dissipates significantly once you start getting fifty miles inland. And even those don't have a red, ominous glow to them.
The most reasonable thing was that the storm was the work of some spell gone horribly wrong. Or, depending on the caster, horribly right. Must've been one sick puppy in that case, he thought to himself over his morning coffee. Jacob sincerely hoped that the truth of the matter wasn't that grim, but previous engagements had taught him to be prepared. After his little meditation over coffee and casting his daily abjurations, divinations, and transmutations, he decided he might as well be the one to stop this crazy thing. With some help, of course.
"Hey, Ralph! How's about we make our way to right outside Andoran?"
It hasn't been too long since the trails in Hell. Except for those involved as well as a circle of Sir Orrin's closest friends, most of the world who knew him probably still think he's dead. But news of this sort travels fast. This is bolstered by the fact that Sir Orrin will not sit idly by. There is something driving him ever onwards. Adventure awaits, and the harrowing nightmare of Hell will not slow him down. Not even a little.
_________________________________
~In his home town: Neville in Iobaria, Casmaron~
The sun rises slowly, it's gold and crimson glow illuminating the small structures on a vast plain, the nearby woods, and the distant mountains.
The halfling sized temple to Chaldira Zuzaristan has been restored, the smoldering crater it became is no more. However, much of it was still shattered and ruined when it returned. The last week has seen most of the village of Neville working on restoring the temple to its former glory. Nearby, several pavilions stand erected outside the town, temporary homes to the many who came here for Sir Orrin's funeral, many of whom now stay to aid the townsfolk recover. Still, in these early hours, most are still sleeping. Nearby, a small army of early-bird halfling wolf-riders lead by a contingent of elite halfling raptor-riders stand guard and watch the going-ons of the morning. The repairs are nearly complete, and Giles Cantibiel (life-long friend and companion of Sir Orrin) is already up, working on some of the final details of the restoration before the rest of the village wake up. Despite the time, Giles has already worked up a sweat and is without his shirt. However, one of the other halflings does wake up, and considerably sooner than Giles was expecting.
A second sun seems to rise, coming from the village itself. Sir Orrin starts to make his way towards the temple, but today he is fully accoutered. His armor, shield and Lance all glow with light the brightness of day. There is no hiding his approach. Beside him walks Carolinus, his colorful and incredibly intelligent raptor mount. Carolinus is also fully outfitted in his barding and other gear.
Giles puts down his tools and watches Sir Orrin approach. As Sir Orrin gets close, Giles shakes his head and gives Sir Orrin an expression that is both a frown and a knowing smirk.
Giles: "Oh you have GOT to be kidding me!"
Sir Orrin: "Heh, you know me to well. This moment was inevitable. I must go on."
Giles: "True, but that doesn't mean I can't fight it anyways. We all thought you were dead. Everything we tried to reach you failed. And now, not only are ya gonna leave, but without me as well!? What the crap man! What. The. Crap."
Sir Orrin: "Haha! Things have changed, my good friend. You have a wife now, and I hear she's expecting as well, you rascal you! I can not, and will not allow you to come with me this time. Besides... I think... I may have found love as well. You and I have been through so much. The Worldwound, Sandpoint and Ilth K'hinax, Magnimar and... Penumbra. I promised your wife I would not speak fondly of the Kyonin brothe- ahem, temples of Calistria... but my goodness man I will never forget those nights! You were a devilish womanizer. I didn't think I'd ever be able to get you to leave." Sir Orrin cannot help but smile a broad smile. As he continues, his eyes glimmer with intense emotion: pure awe and a reminiscent love. "But things have changed. You have your own adventures to go one now, with your wife and future littlelings. But I must continue on... I must find my own way now. She waits for me, and my journey to her must begin..."
Together they sat in one of the gardens of Desna's floating castle in Elysium. They told each other stories of past deeds. Their gasps of awe and occasional bursts of laughter joined the never ending music, adding to it's harmony and rhythmic structure perfectly. But despite their shared joy, they could not do more than show and tell. They were both halfling, and both shone with the light of the sun... but the man shone because of his mortal magic, while the woman shone because she was a goddess. They had spent many days walking the halls of Desna's summer home, and their bond was growing every minute. Today, however, Chaldira was considerably more serious than usual. A serious thing indeed. They sat on a patch of emerald grass surrounded by the golden flowers of this garden, almost touching but not.
"My beloved Orrin. I have not met any, even amongst the gods, who completed me like you do. But as you know, we cannot be united as we are. There is no easy way around this... but that's part of the point. Something is going to happen soon that is going to take you away, and this will be the beginning of your journey... a journey that will bring to truly to my side. You have the potential, and the spark of divinity is already within you. You must find your own way to realize it though. It will all be for naught if I interfere or help, but I will help with these words: the journey itself is just as important as the destination, if not more-so. Part of your refinement will be through suffering, and soon it will start. This is not of my doing either... there are other forces at work that will draw you away, but I know you will face them head on and then continue to move forwards. That's one of the reasons why I've come to love you. Keep your heart, and one day we will be able to walk hand in hand wherever we please, and happiness beyond anything even I've ever known will be ours."
