Dragon's Eye

[Still_Pond]

I wonder if I shouldn't have had Grayfare be the betrayer. I do my best to keep such thoughts from showing on my face. I thought I had put those thoughts behind me. Seeing him weave his complex ritual sent a chill down my spine. Were people just puppets to him? Could him, or people like him, simply pull a string and make someone dance? I didn't like what I was watching. I didn't approve. However, I approved of it far more than I did of any alternative I could come up with. In the end, I had no questions. I just gave Grayfare a look that told him that I didn't really know him and that I wasn't sure I wanted to.

Some of my fears are smoothed out when Grayfare returns the artifact to me. I try to hide a guilty look, for part of giving it to him was to test him. Would he use it? Would he attempt to keep it? I take it back and nod. "Desire eh? I wonder if I desire them gone enough if they'd just fall to dust."

I think about my tower. Was it home? My tribe flashes in my mind, a home lost. I was Dragonborn now, forever a servant of Bahamut. While I knew this was a noble purpose, I couldn't help but wonder briefly at the normal life I lost. I think of these things as I try to imagine myself king of a tower, using the artifacts to rule absolutely in my limited domain. Could all of them together really re-make the world in the same one one part could re-make a region? That was a scary thought. Re-making worlds was the purview of the gods, mortals had no business tampering so.

The others prompt me to leave. I come out of my thoughts and say, "So eager to smash more bones eh?" I draw and activate Keryvain, as I have every day. The handle rests in my hand like an old friend. It may not be as balanced as the Dragonborn sword I traded, or come with a pedigree, but it fit in my hand better. When something is too perfect, it seems brittle. Perfection cannot last. Like a perfectly polished steel mirror, one can't use it for fear of scratching it. Keryvain was a strong blade and was like an old lover, not perfect but faithful and true. I laugh at a thought then. The others look at me for an explanation and I wave it off.

"Oh, just wishing Keryvain was a spiked chain instead of a bastard sword. Then I thought I could use the Dragon's Eye to make it so and the thought struck me funny, to use such power so. Let's go get this done. If we are lucky, our host will make another appearance."

I lead the way out of our 'safe' hovel, continuing our way down to the necromancer's chamber.

[Gir]

You wonder about the power he or other mages wield and it makes you shudder. If a few well placed spells can make a friend turn enemy then what is stopping them from taking over the world. You look down at your clawed hands, people like you then..Other mages who don't wish for unlimited power, the gods and their servents.

No wonder the servants of Tiamat are looking for the items..if they could resurrect their dead god and bring her back from hell it would be a powerful thing indeed. If Tiamat got a hold of the item though...The thought sticks in your head for a moment..Could you simply wish it gone..Command it to never be..You suppose so...if it truly can reshape an entire realm then its power could surly be turned on itself.

Grayfare hands the items back and you nod to him. It is hard to look at him in the same light after what he did to larkin. Still larkin agreed to it and it was your idea...your hand using the knife to change larkin for a time. You look from grayfares emotionless face..the act weighs heavy on him..good you think...such things should not be done lightly. . You look down at larkin and try to smile but its hard, you know you hold the power..the key to turn him..a simple phrase will make him betray you and your cause.

You pick your body off the ground and look at Keryvain...a powerful weapon indeed..not as perfect as the dragonborn sword of old but special in its own right...still you have seen its dark side, seen it affect the junior explorer...all power comes at a price you think. Nothing is for free...even the dragon born weapon had the user sacrifice power to aid those around him. The cost is that if you fall they fall..dependency on magic like a beggar depends on his crutch for sympathy.

You remove some bricks and wedge the door open. At once you see the undead move towards you. You push forward with garyfare and larkin at your back, block..step..push..strike. Your teeth grimace as a lightning crack booms from behind you, arches out and strikes a skeleton.
_______

You push forward, down the stairs, the hot air of a fire ball moves down the stairs and hurts your nose for a moment. The room is small with a door to the north and south, you choose one and go through into the rest of the room..storage..old musty books and food that long ago stopped being rotten and became mummified. A spear comes in at you from the left, ..step..push..strike..the skeleton falls, your arm aches remind you that your still alive. Larkin moves at the door and opens it, you all rush through..closed..locked..breath of releif..

