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Fall of the Frostreaper
Within Refuge, in an offshoot of the clan's central gathering area, a meeting to secure the future of the five tribes is held. The room is dominated by a large stone table, on its surface, a painted map of the Windspire Range. Carved obsidian figurines depicting Frostfang patrols, surface clan sanctuaries, and the dragon Thalorgarax's last known movement scatter the map. Four of the five clans' chieftains stand around the table, their presence a testament to the gravity of the situation. A smattering of attendants line the room's outer edges, and of course, there are the five would-be dragon slayers, their anticipation palpable. Kalane Frostwalker Veomulane, a proud woman with a white braid and thick furs despite Refuge's warm air, shifts a single stone piece illustrating a Frostwalker scouting party. "With Thalorgarax appearing less and less, the Frostfangs are growing more aggressive, as if they need to make up for the Frostreaper's absence. They pick fights instead of simply collecting tribute, especially for our patrols on the ice." "That is because you cut it down," Nikia Vunakugoni, the chieftain of the Pinewhisperers, responded, her voice cutting. It softened quickly as she considered the situation. "But yes, this last year especially has been harsh. For all of us." "And yet you cower, contributing nothing, as usual." These last words were spoken by a goliath who stood arms crossed, apart. If Nikia's tone had been harsh, his bordered on cruel. Gramak Stormwatcher Ogolelo alone wore armor, even in the safety of Refuge's icy halls. Dark hair hung lank to his shoulders, and his perpetual scowl seemed a contest against everyone else in the room. Both Nikia and Aurok made to respond, but he cut them off. "Yes, no clan member of mine will partake in this venture. Instead of a few bodies, we give our collective souls." He gestured to a large box covered with fur and decorated with intricate patterns that sat in the corner, guarded by two muscle-bound Stormwatchers. "And we gift them to your people without even knowing them." "We've been at this for hours, and none of it matters without them." Gramak turned to the five would-be dragonslayers on whom the clans were pinning so much of their future. "So? Who are you? Do you believe you you can actually succeed?"
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#2
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He/Him - I have taken the Oath of Sangus Running Dragons of a Broken World: A Dragonlance (Age of Mortals) 5e DnD campaign
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Last edited by EMIW; Aug 19th, 2024 at 09:57 AM. |
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#6
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#7
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"We would not be here at all if we did not believe the Seer's words, or at least hope they were true," Nikia Pinewhisperer Vunakugoni assured the collected warriors. "We wouldn't have risked as much as we have."
The armored goliath nodded once, then gestured for the meeting to continue. Kalane Frostwalker Veomulane glanced towards the door, where Kaugu Iceheart Thenalathala had left the meeting nearly an hour before, and sighed. "We will continue without her, then. We have a plan, at least part of one." The weathered goliath woman beckoned the collected clan heroes together, taking a half step back to make space around the map. "The Crystalline Keepers are weaving a net that can hold The Frostreaper. I'm skeptical, but Aurok has surprised me before. And-" Kalane was abruptly cut off by Nikia. "And my people brew a poison that will slow the dragon's blood. It was nearly complete when I left to journey here." "Unfortunately," Kalane said, "With every clan's leader here, the Fangs are going to be growing suspicious. And we can't be in two places at once, so we'll need to split up. You five will go to one, guided by either Aurok or Nikia, while my clansman and I will go to the other. Then, you will meet us near the base of The Skyreach. Kaugu knows the rest." Fittingly, the Pinewhisperer tribe was marked by a thick stone tree figurine. It sat nestled in a protected valley covered in dense green pines. Crystal Waters, the home of the Crystalline Keepers, had a single obsidian tower denoting its location at the edge of the Windspire's single great lake. "You'll make most of the journey underground, through the the tunnels around the Iceheart Claniceveins" Kalane noted, "Coming out here. And here." The point she tapped for the Pinewhisperers was across the valley from home of the PinewhisperersHaven, signaling a trek through the forest. The icevein that opened to Crystal Waters did so halfway up a mountain, near a river that eventually fed into the lake. "The choice is yours."
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#9
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#10
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__________________
He/Him - I have taken the Oath of Sangus Running Dragons of a Broken World: A Dragonlance (Age of Mortals) 5e DnD campaign
Last edited by Elanir; Aug 24th, 2024 at 04:08 AM. |
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"Selfish does not even begin to describe it," Nikia noted in response to Uthal's question. "You worry about weakening its bones with poison. What next? You won't cut it for fear of damaging its scales. Will you ask kindly to borrow a claw?" Her ire shifted to Galmath, the massive dragonborn, their disagreement palpable. "You'll use every advantage available to you. Anything less is hubris that could doom our clans for generations." "Calm, Nikia," Aurok soothed. "We all have our motives, and I trust they would not be so foolish to turn away help when facing such a dire threat." Addressing the assembled heroes, he added, "I look forward to returning to the ice to show those of you who have never seen it the beauty of our home and the strength of our bonds. Now, the next part of the plan, Kalane?" Kalane bent back over the table and began to retrace her steps. "The five of you will retrieve the net. My scouts and I will acquire Nikia's poison. Then we'll meet here," she pointed to a spot approaching the Skyreach Mountain atop which Thalorgarax had made his roost. Before Kalane could continue, heavy footfalls echoed in the grand, empty hall outside the room, surprising everyone. "And you'll attack," a firm voice said as the last absent chieftain entered the room, catching everyone off guard. "But not from the front. Thank you for keeping my seat warm, cousin." Kalane searched for Galmath, sharing the hint of an eye-roll with her adopted kinsman. Lothu was bent far lower than any goliath should be. Her dark hair was wild and interspersed with beads and feathers of some mysterious bird. Other goliaths had tattoos that signaled what clan they were from, who their parents were, and what role they played for their people. The ink on this woman's ancient skin told the entire history of her clan, as was the tradition for each of the Skyreach Elders. Still, the way she inspected the collected heroes showed that she had lost none of her faculties as she aged. "I am sorry to have hidden this from all of you for so long," Kaugu said, "But-" "Hush, child," Lothu interrupted. Her voice was tired but determined and made you want to lean closer, listen, and shut out everything around you. "They understand why they were kept in the dark, even if their pride is hurt by it." The Skyreach elder spared a moment for Ungalu, her mouth a dry smile. "Yours is not the only kind of sight, Darkseer, and there are ways to hide even from it." Her focus returned to the collected group. Kaugu respectfully made way for her as Lothu approached the table. "There is a second entrance, a secret known only to Skyreach's elders. It is how I escaped, though I was the only one able to make it." She winced. The memory was still sharp, even decades later. "This is where you will enter. I know not what dangers await you within, save that the dragon is not one of them." Lothu's words trailed off, and for a moment, everyone was silent. Then Kaugu stepped in to fill the void. "You will sneak in while we assault the front and distract the Fangs who guard his lair. Be quick. Once we get the signal from Kalane, every moment will cost us lives. Use whatever you have available, even your lives. This is the only way to bring the Frostreaper down. That is the plan."
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#13
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#14
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__________________
He/Him - I have taken the Oath of Sangus Running Dragons of a Broken World: A Dragonlance (Age of Mortals) 5e DnD campaign
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#15
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Last edited by DemonSlayer; Aug 30th, 2024 at 03:05 PM. |
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