Sir Orrin spoke in return, but his words melded into the continuous song of this place. Still, Chaldira smiles and nodded, compleely understanding everything said. Then it begun... Sir Orrin started to fade away. Before he vanished completely, she spoke one final thing.
"Desna watch over us both."
As Sir Orrin faded at last, a single tear rolled down Chaldira's cheek as she closed her eyes and lowered her head.
After the moment of introspective silence that interrupted his speech, Sir Orrin takes a step towards Giles. His face is somber and serious, and he places his hand upon Giles' shoulder.
"Desna watch over us both, my friend."
Giles grabs Sir Orrins hand, and simply smiles and nods at his friend and former master. Tears well up in Giles' eyes, but his voice does not quaver.
Giles: "I understand ol' chap. Blessed is the long road, the destination, the homeward path, and all who make the journey. Let each dream be a bright star in the night sky of your mind, and let it light your path in the day. Do not be troubled if your dream falters, for there are countless stars in the sky and countless dreams to experience — pick a new one and change your course. ...But you damn well better write down a chronicle of your deeds! I may have books published of your deeds already, but there's more to come, and I know it's going to be epic! Keep in touch ya shiny bastard, okay? No more of this getting lost and presumed dead crap!"
Sir Orrin pulls Giles into a full-on hug. "Of course. Until our paths meet again."
After the embrace, Sir Orrin mounts Carolinus, and they ride off as the Sun rises.
__________________________________________
~Somewhere in the Whistling Plains, East of the World's Edge Mountains but West of the Castovin Sea...~
Where will I begin? So far I've simply been traveling the lands without much thought of where to go. Vudra has many school dedicated to the perfection of all aspects of life. Tian Xia is a whole new world of spiritualism and mystery. Absalom has the Starstone. Sarusan is reportedly ancient and primal, while the ruined isles of Azlant hold ancient secrets. Garund is the birthplace of modern magic, and holds the origins of such wonders such as the sun orchid elixir... WHAT THE HE-!?!?!
"WHAT THE HECK IS THAT!?!?! Carolinus rears as Sir Orrin suddenly exclaims his shock. Far in the distance, a storm blasts red lightning into the sky. A path of ruin lays waste in the ground before him, leaving a trail of glass and molten rock, all leading directly towards this distant storm. It is miles away, and would take many days to catch up... but it can still be seen. Carolinus roars and snaps his mouth, turning his head to give SIr Orrin an evil eye.
"Sorry friend. I didn't mean to startle you." Carolinus roars again, but it's inflection indicated a question of some sort. Sir Orrin pats the side of Carlinus' head. "Yes. Yes, we are going storm chasing. Look at the ground where it once was... this is no ordinary storm."
__________________________________________
~At the southern tip of the World's Edge Mountains~
"We're catching up. That thing... that cannot be a storm. This destruction is unprecedented. Wait-"
Sir Orrin looks up to the sky, but his head is cocked to the side and a single eyebrow is raised quizzically.
Most think you're dead. Heard you're still alive. Must try. Trouble coming to Andoran. Evil Storm. If alive, please help. General Andira Marusek, Steel Falcons.
Sir Orrin has received sendings before. He knows their sound, and knows how to reply.
"Alive and well. Good to hear your voice. Tracking the storm already. At southern tip of World's Edge Mountains. On my way. Sir Orrin Neville-Smythe."
25 words exactly. I used to be so bad at that. I'd always run out of words and get cut off halfway through a reply. Ha, I pissed of my old commanders so much with that.
"Alright Carolinus, things are getting dire. This storm is apparently causing some real trouble. Let's hurray! Hiya!"
Sir Orrin lifts his lance high, his banner fluttering behind them as they charge. Carolinus can fly, but he's much faster on the ground. The hunt is officially on, and they sprint to meet their destiny.
______________________________________________
High on the winds flies Katja, soaring over the land and water below. She is flying home to Absalom from a visit to a friend in Cassomir. As she travels, she notices a storm ahead. Focusing on it she realizes that it is not natural.
"Hurricanes don't retain their strength this far inland. This bears closer scrutiny."
Having been in human form she shifts to natural form and flys closer.
Katja looks for any creatures or other things of note within the storm.
Anyone who can succeed at a DC 30 Spellcraft check can observe
Katja
"Interesting. I must find out who cast this powerful magic."
Upon collecting Ralph, Jacob transposed the both of them to where the rumor stated the storm was. Greater Teleport was a wonderful spell for that sort of thing. As a busy entrepreneur, Jake found that learning that spell had paid off for him immensely over the years.
The swath of destruction was even wider than he had originally thought. The hurricane had moved on considerably, but still loomed in the distance. Just looking at it, he could tell something was very wrong.
