|
Sirettis is caught off guard and is promptly engulfed.
"I tire of this." She scoots forward and points at the kobold who incinerated her. "May the moon curse you into a violent frenzy!"
A ray of moonlight strikes the kobold as it is Moonstruck!
|
As the wave of fire rolls up the tunnel and stops just short of Mr Pepper's cloak, his face twitches a bit with jealousy FIREBALL! That's MY spell, little buggers!
He watches Sirettis cast and he smiles "Interesting choice. Everyone do not attack the red kobold if he goes silent for a few moments. Focus on the others."
Mr Peppers readies himself to see how the Red kobold reacts, ready to unleash his own fireball if he appears unaffected and the others aren't in harm's way
"THAT is a proper fireball."
|
|
The red and green kobolds are Kobold Master Trappers, both have 5 HD, no resistances. They have evasion, trap sense +1, and uncanny dodge.
The kobold shrugs off the spell, so Mr. Peppers lobs a much more elaborate fireball into the cavern, engulfing the scaled creatures in intense flames.
When the flames subside, two of the kobolds are gone - reduced to piles of ash.
-- Bold is up --
Sir D
Red
Sirettis, Longjing, Mr. Peppers
Gallix, Uesugi, Cup
|
|
A narrow cavern to the east opens into a larger cave. A gently sloping ramp descends counter clockwise to an elaborately carved column of ice. A vast pile of gold, jewels, furs, and immense bones lie piled around the column.
Behind the column is a vast, majestic white dragon, whose breath you can feel on your skin even standing a hundred feet away. Two kobolds mounted on newts flank the entrance.
"Ah, come into my lair to loot and pillage? Or to foolishly attempt to slay me? You're not the first group of Pathfinders here," it says, its voice practically a roar. "And you won't be the last to die! For my grandfather, Grathatonhakis!" A cloud of frost escapes from its maw as it prepares to take flight...
A kobold gets the drop on you, and charges at Uesugi with its lance propped up on its shoulder.
... Somehow missing him.
-- Bold is up --
Mr. Peppers
Horralydax
D., Uesugi, Cup
Green
Gallix, Longjing, Sirettis
|
|
The adult dragon has 13 Hit Dice, and the follow big, scary breath weapon special attack.
Breath weapon (40-ft cone, 12d4 cold, Reflex DC 21 half)
The dragon takes flight, and hovering just in front of the column, it unleashes a blast of pure cold into the tunnel, hitting its kobold ally in the process.
-- Bold is up --
Red Kobold Battle Master (-25), Red Newt (-25)
Mr. Peppers
Horralydax
D., Uesugi, Cup
Green
Gallix, Longjing, Sirettis
|
|
Uesugi sends a miniature blade in the direction of the flying dragon. It disappears and immediately reappears a blade of blue force.
He lets the blade continue attacking the dragon.
Uesugi begins to cut down the the kobold in front of him.
|
|
Sirettis recalls these white dragons have the following saves: Fort +13, Ref +9, Will +10, and SR 21.
The dragon's roar causes the entire cavern to tremble when D zaps it with negative energy. Uesugi's magical sword cuts a small wound into its side, but Uesugi himself has no luck hitting the kobold in front of him.
The remaining kobold cavalier smacks his newt, who bounds across the cavern with its lance aimed at Gallix's midsection.
It also fails to hit.
-- Bold is up --
Red Kobold Battle Master (-25), Red Newt (-25)
Mr. Peppers
Horralydax (-56)
D. (-4), Uesugi (-25), Cup (-12)
Green
Gallix, Longjing, Sirettis (-5)
|
|
"The only one who will have overwhelming grief is you... After you watch your friends freeze and shatter into ice. Perhaps you can pick up their pieces before they melt away," the dragon taunts, having saved against the spell.
-- Bold is up --
Red Kobold Battle Master (-25), Red Newt (-25)
Mr. Peppers
Horralydax (-56)
D. (-4), Uesugi (-25), Cup (-12)
Green
Gallix, Longjing, Sirettis (-5)
|
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
Before foolishly charging in to face a real dragon, Gallix lights up his mutagen, then tosses back a potion that makes his skin pull even tighter against his enhanced musculature, practically making him look as if he has grown scales to rival the dragon's.
