Bbeg Ic

[Oslecamo]

Maekrix is a well known and respected merchant of exotic metals, having stablished his home in the mountains from where it's product is extracted so he can better conduct business. His diplomatic skills are such that he managed to convince a whole dwarf clan to work for him despite being an human, something unheard in LochFell and the surrounding lands in written history.

Unfortenely, Maekrix's manor itself is quite hard to reach, being on the middle of harsh rock and violent orc tribes. Visitors are basically non exhistant due to the perils of the journey needed to reach it, and most of the communication with the outside world is dealt by Maekrix's trusted servant, Leryn. But that's a sacrifice the businessman is happy to make to keep a steady supply of adamantine, mythral and others to Lochfell, all a reasonable prices, preventing the other dwarven from building a monopoly over the other races.

Orcs sometimes try to raid the manor, but Maekrix pays well for a strong security force to keep his business safe. Today however the watchers announce the aproach of someone diferent.

A small party of a dozen individuals aproaches the manor by the main trail. They're dressed in expensive and eye-catching clothes and armors, and one of them carries a large golden banner. The red symbol on it's middle it's well known, the symbol of the Golden Flame.

A coaliton of churces of Good Deities the Golden Flame is dedicated to the search, hunt and destruction of evil doers and monsters, and boasts several powerfull heroes, priests, and sages on it's ranks. They answer only to the king of Lochfell himself, and are otherwise completely independent.

However, they're slowly aproaching in plain sight, their weapons sheated, whitout any sign of violent intentions, clearly coming in peace.

Maekrix's dwarven servants ask how they should receive them.

[Jallorn]

Why with the courtesy befitting any guest, of course. Make them comfortable, but let them know I'll be delayed a little. Tell them I have some pressing matters that will keep me a few minutes and that they should help themselves to any of the wine or fruit I keep in my house. Finished with his instructions, Maekrix heads for his study, locks the door, and enters a secret door to speak with his allies.

[The_Snark]

It is an unfortunate truth that any area in which Tatzel Gorynch makes her home begins to smell. It isn't a bad smell, exactly... well, it's better than rotting meat or an open latrine, at least. It's simply rich, with just enough unpleasantness mixed in that one can't help but notice it after a while. Normally this is tolerable, if not exactly pleasant, but in the confined space of the catacombs, it quickly becomes an overpowering, fetid stink. The dwarves have done their best to stop it, of course: they scrub the muck trails she left when she went slithering through the tunnels, they run the bellows to keep air circulating through the caverns, and even burn the occasional torch to cut the smell with woodsmoke. But as long as the Worm remains, they will never completely get rid it.

For such a bulky creature, Tatzel Gorynch makes surprisingly little noise, so the first sign of her presence is that smell: decaying leaves, mixed with the stagnant air that bubbles up when you disturb the thick mud on the bottom of a lake. The second sign is her voice, floating out from a darkened tunnel.

"Weeeelll, look who's come to visit us in this dank little 'ole he keeps us in. Wonder what he wants from us? Not the pleasure of our company, oh no; 'is lordship'd never risk messing up his nice fancy clothes for the likes of us." She sounds for all the world like a crochety old woman, the kind who believes she's outgrown things like tact and politeness, and so mutters insults to herself knowing perfectly well that you can hear her. And this is, in fact, what she is; it's just that she also happens to be a dragon, so her mutters are loud enough to carry some distance down the tunnels.

As she nears the entrance, she drops the pretense, addressing Maekrix directly. "What do you want, oh master? Come to let us out of this place for a little while?"

[Jallorn]

Actually, no, oh patient one. I have some guests upstairs that we don't want to tip off to our presence, and so I came to let you, and the others, know. We need to keep quiet. No one is to use any of the entrances that connect to my manor until I leave. And above all else, keep the noise down. Now, is there anything that I can get you to make your stay more comfortable?

[The_Snark]

"You could let me eat your visitors," she says hopefully. " 'Oh no, they must of run afoul of trouble on the roads, 'ow tragic, people vanish while traveling in these mountains all the time, the king really ought to do something about it...' It'd hardly be suspicious at all, really, and then you wouldn't 'ave to worry about people pokin' their noses where they shouldn't. Who are they, anyway?"

[Jallorn]

The Golden Flame. Or rather, representatives of, Maekrix speaks with the educated tinge of a gentleman. His words are curt, and a little blunt sounding, but filled with honest politeness and friendliness. If at all possible, I'd rather not draw attention to us, he stresses the word "us," as being involved in anyway with the disappearance of such distinguished gentlemen. Plus, I'd like to know why they're here. I'll keep your suggestion in mind, however, though I'd rather my servants not know about you specifically either.

[The_Snark]

"Oh," says the Worm, and it is a mark of the Golden Flame's reputation that she does not complain any further. There had been... incidents with them in the past, and she'd long ago decided it was easier to avoid them rather than get entangled. She isn't exactly eager to have news of her presence here spread to the dwarven clans, either; dwarves could hold one hell of a grudge over a few stolen trinkets. "Weeelll. I'll go tell yer pets to stay put for now, but get the knives and forks ready, just in case. Sure you don't want one of the wenches to come on up, pose as yer wife? Marriage makes a businessman look more respectable."

[Jallorn]

It is widely known that I am unwed, and I have found it serves my business quite well. Now, I bid you good day, for I must return to my guests, lest they begin to worry. Please tell the others what I have told you, oh, and have a nice day.

Maekrix returns the way he came, listening at the secret door for any movement in his study before emerging.

