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Daishain's 5e D&D RPG Main Thread - Page 793

Lawrance eagerly whispers to Velon “Say yes, say yes! Think of the sights we’ll see! How many non giants can possibly say they’ve feasted with giants and not been the appetizer?!?”.

Thread Main RPG Dragons and Dungeons e Daishains

Velon looks to his companions, waiting for opinions one way or another. He hears one vote of yes from Lawrance. He only delays for a second or two however so as not to offend the giants.

Pending no objections he replies “we accept your most generous offer.” “It is an honor. How might we best travel there? Is there room to land our castle?”.

Daishain's 5e D&D RPG Main Thread Archive Pathfinder / D&D

Poljen listens to the giants and then replies, "Very well. I will do my best! Though I am no skald." As the bards and skalds settle in he takes a large drink of water. "So, Blagothkus was bereft, for his Queen Esclarotta, a paragon of a giantess, was dying. He could not bear to be parted from the great love of his life, so he had his clerics and shamans cast a spell to keep her spirit with him. But the only vessel that could contain such a buoyant spirit was the device that had Skyreach fly. The shamans banished the spirit that resided within, and Esclarotta was installed. For a time, Blagothkus and Esclarotta were… not happy, but satisfied. Until the coming of the worshipers of Tiamat!" Here the barbarian admits he knows few if any details, but perhaps the spirits of the deceased giants can help with that.

"Meanwhile, the great adventuring company, the Silver Blaze, was pursuing the half-black-dragon Rezmir from her swampy keep. She had fled via a portal bearing a mask of a black dragon. This mask is evil, and the cult intended to use it in the ritual whereby they shall bring the queen of dragons back to our world. All five heads of her! The Silver Blaze had almost defeated Rezmir in the keep in the swamp, but she was crafty, and lucky. She narrowly escaped to the portal. After marshaling their strength, with the clever halfling wizard, Poppo, fixing the portal, the Silver Blaze followed Rezmir. Upon their arrival they were attacked by forces that included werewolves. Fortunately there were also new allies nearby, and the monsters were slain, though the doughty monk Cratol, and the brave Poljen were injured by the werewolves. The worst news was that the bard Fay had become ill with a plague from the swamp. His mother, the cleric Lovely Lia, took him to find aid. But the new allies included the wizard Lawrance, and a shapely, raven-haired cleric of Mask, Loraires. Lora for short. After the Silver Blaze explained their mission, Lawrance and Lora joined the cause. Perhaps to do good, perhaps to earn fame and treasure. And mayhaps a bit more."

He then gives a brief description of the journey to the town, and the recon performed to learn of the wyverns in the barn, and the massive crater where soon settled the majestic Skyreach! "The town had many cultists and guards, far too many even for the Silver Blaze to simply attack. And when the castle landed, no doubt carrying its own garrison, the Blaze held their position. They watched and waited. Soon they saw Rezmir enter the keep, and the Blaze knew they had no choice. Deciding it would be best to only have to deal with one group, they climbed the rocks and made their way into the keep. Then they waited until the castle was aloft once more, and away from the town. Then the Blaze began their infiltration in earnest. They cleared each tower of guards quickly and quietly. One time Lora lured a guard close enough for Poljen to grab him. Another time the crafty barbarian held up a dead guard and knocked on a door. When the slot in the door opened, the newly elected leader of the Blaze, Velon Rodaan, a paladin and sorcerer, teleported inside the guardroom! He opened the door while suffering attacks, and soon another batch of guards had fallen. All of the Blaze contributed to each victory. Zarra with her bow, Cratol with his fists and staff, many with their magics. Velon found and rescued a prisoner, a dragonborn named Tazskan. Eventually Rezmir was located in a room on the top floor. She detected Poppo's pet toad, Goliath and summoned him. Meanwhile Cratol and Zarra were dressed as guards, with Lora as their prisoner. They entered Rezmir's room almost the same time as Poppo, and quickly a fight erupted. Velon and Poljen focused on the ogre out in the hall while the fight continued. Finally, Zarra had found the mask in a locked chest, and Rezmir turned to stop her, which was a fatal mistake, as Poljen ran her through with his sword. They also had to slay a barbarian in Rezmir's employ that was late to the party. This man had a pair of twins captive, and they are now free, and sworn to the Blaze."

