Facing down an ominous enemy in the way of their goal, and a perilous journey to come, the party pushes forward to survive another day and continue their chase of the Princess...
Zammo charged forth, it's two remaining eyes wild with primal excitement. This was no mere foe to the party. This literal giant was huge, whatever it was. And it was hungry for killing. So the party assembled in formation and began their defensive assault. Within this fight a few things happened that some would say a Bard would have loved to be present for. The tales he could sell...tell, would be of legend. But there would be no Bard today. Only these heroes, trying to figure out their, hopefully for a while, final opponent. Regular attacks didn't seem to be doing much to the giant. Inka was the first with an out of the box idea. She thought of the "random" potions she had picked up recently. What's the worst that could happen, she thought as she popped the top off a vial of a sickly yellow liquid and shot it down. Instantly Inka felt fear like she had never felt before! She starting running around the perimeter of where the party was standing, trying to get away from the devils she was seeing everywhere. And those devils were there for her!
Meanwhile the rest of the party started wearing down the giant creature. Pip had the idea of the Thunderstones she had found downstairs. With a successful throw, and a failure of Zammo not focusing on it's landing spot, the stone exploded in a bright white explosion, blinding and deafening the monster! And this is when the party brought it all down on it! The Monk decided to tap into his shadow powers and brought forth a cloud of darkness around the beast. Inka wished she could be fighting with her friends, but these damn devils were all around her, relentlessly scaring her witless! It took some effort to clear her mind of this. It then took no time for the decision to NOT drink any more "random" potions when there was a fight going on! Soon after she got back into the fray with her friends, with most impressively calling forth her Spiritual Weapon. A hammer she affectionately called 'Bonk-Bonk' and unleashed it upon the heads of the creature. Sooner than later, the right side head with the blue painted face, fell to its side, now void of life as it lolled unnaturally. This didn't seem to bother the remaining giant head of Zammo who was still blind and deaf from the stone's impact. And then it came down to Sendak, the Goliath. He took his trusty quarterstaff and unleashed a Monkish assault that none but Zammo would soon forget. The Goliath expertly swung and landed his attacks with such force that at one point, he heard the spine of the giant cracking. And with one last powerful kick with his newly minted silver tipped boots in the most delicate of areas of ANY giant, Zammo fell. As it did, it had a moment of clarity you could say. Zammo, seeing his other head already well dead, looked skyward for a almost peaceful moment. Feeling the sun on it's face, it let out an echoing, horrific primal yell, and brought its mighty morningstar down onto the pedestal at the center of the tower, splitting it open, all while shattering its monstrous weapon into pieces. And with that final blow, it cried out in it's native Giant tongue "May Grolantor strike her down!". And then as if one whose taken in too much ale, the might Zammo stumble lopsidedly backwards & fell over. Forever dead.
Once they caught their breath, the party thought they saw something shine within the pile of stone that was the pedestal in the center of the space they were in. Upon further investigation, they found what they thought to be quite peculiar. Within the stone rubble were multiple pieces of decorative shiny metal inlaid with small gems. Along with them, were these large, dark, & contoured but large pieces of an unknown item. There were about five of these things mixed in with the other item. It didn't take most of the party long to figure out they were looking at either a broken crown or tiara of some kind. The other things, well, they were no experts on the matter, but they sure did look like dragon scales. And the first thing Alystn thought of was to use a couple as armor plating to replace the failing chainmail he was wearing. He and Sendak using some rope fashioned a chest/back plate of the stuff. It seemed strong enough.
Could these items be the "treasure' the evil Zammo was so protective of?
After recovering the broken tiara and what seems to be dragon scales of a yet to be determined species(thanks to Zammo's final act) the party gathered themselves after defeating the creature that called itself Zammo and headed back downstairs to the outside. When they arrived there, they saw their horses about 100 yards off in the distance, grazing and neighing. And approaching them on foot from the east, was Odyeus. His robe dragging through the grasses behind him, his long grey beard battling the breeze as he walks through the rough hewn but tasty grasslands towards the group.
