Same as It Ever Was (Part 21)
Telamon conjures up a magnificent mansion for all to enjoy for a nice and refreshing long rest. In that time, over dinner, Pothy tells everyone what they are to expect. It seems that the Corpse-Eater has a nasty pet ahead of them in this cavern: a dragon with black scales but with magicite embedded into its coat of scales, driven mad by some kind of experimentation done to it. "It's actually not even from this time," Pothy explains, "but from another. I don't know how the Corpse-Eater got a hold of it. Just be on your guard and be wary; it has some strong emotional effects to its aura."
With that warning, so comes the new day--with a heroes' feast from Harkashan to bolster the group. Nala looks a little nervous when everyone emerges from the doorway back into the cavern. "It looks like there's a drop to the next floor," she says, pointing in the direction of... well, a hole that leads into darkness. "Although 'floor' is probably... loosely used here. It's a cave and all."
GAME: Harkashan casts Heroes' Feast. Caster Level: 19 DC: 26
It's a shame the topics of discussion are so grim, with such good meals -- either supplied by Telamon or Harkashan. Tel mulls over what Pothy is telling them, tapping his fingers together. "I've faced dragons before," he remarks. "But with such... mutations, anything is possible. We'll have to be on our guard. That being said... be wary of 'clumping up' as they do love to use their breath weapons." He draws out a small sapphire, glowing softly, and releases it to orbit around his head.
That done, he begins murmuring spells, wrapping himself in flight magic and mental warding. "What else," he muses. "Pothy, is it a true black dragon? An acid ward might be a good idea too."
Zeke is not best pleased to hear that this 'Corpse Eater' has a dragon 'pet'. He knows what the word pet means and it does not feel like a word that should apply to a dragon. The blue-scaled sith grumbles under his breath and makes his way toward the staircase where they are meant to go. "Thisss one doesss not like it." Perhaps freed of the Corpse Eater the dragon would not be quite so mad. It is a thought.
GAME: Telamon casts Overland Flight. Caster Level: 20 DC: 26 GAME: Telamon casts Mind Blank. Caster Level: 20 DC: 29 GAME: Harkashan rolls 1d8+9: (8)+9: 17
"A dragon..." In all her time as an Adventurer, Rune hasn't ever seen hide nor scale of such a creature. They were the sort of things that tended to live in the stories her mother told her. They seemed more prominent as of late, as if the world were scaling the danger as if they were progressing towards... something.
"The Corpse-Eater has always enjoyed playing with people's minds and their emotions. It's best to try to steel yourself as much as possible." She looks over to Telamon, and then rubs at the back of her neck with uncertainty, knowing the Archmage is one that tends to be a favorite target. Then again, so is Rune to some extent.
Twirling a wand in one hand, Rune looks to the others, "This is about the only preparations I can make for myself, and I'll want to cast it before we head down." Her wand may very well have a shorter effective period than some other things, it seems.
GAME: Simony casts Greater Angelic Aspect. Caster Level: 19 DC: 26
And so the plan is discussed- with many tlahcos shoved in face, thankfully replying with hands is easier than talking- and Aryia frowns, somewhat red in the face from the heat. She rifles around in her bag as people talk, pulling out a few potions and other items that sound useful. Particularly an odd looking chime. And finally the stone that Telamon similarly has, letting hers float around her head. Prepared.
