"Ah must admit Ah'm no' the best when it comes tae researchy things" grumped Harald.  "But Ah'm happy enough tae gang wi' ye all.  Worst comes tae worst, Ah'll stand in front of ye whilst ye dae the necessary bookwork."

"'Tis me trade after a'" he added brightly.

Sonliin cocked an eyebrow, curious at the notion that Ioun was what they needed. As he entered The Great and Terrible Bone Witches abode, he greeted the others that were assembled, more so at the appearance of Amyria and the tale of the bone arrow.

Listening to her story and the description of the projectile, he thought back in his memory as to what it could be, and if it might work on the Dragon Queen.

"I will not have a problem with taking the group to Hestavar in order to seek her aid. It will require a place that I can perform the ritual along with the required components to create the portal. We can leave as soon as everyone is ready. You will need to stick together, the portal will likely be open for a short time." he said

---

12:39, Today: Sonliin rolled 35 using 1d20+24 with rolls of 11.  History +24.
12:39, Today: Sonliin rolled 40 using 1d20+24 with rolls of 16.  Bone arrow? Religion +24.
12:38, Today: Sonliin rolled 30 using 1d20+24 with rolls of 6.  Bone arrow? Arcana +24.

Both Agon and Sonliin are unaware of this artifact, a fact that surprises both men.

Amyria smiles sadly at Martha but says nothing in response.

The Great and Terrible Bone Witch nods. "Good. I am going to go somewhere else--I am going to head to the Astral Sea to find an ancient Githzerai wizard who may be able to help us as well. And be wary: agents of Tiamat may very well have suspicions about our actions and may try to stop you."

She shows Sonliin a nearby room where he can perform his ritual.

She adds, "I will also be sending one other to help you, as a sort of reinforcement. His name is Darratheir. He will come to you with the code phrase of "Hope flies like a bone arrow."" She grins a terrible goblin grin.

Like Sonliin, if you want to make skill checks to prepare for the trip, feel free.

Sonliin, go ahead and make an Arcana check for the ritual; give yourself an automatic +4 to the roll for assistance from Agon and Zog.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:24, Thu 04 Feb 2016.

Once everyone was assembled to make the journey, Sonlinn, Zog and Agon completed the ritual to open the portal to Hestavar. The fabric of space was torn asunder, to allow them to make the trip. Seeing how the portal opened so readily, Sonliin smiled "I believe we are expected." he said.

---

OOC:
14:55, Today: Sonliin rolled 49 using 1d20+32 with rolls of 17.  Ritual +24 arcana, +4 (assist), +4 for Planeshifter.

It will be open for 5 rounds

'Extraordinary' says Martha in wonder at the portal. 'I've never seen that done so fast. You have quite the talent, young man.'

'If you don't mind, I'll allow one of you brave men to go first, and I'll enter in the middle of the group.' She rubs her hands in anticipation, quite thrilled at how this adventure is turning out.

Harald hefted his shield and his axe.

"It's usually me what does the 'stickin' heid in bear trap' bit.  So Ah might as well carry on as usual."

Without the least sign of hesitation he stepped forwards into the portal.

Zog eyes Martha carefully and smirks. "I will be watching you. Do not make me doubt your willingness to aid Bahamut, or you will pay." Though he is smiling slightly, his words are cold as ice.



Zog nods. "I agree. We will be happy to go."



Zog rolls his eyes. "She's an IMMORTAL. She's unaffected by time."



Zog chuckles. "It is a rare privilege for me to have someone walk into a trap first. Agon, shall we?" He follows Harald into the portal...

Agon nodded to the Great and Terrible Bone Witch. "Stay safe. I predict agents of Tiamat will try to capitalize on this victory." He walked confidently through the portal, ready to face another world.

As the others started to cross over to Hestavar, Sonliin pulled out a worn wooden die from his backpack using the disembodied hand. Flipping it up in the air, the die came to earth where the hand picked it up and placed it back in the backpack. Before entering the portal, he looked around to make sure that there was no one that did not need to cross to the Bright City and was the last to step in, closing the barrier behind him.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:25, Sun 08 May 2016.

