The Snows of Niflyr (IC)

[Zaydos]

Giants had been seen. Only a few days ago the frost giants had marched into the area, a whole tribe, setting up camp. The white dragons had fled, and soon you too must leave the area for the giants were dangerous and it was not unknown for them to take young dragons and take them as slaves and pets. Even the goblins, barbarians that they are, were fleeing the giants.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot scans his cave. A modest space, inoccuous but unassuming at the entrance. Given time he would expand it, dig it deeper underground. Is there a pool of water beneath this ice? If there is it would be amusing to see future invaders fall into it. Unfortunately time is not given. The damn frost giants are on the move.
Barely a year since his hatching, the wyrmling must now contend to flee from these creatures or be yet another forgotten face among white dragonkind to enter their servitude.
He stares at his hoard in annoyance a last time. Nothing much, the pile of packed snow around it gives it the illusion of bulk. Prehaps the scavenged bag from a few days ago will indeed be put to use. Damned wings, they mock him! So close to where no frost giant has ever treaded and yet so far!
Malathot tentatively puts his gold into the bag, and fastens it to himself. He then gives a longing sigh before walking out to the frozen wastes outside, surveying the area for any immediate threats in the form of goblins or, Tiamat forbid, the giants themselves.

[Zaydos]

A trio of goblins can be seen hunched over the fallen form of a white, reptilian creature. They seem to be tearing at its body with knives. They have made a small fire nearby, probably to cook their food.

[Emperor Ing]

What? What was another white dragon doing here? Is it that? Who cares.
He'll watch them carefully, intent on singling one of them out and picking them off one-by-one. As weak as the goblins of the cold are, three against one, with the one not even old enough to call the frost as his weapon from his breath, are not favorable odds.

hide
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

They begin eating the creature, roasting it on the fire. It's about half an hour before they grab their belongings and head towards hills in the north-western horizon. They are moving quickly and conversing in furtive goblin. Even from here, though, you can tell they seem scared.

[Emperor Ing]

Huh, interesting. Malathot feels pretty emboldened at the idea that they seem frightened. Even more interesting thought is that such a creature probably did not go down without a fight.
Malathot chases them, going into a run, shouting at the goblins to get their attention.
I am Painis Cupcake I will eat you!

[Zaydos]

The goblins turn back to look at you, shout something in their own tongue and begin running. They seem to be carrying spears but they haven't drawn them yet taking the opportunity to try and outrun you instead.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot has 40ft move speed, that's 160 ft run. Unless they're special goblins, he'll catch up.

[Zaydos]

He catches up with one goblin and it stops running and draws its spear ready to fight. The other two are still running.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot stops as well. Pointing to the goblin with a smirk, and then gesturing it to come at him.

[Zaydos]

The goblin plants its spear in the ground, ready for him. It eyes waver a bit, but it is ready.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot shakes his head slightly. The simplest tactic.
Instead of charging into the spear head, he'll take the move action to move up along side the goblin, then a standard action for a bite attack.
[roll0]
[roll1]

[Zaydos]

The goblin weaves away and stabs out in return but it's spear head skids uselessly along your scales.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot moves up slightly to the goblin beside the shaft of the spear, trying to tear at flesh and bone in the only way he can know how.

5 ft step to get next to the goblin (if necessary, if not, disregard this)
Full attack
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]

[Zaydos]

The goblin falls swiftly, a single bite ripping his throat and leaving him gurgling. The others have fled while their companion died fighting.

[Emperor Ing]

At the most, this is one less goblin anything has to worry about. At the least, Malathot has caught breakfast. Fresh too. Positioning himself to face the direction where any reinforcements may come from (though the wyrmling doubts it) he'll eat the goblin corpse.

[Zaydos]

You are correct not to fear reinforcements, and are able to eat your meal undisturbed. The goblin wore leather armor, and carried a spear. In a small satchel he had a crude map.

[Emperor Ing]

As he is eating, the white wyrmling takes the leather armor and spear. He doesn't expect it to be magical, but someone may be willing to trade it for gold. The map looks interesting. He holds onto it for now, and will read it until after he has finished.
That is, he'll read it as soon as he's full on Goblin.

[Zaydos]

The map shows the surrounding region. Directions are unmarked but after a few minutes of studying it you can tell where things are supposed to be. Only one place is marked, in the hills to the north-east. They are marked by a simple X so its meaning is unclear.

[Emperor Ing]

The goblins were probably going there. They were retreating northwest so running into the goblin tribe won't be an issue. Using the map as a guide, Malathot will begin heading towards the X on the map, leaving what little remains of the goblin for the frost.

[Zaydos]

It takes you a few hours to reach the X mark on the map. To do so you must move through a narrow canyon. You stop, believing you've reached the marked spot, when you see an old stone gateway marked in strange symbols you do not recognize. It looks old, easily before the coming of the dwarves, and possibly before the dominance of the giants. A stone door leads in, propped open with the detritus of age.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot looks down both sides before walking in.

