IC: Dragon Campaign - Wyrmlinghood

[Eonn]

Khrakoa sighs. He wasn't able to get anything useful out of this elemental at all. Bearing his claws he shreds his sketches, leaving only a mess of scratches to tell that he's been here. Leaving the elemental behind, he heads back to the mouth of the cave. Though a nice location, there was still much more to see. He couldn't have much more daylight, however, so he would spend as long as he could exploring more in the area and spend the night here.

[Feathersnow]

After taking a relaxing nap in her new cave, Caej Zu'autl decides to go and investigate the Tabaxi her... sibling?... indicated to her.

[Deadguy]

There was no room for live and let live to Sotet. This animal could easily stray closer to her lake. Especially if it already hunted in the water. This was different than the crocodile. She had the advantage, and she intended on using it.

Inhaling, she gathered the elemental energy in her throat, mixing it with the enzymes to form the caustic sticky mucus. She spat it at the black-furred animal before taking to the sky, hovering in the canopy of branches.

Spoiler: OOC Rolls

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Knowledge (Nature) vs animal (1d20+10)[25]
Breath (acid) Damage (1/2 for entangling exhalation) - reflex dc 14 for 1/2 [roll]2d10[/roll]
Rounds of entangle (+1d6 damage) (1d4)[2]
Breath Recharge (1d4-1)[0]

Move vertical 20 feet (hover)

[Esprit15]

The bear begins running away down the river bank, but struggles to move quickly as the sticky acid clings to its body.

[Deadguy]

To feel the elemental energy flowing through her tiny body made Sotet feel alive! To see her prey flee made her heart race! To establish her domain brought forth pride!

This was what is was to live. Let the others dally and waste energy in mortal politics, war, and intrigues. Her place was here.

Spoiler: OOC Rolls

Show

Breath damage - reflex dc 14 for 1/2 (2d10)[8] acid
Entangle damage (1 rd remaining) (1d6)[4] acid
Breath Recharge (1d4-1)[1]

[Esprit15]

You continue to chase down the bear, spraying it with acid. When you’re sure it’s nearly dead, you swoop down into a dive, latching onto the nape of the animal and sinking your teeth into its neck. The bear rises up onto its legs and tries to paw at you, but its limbs are already weak, and it falls backward into the shallows of the river with a splash. You stand atop the bear, triumphant over your second kill.

[Xanyo]

With Sotet and Khrakoa returning to their lairs, and the unusual newcomer taking off towards the cabin, Zaratii is left alone. Seemingly the only one without a pair to call her own. The beach would be the best bet, she expects, and the Tabaxi she wishes to meet are most probably in the same direction. She would have to meet the Yuan-Ti eventually, but she wants to keep her options open for now.

Taking flight, she seeks out the path where she met the hunter. The mortal would likely be dead soon, but she cares nothing for the arrogant cat. She had already followed the path towards the mountain, and now she follows in the direction of the sea.

[Esprit15]

After taking a relaxing nap in her new cave, Caej Zu'autl decides to go and investigate the Tabaxi her... sibling?... indicated to her.

With Sotet and Khrakoa returning to their pairs, and the unusual newcomer taking off towards the cabin, Zaratii is left alone. Seemingly the only one without a pair to call her own. The beach would be the best bet, she expects, and the Tabaxi she wishes to meet are most probably in the same direction. She would have to meet the Yuan-Ti eventually, but she wants to keep her options open for now.

Taking flight, she seeks out the path where she met the hunter. The mortal would likely be dead soon, but she cares nothing for the arrogant cat. She had already followed the path towards the mountain, and now she follows in the direction of the sea.

You both fly in roughly the same direction, Caej flying first but Zaratii knowing the exact location and so flying more directly. You soon see the telltale sign of smoke, and both dive down into the treeline. The cabin sits there, as before. This time, there is visible motion inside.

[Deadguy]

The tiny dragon had no real need for the kill, but the wastefulness seemed lost on her. Using her teeth, she gnawed through the neck muscles until only the bone and spine held the head to the body. A small drooling of acid completed the task of severing the head.