[Gorgondantess]

Martin laughs at the dialogue between Tatzel and Maekrix, a horrible, grating, rasping laugh that seamlessly turns into a cough, then back to a laugh again. He's carrying the desiccated corpse of a dwarf who perished in a rock slide circa 2.5 years ago, now just dried skin and ligaments holding together dirt-encrusted bones. He's periodically stripping off a piece and tossing it to Moulder, who animalistically chomps and devours them, pawing at the bones like a dog.
He approaches Maekrix, waving a hand and speaking in an equally rasping tone, "Are you sure you don't need any support?" As he says this he shrinks down a bit, taking on the form of a grey-haired, middle aged gentleman, his voice changed to an effete, sophisticated tone. "Or do you think they'd be able to see through my little tricks?"

[Jallorn]

Please Martin, don't you trust me? Maekrix laughs then, a quiet laugh, dignified, but as honest as his politeness.

[Gorgondantess]

Martin transforms back into his skeletal Yugoloth form, laughing his raspy laugh. "But of course. It's our visitors I don't trust.
Well, suit yourself. I'll just be waiting down here."
And with that, he retreats into the caverns, Moulder hot on his trail.

[WhiteKnight777]

The Tarrasque

Awakened from his half-doze by the all the racket, the Tarrasque half-opened one vast reptilian eye. He lay amidst a throng of worshipers, some of them whispering chants of praise, while others armed with massive snaggle-toothed combs and brushes worked diligently to remove blood, mold, and other various accretions from between his scales. One of the disadvantages of nearly-invincible armor was that it was also markedly insensitive, and thus needed the attentions of the chattering little monkeys if it was to remain clean. Not that the Tarrasque was terribly bothered one way or the other, but he found their attentions mildly pleasant, so he did not object.

"Ah. Worthless god-botherers." He said in a voice like the grinding of great stones. "It would be easier simply to eat them all. Then eat the ones who came after to investigate. But do as you will. They are of no consequence."

[AmberVael]

Phares sits nearby on a bit of protruding rock, her six bone wings tucked behind her back. When she flew, they would blossom with fire, the flames stretching along them in lieu of feathers, but now, and other times she was at rest, they were unadorned. Her red eyes are only half open, and she watches Maekrix enter, speak then leave.

"What is the point of having allies if you don't use them?"
She says to his back, once he is gone. Still, she does not disobey his order, though she would undoubtedly be more useful at his side. Maekrix was not unskilled himself, but negotiations and diplomacy were the trademarks of Phares- courtier, spy, politician- she'd practiced the skills endlessly in her work.

One bony wing twitches out in a disdainful gesture.
"I am beginning to think he wants us more for decoration than anything else."

[WhiteKnight777]

The Tarrasque

The Beast of the Apoclypse let out a great snort at Phares' comment. You, perhaps. I understand that you are considered comely among the mortal races. Personally, I wouldn't know. But for me... He stretched out one great claw, casually digging a foot-deep furrow in solid rock as easily as a man might tear a sheet of rice-paper. "For me, there is only ever one purpose anyone has in mind. Not that it bothers me, mind you." He shrugged. "But nobody ever thinks 'Oh, he's been around since the dawn of time. Might've seen a few things. Might know a few things.' Oh no. It's always 'Crush this kingdom.' or 'Consume this village.' or 'Aieee! My children!' Mortals." he said with another snort, rolling his eyes.

[AmberVael]

"A severed head can be just as much decoration as a lovely sculpture. There is a certain pride to be found in it, if not aesthetic value."
Phares says, tapping her fingers along the stone she is using as a seat.
"And I imagine 'imminent death' is how the majority usually view you."

[WhiteKnight777]

The Tarrasque

The beast chortled, the sound making the stone vibrate. "It is my nature... And how I was made. It isn't everything I am... but death is my familiar." He grinned, showing his teeth. It was unsettling, to say the least."What I begrudge is not having a choice in the matter... but that is a story I'm sure I've told before."

[The_Snark]

"Yes, poor little tarrasque," mutters Tatzel from the edge of the cavern, once again perfectly audible despite her pretense of talking to herself. "Such a burden, not gettin' to choose what you are. Everyone else gets that choice, after all." She cackles. There's a splash from the darkness, as she slithers back into the deep, stagnant pool she likes to use as a bed. It probably isn't a coincidence that she dug it at the opposite end of the cavern from the Tarrasque's usual resting place.

But pparently some part of her is still above water, because her voice floats out from the hole. "And you with only invincibility, unimaginable strength and eternal life t' console you. Don't know how you can bear it."

[WhiteKnight777]

The Tarrasque

The beast glared at Tatzel. He was really good at it. He'd had a lot of time to practice. "Look, you really have no conception of what it's like to be made half-assed by a bunch of divine jackasses as a terror weapon. For instance, do you have any idea what it's like to run the gamut of eternity with a mating urge, with no female of your species? I have Olidammara to thank for that one. He thought it was funny." said the Tarrasque, unable to hide his bitterness.

[AmberVael]

Phares laughs at the Tarrasque and shakes her head.
"The old man from the dawn of time sounds more like a petulant juvenile now. 'Everything is meaningless, because I can't find someone who will love me! Oh, my life is tragic!' Hah! If that's the best you can do after having existed as long as you have, it is no wonder people don't come asking for your wisdom."

She smirks, taking on a mocking, mollifying tone.
"But of course, we just can't understand your pain. After all, how could we possibly know what it is to be the only creature of your species? Oh the pain and agony of being alone!"

