”Oh, good, a chatty fellow.” Vexras glances about, notes the other door, then makes his way toward it with a shrug.
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"If the worst has come to pass for this wizardly friend we've come to find, let's at least remember to free this strange beasts from their collars before we depart." The blacksmith then moves deeper into the cave as well, looking for an entryway into the strange tower.
”Not quite was I expecting in a tower, but rather impressive! Seems something happened in the cave. What’s all this debris? Ale barrels?”
Vexras throws up an arcane shield just as the dagger gets past his guard, but it's not enough to entirely spoil the strike. Despite this, Vexras keeps his opponent close and quickly intones a spell before driving his blade, now crackling and sparking, through the bugbear's abdomen and out her back. "Tit for tat," he offers quietly in her ear. He brings the blade around again in a quick arc for good measure as soon as he pulls it free, ensuring his opponent is down and stays that way.
Status:
HP: 32/51 AC: 24 (18 T / 16 FF) Resist 5: cold, electricity, fire CMD: 20 F/R/W: +8/+7/+7 Arcane Pool used: 2/7 Extend charges used: 1/3 PoP used: 0/2 |Prepared Spells| Cantrips (4): acid splash, detect magic, mage hand, read magic Lvl 1 (4): mage armor [X], magic missile [ ], shocking grasp [X] [ ] Lvl 2 (4): mirror image [ ] [ ], scorching ray [X] [ ] Lvl 3 (2): haste [ ] [ ] Ongoing Effects mage armor, extended (12 hours): +4 AC arcane pool: +1 keen (2/10) piranha strike: -2/+4 shaken: -2’s
Vexras nods to Dorrin and offers quietly, ”Would you like to shoot our new friend? If you would be so kind, I shall then arrange introductions between our dart tosser and my sword.” He bounces an eyebrow, waits for Dorrin’s shot, then rushes along in its wake and slips behind the hobgoblin, leaving her pinched between himself and the tree. ”Ah, hello there. I fear you misplaced this in my chest.” He tosses the dart up as if for her to catch it. ”Allow me to return the gesture.” He follows the toss with a quick lunging strike from his sword.
Status: HP: 34/51 AC: 24 (18 T / 16 FF) Resist 5: cold, electricity, fire CMD: 20 F/R/W: +8/+7/+7 Arcane Pool used: 0/7 Extend charges used: 1/3 PoP used: 0/2 |Prepared Spells| Cantrips (4): acid splash, detect magic, mage hand, read magic Lvl 1 (4): mage armor [X], magic missile [ ], shocking grasp [ ] [ ] Lvl 2 (4): mirror image [ ] [ ], scorching ray [X] [ ] Lvl 3 (2): haste [ ] [ ] Ongoing Effects
As the dart halts just before Arryn, Vexras glances over at his friend but his expression shifts to one of confusion as he turns his gaze toward his own chest and finds a still trembling dart protruding from the center of it. Blood begins to stain his tunic in short order and his movements grow stiff and sluggish. Grunting through the shock, he raises his hand and sends a pair of twisting fiery beams lancing toward his assailant in reply.
Status: HP: 34/51 AC: 24 (18 T / 16 FF) Resist 5: cold, electricity, fire CMD: 20 F/R/W: +8/+7/+7 Arcane Pool used: 0/7 Extend charges used: 1/3 PoP used: 0/2 |Prepared Spells| Cantrips (4): acid splash, detect magic, mage hand, read magic Lvl 1 (4): mage armor [X], magic missile [ ], shocking grasp [ ] [ ] Lvl 2 (4): mirror image [ ] [ ], scorching ray [X] [ ] Lvl 3 (2): haste [ ] [ ] Ongoing Effects
"True or not, it is better to be vigilant and take precautions, is it not?"
