In which
our heroes negotiate with a dragon Book Two, Chapter 3.3 (session 74, 5 th
February 2019) The Party: Naergon Harna, elven wizard (Diviner) Mads Rangle, human fighter/warlock (Fiend: Archdevil
Zariel) Jamna Gleamsilver, gnome rogue (Arcane Trickster) Tomaz Stormwind, human ranger (Hunter) Druscilla Oakenrock, dwarven cleric (Trickery: Mask) Talis Wintercrest, half-elven cleric (War: Bane) “ Does anyone have
any healing?” asks Naergon. “ Err . .
. I could do with healing” responds Tomaz. “ You are one of the healers!” cries Mads in derision. “ I’m just saying I also need healing”
mutters Tomaz “ but I suggest we take the
dragon eggs back to Isendraug.” “That’s all very well but I need some healing
first before we do anything else ” says Naergon. “Hang on a
minute ” interrupts Mads, taking Naergon
to one side and under the giant table to have a private discussion. “ Now from what I understand of your
discussion with Isendraug, Naergon. And I have only your word on this as I do
not speak dragon. Is that we have agreed to return these eggs and rescue the
other dragon in return for an item from their hoard. After which we are
supposed to accompany them back to the Well of Dragons and get the white mask,
is that right?” “ Ah, well that last
bit wasn’t me. I agreed to get the eggs in return for a favour and then Talis
interjected, acting the part of a wyrmspeaker of the cult to obtain the mask.
And she also agreed to accompany them back to take part in Severin’s Ritual.
Now, between you and me, my worry about that agreement is that once Talis has
the mask will she switch sides and go? After all it will be her and two dragons
against us after a fight against a bunch of giants. If she wants to switch
sides again that would be a golden opportunity.” “Should we have that out with
her right now? Put her on the spot?” asks Mads. “Err, well, err, how about after she’s healed us up a bit?”
suggests Naergon nervously. Meanwhile Tomaz busies himself casting cure wounds whilst
Talis casts a mass cure on the entire group. Naergon turns back to Mads “ Now obviously at some point we have to have this discussion, we can
return the eggs and maybe go about rescuing the second dragon but if we hand
over all the leverage up front then we’re making further negotiation difficult.”
“As I understand it Naergon, we’ve agreed that Isendraug only hands over the
mask after we hand over the eggs and free her mate, correct?” asks Mads. “ I believe that to be the case, yes”
confirms Naergon. Tomaz wonders over towards Mads and Naergon, “ forgive the interruption but I have a
suggestion. We should give the dragon her the eggs as a show of good faith, get
the mask in return and then instead of freeing the other dragon we just leave
for Waterdeep.” “No, why would she do that?” objects Naergon. “ I wouldn’t agree to that of I were her”
agrees Mads “ that’s like being paid for
the job part way through. No one would agree to it and suggesting it makes us
look untrustworthy.” “No, we’re not doing that Tomaz, we’re not stooping to
their level of dishonesty and lack of integrity” says Naergon. “ We do this, and we do it above board and
with honesty. And fundamentally Mads is right we have to have a rather
difficult conversation with Talis. And I think we have to do that now! I know
we’ve missed opportunities before but if we blow our chance at this mask, let
alone allow it to be flown straight back to Severin with Talis and two dragons
to boot, we will have failed catastrophically and I don’t see how we come back
from that.” Mads looks across the hall towards Talis, still in her
cult regalia and deep in discussion with Druscilla and Jamna. “Naergon, when Talis was making this deal
with Isendraug, did she sound convincing? Do you think she was telling the
truth, or selling the dragon a story, or selling us a story wrapped in truth?
