"Is that a... dragon? From Igniscoeli..." Gabe looks to Samen for his wisdom. He always seems to know what to do. Just in case he focuses his psyche to prepare for battle.
"Yes, he was here the last time I was here. Not sure how he got on the council, but he seems to be respected, if not respectable. Compared to what our friend just did, he's virtually mundane around Hearth."
"Normal or not around here, I don't think an angry dragon is going to improve the current situation," Benedetto comments. "Any idea about calming him down?"
When elens speak of drakes, they think of younger, dog-sized drakes, or possibly the more mature drakes, roughly the size of a person.
Karoff has grown into a dragon. Whether the rampant magicks across the land or the influence of the gods is responsible cannot be known, but the former drake must have been growing at an exponential rate unknown to elenkind.
The expansive first tier normally has room for thousands of worshippers and an organ that dominates the far side, but Karoff makes the space seem cramped. Even with neck arched downward, it easily tops a two-story building. Red-lava eyes surround boiling black pupils, roving and searching for targets to inflict its anger upon.
"We should hurry down to the council. Maybe seeing something new might draw his interest rather than some tea."
Aisling starts toward the stairs.
"We were invited after all. It might at least buy servants some time. Either to prepare it. Or run away. I don't fancy fighting a dragon."
On the way down, Aisling clothes shimmer and his priestly garb changes to nobleman or well to do merchant attire. Suitable for council hall, but not giving away his affiliation.
--- ONCE THE PARTY GETS DOWN THERE ---
Aisling goes in the middle of the party; his ability for delicate negotiation is limited, he is more of 'I will deliver the speech, you do what you want with it' rather than tedious back-and-forth.
He will support whoever takes the point by reading the councildragon as best as he could and whispering his insights.
apply negative modifiers for hostility, different race etc...as appropriate
"Distracting him may be a good move. We have two of a new type of el he hasn't seen before after all..."
Gabe, light on his feet, is practically dancing down the stairs to intercept Karoff before his rage really takes hold and makes today more difficult than it needs to be. Standing before him, odd pinkish skin in full view, he addresses the dragon. "Good council...el? I believe we have an appointment to meet with you and your peers. I wouldn't do to have you making a mess just because you didn't get your... flame tea was it?"
Benedetto follows close after Gabriel. "We do apologize for the disruption, if you'd like I could go see what the delay is?"
[bigger]"And why cannot we have no mess AND my tea? This is important ceremony, yes? For important creatures like myself?"
Gull asks, "Why did yellow light make blue water in the air?"
"It did not. It just pierced The Dark. The blue *IS* the color of the sky." Aisling answered as he went pass them.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Excuse me, why are you shouting so loudly?" River asks, cocking her head to one side. "I think everyone can hear you. Unless they're deaf. Oh, are you deaf? Sorry that won't work. ?" She adds at a much greater volume before retreating to her normal volume.
"I like tea as well. But the water has to be just the right temperature. That's very important. Tea is the perfect balance of elements. Fire to heat Water. Flavour of earth rising on air. We should make tea together!" The idea seems to excite the strange elen and she bounces from foot to foot in obvious, childlike excitement.
Samen wonders to himself why everyone is addressing this spoiled child of a creature with such piteous simpering. It's clearly a public nuisance and a danger to society of an extraplanar origin. Perhaps the last few months have jaded him, but isn't this the sort of situation that results in immediate combat?
No, for whatever reason, Karoff is on the council, and Dove's plan to be rid of him seems more expedient and safer. Still though, it's hard to give this creature the respect it craves.
What is water to achieve the proper heat? What is a leaf that it could bring the proper burn? What you're really craving isn't found here. Go suck down the leavings from the local forge, be content, and earn the respect you deserve."
Like many dragons, Karoff is drawn to the beauty of gold, gems, and maidens. He is already somewhat mollified by Benedetto's offer, and when lovely River seems genuinely enthused by the idea of making tea together, he is pleased.
