Whisper in the Mists Epic 6 (Inactive)

Game Master Davachido

"Then perhaps we have a common enemy. We fought the Man in White, but his body turned to stone. The keys on his flute became more copies of him, except for one key that seemed to have fled. Tell us, why haven't you become a mistfiend? And how can we defeat Ebrahim?"

He is a man in white yes. A man of many promises, which he invariably kept. A little too literally though." The Bodak pauses, you can here is bones chatter. "I know of this place, I wanted a land that was like my homeland. My home was all but gone, all more kin dead or lost, I wandered for a long time trying to find a place like home. Never finding it again. Until Ebrahim, he showed me his powers and made this place for me. However now I am forever stuck here, I got my wish, a place to call home forever." He laughs out loud but you can tell that there is sadness in his laugh.

Ebrahimmmm... the name pours out of Rybal's fanged mouth in an extended growl.

Yes...what has a name can be killed. Where is this Ebrahim? Tell me where he calls his home and I will deliver vengeance for both of us. And you, you may have been here long, but I can free you from this prison. If you wish, I will deliver you to the realm beyond this one. The journey may be hard, but the destination is better than an eternity alone on this mountain.

"Ebrahim..." Rikaku murmurs quietly, finding the very name sour on his tongue. If that was truly the name of the Man in White... it made him seem somewhat more mortal than before. And yet, ostensibly he had created not one but two entire small worlds here with the power of his wish-magic...

"How know Man In White name?" He asks the bodak when there's a break in the conversation. "And how long since here was... made?"

I think we must needs contemplate that we are fighting... a god, albeit one who's avatar is killable.

"I do not know what a mistfiend is, I am not sure how I would turn into one" He tries to think. "In all my years of existence I haven't seen or heard about those."

"I do not know either to help you with defeating him, I can give you information about what I knew about him. I have not seen him since for quite some time. I can say I have been here I good ... half a millennium maybe. It is difficult to tell." The bodak makes some more clicking noises with his bones. "I knew that was his name as that is how he introduced himself all those years ago. You won't forget a name of someone who gave you so much."

The bodak lastly answers Rybal "When I knew him he would travel with a wagon full of riches so had no place to call his home. However I can sense him about the place all the time, probably as he made this place and its inhabitants. Though he is likely nearby, he used to visit to check up on me, that however stopped. He never did state why but I can think of a few reasons."

"Half a millenium?" says Malthu in surprise. "When did he stop visiting you, and why? And what does he use this mountain for?"

"Half a millennium..." Rikaku attempts to fathom just how long that is, but considering the average lifespan of a kobold, it's just far too large a span of time for his mind to comprehend. He shakes his head, trying to throw the thoughts away before he got a headache. "So then Snow not made by him, Snow come later...?"

He shrugs the thought away. That was less important for now. "Tell everything about Man In White. Need know everything so can kill him!"

Drak listens to the story, not quite believing what he is hearing.

I wonder if you were the first one he turned. A trial, practice, something. Those who currently get the 'wish' granted suffer worse fates then yours

"I do not know why he stopped, he talked about helping more people. He used this mountain as a centre point to create my homeland. As this mountain was the most vivid memory I had of that place." The bodak says.

"Where should I begin with that man? Well, he was a wanderer, a travelling merchant from what I could make of him. Not sure if that is what he actually was but he seemed like it. I got to know him at first, he had strange devices and wares that he'd show me from his travels. At the time I didn't care much as I was yearning for my lost kin and homeland. I befriended him only to gain some company, as he was the only sane thing I had seen for days. He had ample knowledge due to his well traveled nature, he'd spin tales of far off lands. Ebrahim was a wizard at least of a kind. His most prized possession being a sword flute, that he would cast magic through. He never told me where he got it or if he made it himself. Ebrahim had capabilities to cast magic without it but his magic was far more potent with it." The bodak clacks his head, you can hear the bones rubbing loudly. "Then one day he asked me what I would want most, and he gave it to me. He said he'd create a family for me as well, others like me or what he described were similar to me. They were to have brown fur instead of my grey, however I never did see them. Ebrahim did say there were plenty walking about."

If the flute was the main focus of his power, he may be weakened now without it. We need to find him before he has time to construct another. Variel, Rikaku--can you follow any traces left behind of his magic and track him in that way?

