The Snows of Niflyr Mk 2 (IC)

[Zaydos]

What are elves and why would they make the crystals?

[Emperor Ing]

((RIP AND TEAR YOUR THREADS. YOU ARE HUGE, THAT MEANS YOU HAVE HUGE THREADS. RIP AND TEAR! :smallfurious: :smalltongue:))

The elves wanted to end the winter, so they sought a crystalline focusing apparatus for their magic powers.

[Zaydos]

Then why do the Crystals do what they do?

[Emperor Ing]

He shrugs. Magic?

[Zaydos]

What will causing them to perform their primary function do to their side-effects?

[Emperor Ing]

...you mean, what side-effects will activating their primary function do? Aside from bringing back this thing called spring, summer, and fall, i'm not sure.

[Zaydos]

What will it do to us who were created by it?

[Emperor Ing]

...what? I'm not sure. You're here now so I would think you would fare okay.

[Zaydos]

Interesting, but, it pauses, you proclaim selfless motives... it trails off.

[Emperor Ing]

My motives might actually be selfless. You have no reason to think otherwise.

[Zaydos]

You claim to be a dragon

[Emperor Ing]

Actually...I have made no such claim. You've called me a dragon several times, and I kind of wish you wouldn't.

[Zaydos]

You claimed kinship to them, the great beasts that prey upon us. You said the dwarves killed your kind, and that you were a runt among them, if you are not a dragon then what are you?

[Emperor Ing]

I'm Malathot.

[Zaydos]

And what is a Malathot?

[Emperor Ing]

Uh, me? FILLER TEXT

[Zaydos]

You talked about others of your kind, but larger, if these aren't dragons what are they?

[Emperor Ing]

No, they're dragons, i'm Malathot. We're only aesthetically similar.

[Zaydos]

Earlier you said they were your kind the creature says its eyes narrowing towards you.

[Emperor Ing]

Fine, i'm a dragon. There I said it. It doesn't matter anyways.

[Zaydos]

But why should I trust a dragon?

[Emperor Ing]

...because I asked nicely?

[Zaydos]

You were carrying the corpse of one of my children

[Emperor Ing]

I didn't know that you would all be here. They tried to kill me.

[Zaydos]

Of course, you're small and look like food.

[Emperor Ing]

Well i'm not food, and I was defending myself.

[Zaydos]

Yes, you're a dragon; one of the beasts which would have killed me in my youth.

[Emperor Ing]

Okay, I get it. I'm a dragon. What else is new?

[Zaydos]

That does not inspire trust

[Emperor Ing]

I don't know what you want, I think you've already made up your mind.

[Zaydos]

I want to know your true goal, and if you have any reason for me to actually believe these dwarves would harm me other than that they do not yet know I exist

[Emperor Ing]

If I tell you my true goal, can I leave?

[Zaydos]

It pauses for a while, then answers, Yes

[Emperor Ing]

I want the power. If it can undo an unending age of ice and snow, then it can grant one dragon his unlimited leisure.

[Zaydos]

So how are you different from the dwarves? the creature asks and then it barks an order in its language. One of its children begins to move towards it.

Giving you a chance to do something on a hairpin trigger if you want.

[Emperor Ing]

((Would Malathot be able to make a run for it?))

[Zaydos]

((you could try but there's dozens of its "children" behind you))

[Emperor Ing]

Well, they walk on two legs, have hair on their face, they don't have scales on them, and they don't have a tail or wings.

[Zaydos]

Its "child" moves to its side and you can see as part of its flesh bulges and buds off into its "child"'s hand. Superficial differences only?

The "child" begins to approach you holding the squirming flesh.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot notices the bit of flesh, and becomes very distracted by it, although he pretends not to be. Umm...no?

[Zaydos]

Tell me the important differences

[Emperor Ing]

umm... he's still nervous about the flesh. they move in groups and don't eat what they catch. They also use axes instead of claws...

[Zaydos]

What's the point in not eating your catch? the creature says bewilderment unhidden even in its piping speech, Down that path lies eating nothing but snow and stone

[Emperor Ing]

Yes, now what the hell is that?! He points to the flesh thing.

