Enora steps up and holds her staff tightly. Using her arcane bond, she casts create pit around #2. She also spends an arcane resevoir point to increase the likelihood of the ifrit falling in.
The ifrit avoids Tsadoc's attack as he passes, but Abram's unstoppable assault knocks the Ifrit to the ground unconscious. The assembled crowd looks nervous, but clearly relieved that Abram didn't aim to kill
Enora will cast create pit against #1. Square moved.
Almaas starts shooting a barrage of arrows at the ifrit still standing. The first is on target, but the ifrit quickly knocks it out of the way with a sneer. He stops sneering when the next nearly takes out his eye, but he just moves his head by enough to be merely grazed. He easily dodges the remaining arrows, and looks to Almaas with a grin.
"Is that all you've go-"
A pit appears beneath him and he falls with a sickening crunch and an accompanying scream.
Ifrit Enforcer 1
Ifrit Enforcer 2
Abram
Almaas
Enora
Flames
Martin
Tsadoc
Crowe
Afterwards, Morak comes over to you, ecstatic that you've saved his shop and stood up to Tygora's bullies.
"Oh that was MAGNIFICENT! The way you took them down so fast, simply wonderful. Oh what I wouldn't give to show that to Tygora. I refused to pay you see. The tax. Tygora has levied a tax on all businesses here in Crystalcrag to support the building of her army. 50% of gross revenue, it's absurd, I'd be out of business in a month. She's been sending these bullies ever since, though it's the first time they've tried to set fire to it."
Before you even have a chance to respond to his rapid-fire speech he's paused for a fraction of a second and continued on.
"You must be here to liberate those other outsiders, it's too much of a coincidence otherwise. Perhaps I can help..."
He then offers you a choice selection of potions to aid in your efforts, each neatly labelled; a potion of resist fire and four potions of cure moderate wounds.
"Snack first?" Enora offers, hopefully. She'll settle for an apple while walking, but if there's any street food vendors on the way there, she'll make everyone wait while she orders up some kokoreç or at least some elote.
"Are you kidding? We're in a city of ifrits, and you're not at all curious about their barbecue?!"
You continue on to Valsog's Smithy after partaking of some of the fine local food on offer. You find it in the western part of Crystalcrag, just north of the tavern.
Smoke rises from its massive chimney when you approach the open-sided smithy, and you see that its ceiling rises at least twenty feet above the ground at its lowest point. A fenced yard hosts a multitude of swords, shields, breastplates, and helms - some are propped up on stands and others lying incomplete in piles. The cadence of steel on steel rings out from the shop where you can see a 14 foot tall giant with skin the colour of rust working at the forge with a huge hammer.
It seems as if he hasn't noticed you at first, but he spares a quick glance between blows, mostly it seems to inspect your gear. His eyes linger on Crowe's mithral breastplate and enchanted earthbreaker.
"Nice breastplate. Mithral? Looks like good work. Hammer too"
He doesn't speak again, apparently waiting to see what you have to say
Enora has much to say, but it's mostly about kokoreç. She will ask some polite questions about the magic involved with forging magical items, but she doesn't expect someone four times her height to pay her unarmored self much attention.
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Almaas approaches and salutes as a sign of respect.
“Good day, we heard a lot about the excellent craftsmanship of this forge ... and the coming war that you are preparing for!“ Almaas says and pauses briefly.
“Are you still available for some custom work as well? And would you be willing to sell your items to others than the queen of this town?!“ he asks.
Continuing his work at the forge, Valsog replies in between hammer blows.
"I have been working night and day, Tygora demands it. Much too fast for quality work in truth, these pieces will work, but they are not art."
He sighs heavily before replying to Almaas
"Tygora will not permit me to work on anything other than her army. She captured me decades ago, and forced me to work here. It hasn't been so bad, she gave me a forge and materials, and that's all I need really. I just wish I had time to complete some real work rather than this trash"
He punctuates his words by plunging the scimitar he is working on into his quenching bucket then throwing it on a pile before starting to heat the next. The blade looks like a cheese knife in his huge hands.
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Almaas nods with understanding.
"I am often seen as rude because of my directness but I can also peer into people's souls sometimes with Erastil's guidance." Almaas says and looks at his team.