Poljen begins to warm to the telling. He tries to keep from making himself the star of the tale, and give credit to others for their contributions. "Now with their main objective in hand, the Blaze had a decision to make. They had a scroll that would teleport all of them away. But it was decided that they should try to seize Skyreach from the cult. It was too valuable an asset to leave in their hands, and if their attempt failed, they could still teleport. So next they targeted the control area." He gives a brief description of once more slaying cultists in their sleep, and finding the sleeping fire giants which they left alone. Then they approached the guard room, once again trying the ruse of being guards themselves. "But this time it failed, and they quickly attacked. And a mage inside the control room locked the door and began summoning elementals. This time, Poljen fought like a man possessed. He managed to cut down all but one of the guards, who fled, only to be felled by magic. Lora used magic to change her shape to that of a bat, and squirmed under the door. Then she opened it for the rest of the Blaze. And soon the mage fell, and the control room was secured. And there, the Silver Blaze met Queen Esclarotta." He gives some details about what they learned from her, and makes sure to play up how regal her spirit was, despite its circumstances. "But prior to recovering their strength, Poljen, Cratol and Lora went to finish off the sleeping giants. Some might call it unseemly, but the Blaze thought it the smartest move. Poljen and Lora attacked the male, while Cratol went for the female. Poljen suffered mightily, but with Lora's aid from Mask, they defeated their opponent. They went to aid Cratol who was finally felled. Poljen too was rendered senseless, but then Lora brought him back to consciousness. He kissed her, calling her a Valkyrie, then resumed fighting. And they had almost won the battle, when the giantess slammed the pair together. But before much more damage could be done, Velon and Lawrance, as well as a pair of newcomers who had landed via gryphons, Nikolaos the bard and Ignazio the mage, arrived to finally end the giant. Nikolaos used magic to save the lives of the three fallen heroes. Obviously they were welcomed by the Blaze. But now they had no choice but to recover their strength. For the hardest fights still lay ahead."

He gives a brief overview of their preparations and eventual discovery by some of the garrison. And then the taunting by the vampire. Here his description of the fight is fairly detailed, and includes the insight that, "For all of this adventure, even with all the blood I forced from the enemies we faced, I think the single most important strategic decision I made, was in pinning down the one side of the hallway. No guards got far past me, which kept the group in the control room able to fight from a distance with magic, rather than in melee." He describes how the vampire surprised them and grabbed Tazskan but with others coming to his aid, they kept the abomination from doing too much damage. And while it also sucked life from Cratol, it eventually was felled by Velon and turned to mist. "And this was when Lawrance, whose magic is most impressive I tell you, proved even more important for his knowledge. He knew of vampires and how they must rest after being vanquished. And we only had an hour to destroy it body before it would come back. Her Majesty told us it rested in the crypt, so despite our fatigue and injuries, we set off. Velon's ability to sense undead led us to one sarcophagus. We began to lift the lid, when its occupant rose up one its own. The vampire's coffin resided in the chest of the fallen giant!" He tells of the fight, and his once more being rendered unconscious, while Nikolaos delivers the final blast of arcane energy that finishes the giant skeleton, and the decision to pound stakes in the vampire's body and toss it off the battlements to fall behind the flying castle. Then once more a desperately needed rest before the final obstacle: Glazhael Cloudchaser.

He gives a clear account of their preparation for the battle, and includes his speech to the white dragon, word for word. He makes sure to highlight Lawrance granting him protection from the cold, and then Nikolaos' clever use to dispel the enchantment the dragon cast upon itself as the fight commenced. He tries to say something about each member of the team. Fireballs, Orbs of Acid, arrows from cover, Lora's duplicate casting magic, Cratol fighting barehanded, everything he can recall. He includes how both he and Velon did feel their nerves fail, briefly anyway. But soon Poljen returned to his job of hacking and slashing, while Velon used magic. Poppo's use of magic to get himself and Lawrance across the lair is told, as is Lora and Niko healing Taz back to life. He does not forget the time the dragon hit him with everything it had, and knocked him down, but he barely staggered back to his feet. Then with the dragon on the ledge, he chose to smash the ice wall, freeing his freezing companions. But he sounds very somber as he tells of Zarra's death. Poppo's second narrow escape with Feather Fall is told. And Lawrance once again with the key knowledge about the spell the dragon used. The barbarian then describes how they all maneuvered to stay where the dragon would appear, so they could fight it. How he once more was downed, but brought back Niko as Lora ended Glazhael's spell. It then decided that as it had the mask from Zarra's corpse it tried to retreat. But more magic, especially from Lawrance and Poppo, caused it to collapse. And then Poljen made good on his promise to slay the beast.