The magically created, lone example of her species places the back of one hand to her forehead as she looks up to the ceiling of the cavern.
"Somehow, you'll just have to suffer and move on, without looking at any of the many, many solutions out there, because you just don't like them!"

[WhiteKnight777]

The Tarrasque

The Tarrasque snorted and rolled his eyes. "I have a solution. I'm going to eat the gods. Slowly. Sounds like a plan to me, eh?" He grinned, showing far too many teeth for anyone to be comfortable. "Besides, Tatzel should thank me. If not for that one drunken night with Tiamat... well, she might not be here today."

He shifted, sending several of his servitors scurrying. "Besides, I was merely stating the facts. I don't see either of you two as having any grand plans. I wonder, can you do anything constructive beyond sniping at your betters?" He asked, somehow contriving to smirk.

[AmberVael]

"Sniping at my betters is constructive?"
Phares wonders aloud, musing over the idea.
"I suppose negative reinforcement can be a driving force..."

She shakes her head, returning to reality and giving a shrug with her arms and wings.
"We're all going to die eventually. Why bother straining yourself when you can enjoy life so simply? My plan is to get some amusement out of all this, and that's just what I'm doing."

Sliding from the rock to the ground, Phares stretches out idly, giving a bit of a yawn.
"But I bet I'd get more entertainment in the house than down here. Picking on an overgrown magic lizard isn't the best pass time."

[WhiteKnight777]

The Tarrasque

The beast rolled a little, nearly crushing a couple of his worshippers. "Speak for yourself. I intend to live until the stars burn out. And after that... well, we'll see. I'm not making any more plans until I find out what godflesh tastes like."

[Oslecamo]

After taking care of his "matters", Maekrix goes meet his guests.

Eight of them, all humans, wear identical golden armors, less sophisticated than the other members of the group, sugesting a lower rank, and they stand on their foots around the others with their arms behind their backs like an escort, greatswords straped at their backs.

The rest of the Golden Flame group is composed of a winged woman, an elven male, a dwarf with a massive beard and an halfling. The later looks around with a somewhat miscievous look on his eyes and wears refined silks whitout weapons on sight. The dwarp on the other hand has a tick fullplate and uses a large adamantium hammer as support, observing the room with stern eyes and caressing a platinium amulet around his neck. The woman's featherly wings are pearly white and she wears light mytrhal armor, with two scimitars sheated on her belt.

Finally the elven male has long golden hair and a large golden robe with several runes written on it. He seems to stand out on the group, basically breathing charisma, and is he who steps forward, makes a sophisticated bow and then talks to Maekrix.

Greetings, oh good man, and thank you for receiving us in your great house.

Unfortenely, we bring you ill news, Maekrix. After a recent mission on a nearby orc outpost we stumbled upon rumors that some massive evil beast lurks the area, so fearsome even most orcs are afraid of it. From out interrogations it seems it moves underground to avoid detection. Our divinations weren't conclusive but they strongly sugest something malicious is hiding in this region.

Now your mines here go deep into the land. We suspect the beast may be lurking in there, or at least used it as temporary hideout on the recent past.

Have your workers reported something unusual on the last weeks? Unknown substances, foul smells, people missing or acting funny, strange sounds, things that you would dismiss as bad luck or natural acident? They may all be actualy signs of the beast. And any clue we can get would help us track it down.

Regardless, we would like to conduct a search on your mines ourselves. We have specialists to find this kind of thing, and we promise to disturb your work as little as possible. Your great help to the Golden Flame here would not be forgoten.

[Jallorn]

If such a creature is about, we have noticed nothing. Could I interest you in some tea, or cognac? Maekrix makes it a point to be quite polite, as he offers refreshments. It is clear you know me, but it would be quite discourteous of me to not ask your names.

[Oslecamo]

Ah, sorry for my rudeness, my heart is so focused on the quest at hand that I sometimes forget proper good manners. My name is Xavkas. And my companions here are...

Corerris-says the winged woman.

Grakul-replies the halfling.

Quogeon. And I'll acept that cognac offer.-finishes the dwarf.

Me too!-Adds the halfling.

He'll have the tea-corrects Xavkas- As well as me and Corerris. Quogeon can handle alchool well but I would rather the rest of the group keeps their head fresh for the task at hand.

But we don't want to take too much of your time. If you haven't noticed anything strange, then hopefully it was just some misinformation. We'll have some refresments, then check out the mine quickly, just to make sure, and then let you continue your business.

[Jallorn]

Why don't we sit down for a few minutes, have some tea or cognac, and you can tell me all about this monster? And maybe a little about what has been going on in the city. Maekrix waves a servant to fetch some tea, pouring himself and the dwarf glasses of cognac, though he refrains from drinking until the tea arrives for his other guests. I haven't had visitors for quite some time, and would be glad for a little company and some information.

[Oslecamo]

Xavkas seems reluctant for a moment, but then makes a sign with his hand and sits down with his party, altough the escort humans remain on their foot.

I understand you may feel isolated here, and would like someone to talk to, but we're far from ideal persons for that. To be honest we don't know much of what's going into the city, we've been deployed in outside missions most of the time for the last seven months. Our work for the Golden Flame is our life.

Yeah, it's been some time since they gave us vacations!-comments Grakul- I love working for the Golden Flame and everything but a little time out now and then wouldn't trigger the apocalypse or anything!