[Zaydos]

Take it, it will help you on your journey the creature pipes out.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot reluctantly grabs it. Uhm...thanks?

[Zaydos]

A tendril stretches out of the flesh trying to squirm and push through your scales.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot's too frightened to do anything but watch in horror. What...what's going on!?

[Zaydos]

It's trying to bond with you; it'll be more useful to you if you allow it to do so

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot will try and watch it go into him.

[Zaydos]

You feel it sliver into your flesh and then a burning sensation in your shoulder as it pops out again.

It deals 1 Con damage a day (leaving you at -1 Con) but grants a type of magical vision, +4 to Spot, and unlockable further boni.

[Emperor Ing]

((...huh?))

[Zaydos]

((...huh?))

It's a symbiot of some sort; the rules for them were first introduced in Fiend Folio. What exactly this one does, you'll have to find out, though it'll gain new abilities as you level up.

[Emperor Ing]

((So...this one I think somehow throws my con into the negatives, effectively super-killing me (or turning me into a hypo-construct) in exchange for what is effectively the Arcane Sight spell's effect and/or a +4 to spot as well as other abilities i'll gain as I level up. I may or may not be able to switch between hypo-construct form and super-sight at will though.

Do I have this right? I don't think I have this right. :smalltongue:))

[Zaydos]

((it deals 1 point of Con damage, and 1 each day [but you heal 1 point of Con damage each day] so you are at 1 less Con than normal and your ability to heal Con damage is out of whack and it gives you a type of magical vision [not arcane sight] and +4 to Spot plus it will give oyu more as you level eventually including True Seeing))

[Emperor Ing]

((Can I switch between them at will, or once I choose to go super-sight, i'm stuck with the bonuses and penalties until the next day thing?))
Malathot is still too freaked out to say anything.

[Zaydos]

((it's a parasite that's sucking your blood, the only way to rid the Con penalty would be to surgically remove it; the super sight you can turn off by trying to surgically remove it but the symbiot actually has control of whether that's on or not [then again you die and it dies so unless you try and kill it, it'll probably be helping you]. It's like the voice, a mixed blessing))

You may go now the creature pipes out.

[Emperor Ing]

((Hmm, at this rate if I don't acquire the Pseudonatural template by the end of this campaign i'm gonna be dissapointed. :smalltongue:))

Malathot will walk, but rapidly out.

[Zaydos]

((any idea what that blob was?))

Two of the creature's "children" fall one in front and one behind you and lead you quickly, but surely, out of the caverns. They twitter something, and spew utter gibberish in draconic ((don't roll, these aren't even that comprehendable)) and return to their caves.

The wind begins howling towards you, blowing towards the west and away from the caves.

[Emperor Ing]

((No freakin' idea.))

Malathot looks to where the fleshy thing was, trying to find where it went, all the while walking westward, looking for a way north.

[Zaydos]

((:smallbiggrin: I do know what it is))

You can see the ball of flesh that crawled into you in the shape of a bump on your shoulder. The bump ends in a single eye. Its pupil is a cat-like slit, and the iris fills up most of the remainder with white only showing at the edges. The iris is divided into three segments, blue, red, and green.

You reach the end of the canyon after another about 3 hours of walking as the river turns almost due North.

[Emperor Ing]

((...can I know? :smalltongue:))

Malathot will continue up north. Uhh..do you talk too?

[Zaydos]

It blinks at you, kind of. While you can see a brownish-red eye lid for it, instead a pink membrane covers its lens and then retracts back into hiding beneath the open lid.

I doubt it the voice says, I don't trust that thing that you met down there. What could it have been and how did the crystals create it?

((I've got to find out if you'll discover in game or not first; hopefully there will be more hints to come))

[Emperor Ing]

If the crystals are as powerful as you say, then I am suprised the northern lands are not marked by a humongous spire of flesh. Not that that would be a good thing mind you, but I have no idea. Your people created it, do you know why?

[Zaydos]

They weren't supposed to create anything like that, only focus energy.

[Emperor Ing]

They've been sitting idle for a thousandish years. "Focus" that much magic in one place and not do anything with it for a thousand years, that's begging for trouble.

