GM Badblood's The Dragon's Demand

Game Master Lance K

Eltran continues to inspire courage and moves forward.

"You have this everyone!"

Is Tanssi up again?

Everyone has a chance to act and move around. I am still keeping everyone in rounds, as something *is* going to happen soon. You can take two rounds worth of actions to reposition, use buffs, etc. I will update tommorrow night.

Surprised that the creature was struck down so quickly Irlana expects the empty armor and sword to rise up. She keeps her spiritual weapon ready to attack.

After about ten tense seconds (two rounds), the lid of another sarcophagus flies off and an armored undead creature rises from the coffin, also wielding a bastard sword and scaled mail.

Round 4 - Good Hope, Bless, Deathward, Floor is difficult terrain (flooded)
Irlana
Andwise - Life Link
Sir Falcon -Life Link
Maffei
Eltran - Life Link
Tanssi
Sir Falcon -Life Link
Blue Undead

Irlana sends the spiritual weapon to attack the new corpse. "I wonder if this is the husband, or maybe a guard?

Spiritual Weapon attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

The catlike creature wades towards the now exploded sarcophagus and positions itself in the door, shielding the others. It attempts to bite, extending its unnaturally long and disconcerting neck.

Bite, PA: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 + trip
Trip: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Wasted all my good rolls on the conditional trips...

I know! Remember that everyone should be getting a +3 to attack rolls and +1 to damage from the Good Hope and Inspire Courage buffs. Not that it would help Tanssi with a roll like that. And yeah, normally creatures can't five foot step in difficult terrain, so it would need to use its normal, provoking movement to get to Tanssi.

Irlana's spiritual knife slices through a weak point int the undead creature's armor, slicing deep into its gray flesh. Tanssi moves up to block the door, and their fang filled maw stretches out to bite at the creature but its armor protects it from injury.

Round 4 - Good Hope, Bless, Inspire Courage, Deathward, Floor is difficult terrain (flooded)
Irlana
Andwise - Life Link
Sir Falcon -Life Link
Maffei
Eltran - Life Link
Tanssi
Sir Falcon -Life Link
Blue Undead -8

The halfling repositions himself, so the undead is centered in the door frame. A faint candlelight glow beams out between Andwise and the undead- who begins to glow in the underground dark.

Stardust, -2 Attack, -2 Perception

Anwise covers the undead warrior in stardust while Eltran maintains his performance. Sir Falcon moves closer and readies an attack for when the undead creature moves up to attack Tanssi. Maffei moves towards the door and fires a shadowy scorching ray. The scorching ray is a direct hit and the undead warrior believes so strongly in the spell being real that it bursts into flames, leaving another suit of mail lying in a pile of ashes.

Touch: 1d20 + 12 - 4 - 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 12 - 4 - 4 + 2 + 1 = 16
Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Fire: 4d6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 5, 4, 6) + 1 = 19

Round 5 Good Hope, Bless, Inspire Courage, Deathward, Floor is difficult terrain (flooded)
Irlana
Andwise - Life Link
Maffei
Red Undead
Eltran - Life Link
Tanssi
Sir Falcon -Life Link

Hearing the sound of yet another sarcophagus open, Andwise shifts back towards the center of the main room- once again directing a beam a faint light onto the undead creature.

"Tanssi, over here when you get the chance..."

"Another guard? At least they're only coming one at a time." She sends the Spiritual Weapon at the creature.

Spiritual Weapon attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Andwise uses stardust on the next undead warrior, while Irlana directs her magic blade at the creature. The spiritual weapon tears through its armor. Maffei moves into range and casts another shadow evocation spell, this time summoning two spheres of crackling lightning that move into the creature's space.

Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Reflex: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 2 - 4 = 8
Electrity: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 3) = 10

Reflex: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 2 - 4 = 10
Electrity: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 2) = 11

The creature seems to be particularly susceptible to Maffei's blast, and this one is once again reduced to ash before it can act.

These things are supposed to jump out of the crypts every 1d4 rounds, but you guys are killing them before they get a chance to act, so I'm going to have the next one come out early.