Stepping out of the mansion well rested, she rolls her shoulders. Cracks her neck. Inhales deeply In. Out. Small lines of white energy trace down her form. "If it's magicite, I can sort of deal with it the best along with Rune. I also have means of shutting him up if I have to." Then it hits her. A dragon. A nervous yet wicked grin splits across her face. She pulls out a piece of paper. On a list, many things are crossed out. Except for one. One thing scarier than Aryia is a very motivated Aryia. <Handspeech/Tongues>
GAME: Rune used a Wand of Shield. GAME: Telamon casts Shield. Caster Level: 20 DC: 22 GAME: Rune used a Wand of See Invisibility. GAME: Simony casts Protection From Energy. Caster Level: 19 DC: 21 GAME: Harkashan casts Blessing of Fervor. Caster Level: 19 DC: 24 GAME: Harkashan casts Miracle. Caster Level: 19 DC: 29 GAME: Harkashan casts Shield Other. Caster Level: 19 DC: 22 GAME: Harkashan casts Status. Caster Level: 19 DC: 22 GAME: Harkashan casts Magic Circle Against Evil. Caster Level: 19 DC: 23 GAME: Harkashan casts True Seeing. Caster Level: 19 DC: 25 GAME: Harkashan casts Light. Caster Level: 19 DC: 20 GAME: Harkashan casts Shield of Faith. Caster Level: 19 DC: 21 GAME: Harkashan casts Archon's Aura. Caster Level: 19 DC: 23 GAME: Harkashan casts Aura of Doom. Caster Level: 19 DC: 24 GAME: Harkashan casts Magic Vestment. Caster Level: 19 DC: 23 GAME: Harkashan casts Righteous Might. Caster Level: 19 DC: 25 GAME: Harkashan casts Greater Angelic Aspect. Caster Level: 19 DC: 28 GAME: Harkashan casts Holy Aura. Caster Level: 19 DC: 28 GAME: Harkashan casts Magic Circle Against Evil. Caster Level: 19 DC: 23 GAME: Telamon casts Resist Energy. Caster Level: 20 DC: 23
Simony spends her time praying, not just arranging her spells but also communing with her God. The fight sounds like it will be the most dangerous one of her life, and she will be calling upon her allowance of divinity heavily. Perhaps out of character, she eats as sparingly as possible, only the minimum amount from the feast to gain its beneficial effects.
"I will prepare a spell that will protect others around me. So if you need respite, a breather, step close to me. It will also allow me to tend to your wounds, though I will do my best to see to them as quickly as possible."
As they get closer, and the others begin their spells, Simony raises her voice, imploring Navos to protect her and her companions. Afterwards, she brings into being a protection spell for Aryia. Her fingers flick and sign, "I have given you a shield against acid. If you have to run into harms way, I have you in my hands."
"The Dragon will be set free then." This is a firm statement. He recognizes that it has been driven mad, and the freedom he speaks of is one in death, so its spirit can be washed free from the horrors of its history. "So it will be."
What follows is... a cacophony of spells going off one after another. From wings forming upon Harkashan's back, to protecting some of their members from undue influence. "Remember, stay near me if it uses any kind of emotion based aura. I will bolster your minds with my presence." He declares as a thorough reminder for everyone.
Once the spells are done casting, which notably does take a while, Harkashan is... a bit tired. Using that much divine energy has effects upon a creature such as him. But, he is ready. "Let us go. Post-haste."
Pothy looks uncertainly at Telamon. "If it was a true black dragon in its timeline, it is no longer," he says. "I'm not entirely sure _what_ it is. Just what I've glimpsed is... unpleasant."
With the group as prepared that it can be, they descend. The drop, it turns out, is a cavern of its own, snaking downwards into the dirt. But on the other end is a chamber, where there's noises of reptilian discomfort, an anguish that is dissonant and harsh in draconic vocal cords.
The dragon is truly gargantuan. Crystals of some kind are embedded painfully into its scales, looking almost like they broke open the dragon at some point but have since become... enmeshed, one with the dragon, letting it live even though it should, by all logic, have died with such horrible crystalline growths jutting out of it. It's flapping as it stares down at two figures on a ledge, opposite from where the group has emerged.
Runelei's bleeding harshly from the mouth as Shankahar, also battered and bruised, is holding onto her. "Please, Cihuaa, hold on," Shankahar pleads--
And then there's horrible laughter. Off to a very small platform to the side, Legus'elain, the Corpse-Eater, stands, clapping his taloned hands together. "How adorable. Holding onto each other with your dying breaths. Yet another failure for you." His eyes half-lid as he looks at the duo. "Your corpses will be an exquisite..."
His words fall away as he peers beyond the tall crystalline structures and looks at the group of adventurers. "Well then. We have company."
GAME: Zeke casts Holy Aura. Caster Level: 20 DC: 27 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+27: (12)+27: 39 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d8+15: (2)+15: 17
The Corpse-Eater flies across the gap to Shankahar and Runelei. He grins from ear-to-ear with those horrible viscera-laden lips of his. "Goodbye," he purrs.
With a vicious rake of his claws, he tears three horrible lines across Runelei's face. Her scream is a horrible echo in the chamber, and the crystal dragon whines...
Except the Corpse-Eater pulls his claws away, his violet eyes blinking in befuddlement. His hand is clean. There are no marks on Runelei's face.
... But there are on Zeke's.
