((Appreciated. That felt incredibly apropos.))
((You can piggyback off my checks I guess. Maybe we can merge into Kutshortorder))
OP
((Roll me a d20+STR, so +2))
We certainly tenderized the meat already
((wasn't it a baby dragon that was killed for the ritual?))
))
Aims looks around and starts scavenging for some firewood. He grabs some random things from the corner, rips off a couple pieces of wood from the elevator he deems unnecessary for it, as well as the first two blanks from the bridge, and returns closer to the dead dragon to start a fire.
There we go. This should be enough for a bbq. Any of you magick folks want to start this up for me? I'll start chopping up the tail for some delicious steaks.
He starts drooling already as he chops up the tail and cuts off the scaly skin area off from each piece.
There we go. This should be enough for a bbq. Any of you magick folks want to start this up for me? I'll start chopping up the tail for some delicious steaks.
He starts drooling already as he chops up the tail and cuts off the scaly skin area off from each piece.
It isn’t magic, but it will do the trick
Kutshort takes out his tinderbox and helps Aims start a fire
OP
((Aidron was the trapped bronze wyrmling. You freed them the first visit, from the hidden library. They did not return for this battle, being told not to by Runara and listening this time.
Sparky acquired a white dragon egg from somewhere, which was what he actually ended up sacrificing.))
Aims, do you know how to cook eggs sunny-side up? If not, scrambled is always a good option
((Paging @Ben to kindly not ignore my nat20))
OP
((I will state, that tweak I made to the adventure as written entirely sets up another adventure... I have a few possible thoughts about paths for you guys to take in the future.))((
Stormwreck Isle 2: The Search for More Money))
((I saw it. I didn't have loot tables ready to go so I've got to think on what is appropriate, and I'm trying to not be entirely unproductive at work.))
If I had a frying pan of sorts I could potentially give it a try... As things stand, I have to use my ax as a makeshift hotplate to sear the steaks.
The half-orc strokes his chin a bit trying to come up with good ideas.
... or just ideas.
... any ideas.
.... oh wait!
Oh! I do have my mess kit! The kit itself is metal, so I can use that! Hahahaa!
Just fetch me the eggs and I'll fry them up nicely. Unless more people want some, then scrambled is easier to share.
Magni stays in the corner watching everyone scramble around to loot and cook, still surging with adrenaline and clutching his little statue tightly. He cautiously approaches the dead dragon to inspect it, lifting its eyelid to be sure it's really dead. Seeing no danger, he backs off a bit and looks into the eyes of his small dragon statuette and begins whispering to it again.
"Ehrm... okay, scary blue dragon dead. Magni kill Shartboner. What me do now Great Dragon? You give me great power now, yes?"
"Ehrm... okay, scary blue dragon dead. Magni kill Shartboner. What me do now Great Dragon? You give me great power now, yes?"
OP
((I'd had you all level up before coming back to the observatory. It was either do it then, or make you wait until Sparky was defeated, and I figured everyone getting improved skills when coming back to him was preferable.
As such, I'm not going to have you level up again immediately. Level 4 is a good place to end this campaign, although I understand it might feel a bit underwhelming.))
Nac tries again to pry one of the dragon's teeth free, but the curved fangs refuse to budge. Try as he might, he cannot dislodge one by hand, managing only to cover himself in dragon drool.
As Kutshort prods around looking for useful items, he notes the thin shimmering membrane of Sparkrender's wing, no longer restrained by the golden strands of light. With a deft slice of his blade, the rogue runs the it along the outer edge and separates it into a swathe of material. The wing feels particularly cool to the touch, and may have some use as a crafting material. Kutshort folds it neatly and places it into his pack.
Aims'orreh hacks furiously at the body of the wyrmling, having considerable difficulty in cutting through the armored hide even post-mortem. With some considerable effort he eventually slices a sizable piece of meat off of the least armored part of the dragon, its buttocks. Making a small fire within his field ration tin, Aims sits down contentedly and prepares to eat ass.
It would seem you collected all of Sparkrender's treasure the first time through.