As soon as that undead creature is destroyed, another one leaps out of its coffin!

Round 5 Good Hope, Bless, Inspire Courage, Deathward, Floor is difficult terrain (flooded)
Irlana
Andwise - Life Link
Maffei
Orange Undead
Eltran - Life Link
Tanssi
Sir Falcon -Life Link

Round 6 Good Hope, Bless, Inspire Courage, Deathward, Floor is difficult terrain (flooded)
Irlana
Andwise - Life Link
Maffei
Orange Undead
Eltran - Life Link
Tanssi
Sir Falcon -Life Link

Turning about, Tanssi sloshes back across the room and to the final opening. Pulling up short, his back legs lock and prepare to spring.

Irlana shakes her head and sends the spirit blade at the next enemy. "I hope these are mindless undead. I'd hate to be destroying important tools!"

Spiritual Weapon attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Eltran continues to inspire courage but delays otherwise.

"You got this everyone!!" he shouts.

Tanssi moves to the doorway to intercept the next undead warrior. Their claw rips into the creature as it darts forward. Irlana's blade bounces off the creature's mail, though. Eltran continues inspiring the crew.

Botting Andwise and Sir Falcon

Maffei uses her shadow magic to lift Sir Falcon up and send him charging towards the monster. Sir Falcon readies his sword to strike it as it moves forward. Andwise uses some more of his stardust to dazzle the creature. The samurai misses, as does Tanssi with his readied attack.

Katana, no PA, vs cover: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 2 + 1 = 15
Slashing, fire: 1d8 + 5 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + (2) + 1 = 11

The undead warrior shrugs off the attacks and swings his blade at Tanssi. The creature seems to be genuinely surprised as his blade swings through the eidolon but somehow doesn't connect.

Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 4 - 2 = 18
Slashing: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 9

Round 6 Good Hope, Bless, Inspire Courage, Deathward, Floor is difficult terrain (flooded)
Irlana
Andwise - Life Link
Maffei
Orange Undead - stardust, -7
Eltran - Life Link
Tanssi
Sir Falcon -Life Link

Round 7 Good Hope, Bless, Inspire Courage, Deathward, Floor is difficult terrain (flooded)
Irlana
Andwise - Life Link
Maffei
Orange Undead - stardust, -7
Eltran - Life Link
Tanssi
Sir Falcon -Life Link

Tanssi continues to claw and bite at the creature in front of them.

Bite, PA: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 16 Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13 + trip
Trip: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 10

Claw #1, PA: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 12 Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13
Claw #2, PA: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 24 Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 = 12

Andwise splashes through the water (up to 20 ft) and then attempts to fling a small globule of acid at the skeleton.

Acid Splash, touch: 1d20 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 3 = 22 Acid: 1d3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 2 = 4

Seeing a lot of attacks repelled by the armor of the creature Irlana tries to use her Evil Eye hex to weaken it. She knows most undead are immune as they are mindless, but maybe?

Evil Eye(SU) hex. -2 to AC. Mind affecting. If affected, DC15 Will save reduces the time to one round.

Spiritual Weapon attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Tanssi manages to hit tear into the creature with one of their claws, while Andwise lands a direct hit with a gobule of acid. Irlana's starknife doesn't find purchase though and neither does her evil eye.

Unfortunately in 1st ed, undead are always immune to mind-affecting spells.

Maffei swings her twin blades at the undead warrior. Both blades connect at the creatures neck and its skull falls to ground before the rest of it turns into ash.

Scimitar, vs cover: 1d20 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 3 = 311d6 + 6 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + (3) + 2 = 17
Short Sword, vs cover: 1d20 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 3 = 251d6 + 5 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + (5) + 2 = 14

There is a brief moment of silence but then a ghostly figure rises out of the sarcophagus in the center of the room. It mostly consists of inky black shadow with just the suggestion of a shape to it. A pair of tiny pale lights shine where its eyes should be. Without a sound or a word a long arm with claw like fingers emerges from the shadow form as it reaches out to grasp at Andwise.

