Searching for dragons. Part I.

[Orran]

Strixi doesn't say anything while Ronderin speaks, he just looks at the crystals, his shoulders slumped.

"You're too kind master Ronderin, but I can't accept this for that performance, I know I can do better than that. I will return in a few days to do it properly. Please accept my apologies."

With that said Strixi hurries out the door, intending to go back to the Worthless Rest.

[Kredine]

[Time ~ 5pm]

You head back the rest dejected. Before you know it you are walking back through the common grounds. You are making your way through the winding alleys of the common grounds when you hear a shout.

"Help! I need help!"

You turn to see a two children, a boy and a girl, cornered in a dead end alley. Between them and you is a creature the likes you've never seen before. At first you would believe this to be a wolf, but then you see the shadowy tendrils flowing off its smoke like body. It snarls and approaches the two children. The boy calls again.

"Please, you have to help"

[Orran]

Strixi jumps to action, glad to have a chance to redeem himself. He casts silent image, summoning what appears to be a solid brick wall covered with spikes between the wolf and the children.

Stay where you are he projects to both of them.

Kane then flies above the creature before breathing a torrent of flame down at it.

DC12 Reflex save for half damage

[Orran]

Messed that up.
(1d6+10)[12]

[Kredine]

The wolf deftly avoids the taking, taking only the edge of the fiery burst, but much of its form seems to fade away nonetheless.
It turns to you. You have it's attention.

Roll Initiative.

[Wolf Ini - 7 - If (when) you win post first]

[Orran]

Initiative (1d20+1)[20]

[Orran]

Strixi follows up Kane's attack with a magic missile, hoping to do enough to finish the enemy quickly.

(4d4+4)[14]

[Kredine]

Drawn by the commotion some guards rush into the alleyway just as your missiles strikes into the creature, dissipating it entirely.

The guards stop, in awe of what just happened. They point there spears at you.

"What in the realms was that!"

As they close in on you, your illusion shimmers as the two children run through it.

"Wait! He saved our lives!"

The guards raise their spears slightly.

"What happened here?"

[Orran]

Strixi holds his hands up to the guardsmen.

"I'm sorry to say I have no idea officers. I was going back to the pits in time for curfew and heard these children calling for help. I did the only thing anyone else would do."

Strixi then turns to the children

"What did happen here?"

[Kredine]

The boy steps forward.

"We were just playing with a stray dog, and this shadowy smoke appeared out of the ground and then the dog became that thing. It started snarling at us and that's when mister kobold came and saved us!"

"Hmm. Most peculiar. I guess the blues will have a field day with this one."

The guards take a short statement from each of you before letting you on your way, informing you that you may be contacted with further questions.

After the guard leaves the boy approaches you.

"Thanks Mister. "

He takes you claw and shakes it before running after the girl who has left.

"I'm Ezzetian by the way"

And the boy is gone.

[Orran]

"Hey come back here, I need to talk to you!" Strixi shouts after the boy, presumably to no response, "you think that was a coincidence Kane? ... No me neither"

Figuring he'll come around when he's ready, Strixi heads back to the rest, wondering if Ash would be working that night.

[Kredine]

You make your way back the Worthless Rest, where you see Ash tending the bar.

"Hey Strix, how's the Bar Master doing?"

[Orran]

Strixi smiles at ash and sits down on the tallest bar stool, although he tries not to let it show, he's clearly exhausted.

"He seems good Ash, obviously got nothing on you but certainly a decent guy. I should thank you for the other introduction too, a very interesting day."

Strixi orders a small light beer before continuing "In fact all manner of interesting things happened to me today, I even ran in to some sort of shadow wolf creature on the way back here!"

[Kredine]

Ash pours you a beer.

"This one's on me. And I guess a favour."

She leans on the table.

"A shadowy wolf? Tell me more."

[200 XP-Point Reward for Combat + Creative Thinking]

[Orran]

"Yeah it was the weirdest thing, these kids were being attacked by some sort of wolf with shadows coming from it, In broad daylight. I've never seen anything like it." Strixi gestures trying to show the size of the thing. "They said the shadows came from the ground and transformed it. Spooky huh?" realising he is rambling on, strixi sips on his drink for a bit.

[Kredine]

[Sense Motive 21 vs Bluff 20]

As you describe the wolfs transformation you see Asheara's eyes widen, just for a second.

"Very interesting."

