Syretia mentally pages through every book she's ever read and every story she's ever heard about Shyla, Count Ranalc, and this Orsig character. Unconsciously, the index finger of her hand twitches, as if actually flipping pages.
Count Ranalc, called "The Traitor," is connected with darkness and the chaos of creation. He was exiled from the First World ages ago, perhaps even in the mortal world's prehistory, and banished to the Plane of Shadow. Though the ultimate cause of his banishment is ultimately unknown, it is suspected that he somehow defied the wishes of the other Eldest. He has since vanished, and his fate is also unknown. What is not unknown, unfortunately, is that very dangerous beings flock to his worship and service.
Shyka, called "The Many," is even stranger. Some believe it is a title rather than a single entity, as no two sources describe Shyka the same way. They are alternately as a man or woman, being very young or even decrepit, having green skin and mandibles or being an entity of pure light. One thing that remains consistent is Shyka's connection with time and the flow of events.
In fact, akin to demigods, they are actually capable of granting spells to their followers. Shyka's prime domain is time, whilst Count Ranalc's portfolio includes chaos and darkness. Of peculiar note is the fact that Count Ranalc still grants spells to his followers even though he has vanished since his ages-old banishment from the First World for unknown reasons.
Eranex's strangely curved spines and horns move like the eyebrows of an academic who has just read something curious.
"I will speak plainly, if time is so crucial. I need help driving Orsig and his allies from my father's lair. Besides his consort, a priestess of Ranalc, he is bolstered by a group of cultists. I do not know why followers of the Mother of Monsters would align themselves with Orsig's cause, but they have.
"Even against such odds I might have prevailed, but Orsig also wields a weapon that is a bane to my kind. At the very least, I would deign to see him disarmed of such a wicked armament."
Brandt looks at the group, Fey Lords and their followers, well, likely just their followers.... wait and a weapon? That may be very useful to us in case Mercifax doesn't want to talk...
He turns back to the dragon again, forgetting her massive size for a moment, This weapon, could we lay claim to it should we assist you in this conflict?
"Tha Mothah o' Monsters too?" Booker wonders out loud. "That's a lotta Divnity in one lair!" To prove his point, he shares everything he knows about Count Ranalc and Shyka.
Once questions have been asked and information shared, he looks to Lord Christian for a decision.
"Fae lords? Ah, yes, Shyka and Ranalc are very powerful." He nods to Booker "I think you know far more than I on this, friend. I remember reading in one text, very old, that Count Ranalc was banished to the plane of shadows, but I'm sorry to say if it mentioned why he was banished I do not recall"
At the mention of the Mother of monsters, a scowl goes on his face "The same cultists who took the egg possibly."
Christian involuntarily steps back as the dragon speaks. His face one of seriousness.
It would seem that our enemies are allied with yours. I think we can help each other.
Christian gazes at each member of his council and the assembled dragons with a look of wonder.
I welcome council from all on the words I am about to say.
The mercenary leader steps towards the east and stops. His head slowly scans the distant horizon as if searching for a dragon. He turns around to engage the group as a whole with his thoughts.
The cult of Lamashtu is no friend of ours and they are directly responsible for the destruction of the Crossing, Fort Serenko and the fall of Mercifax. We knew that it would only be time before we ran into them again. I say we do this...we enter and remove the threat once and for all.
Christian's face lights up with a smile.
Now I do not mean to presume anything but if they were hard pressed against the likes of Eranex, imagine what would happen if they encountered us as well...and another dragon or two.
The would be ruler looks to Apothyl with a grin.
The parents whose egg was stolen by the very same cult of Lamashtu, together to deliver justice for their child. An impressive and powerful force. Do you think there is a possibility that this news will get through to him? The knowledge that his child lives and is safe is one thing but to know that those that are responsible are within his grasp to destroy is another thing all together. This may not be enough to redeem him but it may be enough for him to see reason. It just may very well give him hope again. Do you think you could convince him to aid us with this new found information?