Round 8 Good Hope, Bless, Inspire Courage?, Deathward, Floor is difficult terrain (flooded)
Irlana
Ghostly Figure (Arturic???)
Andwise - Life Link
Maffei
Eltran - Life Link
Tanssi
Sir Falcon -Life Link

Seeing the ghostly creature rise from the sarcophagus Irlana sends the Spiritual blade at it.

Spiritual Weapon attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
damage if that hits?: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Irlana's blade heads towards the spirit, but the blade is turned aside as it struck some kind of invisible armor. The spirit then reaches out to grab Andwise, but its fingers pass over the halfling's head. The apparation then flies straight over Andwise's head, flying right towards Irlana!

Ghostly Touch: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Round 8 Good Hope, Bless, Inspire Courage?, Deathward, Floor is difficult terrain (flooded)
Irlana
Ghostly Figure (Arturic???)
Andwise - Life Link
Maffei
Eltran - Life Link
Tanssi
Sir Falcon -Life Link

Tanssi splashes back through the water, making its way (for the third time) across the room. It pulls ups close to the spirit before striking out with its claws.

Claw, PA: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Andwise turns and faces the spirit, as small globule of acid forming in his hands.

Acid Splash, touch: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 Acid: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

IS Tanssi getting all the applicable bonus's applied to their attack role?

Andwise hits the ghostly figure, but acid seems to barely affect it.

Round 8 Good Hope, Bless, Inspire Courage?, Deathward, Floor is difficult terrain (flooded)
Irlana
Ghostly Figure -1
Andwise - Life Link
Maffei
Eltran - Life Link
Tanssi
Sir Falcon -Life Link

Round 9 Good Hope, Bless, Inspire Courage?, Deathward, Floor is difficult terrain (flooded)
Irlana
Ghostly Figure -1
Andwise - Life Link
Maffei
Eltran - Life Link
Tanssi
Sir Falcon -Life Link

It appears that Tanssi is missing a +3 to hit and a +2 to damage from the current buff combination

To Hit: 18
Damage: 12

Eltran continues to inspire courage but delays otherwise.

"Come on everyone!!" he shouts.

Round 9

Surprised as the spirit flies up to attack her Irlana just tries to dodge its attacks. Total Defense? Doubt that her little non-magical dagger would do anything!

The spiritual weapon continues attacking.
Spiritual Weapon attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 And probably misses again.
damage if that hits?: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

And that is 8 rounds for the Spiritual Weapon so it disappears after the attack.

Botting Sir Falcon!

Tanssi's claw strikes the ghostly figure. The eidolon feels their claw vibrate as its enchanted paw connects.

Sir Falcon sploshes through the muck to get closer to the apparation. He swings his flaming katana at the undead. He slips in the muck and fails to land a blow.

Katana Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 91d8 + 5 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 6 + (3) = 20

Irlana dodges the creature's attacks as her knife made of force makes its final attacks before winking out of existence. Unfortunately, it doesn't manage to get a hit on the ghost.

Maffei moves up behind Tanssi and then casts another one of her shadow spells. A blade of force flies from her hand and strikes the undead creature. The blast barely does anything to the creature, though.

Will Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Ghostly Touch: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

The ghostly creature reaches out to touch Irlana, but the halfling easily dodges its icy grasp.

Round 9 Good Hope, Bless, Inspire Courage?, Deathward, Floor is difficult terrain (flooded)
Irlana
Ghostly Figure -8
Andwise - Life Link
Maffei
Eltran - Life Link
Tanssi
Sir Falcon -Life Link

Everyone is up!

Trying to recover from a long holiday break...

Tanssi leaps, bites, and claws at the remaining Skeleton- trying to unstable it and bring it to the ground.

Bite, PA, IC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 2 = 9 + trip
Trip: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 = 12

Claw #1, PA: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 2 = 22 Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 = 11
Claw #2, PA: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 2 = 13 Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 = 12

Andwise, seeing the infective nature of the acid- attempts to unleash a crossbow bolt into the creature.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 2 = 29 Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Crit?: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 2 = 29 Damage!: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 6) + 4 = 11

Why don't I use this thing more often?!

