Tram quickly gets Kragg stitched.
The rumors of darkness, of murder haunted him, and as his father lay dying. . . memory of the elder prince disappeared collectively from all of Gold Peak, leading to King Dak ascending in his place!
Powerful magics must have held this knowledge back, and if they have been broken now, that can only mean-- someone has let Prince Nim out of the vault!
"Friends, it's true! I remember now! And he's free!"
Tram explains his revelation to the rest of the group, at least to those who have not also received it.
"Who is free?" Gage asks before Tramontane can launch into his explaination.
Eventually, Gage gets around to tying lengths of rope to each ledge to let everyone climb up and down without too much trouble.
As Kragg's wounds were healed the same realization that hit Tram hit Kragg as well. His eyes widened "By the Stone, you're right!" He said, instantly forgetting the pain of his wounds and the fact that a *dragon* lay dead at their feet. "We have the axe, but he is free nonetheless. We need to hurry back home, we don't have any time to waste."
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And now comes the part where I remind you all that 2.5 ish years ago when we started, the original inciting incident of the campaign is the pending war with Hill Giants, Frost Dwarves, a black dragon and his swamp creatures, and most importantly Fire Giants as we shift back into the war mode finally!
Looking upon the smaller-than-he-thought treasure trove of the dragon, Thurgrom offered, "I'm wearing a heavyload belt, so I think the manticore's share of the carrying will be done by me."
With Tramontane and others of you breaking the Pact Spell's influence, you know that there will be changes waiting for you when you return to Gold Peak.
Resting for the night, you depart the next morning. . .
And ten days later, arrive without major incident to Gold Peak!
Kragg looked upon Gold Peak with clear worry written on his stone features. This was for multiple reasons. First, because a great evil had been unleashed upon their home, and he wasn't sure how they were going to put a halt to it. What would the champion of such an ill-fated goddess do? Not only to their home, but to them when they returned. And secondly, what would his clan say when they saw him? His body had been irrevocably changed by the elemental energies that he used. Would they still accept him? Would his father disown him? What would his mother say? The sheer worry of it all froze him in place, his jaw clenched.
Gage gazes at Gold Peak after cresting the latest hill.
"Time to return home, then?" he asks rhetorically.
previous Spells, HP, bardsong etc
73/83-10 HP
20/20 Normal Arrows
17/20 Silver Blanched Cold-Iron Arrows
160/160 Silver Blanched Cold-Iron Arrows (in a sack in the haversack)
10/10 charges for Alitharlkian "Ali" the blood angel (in tablet o' doom)
10 unhealable damage (resets to Ali's current charge after rest)
Ali's powers/prices:
* she knows some things, basic waifu function requires 1 charge per day
* interface with the ship:
* * 100/100 charges of fire elemental summoning remaining
* 4 charges => cast Prayer CL 7th
* 2 charges/missile => cast a modified Magic Missile (identical except dealing lightning damage instead of force damage)
* 10 charges => Manifest: the Blood Angel manifests into the physical world for 1 minute
Extraordinary Abilities
. 1/1 uses/day Lore Master (take 20 on any knowledge check)
Supernatural Abilities
. 8/8 uses/day Silver Tongue (swift; +5 to Bluff to lie; DC 18 CL check to magically force truth or detect lies)
. 1/1 uses/day War Chant ("while chanting" +2 rounds; All allies within 30'; +1 Morale to Attacks, Fort saves, Will vs fear, and to skill checks to ride or march into battle; Allies moving in formation and performing no other actions may move +10')
Bardic Performances:
. 27/27 rounds per day (SA or MA to start); Countersong (Su, aud) [30'; language-dependent], Distraction (Su, vis) [30'], Fascinate (Su, aud, vis) [enchantment (compulsion), language-dependent, mind-affecting; DC 20 will], Inspire Courage (Su, aud or vis) [language-dependent (if aud), mind-affecting; +2 morale vs charm & fear; +2 competence to attack and damage], Inspire Competence (Su, aud) [30'; language-dependent; +3 competence to a kind of skill check], Suggestion (Sp) [SA; enchantment (compulsion), language-dependent, mind affecting; DC 20 will]
Spells Known
. 4th (2/2/day) Dimension Door, Wall of Sound
. 3rd (4/4/day) Dispel Magic, Fear (DC 18), Haste, Tiny Hut
. 2nd (5/5/day) Glitterdust (DC 17), Heroism, Invisibility, Pyrotechnics (DC 17), Silence
. 1st (7/7/day) Cure Light Wounds, Disguise Self, Feather Fall, Grease (DC 16), Silent Image (DC 16)
. 0 (at will) Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Mending, Open/Close, Spark, Summon Instrument
"Who is free? What are you talking about?"