You do however find a small piece of parchment with a message jotted in common, reading "May have found an egg at Icespire Peak. Will deliver promptly, have payment ready."
((I... I'm fairly sure you didn't loot the treasure hoard when you left the first time, you'd taken the magic items from the library but I don't think you went back for it upstairs. I guess I should crawl back through the old thread to check for sure... If I did then I'll just cross out that last paragraph with the loot you already got.
Edit: you did already get his treasure, so scratch that. I'll give you something plot-hooky instead. ))
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((What kind of dragon doesn’t add to his loot, especially after it has been plundered already?))((I'd had you all level up before coming back to the observatory. It was either do it then, or make you wait until Sparky was defeated, and I figured everyone getting improved skills when coming back to him was preferable.
As such, I'm not going to have you level up again immediately. Level 4 is a good place to end this campaign, although I understand it might feel a bit underwhelming.))
Searching around the rotunda, you find little more than you did the first time through. Among the mangled corpses of kobolds, you find 3 chain shirts, 1 gladius sword, 2 pilums and the signum with dragon wings surrounding a lightning bolt.
Nac tries again to pry one of the dragon's teeth free, but the curved fangs refuse to budge. Try as he might, he cannot dislodge one by hand, managing only to cover himself in dragon drool.
As Kutshort prods around looking for useful items, he notes the thin shimmering membrane of Sparkrender's wing, no longer restrained by the golden strands of light. With a deft slice of his blade, the rogue runs the it along the outer edge and separates it into a swathe of material. The wing feels particularly cool to the touch, and may have some use as a crafting material. Kutshort folds it neatly and places it into his pack.
Aims'orreh hacks furiously at the body of the wyrmling, having considerable difficulty in cutting through the armored hide even post-mortem. With some considerable effort he eventually slices a sizable piece of meat off of the least armored part of the dragon, its buttocks. Making a small fire within his field ration tin, Aims sits down contentedly and prepares to eat ass.
Exploring the observatory again, the party finds Sparkrender's hoard of treasure which mostly consists of a pile of 4,500 copper pieces, 2,200 silver pieces, and 130 gold pieces. There are also ten gems: five pale blue quartz crystals and five blue jasper stones. A leather case holds a blue silk fan painted with powdered blue gems. There are also a few ordinary items Sparkrender likely personally enjoyed, including a crude flute with a pleasing sound, an hourglass filled with sparkling sand, and a set of seven candlesticks.
It would seem you collected all of Sparkrender's treasure the first time through.
You do however find a small piece of parchment with a message jotted in common, reading "May have found an egg at Icespire Peak. Will deliver promptly, have payment ready."
((I... I'm fairly sure you didn't loot the treasure hoard when you left the first time, you'd taken the magic items from the library but I don't think you went back for it upstairs. I guess I should crawl back through the old thread to check for sure... If I did then I'll just cross out that last paragraph with the loot you already got.
Edit: you did already get his treasure, so scratch that. I'll give you something plot-hooky instead. ))
Edit: ((can kutshort find a 4th level?))
OP
((He was busy.))
((Actually, yes. I guess Kutshort and Magni can both level up to 4 so you're even with the others.))
((Being the one to land the killing blow on Sparky was the most satisfying conclusion, even if the whole campaign took almost a year! The memories...
Speaking of, is there any issue with a post-campaign write up that has Zesty going off on his own little epilogue before heading back to Dragon's Rest? If we're even continuing there. I don't know what your actual next step is.))
Speaking of, is there any issue with a post-campaign write up that has Zesty going off on his own little epilogue before heading back to Dragon's Rest? If we're even continuing there. I don't know what your actual next step is.))
OP
((I mean, you can still do whatever, I guess. If you want to go walk-about before heading back to the town that's up to you.
I was waiting for you guys to decide you were done eating intelligent creatures in this location before suggesting you go back to Dragon's Rest to inform them of what happened.))
((I don't have enough gold to leave him))((Is now the moment when Sparkrender Jr. comes flying mid-daddy-being-eaten?))
