Curse of the Crimson Throne.

Game Master Patrick Levasseur

"Plane shift," mutters Alika.

Well, I feel cheated. But glad it is gone. Is everyone alright?

I'm not too badly hurt. Frustrating that it got away, but we're still breathing. I'll take it.

"Could have been worse, but that frog-thing bit and clawed me a couple times.. Should we take a moment to make sure wounds are taken care of before we investigate further?"

And I got his with that level draining staff...And hit hard too.

Alistair dashes in striking at the quickly fading creature.
Motherf&+*er...DAMN IT!
A low growl escapes his lips.
Poor form. I hate when they do that.

Let us search and be done with this place. I am a bit weary after this battle. Tired more like it.

"Unfortunately, I don't have the magic to repair that kind of damage," Alika says apologetically to Kyras. "I can try to help treat you so that you'll recover, but if your body can't shake the effect, I'll have to purchase some special materials to deal with the aftereffects."

I don't have restoration prepared at the moment, and there's no way for me to get it in time to beat the window when you have to make your save vs. the level drain becoming permanent. If you fail the save I'll have to find 1,000 gp of diamonds somewhere to remove it.

I don't know how many levels each of you lost. If you take multiple permanent level drains, we could be out several thousand gold and several weeks of time (you can only repair one lost level per week with restoration).

You explore the rest of the temple and can really appreciate the craftmanship. The place is almost bare, some stone tables here and there, but nothing much. In one corner, you find two scroll cases.

Take a look at those scrolls and then let us move on. It appears that those creatures were all that was in here.

Right away, Alistair.

Seltyn casts Read Magic and checks out the scrolls.

The scroll case are mostly filled with religious text of Desna. Putting them all together, you realise that you have an old copy of The Eight Scrolls, the complete doctrine of the church of Desna. You also find a scroll with the spell Beacon of Luck. Also, in one of the case, you find a ring of Stairs and Stars, a magical right praise by the priest of Desna.

With nothing else in the place, you head back to the entrace. There waiting for is an old man that look ancient. He smiles at you. "Thank you for taking care of this problem for us. I am Akram, Truthspeaker. I believe you came here to see me?"

That's an interesting scroll, but I can't use it. Alika can, though.

Once back at the entrance, Seltyn sees the old man. He'll let someone else talk to him.

People?

"Greetings, Akram. I am Alika. These are my companions Seltyn, Alistair, and Kyras," says the priestess to the new arrival just as she is taking the scrolls.

"We are, indeed, on something of a quest here, and a Truthspeaker seems to be part of it. But we are also somewhat worn from our battles. Can we perhaps take some distance from this place and find a safe location where we can talk?""[/b]

Internet Goblins ate my post. I am not sure what I posted anymore. LOL

Alistair turns and bows slightly with a smile.
That we did.

He turns to the more diplomatic people in the group inviting them to speak.

Can you tell us about the Trial of the Totem? the elf asks, curious.

Garran nodded at the Truthspeaker and said, "We have much to speak to you about."

Alistair looks from the others to the old man.

We fought and banished a great evil in that place and some of us suffered draining wounds that will require time or powerful healing magic to make us whole again.

We could use your help.

the old Shoanti looks over the group. "Yes of course, we have priests that should be able to help with that. Just follow me to their tent." The old man leads you through the collection of tents that make the clan's home. While old, the man is still able to move swiftly.

"Right in here." He opens a flap of a massive tent and enter. As you follow in, you find a very pleasant interior. There are lamps casting a relaxing light and encens burning, providing a nice smells. The floor in line with thick carpets and pillow. Akram motionned to a sitting area and a few Shoanti priests come over to check you out. After a few spells, potions and scrolls, the group as fully recovered from the fight.

"Now that you are healed, tell me, why did you come all the way here to see me?"

Alistair looks to the others, to the old Shoanti and then again back to the group.
Thank you for the healing. It is greatly appreciated.

"Thank you for the healing. We have come here because the Queen of Korvosa may have found an ancient, evil artifact called the Midnight's Teeth, and it has caused her to become a tyrant. The one who discovered this information learned of the artifact and said that the Skoan-Quah may be able to help us. We met with a shaman known as Thousand Bones, who told us of the sword of Mandravius as possibly being the only weapon that could stop the person under the effects of the Midnight's Teeth, and that the Sun Shaman of the Sklar-Quah was the only one who could provide that information. We would seek to gain the Sun Shaman's trust by undertaking the Trial of Cindermaw, and Thousand Bones suggested that gaining the trust of a Truthspeaker to witness our attempt at the trial would be necessary. He said you were the last Truthspeaker in the region, so we were hoping you would be amenable to doing so."

