In which
Talis loses her fight with Rezmir Book Two, Chapter 4.1 (session 79, 12 th March
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) Rezmir, in desperation casts caustic bolt at the Naergons
but misses. Mads swings his glaive at the dragonfang to his east, giving
Druscilla the chance to side step away from it [manoeuvring attack] before
attacking again scaring his opponent [menacing attack] and then again with the
butt. Once more the Draakhorn blares out, causing sand and rock to shudder. The
black dragon claws at the cage and roars in anger and frustration. One of the Naergons
casts fire bolt at one of the dragonfangs standing over Talis’s corpse and then
moves back, commanding his illusory dragon to sidestep east and breath a cloud
across the cultists around Talis’s body, two of whom crumple to the ground
burnt by illusory acid. Tomaz shoots at the black dragon, hitting it but the
second arrow ricochets off the bars as Tomaz steps into the scrub and hides
[vanish – stealth 23]. Jamna casts charm person on the northern cultist closest
to her [WIS save fail] and then races past, as the cultist sweeps his cape and
nods at her with a grin. The ettin clambers slowly across the steps [WIS save
success – ends slow spell]. Druscilla pulls her axe and swings at the cultist
next to her, with a cry the dragonwing collapses. The dragonfangs in the north
both attack Mads, one of them getting a solid stab in past his defences. In the
west the surviving dragonfangs leap over Talis and through the scrub, failing
to spot Tomaz one hurls a dragon orb at the Naergons but misses, the other
advances on the wizards with shortswords in hand. The dragonwings give chase,
pursuing Jamna whilst the half-dragon veteran slams its fists against the force
sphere and urges the cultists on in their fight with Mads and Druscilla. Rezmir again casts caustic bolt at the Naergons but
misses. Mads steps aside and casts eldritch blast at the cultist attacking
Naergon, slamming it again and again, until it drops, rib cage shattered. Once
more the Draakhorn blares out across the desert as the black dragon in the cage
scrabbles and roars. One of the Naergons casts fire bolt at the advancing
dragonfang but misses as they rush east towards Mads calling the illusory
dragon down to breath across the forcecage but with no effect [immunity]. Tomaz
advances on the dragonfang, stabbing with his spear and eviscerating the
cultist, who drops with barely a sound as Tomaz rips his spear out and steps
into the scrub [vanish – stealth 22]. Jamna again casts invisibility on herself
and then dodges back through the stones towards the path, the cultists who was
running with her looks puzzled and wonders where his friend has gone. The ettin
runs up to the path and stares around searching for Jamna [perception 24+20],
sniffing and drooling he roars as he sees her footsteps and points in her
direction. Druscilla attacks the cultist next to her with divine strike, they
retaliate, stabbing both Druscilla and Mads. The dragonwings keep hunting for
Jamna, closing down on her location whilst the half-dragon veteran urges his
dragonfangs on. Rezmir again casts caustic bolt at the Naergons but
without effect. Mads attacks the closest dragonfang, cutting it down in a welter
of blood. Mads steps forward and attacks the second dragonfang, generating fear
as he does so [menacing attack]. Once more the Draakhorn blares out as the
black dragon claws and bites at its cage. The Naergons run south and cast fire
bolt at the cultist facing Druscilla, the cultists staggers, holding itself
upright with a sword planted in the ground. The Naergons then move the illusory
dragon around behind Rezmir as the many assorted images flicker out of
existence revealing the lone Naergon. Tomaz pulls his longbow and shoots the
dragon, managing to get one arrow through the bars. Jamna [invisible] moves
away, turns and shoots the ettin in the neck, with a strangled yelp it looks at
itself, frowns and falls faces first into the sand, dead. Druscilla swings her
axe at the dragonfang struggling to recover from Naergon’s fire bolt, removing
its head. The dragonwings move in towards Jamna’s position as the half-dragon
howls and screams in frustration. Rezmir casts caustic bolt at Naergon again, this time
hitting him squarely in the chest. Mads casts eldritch blast at the dragonwing
closing in on Jamna, hitting it again and again, knocking it back thirty feet
to the southeast. Once more the Draakhorn blares out and the black dragon roars
in response, lashing futilely at the bars of its cage. Naergon points his staff
of the magi at the forcecage and hurls a fireball across both Rezmir and
dragon. As the explosion reverberates across the desert Naergon moves his
illusory dragon south towards the remaining cultists and breathes illusionary
acid across them both breaking Jamna’s charm spell as they duck and dive out of
the way [resistance]. Tomaz shoots the black dragon twice through the bars of
its cage. He then steps into the scrub and hides poorly [vanish – stealth 7].