How convincing was she” “Hmm, well actually I thought she was rather convincing!”
replies Naergon “I believed her, which
is rather a worry.” “Anyway” continues Mads “ we
have seven dragon eggs that need to be transported. They won’t fit in my bag, I
can tell you that much. So how are we proposing on getting them from here to the
dragon without the giants in the lagoon interfering?” “There are seven of us ”
says Tomaz, looking around “ so one each I
guess?” “Yeah, and then what. Assuming each of us can lift an egg, they look
pretty heavy ” asks Mads. “ Well if we
all clutch an egg, then we can teleport back to the dragon with them.” “err,
not to pour cold water on this but which ‘seven of us’ do you refer to?”
asks Naergon “ there are only six of us,
unless you have some kind of imaginary friend I don’t know about?” “So,” says Tomaz “ why
doesn’t someone go back to the dragon and tell it we have the eggs and they are
secure, so she can go kill giants. That’d leave the treasure unprotected.” “No Tomaz,
that wasn’t what we agreed ” says Naergon “ what we could do, however, is not give her all the eggs back. We could
conceal some of them here and return several of them. She has no idea that the eggs
aren’t scattered around in different places. That would allow us some leverage up
our sleeves later.” Turning to Mads, Naergon continues “ maybe you’re right, maybe we should have
that conversation with Talis right now. Get an impression of where everyone
stands on this?” “Yes, I agree” says Mads. Mads steps out from under the giant table and turns to
Talis, “ Talis, this deal you made with the
dragon. Naergon has translated what was said and it sounds like you agreed that
the dragon was going to accompany us back to the Well of Dragons in exchange
for her eggs and freeing its mate. And then we’d, or rather you would get the
white mask?” Talis turns from her discussion with Druscilla and Jamna “ Yes Mads. I had to tell her what she’d be
expecting to hear from an agent of the cult.” “Yes, but” continues Mads “ that
is, that, what you said, that isn’t your opinion, right?” “Of course
not!” Talis smiles back at him, Mads frowns and does his best to read her
body language [MR insight 18 v TW deception 22] eventually deciding that that’s
a reasonable claim. Naergon steps past Mads and asks “ Talis, when you were talking to the dragon and making this deal, how
can you be certain that it has the mask?” Talis takes a step back, looking from one to the other “ I can’t! It was Maccath that told us
Isendraug had the mask. Anyway, she didn’t deny having it or act surprised when
I suggested she had it. What she said was that if we would secure the eggs, and
then together free Cryovain, then at that point she would entrust the mask to
my care and reward you with an item of your choice from her hoard. If she doesn’t
have the mask then she was lying. Maccath told us she had it and I must admit
it never occurred to me that she might not. Not that I see it makes much difference,
surely we have to presume she has it?” “Hmm” muses Naergon “do
you think it likely that the dragon will keep its word?” “Difficult to say”
replies Talis after a moment’s thought “in
essence yes, but whites are the most bestial of dragons.” “Sounds about right ”
agrees Naergon “now why did you tell it
that it had to accompany us back to the Well of Dragons? Was that necessary, it
wouldn’t have seemed so to me?” “Well it seemed to flow from my reasons as to
why we’d suddenly turned up here. I didn’t want to sound like we’d turned up
just to loot her lair. I had to give her a valid reason why we were here and
all I could come up with was that she and Cryovain had been missed from the Convocation
– playing to a dragon’s ego is always a safe bet in my opinion” explains Talis
“I didn’t really plan it in advance, it was
all a bit off the cuff. I was making it u as I was speaking.” Naergon squints at her and sighs “ Yeah, I get that, I get that. I can follow your logic and it does make
sense, however were you actually thinking about following through on it? That’s
the question ” Talis steps back again, looking around “What? Take the mask back to Severin and ask for forgiveness? I don’t
think you know the type of people we’re dealing with. I assure I’ve burnt my bridges
with the cult at this point.” “Yes well, if I’m being honest ” says Naergon,
“and I feel like I should be scrupulously