As the rest of the party mingles around trying to find loot, wondering what to do next, maybe gripping with their morality slightly, Aims whistles to himself as he's searing the nice fatty piece of dragon tail steak on his messkit pan. The aromatic waft of meat slowly fills the and at least the saliva glands of the half-orc half-cook start to go into overdrive.
I got the first one almost done! Hahahaa! Now, who's first? I'll whip a couple of these first before making the eggs. Just stab it with your daggers or whatever. I only have cutlery for myself.
I got the first one almost done! Hahahaa! Now, who's first? I'll whip a couple of these first before making the eggs. Just stab it with your daggers or whatever. I only have cutlery for myself.
OP
OP
The journey to this point had been fraught with peril, but now he stood calmly within the desolate clifftop observatory, its structure ravaged by time and the relentless assault of salty winds. Shattered glass littered the stone floor, and the distant sound of crashing waves echoed through the gaping holes in the walls. Zesty's tail flicked absently as he scanned the room, his eyes settling on the remnants of a once-grand bookshelf. Most of the books and scrolls had long succumbed to the sea air, their pages reduced to a pulpy, unreadable mass.
Still, he could not resist the lure of potential knowledge. Ambling over to the bookshelf, he began to sift through the debris, his deft hands brushing aside layers of dust and decay. Most of what he touched disintegrated under his fingers, but eventually, something caught his eye. Amid the wreckage lay a tome, its cover worn yet still emblazoned with golden letters that gleamed faintly in the dim light.
"The Laboratory of Kwalish," the title read. Zesty's heart quickened. Reverently, he opened the book, careful not to damage the brittle pages any further. Inside, much of the text was ruined, the ink faded or smeared beyond recognition. Yet, tucked within its pages was something more tangible: a map. The parchment was tattered and on the verge of falling apart, but it bore a location marked with a precise, deliberate hand.
The tiefling's fingers traced the path on the map, a sense of purpose solidifying within him. Whatever Kwalish's secret might be, it was clear now that this discovery was no coincidence. It was a calling.
For a fleeting instant, the world around him melted away. A rush of vertigo overtook him, and before he could cry out, Magni found himself pulled involuntarily into the inner sanctum of his genie vessel. The dragon statue, his ever-present talisman, housed this secret dimension: a lavishly decorated space glittering with hoarded treasures and eerie, otherworldly opulence. Rich tapestries adorned the walls, and the air was thick with the scent of ancient incense.
The silence was soon broken by a deep, guttural voice that seemed to reverberate from every corner of the dimension. "Another wyrm rages, new Phandalin will fall." The words coiled around Magni like a vice, each syllable heavy with foreboding. He shivered as the voice's echo gave way to a roar like the sound of cracking ice, a sound that filled his head with unbearable intensity.
Magni's scream ripped through the oppressive noise, his small frame trembling as the dimension dissolved around him. He was thrust back into the reality of the ruined observatory rotunda, the sudden shift leaving him breathless and disoriented. His claws dug into the dragon statue, holding it tighter than ever as he sank to his knees. His patron would not be ignored.
((I do have ideas for continued adventures for the rest of you, I just don't need to set them up here specifically.))
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OP
Approaching the treeline, Short Order stood still, his small gnomish frame dwarfed by the towering ancient oaks of the forest. The gnome druid felt compelled to commune with the land, seeking guidance and clarity after battle, when the vision seized him. His eyes glazed over, and the vibrant greens and browns of the forest blurred into an overwhelming wave of black.
The image of a once-serene landscape appeared before him, fields of wildflowers and babbling brooks under a warm, golden sun. But even as he reached out to touch this tranquil scene, it began to falter. Thick, inky tendrils of necrotic magic oozed from the ground, creeping like veins through the earth. The soil beneath the vision’s beauty blackened, the flowers withered into dust, and the once-clear streams turned to sludge. The rot was insidious, its corruption sinking deep into the heart of the land.