Jamna shoots the cultist to her south, with a wail the dragonwing crumples into
the dust as Jamna runs north. Druscilla looks at the half-dragon, decides to
ignore it and moves south, drawing her crossbow. The veteran snarls and rolls
its ball forward. Rezmir screams in frustration and again casts caustic
bolt at Naergon but misses. Mads returns the compliment casting eldritch blast
at her, slamming her twice as the Draakhorn blares across the desert and the
black dragon scrabbles at the bars of its cage ever more frantically. Naergon
has his dragon hunt down the last dragonwing burning it with acid as the
cultist scampers away [resistance]. Naergon then casts fire bolt at the black
dragon, burning a hole into its shoulder [critical]. Tomaz pulls his last two
arrows and shoots the dragon, hitting it once “ does anyone need any healing?” he calls, Naergon responds urgently
“ yes Tomaz, I’m in dire need of your
assistance ”. “Then why do you keep
moving away from me?” shouts Tomaz in frustration, “ I’m not, I’m maximising targets so the dragon doesn’t breath on you ”
Naergon replies. Tomaz grunts and runs towards the wizard. Jamna turns and
shoots the last cultist, who turns, cloak flying and snarls at her. Druscilla
shoots at the dragon but her bolt ricochets off the cage. The cultist advances
towards Jamna as the half-dragon snarls in frustration. Rezmir casts caustic bolt again at Naergon, the wizard
grunts as the acid bites into his shoulder. Rezmir howls in fury and hammers at
the cage, her black dragon mount also rends at the bars of force as the
Draakhorn booms out from the volcano behind them. Mads advances and casts
eldritch blast at the last cultist, slamming him into the dust, chest caved in
and pulped. Mads turns and casts at Rezmir, slamming the half-dragon
repeatedly. Naergon steps forward and casts fire bolt, burning into the black
dragon again as his illusory dragon sweeps around and blinks out of existence.
Tomaz moves up behind Naergon and casts cure wounds on the wizard [19 HP]. “ Thank you Tomaz, I’ll remember that act of
generosity. Those that do right by me. I do right by them. That’s my motto ”
says Naergon. Jamna runs southwest to stand over the body of Talis as the force
sphere holding the half-dragon prisoner dissipates. Druscilla shoots the black dragon again as the
half-red dragon roars, finally free of its prison and charges Naergon, swinging
its swords and cutting into the elven wizard. “ Hey you fighting types, get over here and deal with this thing will
you” cries Naergon in outrage. Rezmir again casts caustic bolt at Naergon, the acid
again burning into his silk robes. Mads charges back towards Naergon “ I’m coming” he calls out as he swings
his glaive but misses twice. “ You need to
do better than this” cries Naergon in encouragement. Mads sneers and
reverses his glaive and slams the half-dragon with the butt [critical] “ Naergon” he cries “ move now!” [manoeuvring attack]. Lifting his skirts, the elf
scampers off through the scrub “ about
time too” he calls as he runs. The Draakhorn again booms out across the
wasteland, the black dragon screams in fury and impotent rage and Naergon
gathers his breath and casts mirror image on himself as he continues to scamper
away. Tomaz moves his hunters mark onto the half-red dragon and then advances,
spear in hand and stabs the beast. Jamna looks down at the body of Talis, licks
her lips and then looks around to see if anyone is watching her, hesitates and
then chooses to shoot at the half-red dragon but misses. Druscilla again shoots
the black dragon through the cage. The half-red dragon snarls at Tomaz and
swings at him, cutting the ranger in the arm in a flurry of blows. Rezmir again casts caustic bolt at the Naergons, the bolt
slamming into the real one with unerring accuracy. Mads swings his glaive at
the veteran, missing with the blade but scoring a hit with the butt [critical]
as the Draakhorn continues to blare. In the cage the black dragon roars and
beats its wings, biting and chewing at the bars with no effect. The Naergons grips
their staffs and cast invisibility on themselves, they then move cautiously
away to the north. Tomaz stabs at the half-red dragon, his spear ripping
through its armoured skin. The half-dragon falls to the ground with a final
snarl, from the cage Rezmir screams in fury as the last of her allies is slain.