Awesome summary Garran!

Kyras also thanks his healer for their attention and offers to make an offering to their deity.

I think it likely that this artifact at first only tempted the queen but it is likely by now that she has little if any free will.

"I see." He pauses for a moment. "Well, you did just help us with our temple, the least I can do is to go have a little walk in the desert and watch one of you get swallow by Cindermaw." He stands as he reach for the decision. "We shall leave tomorrow. Tonight, we have a temple to reconcecrate. Rest for now, you have earned it."

Thank you.

What can you tell us about this Cindermaw?

So now we must choose who among us is best suited to this task. My expertise is with this fauchard but it will not be useful once swallowed. I would have to arm myself with daggers or hand axes I think.

You need light weapons. I have a nice dagger I wouldn't even miss. Take it.

Seltyn hands the masterwork dagger, in its nice, concealable sheath, to his friend.

You can do more with it than I ever could. I'm not a fighter. But, you are. Do it.

What can you tell us about this Cindermaw?

"Cindermaw is an old and unique creature. It is said that a long time ago, he swallowed a portal connected to the plane of fire and it is the reason for all of its fire based abilities. He is able to breathe fire and he is immune to hit. Even more, any flames, either magical or not will heal him. He is resistant to poisons, paralysis, bleeding effect, and sleep. Finaly, he is also quite intelligent, so don't just assume you are facing a wild animal. It is a good thing for all of us that he remains mostly to one area. "

Sounds like a charming fellow. What are we waiting for?

"We just need a day to prepare our best resources and then we have to track down Cindermaw and convince him to eat the right one of us."

"Does Cindermaw have any culinary preferences? For instance, if we want to get him to eat Kyras, do we slather Kyras in bacon grease first, or...?"

I would guess the closest thing to it will get chomped. That will be Kyras. He's volunteering to face this. I will make sure to protect him as best I can, though it isn't much.

You have access to any spell your god will grant you,[/b] the elf says to Alika. You've got this, my friend.

All our hopes now lie with one little half elf, burning to death without our help.

You leave in the morning, right after a good meal. Travelling with Akram proves to be quite pleasant. He is able to tell you some of the old history of his people, and also how they survive in the harsh climate. You are also able to relax more as he is excorted by a a group of guard to ensure his security. "My position gives me some perks, but sometimes I miss being able to walk the sand of the desert by myself."

Eventually, you notice a change in the guards behavior, they seem more nervous and alert than before. Noticing your questionning eyes, Akram smiles. "We have cross into Cindermaw's territory. Keep an eye on the dunes, if they move, then that's him."

The track the beast on the first day, but while you do see signs of his presence, the huge creature still evade you. On the second day of hunting, you finally get a glimpse of Cindermaw. From far you notice a long body slide along on the hot sand of the desert. It's darkish body punctuated with bright orange stripes. The shoanti guards let you know that they can get you within fighting distance in about two hours.

Seltyn goes over the spells in his mind. He needs to get closer.

Let's get close, and be ready with our magic.

I am as ready as I going to get.

"agreed. Ready as I can be."

"Ready to start laying on protective spells."

The Shoanti get you closer while looking back at you to see when you want to stop to use your magic before facing the giant worm.

Up to what distance you want to go before attacking?

Close enough to get noticed. We need a few rounds for Alika to get the spells off. After that, we'll just have to pray for Kyras!

Kyras needs 7 rounds. But 3 of his buffs will last 90 minutes and 1 will last an hour. So perhaps he can cast those well before the creature gets close. And he can cut a round from that with Accelerated Drinker that will let him drink as a move action.

Alika's buffs on Kyras:

Cast in order from longest duration to shortest.

Seltyn's buffs on Kyras:

I'm aware that these spells may not help, but they won't hurt. We need Kyras as protected and able as we can make him.

Note that see invisible is self/you targeting, so you can't cast that on someone else, unless you have some kind of wacky power. :)

Oh yeah. Forget that, then.

Seltyn's buffs on Kyras:

** spoiler omitted **

I'm aware that these spells may not help, but they won't hurt. We need Kyras as protected and able as we can make him.

Kyras has Darkvision 60' so you can drop that one Seltyn.

Damn! Useless! lol

your haste will save me a round of prep as I will not have to drink Channel Vitor. No matter what get that spell off before kyras is swallowed.

Of course.