Gallix takes the brunt of the dragon's icy breath, and is about to flee in fear from its menacing gaze, but he masters himself and turns to face his fears. Unfortunately there's currently a pair of kobolds in the way, so he steps behind his bald and brave battle buddy, then strikes out with his super fast fists!
|
|
Gallix's fists are both super fast and super accurate! His final punch throws the kobold up into the air and against the dragon's belly, who takes offense at the gesture and decides kobold is on today's lunch menu.
Seeing his master slaughtered, the Ice Newt scrambles off deeper into the cavern.
-- Bold is up --
Newt (-25)
Mr. Peppers
Horralydax (-56)
D. (-4), Uesugi (-25), Cup (-12)
Green
Gallix, Longjing, Sirettis (-5)
|
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Brave, brave Mr Peppers hikes up his robes and heads back to the fray, eager to test his magic against the most powerful dragon they've yet to face. "Let's see how resistant to fire you've become Dragon. Hopefully not very..." He pulls out his favorite ball of bat s~~~ and rolls it between his fingers before releasing it into the cold air. It floats and flies off into the open cavern between the kobold and his master. Exploding into a mass of scorching flames!
|
|
The dragon is scorched by the the heat of a thousand suns when Mr. Peppers drops a ball of flames into the heart of the cavern. Even the kobold and his mount aren't safe from the fire, and the kobold cries out as his fancy battle banner burns up in flames.
Unfortunately, when the smoke clears, the grand dragon remains, flapping his scorched wings with narrowed eyes.
"Frail elf, you thought that would have been enough, didn't you? Now you will know how foolish your attempts were when you face cold, icy death!" It rears its head back and inhales deeply before exhaling another plume of pure frost.
The remaining kobold battle master and its pet are frozen solid from the blast.
-- Bold is up --
Newt (-25)
Mr. Peppers
Horralydax (-107)
D. (-4), Uesugi (-25), Cup (-12)
Gallix, Longjing (-25, frightened), Sirettis (-5)
|
|
The post coitus, er post fireball smile on Tall, Dark and Naive quickly turns to a smirk as the Dragon comes out of the fire with a heartbeat. "Looks like you haven't learned to deal with fire very wel..." And his smirk quickly turns into mouth agape as another blast of cold hits him square in the face.
Ow.
“RAWWWWWWWWK!”
The mighty dragon flees.
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
After D dons his mask, he moves ahead and throws a watermelon-sized ball of purple and black negative energy at the dragon's face. The creature roars in pain as the energy courses through it's body, burning it from within. The dragon plummets into the ground, the resulting crash nearly toppling the center pillar and sending a thick plume of dust and ice into the cavern.
|
|
"Before everyone is overcome with lust for dragon treasure be sure you keep your eyes peeled for more kobolds and their annoying little traps!" His eyes do steer towards that ice column and the twinkle of gold and gems though...
He turns on his blue-eyed charms and starts scanning the room for goodies and/or baddies.
|
|
Gallix suffers yet another blast of cold from the dragon, but is able to bundle up in his cloak enough to avoid the full blast.
When the frost drifting in the air clears, he is astounded mildly interested to see a fiery explosion followed by an enormous globe of dark energy shoot across the cavern from his friends and destroy the dragon. Satisfied by the team's work, he stretches and yawns loudly. "Well, I'm bummed I didn't get to lay the smack-down on the dragon myself, but I suppose I did a number on one of his little minions at least. Good work, folks!"
With an easy swagger, Gallix moves further along the cavern and looks around for any sign of a trap laid by the kobolds.
"Nah, Peppers, I don't think we need to worry about traps in here," he says confidently. "I doubt the big guy'd be all that pleased about a bunch of his lackeys setting up trip wires around his lair anyway."
|
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
With the dragons defeated and their kobolds fleeing, the Pathfinders assemble in the deep cave. With her phantom Anok in tow, Medda approaches the frozen column and brushes away the outer layer of frost. Frozen within the column is a dwarven woman in steel armor, her body torn as if by immense claws. With her hand pressed against the ice, Medda pleads. “Ivvora, I have found you. Now what? Vildeis said to find you and that you would help me, but how can we help you in this state?”
“You look to me when you should look to the evil that stalks our homeland. It is not I who needs help,” declares a voice that is both sweet as music and powerful as a thunderstorm. The frost melts away from the column, revealing dozens of clear facets that dribble melt water as if from open wounds. The image of a wounded angelic figure reflects in each facet, simultaneously warming the chamber and judging all that the angel sees. “As you can see, I serve Vildeis more directly than before.” The images look to Anok. “I see you took your oath seriously, Anok. I was wrong to have doubted your conviction. How are our people?”