[Zaydos]

You enter a stone room. It seems simplistically built with a single small statue of a dragon in the center. A hallway leads down to the left and the right.

[Emperor Ing]

He'll examine the statue a bit more closely. If there is nothing of interest he'll head right.

[Zaydos]

It's well made for goblin work, and obviously too crude for dwarven craft. You'd wonder if it was possibly giant except the room is obviously too small to fit them well and it seems to have been carved in place.

Heading down towards the right you come to a closed door, and a spiral staircase leading downwards.

[Emperor Ing]

Hmm, closed door that opens to the spiral staircase, or spiral staircase that leads to a closed door? Or does the path fork to both a closed door and a spiral staircase? If the first and third, go down the staircase, if the second, attempt to open the door somehow.

[Zaydos]

(the third) You walk down the staircase into the belly of the earth. The construction is a little finer here and you even come upon a room filled with aged wooden frames. Your presence seems to startle something and a massive rat scurries out from beneath one of the time collapsed bed-frames.

Initiative time.

[Emperor Ing]

Hmm, lunch. For later.
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

Your reactions are much quicker than the rat's.

[Emperor Ing]

The hatchling attacks in the only way he knows how: driving his jaws into the creature's body, using the momentum of the charge to drive the bite home.

Charge attack
[roll0]
[roll1]

[Zaydos]

Malathot charges forward awkwardly missing the rodent wildly, but the rat's teeth are just as inaccurate.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot attempts to animalistically ravage the smaller creature
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[Emperor Ing]

crit confirm + damage (since I forgot to roll damage]

[roll0]

crit damage
[roll1]
noncrit damage
[roll2]

[Zaydos]

The rodent dies a single bite ripping it in half. The creature tasted foul, the stench of rotten eggs carried on its blood.

[Emperor Ing]

After shearing the rat in half with a forceful bite, Malathot grimaces at the rat's taste, spitting it out. Ppphah! Agh! Auuugh! Vile creature! He'll take another quick look around the room before continuing.

[Zaydos]

It looks like the room's only inhabitant in years was the rodent. A corridor stretches out, it's door long since lost, and a second door (closed) also exits the room.

[Emperor Ing]

Vile...vile rat...

Is this whole place a sick labrynth or...whatever. Thinking, Malathot has the idea to take longer pieces of wood, and lay them out to map out where he is going and where he has been. He'll lay two pieces out in the middle of the room in an arrangement that one way points to the spiral staircase going up, and the other points to the door. He'll take other such long pieces of wood from the room to make other such arrays in the not-so-distant future.

However Malathot doesn't like the look of that door. He tosses a stick at the door to see what happens. If nothing happens, he'll open it.

[Zaydos]

Opening the door Malathot comes to another room like the one he was in before. This one is in somewhat better condition and the remnants of beds can still be recognized as much. Whatever people lived here they were taller than dwarves or goblins but much smaller than giants.


Other than a few beds the room seems empty.

[Emperor Ing]

He looks around the room for other points of interest. If there are any ways out save the way he came in he'll go through it. If there are multiple, he'll lay two sticks, one pointing where he came from and the other pointing where he's gonna go, down.

[Zaydos]

The room itself is a dead end, simply a second bed room in the ancient complex.

[Emperor Ing]

He'll go back into the previous room, and throw a stick down the cooridor. He'll repeatedly kick it down the cooridor as he moves it. He doubts it's trapped, but being prepared with no need beats having need and not being prepared any day of the week (and twice on sunday.)

[Zaydos]

You see several doors leading from the hallway. Some are open entering into similar rooms to the one you just left, while others have closed doors. The hallway continues beyond your line of sight.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot looks around in each room casually, continuing down the hallway unless something sparks his interest.

[Zaydos]

The hallway ends in an upward leading staircase. Shattered statues lie at its base, their image worn with untold ages.

OOC: Sorry I didn't post yesterday; I had too much of a fever/cough/something to think well enough to engage in RPing or homebrew.

[Emperor Ing]

((I probably have the world's most powerful immune system, because I never get sick.))

Malathot goes up the staircase.

[Zaydos]

Reaching the top of the staircase you see a wall covered in old stone etchings. They've been worn away, and in some cases actually defaced, making what they once represented difficult to determine. A statue of a white dragon sits in the middle of the room and two busts of strange creatures. They resemble a mix between goblin and giant with full heads of hair (like giants, and unlike goblins with their wiry strands), symmetrically placed eyes (again like giants), and pointed ears (like goblins).

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot looks up at the dragon statue in both envy and contempt. At some point in the past, this creature served as a living example to White Dragon pariahood. Envy in that Malathot is a weakling even among white dragons. Now then, what are these things? What has goblin ears and hair? Dwarves also have hair (though most of it is on their face) and they don't have the ears.

Malathot makes another look around the room.