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+sorcerer+6: (8)+20+6: 34 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+20: (13)+20: 33 GAME: Telamon casts Dimension Door/Quicken. Caster Level: 20 DC: 29 GAME: Harkashan rolls 1d20+Cleric+4: (1)+19+4: 24 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Harkashan rolls 1d20+Cleric+4: (15)+19+4: 38 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+20: (15)+20: 35
Telamon takes in the tableau at a glance. Legus'elain gloating -- well, that's no surprise. The dragon... does not look like a -normal- dragon. For whatever passes for such. His expression becomes somewhat sad at the creature's plight, but it can't be helped. Instead, the sorcerer raises his hand, looking the dragon in the eye, and he snaps his fingers...
A vast -hole- in space opens up, air rushing past into the starry void that awaits. But sadly, the dragon latches its claws onto the stony floor, keeping it from being dragged into the void, and swiftly the portal closes with a crackle of energy.
A curse falls from Telamon's lips, and he looks at the others. "Excuse me. I need to go have a discussion with that bastard." And suddenly he steps through another portal that winks out... reappearing not far from where Runelei and Shankahar lie before the malevolent fey. "Legus'elain! You've caused enough grief. Now, I will give you what you dearly deserve." The archmage spreads his arms, pale light glowing in his eyes. "Open wide, oh heavens, and gaze upon my acts here."
GAME: Rune rolls 2d8+3: (6)+3: 9
The moment Rune sees the state of her counterpart, there is a squeezing feeling around her heart that echoes back to times of her own pain. Her lips tighten, her body tensing as she looks over her shoulder. "I'm going for her." She pulls out a quite different wand, one that has rarely seen use, and then crouches as iridescent butterfly wings sprout from her back.
Launching herself skyward, Rune weaves through the crystalline outcroppings to avoid the reach of the Dragon, zooming at remarkable speed with the magic-driven abilities that she's been given. The rogue alights nearby the two, looking between them. "It's not much, but I can help a little."
She motions the wand at the woman who could be her color-inverted twin, and mutters the activation phrase, sending a wave of healing energy in her direction.
It seems, that given a fight, she is far more concerned with protecting those that need it, than causing damage. Even if she is far better at the later of the two.
GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+19: (10)+19: 29 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+14: (9)+14: 23 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+9: (19)+9: 28
"Thank you!" Shankahar calls out to Rune, gratitude in his voice in eyes. He's confused by the sight of a woman so similar to his lady-love (perhaps he and Runelei do not remember the dream in the castle?). But there's not much time for him to focus on that, as he murmurs an incantation to heal Runelei.
She brightens up more considerably, and Runelei, who never let go of her sword, growls, tearing herself away from Shankahar's grasp. "YOU BASTARD!" she yells as she tries to riddle the Corpse-Eater full of holes... And doesn't find purchase in his flesh. He laughs at her instead.
GAME: Aryia rolls knowledge/arcana: (15)+6: 21 GAME: Aryia rolls reflex+2+1: (1)+25+2+1: 29 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Riptide rolls 3d12: (23): 23 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+20: (4)+20: 24 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+20: (13)+20: 33
Aryia wasn't the first into the fray, but she tampers her spike of adrenaline to take a beat to inspect the crystal next to her. The energy inside... she puts a hand on it, then glances to the dragon. "Well fuck me. These crystals are linked to the dragon," a contradictory noble yet crass sounding woman's voice echoes through the mental link. "Destroying them will hurt it, but it'll backfire on you. It's a fucking bomb field out here."
She slips past some of the crystals weaving around and ducking low, getting into her flow as she slides out to be beside the dragon. A loud whistle rips free from her lips at it, before pivoting on a heel and shattering the crystal next to her. Pent up magic cracks and shatters outwards violently. The pugilist wasn't expecting such a reaction so quickly. "Fuck!" <Telepathy>
GAME: Zeke rolls 1d4: (4): 4 GAME: Zeke rolls 1d4: (2): 2 GAME: Zeke rolls 1d10: (4): 4 GAME: Zeke rolls 1d4: (2): 2 GAME: Zeke rolls 1d4: (2): 2
Zeke spreads his wings and flies forth toward the dragon, arching the crystal outwards in a broad spread that catches the light and it strikes hard at the dragon, reminding it the power and the majesty of the Dragonfather. The Father of all of its kind. He protects his allies from the effects, but it's a near thing with so many of them around. Still, he manages and the effects are worth the effort.
