Markas nodded, "Good luck, your Highness. Even though I'm the one guarding against more demons, I fear you have the more difficult task. Don't forget about the gift I gave you earlier. Be well. You too Aurora."
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Markas nodded, "Good luck, your Highness. Even though I'm the one guarding against more demons, I fear you have the more difficult task. Don't forget about the gift I gave you earlier. Be well. You too Aurora."
Umbear looks up as Kest puts his servant to work. He nods to Kest to confirm he is doing a satisfactory job of making lines.
He looks to Ais as she transfers between riders.
"When you get back, I'll take you shopping to equip you to do your part as you see best."
Gorrun smiles at Aurix and Torilee. I appreciate the offer, but I don't think that will be necessary. Aistrķu and I, and good old fashioned mug of ale should be able to make enough sense of it. he bends down and scoops up the tiny fey and makes his way to find Sharra and Camille.
Aistriś raised an eyebrow at the ogre, but smiled slightly.
Camille was helping the quartermaster distribute new equipment to the soldiers. She looked up when Gorrun entered, and looked relieved.
"I take it things haven't gotten too hairy yet, eh?"
Aurora followed Geiravor, laying a comforting hand on her shoulder.
They're probing us, sending pawns to the slaughter to see how we respond. To my knowledge, nothing has come through that wasn't sent back with extreme prejudice. Gorrun answered Camille. I've come on another matter however. One of the outlying towns has sent word of a group of Mercinaries who aren't too fond of being trapped within the barrier and have begun attacking it. I have reason to believe they may be my former brothers and sisters in arms and I hope to dissuade them from further damaging the barrier. I need to get there as quickly as possible and I thought you might know the best route. Gorrun relays the information that Major Daring had provided him with. What do you say? Would you care to lead the way?
"Mmm, sounds like Nordstranden. It's pretty far. Almost ninety miles. Even the enchanted horses will take six hours. Five if you run them to the point of fatigue for the last hour. Though I suppose we might shave another hour off the trip if we stop in Kystby on the way for fresh mounts. Nordstranden's a sleepy little hamlet nestled between the mountains and the sea. They've been peaceful for a long time, so I haven't been there in over a decade. You know it's a tiny and unimportant village when two soldiers make up the sum total of both law enforcement and defenses," Camille said with a wry laugh. She tilted her head and thought for a moment.
"Actually, it occurs to me that if we could go by ship, with a wind mage aboard, we could get to Nordstranden in about three hours without needing to worry about animals," she commented.
Aurix bows slightly to Geiravor. "Just let me know when, My Lady, and I'll be by your side. Until then, I'll be guarding the field."
Gorrun lifts an eyebrow. A wind mage huh? Know of any? Aurora Is skilled with wind, but I have asked her to stay behind. I'm trying to handle this diplomatically and, well, the last time they saw any sign of her was when they found me beaten and several of our other brothers in arms dead at her doing. Something told me her presence wouldn't send the right message.
Camille's eyes popped open wide and it took great willpower not to gape at the General.
"I-I can't even imagine... wow. Uh, well I believe the navy makes a point of employing wind specialists, or at least just making sure there's a caster on board capable of learning or preparing the needed spells. Are you on good terms with anyone in your rival military branch?" the half-elf asked with a hint of teasing.
"If not, we can ask my brother to relay. It would fall under his purview, I believe."
As Gorrun approaches the temple of Cayden he sees that the main doors are open as people of all walks of life are lined up to enter with less people leaving, food in hand. The Acolytes attending those entering notice Gorrun and invite him to come in. There are a series of stations providing for the people of Juvenrod. Some are being given food and leaving, other are setting up to take residence in the temple. Sharra looks to be guiding and handing out orders on what needs to be done, on her feet, moving around. She seems to be well rested.
At Camille's reaction Gorrun says In her defense, they weren't exactly choir boys. Neither was I for that matter. And she was just beginning to get a feel for her powers. he listens to her explain naval practice and continued Well, I'm not on bad terms with the navy. I haven't gone out of my way to win favor from the Admirals, but I haven't done anything to warrant their ire either. If Warrick has time to send a message, that may save us some time, and time, as they say is of the essence.
Gorrun spots Sharra and approaches, careful not to interrupt her instruction of the others. When he sees the opportunity he speaks. Priestess Sharra, I hate to call on you again so soon. On the bright side, I'm not here to enlist your help tending the fallen, but I have come to ask your assistance on a short mission. We will be sailing out to Nordstranden, there has been some trouble with whom I believe to be former comrades. They have reportedly been attacking the barrier that has been erected around Juvelnord. I must go and stop them. I would appreciate your company as your skills would certainly make negotiations go more smoothly. What say you?
