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14:48, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

The Game: Chapter 12.

Posted by DMFor group archive 0
DM
GM, 2470 posts
Omniscient Narrator
Destroyer of Worlds
Mon 17 Nov 2014
at 15:16
  • msg #341

Re: The Game: Chapter 12

In reply to Keef (msg # 340):

"Very well," Saul snorts at Zuriel, taking a five-foot flap upward, and grabbing his ankle with ease.

[Touch Attack: 23]
[Casting: Harm]
[Will (Zuriel): 23 (fail)]

Dark energies surge through the paladin's body as his lifeforce rapidly depletes to nearly nothing.

[Damage: Reduced to 1 HP]

The cleric isn't done yet, however, and clenches his hand around the armored foot even harder.

[Touch Attack: 27]
[Casting: Quickened Inflict Light Wounds]
[Will (Zuriel): 29 (success)]

Dark energies swirl through the paladin's boot once more, putting him at death's doorstep.

[Damage (Zuriel): 6]

Defeated, Zuriel gently floats 15 feet to the deck, where he lands softly in a surprisingly graceful heap. (-5 hp)

Elite 1 remains smoking on the deck, dead.

Elite 2's raunchy dancing provokes another AOO from Baldwin, who finishes him off with a precise cut to the jugular.

Elite 6 picks himself up, taking another 31 damage from Maeve for his trouble. He then attempts to stab her in the face.

[Attack: 30]

The blow hits, driving home additional damage.

[Damage (Maeve): 27]

Elite 3 is Halted, and fails to recover.

[Will: 19]

Finwe hurls himself upward to face Saul, breaks through the barrier inhibiting his approach, swings his hammer, and misses.

[Attack: 20]

Baldwin wipes his blade clean of Elite 2's dancing innards, then turns to face the P.A.R.T.Y.

"We can win," he says simply. "And we're about to."

[Casting: Good Hope (Maeve, Zuriel, Keef, Lyriel)]

quote:
This spell instills powerful hope in the subjects. Each affected creature gains a +2 morale bonus on saving throws, attack rolls, ability checks, skill checks, and weapon damage rolls.

This message was last edited by the GM at 15:52, Mon 17 Nov 2014.
Maeve Hassan
player, 1503 posts
Not keen on scarecrows
Death to Shoes Lady
Mon 17 Nov 2014
at 15:53
  • msg #342

Re: The Game: Chapter 12

Maeve makes use of her flight for the first time, five-foot gliding up and to the left.

[Don't know where this corresponds to on the map]

From there she has attacks on Elite 6 and also Saul.

[FPA Elite 6: 21]
[FPA Saul: 24]
[Damage Saul: 32]

[Are my modifiers correct?  Fuck knows!]
Zuriel Silendril
player, 2057 posts
Lightbringer
House Silendril
Mon 17 Nov 2014
at 16:01
  • msg #343

Re: The Game: Chapter 12

Zuriel accomplishes nothing of note this round, beyond perhaps bleeding a bit on the ground in a valiant attempt to trip one of the serpentmen should they wander over.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:48, Tue 18 Nov 2014.
Boreas Highwind
player, 1363 posts
Fey Messiah
Bathes Regularly
Mon 17 Nov 2014
at 16:35
  • msg #344

Re: The Game: Chapter 12

Boreas darts down and to the left, drawing a small item from his bag as he moves.  At J6, 15 feet up, he calls to Saul.

Hey!  He hurls the rusty orb at the dragon priest, and it springs open, sealing over his mouth.  Listen.

[Ranged Touch: 21]
[Shot on the Run]

He continues to descend to K7, turning to face Elite 6 and firing a burst of energy.

[Quickened Eldritch Blast: 20]
[Damage 25]

The energy courses over the Elite, leaving him a smoldering, dead heap on the deck.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:36, Mon 17 Nov 2014.
Lyriel Vesper
player, 939 posts
To Heal is Divine
House Vesper
Mon 17 Nov 2014
at 16:42
  • msg #345

Re: The Game: Chapter 12

Lyriel rushes over to Zuriel, leaning over and pressing both palms to his chest.