Grasping it in her claws, she took to the air. Returning to her lake with trophy in tow. Bringing it to the murky bottom with her other corpse, the fishes would do the work of cleaning the skull for her. Once it was secured, Sotet did a patrol of the lake, remaining underwater. It was important to ensure no other predators made their way into her waters, at least until she could establish herself as the dominate simply by size and power.

While she swam about, she was especially watchful for any underwater structures that she might be able to utilize as secondary dens. Areas to retreat to, should she come under attack while home.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Spot vs signs of intrusion (1d20+1)[13]
Search vs new hiding spots (1d20+6)[24]

[Esprit15]

With Sotet and Khrakoa returning to their pairs, and the unusual newcomer taking off towards the cabin, Zaratii is left alone. Seemingly the only one without a pair to call her own. The beach would be the best bet, she expects, and the Tabaxi she wishes to meet are most probably in the same direction. She would have to meet the Yuan-Ti eventually, but she wants to keep her options open for now.

Taking flight, she seeks out the path where she met the hunter. The mortal would likely be dead soon, but she cares nothing for the arrogant cat. She had already followed the path towards the mountain, and now she follows in the direction of the sea.

You stay high in the air, following the snaking river as it winds through the jungle and toward the sea. After a few hours of relaxed flight, the river begins to split and disappear, and the jungle below fades into a swampy marsh. Right by the river, as expected, is a small clearing. Bordering the swamp is what appears to be a wall-like structure, and behind it wooden buildings in rough rows. While some sections of the town are on solid ground, many appear to be built over shallow water, and boats move back and forth in the town. Toward the ocean, the wooden walkways and boats both become larger, and many furred heads appear to man the sides as they leave and enter port.

The tiny dragon had no real need for the kill, but the wastefulness seemed lost on her. Using her teeth, she gnawed through the neck muscles until only the bone and spine held the head to the body. A small drooling of acid completed the task of severing the head.

Grasping it in her claws, she took to the air. Returning to her lake with trophy in tow. Bringing it to the murky bottom with her other corpse, the fishes would do the work of cleaning the skull for her. Once it was secured, Sotet did a patrol of the lake, remaining underwater. It was important to ensure no other predators made their way into her waters, at least until she could establish herself as the dominate simply by size and power.

While she swam about, she was especially watchful for any underwater structures that she might be able to utilize as secondary dens. Areas to retreat to, should she come under attack while home.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Spot vs signs of intrusion [roll0]
Search vs new hiding spots [roll1]

You find that there is an old, fallen tree in the water that has been partially hollowed out by time. While you remain this small, it may prove a useful place to hide, and may be a good place to dig beneath to form a more proper lair.

[Deadguy]

The hollowed tree seemed a much more secure lair than the bottom of lake, at least while Sotet was so small. She went inside and cleaned out the rotten core along with any muck that had accumulated over the years of rotting.

Once it was properly hollowed and clear, she swam back down and retrieved her trophy skulls, and her small hoard to secure them inside her new home.

If there is enough daylight remaining, she begins excavating beneath the log. While she doesn't need the space yet, having the start of an actual den will give her a place to store food and possessions as she gains them.

[Esprit15]

The hollowed tree seemed a much more secure lair than the bottom of lake, at least while Sotet was so small. She went inside and cleaned out the rotten core along with any muck that had accumulated over the years of rotting.

Once it was properly hollowed and clear, she swam back down and retrieved her trophy skulls, and her small hoard to secure them inside her new home.

If there is enough daylight remaining, she begins excavating beneath the log. While she doesn't need the space yet, having the start of an actual den will give her a place to store food and possessions as she gains them.

You rest in your lair for a few weeks, only making occasional forays out to remind wildlife that this territory was yours. When you are strong enough, you begin to shape and dig the swampy bottom of your pond out just the way you like to better hide your treasures. Meager though they may be for now, you're planning for a future of gold and gems, and as a dragon, one must always be long sighted.

Spoiler

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Predatory animals know to stay clear of your pond if they want to avoid a fight. You also are able to easily hide from detection without making a check while in the water of your lair (unless they have special senses).

