Masa is almost as perfect as a warrior can be!!
The first strike cuts off the left leg of the Ettin and when the giant sinks to the ground, the Samurai cuts off both heads with a precise slashing blade attack!!!
You only hear a ...
"Erghhhh .... ahrghhrrhhrhh ..." and the large giant drops to the ground like a stone.
Clinging to the foul skin of the Ettin you find a beautiful, glittering golden pendant in the shape of dragon's head which was smeared with blood. You can easily search the rest of the cavern, finding nothing but filth.
Additionally, a ring and several Thassilonian relics are bound to the Ettin's right hand.
The markings which were cut into the skin of the Ettin are diabolic runes which could be used to protect giants from draconic beings with the right focus. Together with the ring as well as the relics, the amulet could serve as exactly that focus. Essentially, you assume that Aureliax would not have been able to protect the town as it would not have been able to harm this Ettin.
The woman that the Ettin dropped is probably Gilda Korgren, the mother of the Tiefling. She also has runes carved all over her body.
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"I have to say I'm impressed by your sword skill, Masa. You are not to be underestimated."
Kaervek checks the dead body of the ettin, but finds nothing new.
"Daenerija is correct." He then turns to the side and mutters to himself: "And I already said that before combat even started..."
"Seems the Ettin was not happy about being rune-carved by this woman..."
The wizard starts to clean the amulet, the ring and the other relics from blood with prestidigitation. Afterwards, he casts detect magic and scans each item, trying to identify them.
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Hawthorn looks up just in time and stares in astonishment as Masa's expert blade skills brings down the ettin.
"Woahhh. Nicely done, Masa!"
Hawthorn rushes forward and kneels to inspect the runes carved on the woman's body.
"It looks as if she died from these rune injuries and not through the hands of the Ettin."
If any of the items were magical then the ritual seems to have depleted all energy because they are mundane items now.
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Flicking the blood from the blade, Masa sheathes his katana with a smile. "Thank you for the praise, however it wouldn't be possible without a team." Masa remarks. "And a healthy dose of luck." Still the sense of pride in his attacks is present and he collects the ogre heads and the body of the woman, intent on bringing them back for the townsfolk.
"We should burn the body of the ogre, to ensure no necromantic foul play." Masa offers as he hoists the slight, old corpse onto his shoulder. "Also, that prisoner you insisted we take will likely take great umbrage as we cart his 'mother' out on my shoulder. Be ready for this to become an issue."
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Flicking the blood from the blade, Masa sheathes his katana with a smile. "Thank you for the praise, however it wouldn't be possible without a team." Masa remarks. "And a healthy dose of luck." Still the sense of pride in his attacks is present and he collects the ogre heads and the body of the woman, intent on bringing them back for the townsfolk.
"We should burn the body of the ogre, to ensure no necromantic foul play." Masa offers as he hoists the slight, old corpse onto his shoulder. "Also, that prisoner you insisted we take will likely take great umbrage as we cart his 'mother' out on my shoulder. Be ready for this to become an issue."
Chuckling darkly Kaseem notes, "With you carrying those giant heads, I don't think the tiefling will protest much lest he incur your wrath."
After you have defeated the ettin and recovered the golden pendant, you emerge from the cave to find yourselves ... face to face with Aurelliax in her true form .
She is a magnificent mature adult gold dragon whose presence dwarfs your own.
The dragon raises an eyebrow when hearing the introduction ... silence follows for several seconds.
”I know. Thank you, Pathfinders, for protecting the people of Highdelve, and for recovering my amulet. Truly, you are the heroes these people needed. Let me commend you, as well, for sparing the lives of those children that belong to this town ... I will take care that they are loved and brought back to this community!“
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Ezekiel seems stunned by the appearance of a dragon unexpectedly, and his hand unconsciously strays to his holy symbol around his neck. Ummm, thanks, we are just doing our best to help out as we can. Is there anything else we can take care of around here? Problems with shipments or the like? he stammers looking to be helpful and perhaps elsewhere.
