Fires Over Blackcrag: Session 1

[16:59] <Theodric> *****Fires Over Blackcrag*****
[17:01] <Theodric> ~~~Introduction~~~
[17:01] <Theodric> The town of Blackcrag has long been situated in the shadow of the dormant volcano Theana. Recently, the mountain has begun to smoke and tremble, and those who live in the port town fear that it may return to life and destroy their town and all who dwell within.
[17:04] <Theodric> The people of Blackcrag Cove only occasionally stop to look up at the smoking mountain looming in the distance. The calm is  shattered, however, when the earth begins to violently shake and the top of the mountain splits open. Great plumes of smoke rise into the air as the ground trembles and ash falls from the sky. Panic grips the town as large rocks rain down upon it, some bursting into flame upon impact.
[17:05] <Theodric> The party, currently making their way up the main street of the town, are thrown about by the shuddering earth
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[17:07] * Theodric , a fairly handsom Taldan mercenary with dark brown hair and hazel eyes, falls over backwards rather comically as the earth trembles.
[17:11] * EDtiGron , a rather plain, quiet, and seemingly unassuming traveller to any without detect magic, is able to maintain his balance, not too hard really.
[17:11] * Theodric is tall and lean, dressed in a mithral shirt and wearing a finely edged rapier, along with a star-shaped knife on his belt opposite the blade.
[17:11] * Boden , a stocky, red-bearded dwarf with brown eyes and a simple tunic made of reinforced leaves, groans as he is knocked off of his feet. He scratches his long, braided hair as he hits the ground, landing on his back. "By Gozreh's fickle arse, what was tha'?"
[17:12] * Theodric rubs his lower back, "I'd say it's that," he notes, pointing to the now split open and smoking mountain. "I told you we should have pressed on to the next town."
[17:13] * EDtiGron helps the other two up if they need it. "You both alright?"
[17:13] * Theodric nods and stands, "I'd think only my pride was hurt in that fall."
[17:14] * Boden hops up onto his feet, shaking his head and magnificent beard at EDtiGron. "Naw, laddie, thanks though."
[17:14] <Theodric> As some of the nearby buildings crack and shudder, it becomes evident that the fall of the party members may have been fortuitous, as had they continued walking, they would have been right in the path of a lava bomb that lands in the middle of the street not thirty feet from them.
[17:15] * Boden blinks. "Schist! Lucky, we are, aye?"
[17:19] * Theodric shakes his head, "Perhaps not. Look!"
[17:19] <Theodric> As Theodric gestures to the flaming rock, the flames roll off the rok independantly. A trio of large fire elementals take shape, and they don't look too happy about being tossed around. They begin to head towards the nearest buildings, lashing out.
[17:22] * EDtiGron looks over. He speaks in his usual controlled yet still indicative tone. "We need to stop them."
[17:23] * Theodric nods, "Well someone certainly has to." He draws his rapier and starknife. "We just happen to be in the right place to do so."
[17:27] * EDtiGron immediatly runs toward the nearest enemy, seeing a weak spot, and strikes it.
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[17:39] <Theodric> EdtiGron manages to hit that weak point, but considering the creature is made entirely of fire, that's not really saying much.
[17:40] <Theodric> The Fire Elementals, who had been content to lash out at buildings at first, now notice that they are being assaulted, and seek to remedy this.
[17:44] <Theodric> The one struck by EdtiGron steps a little closer, then lashes out at the martial artist.
[17:44] <Theodric> EdtiGron is smacked rather painfully, but manages to duck the other blow, and avoid getting lit on fire.
[17:45] <Theodric> The Second fire elemental goes after the dwarf
[17:48] <Theodric> Boden gets smacked around, but manages to not lose any of his beard to the flames.
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[17:50] <Theodric> The third and final fire elemental goes for the third and final party member
[17:52] <Theodric> Thodric takes a whallop, but is nimble enough to avoid catching fire as well.
[17:52] * Theodric smirks and decides to wade through the potential wash of flame to aid his companion, as they had stuck together so long they knew exactly how to compliment each other in combat
[17:56] <Theodric> [Redact]
[18:00] * Boden roars at the elemental as his hand reaches into his beard, "Tha' best place to hide somethin' precious is in yer beard!" As his hand retracts, he pulls out a wooden symbol of Gozreh, aiming it at the ground in front of him.
[18:01] <@Boden> As he points to the ground, three large apes appear in between the elemental and the druid.
[18:04] <@Boden> Two of the apes reposition themselves behind the elemental upon Boden's command, while the third keeps himself between Boden and the elemental. All three slam into the creature with their fists.