"This took longer than I thought it might," he says as he looks the party over. "It seems you have made some…discoveries." as his eyes focus on those holding "Zammo's treasure". "Come, we must speak." The old man makes his way into the ruins, beckoning them to follow him. He leads them all the way back up the façade to the third floor tower where they just were. "Well," he says surprisingly. "That is odd." He walks around the corpse of the giant creature they had just felled and drops some knowledge on the party. The old Wizard began with "Zammo here, widely known by his full name, Zammo The Fierce, is a well known and well wanted Ettin of ill intent throughout the southern lands. And he was here, of all places. At this point in time. Most Interesting." Odyeus then leaned down and pulled out some of his equipment and began to drain some blood from the monster. He looks up at the group, knowing the current wonder their eyes. He says very simply and matter of factly. "Wizards. You never know." and packs up his things as if he does this all the time. He then motions for them to follow him downstairs.
The group tiredly make their way down to the second floor as they see the old timer hurriedly making his way through the rooms until they hear him say "Ahh yes, yes this will do just perfectly." He pokes his head out into the hallway, beckoning them all into the room. He has arranged the table and the chairs in the room for them all to sit and join him. "So," he begins, "who wants to go first?" Just as a few of the party were about to speak, Odyeus puts his hand up as if to pause them, and looks at the carafe sitting at the center of the table. He motions his hands in a way as if to say, "what, no one gonna drink that?" he then leans in and grabs the carafe, and pours some of the yellow liquid into a small cup he just fashioned seemingly out of thin air and shoots it. He then places the carafe and shooter back to the center of the table.
Seeing as how he didn't drop dead and didn't exhibit any ill will, the other party members followed suit. Inka went last, as the last time she did this particular act, it didn't turn out so well. Yet this time it was good. REALLY good. Even if the carafe's concoction was on the spicy side, it came with a great effect for all. Anyone who imbibed the spicy shot, could now cast the same spells as any spellcaster within thirty feet of them, four times! Sendak greedily emptied his waterskin on the floor, and replaced it with the spicy potion. He estimated there remained about ten shots of liquid.
Then Odyeus said its time to see what they can learn about what they have found so far. He asks for the party to surrender "Zammo's treasure" to him. All of them, including Alystn, as he begrudgingly removed the stopgap armor he fashioned with his buddy just moments ago. The broken tiara, as well as the scales found amongst the pile of broken metal were now piled in front of the Wizard. Odyeus closes his eyes as the broken tiara and scales start to shine and slightly float off the table surface for a moment. The old wizard says "If you want to be part of the answers, you must be part of the questions," as he motions for the party to all join hands with each other around the table. As soon as they do, the scales and tiara pieces float higher and shine brighter, about as luminous as a small star and a couple of feet in the air. For those that kept their eyes open, they saw Odyeus' gone blankly white without color and are wide open as he slightly murmurs under his breath. After some time, the magic show ends and the tiara/scales fall to the table. Odyeus with a worried look on his face says with a trembling voice, "This is not right. This cannot be! We must go back!" as he is up in an instant and saying "this way!" The party follow him excitedly due to not knowing what is going on, but also because of the sudden urgency in the old man's voice. They chase him downstairs and outside to where he has gathered the horses nearby. He has one hand placed on the face of Sir Clops A Lot, and his other hand outstretched towards the other horses, their heads bowed and gathered around him. He leans into and places his head down on the horse's muzzle and chants under his breath. In a crescendo of chanting he ends with a booming and echoing "Forazoon!". The horses begin to buck and jump and neigh wildly, their eyes wide. Suddenly on all five horses, powerful and majestic wings sprout from their sides!. "Quickly," Odyeus cries out. "Ride to the castle, I shall meet you in my chambers. You must go, now!"
