Alphonse waits until any of the rest of his more stealth oriented companions enter and take up position, then clanks his way into the room.
"Hello the...lair? Young dragon I've come to speak with you." he calls.
Mwikali enters and finds a little spot for her to easily throw up a nice barrier of defensive spells.
The Fox walks in beside Alphonse, but puts some distance between them as Alphonse begins speaking.
Awakened by the clanking armor and greeting of Alphonse Veritas, the dragon snaps its yellow eyes open and raises its head from the glittering hoard...
What's this? Visitors? A rare occurrence, indeed... You must be very foolish... or very desperate... Why did you not simply strike at me while I slept? You must be weak... And you seek to parley?
"It is interesting that you would refer to honor as weakness, mighty dragon, but you are correct that we seek to parley," the Fox says in a steady voice. He then waits for Alphonse or the others to speak.
Will Save
Ihrin shivers and clenchs her hilts tight but steadies herself to keep hidden.
Will Save [dice=will]1d20+6+2
Ihrin shivers and clenchs her hilts tight but steadies herself to keep hidden.
[dice=Stealth]1d20+17
Speak, then, trespassers! Tell me why I shouldn't fry you in your metal armor and dine upon your sizzled flesh?
"Because the fate of the world hinges upon us; to defeat Nero and the minions of the Enemy before they flood the world with evil. Even you would not enjoy such a world as the Antichrist and his unholy father would unleash. It is not merely a problem for the civilizations under God's domain but every creature living in it."
"We ask only for what we need to outfit ourselves for battle, and to continue deeper into the mines. I have no interest in glittering trinkets, gold or jewels or any such. If you have any magical protective items to spare for our group, I would gladly accept your donation. If you do not, I would like to merely press forward, to see what other treasures lie within the mines."
"Because the fate of the world hinges upon us; to defeat Nero and the minions of the Enemy before they flood the world with evil. Even you would not enjoy such a world as the Antichrist and his unholy father would unleash. It is not merely a problem for the civilizations under God's domain but every creature living in it."
"We ask only for what we need to outfit ourselves for battle, and to continue deeper into the mines. I have no interest in glittering trinkets, gold or jewels or any such. If you have any magical protective items to spare for our group, I would gladly accept your donation. If you do not, I would like to merely press forward, to see what other treasures lie within the mines."
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+19
The young adult dragon senses Alphonse's power and confidence, and that of his companions, and is cowed...
Well! The insolence!... I have nothing to offer you, audacious paladin, except a promise not to hinder your explorations and plundering of King Solomon's Mines... so long as you keep your greedy gauntlets off of MY hoard!
The dragon's lair appears to be a dead end...
A dragon with nothing to offer? I don't think so...
I think he is lying, and has plenty. Johann very much does not want to simply walk away from a treasure hoard. We came here to get treasure, and this is an evil monster.[/ooc]
Narp... I'm an adolescent dragon, so my hoard is meager so far...
"I am sure it will grow, in time. Just be sure that it grows by taking from creatures who deserve punishment, not simply snatching from innocents for your own greed." Alphonse simultaneously encourages and admonishes.
"We should, I think, be on. I believe there was a branch in the path before the quilled beast's lair?"
It is at this moment that Mwikali notices a skeleton lying among many remains of the dragon's past meals, clad in the traditional clothing of her people...
Mwikali looks at the body then the dragon.
Mwikali looks at the body then the dragon.
** spoiler omitted ** She asks as she looks at the lizard with her eyes narrow wanting the truth which she doubted.
What!? Canary People!? Probably... I don't bother to ask them what tribe they align themselves with... They're all just meat to me...
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Johann is disappointed that this dragon seems to have so little gold, and perhaps it is best to just move on.
But Mwikali's gaze goes toward a skeleton of a human, and Johann is reminded that this is an evil beast, that will continue to plague to region unless something is done.
He prepares to strike. It is no less than what a hero must do.
Johann is disappointed that this dragon seems to have so little gold, and perhaps it is best to just move on.
But Mwikali's gaze goes toward a skeleton of a human, and Johann is reminded that this is an evil beast, that will continue to plague to region unless something is done.
He prepares to strike. It is no less than what a hero must do.
Alphonse is saddened, but not surprised by this.
"I've never understood what drives your kind to eat people. Is it a lack of being taught better? There are so many other creatures in this world to eat, most larger and tastier than human flesh. Can you not instead seek those out?"
"Most quarrel between my kind and yours comes from this bizarre diet. Would it not be better and safer for you to change your ways, lest some wayward dragon slayers come for your head?"
"That is true, these people have families and lives that can make more for that precious horde of yours, but instead you eat us!. Now I will not fault you for eating a foe you have slain in battle. They came into your home and fought to slay you, but you prevailed and they became food. However To hunt human beings without remorse is vile, and less effective. Think on this mighty dragon. What is better killing them for a few measly coins once or foster a relationship that they bring you food and coin with respect, thus ensuring you a long line of human allies who shall dissuade adventurers and provide you with riches and food!" She offers looking at the dragon still ready with a spell if need be.