She grabs a used glass and begins cleaning it.

"Gives the blues something to do at least. You in for the evening?"

[Orran]

"Something you've encountered before Ash?" Strixi asks innocently.

"Yes I'm in for the evening, I've had quite enough for one day I think. I have some notes I need to start working on, I did come to this city for a reason after all."

[Kredine]

"Couldn't say for sure without seeing it. I've seen a great many things in my time."

She continues to tend bar as you drink your drink.

[Time ~ 530 pm]

[Orran]

"It looked a little something like this" says Strixi. He then uses silent image to show Ash his best recollection of the creature.

"Int for recall" - (1d20+3)[22]

Strixi intends to move on to some other info regarding their shared interests shortly, but is curious as to whether his instincts about this 'coincidence' are correct.

[Kredine]

[Sense Motive 20 vs Bluff 19]

Again, you notice just the slightest mark of concern as Ash looks at your silent image.

"Something like this in Osmath ay?"

She frowns and smugs.

"Looks like some kind of shade to me. But I'm not an expert on that field"

[Orran]

"Yeah, I guess the blues can handle this one" Strixi says and then takes a few papers out of his bag. He then sits at the bar casually reading through them.

Seems like you might know a bit more than you're letting on Ash. That's your business, but anything I should be worried about?

[Kredine]

I don't know what you're talking about Strixi.

The bar begins to fill with Patrons, including Sir. Eiling Chromahide, who takes a seat at the bar besides you.

[Orran]

Fine, she can can keep her secrets, can't she Kane? Kane doesn't respond but he is getting more active, he knows it's hunting time soon. He nuzzles around the bar, perking up when he senses a fly.

Strixi greets Eiling jovially, "Good to see you again Sir Chromahide, I believe I owe you a drink. " he gestures for Ash to bring one when she's ready, "I hope your work is well, it seems there's a lot happening around at the moment. Is that normal?"

[Kredine]

"My thanks friends"

Sir Eiling takes a long drink.

"We are a nation at war. Some seek to take advantage of that fact. It seems every day is a trial right now."

[Orran]

"Yes of course, perhaps that was where the creature from then, outside influences." Strixi nods sagely.

Strixi then tells Eiling about his encounter with the shadow creature and his impression of the Bard and Echerion district. He does not mention his failure with Ronderin.

As he chats with Eiling he starts projecting to Ash. So I would hate to hold a favour over a friend's head and my encounter today gave me an idea... he leaves the channel open to wait for her reply.

[Kredine]

Eiling converses with you, suggesting theories about the creature, but nothing of note and nothing worth typing about.

What did you have in mind?

[Orran]

Strixi continues chatting with Eiling, once the conversation over the creature and Echerion district dies down he moves on to his research, talking to him about his work compiling resources on draconic history and his plans to try and contact Periast Dregary.

I've been trying to make contact with a character who I think can help me with my research. He's a young man who has hidden himself entirely from the eyes of adults, but by all accounts is quite the bright spark. I spooked him with my initial approach but he made a brief contact today. Strixi gives her a description of the boy he met I'd like you to track him down and set up a meeting, his name is Ezzy.

[Kredine]

Eiling shows great interest in your research, though can offer little information to bolster your knowledge.

Yeah. I've heard of that kid. I'll talk to some people. See what I can.

[Orran]

Appreciate that Ash, I'm sure you'll come through

Strixi delights in sharing the information he's gathered so far but since he hasn't had much chance to read through he still doesn't have any solid leads. He talks about some of the ideas he's still trying out and the little he knows about dragon politics before excusing himself upstairs to continue his research.

Sorry kane, looks like we don't have all the normal spells for your daily hunt, just enough to give you some armour. he then let's Kane out to fly and sits down working on the leads he's gained from the library.

Assuming nothing more happens, Strixi studies for an hour or two before collapsing in to bed exhausted.

[Kredine]

[Updated Maps]

You compile a list of potentially usable titles. It seems Periast has quite a number of interests as out of his hundred plus titles only 9 have titles that suggest and relation to dragons.

You head to bed after compiling the list, though rest is a moving target this night.
You are plagued by nightmares. Images of smoke rising up and consuming you. Laughter coming from Green eyes in the darkness. An Angel bleeding. High Pitch Ringing.

The morning bells bring a welcome relief.

[Dawn of the 6th of June. 4335]

[Changing to an earth day/month system for ease]