What say you all? Our force combined with the might of three dragons. We enter and surgically remove all threat as quietly as we can...We have the advantage of knowing who we are up against and where they are. We have first hand knowledge of the terrain....It will be a hard pressed campaign but one I feel is worth the risk.
"We are stepping on to the game board of some very powerful players," Syretia says, her voice full of awe. "Shyka and Ranalc aren't just fey lords, they're demigods, just as capable of granting divine magic to their followers as any full deity. Even Ranalc the Traitor in darkness, though he was banished long ago."
The mention of cultists of Lamashtu causes her lip to curl in disgust. "I'd be glad to drive them from our lands, before they twist and corrupt every living thing."
"TAH BATTLE!" Booker says, striking a pose with a finger pointed in the direction of where he thinks the lair is. "Shame I don' have ah bugle tah sound the charge... hmmm..."
He ponders the many and varied uses for a bugle as he positions himself at the back of their motley crew.
What say you all? Our force combined with the might of three dragons. We enter and surgically remove all threat as quietly as we can...We have the advantage of knowing who we are up against and where they are. We have first hand knowledge of the terrain....It will be a hard pressed campaign but one I feel is worth the risk.
"Agreed; I think the greater risk would be to let this evil gather power and grow."
When Brandt turns to Eranex and makes his request, the mighty silver dragon tilts her head and narrows her eyes.
"If you were to claim the weapon, how would you use it?" she asks, a hint of grim fatalism in her voice. "Even to defeat Orsig, I would not abide a powerful weapon falling into a different set of wrong hands."
Apothyl slips forward, moving with serpentine speed and grace to interrupt Eranex's musings.
"I thought you were going to speak plainly and directly?" she challenges her larger silver kin. "While you dither about, this Orsig is stinking up your lair, and my ex-mate is resting up for another rampage."
Eranex maintains a patient countenance despite Apothyl's impertinence.
"When I said the weapon was a bane to my kind, perhaps I should have said our kind instead," the silver replies sternly. "I do not presume to speak for you, but I am not keen to grant a weapon uniquely deadly to me to just any band of strangers."
"What type of weapon is it? A sword, an axe? You know it doesn't really matter. Our plan with the weapon is to use it as a last resort against Apothyl's mate. We would prefer if we could talk and reason with him, but if he is too far gone, using the weapon might be safest and mercifulness way to prevent further loss of innocent life."
"So, maybe, ya know, we only use tha weapon fer potential mercy-delivery upon Mercifax, then give it tah the Magnificently Silver Eranex?" Booker suggests, cupping his hands around his mouth to be heard from such a distance.
Brandt nods, We are your neighbors and will take up arms in your cause. But Mercifax may need dealing with in more than a nice way, Orlogg's right, this may make the difference between more people under our care living or dying.
Stepping forward to stand in between the two dragons, Christian looks up at the silver with understanding.
Apothyl has the right of it. Now is not the time to debate ethics or all the what ifs and such.
Looking around to the others.
We have a task at hand, let us be finished with that business first. Afterwards we can discuss what is to be done with the bane weapon.
Turning back to the silver, Christian looks up at her.
...now if you would be so kind as to brief us on what we are getting into. Numbers, locations and abilities would be nice to know. Defenses that they have built up and any weakness that we may be able to exploit.
"As Lord D'Elagante says, the weapon's fate need not be decided at this very moment. Still, I hope by returning Apothyl's child to her, and by aiding you in your quest, that we might prove we are not enemies to dragonkind, but friends, and so earn a measure of trust."
Bydar nods to Booker, "that would be a possibility" he looks to the cleric adds his voice to the Chorus, "Strangers we might be, but we've already proven to be allies to goodly dragons with our actions with the egg I would hope. Let us help you, we'll work it out as the others said but preparedness maybe crucial for us to BE of Aid."
"Very well," Eranex sighs before describing the enemy forces.