Still in the form of the large woman, Dvalin raises his axe, then chops the dragons head clean off. With the adrenaline of battle flooding his veins, he was not sure if they were to present it to his mother, but it would make a fine memento if not.
It was a pity they would need to leave the scales behind - fine armor could be crafted from such - but even if she wanted him dead, his mother would probably prefer if they did not 'harvest' her dead son like some common pig.
Retrieving Lady Hail, and making sure her bindings were secure, Dvalin organized some means of transport as soon as possible, so that Thurgrom would not need to carry all by himself.
As it turned out, the fresh head of a dead Dragon on the top of a wagon made for a great deterrent, as they made their way to Gold Peak without any serious trouble.
Somewhat sheepishly Kragg returned. But return he did. He had a duty to report to his Clan, and to his father. To explain what had happened since last they spoke, and to ensure that he was acting properly as an Oldstone. To even ensure that he was indeed still an Oldstone, after what had happened to him. And, of course, to find out what his Clan could tell him of what had happened within their home.
Slowly and methodically, Thurgrom marched back to Gold Peak, carrying the spoils of their most recent exploits. The mynrughdaer stopped at all drop off location for his band of brothers, unloading swag and magical items, slowly having the burden lessened; until the final drop off was his own. As he walked Gold Peak on his rounds, Thurgrom could hear the whispers of those who saw the new moonsteel weapon the storm dwarf scion now wore. The time away from Gold Peak had nearly been a year. Outside his dwelling, Thurgrom was met with a small crowd of nobles and commoners, eager for news of the the group's triumphant return. Thurgrom spoke to the crowd and asked them to meet inside a bar, as to not block the way of others.
So Thurgrom, and a large group of onlookers, nearly filled a nearby tavern. An exchange of information took place, with Thurgrom as it's moderator. The mynrughdaer placed Storm's Edge on a table in front of him, explaining the devil's bargain that was made for it's return to the dwarven people. Many citizen of Gold Peak, have never seen such a weapon, much less one of storm dwarf make. A few who prodded the weapon got cautionary jolts from the legendary weapon, to everyone's amusement. Over the course of an hour, Thurgrom became reacquainted with Gold Peak's day-to-day news and events that he missed.
Dvalin was used to being on the road - travelling from community to community, sometimes spending years, sometimes only weeks.
Being away for some time meant little - nobody missed him, and the companions he choose were with him.
All the same, he kept his ears open when they returned, to add some nuances to whatever the others managed to learn.
Gage returned to the peak of his ancestors, Gold Peak, at long last.
He had long wandered above ground in search of new tales (and to satisfy his unnatural and unseemly liking of horses), but now he was among dwarves again and he was curious as to the current state of affairs.
Back in Gold Peak, Tramontane feels again lost. He knows there are much bigger metropolis out there, but for him, coming from a small monastery, Gold Peak is still a cold, huge crust.
Rubius wasn't the most socially smooth fellow but he knew how to enjoy his time back in Gold Peak. He invited Tramontane to his small cabin on the outskirts of town where he ordered ale delivered by the cask and spent his days making belts, headbands, and sashes out of the hides of some of the great beasts they had felled. One headband he made from a small strip of dragon's skin he inscribed with owls. Another notable item was a sash inscribed with claws made from the hide of one of the they had killed.
The month Moon had waxed to full and begun to wane again by the time the heroes returned again to Gold Peak, much had changed in their absence- both in themselves and in the Peak itself. . . the drums of war beat almost incessantly through the streets as the throngs of preparation run through the streets.
You quickly gather some basic information--
Prince Nim Nimbus has returned! No one can quite explain where he had gone, but the belief in the town is that he had abdicated to his younger brother on their father's death willingly, and that he is now still the Crown Prince and Heir Apparent should King Dak Nimbus not return from his captivity with the fire giants.
Prince Nim is attended by a group of adventurers, who with your knowledge you must assume freed him from the Vault-- the Stormhammer family, who you've met before!
There is to be a Council of War on a mere 18 days from today where the exact plans for the war campaign are to be laid out- and it is expected that the armies will march on .