We can however entertain you with details of the monster if you're interested.-continues Corerris, siting and gently sipping her tea-The interrogations were inconclusive, but it seems like it is some kind of subterranean dragon. It's very big, with powerfull jaws, tail and claws, very tough, and immense physical strenght, able to easily breack trough stone. Yet also very clever and cunning, don't leaving much witnesses and covering it's own tracks. Most reports add that it's wingless, altough some swear they saw it fly. Thus we're probably facing some kind of subspecies of chromatic dragon, or one that was somehow twisted by vile magic. We'll know more if we find anything on the mine, and we'll keep you updated with our discoveries on matter if you wish.

Indeed, this job won't solve itself. You should know as a businessman that idleness is bad for one's health. One drink here, one talk there, and the day has ended whitout you having done half your scheduled work!-ends Quogeon, already having emptied his glass.

[Jallorn]

Fascinating. I'm curious though, are you sure you're a match for such a beast? Where do you skills lie?

[Oslecamo]

Xavkas smiles back at Maekrix

Well, that's our job, finding and killing powerfull evil monsters. I won't say it's easy but it's not the first time we deal with this kind of oponent. I can't tell you about our precise skills however, besides that we're well trained members from our order.

Altough I have the utmost trust in you, the Golden Flame forbids us from sharing that kind of knowledge with non-members unless it's really necessary, like when we work with the army to repel invading hordes. One must not brag about his strenghts loudly, less someone find a way to counter them. Not today, nor tomorrow, but you could someday let this information slip to the wrong ears, and then all of us would be in danger. Please try to understand.

Took some great effort to teach that to the halfling!-laughs Quogeon.

[Jallorn]

If you will excuse me a moment, I will send a runner for a guide, Maekrix says as he stands. As he gives instructions to a runner, he concentrates on his ability to sense magic in an attempt to glean more information about these visitors.

[Oslecamo]

Thank you very much. But before we go, you don't happen to have a map of the mines to show us the bigger picture, do you?

Between the talks Maekrix can detect four strong auras on each of the party members, on a combination of abjuration, and transmutation. They also seem to have several moderate and weak auras on them but they're partially concealed by the strong auras so their number can't be determined, altough Maekrix can detect traces of enchantment and divination on top of more abjuration and transmutation.

[Jallorn]

Dwarves don't need maps, especially the ones I trust to be guides. So that's a no, sorry, but since we don't need it, it's not worth the time to make a map. Or the danger it would pose, Maekrix thinks to himself.

OOC
Before they move on, I want to think over an idea I've got.

Also, I'd like to point out that I've got Voidsense and See the Unseen active. Just in case it's relevant.

[Oslecamo]

Told you so!-snickers Quogeon.

Xavkas seems to ignore that and bows again to Maekrix.

Thank you anyway. So I bid you farewell for now sir.

And with this the party of the Golden Flame departs following the runner, walking in a decided step and their heads high.

[Jallorn]

Maekrix tells his servants his is intending to get work done, and that he is not to be disturbed for anything, then enters his study, locks it, and enters the secret passage. There, he updates his allies on what has happened and suggests they prepare a trap.

[Lix Lorn]

Emily and her companion arrived at the entrance to the place, having returned from an attempt to talk with the elves.

I didn't want to post first in the IC... and then forgot about it. Where should I go from here?

[AmberVael]

"A trap? Why? It would be better if we convinced them that nothing is here, and then sent them on their way."
Phares says, crossing her arms.
"If we kill them off, it will attract attention. You said so yourself. Have we suddenly decided that we want this attention?"

[Jallorn]

I don't think that we will be able to convince them that nothing is here. They have provided a solution however. They are here because there are rumors about you, Tarrasque, so all we need to say is that they were after you, and we haven't heard from them since they left, headed away from the city. Maekrix looks thoughtful for a moment, They would make good servants as well.

[Oslecamo]

I didn't want to post first in the IC... and then forgot about it. Where should I go from here?


Maekrix has just called the party for a reunion on his hideout, ask any questions away to him.

Long Story short, a party fro a goody two shoes organization has heard of rumors of a big bad monster on the area and asked Maekrix if they could inspect the mines. Maekrix pretends he's an honest merchant and heard nothing and let them in. Now you decide what to do about it.

[Lix Lorn]

Emily rushed towards the room that, from prior experience, was most likely to contain the meeting.
"Hello?" she called.

[AmberVael]

"Do they have any specifics about what they came after?"
Phares asks, looking rather thoughtful.
"Like, an exact description?"

[Jallorn]

They claim they are looking for some kind of subterranean dragon, very big, with powerful jaws, tail and claws, very tough, and immense physical strength, able to easily break trough stone. Yet also very clever and cunning, don't leaving much witnesses and covering it's own tracks. Most reports add that it's wingless, although some swear they saw it fly. I don't know anything else that fits that description.

[Gorgondantess]

Martin coughs before speaking, which serves to make an opening for his words. "Whatever the case, I have the feeling that these folks will be savvy enough to see that Maekrix is not, in fact, a standup member of society. Killing them should be safest. And profitable. And it'll add some notoriety to our friend here, while at the same time bringing more and more of these folks here to investigate, like lambs to the slaughter. Besides, Moulder is getting antsy. Better to kill some of these Golden Flame folks than our own dwarves, eh?"

[Lix Lorn]

Did anyone hear me call?

[Jallorn]

I'm hurt that you would call me anything but an upstanding part of society. Just because I have ambitious designs and keep friends that most wouldn't, it is impossible to tell if Maekrix is serious or not, one might, if they knew him well, assume that he is doing both at once.