As the group discusses next steps and Brostic recommends focusing on the results of his divination, Vexras shakes his head with a chuckle. "What was it you heard again, my friend? 'Find the wizard, bring the beasts'? A fine time for Erastil to branch out into riddles! Violet saw someone stir up that conflict two days ago, and if there were any doubt as to a saboteur in the town's midst, surely all the ill that befell us at the walls surely banishes that. But, if riddles is all we have to go on, then we will have to make to do with riddles, I suppose." He shrugs, "If you want to hunt down leads for this wizard or these beasts, be my guest. If you need my help at any point, seek me out, but in the meantime, I will continue to try to help the town make ready for the inevitable. Though, perhaps I shall be giving up on the walls for now. Perhaps Arryn or Dorrin would care to accompany me? If for no other reason than to have a second set of eyes in case our saboteur makes another appearance."
Our rolls have been fine for the walls. We need to catch the dang saboteur(s) in the act.
Dorrin could maybe take a stab at the walls too. Maybe stonecunning could apply? I’m making checks for it untrained as it is, and mott said if multiple PCs try the same task, the highest roll stands and lower rolls = aid another.
With a heavy sigh at the scene of the collapse, Vexras shrugs at the futility of it all. Despite this, he still makes sure everyone’s uninjured before helping to clear some of the debris so they can start over. He turns to the crew he’d worked with throughout the morning and smiles, ”Well, I suppose we will just have to try once more. Come, let us keep our chins up as we put our shoulders into it again, my friends!”
As Arryn and others leave town, Vexras shrugs with a sigh and shakes his head ruefully. Talking more to himself than anyone else, he mutters, ”Well, perhaps reinforcing walls has something even faintly in common with forging blades.”
Vexras frowns at the thought, ”That might suggest that these Iron Fang have agents in the town already. A troubling complication. If they are here, how can we root them out before they hurt these good people any more?”
Vexras shrugs, ”I’m afraid there’s not much left we can do with the townsfolk as it were. They are as ready as they can be, but some of the more defensible positions in the town could be reinforced and prepared still.” He pauses, reviewing his progress and evaluation of the townsfolk once more but in the end shakes his head. ”What about you two and the militia? I heard some of the people actually died during drills?”
Wishing he could help the townsfolk repair and produce enough weaponry for the coming assault, Vexras recognizes the more immediate need of an organized and orderly people. He splits his time between helping the people identify and fill gaps in the defenses and in helping and advising the non-combatants in how they can best support the town’s soldiers and militia.
Bluff: +3
For the final round,
Vexras looks from Arryn to Violet and at their encouragement shrugs then strides toward the mayor and his group. ”Ah, the mayor at last! At least I believe this is the mayor, for if there is another soul in this fine establishment that would better suit the name Thom Crawbert, then I am a horned gnome!” He chuckles at his own joke as the group turns their attention to him but he continues on before they can interrupt. ”It pains me so to disrupt your conversation like this, and yet I fear I must. It seems, you see, that most of your cups are in need of refilling and rectifying this is the least I could do after receiving such a warm welcome to Longshadow. Ah, but here I am, forgetting yet again to introduce myself. Vexras Voltagion, itinerant sword smith and humble filler of needy cups, at your esteemed service. Forgive me, if I have come across as pushy in any way, my companions,” he gestures back toward the door as his friends move to find a table, ”they are fond of watching me make a fool of myself.”
Vexras leans in near to Violet and offers softly, ”Ah, do not be concerned, good lady. It seems as though these folks are much more focused on what’s in my hair rather than yours.” He points to his horns, then shoots her a playful wink. As Arryn hones in on an appropriate authority figure with whom to speak, Vexras wonders aloud, ”I do hope they’ll listen to us and take our testimony seriously. It would be a nice change of pace to help save a town and help keep it intact instead of reclaiming ruins.”
”Shall we go in? Whatever the hobgoblins intend to do here, the five of us won’t be tipping any scales, I’m afraid. Dragons in towers are one thing, a whole army is quite another. Come, let us see what welcome awaits beyond the walls, yes?”
”I think just the opposite, Violet. It sounds like Longshadow is on our way to Rayda’s Hollow, doesn’t it? Or perhaps our confused dwarven friend here has now confused me as well. I have travelled a fair bit in my years, but geography was never a strong suit.”
”The survivors from Phaendar have reported at storied length that the hobgoblins have a black stone tower which appeared outside the town seemingly overnight. One would presume the hobgoblins emerged from the blighted thing, but who knows if the one in Phaendar is the only one?”