"I can sense that all you really want is to be able to work on arms and armour, and to pursue your craft the way you want to create special items. But I am sure that the Oreads would also provide you with materials and be happy for you to work on whatever you wanted. So if you could agree to break with Tygora and give these weapons and armour to the oreads instead then the would forever be thankful to you! And I can assure you something is brewing in this town and that we are on the side of the people ..." he pauses for a moment.
"... what about you? Do you want the freedom to work on what you wish?"
"What are you making? Are they all weapons? Is it in preparation for war? Or just to maintain the police state?"
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"Captured?" Tsadoc gasps. "Are you... not here by choice?"
This does it for the druid. Many think you can give a tiger a steak and a twenty foot pen and it will be happy. But that isn't freedom. It doesn't see the sun, hide in the grass, smell another cat's territorial markings. It doesn't have the victory of the hunt, feel the deluge of a monsoon, or fear the fires of fall.
When Enora asks her question he replies slowly. "She doesn't tell me what she wants them for. Only fast, faster. She needs more breastplates, more scimitars, dozens, hundreds, some too big for even me to wear. War I think." He looks sad.
To Tsadoc Valsog replies "No, no I am not" He looks a little annoyed as he thinks of his capture, despite his well stocked forge.
Then when Almaas begins his speech Valsog listens carefully, giving little away of his feelings, though he stops working the forge to listen. After Almaas is finished he picks up his hammer.
"You are right master dwarf." He nods to Tsadoc as well. "You are both right. It's time Tygora paid for what she has done to me. I will arm the townsfolk, but not with this garbage, I will make them new armour, fit for their bravery!"
He goes to smash all of the piles of weapons and armour (which all look perfectly fine to you) with his hammer, but Almaas interjects again and he reconsiders.
"It will take time you're right. I'll give them these items for now, then replace them as I work. I'll get started right away! Let me know when the time to strike is, I'll do what I can"
You can see a twinkle in his eye as he thinks about what project he's going to begin.
There is an atmosphere of rebellion in town, a buzz of excitement as all the townsfolk wait expectantly for the sign of when to act, when things are finally going to change.
Enora waves back to Billy Crystal and Carol Kane as they leave to storm the castle.
Enora has ghost sound and pyrotechnics.
Moving around the town, and seeing the sheer numbers of oreads giving you looks of support, you feel you are ready to rescue your missing pathfinders, and free this town from Tyranny.
You can see the palace, Fury's hold, from anywhere in Crystalcrag. It sits overlooking the town on the slopes of the nearby mountain, an immense castle built apparently from solid bronze. You think you have enough support from the town and Valsog to make a direct assault plausible.
Enora has invisibility (7 min), and also vanish (5 rounds).
She can also buff with enlarge person (will need an arcane point to switch it in), haste (or expeditious retreat, which is movement only but min/level), and fly.
You give the word, and the oreads begin their revolt. Clearly some have been planning this for a while, because it's well organised and efficient, the ifrit guards that you can see are taken down carefully and without casualties.
A group of more martially inclined oreads surround the remaining councillor Eurdan and begin to march with you toward the palace while the revolt takes place. They discuss demands they intend to deliver to Tygora, and the whole group is abuzz with excitement and trepidation about change for the better.
As you approach the gates, two 10-foot tall creatures made entirely of fire shout out to you as you approach.
"Fragrath! Shriarath forosh tsoom!"
Eurdan translates as quickly as he can.
"They say to halt and state our business". He says something in return to them, but you can see they are unconvinced and look to be considering whether to attack you or not.
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Almaas assesses the strength of these creatures and know that they are very dangerous. He asks Eurdan to translate.
"Dear elementals of fire, we are here to speak to Tygora herself and discuss the current situation with her. In all conflict there is also a chance. It would be wise to also see opportunity here!" he says with determination.
Eurdan relays Almaas' words dutifully, and seems amazed as they seem to have an effect.
"It's working! They're discussing it now, they might just let us in."
After a few moments deliberation they announce their decision.
"Oh." Eurdan says before translating it. "They will open the gates, but they say only you may enter. "All citizens of Crystalcrag must return at once, but the outsiders may witness Tygora Cinderfury's magnificence for themselves." It doesn't seem as if they will budge on that"
Enora nods in agreement.
"If there's any barbecue inside, we can bring the leftovers to the townspeople."
The fire elementals open the huge gates built into the gleaming bronze walls and stand aside to let you through as the assembled oreads head back to Crystalcrag.