Lord P comes to rest on the Dragons head.
"Ill tell ye why Dragons are greedy for gold shall I. Ye see they need it to grow. The bigger the pile they have the bigger they can get. Is that not right me fella me lado. "
He says to the dragon.
"Now I just know a place where there is more gems and fine thing for the likes of you than any mortal pit or cave. Where you can grow to become a Legend. This here is a one time offer from no less than the king under the hill himself so it is. Come with me to the lands of never dying. The real of song and dream, with your wealth, and I will add to it. Yes I will, I have gems and coin to make it bigger. and so you yourself. I ask only that you let the morals pass. To do what mortals go. So what say you great Dragon? Will you stay here for the Champions of the one gods to come seek you out and, in holy delusion track you down. Or will you come with me, to a land that cherishes you and see in you the great dragon that you are?"
He waits to hear what the Dragon says.
Lord P comes to rest on the Dragons head.
"Ill tell ye why Dragons are greedy for gold shall I. Ye see they need it to grow. The bigger the pile they have the bigger they can get. Is that not right me fella me lado. "
He says to the dragon.
"Now I just know a place where there is more gems and fine thing for the likes of you than any mortal pit or cave. Where you can grow to become a Legend. This here is a one time offer from no less than the king under the hill himself so it is. Come with me to the lands of never dying. The real of song and dream, with your wealth, and I will add to it. Yes I will, I have gems and coin to make it bigger. and so you yourself. I ask only that you let the morals pass. To do what mortals go. So what say you great Dragon? Will you stay here for the Champions of the one gods to come seek you out and, in holy delusion track you down. Or will you come with me, to a land that cherishes you and see in you the great dragon that you are?"
He waits to hear what the Dragon says.
The dragon listens shrewdly to wee Lord Perpireen's proposal, and seems to be trying to stare into the little fey's eyes to detect if this be a fairy trick of some kind...
You say you want me to go to a different realm, where I would be treated with the respect and admiration due a creature of my cunning, cleverness, and ferocity? And that I would not only be able to take my current hoard with me, but greater riches will be heaped upon my bed by fairy kind? Hmmmm... Your offer is intriguing... Will I have servants? Pets? Livestock to ruin and raid?
Lord P moves to the Dragon and look him in the eye.
"The land of they Fey, the bright ways are full of bering who would come willingly to you Great Dragon. Not only that but mortals dreams if of cunning and cleverness would be open to you. In dream and myth you can build such a reputation of respect and admiration. You will not be the only dragon there, others have taken the mythic way. They knew that great things lay beyond. They now saw in skies for greatness, ruling realms they shape with thought and will. Come craft your own keep, make it as you wish, vast and wide. Stand atop it and let all who come to your lands know your rule there. The wise of my realm would come to ask of you wisdom and conning. For my kind like nothing more than such games of cunning our our courts."
He takes out a hat of office and places it in his head.
"You see, My Kind dose not want the magic soul of the mortal lands to be lost. So he asked me and others to find the richness and diversity of the old ways and bring it to the fay lands so it can thrive. So it would Not be pushed aside for new less complex beliefs. His oracle has seen the future great dragon, A world of order and strife. Wars so fast and with such things that you would not believe. Burning stars here on the ground, laying wast to whole kingdoms. Sprouting mushrooms of death. Great Iron craft fighting each other. Collomes of fire that shoot arrows so fast and so far they can hit the moon. The coming world is no place for the likes of us. We are unbound beings of earth, air, water and fire. The wold of the one gods is no place for us. So I offer you in all respect and on my life. A better place. where you will be greater than anything here."
He bows deeply and waits, they Dragon can kill him if he wants Lord P will not move.
Fortunately, it doesn't come down to the dragon killing Lord Perpireen. Instead, Azulamortiss accepts the little lord's proposal and passes through the magical ring-gateway to the First World of myth and legend, taking his sizable hoard of treasure along with, much to Johann's disappointment.
Now the party returns to the main shaft and descends further into King Solomon's Mines, plumbing the depths of Africa under the Solomon Mountains...
Mwikali will first perform last rites to the various bones left in the creatures wake. She does so in her native tongue hoping they have a peaceful rest and know that mother Africa the Oshira and the Loa are waiting to accept them, no matter what trials they faced in this world.
Ogon Fox never gets used to the sight of a creature departing this world through one of these fey portals. When the dragon is gone, he turns to his little fey comrade and says, "It is a strange mission that you are on, Lord Perpireen. Who is your king?"
Ogon Fox never gets used to the sight of a creature departing this world through one of these fey portals. When the dragon is gone, he turns to his little fey comrade and says, "It is a strange mission that you are on, Lord Perpireen. Who is your king?"
Johann starts slithering down, down, the caves [toward F,G,H. (cool map!)]. At the junction to the three areas, he stops to listen and smell.
