Land of the Dragon - Party 1

[SensFan]

You all arrive to the village of Eterna the afternoon before the summer Equinox. The first building you run into is, based on the wooden sign that hangs over the entranceway, The Eternal Pub. The building is rather old, and looks like it could use a serious maintenance job. Dependant on how observant you are, it may not even have caught your eye, had it not been for the note pinned to the door. The note, which stood out due to how new and crisp it was, compared to the ratty door, read as follows:

I have made arrangements for anyone responding to my invite to stay here free of charge tonight. Please meet me at my place midday tomorrow.

Thamior

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Please read the OOC Thread before posting IC. Thanks!

[Benejeseret]

Sarinan

The Adept paces himself down the mountain trails converging on the township of Eterna. As the village grown on the horizon, Sarinan tries to recall visits to the site in his youth. It's been so long since I've been among any village. Hopefully the locals are not a superstitious lot, he absently traces the scales of his neck during a rest break stretch. Standing on a small scrag of rock he looks over the village.


A few hours later the Adepts walk by the Pub. Catching the note as he passes he reads it over before sighing and heading inside.

Knowledge checks

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since with his constant Draconic Knowledge every possible knowledge check is available - even untrained. I am hoping that I can in most situations roll once and then apply whatever modifier applies.
Arcane/Dungeoneering/Nature/The Planes +17
History/Nobility +13
All others +9

So to see what he knows of the town: Knowledge (1d20)[13]

(example, nature+17 crops/vegetation/agriculture, local +9 for locations/services, nobility +13 for rulers/governance etc etc.)

[Mathis]

Brannox

Brannox strolls down the path leading to the village Eterna, his sword casually strapped across his back along with his other belongings.
As he closes in he spots the townfolk going about their business, some leaving the town, some entering, everyone happily occupied with their daily tasks.

This being his first visit to Eterna, Brannox stops for a second to get an overview, turning around to take in the city, trying to make a mental of the city if he was ever to get lost. "I wonder where Thamior would reside..." Brannox thought to himself as he stood at the side of road. Since the sight of the city alone yielded no answer he decided to enter, walking the rest of the way.

When he got the sign nailed to the Inn, he went closer, and went inside, hoping that the first thing he'd set his eyes upon would be Thamior. Or a good warm piece of meat, nothing tempted more than a warm meal and something to drink after such a long and tiresome journey...

[SensFan]

Sarinan

As you enter the Pub, you find the room eerily quiet...or maybe its just that you aren't used to being around other people? Whether it's the norm or not, people do seem to be staring at you a fair bit; more than you had remembered being polite, at any rate.


Brannox

You walk into the Tavern, and things seem...awkward. It seems like something happened just a few moments ago that brought the place to a pause, and that the action just restarted. As far as taverns go, this one seems pretty straightforward. Nothing seems too much out of the ordinary. Oh, except for the guy standing a few feet in front of you, with silver scales.

---

Sarinan only, please!

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Yep, frequent Knowledge checks are fine. Would you like me to automatically make the rolls in the future?

Anyways, you know that Eterna is run by a council of elders, with each of the major races (Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Halflings, Dragons) represented. This council was formed by Thamior some years ago, and he adds members as there are retirements or deaths. He also has a complete veto power.

[TeeEl]

Sakthriss strides down into the village. His progress is slow due to his slightly awkward frame and heavy armor strapped to his back, but his pace is steady, showing no signs of fatigue or hesitation. Having never been to Thamior's home he is uncertain of where to head, so he simply marches confidently up to the first building he sees. Spotting the note on the door he heads inside without missing a step, as though it was his intended destination to begin with. Inside, he pauses briefly to collect himself and takes a casual look around the room, standing for all the world as though there was nothing unusual about a bipedal lizard in knightly garb strolling into a pub.

[Benejeseret]

Sarinan begins feeling somewhat out of place, and turns to leave when the door opens twice in quick procession. Watch a lizard enter the pub he sighs mentally, well, that should take some of the attention away from me anyway.

"K'hmm," he clears his throat, "Ah, good day to you," he steps back out of the larger man's way and makes for the Innkeeper. Not that he knows were he is or looks like, so he makes his way into the back of the pub.

[Mathis]

Brannox

Brannox was caught by surprise as he entered the Inn, standing for once, eye to eye with someone. The whole situation, the lizard-man and the awkward tension that exists, makes Brannox uncomfortable, he shifts almost unnoticably from one foot to the other while considering what to do next.