In the meantime, the Noble Houses of Gold Peak are calling their levies, arming their armies, and maneuvering to field appropriately large forces under their own banners.
Having arranged for a meeting with his father, Kragg waited impatiently for the audience. Even being his son, the clan leader was far too busy to just allow him in. Kragg's legs bounced nervously as he sat in his own clan-hall. His father knew of his condition, of course. The fact that he had been allowed in meant that he hadn't been declared an abomination. But still, he was worried about how he would be seen and his place in the clan. He took a deep breath, and reminded himself that he wasn't here on personal matters. What he wanted to know was his clan's position on Prince Nim Nimbus. In his heart, Kragg wanted King Dak Nimbus to return, but he knew that wouldn't be an easy task. At the moment, he just wanted to ensure that whatever he caught himself up in, it wouldn't go counter to clan interests.
Rubius keeps a sharp ear out whenever he is in town to try to overhear any talk of what prompted the Stormhammers to find and free Prince Nim.
Rubius: Why the Storm Hammers released him becomes obvious as you learn about their activities since- they have been conspicuously spending money, and appear to be flush with fancy blades, and shiny new armor-- you can assume that they've taken some of the vast treasures the vault contained as their prize for freeing the Prince.
Kragg: When you speak with your father he sits and stares at you for a time, before waving his hand, "I assume you have things you wish to know."
”Aye. Father.” He took a deep breath before continuing. ”Where do we stand, on the issue of the returned prince and our missing king? What forces do we gather? What actions would bring pride into our house and what would bring shame?” He raised a rock-like hand and concentrated, causing a pick to form. ”I have changed. There isn’t any point hiding it. I called in too much of the elements. There was a dragon and I was desperate. But I still have strength to spend, and I want to ensure that it is spent in Oldstone interests.”
"Your cousins will lead the Oldstone forces. A great host they've gathered- or their father has gathered for them, for you know they are less than bright. But I know my brother's mind on this-- there will be no glory to be won with the Oldstones. At the council of war, they mean to pick the easiest path for their force, and do as little of the fighting as they can do."
"Aye, I can see you are changed- the stones of old are truly flowing through you now. If you want to help Gold Peak- attach yourself to some other force, there are plenty of them going to field."
"Prince Nim is the Prince. He is rightful heir to the throne too, unless he brother returns and has an heir. The talk is that Goldbeard's to wed his daughter to him- that old money grubber will finally get his wish of a royal wedding, it seems."
Kragg nodded along, unsurprised with much of the news. He felt relief in his heart that he was still accepted, regardless of his physical changes. Though he supposed that his condition did match the name.
”I am currently working with a solid group of dwarfs, most of noble houses. They’re solid. Been fighting with them since the siege. Before I go, do we know anything of the King’s location, or who will be going after him? It seems like to win glory for our Clan, I won’t be marching with our kinsmen.”
"King Dak was taken by the Fire Giant King Nechezzar. The Storm Hammers took out the Duke of Grasspax with help of Clan Ironfire, and hold the Grasspax Citadel. I assume Prince Nim will lead the forces attacking there"
Kragg nodded. He didn’t trust the prince as far as he could throw him, but the news made sense. Thanking his father he took his leave, to report back to his comrades what he had learned. It seemed to him that their best choice was to join the assault. Though keeping out of sight of Prince Nim seemed prudent...
As you are gathering information about the plans of the upcoming battles, this is what you know/can find out:
There are essentially six groups of enemies, and size directions where forces will need to be split.
1. Fire Giants (in the south)
2. Hill Giants (east)
3. Bogswaddle the Black and his Swamp forces to the west
4. Frost Dwarves (south east)
5. Orcs (north)
6. Reseves
Mercenaries:
1. the Dark Brothers (regardless of what you did with Dark Eye- their other leadership has collected up their main force), they are working with/for Prince Nim
2. The Silvered Sisters (unpledged/unknown)
3. The Hexed Men (unpledged/unknown)
House Forces:
4. House Cirrus
5. House Goldbeard
6. House Ironfire
7. House Wrenwrain and the Skycaptain recruits
8. House Oldstone
9. House Kragmore and the Clergy of Spiryth
10. the Stormhammer Clan (working with Prince Nim) they also have a force of Red Blooded Kobolds who are working with them
11. House Cumulus
12. House Thunderbar
13. House Tinstein
14. House Dawnstone
(other minor houses work in with their larger/established house)
After hearing everything laid out, Gage comments "don't forget we have these too!" while holding up his tablet; the one that can call upon the powers of a certain crashed space ship for help.