[Zaydos]

A cursory inspection shows nothing new. There is a door leading out of the room, closed.

For a moment, though, you half think you see the dragon's eye flash a bright azure blue.

[Emperor Ing]

Huh? Malathot looks more closelier at the statue's eye.

[Zaydos]

You don't see anything, it might have just been your imagination.

[Emperor Ing]

The hatchling shakes his head, and goes to open the door.

[Zaydos]

After a while of tugging the door opens onto another hall. Several doors line this hall but they are all closed. The hall extends further than your darkvision.

[Emperor Ing]

What could possibly have need of this many rooms like this?! At least there isn't a shortage of places to sleep. He'll continue down the hallway.

[Zaydos]

At the end of the hallway is a large double door (closed).

[Emperor Ing]

He'll try and open it

[Zaydos]

It's stuck. It feels like a great weight is pressed against it.

[Emperor Ing]

Can it be pulled open?

[Zaydos]

The door opens outwards, but its hinges are on the inside. You might could destroy them.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot attempts to destroy it
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]

[Zaydos]

You barely manage to scratch the stone. Cutting through these hinges may take a while.

[Emperor Ing]

Hmm, strength check
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

(to break the hinge or push the door open?)

[Emperor Ing]

Break the hinge. It's safe to assume he's successful.

[Zaydos]

The door falls backwards, rocks bounding into the room as it does so. Make a reflex save.

[Emperor Ing]

Gah! WHYYY?!
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

Rocks fall take 12 damage.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot pulls on the hinges, finding it a lot easier than he expected, to a fault. He falls backwards under his own strength, unable to do anything to stop the pile of rocks from rolling onto him except raise his hands and protect his head.

Several seconds later after the banging of rock-on-rock has stopped, the hatchling makes a sigh of relief to learn that he is still alive, only to remember that just because he is buried in pain does not mean he is not buried in rocks too. Heavy bruising, cuts, intensely sore limbs, he might have broken a wing. So much pain. Well, if nothing else he is still alive, barely. He might as well try to get out of the pile of rocks, which he can do. Each movement only invokes another wave of pain. Agonizing seconds later, he is on all fours, making careful movements into the opened room.

[Zaydos]

The door opened to the outdoors. Looking at it from the outside you can tell that it had been disguised to look like another part of the natural environment some time ago before a rock slide buried it. The mountains almost block the sun, although it is unlikely later than three hours past the zenith. A large lake can be seen in the distance, perhaps it was once a river before the same slide that covered the door dammed its flow.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot limps his way around the "room," looking around.

[Zaydos]

Snow is beginning to drift down into the valley slowly. Across the lake you can see a polar bear attacking the fish swimming within. This must have been the main entrance and exit to the complex when it was new but now it lays buried in rocks.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot laments that he is no stronger than a polar bear. Maybe someday, but not now, and especially not now with his crushed body. Maybe when it leaves there will still be fish left.

Malathot has an idea, and will attempt to backtrack to the first fork in the path, back up the spiral staircase, and to open the first closed door.

[Zaydos]

Opening the door you see a room with aged book cases, the books long since gone to the damage of ages save for three which have by some miracle survived. A chair, once upholstered now bare wooden frame unfit for occupation, sits besides a simple wooden reading desk. Another statue of a white dragon sits in this room and on the wall another is painted as if descending from some great cloud.

[Emperor Ing]

Prehaps these were quarters for the old draconic pseudoempire's slaves. The draconic visages that once served to remind the lesser beasts of their reverence to their masters now only serve as a malevolent mockery to their long-gone glory. Malathot has half a thought to destroy the statue and painting, but decides against it. His limbs are still aching and the white dragons are not worth the effort.

He'll take a quick look at the books.

[Zaydos]

One is bound in the hide of some creature. Whatever it was its skin was not like the leather that giants make from the hides of mammoth but has a sickly and unnatural feel to it. The pages themselves look to have been made from some variety of bone.

The other two books are simply bound in leather with pages of that rare luxury paper, but they seem to exude some aura of power.

[Emperor Ing]

They're probably magical, that explains their longevity.
Malathot will take a look into one of the leather-bound books.

[Zaydos]

If you have a physical d20 roll it and tell me if you got an 11 or above; if not just use the forum die roller.

[Emperor Ing]

10. :smallsigh:

[Zaydos]

The book seems to tingle with energy. Words swirl, spinning in unnatural patterns. A voice rings in your head, speaking in a language you do not understand. You hear a singing voice, the sound of a funeral dirge.

Make a Will save.

[Emperor Ing]

W-w-what?

horray for targeting weakest save!
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

It seems to subside after a moment, and the words stop spinning. They're still complete gibberish though, except for one sentence in the language of the writing of this place, a language you couldn't read till now. I live again.

[Emperor Ing]

...what...just...happened? Malathot looks at the words for a second before closing the book, putting it back on the shelf, pocketing the other two (they're valuable!) and walking out of the room, making sure to close the door.