His brief pause is suddenly interupted as someone else enters the door, and when the lizard-man speaks he can only utter a short, polite response. "Good day to you too brother" Brannox nods politely before he too starts to look for the Innkeeper, he decides that looks alone won't give him away, so he simply turns to the crowd smiling, clears his throat and asks: "I'm looking for the Innkeeper, might that be one of you fella's?"

[AngelForm]

Egel

Coming down the path towards Eterna an elf can be seen. He is tall and thin, wearing a green tunic and brown leggings. A very acute observer might note the chain mail just showing under the edges of the tunic. He appears well armed and equipped for long a journey.

Though little more than walking he sets a pace almost as fast as most humanoids run, and beside him, paces a Dragon. Only a wyrmling but a Dragon nonetheless. The speed the elf has set seems to be just within the wyrmling ability to mach, as if to push his limits.

Egel halts as they top the last rise before the village. Blitz just slightly out of breath asks “Why cant I fly now were out of the wilds?” the tone isn’t that of whining or complaining but of honest curiosity, mostly anyway. Egel’s reply comes in a caring but forceful voice “Because you are small, conspicuous and valuable, there are probably more creatures that would want to make a meal of you here as in the wilds.” Switching to a more sympathetic tone he continues “Soon you will be big enough and strong enough to take on whatever challenges you but till then, save your speed for when stealth fails.”

As the pair enter the village Egel, ever aware of his surroundings, spots the message on the inn, he has some slight difficulty in reading the message as he had not used common in writing or in speech since he first learned the language more than half a century ago, usually he spoke in draconic or, if he was being formal elven. Still he quickly recalled his lessons and deciphered the note. As he finishes reading an amused smile comes over his face, ‘arrangements’ for a Dragon this should be worth seeing.

He enters holding the door open for Blitz to follow and sees three people immediately before him. One seems normal enough for a human except that he looks huge, not tall or broad just huge. The next Egel recognises at once as a devotee of the Dragon path, there where many in his home village that chose to emulate Dragons and there ways and taking on a draconic form was a common side effect. The last was an enigma, one that Blitz was showing much interest in, a humanoid lizard wearing plate armour.
Meanwhile many people where gazing at Blitz in wonder for it is not often that even a small Dragon walks into a pub.

The pair move so as not to block the door and wait to see what events would unfold…

OOC DM

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Ok I know Blitz is an NPC but for mutual convenience I propose the following;
During normal situation I will dictate his actions, during combat or if you want him to make a meaningful contribution to a discussion you control his actions.
That sound ok?
Also is that speech colour ok for Blitz?

[SensFan]

A Dwarf, who you hadn't seen earlier, speaks up. The Innkeeper be upstairs, in his room. He don't like ter talk ter people, unless he be getting bookin's from 'em. I take care o' tha food and drinks down here. Walking over to the group, he wipes off a table, which looks as though it had some sort of body fluid on it. Pulling up some chairs, he speaks again. Have yourselves a seat, why don't yer. Just gimme a call if yer be wantin' anything.

Everyone

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I hope no one minds me adding 'accents' to some of the characters. If anyone has trouble understanding, just let me know and I can describe the accent, rather than type it.

Engel only, please!

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Yeah, that's fine. I like what I've seen so far from Blitz.

[Snowfall]

Riven Claw

Two more figures are seen walking into town: one is a little old lady walking with a hurried pace, the other is a tall muscular man dragging a cart piled high with vegetables. The man wears a pack and has a greatsword strapped across his back. He looks slightly out of breath.

"I'm sorry again ma'am that I spooked your donkey, and I hope he did make it back home like you said he would. Animals have always been a little jittery around me." The big man looks embarrassed, but the old lady just pats him on his arm and chuckles, directing her new mule to a building across the village.

He follows her brisk walk towards the building, pulling the cart, but pauses for a moment when he notices the sign on the inn's door. Nodding for a moment, he grunts and quickens his pace after the old lady, finally setting the cart by the small warehouse. He waves off her offer of money, and blushes further after she gives him a hug, then he spins around and hurries quickly over to the inn. Stepping through the door, he relaxes, seeing the strange and varied group of people standing in front of him. Much more settling than the old lady...