honest at this point. If I’m being honest, I have my doubts.” There’s a moments silence before Talis replies “Are you asking me if I can take you back to
the Convocation and introduce you as part of the cult? Because I’m not certain
I can make that happen. I’m surprised though, didn’t think you would run out on
your Harper friends like this Naergon” “No, no, no, no” stutters Naergon “ what I’m saying is that this might be an
opportunity for you to re-ingratiate yourself with the cult by not only
providing the white mask but also delivering the five of us on a plate to
Severin.” Talis stares back at him “ Hmmm,
it’s a possibility, I guess. I’m not certain they’d go for it. From where I sit
it looks like quite a high-risk strategy.” “Oh!” says Naergon “ and
why don’t you think they’d go for it?” “Because, they’re not the trusting types
Naergon ” answers Talis. “ But surely
it would be a bit of a coup for you wouldn’t it?” pushes Naergon “ I mean look it, the Mighty Naergon, the Magnificent
Mads, the Righteous Tomaz and the Demon Druscilla. Delivered on a plate to
Severin at the Well of Dragons, surely that’d buy you a seat at their table?” “I’m
not so certain” says Talis “if we’re being honest here, I think you overvalue yourselves. Now, I don’t want to deflate your
ego but I suspect Severin cares more for the mask than you lot – after all once
Tiamat is summoned, your continued existence is irrelevant and it’s the mask
that ensures that not your deaths. Oh, don’t get me wrong he’d be happy to add
you to the sacrifice demanded by the Ritual but it would just be ‘nice to have’
not a deal breaker.” “Well if they
underestimate our value maybe they underestimate our ability to thwart them too ” says Naergon “ that’s
probably a good thing.” Mads steps forward “ Look Naergon, she’s given us her word and her arguments make sense. Sure,
there’s an opportunity to take the mask to Severin and side with the cult. To
be fair any of us could do that and if any of us thought a life beneath the
yoke of Tiamat would be better than what we have now then maybe we’d be tempted.
But the temptation applies to all of us” he looks round the group, his red
eyes lingering on Jamna as she sits in the shadows, listening but not partaking
in the conversation, staring into the middle distance as she plays with her bracelet.
“ As far as I’m concerned, her answers
seem reasonable, the question had to be asked and I’m sure she understands that
but we either trust each other or not and on balance I say we trust her.” Naergon looks around at the group “ Fair enough. Tomaz what do you think?” “Well I’m conflicted ” admits
Tomaz “I don’t think of her as an enemy
but I can’t find it in my heart to trust her” Talis looks him in the eye “ so, just like any of the others in our happy
little band then!” Naergon sighs “ yes
very witty, Druscilla, Jamna your vote?” Druscilla stands up, downs a goblet of ale and spits in
the corner “ as far as I’m concerned, she’s
been a pretty trustworthy ally since we met her. You three have history but I
can only speak for what I’ve seen and what I’ve seen is that she’s fought and
bled with us and healed and protected us just as much as any of the rest of you.
So, I vote to take her at her word” the dwarf steps up to Talis and stares
up at the half-elf “ of course I have no
truck with oathbreakers and traitors, so if you feel like betraying me, trust
in the fact you’ll pay for it. Fair enough?” Naergon nods and asks “ Jamna, your vote?” Jamna climbs out from behind the overturned
chair and up onto the back of one of the dead giants, where she strikes a pose
and hands on hips says “ honestly I trust
Talis as much as I trust the rest of you. None of us chose each other as comrades
but we make do with what we’ve got. If we’re voting to get rid of people then I’d
have a suggestion but for me Talis can stay. I remember her back at Parnast
when we were hunting Rezmir. She was true to her word then and as far as I can
tell everything since adds up. If it’s a ruse it’s a complex one and the
problem with being an undercover agent is sometimes you end up liking the mark more
than your boss. So, she can stay – if only because I reckon loyalty to us is
her best chance of getting at Rezmir and that’s what I think she wants more
than anything else!” “Right then,
that’s decided” says Naergon. “Now, back to business. Do we think that we
could keep an egg or two under wraps and just return some of them to the dragon?”