Jamna cries out, in an overloud stage whisper “ don’t worry Talis, I’ll save you” and kneels down and starts
rifling through her possessions looking for things of value. Druscilla again
shoots the dragon, her bolt flying true. In a fury Rezmir shouts “ bastard elf, show yourself, coward” and casts caustic bolt at
Druscilla, the acid burning through the dwarf’s armour as Mads advances past
her saying “ Druscilla, get back, this one
is mine ” and casts eldritch blast at Rezmir, slamming her across the cage.
The Draakhorn continues its mournful bellow as the black dragon feebly
scrabbles at the bars of its cage, strength ebbing from the many wounds it has
suffered. The invisible Naergons, sit down and watches the final acts. Tomaz
looks around “ where’s Naergon gone ?”
he asks “ ah I see his footsteps, he went
this way ” pointing and moving in generally the right direction calling “ Naergon, where are you, I can’t heal you
unless I can see you?” From the scrub ahead Naergon hisses “ go away, go and kill the dragon, shoo,
shoo”. “But I have no arrows” explains Tomaz, focusing on a particularly
gnarled patch of scrub . “I don’t care ”
Naergon hisses “ I can’t help you with
that, go away”. “Ah, I see, so you’re going to remain hidden then are you? ”
asks Tomaz. Turning the ranger shouts “ Druscilla.
Do you need any healing?” “Couldn’t hurt ” replies the dwarf busy reloading
her crossbow. Mads calls across “ Tomaz
there are plenty of crossbows lying around, help yourself to one.” “That’s no use,
I can’t use the bolts with my longbow ” replies Tomaz. “Idiot ” snaps Mads “ I mean
why not help yourself to a crossbow and shoot something!” “I don’t know how to
use one of those contraptions ” complains Tomaz. “ How hard can it be?” mutters Mads “ just try one, see how it goes”. Jamna continues to rummage through
Talis’s possessions. Druscilla again shoots the dragon but her bolt is
deflected by the bars. Rezmir in desperation casts caustic bolt at Mads but the
acid runs harmlessly off his armour. Mads grins and casts eldritch blast at
her, slamming her again and again [critical]. With a final scream of outrage,
Rezmir is flung off her dragon to slide down the bars of the cage and land in a
crumpled heap on the floor of the cage. As she utters her last breath her body
disintegrates, a fine black ash falling slowly through the bars to sprinkle the
desert floor is all that remains. A huge black greatsword falls and lands point
first in the sand. It’s hilt seeming to beckon towards Mads. There is a cheer
from Mads, Tomaz and Druscilla as the Draakhorn continues to blare out. The
black dragon screams and roars in rage, grief and terror. The Naergons remain
sitting in the scrub as Tomaz moves his hunters mark back to the dragon and
scampers across and picks up a crossbow, loads it and shoots the dragon,
hitting it once. Jamna happily continues to rummage through Talis’s belongings.
Druscilla also shoots the dragon but her bolt flies astray. Mads casts eldritch blast, failing to hit the dragon as
the Draakhorn continues to call across the wasteland and the dragon roars in
fury and fear. Tomaz moves forward, fumbling to reload his crossbow. Raising
the unfamiliar weapon he aims and shoots the dragon, the bolt piercing its left
eye. With a final roar of impotent rage the immense creature slumps against the
bars of its cage and expires. “ Go Tomaz”
shouts Mads “ I guess that must be a magic
crossbow huh?” “ Has anyone got any
healing?” comes the disembodied voice of Naergon as the party gathers
together. “Certainly” says Drusilla “ but first let me have a look at Talis.”
