GM Badblood's Deluge of the Drowned God #9-22 (1-5) (Inactive)

Game Master Lance K

Between the size of the boat, the narrow cave opening, the need to avoid the tempest and the fact that the dragon is on land, ramming the dragon would be very hard. There will be a significant risk of losing the boat to the tempest if you try it.

"Yes, listen to your leader! He is clearly the largest and there for the most powerful and intelligent of your group. I will call you "Hammerhead!"

Answering Zalgrim's question, “The anomaly appears to be a tangle of the Planes of Air and Water. Catastrophic elemental events can sometimes cause these ripples, like folds in a draped cloth. They often fade on their own, in time. I am researching how to keep this one open permanently, so that its power may serve me.”

The dragon allows Bennet, Zalgrim and any others who are willing to swear fealty to leave the boat to admire him, but the Tempest Monarch puts his body in the way of anyone who attempts to examine the anomaly more closely.

“You notice it doesn’t hunger for mortal beings or items, it only agitates water and air," the dragon says with pride. "I have found that elementals and other summoned creatures from its own planes are drawn into it and beyond, while those of earth and fire are weakened within its range.”

The dragon answers the Professor, "Why, all I require of you is that you serve me in any way that I ask. I may require that you obtain some items for me that I do not have the time or desire to acquire myself. We can discuss that once everyone has sworn fealty to me."

You can reposition your tokens on the map however you would like. The dragon can take to the air if it is feeling crowded by you and isn't going to allow the party to surround it, so just keep in mind that I may readjust his position to something sensible if you try to initiate combat.

Sorry - I didn't notice the map. I had assumed it was a sandy island in the middle of an underground lake, primarily because I just GMed a game for my kids with a sandy island in the middle of an underground lake.

"Monarch, how will our servitude advance your goals?"

Bocke will play nice and try to get within 30'.

Bluff: 1d20 ⇒ 10

This is one of those situations where the written description really doesn't match the map that they chose to use. And considering that a swan boat is supposed to be big enough to hold 32 people, its kind of small.

The Tempest Monarch hisses when Bocke speaks. "You are not worthy to serve me. I can sense your lack of sincerity."

It doesn't sound like there is anyone who is sincerely interested in helping the Tempest Monarch, so you will need a Diplomacy or Bluff to convince him. So far only Zalgrim and Bennett have convinced the Tempest Monarch that they sincerely wish to help him and he will allow them to get close enough to the anomaly to study it, using Knowledge Nature or Planes.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

Oh great Monarch, I am humbled to be in your presence. I too would be interested in helping you in whatever way you insist. May I approach?

"Oi," Zalgrim whispers to Professor Masaendri, "don't get mad love."

Zalgrim makes his way to the edge of the boat, addressing the Tempest Monarch with confidence. "It's fantastic to finally meet a being worthy of appreciation, other gods that hide in their planes could learn something from a true being who makes their name in the Material Plane." He jumps down from the boat, and motions back to the professor. "The petty studies of the planes is beneath me, this is my servant for whom I rely on such things. May she approach, and study this anomaly? Perhaps her findings will help lesser minds understand the scope of your power."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

"Oi," Zalgrim whispers to Professor Masaendri, "don't get mad love."

A flash of indignation flits across the Professor's face before anxiety overtakes it. "Love"?! Are you serious?! Of all the nerve!

"The petty studies of the planes is beneath me, this is my servant for whom I rely on such things. May she approach, and study this anomaly? Perhaps her findings will help lesser minds understand the scope of your power."

Realization dawns on her. Ahhh. Not bad. It could work. And now I have to avoid undermining him. That's going to be difficult. Smart enough to acknowledge her own limitations, Professor Masaendri chooses not to speak, but simply ducks her head in a subservient manner toward the dragon.

The Tempest Monarch narrows its eyes as it considers Bedisa's request. "Yes, I could a strong warrior to carry out my commands. You may approach."

There is a long pause after Zalgrim's request, as the dragon considers his proposal. The dragon lifts on claw to its chin contemplatively then says, "I have considered your request and let it not be said that I am unreasonable ruler. If you vouch for this one, then I will allow her to examine the anomaly. But be warned, I will hold you responsible for her actions."

The Professor can examine the anomaly using a Knowledge Arcana or Planes check.

At this point the party has spent about fifteen minutes parlaying with the Monarch.

As the party disembarks from the boat the dragon flies up and perches itself on a rocky ledge about ten feet off the ground (just out of reach of a sword swing, but low enough to be reached with a polearm).

"Hammerhead and the small one, who I shall call the Eel because you are little and clever; you may both approach and hear my commands."

