[Game Thread] Twin Shields

[dbaque]

OOC Whose territory are we in/next to?

The next day, the flying pair approach her mountain home. Louis looks at the high peak, remarking: "'Tis fair, but I can see you like your solitude, m'lady. It seems a rather unforgiving climb. Any way inside save by air?"

[kaylara]

Yes, there is a rear entrance for emergencies. as they get closer, she heads into an entrance that is only partially noticable by the air.

Once she flies into it, she lets Lord Lois off and transforms back into her dragon form. Welcome to my home. Aira says as they stand within the icy entrance way. The light reflecting thru the ice lighting and giving a beautiful bluish hew about the area. The entranceway continues in about 30 feet before splitting left or riight.

Aira leads to the left a ways, until the passage opens into a massive 120 by 120 room, many pillars line the entrances wall with steps leading down to what appears to be an intertaiment area. Along the walls hang family portraits, silks and other human plesantries, making the place look like a kings home.

This is the entertainment area. As you can see, it gets little use now.

Aira continues to show him around the Lair, explaining as she goes. Much of it has been emptied, save the library, study and what little horde she has acculimated so far.

When they enter the Valt, Feel free to find something we might use on our mission. I only ask that it be replaced with something equal or greater. But as a token of my friendship, you may choos any one item as a gift.

 

Here's the items that are available in her Lair:

Horde information: (Value= 2812.5 gp)
1,200 gp
10,250 sp
10,000 cp
5 gems = 10gp ea.
1 pieces of artwork = 50gp ea.
2 pieces of jewelry = 25gp ea.
10 books on various knowledge 5gp ea.
125 gp in misc furniture (Desks, Tables, chairs, pots, pans etc)
1 Potion of Cure Light Wounds
1 Potion of Shield of Faith (+2)
1 Scroll of Prestidigitation (Bard)
1 Scroll of Purify Food and Drink (Cleric)
1 Scroll of Create Water (Cleric)
1 Scroll of Restoration, Lesser (Paladin)
1 Scroll of Shield (Wizard/Sorcerer)
1 Scroll of Mount (Wizard/Sorcerer)

 

Info Aira's lair is found near the northeastern border (in the center of the range, with the nearest land being 100 miles from Scaloach border) within an icy mountain. The main entrance is only accessible by air. The lair contains a main entertaining area, a storage room, a vault, a sleeping chamber, study, library, shrine and two clinic rooms where Aira can offer help and protection to those who need it. The lair also has a concealed back entrance for use in case of emergencies.

[dbaque]

The knight follows his former guest, now hostess around her lair. "'Tis lovely, worthy of a monarch's retreat," he compliments, "A shame for the little use it sees. You know no other dragons in the realm? Friendly ones, I mean?"

While not quite up to the legendary standards of the tales of some ancient dragons, Louis admits the hoard fairly impressive for a young dragon. Sifting through the magical trinkets, he remarks more to himself: "Well, I've not the skill nor magics prepared to decipher any scrolls, so that just leaves you," collecting both potions. Retrieving another Pass Without a Tracepotion from his pack, Louis sets it in the curative potion's place. "Thank you kindly, m'lady. I'm sure they shall prove useful."

OOC What's in the shrine? Is the temperature inside as frigid as the outside?

[kaylara]

Aira describes each scroll and points out the paladin scroll with lesser restoration on it.

[dbaque]

OOC See queries above.

After the dragon's explanation, Louis opts instead to return the curative potion and retrieve the scrolls of water creation and lesser restoration, familiar with both of those magics as he is.

[kaylara]

Well, if you are ready we can make way to the ogre cave. Or would you rather rest here first? I imagine the sleep we had while on the cloud was sufficient.

[dbaque]

"Aye, I'm refreshed and ready for our little quest," Louis nods, "Lead the way, m'lady."

[kaylara]

I should be able to carry you in this form. as she lowered a wing for the lord to climb up and hang on as she flies them over to the ogre cave.

Once they land, Aira changes into a dire white saber tooth tiger with Lord Louis mounted on top. This way I can enable you to use your ride skills to protect us.

OOC Think we need Darth to pick up from here.