Short Order’s breath caught as he felt the blight’s weight pressing against his chest, a desecration that defied all he held sacred. His connection to nature, recently renewed and stronger than ever, surged within him. The land’s pain became his pain, its cry for help resonating through his very soul. He knew he could not ignore this; the unholy blight had to be purged. The beauty and balance of the world demanded restoration.
The vision’s scene shifted violently, and Short Order stumbled as the darkness grew thicker. From the encroaching void, a pair of piercing eyes emerged, glowing with an unnatural, malevolent light. They locked onto him, freezing him in place with a gaze that seemed to strip away his very essence. As the echoes of a distant, mocking laugh reverberated through the emptiness, a single word etched itself into his mind: “Barovia.”
The vision shattered, and Short Order collapsed to his knees at the edge of the forest, gasping for breath. His hands dug into the soil, desperate to feel the comforting pulse of life beneath his fingers. Yet, even surrounded by nature’s embrace, the image of those eyes lingered. The gnome druid’s resolve hardened. Whatever darkness had claimed that land, he would face it. He would restore its beauty, no matter the cost.
((So, I'd planned for a plothook to lead towards The Curse of Strahd in some way. I'd still plan for you guys to get to go there sometime because I'll want to give running it myself a go. It may of course be down the road after Vash has run his version of it.
Anyway... Working on future possibilities for everyone.))
OP
OP
((((We might need proof...))
OP
As the group ravages through belongings and... flesh... Zesty clutches the book on Kwalish tight. Answers to his mystery closer to him than ever before. He new, wherever his adventures brought him next, the laboratory mentioned in the book was a destination on his mind.
He glances the feast that Aims is trying to make for himself and the rummaging the newest members of Magni and Kutshort seem to be having excitement over. But Zesty new he could not return to Dragon's Rest. Not yet. He had some places to be.
He steps over to Short Order, seemingly the only other troupe member not rummaging something... or someone.
Gnome... I... have some things to attend to before returning to Dragon's Rest. I shall meet you all there in a day or two.
A small nod from the murder gnome and Zesty and Boltzmann exit the rotunda, returning to the road after crossing the miracle bridge. He gives a long look back at the observatory... thoughts of sadness filled Zesty as this place was once a mass of knowledge and learning and oh how the artificer wanted that. The memory of this place forever burned in his mind, Zesty recalls the fight with Sparkrender, freeing the gold wyrmling, seeing the wealth of knowledge in the many books... Then a thought of Mek and Min and their first meeting. Sadness filled the air. But alas... There were places Zesty knew he had to visit before returning to Dragon's Rest.
The journey fairly uneventful, Zesty returned to the boat the team used to venture to the Compass Rose. Following close the coast as he rows the small skiff, the cave to where it all changed; where Zesty's resolve had hardened and the mentality of what had happened and what was to come.
Zesty enters the cave once inhabited by the merrow, Carl. Cautious in case others have decided to find this spot, Zesty questioned whether this was smart, being here alone. But if Carlson was here, Zesty had to know the young merrow was safe. He left his fair share of gold here for the merrow, after all.
As he rounds the corner, Zesty finds the cave empty. There is no gold, no body of Carl and no sign of of the child. Zesty checks the area, but it appears as if the youngling found some assistance in removing the body, hopefully to be properly interred, and the gold, gone with it. Zesty takes a knee in the middle of the cave, and Boltzmann, sensing the relief and sadness, gives a little mechanical whine before brushing against Zesty's right leg.
You're right, Boltz. Hopefully the young one found peace after the atrocities. The gold is gone, so is the body. So the hope here remains high. I cannot undo the things we did there. But I can atone and attempt amends. Come, Boltz. There's nothing more to do here.
Zesty and Boltzmann exit the cave, with one final sad look back in hopes that the younger merrow sees no need for revenge in the future. As they return to the boat, Zesty rows it back to shore. They make one final trip to the myconid cave.
