The Thunder Below

[Grimtina]

http://www.krath.org/arania/The%20Thunder%20Below/Sarwin.jpg


Although a small settlement, Sarwin is old and steeped in tradition. Founded nearly 600 years ago by the cohorts and adventuring companions of the newly wedded Annah and Zebulahr Sarwin, the village sprung up overnight. With their powerful magic and well-trained minions, the Sarwins easily repulsed the uncoordinated hordes of orcs and giants that assaulted the region after every spring thaw.

Likewise, their presence quelled the frequent earthquakes that had plagued the region. Today, the orcs and giants are a distant memory, and the few earthquakes to strike the region have been minor and explained to the children of Sarwin as “underground thunder,” or long-delayed echoes of ancient battles between the orcs and giants. Since that time, the people of Sarwin have known peace
and relative quiet (with the exception of those increasingly rare earthquakes). Although Annah and Zebulahr have long since passed away, their family line has remained strong and it has held the estate with efficiency and grace, much to the appreciation of the folk of Sarwin.

You are just arriving after a few months of dangerous adventuring. You know the place, maybe you have lived here for a while, or just been through this place at the edge of civilization coming and going to wilder areas. So the state it is in is not only alarming, t makes you worry for the people you might know here.

It is obvious the place is empty and has been recently attacked. Several buildings are wholly or partially collapsed, and large scorch marks scar surviving buildings and the ground in many places. Yet no bodies of the inhabitants or even any domesticated animals are in sight, nor can any be heard. Only a few crows are scattered about, not daring to come near you. The scent of fire still hangs in the air. Most houses just seem to have collapsed though.

[MikelaC1]

Lets check the Inn first. Survivors would likely have collected there.

Zarinda is a very attractive woman, however in your adventures with her, she seems to have an uncanny ability to blend into the background, and be unnoticed when she doesn't want to be. A complete non-combatant, her skills at anything requiring stealth are unparalleled. Even as she heads to the Inn, her steps don't seem to make a sound.

[BelGareth]

Chirons footsteps plod into the dirt, making dull thudding sounds, it had been a long day, and he was hoping for rest, not that he needed it, but his mind would tire, and the custom of resting was hard to shrug off, and he found he wanted to shrug less and less 'human' things these days, in attempts to slow down the inevitable ultimate spiritual transformation, one that he feared more than most.

He turned his head to Zarinda and nodded.

"Indeed, let's go and see if there are any clues" he says, sun glinting of his green tinted, metallic skin.

He flexed his fingers as he did so, not much had happened, and while he had hoped for something...'fun', this would not fill the bill.

[TiaC]

"The church appears in better condition, and if there survivors we could expect fresh graves. Why don't we head there, checking the building we pass?"

Renon is a tall and thin winged dragonborn. He is very different from Zarinda. He carries himself as one who used to being noticed and listened to. When combat arises, his mastery of destructive force is unparalleled. He is on his guard as he approaches the town.

[infomatic]

They had smelled the smoke before they saw the ruins of the village, of course, and while Farazhad had hoped it was something innocuous like a bonfire — she liked watching fires — the others had told her it was the wrong time of year. So she waited, nursing a knot of worry, until they saw it.

Her gaze drifted from one crumpled structure to the next as they approached, but her eyes often seemed focused on something farther in the distance. She gathers her scarves, which she had let fall from her face — an acknowledgement of the familiarity she had with these companions — and once again wraps her head in them 'til all that is visible of her is her eyes and wrists.




Spells/detection effects up:
Detect Hostile Intent: Continuous, 30-ft emanation

Mindsight 100' -- scanning for any intelligent creatures

Spot roll [roll0]



Agreed on church, but depends on which way we're passing. If we're coming from east we'd be hitting the inn first anyway

[Grimtina]

There is not a hint of hostility around now, but if the ruins could talk they would likely tell a story of more than hostile intent.

No intelligent life is to be felt, either. Upon noticing that, the wind howling through the ruins just then feels like a requiem for what was once a lively town.