I can try... but his magic would fade rapidly and this whole land may have confusing sources, the Elf sounds doubtful.

Edited to ask more questions.

"We've certainly met many of these brown creatures," notes Malthu, thinking of the mistfiends. "They are the trapped spirits of others who made wishes much like you. But they seem to lack some of the freedom of will that you have. Do you know how he granted you this wish? Do you have any insight on how it could be undone?"

"I don't know, to be entirely honest. When I asked him for the wish, it seemed to refresh him somehow. He came back invigorated and more powerful than I had seen him prior. He whisked me off here and created the mountain with his music, day by day I saw the frost take it over and slowly roll over the area." The bodak sighs. It was a sight to behold, as for how it could be undone, I don't know.. it could be as simple as asking him, perhaps that is why he hasn't come back"

As the conversation continues, approaching from the distance the group sees a white dragon flying towards the mountain. It seems to be hastily approaching.

As he muses the revelations this poor and strange creature was telling them about the Man in White, Rikaku notices the approaching shadow of the dragon and he startles. "Snow is back!" he announces happily, jumping up and waving at the approaching dragon. Realising that he's probably too small to see, he summons forth a few globes of blueish fire and sends them up into the sky above the party like a beacon.

Casting dancing lights

"Do you know that dragon, Adlet?" Malthu hopes Rikaku is right, and that the dragon was on their side.

Let's hope that is the case Drak responds simply, and if there is cover to be found nearby he will take it..... just in case.

It could be a trick. Ebrahim has seen our desires--no doubt he knows of Rikaku's wish to see Snow. You should take cover. If the dragon is a foe, let him face me first.

Rybal advances a few yards in front of the others, holding his shield toward the approaching dragon. He raises it so that it covers him from head to toe.

Standard action to gain total cover from the tower shield.

Rikaku's no scaredy-cat like his other human(ish) companions. No way even the Man In White could emulate a dragon with his magic! He stands his ground, shaking his head at their paranoia.

Rybal, poised behind his massive shield, catches a glimpse of the kobold standing his ground defiantly.

As the dragon draws near, Rybal says to Rikaku with admiration: No matter what form the gods chose to give you, you possess the heart of a true dragon. I am proud to stand with you.

If I get another action I'll ready action to run in front of Rikaku to be a human (half-orc) shield in response to any attack on him from the dragon.

The bodak shakes his head "I know of it, it appeared here quite a few years ago I can't remember. Seen it fly to and from this place. I do not have much the strength to move from my position so I have not met it."

The dragon flies down swooping into the mountain through the opening. The party are ready for anything, then climbing up the side of the mountain a young looking female aasimar, clad in plate, sporting a hammer on her belt climbs up.

She looks at the group. "Glad something is safe in this damn mountain.."

"Snow, I presume?" Malthu bows, but does the obligatory detect evil.

Or should we call you Qanikcir?

Since the area is not flooded by cold that would freeze the blood in his veins Drak will leave his cover.

In Draconic -

Well met Snow Drak says politely, making the assumption it's her. It's good to see you well also. These times have been.... trying. You look as marvelous as I imagined. He says, trying to play up to a dragon's vanity. But it's also likely true as well

Rikaku stares at the aasimar for some time, a deep and puzzled frown on his face. When the rest of his friends start greeting her as both Snow and Qanikcir, the kobold's eyes boggle wide. "Qanikcir is Snow!?" he exclaims in shock. "N-No way! Why not-dragon then?" Rikaku looks at Qanikcir appraisingly, unsure and not willing to be rude when it came to someone who could potentially be a dragon... as odd as that seemed to him.

The Aasimar laughs "Either name will do fine" Snow seems content with compliment Drak throws her way. She does say in Draconic "I think I have been hanging around my Kobolds too much, it has been too long since my appearance has been noticed." She teases.

Snow down to Rikaku and smiles "Yes one in the same, I wasn't sure to trust you lot. However the fact you came down here and fought with the Man-in-White shows that you aren't with him. Or if you are that is the most needless set up ever. I think the former is more likely. Sorry for the rouse." She shrugs "As for why I'm not in Dragon form at the moment is because it is rather unwieldy to stand on this platform." Looking around there isn't much place for a dragon of decent age to stand unless its wings were heavily retracted. You doubt she had room to land on here if she had the chance.