The Lamashtu cultists number six in all, including their master, a warrior priest who carries a flaming polearm. They have ensconced themselves in the drier caves and tunnels to the east, deeper in the earth and stone. The silver dragon also indicates that it is these passages that connect to the lair that Mercifax and Apothyl formerly shared.
"In truth, theirs was once also part of my father's considerable home," Eranex clarifies. "You would have to fight through those cultists to reach your destination, anyhow."
She cites Orsig's court, however, as the greater danger. They have claimed the northern half of the caverns, including the more watery reaches.
"Orsig is a cold rider, so he is immune to my breath. He is a cruel knight of ice and darkness. Herrketa, his fetchling consort, is a priestess to their master, the Traitor. They have also recruited the Glimmer Sisters, a trio of shae siblings. However, their reputation proceeds them from the First World, and I suspect the sisters are planning to betray Orsig in the end and claim the artifact for themselves."
"I bet I've got something they're afraid of," Syretia says, the snap of her fingers accompanied by a flash of smoke and flame.
Christian listens intently as the silver dragon explains the current situation.
OK...so we have a half dozen cultist in the eastern caves...and five others in the northern caves. So what do we know of cold riders, Shae, fletchlings?
How would everyone like to proceed? Which group do we take on first?
"We would need to make sure that whatever group we take on first, the other can't reinforced it during the fight." He turns to the silver dragon. "Can you tell us more about the physical layout of the caves? It would help to prepare for the fight ahead."
He also racks his brain for any information about the different creature they are about to face... and at the same time wishes he had paid more time when learning about those thing.
Brandt thinks a moment, and withdraws a coin from his pocket and seems on the verge of flipping it when he suddenly stops, The Lamashtu cultists have a flaming weapon? and this Orsig is a cold rider? Let's take the flaming weapon from the cultists and then go after Orsig and his brood second. the ranger proposes.
Christian could use the flaming weapon, and we pass the enchanted weapon we got from Nettle's Crossing to someone else?
"I think Brand'ts onto something, using one group's magic against the next? Impressive. " He nods to the ranger, "As for myself I'm not one for strategy but the goddess has empowered me with a spell of protection from evil. the cultists surely will draw on unholy powers. I'll cast the protection on whoever you more strategically minded wish of us."
Even the coldest of cold doesn't bother them, so they are yet another foe immune to Eranex's breath weapon. What's more, their very touch drains the very heat from living creatures, leaving patches of colorless flesh in lieu of normal frostbite. This affinity for the cold may also be part of why they were willing to ally with Orsig.
You know nothing of the worship of the fey Eldest, so you aren't sure what kind of power a priestess of Count Ranalc might wield. Of course, based upon the descriptions you've heard of him being a traitor tied to chaos and darkness, you can't imagine Herrketa's power is very wholesome.
As for the Lamashtu priest, you tried to avoid reading the stomach-turning accounts detailing such worship. However, owing to that goddess' epithet as the Mother of Monsters, you're sure one of her priests would be adroit in summoning foul beasts and invoking curses.
Cold riders are terrifying armored majesties, clad in cloaks of frost with a pair of large crystal-blue antlers cresting their almost skeletal heads. Their icy armor and weapons are as much a part of them as their frozen flesh. Cold riders delight in perversion, slaughter, and the corruption of other fey.
However, this affinity for cold works against them, as fire is a known way to fight such foes.
Eranex uses one of her claws to etch a map into the clay at the side of the pool, recreating from memory the intricacies of her vanished father's lair, which now serves as a battleground.
Great, the cold riders, long have my people told stories of the cold ones. Its said their gaze can freeze the blood in your veins unless the fires of hearth and home course through you. the ranger pauses dramatically for a moment before continuing. The fey are clad in armor of ice, with horns as long as yer arm coming from their almost-skeletal heads. Their blades likewise are forged in the heart of a glacier. They are harbingers of destruction, and delight in slaughter.