[Casting: Heal - 130 HP restored, removes all negative stat effects]

Brilliant emerald energy rushes into Zuriel, making everybody's eyes water. As the paladin splutters back to life, Lyriel swallows a sigh of relief. Darling, what did we discuss about taunting agents of evil if you can't withstand their attacks? I can't *always* be putting you back together. I have things to smite too, you know.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:45, Mon 17 Nov 2014.
DM
GM, 2472 posts
Omniscient Narrator
Destroyer of Worlds
Mon 17 Nov 2014
at 19:48
  • msg #346

Re: The Game: Chapter 12

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 345):

~~Disposition~~

Map: https://docs.google.com/spread...usp=drive_web#gid=12

~~ Round 4 ~~
Keef (Weakened 2, Heroic, HP: 26/64)
Saul (Flying, Divine Power, Sphere-d, Damage: 102)
Finwë (Flying, Weakened 1, Damage: 46)
Baldwin
Elite 3 (Halt 10 (DC:24), Damage: 45)
Maeve (Flying, Weakened 1, Heroic, Damage: 53)
Zuriel (Weakened 1, Heroic, Damage: 0)
Boreas (Flying, Weakened 2, Damage: 0)
Lyriel (Weakened 1, Heroic, Damage: 0)
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:05, Mon 17 Nov 2014.
Keef
player, 1146 posts
Hero in training
Mon 17 Nov 2014
at 20:06
  • msg #347

Re: The Game: Chapter 12

In reply to DM (msg # 346):

Keef shieths Flametongue and begins to float upward.

We need to end this...

As Keef rises he seems to get bigger, or maybe just longer... No, definitely bigger.  His clothes fade into his body as his neck stretched out.  Wings, spines and a tail sprout from his back and soon yellow and green-tinged Keefdragon is rearing his ugly head at Saul.

[OOC:  Polymorph, Bronze dragon, regain a few HP for polymorph].
DM
GM, 2475 posts
Omniscient Narrator
Destroyer of Worlds
Mon 17 Nov 2014
at 21:47
  • msg #348

Re: The Game: Chapter 12

In reply to Keef (msg # 347):

Saul would probably enjoy spewing forth profound utterances or perhaps additional acid, but the Blueband Suppression Sphere's final curtain call has limited his options significantly.

He takes a five-foot flap directly upward, reaches to his bovine snout and muzzle with both hand, and wrenches at Boreas's trusty sphere with barely contained fury.

[Strength: 28]

The iron band shutters, bends, and eventually tears entirely as it is ripped asunder, and the orb falls worthlessly to the ground as a lump of inert metal.

His mouth free, he closes his eyes for a moment and whispers some words. When he has finished, a number of his wounds have vanished.

[Quickened Cure Serious Wounds: 35]

His eyes widen slightly at the approaching dragon, then narrow with resolution.

"You toil in vain against an inexorable tide," he rumbles. "I am Power incarnate! Yield while you still can."

Finwë does not, in fact, yield, and instead flies upward to attempt to strike him again.

[Attack: 19]
[Attack: 17]

"BY THE GODDESS!" he snarls in frustration. His expression makes it clear that he's totally looking forward to having his strength restored in the near future.

Elite 3 attempts to break free of Lyriel's spell, and fails. Again.

[Will: 17]

Baldwin smiles at the Keefdragon, opens his hands, and utters a few choice words. Instantly, a second, identical dragon appears in the sky next to Keef. Knowing what you know about bards and their illusions, it's not clear how real this entity might be... but as it flits back and forth around the Keefdragon, it certainly makes tracking which one is Keef much more difficult.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:53, Mon 17 Nov 2014.
Boreas Highwind
player, 1366 posts
Fey Messiah
Bathes Regularly
Mon 17 Nov 2014
at 22:12
  • msg #349

Re: The Game: Chapter 12

[Didn't realize Maeve hadn't posted yet.  This happens after her stuff.]