On the way back to Gold Peak, Rubius talks to the prisoner. "Alright now. We're not gonna kill ya no matter what ya answer. But are ya really with child? Is that dragon the father? What are your goals now that he's dead?"
"I am; of course. Only to retire somewhere I might raise my son in peace and safety."
"Oh, I bet Gold Peak will be safe in a bit. Er- there's a bit of a war going on at the moment, but once that blows over I'm sure it'll be a great place for kids!" Gage announces, unconvincingly.
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Dvalin joins the conversation, focusing more on her than on her words:"The mother of your partner did not seem to hold you in high regard. She may not like the idea of getting a grandson...alas, we have no reason to cause trouble for you. She knows neither that you are alive, nor that you are with child, and there is no need for her to learn. But you would be wise to retire somewhere sufficiently far from here. As my friend stated, Gold Peak currently has some troubles, but would otherwise be a hospitable place. We do have a small elven community tending a Vineyard. We do understand that our actions brought you grief, so the least we can do is offer some respite and hospitality. You know, in your heart, that it had to come this way. The first time, we only came to talk, but the falling-out with his mother had already caused a rift that was unmendable. If it had not been us, someone else would have done the deed.
So I humbly apologize but hope that you hold no grudge against us and consider our offer. You can come with us, stay for a while and consider your options. Settle down if you like it, or move on if you don't. When is the child due? You'd want to be someplace reasonably safe then, not on the road or on the run..."
Sensing a desire for a peaceful retirement, Rubius nods "As long as you are peaceful, you can retire at Gold Peak or somewhere else."
She thanks you and does so, you are confident she is not lying.
"Well lads, we need to figure out which army to march with, aye? And it comes down to this. Do we want to fook up the giants and try to rescue the King, or do we want to remove the Frost Dwarves from the enemy army? Now, this choice comes down to this. Do we have any leverage on the Frost Dwarves that we can use to end this diplomatically? Because I would prefer not to spill dwarven blood if I can help it. My Clan has no dealings with the Frost Dwarves, so I cannot say much on this." He looked around at the group expectantly.
Mercenaries:
1. the Dark Brothers (regardless of what you did with Dark Eye- their other leadership has collected up their main force), they are working with/for Prince Nim
2. The Silvered Sisters (unpledged/unknown)
3. The Hexed Men (unpledged/unknown)
House Forces:
4. House Cirrus
5. House Goldbeard
6. House Ironfire
7. House Wrenwrain and the Skycaptain recruits
8. House Oldstone
9. House Kragmore and the Clergy of Spiryth
10. the Stormhammer Clan (working with Prince Nim) they also have a force of Red Blooded Kobolds who are working with them
11. House Cumulus
12. House Thunderbar
13. House Tinstein
14. House Dawnstone
(other minor houses work in with their larger/established house)
"I understand your House is marching, Kragg", Thurgrom states for the others. "As the only one of us that has House and Kin in this push. If it be the will of our fellowship, I would stand with House Oldstone."
Rubius scratches his halfbeard, gingerly leaving the scars on the other half of his face alone. In a low tone, he adds "Well I want to make sure the right kind of Dwarf finds King Dak if it comes to it. I'd hate for there to be an 'accident' leaving Nim the grieving heir. So let's be in the thick of saving the king, I say."
Kragg looked more than a little embarrassed when he said "House Oldstone is a...conservative House. While a great force is being gathered, no glory will be won. Oldstone tends to move as fast as it's namesake. If we march with my clan, then it will mean that for the most part we will work alone, for we will undoubtedly move faster than that of my clan's. It does mean, though, that we will have the most operational freedom to act independently."
Thurgrom nods with respect to Kragg. "I think Rubius has the grasp on the matter. If we are fortunate to find King Dak, with our combined talents, we should be able to get him finally home. And having the eternal gratitude of a High Dwarf King will be.. fortuitous."
Gage alternates between nodding enthusiastically and shaking his head slowly. For anyone paying attention to him, it quickly becomes apparent that he just wants to agree with everything.
"Aye then. We sign up with my clan and use it as cover to do our own thing. Keeps us from being ordered around by anyone else, especially those with their own agenda for glory. We make it our mission to find the King and save him." Kragg said. "Any objections?"