Sansaárë walks over to Tamily and thanks her. She then follows Leo in to eat.
Leo, you did real well down there. Thanks for the assist. What else do you have up your sleeve?
She then bends down and give Ambrose something to eat.
When she can, whether that night, she suggests to Ness, "If we captured the dragon baby, do you think we could raise it to be a nice dragon? How could we capture it without killing it? Like, we could knock it down into unconsciousness, truss it up, and then pour a healing potion down its throat, and then explain that it should be a good dragon after the fire dies down? Something like that, maybe? Like what we did with Ol' Twitch?"
Ness turned to look at Tann and answered earnestly, "Ack, I possess no dragon lore to know if such a thing would work on the hatchling. I'd say there might not be much harm in trying it your way...we'll have to see how it's acting toward us when we find it, Tann. I could try my special animal talk on it; yet I don't speak that dragon tongue you know so well. You might have to do all the talkin'."
Moving to Tamily, she gratefully accepted a delicious sandwich and then added to her companions, "I'll need to pick some more berries and collect more fresh soil and then see my family. I'll call it a night and see you all here in the morning." And with a respectful nod of her head, Ness and Verdi made their way back to the forest; Ness nibbling on the tasty morsel in her hand.
Ness' brow was more furrowed with worry than usual and she looked at her brother and shook her head and then stared at him. There was nothing to be done about it - she had to step in and give them her aid - there was nothing to be done about it. Sitting down at the old desk in her mother's parlour room, Ness drew a piece of parchment from the desk drawer and dipped the quill into the ink. She sat there for some time, trying to make the missive pleasant to read but not too flowery for that wasn't her way with words. Verdi sat at the corner of the desk and her delicate leaves rustled in mirth at her mistress' concentration. Satisfied with the letter, she waited for the ink to dry before turning to the lovely young woman waiting on the threadbare couch. Rolling the missive and tying a leather cord around it, she handed it to the other druidess.
"I know this is quite sudden, but I can't leave my friends in the lurch. They require a wise soul to join them in this quest with the hatchling and the kobolds. I've every confidence in you and Morra. You'll have to meet them after your morning fast at Mistress Tamily's Fishery. Make your preparations tonight as there won't be much time tomorrow. Introduce yourself, Tannakin, Sansaárë and Priest Julril will know you, Leo will not. Hand them this missive. Best of luck, my friend. Until we meet, again."
Iona accepted the rolled parchment and placed it carefully inside her pack. Morra was sitting atop her shoulder and her leafy hand was waving to Verdi, who waved back. "I won't let you down, Ness. I'll give them my best. You take care, my friend. Until then," and with that the younger, human druidess turned on her heel and headed out the parlour and house, leaving the family to discuss their dilemma among themselves.
"Let's hope they'll welcome our presence on the morrow, Morra," she spoke softly in Sylvan to the fruit leshy nature spirit.
Our Heroes each have their dinners, rest and preparations for continuing their investigation into this possible kobold invasion into the quiet town of Otari.
The initial few hours of replying to different inquiries by various townsfolk dies down a bit as the evening displays its stars and bright moon.
The buzz of a dragon being underneath the Fishery seems to be a mixture of disbelief and fear combined with false bravado....
The Heroes are encouraged to equip themselves before continuing on....
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Julril wakes with the rising sun, and begins his day in prayer, communing with The Inheritor, asking for strength and protection for his friends in the battles to come. He also prays for the souls of all his fallen comrades in arms in the battles of yesterday.
His dreams, or nightmares, of the night before were filled with the images of skeleton armies and zombie hordes, thr faces of close friends and allies twisted in undeath. He woke numerous times throughout the night in cold sweat, troubled to shake the memories of striking down the undead monstrosities that were only recently good friends from his mind.
Before arriving at the fishery to continue the mission of flushing out the kobolds and eliminating the dragon threat, Julril stops by the temple of Saranrae to make a donation.
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As Sansaárë starts to awake. She stretches before getting out of be. She then goes to the bathroom and washes her face and hands. Then brushes her teeth.
She then bounces into the kitchen to get her morning fix.
Good morning everyone. How did you sleep?
Sansaárë then sits down. After she sits, she thinks she hears something but not sure.
Do you guys hear something? Is that Leo?