Druscilla says “we can, clearly we can do that. We have that capacity but why,
why would we do so?” “ I thought the why
was obvious ” replies Naergon “ I don’t
want to give up all our leverage over Isendraug.” Talis says “I think it’s fairly certain she knows she
had seven eggs, we’d need an explanation of what happened to the ‘missing ones’
it’s a risk, as I said whites are violent and bestial. And need I remind you
that we still have a bunch of giants to deal with. I’d rather do that with a
dragon that end up fighting both. Not to mention that at some point this jarl
will be returning with who knows how many more giants and another dragon. The
deal wasn’t just for the eggs, we are supposed to free Cryovain too” “So, why not
take one egg back as proof that we have the eggs, and get the dragon to help us
fight these giants” says Tomaz. “ Fundamentally because once we start down
that track then we’re manipulating her, demanding she act as we say because we
have her eggs. We’d be no different to the giants in her eyes ” says Talis “ and so, with the giants dead why would she
uphold her end of the bargain, she could just beat up on us and then let the
returning giants do the rest and hope she’s strong enough to take care of what’s
left. We need her to trust us.” “I tend to agree ” says Naergon. “Ok then ” says Tomaz “ then
we’ll take back all the eggs and ask her to assist in taking out the giants” “That’s
the deal we agreed to Tomaz ” says Naergon “the question is do we think we
can keep an egg back as insurance without raising her suspicions?” Jamna says “ I’m not
sure those are all our options. We can return the eggs and get the dragon to
fight the giants and then help free her mate which leaves us alone on an
iceberg with two dragons. Or we could get the dragon to fight the giants here
and now and then kill her, take what we need and flee before the other giants
and dragon return. Or we could just go back to Isendraug and kill it without
troubling the giants at all. Or we could kill the giants, take their stuff and
then go and kill or negotiate with the dragon. There are lots of options and
lets not forget that killing the dragon gets all the treasure not just a
mask and a lucky dip.” “All true” says Mads “ however
let’s not also forget that killing a dragon involves, you know killing a
dragon!” Talis turns and grins at him “ but
isn’t that what you keep telling us you are Maddsie? A dragon-killer?” Mads
stares back “I am. I’m just not sure the
rest of you are up to it.” Naergon waves his hands around “ Right, calm down people. Look I don’t to remind you all but our track
record on fighting dragons is pretty poor. Actually, we’re not even doing that
well with giants. So, I’m not wholly convinced by that proposal as a cunning
plan. Well it’s cunning but I’m not certain we can follow through.” “Ok”
says Tomaz “ then that leaves us with
taking the eggs back and having the dragon assist us in killing the giants?” “Great, so we’re
exactly where we were ten minutes ago” says
Mads in an exasperated tone “ how do we
plan on carrying the eggs back to the dragon’s lair?” “I agree that’s the issue ”
says Tomaz. “ Let’s focus on that question
then” grumbles Mads. “ Hang on, how
about we do it the other way” says Naergon “ can we get the dragon to come here and collect its eggs?” Talis
looks around, “well she’d fit I guess and
if nothing else she could probably rip the roof off, so yes in principle if we
told her the eggs were here, she could get to them” “Cool” says Mads “ so we
just go to the dragon and tell it where the eggs are, problem solved.”
Talis interjects “hang on a moment. Sure,
we can tell the dragon the eggs are here but as I understand it she won’t come out
of hiding until she knows they are safe. I mean if you were her and some random
mercenaries just told you ‘hey the eggs are there, all you have to do is reveal
yourself to the giants and go get them’ would you take the risk?” Tomaz says
“ then we can leave someone trustworthy to
guard the eggs whilst we tell the dragon where they are.” “Who would that be?”
spits Mads “ how about Talis goes and
speaks with the dragon whilst we all stay here?” “I’d prefer Naergon went to
speak with the dragon” says Tomaz with a sideways look at Talis. “Great” says Mads “ and if
Naergon gets eaten, who’s going to help me in the nine layers of hell?” “Hey
what?” cries Naergon “look, don’t
worry about that now. You want me to go talk to the dragon, fine I’ll do that.”