[Zaydos]

Perhaps, although perhaps Gal'raxthon used the energies to gain his immortality the voice says bitterly.

[Emperor Ing]

I figured that. Can we agree to from now on refer to Gal as "That one that's lived a few centuries too long?"

[Zaydos]

Centuries? He was as old as Incan when I first met him. If Tyl is to believed Incan was almost two thousand years of age. I'd say a magnitude of time longer than mere centuries.

[Emperor Ing]

You're right. From this point onward, that one that's lived a few centuries too long shall be known as "that one what's lived three millenia too long."

[Zaydos]

I think a single day was too long for that one to live the voice comments.

How long do you walk? It's almost been eight hours and you're still in sight of the canyon, although you can forced march or even hustle for a time.

[Emperor Ing]

jeez, this is one bigass canyon.
Anyways, once he finds himself getting tired Malathot will try and find a comfortable pile of snow to sleep in.

[Zaydos]

That and I didn't state how long it took to get in and out, you're probably 20 minutes away in a valley.

You lie down in the snow, even as more begins to drift slowly from the sky. It's the first time you've seen snow fall in some time from anything other than the wind blowing it up again.

Your rest is uninterrupted and you regain 12 hp, 1 point of Con damage and take 1 point of Con damage (for a net of 0 Con change).

Your stomach growls a bit as you wake.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot wakes up, moving himself out of the snow. Feeling (and hearing) his stomach growl, he jumps into the river to try and catch a [roll0] white fish

[Zaydos]

You catch a white fish quickly enough. Its flesh is tough, and the taste is far from delicious but it's better than eating dirt and is surprisingly filling.

Qllpi a voice sounds in your head.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot grimaces slightly eating it, but it's much better than that bug thing, and it's got a pretty pleasant aftertaste. Oh hey! There you are! Hey uh...elf...guy. You've got company!

[Zaydos]

The new voice makes no response, but the elf says, I don't like it. It's untrustworthy.

[Emperor Ing]

Yes I noticed. I've been feeling a bit faint ever since I got it. Not that I can understand what...'kull-ppii' means. Speaking of which what is your name?

[Zaydos]

Mine? What does it matter? Call me what you wish.

[Emperor Ing]

You're elf then. Malathot will continue north.

[Zaydos]

Snow is still lightly falling as you travel, and the first four hours are uneventful. After that time the snow stops, though the sky remains cloudy.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot will continue northward.

[Zaydos]

Nothing approaches you that day, though you do see a dragon flying in the eastern sky it flies by without noticing you or at least without reacting to you.

[Emperor Ing]

This really is a big canyon. He'll continue trying to go north but once it gets late he'll go to rest again. Of course, he'll go for a transparent fish before hand.

[Zaydos]

The canyon has faded into the background as the river twists and turns its way to follow the low ground as it cuts its way through the mountains. The next [roll0] days of walking will pass uneventfully unless you choose to do something.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot will simply try and continue, occasionally trying to interact with the second voice.

[Zaydos]

You get no response from the second voice.

On the fourth day you notice one mountain taller than the rest, rising as a grim spire above even these mountains and Elf says, I recognize that mountain

[Emperor Ing]

YES! Finally! Something that's NOT the same thing as everything else! Does that mean the crystals aren't far off?

[Zaydos]

We're about halfway the voice says, A day of dragon's flight is about three hundred miles, on foot, through trackless mountains. Be glad you found the river or we'd not be nearly this far. I'd also say avoid the mountain.

[Emperor Ing]

Aww, halfway? Fine. Is said mountain along the path?

[Zaydos]

It's peak is probably 3 or 4 miles from the river.

[Emperor Ing]

I think i'm a ways away from it for it to be a threat. He'll continue, watching the spire occasionally.

[Zaydos]

It's Gal's lair

[Emperor Ing]

Oh ****....and its name is That one that's lived three millenia too long.

[Zaydos]

You see why I'd prefer not to see that mountain, though.

[Emperor Ing]

I concur, actually.

[Zaydos]

So do you stay with the river, or will you take a longer path through the mountains?