Zesty dare not reenter this cave though as the loss of mind that occurred the first time was a once in a lifetime experience that Zesty wishes to not experience again. He does, however, have a desire to wish the myconids well. As he stands at the entrance, inside, several myconids far enough out of Vulcan mind meld distance appear to be working. Zesty chooses not to disturb them, but they appear to be thriving under the new conditions after the team released the crystal causing issues for them. A hand on Boltz's head and the other leaning on the nearby wall, Zesty gives a small acknowledging nod to the cave entrance. Satisfied in at least one good deed, the tiefling turns an walks away.
The detour to the places of memory and import to Zesty was almost complete. There remained only the return to Dragon's Rest. To check in with Runara and the group... but more importantly on the recovery of Myla. She's become like a sister to Zesty, even more so after her brothers died protecting her. She needed to be alright for Zesty to breathe that last sigh of relief and actually rest for the first time in what felt like months.
The trek long and uneventful, Dragon's Rest came over the horizon... this was it.
((@Ben - Hopefully no narrative faux pas occurred here. I don't THINK you had any plans for those locales, but I tried to not disturb too much of Carl's cave. You can slap me if I ruined something.))
He glances the feast that Aims is trying to make for himself and the rummaging the newest members of Magni and Kutshort seem to be having excitement over. But Zesty new he could not return to Dragon's Rest. Not yet. He had some places to be.
He steps over to Short Order, seemingly the only other troupe member not rummaging something... or someone.
Gnome... I... have some things to attend to before returning to Dragon's Rest. I shall meet you all there in a day or two.
A small nod from the murder gnome and Zesty and Boltzmann exit the rotunda, returning to the road after crossing the miracle bridge. He gives a long look back at the observatory... thoughts of sadness filled Zesty as this place was once a mass of knowledge and learning and oh how the artificer wanted that. The memory of this place forever burned in his mind, Zesty recalls the fight with Sparkrender, freeing the gold wyrmling, seeing the wealth of knowledge in the many books... Then a thought of Mek and Min and their first meeting. Sadness filled the air. But alas... There were places Zesty knew he had to visit before returning to Dragon's Rest.
The journey fairly uneventful, Zesty returned to the boat the team used to venture to the Compass Rose. Following close the coast as he rows the small skiff, the cave to where it all changed; where Zesty's resolve had hardened and the mentality of what had happened and what was to come.
Zesty enters the cave once inhabited by the merrow, Carl. Cautious in case others have decided to find this spot, Zesty questioned whether this was smart, being here alone. But if Carlson was here, Zesty had to know the young merrow was safe. He left his fair share of gold here for the merrow, after all.
As he rounds the corner, Zesty finds the cave empty. There is no gold, no body of Carl and no sign of of the child. Zesty checks the area, but it appears as if the youngling found some assistance in removing the body, hopefully to be properly interred, and the gold, gone with it. Zesty takes a knee in the middle of the cave, and Boltzmann, sensing the relief and sadness, gives a little mechanical whine before brushing against Zesty's right leg.
You're right, Boltz. Hopefully the young one found peace after the atrocities. The gold is gone, so is the body. So the hope here remains high. I cannot undo the things we did there. But I can atone and attempt amends. Come, Boltz. There's nothing more to do here.
Zesty and Boltzmann exit the cave, with one final sad look back in hopes that the younger merrow sees no need for revenge in the future. As they return to the boat, Zesty rows it back to shore. They make one final trip to the myconid cave.
Zesty dare not reenter this cave though as the loss of mind that occurred the first time was a once in a lifetime experience that Zesty wishes to not experience again. He does, however, have a desire to wish the myconids well. As he stands at the entrance, inside, several myconids far enough out of Vulcan mind meld distance appear to be working. Zesty chooses not to disturb them, but they appear to be thriving under the new conditions after the team released the crystal causing issues for them. A hand on Boltz's head and the other leaning on the nearby wall, Zesty gives a small acknowledging nod to the cave entrance. Satisfied in at least one good deed, the tiefling turns an walks away.
The detour to the places of memory and import to Zesty was almost complete. There remained only the return to Dragon's Rest. To check in with Runara and the group... but more importantly on the recovery of Myla. She's become like a sister to Zesty, even more so after her brothers died protecting her. She needed to be alright for Zesty to breathe that last sigh of relief and actually rest for the first time in what felt like months.