Why don’t we both go?” asks Talis. “Err,
yeah fine, that’s cool with me” says Naergon. Mads looks from one to the other
“ and I’ll send Ringo with you, just so
that I can keep an eye on things.” “Good idea” says Tomaz “ if the negotiation goes badly then we can
destroy the eggs” Mads and Talis turn on him and in unison ask “ and what would that gain us?” “Well, if the dragon
eats Naergon then clearly the dragon cannot be trusted so therefore we should
take our revenge, on the eggs” declaims Tomaz . “I repeat, and that gains us what?” snarls Talis “ you would destroy our leverage because
Naergon got eaten? You’re just insane Tomaz!” “Yeah, yeah, destroying the eggs
is a bad idea” says Naergon “I don’t
think a bit of petty retribution is going to help the cause.” “Look, no-one’s
breaking the eggs” says Mads, stepping up to Tomaz “the whole idea of me staying here is to keep the eggs safe,
understand?” Tomaz shuffles a step back, looking around “yeah, ok, whatever.” With that decided, Naergon and Talis make their way back
over the iceberg to the dragon’s lair, Ringo flying along beside them,
invisible as usual. Entering the lair, Talis strides forward and bows low “ hail mighty Isendraug, we have found your
eggs and they are safe. Guarded by our mightiest warriors.” Naergon steps
up alongside her “ mighty Isendraug since
we last spoke, we have conducted further investigation of this berg, killed
many of the evil giants and located your eggs.” “That is wonderful news” growls
the dragon, the air frosting in front of its nostrils and causing the elf’s
hair to stiffen and crackle “you will
bring them back to me, here to my lair so I can be assured of their safety.” “Ah, ok, err we
have a bit of a problem there.” Explains
Naergon “ They are heavy and big and we
don’t have the ability to transport them to you. We have come to ask for your
advice on how to transport them, do you have any magic or items that could
assist? We feel certain that one as magnificent and intelligent as yourself would
be able to solve this problem that is beyond our meagre intellectual
capacities, mighty Isendraug.” The dragon, rears back, eyes narrowing and wings
extending as it arches its long, sinuous neck “have you cleared the lagoon of giants?” “Nope ” says Naergon “ we could do that but then there would be
no-one left to guard the eggs and we fear what would happen should other giants
return. Surely the eggs would be safer under your magnificent protection mighty
Isendraug” The dragon snorts and thrusts its head down towards the
elf, cold enshrouding Naergon as he stands unblinking “ do you have recourse to scrying magic, elf? Can you show me my eggs?”
demands Isendraug. “ Err, no your
magnificence I’m afraid such mighty magic is beyond my feeble ability ”
grovels Naergon. “So, you cannot
prove what you say is true, why should I trust your word?” growls the dragon “ Well,
your magnificence, you can trust me as I trust you. We had an agreement, a deal
and in my view that deal is binding. We have fulfilled our part, now it’s time
to kill giants.” “The deal?” snarls the dragon, rearing back “the deal was that you bring my eggs back
here and that once they were safe, then we would go kill giants.” “Yes, quite but unfortunately
we’re all a bit dim and did not realise that your eggs would be quite so huge
and impressive oh Mighty One” Naergon
continues “It is beyond our means to
carry them to you. I wholeheartedly wish that was not the case, if we had the
means I would be delighted to bring the eggs here for you, alas we are too
feeble. And so, we come seeking guidance, how can we carry your eggs safely,
can you assist with your powerful magic?” “You will just have
to bring them one at a time to me. There are many of you, how difficult can
that be?” growls Isendraug “ Well for me it’s not a problem at all”
replies Naergon “ not being a manual
handling type but I know just the man for the job, no problem it’ll just take a
little longer than anticipated.” “I wouldn’t trust Tomaz to carry one”
whispers Talis urgently. “ Neither would I”
says Naergon “ I was thinking of your best
friend Mads actually” “Best friend? He’s a bit weird actually, don’t you think?”
Talis relies grinning. “ Well he certainly
has some weird friends I’ll grant you that” says Naergon very deadpan “but he has the strength to carry the eggs.” Talis turns to Isendraug “ Your magnificence, if we were to bring the eggs back here to you over
the next hour or two. Would we then be able to combine in an assault on the giants
in the lagoon before this jarl and Cryovain return?” “Yes, should you bring me
the eggs so that I can be assured they are safe then we will go on a killing
spree together. And then we greet jarl Storvald with teeth and claw and free
Cryovain. Go now and begin.” Talis and Naergon step away from the dragon and have a
brief discussion with Mads through Ringo. Mads tells them that he needs to rest
for an hour and then he’ll be able to fly the eggs across, one at a time but
that as he needs to strip himself of his armour he’d prefer if Talis and Naergon
remained in the lair ‘just in case’. Once agreed everyone settles down to wait.