[Emperor Ing]

((lol, either go through the short, dangerous path or the long, safer path. :smalltongue:))
Whatever keeps Malathot away from that spire.

[Zaydos]

How far do you detour? You have no idea how big of a territory Gal'raxthon might have claimed.

[Emperor Ing]

Slight detour. He'll also try to play it safe, hiding in the river or whatever's available when he hears or sees something that even slightly might resemble a humongous flying lizard.

[Zaydos]

Otherside of the mountain on the eastern bank?

[Emperor Ing]

Sure. Why not.

[Zaydos]

You've got on the other side of the ridge when... make a Spot check.

[Emperor Ing]

[roll0]
Oh gods please let me roll over a 5 check

[Zaydos]

You can vaguely see something big coming against the grey sky.

[Emperor Ing]

Into the river Malathot goes, immersing himself just above eye level so he can see.

[Zaydos]

((so you stayed by the river :smallbiggrin:))

Gal lands by the river plunging a single claw in and pulling out four or five fish. He throws back the translucent ones before eating the rest.

He says something but it's muffled by the water ((Listen check))

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot's thoughts are basically him mentally swearing up a storm.
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

Come out, I know you're down there and you can't breathe water

[Emperor Ing]

((Oh fragmentation grenade, bold text. He means business!))
Malathot tries not to move at all, save for sticking a nostril over the water so he can breathe.

[Zaydos]

A hand wraps around you ((you can attempt an AoO if you want)) and pulls you out of the water till you are looking at Gal, eye to head.

[Emperor Ing]

Like that'll end with anything except failure? Needless to say, Malathot will be looking into Gal's eyeball. ...hi.

[Zaydos]

Excellent, you should be useful Gal says holding you.

-censored for profanity-

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot doesn't say anything. It'd be interesting to read Malathot's mind and find two minds simultaneously screaming profanities.

[Zaydos]

Gal, still holding you in one claw, plunges his face into the water pulling up a mouth full of water and fish.

Swallowing he turns his eye to you, Going to say anything?

[Emperor Ing]

...what...what...are you...going to do...to me?

[Zaydos]

Take you with me Gal'raxthon says, grinning.

[Emperor Ing]

He tries talking, weakly. ...please don't hurt me.

[Zaydos]

Gal'raxthon puts you down pulling a handful of translucent fish from the stream and pouring them onto the ground before you.

I have no intention of doing so, Gal says, now, eat up.

[Emperor Ing]

Not really coming up with any other ideas, Malathot decides to try and eat the transluscent fish.

[Zaydos]

Gal watches patiently, and when you're done he grabs you. It's time to go the mighty dragon half-growls as he takes off, flying towards the north.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot will be grabbed, and taken for a ride.

[Zaydos]

Gal flies to the north, covering in an hour the space that would have taken you days. In a matter of only a few hours he lands on the other side of the mountains setting you down.

Stay he growls, flying back towards the south.

Ahead of you, you can see a land where no snow falls. A place where standing water covers much of the ground, and plants grow from soggy mounds that rise above it.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot lies down on the ground in despair.

[Zaydos]

How long do you lie there?

And Elf is still babbling an incoherent stream of curse words.

[Emperor Ing]

The trip has really taken a toll on him, driving home the feeling of hopelessness and despair. He's not going anywhere anytime soon.

[Zaydos]

Do you just sleep there?

[Emperor Ing]

If it comes to that he'll probably fall asleep.

[Zaydos]

Night falls and he hasn't returned.

Any special preperations?

[Emperor Ing]

Nah. Not at the moment.

[Zaydos]

So you just fall asleep?

Make a Wisdom check.

[Emperor Ing]

[roll0]
Not going to end well.

[Zaydos]

You awaken to frantic mental screaming of Xllpty! Rylipt!

Some things have begun binding you with ropes. They have green skin, and heavy underbites with large tusk-like teeth. They stand over 6 ft tall and their eyes are a pale blue. Scars lace their bodies and they wear armor made from the hides of some creature. They each carry a large ax on their back and several javellins.