"Come on, Ralph. Whatever caused this thing is probably inside it. You never see a mage considerate enough to be around something that freakish and scary." He floated along, following the wreckage as eventually a familiar face came into view.
"Katja? Well whattaya know, didn't think you'd be investigating a rumor like this one, too. When'd you get here?"
"Is it just me, or is this not your average Storm of Vengeance? I mean, this thing looks like it could give the Eye a run for its money."
Lvl 1: 10
Lvl 2: 9
Lvl 3: 9
Lvl 4: 9
Lvl 5: 7
Lvl 6: 8
Lvl 7: 7
Lvl 8: 8
Lvl 9: 8
Lvl 10: 2
Lvl 11: 2
"I arrived within the hour. I was on my way to Absalom when I noticed this large storm and came to investigate. I can see some some sort of beast in a wolf-like shape somewhere in the storm."
"If you want I can try to change some of the weather in a radius inside the storm if we want to get in closer to see what is in there. I want to know who used such magic as this. The devastation potential is very large."
A small grin crosses her face.
"By the way, you look cute when you float like that."
"Heheh, you flatter me as always. If you could do something like that, it'd be lovely. I wanna see what sort of mind could put... this into existence." He waved at the monstrous wall of wind as nonchalantly as he could to his old friend.
Probably unnoticed against the backdrop of this supernatural storm, a glow of white light appears in the distance. It follows the trail of destruction left by this storm, and grows as it draws near. If there were no clouds in the sky, this approaching light would likely not be seen, but the overcast shadows caused by this storm show this light to be supernatural as well... but not nearly as prominent as the raging storm.
At the center of this approaching light is a tiny figure, and as it gets closer its form becomes clear. The center of this approaching light is a Raptor being ridden by a halfling holding up a flag of sorts.
Sir Orrin has arrived on the scene! Upon getting close enough to make our the details of Jacob, Ralph and Katja, he waves his banner in at them in greetings. His small yet commanding voice rings out in the air despite still being several hundred feet away.
"Ho there friends!"
Carolinus gives a burst of speed upon seeing familiar faces chasing the same storm they were, and closes the gap surprisingly quickly. As they near to more appropriate speaking distance, Sir Orrin speaks up again.
"I say good day! Well, perhaps not, by the looks of that thing." Sir Orrin motions to the storm with his lance. "Still, faces I hold dear will always bring a smile." Sir Orrin bows to everyone present upon saying this. "I half expected to see Validk already here. Few things of this magnitude go unnoticed by him for long. Anyways, catching up will have to come later, it seems. As you all have a head start of observing the front of this event: what news?"
______________________________
Jake squinted into the light as Orrin greeted himself.
"ORE! Holy crap, you're checking this big thing out, too?! What a small world, I don't even remember how long it's been!" He embraced his friend like old times. "How's it been up with the temple and everything?"
He snapped back into cognition. "Oh right, the storm. I just heard some rumors of the destruction this brought. Figured it had to be some kinda magic. But it's a lot more advanced than most things I ever saw. Most time, a Storm of Vengeance has a radius of less than a tenth of a mile. This is... Well to be honest, this is a damn wall. Rumor says that it's twenty miles wide. Obviously, that's gotta be fake, but it's pretty big."
___________________________________
Katja flies down and lands next to Orrin.
"Hail! Been a while since we last met. This storm seems to have left quite a wake. Let's see what we can find."
With that, Katja begins examining the remains (or lack thereof) to see what can be discerned.
Katja sets a small part of her complex draconic mind to unraveling the energy of the storm as she looks carefully at what remains after is has passed.
Sir Orrin accepts the embrace with grace, angling his lance away so as not to poke any eyes out as he gets smothered by a man double his size, in both height and girth.
"I have been following the destruction for some time now. I believe that there is some terrible beast within this storm. Either it finds solace and comfort within such terrible occurrences, or it itself is the cause of this unnatural storm. Come and see..."
Sir Orrin goes a bit to the side and points out a massive rend in the earth.
"Claw marks from something... big. Very big. If Carolinus' feet were five feet long..." The rend is made all the more impressive with Sir Orrin beside it, as he is barely 3' tall. Carolinus is also 3' tall at the shoulder and 9' long nose to tail, yet his feet are only about 8 inches long, 3 inches of which are talon strong enough to disembowel a human.
Carolinus looks distraught and makes some snapping roars that almost sound like language: "你叫我小吗？"
"Hah, no my friend. Sir Orrin pats Carolinus on the side of his head. "But there are things much bigger than us both, as you know. What is within this storm is... massive."
Sir Orrin gazes intently towards the center of the storm, as if his eyes could pierce whatever was within.
Jake hunches over, placing his hand on his chin and wondering about the implications of Orrin's words.
"That seems to throw a bit of the wrench into the whole 'evil wizard summons a storm because widespread death makes him feel like a big man' theory I was working on earlier. Unless someone summoned it. But it wouldn't still be here if it was, would it? Plus, no spell I know of can summon something that can do THAT." He punctuates the last word with a grand sweeping gesture at the storm cloud wall.