Vexras nods at Arryn's compliment, offering a slight grin and half bow as he spreads his hands out to either side. "Only because she had you spouting some ridiculous poetry, my friend. You'd have taken her out first if you'd had the chance, I am quite sure."
As the fey woman’s nails are about to breach his defenses, Vexras calls up a sliver of arcane power in the nick of time, deflecting her strike. He tuts playfully, ”Ho ho, you nearly caught me there. Let’s see if I can catch you again, hmm?” The tiefling strides smoothly up to the bloody-mouthed fey woman once more and weaves a spell around his silvery blade at the same time. He strikes twice, in two rapid slashes.
Status: HP: 51/51 AC: 24 (18 T / 16 FF) Resist 5: cold, electricity, fire CMD: 20 F/R/W: +8/+7/+7 Arcane Pool used: 2/7 Extend charges used: 1/3 PoP used: 0/2 |Prepared Spells| Cantrips (4): acid splash, detect magic, mage hand, read magic Lvl 1 (4): mage armor [X], magic missile [ ], shocking grasp [X] [ ] Lvl 2 (4): mirror image [ ] [ ], scorching ray [ ] Lvl 3 (2): haste [ ] [ ] Ongoing Effects
At the fey's response to Dorrin’s threat, Vexras sighs. ”It was bound to go this way eventually. I do not know why I am surprised.” With a shrug and a remorseful ”Ah well,” before darting past Arryn, slipping around Brostic, and bringing his sword free in a sudden silver flash as he rushes up beside the madly dancing woman.
Status: HP: 51/51 AC: 24 (18 T / 16 FF) Resist 5: cold, electricity, fire CMD: 20 F/R/W: +8/+7/+7 Arcane Pool used: 1/7 Extend charges used: 1/3 PoP used: 0/2 |Prepared Spells|
Ongoing Effects
Vexras arches one devilish eyebrow and watches the scene unfold, though his hand rests on the hilt of his sword. He remarks flatly to his remaining comrades, ”I suppose one way to see if fire is hot would be to cast oneself into the midst of it.”
Vexras offers Jaspen a smile and makes a shooing motion as if to scatter the man’s admitted failings away. ”My friend, I was captured by tiny fey, chained, and made a slave in these woods. You have done remarkably well for yourself and these other refugees. Some of our number are from Phaendar, and more yet are making their way to an old ranger fort near by that’s recently been reclaimed. I’m sure they’d welcome you if you and yours would like to trade being in the woods for being behind walls.”
Vexras then discreetly shares what he knows of the ailment with his companions.
Shrugging in silence at the others, he waits.
”Forts are very different from towns, my friend. I’ve no doubt that there’s enough heart just between the four of you to accomplish such a thing, but I do wonder if we might need more bodies. Especially if we mean to hold what we retake. Perhaps we might find the numbers we need in Longshadow, perhaps we might need to find allies elsewhere.”
Vexras listens as Arryn draws the group into conversation, and his face softens as it turns to the subject of family and separation.
It wouldn’t do me any good, I’ve already got +2 natural armor. Only things that’d really help ol’ Vexxy are +’s to Dex, Int, and saves. Can’t wear armor, can only swing the sword I already own… as such, I’m not particularly gear dependent.
Level 8
+1 2nd lvl spell slot
7 Skill Points
Vexras pats his hands all over his person at Brostic’s question, checking to see that all his parts are still attached. He takes his tail in hand and holds the end of it up on display, ”I am a little scratched up, no small miracle given the size of that dragon’s teeth, but I do still seem to have all my parts. Thank you for your ministrations, my friend.” The tiefling then zips over to the breach in the wall and looks down. ”Well, if Arryn didn’t kill the thing, I am sure that fall finished the job. Brostic, how much longer do I have this gift of flight of yours? Minutes or moments?” If the remaining duration is sufficient, the weapon smith flies down into the gorge to ensure that the dragon is indeed dead. And, if time is a luxury in the endeavor, he brings back a scale and claw and tooth or six as trophies for the group.