“Let’s get undercover first” suggests Mads, “ that seems sensible ” agrees Jamna. “ I really am very hurt” protests Naergon plaintively. “ Look, we’ll get under cover, I can cast some
general healing and then you can have a nice rest while I do something about
Talis. OK?” snaps Druscilla. “ Ok, ok ”
whines Naergon. “Jamna” says Mads “ we
should scout around and pick up any valuable looking gear don’t you think? I’ll
grab this sword, you search the others.” Within a few minutes the party have gathered themselves
in the gatehouse on top of the wall, safe from view by the many dragons still
circling above. They lay the body of Talis on the ground and Druscilla casts a
quick prayer of healing on the assembly. Mads hands Naergon the huge black
greatsword “ this was Rezmir’s, can you
determine its nature?” “Yes, my boy.
I can do that. Let me settle down and take a look .” Naergon begins a ritual
of identify as Druscilla prepares herself to cast a spell of resurrection on
Talis. “ Well, well”
says Naergon after a few minutes “ this is
a very powerful item indeed. It is an enchanted sword, capable of causing a lot
of damage. It can also cast spells. However I wouldn’t recommend it, it is
deeply evil and unpleasant.” As he speaks, Naergon hears a cold, harsh
voice in his head “ get your filthy hands
off of me, elf” “I don’t think
any of us can use this can we?” asks
Tomaz. “ Sure you can ” chorus Mads and
Naergon “ though I’m not sure you want to ”
mutters Naergon, looking around edgily. Mads leans in “ why wouldn’t you want it Tomaz?” “Oh very well I suppose I can take it
if you think so ” says Tomaz eventually, seemingly less than convinced “ first it’s a crossbow, now a sword. This is
just wrong that’s all.” As he finishes, Tomaz hears a dull, cold voice in
his head “ if you touch me, I’ll ensure
you die in pain and dishonour.” “Yes, well, never mind ” says Naergon
hurriedly. “ Here you can have it” and
he almost throws the sword at Tomaz in his sudden desire to be rid of it. “And
there’s no need to be rude about it” he snaps as he gets up and wonders away. Tomaz jumps back “ I
don’t want it, don’t give it to me” “What’s wrong with everyone?” asks Mads
looking around. As he does so he hears a cold harsh voice, speaking common in
an ancient accent say “take me, together
we can achieve great things. We can wade in blood and cleanse the land of the
inferior and impure” Looking wildly around Mads says “eh what?” Tomaz backs away “ I
didn’t say anything but I don’t want that sword”. Druscilla casts another
healing word on Naergon and looks over “ if
you boys can’t make your mind up why not just put it in the bag of holding and
decide later. I’m going to be busy for the next hour and I’d appreciate less
chatter please.” “ Yes, that’s
probably a good idea” says Mads nervously picking up the sword and opening
his bag. In his head he hears the cold voice scream “ do not waste this opportunity, do not silence me, no, no, no, no. you
will regret this, take me up and use me, together we can . . .” as he shuts
the bag firmly the voice ceases. He looks around “ that’s enough of that” he mutters. Settling down, Druscilla begins her ritual and everyone
else spreads out a rough camp. Within an hour Talis is revived and everyone has
benefitted from a cold lunch and a rest. Talis is uncharacteristically quiet
and reserved, even the news that Rezmir is dead does little to rekindle her
spirits. Jamna shuffles across and hands over the various items she took from
her body “here, I kept these safe for
you” and whispering “ that Tomaz would
have stolen them if not.” Talis looks at her nods and says “ thank you, that’s very thoughtful.” As
Jamna turns and leaves, Talis scowls at her and starts methodically going
through her belongings, checking and double checking. With heavy hearts and a sense of a task only partly done,
the party set out, heading up the long winding path that leads up the volcano
towards the caldera at its summit. The path is in turns treacherous and steep, as
it twists through broken scrub, shattered rocks and lava piles. Towards the
upper limits, the last few hundred feet is bare stark rock and lava flows as it
forms the steep (almost vertical) sides of the caldera. It takes several hours
to reach the hallway point of the climb, all the while staying under as much
cover as possible through the scrub and gnarled trees that line the path. Above
them the shadows of dragons pass frequently but irregularly – over the caldera
itself there is a constant cluster of dragons, several dozen at least, swooping
and gliding in the thermals. During the march Mads turns to Talis and asks “ would you be interested in this sword that