With Sotet and Khrakoa returning to their lairs, and the unusual newcomer taking off towards the cabin, Zaratii is left alone. Seemingly the only one without a pair to call her own. The beach would be the best bet, she expects, and the Tabaxi she wishes to meet are most probably in the same direction. She would have to meet the Yuan-Ti eventually, but she wants to keep her options open for now.

Taking flight, she seeks out the path where she met the hunter. The mortal would likely be dead soon, but she cares nothing for the arrogant cat. She had already followed the path towards the mountain, and now she follows in the direction of the sea.

Zaratii circles the port city to the south, scouting it out for the next few weeks and observe its comings and goings. Boats leave as the sun rises and come in around an hour before sunset, and those who don't work on boats appear to live in the many scattered houses in the miles that surround the city hub. You begin to realize why the city is set up the way it is - it's just the hub for a much wider community. Farm to market paths snake through the swamp, and small, one or two person boats are pushed by paddle and pole back and forth throughout the day bringing food from farms to the city and from the city to houses. While within the walls you count around two hundred buildings, you estimate that several thousand Tabaxi pass through the city on any given day. Most of them appear to have short, dark fur, which seems to blend in quite well with the shadows. They also appear to enjoy the water, some diving into it after fish. Out of all the buildings, a central building made out of a mix of stone and wood appears to be the most important one - many people pass in and out of it every day while not carrying food, indicating that it is important for non-market reasons. Perhaps a local government building, or a barracks, it's hard to say.

At night, the city closes the two doors that allow people past its walls, and the city goes to sleep around three hours after sundown.

Spoiler

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If you have any other particular questions, ask and I'll let you know what you've learned. You may need to make some rolls.

Khrakoa sighs. He wasn't able to get anything useful out of this elemental at all. Bearing his claws he shreds his sketches, leaving only a mess of scratches to tell that he's been here. Leaving the elemental behind, he heads back to the mouth of the cave. Though a nice location, there was still much more to see. He couldn't have much more daylight, however, so he would spend as long as he could exploring more in the area and spend the night here.

You spend the next few weeks exploring the mountain range. Curiosity always brings you back to the dragon's lair with the fire elemental, but you are unable to get any real information out of them. The lair's inhabitant doesn't every seem to return, though. You do find more caves suitable for making a lair. The secluded location will serve nicely, though it's hard to see in the dark with your young eyes, so you don't get too much spelunking done outside of the abandoned lair. You do find a little bit of treasure there as you scrounge for anything, using the light from the fire elemental to see a little bit better.

Spoiler

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You find a single platinum piece (One one side is a simplified face of Father, while the other is a five spoked wheel that you surmise is a symbol of Mother), 9 gold pieces (two with the face of a Tabaxi on it, seven with only a few scratch marks from wear and no other apparent symbols), and 4 silver pieces (all again with a cat's face on them).

After taking a relaxing nap in her new cave, Caej Zu'autl decides to go and investigate the Tabaxi her... sibling?... indicated to her.

(We'll still play out this first encounter before skipping you ahead, see my other post.)

[Eonn]

Darkness had made itself a nuisance more than once over the past few weeks. Khrakoa recalled he had asked the black wyrmling to meet again, but he had very little information to barter with. Instead, he considered again the dragon that once dwelt in these mountains. Was he gone, or simply hibernating? Making the wrong assumption may have him stepping on the other drake's tail, a deadly proposition at his age. No, he had be the first to learn of the other's wearabouts. This would mean finding a way to penetrate the darkness of the mountain caves. He would have to bring light with him, something that he can sustain longer than his breath.

After stashing his few coins away somewhere safe, he approaches the fire elemental again, this time trying to convince the creature to follow him on his next expedition.

[Deadguy]

Once her wounds had completely healed and her pond was complete, Sotet began forays to the river. She searched along the stretch closest to her lair first, combing the bottom for any useful trinkets the humanoids might have dropped in their endeavors, or vessels that had sunk.