The dragon pinched between himself and Arryn, Vexras carefully casts a spell before lashing out with three rapid cuts of his enchanted sword. ”My teeth may not be as sharp as yours, but perhaps you now see that my sword more than makes up for it? Oooo. Oh, I am terribly sorry. I got you pretty well with that last one, didn’t I? In fact, you know, I think that one might leave a scar.”
Status: HP: 25/45 AC: 24 (18 T / 16 FF) Resist 5: cold, electricity, fire CMD: 19 F/R/W: +7/+7/+6 Arcane Pool used: 3/7 Extend charges used: 1/3 PoP used: 2/2 |Prepared Spells| Cantrips (4): acid splash, detect magic, mage hand, read magic Lvl 1 (3): mage armor [X], magic missile [X], shocking grasp [X] Lvl 2 (2): mirror image [X], scorching ray [X] Lvl 3 (1): haste [X] Ongoing Effects
Vexras sighs softly to himself. ”This is not how all the great stories of dragon slayings are told.” Confident that Violet is in good hands and that Brostic will do all he can to help her, The blacksmith draws what power there is from the small pearl then darts up into the air and loops around behind the dragon. ”You dragons sure do like to make up terribly ostentatious names for yourselves don’t you? ‘Scar-maker?’ Pfah! Was that really your best? Be honest now.” As the tiefling loops about and gets into position, he hopes that he proves needlesome enough to draw the dragon’s attention away from his companions.
Status: HP: 39/45 AC: 24 (18 T / 16 FF) Resist 5: cold, electricity, fire CMD: 19 F/R/W: +7/+7/+6 Arcane Pool used: 3/7 Extend charges used: 1/3 PoP used: 1/2 |Prepared Spells| Cantrips (4): acid splash, detect magic, mage hand, read magic Lvl 1 (3): mage armor [X], magic missile [X], shocking grasp [X] Lvl 2 (2): mirror image [X], scorching ray [X] Lvl 3 (1): haste [X] Ongoing Effects
Arryn's basically been in the game from the get-go, early enough to have the 4th post in the gameplay thread. He's the last of the OGs! I brought Dregg in fairly early on as a replacement, but he died. I think this game has seen more player turn over than any of the others I've played in though.
Vexras pokes his head out from around the edge of the broken wall he’s behind and frowns as the dragon hangs in the air out over the trees. He intones a quick spell, utilizing Brostic’s blessing to ensure it reaches the wyrm, then sends a number of gleaming orbs darting through the air. The tiefling draws back behind the safety of the wall then and fishes a small marble-like sphere from a pouch on his hip.
Status: HP: 26/45 AC: 24 (18 T / 16 FF) Resist 5: cold, electricity, fire CMD: 19 F/R/W: +7/+7/+6 Arcane Pool used: 3/7 Extend charges used: 1/3 PoP used: 1/2 |Prepared Spells| Cantrips (4): acid splash, detect magic, mage hand, read magic Lvl 1 (3): mage armor [X], magic missile [X], shocking grasp [X] Lvl 2 (2): mirror image [X], scorching ray [X] Lvl 3 (1): haste [X] Ongoing Effects
Vexras keeps up with the hobgoblin and pulls a face as if considering her request. He then shrugs and shakes his head, flashing his sword in a quick, horizontal cut. ”Ahhh, no. You and your cat will pay for the evil you have done both to this place and to its people and then we will make the dragon pay also.”
Status: HP: 26/45 AC: 24 (18 T / 16 FF) Resist 5: cold, electricity, fire CMD: 19 F/R/W: +7/+7/+6 Arcane Pool used: 3/7 Extend charges used: 1/3 PoP used: 1/2 |Prepared Spells| Cantrips (4): acid splash, detect magic, mage hand, read magic Lvl 1 (3): mage armor [X], magic missile [ ], shocking grasp [X] Lvl 2 (2): mirror image [X], scorching ray [X] Lvl 3 (1): haste [X] Ongoing Effects
With the dragon having sped off, Vexras wheels around and swoops down behind the hobgoblin that’s giving Violet a difficult time.