[18:10] <Theodric> The Fire Elemental takes two hits, but one of them doesn't seem to harm it in the slightest. These creatures were annoyingly nimble and resilient
[18:11] <Theodric> The apes, meanwhile, all catch on fire
[18:12] * Theodric was very glad to see the extra help, but not so much when the large apes all caught fire. Still, he turns to take advantage of his comrade's position, lashing out in full at the Elemental caught between him and Ed
[18:17] <Theodric> Even the nimble Theodric has a hard time striking the flaming creatures, but at least he manages to cut fairly deep when he does.
[18:20] <EDtiGron> Sometimes using your knuckles sucks, but tough. His companions and the people around need him to fight. He lays into the already damaged one with full force.
[18:23] <Theodric> EDtiGron really lays into the weakened Fire Elemental, bringing it close to death's door with a pair of well placed blows to its core.
[18:24] <Theodric> The badly weakened Elemental seems intent on picking on something its own size, and lays into the flaming Ape to its left
[18:27] <Theodric> The other Elementals seem to prefer fighting the bigger targets as well, going to attack the apes rather than the people.
[18:28] <Theodric> One ape unluckily gets caught between the two uninjured elementals, and gets a beatdown.
[18:29] <@Boden> All three apes, once again, slam into the badly-injured elemental.
[18:29] <Theodric> The trio of summoned apes burn for a while before the flames snuff out
[18:29] <@Boden> The burn kills off the ape caught between two elementals.
[18:31] <Theodric> One of the remaining apes gets even by snuffing the badly hurt fire elemental.
[18:34] * Boden points his holy symbol to the sky, shouting, "Gozreh, give 'em a good kick in tha' arse!" Bringing his symbol back down, and pointing it to the fire elemental behind Theodric, a mighty bolt of lightning shoots down from the sky.
[18:36] <Theodric> The hot dry air makes for a powerful LIghtning strike, lashing down from smoky sky, but the elemental nimbly minimizes the impact.
[18:36] <Theodric> *smokey
[18:39] * Theodric moves to pin the other Fire Elemental next to EdtiGron in an optimal position between the two of them, then lashes once with his Rapier.
[18:40] <Theodric> He manages a good stab into the creature.
[18:44] * EDtiGron turns to attack it and seeks to deliver another set of blows.
[18:47] <Theodric> Although EDtiGron can't manage to strike through the the molten core of the creature, he still delivers two powerful blows
[18:49] <Theodric> The second fire elemental is past bloodied, if their molten innards can be considered blood.
[18:50] <Theodric> It decides to strike back at EDtiGron, since he's closer.
[18:58] <Theodric> EdtiGron takes a licking (of flame), but keeps on ticking
[18:59] <Theodric> The remaining elemental decides to take its irritation at the lightning out on the nearest ape.
[19:03] * Boden calls down another lightning bolt on the same elemental.
[19:05] <@Boden> The remaining two apes pile in on the same elemental, slamming it with their fists.
[19:06] <Theodric> All their pounding amounts to is a bunch of flailing
[19:09] <Theodric> And one of them catches on fire again
[19:10] * Theodric decides to take advantage of his position to try and finish off the bloodied Elemental
[19:12] <Theodric> Theodric manages to puncture the core of the firey creature, extinshuighing its source and killing it.
[19:15] * EDtiGron uses the fighting to get around the remaining elemental and attacks.
[19:19] <Theodric> The Fire Elemental is not quite bloodied, but is surrounded. However, it seems to have no intention of surrender or retreat, and attempts to finish off the flaming ape
[19:21] <@Boden> The ape, unable to handle the fire, dies.
[19:22] * Boden calls another lightning bolt down upon the final elemental!
[19:22] * Boden 's final ape slams in as well.
[19:24] * Theodric moves up close, where the charred ape once stood, to try and finish off the last elemental.
[19:25] <Theodric> Theodric manages to plunge his rapier right into the core of the elemental, but does not manage to completely snuff it with that single, albeit potent, stroke.
[19:27] * EDtiGron sees the right place to hit after Theodric's sword went in and goes for it.
[19:28] <Theodric> The fire elemental isn't willing to go out without being a dick, and skirts the blows.
[19:30] <Theodric> It then decides to try and take the last ape with it
[19:32] <Theodric> It smacks the ape and lights it on fire, but doesn't get the kill
[19:34] * Boden growls, calling down a final bolt upon the elemental as his ape attacks in a fury.
[19:35] <Theodric> The apes don't get a chance to finish the job, as the lighting blasts the elemental's core into nothing, leaving only ash.
[19:37] * Theodric pants, wiping a fair deal of sweat form his brow, "That was heated. Is everyone alright?"
[19:40] * Boden nods, his final ape being dismissed. "Aye."