Without hesitation, they all load up on their horses which take off at near full galloping speed. As each party member hangs on once they reach their maximum break, they begin to lift off the ground and are then flying, as their wings flap strongly and gloriously against the air below and their heads go down to become as linear as possible. Not that they could, but if anyone had monetarily looked back to where they had just left, they would have seen what future tales will tell of a lone wizard, standing in the façade of a once great castle. And as if he knew what was to befall the coming days, he stamped his feet into the ground and began casting such magicks that they had no name. That is when the world suddenly rent itself open and swallowed up the now crumbling ruins of old Castle Tethyr, buried into the world itself, never to be recovered again
Sooner than later, the heroes arrive to the perimeter of Darromar. Their horses letting up their speed just enough to glide over the city gates, sending the Darromar gate guards below into a frenzy. They zip and zoom over the city streets towards the castle itself. For the first time, they get a glimpse into the view the Wyrm must've had when it brought forth its destruction upon the great city and its people. And those people, now all rushing out into the streets to see this magical display of flying horses. Thanking their gods its not another great wyrm. There are children pointing up into the sky as they try to keep up on foot. One running full speed right into a water well, hilariously. "We're sure he will be fine," thought most of the party. Unless of course he's one of those kids that will harbor anger over the incident for many years to come and in the future suddenly strike from the dark…
Eventually they reach the Castle grounds as their horses descend to ground level in the Royal Gardens area to graze and let them exit to the Castle. Once inside they notice this time they are not stopped by any guards. Free reign for them to Odyeus' chambers. Maybe they have earned this. Maybe there is something else going on. Once they reach the Wizard, he is in his main study, fawning over his impressively stocked bookshelf, individual tomes floating off from their shelves into midair then following him to his desk. He updates the party that while they were away, Odyeus himself was informed the Royal pair were called off to a diplomatic summit with urgency in Waterdeep. He was not advised of this to which he believes there is foul play afoot somewhere within the kingdom. Exactly where, he cannot yet surmise. He then has the group join him at his desk where he has open a tome probably older than the world itself. His fingers skimming through the imperceptible language it is written in. He begins to provide further explanation. "The magic I recognized back at the ruins within the scales and metal of the Princess's tiara, which by the way is known as 'The Sun's Rest', matched a magic I was told about long ago…but shouldn't exist here. An ancient, possibly even before this world's time itself, Fey magic. And now finding the Princess' belongings along with those scales, I fear the young lady may have embroiled herself into things of which she cannot even begin to comprehend. As for the scales, from what I can so far tell, they are indeed dragon scales, but of no known species of dragon to ever befall these lands in its history. It's as if it was created. And that is most troubling as if one can be brought forth, so too could be others." Surely memories of the giant wyrm he defended the city from were playing behind his eyes.
He continued. " I say you all, the only ones as deep into this dilemma as I. You must go north, to our neighboring nation, the land of Amn, and present yourselves to the resort city of Esmeltaran. Not possibly to just assist with the post-destruction that has been reported from the great winged beast of lightning and steam, but also to possibly find the Princess herself, or at least traces of her. It seems wherever this beast goes, so too is seen the Princess. And as you've now discovered, it is clear you are getting ever closer. If you come upon her, you must by any means necessary claim her safety and return her home…for she knows not what she does. Once she is safely in your hands, place this upon her brow. He presents from his robes, the reconstructed tiara that they found in pieces back at the old ruins. "If there are other forces at work here, that should quell them long enough for you to return with the Young Lady." And as for your arrival to our ally to the north, I shall open a door. The 'door' will land you at the northern border, just east of Brost, the northernmost Tethyrian border town, steps from the nation lines of Amn. To keep diplomatic relations in place, there are no unannounced drop-offs in another nation without royal notification. Once you are out there on the border, that is where you can then ride/fly the rest of the way to the resort city, nary one hundred thirty miles away. Just ensure you do not breach the city walls, rather land outside of town and walk in.
With that update, the party decides they need to handle a few things before they leave. Inka wanted to get her hammer repaired from the rust damage it received. She made her way to Belafor's Clang n' Bang. Belafor wasn't in, but his assistant was, who was assuredly happy to aid the beautiful Firbolg with any issue she faced. After putting on the charm, and reminding her that he too was known as "The Hammer", even though he never got her name, he requested she return in the morning to pick up her hammer. Inka then made her way to the temple for some well deserved respite. Yet when you walk the Path Of The Sufferer, you never rest well.
Next Pip seemed rather cheery, even after recent events that would shake most to their core. He ran into the market district to Trefator's Bazaar to grab some more health potions. The same bazaar where Inka was able to actually sell the Rust Monster organ to a...peculiar shopkeep. Pip thought of maybe a few other exotic trinkets he should pick up. Sorcerers do love their baubles.