[MikelaC1]

Seeing that life is not likely to be found, Zarinda begins to search around the area, trying to find any clues that might tell them who attacked the town. Scraps of weapons or flesh, tell tale markings or footprints, anything to shed light on things.

[roll0]

[TiaC]

Renon will fly over the roofs and look to the horizon. He looks for evidence of the attacker's path and any possible ambushes.


Spot: [roll0]
Search: [roll1]
Know nature to judge the age of the attack based on the fires [roll2]

[Grimtina]

Zarinda doesn't need to search for long. In one of the scorched buildings and on a side road, a fetish made of bone and gristle can be found. The shapes aren't identical - one seems to be an attempt at a bird's head, badly excecuted, and the other is more like a dice.

Strangely, church and graveyard are almost untouched, except for a large cupboard with torn out doors, which obviously help something not too long ago but is now empty.

The inn is another matter. The Hawk and Moose seems to have been the rallying place of the former inhabitants, but it looks like the building had been smashed by hard large projectiles, even though none can be seen lying around. From the inn comes what is unmistakenly the smell of a decaying body.

Some strange tracks can also be seen on the gravel paths inside the settlement, but there are no signs of any ambushes, and recent rain seems to have washed away tracks on the muddy roads leading into the town.

[MikelaC1]

A bird...and a dice? Dice, trice, bird...cockatrice?
And those projectiles...manticores?
Anyone know what manticore or cockatrice footprints look like?

Zarinda may be a scout, but shes no ranger.

For now, she leaves the decaying body.

[infomatic]

Manticores would leave spines, wouldn't they? Farazhad asks. "The town's had trouble with giants before, but it's odd that they'd take their rocks when they left."

Clutching her scarf tighter around her face, she peers into what's left of the inn, looking for the sign of the smell. Why so few corpses?

[Grimtina]

There is no obvious sign of a body, but from the strength of the smell, it is likely a few days old already, and from past experience, you know that such stink can travel quite a bit.

[TiaC]

Renon lands to examine the damage and fetishes. "There are a few spells that could do this, but none widely used. Is there any indication of a motivation for the attack?"


Spellcraft to see if this is spell damage: [roll0]
Arcana to examine the fetishes: [roll1]

[Grimtina]

The fetishes are harmless pendants, but you come to the conclusion that much of the damage seen must have been caused by magic. Most likely, first a cloudkill spell and then an earthquake spell was used, while the fire was most likely the results of a flamestrike spell - what's weird is that the fire seems to have happened after all the other destruction.

There is nothing you remember about the place to want to cause anyone to do something like this.

[TiaC]

"This is the work of powerful magic. Poison clouds to kill the inhabitants and earthquakes to destroy the buildings. However, the fire magic was only used after the rest. Perhaps a conflict among the attackers or a way to destroy the bodies? But why do this? A mage of this power has no need for livestock and these people had little else of value." Renon scratches his head and looks around, confused.

[Tibalt]

Even though Vorigaaz was initially tasked to keep an eye on the dragonborn, Renon had proved he was a worthy and cunning ally many times before. The crusader of Tiamat was beginning to wonder if all the followers of Bahamut really deserved punishment. Once again, Vorigaaz had to admit he agreed with Renon.

"We should definitely inspect the church and see why it's still intact. We might find clues on how these fools brought such destruction upon their village." Said Vorigaaz with a sharp - but not bossy - tone, as he walked towards the church and graveyard.

Vorigaaz casts undetectable alignement every morning before donning his armor and shield.

[BelGareth]

Chiron plods along as usual, as the others swarm like bees over the ruins of the little hamlet.

He wondered why anyone would attack them, these people were seemingly harmless, and had lived here successfully for years.

The magic used...was too powerful for local orc's, the shamans were not capable of wielding such potent spells, he narrowed his eyes as he plodded down the main street, seeing the scorch marks here and there, maybe someone had posted a defense of sorts...but after everything...that seems counter intuitive, and well, not make sense. Defense would be at the same time.

He stopped in the middle of town and looked around, no this was the actions of someone who could wield such power, and so it must be's that person also wouldn't wantonly do so, or they would have heard of them before, no this person did this on a precise reason, something, someone bought them here.