Another set of stairs down..a larger room now..the feeling as if your farther under ground..dampness..still air..You move quickly..you remember the lay out from the other tower..down a few halls..turn left..down the stairs to another chamber with a large door. You fight your way down. Bloodied and hurt you're not sure how much longer you can keep it up.

Step..block..push..attack..block..Boom!

You fight down to the room..the huge doors from the other tower and your dream..several undead rise to meet you but do not advance. You pause for a moment. They look at you with dead eyes. Larkin looks confused and goes to open the doors but they open on their own. Standing in the darkness beyond the door is the summoning circle..13 pillars you remember line the walls. You look in and see a single figure standing in the middle. Between each pillar is a knight with glowing eyes. The figure does not move for a moment. Then its head staps up as if its attached to a string. Its eyes glow for a moment then it takes a step. You see dust fall from its armored robes. Its hand disjointedly picks up a large bastard sword.

'Tau' says the voice of the necromancer, 'I have waited for your return, I knew you would be back, and soon you will serve me as your predecessor did.' You remember the undead dragon born and shudder at the thought of being turned into that.
______________________
(your either down a few healing potions/charges (5 cure moderates) and at full health or your down 75 hps and have your potions.)

EDIT:

No map yet..the area your in is a large antechamber approximately 20 feet by 40 feet with three pillars spaced evenly on either side. 5 undead, appears they were probably honor guards at one point, stand motionless on both sides. You are about 15 feet from the large doors when they open. The necromancer, who is walking towards you, is about 40 feet away from you and 25 feet from larkin who is at the door. The 13 undead knight inside the summoning chamber also stand motionless. Besides the sound of your heart beat, the shifting of larking/grayfare and the foot steps of the necromancer there are no other sounds and a feeling of foreboding washes over you with each passing moment.

 

[Still_Pond]

I step boldly forward as the doors open, paying no heed to the honor guard. If they want to be cut down, they can attack me. Keryvain burns hot in my hand, still hungry despite the piles of bones it has left behind. I loathe the Necromancer and speak what comes to my mind as he speaks.

"You deserve this prison, it suits you. It is almost a shame I must free you from it. You can, of course, free yourself but your lack of wisdom is palpable."

I sand my ground, not wanting to advance on him. There is time. Maybe he can be convinced to give up the artifact, just as others have been. Maybe years of isolated power have grown old, and he wants out of his towers. I doubt this very much, but charging him just feels like the wrong move. I gesture to Larkin to fan out, to do what he does - sneak around and pop out when needed. Maybe he can disable this portal somehow. I don't want to 'use' him just yet. I want to see how this necromancer intends to play this out.

[Gir]

The body moves towards you still..step..step..the necromancer speaks, 'Prison?' then gives a laugh 'apparently you know nothing of the power I wield, nothing of the control I hold over the many planes I exist in. If you destroy me I will rise again.'

It hefts its weapon and your heart jumps in your chest. The weapon is a mirror image of Keryvain.

She raises her weapon and all at once it glows an inky black, she pushes it forward and in a flash she covers the distance between you and her. In one sweep she strikes you. With a jerk and a lurch great Keryvain flys up to meet the weapons blow and manages to block the other great sword, a shower of sparks emanate from both weapons as they grind together. Your eyes widen as you hear a deep throaty voice that drips with anger and hate emanating from your weapon, 'HELLO SISTER'

Both blades disengage and the necromancer takes a step back. The necromancer looks at Keryvain, 'Interesting.' She says as she raises her hand..

 

.I figure you got thisfrom the context but just to be safe..Keryvain is not talking to the necromancer..

[Still_Pond]

ooc - Just need a little clarification. For all I know, this is the actual necromancer master of this tower? (a she?) She is here fighting me, so why would I use Larkin? The plan was to use Larkin to draw her out, so we could get at her somehow right? As it is, she's come to us, saving us the trouble. I guess I'm not sure what advantage there is to be gained by having Larkin turn on me now.

Also, do I see any dragon's eye artifacts on her person, or do I need to take time and roll to see that sort of thing. If she doesn't have the artifact, and won't die if I kill her, I'm not sure what to do here other than just kill her anyway. I feel like that is a poor choice, as I suspect force is not going to work against this necromancer and her tower. Do I see a way I might disable her ability to telleport? Can I/Grayfare force her back to my tower using my own telleportation stone?