The red phantom’s hue turns rosier as he looks to Medda and responds, “You would be proud.”
With a nod, the angel addresses everyone at once. “Then why do you seek me?”[b/]
[b]“Eshimka has returned,” Medda announces. “We fought off the horror once, but it shall return at the next solstice.”
The angel’s eyes flare with righteous fire. “Then you will need a weapon to defeat it, as I had. Vildeis granted me the blade that I gave your people, but only after I thought I had given everything to vanquish my greatest foe. Even now I can sense evil has returned to that land, far to the south in a forest where the Whispering Tyrant’s legions once ruled. Show our patron Vildeis the same dedication that I did, and I shall ask that she equip you in the same way.” With that, the angelic images fade from the melting column.
Medda addresses the gathered Pathfinders. “I believe I know the forests Ivvora mentioned. You have already done so much, Pathfinders, but I invite you to help more. After I give Ivvora the burial she deserves, I will set forth with all who are able and willing for the Fangwood.”
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Mr Peppers bows and smiles at Medda "I'm sure I speak for all of the Red Arm when I say we would be most pleased to assist in the coming trip to the Forest. Contact us when the time is right, but until then we likely have other business to deal with across this world, and beyond."
He casts a spell and begins to clean himself of the clinging ice crystals and now settling kobold ashes. The one drawback... "Let's gather what we can of use to fund our future heroics.. I have my eye on more potent equipment!" He concentrates on the dragon hoard and a fiery red gem floats towards his hand. He grabs it up and repeats it on a gleaming green gem, stopping it mid flight to redirect it to Miss Cup. "I believe this matches your boots nicely."
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
D. Severs the dragon's head after some effort, and hovers it on the way back.
"I believe that is the most I've seen you use that red blade of yours in some time. You should name it your trophy collector or maybe something a bit wittier." As he watches the slice and dice all he can think in his head is Voooom! Vooom! with every swing.
|
|
Sirettis doesn't care much about the gore, but... "Please be careful about showing the dragon's head to the tribe. They may be offended by the display, Sir... er... D?" Sirettis guesses the proper greeting.
Over the next few days, Sirettis tries to revisit the dryad and speaks to her about the court and her life in general. The idea of seclusion is intriguing. She knows all too well of the need to be alone. Yet something drives her to seek friends and allies.
Also hey, another look at the Fey Court is worth the risk.
|
|
Following a strange sort of time loop that brought you back to the Realm of the Mammoth Lords, you return to Absalom for some casual rest, relaxation, or perhaps redecorating of your estates. Within a few days, a tiny air mephit delivers a memo requesting your presence in the Plane of Air. The Society has provided easy access to the plane by hopping through a stable, cloud-lined portal in Grand Lodge. A whirlwind picks you up and propels you forward through the skies for what seems like eternity, and then, it slows to a breeze and deposits you at the front of a building in Port Eclipse.
The rowdy town of Port Eclipse stretches out in all directions and soars overhead, its buildings clinging to the inside of a hollow sphere of rock. Gaps in the sphere open to boundless blue skies. Docks protrude from the gaps, extending into the endless expanse of the Plane of Air. From these, airships of all shapes and sizes dock and depart in a regular stream. Many of the bustling port’s inhabitants soar freely through the open air.
The circular front door to a domeshaped building swings open. Venture Captain Norden Balentiir stands in the doorway. "Thank you all for journeying here," he says, "Come inside, and watch your step."
As the venture-captain backs into the room, he points to its oddly sloping floor. The dome-shaped building’s interior is roughly spherical, with chairs bolted to all of its walls and a cylindrical dais floating in its center.
A tall and handsome suli man with pale blue eyes that glow with electric radiance hovers in the air by the dais. A wispy dust cloud slowly circles the suli’s head, making whooshing noises as it moves. Balentiir speaks, "I hope those of you unfamiliar with planar transit don’t find the process unsettling. I, myself, try not to eat for a few hours before crossing a planar boundary." He smiles cordially. "If any of you haven’t met him before now, permit me to present our friend, ally," his voice takes on a wry tone, "and host, as this building belongs to his organization. Ashasar, Liaison to the Seat of Balance of the Concordance of Elements."