Bowing respectfully to the dragon, Professor Masaendri disembarks from the swan boat and shuffles along the shoreline toward the rift, trying her best to look non-threatening. Her instinctive resentment at being treated as a lackey is somewhat mollified by the opportunity it has given her to examine the rift. Of COURSE I forgot to bring parchment and charcoal or a pencil with me. Then again, the parchment would've been ruined when I fell into the water. Hmm... What can I use to take notes? She digs around in her soggy pack, dropping the potion back in there, and decides on a rather unconventional combo: her thick, trusty yardstick and dagger. Huh. This will have to do. She gets as close as she safely can, using the dagger to inscribe shorthand notes into the wood of the yardstick.

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

In spite of the danger, her eyes light up with enthusiasm. Oh my goodness! This is incredible! This beats studying dusty old tomes any day! Oh, I feel so alive!

Monarch, a spellcaster of that power would take days to find and pay for. What assurance can we take to local leadership that you would quell the disturbance in the sea? Bennett think we may be being asked more than we can handle.

"Not to mention payment. Surely a being of your might can offer a measure of your own wealth to pay for this scroll of teleport you desire."

Bocke was only trying to get Bedisa close enough to attack. I t hink the rest of us are ranged.

Eredur waits and bid his time, keeping an eye on the elf.

Let's hope she doesn't endanger herself foolishly. She seems to have her mind clear, for an elf, but I don't trust the dragon a bit.

The Professor examines the rift and confirms that what the dragon told the party appears to be accurate. The rift appears to be a small, unstable portal into both the elemental planes of Air and Water and when looked at closely the Professor realizes that she is actually looking into to these worlds. The portal is too small and unstable to travel through but it is pulling at the water and air in the material plane, which is what is causing the high winds and currents. She also understands that the rift would effect elemental magic. Air and water magic would be drawn to the rift and effectively dispelled. On the other hand, because of the influence of opposing elements, the power of earth and fire spells and creatures would be greatly diminished.

The dragon becomes angry when both Bennett and Zalgrim begin asking it for money. It rears its head and roars down at them from its rocky perch.

[biiger]"YOU DARE TO ASK YOUR MONARCH FOR A REWARD! YOU HAVE DONE NOTHING FOR ME YET! YOU WILL GET YOUR REWARD WHEN YOU RETURN TO ME WITH WHAT I ASKED FOR!"[/bigger]

As the Tempest Monarch continues his tirade, the party begin to notice that the dragon does not appear to be quite as large as they were before. Before they appeared to be around 8 feet long from snout to tail, but now the dragon looks to be more like four feet long. Even the creature's voice appears to have changed. While by no means cute or harmless sounding, its voice has become a bit higher in pitch and less booming.

The dragon begins to calm down and then says, "It is unwise to tell a dragon what to do with its wealth. It is a rather touchy subject for our kind. But you can be reassured that I will not set you up to have you fail. I do have a bag of gold for you. You will use this to purchase the items I seek and to recruit more servants for me. When you return, you will also be rewarded."

The creature is actually Small sized and Eredur thinks this might only be a very young brine dragon.

Bedisa sits backs and enjoys watching the conversation between the dragon and her new 'servants'. Do you have other servants around that we can meet?

The dragon replies curtly, "Yes, of course. It is not as if you are the only creatures to pass the Trial. They are on the island, carrying out my will. You will meet them soon."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Seems legit!

Eredur choose not to believe the dragon, when it talks about other servants.

Never trust a dragon. This one uses lies and deceptions, illusions probably.

He casts a spell on himself, following his strategy.

Cast Blur

You want to play with smoke and mirrors, dragon, and deceive our senses? I'll play that game too, if you don't mind.

Bennett gets a better look at the dragon. I wonder if it's power is altered by the portal. If we keep it way, we can more easily deal with it.

As Eredur casts a spell, Uh. That might be interpreted badly.

As she discovered the effects of the rift, the Professor would have called out: "Oh my! This rift affects elemental magic as well! All water- and air-based magic and creatures would be pulled toward it, while all fire and earth magic and creatures are weakened around it. How fascinating!"

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Oh, dear, Eredur! That was foolish. Then again, it would have to come to blows eventually. I *had* hoped it would've happened when I was farther away from that dratted dragon, however. Sigh.

Acting like she was struck with sudden inspiration, Professor Masaendri exclaims to herself: "Oh! Surely I have a spell to help identify that..." She then pulls out her spell book and begins studying it, surreptitiously keeping one eye on the dragon perched above her.

She is using her Quick Study exploit as a full round action to switch out Heightened Awareness to gain Magic Missile. I assume that it's been more than an hour since we explored the wreck, so her previously cast Mage Armor has ended. Once she is finished, she readies an action to cast Mage Armor as soon as she thinks she's in imminent danger.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18

Bedisa feels like the dragon might be exaggerating and/or lying about her followers. But she'll play along.