"But I guess until Katja's done switching the weather, we're just sitting here on our hands..."
"Say, either of you hear of this new band from Absalom? Great stuff, really fresh sound. Got nearly a whole good song I could play with Ghost Sound while we wait, if anyone's interested."
Katja begins talking to nobody in particular.
How did it get here? Something like this doesn't just show up on a whim. Perhaps something drew it here? Impossible to know. What to do with it?"
She suddenly stops and looks at the other two.
"It is commonly known as a Storm of Wrath." Katja says. "It....it hasn't been seen for countless ages. If I remember correctly there is no way to kill it. Not that we know of anyways."
She paces back and forth while she thinks.
"If it cannot be killed that means we have to get rid of it. How should we do that?"
Jake paused. "Nothing in that sounds even remotely good."
He figured that if a beast were the source of this, a proper application of force would stop it. It seemed that such a plan was quickly becoming suboptimal. He certainly never heard of any story about a Storm of Wrath. Though maybe, he mused, that could hold the key, here.
"Kat, if you know anything about this thing, how exactly does the story go? How was the Storm stopped last time?"
Golthanos, The Storm of Wrath, is one of Rovagug's least known Spawn. Everyone knows of the Tarrasque, and perhaps you have heard of the recent reawakening of Xotani the Firebleeder. You stumbled upon knowledge of Golthanos in an obscure location on a previous adventure. A drawing you saw showed him to half a wolf's head and the body of a lean cat like a cheetah. Like a cheetah, he is said to be fast.
He also has a ring of tentacles that whip around him.
In the time of Azlant and Thassilon, Golthanos rampaged across this area. He was lulled to sleep by a legendary musician whose name is lost to time using a set of magic pipes. Many giants were tasked with binding him and tossing him into the ocean, where it was hoped that he would sleep forever.
As the storm winds diminishes in the immediate area, you make your preparations to head into the storm.
Even as the wind and rain diminish, strange electrical energies continue to ripple through the cleared area, bursting in from the storm as it continues to rage outside of the bounds of Katja's control.
Katja relates what history she knows about the Storm of Wrath.
"......and in the time of Azlant and Thassilon, Golthanos rampaged across this area. He was lulled to sleep by a legendary musician whose name is lost to time using a set of magic pipes. Many giants were tasked with binding him and tossing him into the ocean, where it was hoped that he would sleep forever."
"That's all I know." She says as she looks intently at both Jacob and Orrin.
Another pause hung pregnant in the air.
"The ocean. Really? Seems like that's one helluva drag to get that thing back there. Even if this is us we're talking about."
He tried to squint at the beast through the storm, hoping to size up the threat with his own eyes.
"I wonder if the Void would be able to put that thing to sleep..."
Jacob stared fruitlessly into the storm, unable to penetrate the rain and whirling fire and lightning. If the creature was near the middle of the storm, it would still be miles away.
"I guess it's not getting any closer. Or it may be. I can't tell. But are we ready to deal with it?"
Jacob reached into a pocket of his robes, pulling out a rod that seemed far too large to fit. A quick casting of Mage Hand gave him the desired aesthetic effect with his companions. He'd be sure to physically hold it one he breached the storm wall, but that was for future Jacob to deal with.
Validk found himself deep in thought as he contemplated an ancient text that one of his investigators had uncovered in Osiris. It didn't seem to provide any new information, but he wouldn't know for sure until he had finished cross checking and validating the names and dates in the ledger.
Why was it always the tax ledgers that survived? Why not a personal diary?
________________
Sir Orrin's curiosity is instantly piqued. He slowly turns his head towards Katja.
"Cannot be killed you say? ...interesting."
Sir Orrin's mind races with a variety of thoughts.
What a challenge! Essentially immortal? An epic battle for the ages! Can this trait be learned or passed on? It will be good to fight again! This seems far too easy... Perhaps the starting point? It has already begun.
"A truly interesting prospect. Fighting the unkillable. I must admit I am slightly excited... but moreso: I must face it, if only for the sake of those who have suffered by this storm's passing, and the threat this creature brings to those before it."
After a moment spend bristling at the though of such a battle, Sir Orrin sifts through his belt pouch and produces a number of valuable gemstones. Most prominent is a large diamond and a number of emeralds.
"Hmmm. I don't know much about magic, but I think these are the wrong size and type. While I will face this thing solo if needs be, backup would be good to have. Don't get me wrong, you guys are good, and I trust each of you with my life." Sir Orrin looks at Ralph with a bemused look on his face. "Well, in battle at least. I've heard stories of your strength, good sir. I look forwards to seeing it in action! ...However, should I fall, I don't know how I'd like to have you carry me off the field. Sorry, but I've heard stories of your strength, after all." Sir Orrin smiles as he uses the same phrase to imply both the good and the bad of Ralph's rumored strength. "Well, life over limb they say! Ha! ...anyways, as my people often say: the more the merrier! ...besides, someone like Validk spends so much time studying and learning and being sneaky like, he may have picked up some other knowledge on this thing. Pool resources and all that."