we took from Rezmir? It would seem somehow appropriate for you to wield your enemy’s
blade would it not? If I were not so personally linked to my glaive I would be
tempted myself. Tomaz wants no part of it but it would seem wasteful for an
item of power to go unused in this, our hour of need.” Talis, lacking her
usual wit and looks at him with glazed eyes “ that is something to consider certainly. Right now it’s as much as I
can do to put one foot in front of the other. Mastering a powerful item is
beyond me right now. Perhaps when we reach the summit and I can catch my breath
it’ll be worth taking a look?” and finally, as she turns away a glimmer of
the old Talis returns as she whispers over her shoulder “ unless you’re offering to carry me all the way?” but it doesn’t
last as she tugs her hat down over her eyes, and shoulders slumped ploughs on
up the mountain, one painful step at a time. In the early mid-afternoon the party turn another
switchback corner around a protruding blade of rock and find the path closed by
a stout stone wall and blockhouse with huge gates. On the rock ledges to either
side guard drakes emerge snarling and growling with hostility – more drakes are
sat outside the gates. A small curl of smoke rises lazily from the roof of the blockhouse. Jamna moves to the side of the path drawing her bow and
eyeing the drakes carefully [readied action]. Tomaz casts hunters mark on the drake
to the east and then shoots it with his borrowed crossbow, the bolt flies true
and slams into the drake which roars and screeches in reaction. Druscilla steps
off the path and shoots at the drake to the west but misses. Mads moves
forward, past Jamna and casts eldritch blast at the eastern drake, slamming it
twice. With roars and shrieks the drakes rush forward, Mads swings his glaive
as the first one approaches, cutting the first one badly [AOO]. Jamna shoots
the same drake [readied action], the arrow slamming into its flank [sneak]. The
drake bites at Mads but misses, its tail then sweeps round and slaps Mads. Talis
hangs back and casts sacred flame at the eastern drake but the beast ducks and
twists to avoid the effect [DEX save]. Naergon casts fire bolt on the same drake
but misses and then moves forward behind Jamna. Jamna shoots at the drake fighting Mads, the arrow flies
true, piercing its skull through and through. With barely a whimper the drake
slumps to the ground dead [sneak, critical]. Jamna continues to keep her guard
up [dodge]. From above the wall a number of cultists appear, levelling
crossbows and shoot at mads, all bolts thrumming past but missing. Tomaz shoots
the eastern drake again, the bolt piercing its toothy maw and with a groan the
drake slumps to the ground. Tomaz moves his hunters mark to the drake advancing
the western gate and shoots it. Druscilla steps up the western ridge and shoots
one of the cultists in the side of the head [critical]. Mads moves down the ridge
and attacks the drake advancing from the eastern gate, cutting it again and
again. The drake bites and slaps Mads with its tail, the other drake races
towards Druscilla biting at her without effect but the tail sweeps round and
slaps her hard. Talis pulls out her wand of winter and casts ice storm across the
wall, where the cultists are sheltering, forcing them to hunker down as the hailstones
batter them remorselessly. Naergon casts fire bolt fighting Druscilla but
misses. Jamna shoots the drake fighting Druscilla in the flank
[sneak]. The drake roars in pain as Jamna takes guard [dodge]. The cultists
poke their crossbows over the wall and shoot, the first bolt slams into Mads’s
shoulder [critical], but the others fly wide. Tomaz shoots the drake fighting
Druscilla, the drake screams and falls dead. Tomaz then moves his hunters mark
to the last drake fighting Mads and shoots it. Druscilla shoots at the drake as
well but her bolt flies wide. Mads casts eldritch blast at the drake, the force
bolt slamming into it and crushing its skull. Talis takes cover [dodge] and
Naergon casts fire bolt at the cultists behind the wall but misses. Next
time: will they make it up the mountain in time? No
levels were gained this session:
Naergon
16 th
level
Mads
15 th
level
Jamna
15 th
level
Tomaz
15 th
level
Druscilla
15 th
level
Talis
12 th
level
XP
earnt is now irrelevant as the rest of TOD is based on milestone XP In-Game
the session ended at 13:45 on 12 th Eleint 1485 DR [The last LONG REST was completed
at 06:30 on 12 th Eleint] [The last SHORT REST was
completed at 11:15 on 12 th Eleint] Next
session Tuesday 19 th March at 19:15