Ch 5: Part 1: A Memory of Darkness: Session 75

[15:53] <@Kilarra> *****Second Darkness*****
[15:53] <@Kilarra> ~~~Chapter 5: A Memory of Darkness~~~
[15:57] <@Kilarra> -Session 75-
[15:58] <@Kilarra> After their stint in the plane of Elysium, the party returned to the material plane, but landed a fair distance north of their intended destination. This resulted in them seeking out a wizard to teleport them the rest of the way, but doing so incurred an unexpected expense.
[15:58] <@Kilarra> To compensate for this, the party now seeks after the abandoned fort that Razorhorn once called home, hoping to sieze the remains of his hoard.
[16:03] * Kilarra looks to Aluthyra, "So, Geoff tell you anything useful in the end?"
[16:05] * Aluthyra nods. "Indeed he did." She looks up, sighing. "It is unfortunate that we were unable to stay longer so that I could learn more, but... the Garden of Wild Fruits and Wilder Magics. Geoff recalled a scent from the Garden mirroring my own."
[16:06] * Kilarra nods, "Then that's where we'll have to go once we wrap up this drow business." She flicks Aluthyra with her tail, "Among other places."
[16:07] <@Kilarra> Kjell chuckles a bit
[16:09] * Aluthyra 's smile accompanies her blush as she continues to walk by Kilarra's side. "Indeed we will..."
[16:12] <@Kilarra> Kjell keeps checking his bearings against Kahree's little map. "Pity she couldn't write it a bit bigger," he jests
[16:13] <Aluthyra> Kahree rolls her eyes. "Ha ha ha... So, how close are we?"
[16:15] <@Kilarra> Kjell looks around. "It looks very similar from inside, but I believe a couple more miles."
[16:18] * Aluthyra nods, pulling out her bow. "Might as well prepare, if the dragon is nearby."
[16:22] * Kilarra blinks and looks to Aluthyra, "Um, we already killed him, remember?"
[16:24] * Aluthyra nods. "That is not saying that the dragon was not of a brood."
[16:24] * Kilarra raises an eyebrow, then looks to Kjell
[16:28] <@Kilarra> Kjell thinks about it a moment, "Well, chromatic dragons in general tend to be selfish, greedy, and independant. A dragon of Razorhorn's age was likely living by itself."
[16:30] * Aluthyra shrugs. "Either way, we know these forests are dangerous-- seeing all of the creatures that attacked us the first time we entered."
[16:30] <Aluthyra> Kahree nods, pulling out her maces. "Can't hurt. Us, that is."
[16:31] * Kilarra nods, "Fair enough. Although things seem to have quieted down a bit since the fighting ended." She pulls her own mace up, appreciative that the noqual made it light.
[16:32] <@Kilarra> Kjell nods and draws his sword, which also helps clear a bit of brush out of their way.
[16:33] <@Kilarra> After about another hour, they reach the abandoned fortification. It is largely overgrown by the forest, and partly collapses. The earthfall impact and years that followed were not kind to it.
[16:36] <@Kilarra> *collapsed
[16:37] <@Kilarra> Aluthyra and Kahree can hear, echoing against the stone from the inside of the fortification, what sounds like snoring.
[16:38] <Aluthyra> Kahree frowns. "Uh... Aluthyra might not have been far off. I can hear snoring... I mean, could be any large beast, but it'd be hard to mark off as coincidence."
[16:39] * Aluthyra nods. "I hear it as well."
[16:42] <@Kilarra> Kjell nods, "If trouble is waiting for us inside, we had best prepare for it." He pulls out a pair of potions, then casts his shield spell.
[16:45] * Aluthyra nods, closing her eyes. She takes a short moment to concentrate, reinforcing her skin with a spell of barkskin.
[16:45] <Aluthyra> Kahree smirks, lowering herself to the ground to sneak. "Hey, the dragon's sleeping, I bet I can knock it out before it wakes up, if you gimme a chance."
[16:47] * Kilarra casts her Shield of Faith, and Aid Spells, then places a hand on Kahree, "This will protect you from its acidic breath if you're going to try that." She casts Protection from Acid.