"Right, other than all of you being well I suspect we have pressing.. wait what is that?" Snow says pointing at the Bodak.

The decrepit bony form replies sombrely. "A mistake from a time long forgotten."

Just make sure all of you are up to level 6 before we continue. This is where I want to start Chapter 3, The Chase. Considering two of the major plot characters are in the same room now, a lot will be revealed. To avoid questions about it neither of them know much about Ebrahim is now but they each know different things about what he has done to this point. Basically at this point we are at the stage where the group can make plans to track Ebrahim before finally the takedown.

Will do the needful

Leveled up and ready to chase!

"Indeed. He is a creation of Ebrahim, the Man in White. But also, it seems, an ally."

Rybal lowers his guard and stows his weapons, studying the dragon woman curiously.

Then, remembering that time is of the essence: Snow, do you know where Ebrahim seeks sanctuary? Can you take us to him? He fled from us--I think his trickery makes him seem stronger than he is. And what do you know of his magic? Is he bound to honor any wish? Could I wish that he was unmade from creation, now and forever?

A curious wish Rybal - one that could possibly go awry.

Posting from a phone and sorta sick, so forgive me if this post turns out weird.

Snow closes her eyes and places two fingers on her temple. "How do I explain this..." Snow snaps her fingers then says. "Ah, I know where he is. In a way. He is at the central focal point of these 'worlds' you've no doubt seen."

She takes out a parchment and draws circles contected by lines "Each of these worlds is connected in some way or other through portals. Be there doors, pits, undergrowth, whichever. Each world is made up from a wish, something a person in there wanted. Everyone of these worlds potentially has a way to get to his 'lair' so to speak. However he has most likely closed the link to this one as he knows we're here. The link is made with the person who wished the world into existence. I have tried to assault his lair on occasion but I have been forced to retreat on every occasion, the other problem is every time I've gone there it is entirely different. His magic seems to hinge on teraforming, at least from what I can see."

Snow then says "He is bound to honour the wish, however he can pick who asks him for a wish. Which is the problem. I guess one way to defeat him is trick him into granting a wish."

Dangerous as a game and a tactic. Variel frowns.

Wishes, as we've seen can be twisted and to made serve other ends... and the process of having him actually grant us a wish... hmmmm... by 'force of arms'?

What should we threaten to drive such?

Drak nods.

Also unless I am gravely mistaken that very tatic was just used against him Rybal. He is sure to be on guard against such things in the future.

And after a brief pause he jokes At least for the next 100 years or so.

Ahhh... so no great issue then, Variel says dryly.

"So we need to find another "world" that he would not expect. Snow, do you know the ways in and out of this place? What place might be better for assaulting his lair?"

There are other worlds connecting to this one yes. The closest one isn't too far north of here. It leads to a place very similar to what the actual volcano was like underneath here. There is very little fauna but quite a bit of dangerous flora that will attack us. Thankfully we should be able to avoid most of it. I know generally where the person who wished for that area likes to stay. We will need his aid without getting him turned into a mistfiend. They seem to turn into one at a specific command or when they feel threatened." Snow says.

"As for assaulting his lair, I do not know what would be best as it likely has changed from last time. I think he has prepared quite well for flight and scaling off walls. I doubt he expects anyone to punch through them though. I did not want to ram myself through a wall no matter how strong I might be."

If he's planned defenses against flight and climbing, has he considered anyone burrowing under his walls? Could that work? And why are we still here? Let's continue our discussion while we move towards this dangerous plant world. My axe can cut a flower as easily as a man.

"Agreed. Let's be off." Malthu turns his attention to the Bodak. "Any last words of advice before we depart? Any bit of information you have about his flute would be helpful."

The bodak only says "The flute can control the mist that I have seen him use, that's the important bit. Control it, not create it. That might help out with something down the line."

Snow says "Yes you are right let us make haste." As the group soldiers forth Snow answers Rybal's questions "Burrowing could be a way through yes. We would need something to burrow through of course as that is rather hard to do with walls of a fort. I suppose some well placed magic or tamed beast could break through the walls."

The group spends the time traversing the cold wasteland before arriving at a doorway similar to what they found in the jungle. Wasting no time Snow jumps in, the group follows after with Diaz and Al still in tow.