[Gir]

ooc- it speaks with the necromancers voice. Past that your not sure if it is the actual necromancer. You have seen her use other bodies in the same manner though. (when i introduced this npc i had a clue that should tell you if its a puppet or not)

You do not see any dragon eye artifacts on the npc at the moment..could be in a bag or something though. Your not really sure the extent of the teleport..perhaps its a function of the artifact. You imagine it would take a moment to activate though. Grayfare could probably teleport this npc back to the tower assuming it failes the appropriate saves and what not

[Still_Pond]

The ferocity and grace of this undead confuse me for a moment, but then I remember the body was here before the voice. So this is just another puppet. As our swords clash and throw magical sparks, I echo the necromancer's thoughts. It was interesting. I laugh then. I laugh at my own ignorance. I laugh at how they hand out Keryvains like sweets at a harvest festival, apparently. I laugh at the ridiculous lack of wisdom at bahamut sending me in alone against these odds. The necromancer doesn't know why I laugh, so I add a mocking tone to it.

"Oh? I know nothing of power? Is that so? Bahamut sends a single holy soldier against you and you think I don't understand power?" I laugh some more. I glance over at my two allies, wondering why they are not attacking. I give ground a bit, not really in a hurry to let Keryvain bicker with his sister. We, each of us, have an artifact. Each of us are more than a match for your so called power. Look, why even the kobold who follows at my heel is emboldened by its power. Come now, enough. Let us end this! Attack you fools! Larkin, shake that rock you have for a brain and back-stab the son-of-a-bitch!"

I charge in, and let Keryvain dance with his sister.

ooc ooc - Attempting to disarm the necromancer's puppet. If my first disarm attempt is a success, I'll use the other roll as a normal attack. Dice Disarm attempt 1: 1d20+20 (1)+20 Total = 21 Dice Disarm attempt 2 (if necessary): 1d20+15 (13)+15 Total = 28 Dice Attack 2 if first disarm works: 1d20+18 (9)+18 Total = 27 Dice damage + undead damage + evil damage: 1d10+11 (7)+11 Total = 18 2d6t 4, 1 Running Total = 23 Total = 5 2d6t 1, 5 Running Total = 29 Total = 6

[Gir]

Your brain woks quickly and you realize the creature is a puppet. You glance at the weapon again...there are 6 bane blades created by the arch mage Demron...This blade is not one of them...You laugh as you start to realize just how screwed the necromancer is. The tower is a trap...the artifacts are a bigger trap though. Each one who wields them unable to grow...to evolve..to see past their own power hungry nose. Even if they try to use them for good the fact that all people are selfish at heart corrupts them from the inside out. This necromancer is afraid..Afraid to fight her own battles..Afraid of the world that has all but forgotten her.

You laugh.

The necromancer pauses.

You speak of power and although you mock the necromancer there is truth in your words. Bahamut would not send just you to do this job if you were not capable of it. The realization gives you strength and power. All at once the mighty weapon in your hand flares to life with a magical fire that moves across the whole blade (thinking of an effect like burning lighter fluid on a surface of something. Hot wispy flames with licks of yellow and orange).

The necromancers face contorts, it looks confused for a moment and then its eyes light up with power, 'Yes..i can feel the power..how did i not sense that before' it says in a confused way.

You attack; your first attack is deflected easily. You step back and down letting keryvain move in a fluid motion as if it was an extension of your body. Moving the great weapon up you grab the sister blade and knock it out of the necromancers hand. In an instance the necromancer finishes its spell and a large ribbon of lightning strikes out at you. The great sword pulsates and although the lightning hits you its energy cascades harmlessly around you and is drawn into the blade itself.

You smile inwardly as you ready yourself for your next attack...and then you feel the knife in your back, it slips in effortlessly and is possibly poisoned from the hot sting. It twists and you feel another one, you stagger as you feel your body grow weak. You have seen larkin work, his precise blows bringing down mighty foes, the pain you feel is only made better by the knowledge that he won't kill you...that is if grayfare was telling the truth.