Irlana hopes that she can stay lucky and dodge the ghost's attacks.

Keeping with total defense while the thing is attacking.

All that's left is the ghostly figure!

Tanssi claws at the ghost and manages to connect with one claw. A bit of shadowy substance is knocked off its body and dissipates in the air, but there is not the the satisfying tearing of flesh that the eidolon expects. Andwise carefully aims his crossbow and fires a bolt right through the creature's head. It passed through the shadowy figure without causing harm.

I don't believe that Andwise's crossbow is magic, but if it is than it would be a different story.

Round 9 Good Hope, Bless, Inspire Courage?, Deathward, Floor is difficult terrain (flooded)
Irlana
Ghostly Figure -13
Andwise - Life Link
Maffei
Eltran - Life Link
Tanssi
Sir Falcon -Life Link

Maffei moves in to fight the ghost and takes a swing at it with her magic scimitar. She gets in a solid hit and the blade does cut away some thick strands of black shadow, but the creature is still fighting.

Scimitar: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 1 + 2 = 21
Slashing+Cold: 1d6 + 6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 + (3) = 16

"It seems like we need magic to kill this thing; and even then it just doesn't seem to be as effective as it should be," she shouts out.

Sir Falcon levels his blade at the apparation and lets out a loud grunt. "Then we must just need to strike it again and again until it falls!"

Botting Sir Falcon, and expending his challenge; because this is a foe that is definitely worthy of being challenged.

Katana Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 2 + 1 = 201d8 + 5 + 4 + 1 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 4 + 1 + 6 + (4) = 22

The blade strikes through the creature and burns away more of its shadowy form. The ghostly figure is beginning to fade, yet it still fights.

Irlana gets ready to dodge the ghost's spectral grip once again, but now the undead creature has turned its back on her and draws a gray blade. Floating two feet off the ground the ghost swings the blade at Sir Falcon, who so far has had the greatest effect on this creature.

Spectral Touch: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Negative damage+Fort Save: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2

The blade glides right through Sir Falcon's gorget and into his neck as if the armor wasn't even there. His flesh feels cold but the deathward spell cast on him by Lady Talia ghost protects him from getting damaged.

None the less, Sir Falcon can feel something more sinister happening to his body as a result of being touched by the creature and he steals his resolve as he attempts to resist it.

Knowing what this effect is, I am deciding to use Sir Falon's Resolve to roll his Fort Save twice.

Fort Save, good hope, challenge: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 2 + 2 = 21
Fort Save, good hope, challenge: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 + 2 = 12

The knight shrugs off whatever effect the shade was going to have on him.

Round 10 Good Hope, Bless, Inspire Courage?, Deathward, Floor is difficult terrain (flooded)
Irlana
Ghostly Figure -31
Andwise - Life Link
Maffei
Eltran - Life Link
Tanssi
Sir Falcon -Life Link, challenge

Round 11 Good Hope, Bless, Inspire Courage?, Deathward, Floor is difficult terrain (flooded)
Irlana

Round 11

With the creature turned away from her Irlana tries casting her last Spiritual Weapon for the day. Using the Rod to extend the duration even though I hope this battle is about over!

Spiritual Weapon attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
damage if that hits?: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Without any other option, the shadowy feline creature continues its assault, despite the relative ineffectiveness of the its attacks. +1 amulet of might fist

Bite, PA: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 + trip
Trip: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Claw #1, PA: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Claw #2, PA: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Excellent rolls!

Watching the arrow pass through the creatures skull, Andwise reassesses the situation. Pulling back out the glob of acid, he flings it at the creature.

Acid Splash, touch: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17 Acid: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

I think Tanssi is still forgetting to add in Good Hope and Inspire Courage

Tanssi has trouble catching the wraith; but does manage to snag it with one claw and deals a little damage to it. Andwise's spell fails to hit it though.