Status: HP: 26/45 AC: 24 (18 T / 16 FF) Resist 5: cold, electricity, fire CMD: 19 F/R/W: +7/+7/+6 Arcane Pool used: 3/7 Extend charges used: 1/3 PoP used: 1/2 |Prepared Spells| Cantrips (4): acid splash, detect magic, mage hand, read magic Lvl 1 (3): mage armor [X], magic missile [ ], shocking grasp [X] Lvl 2 (2): mirror image [X], scorching ray [X] Lvl 3 (1): haste [X] Ongoing Effects
By the time mott’s back into the swing of things, I’ll be off on my annual CabinCon trip. Earliest I’ll be able to jump back into things is next Tuesday.
Vexras avoids the worst of both the dragon’s breath and the hobgoblin’s spell, but he winces none the less as some of the acid washes over one arm and leg. He glances back over his shoulder to Brostic, waiting for the cleric’s gift of flight. Status: HP: 28/45 AC: 24 (18 T / 16 FF) Resist 5: cold, electricity, fire CMD: 19 F/R/W: +7/+7/+6 Arcane Pool used: 3/7 Extend charges used: 1/3 PoP used: 1/2 |Prepared Spells| Cantrips (4): acid splash, detect magic, mage hand, read magic Lvl 1 (3): mage armor [X], magic missile [ ], shocking grasp [X] Lvl 2 (2): mirror image [X], scorching ray [X] Lvl 3 (1): haste [X] Ongoing Effects
Vexras offers in sylvan, ”I am afraid I cannot swing my sword at a dragon that refuses to land. I’ll help Violet keep the cat and hobgoblin occupied!” He then lets Brostic’s Magic’s carry him across the span of the chamber, closing with the hobgoblin. ”My friend here is quite good with the animals, wouldn’t you say? Me? I’m more of a people-person.” he then strikes with a quick, horizontal cut.
Status: HP: 45/45 AC: 24 (18 T / 16 FF) Resist 5: cold, electricity, fire CMD: 19 F/R/W: +7/+7/+6 Arcane Pool used: 3/7 Extend charges used: 1/3 PoP used: 1/2 |Prepared Spells| Cantrips (4): acid splash, detect magic, mage hand, read magic Lvl 1 (3): mage armor [X], magic missile [ ], shocking grasp [X] Lvl 2 (2): mirror image [X], scorching ray [X] Lvl 3 (1): haste [X] Ongoing Effects
Anti-dragon gear? Are you serious? You mean, NOBODY told Dorrin about the anti-dragon gear? Killing me, people!!! KILL-ING ME! (Or the dragon will be pretty soon seeing how that I've no anti-dragon gear!) ;) I thought Brostic took them. We've got a really gear-specific group (like, I can only use 1 sword and no armor, we've only got 1 bow-shooter, etc etc), so unfortunately there isn't much to go around.
Vexras winces, ”That smells like it burns something fierce, my friend. Stay behind me, if you can.” His sword then flashes briefly as he falls into his forms and strikes out at the lizard beside him.
He shudders though, the lizard’s frills reminding him of some painful event in his past. Gritting his teeth through the vision, he carefully intones a spell as lightning crackles down the length of his sword. ”Come, you frilled thing. Let’s make an apron out of you, shall we?”
Status: HP: 45/45 AC: 24 (18 T / 16 FF) Resist 5: cold, electricity, fire CMD: 19 F/R/W: +7/+7/+6 Arcane Pool used: 3/7 Extend charges used: 1/3 PoP used: 0/2 |Prepared Spells| Cantrips (4): acid splash, detect magic, mage hand, read magic Lvl 1 (3): mage armor [X], magic missile [ ], shocking grasp [X] Lvl 2 (2): mirror image [X], scorching ray [X] Lvl 3 (1): haste [X] Ongoing Effects
Vexras bounds up to the top of the stairs and regards the roaring dragon and the room. ”You know, I find I am very much inclined to agree with you. You and your lackeys have soiled this tower quite long enough. Enough, indeed.” A pair of fiery beams punctuate his statement and lance toward the nearest of the frilled lizards.
Status: HP: 45/45 AC: 24 (18 T / 16 FF) Resist 5: cold, electricity, fire CMD: 19 F/R/W: +7/+7/+6 Arcane Pool used: 2/7 Extend charges used: 1/3 PoP used: 0/2 |Prepared Spells|
Ongoing Effects
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