The suli inclines his head with a welcoming smile. Balentiir goes on, "In case you aren’t familiar with recent events, let me catch you up. After some initial misunderstandings between our groups," Ashasar looks aside at Balentiir and shrugs, "We have come to terms and are working toward the same goal: releasing the captive elemental lord, Ranginori, from his imprisoning artifact—the Untouchable Opal. This goal has attracted the attention of the other Lord of Air, Hshurha, who does not want to see her rival freed. Accordingly, she has begun mobilizing her forces against both our organizations."
"Which has only furthered our cooperation." Ashasar finishes, and then takes over. "So, we are trying to limit her available
resources. One of our agents informs me Grasping Storm, a belker lieutenant of hers, is hiring mercenary groups to increase its strength. One of those mercenary groups is traveling to Grasping Storms base via airship in a few days." As if he were petting a cat, Ashasar traces a finger along the shape of his cloud satellite, which reshapes itself into an airship with a dragon’s head for a mast. Its draconic face takes on a contented expression.
"We would have you take their place aboard, and gain entrance to Purest Air, Grasping Storm’s cloud fortress. Infiltrate it, find Grasping Storm, and take one of Hshurha’s lieutenants off the board before she has a chance to send it at us."
|
|
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
MR Peppers spends the downtime mostly hanging out at the lounge in the quietest corner with his spellbook at hand and a number of other library books, working tirelessly and coming up with some breakthroughs. "You know, I think I've done it! I've advanced to the next sphere of spells!" He says with extreme pride and not the least bit of arrogance.
"One day you can't quite grasp the subtle combination of components, and the next you just do. Its quite curious how it works. Slaying that dragon must have just been enough to clear my mind." He says as he lays a pile of different color scales on the table.
"Speaking of dragons... with the help of that one's scales, and some others I've managed to lay my hands on, I've learned how to recreate their devastating breath attacks! I can mimic any of them by merely... " He stops short of explaining exactly how he does it, giving everyone a raised eyebrow and a smile. "How I do it is irrelevant, just know that I can. I've also finally mastered some more of those spells from that Red Aspis Wizard's spellbook. The one from the runekey auction? That thing was a treasure trove of powerful spells."
Before heading out Mr Peppers checks with his contacts to do some digging on the plane where you can't dig...
"Greatings. I am Mr Peppers, master of Arcane Magic. I must say this is my first visit to this plane. Its much more pleasant than the plane of water. If you don't mind me asking, what is the strategic importance of this place? The other elemental planes have vast quantities of gems and metals, I wouldn't assume this one has similar with its lack of... solid ground." Mr Peppers continues idle chit chat for a few minutes before getting on to the important bits of the briefing.
"Do we have any more information available on this woman or the mercenaries she's hired? Are they native to this plane or? Knowing which spells would be most effective is of the upmost importance to our success."
|
|
Mr. Peppers knows everything there is to know about The Plane of Air, and beats Cup to the planar punch!
"The strategic importance of Port Eclipse? Well, what we lack in precious gems and metals, we make up for in fresh air, the control of gravity, and the ease of transport. You can't really compare," Ashasar smiles at the cloud floating around his head.
"Grasping Storm is a ... prejudiced type, moreso than a belker might usually be. If she hired anyone, it must be something that looks like herself or has some tie to the wind and the Plane of Air. Needless to say, don't expect too many humans or earth elementals in her forces."
Venture-Captain Balentiir interjects, "A forceful entry may not be the best way. Doubtless the place has some guards, but I trust you have the skills to avoid rousing an entire fortress."
Ashasar nods and adds, "Subtlety is your ally here. They’re expecting mercenaries; perhaps you can pass yourselves off as such?"
|
|
Mr Peppers happily shares his knowledge with the others as Miss Cup is far too distracted by the presence of Ashasar to pipe up. "Sirettis you'll find the air here very welcoming with your heritage. Your spells may even prove even more effective... but I suspect that will be tempered by some level of innate electricity resistance we may encounter." Lightning bolt would be so powerful here.. but what are the odds things won't be resistant or immune to it anyhow?
"Some of us are more subtle than others, but I'm sure with Sirettis here as our group leader and some appropriate precautions we can make a go at it."
Mr Peppers appears much more engaging and attentive in discussions than in times past, almost as if he's learned something about reading other people to their true motives.
|
|
"Yes, a mercenary. I can certainly appear as a different Sylph." She ponders. "We will need to be subtle until we get close."