Boreas and Zuriel make eye contact and nod to one another.  He shoots over to the prone paladin, laying a hand on his shoulder.  Suddenly, there's no paladin present and a woodsman on one knee, rising up to face Saul.

[Casting Fey Step]

Zuriel finds himself upright, on the other side of the High Priest of Kazul, floating 20 feet off the ground (F7).

Boreas is floating at the same height in E6.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:13, Mon 17 Nov 2014.
Maeve Hassan
player, 1505 posts
Not keen on scarecrows
Death to Shoes Lady
Mon 17 Nov 2014
at 22:12
  • msg #350

Re: The Game: Chapter 12

Maeve kicks things off by pulling a Finwe.

[1st attack Saul: 18]
[2nd attack Saul: 20]

But then just when she is about to unleash a string of truly vile words to rival Saul's blasphemy, she hits the priest of Kazul.  Hard.

[3rd attack Saul: 27]
[Confirm crit: 22]
[Damage: 45]

Even more fortunate, she can feel Saul's weakening magic beginning to wear off.
Zuriel Silendril
player, 2061 posts
Lightbringer
House Silendril
Mon 17 Nov 2014
at 22:35
  • msg #351

Re: The Game: Chapter 12

Zuriel reorients himself and drifts down towards Saul. Golden-white energy streams from every crevice of his armor, from his eyes, and Dawn.

"I may fall, Saul Belaur," Zuriel booms. "But not like this. It won't be by your hand."

With a great overhand cleave, Zuriel brings Dawn down, biting deeply into the minotaur's shoulder. In the same movement, the paladin's leg snaps around, driving his armored kneeplate directly into the High Priest's solar plexus. His sword whips around a second and third time with blinding speed, each strike scoring horrendous gashes into Saul's torso.

[Attacks: Devastating Smite, Kneepad, Smite, Smite: Crit, Hit, Hit, Hit]

Holy light burns away the blood gushing from Saul's wounds as Zuriel explodes into a whirlwind of righteous fury, demonstrating to Finwe how to properly smite one's foe.

[Combined damage: 120]

{Combat Experience: 3}
Lyriel Vesper
player, 940 posts
To Heal is Divine
House Vesper
Mon 17 Nov 2014
at 22:49
  • msg #353

Re: The Game: Chapter 12

Seeing Saul still alive, Lyriel decides to take matters into her own hands.

She extends both hands towards Saul, and a wind begins whipping up around her. This is the end, Saul. This is true fire. This is Justice.

[Casting: Sudden Empowered Flamestrike]

[Overcome SR: 25 - Success]

[Saul's Reflex Save: 23 vs. DC 24: fail]

An enormous ball of fire erupts into existence behind Saul and the rest of the PARTY, quickly expanding to encompass the minotaur in its grim circumference. The fire burns with an intensity you've never witnessed before, flickering emerald that is so pure it hurts. Tinged on the periphery are amethyst arcs, like proxima enshrouding a dread sun.

[Damage: 56]
Saul Balaur
NPC, 2 posts
The Harbinger of Kazul
Both Church and State
Mon 17 Nov 2014
at 23:01
  • msg #354

Re: The Game: Chapter 12

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 353):

Saul staggers under the onslaught, his wings fighting to keep him afloat throughout the struggle. Dark blood seeps from his torso, dripping slowly off the holy symbol worn prominently upon his chest. Emerald flames cauterize other wounds, leaving nasty scars and glistening welts alongside the smell of singed and burnt fur.

The orange fire in his eyes flickers with a spark of something else -- could it be fear? -- and he clenches his teeth to hiss in pain.

He looks pretty hurt... and he looks like he knows it.

"Th-the Harbinger's fall heralds th-the beginning of the end," he says, his voice much stronger than his body looks, though that's not saying much. "Only now, when it is too l-late, do I understand wh-what they meant."

He ignores the wisps of fire smouldering on his left wrist, along with the angry welts blistering around his body, and continues to speak, as though to himself.