[Gorgondantess]

Did anyone hear me call?

I'd think no: we're all underground, yes?

[AmberVael]

"I was thinking, with a little magic and cleverness... maybe we could give them a monster to find? And kill?"
Phares suggests.
"Illusions and conjuration could do the trick, perhaps with a few other things thrown in the mix."

[Lix Lorn]

Well, I said that I rushed towards where the meeting most likely was... it's so hard joining in roleplays after they start. Eck.

[Jallorn]

Just pretend you've been there the whole time.

[Lix Lorn]

That feels like it's cheating... just say I was talking to elfies, and came back and found the room, just knocked and called? Seems easiest to me.

[The_Snark]

The problem is that we're not meeting in the manor, we're in the underground complex beneath, and Jallorn's character locked it. Say you returned a little while earlier, returned to your quarters in the catacombs to rest, and have just now come back up for the meeting?

"Too risky, little angel," says Tatzel, finally drawn into the conversation. Not that she cares whether Maekrix gets himself discovered, she'd hasten to add. She just can't stand to hear people scheming right in front of her without joining in.

"They might smell the magic on a fake monster. We've got two perfectly good real monsters right here, so why take the risk? Me or him"—she flicks her tail in the direction of the Tarrasque—"pops up, gives 'em a fight, then leads them on a merry little chase away. As long as our glorious leader can convince them he's just an ignorant fool who 'ad no idea what was lurking in his mines, then we come out smelling like roses."

[Jallorn]

That might actually work. Just make sure and kill a few, I'd like to have them as servants, they certainly would have useful intelligence.

[AmberVael]

"The problem with that idea is that they might use magic to try and find our volunteer again, at a later time. And if they trace you right back here, then it is going to look very suspicious."
Phares counters, her six bone wings rustling behind her irritably.
"They need to think the problem is gone."

[The_Snark]

The landwyrm's jaw falls open in a grin, revealing a mouth chock-full of crooked, peglike fangs. The underground cavern seems to grow a little more cramped as her breath rolls out. "Well then, lovie, how you going to do that?" she says softly, watching Phares with an inscrutable glitter in her eyes. "I shouldn't think illusions are going to do the trick, oh no. Not when the swords start flashing and the blood starts flowing."

[Lix Lorn]

...maybe I should sleep through the meeting... someone come wake my charrie up when it's over?

[AmberVael]

"I was under the impression that fooling people was the entire purpose of an illusion. However, I admit I am not well versed in magic, so if there are certain variables I haven't taken into account, forgive me."
Phares shrugs.
"Simply killing them all would be simpler. I just didn't think we wanted to bring attention to ourselves... which was the entire point of our current situation."

[Jallorn]

Yes, but it's the matter of inexplicable attention that we don't want. They have given us an explanation that I believe will serve quite well. I am more than capable of convincing others.

[Gorgondantess]

"The simplest solutions are the best ones, my friends. Just kill them- if they're all dead, the worst that can happen is the Golden Flame continues investigations, and then our 'monster' just kills the next people, and so on and so forth. This'll also serve to whittle down the strength of one of our greatest threats in the world. Everyone wins. Well, I win, and that's what matters, yes?"
He grins, showing a mouth of jagged, crooked, decaying teeth, and chuckles.

[WhiteKnight777]

The Tarrasque

The beast growled hungrily "They're a bunch of witless god-botherers... but that's just the thing. It seems as though, being servants of the gods, they would know what I am. There's no shortage of lore on me in most divine libraries. The gods made me, and though they no longer have any sway over what I do, they know what I am capable of. That they are unaware of my existence strikes me as odd..."

Then he shrugged. "All the same, I say you just let me consume them. Then point me in the direction of their headquarters. I will go and visit them, bearing death. They will send no more emissaries after that."

[Jallorn]

If you devour them, then they will serve no further use, no my friend, I'm afraid that would be poor planning. As for your other idea, even you would be turned away from the city.

[WhiteKnight777]

The Tarrasque

The beast snorted a little laugh. "All cities are built on something. Neither rock nor stone nor dirt are any impediment to my travels."

[AmberVael]

Phares rolls her eyes.
"Enough of this. We likely have little time left. As you seem so particular, master, you should outline our plan. What are your orders? Are we to kill, capture, or fool the intruders, and how?"

[Jallorn]

I think just kill them in any way that their bodies may become useful material, or capture, as you see the opportunity.

[AmberVael]

"Where are they entering?"
Inquires Phares, standing as she mentally prepares herself to face the enemy.

[Jallorn]

The main entrance.

[WhiteKnight777]

The Tarrasque

The elder beast smiled its evil, toothy grin, pleased with the decision. "Excellent... I'll try to leave something for you to play with, necromancer."

He looked at the others. "Since they're looking for me, I should let them find me. I'll distract them with a bit of chatter, and the rest of you can fall on them. Kill spellcasters first - don't let them get any messages off."

[AmberVael]

"I'll locate them and keep an eye on them so we can get a proper ambush."
Phares spreads her wings, but instead of fire, shadow flows over her and surrounds her, obscuring her appearance and presence so that she might better hide from her enemies.
"Come, beast. It is time to perform the task that you are so often asked to do."
It isn't seen, but the smirk can be heard within her voice as she speaks to the tarrasque.

Swiftly, Phares moves through the tunnels, searching for the adversaries, though not staying too far ahead of her allies.