((I gotta say..
Worst
Containment
System
EVER!!))

[Zaydos]

As you leave the mural catches your eye and you hear a chuckle inside your head.

Containment?

[Emperor Ing]

This is...just wierd. Malathot tries not to look at it, and just tries to go back to where the lake is.

((Double parentheses is ooc text
I get the feeling I just unleashed the BBEG by accident. I've seen this before, a Big Bad can't be killed, so they have to be contained in something. Behind a omghueg door in a lost dungeon that the hero accidentally unlocks, inside a sword that has been sundered, or in some cases any item, such as a book, that requires a specific incantation/ritual/whatever to unleash the Big Bad, no. This BBEG was unleashed by opening a book. That's right, the Big Bad's cell was held fast by a strip of leather and a few sheets of paper. I can't tell if that says more about the Big Bad or the noobs who sealed him away in his...bookey prison.))

[Zaydos]

As you pass the room with the busts of the humanoids you feel an inner urging to stop and investigate the central dragon statue.

((not quite :smallbiggrin:))

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot goes to investigate the statue for some reason.

((Just tell me this: Does this say more about the BBEG or the mooks that sealed the BBEG away?))

[Zaydos]

The statue looks perfectly normal on casual inspection. Open it the wind whispers.

((What mooks? It says more to about the BBEG))

[Emperor Ing]

ಠ_ಠ Statues don't "open."
Although initially dismissing the thought, Malathot thinks it would be interesting to look at the statue more closely to see if there's any feasable way to "open" the statue. Alternatively, any trap doors that are hidden by the statue being on it. He doubts this.

((The mooks that put him there!))

[Zaydos]

Make a search check.

((who says anyone put him there?))

[Emperor Ing]

[roll0]

((So either it just...fell in, or Malathot is the youngest father of all time.))

edit:....eeehh...I think i'll take 20 on this one.

[Zaydos]

After a few minutes your claw scratches across something, and the mouth of the statue opens revealing a single platinum ring embedded with one sapphire.

[Emperor Ing]

Tiamat's talons, it really does open. Malathot tries to take the ring, examining it curiously.

[Zaydos]

The ring comes out easily. It emits a blue light, faint enough that even a torch would drown it out but within the absolute darkness of the complex it is the only light casting everything within it in a blue glow. It almost hums with power.

((I keep forgetting that I shouldn't be describing colors or things that are determined by color under darkvision))

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot thinks to put on the ring, but then remembers the book, and stops himself. I know you're in there, speak up, now.

[Zaydos]

No response comes. Only absolute silence holds out in the compound, the silence of an ancient tomb.

[Emperor Ing]

Fine. Stay in that ring. He'll put it in his backpack, and go towards the lake.

((Also, I can take your Brass Dragon avatar request. :smalltongue:))

[Zaydos]

The light is quickly fading as the sun has sunk beneath the peaks of the mountains. The stars are coming out now, and the bear has left. A cold wind howls down from above. It seems safe enough, for now.

((thanks, saves me PMing you and asking for it))

[Emperor Ing]

Setting his pack aside, Malathot takes a moment to look at the sky. Sunsets can be quite the sight. He'll then walk into the lake, the snakelike movements of his body propelling him through the water (Swim speed: 20 ft) as he hunts for fish.

[Zaydos]

The fish dart this way and that trying to escape you. You catch one as it darts towards you, and then you see why. It was running, or swimming, from something even worse. About the size of a man, its mouth is full of deadly sharp teeth. It moves through the water naturally and you recognize it as a carnivorous fish found rarely in the waters of Niflyr, though you would not have expected them to live in a lake this small. It is too small to be a threat to a full grown dragon, but you are not yet full grown.

Roll initiative

[Emperor Ing]

[roll0]
Init, please no crappy roll

[Zaydos]

Your reflexes seem better than its.

[Emperor Ing]

Can I "run" without provoking AOO?

[Zaydos]

Yes it is still 60-ft away

[Emperor Ing]

Swim (hustle, because you can't do run actions underwater) to shore...with delicious fish in mouth.

[Zaydos]

You barely climb onto shore as the creature charges you biting at you from the adjacent water.

((A swim speed allows you to use the run action in the water))

[Emperor Ing]

((*rereads the swim (movement) rules* my mistake. :smalltongue:))

Malathot hustles onto the shore, turning back towards the obscenely large fish, realizing for a second that it not only almost bit his tail off, but he probably would have died from blood loss. What a humiliating death, how did Malathot die? Oh, his tail was bitten off by a fish. Nevertheless, it did not happen. Hehehahah, Did you see that? naw, of course it didn't. Oh well, this fish must now suffer as the unluckiest fish in the lake. Malathot will eat it.

[Zaydos]

Of course I did a voice can be heard on the wind, speaking a language Malathot knows he should not know.