He looks down a moment, But there is something we can posses which will hurt them, and hurt them badly. Fire... The ranger looks to Syretia, hopeful she knows the ways of fire magic, This is why I think we go after the depraved followers of Lamashtu first, beyond the fact that we already wanted them out of the lands near ours. he says, careful not to impose upon the dragon's territorial claims.
"Sounds like ah buncha bad dudes, let's roast 'em!" Booker adds. "We already know tha lay o' tha land, so I think we gotta use it tah our advantage, see? Maybe ah sortah two pronged approach?"
________
"The shae aren't cold-aligned, per se, but their connection to the shadow plane has left them immune to its touch. And yes, Brandt," she says, catching his hopeful expression, "I know plenty of ways to bring the heat. I also agree that we should take on the Lamashtans first. Their flaming weapons will be of particular use against the other group."
Bydar and Syretia's knowledge of religion provides some further insight into the likely characteristics of a Lamashtu cult. The Mother of Monsters is worshiped by gnolls, goblins, harpies, lamias, morlocks and other creatures that live on the fringe of civilization. However, Eranex has only observed humans members among the cult.
Human worshipers typically include those who are outcast from society and seek the power to revenge themselves against those who have shunned them. Beyond the harm they have caused by stealing Apothyl and Mercifax's egg, if allowed to continue operating they would sure seek to undermine your settlement.
"While what we could consider inhuman monsters often join Lamashtu's twisted flock, as Eranex has only seen humans among them, we are dealing with humans who feel they are outcasts and now lash out at others to cause chaos and harm to settlements such as ours."
sounds like we have a plan of attack ...the cultists first, then the cold rider and then the dragon...
looking to brand.
splitting our forces is dangerous as alot could go wrong. if you feel we can pull it off I am game. how do you propose we proceed and what actions should we take first
The Ulfen man thinks a moment, then looks down at the map. I don't think we should split up much at all, I'd be hesitant to split our melee combatants up significantly in there. Christian and Orlogg will be needed to keep the cultists from reaching Booker and Syretia; and while I can handle myself in a face to face with Fenrir, I'm more effective with my bow. He squints into the dirt again, I'd say we hit them from the southernmost entry into their cave, as that's the least likely source from which they'd expect an attack?
He looks to his companions, Any one else have any good ideas of how to proceed?
"Mmm," Bydar ponders "Well, Syretia's invisibility spell seems to have wonderful uses for surprise attack. Perhaps it would allow Lord Christian to close onto them before they can realize it if he and she like that plan? " A sheepish look to the whole group "I'm just ah, what's the word? Spitballing?"
"Beenin' sneaky ain't never hurt no one. 'cept, yuh-know, tha goons on tha rahceivin' end!" Booker adds.
________
"I'd much prefer to have one or more of you between me and the cultists, thank you very much," Syretia comments. "That said, here's a thought: Brandt and Fenrir charge in, with me, Bydar, and Booker not far behind, while Lord D'Elagante and Orlog, both invisible, sneak up in the far tunnel. Either they come toward us and are caught completely unawares by our two heavies, or run from us straight into the tender mercies of our warpriest and dragon knight."
As she says this, she moves over to Fenrir to give the wolfdog some affectionate scritches. "While you all mull that over, I'll put some protective enchantments on our mascot."
"Don't worry, nothing gets pass me once I get into position." Orlog smiles as he tries to reassure Syretia. "But for being stealthy, I'm afraid that it is not my strength." He taps his chest, make a nice metallic bang as he does.
Syretia grins. "That's why you'll be invisible, and we'll be making such a ruckus they won't be able to hear you coming either."
The ranger holds his elven-wrought cloak up against the wall, and its color shifts ever so slightly to match the stone around them. Orlogg can go with you, and I can sneak around the side otherwise. he suggests
"With all due respect," Eranex interrupts, "you erroneously call Lord D'Elagante and Orlog your 'heavies.' After all, you have two peerless allies in your midst."