Once her curiosity was sated, she began with a plan. Just upriver from her lake, she began moving stones on the river bottom. Pushing them into a large pile that caught just a small portion of the flowing water and diverted it onto the dry land.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Search vs river bottom- (1d20+6)[11]
Knowledge (Engineering) vs diverting water - (1d20+5)[18]

[Esprit15]

Darkness had made itself a nuisance more than once over the past few weeks. Khrakoa recalled he had asked the black wyrmling to meet again, but he had very little information to barter with. Instead, he considered again the dragon that once dwelt in these mountains. Was he gone, or simply hibernating? Making the wrong assumption may have him stepping on the other drake's tail, a deadly proposition at his age. No, he had be the first to learn of the other's wearabouts. This would mean finding a way to penetrate the darkness of the mountain caves. He would have to bring light with him, something that he can sustain longer than his breath.

After stashing his few coins away somewhere safe, he approaches the fire elemental again, this time trying to convince the creature to follow him on his next expedition.

Despite your best efforts, the fire elemental still does not seem to understand your attempts to communicate with it beyond very basic gestures. You are able to get it to follow you around its own cave, but any attempts to get it to leave are met with resistance.

Once her wounds had completely healed and her pond was complete, Sotet began forays to the river. She searched along the stretch closest to her lair first, combing the bottom for any useful trinkets the humanoids might have dropped in their endeavors, or vessels that had sunk.

Once her curiosity was sated, she began with a plan. Just upriver from her lake, she began moving stones on the river bottom. Pushing them into a large pile that caught just a small portion of the flowing water and diverted it onto the dry land.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Search vs river bottom- [roll0]
Knowledge (Engineering) vs diverting water - [roll1]

You manage to get some water to move onto dry land, though it seems to fill in with dirt and plants quickly, and not have enough 'push' to keep flowing more than a few feet onto land.

[Eonn]

Khrakoa sighs. This likely wasn't going to work. He thinks for a moment. How do the lesser species see in the darkness, he wonders. They were just about as blind as a hatchling like himself. He would have to find one of their shelters and observe what the did come night fall. As he wasn't getting any further with the elemental, he heads off to the closest tabaxi dwelling he knows of.

[Esprit15]

Khrakoa sighs. This likely wasn't going to work. He thinks for a moment. How do the lesser species see in the darkness, he wonders. They were just about as blind as a hatchling like himself. He would have to find one of their shelters and observe what the did come night fall. As he wasn't getting any further with the elemental, he heads off to the closest tabaxi dwelling he knows of.

The nearest on you had heard about from the others was to the south, a city known as Kawazawa. It takes you around two hours of leisurely flight to reach the city. The city proper is ringed by a fifteen foot tall wooden wall with small towers every two hundred feet or so, up until the wall reaches the water where it extends around 100ft into the waves before ending. It appears that there are two major entrances - one to the north east, and one to the north west, plus the port that lines the shore to the south. Buildings are built such that they sit just above the water on lifted walkways, and boats move back and forth along waterways made for them. The majority of the Tabaxi have dark fur that makes them rather hard to spot in the well shaded city, though some also have fur that is spotted, like a reversed cheetah. While most of the buildings appear to be markets or homes, some appear to be administrative or other types of government buildings.

[Eonn]

Khrakoa keeps some distance from the city. He just needs to figure out what the tabaxi do to see in the darkness before he can head back to his roost. He would probably have to wait for evening, however, so until then he explores the surrounding area. At the very least, he can find himself a dinner. All the while, he is cautious not to reveal himself. He stays high up, in or about the foliage, trying not to bring attention to himself. Trying, of course, being the operative word, as his ruby red scale only blend in so well to the surroundings.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Some rolls you may want:
Hide: (1d20+1)[15]
Move Silently: (1d20+1)[7]
Search: (1d20+12)[28]
Spot: (1d20+4)[21]
Survival: (1d20+4)[21]

[Esprit15]

Khrakoa keeps some distance from the city. He just needs to figure out what the tabaxi do to see in the darkness before he can head back to his roost. He would probably have to wait for evening, however, so until then he explores the surrounding area. At the very least, he can find himself a dinner. All the while, he is cautious not to reveal himself. He stays high up, in or about the foliage, trying not to bring attention to himself. Trying, of course, being the operative word, as his ruby red scale only blend in so well to the surroundings.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Some rolls you may want:
Hide: [roll0]
Move Silently: [roll1]
Search: [roll2]
Spot: [roll3]
Survival: [roll4]

You have an easy enough time hunting down a small boar, though the fight is a bit loud. After killing it, you quickly drag it away, and not a moment too soon, as several Tabaxi hunters wander into the clearing that you attacked in, following the sound of squeals and your less than quiet growls. You remain out of sight though.