[16:49] <@Kilarra> Kjell looks to Kahree, "Are you certain? Perhaps if you simply scouted for us, instead of trying to fight it on your own. It is a dragon."
[16:49] <@Kilarra> Kjell notes, "Or probably is anyways."
[16:49] * Kilarra chuckles, "Might have moved in when Razorhorn was killed to take his unguarded loot."
[16:50] * Kahree's smirk only widens. "We'll see. I'm confident in my abilities. I can get away fairly quickly if all things go poorly anyhow."
[16:50] <Aluthyra> Kahree nods. "Alright, just gimme a moment. I'm sure you'll hear the dragon if I wake it up, so come in after that." She places her hand to her chest, mumbling. Within another moment, she's gone. Invisible!
[16:51] <Aluthyra> Kahree moves forward, heading towards the sound.
[16:53] <@Kilarra> The main gate of the fortification is completely missing, and is more than large enough for a dragon to have passed through. And indeed, inside the fort, resting atop a balcony designed for a rotating ballista, is a green dragon, larger even than Razorhorn, but lacking his distinctive nasal horn.
[16:56] <@Kilarra> As soon as Kahree enters the fort, the dragon snorts, a slight acidic mist spewing from its nostrils. It stirs a bit.
[16:57] <Aluthyra> Kahree groans. Silently, of course. She can't risk it, having to climb the wall. Stupid dragon... Kahree turns back, making her way back to her companions.
[16:59] * Kilarra waits to hear or see Kahree again
[16:59] <@Kilarra> Kjell keeps his potions ready, but since they had less duration than his own spells, he didn't want to be to hasty
[17:03] <Aluthyra> Kahree keeps sneaking, aiming to sneak up on Kjell in an attempt to startle him...
[17:03] == Redshift has changed nick to Ruby_Skies
[17:05] <@Kilarra> Kjell is startled! "Kahree. What's inside?"
[17:06] <Aluthyra> Kahree chuckles. "A dragon, yeah. Really big one. Unfortunately, it's on a balcony, so I can't reach it."
[17:08] <@Kilarra> Kjell nods. "Do we still want to go after it?"
[17:10] <Aluthyra> Kahree nods. "I think we can. With Aluthyra's bow and your spells, I don't see us losing... but I can't do much without it being on the ground."
[17:10] * Kilarra shrugs, "It would be one less potential threat for the Elves, considering they're trying to reestablish their city here. Although, perhaps we can convince it to leave. We did kill another dragon before."
[17:10] * Aluthyra looks to Kjell. "I believe we can, though only if all of us are confident."
[17:11] <@Kilarra> Kjell nods, "As I recall, that wouldn't be too much different from our bout with Razorhorn. How much bigger was it Kahree? Oh, wait, you didn't actually fight Razorhorn with us. How large would you say it was rather?"
[17:16] <Aluthyra> Kahree thinks for a moment. "Hmm... I'd say... maybe twenty feet long?"
[17:17] <@Kilarra> Kjell nods, "Bigger also means older. I've no love for chromatic dragons, but perhaps we -should- try talking first. If perhaps only to surprise it in the midst of a conversation. Dragons do not need sight to know prey is near, and we are not all as lightfooted at Kahree."
[17:18] <Aluthyra> Kahree nods. "Alright... you want to do the talking?"
[17:22] <@Kilarra> Kjell chuckles. "I can try, although my tongue is not so silvered. I can try to fake it though."
[17:24] <Aluthyra> Kahree nods. "Alright, well, let's try it out."
[17:24] * Aluthyra keeps her bow lowered, though in hand. She nods once at Kjell, ready to move.
[17:27] <@Kilarra> Kjell steps forward first, keeping his sword out and qualfing both his potions before stepping inside. He looks up to the balcony the dragon is on and nods to Kahree," You made a good call."
[17:30] <@Kilarra> Kjell, upon spying the dragon, seems to come down wit ha serious case of the jitters.
