"Come, let us tend to our wounds and press on. I am eager to be done here."
He begins administering quick help with a wand:
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FAIL
Unwilling to get closer until Delnin drops the mindbending foe, he settles for his sling: but predictably misses.
Taranis completes his spell, bringing forth a soldier ant just opposite Gozrek: [dice=Bite]d20+5/dice], but it serves only to distract the foe.
"Bloody HELL!" Taranis inches forward, hoping that he's still far enough away to keep his wits. He begins summoning an ally....
Nodding, Taranis retrieves Toth, and heads in, his eyes still on Gozrek...
"When we last tried this assault we were assailed by fiends. I'm not entirely sure what they were, but when we got into proximity with them they had an unnerving ability to addle our minds to the point where we could not tell friend from foe. Girding our willings from outside influence could mean the difference between life and-" Taranis looks at Gozrek, "-death." The Duke looks at Tess, "Do you have a magical means of shielding our minds?"
Unrak, Tess, Bytor, and Taranis are all at a convention this weekend (Augrym should be, but isn't.)
"We all remember what happened last time." Taranis looks at Gozrek first, then the others, then back to Gozrek. "If you have spells that will last more than a handful of minutes that will help, I'd recommend doing it now. We MUST be prepared against Confusion first. Ready?"
Taranis takes Toth in hand and wildshapes into an owl for the infiltration. He doesn't worry about staying within the sphere given his disguise.
Taranis spends his personal money: Taranis collects money from everyone on:
He reports back to Tess that
Late afternoon through the vesperal hours, Taranis reconnoiters the barbarian camp in the form of a mid-sized passerine. He's looking at numbers, readiness, and any regular guard changes. This is after his daily habit when ranging abroad of casting Commune with Natural in place of Fire Snake. On the day of recon he focuses his senses through the land to detect the number of people, the presence of unnatural creatures, and the general animal population.
Taranis looks at his brother.... "Stealth isn't really our strong suit. Mayhaps we could trade it in the city proper?" "If we're going to strike Armag's camp, we need to pick a solid route there. I suggest we take the road northwest." Taranis traces a line on the strategic map with a sprig of holly. "Normally I advocate for exploration whenever we leave, but we should save it for the return home. The last thing we need is to find ourselves bogged down, which once happened literally. We take the damned man out, then after victory, we visit Fort Drelev, exploring on the way home."
"Gentlemen, we have a quest that defeated us the last time, and we had the element of surprise then. This time we have Tess and Delnin though. Still, it will take all our efforts." He opens chests and the armoire, "Arm yourselves."
"Also, Tess, can you tell us what [b]this rod does?"
Taranis gives the yet unnamed cub scritches. He speaks to the cub as if capable of conversation, "Well girl, that settles it. This is definitely something we need to do. When I return I'll channel a bit more of Nature's Might and ask you what your name is." grave figure armored from head to toe in jagged iron, two red eyes smoldering like witchfires from within his helm Gorum? Taranis steps into the old oak tree in the courtyard, and steps out of the tree near the castle. He sends messengers to the others to gather. It is time.
The Duke knocks on Gozrek's door, and enters when invited. He finds the lad reading a spellbook while doing some stretches. Perhaps he is ready to return. This is a delicate time, I must not push too hard, not push too little. "Are you up for a safe trip within the Marchlands?"
"Indeed my friend, you do. You have crossed back to us here, and you have a long road ahead of you still. Take time and find peace. Find purpose. Come let us talk about what you and I have been through..."
After collecting the material components to raise and restore Gozrek, Taranis spends some time communing with nature. To reset Gozreh's balance is no small thing, and cannot be taken lightly. The duke studies the leaves of his grove with the same intense concentration as he studies the map of the Marchlands. Determined to protect the flock, he meets with Jhod to see it through....
Not wanting to be overwhelmed like last time (especially since our foe expects it), Taranis takes some time to see what the world itself knows of the man.... "Gentleman, I will be out of commission for upwards of a week and a half if I connect myself across time and space, but I think it may be worth it. This is a power I've never used, and is only available to Druids of the 8th Circle." Taranis sets himself up to use Secrets Across Lifetimes and Retreats to his Druidic Grove. DM:
I update Taranis pretty meticulously.