"Perhaps the Sarwins had hid a powerful magic item hereabouts, and one of their former opponents came to recover it?" he said aloud. Frowning he got annoyed at his own statement "Does anyone have any divination powers? all these conjectures are not going to get us anywhere."

[MikelaC1]

Zarinda shrugs, her idea was a guess and not based on a whole lot, and there really wasnt much to support it. With no body in the Inn to check out, the church and graveyard seemed a good second choice, especially since the attackers seemed to leave it along. Once again her steps are light and quiet as she makes her way there.

[roll0]

[Grimtina]

It has almost vanished under the cloth over the basin with holy water, but there is an axe of obvious orcis making with traces of blood on it in the church.

[infomatic]

"So not a new enemy but an old one," Farazhad remarks, eyeing the weapon. "Yet the nobles always repulsed the orcs before, so either this magic is something the orcs didn't have before, or perhaps the Sarwins were taken unawares somehow. I'd be surprised if the keep doesn't look something like all this."

She peers into the town's main store, or what remains of it, trying to see if there are any other clues about.


I'd like to find the body, but we're short on trackers. How far off is the castle?

[roll0] search
[roll1] spot

[BelGareth]

Seeing the axe he frowns "well look at that, I agree, its gotta be something moving them, and not them themselves." he stopped and listen to himself.

"Well, yeah..."

Frowning again, he was beginning to get annoyed, casting a simple spell with anger he flies up to see if he can see anything from other areas or maybe hints or clues which need a bigger perspective.


Cast fly

[Grimtina]

The castle is about half a mile up a low hill overlooking the area. You don't find anything new, save a severed finger and a bloody dagger in the street.

From up above, it is clear that the mill was under some sort of special attack, as it looks corroded rather than smashed or burned. Also, the area around Aaron#s General Store looks like the residents had tried to build up a defense there. It is the only place where the amount of disturbed gravel and barrels and crates organized as makeshift cover points to a real battle, and not only destruction, to begin with.

[MikelaC1]

Zarinda, hearing that there might have been a battle around the general store, searching there as well, she sometimes has the ability to find what others missed.

[roll0]

[Grimtina]

The store looks well plundered evry bit of supply taken away. In one corner, there is a smeary stain of blood under an overturned bench - looks like someone has been busy cleaning up and forgot a spot.

[MikelaC1]

Zarinda gives an extra search to the area of the blood smear/bench

[roll0]

[BelGareth]

Chiron frowns, again.

This was vexing him, no answers were forthcoming, and he was ready to throw his arms in the air, he flew down to the Mill as Zarinda headed to store.

Looking around he took his time and attempted to figure out what had happened.


Taking 20 on search for 23
also checking what knowledges he has:
[roll0]
[roll1]

Gotta be honest, coming up blank as to what to do, and searching every single building is becoming boring...

[Grimtina]

Zarinda finds a dull yellow feather partially smeared with blood, and a small green scale, of the type looking like a dragon scale but really belonging to a chimera.

The mill looks like the remains of a dragon attack once close by, probably from a green one. A lot of tracks lead out of it into the direction of the castle.

[MikelaC1]

Zarinda calls out to the rest of the group.

Ive got evidence that says they were attacked by a green dragon or a chimera...and something with dull yellow feathers also helped in the attack. Arent cockatrices yellow? Hoping that someone who knows more about nature can help on that one. And we've got tracks leading to the castle. That should be out next destination.

[TiaC]

Renon comes over to join her. "If it was a cockatrice, there would be statues around. There doesn't seem to be the acid damage I would expect to most of the town from any form of Tiamat's Greenspawn. However, I agree that the castle is most likely to have answers for us. Let us head there."

Arcana to identify the scale:[roll0]
Arcana to see if the feather looks like a cockatice's:[roll1]

[Grimtina]

The scale is indeed from the green dragon part of a chimera. The feather is not from a cockatrice, but you sure have seen it before on something dangerous, you just can#t seem to remember right now.

[BelGareth]

Arms wide as he floated back down to them, to see what the fuss was about he too, saw the scale and feather and attempted to recall what they were from.