[17:31] <@Kilarra> The Dragon opens her eyes and stretches out her wings and neck. She glances down at the mortals (morsels?) beneath her. "Well. It seems dinner has had the courtesy of coming of its own accord." She sniffs the air, then blinks, squinting at the party a bit. "You are not dark elves; why do you smell like them?"
[17:32] <Aluthyra> Kahree frowns. She's not sure what to say! She looks to Kilarra and Aluthyra.
[17:32] <@Kilarra> Kjell blinks. That was an odd question, "How do you know of the drow?"
[17:34] <@Kilarra> The dragon chuckles, "Their stench used to pervade this forest. It has diminished of late though. I figured it was for the same reason that fool Razorhorn no longer returned to this den."
[17:37] * Kilarra looks at the Dragon, "We have had dealings with both the dark elves -and- Razorhorn. We have quite he proficiency for dispatching them, as it happens."
[17:38] <@Kilarra> The dragon stares intently at Kilarra for a minute, then lets out a snorting laugh. "Is that so? Then perhaps I should be thanking you."
[17:40] <Aluthyra> Kahree frowns. "Taken a liking to Razorhorn's stash then?"
[17:43] <@Kilarra> The dragon chortles, "You could say that. Razorhorn was a prideless, foolish, weakling. He allied himself with lesser creatures to sate a pointless bloodust. I haven't any idea why mother took to him so, but when he was dispatched, I felt no need to let his treasure go to waste, so I added it to my own and took up this roost. It does have a nice spot for basking I will admit."
[17:47] <Aluthyra> Kahree smirks. "Well... since we helped you out in that regard, maaaaybe you'd like to share some of the treasure?"
[17:48] <@Kilarra> The dragon scoffs, "You'd like that, wouldn't you? However, I am getting close to mating age, and a large hoard will certainly increase my favour amongst eligible partners. However, I will do you the kindness of not making dinner out of you."
[17:51] <Aluthyra> Kahree huffs. "Worth a try, I guess." She looks over to her companions. "Soo...."
[17:52] <@Kilarra> Kjell nods, "I think the last thing our Elven allies need is a fresh dragon brood to deal with."
[17:53] * Aluthyra nods, ready to raise her bow. "Agreed. Kjell, shall I?"
[17:54] <@Kilarra> The dragon lets out a roaring laugh. "If you won't take advantage of my generosity, then so be it!"
[17:55] * Aluthyra brings her bow up, ready to fire!
[17:59] <Aluthyra> Kahree can't do much at all! She draws her dagger, waiting for the dragon to lower itself to the ground...
[18:01] <@Kilarra> Kjell figures the dragon has plenty of room to maneuver vertically, so he attempts to use a spell that will get through its natural protective scaliness. He raises his spell are and sens a pair of searing heat rays at it
[18:03] <@Kilarra> The dragon hisses as the scorching rays sear the side of her face. She responds by swooping over the party and raining an acidic spray on them.
[18:06] <@Kilarra> Kilarra and Aluthyra manage to avoid the spray with good reflexes, and Kahree is safely shielded by Kilarra's protection spell. Kjell is not so luck, being neither nimble nor acid-proof
[18:06] <Aluthyra> Kahree winces, seeing Kjell's misfortune.
[18:07] <@Kilarra> Kjell grunts and staggers a bit. He motions to Kilarra, hoping for a bit of help.
[18:10] * Aluthyra frowns, raising her bow to fire a volley of five arrows!
[18:15] <@Kilarra> The dragoness shrieks as she's pelted by strong, magical arrows. One of them catches her right through her long neck.
[18:17] * Kilarra quickly moves over to Kjell in order to patch up his injuries. The acid burns were really severe, and she knew from experience that he and Aluthyra were the ones best able to handle the offense against a dragon.
[19:11] == Ruby_Skies has changed nick to RadioHooves
[20:11] <Aluthyra> Kahree whines a bit, the dragon too far up for her to do anything! She waits, huffing, ready to throw the knife should it come closer!
[20:12] <@Kilarra> Kjell frowns. He didn't have that many offensive spells prepared today, and a fireball might catch him and his friends it he wasn't careful. The dragon was out of his sword's reach, but he did have a lightning bolt. He throws it at the dragon
[20:14] <@Kilarra> The dragon manages to avoid the brunt of the lightning bolt, but it still catches one of her wings. She shrieks in pain.
