The Aspect looks confused by all this. Agon gets the immediate sense that the Aspect is under some kind of compulsive power. Agon chooses his words carefully and discreetly includes some channeling of power in his argument that immediately snaps the Aspect's head around.

He looks for a moment enraged, which is a rather terrifying experience at a gut-level. He then grips his hammer and calms down. "That thrice-damned dragon tricked me!" he says. "Impressive. Foolish, but impressive."

He stands straight. "I will tell you what to do. Find out if Amyria has, in fact, been taken by the dragon. If not, you DO need to take her with you  to the Bridge of al-Sihal. You will need to wrest the Creation Spark from Dakranad there. You alone can take it from him as chosen of Bahamut, or all will be lost. None may aid the seven of you."

Several of you know that the Bridge of al-Sihal is up the the path up the highest peak (Chronias, the Radiant Throne).

Sonliin nodded in agreement. "So we shall" he said. "One question, in reference to the prohibition of aid, is that physical or material aid? I was hoping to top off some supplies, like a keg or two of mead while we are here." he asked, glancing towards Harald.

Moradin waves his hand. "You may return when you have completed your task and acquire said things."

Zog nods. "Thank you. We will certainly do so."

He turns to the others. "We have to hurry and fetch Amyria. It worries me that Dakranad was saying he had her--if he's lying, then he's planning something, and if he's not, then we have to move fast."

Agon telepathically informed the others that the Aspect had been placed under mental control. "It takes more than power to compel a good, it takes careful and subtle work."

"I will summon Flying Steeds to take us to the bridge.  We will await the enemy there."

OOC: Phantom Steed: Arcana +48

'Hmm. Well that proves it. It really was a corrupted dragon after all' Martha reflects. 'So many schemes inside schemes inside schemes, it's hard to know who to believe anymore.'

Are there any other preparations you want to make before you fly off to go meet this fell enemy? You can perform rituals or otherwise buff up just before you get there, even while flying on the phantom steeds.

Gromley decides to use the ritual of the masking shroud. The last thing he wants is for the enemy to spy on them the way he spies on the enemy. It's...rude when other people do it.

OOC:
This ritual renders you and up to five allies invisible to all scrying sensors, such as those created by the View Location ritual. Although these sensors cannot perceive you, they can perceive the results of your actions, such as when you or your allies interact with the environment, fight enemies, and so on. Lasts for a day.

Martha casts Cloak of Courage on the party (HS value temp hps). She also gets her Shining Sundial out and ensures that the dial is lit up by the sun's rays.

Darratheir was more than happy to be able to leave this place and Moradin. It might have been corrupted, he was talking way too much and he was constantly calling the group into question. As he had nothing to prepare before the departure, he just moved to the Phantom Steed Agon had invoked for him and he waited the rest of the group.

The party prepares and takes off for the mount. They are met on the way by the angel commander who aided you earlier (see post 347) who asks you for a debrief.

She shares that her legion yet protects Amyria. "My suspicion is that Dakranad is counting on you bringing Amyria to him. This smells of a trap," she says gravely.

Harald patted his horse.  He was not the best at riding but he trusted these flying steeds to get his safely to his destination.

He made sure his axe and equipment was all secure as he joined the others in flight.



"I am sure you are probably right" he answered "but what else can we do.  I think we are out of options now."

"Even if this is a trap, we have already proved we will foil it." top the Dragonborn. "Whatever they send to us, we will send this threat to where it belong."
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:31, Sun 22 Jan 2017.

Zog smiles. "I agree with Harald and Darratheir. We have everything to gain and nothing to lose. The creation spark given to the traitor dragon has to be won back, and I do not doubt that the Aspect of Moradin knows of which he speaks in this matter. Though one or more of us give our lives in the doing, we must do this.

"Please bring Amyria to us."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 22:37, Sun 22 Jan 2017.

Martha is unusually quiet. 'You are right to be concerned, though' she says to the Angel Commander after some time in thought.

'I don't suppose we could bring a magical copy of Amyria with us to the mountaintop rather than the real thing. It only needs to be convincing for long enough for Dakranad to reveal his hand. Do you think some sort of simulacrum would work Agon?'