[Emperor Ing]

Can Malathot easily escape?

[Zaydos]

The bonds or the creatures?

The bonds are only half tied and it would be a DC 10 Str or Escape Artist check.

The creatures outnumber you four to one.

[Emperor Ing]

Strength check
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

You burst the bonds. Roll initiative I rolled less than a 5 twice.

[Emperor Ing]

+6 to init. Yeah.

So I assume they're in melee range? Malathot will go and attack the first one in sight.
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]

[Emperor Ing]

Crit confirm O_o
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

You fell one, but the other survives the wound you inflict on it.

They draw their axes swinging them down at you. Two strike you hard but the third misses (12 and 13 damage each in case of DR).

[Emperor Ing]

Is there a way I can 5 ft step and get 'em all in the cold breath cone?

[Zaydos]

You could catch 2, but not all three. Technically two of them are flanking you but cones start out 10-ft wide not 15.

[Emperor Ing]

Well maximize breath to two of 'em, 5 ft step to get a good angle to blast 'em.

[Zaydos]

Which two?

Pick two of the one you injured, the other one that hit you, or the one that missed you.

Also how many hp you got left?

[Emperor Ing]

Main target is the uninjured one, and one of the injured one that hit me.

(13 hp left)

[Zaydos]

The injured foe falls, he was mostly dead already and is completely dead now.

The other snarls; he's obviously tougher than the others you've taken down for him to survive the full brunt of the attack. He steps forward striking you hard in the head with the side of his axe-head leaving your head ringing as his companion circles around and strikes you in the back ((11 subdual and then 11 lethal))

I believe that knocks you out.

[Emperor Ing]

The first attack is enough to cause major disorientation in the hatchling, making him an easy target for the finishing blow to be applied. And he's on the ground. Not quite in danger of bleeding to death, but very much at the mercy of the orcs.

[Zaydos]

You awaken tied to a tree. Further inspection reveals that you are not exactly tied up, rather the tree is grabbing you with long tentacle-like limbs. The ground is bare of snow but covered in a weird green substance, and you can see several more trees in front of you and there is some source of light behind you, unfortunately your neck is restrained preventing you from looking backwards.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot tries, from his vantage point, to get a better focus on his...surroundings (Because dragons have good panoramic vision :smalltongue:) wha? Where am I?

[Zaydos]

The tree blocks sight of what's behind you, but you can see things moving in the shadows. You can't get a good look through the plants blocking your view.

[Emperor Ing]

He'll try to focus on them as best he can.

[Zaydos]

Make a spot check then.

[Emperor Ing]

[roll0]
lol fail check

[Zaydos]

They're basically humanoid, but fairly large, even squatting they can't conceal themselves totally behind the bushes. Blades spring from their forearms stretching over their hands, and their eyes are large situated on the very top of their heads. Their mouths are large and fat, as are their heads. You can't make out their color as darkvision is only black and white.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot's only option now is to sit here and wait for something to happen.

[Zaydos]

This is so different than two thousand years ago Elf says.

Even though it's night, the area you are in is warm. Not dangerously so, but as a creature of ice it is still not the most comfortable temperature (about 60 degrees fahrenheit so a little below ideal for most humans).

[Emperor Ing]

I'm assuming the crystals are nearby? Malathot will try to break out of the tree
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

The tree holds you firmly.

Possibly the Elf says, I came to the location on dragon back, I forget how far from the mountains they were built.

[Emperor Ing]

Oh come on! Just a little bit, around the neck? After the great exertion to break free of the tree, Malathot gives up, trying to find a way to get comfortable bound to yet another tree.

[Zaydos]

The tree moves a little, as if readjusting itself for comfort.

Screams sound behind you and suddenly the light dies. The tree loosens its grasp for a moment as if in surprise.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot attempts to take advantage and get out.
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

Unfortunately it's not distracted enough ((now you roll low)), and remain bound as the creatures that had been hiding from the flames approach closer.

[Emperor Ing]

He sees, and panics slightly as the creatures approach. Damnit, lemme go, this isn't funny.

[Zaydos]

What language?

[Emperor Ing]

Common....