Another blade and you stagger to the ground as you feel your knees buckle. You fall to the ground face first. You hear a commotion through the buzzing in your ears, you look over your shoulder and see grayfare hold up his hands, two daggers appear in his chest and you see him spit blood out of his mouth as his eyes widen in pain and shock. He falls and as he does you see the daggers reappear in Larkin's hand.

He walks up to you as you struggle on the floor, the poison paralyzing you and making your brain foggy. You see a large pool of blood growing around you. Larkin steps in it and spits in your face. 'im tired of you Tau..of your insulting ways...i have followed you to hell and back but still you spit on me' he reaches down and cuts the artifacts from your belt, 'now i spit on you, and soon' he says as he holds the bag up, i will spit on this entire world for what you have done.'

The necromancer looks surprised and taking the weapon is about to strike you when larkin says 'no! i want him to witness the birth of a new world and to know he was the father. The seed that created the world' he starts to walk away, 'come, we have much to talk about puppet master'

The world grows dark and you lay your head down in the pool of your own blood. You hear the sound of footsteps as they walk down the hall way. Your last thought left unknown as you feel the warmth of death take you.
_______

OOC would love to end a game session right at this spot

You wake with a violent inhalation of fresh air. You look up and find yourself in a large tent. 'Take it easy young one' you hear a gruff voice say from the corner. You look over and see a dwarf wearing the mark of the platinum dragon. 'I am Dar'ger and you my winged friend are lucky to be alive' He looks over at Grayfare, 'Seems your young mage friend miscalculated the extent of his doings'

Grayfare is laying there with bandages around his chest. He looks up and tries to grin but winces as he says 'Did not expect him to poison his blade is all.'

The cleric huffs, 'not the doings i was talking about' he looks at grayfare unapprovingly.

'now then' Dar'ger says, 'I suppose you want some answers, he pauses, 'Me and the troop were coming to aid you, seems some paladin of Kelisha called in a favor with the big guy' you smile, Zef no doubt. 'Seems you got here a bit before we did though' as he says this you see a figure in full plate armor walk in, on her pauldrons is the toothed image of a growling dragon and on her chest is the symbol of Kelisha. You look up and see it is Zef, she smiles at you, 'Calvary is here' she says with warmth in her voice as she walks towards you and kisses your forehead. 'now then' she says, 'I think it's high time we go get larkin and those artifacts'
____________________________

You are quite sore although fit to fight. The clerics have patched you and grayfare up well and you are at full health. It will take some time for the soreness of the deep wounds to go away (just flavor text fun you know).

You have only been out a day. It appears the group (2 clerics (Der'ger and Dale, 2 knights (Mark and William) and 2 paladins (Zef and kyle), and one dragon born mage (kess) found you mere hours after the fight. You were lying in the chamber bleeding out. She and her team brought you out of the tower to safety.

Kess, a school mage, confers with grayfare about the spells he did and at times looks a bit stern. Later he comes up with grayfare, Zeff looks at him, 'Kess, what have you found?'

Kess speaks, 'Lady Zef, The wizards magic although brash and ill-advised should allow us to travel to wherever larkin is. I am however uncertain if his trigger to turn off the effects will work as well as he says' he pauses and grayfare looks a bit admonished, 'It may be that we will have to subdued or kill larkin in an attempt to save him.' He pauses again, 'we are however ready to attempt the spell that will connect us to larkin and allow him to open the gate to us'

Zef nods, 'Thank you Kess' she says. She looks at you, 'tau, this is your plan and these men are yours to command' she smiles as you feel the weight of leadership descend upon your shoulders.

OOC Last chance to ask questions or get supplies before the assault. So you know im treating the assault kind of like Xcom and allowing you to have direct control over the npc's powers and moves to the extent that you want control. The idea is that you are the leader and in control of how the battle plays out. If your down with dealing with powers ill make up a quick generic power/item list that the characters have. Im not worried about feats mind you just spells and magic effects really. Im also not expecting or wanting a lot of micromanagement so things will be pretty easy and I will update the power list so you don't have to. Your main purpose will be directing damage and NPC's where you want it. If you would rather just move and not deal with power im cool with that as well. Im also fine with controlling them all or you taking control at any point in the assault. Want to try to make it fun you know.