I'm so excited to meet them all! Will they be here soon? How many are there? What are they're names? How long have you lived here? This cave is really nice.

Bedisa will just babble along, trying to distract the dragon with questions. She is generally interested in learning about the dragon and what other things it will tell Bedisa (truthful or not).

Yeah, once both sides are aware of each other, casting a spell like that will trigger initiative. Eredur can cast the blur or whatever he wants to do when his turn comes up. Keep in mind doing this keeps me from having a bad guy drop a nasty spell immediately after they complete their Evil Monologue. Same deal with readying a spell before combat starts. You will be able to use Quick Study though.

It looks like we're going to be moving into combat, so everyone feel free to position your tokens where ever you'd like to start. I'll post initiative tomorrow morning. The land is normal terrain and there's no issue with jumping from the boat to the "island".

Hearing Eredur begin to murmur the first few words of his spell, the Tempest Monarch snaps his head towards the dwarf and shouts, "Treachery!" in a loud, sharp voice as it prepared to leap at the wizard from it's stone perch.

Round 1
Bocke
Bennett
Zalgrim
Professor M
Eredur
Bedisa
The Tempest Monarch

Everybody beats the Tempest Monarch's initiative.

"You should have asked us to be your friends, not your subjects."

Bocke pulls out his bow, enacts a swift judgement of destruction, and lets an arrow fly.

Longbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Damage, Judgement: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6
Crit?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Crit Additional Damage: 2d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2, 6) + 2 + 2 = 12

Bedisa was not expecting a fight with the dragon. But as she sees Eredur cast a spell and Bocke shoot his bow, Bedisa realizes it's time.

Calling upon the power of her ancestors, she'll rush over to the dragon. They'll know what to do.

Double move to be right under the dragon, pulling out longsword as she moves.
Free action to enter Bloodrage

Bennett puts some space between him and the others in case a breath weapon were to be loosed.

longbow, pbs: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
damage vs flatfoot: 1d8 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + (4) = 10

Here we go... Sighing at the inevitable, Professor Masaendri casts Mage Armor on herself. Glancing around at everyone's placement, she nods in approval. Ah, good. No one is clustering together. I wonder what this dragon's breath weapon is? She nervously holds her ground, unsure of where the safest location would be.

Are we sure this is a dragon at all, as opposed to some kind of illusion?

Killin’ a dragon on me first adventure. Sounds about right.

Zalgrim channels his magic and summons forth an eagle behind the dragon, ordering it to attack.

Talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Talon Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Talon Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Bite Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

It's always possible that this could be an illusion.

Round 1
Bocke
Bennett
Zalgrim
Professor M
Eredur
Bedisa
The Tempest Monarch -19

16 does not hit the dragon's flat footed AC, so no critical.

Bennett and Bocke both let loose arrows from their bows that strike true. Zalgrim summons forth an eagle which manages to claw the dragon with one of it's talons. Professor Molvil protects herself with mage armor while Bedisa moves under the dragon with her sword drawn.

Eredur started initiative but he's by no means obligated to cast blur. I'll give you some time before posting the dragon's action.

Eredur finishes his spell, and his body seems a little off and on, as if you weren't totally sure where he is currently standing

Cast Blur

Furious from it's injuries the little tyrant leaps off its perches and flies over Bedisa's head with blinding speed. Zalgrim's eagle attempts to claw at the dragon's tail with it's razor sharp talons as it flies away from it. The dragon flies past Zalgrim and drops into claw range with the halfling. Once in position the Tempest Monarch let's loose with a loud roar and a stream of searing acid bursts from its mouth in a torrent.

Acid Breathe, Reflex DC 13 for half damage: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 1) = 8

Round 2
Bocke
Bennett
Zalgrim
Professor M
Eredur
Bedisa
The Tempest Monarch -19

Zalgrim's eagle gets an AoO against the dragon.

Bocke is convinced it's a dragon now. :)

Bocke will step up and fire another arrow.

Longbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Damage, Judgement: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4

Bocke adjusts his shot to avoid hitting Zalgrim and manages to clip the dragon in the wing.

"I knew I couldn't trust you priest! But why do you betray me, Hammerhead! You could have been the general of my forces but now you're just going to be a food!"

Round 2
Bocke
Bennett
Zalgrim
Professor M
Eredur
Bedisa
The Tempest Monarch -23

"Sargeant to general! Congrats on the promotion, Hammerhead!"