[Zaydos]

One of the creatures approaches you and begins sniffing you. It's almost 12-ft tall and toad-like in appearance. The tree trembles a bit but holds you tight.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot tries not to move.

[Zaydos]

It sticks out a long tongue, dripping with saliva, and proceeds to lick across your chest and face. At the touch of its tongue the tree quivers and releases you, but it seems ready to grab you again.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot attempts to get the heck out.
Dex check if necessary
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

You manage to avoid the tree grabbing you again, for now, but you find your exit path blocked by another one of the creatures.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot growls at it.
Intimidate
[roll0]
I FINALLY get to use this skill

[Zaydos]

It sneers back and moves closer ((it rolled a 16 unmodified also it's bigger than you giving you a -4)). In fact it looks far more hostile now than before.

[Emperor Ing]

So Malathot will attempt to run away.

[Zaydos]

Run action or double move?

[Emperor Ing]

Run action

[Zaydos]

They don't even make attacks of opportunity, allowing you to run madly into the woods.

The darkness of the woods seems to partially suppress even your darkvision, and for the first time in your life you truly experience the feeling of being in the dark. You can still see, but it is harder and not as far ((shadowy out to 60-ft, and still in black and white)).

[Emperor Ing]

So...uhh...what am I looking for? He casts Know Direction.

[Zaydos]

Your brain twinges as the spell gives dozens of contradictory answers. Either every direction is north, or none of them.

I can't say, Elf answers. A safe place to rest would be my advice.

[Emperor Ing]

That goes withot saying.
Which is what he'll look for.

[Zaydos]

What are your qualifications for a safe place to rest in this place?

[Emperor Ing]

Some sort of location that is walled off on three sides that has some sort of covering, like a cave, that doesn't have any signs of current habitation. Alternatively, a place that looks inaccessable to anything else, like a high rock.

[Zaydos]

Most of the area you see seems flat and open save for trees, some of which seem to move on their own. Make a Survival ((really 80% Luck, 20% Survival)) check to find a suitable location.

[Emperor Ing]

=\
fortunately I put a rank into it so i'm NOT making Survival checks on a -1
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

You search around for an hour without finding anything particularly safe looking. Maybe you could climb one of the trees, but for all you know they are threats themselves, and who knows what could be lurking in the branches.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot continues looking.

[Zaydos]

Then roll again.

[Emperor Ing]

[roll0]
Survival =\

[Zaydos]

That's another hour of searching to no avail. You're getting tired ((one more try before Con checks versus forced march starts))

[Emperor Ing]

He continues looking.
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

Not quite good enough; you can try again but you'll have to make a DC 12 Constitution check.

Since you were so close, though, you get a +2 on the Survival check.

[Emperor Ing]

((The DC's 16 isn't it?))
So constitution check to continue
[roll0]
and survival
[roll1]

[Zaydos]

((yes))

You take [roll0] subdual damage and are fatigued. You may continue to search but the Con check will increase by 2 each time and you no longer have the additional bonus on Survival.

[Emperor Ing]

Giving up, Malathot will try and rest on whatever clearing is available.

[Zaydos]

You lie down in the strange green stuff, hoping that nothing will attack you during the night. Call high or low.

[Emperor Ing]

((Huh? ))

[Zaydos]

I rolled a die, guess high or low; guess right nothing bothers you. Or you can call and roll in the same post and see what happens.

((the strange green stuff is grass, but since Malathot would never have even heard of grass I'm calling it strange green stuff))

[Emperor Ing]

((I figured that it is, and i'll guess high.))

[Zaydos]

:smallfrown: Make a Wisdom check ((the roll was a 6 on a 20)).

[Emperor Ing]

((Oh, this is awkward. I guessed (succesfully) you rolled low, so I said "high" because I thought you meant that I was supposed to guess whether or not you DIDN'T roll high or low. So basically I said "Higher" because I thought you rolled low. I know that sounds wierd, but that's ACTUALLY what I thought, no lie.))
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

((I'll believe you))

The night passes uneventfully, heal 12 hp.