The silver dragon rises to her full height and puffs out her scaled chest proudly. Apothyl briefly shoots the larger dragon a look that speaks, "You're including me in your personal war?" However, with a sigh she suddenly remembers that she is largely doing the same.
"Please consider this addition to your battle plan," Eranex suggests. "I will engage Orsig in a parlay to distract him and keep his cohorts from joining the cultists against you. If fortune smiles upon us, you will finish with that wicked lot and be ready to flank Orsig whilst I still have him distracted."
The Ulfen man nods, So, Eranex will occupy Orsig with parlay. Apothyl, would you consent to join in our assault? And be willing to enter through the closest entryway? he asks, pointing at the north passage. Then Orlogg, Bydar, and Syretia enter here once the cultists are occupied with a dragon on their doorstep. he points to the middle western tunnel to the cultist's lair.
Meanwhile, Christian, Booker, Fenrir, and I; aided by magic or our own skills at stealth, assault from the southernmost tunnel, here. the Ranger taps the last tunnel with the point of an arrow.
How's that sound to everyone? Gets Christian in close with Invisibility. Orlogg anchors the center line of attack with Bydar and Syretia supporting. And Apothyl holds the left flank for us. He stands from the dirt map, feeling pretty good about the revised plan.
So if I am following this correctly...ideally....the enemy will have themselves in this area that leaves no way for retreat...I can hope that they did that. Enarex engages in diplomacy with the cultist beseeching them to leave now before they are killed. The enemy is emboldened by a single enemy only and does not flee. Instead they prepare to attack. At which point Eranex lets loose her breath weapon. That will be the time when Apothyl steps out to her left and drops her Breath on the enemy as well. Now the enemy at this point should have less numbers, I would hope or at least heavily wounded. The third group moves in to fill the holes behind and in between the dragons. Attacking from range at the enemy. If we leave the right flank slightly open for them to see. I am seeing only two options for them here and one is fleeing, the other is to attack with abandonment. The forth groups hearing the dual dragon attacks and the third group attacks will enter the fray at this time. We move into the presented hole for the enemy to flee towards. If the do not flee we come in and attack from behind. If they do flee we close the hole and attack from surprise leaving their assess open for the attacks from behind. The noose is pulled tight and we mop up.
Christian steps back from the group as he looks to Brand.
I like it. Nicely done and orderly. Well thought out Brand. One thing to caution on the sneaky group...I am guessing here but it would be wise to not underestimate the enemy. The mother of monsters is no chump. It is a possibility that the enemy will have abilities similar to monsters and animals. While they may not "see" us they very well may have other ways of pin pointing our location...smell, feel, hearing...just be careful.
He nods a bit and smiles.
We will adjust accordingly once contact is made with the enemy. Just remember that the sneaky folks will be coming in on the eastern side of the tunnels but we will remain just inside the tunnels until the dragons breath goes off. That will be our call to action.
When do we start?
"OH! OH! I KNOW!" Booker says, jumping with his hand in the air. "NOW!" he cheers with a grin.
"I just need ah minute tah prep, see? Once we get close enough, anyways."
________
Once the party is prepared, Eranex leads her new allies behind the Duskdraw Fall and into the watery caverns beyond. Apothyl shivers, finding the cold and wet environs very unpleasant.
Through the twisting, water-logged tunnel, the silver dragon soon leads you to a broad cavern filled with water that, for most of you, rises to your shins. A fine sheet of slowly tumbling water splits the chamber into two sections: an elevated ledge atop a sheet rock face to the east, and the open area to the west. The water flows lazily back the way you came, out towards Lake Silverstep.
Eranex leads you up a curving, sloping side passage that provides access to the upper level of the cavern. The cold, running water makes the going treacherous, but the two dragons seem to make an unspoken competition out of helping you keep your footing and protecting you from falling.