"There is no sh-shame in falling to sup-superior power on the qu-quest for more. It pl-pleases the dragon."

Saul looks thoroughly out of it. Those among you trained in medicine might suspect it to be shock. Still, he's far from helpless; the fight goes on.

~~Disposition~~

Map: https://docs.google.com/spread...usp=drive_web#gid=12

~~ Round 5 ~~
Keef (Heroic, HP: 24ish/64ish)
Saul (Flying, Divine Power, Damage: Significant [Private to GM: (268)])
Finwë (Flying, Damage: 46)
Baldwin
Elite 3 (Halt 9 (DC:24), Damage: 45)
Maeve (Flying, Heroic, Damage: 53)
Zuriel (Heroic, Damage: 0)
Boreas (Flying, Damage: 0)
Lyriel (Heroic, Damage: 0)]
This message was last edited by the player at 23:05, Mon 17 Nov 2014.
Keef
player, 1150 posts
Hero in training
Tue 18 Nov 2014
at 01:56
  • msg #355

Re: The Game: Chapter 12

In reply to Saul Balaur (msg # 354):

It DOES please the dragon, Keefdragon tries to say, though it sounds more like a triumphant roar.

Keefdragon swoops in toward Saul and fixes his newfound jaws around the priest's neck (attack 31) yanking away a section of hairy flesh (damage).  The priest is raked with one claw but blocks the next (attack 26 and 17, 1 hit) followed by a fierce wing-buffetting (19 and 32, 1 hit: for a grand total of 7 damage).

(OOC:  damage was what I was least sure of... looks to have strength 17 which is +3 on basic bite/claw/wing d8, d6, d4... Saul has DR 5 so unless dragons inherently count as magic that should be right?)

Chubbs, far below the fray, focuses his eyes at the hovering Minotaur.  Without flinching, he delivers the single most devastating look of smouldering distain and dismissal you have ever witnessed.

[OOC: Toad's Dismissal: 1 damage]
Saul Balaur
NPC, 4 posts
The Harbinger of Kazul
Both Church and State
Tue 18 Nov 2014
at 15:26
  • msg #356

Re: The Game: Chapter 12

In reply to Keef (msg # 355):

Surrounded and alone, Saul seems to be calculating the odds over and over again, hoping for a different result each time even in the face of the obvious.

Resigned to his fate at last, he flaps his wings, sets his jaw, and closes his eyes.

"Thank you, Kazul, for my power, wealth, and station," he murmurs. "May your next champion bring you even greater glory."

His eyes snap open, and says two words very calmly and clearly.

"Draconic Benediction."

Surprisingly, Saul's holy symbol glows in response. A mournful roar rattles the ship all around you, and an oddly soothing song can be discerned amid the deep-throated, resonating sound. There are even words, if you listen carefully enough:

O Lord, who made the dragon, and the dragon's open sky,
And gave to me a dragon's soul; a dragon's urge to fly--
Let me dance within your cloudscapes far beyond this plane,
Let me rejoice in my grandeur, let me grow in fame!
Let me vindicate your tenets with my fang and claw,
Let my raging heart win power, and strength that knows no flaw!
Let me have the joy of all the shining gold I've stored,
Let the faithful ones among us all contribute to my hoard.
And, Lord, should the need arise and I be called to fight,
Dragon-Maker, make me victor, and, God--help that knight!


Some members of the P.A.R.T.Y. may find it harder to listen to the song than others, because while it's rumbling in the background, Saul is actively engaging in combat. His movements are fluid, precise, and devastating, and he seems to be obliviously singing along with the benediction as he fights.

[Attack (Finwe): 42, 35]
[Damage: 55]

Saul first twirls he iron-shod staff in an arc, striking Finwë in the skull with a sickening crack that evokes the sensation of crunching bone. Curiously, the paladin's helmet looks unscathed, but blood trickles from beneath it nonetheless as he floats gently to the ground and collapses in a shining heap of useless metal.