 

Just pretend those are dragons and not wolfs...

 

Keryvain partially unlocked:

Feather fall: Any character touching Keryvain or his wielder (up to 8) are protected by feather fall while falling (up to 20 seconds or 1200 feet). if only one person is holding the weapon the person can choose to fall the entire distance in one round. The blow of the impact is enough to push any creature in a 10 foot radius from the impact zone back. If the character fails its save it is pushed back 20 feet, knocked prone, and takes 2d6+str bonus damage. If the character makes it save it is not knocked prone and only moves 1/2 the distance and takes half the damage (DC=Dex Vs. 10+STR bonus + 1 per 10 feet of fall to a max of +10)

Dimensional hop: As per the spell (PHBII) the character, and up to three people, can make a short hop (max 50 feet) to any unoccupied space in their line of sight up to once per encounter. A will check (dc 20) from the person will negate them from being jumped with the character.

Magic reflection: All spells or spell like effect targeted at the sword or the wielder have a chance of being shielded, negated, or reflected back to the caster. Area of effect and touch range spells are not affected. Dice roll of 2d10. A roll of 0-8 the spell is reflected back at the caster, a roll of 9-17 and the spell is fully negated, and a roll of 18-25 the wielder takes half damage from the spell.

[Still_Pond]

ooc - I know I'm lagging, just been busy and when I do have time I'm not in the right mindset. I don't want to just give you quickly one-line responses, I want to put a little effort in. So, that's why I'm lagging.

Just so I'm clear, the plan was to use Larkin as a teleportation anchor, telleport to him and change him back, and then kill the mage who should be right there nor at least nearby...right?

Oh, and it looks like Zef can pretty much do this on her own. She's been busy leveling while I've been breaking skeletons day and night but gaining NO exp.

[Gir]

All good..figured you were busy man.

Larkin was set up to betray you guys and then through a small link open a gate to you. Gate has to come from him though as it will fail if you try to gate to him. Idea was that when you step through the spells holding larkins mind will dissolve..Kess is not sure though and seems concerned. The hope is that you will be atleast near the necromancer..maybe not right next to but a few rooms down :P

As for Zef..she is coming into her own but is still young and inexperienced. The dragon born mage Kess was in charge of the group until they met up with you and now you are in charge.

Yes no exp yet as i tend to just group it up at a major point..but still you have not done much since the last time you leveled on post #2439.

Originally Posted by Gir

This post

Still i am nice so you can have some exp:

EXP so far:

Skeleton knight =1200
20ish skeletons=1000
total =2200

Also i am not sure whats up with your exp but it is wrong for you level..it should be between 55k and 66k..(looking at your path finder sheet mind you). I was prety sure you were closer to lv 12 as well..

[Still_Pond]

Was kidding about the exp, by the way...but I'll take it.

Here is the xp table. I'm in between 11th and 12th according to the slow column. I think I've done it right. I'm not 12th yet. You are free to level me whenever you want. I tend to like that method better anyway. Story...story...story...Hey, you gain a level....story..story...

[Gir]

ah did not realize the path finder exp to level was so different. Looks like the exp im giving you is also low then for the path finder system to work..so..yeh..ill have to think about it..probably just have you go up levels like we have been..story..story..level..story..etc..

[Still_Pond]

ooc - I'll just ignore the exp then, until you say otherwise.

As for the x-com combat, that's fine. Remember, I only play x-com on easy because I like to win. (that means the way I play strategy games is to keep loosing until I hit on a strategy that works). (that means I suck at strategy).

------------------------------

I wake and collect my thoughts. I hear what is said and do my best to remain quiet while people speak. There is a pause, the look at me expectantly. I look over to Grayfare and move to him. I put my hand on his shoulder. "Rash and ill-advised? I would have it no other way." I turn to Kess, trying but failing to keep anger from my eyes. "He did as I asked, and did a complete job of it. You were not there. We were up against failing odds and had little choice but to take such a risk. Keep your unfounded judgments to yourself." I shout the last words, and instantly regret it.