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First putting his eyes back into their sockets and then picking his jaw up from the ground, Kaseem manages a shaky bow with an even shakier flourish to the mighty gold dragon. Then he attempts to speak without stuttering or stammering:
"Greetings Aurelliax, I am Kaseem ibn al Majid from Osirion. You are most welcome for our assistance in getting the young ones out of trouble and recovering your amulet. We were also told by Venture Captain Dreng about missing cargo, including several Thassilonian relics, which a Kostchtchie worshipper named Gilda Korgren would find useful. Perhaps they were part of the ceremony the cultists were using to empower an ettin (Kaseem gestures to the two heads Masa is carrying) to attack the village and maybe even you. Gilda's son, the tiefling we've secured, was also part of this plot and we intend to take him back to Highdelve for them to decide his fate - unless you would rather do so instead."
The dragon nods.
”There no further tasks that you can take over. I will take care of the Tiefling. And the artifacts in the missing shipment were indeed part of the ritual against me!“
You see the golden pendant levitate in the golden dragon’s direction and it vanishes when touching her scales.
She looks at you for a while.
”Please accept these as a token of my appreciation.“
Four statuettes of gold dragons with diamonds for eyes appear out of thin air and levitate to your hands.
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Ezekiel glances over at the cleric, Thank you Kasseem for remembering all the details, I got excited dealing with the Ettin and Teiflings, and that was all I could think of for the moment. as he says this, he fishes an unlit torch from his pack, handing it to the cleric, In my haste, I forgot I had these with me. I perhaps got spoiled on my first mission with many spallcasters.
Bowing deeply to the dragon again, he accepts the golden dragon, Thank you mighty Aurelliax, you honor us with these gifts.
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Daenerija's eyes widen and she bows gently at the sight of dragon.
"تبریک به شما. خوشحالم که توانستیم مانند نجات شهر، از زندگیهایمان در امان باشیم. اوه و ممنون بابت این هدیه زیبا"
You can see that she is content to see you appreciate the present which truly look identical to her perfect form.
”Now,” she says, unfurling her magnificent wings. ”would you care to ride on my back as I carry the cart of brightblooms, along with the children, back to Highdelve?”
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As the group steps out of the cave, Kitty snarls menacingly at the dragon and leaps in front of Hawthorn. The mighty dragon does not make any threatening moves, it just stares at the group.
"Kitty, No! It's alright."
Hawthorn calms the agitated panther.
Hawthorn stares upward into the dragons eyes, almost blinded by the sun gleaming off its shimmering scales. He holds up a hand in greeting.
"Hello, nice... uhh... dragon."
He says politely as he trembles in fear.
After Aurelliax congratulates the Pathfinders for defeating the ettin and saving the troublesome children, Hawthorn nods respectfully in thanks.
"We were just doing our job. Thank you for the fancy statue. This will make a fine centerpiece on the mantle in my mud hut."
He stares in awe and wonder at the priceless (to him, at least) statue.
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You can see that she is content to see you appreciate the present which truly look identical to her perfect form.
”Now,” she says, unfurling her magnificent wings. ”would you care to ride on my back as I carry the cart of brightblooms, along with the children, back to Highdelve?”
"But of course! I'll definitely have bragging rights over my family now!" And thank you very much for the generous gift!"
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Masa, being naturally distrustful, attempts to determine if this is an illusion.
"Everything seems legitimate..." he offers [ooc](unless his suspicion was right). "Can you fit nine people, a cat, two ogre heads and a corpse on your back alongside a cart?" he asks, skeptical.
Granted, I don't know how flying really works, but it seems like a lot, even for a large dragon-like creature.
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Masa, being naturally distrustful, attempts to determine if this is an illusion.
[dice=Will Save] 1d20+1
"Everything seems legitimate..." he offers [ooc](unless his suspicion was right). "Can you fit nine people, a cat, two ogre heads and a corpse on your back alongside a cart?" he asks, skeptical.
Granted, I don't know how flying really works, but it seems like a lot, even for a large dragon-like creature.
"Isn't it obvious she will carry the cart? I don't know if she will carry those smell ettin heads though - yuck! They smell worse than a camel that's been soaked in a swamp! And don't worry about room; she can carry one in her mouth and we volunteered you for that spot."
Kaseem grins and chuckles...
Masa’s question hangs in the air and she does not answer but only nods at Kaervek’s reasoning.
“Then let us go!“
After the ride of your life you land in Highdelve and can finally enjoy the jubilee!
You also see the dragon in human form when the town welcomes you all!
What you do with the rest of your time ... only you can tell! ;-)