"You can't get rid of us that easy, Ore. I'd rather not exactly go back to a plane of evil and torment unless I have to, and if that means backup, so be it.." Jacob gave him a pat on the back.
"Would be good to see Val again, too. Maybe we could even get the gang back together," he added with a chuckle. "How's it been so long?"
Jake's attention shifted when the display of precious stones were unveiled. He shifted the lenses on his face in order to get a better view. "Wrong for what? Did you get these enchanted? Or would you just like to have them so?"
Sir Orrin cocks an eyebrow at Jacob.
"No, there just regular gems. You know, money. I don't pretend to know anything about how you folk bend the fabric of the world to your whims, but I have seen regular gems like these used as materials used to power that magic before. What exactly you people need is beyond me though, but I thought I might be able to help. Never mind then. I shall keep these for a rainy day."
Sir Orrin looks at the storm with a bemused look on his face, realizing that this may indeed be a 'rainy day'. Still, he puts meager collection of gems away. It looks like he's getting ready to start the march into the center of the storm. He straightens up in his saddle and lifts his lance (and with it his banner) upright. The light emanating from Sir Orrin seems to brighten slightly, and with it an aura of holiness becomes manifest as well.
"While I'd love to know exactly how to put this thing to sleep for good, the longer we wait, the more damage it does to this world now. Peoples lives are at stake. Unless this thing is simply going to teleport randomly once it is knocked out, I'd rather take it down now, and figure out what to do with it's body later, as in once it's been subdued."
Sir Orrin gives Carolinus a signal to advance with a flex of his leg muscles, and the intelligent dinosaur begins to step towards the storm.
________________________________________
- Allies w/in 1 mile: do not need to make constitution checks for forced marches. Do not suffer non-lethal damage from forced marches.
- w/in 120': Light levels increased by 1 step
- w/in 60': Light levels are Bright
- Allies w/in 60': +6 moral to saves vs fear
- Allies w/in 60': +2 moral to saves vs charm and compulsion effects
- Allies w/in 60': +5 moral to attack rolls when charging
- Allies w/in 40': +2 resistance to saves vs evil creatures
- Allies w/in 40': +2 deflection to AC vs evil creatures
- Allies w/in 40': Immunity to effects that exercise mental control from evil creatures/effects
- Allies w/in 40': may make a second save against pre-existing mental control effects with a +2 moral bonus
- Allies w/in 40': summoned evil creatures cannot physically touch you (creatures SR applies, CL10)
- All w/in 40': summoned evil creatures cannot enter this area (SR applies, CL10)
- All w/in 40': Negative Energy DC's reduced by 4
- All w/in 40': Positive Energy DC's increased by 4
- All w/in 40': Dead creatures cannot be turned into Undead
- All who are faithful to Chaldira Zuzaristan w/in 40': Freedom Of Movement
- Enemies w/in 30': Enemies must make a Will save (DC 16) or become panicked and flee as long as they can see Sir Orrin. Enemies who make the save are still Shaken as long as within sight.
"Ore, you don't need to bother with that. I'd be a pretty bad mage if I didn't keep those sorts of things on hand." Jake dug into another pocket, picking up a much smaller diamond than what Sir Orrin had produced. "Don't you worry none about it. I just need to figure out what exactly we should end up using this for. That's the problem with some of the more expensive spells, you know." He stroked his chin, thinking about how to go about dealing with the absence of the old wizard and the power of the behemoth before them.
"I tell you right now, that thing is going to teleport if I have anything to say with it. Let's see if breaching the gulf can stop all this nonsense. Even if for a little while." Though he felt like this was a challenge certainly worth pursuing, Jacob seemed a bit hesitant. "Though, first, maybe we should figure out what to do with the comrades issue. Think there'd be anyone else that could help stop that?"
"Perhaps I could be of assistance," remarks a new voice to the gathering of Golarion's finest and their conversation about the situation at hand. It sounds soft, young, and feminine, but there is a faint edge of seriousness in the undertones.
Rarely anyone would ever suspect that a little songbird in a forest would be anything but a little songbird in a forest. When further enhanced by powerful abjuration magic, few things could see through such an obvious but effective disguise. Well, that is provided that said songbird does not do anything impossible such as speak a coherent language.
"Hello, everybody. Fancy meeting all of you here," muses Nagato the Eternal as she lands on an empty spot of forest floor and quickly assumes a humanoid form.
It is not her Samsaran state that everyone has seen before, but round her slightly pointed ear-tips to that of a human and paint her pale skin blue, and she would easily resemble it. Her thick hair - raven black with small tints of a dark red - falls to the small of her neck. However, any further details of her face sans two silver-white eyes are covered by a Razmiran-esque mask. True to her actual form, Nagato is tall, easily above the six foot mark, but unlike many of her frail race, she looks strong and well-built. Her light crimson monk robes are fitted for somebody highly acrobatic and constantly moving, and the "half-elf" seems to dance lightly on her bare feet as she warms up for the approaching storm.