The trek long and uneventful, Dragon's Rest came over the horizon... this was it.
((@Ben - Hopefully no narrative faux pas occurred here. I don't THINK you had any plans for those locales, but I tried to not disturb too much of Carl's cave. You can slap me if I ruined something.))
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Short Order composes himself...
I didn't kill...but I feel satisfaction. This earth...it...it needs me.
Speaking to the rest of the group...
I'll be heading back to Runara now to tell her of what happened here. Hopefully it brings peace to this land. I must find a way to help more lands...and myself
Short Order begins the journey back to complete this quest.
I didn't kill...but I feel satisfaction. This earth...it...it needs me.
Speaking to the rest of the group...
I'll be heading back to Runara now to tell her of what happened here. Hopefully it brings peace to this land. I must find a way to help more lands...and myself
Short Order begins the journey back to complete this quest.
Aims continues to devour dragon stakes with a side of eggs. One of the greatest sins on earth was wasting food, he thought. And Aims was no sinner.
In between bites and contemplation of the deliciousness of the food he was blessed with, the half-orc ponders his accomplishments until that moment. Many fights were had. Some new friends made. He nearly, oh so nearly, had two mighty mounts, but the fates didn't want him to have one. Not yet at least. And the dragon. Oh, the mighty dragon was slain by him and the party. And how delicious it is too.
... while his mouth was going, his mind was stuck in the same loop while food lasted. Somewhere in between frying and showing more dragon in his mouth he did, or he thinks he did, yell for folks to come get their share before it's all gone.
A good mealtime later, before setting off towards the rotunda, he looks at the remains of the dragon and ponders... A trophy would look mighty fine on top of his fireplace. Does he have a fireplace? Or a home? Minor details that escaped his mind. But somewhere in between those thoughts he did figure lugging a large portion of a dragon around would be a very slow and tiring feat even for an accomplished barbarian as himself. It probably wouldn't be a great idea to bring anything along.
And probably also the correct choice not to bring a severed head of a fellow species to Runara... Though before scampering off, he did still slice off a couple nice prime pieces of dragon and shoved them somewhere into his backpack to bring with him. Maybe Tarak knows how to make it taste even better... Hmm...
More drolls starts forming in Aims' mouth. Even with a full belly already.
Eventually he stops being distracted and sets off back to Dragon's Rest.
In between bites and contemplation of the deliciousness of the food he was blessed with, the half-orc ponders his accomplishments until that moment. Many fights were had. Some new friends made. He nearly, oh so nearly, had two mighty mounts, but the fates didn't want him to have one. Not yet at least. And the dragon. Oh, the mighty dragon was slain by him and the party. And how delicious it is too.
... while his mouth was going, his mind was stuck in the same loop while food lasted. Somewhere in between frying and showing more dragon in his mouth he did, or he thinks he did, yell for folks to come get their share before it's all gone.
A good mealtime later, before setting off towards the rotunda, he looks at the remains of the dragon and ponders... A trophy would look mighty fine on top of his fireplace. Does he have a fireplace? Or a home? Minor details that escaped his mind. But somewhere in between those thoughts he did figure lugging a large portion of a dragon around would be a very slow and tiring feat even for an accomplished barbarian as himself. It probably wouldn't be a great idea to bring anything along.
And probably also the correct choice not to bring a severed head of a fellow species to Runara... Though before scampering off, he did still slice off a couple nice prime pieces of dragon and shoved them somewhere into his backpack to bring with him. Maybe Tarak knows how to make it taste even better... Hmm...
More drolls starts forming in Aims' mouth. Even with a full belly already.
Eventually he stops being distracted and sets off back to Dragon's Rest.
((Fwiw, I planned on writing that up regardless lol. I suspect not many read my drivel in full. But, I put myself in Zesty's mindset of now that things have finished, how would he feel. And went from there. It was by no means a way to rush anyone along.))