"Yes! Perhaps they have been hiding the best tea ingredients! What do you know of this making of tea?"
At Samen's rude remarks, Karoff simply sniffs and says, "Perhaps godless pink-skins do not know how to address dragons properly OR make tea. A sad failing."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"You can have both if you want I suppose. I'll not stop you. It'll just be more for some other people to clean up depending on the mess you make. Going to make tea with River sounds like a much better plan though." Not knowing for sure what Samen said, Gabe tries to back him up anyway. "You're right about us 'Pink-skins' though. Coffee is a much better drink than tea so we've not taken an interest in how to make it. We also believe respect is earned rather than to be assumed. A respectable dragon would be addressed properly. But demand what you will... I'm sure you'll get it." Tiny Gabriel stands before the enormous creature without fear. What is a dragon after the floating Gem strongholds? What is fire and flame after guiding the stuff of dreams and reality itself?
Besides, they are supposed to nominally be on the same side...
"Yes! We should go and have tea!" River says, bouncing in excitement. She skips a few steps ahead and then comes back to offer one pale hand to the dragon.
"Let's go!"
She doesn't have any idea where to find tea, but she can provide water, he can provide heat and someone somewhere must have tea leaves and a kettle! And enthusiasm has a magic all of its own.
Aisling comes forward with an alembic.
"This should hold fire better than any old kettle. Let's find a peaceful corner in the council hall, eh, council dragon?"
He motions forward, counting in dragon to know the way suitable for its passage.
"Can you imagine leaving your heritage? No longer being a red dragon, but just...actually, what would you be if you're no longer red? Just dragon? Anyhow, what do you prefer for your tea, some real heat that even you can feel?"
Aisling goes through the list of his alchemical components, counting those that would feel hot or biting for els palate. And starts mixing in the alembic, at some point motioning for River to add water.
"Now, only a small blast of dragonfire, careful, just to engulf the aparatus..."
Benedetto has no clue how to brew tea, and the others seem to have things well in hand, so he stands back and keeps watch for anything that might interrupt the proceedings... or just for someone else from the council to arrive before things get too crazy.
Aisling, unfortunately the dragonflame you have coaxed with kind words is hotter and wilder than you expected. Karoff's enthusiastic exhalations elude your attempts.
"Ha! You speak nonsense. The grey small ones are not real dragons. To lose my color to grey would be to lose dragonhood."
Benedetto, you get the vague feeling a bird has been released from a cage.
Qizz (listens) as others (help) big angry lizard. Big ears, listening face.
You are beginning to see the reality of the two waning red gods, Warrior and Cauldron. Their true names might be better translated as War and Burning; twins of misery that feed off the never-ending cycle of carnage between Volcano and Dark. Blood armies are their worshippers, and, given their will, the worship would never end.
The Lady Burning has been diminished and vanquished after the death of Ibinu, but you see now a spirit of rage and war inhabiting the heart of Karoff. When the time is right, you'll have to act quickly with Kallik and the others to banish the dragon and invoke draconic law before things go bad.
I'll explain more in a skill challenge later this week after we start the Council scene.
Benedetto's thoughts go immediately to Drook and the strange feather-like growths on his back, but then he wonders if it could be the Phoenix itself. Since it seems like the others have the situation in hand, he closes his eyes and starts a silent prayer.
Phoenix... I... well, I'm honored you saw fit to bless a failed paladin like me, but I... well... who *are* you? What I mean is, what do you stand for? What do you want? What are your commands, your rules, your... whatever you call them? I can't serve someone when I don't know what they want... and I won't serve someone who wants me to do... I was about to say evil, but that's such a vague term. I guess I'm saying, I won't go against my conscience, but... well, I feel like you wouldn't have blessed me if my conscience was going to disagree with you?
Aisling, unfortunately the dragonflame you have coaxed with kind words is hotter and wilder than you expected. Karoff's enthusiastic exhalations elude your attempts.
River provides water as directed and then sits back with a small smile of pure contentment on her face as she sips. For whatever reason she seems absolutely delighted by a well brewed cup of tea.