"Well, you must all be friends of the old Wizard too." He nods a greeting at the group, "I'm Riven." Seeing the wyrmling, he gives a little bow and a smile. Switching to draconic, he says "It is an honor to greet you, great one."

[estradling]

A tall bald human-looking man enters the inn. He is wrapped in a dusty cloak and has a greatsword strapped to his back. Even to the most unobservant the sword appears weird, given that it appears to me made out of some kind of purplish crystal.

Zair had seen the note on the door, he wasn't going to turn down a free room, and he was kind of curious about who else Thamior might have called in. On entry, seeing that other were already here and talking, he moves off to the side so as not to interrupt. He needed to get a better feel for what was going on

[AngelForm]

Egel

Blitz glances at the white haired newcomer as he enters before returning his gases to the unknown lizard, he dose not react when Riven greets him.
Egel nudges his companion. “hu, o me.” Turning to face Riven he replies “Greeting my name is Mjolnir but I ask you call me Blitz, pleased to meet you.” This is said in a polite tone and sounds as if it has been rehearsed.
Satisfied with this Egel nods slightly before addressing the man, “Please excuse him, he is young and not used to being called ‘great one’. I am Egel and yes I’m here to see Thamior. Tell me, why do you show such reverence for a Dragon? I have seen people react with fear or awe but never calm respect.”

[TeeEl]

"Thank you, masster dwarf," Sakthriss says as he makes his way to the open table, plopping down heavily. He turns his gaze towards the unusual assemblage standing in the entryway, his head cocked with curiosity.

"Sso you, too, are Thamior's guestss? I am Sakthriss, sservant of Heironeous."

[Mathis]

Brannox steps further into the inn to make room for the sudden surge of people, takes his place against a wall, leaning against it with one shoulder as he crosses his arms over his broad chest. He hears the dwarf out, nodding to let him know he has understood the innkeeper's wishes while he lets the others finish their conversation. "Gettin' awfully crowded here all of a sudden..." he mutters quietly to himself, just loud enough to let the ones closest to him hear his words.

As he stands there against the wall, he curiously eyes the rest of the men in the inn up and down. "A strangle lot indeed..." He thought. "Even a dragon amongst them. Why would Thamior summon us all here if not for something extremely important, or dangerous at that..." Brannox wished he had bothered to grow a beard before he left, so he would have atleast something more than the stubble that had grown in place during his journey down south to play with as he pondered Thamior's reasons for sending his letter.

While the rest finishes their conversation, he leans quietly against the wall, not speaking unless spoken too.

[Snowfall]

Riven

Riven turns to Egel and smiles, , "I was quite a wild lad before a dragon took me under his wing... and under his tooth and claw too."

He smiles, blowing a series of smoke ring from his mouth.

"Took the color out my hair too, but there's more important things than the shade of your locks. I have a hunch that Thamior setup me up for all of that, but that's another story. How about yourself? I haven't seen many people in taverns with a dragon either."

[AngelForm]

Egel

“My village came to the aid of a flight of Bronze Dragons during there hour of need and an alliance was forged. We elves would guide and protect our Dragon form hatching onwards and the Dragons would guard and aid there elf till he or she dies.”

While Egel was talking to Riven Blitz moved over to Sakthriss and asked, still speaking in draconic and with his usual curios tone “What are you?”

[TeeEl]

Sakthriss casually brushes the lightning-bolt symbol of Heironeous hanging around his neck as he replies to Blitz in draconic. He speaks more slowly than he does in common, as though unable to recall the words quite as readily, although the sounds seem to fit his mouth better and his accent is not so harsh. "Why, it is as I have said, noble wyrmling; I am a champion of Heironeous, lord of the just. I also happen to have been born as one of the lizardfolk, but as it is not our own to decide what shell we are hatched from I place less important in one's origins than in the path one chooses to walk in life."

[Benejeseret]

The Adept is drawn from the rear of the tavern as the draconian syllables reach him. This odd lot speak of the alchemist, and as he nears, and the lizard speaks draconic...but who is he speaki- The thought cuts off with an audible choke. A wyrmling!

He finds himself soon at the lizard's side, "(draconic)Well said Paladin, yet our appearance so often reflects the path we choose. " He bows slightly to the bronzeling, "My apologies for interjecting, but seems I have much more in common with this table then most others. Did I hear you all wait for this Alchemist?"