Same thing:
[roll0] for the scale
[roll1] for the feather


He then follows them to the castle, up in the air about 100 ft.

[Grimtina]

The scale is indeed from a chimera, but the feather is from a harpy.

[MikelaC1]

That partially explains the lack of bodies...the poor souls walked willingly to their doom, entranced by their songs.

[BelGareth]

"Indeed, it is a potent combo, especially for the weak willed, I imagine only those of exceptional will power remained to fight."

He turns towards the castle, hoping to find more clues.


Takes 20 for a 23

[Grimtina]

The tracks leading up to the castle are about 3 days old. It has beent ried to cover them up, but a large group moving fast is just not able to hide their trail completely. The group of marauders left Sarwin to the west, carefully avoiding the road and straying from the stony ground there only when necessary. You estimate 20 - 25 of them, how many flying allies there were, none can say. The path they have used has been covered by rain, but as there was no rain a bit forther away it was probably caused by magic.

Later in the day it becomes impossible to miss the dead body in the village; it's a halfling woman who seems to have tried to hide in a cupboard at the inn. She wears no outward signs of injury, but she is grabing her throat in death as if having difficulty breathing.

[Tibalt]

Vorigaaz nodded as he silently followed Chiron towards the castle. The green scale seemed to have awoken age-old memories.

[MikelaC1]

Strange that having basilisks in the attack didn't leave a bunch of statues as well.

Zarinda follows the group to the castle, slightly off to the side of the main group and several yards in front. She keeps an alert eye for any more clues and any traps that might be set for them.

[roll0]

[Grimtina]

A few more lost fetishes are found on the way, one also shaped like a dice, the other two resembling a spearhead.

The road leading west from Sarwin leads up a rocky embankment and eventually to the impressive castle that sits atop a stony promontory. Were it not for the thick fir trees, the castle would be visible from Sarwin (and vice versa). As it is, it’s a short walk from the hamlet of Sarwin to the castle. The road itself is about 30 feet wide. Its southern edge drops away in a steep slope that descends into the forest below, while its northern edge rises up abruptly into the mountains. The cliff into which the road is carved averages about 500 feet in height, with the road climbing slowly upward. It is not very easily defendable should an attack occur.

[TiaC]

"Why did you think a basilisk was involved? They make for poor allies. We'd likely see harpy statues if that was the case."

Renon joins the others on the path to the castle. He chooses to fly around 20' over their heads.

[Grimtina]

Shortly before the stones come down, Renon can see something moving up the mountain, although it is impossible at this point to say what creature it was.

[MikelaC1]

(falling stones?)

[Grimtina]

(oh ignore, seems it didn't post the whole post I made last time thanks to the silly 60 secs between posts)

[Grimtina]

About halfway up the winding road, a rumble comes from up the mountain. A second later, the first large boulders drop down onto the road. While they aren't aimed very well, the intention is clear. Almost at the same time, a gust of acid goes past Renon, barely missing.

[TiaC]

Renon snaps to full awareness, looking around for the source of the attack. "I saw something move up there a minute ago!"

[MikelaC1]

Zarinda presses against the rock wall, and begins to slide her way up the path with her back still pressed to the side of the mountain.

[infomatic]

Farazhad risks a quick glance upward as the stones rain down, and shimmering plates of force cloud her form, as she moves away from Zarinda -- the rogue had a talent for passing unseen, so it would do little good to draw attention to her by standing close. "This isn't a safe spot," she calls. "The sooner we get up there, the better."

[BelGareth]

Chiron frowns as the boulders smash all around them, ineffectively, perhaps they were supposed to be that way, and the thrower was much more capable than that, he instantly thought, shrugging he flew towards the cliff face, hiding from anything that was higher up.

His companions were yelling about something else, acid?

Maybe the dragon was still hanging around.

This was getting interesting.

Taking heed of the comments, and the not so subtle suggestions from up above, Chiron flew up, a needle of force ready on his right hand for anything untoward.

[Tibalt]

The possibility that a dragon be present made Vorigaaz particularly uncomfortable. Indeed he had no intention of fighting the children of his goddess.