[MR & TS short rest]. After an hour or so Mads appears at the entrance to the
lair with the first egg, and manhandles it over to the waiting dragon. Isendraug
peers closely at the egg and draws it in close to her body before placing it
carefully in the deepest reaches of her lair. Mads returns again, and again
eventually bringing all seven eggs to Isendraug whilst the others stand guard;
Talis and Naergon in the lair; Tomaz, Druscilla and Jamna in the lodge. Jamna
takes the time to explore the rest of this lodge, discovering that like the
first lodge it also has a back door leading to an ice tunnel. Task complete the party reconvene back at the lodge,
Ringo remains in the dragon’s lair to coordinate her assault with theirs and
they prepare to take on the giants in the lagoon. Naergon casts a ritual of
Rary’s Telepathic Bond and they creep out of the back door towards the lagoon.
Looking out across the lagoon, little has changed, a pair of giants still hurl
insults and the odd iceball at each other from the nearest ships whilst the
third giant lazily oversees the work the yetis and human tribesmen are doing to
free the ice enshrouded greatship. Jamna creeps forward out of the tunnel and behind the
mooring chain of the closest ship [Stealth 28] and then shoots the giant on
board, the arrow slamming home through its shoulder, under the collar bone and
exits under its chin [critical sneak attack]. The giant howls in shock and
pain. Jamna ducks under the mooring chain [bonus dodge]. Mads steps out of the
tunnel and casts eldritch blast multiple times, the force bolts flying wide of
the mark. Cursing he tries again [action surge] once again the bolts fly wide
of the mark. From across the lagoon the other giants and the yetis turn and
stare as Mads’s bolts arc off into space. Tomaz steps out of the tunnel and
casts hunters mark on the giant in the ship and then shoots it twice, the
arrows burying themselves in the heavy furs. Talis follows Mads and Jamna out
of the tunnel and casts Crusaders Mantle over them all. Naergon advances and
casts fire bolt at the same giant, the bolt sizzling feebly in the giant’s damp
furs. Druscilla invokes duplicity, moving out of the tunnel to stand with Naergon,
the illusion appears next to Tomaz and moves on towards Jamna. Jamna shoots the giant once more, the arrow flying true
again as she ducks behind the chain [bonus dodge]. Mads again casts eldritch
blast, this time the bolts strike true and shove the giant reeling backwards,
hard up against the rail. The giant teeters on the edge of the rail but manages
to grab hold and drags itself back aboard [DEX save 16]. The second giant on
the eastern ship throws an iceball at Druscilla but it flies wide, crashing
into the ice and snow at her feet. He then jumps overboard and splashes across
to the jetty by the boathouse. Across the lagoon the yetis start a lumbering
run around the lagoon. Tomaz raises his bow and shoots the closest giant with
his last arrow before moving back behind Mads. Talis steps forward next to
Jamna, spear in hand and eyes open [dodge]. Naergon again firebolts the giant,
the flaming bolt hitting it in the left eye, the giant falls across the rowing
benches with a grunt. Druscilla casts spiritual weapon and sends it towards the
swimming giant as across the lagoon the northman tribesmen start rappelling
down off the ice wall. Jamna readies her bow to shoot the first enemy to
approach [ready action], Mads prepares eldritch blast likewise [ready action].
The eastern frost giant clambers up onto the jetty and runs towards the party,
the northern giant pushes off in his rowing boat and starts sculling towards the
party as well. The yetis continue to charge around the lagoon, being joined by
many more from a side tunnel on the way. Tomaz hefts a flask of alchemists’
fire and prepares to throw it at an enemy that closes [ready action]. Isendraug
emerges from the underwater tunnel, rising high into the sky, sheets of
freezing water sloughing away from her as she roars in triumph. Talis protects
Jamna, staying alert [dodge]. Naergon ducks into the tunnel and stays alert
[dodge]. Druscilla retires to Naergon’s side as she moves her spiritual weapon
towards the eastern giant. The tribal warriors continue to clamber down their
ropes. Jamna and Mads both continue to ready actions. The northern
giant continuing to row towards the southern shore, looks up in horror at the
dragon emerging from the lagoon and then stands shouts at it and points at the
party. The eastern giant runs along the jetty and scrambles onto the southern
edge of the berg. The yetis continue to race round the lagoon to the west.