Phares will attempt to stay within 180ft of her nearest ally at all times, so she can communicate with them via her telepathy. Within that range, she will scout out ahead for the enemies, utilizing Embrace of the Shadow (in which she has invested 3 essentia at the moment) to remain hidden even if she has no cover.
Also, note Darkstalker as usual, to negate most auto-detecting stuff.

Hide: [roll0]
Move Silently: [roll1]

She'll also have 2 points in Step of the Bodiless (which gives +4 to balance, climb, jump, and tumble) and 3 in her Impulse Boots (+3 reflex saves) for good measure.

Her current soulmelds are listed in the notes section of her sheet.

[WhiteKnight777]

The Tarrasque

He rose to his feet, his worshippers scattering like insects as he stretched, his armored hide scraping the edges of the cavern as his bulk unfolded from the ground. He grinned even wider, and his eyes glittered evily. "Careful, half-breed. You don't want to sound like you're giving me orders." He said, at once playful and deadly serious. He stalked towards the main entrance, not even bothering to try to hide. He would wait a little out of sight of the main entrance, just enough for them to get into the mines and unable to quickly escape. Then they would deal with the interlopers at leisure.

[The_Snark]

"I'll go fetch that little catgirl tart of yours, shall I?" Tatzel asks Maekrix. Normally she'd be annoyed at her advice being disregarded, if only for the sake of being contrary, but she knows when to abandon a lost cause. She can always gloat later if it turns out she was right. "Smelled her coming back in a couple hours ago. We wouldn't want to miss out on all the fun, would we now..."

[Gorgondantess]

Martin watches the altercation with amusement. "Just give me a moment to prepare. Moulder, my dear, get ready in the back."
Casting divination to ask what the best energy resistance for the upcoming combat to have would be, then grabbing that with energy immunity.
Then, Rod-Extended Surge of Fortune+Moment of Prescience, as well as a shield of faith, for a total of +6 to AC (44).
Meanwhile, Moulder will retreat to about 200' from the entrance, making sure she has a clear line to the entrance. She'll turn on invisibility, then a protection from energy of the same type as Martin's energy immunity, shield, fist of stone, & stoneskin.
Meanwhile, Martin just waits in the same general area as our (very) large friend, not much for subtlety when he's so prepared, though back & away enough that he's not in the way.

[Lix Lorn]

I'd complain about the tart comment, but it's totally true.

Emily was in her room, on the bed. Dressed, but asleep, although not deeply.

[The_Snark]

There is a heavy scratching sound outside Emily's room, the kind of sound that things with claws and scales make when they knock on doors. You don't even want to think about what it's doing to the wood, or how much it'll cost to have it repaired.

"Wakey wakey, little kitty," croons a singsong voice, a caricature of an elderly woman's voice, Tatzel Gorynch's voice. "The Master's got treats for us, and he'll be very disappointed if you don't show. Open up, precious, and let us in."

[Lix Lorn]

"Mrrrr.... whozat? What?" said Emily, slowly waking, and then jolting to alertness. "What's happening? I'm awake. I wasn't asleep."

She stood up, headed over to the door and opening it.
"Ooooh, it's you. What were you saying?"

[The_Snark]

Outside, the corridor is full of dragon. Dripping-wet, foul-smelling, legless dragon. A single eye in the wall of scales regards Emily with amusement. "Of course you weren't asleep, pretty little morsel. You know, you smell particularly delectable when you're drowsy..." The worm's nostrils flare as she breathes in deeply, inhaling the scent.

"Lucky for you, Tatzel Gorynch is telling the truth today! The master really does want you, not that we didn't both know that already," she sniggers. "He's got some folks knocking on his door and askin' to poke around. The Golden Flame, as a matter of fact. He told them there weren't anything to find, but they didn't listen. Offends him terribly to have his word doubted, and of course he can't have them finding out that he really is a lying little snake, now can he? Nothing for it now but to eat them all."

[Lix Lorn]

She gave a dazzling smile at the dragon's taunting. It was all true, so she couldn't really care less.

"Let's go then." she said. "Wouldn't wanna miss the fun."

[The_Snark]

"No we wouldn't." Tatzel gives up on her attempts to frighten the catgirl. The silly bint was either too oblivious to sense the danger, or foolishly courageous... or else smart enough to figure out that Maekrix must have enough of a hold on Tatzel Gorynch to keep her from devouring his other servants. Otherwise there wouldn't be nearly as many dwarves living in the caverns.

Damn necromancers.

The dragon's serpentine bulk slithers out of the hallway with more speed than you'd expect from something that big, leaving the hallway clear for Emily to follow.

[Lix Lorn]

She giggled slightly, and wondered how badly things would end if she flirted with the horrific creature.
With regret, she decided she'd be wasting her time, and went to follow her. On the way, she stopped in the next room and awoke Jessica, before they both headed for the rest of them.

[Oslecamo]

Phares has no trouble following the Golden Flame members trail in the begginning, untill something very strange happens. Most of the foot prints simply vanish, and are replaced by a single trail of huge clawed foots.

The mystery solves itself when several minutes later Phares catches a glimpse of her targets. One huge golden dragon advances carefully trough the tunnels, circled by nine winged angels of both genders the elf and dwarf floating between them. Except that it just looks like a dwarf as Phare's true sight reveals another elvish creature below.

One of the angels also clearly stands out among the others. The others wear chainshirts and wield guisarmes while the other has no armor besides refined clothes and holds a massive adamantine mace at her belt. He also looks shligtly taller and definetely more imposing/confident than the others.