Sirettis takes care to configure her spells with Isa.
Overnight, she asks Sir Uesugi to look at the banner of the Red Arm. She studies its pattern very carefully, and pulls out a sheet of paper.
|
|
"Man, wish I still had that disguise hat we used back in the Plane of Earth. We pulled one over pretty good on those bandits. I can use my words when I need to, though, so I don't think I'll have too much difficulty getting in and getting the job done. I'm just worried about how I'm gonna deal with...well, with this." Gallix gestures to the odd configuration of the room around them. "How do you fight without solid ground under your feet? It's almost as bad as fighting in the water!"
|
|
But not really, quit peeking! :)
Mr. Peppers senses no lies from Ashasar or the Venture-Captain, the former who notices the staring. "If you are wondering what this is, it's an elemental companion. It's a playful and capricious creature," he places his hand near the cloud circling his head, and the creature flips over it with a whoosh!
"If there are no more questions, our agent will assist you in securing travel aboard the airship," Ashasar says. He pauses, and a masculine, pale and thin humanoid steps forward. Complex blue markings swirl about the being's arms. "This is Zephyr of the Forgotten Sun. He provided us with the intelligence on Grasping Storm."
Venture-Captain Balentiir then provides you with a bird feather token. "Use this to send a message to Ashasar once your mission is complete, and we will arrange your travel back to Port Eclipse. Now, if you'll excuse us, Zephyr here will assist you tactically."
The VC and Ashasar walk, or float off, and the sylph steps forward. "The airship, the Williwaw, departs in two days. The captain, a djinni named Beysal, makes regular runs to Purest Air, so she’s a natural choice to ferry Grasping Storm’s mercenaries. They’re a local group called Efwurwa’s Fury—all elemental beings. Apparently Grasping Storm specifically requested elemental mercenaries, and has refused to hire anyone who isn’t at least as tied to air as a slyph. The Furies won’t be the only ones responding to the call, but they’re the first, so getting to Grasping Storm before it has the opportunity to shore up Purest Air’s defenses is critical."
|
|
The Plane of Air!!!
Cup is ecstatic to be here, and to be in Port Eclipse. She hugs Ashashar when she sees him. “Hey everyone! This is Ashashar, the faction head for the Concordance.”
She beams when Mr. Peppers shows that he’s been studying up on the Plane of Air. “Good for you, Pep!” Then she grins as she hears the mission. “This gets better and better!”
|
|
Of course, Master of Planes Cup knows all there is to know about Efwura's Fury and Grasping Storm.
Particularly, she knows that Efwurwa’s Fury is a Port Eclipse-based gang of elemental toughs. They’ve seen some enforcer and guard work, but haven’t made much of a name for themselves yet.
Presently, their roster includes a handful of air elementals, plus the eponymous Efwurwa. Efwurwa is an invisible stalker who is well versed in fighting in tandem with her team.
As for Grasping Storm, Cup recalls that Grasping Storm spent many centuries as one Hshurha’s favored lieutenants, carrying out abominable acts for her. It controls Purest Air, a cloud tower built by a material plane wizard. Hshurha desired the tower, so Grasping Storm claimed it for her. Hshurha granted Grasping Storm stewardship of the captured tower, which it renamed in its own style.
Grasping Storm is notoriously racist, even for a belker. It passionately hates fleshy creatures, and even deems air-based beings “lesser” creations unless they have some raw elemental nature. Many of the services it performed for Hshurha involved massacring whole populations of these inferior beings. Some time ago, Grasping Storm fell out of its mistress’s favor. She permits it to continue holding Purest Air, but most of the duties she requires of it these days are demeaning or highly dangerous. Curiously, given Grasping Storm’s fanatical prejudices, no elementals currently reside at Purest Air, and all its servants are material beings who receive much abuse from it.
Hshurha forbids Grasping Storm the luxury of elemental servants, part of her punishment for a perceived betrayal. Having permission to hire elementals might mean it is coming back into her favor.
___
Zephyr looks over at Cup with an impressed look on his face. "It seems you know more than even I, and I live here! As for the Captain... Captain Beysal does some legitimate shipping alongside some smuggling. Belkers notoriously hate djinni, though. She’s likely not friendly with Grasping Storm, and might be open to smuggling you. I can arrange a meeting if you’d like.”