The gates open into a large enclosed courtyard in front of the entrance to the palace proper. Four steep steps ascend to a pair of bronze doors, and a small cadre of guards is arrayed in front of you; two ifrit guards wearing chain shirts and armed with scimitars, and a more senior guard dressed in flowing robes and no apparent weapons. She stands before the door and shares a few angry shouts with the elementals before she addresses you.
"You wish to speak with Tygora? How unfortunate that she has asked not to be disturbed. You may return next week and try again"
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Almaas steps forward and looks at them with a stern look.
“I believe that it is not appropriate to speak to us like this. Especially not at a time like this. Many have gathered in front of the gates. This is a moment in this town’s history that needs leadership. And Tygora is a leader. So we need to see her! Now please!!“ he says with a lecturing tone.
"It is unlikely that she has matters more pressing than this."
The head guard listens to Almaas and Enora make their case, giving annoyed looks to Abram and Tsadoc as they speak. She scoffs at first, but then looks thoughtful.
"Perhaps Tygora should hear what you have to say, she can decide for herself what is to be done with you"
She motions to the others who quickly open the tall bronze doors onto a grand entrance hall. There are wall hangings and artwork covering almost every surface, all indicating immense wealth and power. Two large solid bronze columns flank a set of brass double doors set into the northern wall, and the guard motions to the doors.
"Tygora waits beyond those doors. Do not tarry"
Proceeding through under the watchful gaze of the guards (who remain in the courtyard), you open the doors into the throne room, where you find a 12 foot tall muscular woman seated in a large throne. She has horns, and a constant heat-haze from her skin, much of which is covered in ornate bronze armor and jewellery. At her side is a small fiery creature with leathery wings. As you enter and the doors swing closed, she commands you to halt.
"Honoured rivals, I have been expecting you. You have accomplished much in Crystalcrag in your short time there, despite your misguided intentions. I know your grievence, that your allies are in my captivity. They have commited crimes against Crystalcrag, but as I am infinitely magnanimous I believe we can come to an arrangement for their freedom. Leave now, and convince the oreads to return to the status quo. I will then release your outsider allies and you will all leave Crystalcrag forever. Do you agree?"
"Those are fire mephits," Enora points out to the group. "Not edible."
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Almaas nods at Enora.
Almaas then looks at Tygora and shakes his head.
“Thank you dear Tygora for welcoming us. We just want to be honest with you. We do not think you intend to honour this bargain as given and we assume that you are potentially toying with us. We think that you might be open to a deal but we hope that you are honest with us regarding the terms of our negotiations!“ he says with some hope.
Tygora's demeanor changes when Almaas calls out her ruse. Feined respect is replaced with a look of genuine surprise as she reassesses you. She stands before addressing you again.
"I can see you are not the mere fools I'd taken you for. You are right, I had planned to kill you whatever you said to show strength, but I can see I'm dealing with genuine players now"
She looks thoughtful before continuing.
"I offer the same terms, but in truth this time. You can have your allies back, just let us return to the peace we had before your friends riled things up"
"I think there's a halfling version of this game, it's called 'heads I win, tails you don't win.' You lived in peace, but your subjects did not.
Returning to that state of affairs is not a long-term solution."
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special abilities? special attacks?
*
*"Wow you are a beautiful Efreeti," Tsadoc tries to pass on what he recalls about these genies from the plane of fire. "And a queen too! That's what the people of Crystalcrag wished for right? How did they do that?" Efreets have immense power to grant wishes to non-genies, and convincing her to do so by whatever means could prove a tremendous boon to the recipient.
The status quo is not acceptable to the druid however, and he does not accept the offer. "They didn't wish for this oppression."
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Almaas nods at both Tsadoc and Enora but remains silent.
If a slayer deals sneak attack damage to a target, he can study that target as an immediate action, allowing him to apply his studied target bonuses against that target (including to the normal weapon damage roll).
At 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th levels, the bonuses on weapon attack, damage rolls, and skill checks and to slayer DCs against a studied target increase by 1.
Efreeti are also vulnerable to cold and immune to fire, and can plane shift themselves (and willing partners) at will, but only to the elemental planes, the astral planes, and the material plane
Tygora's face darkens as you reply, first at Enora's suggestion that her subjects did not have peace, then at Tsadoc's use of the word oppression.
"Oppression? You've been here less than a day you impudent fool. Your deaths will be quick compared to that of your friends"
She then moves to attack!
Almaas
Crowe
Tygora
Martin
Tsadoc
Fire Mephit
Abram
Enora