The carnivorous fish dives back down as Malathot eats his meal.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot looks up, baring his teeth. While he WAS talking to the origin of the voice, he loathed to get a response. Go back to whatever it is that you do that does not involve me. Mostly because this omnipresent...thing is unnerving.

[Zaydos]

Get inside where it's safe. It wouldn't do to have you die. The voice answers, dispassionately.

[Emperor Ing]

Eh, you have a point. In a slight melancholy, the hatchling acknowledges at least they can agree on something. He'll head inside.

[Zaydos]

Do you rest or explore some more?

[Emperor Ing]

He'll go rest on one of those somehow intact beds. Along the way...What are you exactly?

[Zaydos]

He gets no reply, only a haunting silence that follows him till he succumbs to sleep.

While he sleeps he dreams. He sees creatures like those demonstrated in the busts he had found. Taller than dwarves or goblins but much smaller than giants. They had long, flowing hair of a pale blue-violet, silver irises, and much smoother features than any humanoid he's ever seen. They move through this complex going about their daily lives, cooking, eating, men amidst them returning with food. In a matter of what would be but hours of the day the children grow to adulthood, and every occasionally someone fades away still young. No children appear to replace those who have grown older, and after what would be, were it not for the way time flows in dreams, a few more hours there are very few left. Till only one of these beings remain, his brow furrowed with some emotion. He sits in the room with the book case, deep in thought, lifting book after book and flipping through them. He opens one tome and looks into it, taking quill and pricking his own thumb to write a single word. In the dream, though, you cannot make out what word it is.

[Emperor Ing]

That tome has probably disintegrated by now. If not, did it look like it was made from alien skin, or leatherbound?

Either way, Malathot gets up, looking around the room.
Also, I forgot to mention, but he did pick up his pack when he went inside.

[Zaydos]

Though during the dream it was most likely clear what the books construction was, upon waking that detail was lost.

The room looks the same as it did when you first went to sleep.

((regain 4 hp because accelerating the natural healing process makes this more fun and you're a dragon giving me an excuse))

[Emperor Ing]

*yawn* He walks out of the room, noticing he has recovered from the rock slide slightly, but it still hurts a little bit. Shaking his head, and not quite 100% awake, he attempts to...uh...look for one of those unexplored possible passageways.

[Zaydos]

Cursory exploration seems only to find living quarters, privies, the kitchen, and a dining hall. This seems to have been a complex designed to house a substantial population at one point. Even as you explore you hear voices speaking in dwarven echoing down the hall.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot approaches the voices, half-expecting them to be false, but the other half not at all suprised that he isn't the first in what was probably hundreds of years to have found this place.

[Zaydos]

The voices are coming closer even as you approach. The jangle of metal armor and heavy axes can be heard. Dwarves, the giant slayers, the law bringers, the city builders. They hadn't come this far north to your knowledge, perhaps it was their presence that drove the giants into your homeland.

[Emperor Ing]

White dragons traditionally learn to compensate for their weaknesses by being very good at not being seen. Damned dwarves, why can't they just stay in their cities?

Hide
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

Ducking behind the wreckage of a bed, you see the dwarves peer quickly into the room you're hiding in. From your vantage point you watch as they head away once more. You only saw four, but with those axes and their armor that's still probably many more than you could face head on.

[Emperor Ing]

Do they pass by or look into the room then leave?

[Zaydos]

You watch them pass out of sight, but you don't know if they've left the complex altogether or not.

[Emperor Ing]

They probably didn't, but with metal armor like that he can expect to hear them coming a mile away. After they're gone, Malathot will go towards where the quartet came from.

[Zaydos]

It would seem that they came in through the same entrance that you initially entered from. They left their mounts (large, thick furred creatures, suited for these northern climes, they are shorter than horses but thicker as well, sporting large ram-like horns on their heads when male) tied up in front of the complex. A pair of goblins have also been left tied and gagged nearby.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot lights up. Ha! And walks past the...mounts. Though tempting they're probably more trouble than they're worth. The goblins on the other hand...
He'll approach one of them. Not making noise, but making damn sure he is noticed by them as he approaches. He speaks in Common.
Do any of you speak Common... in Giant: or do you speak Giant?

[Zaydos]

As you approach to remove the gag from a goblin the dwarven steeds begin to bellow smelling a predator and unable to move. They strain at the ropes and stomp their feet with fear calling out loudly.

[Emperor Ing]

Who said I was removing the gag? Malathot's expecting either nods or no nods.
Speaking of which, is there snow on the ground, or is that a stupid question?

[Zaydos]

There's snow on the ground.

The goblin tries to speak with the gag, but all you can hear is the animals' fright (your voice is enough even if you aren't approaching).

[Emperor Ing]

Hrrg, we're out of here. Their mounts screaming and yelling in fear, yes, that's definitely NOT going to attract the dwarves. He'll attempt to pick up the tied up goblins, both of them, and move out through tracks in the snow created by the beasts' initial arrival to the ruins.