The priest then turns his attention to the Keefdragon, lashing out with a third strike that catches the polymorphed mage directly between the eyes.

[Attack (Keef): 31]
[Damage: 27]

Even as the Keefdragon roars in agony, Saul follows up with a flick of his golden-capped horns, goring the boy beneath his scaly throat.

[Attack (Keef): 28]
[Damage: 14]

The Keefdragon shimmers and fades, transforming back into a fragile humanoid shape as Keef joins Finwë and the various Serpentmen on the ground. For the first time since it was retrieved from the Feyic Vault, the Everstaff lays unclaimed on the deck by his side.

The song finally fades, leaving Saul drenched in sweat and blood and panting for breath. The holy symbol continues to glow white-hot, however, and smoulders against the cleric's chest. Soon the smell of charred flesh becomes unavoidable, and Saul's orange-hued eyes regard the P.A.R.T.Y.

"I'm on b-borrowed time," he says, with great effort. "But even y-your power is no match for the W-Wrath of Kazul."

His muscles begin to stiffen even as the burning orange light continues to emit from his eyes, mouth, and nose, even leaking out from every cut, scrape, and wound. It's as though his blood has been replaced by virulent light.

Saul manages a smile -- his very last -- and chokes out one final word: "Run."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:35, Tue 18 Nov 2014.
Baldwin
NPC, 90 posts
Master of Lore
Living Legend
Tue 18 Nov 2014
at 15:28
  • msg #357

Re: The Game: Chapter 12

In reply to Saul Balaur (msg # 356):

Baldwin rushes over to the deck where Keef and Finwë have fallen and raises his arms in a quick gesture.

[Casting Mass Cure Light Wounds: 9]

The paladin lumbers to his feet with great effort, still badly hurt, but Keef has time only to open his eyes (his turn has already passed).

"We need to be gone! Quickly!" he yells to the P.A.R.T.Y.

OOC: Note, you are still in combat order and are limited in terms of what you can do.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:36, Tue 18 Nov 2014.
DM
GM, 2478 posts
Omniscient Narrator
Destroyer of Worlds
Tue 18 Nov 2014
at 15:29
  • msg #358

Re: The Game: Chapter 12

In reply to Baldwin (msg # 357):

Elite 3 perks up when he hears the benediction song, which seems to clear his mind. That or the natural 20.

[Will: 24]

Either way, the final Serpentman breaks free of Lyriel's spell, but takes no further action.
DM
GM, 2479 posts
Omniscient Narrator
Destroyer of Worlds
Tue 18 Nov 2014
at 15:38
  • msg #359

Re: The Game: Chapter 12

In reply to DM (msg # 358):

Finwë looks at Saul, who appears to be atomizing in the sky, and then down at his own bloody hands. Finally, he looks at the small boy laying at his feet. After an obvious internal struggle, he bends over the mage and infuses him with emerald energy.

[Lay on Hands (Keef): 60]

Finished, he draws his weapon and faces the Elite 3. Apparently protecting a child and an old man is more important to him at the moment than joining the fight against Saul.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:40, Tue 18 Nov 2014.
Maeve Hassan
player, 1507 posts
Not keen on scarecrows
Death to Shoes Lady
Tue 18 Nov 2014
at 15:46
  • msg #360

Re: The Game: Chapter 12

May you find your peace, Saul Balaur.  Such as it is.

Restored to her full power, Maeve [hopefully] gives Saul that final boost that he'll need to meet the Dragon.

[FPA attack Saul: 24 ]
[Damage: 36]

That accomplished, she'll move as far away from him as it's possible to on her turn to help cover Keef and Finwe (on the ground, upper left in F6?)

"Let's go."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:50, Tue 18 Nov 2014.
Zuriel Silendril
player, 2063 posts
Lightbringer
House Silendril
Tue 18 Nov 2014
at 15:59
  • msg #361

Re: The Game: Chapter 12

"This is looking less and less like a place we ought to be right now."

Zuriel drifts over to Finwe, hovering slightly off the deck. He claps the smaller paladin on the shoulder, and a white light suffuses both.