Weirdly... Taranis isn't trained in any of that. "I have another thought. I am now connected with the land enough that I may be able to commune across lifetimes to learn more. The ability requires my attention for quite some time. May I suggest that whilst I am sequestered, you each prepare? Think of our difficulties of late* and see if you can secure gear to help."
Taranis puts the letter down on the massive map in the meeting hall. "Tess, Delnin. We could use your immediate help with a problem. That problem's name is Armag. If we want to actually free the people of the Fort, and even to bring them into our fold, we need to complete some unfinished business. We tried and failed to bring down a ruthless barbarian named Armag. We need to see this through. We should make our way there anon. If we can see through some other unfinished business on the way, that too would be good. What say you?"
Income Phase Summary
Redleaf Grove Downtime:
Feeling a weak spot for John and his tragedies, Taranis gives the matter some thought. He seeks out Tess, "Tess, we are in dire need of a new Spymaster. I often had to directly manage John when he was spymaster. While his loss is acute, the reasons are more personal. Are you willing or interested? You can have as much autonomy as you'd like. These are the Marchlands after all." Similarly he asks Oleg to share a mead with him to inaugurate his retirement. The duke invites Delnin along not only for introductions, but to see if the nimble halfling has an interest. Upkeep Phase Summary Edict Phase Summary
"We could have used a skilled archer in our last endeavor. A naga who's gaze enthralled all who came near almost did us in as.... all came near." Taranis makes a motion to reconvene in the Hall for a drink and some beef and barley soup. "Managing the duchy is no small task. Protecting the Marchlands is even harder. There are matters of state to attend to, but perhaps we can find some good trouble anon."
"Tess. I won't lie, your skills have been sorely missed. John's son fell in combat. He has returned to us, but he's not yet prepared for the adventuring life. Our foes now count armies in their number, and ranging the land of the Marchlands is no longer a simple task." Delnin, if you're of a mind, I can tell from your bow that you're no recreational shooter. You also carry yourself like someone at whom Chaldira has smiled. How'd you like to find some high adventure?"
"Tessaria Moondown! You're a sight for sore eyes. It's been some time." Taranis strokes his beard with literal measure. "The beard is two hands longer. Let's see. Has it really been two years since we triumphed over Vordekai?" He turns to the halfling, "The Bellflower Network is a noble past sir. Well met. I am Duke of the Marchlands, Green Faith Initiate of the Eighth Circle, Taranis Redleaf." He turns to the others and lets introductions flow before engaging in updates.
"I hope these toys wee MADE by the fey, and not TAKEN by them."
With a moment of thought and a long, deep breath, Taranis preps to map the area before plotting a path home.
"Fey need not be enemies! Remember you attacked first!" Taranis shouts to any who may still be listening. He then goes about searching the area.
Tired of pranks in the face of potential war, Taranis opts to use a powerful spell, full of Gozreh's fury:
as a snake of Fire washes over the field. He aims for the worgs, hoping to get more than just the evil beasts:
"Let us play too brother!" Taranis drops a Faerie Fire on the close worgs.
"Unfortunate. Now you shall eat salt..." Taranis calls forth stone to reshape the battlefield.
Sylvan: "Lo! There! Stay your arms! I am Taranis Redleaf, Green Faith Initiate of the Eighth Circle"
"Let us explore and move on. I have an idea I'd like to check out after."
Taranis recommends travelling southeast
"Thank you gentlemen. We have much to consider. Our foes are deadlier than they were four years ago when we started this all." The druid mentally consults the calendar, "four years ago next month actually. When we return to see to our duties, we should consider who else in the ealm has the intestinal fortitude to join us. Let us continue to clear the lands and then return."
Exhausted and frustrated, Taranis does not give customary post-combat remarks. Instead he simply enters the lair looking for either reward or information. When he finally emerges, he looks at the Huntsmen and says, "We need more in our ranks. We will fail our people if we end up dead like impetuous Pathfinders."
Now as unhelpful as his teammate, the menagerie is forced to save the day. Unfortunately, without a line, the leopards have to circle.
Taranis curses the party's missteps, but as the spell ends, help arrives in the form of five leopards! As the cats all tear at the naga, he strikes upon an idea, "Brother! Unrak! Come here and take this thing from my pocket to best help with handling Toth!" He immediately hurls a Thunderstone at the naga:
Leopard 1:
"BYTOR DON'T! You saw what happened to my brother, then Augrym! Stay BACK!" |