[dice=perception listening]d20+18
[dice=perception scent]d20+18I hope that dragon tries to eat a fey queen and gets decapitated.
Cobra Johann slithers down to the junction of tunnels and his forked tongue tastes the scents in the mouth of each tunnel...
Ihrin keeps up with Johann.
Ogon Fox never gets used to the sight of a creature departing this world through one of these fey portals. When the dragon is gone, he turns to his little fey comrade and says, "It is a strange mission that you are on, Lord Perpireen. Who is your king?"
As the Dragon Departs Lord P closed the gate to the bright ways and tuns to the Fox kin.
"My king is the king of the Fey, Oberon the king under the hill. Who is lord of the Dance and bright lands. Where myth is real and dreams are real."
The splash of water reminds Johann of his beloved root beer waterfalls in the Black Forest, and he slithers in that direction, looking forward to a dip.
Followed by Ihrin, stealthy as a ghost, Cobra Johann slithers toward the sound of falling water, into a large cavern that is dimly lit by phosphorescent fungi and algae growing on the damp walls.
Cascades of water fall from four openings in the stalactite-covered ceiling some sixty feet high, pooling into four subterranean pools that drain through narrow fissures in the slick floor.
Laughing gleefully, diving into the pools, and frolicking around them are three slight female fey with aquamarine hair and eyes, and silvery skin like fishscales, watched over by a tall, blue-skinned, female genie, who smiles fondly at the water-fairies' antics...
نعم! الغوص ، الجنيات قليلا من الشلالات!
naema! alghaws , aljaniyaat qalilaan min alshilalat!
Hee hee hee! Ha ha ha! Look what I can do! Triple flips into a pool...
Points at entrance tunnel... Did you hear that??
Hear what, silly?? Hee hee hee! I'm gonna splash you!
Ihrin watches and listens knowing Arabic she looks to Johann and points to the Marid. She shakes her head and waits.
Alphonse waits for his sneakier allies to come back or scream for help.
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Looks like they are having a fine time.
Not understanding what Ihrin's gesture means, Johann turns back to his normal self and strides forward. "HELLO! LOOKS LIKE FUN!" he bellows in his normal voice, which is surely loud enough to announce himself and inadvertently let the others know that any attempt at stealth had been abandoned.
Looks like they are having a fine time.
Not understanding what Ihrin's gesture means, Johann turns back to his normal self and strides forward. "HELLO! LOOKS LIKE FUN!" he bellows in his normal voice, which is surely loud enough to announce himself and inadvertently let the others know that any attempt at stealth had been abandoned.
Startled by the Black Forester's sudden appearance in their cavern, the three nixies shriek in alarm, a high-pitched squealing like dolphin cries that echoes through the cavern and outgoing tunnel, alerting the rest of the party that Johann has surprised and frightened some little girls...
EEEEEEK!!! SEE!? I TOLD YOU I HEARD SOMETHING!...
The trio of water sprites leap into the middlemost of the pools and swim close to huddle together at the center, oggling Johann with wide aquamarine eyes that glitter in the phosphorescent glow of the cavern...
Looks like they are having a fine time.
Not understanding what Ihrin's gesture means, Johann turns back to his normal self and strides forward. "HELLO! LOOKS LIKE FUN!" he bellows in his normal voice, which is surely loud enough to announce himself and inadvertently let the others know that any attempt at stealth had been abandoned.
Ah! A visitor! A wild woodsman of the north, it seems! Welcome to King Solomon's Waterfalls, brawny traveler! What brings you so far from your Black Forest of Hyperborea to hot and arid Africa? Do ye seek the riches of King Solomon, as other wayfarers in these environs have for ages?
Alphonse walks in on Johann's heels, given the others' cover is now blown anyway. He blinks in surprise, then averts his gaze.
Why does no one here have any shred of good Christian modesty?
Johann's eyes go wide as he quickly forgets his wife Rapunzel back home.
"WELL MA'AM, INDEED MYSELF AND MY FRIENDS ARE LOOKING FOR THE RICHES OF THE WISE KING. WOULD SOLOMON HIMSELF SWIM IN THESE FALLS?"
King Solomon bathed in these waters after mining all the aquamarine and diamond from the cavern... Who are your companions? What do you call yourselves?
Alphonse walks in on Johann's heels, given the others' cover is now blown anyway. He blinks in surprise, then averts his gaze.
Why does no one here have any shred of good Christian modesty?
Beholding a handsome newcomer in shining plate armor, the nixies giggle and jockey for the best position to show off their lithe, naked bodies to the blushing paladin...
No need to be bashful, fair knight! We are not ashamed of our bodies. Do you not find them beautiful?
Another giggles...
The third pipes up Yes! Take off your heavy armor and come play with us, fair knight!
Ihrin makes herself known and smiles at Alphonse."Modesty and Christianity are not one and the same. Besides its healthier to bathe without clothes daily" She says chuckling as she then looks down at the Marid.
"Come let us wash and enjoy the water before we have to slog through another dirty fight." She says tuggin on his arm.