At night, the Tabaxi appear to travel by torch light, though some appear to get around just fine in the moon and star lit night, though not well enough to suggest that they see perfectly.

[Eonn]

Of course, they carry fire with them! It makes sense, really, even though it's no where as bright as his own fire, Khrakoa can see how the sustained light would be of more use in the darkness.

Under the cover of night, Khakis sneaks into the town. He sticks to darkened roof tops, looking for torches left unoccupied while trying to keep out of sight of the tabaxi. Life would be easier, he believed, if they did not know a dragon was planning on establishing itself nearby.

[Esprit15]

You fly hopefully unseen over the city, gently landing on one of the wooden roofs. Most of the buildings appeared to have one or two torches placed in little holders near places of entry. You surmise that this makes it easy to see when someone is sneaking into a building. But who would...

"Hai, kochira eh."

Your ears pick up what must be a Tabaxi voice... no, two voices. About a block away, two dark furred Tabaxi walk cautiously on the walkway in what seems to be your general direction. You can't understand what they are saying, but... You look down. You hadn't noticed it, but your landing apparently did cause a branch that had fallen on the roof to fall onto some garbage below. They haven't seen you yet, but they may have heard you.

Spoiler

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You have around ten seconds before they reach you

[Eonn]

Khrakoa's eyes flick between the torch and the coming patrol. Would it be possible to help one of the torches, snuff it out, and fly off with it before the incoming tabaxi saw him?

[Esprit15]

Khrakoa's eyes flick between the torch and the coming patrol. Would it be possible to help one of the torches, snuff it out, and fly off with it before the incoming tabaxi saw him?

You reach down to grab one of the torches, but underestimate the distance. In reaching down, you tumble head over teakettle to the ground, making a loud crash and knocking the torch to the ground, where it rolls off the dock and into the water below. Panicked, you take flight before the Tabaxi can get sight of you.

[Eonn]

Khrakoa flutters off. There seems to be plenty of these torches around, and he doesn't plan on being denied. As a worse case scenario, he could come back to grab the second torch once the guards move on.

[Esprit15]

It takes you a few tries, but eventually you do manage to swipe a torch without being seen by the guards.

[Eonn]

As happy as a dog with a bone, Khrakoa flutters back to his cave to plan his next move. It's late now, too late for exploring, but come tomorrow he can begin searching through some of the more promising caves now that he has a way to bring light with him.

[Esprit15]

Tomorrow comes, sunlight peaking into your cave.

Your torch has also burnt beyond the lit section, and around half of it is charred black.

[Eonn]

Khrakoa is a bit annoyed that the torch had burnt out. Should he have thought to snuff it out before even leaving the town? No. The Tabaxi should have made their torches burn longer. Still, now that he's seen their construction, making a new one shouldn't be too much of an issue, even if it meant he had to get his claws dirty. What would he need? A straight stick, something dry that can be wrapped around the head and some kind of flammable fluid?

The stick would be simple to find. For the wrappings, he looks through the rubbish left in the cave by it's previous tenant. Maybe there was some discarded cloth or rope? If not, he recalled that some trees have dry, parchment like bark that could be used. As for the flammable liquid, he produced enough of that himself for his own fire breathing. With his objective settled on, he goes about making a torch.

[Esprit15]

You're able to easily enough find some scraps of cloth in the cave - a good thing too, as those stories of papery barked trees came from dryer regions than the island. After a few tries of getting the cloth wrapped in a way that lasts, you find yourself in possession of a finer torch than any foolish Tabaxi could make.

Probably.

[Eonn]

Armed with the best torch ever, Khrakoa sets off to the most promising looking cave.