"I faintly recall witnessing the giants of Thassilon throwing that beast into the ocean. It took them ages to bind it and even longer to subdue it. I have seen what it can do, and I know that it must be stopped here and now." She begins examining each member of the group. "However, even between myself, Mira, the Champion of Andoran, a noble silver dragon in her prime, the richest sorcerer in Golarion, and his one-man army of a brother, we will be hard pressed in any fight against it. What of that wizard friend of yours, Jacob? We could use a good mind like his in the upcoming conflict."
"Unless I'm wrong... Nagato? Playing with different forms, eh?" Jacob pulled the metamagic rod back closer to himself, placing an end of it on the ground and leaning on it. "Been a while, hasn't it?"
He wasn't terribly pleased about how much effort it took to deal with this Storm before. He was relatively knowledgable on Thassilonians and the powers they held due to stories and talks with Val. If it took them that long, it certainly wouldn't be easy to deal with this thing now. He decided to press on the last thing she mentioned in order to try and tip the scales in their favor.
"Validk? He's probably one of the smartest wizards I know. Probably back in the demiplane right about now. Figure that if we get him here, he might help. Could know something we might not about this. Think you could give us a hand in getting him over here? Was just about to send for him, myself."
"Perhaps I could be of assistance," remarks a new voice to the gathering of Golarion's finest and their conversation about the situation at hand. It sounds soft, young, and feminine, but there is a faint edge of seriousness in the undertones.
Rarely anyone would ever suspect that a vulture in a tree would be anything but a vulture in a tree. When further enhanced by powerful abjuration magic, few things could see through such an obvious but effective disguise. Well, that is provided that said buzzard does not do anything impossible such as speak a coherent language.
"Hello, everybody. Fancy meeting all of you here," muses Nagato the Eternal as she lands on an empty spot of the fields and quickly assumes a humanoid form.
It is not her Samsaran state that everyone has seen before, but round her slightly pointed ear-tips to that of a human and paint her pale skin blue, and she would easily resemble it. Her thick, luscious hair - raven black with small tints of a dark red - falls to the small of her back. However, any further details of her face sans two silver-white eyes are covered by a Razmiran-esque mask. True to her actual form, Nagato is tall, easily above the six foot mark, but unlike many of her frail race, she looks strong and well-built and yet graceful like a dancer. Her sleeveless, light crimson monk robes are fitted for somebody highly acrobatic and constantly moving. Once she gets used to her new form, "half-elf" seems to dance lightly on her bare feet as she warms up for the approaching storm.
"I faintly recall witnessing the giants of Thassilon throwing that beast into the ocean. It took them ages to bind it and even longer to subdue it. I have seen what it can do, and I know that it must be stopped here and now." She begins examining each member of the group. "However, even between myself, Mira, the Champion of Andoran, a noble silver dragon in her prime, the richest sorcerer in Golarion, and his one-man army of a brother, we will be hard pressed in any fight against it. What of that wizard friend of yours, Jacob? We could use a good mind like his in the upcoming conflict."
"Unless I'm wrong... Nagato? Playing with different forms, eh?" Jacob pulled the metamagic rod back closer to himself, placing an end of it on the ground and leaning on it. "Been a while, hasn't it?"
He wasn't terribly pleased about how much effort it took to deal with this Storm before. He was relatively knowledgable on Thassilonians and the powers they held due to stories and talks with Val. If it took them that long, it certainly wouldn't be easy to deal with this thing now. He decided to press on the last thing she mentioned in order to try and tip the scales in their favor.
"Validk? He's probably one of the smartest wizards I know. Probably back in the demiplane right about now. Figure that if we get him here, he might help. Could know something we might not about this. Think you could give us a hand in getting him over here? Was just about to send for him, myself."
"Some do call me that, that would be correct, and it has been far too long," the druidic monk muses lightly as she stretches one of her long legs against the ground. "As for contacting Valdik, please allow me to assist you. Mother Golarion has seen it fit to provide me with the Gate spell today. That should make retrieving your friend easy and save on precious resources we might need against the beast."
"That helps as much as anything else. Shouldn't take us too long to get him over here, even if his hip does act up when it rains." Jake pocketed the gem and started rubbing his hands together. Interplanar travel was often a vague task, but if he could use his skills to help aid Nagato bring Validk forth, he could certainly try. Unfortunately for everyone listening, he wasn't the most experienced with plane jumping. His attempt to describe where Val's demiplane lie within the Great Beyond were punctuated with "um"s, "uh"s, "like"s, and other fillers.
Eventually, his rambling description of the location came to a close. "My apologies, but that's the best way I could put it. Sorry I couldn't be more specific, but if I didn't have access to his portals or if he didn't help me put a Page of Spell Knowledge together, I wouldn't have had a clue on how this sort of thing worked. That sort of travel ain't exactly my forte."