((He MIGHT still be at or just below light encumberment, he's a quadruped and my char sheet hasn't factored in quadruped bonuses to encumberment limits))

[Zaydos]

The ring, don the ring. The voice on the wind hisses urgently as you lift the goblinoids onto your back. The creatures are getting extremely excited and you're almost certain the dwarves have heard as you scurry off.

[Emperor Ing]

ಠ_ಠ You can't be serious. Malathot's gonna regret this. He tries putting on the ring while simultaneously escaping the dwarves.

[Zaydos]

You feel strength surging through your body. Somehow you even feel smarter.

[Emperor Ing]

Then he should be able to move quicker assuming encumberment.

[Zaydos]

((Exactly))

[Emperor Ing]

So...he continues his hasty retreat from the ruins with the goblins, looking back occasionally to see if he's being chased.

[Zaydos]

You seem to have lost the dwarves. You've been following their tracks back for a few miles.

[Emperor Ing]

Apparently he lost track of time at some point. At least there's a visible trail. Oh well, here is as good as place as any. He'll put down the goblins. Not removing the gag of course.
In Common: Can you understand me?
In Giant: Can you understand me?
He makes several menacing looks at his claw.

[Zaydos]

Their answers are muffled by the gags.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot ungags one of them. In Draconic: For every language you don't understand you will lose one eye.

[Zaydos]

It replies in common, I speaks this languages.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot feels a bit annoyed at this, because Congratulations. You get to keep your eyes. Now then, start talking and i'll consider letting you go.

[Emperor Ing]

((Also, i've recently come to the conclusion that The Internet + Brass Dragons = True Horrorshow.

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll246/EmperorIng/dmagon2-1.png))

[Zaydos]

What do you want to know? the goblin asks trembling.

I can't believe that these goblins still live. How long has it been? The voice tingles in the back of your mind.

((That is awesome fyi))

[Emperor Ing]

Roughly 12ish hours. If I am not mistaken I believe I killed your friend, who had on him a map to that very ruin. Why?

[Zaydos]

I know of no map. Long has the stories told of this place. For five weeks the dwarves used us, pushing us to hunt for it. Seven of us died from the travels.

Not since you fell asleep fool the voice hisses, How long since my people fled, leaving the world to these scum?

[Emperor Ing]

I don't even know what your people ARE! You might be the guys that used to run whatever ruin that was, but for the Chromatic Dragon's sake, do you people have a name?! Yeeah, that might come across as strange to the goblins.

[Zaydos]

The goblins look at you and shudder in fear.

Elves one word whispers in your mind.

[Emperor Ing]

((I knew it :smalltongue:))
THANK you. He turns back to the goblin. As for you, any idea what's so interesting about this particular ruin? Prehaps Malathot's schizophrenia could shed a light.

[Zaydos]

The dwarves said they wanted the book the goblin says still shaking.

[Emperor Ing]

Did they say anything else?

[Zaydos]

Only in their cursed dwarven tongue. No wait, something about some crystals.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot leans up closer to the goblin.Think harder. What about crystals?

[Zaydos]

Let mes think a bits, they didn't speaks much in this tongue the goblin answers.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot retorts with a sly look. Oh, I think they did. I think you just have too many eyes, they're distracting your brain.
intimidate
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

Nots mies eyes! the goblin squeals, Theys nots likes to talks this languages. Theys prefers their dwarf talk.

[Emperor Ing]

Oooh, I don't think you're thinking hard enough, unless you're thinking about something else they said.

[Zaydos]

Theys don'ts likes this speeches, theys don'ts tells us their plans.

[Emperor Ing]

Hmm, I see. Malathot leans forward, bringing a claw into the face of the gagged goblin, digging two clawed fingertips into its eye socket, disconnecting it and extracting it from the goblin's head. If he is able to do it, he'll hold it, looking at the ungagged goblin. Does that help?

Coup-de-grace action to remove an eyeball from the gagged goblin. Should be nonlethal.

[Zaydos]

The goblin stares his jaw flapping mindlessly in fear.

((removing an eyeball with claws is pretty likely to cause death from shock))

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot doesn't need to know that. He'll extract the eyeball, and notice the goblin die, holding its eyeball. Oooh, that's just unfortunate.

[Zaydos]

The still living goblin continues to have his jaw flap mindlessly.

[Emperor Ing]

Oh dear, that is just unfortunate. But anyways, have anything to say? Like...why did the dwarves capture you?

[Zaydos]

To lead them to the old ruins

[Emperor Ing]

Oooh, this is even more unfortunate. Very well. Now then, anything else you remember about what they said?

[Zaydos]

The crystals in the far north are they the goblin squeals in fright.

[Emperor Ing]

The hatchling talks in a direct manner-of-fact tone. Where far north?