Tomaz to look around, clutching his flask [ready action]. Isendraug dives
towards the northern greatship, and breathes across the tribesmen scrambling
down the ropes. Her icy breath turning all of them into strange ice statue vignettes,
killing all of them instantly. With another roar she ascends. Talis and Naergon
continue to watch events [dodge] whilst Druscilla moves her spiritual weapon
closer to the giant. Jamna continues to ready her bow, Mads dashes up the gangplank
onto the southern greatship. The northern giant continues to row madly, staring
up at the dragon in the sky. The giant to the east reaches the shore and
attempts to leap the gap but falls short and enters the water with a great
splash, surfacing he starts to paddle towards the shore. The yetis continue to
race round the berg. Tomaz moves towards the eastern shore and prepares his
flask of fire. Isendraug dips a wing and swings towards the rowing giant. Talis
follows after Mads, remaining alert [dodge] whilst Naergon stays put [dodge].
Druscilla moves her spiritual weapon towards the swimming giant and makes an
attack but misses. Jamna continues to hold her shot [ready action] whilst
Mads continues his dash up the gangplank and onto the greatship. The rowing
giant continues his approach whilst the one in the water climbs up the side of
the iceberg to stand dripping in front of Jamna who shoots it [readied action],
the arrow piercing its left hand as it clambers over the ice shelf. The yetis
continue their charge, Tomaz moves towards the giant clutching his flask
[dodge]. Isendraug dives towards the giant in the rowing boat. Talis runs up
behind Mads, whilst Naergon casts fire bolt at the giant in front of Jamna, the
bolt burning into its shoulder and then retreats up the tunnel. Druscilla moves
her spiritual weapon closer and then hides around the corner of the tunnel,
wary of the giants’ ability to throw iceballs. Jamna again shoots the giant, the arrow disappearing into
its leathers, Mads moves to the rail of the greatship and casts eldritch blast
at the giant in the row boat, hitting it once, knocking it back off its bench.
The giant clambers to its feet and grabs a hold of the greatship, starting to
climb the side of the ship. The eastern giant closes on Tomaz who hurls his
flask of alchemists’ fire [readied action], the sticky fluid mats into his
beard and across the damp furs on his shoulder. The yetis continue the race
round the berg, closing on the greatship. Tomaz advances and stabs the giant
with his spear and then turns and runs towards the tunnel. The giant swings its
greataxe [AOO] slicing Tomaz’s back open to the spine, blood arcing across the iceberg.
Isendraug dives towards the giant climbing aboard the ship. Talis steps up
behind Mads and then casts guardian of Faith behind her at the foot of the
gangplank. Naergon stays in the tunnel whilst Druscilla prepares her Rod of
Lordly Might and steps forward to attack the giant, the axe blade biting deep
into its leg. Jamna casts hypnotic pattern on the closest giant,
charming it into inactivity, she calls out “ don’t
hit that giant anymore”. Mads attacks the giant climbing up the ship with
his glaive [menacing attack]. The giant flinches in fear as Mads attacks again
and again [ADV due to fear]. In a near panic it flails around with its greataxe
but fails to hit Mads [DADV due to fear]. The other giant stands dumbly staring
around until the alchemists’ fire blooms and it shrieks, breaking Jamna’s
charm. The yetis charge around the corner of the ship towards the gangplank.
Tomaz moves next to Druscilla and stabs the giant, Druscilla says “ that’s brave of you Tomaz . . .or stupid” “Maybe,
we’ll find out soon enough” he replies. From above, Isendraug dives and
breathes cold across the giant fighting Mads, the icy blast rolls across them, spars
and ropes cracking as they freeze but both giant and Mads emerge unhurt. Talis
says “ watch this” and stabs the giant
hard [critical]. Naergon casts expeditious retreat and races out of the tunnel
towards Jamna behind the mooring chain. Druscilla swings her axe again, the
blade biting into the giant’s leg as her spiritual weapon moves closer again. Jamna shoots the giant in front of her but the arrow flies
astray. Mads pulls a bead of force and hurls it at the giant in front of him,
encasing it in an impenetrable globe. “ I
remember that!” says Talis, standing next to Mads, who turns and says “ yes, it saved you from the lava as I recall.”