"Fortunately," he quickly interjected, as if to save face, "taking care of horrible creatures is something I'm much more specialized in doing."
Sir Orrin glances back as he and Carolinus continue to make their way towards the beast at the center of the storm.
"Ah, welcome to the event horizon. Negato you say? Interesting form this decade. Not much time for catching up I'm afraid, there's a beast that needs slaying!"
The dinosaur and halfling continue on their way, quickening their pace slightly as anticipation of the upcoming battle begins. They are not at full trot yet though... as much as Sir Orrin wants to charge into battle at full tilt, he has learned some restraint over the years... but it seems this restraint is only barely in check, and that Sir Orrin and Carolinus could go full tilt at any moment.
He yells back as he feels the urge to charge rising.
"Get Validk here quickly. There is no luxury of time on our side here. Actual people are dying! This thing must be confronted, and it's ire directed away from innocent lives and fertile lands."
___________________________________
"I am inclined to agree, Sir Orrin; we can catch up later," the druidic monk replies as she begins to casting gestures with her muscular arms. "Do not worry about precisionl; this portal will open right to wherever Validk is residing in the demiplane."
Nagato claps her powerful hands together, her almond-shaped eyes begin to shine pure white, and the earth quickly responds to her will. In a short three seconds, stone rises and twists from the surface of the planet, joining together into a great marble arch about twenty feet in length and height. Within the arch is an image of a certain wizard deep in study, rather unaware of what just happened.
"I believe you should speak with him, Jacob, and make it quick. I can only keep this Gate open about two and a half minutes," says Nagato as she slips into a meditative state.
Jacob nods, floating through the portal. "VAL!" He emphasized further with a poke of his quickening rod. "No time for breakfast and chats this morning, Validk, you've gotta see this. There's a Storm of Wrath right on the other side of this Gate!" Jake started wildly flailing in the direction of the shimmering portal.
"By the way, so are a bunch of old buddies. But mainly the world threatening, Thassalonion giant shrugging, embodiment of destruction. Long story short, we need some help. And who else to turn to but the smartest wizard I know, eh?"
Jacob pulled on a chain and produced a pocketwatch from inside his vest pocket. "Just hurry it up, though, we're seriously on the clock here."
Validk had been in the midst of a delicate mixture at his work bench when he felt the breeze of a portal opening, grabbing a wand from the bench he quickly turned. WHO DARES... He stops when Jacob comes through, oh, you know I hate it when you bypass my security arrangements! They're there for a reason do you know how much work I'm going to have to do to get ride of this aura trail?
Realizing that Jacob is actually talking about something Validk stops and recalls the last few seconds, World threatening? Well why didn't you say so before?
Validk slides the wand into a sleeve pocket and walks out of the workshop. In the hallway he stops at a blank wall, and concentrates for a moment before placing one hand on the wall. A bluish green shimmer spreads from his hand to cover an area the size of a door that shows a hallway leading off. Validk calls out, his voice carrying down the hallway Orsenn! Get your gear, we're traveling!
Turning around, he walks through the wall behind him, passing through an illusion Don't walk in that door, you won't like it.
The tunnel he walked in led forward a few paces before turning to the right. Validk took stock and picked up his haversack, quickly opening the various pockets and checking the contents before sliding it across his shoulders. Reaching past a nice cloak that reaked of magical energy, he grabbed the next one that looked somewhat more plain, a stain here and there, with one corner tattered.
Opposite was a rack of weapons, a lance, scimitar, a katana and wakizashi, all arrayed and ready to take in hand. Ignoring them, he reaches for a pair of boots and gloves on a shelf. Quickly pulling them on he whistles shrilly and heads back to Jacob.
Flapping past Jacob, a book wings down the hall and lands in Validk's hand. YEAH! You've been stuck in this demiplane too long! Are we going to go see that redhead in Absolom? She was cute! And her library...
Validk looks apologetically to Jacob, Sorry, the book has been itching to get out. Tapping the book, Validk mutters a spell and the book shrinks and twists, turning into a piece of silk ribbon that Validk quickly ties into his hair, pulling it into a pony tail.
Patting his pockets, Validk takes stock before looking back up, I'm ready. So tell me more...
Validk and his companion Orsenn step through the portal.
Validk and Orsenn give the appearance of a pair of human men, late aged, they could be brothers by their appearance. Neither comes across as threatening, a look at their aura's reveals only a few minor magical items, about what one would expect from a low noble and his knight. Orsenn sports a pair of wakizashi slung from his hips.
Jacob usually stayed out of Validk's wing of the demiplane. He had forgotten that he was so well prepared in all his endeavors. Even Val's workbench was cleaner than Jake's. But he was certainly aware of Val's ability to hide his presence. In fact, he was inspired by the old man, even taking a morning routine of casting personal abjurations.