Agon thinks about it.  The Aspect of Moradin was very specific--you must bring Amyria with you. It's likely that defeating Dakrenad will free the Creation Spark, and that Amyria will need to be there in person to receive it quickly or it will be lost for 100 years. Agon concludes that a simulacrum is not going to work.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:42, Mon 23 Jan 2017.

"Since we are off to deal with Dakrenad, let pool our minds and see what we know about him before we charge off into battle." Sonliin suggests trying to remember what he knows about the creature.

ooc:Arcana? Religion? History? Something else?

Agon shares what he knows about the beast, which is to say, not a lot. He knows it's a huge immortal magical beast, a dragon sub-type. It is reputed to have teleportation powers, a radiant breath weapons and is clearly pretty good at charming in some way.

Agon gets that by taking 10. Stat block is not available to you as Dakranad is a unique creature with little contact outside of the Outer Realms. You need SOME surprises in life :-)

The group fly across amazing, beautiful landscape, up higher and higher on this plane toward the central mountain's top. A simple path winds around the magnificent mountain, climbing ever higher to the shining city surrounding its summit. A golden halo wreathes the city, underscoring its purity and holiness. A shining ornate gate forged from mithral grants access to a white stone bridge that extends from the mountain’s peak into a shimmering curtain of golden light.

The bridge stretches ahead, vanishing into a curtain of golden light. A magnificent figure stands before it—an angel. Its obscured features reveal little of its intent, but the flaming sword it wields suggests only worthy souls can pass. Just as you get your bearings, a dark shadow crosses you, a shadow cast by a fearsome mithral dragon. He lands in front of you.

"Do not trouble yourself, Zachariel. I will prevent these unworthy ones from entering."

The angel barely acknowledges this, stepping back into the fire out of sight.

The dragon is wearing a delicate golden locket. The golden locket shines with power and it appears to contain the creation spark you seek.

"Ah, a pity it has come to this. You all have served marvelously. But you would stop me, and for this sin against me, the next god, you will die. There will be no negotiation. Prepare to serve and then to die."

Combat time! You are placed on the map, please start from these locations. The horses and Amyra are behind you. The dragon, arrogantly enough, is just focused on you. For now.

Roll initaitive! If you beat an initiative of 29, go ahead and post your turn as well. If you roll 29 or below, DO NOT post your turn yet.

PLEASE NOTE THE DRAGON'S AURA.

Map: https://docs.google.com/drawin...Q50-wFOAK6P78Lk/edit




This message was last edited by the GM at 16:49, Thu 26 Jan 2017.

OOC:

17:51, Today: Gromley Underhill rolled 27 using 1d20+22 with rolls of 5.  Reactive stealth done before initiative.
17:50, Today: Gromley Underhill rolled 24 using 1d20+22 with rolls of 2.  Initiative.

‘The next god! The world has more than enough dragon gods already, you bloody psychopath. There is no way this is going to pass. You will be banished into the ether where you belong, you arrogant lizard!’

Martha lets out all the rage she’s held inside for Tiamat, and releases it against Dakranad. Unsurprisingly, things go a little bit wrong and she has trouble keeping focus, but there is no doubting her sincerity.

The first to rush forward, she unleashes radiant hell against the dragon, continuing a stream of insults and shouting and radiant pain – never letting up. Canny with dragons, Martha uses her deep knowledge of Tiamat to alter the sequence of missile attacks so that some of them come up as acidic instead of radiant, designed to bypass Dakranad’s draconic resistances.

The sundial she has been polishing reflects the beams of her onslaught, and empowers everyone, friend and foe alike.

In the madness of the moment Martha mixes up Tiamat and Dakranad – her great draconic enemies. In the throes of revenge she is lacerated by the power of her own radiant magic. Her robe splits and huge draconic wings emerge from her back, flex, and extend. She is too angry to notice that she is in danger of becoming the one thing she has vowed to destroy. Her mother!