[AngelForm]

Egel

Blitz listens raptly to Sakthriss but before he can reply a scaled human approaches and begins to talk. When both are finished he says “Hi…” after a moments hesitation he repeats the greeting he gave Riven earlier.
As he finishes Egel moves over, maybe we covered formal introductions a little to much, he nods to the lizardfolk “Greetings Sakthriss” and to the draconic human “Yes we all seem to be here at Thamior’s behest, I do not believe I have your name, I am called Egel.”
He considers for a moment, I never thought to meet so many that spoke draconic even still…Switching from draconic to common he addresses the inn at large “Is there anyone else here seeking Alchemist Thamior?”

[estradling]

Zair


He had been listening following the conversations both in Common and Draconic.

The elfs direct question provokes a reponse. "I am"

[SensFan]

At the words of Egel,the entire place went quiet. Even the bartender stopped his duties, seemingly frozen in place. The only noise was the little you could make out of the idle chatter of the people outside, walking by. Finally, one person spoke up. From the far corner of the room, a large muscular human stood up. You guys think you're funny, or something? The whole damn village is looking for him!

[estradling]

Zair

Inside his head another voice spoke, Oh this does not bode well.. Ya think, Zair as the overmind snapped back. The oracle sometimes wasn't all that helpful. We have a note and a letter, we need to figure out a timeline and/or authenticity The collective was much more helpful.

At this the Synad turns to the barkeep and asks, "If he is missing then who put up the note on the door?"

[Snowfall]

Riven

"Funny? Well, I've been looking for him almost 10 years, so I guess that could make me pretty strange... but really more ignorant than anything." Riven smiles and then shrugs at the speaker, trying to size up the big human's intent.

He pulls out one of the chairs and sits down, adding to what Zair said, "The old elf left a note on the door telling people to stay here tonight and to find him tomorrow."

[SensFan]

The human that spoke earlier seemed to be getting very frustrated, and appeared to be unable to so much as speak anymore. The Dwarf spoke up. Thamior came by this mornin'. Went upstairs ter talk ter Tom. Thamior then left, leavin' that note on the door. Thamior, always doin' research lately, was goin' on aboot havin' made some amazin' discovery. At this point, the Dwarf stammered a little, getting obviously uncomfortable. He...he went oot to wherever he goes, mid-mornin'. Was supposed ter be back here her early afternoon. When he didn't show, I got worried, and went down ter his house. He...he wasn't there. I went to check on Elendra, his raven. He really started chocking back tears at this point, and it was with extreme difficulty that he said his next sentence. Sh...she...she's dead.

[TeeEl]

"Hssss! That isss indeed a tragedy. But Thamior iss a great and wise man, and thiss seemss to be a time of great importance to him. He hass summoned many friendss to meet him tomorrow; I trusst that if he failss to meet that appointment he musst have an excellent reason."

[Benejeseret]

"His Raven, a Familiar then?....No, the wizard would have known about the Familiar's death and would have undoubtedly returned if he could."


DM - skillcheck

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spellcraft[roll]1d20+17[/roll] to know about familiars...assuming I can pass the basics

The Adepts looks over the frustrated and saddened crowd...not quite knowing what to do or say. He turns to give the scaled companions beside him a blank look before turning back.

"Tom then, does he know where he was going?" The Adepts asks while already making his way to the stairs. This room was full of emotion, and it was making Sarinan uncomfortable. Facts were much easier to work on and they might be up the stairs.

[Benejeseret]

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oops, tried to add the check as an edit..d'oi...here it is spellcheck (1d20+17)[24]

[AngelForm]

Egel

Immediately concerned Egel responds as he always dose when he sees a problem, he seeks to fix it.
“I have some skill with tracking, if someone can show me where he was last seen I may be able to pickup a trail.” As an after thought he adds “Also what did the Raven die from?”

Knowledge check, DM

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Knowledge (Arcane) (1d20+4)[5]
Do familiars die when there masters do?
Of course, why would a woodsman who lives with dragons know anything about familiars

[SensFan]

We do not know where Thamior went, only that he has not returned. The fact that his familiar has died, without any obvious causes, confirms our worries.

Anyone

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Familiars die when their masters die.

[estradling]

Zair

"Maybe there we some people who weren't happy with this break through of his???" Zair ponders aloud. "He did call all of us strangers together which makes me wonder if he might have expected some kind of danger. Anyways I'd also like to talk to this Tom fellow and then take a look at his house to see if we can't figure out what is going on."