Camille nodded and gestured over to where the quartermaster was standing, Warrick behind him.
"It's part and parcel of the job," she said over her shoulder as she trotted towards her brother.
Warrick looked up as they approached and raised a questioning eyebrow at Camille.
"Warrick, the General needs a fast ship with a wind caster on board to get to Nordstranden to see to a disturbance at the border," she said.
Warrick's other brow lifted. "A disturbance? Must be serious to pull the General away from the capital now..."
Camilled shrugged. "We don't know how serious it is, but General Gorrun believes he might know the people causing the disturbance and wants to see to it personally."
"I see," Warrick said, lifting his hand to snap his fingers a few times at a nearby youth in a messenger uniform. The boy snapped to attention and hurried over, handing Warrick a pigeon in a blue harness, a notepad, and a quill pen. Warrick scribbled a quick note and rolled it up and stuck it in the tube on the pigeon's leg. He let the bird go and it shot out the window, much faster than a normal pigeon.
"Those harnesses of speed for the messenger birds was pretty ingenious. I'll have to compliment Hervir's protege for that one," Warrick admitted. He looked up at the General and nodded.
"The ship will be waiting for you at the third pier at the docks. The H.M.S Courtly One. Captain is Maia Havenworth, daughter of a baronet. Human, stormborn sorceress. Not very powerful yet, but she has a future! The H.M.S. Courtly One is a messenger sloop, so designed for speed," Warrick explained. He eyed Camille for a moment.
"I take it you're going, too?"
"Yes," Camille answered.
Warrick nodded and sighed. "Well, just be careful, alright?" he said gruffly, lightly clapping a hand on Camille's shoulder.
The half-elf woman smiled and brushed her long bangs away from her eye so she could meet Warrick's gaze with both eyes.
"I'm always careful, brother, don't worry," she said reassuringly.
Warrick grunted and looked like he was about to disagree, with examples, but shook his head and held his piece.
Camille chuckled and looked at Gorrun. "Ready when you are, Sir."
Thank you, again. Gorrun said to Warrick, before turning to his sister. Grab whatever you may need and we'll set off.
As they head out, Gorrun stops by Bryn's lab to pick up some items for he and Ais then onward to the temple of the drunken god.
"And make sure you keep emptying the Bed Pans, the last time someone forgot that it ruined the smell of the temple for a week"
She shook her head at the acolyte as she turned to the General, a moment on her face of surprise as she assessed what he was here for.
"General. Have you yet rested?"
She moves past him to help hand out food to the growing line coming into the temple.
"You look tired. You need to rest, I overheard a call to arms to the Tower, so you must have already seen something going on. The champion mentioned fighting back abyssal Hordes or something like that. But you havent slept yet. Or even rested. "
She turned back to him, a smile on her face, the light of the temple causing her jewelry to sparkle and shine.
"I will come, on the condition, that you rest, you mentioned a Boat. I have a priest among our number that can allow you a full rest on the journey. "
"Come find me in an hour, Aurix." Princess Geiravor replied. She sighed deeply. "Time to go face the music, I guess. Shall we, Aurora?" she asked. She sheathed her fauchard and started toward the castle.
So be it Gorrun replies in a less serious tone, the way one would respond to a nagging grandmother while still showing respect and acknowledgment of her concerns but I assure you, I've suffered far worse conditions and persevered unphased.
Accepting whatever boon was offered Gorrun began making his way to the Courtly One. Of Her Majesty's Ships, it did appear smaller, but fleet. He left the sailing to the sailors and found his way below decks.
Sharra smiles when Gorrun accepts her conditions. She makes preparations for a stand in for her to run the temple for the day, and aquires priest of appropriate level to accompany her to the Ship. She locates where Gorrun will be resting and has the priest cast Nap Stack. The priest then returns to the temple.
"General, you will only need two hours of rest to recover yourself. "
Aurix watches as Geiravor walks towards the castle, lost in thought. Suddenly he feels an intrusion attempting to reach into his mind! Aurix grabs his head. "Erastil protect me..." he mutters.