Bedisa will run over to the dragon and swing her sword. She doesn't want to kill the dragon though - its more of a curiosity than a threat. She'll feel guilty killing it.

Don't kill the dragon! I want it alive!

Longsword Attack Non-Lethal: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 7 - 4 = 10

Longsword damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
HP -8 14/22

Bennett flinches as acid scorches his arm. We won't be ruled by intimidation and tyranny, creature.

longbow, pbs, rapid shot: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

longbow, pbs, rapid shot: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Eredur was already starting another spell, and abruptly stops

Professor, the dragon just spew acid. I suppose it's either highly resistant to acid or even immune, or his own breath weapon would harm him. A reasonable assertion, I shall say. So don't use acid-based spells, as I was about to do.

The dwarf takes one of his wand, and sends a small dart of energy toward the dragon

Magic missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

One of Bennett's arrows strikes the Tempest Monarch in his other wing, causing significant damage. Eredur follows up with a magical missile that almost knocks the dragon out of the air.

"Surrender! I surrender!" the wounded dragon cries out in a shrill and pathetic voice.

Bennett keeps his bow trained on the dragon. Bring yourself down here, Monarch. He says in a sarcastic tone. Bedisa, keep that sword on this thing's neck. We need some answers.

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

”Time for my secret annihilation technique! Say goodbye! ...Oh.” Zalgrim slumps his shoulders in disappointment when the dragon surrenders. ”We were just warming up.”

Zalgrim’s skin was red and blistered from the acid, but he didn’t seem to mind. ”I hope you have something worthwhile to tell us ‘Monarch’, otherwise we may as well just finish you off.”

Bedisa will walk up to the dragon with her sword raised.

What ever shall we do with you, oh great Monarch?. Bedisa lets out a toothy smile and laughs.

You know, this old half orc realized you were lying right off the bat. You're not all that great. But we accept your surrender. We can't just leave you here though. Who knows what other troubles you could cause. We'll have to take you back with us.

"There's no reason to kill me. You can have my horde, as pitiful as it is. I'll admit it, I have no control over the this tempest. I've learned a lot about how it works because I've been stuck here for a long time. It pulls on creatures with a connection to the Plane of Water and it keeps me from ever leaving. I've been living on whatever fish or crabs get washed into the caves and I've managed to build a little wealth for myself by picking through the wreakages that are pulled in."

The dragon comes down from the air and lands among the group. "There are some notes in the chest, along with the few meager possessions I have. Whoever wrote them had some understanding of the forces at work here, as provincial as their thinking was," the dragon scoffs.

Would like to do a sense motive check.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (20) + 0 = 20

Can you really not leave the cave? That is troublesome. If you want to get out, we can help you.

Bedisa still has her sword out. This dragon has lied before and may lie again.

"Well, we don't mind you eating whatever crabs and fish wash in. We'd even be happy to arrange a regular shipment of crabs and fish. But you can't keep any of your treasure - it belongs to others - and you can't hurt humanoids - even if we find a way to free you from here."

Does the Professor have a way of collapsing the anomaly?

If not, is there a way for us to sail or swim back out?

"What do you mean you cannot leave? It pulls only water and air creatures toward it. I am certain that I read that acid is a manifestation of an earth-based element, though I must admit I haven't studied all of the myriad types of dragons." The Professor pauses, the wheels in her head spinning as she awaits an answer from the little dragon.

The dragon's statement seems to match what Professor Molvil learned about the anamoly. Brine dragons do have a strong attachment to the Plane of Water and it does seem to be attracted to the rift. Even if it wasn't, the high winds and rough waters could make it hard for such a small creature to escape. The Tempest Monarch also does seem to be thoroughly defeated and has lost most of its natural haughtiness.

The dragon considers Bedisa's offer. "If you would be willing to get me out of here, I would graciously accept your offer."

"You can have the treasure, priest. Dragons do not die of old age or disease and if I can survive this day I will have time to rebuild my fortune many times over. And I have no desire to hurt humanoid creatures. My kind are destined to rule over lesser sentient beings such as yourself, not hunt them as food."

Brine dragons are actually have the extraplanar and water subtypes.

"Ugh...The Plane of Earth sounds immensely unpleasant. I am a creature of the air and sea and always have been. And yes, I have tried to leave many times and I just can't make it."

There is a chest in the corner of this "island."

Bennett lowers his bow after hearing the defeated creature's pleas. Let's gather up whats here. Treasure, clues, equipment. If we can piece a solution from that we'll get us ALL out of here.

Bennett goes on the search for the chest and other objects for the learned to identify.

Does anyone have gust of wind? We can fashion a sail and gust out of here.

”I could summon us a dolphin to assist by pulling the boat,” says Zalgrim.