“Hmm, that’s one way of looking at it” she replies as Mads moves back away
from the imprisoned giant. The giant strives to get at him, pushing the sphere
and knocking Talis to one side. The other frost giant swings its greataxe at
Tomaz, slicing down through the ranger’s shoulder and collar bone as he
crumples onto the blood-stained ice. The giant turns and swings at Druscilla,
the great blade sweeping past and missing the dwarf by inches. The yetis run up
the gangplank and into the influence of the Guardian of Faith, taking damage
from the supernatural entity. The dragon dives in and claws at the giant protected
by the force bead. Talis shouts “ what do
we do now Mads?” “Do what we did, pick it up and throw it away ” says Mads
cheerfully. “ there’s a dragon attached to
it which complicates things” continues Talis as she moves away back to the
top of the gangplank. Tomaz continues to bleed out [death save fail] as Naergon
pulls out a scroll and casts fireball across the yeti pack, half a dozen of
them bursting into flame, howling and screeching as their fur burns off them. Druscilla
swings again and chops another chunk out of the giant’s leg. Jamna casts invisibility on herself and quietly moves
away [stealth 22]. Mads shouts “ Isendraug
pick the globe up and dump the giant somewhere far away” and then turns an
casts fireball on the pack of yetis, the four burnt and howling yetis fall in
scorched, twisted and blackened lumps into the semi-melted icy ground. The
frost giant in the globe hammers at the globe and dragon futilely. The other
giant swings twice at the dwarf who calmly sidesteps both attacks. More yetis
run through the guarded zone of the Guardian of Faith as it disappears but not
before several yetis take ephemeral spiritual damage. Tomaz continues to bleed
out [death save fail]. Isendraug grabs the globe-encased giant and climbs high
into the sky. Talis stabs the closest yeti climbing the gangplank as her
Crusaders Mantle dissipates. Naergon casts levitate and gracefully ascends into
the sky. Druscilla swings again, her axe biting deep into the giant’s calf. Jamna uses her ring of jumping to run and jump up onto
the deck of the greatship. Mads casts eldritch blast at the yeti fighting Talis,
forcing it back. The giant in the globe continues to hammer its axe at the
dragon without effect. The other swings at the dwarf, nearly knocking from her
feet. The yetis close again on Talis, claws scrabbling over her and wounding
her slightly. Other yetis close in on Drucilla’s illusionary double whilst yet
more attack the real Druscilla, wounding her slightly. Another yeti stands beneath
Naergon and grabs futilely at the air, more start climbing the sides of the ship,
Mads swings at one with his glaive, slicing it open [AOO]. Tomaz groans on the ground
and coughs blood [death save success using inspiration from MR]. Isendraug
continues to climb into the air, clutching the giant in a ball. Talis stabs the
yeti to her front. Naergon rises up another twenty feet and casts lightning
bolt at the giant fighting Druscilla, the bolt slams through it, leaving a
scorched hole through its chest as it crumples to the ground. Beyond the ice
shelf he spies the prow of a massive greatship pulling up alongside the
entrance to the iceberg lagoon. Druscilla turns and swings at the yeti behind
her, slicing deeply into its torso. Next
time: ooh that’s a lot of giants! No
levels were gained this session:
Naergon
15 th
level
Mads
14 th
level
Jamna
14 th
level
Tomaz
14 th
level
Druscilla
14 th
level
Talis
11 th
level
XP earnt
is now irrelevant as the rest of TOD is based on milestone XP In-Game
the session ended at 20:00 on 22 nd Elesias 1485 DR [The last LONG REST was completed
at 06:00 on 22 nd Elesias] [SHORT REST for ALL taken between
15:30 and 16:30] [SHORT REST for MR+TS taken
between 18:00 and 19:00] Next
session Tuesday 12 th February at 19:15