Hoping it would buy him time to negotiate in the case a dragon was going after them, Vorigaaz made sure his holy symbol of Tiamat was visible on his chest.

"If we're chased by a dragon, we might want to avoid fighting." He said outloud, knowing that some of his companions might not agree with his point of view.

Then, he proceeded to pull a wand out of his haversack to grant himself the ability to fly before putting the wand back in the backpack. He followed Chiron afterward.

[infomatic]

"And if it's anything else, leave one of them alive," she calls after her teammates, as she concentrates, pulling gobs of shimmering material from a space behind the air and shaping it into a roughly humanoid shape with broad, translucent wings, and grinning in spite of the danger as she feels the Talent flowing through her. "We'll want it to talk."

She nods to the rogue. "It's not as fast, but it's strong enough to carry us both."


Calling a Astral Construct IV with Improved Flight — Strength is 25, making both of us a light load. Speed is 40, Lasts 21 rounds.

[roll0] vs. Wild Surge (15% chance) low is bad

EDIT: I changed from Regular Flight + Acid Resist to just improved Flight -- I didn't realize how fast the other three guys were, but it's something F would've known.

[MikelaC1]

Zarinda will let the astral carry her, truth be told, she wasnt looking forward to the battle, but she wasnt about to stay down and be a sitting duck.

[Grimtina]

Another load of boulders begins to rain down, and in the overgrowth on the moutain side, the green head of a probably still very young dragon pokes out of the leaves, probably impossible to see from further down. It hasn't noticed anyone flying yet, concentrating on the ground, searching for the intended victims.

[TiaC]

Renon despises the idea of leaving a chromatic dragon alive, but this one is unlikely to pose him any threat and might have information they need. He will hail the dragon, arcane power already glowing on the tips of his fingers, "Have you attacked us? Surrender now and answer our questions, if you wish to live."

He will ready an Empowered Orb of Fire dealing Sonic damage if it tries to attack or flee.

[Grimtina]

With a roar that might one day be called mightly, the dragon attempts to turn and flee, made harder by all the vegetation it is in.

[TiaC]

Renon flings a barely visible orb after it.

Well, that's the beauty of readied actions. Having readied it, I have no choice but to use it
[roll0]
This character really only does one thing, but he does it quite well.
[roll1]*1.5
DC 26 fort save vs daze.

[Grimtina]

Not even aware something is coming for it, the dragon shrieks in surprise. turning into panic, then it grabs at a trree trunk to avoid falling and barely manages. It stares ahead, obviously dazed, and its wings hang limp.

[BelGareth]

Chiron flies up closer, the power of his emerald force upon his right hand, but seeing his warmage companion shooting first, he released the energy back into the aether, not wanting to kill the small dragon.

"Let me try another approach, just roll with it" he says quietly

He flew closer to the dragon, within range of his unsettling aura, "BE STILL WYRMLING, OR I SHALL LET MY MAGE KILL AND STUFF YOU FOR MY MANTLE!"


He's within range of his aura, granting a -8 to saves
[roll0] vs (1d20 + character level or Hit Dice + target’s Wisdom bonus [if any] + target’s modifiers on saves against fear)

[Grimtina]

The dragon seems to shrink into itself, trying to fold its wings over its eyes. In rather awful common, it shrieks "I only go do what have told, not kill anyone not."

[MikelaC1]

Who tells you what to do? Who do you work for?

[Grimtina]

"Thems orcs. And my sire. Thems orcs dumb, but many. Use things with 3 heads part dragon to make me do when pa is away." It shrinks even more, the eyes getting a desperate look.

[Tibalt]

(In Draconic)"You are born the most powerful and majestic race and yet you let lowly orcs give you orders. That's pitiful." Spat Vorigaaz, like a father scolding his son.

(In Draconic)"Where is "pa", now ?" He added in a softer voice.

[Grimtina]

The dragon perks up at hearing his own language. If anyone can tell from a dragon's face, it is all curiosity now. "Pa went to commune with the one who brought us all together. He says I'm too young to understand the plan so he didn't take me, just my older siblings. I'm, not too young, how can I learn if he doesn't take me?" Then a short pause. "Once the orcs and their allies have conquered the land, pa sas we will do away with them."