She even snuggles up against the dragon...
Gabe watches as the others make tea with an actual dragon. "Hmm, a less dramatic resolution than we're used to... refreshing. Maybe you've even made us a friend on the council."
Samen stands next to Gabe and shakes his head at the scene. "No, my friend, this only ends three possible ways. None of them particularly peaceful. We die, he dies, or we exile him. He's as much a creature of volcano as Ibinu was forced into. I hate to put off yet another problem to another generation, but I'm not fully confident we have the ability to win a direct confrontation."
...and starts a silent prayer.
Phoenix... I... well, I'm honored you saw fit to bless a failed paladin like me, but I... well... who *are* you? What I mean is, what do you stand for? What do you want? What are your commands, your rules, your... whatever you call them? I can't serve someone when I don't know what they want... and I won't serve someone who wants me to do... I was about to say evil, but that's such a vague term. I guess I'm saying, I won't go against my conscience, but... well, I feel like you wouldn't have blessed me if my conscience was going to disagree with you?
Exact rules are easy to perform, and tempting to break.
I ask for more. I ask you to defend and protect; to feed and nourish; to lead, but not judge; to follow good elens, but moreover your own conscience. Freedom to do righteous tasks on your own terms can be terrifying to many, but absolutely necessary for a real faith and belief to take root.
From the arched entrance on the far side of the wide chamber, Captain Dove enters, flanked by several guards. In a light tone, he says, "So Karoff, you've had another...growth spurt. I suppose we shall have to take our meeting in here today?"
A heavyset ifrit in resplendent robes comes in next, followed closely by a short sylph wearing a pince-nez and an accountant's squint. Two older elens walk in more slowly, a gray-haired oread matron and a bald-headed ifrit wearing a sackcloth. After some awkward shuffling, everyone manages to find a spot either at a pew, sitting on a stool, or standing in place. You are very aware of the sheer number of guards and servants that accompany the retinue.
The archpriest settles his bulk into a special seat brought for him. He groans in relief as his weight is taken by the chair rather than his feet. He raises his thick hands, as if giving a benediction. "Before we start with the business of the day, I am told we have guests today, illustrious champions? Introduce yourselves to the Council."
He looks with mild interest toward the lot of you.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Rolling his eyes at the dramatics of the Archpriest, Gabe steps forward to introduce himself. Despite all the attention, he keeps his hood up as he speaks, "I was Gabriel Izalith once upon a time. I'm now referred to with the surname Freemind as I doubt many Izaliths are left or would care to associate with me. I am a former mercenary of the Happy Swords and current associate with the Tribe of Peace. Before that I was a prisoner and test subject in the bowels of this very temple. I have since been freed from the chains of the Dark the inquisitors of the time laid upon me and stand before you as a free man." Gabe purposely doesn't use the parlance of referring to himself as an el as he tries to emphasize the idea of free.
Gull points at River. "She's River and she's great!" He goes back to quietly holding her hand.
Exact rules are easy to perform, and tempting to break.
I ask for more. I ask you to defend and protect; to feed and nourish; to lead, but not judge; to follow good elens, but moreover your own conscience. Freedom to do righteous tasks on your own terms can be terrifying to many, but absolutely necessary for a real faith and belief to take root.
Benedetto inhales sharply. He wasn't quite sure how he expected to be answered, but an actual voice? Speaking clearly? The response is so unexpected that he almost misses the actual content.
Once his brain catches up with the words, he's almost as shocked. That... sounds like exactly what he wants to do.
Hah, is he so wary after what he went through with Volcano... or Warrior... or whatever the truth is, that he's so shocked about a being choosing him for who he is?
He realizes he should probably respond. Thank you... That's... well, that's what I want to live up to. How I want to live.
It's about now he realizes he's been standing around with his eyes closed for a long time and should probably pay attention to his surroundings again. He opens his eyes and pays attention to what's going on just in time to catch on that he's supposed to introduce himself.