[20:15] <@Kilarra> The dragon looks to be in really rough shape. It dives at Aluthyra and attempts to tear her apart. She had by far done the most harm to it with her magical arrows.
[20:22] <@Kilarra> The dragoness bites down on Aluthyra and attempts to pick her up, but can't seem to get a good grip, but manages to tear into her side savagely with one of her claws.
[20:23] * Kilarra yells; "ALuthyra!"
[20:24] * Aluthyra screams in pain, nearly collapsing outright in pain. She pushes through it, gritting her teeth and raising her bow. Five shots fly towards the dragon in retaliation.
[20:28] <@Kilarra> Aluthyra turns the dragon's neck into a pincushion. SHe shrieks and crashes to the floor. She skids against part of the wall, tearing down one of the supports for the balcony, sending a good chunk of the hoard she had made a nest of rolling down to the ground level.
[20:28] * Kilarra ignores the treasure and rushes to Aluthyra's side. She lays her hands right on her wounds, using the most powerful healing she could muster.
[20:28] * Aluthyra groans, dropping down to one knee as she clutches at her wounds.
[20:32] * Kilarra uses another powerful healing spell, then inspects the remaining damage
[20:33] * Aluthyra still has a few gashes, though they are significantly less severe.
[20:34] * Kilarra looks relieved. "Don't scare me like that!" SHe embraces Aluthyra, not really carring about getting the aasimar's blood on her. It tingles a little against her skin.
[20:34] * Aluthyra hugs back tightly. "I did not mean to..." She sighs, leaning into the other woman.
[20:36] <Aluthyra> Kahree glances over at the treasure.
[20:36] * Kilarra pulls out her wand and begins to touch up the rest of Aluthyra's wounds.
[20:38] * Aluthyra breathes a sigh of relief, wounds now completely healed. She leans down, kissing Kilarra's cheek. "Thank you..."
[20:40] * Kilarra holds Aluthyra close. "Your blood stings a bit."
[20:42] * Aluthyra remains close! "I am sorry that I startled you." She sighs. "But let's not think of it... we should gather up this treasure, then head to Crying Leaf. Perhaps then we may take a few days rest."
[20:44] * Kilarra nods slowly, but holds onto Aluthyra for a bit longed before putting her wand away. She looks to KJell, "Mind cleaning us up?"
[20:44] <@Kilarra> Kjell nods and uses prestidigitation to clean the blood off both of them
[20:45] <Aluthyra> Seeing that the distress is over, Kahree moves over to the treasure, examining it.
[20:45] * Aluthyra smiles to Kjell in thanks before standing and following behind Kahree.
[20:46] <@Kilarra> Kjell joins Kahree. "I should be able to climb up there. I've got a feather fall prepared, so I should be able t ogather up the rest and bring it down without much risk.
[20:47] <Aluthyra> Kahree nods. "Sweet. Sounds good."
[20:47] <@Kilarra> Kjell uses the cracks in the wall to help him climb up
[20:51] <@Kilarra> Kjell manages to reach the balcony without much trouble. He gathers up the treasure in fistfuls into his Haversack to bring it all down together. He could pool it with what Kahree gathered and count it then. It sure looked like a lot
[20:53] <Aluthyra> Kahree inspects!
[20:54] <@Kilarra> Kjell jumps down from the balcony, using his feather fall spell to land without trouble, then comes over to Kahree and turns over his haversack, dumping the rest out.
[20:58] <@Kilarra> the pile of gems and gold, at a glance, would seem to worth about 27,000 Gold all told.
[21:00] <Aluthyra> Kahree grins. "Woohoo!" She starts sifting through it all, dividing it up between the four of them.
[21:00] <Aluthyra> Kahree divides it after several minutes of sifting.
[21:00] <@Kilarra> Kjell whistles, "That is rather impressive."
[21:05] <@Kilarra> -End Session-
[21:06] <@Kilarra> Rewards: 1 EL 12; 4800 Experience Each