She then walks over to the window and looks out.
I see Ambrose. Where is Leo?
Good night Nyswyn. See you in the morning.
Iona's eyes fluttered open as the sun began its quiet climb. She stretched and then ran a hand through her tussled hair before rising, pushing feet down onto the old wooden floor of her grandmother's house and rushing toward the window with its pretty window box and where Morra was sitting, her sweet face pointed reverently up toward the faint light of the rising sun. There was a newly ripened blue berry among her greenery. In soft Sylvan tongue, the druidess greeted the fruit leshy nature spirit, "Madainn mhath, a ghràidh. Chì sinn far a bheil an latha gar stiùireadh."
Setting herself to right via her morning ablution, Iona opened the window and Morra came willingly into her hand and then climbed atop her shoulder. Together they descended the beloved, creaky stairs into the kitchen and the familiar smells of fresh herbs and morning treats, especially the freshly brewed chamomile tea and baked goods. Ula, her grandmam, was always up before her, and never seemed to tire even at her advanced age.
"Feumaidh sin feitheamh gus an cuir sinn crìoch air ar meòrachadh agus ar taing."
Into the back portion of the garden they went, until they came to the familiar stone stool amid the fragrant plants. Sitting down with Morra now in her lap, the two began to lose themselves in the twines of natural energy around them, preparing the magic for the day ahead, in sweet communion. Iona finished her prayer with, "Ar buidheachas don talamh agus a pailteas gu lèir."
A little, chubby bumblebee came buzzing just then and a smile spread across Iona's face.
More to herself then Morra, she added in the Common tongue, "Let us pick the fresh berries and herbs and then collect the small river stones we will need this day. We mustn't be late to meet the party at the Fishery." After collecting all that she required, having made some small purchases the evening before, Iona and Morra returned to the kitchen so Iona could break her fast (for Morra had already taken sustenance in the window box). She cut a thick slab of the freshly baked nut bread, buttered it and laid down some sweet cheese, poured herself a cup of the herbal tea and then sat down and ate with happy relish as she was indeed hungry. Cleaning up after herself, she donned on her leather armour, strapped the old wooden shield to her back and picked up her sorted pack and her staff. Morra moved to the side of Iona's jaunty, one-feathered hat, where she sat down in the large crease found there. Through the decent sized parlour window, Iona waved at the figure of her grandmam holding a full basket (and who waved back) and then promptly left the house.
Iona and Morra headed toward the Fishery, greeting any locals with a friendly wave and smile as they passed. As she neared the warehouse, Iona became a little more nervous and she swiftly yet carefully removed the parchment Ness had given her last eve and waited for the party to arrive so she could present herself and the letter.
After paying his respects at the local temple, Julril heads to the Fishery to meet up with the rest. He inwardly hopes the crowds won't be present this day, but knows that by now, word of a dragon roosting beneath the fishery has likely reached every ear of the populace.
He tries not to make a show of his approach, and offers only a quick smile or simple blessing to any townsfolk who recognize him on the way. Arriving at the fishery, he's surprised to find none of yesterdays companions, but another recognizable face from his youth.
"Good morning, Iona is it? I guess you've heard the news of what's going down beneath the fishery. Has Tam asked for your help in the matter as well?"
Iona smiled upon the devout man's opening words and then inclined her head in due respect, "Well met, Priest Julril. It's good you have safely returned to the town. I've heard news of the kobolds and their young dragon ally through Mistress Ness. She's the one that bade me come. Does the group mean to find the creature and then turn it to our side? If it means to go to war with us, that'll be a tricky task at best. I'll do what I can. Begging your pardon, but how is it you've come to be involved in this matter? You've only just come home." Atop the jaunty hat, the tiny fruit leshy peered at the human man, her head slightly bent and then waved at him with her grape-vine covered hand.
Julril nods towards the Leshy, then clears his throat, "Ah, then Ness won't be returning with us?"
In answer to Iona, he replies "We shall see about the dragon. From what I've gathered, it's a mere hatchling, and under the control of a kobold wizard. So, I'm not sure what's the bigger threat. If we can resolve the situation peacefully, all the better. As for myself, I guess you can say divine timing?" he tries for a smirk, "Tam roped me in to a food delivery mission, but I figured my military experience could be put to further use."