The elvish leader also reveals to have bright red eyes, almost as if they were in fire, when under the true seeing effect.

All of them are cloacked by invisibility altough it doesn't really disturb Phaere's sight.

Then as Phares observes the group, the dragon stops walking and the other members immediatily stop with him. The dragon makes a move with it's head and the elvish leader aproaches, and they seem to be whispering something to each other


Listen check if you wanna hear them.

Also if the Tarrasque wants to aproach from under earth whitout making everything tremble roll a move silently check.

[AmberVael]

Phares

Annoyed that she may have been discovered so quickly, Phares attempts to listen in, hoping that she was mistaken.

Listen Check: [roll0]

I assume they're within 210ft, so excluding some bizarre circumstance, Phares will definitely hear what is being said (given the base DC for whispering is 15+1 per 10 feet, and at minimum, I'm going to roll 36).

Also, what types and intelligence scores do they all have, given that Phares has mindsight and is likely within 180ft?

[Oslecamo]

I've heard something behind us.

You sure? I didn't see or hear anything.

Not a stray worker then. Probably hidden by some illusion, out of range of true sight. We need to get closer.

You go first, we'll cover you.


Fiery eyes elf-17 Int
Gold Dragon-18 Int
Other elf-16
Mace angel-18
Guisarme angels-17 Int

[AmberVael]

Phares

Being discovered would be bad. Though only one entity heard something- if they couldn't find anything, it might be disregarded.

On the other hand...

Phares smirks. She knew exactly where they were, and where they were going. Instantly, her thoughts flicker out to her allies, giving them the knowledge she had, the number of the enemy, their position, their destination within the mines.

This could be a perfect chance to attack. They might be wary, but we could surround and deal with them exactly was we want to.
She concludes, waiting for the judgment of the others before she does anything else.

If the enemies get too close (within 125ft), Phares will instantly teleport away from them, and to her allies. Given that her greater teleport is a spell-like ability, there shouldn't be anything for them to detect in terms of sound, light, or movement.

[Jallorn]

Draw them towards us.

[AmberVael]

Bait. Well, she gets all the fun tasks, doesn't she?

Phares begins backing off, moving as silently as possible while remaining unseen, but trying to leave just enough trace that the dragon would notice her again, and hopefully follow. She tries to make it slow and seem more methodical, as if she wasn't retreating so much as just keeping an even distance, so that hopefully they'd continue following her, perhaps even speed up and right into the trap she was laying for them.

Phares will back off to her team to lure the enemy in.
Current Essentia Placement:
Embrace of Shadow: 3
Silvertongue Mask: 4
Incarnate Avatar: 1

Here are hide and move silently if I need them:

Hide: [roll0]
Move Silently: [roll1]

More importantly though, a Bluff roll to try and trick them to act the way I want and keep them unawares.

Bluff: [roll2]

[Oslecamo]

The gold dragon falls for Phares subtle trickery, as he doesn't seem to notice the source of the sound moving more and more inside the cave while keeping the same distance, and his allies follow.

Eventualy Phares turns around the corner, and the dragon goes after her...

Situation

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg138/oslecamo/Extras/BBEG.png


Crunch:

Players can start at any position of their choice in the light blue area. You have a suprise round to act, and roll iniative in advance please.

Big yellow ball=gold dragon
Orange balls=lesser angels
Grey ball=mace angel
Blue Ball=elf disguised as dwarf
Red ball=red hair leader

[Jallorn]

Init:[roll0]

For all the good it'll likely do me, I'm invisible as per walk unseen.

Hidden from most people's view, Maekrix hovers a few inches off the ground, and as soon as the dragon comes into view, he begins muttering dark words rapidly under his breath. Soon, a wall of fire separates the dragon from his allies.

Invoking Wall of Perilous Flame. Operates as Wall of Fire, but half the damage is supernatural (meaning unaffected by Fire Resistance). Also, I pick the side with the angels for dealing damage out of the wall itself.

[Lix Lorn]

Emily's wings fluttered briefly, and then the catgirl rose slightly up and forwards, before she held out her hands and launched several bolts of dazzling white energy towards the dragon.

Her companion, meanwhile, murmured something quietly to herself, an aura of strength covering her, before a feeling of flame and heat and a blast of wind surround her, her form becoming demonic. Great, leathery wings unfold from her back, and she rises a little into the air.

Jessica, my thrall, casts Bull's Strength on herself (duration eleven minutes), and then activates her avatar form (duration seven minutes). She then flies 30ft up. She is in space !14.

Emily is in Y13. She flies forwards to R13, and up 30ft (Or to the ceiling, whichever is less).
She then attacks once with each hand, with Mind Arrows at the dragon.

[roll0]
[roll1]

[roll2] + [roll3]
[roll4] + [roll5]

The 1d8+13 is positive energy damage (It damages undead and living equally, though.) May I start psionically focussed? If so, it's +3 damage each.
1d6 is from Exit Wound-if anything is behind the dragon, it's attacked again.
1d6 is from Screaming. Sonic damage. The 'arrows' cut the air and make noise.
1d6 is from Explosive. Fire damage. Anything within I think 5ft requires a reflex save or also takes 1d6. The dragon also needs a reflex against another 1d6.

Crit range is 20 x3.