Casting a spell does still provoke an AoO, so I'm going to resolve Sir Falcon and Maffei's actions before Irlana's. Also, Eltran has been absent for awhile; and although he doesn't have much he can do to an incorporeal undead he should have been able to make a Knowledge check.

"Oh no! This thing is a wraith! I didn't really study these creatures much but I know its an incorporeal creature. You need magic to hurt it and even then its only going to be about half as effective as normal. But if you do have some way of doing force damage, that will be really effective. Also, don't let it touch you. It can go right through your armor like its not even there."

Eltran continues to stay inspire courage, but otherwise stays out of the way.

Sir Falcon grunts and swings again at the wraith.

katana attack!: 1d20 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 3 = 261d8 + 5 + 4 + 6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 4 + 6 + 1 + (4) = 21

Seeing that the undead creature is almost destroyed but also at risk of turning on Irlana; Maffei takes a final swing at the spirit.

Scimitar Strike!: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 2 + 1 = 181d6 + 6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 + (4) = 17

Her blade slices through the spirit and there is a loud moaning sound as the shadowy matter making up its form is scattered in all directions. The undead creature that was once Lady Tula's husband Arturic has been destroyed!

With Arturic's spirit laid to rest; the party has Lady Tula's blessing to take every useful item from the crypt.

Arturic's tomb:

mnemonic vestment
maximize metamagic rod
ring of force shield
slippers of spider climbing
platinum ruby wedding band 1,250 gp

Sir Echtyr:

+1 glamered full plate
amulet of natural armor +2
ring of major acid resistance
gold and green agate circlet 2,500 gp

Lady Tula's Tomb:
+3 breastplate of luck (as banded mail of luck)
+1 keen composite longbow (+2 Str)
Wyrmsmite (a +2 dragonbane transformativeUE longsword)
10 +1 dragonbane arrows
1 arrow of dragon slaying

As the undead creature crumbles, Andwise pulls out a small rag and wipes several beads of sweat from his face.

"That was more difficult than I expected. Thank you Maffei for ending that. I was becoming more and more concerned that Tanssi was going to be unable to effective combat that creature... whatever he was."

In his mind, he reaches out the catlike projection.

Are you ok, friend. That was a challenge that I was not expecting

The moments pass, and slowly Andwise regains his sense of purpose and direction- calling Tanssi to his side and starting to process through the tombs and remains littered about the flooded room.

"I am certain that I could make use of this robe mnemonic vestment and one or two of these rings. Unfortunately, Tanssi is already wearing an amulet- and I have little use for armor or arrows."

"Do you think that this is the ring that we were to return to the lady?" he says, gesturing to the incredibly ornate ruby ring in the tomb.

When the party returns to Lady Tula's crypt they see the ghostly figure of a tall woman in armor. She puts up her hand in polite refusal when offered her late husband's wedding band. "You do not need to show me the ring for I can feel that my husband's crypt is now quiet. I also know that your party has the strength needed to slay a dragon. You may take anything from this place that you find useful. Now that there are true dragon slayers to continue my work, my soul and the souls of my soldiers can final depart this plane for our final destination. Our still bones have no need for jewels or magic armaments; take our treasures and use them to slay your dragon!"

With that the apparition fades away, leaving the party in a perfectly silent crypt.

Irlana thanks Lady Tula and watches her fade away. The weight of her words quickly sink in. "True Dragon Slayers? The dragon we saw was fake, an illusion. But whatever is behind it is probably another dragon? We'll need whatever help the treasures provide."

She helps to gather the treasures and considers what the party needs to do next.

We've confirmed that Aeteperax is still dead. Do we continue along to the Monastery of Saint Kyerixus across the Dragonfen? We were supposed to deliver the book and gold in two weeks. How much time has passed and how much more is needed to reach the monastery?

"If we are dragon slayers, then... I guess these things will come in handy. What we saw wasn't a dragon, but I guess its possible there is more here than even we know."

Andwise unconsciously reaches out and touches Tanssi on their side.