Atop the ledge at the top of the waterfall within the cavern, you find a striking sight. A massive dragon's head has been carved from the stone wall. It's mouth yawns open, large enough to even allow Eranex to pass through. It also bears a noticeable resemblance to your silver dragon host.
"My father carved this to guard the way into his inner sanctum," Eranex states. You aren't sure whether she is embarrassed or amused by this bit of vanity on the part of her sire. "I've retooled it for my own purposes."
The silver dragon pulls something from betwixt her scales, much like one might remove a splinter from a finger. She offers it to you, revealing that it is an etched disk of quartz.
"This is carved with my personal rune. There is a keyhole hidden at the back of the carving's mouth. This disk will open it and provide access to my lair," she states, her tone suggesting what a privilege she is thus affording you.
"From there, you can find a hidden passage that will lead you to where the cultists currently dwell. You should thus be able to launch your surprise attack. I will go this way," she says, pointing towards another twisting tunnel that opens at the opposite side of the cavern waterfall, " to distract Orsig with a charade of negotiations."
"Going to match wits with the cold rider? Awfully cruel of you to thus fight an unarmed opponent," Apothyl jests.
"Thank you, Eranex," Syretia says in a voice filled with awe. She turns to the indicated cavern, her face set with determination. "All right, let's make our host proud and drive these bastards out."
Brandt nods, deeply honored by the draconic gesture, but says nothing heading deeper into the caverns with Fenrir in tow.
are we ready?
He touches Lord Christian's shoulder and prays "My the forces of the holy shield you from he unnholy" and the prayer of protection done, "I'm ready. Should they try to to with your mind somehow that should help."
And he follows the others, glaive ready.
Booker proceeds with his spellcasting. "I was born ready, I was!" he asserts.
If Eranex had not told you to look for it, it would be very easy to overlook the divot hidden in the sculpted rock at the back of the stone dragon's throat. Enlightened to its presence, though, you insert the quartz disk into the crevice, causing the etched rune to glow a pale blue. The stone groans and splits apart, revealing the secret passage beyond.
"This would be a terrible time to discover that this was all a ruse and that this stone maw is about to crunch down upon us," Apothyl muses, offering the grim joke as she squeezes though the aperture. Fortunately, her joke proves to be nothing more than that.
A long, twisting passage leads you deeper into the mountainside, until it deposits you into the fey silver dragon's personal lair. Glassy pools are limned by the lustrous natural minerals jutting from the cavern walls and the strange, luminescent fungi on the mossy floor, spangling the air with dazzling motes.
It does not take long to discover that the chamber is not empty, even in Eranex's absence. A small mob of tiny, multi-colored beings peek out from the moss and mushrooms that line the edges of the cavern. They soon shamble from their hiding spots on stubby legs. They appear to be living mushrooms of mismatched shapes and sizes, although none taller than two and a half feet tall.
Despite their strange, sometimes unnerving, or even outright frightening appearance, none of them seem the least bit hostile. Instead, they gaze up at you in mute wonder like children might stare at a large, unfamiliar animal in a menagerie. Some of them hold up bits of glowing mushrooms, offering them like welcoming gifts.
These include an entire arsenal of weapons, apparently made from silver and cold iron. There are also a large collection of bottles and phials, their shapes and colors mimicking the wide variety of fungi they are hidden among. There are also a few statuettes, figurines, and other curios to be seen.
Syretia's bold advance into the lair stops short when she catches sight of the ambulatory mushrooms. Apprehensively, she turns back to the others. "Um...what are these?"
These, fungus Leshys. They are intelligent plant people who look after plants. They are peaceful generally and inquisitive. the ranger stoops down to accept a gift from one of the fungus leshys, offering it a copper piece from his pouch in exchange.
Straightening up, Brandt speaks, I don't think they mean us any harm, but they are just curious things who watch over plants. the ranger smiles at the leshy and then back to his friends. It speaks well of our new ally that she allows them to reside in her home. I do think Eranex is just and can be trusted.