Martha smiles sadly at Zog's aggressive response to her apology, but holds her tongue. He's young, she thinks. She's been there too; holding onto certainty and clear notions of black and white and gods, like it was the most important thing in the world. Hopefully Zog would not be hurt as she had been.  She resolves to take particular care of this vulnerable young man.

Martha will knit something for Zog. Not sure what yet. Scarf? She will procure something in Hestavar. And learn how to nit.

She strides confidently through the portal behind Zog, her mind on other things, taking absolutely no precautions whatsoever.

Gromley let others go ahead first, listening with his ability to detect thoughts for screams of pain or alarm. Once the other side of the portal is deemed safe, his floating disk heads through the portal while he adjusts his pillows to get comfortable.

The heroes are deposited upon a pristine white sand bank that winds its way through a peaceful lagoon sparkling in the sunlight. Beyond the beach are open, airy buildings carved from white marble and roofed with gold. Elegant ships ply the lagoon and glide through the sky, darting about within the cloud of earthmotes that rises ever higher. Manicured cobblestone streets and breathtaking buildings of every imaginable architectural style crown these floating neighborhoods. Hestavar, the Bright City, lies before them.

The sun-warmed sand winds toward the city ahead, the way sprinkled with rocky outcroppings and small pools. Tiny waves lap at the edges of the bar, contributing to the peaceful, calming ambiance.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, another rip in reality appears, and a trio of massive red dragons appear and start flying at the party!

Note that there is no map for this encounter. Think in terms of narrative or skills to resolve this. The dragons are currently 500' feet away. Describe how your character reacts to this situation. Keep in mind that you are on an outer plane with a strong Good alignment--a very friendly environment from your perspective.

Zog's eyes go wide. "Was not expecting that here. Perhaps I'm too credulous. Agon, back me up, here."

He starts flying in mid-air, the air swirling around him. He suddenly changes visage into the appearance of an angelic being.

"HERE ME, DRAGONS. STOP AND DECLARE YOURSELF, LEST ALL THE FORCES OF HESTAVAR DESCEND UPON YOU!"

Zog's voice is magically enhanced for volume and effect.

Using Bluff (41), Intimidate (44) and Arcana  (32) in a mash-up. Two bennies to get decent rolls in my good skills.
14:23, Today: Zog the Faceless rolled 44 using 1d20+25 with rolls of 19.  re-rolling until 10 or better.
14:23, Today: Zog the Faceless rolled 41,31 using 1d20+22,1d20+25 with rolls of 19,6.  Bennies on 26, 29.
14:23, Today: Zog the Faceless rolled 26,29,32 using 1d20+22,1d20+25,1d20+19 with rolls of 4,4,13.  Bluff, Intimidate, Arcana.

Gromley's sense of priority kicks in...and the gnome on the disk proceeds to vanish from sight. As it normally did...

OOC-
20:09, Today: Gromley Underhill rolled 32 using 1d20+21 with rolls of 11.  Reactive stealth.

Harald just shrugged.  "What else did ye expect folks?  A rabid bunch of vegetarian, hippie pixies?"

He strode out in front of the others and stood, axe on hip and just waited for the shit to hit the fan.

Agon nodded and also took to the air after Zog. The presence of evil dragons on a plane of Good stung his pride. He spoke into their minds, in perfect draconic. Hello. Just wanted to let you know: we can fly, we can speak into your minds, and well, curiosity has some dangerous consequences. Land, and we can talk this out like civilized beings"

OOC: I can fly, with a spell. Not many options if we don't have an extended rest, but I have telepathy with an item.

Seeing the intruders in the home of his deity, Sonliin started sounding the alarm, banging on his shield with his hammer and calling out in the language of the plane. "Ad Arma! Draco Conflagratio Horriblis!" he called out in a booming voice.

Martha's limbs turn cold as she sees the dragons descend on them. 'Spawn of Tiamat; these dragons do not belong in this place', she says. 'Be careful Zog. I have your back.'