[Lay on Hands > Finwe: 92]

Zuriel nods to Finwe.

"Boreas, get Keef out. We'll hold the line and then follow you."

The paladin's gaze drifts to one of the many unattended ranseurs. "Incidentally, if somebody could grab me one of those on the way out, I'd be much obliged."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:16, Tue 18 Nov 2014.
Boreas Highwind
player, 1367 posts
Fey Messiah
Bathes Regularly
Tue 18 Nov 2014
at 16:30
  • msg #362

Re: The Game: Chapter 12

Boreas floats over next to Keef and the Everstaff.  He turns to the nearest cannon mount, looking for weak points.  Seeing that the device is on wheels, clamped to the deck, he shouts Egwyl!

The clamp shudders and breaks into hundreds of tiny fragments.

[Casting Baleful Utterance]

Maeve, push that cannon out, will you?  Everyone else, follow her out!
Lyriel Vesper
player, 941 posts
To Heal is Divine
House Vesper
Tue 18 Nov 2014
at 16:37
  • msg #363

Re: The Game: Chapter 12

Seeing the Elite stir back into action and bear down on Baldwin, Lyriel narrows her eyes.

Nuh uh.

She points imperiously at him, and intones a few words of power.

[Casting: Hold Person]

[Will save vs. DC 21: 5 (critfail)]

The Elite, having just a moment to taste freedom, once again seizes up in paralysis. Lyriel then moves to stand near the shattered cannon, making ready to pick up a new toy for Zuriel and then get the hell off the boat.
DM
GM, 2480 posts
Omniscient Narrator
Destroyer of Worlds
Tue 18 Nov 2014
at 17:19
  • msg #364

Re: The Game: Chapter 12

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 363):

The P.A.R.T.Y scrambles around the deck haphazardly, unsure what will happen next but perfectly willing to abandon ship.

~~ Round 6 ~~
Keef (Heroic)
Saul (Draconic Benediction, Flying, Divine Power, Damage: Irrelevant)
Finwë (Flying)
Baldwin
Elite 3 (Hold Person, Damage: 45)
Maeve (Heroic, Damage: 53)
Zuriel (Heroic)
Boreas
Lyriel (Heroic)
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 17:19, Tue 18 Nov 2014.
Keef
player, 1155 posts
Hero in training
Tue 18 Nov 2014
at 18:04
  • msg #365

Re: The Game: Chapter 12

In reply to DM (msg # 364):

Keef scoops up Longshank and rushes toward the broken cannon.

We can jump!  He calls over his shoulder.  There's going to be a dragon turtle!

[OOC:  As soon as cannon is clear, will leap overboard and turn into dragon turtle.  All are welcome to ride!]
DM
GM, 2481 posts
Omniscient Narrator
Destroyer of Worlds
Tue 18 Nov 2014
at 19:43
  • msg #366

Re: The Game: Chapter 12

In reply to Keef (msg # 365):

Keef wriggles past the cannon and leaps from the ship, transforming into a dragonturtle when he hits the water.

The larger P.A.R.T.Y. members (that would be all of you) cannot fit past the cannon until someone uses a standard action to move it, not that it much matters now.

The pulsing glow of energy surrounding Saul reaches its crescendo, ripping forth from the confines of his body to fill the entire area with an intense glare that assaults yours senses -- accompanied by a roar that drowns out all sense of sound.

A dark, glowing mass can be seen silhouetted against the blistering, sickly light, like the moon during an eclipse, which burns and boils before the High Priest until the massive minotaur resembles nothing so much as a charred onyx statue carved in the likeness of his former self. Tendrils of darkness that look like a pair of draconic wings reach out from the mass and curl around the minotaur like a cocoon, and when they withdraw, there is no sign of the mighty cleric.

In his place, a shadowy being shifts and shimmers in the darkness. Still silhouetted by an impossibly bright light, the black figure lingers for a moment, smiles, and pops out of existence like a candle being blown out by a sharp burst of breath.