[Zaydos]

Uh. Very, very far north

[Emperor Ing]

I would assume them to be in a particular place. Unless my assumptions are wrong, your directions are unsatisfactory.

[Zaydos]

The book they were looking for the goblin squeals.

[Emperor Ing]

Yeah, that book was written in jibberish. Fortunately he took the other two books. Hey voice in my head, know anything about crystals?

[Zaydos]

Perhaps, what's in it for me?

[Emperor Ing]

Perhaps, what's in it for me?

...stick with me long enough and my head will get bigger. I don't know what do you want?

[Zaydos]

What do you offer?

[Emperor Ing]

One of the crystals? Throw me a bone here, what could disembodied voices want?

[Zaydos]

And? What if these crystals are dangerous to me? What if I'm better off with the dwarves?

[Emperor Ing]

Then go to the dwarves. Go on! I insist! You will not be missed.

[Zaydos]

And they would find you within a few moments. No, I don't know enough about these "dwarves" yet

[Emperor Ing]

Did you just imply that you can control my body? He sounds pretty worried.

[Zaydos]

So scared, I had forgotten what it felt like to be feared. No I was implying that should I ever need to I would simply tell these "dwarves" that scare you so exactly where you are and how to find you.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot is only worried about the prospect of someone else controlling his body. I don't fear you, I just prefer to keep control of my own body. Furthermore, I still have no idea who or what you are.

[Zaydos]

I am someone far older and wiser than you. If you want these crystals you had best prepare yourself they are not unguarded.

[Emperor Ing]

I'm only one year old, being older than me is not an impressive accomplishment. Wiser? I emphasize my previous point, though I do believe that I am smarter and wiser than you were a year after hatching. Though if the guardians of the crystals are dangerous, I should at least wait until my wings become usable, I am far too weak now.

[Zaydos]

Such would be wise. Will these dwarves be looking for you?

[Emperor Ing]

He grins. I thought I sensed concern in your words. To answer your question, finding a creature that is white among a huge field of white is not exactly the easiest thing to do. All they needed the goblins for is to find the ruins. They've found the ruins, what do they care that a hatchling made off with their captives. Their mounts are unharmed.

[Zaydos]

Then they will be rushing for the crystals. Do you think that you can reach it first?

[Emperor Ing]

Do they even have a means to find them other than "far far north?"

[Zaydos]

It is possible.

[Emperor Ing]

Then help me out here. I got two books from your ruins. One wierd...alien...bone...book thing, and the leather book I really don't think I want to open. Are any of those helpful to me?

[Zaydos]

The leather bound one, it is not my book is it?

[Emperor Ing]

Nope. Let me guess: That's the one with the crystals referenced.

[Zaydos]

It is one with them referenced. Of course not the only one.

[Emperor Ing]

Okay good. Since you said you can lead them to me before, I assume it is through your book, which I am certain they have taken. Am I correct?

[Zaydos]

It is through moving into them and then telling them exactly where you are. But really, you left my spell book?

[Emperor Ing]

So THAT'S what it was. Yeah, I did. You don't exactly hold onto books that might kill you if you open to the wrong page, do you? If it's really that big a deal, just convince them to set it down somewhere where I can find it, or rather you lead me to it.

[Zaydos]

But I'm not sure I'm safe in their heads.

[Emperor Ing]

...and you're safe in my head? Look, they can't hold onto the book forever, can you track it?

[Zaydos]

Not in this state

[Emperor Ing]

So you need to transfer into a body?

[Zaydos]

Not yet the voice answers How long before your wings will be usable?

[Emperor Ing]

((Level 4))
A few...years.

[Zaydos]

Hmm... anyway to hasten this process? I thought all dragons could fly. I guess the Great Race is not as impressive as we always believed.

[Emperor Ing]

Oh, i'm sorry for not calling out to the wretches who laid my egg from the void of nonexistence, telling them to lay me sooner so that a magical voice in my head can enjoy being in an older body.

[Zaydos]

So four years to get wings? And if the dwarves reach the crystals first?

[Emperor Ing]

Why are you so concerned about the crystals now? You tried to convince me that they might be harmful to you.

[Zaydos]

I know what you are. I am beginning to understand that you are much less than I always superstitiously believed. I do not know what these dwarves are, nor what they would do with this power.

[Emperor Ing]

The dragons you know of would have three, if not four digits in their ages. I am only one year old. That means for nine more years my age will be measured with a single digit. Furthermore, your expectations of white dragonkind are remarkably inflated. He pauses. If you want me to have the crystals instead of them, it would be helpful to know what guards them.

[Zaydos]

Whatever beasts have taken them as their lair. How long has it been since the Coming of the Long Winter? How long since the last elves faded?

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot's mind draws a blank. ...I dunno.

[Zaydos]

Then I cannot say for sure. The traps may still exist, or they may have decayed due to the ages. The guardian beasts may still exist or have long since been destroyed. If I had my spell book I might could guide you into performing some simple spells but as it is the voice trails off. The goblin is still meekly staring at you in total abject fear.