Martha draws on her own divine power to envelop Zog in a radiant shield, one specifically designed to protect against dragons. Zog is bathed in light, enhancing his angelic appearance. 'The shield will not hold long Zog', she warns. 'It will merely slow them down if they mean to attack'

15:59, Today: Martha rolled 40 using 1d20+21 with rolls of 19. Martha Religion check, dragon ward of light around Zog. Hoping to protect Zog and also enchance his angelic aura (intimidate and bluff check).

"Hang on a wee minute there" called Harald.  "How did they big buggers manage tae get here?  Dae ye no' hae some kinda magical defences against this kind o' thing, Sonny lad?"

The dwarf used his keen eyesight to examine the rapidly approaching dragons.  He was not entirely sure whether he should be preparing to fight them or not but something did feel a little strange.


23:56, Today: Harald Gaptooth rolled 25 using 1d20+17 with rolls of 8.  Insight check.
23:58, Today: Harald Gaptooth rolled 47 using 1d20+27 with rolls of 20.  Perception check.

Sonliin watched the swooping forms as they got closer trying to make sure that they were what he had fought before...

---

23:18, Today: Sonliin rolled 38 using 1d20+24 with rolls of 14.  Knowledge Arcana.

Dragons were naturally prideful, red dragons the most of all. They had on the one hand a duty to destroy such minions of evil, but on the other hand, with Tiamat ascendant they were all hunted fugitives now.

Agon waited to see what the dragons would do.

OOC: Arcana +50

Harald points out the vector of the incoming dragons’ attack to Zog and Agon. With Martha and Agon’s help, Zog suddenly presents himself as a rather formidable foe, winds swirling around him, a cascade of the light of Hestavar surging around him and arcane power rocketing around him in quite a display. This sight, plus the telepathic voice in their heads suddenly ringing, causes the dragons to pause in air for a long minute.

Then, out of nowhere, a dragonborn appears, flying in the air apparently of his own power. His appearance creates a loud CRACK that resonates thoughout the plane, and seems to magnify Sonliin’s echoing call for assistance. Within seconds, at least a hundred angelic beings materialized, teleported by some greater power in the city, and restrain the dragons, which fight like mad.
Meanwhile, the dragonborn flies up to your group…


Darratheir, introduce your character!

Appearing from nowhere, the Dragonborn was displaying wings made of light. He passed by the red dragons, ignoring them and heading directly toward the remote group of adventurers. If he wasn't covered in green scales, it would have been impossible to say it was a Dragonborn from this far as he was wearing a massive animal skin covering him completely, including his head and most of his body.

When he started to be closer, you could see it was a bear skin that was covered with large scalds running from the head to the legs but the wearers face was invisible, hidden under the hide. Without revealing himself, he finally landed right in front of the group as the wings disappeared and he moved toward the Dwarf.

"You should be Harald Gaptooth." he said laconically. "Your wizard friend, the great Elminster sent me before you and your allies to save you from this ambush. And I am glad to see I arrived in time."

Stepping back to see the group as a whole, he continued his introduction. "I am Darratheir Burnedbear, slayer of Baelamohn, the Lord of the Black Flame who served Tiamat." He then bowed before the other and waited for Harald to react. Despite the skin covering him, you could see he was tall and bulky. There was also what looked like a massive Fullblade in his back, going over the hide that was partially hiding it.

Zog allows the swirling winds to end as he gently lands. He walks over to Martha, extending his hand.

"That was impressive. Thank you for your help. I apologize for my words earlier--I fear your words may have hit a chord with me. I am not in the habit of alienating those who seek to be my ally so quickly. Forgive me."

"Aye!  That's right enough, sonny, Ah'm Harald Gaptooth.  But tae be completely honest Ah wiz kinda lookin' forward tae a wee bit stooshie wi' they dragons."

He smiled, gaptoothedly and held out a gnarled hand.

"But never mind.  Ony friend o' Elminster is a friend o' mine.  Pleased tae meet ye."