Iona wondered what Julril had seen in the war and how it forged him into the person he was presently. It had been some time since she had last spoken with him, yet his humour had not gone away as was noted by his quick jest and that was a good thing.
"Aye, a soldier with a holy patron is a boon, indeed, if the kobolds mean to make war. People in town have been frightened since last eve. And, when it comes to Ness, she beats to her own drum, may the spirits guide and protect her. There are matters she must attend to and she gives her apology."
Glancing around the front of the building, the breeze flicking the feather of her jaunty hat, Iona continued, "How many of us will go in this day? Ness mentioned you, Sansaárë and Tannakin and someone by the name of Leo? I've no recollection of the name. Has he recently come to town?" More providence, perhaps? she silently mused.
"Yes, that's who I expect. O don't know where they picked up this Leo. Odd fellow, has a strange manner of speaking, takes some getting used to. Cute dog, though, and he can fling a torch across a room quite effectively, I must say."
Fling a torch?, now that was an interesting fighting technique. "He must be brave," is all she said out aloud to the priest. That was something. Then, as an afterthought, she added, "Hopefully the pup will take to Morra and not try to eat her or tear her apart."
As Sansaárë starts to awake. She stretches before getting out of be. She then goes to the bathroom and washes her face and hands. Then brushes her teeth.
She then bounces into the kitchen to get her morning fix.
Good morning everyone. How did you sleep?
Sansaárë then sits down. After she sits, she thinks she hears something but not sure.
Do you guys hear something? Is that Leo?
She then walks over to the window and looks out.
I see Ambrose. Where is Leo?
Hi Leo. Your a sprite again. Nice. Come on in.
Tann. Leo is here. Let's get ready to go take care of that dragon.
Tannakin's eyes flutter open. Then they shut again. Maybe if she ignores the headache, it will go away?
She's in her own bed, at least. She's in her own clothes, which is somewhere on the continuum of good and bad.
She remembers the bar. The tankards of beer that kept lining up whenever she sat down (which wasn't often).
She remembers roaring in the streets, "WE BE DRAGONS!"
She remembers a fist swinging at her head, and a sudden flash of force interposing itself between her face and the blow.
And a sudden surge of energy crackling from her fingertips as she swatted said assailant in the head--but without touching him.
But, when her mother enters the room and says, "Hi, Tan. Do you remember what we talked about last night?" she can only answer, "Sorry... uh... no."
And thus Eliel the young elf began to explain, for the third time in the last twelve hours (once to Tan, once to her husband Gregg, and once again to Tan) that her elven ancestry has tangled roots among the dragons. "It's a recessive gene thing, like red hair. But with magic."
After a breakfast of pastries and a long nap, Tan is feeling much more herself. She hustles into the streets to show her friends some new tricks...
She's absolutely delighted by Leo's transformation. "You're so cute now, Leo!
So, our budding Heroes spent the evening eating, drinking, talking, drinking, contemplating, drinking, self-discovering, drinking, resting, drinking, waking, wishing that the drinking wasn't so prevalent, praying and someone did do the drinking.
In the early morning, an hour after the dawn, our Heroes find themselves standing together in front of the Fishery.
A brave rogue, a daring swashbuckler, a smiling from long blue ear to long blue ear sprite, a tested cleric, and a new face approaches our Heroes, as they await their sister, Nyswyn.
Iona smiles at her friends. The sisters all hug, laugh, and ask many inquiries. Leo is introduced and Julril readies to continue this impromptu quest with friends not seen in years.
Tamily approaches the newly reacquainted Heroes. The Fishery owner holding the same picnic basket.
I am so appreciative of you 5 braving the Menace In Otari!
She offers the basket, her smile and a few pushes back down into the basement of the Fishery.....
Julril recognizes the corgi trailing his friends, but seems perplexed at the absence of the man he knows as Leo. It's not until tbey approach closer does he notice the blue fairy riding the corgi's back.
"What's happened to you Leo?" he asks, perplexed "have you been polymorphed somehow? That's some powerful magic, and it'd take even more powerful magic to change you back. Are you.sure you wish to follow us into the literal dragon's den?"
"Mmm... that explains a lot, actually. Well, I'm glad your curse was lifted, but if your joy starts to wan, let me know."
