Against the Dragon: An ECL 20 Mini-Adventure

[PhoenixRivers]

@Ghrem: Nothing out of the ordinary... At least, nothing beyond ordinary for a small port town.

[Superglucose]

The liquor (and it is liquor) is strong, quite strong, but well made, as human alcohol goes.

"Well, think before you take it to blows. You don't seem as eager for combat as most that pass through, but think of this. This town has about 700 people dwelling here. At any given time, there's only one thing that each and every one of us agree on. Judging by your question on why we protect her secret, you already know what it is. That dragon is the reason our town doesn't need many guards. The reason most caravans make it safely through the desert. Few here would let anyone so much as talk ill of her without a fistfight. If you want to know who Eolestrix is? She's someone that inspires that kind of loyalty."

There are ways around everything, my friend. Besides, if she doesn't help us, there will be bigger problems than bandits. Is she able to move all of you to a new plane of existence? Would she? I must go again and find some way to convince her to help us.

Theda seems confused by Kagronac's account, and probes him for answers.

"So...you told her that we needed the information buried in her head and she didn't believe you. I kind of get that. Do you think she'd be open to talking some more - to, say, give her the opportunity to confirm that we weren't lying. If she has the degree of control over the laws of physics that she's showing here, surely she has a way to tell when we're lying. I'd be willing to go."

I decided that honesty was the best policy, since she is already so paranoid she figured our only goal was to mount her head over our mantel. Clearly you and I know that is not true, but she? She does not. I suggest we try to contact her again, unless she actually means us harm. I believe; however, that she would do nothing short of accepting our parley, especially since I would be consenting to a Geas in it.

ooc:

Spoiler

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I think I will start preparing Heroe's Feast in the morning. Hell, I'll probably offer the extra seats to people in the town.

[PhoenixRivers]

There are ways around everything, my friend. Besides, if she doesn't help us, there will be bigger problems than bandits. Is she able to move all of you to a new plane of existence? Would she? I must go again and find some way to convince her to help us.

"Well, you're gonna do what you're gonna do. For your sake, I hope it's the wisest course."

[Toliudar]

Theda shrugs.

"Well, Terry and I could join you tomorrow. Sort of a sign of solidarity, I guess."

[Superglucose]

That doesn't sound like a bad idea at all.

[Pharaoh's Fist]

Seto takes notes.

[PhoenixRivers]

If there's no more actions, you are welcome to fast forward to the next day.

Announce any overnight actions, and the next day can begin.

[Pharaoh's Fist]

I recast and extend Mindblank and Moment of Prescience privately.

[PhoenixRivers]

I recast and extend Mindblank and Moment of Prescience privately.

Extended MoP? Hm. Mindblank, I can see, but an <until discharged> spell?

[Pharaoh's Fist]

It's an hours/level until discharged spell.

[PhoenixRivers]

It's an hours/level until discharged spell.

I know. Just seems silly to use an extend on a spell that's "use once and discard" to me.

[Superglucose]

I start the morning by hosting a Heroe's Feast, saving seats for my companions and inviting the bartender and the woman who gave me the letter, the kid who delivered the note for me and his family, and random other people (beginning with the sick and homeless) until I fill the maximum of 26. During the feast I ask the barkeep,
Do you think it's worth trying to speak to our friend again?

[Superglucose]

(1d8+10)[15] temporary HP for all!

[PhoenixRivers]

"I don't claim to know the heart of the dragon. You're on your own there. Try not to annoy her, though. She has a temper when it comes to strangers."

[Superglucose]

Well in any case, I'll drop off my stuff afterwords, and I think I'm going to bring a friend. I hope she'll hear us out.

[Toliudar]

Having left their magical gear with the others on this new day, Theda and the T-Rex show up in town awaiting instructions.

Spoiler

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Small changes to spell list.

[Pharaoh's Fist]

Seto will join the feats and stay in the general vicinity of the party.

[PhoenixRivers]

Join the Feats?

[Eldariel]

Join the Feats?

My "Ancient Egyptian"-knowledge indicates that it's an archaic word from the latter periods of the Egyptian golden age found on that ancient...rock meaning "feast".

Please don't mind me. Carry on.

[Superglucose]

Yeah, it's like gestalt but for feats. So you combine, say, Quicken and Energy Substitution into "Qucksub Spell" and you get the benefits of both (i.e. you can change energy requirements, it's cast as a swift action, and has a +0 level adjustment). Frequently done with Arcane Thesis, Heighten Spell, and Persist Spell

[PhoenixRivers]

Fair enough. Saw the typo after you pointed it out. Further planned actions?

[Toliudar]

Prayer and hope. Theda is counting on a lot of prayer and hope.

[Tehnar]

Ghrem will memorize the same spells as the day before. After a hearty heroes feast, he will accompany the dragon supplicants for the first five minutes of their walk when he will cast commune with nature.

Questions:
1) location of any outsiders?
2) location of any caves?
3) location of any constructs?

CL check:
(1d20+10)[29]

After that he will go back to town, waiting for the supplicants to return (unless some critical information comes up).

[Superglucose]

Prayer and hope. Theda is counting on a lot of prayer and hope.

Well yeah, you're with Kagrenac

[PhoenixRivers]

Ghrem will memorize the same spells as the day before. After a hearty heroes feast, he will accompany the dragon supplicants for the first five minutes of their walk when he will cast commune with nature.

Questions:
1) location of any outsiders?
2) location of any caves?
3) location of any constructs?

CL check:
[roll0]

After that he will go back to town, waiting for the supplicants to return (unless some critical information comes up).

No Outsiders or Constructs.
No new information on caves.

[PhoenixRivers]

So, day decisions/actions/etc ?

[Toliudar]

I believe that Kagronac, Theda and Terry are going to visit the dragon. Do we just walk out to the same place that Kagronac went the last time? Is there a different meeting protocol we should be following? It's hard to chat with someone who won't give you their phone number.

[PhoenixRivers]

The protocol is ungiven, true.

Do you just walk out there (or fly/teleport/whatever)?

That's on you, though your plan makes as much sense as any.

[Toliudar]

Well, then I'll suggest that Theda wildshape into a horse so that Kagronac can ride alongside Terry to the place he met Eolestrix yesterday. About a mile before, perhaps we could pause at a tree/bush/cactus so that Theda can use it as a divine focus for a casting of Lay of the Land and Commune with Nature. For the latter, I'm going for the following info:

ground or terrain
presence of powerful unnatural creatures
plants

[PhoenixRivers]

Fair enough.

Let me know what questions you have for Commune with Nature (and the CL check), and I'll go from there.

(NOTE: Need CL Checks for both spells)