[infomatic]

"The wrym seems old and strong enough to me," says Farazhad, seemingly directing her words toward Tibalt, but speaking slowly and simply enough for the dragon to understand. "It very nearly crushed us all to pulp; only luck saved us."

As she speaks, she reaches out to the dragon's mind, trying to pick up where its parent was headed, and who it might be meeting.

Then, in Infernal, she speaks directly to Tibalt. "Perhaps we could offer an alliance? Explain how glad we are that they've done our work for us in overthrowing the Sarwins?"


Bluff check [roll0]

Read Thoughts on the Dragon, DC 22, seeking any names (or an image of the creature his father is meeting) or places (where the meeting might be)

[Grimtina]

The dragon knows very little and is angry about others keeoing secrets from her. She isn't sure who exactly the boss is, but the image is that of a girl which looks surprisingly like a Sarwin daughter

[BelGareth]

Chrion grins and looks down to the wyrmling, "Tell us more about these orcs, how many are there, what kind of allies do they have, do they have any spellcasters? How many clans? " he asks, slightly calmer than before.

Even though he seems calmer, he is readying a force of needle if the dragon attacks or flees.

[infomatic]

Farazhad is silent for a moment as she telepathically relays what she gleaned from the dragon's thoughts to the others. Betrayal from within? It's an old enough story, she begins.

I can think of a dozen reasons why a noble daughter might seek to destroy her family … the image of her father's broken body flashes unbidden through her mind, though she doesn't share it. … but then destroying a village full of peasants and strangers, that makes less sense.

[Grimtina]

"There's many orcs," the dragon says. "Very many, all the tribes got together. Pa says in a proper world, all beings would do what us dragons are saying. Oh right, probably not me because I still need to grow. Pa says mammals always seek to destroy the natural order, and especially seek to destroy us. Pa says to watch out for the evil coming up from the village to stop us, so I did. And I saw you." He sounds like he wasn't supposed to throw stones at anyone.

[TiaC]

"Who sent the stones, whelp?!" It is clear that Renon dislikes having to trust any information from this source.

[Grimtina]

"Just wanted to slow you down, and make noise so the orcs up in camp won't be too surprised by you. They thought they got rid of all the villagers. But you are so few, they will probably eat you for dinner." There is some sort of anticipation in that. "Or you can just leave, and I won't even tell you were here?"

[BelGareth]

Chrion turns to the others and smiles, "Looks like we need to go give these orcs a visit, what shall we do with this whelp? I've always wanted a stuffed wrymling on my mantle." he says with a slight chortle, knowing, even though he was bluffing, some of his companions would blanch at the statement.

[TiaC]

"After seeing what his kind get up to, I have no objection to that." Renon eyes the whelp.

[MikelaC1]

Zarinda busies herself with keeping a watch to make sure nothing else sneaks up on them while they question the dragon.
[roll0]
She is not squeamish about killing, but doesn't do it herself. If she can pull a job without bloodshed, so much the better.

[Tibalt]

"Enough!" Said Vorigaaz, petulant. He had no intention of listening to Renon and chiron discoursing on the latest trends on the use of dragons, whole or in pieces, as fashion accessories.

In Vorigaaz's opinion, Farazhad seemed to have a good idea.

(In draconic) "We'll need to talk to your father when he comes back. We might have common interests. It just seems like we will get to the "get rid of the orcs" part a bit sooner."

(In common) "I suggest we take him with us." He added for the group.

[Grimtina]

Zarinda can hear a second set of wings approaching.

The little dragon seems to grin. "I want to eat them if we get rid of them. I never tasted orc before!"

[MikelaC1]

We've got company coming people, make up your minds what you want to do with him
With the warning, Zarinda seems to melt into the underbrush

[roll0] spot
[roll1] hide

[BelGareth]

Chiron thinks his answer, knowing that speaking it aloud may either be heard by the larger dragon or the little one maybe smarter than he looks.