[Emperor Ing]

((You roll almost as poorly as me. Why WOULDN'T I guess you'd roll low? Out of curiocity, what would've happened if I was wrong?))
Malathot will wake up. Is it any lighter in the forest or is it still dark?

[Zaydos]

((a creature would have come to prod you))

It's brighter, but there's something off about the very light of this realm. You can hear the noises and sounds of a place full of life, sounds you've never heard before. The songs of some strange creatures, and you can even see such a beast covered in odd fur and standing upon two scaled legs when it lands. Its head ends in a strange bony mouth that extends away from its face.

[Emperor Ing]

((A really big bird))
Uh, what is this place exactly?

[Zaydos]

((I didn't say how big it was, it's smaller than a rooster))

The Northernmost Plains? Elf suggests.

[Emperor Ing]

Huh, I thought it got colder if I went north. All I know is that the crystals are around here, and Gal-er-the one who's lived three millenia too long is going to annihilate me. He'll move forward in his relative direction.

[Zaydos]

Yes, this place used to be frigid even by the standards of the long winter. Fire magic wouldn't even work except for wyrms.

You see more of the winged creatures, their fur bright reds and blues ((yes they're birds but those are extinct on this world so until you meet a native that mentions them they're weird winged creatures)).

You can sense more than see other creatures nearby, as if something was watching you.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot looks around for the watcher.
[roll0]
Referring to the birds: What are those things?

[Zaydos]

Not sure Elf admits, Never seen their like before. I don't like this place, it makes my neck itch.

[Emperor Ing]

((I just scratched the back of my neck :smalltongue:))
Malathot scratches the back of his neck unconsciously. You don't have a neck. But i'm still pretty sure the crystals aren't far away.

[Zaydos]

I hope not, Elf says, Because your neck itching when you don't have a neck is horribly uncomfortable. Even if we find the crystals, though, we need one of the books.

[Emperor Ing]

Per your suggestion, the dwarves will arrive to them eventually, so we can rendevous with them...if that's the term you want to use.

[Zaydos]

And what if the crystals are guarded? There wasn't supposed to be anything living here. And how will we get it from the dwarves when they arrive?

((oh yeah forgot to give you XP... with all the crazy energy blasters that should be around -makes up number off top of head- 1800 XP))

[Emperor Ing]

((Can we just not keep track of XP and you just tell me when I level up? The DMG tables are unbelievably hard to find (and yes I have the DMG)))
Then I should set up within eyesight of the crystals. Let them damage our dwarven friends, and I may be able to finish them...no, no I won't. But they'll be in a more diplomatic position.

[Zaydos]

Yes, let's. Just hope that whatever creatures guard it Elf says, even as you sense something at the edge of your blindsense, whipping your head around you can see it, about 2' 9" tall, like a tiny elf, with strange gossamer wings. It's blurred and indistinct for some reason.
Not having noticed, Elf continues don't notice you and attack you.

((I expected you to have the DMG; for one you know WBL which isn't actually in the SRD [it's page 135], although level up charts are in the PHB and Chapter 3 has XP based on CR vs. Level which it's been a long time since I actually looked at (at this level it's 300 for CR 1, 600 for CR 2, 900 for CR 3, 1600 for CR 4, and...) and don't take into account optimization or even tier 3 classes which throw CR for a loop)).

[Emperor Ing]

((I told you about my take on CRs before. Original intent was a single CR 3 monster was a challenge, or at least a worthy battle, for a party of 4 Level 3 characters.))

Um, what's that thing?

[Zaydos]

((and a CR 2 should be a major boss battle for a single level 3 character; 2 CR 1s should = 1 CR 2, etc. I know how it was intended, I also know it doesn't work... except for dragons they tend to be about as or slightly stronger than intended))

What thing? Elf asks.

The creature floats a little closer to you, it looks perplexed and surprised.

[Emperor Ing]

This...thing right here in front of me. Uhh, hi? In draconic.

[Zaydos]

It screams something incoherent and suddenly a wall of fire bursts between you and it.

I just heard something, and there's fire Elf says.

[Emperor Ing]

Ack! That thing just summoned a giant wall of fire! Malathot attempts to run away.