"A dragon hiding behind an illusion of a Dragon seems strange. A wizard creating an illusion of a Dragon and finding themselves neck deep in a dragon issue? That may be a little more likely. We should be going now, these items arent going to be delivering themselves"

I would vote to finish the monastery visit

After the touch, Tanssi shifts casually on its legs before rocking back into a deep stretch accompanied by a yawn. Upon releasing, they shake wildly- and deep, black, wings loosen from its sides- now free to flap and move.

The party girds themselves in the panolopy of dragon slayers and heads back to Belhaim to rest before setting out for the monastery.

When they return to town a crowd of cheering townsfolk quickly gathers around them. They can see that the adventurers are now wielding powerful magic items that they retrieved from the tomb and it is clear that many of them are feeling hope again for the first time since the dreadful attack that occurred during the auction of Hunclay's estate.

Soon there is some commotion in the village square as two groups of townsfolk push their way to the front. One group is lead by Talia, the proprietor of the Wise Piper. She is holding a bundle of quilted cloth in her arms until two of her children each grab an end of it and stretch it out. It's a kaleidoscope-colored banner made from bright colored patches sewn together. Brightly dyed eagle feathers have been sewn into the edges of the banner. Talia proudly says "The Sheylnites of Belhaim have come together to make you a battle flag to keep your spirits high and put fear into the hearts of your enemies as you go off to slay the evil wyrm who is threatening our village!"

At this point another group of villagers shove forward, this time lead by Dorcas Soorey, the towns tailor. "Put away that childish piece of rubbish, for the heroes of Belhaim deserve a properly, professionally made banner!" Two impeccably dressed half-elves step forward and unfurl the flag that was commisioned by the Abadarians in town. This banner is made of thick, high quality linen. The banner is a crisp bright blue and white checkered pattern. In the center is a gray knight raising a sword in the air while standing with one foot on the top of a black dragon's severed head.

The townsfolk look expectantly at the party, eager to see which of the two banners they chose.

"These are kind offers. From each of you! It is very clear to us how important these tasks are for you and your community. Please, allow me to take a closer look at these banners!"

Detect magic

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Is there a difference in the banners, that Andwise can tell? If not, he will continue to attempt to decline/defray the situation

"I appreciate your most generous offers. Surely though, you overstate our position and our honor with such kind gifts."

Sir Falcon steps forward, studying the large banner until he sees the flag. He steps forward to accept the flag in his off hand and draws his katana with the other. Mentally commanding the blade to flame he holds both high and calls out, "We will defeat the enemy and protect this town from the evil that it represents! Long life to the citizens of Belhaim!"

Turning to the other banner he adds, "Both banners are excellent. That one should be mounted across the main street so any that enter the town would see it. And this one can be mounted beside it, or outside of the town hall once the enemies are destroyed. I shall carry it in to battle until that day!"

Irlana grins at Sir Falcon's antics. She had preferred Talia's, but accepts the samurai's choice.

"Neither is childish. Let the Sheylnite banner display the resistance of your entire town, including us. And as Sir Falcon states, we shall bring the other back once we destroy the enemy!"

There is no difference between the banners besides their aesthetics and either one would serve as a functional war banner for Sir Falcon to carry into battle.

The Shelyin followers seem to find the compromise of displaying their banner to be an acceptable compromise and they quickly calm down. As they disperse a few of the Abadarians taunt some of the Shelynites because the party chose their banner to carry into battle as the crowd disperses, but the adventurers' words have cooled things down enough that fisticuffs don't break out in the town square.

The party is able to rest and make preparations to go to the monastery in the morning. A few of the townsfolk do stop by to make sure that they adventurers have everything they need for the upcoming conflict.

The town still has its same spending limits, but I should also mention that there a few unique magic items available in town as well in case anyone is interested. If these did come up before, then it was awhile ago. You can get the 10% discount on these items if the vendor is Helpful and most of the townsfolk are now Helpful and the few that aren't could still be improved with Diplomacy (or Intimidate)