<<No, we let this one live, for now, daddy dragon would probably be upset with us if we did,>>

He walks away from the wyrmling, still pretending scorn for it.

"Well then, let us prepare for a meeting with something that isn't completely useless." he says, looking sideways at the small dragon.

He quickly casts a spell, weaving his arms and focusing his eyes at a point before him, once done, a greenish field of power springs into existence covering his body like a glove.


Casts Mage Armor, Greater (http://dndtools.eu/spells/spell-compendium--86/mage-armor-greater--3888/).
+8 Armor bonus to AC (+2 from Ardent Savant) for 18 hours.

[TiaC]

Renon points at the dragon "Duck down into the trees until one of us tell you otherwise."

[Grimtina]

The little dragon does as told, not appearing to be overly concerned.

The shadow passing above is that of a 3-headed beast, actively searching for something. It hasn't noticed anything yet.

[BelGareth]

Chiron smiles as the chimera flies over head.

"Ah yes, the mongrel beast, looking for prey among the weak, well you shall not find any here." he looks around to the others "What say you all, shall we engage the beast and let it see what its missing?"

He flex both hands, his fingers crunching slightly with his metal fingers cracking.

[infomatic]

Farazhad cranes her neck as the creature swoops above, and reflexively holds up a hand to ward off the glare, though it doesn't really matter to her whether she can see the beast or not. Instead, invisible tendrils of thought uncoil themselves from her and snake out toward the Chimera as it searches

"Three heads and not a lick of sense in any of them," she murmurs. "But there should be enough to grab onto."

As she speaks, she feels the tendrils suddenly tighten, as if a fish had taken the bait on the far end of a line.



Manifest Psionic Domination, augmented by 2 (for Magical Beast) + 1 (for 1 hour duration). DC 25.

[Grimtina]

For a moment, the chimera hovers in place.

Yup that worked.

[infomatic]

"Down, beast," Farazhad orders, as the beast flies lower, its three jaws gaping loosely. "We have some questions for you."


Farazhad doesn't speak Draconic, and probably doesn't even know that Chimeras do. She could conduct the interrogation telepathically, of somebody with know (arcana) and Draconic could do it. For now I'll just pitch some telepathic questions.


What were you looking for just now? Did you destroy the nearby village? How did you defeat the human rules that defended the place?


To the others, she says, "We have an hour, though I could probably extend my control if I have to."

[Grimtina]

The chimera lands, looking slighly confused, but also expectant. At last the dragon- and lionheads do, hard to tell with the goat part.

[BelGareth]

Chiron watches in wonder, he always enjoyed a good show, and this was definitely that.

Smiling he saw the chimera halt and then lower down to them, the thing looking as confused as the wyrmling did at first.

"Farazhad, maybe use simpler commands, this thing is not in any imminent danger of learning to scheme. You know, I'm not even sure how much this thing could retain, why not put it out of its misery?"

[infomatic]

Farazhad groans. "Ugh, it's too stupid to even talk to." Realizing there might not much much of an answer, she tries to arrange her thoughts more simply. Orcs. Big Dragon. Where?

[MikelaC1]

Leaving the others to deal with the chimera and young dragon, Zarinda decides to scout ahead and see what she can discover on her own. Her footsteps are still as silent as ever, and she seems to be completely a part of the foliage and rocks

[roll0] hide
[roll1] hide
[roll2] move silently
[roll3] move silently
[roll4] spot

[TiaC]

Renon shoots a thought over to Farazhad 'Do you know where Zarinda vanished to?'

Then aloud, "I hate stupid minions. Let's finish up here and continue before anyone wonder what happened to these two. Chiron, would you like to do the honors? he gestures to the dragon.

[Tibalt]

Vorigaaz frowns.

"I agree that we need to move on. Do what you want with the three-headed weakling, but no one's touching a single scale of the young dragon. He says calmly before continueing on his way.

[BelGareth]

Chiron smiles at the offer, but shows his visual dismay dramatically, at Vorigaaz's dismissal.

"You always ruin my fun, Vorigaaz" he says ruefully, half joking.

"The little one is on your head, but this big thing, we need to take care of it" he sneers at it, "It's not particularly pretty either."