[Zaydos]

You get away easily, leaving you still wondering these woods. The area around you is wetter, without the soft green covering of the other portions, but instead strange plants that seem to be entirely batches of giant leaves dot the dry portions and tall tube shaped things rise from the water ending in large pods covered in what looks like soft fur.

A frog jumps into the water from a nearby bank.

[Emperor Ing]

Okay this place is wierd. I definitely don't belong.

[Zaydos]

At least you can scratch your neck the voice says irritably.

You hear the strange noises of the swimming creatures ((frogs)) as they play in the water. You can also hear what sounds like a conversation coming towards you.

[Emperor Ing]

You don't have a neck! How can something possibly itch that does not exist, or at least has been dust for a good thousand years?!
Malathot looks in that direction.

[Zaydos]

In a very annoying fashion Elf answers.

You can see blue shapes moving in the distance, they're coming closer but not directly towards you instead going diagonally towards the watery area further to your right.

[Emperor Ing]

Should I scratch my own neck and see if that helps in any way, shape, or form?
Malathot moves over to look.

[Zaydos]

If you want Elf says.

How close do you approach? Also Hide check.

[Emperor Ing]

Just close enough to get a visual.
also...
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

How good of a visual is a visual? Unobscured by cover will be pretty close (20-ft).

[Emperor Ing]

Then 20 ft. Though that'll end terribly i'm sure.

[Zaydos]

Slightly hunched, they stand 10-ft tall. They have broad shoulders, long bone blades extending from their forearms passing over their hands. Their heads are flat and wide with mouths that go from one side to the other, and they have two bulbous eyes atop their heads half covered by hoods. They are heavily muscled and look rather dangerous. One has just skewered a frog on its arm blade and is eating the animal off the weapon. The other is busy drinking water. They do not seem to have noticed you.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot doesn't want to get involved with them, so he goes away, moving around them. He also scratches the back of his neck, this time consciously.

[Zaydos]

Make a move silently check ((I'd not be an Evil DM if I forgot to have you make this one))

[Emperor Ing]

[roll0]
move silently

[Emperor Ing]

[roll0]
move silently

[Zaydos]

You make it past them unnoticed, as the creatures continue to spear and eat the frogs. They are not the only beasts within the area, something slithers past. It's about 2' 7" long and covered in fine green fur. Its eyes momentarily flick towards you, proportionately large and blue, while it makes its way into the water.

The trees here are strange as well, in the mountains you saw primarily pines and they'd been the first in your life, but here they have large flat leaves, and some have moving parts which even as you watch dart out and catch one of the winged creatures pulling it to something atop the tree. It does not seem to come back out.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot attempts to move onwards.

[Zaydos]

Do you go through the swamp or the drylands?

[Emperor Ing]

Drylands...

[Zaydos]

Okay, how will you orient yourself? Just move alongside the swamp or move deeper into the dry lands?

[Emperor Ing]

Deeper into the drylands

[Zaydos]

Alright. Do you follow animal trails or purposefully avoid them?

[Zaydos]

((seems to have freaked))

[Emperor Ing]

((There's forks within forks within forks in this road.))
Follow

[Zaydos]

((It's like an old choose your own adventure book :smallbiggrin: Where every turn is most likely to lead to GAME OVER))

Your blindsense warns you of something coming before your eyes do, it's moving towards you from behind some bushes about 50-ft ahead and a little to your right. It might just be moving along the path you're following as it does seem to turn up ahead.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot watches for it.
((...doesn't translate well outside of Choose Your Own Adventure Books.))

[Zaydos]

((lol, I miss those books sometimes though))

The creature is broad, about 4' 6" feet wide, with six legs, and a fat head dominated by a boar like snout. Fur covers its body, and it raises its head towards you. It's eyes meet yours and you feel energy surging through your body ((make a Fort save)). It doesn't look angry, but it does look hungry.

[Emperor Ing]

[roll0]
Finally not a will save

[Zaydos]

You hold down the pain but the creature glares at you. Initiative (it got a total of 12)

[Emperor Ing]

Initiative
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

Your action. Off the animal trail is difficult terrain.