Alystn thought it's about damn time to get some new armor and there would be NOTHING to distract him from such. So he too made his way to Belafor's and met with The Hammer. Who had finally learned Inka's name as Alystn yelled it out as he just saw Inka leave around the corner when he arrived. Once The hammer learned exactly who Alystn was, oh boy did his eyes light up! HE had a true hero in his shop! Well, inn Belafor's shop anyways. He brought Alystn over to see a beautifully crafted half-plate armor set that The Hammer thought would look PERFECT on the Half-Elf. He offered a changing room and awaited Alystn's thoughts on the armor. In the changing room looking in the mirror, for the first time Alystn saw a hero looking back at himself. A Sunfire Half-Elf, standing tall, wearing his shiny new armaments looking the part. He admitted silently it felt good. And dare he think, it looked good too. Imagine the looks on his fellows faces when he walked into a room wearing this! But then reality brought him back because there was still the matter of price. No way would he have enough gold to afford this. And he was right. When he heard The Hammer say the price out loud, he gasped and started doffing the armor. But as he said to himself earlier, NOTHING would get in the way of new armor. And he happened to walk into the right shop at the right time, as The Hammer then gave Alystn the "Hero's Discount" spiel. And Alystn stopped doffing the armor, a smile wrapped from ear to ear across his face.
Sendak decided it was best to just take some time and clear his mind. He was dealing with a lot right now. He was still recovering from the recent battle that took quite a bit more of his physical and mental strength that he was used to expending. As he made his way through the city, he came upon a human child, sat on the stoop of a market stall, crying into his hands. Sendak approached the youngster and learned someone had stolen the lad's dog! The broken leather strap in the boy's hand must've been the leash. And he was sitting on the stoop of a tannery stall. Sendak suddenly felt invigored once more as he began the hunt for the dog thief. Using the details the boy gave him, and his keen senses and abilities of the Goliath kind, he came upon an alleyway. And in the alley were three yutes, and one had the dog. Sendak made no hesitation. He was not a muir right now. He was a Goliath that was going to get that dog back. He entered the alley and two of the three youngsters(barely adult age, really) started jawing at him as street rats normally do. The one with the dog got skittish real quick. Inexplicably he bolted down the alley with the dog in tow. Sendak in one fluid motion pulled out his crossbow and fired. The bolt thunked into the runner's spine, snuffing him out nearly instantly. The shock of the moment sent the two remaining rats fleeing.
Sendak walked up to the lifeless punk and took the remaining leash of the dog(the street rats did a cut and grab) into his hands. No sooner did he go to turn to leave, ahead of him at the end of the alley stood a tall dark figure in a long black jacket and very wild brimmed hat, pulled down. He spoke softly, but very demandingly. "You need to pay for what you took, friend." He motioned to the dead man in the alley. Sendak thought for a moment and then realized this must be the street boss the youngsters worked for. He then re-focused his thoughts back to getting the dog back to the boy. Which was what he was going to do. No matter what. As Sendak was about to take a step forward and handle this next problem. He wasnt afraid of street bosses. He was in the city long enough, particularly the Docks District, to know how they operated. He wouldn't have to put too much of a hurting on this one. Which apparently wasn't true of this street boss in particular, because what happened next completely shocked the Goliath.
From seemingly out of nowhere, two large black and white rabbit feet flew into the head and face area of the street boss, sending him flying backwards a good twenty five feet away into the back of a cart, knocking him unconscious. And now in his place stood everybody's favorite humanoid rabbit Taphouse employee, Winky. Sendak couldn't believe what just happened, nor could he think of why. Yet he was happy to see Winky, as Winky was to see him. He gave his usual greeting of the ear wink and an excited tapping of his foot. Then he told his Goliath buddy, "you really dont wanna mess with that guy, trust me! I know all about that, yup yup! I happened to be on my way to work and saw what was happening and knew I had to give you the assist." He gave a playful punch to Sendak's arm. "Hey speaking of, why dont you and your band come down to the Taphouse for dinner. Winky'll take of ya!" And with that, the humanoid rabbit hopped his way through town to work. Leaving Sendak to return the dog, which he did, and then moseyed his way through the districts to Fellroy's. Eventually the team met up and over food and drink they discussed recent events till they were full and tired. Winky handled everything for them, and then all headed to their respective places of sleep for the night.