[darthcharon]

Ogre Fortress The ogre camp is nestled close to the Vangar/Alatir border, though in truth it lies in neither, sitting less than a mile outside the Alstenot border, firmly in dwarven lands. There's only one way in and out on foot, and it's clearly heavily guarded and patrolled. An aerial attack is little better, for ogres with bows that more closely resemble ballistas patrol the outer walls of the fallen fort they've taken for themselves. Heavily armed and armored, these ogres are a far cry away from the savage brutes you expected to see. The fortress itself, a long abandoned dwarven fort, is clearly in disrepair, but as with all things dwarven, it was built to last, and still looks solid enough to survive several catapult hits before succumbing.

[dbaque]

Louis advises Aira to keep to her giant falcon form rather than shift to a terrestrial one. As she swoops high over head, he asks: "So, m'lady, anything you know of best getting into this place? Or where we can find whatever chieftain commands this place?"

[kaylara]

Aira remained aloft as they flew high out of the range of the ballista.

Hmm, Looks like it is actually a fortress than the cave I was led to believe. At least the location is correct. It is quite impressive. she paused a few moments as she pondered her thoughts.

So, do you think they will leave if we ask nicely? I don't think the parley of "You are to close to our lands" will work out well. They threaten my home and I do not care to negotiate with evil and corrupt beings. Human, ogre, dragon or anyone.

She began to circle around, Perhaps we should come back at night. My dragon sight is much better than theirs. We can fly in under the canopy of the nights sky and make our way in to defeat the leader. Once they lose their leader, they should flee.

If you like, I could drop you off and scout out that area as a small animal. What do you think?

[dbaque]

"A lord has to treat with all sorts. However, ogres are not known to parley, except at the edge of the sword. With as much arms and militancy apparently devoted here, it seems all the less likely," he answers, "But your point about slaying the leader seems sound."

"Your vision may be keener, but not mine, not without a sunrod or my halo. That said, even with a light source, fewer of these may be up and alert at night."

"You said you fancy yourself a i.e. Let's see some knowledge checking. scholar, m'lady. Do you know anything of this unusual ogre tribe or what strange chieftain must command them? Or anything about dwarven fortress layouts, where we might find a main throne room or chieftain's abode? If we have a target, then it would make a blitz attack all the more feasible. Heavens bless you if you know where a back door lies."

"As much as I would treasure some intel, I don't know many small animals native to these peaks that the famously cruel ogres would tolerate scampering about their abode. You may know better than I."

[kaylara]

Aira Not sure what to roll, she is +7 in Knowledge: Arcana, Engineering, Dungeoneering, Geography, History, Local, Nature, Nobility, Religion, and The Planes. So here's a couple random rolls, apply as needed, thinking perhaps dungeoneering or engineering, history, or local

Dice roll1:

d20+7

(14)+7

Total = 21

Dice roll2:

d20+7

(18)+7

Total = 25

Dice roll3:

d20+7

(19)+7

Total = 26

ponders for a few moments as she tries to remember what she can about the place.

OOC Made a few rolls, not sure what knowledge to use, so will wait for Darth's input. Aira's knowledge skills are all +7 anyways and if it matters, she does speak dwarven.

[darthcharon]

Ogre Knowledge Ogres are not known for their blacksmithing skills, nor their discipline, so for them to be this well equipped and organized, you'd imagine they would indeed need to be taking orders from someone smarter, and with access to some decent smithies. You doubt their leader is an ogre himself, but even if it is, you imagine there's probably a power behind the throne as it were giving the orders. Even without a leader, wild ogres are still a threat, but at the very least you can count on them to squabble (and hopefully fight) with each other for some time trying to fill the power gap before disbanding. Your knowledge on dwarven architecture tells you that dwarves build down like humans build up, and that the fortress is probably even bigger on the inside than it appears on the outside. Likewise, you'd imagine the "throne room" to be at the lowest floor, surrounded by mastercrafted iron walls to protect against burrowing intruders. As for back doors, you are well acquainted with dwarven stonecunning, and their penchant for making secret doors in and out, but the dwarves jealously guard their secrets. You're more than certain there's at least a handful of secret entrances, but you couldn't even begin to fathom where they might lie.

[kaylara]

Aira shares her thoughts. (See darths post above, she wouldn't hide any info)

So we have a few options. We could try and find one of these secret passages. Can attempt attack at night. Any other ideas? I could attack at night and take out the ballistas. Fly away, then change to small bird to regroup with you as we sneak in during the confusion. Your trained at battle. What would you recommend? They are obviously being led by a greater power.