Being a little impatient, he looks to the chimera "Can we please do something with it, I too would like to move on." Shaking his head, he whirled on the beast with his spear, slamming, thrusting, and slashing at the thing.


Full attack action vs the Chimera

Swift: Blade of force
free: sacrifice 4th slot to arcane strike

[roll0]
[roll1] + [roll2]

[roll3]
[roll4] + [roll5]

[roll6]
[roll7] + [roll8]

Shattermantle: -2 Spell Resistance on each hit.

[Grimtina]

About 500 feet ahead, a small path goes up right toward the castle, rather steep and not very well made. It shows all the signs of orcs trampling through the bushes, complete with some lost items like comps, spoons and even a clan symbol. Zarinda can also see that there was a fight which caused some orcs to fall, a bit of blood is on a tree. From up above, harsh laughter sounds.

The Chimera seems to hiss and argue with itself for a moment. Then all 3 heads seem to want to reply at once; none of which is understandable. The muddle thoughts reflect the need for food before the big dragon returns. Orcs in camp, no food in camp, I/We/All don't find foot, eat more orcs.

The attack pulls the unsightly thing out of it's momentary stupor, shaking off the spell influence. The force pushes it back a little, and with a deafening shriek wich is sure to be heard a long way, it tries to regain balance with what looks like a broken wing. The goat head hangs limp. The white dragon head seems to ready for a breath attack.

As the shriek goes out, Zarinda can hear the camp above her fall silent for a moment. Then there is chaos - shouts, rattle of armor and some laughter.

[MikelaC1]

Zarinda makes her way with great speed back to the rest of the group, all need for covertness gone.

You'd better deal with that thing real quick, the scream it let out is going to have orcs aplenty on us in no time.

Moving quickly to the underbrush, Zarinda finds a place of concealment where she can hopefully attack at surprise. (if she has to)

[roll0]

[infomatic]

I'm not done with it!" Farazhad barks as her eyes snap open at the creature's cry, and rounds on Chiron. "I could've sent it away quietly … it'd be half a day before anybody even noticed it was missing. Now we've got who-knows-what breathing down our necks, because you couldn't go another two minutes without killing something."

She closes her eyes again and refocuses, trying to solidify control of the creature. "If this doesn't work, you may as well finish the job now, before the rest of the army gets here."


Move-action to try and reestablish Dominate, though I imagine it's broken. Manifest Schism

[TiaC]

"You'd think that the mental communication would make us better at coordination. Anyways, I got this. You handle any heavies, I'll deal with the rest." Renon shakes his head and turns to face the camp.

[BelGareth]

Chiron shrugs apologetically, "I thought it was going anywhere!" he said

[Grimtina]

Zarinda finds a hollowed out tree covered by hanging leaves.

Unfortunately, Farazhad fails to keep the chimera under control. As its dragonhead exhales, the cone of cold sweeps over her and Chiron.

DC 20 for save

From above in the camp, the orcs sound more coordinated now, and their marching feet approach in your direction.

[infomatic]

"Gah!" Farazhad throws up her arms as the dragon head whips toward her, and feels them grow numb with cold … but from the back of her mind she hears a reassuring presence, reaching out to help quell the pain.


[roll0] Reflex save, right? Cone of Cold/Chimera breath weapon both say reflex.

Share Pain is up, so one-quarter damage

[BelGareth]

How much damage?
[roll0]

I'm immune to anything that requires a fort save unless it affects objects.


Chiron reels from the blast, feeling against his metallic skin.

[Grimtina]

Yeah it's reflex, should have said that

Chimeras are not always at odds with their various heads, but this one sure is. The goat head seems to want to charge forward, while the lion roars and seems to want to go backwards, which causes the beast to step in place, swating back and forth.

The first of the orcs appear on the path, wearing the usual crude leather armor, brandishing teethed longswords and handaxes wiith rugged blades. One of them has all the totem symbols of the local clans and a few more scratched into his armor. From the way he is barking orders, he seems to be in charge.

Everyone please pick a letter to represent tokens

[BelGareth]

Ref save
[roll0]

I pick C