In the morning, they finished up their required tasks and met the horses at the city stables near the gate. Already in place just outside Darromar's gates, Odyeus began his ritual that opened a "door" for the party and their horses. "Ugh," thought Sendak. They each said their goodbyes and made their way through. After another dizzying and reality altering moment, they exited at the northern Tethyrian border. A small village could be seen to the west. The Mushroom Village of Brost. The party clung tight to their horses as they lifted off and made the final leg of the trip to the city.
The Amnian resort city of Esmeltaran. A shining gem of West Faerun
Within the Halfling dominated resort city of Esmeltaran, usually the fest halls and casinos and hundreds of other entertainment venues are rocking and rolling. Alas since the attack here, things are more bleak everywhere except for naturally, the people. The party are greeted at the city gates by a small but potent human division of the Amnian force known as The Council's Army(Amn itself is ruled by The Council Of Five(formerly Six). They greet with smiles and offers to tend the horses. They happily inform that any information regarding the recent unprovoked dragon attack should be brought up to the city's Hunter's League, led by Roselle Midfall. They can be found up in the Western end of town.
The aged home base of Esmeltaran's Hunter's League
As the party arrives at the impressive house of the Hunter's, they see a group of Halflings in a side yard practicing their archery. And loudly instructing them is a stout, leather and fur bound Halfling female with blonde hair, pacing back and forth. As they approach, the blonde Halfling woman starts off with a hand slightly raised in a pause motion and says "Any and all tourist monster reports must be presented to our clerical staff up front. Leave your deposit and a contact location. You'll be notified when the job is done and payment expected." Once she learns they are actually here about the dragon attack specifically, and on behalf of Darromar(she sees their badges and expresses her pity), she invites them inside to speak.
Recent painting of Roselle Midfall, leader of the Esmeltaran Hunter's League. She is of the Strongheart lineage.
The interior of the base is that of a great hall, full of taxidermized and mounted creatures of all types. The party instantly with a quiet grimace, recognize the owlbear rug on the floor. They're presented with food and drink by staff and sat at a table behind closed doors with Roselle.
She describes how the dragon attacked. "It came in the dead of night but didn't do all that much structural damage. More so there was emotional damage to the population due to the nightmarish reality the dragon enacted by it's imposing size, it continuous and erratic roaring, and seemingly thrashing it's head whenever it used its breath weapon, which fortunately that ended up aimlessly shot into the skies more so than the city itself, sparing thousands, but not all. The loss estimates are well into the hundred or two range. And for a city of approx. 20,000 residents and another visiting 1,500-2,200 in staff, it's still a dent in the populace and the heart of it's people. It was reported the following day that the great wyrm was seeing burrowing into the Cloud Peaks mountain range to the Northeast, just shy of 200 miles from here. We, as you saw, are preparing to assemble a battle force to join in on the hunt for the beast. The upper stooges over in Athkatla(Amn's coastal capital) agreed to assemble their own force to hunt down the dragon soon as its getting dangerously close to them & Candlekeep. A resort city isn't exactly high on their list." She clearly said that last part with a bit of a huff. City politics alive and well even in Amn.
Roselle offers the party to roost for the night at Shazzelim's Retreat, one of the finer inn & tavern's in the city proper. She also offered credit to visit the game halls that are still open. Whatever they want to do. Yet, after all these latest updates, and discussing the erratic behavior of the wyrm this time, including...burrowing into a mountain? They had to approach this next step with as fresh a mind and body as they could. they decided to turn in for the night before heading out to The Cloud Peaks tomorrow.
Ethically sourced leather and fur of a direwolf will keep the coldest of colds out. Temporarily.
The next morning as they are leaving the city gates for the mountains, the party are stopped by Roselle and a troop of her fellow Hunters. She tells them "The cold up there in the Peaks is different. Be wary and bundle up with these. Our show of appreciation for your assistance." She presents each of them a Direwolf leather and fur cloak to help keep them warm as once they get past a certain level, its always cold in the Peaks. The heroes leave Esmeltaran upon their winged steeds towards the mountains. To the cold world of the Cloud Peaks. To where the Wyrm should be laying. And this time, as it is burrowed inside the face of a mountain, it only has two ways to go. Through the rest of the mountain, or through the party...
FIN
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