He gives a brief summary of the epilogue of the fight. Ignazio deciding to leave, Lawrance and Taz opting to join the Blaze, for at least the fight against Tiamat's cult. "As for Lora, well, the beautiful cleric of Mask found herself torn. You see, she had lost her heart to the brave barbarian. But her devotion to Mask came first, so she left the Blaze, and Poljen. At least, for now.... "

Out of Character: : I probably have a few details wrong, and I tried to get everyone some good stuff. But I have no doubt the bards will make him go over stuff again and again. So let us assume everyone has some highlight reel bits! And Kyrroeth, that is how Poljen will tell the end of the tale! At least until Lora herself is willing to contradict him!
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Edited: PaulNelson on 25th Jan, 2018 - 3:33am

Page 793 Thread Main RPG Dragons and Dungeons e Daishains

"There is space for Himmelvidde, you will see it on the approach."

True to the giant's words, there is a large open space in the caldera of the mountain. Landing there proves simple enough. You are escorted through the buildings decorated with the tales of Jotun heroes of old to the great hall.

Upon entering, you find Poljen drinking from a too large mug and telling the tale of your assault on castle skyreach to several storm giants, one of whom is scribbling furiously on paper while whistling to himself.

Edited: daishain on 25th Jan, 2018 - 6:45am

Thread Main RPG Dragons and Dungeons Daishains

The Protector. says...

Tazskan marvels at the subsequent visit by the storm giants, and witnessing the rite of remembrance for the first time.
"Truely amazing, it is a privilege to witness such an event," he says.

He thanks Lawrence for translating for him. Like the others stays out of their way showing no hostility.

Tazskan, speaks to Velon. "I'm with Lawrence, if they have invited us to a banquet I say let's go."

"Oh, by the way Velon at the next major settlement I'm requesting sufficient time to learn how to use a ballista," he adds.

Daishain's 5e D&D RPG Main Thread

Leaving Gamliel at the castle to watch for anything unusual, Lawrance gleefully accompanies their guides into the hall. Eyes dancing back and forth as he absorbs the artwork, statuary and visual history of the Giants, a laugh is startled from him as he hears Poljens relating the tale in giantish. “Looks like our Snow Leopard is right at home!”.

Daishain's 5e D&D RPG Main Thread - Page 793

The Protector. says...

Tazskan, is amazed at the intricate artwork, depicting the many Giant tales, of renown. It even gives him inspiration to do some oil painting, of his own.

He finnally sees Poljen, busy drinking and telling tales. Poljen, I'm glad to see that you have settled in. Is this a private party, or can we join in,"? Tazskan adds, with a chuckle.

He looks, at Lawrence for any interpretation as required. Trys, his best not to look frightened, or intimidated.
Especially when, in the presence of several nearby giants.

Seeing Poljen, at ease with the amber fluid, is reassuring that all is well here.

Out of Character: If offered a drink, or food, will join in. For the sake of keeping the encounter moving. Will follow, Velon, and Lawrences lead here.

Daishain's 5e D&D RPG Main Thread D&D / Pathfinder Archive - Page 793

The Quiet Shadow says...

Zarra would have also agreed to join the feast, interested in how such may take place when invited by giants, though on their way there she will talk with Velon briefly.

She had heard of his words about becoming fearless, having been nearby, and will offer softly, "I might offer the thought, not to wish in being fearless. Only the foolish go into battle without fear. What is far better is to feel fear and yet step forward to do what must be done away. This is courage." Which she felt her companions had more of then herself.

She will follow the guides to the giants' stronghold, keeping mostly quiet and yet hoping none will take offense to her being there and taking the invitation to join the feast. Zarra is uncertain is she should draw any attention to herself.

Edited: Thomaslee on 25th Jan, 2018 - 3:45pm