Will save (+4 with Grand Destiny): [roll0]
Spoiler: If botchActivate Second Chance: [roll1]
Spoiler: If Will save succeedsAurix draws on the power of Wergontix to cast Time Stop. ([roll2] rounds) "Torilee, somebody's at it again...trying to get into my head. Look around. I want you to look for places somebody could be hiding to cast a spell at me. Last time I didn't think of those until it was too late. I'm gonna start looking at the guards nearby."
Perception: [roll3]
Aurix's Halberd glows slightly as he casts a spell. Aurix and Torilee disappear from sight and reappear at the western end of the park.
Torilee looked around. Perception: [roll0]
"I don't see anything," she projected. Concern.
Markas looked over at Aurix who looked in pain and approached him, but suddenly he vanished, "Aurix! Crap he's gone! Not good." he looked around the area to see if he could figure out what happened or if he was somewhere nearby.
During the Time Stop...
Aurix examines the guard. "They all seem at alert. Let's look around at people blending into groups, then pairs, then people who are alone." Aurix and Torilee look around the park. Some gawkers have appeared, with a few familiar faces, but few seem suspicious. Aurix peers into an alleyway and sees a bulky man. "Is that...?" He blinks, startled. "He's like 3/4ths dragon! And black dragon at that. Is that the dragon-faced man you mentioned before? He's got his hand in his pocket and he's looking this way...I bet it's some kind of draconic item. Let's finish looking around and go after him. I need Spell Resistance and Protection from Acid for both of us, then tap me with the Haste wand, please."
At the beginning of Round 3, Aurix casts Remote Casting. "You get us ready. I'll keep searching. Never know what's relevant." Torilee nods tentatively. Aurix begins flying past the windows as Torilee casts Spell Resistance on Aurix. He heads west as she casts Communal Protection from Acid on the two of them. As they arrive at the mouth of the designated alley, Torilee taps Aurix with the Haste wand (Round 6/7). Aurix takes his place 10 feet east and 10 feet above the man. Fly to hover: [roll0]
Aurix's eyes glow with a soft light. He activates his Paladin senses and senses if there is evil in the soul of this half-dragon. (Move Action, Detect Evil). Then he sizes up the man's relative strength and skill: [roll1]
After the Time Stop...
Aurix suddenly reappears at the mouth of an alleyway on the west side of the park. He points down at the dragon-faced man and says firmly, "If you wanted to get my attention, you should have sent a note. Now kindly remove your hand from the magic item in your pocket and explain yourself. NOW." Aurix prepares to counterspell in case the man is a caster and tries to attack.
Torilee looked puzzled. "What, hey? Where?" she asked, looking around, bemused.
Torilee's confusion increased when Aurix landed and began speaking.
"Aurix, hey, who are you talking to?" she whispered. "I can't see anyone, hey?"
The cloaked figure blinked in surprise when Aurix appeared before him. His eyes were pink and he was covered in black scales, though tawny scales were visible on his neck, going down his stomach. He had medium-short, shaggy white hair on his head. The hood of his cloak was down, leaving the long, slightly twisting, bronze horns pointing behind him clearly visible. Beneath his cloak, he had large wings wrapped tightly around his body, kept below his arms so they weren't in the way. A long tail swayed behind him. He had several tattoos visible, and a small ioun implanted in the palm of his upraised hand. He also had a number of pieces of jewelry prominently displayed.
Spoiler: Referencehttps://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...e80a3f4b24.jpg
But his wings are wrapped around him, and he's wearing a dark cloak. He also doesn't have cuts, but he does have many tattoos. And his eyes are pink, not purple.
"Ah, hello Champion," he said as his surprise melted into a sly smile.
"Magic item?" he asked, one ridged brow lifting. "Oh, you mean this?" he asked, grinning as he lifted a grapefruit-sized sphere out of his pocket. It swirled hypnotically with two different shades of red, and a brassy golden color with hints of blue.
"That's quite alright, I haven't needed this in years! Take it if you must!" He said with a laugh, giving it a spin in his hand before giving it an underhanded toss so that it rolled across the pavement towards Aurix.
Aurix tilts his head quizzically. He thinks to Torilee, "The dragon-faced man, I assume! He's right below us. He must be invisible or something. See that orb? He pulled it out of his pocket and chucked it at us. But...I don't sense hostile intent. Either he's truly eccentric or he's a great liar. Stay ready anyway."
Aurix stares. "I didn't come to take things from you. I came to find out why you've been attempting to pry into my mind. If this is the tool you've been using to do so, then fine, but I'm more interested in hearing what you have to say for yourself. Do you have something you want to say to me?" Aurix takes a deep breath and decides to gamble. "Are you here about the sovereign dragon?"