I relax some, realizing I should probably thank these people instead of being angry with them. The fact is, however, I do not know them. That Zef brought them speaks in their favor, but until we fight together I won't know their metal. I take a deep breath, and say "I should not speak so to those who have saved my life, however. Thank you."

"As for Larkin, I do not believe magic can change who we are, here." I point my finger at Grayfare's stomach and look him in the eye. We both know he was changed by magic, but was he truely? We've spoken off and on about it around our fires. Magic may have shown him another way of viewing things, but such influences fade. It was he who has chosen which path to walk. "Larkin's heart is good. If we have to knock him out for him to see that, then so be it - but we do not kill him."

I look at the gathered force, impressed at the amount of holy warriors. Four who can call on the power of the gods, two good sword arms and another mage, formally trained no less. Such a force should be able to cut through the tower like blade through sand, but the sand will just poor back in.

"We can not win by force. The necromancer and this tower are too powerful for that. Using the artifact, she has constructed immortality."

I explain how the towers work and the number of known telleportation places.

"That is why we have set this trap. The artifacts are the primary target. If the necromancer gets away without them, her power will be a shadow of what it once was. But, if we can destroy her, all the better. Larkin is good, and with him working for her, he will be a real threat. Do not underestimate him. It would be best if he were turned back to our side."

I look at Zef. "When this is done, we will catch up over some fine brandy. You've been busy." I can't help but take a moment to admire her arms and armor. Once upon a time I even made such things. In fact, I lent my anvil to a dwarven smith, and really should make time to go use it. The thought of working a forge gives makes me homesick, not for home - for I don't really have a home now - but homesick for peace. Peace to work a forge without a dragon's quest bearing down on me. Peace to hone a blade's edge without the knowledge that friends are trapped and in pain somewhere. Ah, but such peace is an illusion of the ignorant. Still, working a forge can drive away all the cares of the world for the hours one spends focused on the work. "I'd like to meet the smith who forged this, it is a work of art."

I check my gear, wondering if they took anything while I was out. Do I still have my artifacts? My weapons? I ask about the blade I disarmed, did we recover the sister blade? When those things are settled, I turn back to the group. "Thank you all again. Make the link when you are ready, I'm done with this place."

[Gir]

You get on Kess for what he said and stands there unmoving and unflinching looking at you. His dragon born eyes full of pride thin a bit in what you think might be contempt. You relax and apologize and his expression softens, 'I meant no disrespect Tau' he says in lue of accepting your apology. The heart of a dragon beats in him as well..such anger..such outburst cannot be common only to you.

You lay out the plan and the others listen.
Kess speaks up, 'you let the necromancer have the artifacts?' he says. You look at him for a moment realizing how stupid such a thing sounds and simply nod your head. Grayfare speaks up before you can and says, 'Just bait for the trap, besides we have an inside man' Kess looks from him to you and nods...you know his reservations as they are also your own..what if larkin does not come back..

You check your gear and everything is in order. An hour later a cracking sound is heard out side. You walk out and see a rent in space open up..a gate..'nows the time' keys speaks and everyone gets ready. They wait for a moment..wait for you to step in..you hesitate for a moment trying to think of the perfect thing to say. Bah..words fail you..and you step through the gate.

Darkness..then all at once you find yourself standing in room. It appears to be a stock room at first and then you notice the still glowing summoning circle under you. A forge with torture equipment. And a series of 7 large spikes slick with blood. The blood seems to drain into a small ritual pool nearby.

All at once the rest of the group pops into the room. You look around and hear grayfare wisper, 'no larkin' the words, although softly spoken, weigh heavy on your heart and mind.

 

[Still_Pond]

I don't make a habit of second guessing myself. I have made mistakes, but I am no blind sand mystic. This plan is still on part two, and the game is early yet. I make no apologies for my decisions, as I am not convinced they were unwise. I don't care for the judgement in Kess's comments, but I do owe him and the others a debt of service, if not respect. Respect is not something one can barter, it is earned. Larkin, Grayfare, Zef - all have my respect. I eye Kess for a moment but say nothing. I enter the portal in silence.

Upon seeing the spikes I catch myself about to ask Larkin to go check them for traps. The others pop in and Grayfare echoes my thoughts. I remove the ball of mummy twine and say, "Find Larkin" Then I let it roll out.