Upon reaching the other side they feel a hot burst of air rush past them. The group looks around to see a slanted world The slant isn't much that you can't walk on it, think of it about 30 degrees of kilter, as if on the side of a mountain. The earth is red and cracked open from the lack of water. Off in the distance the group can hear the sound of explosions periodically, each new sound brings a rise in temperature before it drops once more. However as Snow said there is vegetation everywhere, similar to what you would see in deserts. Near the entrance the group sees 6 huge plants, with stick branches forming an amalgamated mess. Their leaves are bright green and look as sharp as razors. They aren't rooted to the ground and are slowly rolling towards the entrance.

Snow only slowly motions her hand to stop, the group isn't sure what is triggering the movement of these plants but Snow is looking worried that they might have already been spotted. If a fight breaks out I will get Snow, Diaz and Al to take on two of the plants off screen so I don't have NPCs rolling against each other.

Malthu checks the area for evil auras. Otherwise, he remains silent and still, following Snow's lead.

Snow tries to move slowly and carefully past the creatures. They start to shiver and shudder with each step. She stops again, she throws a small bolt of ice behind one of them which draws them away momentarily though they quickly turn towards the moving Dragon again. She doesn't say anything but it looks like she is trying to signal for the group to follow. Though they likely need to come up with other ways to move past these using similar methods to her.

Basically, there's easy ways out of this without a fight. She has shown that the creatures are sensitive to movement so the group might each individually use this to their advantage.

Variel, what the hell are those things? No way I tiptoe past a bunch of trees. You guys skirt around, I'll buy you some time.

Rybal shuffles a few steps away from the group, then pounds his shield and the haft of his weapon on the ground, trying to draw the plants toward him.

Well so much for stealth Drak thinks dryly.

We aren't going to leave you here Rybal, but hey, I've always liked a distraction

Drak will try and get into a position where he is not seen while the loud half-orc warrior gets the attention of those creatures.

Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

Malthu shakes his head. Why am I not surprised? Weapon in hand, he prepares for the assault.

Knowledge Nature 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

He also pulls out the book to assist.

Variel identifies the creatures as Tanglethorn mounds. Their main ability to perceive is through their tremorsense, which is why they were detecting rocks being thrown or moving.

As Rybal is now making loud noises with his shield the set of mounds seem to be drawn easily towards him. They move relatively slowly and Rybal can just about out pace them but they still follow him around.

With the ample distraction both Drak and Snow are able to walk on by with relative ease, Rybal might be in a bit of pickle though if they don't find a way to get him out of the way.

They follow the movement through vibrations in the ground...

Rikaku is sad to leave the wonderful tundra behind--doubly so when it turns out that the adjacent 'world' is even worse in climate than the jungle they had first passed through--but he is more excited to spend time with Snow, and dogs her steps like a pathetic little puppy dog. (That's not much different to his normal actions, in some regards, to be fair.) He tries his best to withstand the obnoxious heat without complaint, unlike normal, obviously showing off in front of their new friend.

While Rybal is distracting the mounds, Rikaku sneaks on by with ease.

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

However, that leaves the problem of helping his orcish buddy...

"Maybe Rybal try stand still and throw big thing far away?" he suggests.

Drak watches the two half-orcs, being far enough away that the plants shouldn't be able to sense him, but close enough that he should be able to reach them if needed if things get sticky.

You going to get yourselves out of that mess or do I need to come save you

Malthu, go! I will join you--I'm not going to die to some plants while Ebrahim lives. But I don't think you can keep up with all that armor.

Hopefully Malthu complies, otherwise I don't have a plan for him. What I want to do is, when everyone else swings around, I will stop pounding the shield and stow it. Then I will run at an angle to the trees' approach (so if they are at 12:00 from me, I'll run towards 2:00, for example). I will run as hard as I can, then jump. Then reverse direction to 10:00 and do the same thing, etc, to try to confuse them with my different directions until I can work around to run up to the others. Here's some jump rolls to use as needed, results should equal distance traveled for running long jump (no AC penalty applies). I also have Endurance, so let me know if/when I need to make Con checks to keep running (I think that's for longer distances).

Jump 1: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Jump 2: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Jump 3: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Jump 4: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Jump 5: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Jump 6: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Jump 7: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Jump 8: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Jump 9: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Jump 10: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

The elf uses the opportunity to move swiftly around and through the danger zone while they are distracted.