Rolled terribly and used 2 bennies. If everything hit then:
42 radiant dmg & 43 acid dmg & immobilised eont to Dakranad, & he can’t hide/conceal, & takes 2d10 dmg whenever he attacks
Martha gains draconic wings that grant fly (5) hover eoe
All creatures gain +1 atk & +3 dmg eont

23:21, Today: Martha rolled 43 using 1d20+27 with rolls of 16.  Initiative.

Move 6 forward
Oath of Enmity vs Dakranad
Draconic Anathema vs Dakranad (using Guidance of the Past) 38 vs will using a bennie, if miss use a second. Hopefully hit, 42 radiant dmg & immobilised eont, use Falchion daily: eont, Dakranad takes 2d10 dmg whenever it attacks. Dakranad can’t hide/conceal and +1 to Martha on rad atks eont.  [21 dmg if missed]
Radiant Sundial: all creatures within 10 gain +1 dmg & +3 dmg rolls
Immortal Curse vs Dakranad
AP!
Daily: Fire with Fire (+1/+3) Ghost of the Past, 39 vs reflex using a bennie, if miss use a second. Hopefully hit, 43 acid (!) dmg & Martha gains draconic wings that grant fly (5) hover eoe.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
23:28, Today: Martha rolled 36,32,24,32 using d20+26,d20+26,2d10+13,2d10+13 with rolls of 10,6,2,9,10,9.  Draconic Anathema vs Dakranad (using Ghost of the Past).
23:30, Today: Martha rolled 38 using 1d20+26 with rolls of 12.  Use a bennie on attack.
23:38, Today: Martha rolled 4,10 using d10,d10 with rolls of 4,10.  Draconic Anathema error in damg.
[made 2nd error by trying to use Call of the Hungry Ghosts, but had already used that daily so discounted]
23:42, Today: Martha rolled 29,36,43,36 using d20+27,d20+27,3d10+14,3d10+14 with rolls of 2,9,9,10,10,6,10,6.  [fixing error] Fire with Fire.
23:42, Today: Martha rolled 39 using 1d20+27 with rolls of 12.  Bennie if necessary.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 00:12, Thu 26 Jan 2017.

Martha had the right of it.  Dakranad's ambition would be his own undoing. "You crown yourself too soon, wyrm."  Agon said, preparing his deadliest spells.

OOC: Init +26

Not quite.
22:06, Today: Zog the Faceless rolled 21 using 1d20+17 with rolls of 4.  Initiative.

Agon heard Harald's cry, and the impetus was enough to finish his spell. Immense hands of force appeared and seized Dakranad by the wings, wrenching and tearing at the dragon.

[NA] Switch Initiative with Harald. I go at 30 now
[NA] Sage of Ages: 13

[Standard] Bigby's Grasping Hands vs Dakranad
Hand 1: Attack +49 vs Ref CRIT! 47+15= 62 damage and Grabbed
Hand 2: Attack +42 vs Ref (SoA swap), 41 damage and Grabbed
[Minor] Sustain Hands

22:14, Wed 25 Jan: Agon rolled 15 using 5d6 with rolls of 5,2,1,1,6.  crit damage.
22:14, Wed 25 Jan: Agon rolled 38 using 2d10+24 with rolls of 6,8.  hand damage.
22:12, Wed 25 Jan: Agon rolled 38 using 1d20+29 with rolls of 9.  Bigby's Hand 2.
22:12, Wed 25 Jan: Agon rolled 49 using 1d20+29 with rolls of 20.  Bigby's Hand 1.
22:11, Wed 25 Jan: Agon rolled 13 using 1d20 with rolls of 13.  sage of ages.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:32, Fri 27 Jan 2017.

"You give Dragon's a bad name there Dakranad!"  Sonliin hollered as the winds started to increase as bolts of lighting with echoing thunder erupted around him. "Come here so I can give you my personal attention!" he added as Dakranad was dragged across the bridge to the Paladin and his awaiting warhammer.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)

OOC:Init 32
Minor:Promise of Storm
Move: to new location.
Standard:Champions call (moving the Dragon to in front of Sonliin) Use a Benny and Crit for 45 thunder + 15 radiant.
21:35, Today: Sonliin rolled 32 using 1d20+13 with rolls of 19.  Init.

---

This message was last edited by the GM at 13:22, Fri 27 Jan 2017.