"Once the orb appeared, hey, he came into view... I don't really... understand, hey?" Torilee whispered, bemused.
The half-dragon wyvaran threw back his head and laughed.
"Is that what you think has been happening?" he asked, amused. "And that?" he pointed at the orb, "That would have no effect on you whatsoever. You can call me Fraener, if you care."
He smiled, a discomforting, reptilian grin, full of teeth.
"Well, I wasn't exactly intending for this to be a game, Champion, but plans change! So let's play! I won't be leaving the city. If you're interested in the sovereign dragon, you'll have to try and find me!" He took a step back and seemed to disappear in the shadows!
Spoiler: Perception DC 50 (If you fail, blindsense will not help)Fraener stood in the shadows and touched the earring he wore, and literally disappeared into the shadows!
Spoiler: Spellcraft DC 21Shadow Walk
Torilee gaped, taken aback by Fraener's words and disappearance.
Aurix's eyes twinkle as he watches Fraener disappear into the shadows. Aurix curses, then lands next to the orb. "He fled to the edge of the shadows, where I can't follow. He could be far away by now." Aurix leans down and picks up the orb. "This might be a clue to what kind of game is afoot. What are you...?"
Aurix studies the orb intently with his Detect Magic.
Spellcraft: [roll0]
Jaylyn watched as the rest of the group headed off in different directions, doing different things, except Aurix, Markas and Droktoktor. Jaylyn just sighs trying to figure out what she should do, but before she could think of something she saw Aurix grip his head then vanish. Quickly assessing the spell he used, "He used Time Stop! It must be something extremely serious to use a spell of that level!" Jaylyn thought as she looked around to see if she could see where Aurix was.
It didn't take long to find where Aurix ended up and below him was a black dragonoid creature. Jaylyn ran over to where the two were, as the dragonoid vanished and Aurix picked up the orb. Once Jaylyn got over there she looked at Aurix and spoke. "Are you alright Aurix?"
Aurix finishes studying the orb, then looks up at Jaylyn, considering. Finally he nods and says, "Just down a few spell slots. I thought I might have to fight that guy. Turns out not." Aurix lets out a breath. "I'm left with more questions than answers. He called himself Fraener, which in Juvelnord could also be known as Fafnir. A half black dragon named after a mythological dragon who killed his own father for greed. He had this orb, which is some kind of artifact related to dragons, I'd wager, with a strong enchantment aura. And he escaped with a high level illusion spell in his earring. Someone tried to probe my mind again, and I figured it was him. He was vague on that point...seemed to imply it's not what I'm thinking." Aurix looks up at Jaylyn. "Anyway. I need time to get my thoughts in order, but that can wait. Any sign of more demons?"
"Hmm...this Fraener fellow is certainly an odd fellow. If that's an artifact like you said, Why drop it and leave? You also said somebody is probing your mind, like domination, or read thoughts...you know what nvm. I'll think on those later." Jaylyn said looking at the orb in Aurix's hand, before looking back at the tower. "Nothing as of yet, so if you need some alone time to gather your thoughts, I have no objections."
Aurix shakes his head. "Yeah, that's the problem. There are too many possibilities as to what could be trying to reach into my mind, so of course I'm blocking them! Could you imagine if someone managed to dominate the Champion?" He shakes his head again. "No, I don't intend to abandon the field until it's time for Court. Some flying time will give me time to think just fine. There's a young sovereign dragon being held captive somewhere in this town, and he said if I want to find it, I'll have to find HIM. I wonder...could this guy be the head of the dragon egg smuggling ring we found so many years ago? Fafnir killed his own father out of greed...maybe he enslaves his own kind out of greed? It would fit." He flaps his wings once, beginning to take off. "Jaylyn, I have to be at court, and I'm gonna be directing a lot of my focus on the demon invasion right now. Do you think I could trust you with the task of identifying this artifact? I was going to seek out a temple for a Draconic god to help. I'd be in your debt."
Jaylyn's brow and face took on a look of pure rage, before she closed her eyes and breathed a few times. "If he's who you think he is, I'd tend to agree with the dragon being the one smuggling dragon eggs. I just hope your wrong because there is one thing in the world I hate more then anything it's dragon egg smugglers." Jaylyn said calming her down a bit. "Yea sure I was planning on trying to get the Staff of the Magi identified as well. Do you have the name of the Draconic god? Makes finding the temple easier."
Jaylyn held out her empty hand for the Orb.