[19:40] <Theodric> As the battle ends, the trembling diminishes and the mountain seems to calm. The earthquake didn't cause too much damage, but a number of fires need to be put out around town, many roofs are in need of repair, and a fine ash continues to fall over the town like snow over the next hour.
[19:40] * Theodric heads over to EDtiGron, "Excellent work as always. Are your hands alright after striking those things?"
[19:42] * EDtiGron looks down at his hands, a bit singed, but otherwise fine. "Yeah, I'm alright."
[19:43] * Theodric looks to Boden, "How about your beard? Knowing you, that's the biggest concern." He chuckles a bit.
[19:44] * Boden grins. "Guard your life, guard your gold, guard your beard. In that order." He ruffles his beard. "Looks like it's all intact."
[19:44] * Theodric smiles and nods. "Excellent." He pulls out a light curative potion and drinks it.
[19:45] <Theodric> [redact the pot drinking]
[19:45] * EDtiGron chuckles. "Well at least you have your priorities in a good order."
[19:45] * Theodric notes to Boden, "Don't suppose you could touch us up a bit, eh? Your apes did a mighty fine job of evening the fight, but we still took some whallops before."
[19:47] * Boden nods, pulling out a wand from his backpack. "Aye." He moves to each of them, activating it to heal.
[19:51] * EDtiGron as his burns recede and fade. "Thank you."
[19:52] * Theodric nods appreciatively, "Always good to have you around."
[19:53] <Theodric> Shortly after Boden finishes healing his companions, one of the town guards jogs up to the party. "You three're the ones who beat the fire elementals, ain't'cha?"
[19:54] * Boden nods. "Aye. What's it be to ye?"
[19:55] <Theodric> The guard nods, "Mayor Kostya requests yoru presence."
[19:56] * Boden looks between his companions. "Coul'nay hurt." He shrugs. "Les' go."
[19:57] * Theodric nods, "Perhaps we're commended for our efforts. That would be splendid."
[19:59] <Theodric> *being
[20:00] <Theodric> The guard escorts the party to the mayor’s office. The stone building has a newly formed crack running up one side of its stone facade, and guards are coming and going, relaying orders to help get the town under control. When the party enter her office, she bids them to sit and then begins to speak, a grave expression on her scarred face.
[20:01] * Theodric smiles at the mayor, seating himself and putting his feet on a stool. He looks a touch smug considering his relative contribution compared to his companions.
[20:03] * Boden hops up onto a seat, waiting for the mayor to speak.
[20:03] * EDtiGron sits quietly. He was used to Theodric's semi-smugness about that and wasn't much bothered by it.
[20:04] <Theodric> “Thank you so very much for defeating the fire creatures that attacked my town. You saved many of my people and for that we are all in your debt. Unfortunately, this event has confirmed my greatest fear. The town’s curse is real and the volcano will claim us all."
[20:07] * Boden frowns. "Not sure we c'n help ye with stoppin' a volcano."
[20:10] <Theodric> “Almost a year ago," explains the mayor, "we eradicated the last traces of an insidious fire cult threatening our town. Their leader was, sadly, my own cousin, Ledain." She gestures to the scar on her cheek. "As he stood before the gallows, he pronounced a doom upon Blackcrag Cove, swearing that before the dawn rose again on the anniversary of his death, his goddess, known as the Queen of the Inferno, would consume us all."
[20:14] <Theodric> "We didn’t heed the bluster of a condemned man, but soon after his execution, old Theana stirred from her slumber. An ill omen, but one that we hoped was mere coincidence.”
[20:16] <Theodric> Mayor Kostya pauses to let out a tired sigh. “Today’s events prove otherwise. Our time is running out, for in just two weeks it will be one year since Ledain’s execution. So we call on you as our town’s last hope. We could try to flee this divine retribution, but where would we go? And what of those too infirm to make the journey?”
[20:19] * Boden raises an eyebrow. "'Ow you expect us to stop a volcano?"
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[20:20] <Theodric> The mayor shakes her head before continuing. “My advisors tell me that there is only one who could help us, an oracle that living in the mountains to the west. They say to seek out the Wisdom of the Water, but this makes little sense to me. Can you solve this riddle? Can you save Blackcrag Cove?”
[20:23] * Theodric looks to Boden and EDtiGron, "I don't know about you, but I've always fancied taking a crack at saving the world. Or at the very least, a part of it."
[20:23] * Boden shrugs. "Aye. A good story to tell, at least."
[20:24] <EDtiGron> "We have a lead. Sure."
[20:43] <Theodric> The mayor isn't able to offer much in terms of a financial reward, but she does grant the party a map of the nearby mountains, including a river passage with a waterfall. She also suggests they seek out a local minstrel who also happens to be an accomplished healer, if hey need extra assistance.
[20:43] <Theodric> -End Session-