[roll6]
[roll7]

[WhiteKnight777]

The Tarrasque

Bursting from beneath the earth in a shower of dirt and stone, the Tarrasque falls upon the gold dragon, teeth gleaming. "It's been ages since I've tasted dragonflesh. I hope you don't get stuck between my teeth." He said with a leering grin. He struck with fang and claw, falling upon the unfortunate dragon in a berserker frenzy, heedless of danger, seeking only to rend and tear and kill.


I've got pounce, so full attack on the charge. Using Leap Attack and Shock Trooper, yadda yadda, murder time. Reducing armor by 14 for +14 to damage on every attack.

Vitals
HP: 307
AC: 17 (31)
DR: 17/-
Resistances: 14 for the 4 standard elements
SR: 39 + MoL Spell Deflection + Carapace
Initiative: [roll0]

Also, everyone, including those immune to fear, need to make a DC 32 save to avoid the effects of the Doom ability (Failing - shaken, fail by10 or more - panicked)

Attacks

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]

Damage (Each attack also inflicts 1 negative level. Ignores all DR, except /-, which is halved.)

[roll6]
[roll7]
[roll8]
[roll9]
[roll10]
[roll11]

Critical Confirmations (Just in Case. All crits are x3)

[roll12]
[roll13]
[roll14]
[roll15]
[roll16]
[roll17]

[Gorgondantess]

First, Martin takes a rod from his belt, and spinning it, a brackish coloured orb that glows a monochrome glare spins around him, distorting his visage. He glides forwards, walking slowly- almost languorously- but still moving surprisingly quickly. Standing before the dragon, he lowers his head and smiles unnervingly. His eyes flash, and the dragon is stricken with terror- whether that terror takes root remains to be seen.
With that, he winks out of the way.
Moving to L-15.
DC 32 will save or panicked for [roll0] rounds. If it's immune to MA or fear or whatever, DC 28 will save or panicked for 3 rounds.
Then, anklet of translocation to L-17.
Y-14 then.
Active spells:
Surge of Fortune (+2 to attacks, damage, skill checks, AC, saves, SR penetration).
Moment of Prescience
Energy Immunity (Fire)
Shield of Faith
Holy Star (+6 AC)
For 50 AC at the moment (Touch 27, FF 45, I believe).

Meanwhile, Moulder flies forwards, hoping to remain inconspicuous.
Moving to R-9.
Active spells:
Invisibility
Protection From Energy (cold)
Stoneskin
Shield
Fist of Stone

[AmberVael]

Phares

Knowing that only the dragon detected her before, Phares quietly drifts towards the companions of the dragon, hopefully while they're all distracted by the sudden ambush and appearance of a giant monster. She maintains secrecy, getting into precisely the position she wants so that when the time comes, she could strike hard.

Initiative: [roll0]

Hide: [roll1]
Move Silently: [roll2]

3 Essentia in Embrace of Shadow, 4 in Incarnate Avatar, 1 in Bloodwar Gauntlets.

I'm assuming that Phares wouldn't be exactly with the rest of the party yet- she didn't need to go much further around the corner, after all, so she can use her 60ft perfect fly and a move action to position herself right next to her enemies. Say... E 25? That be okay?

[The_Snark]

The Tarrasque's roar and thundering footsteps echo through the tunnels, utterly drowning out the lesser sounds of a monstrous serpent crawling across rocky gravel-strewn ground. Tatzel Gorynch unwinds her coils and follows in the Tarrasque's wake in a deceptively lazy manner; those slow serpentine undulations carry her faster than a man could run. She begins to circle around the Tarrasque to nip at his prey, on the off chance it hasn't been reduced to a bloody pulp yet, but something draws her eye through the wall of flames.

The hunters are glamered, just as Phares warned, but dragons are not so easily fooled. It is said that this was not always so, that when the world was young many a dragon had lost the prize of his hoard to invisible burglars. But dragons have learned since then. Nine hearts beat loud in Tatzel Gorynch's hearing, so clear that she could point to each one.

She turns to face them, her body piling up as she hesitates; for a moment it seems the wall of fire will deter her. But then she surges forward, and the dark flames part before her as if afraid. The wyrm's bulk is black and terrible against that backdrop of fire, a beast straight out of the fires of hell. Sizzling venom drips from gaping fang-ridden jaws, the scent of sulfur and burning peat assails the angels' senses. Higher and higher the dragon looms, her coils bunching beneath her, til fully a third of her length rises into the air, a serpent glaring at a choir of impudent churchmice.

AC 45 (touch 11, flat-footed 45), improved uncanny dodge
Initiative [roll0]
HP 250/250
Fort +22, Ref +12 (evasion), Will +14 (+12 vs. fear); add +7 when saving against divine spells; SR 35 (or 40, pending approval)
DR 12/-; half damage from acid, resist fire 10, resist acid, cold, electricity, sonic 5
Spells and effects active: Detect Scrying, Freedom of Movement, Friendly Fire, Investiture of the Orthon, Shield

Tatzel begins at the upper right corner of the light blue area, and ends her movement at D-21 through F-23, as close to as many of the angels as she can get. Normally she wouldn't have enough movement to get there, but when she enters the wall she absorbs it and adds +25' to her movement, thanks to the Spellwarped template. I've taken the liberty of assuming she resists the wall of fire—I'm not sure if you can voluntarily fail a caster level check, but even if not, Maekrix would need a natural 20 to succeed. I'll edit the post if that happens, but it won't change my actions (except that I won't be able to get quite as close).

She will then use a swift action to activate Investiture of the Orthon's special ability: all creatures within 20 feet of her are prevented from teleporting, as if by a Dimensional Lock (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/dimensionalLock.htm) spell.