[Emperor Ing]

I have another leather book, I don't know if it's similar but maybe it's a spellbook.

[Zaydos]

No, it's useless the voice dismisses, Read it and follow its advice. It will make you healthier and increase your fortitude. You may need the advantages it grants.

[Emperor Ing]

That actually sounds useful. But if you'll excuse me I am still hungry. Malathot looks at the goblin. Yes, I have a voice in my head. Deal with it.

[Zaydos]

The goblin trembles frightened.

You're going to stoop to eating that? It's a goblin.

[Emperor Ing]

I think they're tasty. But by all means, i'll keep my eyes open so you can watch. Malathot will eat the dead goblin.

[Zaydos]

Your meal is undisturbed. The tied up goblin seems to struggle at the ropes but they bind it too tightly.

[Emperor Ing]

After he's full, he'll go over to the tied up goblin. Oh, that's the stuff. You gotta try some, it's pretty good. He picks up the eyeball. Here, try this.

[Zaydos]

The goblin's skin turns an odd shade of orange as whatever trail rations the dwarves had fed him promptly exit from his mouth once more.

[Emperor Ing]

Reflex save for Malathot to plug the goblin's mouth.
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

Reflex save for Malathot to plug the goblin's mouth.
[roll0]

((That's a fail))

The goblin's meals spill across the snow causing steam to rise hissing from the frozen ground.

[Emperor Ing]

Augh, that was not called for! Did I say you could vomit? Voice in my head, did I say that he could vomit?

[Zaydos]

The voice in your head ignores you as the goblin falls backwards. It is unlikely to survive unless fed and taken somewhere out of the elements soon. Unlike dragons they were not meant for unending cold.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot looks around for any such place.

[Zaydos]

After an hour or so of searching you find a cave that is fairly sheltered. The goblin has passed out from the cold and hunger already, though. He should wake up now that he's somewhere warm but even so he should probably eat soon.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot considers feeding the goblin its own leg, but figures that a small cut is enough to kill it. He goes hunting for something edible.

[Zaydos]

((make a survival check))

[Emperor Ing]

Oooh boy.
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

You come upon a juvenile polar bear. Only about half-grown it is away from its mother for some reason and may be (relatively) easy prey, although even so it may be too deadly to deal with so lightly.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot smiles, and runs in for the charge.
Do I get a suprise round?

[Zaydos]

It can see you and is wary so no. Roll initiative.

[Emperor Ing]

Roland I****ive
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

The bear reacts first loping 80-ft further away.

[Emperor Ing]

Hmm, am I in range to land a charge?

[Zaydos]

No, it seems to have the same land speed as you.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot will run in front of the polar bear's path to block it.

[Zaydos]

The polar bear sees you in front of it and turns to the left sprinting away.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot will sprint after it.

[Zaydos]

You chase after the polar bear for some time both of you running at about the same speed... Make a Constitution check.

[Emperor Ing]

Constitution check
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

The bear pulls ahead as you fill fatigue getting to you, maybe there will be easier prey to be found.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot will attempt to look for more food.
survival
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

A little more hunting brings you to the shore of a lake or sea. A seal-like animal is by the shore, it doesn't seem to have seen you yet, but it is still 80-ft away.

((you get a surprise round, but remember you can only perform a partial charge during one and not a full charge))

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot will charge it unfortunately.
init
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

Okay that wins initiative. Make the attack.

[Emperor Ing]

Om nom nom nom
[roll0]
[roll1]

[Zaydos]

The young seal-like creature is rendered unconscious and dying with a single devastating blow.

((it isn't an actual seal because it's some sort of freshwater creature that dwells at a lake an probably will never see the sea in its life but it's close enough))

[Emperor Ing]

((Many things in these worlds don't make sense. For example, the tarrasque would probably keel over by simply standing up, the ecology is unsustainable due to the unbelievable number of alpha predators, and despite thousands+ years of history between dozens of sentient (THERE I SAID IT! :smallfurious:) races, technology is only at mideval-level. If a seal lives in a lake, that's actually pretty mild.

Also...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3078/2497211922_3563b0ba33_m.jpg))

Malathot rushes forward. Before the seal can properly react to this imminent threat, its final moments are the jaws of the white hatchling crushing its neck. Sure it's not quite dead yet, but it will be in a few minutes.
He will take it back to the cave and try to feed it to the goblin.

[Zaydos]

You manage to bring it back to the goblin and force feed the creature. Hopefully it will survive but it doesn't seem fully conscious its body moving through the motions alone.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot watches the goblin. Come on, wake up, snowflake. I know your kind are fragile but COME ON!

[Zaydos]

The goblin seems to have passed out for the night. You hear a faint laughter inside your head.

[Emperor Ing]

Night? has time passed by this fast? Having fun?