He gives the council a salute and says, "Benedetto Laguardia." He smiles just a bit. "Paladin of the Phoenix."
The archpriest's smiling, wrinkled expression lies somewhere between curious and smug. "Do you claim to be the sole Champion for the Phoenix since Inam Smithrock died?"
Gull points at River. "She's River and she's great!" He goes back to quietly holding her hand.
Having been introduced River just waves and tries to remember to smile.
Aisling nods at the assembled dignitaries
"I am Aisling Catalys. A researcher."
He fades back into the background.
Gabe is still caught off guard by Aisling's switching between bombastic speeches and being the center of attention but then quiet and avoiding attention. He can at least identify with one of those modes of thinking but being able to swap back and forth that easily is an impressive skill.
Gabe is also surprised at the mention of "sole champion". Are there no other aspirants for Phoenix? I shouldn't be surprised at the uniqueness of these folks. Look at Samen and I after all...
"Well met, all. Now that Hearth is beginning to heal from the many wounds dealt by Moon, we shall be discussing what moves to make outside of our sphere of influence, in a preventative capacity..."
Before the political blather gathers too much momentum, Captain Dove holds up his hand, and is recognized by the Archpriest. "I do have a bit of urgent news, Priest Palazzo. It concerns the safety of Hearth, which could undo all the good work we've done for our city."
Receiving a nod, he continues, "I have run an investigation--completed by no less than two trusted colleagues from each of our sectors, chosen as trustworthy by each Council member personally--and they made a disturbing discovery."
A master of the dramatic moment, Dove pauses long enough to make the wait nearly unbearable.
"Dragon eggs."
"Lies! I have lain no eggs! I am not yet fully matured, still between drake and dragon! What do small things know of the ways and growth of lizardkind?"
With great calm, Dove raises his hand again, like a small white bird protesting a forest fire. "I believe I have not ceded the floor. I also believe I did not make any specific accusations about where these were coming from. However, given time, it would be easy enough to inspect the origin-"
A mounting, rumbling roar is felt through the floor, vibrating into your stomachs and chests. Karoff disagrees.
An orean specter appears slightly behind Karoff's bulky form. The female oread, slightly translucent, wields an axe made of ivory, malachite, and stone. Her eyes and mouth weep a steady stream of blood from their corners. Her voice, though low and hoarse, carries across the room to each of you. "Get ready to push him through."
She raises the axe impossibly high, like a stretching illusion, then brings it down upon the huge backwall of the worship room. Where her axe touches, the wall splits, revealing flaming red cracks and fissures, as if hell is trying to escape into the equal plane.
Aisling observes this new event, he doesn't know enough of internal politics to know if this was prepared specifically for now or is this something Dove has prepared just in case for every session. He notes the fire from the portal, they are not planning on killing, just removing the dragon from the council room.
He readies himself, but doesn't get involved until one of his teammates does something. Or Dove does.
Swift: Get thirsting dagger from wrist sheath
Standard: Ready action to aid in bull rush (by charging?) or bewildering the dragon (either throwing or charging, whatever's feasible)
Benedetto notes the smoke starting to stream from Karoff's nostrils. He wishes there was time to try to talk him down, try to figure out how to banish whatever's taking hold of him, but... he can't weigh one life against multiple. When the rift opens, he charges forward and shoves.
Gabe looks to the spector of Kallik opening a rift and decides to act. Disappearing from sight he charges at the mad dragon running up a wall to leap at Karoff's head. Reappearing in mid-air, heel coming down towards the huge snout, Gabe focuses all his energy at the point of impact.
Rushing along the paladin, the rogue slashes across amd under dragons chest scales
Samen is definitely not built for pushing heavy things.
Instead, he takes the approach of preventing it from killing everyone as it is banished.
"I have a breath weapon of my own, loudling." He then screams in Karoff's face.
River seems utterly shocked by what is going on. It takes a few moments for her to react and even when she does her response is to throw up a large, curved shield of water between Gull and the rampaging dragon.