Furthermore, it had been far too long since he saw Validk's familiar. It was always strange to see so much life inside of a book. Makes me wonder if Orsenn has more life in him than Val does. Or at least more of a drive to be outside.
"Well, to get to business, we have a Storm of Wrath." He started as the three figures out of the portal. "Essentially, this thing caused a path of destruction for farther than the eye can see. And is continuing to do so, really. We're wasting precious time as that thing keeps moving further and further away. The only thing that keeps the storm from raging on us is Kat's magic."
He pointed over his shoulder with his thumb. "By the way, Katja's here. So's Nagato, Ralph, and Ore. Really did wish we all met again in better circumstances."
The area where everyone was running was still protected under the Control Weather casting from earlier, but it was still obvious to anyone that the terrain was pretty awful. The ground was littered with glass and broken houses. Tree trunks that could've been from miles out were splayed in the ground. And, of course, the storm wall raged on not too distantly from the party.
"As you can see, we've certainly got our hands full here. Oh, I forgot to mention. This is a creature that apparently can't die. Nagato said that Thassalonian giants had to punt it into the ocean to get it to stop. I'm hoping we can find a better way to deal, as between you and me, I'm not sure where we're going to find giants like that. Especially at this hour. I've been thinking we may be able to banish it or send it to the Void, but I'm not sure about how well these plans are going to pan out."
Jake surveyed his surroundings. Detritus littered the ground and grew more prevalent in the distance. With him were creatures and persons of great strength and renown. Beyond an impossible tempest, there was a beast of great and terrible power. "Just like old times, eh everybody?" He smirked at the lot of them and sped forward, trying to fly at a similar pace to Sir Orrin's steed.
Ahead a little ways, the little mote of light that is Sir Orrin is making it's way towards the center of the storm, and making good progress as well! Every once in a while, Carolinus gives a burst of speed, closing the distance between themselves and the beast all the quicker.
As they go, Sir Orrin speaks in short bursts (so as not to distract from their advance) to his steed, Carolinus.
"I hope the others are not too far behind"
Carolinus (speaking Draconic): "They be slow sometimes. Talk. Plan. No action."
"Planning is how they survive."
C: "But no us!"
"No. We act. Solo if we must. But not completely on a whim. Thinking before acting can be useful for us too."
C: "..."
...'And so the bold fool sped off to face certain doom. Will he survive or become halfling paste? The light vanished into the abyss of the storm, and cracks of thunder merge with distant cries of pain and despair. Women from all over flock to his handsome companion as he watches the spectacle, to comfort him as his master faces this impossible peril.' That sounds like what Giles would say right about now. I miss that little bugger already.
"May Chaldira Zuzaristan guide us, my friend, and Desna keep us safe."
C: "YAY! Pretty lady friends!"
Carolinus' tongue flops out of his razor like maw with dog like joy, and Sir Orrin cracks a large smile as well, as the two head towards the beast within the storm.
________________________________
"Well, that's a face I haven't seen in some time." Katja says while looking down at Nagato. "Well met. How are your travels these days?"
Katja looks on as Jacob casts a gate spell. Arriving a few minutes later with Validk.
"Validk! You old scalawag you! How about we find a way to stop this beast before it destroys any more villages?"
Katja spreads her wings and gracefully takes flight. "Indeed. Hold on to something Jacob." she says as she picks him deftly out of the air and makes her way up to Orrin.
Catching up with Ore, she slows and flies at the same speed he is riding at.
"Ho there! Going to take on the beast yourself? Mighty tall order without some help."
Within the storm you hear a disconcerting rumble of thunder that lasts far too long. As it echoes across the plains, you hear a hornlike howl ringing at the edge of your perception.
Sir Orrin glances up at his draconic friend and smiles broadly.
"Of course! If it needs to be done, it shall be done!"
Noticing Jacob within Katja's claws, Sir Orrin almost bursts out laughing.
"Come to join the charge eh? Good on ya!" He yells at both Katja and Jacob. Sir Orrin's smile turns slightly devious just as Carolinus seems to gain a look of realization and horror.
Regardless of Carolinus starting to squirm under Sir Orrin, he keeps his devious smile and continues. "Gonna give us a boost as well?" He quickly becomes serious at this point. "I don't like the sounds of that howl."
Carolinus visibly shakes his head in (an almost panicked) disapproval.
Jacob didn't try wriggling free from Kat's grip. He knew she had quite the tough claws and could easily keep him from getting loose. Still, the whole thing was awkward to say the least. "Hey Kat, it's been good to see you, too. I appreciate the express service, but do you mind moving your thumb claw? It's right in my kidney..."
Jake looked the dinosaur straight in the eye and tried his own hand at Draconic.
As the roar cut through the air, Jake felt a shake down to his core. Whether it was fear, adrenaline, or some mix of both, he couldn't say. He adjusted the leather strap on his goggles and stared down the wall of the storm. Another casting of Ghost Sound conjured up some inspiring song to lead the team into battle. The party was about to start.