Julril defers to Iona to explain Ness's whereabouts.
A curse? she thought to herself upon listening to the sprite explain his predicament. What an interesting turn of events.
When the question came up about Nyswyn's absence, and seeing she should be the one to explain it to the wee fey, she placed a warm smile on her face and politely introduced herself, "Hello. My name is Iona Enid and this is my true companion, Morra Morningstar," gesturing to the fruit leshy spirit. "Ness received some worrying news last eve and she has to attend to some urgent family matters. She has sent me in her place to join your party and aid your cause against the kobolds and young dragon. I am a herbalist by calling and belong to the same druid order as Ness. It is good to meet you and your faithful pup", acknowledging the corgi's presence with a simple incline of her head. Morra, atop the jaunty hat, lifted her leafy hand and waved somewhat cautiously to the pup - hoping he wouldn't bite as they worked alongside one another in the quest to stop the threat against the town. In a soft, melodic voice spoken in Sylvan, Morra said to the corgi, "Bi sinn caraidean! Feuch nach ith thu mi."
Upon Morra's words to the corgi, Iona tried to stifle a chuckle. Replying in Sylvan in an effort to soothe, "Na gabh dragh, a ghràidh. Tha mi cinnteach gum bi thu nad charaidean daingeann."
So, after a few moments of introduction and illumination, our Heroes re-enter the Fishery.
Initially, they enter in the basement of the Otari Fishery, where our budding Heroes encountered some dire rats, which they befriend Ol' One Eye.
The stairs leading into the basement of the Otari Fishery creak with age as you make your way downstairs. In the center of the room, between stone pillars holding up the fishery overhead, are barrels filled with salted fish. Two of these barrels have been smashed open, spilling their contents on the floor. In the east wall is a large hole, opening into darkness.
Squeezing through the hole, you find yourself in a cavern that seems to stretch endlessly beneath the streets of Otari. The immediate passage end with a cliff heading further downward into the darkness.
The tunnel continues deeper underground, eventually opening into a large chamber. Patches of glowing blue fungus cling to the ceiling and provide dim light. You can just barely make out vast strands of webbing across the floor and walls of this cavern, stretching between stalactites like shimmering curtains. This is where our Heroes fought a giant venom-spilling spider!
After the web-infested cave, the passageway leading deeper underneath the streets of Otari appears to be mostly natural, but someone, or something, has worked to open the cavern and level out the floor, making the passage easily traveled. A crude barricade made from old wooden planks and part of a barrel blocks the entrance to a side tunnel, while the main passage continues off into the gloom. The warren of kobolds the most likely culprit here....
Beyond the barricade, an old cavern corridor winds down into the earth, ending in an ancient burial vault lit by a strange torch with a blue flame. Alcoves line the walls, each one containing a rotten wooden coffin, while the center of the room has a raised platform holding a stone sarcophagus. The former unresting place of skeletons and a zombie were once lurking here....
Continuing along, our Heroes found the ancient wooden door creaks open on rusty hinges, revealing a ruined chamber. Mold and rot stain every surface. On the far side of the room is stone statue of a giant squid, its tentacles reaching toward an altar in the center of the chamber. The scum covers almost everything, but it hasn’t touched the silver bowl sitting atop the stone altar. The water in the bowl is perfectly clear.
Ambrose proudly drinks his water from the silver bowl found within....
Next they entered a large storeroom that once had some kobolds looting it....
After traversing the trapped hallway, they entered the door to this chamber silently glides open to reveal a long room. Two stone statues of priests stand in the corners along one side of the room, facing a towering statue of a man holding out both of his hands, palms up. In front of this statue is a stone altar holding nine golden coins. A voice booms out from the statue.
The statute is silent....
Finding Abadar's Vault next, housing the control mechanism to the various traps in the next chamber, our confident Heroes easily continue down to the second level of the dungeon...err...basement of the Fishery....
Standing once again in the cavern that housed the many fierce kobolds, Tannakin, Sansaárë, Leo, Julril and Iona ready to brave the unknown...ish....battle that awaits them!