Simony flies up to the dragon and touches it, invoking the power of Navos. She sees--and everyone else by extension, by way of telepathic bond--sees a vision of a world yet to be. A dragon writhing under soil, chased underground, a little baby trying to avoid demons (horrible demons who killed Mother-Dragon, horrible demons that will kill Little-Dragon too). (Mother), is the resounding thought.
(Mother,) is the resounding thought. (Mother,) is the resounding thought. Over and over again, crawling and running through endless caverns, and then the dragon trips and falls into a deep, deep, _deep_ hole. It pierces itself on a crystal. The crystal shatters into a million pieces that embed into its scales. The little dragon cries out in pain. (Mother!) it screams.
It's been screaming for its mother ever since, and it's been stolen from its original time--from its Mother, long gone, long dead. Driven mad by magicite, its grief unending and the source of all of its power.
GAME: Simony rolls diplomacy: (9)+12: 21 GAME: Harkashan casts Bestow Grace of the Champion. Caster Level: 19 DC: 27 GAME: Harkashan rolls Cleric+4: (12)+19+4: 35 GAME: Harkashan rolls Cleric+4: (7)+19+4: 30
The Goblin has been observing the battle as it unfolds, both anxious and calm at the same time. She's among friends, but that is one gigantic lizard. A dragon of old, somehow living outside of time? The source of its pain seems pretty obvious to Simony, the crystals growing into it are not a natural occurance, at least she'd bet her life on it.
And bet she does.
Her wings snap into existence, having been waiting patiently since she cast her spell. They flap. Once. Twice. Three times. And they carry her to the precipice of danger.
With the dragon paralyzed by Zeke's power, it is unable to avoid or prevent her touch. Her shock is shared with everyone bound by Harkashan's spell. For the second time in as many days, she relives a life that is not (entirely) her own. The beast's pain is obvious, and the Goblin's tears come unbidden, rolling down her cheeks. "Mother is here.", she intones, her Draconic rolling easily from her tongue, in a tone much lower than she normally holds. "Mother has found you. Mother will protect you. You will be safe." A warm hand is placed upon the dragon's nose, a pale glow emanating from it. "Mother shall make this right! We shall make the fae creature pay with its life. You shall be freed. Made whole."
GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+20: (11)+20: 31 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+20: (14)+20: 34
There's a sickening sensation in Harkashan's gut at what he's being witness to. The Corpse-Eater is, as the name might even suggest, the very antithesis to what the Sith-makar stands for. Yet he can't help but feel sorry for the creature, to be born to such a desire and want.
Simony is already addressing the matter of the Dragon, and the winged Harkashan is quick to join her towards the dragon. Landing between a series of enormous crystals upon its back to get a better vantage point.
Rune is luckily already doing the initial treatment for Leirune, which /must be weird/. He's quick to fling a pale white light towards her, which soon envelops her.
"You will not fall beneath the gaze of the Deathsinging Dragon. No matter what suffering you have been inflicted, today is no longer your day of sorrow." He declares to the Sith-makar mirror and his ally. "Stand!" As harmed flesh heals, and protections erect themselves around them!
Telanmo looks at Nala in the chaos that is beginning to unfold. "Are you sure about this?" he asks.
"Yeah," Nala says brightly. "As sure as anything." She makes a door of magic and steps through it with Telamon, landing on the edge of the platform holding Telamon up.
"You're not leaving us out, Archmage!" Nala says with a grin.
"What..." Yiara huffs angrily as she's been left behind. "Whatever! I'll just go hang out with my 'twin'." So Yiara rushes over to join Aryia.
"Sup? Which one of us is beating up that fuckhead over there?" Yiara asks through the mental link before she draws her blade.
GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+20: (20)+20: 40
As Simony speaks to the dragon, and as Harkashan comes over bedecked in holy aura to match Simony's own... The dragon's golden eyes nictate. A sound comes from within it.
A whine.
Then tears well up in its golden eyes.
(Mommy...) The voice comes in a telepathic, almost child-like voice in everyone's heads, to join the telepathic chorus that already exists. (Mommy... Mommy... Never leave me again...)
The dragon opens up its maw, and it wails in the way that only a dragon can. It's a loud bellow. And then it looks at Legus'elain with a look of pure hatred. (I'm leaving with my Mommy!)
Legus'elain's eyes widen, and then he growls in anger. "Useless!"
-TBC