The maelstrom of violent energy that expands to fill the void left behind creates an explosion that defies description.

Those closest to the blast -- Zuriel, Finwë, Elite 3, and Baldwin -- find themselves bodily hurled against (and, ultimately, through) Awe's steel-and-timber dome, which is rapidly becoming nothing more than molten slag in response to the acidic, fiery, negative-energy-laced storm that's been unleashed within the confines of the deck.

These four fall into the churning water below, sinking like leaden weights into the frigid river -- which has been swollen by the tidal forces of their Imperial allies outside -- and are lost to sight.

Maeve, Boreas, and Lyriel, who were huddled near the cannon, are likewise affected by the blast, but physics blesses them by smashing them through the cannon's opening and onto the relative safety of an unscathed Keefdragonturtle, which is forced to flee the vicinity of the doomed ship for safety purposes.

~~ End Battle ~~

The aftermath of the battle is a tale quickly told: the Imperial forces sustained terrible losses in and around Awe when then ship exploded liked a meteorite, but the survivors quickly rallied to secure the beachhead and the shipyard. By the end of the day, all known Drynnian forces in Aestrenia were either dead, captured, or limping home on the battered remnants of their naval forces.

A great feast is held in the capital afterward, with medals of honor being awarded to Zuriel, Finwë, Maeve, Keef, and Boreas -- the former two had been found washed up on the riverbank not long after the explosion next to the only surviving member of Saul's elite serpentmen, who is now safely confined to an Imperial prison cell.

The Grand Marshall and the Protector General stood at the forefront of the award ceremony, talking heartily to one another about the prowess each had exhibited on the battlefield. The High Chief of the Order of Hort was also present, participating fully in the glow of victory. Seeing the heads of all three orders of paladins being amicable -- even friendly! -- to each other was enough to give anyone hope for the future.

The tone turned more sombre and respectful shortly thereafter, when medals of honor were also distributed to those who could only receive them posthumously -- hundreds of soldiers, some officers and minor nobles, and one name that everyone knew: Baldwin of Blakehaven. The bard had been found in the shallows near the shipyard, where the river's current had carried him, and the cause of death was widely circulated as being the result of cleric-induced blunt-trauma drowning.

Rachel, Oliver, and Karl were among the survivors, but they sat sullenly at the P.A.R.T.Y.'s table, saying little and eating less. Cassie and Fluffums were on hand as well, though the druid's view on the circle of life made her comments regarding the death of a friend less soothing than she probably intended.

Eventually, the ceremonies came to an end and the populace began to begin the task of cleaning up and moving on with their lives.

In light of the power vacuum facing Drynn, Morachiga Chosen asked for and received leave to begin the work of stabilizing the Dominion under his banner of reformation. By mutual agreement (and by order of the Empress), Lo'driel was formally ceded to the Empire, where it would function under the jurisdiction of the Heartseekers similar to the way Hae'driel functioned under the jurisdiction of the Flamebringers.

Thus it came to pass that the P.A.R.T.Y. (plus Cassie, Rachel, Oliver, Karl, the Marquise, Choso, and Sir Culley) finds itself seated in Tyrant Morachiga Choso's chambers, with emotions running high and many questions left to be answered.

Ding! Boreas, Lyriel, Maeve, Keef, and Zuriel have reached Level 13!  Please update your sheets accordingly.

~~ End Chapter 12~~

quote:
You managed to recover the following items from the captured Serpentsworn Elite:

- Serpentsworn Ranseur (+3 Ranseur. Deals +2d6 to non-evil targets and +2d6 to non-chaotic targets.)
- Belt of Giant Strength (+4 Str)
- Bracers of Draconic Constitution (+4 Con)
- Onyx Key (nonmagical)

In addition, the P.A.R.T.Y. splits $30,000 from Baldwin's estate. Most of the bard's specific items are marked for inclusion in the Trove Museum, except of course for his journals, notes, collection of empowered holy symbols, and the three aural analyzers, which the P.A.R.T.Y. keeps.

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