Dragonkeeper
A gaping pit opens in the floor in the center of this large, natural chamber. On the far side, a ledge overlooks the entry. Atop this ledge is an ornate stone throne that looks entirely out of place for this room. A regal kobold wearing an oversized crown made of fish bones sits atop the throne.
“Kill the intruders!”
she snarls at the two kobold guards at the foot of the stairs.
Jubril seems to be the quickest cleric of them all!
Julril, with sword and shield at the ready already, plugs the gap at the western edge of the gaping pit, poised to strike down any kobold who comes near.
Dragonkeeper Round 1!
Julril bravely strides forward to meet the advancing kobolds. The cleric raises his sword across the mouth of the advancing kobold #1!
Kobold #1 stops talking because of the slice of his mouth!
Kobold #1 (silently) Steps in front of the bloody cleric.
Kobold #2 attempts to Tumble Through the cleric's legs to get to the other side (like a chicken).
Both Kobolds grin wickedly as they bandish...brandish...show their short swords to Julril!
Both kobolds swing and slice and stab and blab, but only a small paper cut-like scratch appears on Julril's sleeve.
"Ouch!"
Morra scrambled underneath Iona's jaunty hat, dipping out of sight of the kobold threat. Witnessing the bravery of Julril as he stepped into the fray with the kobolds, Iona whose staff and shield were already in hand, raised her shield before her and strode forward into the chamber. Using one hand, the druidess attacked the kobold nearest her (#2) .
====
Sansaárë looks excited when the mighty dragons begin shouting. She starts laughing as she ◆Strides into the open flank.
Why thank you, Iona! We got your back Julril!
The rogue then strikes out with her shortsword at Kobold #2!
Laughing and giggling, she strikes again!
Round 1
Iona watches Julril getting swarmed by the nasty kobolds. The druidess raises her shield and bravely strides into battle! Swinging her staff at the shouting kobold, her swing goes just over the short creatures head, but.....
Sansaárë giggles and dances and snorts and prances into the opening left by Iona. The rogue sees her openings as the druidess distracts the mighty dragon!
The snarling mighty dragon falls to the floor!
Round 1
Leo (proudly displaying his sprite-ness!) watches the courage of his companions taking place before his fey eyes. The cursed witch calmly directs Ambrose to stride bravely forward to also place these wannabe dragons in their place!
With plenty of debris to pick from, Leo uses his signature spell to bash the other kobold in the mouth!
The remaining kobold scout does not look amused!
Standing and shouting on her strange-looking throne, the kobold dragonkeeper begins reciting strange sounding words, as blue missiles of force dart out from her hand, each missile striking Julril, Leo and Sansaárë!
The dragonkeeper shouts
Seeing no kobolds in stabbing range, Tannakin starts heckling them instead. She yells at the dragonkeeper,
"Keep THIS dragon if you can! The blood of ancient wurms runs in my veins, and soon normal earthworms will run in yours!"
While the lizard ponders her words, Tan follows up her offensive comments with offensive magick. She ◆◆casts Daze, trying to reach out with her mind to bop the lizzie on its silly little head.
"SURRENDER TO YOUR NEW DRAGON LORD... ME!!"
Julril steps to one side of the kobold guard to open up space for his companions. "Concentrate on the leader!" he shouts, then calls down a divine blessing from Iomedae.
Bless
Round 1
Tannakin surveys the battlefield. The swashbuckler begins heckling the Dragonkeeper!
The newly risen draconic sorcerer then spills arcane words from her mouth!
The dragonkeeper seems to be bleeding from her nostrils!
Round 2!
Julril (being the brave knight of the Inheritor) Steps to the side, while casting Her Blessings on the group.
The still standing kobold scout (who does seem a bit grateful) decides that this combat sucks!
The kobold doesn't seem too into it. He retreats!
He then Hides!
The dragonkeeper hasn't noticed....yet!
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"Where'd the kobold go? Did anyone see? Do you think its gone up those stone stairs or down the hole?" Iona called out to her companions; perturbed that an enemy slunk away right under their noses.
From her present position, Iona raised her shield (just in case the stealthy creature was nearer than she imagined) and began looking down the dark? hole/crevasse before her (n ot sure how deep it is), hoping to seek it out. "Can someone provide light into this hole?"
If by some miracle Iona managed to see/find the hidden kobold, she would point it out to her companions; telling them where it is located.