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09:24, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Chapter 20: The Fane of Tiamat

Posted by DM PawnFor group archive 0
Sarah
player, 965 posts
Thief
AC: 4 | HP: 21/21
Wed 16 Jun 2021
at 12:51
  • msg #773

Re: Chapter 20: The Fane of Tiamat - Upper Fane

Sarah nods.

She figures it unlikely that a dragon could sneak up on her -- but one could be lying in there unconscious.  That blue dragon hasn't been accounted for yet, after all.

Plus, the ground itself may not be unstable and dangerous.

Carefully, she ventures forth . . .
This message was last edited by the player at 12:52, Wed 16 June 2021.
Vaxfar
player, 183 posts
AC: 2 | HP: 37/37
Wed 16 Jun 2021
at 13:09
  • msg #774

Re: Chapter 20: The Fane of Tiamat - Upper Fane

Vaxfar looks at Sarah, "Rather go in invisible?" If she is, Vax will cast it on  her.
Sarah
player, 966 posts
Thief
AC: 4 | HP: 21/21
Wed 16 Jun 2021
at 13:12
  • msg #775

Re: Chapter 20: The Fane of Tiamat - Upper Fane

Vaxfar:
Vaxfar looks at Sarah, "Rather go in invisible?" If she is, Vax will cast it on  her.


Sarah considers, but doesn't take long.

"Thanks, but I don't think it's necessary.  The hazards aren't likely to be things creatures that can see, so better to save that, I think.  Thanks, though."

[Private to DM Pawn: But going in, Sarah will stick to the shadows and move as quietly as she can.]
Eoni Daflin
player, 1233 posts
Sister of Avandra
Dame of Brindol
Wed 16 Jun 2021
at 20:44
  • msg #776

Re: Chapter 20: The Fane of Tiamat - Upper Fane

"It would also be nice if we could see her progress," Dame Daflin pointed out.  "If she fell off while climbing, we'd wouldn't be able to go help."
DM Pawn
GM, 1556 posts
Wed 16 Jun 2021
at 22:46
  • msg #777

Re: Chapter 20: The Fane of Tiamat - Upper Fane

Sarah easily scales up the side of the mountain and comes level with the partially collapsed cave mouth. Sarah does not see or hear any activity within the cave. While several large stones have fallen down and partially obstructed the entrance, there is plenty of space for her to maneuver around the obstacles to gain access to the cave. Presumably, she does so.

Pushing beyond the collapsed entrance, Sarah sees similar destruction inside. Moreover, she notices the blue dragon crushed beneath a large slab of stone, apparently slain by the crushing blow. Sarah can see the dragon's head, its eyes open and glassy, one of its hind legs, and part of a wing. The rest of the dragon is crushed beneath stone.

Within the pockets of cave that have not collapsed, treasure is scattered here or there, its guardian seemingly unable to mount any resistance.
Sarah
player, 967 posts
Thief
AC: 4 | HP: 21/21
Thu 17 Jun 2021
at 00:49
  • msg #778

Re: Chapter 20: The Fane of Tiamat - Upper Fane

With the fate of the blue dragon now known, Sarah breathes a sigh of relief.

She looks for viable places to tie a rope, then climbs back down to report what she has seen.
Elam
player, 163 posts
Albino Warlock
AC: 7 | HP: 20/20
Thu 17 Jun 2021
at 15:07
  • msg #779

Re: Chapter 20: The Fane of Tiamat - Upper Fane

“Good work everyone,”Elam says when he hears Sarah’s report. “I guess we can head up to loot the dragon’s treasure! I will try to see if there anything magical we can use.”
Vaxfar
player, 184 posts
AC: 2 | HP: 13/37
Fri 18 Jun 2021
at 18:15
  • msg #780

Re: Chapter 20: The Fane of Tiamat - Upper Fane

Vaxfar nods, "Let's be quiet, careful, get what we can, and get the hell out of here".




Vax will also cast a detect magic to help looks for the bestest treasure :-). With Kul dead, I assume we are tying up loose ends.  I would enjoy a final XP, treasure count as there is always hope the GM will some day get a hankering to bring back these heroes for another one off adventure, in the distance future of course.
DM Pawn
GM, 1558 posts
Fri 18 Jun 2021
at 23:17
  • msg #781

Re: Chapter 20: The Fane of Tiamat - Upper Fane

After Sarah reports what she has found, the party gets to work on extracting treasure from the partially collapsed lair of the blue dragon. They work methodically and with great efficiency and are able to retrieve a considerable hoard from the cave, which they haul away in waves, back to the shelter of a large rock outcropping on the other side of the natural bridge. The process takes several hours, presumably with members taking turns on watch to ensure no enemies sneak up on them, unaware. Fortunately, they encounter no resistance and are able to go about the task in peace.

The hoard ends up being a dizzying array of treasure which includes:

A wooden trunk, rubbed with a dark green stain and bound in brass. It has a
good quality brass lock [Good lock; trunk, 84 gp].

Inside the trunk,  a green cloak [1 gp] is tucked in around the other contents. Under the cloak is a set of green full plate armor of a size to fit a person about half the height of most human warriors. The armor is made of individual pieces of green material fastened together, most of which have the rounded look of scales [green dragonhide armor, small size, made for a dwarf, gnome, or halfling; 1,300 gp].

Below the armor is a short sword in a green leather sheath. The sword has a bright green
gem [emerald] in the pommel, and the hilt is wrapped in silver wire over green leather. The
blade itself is dark gray and unadorned [adamantine; short sword 4,010 gp]. Lying next to the sword is a matching dagger, though its blade is a lighter steel gray [masterwork dagger with emerald; 1,107 gp].

Next in the chest is a green leather saddle, sized  to fit even a pony [30 gp] with matching saddlebags [5 gp]. One saddlebag holds two unlabeled vials [antitoxin; 50 gp each]. The other contains a green pouch [1 gp] of coins [70 gp, 95 sp, 86 cp], three gems of various
shades of green [malachite, 10 gp; peridot, 50 gp; jade, 100 gp] and a tiny green wool bag [2 gp].

Inside the small bag is a silver ring sized to fit a small finger. On it gleams a large, brilliant green stone [emerald], cut square [3,250 gp]. [Total Value: 10,130.36 gp]

In addition to the chest, the party retrieves:

+2 two handed sword
belt of giant strength
cloak of protection +2
boots of traveling and springing
wand of fireballs (13 charges)
9,700 sp in loose coins
4,570 gp in loose coins
180 pp in loose coins
gold statuette of Corellon (1,600 gp)
3 matched emeralds in a fine wood case (Total value: 2,100 gp)
8 lesser quality gemstones in a small wool pouch (Total Value: 40 gp)

Hauling all this stuff back to the pack animals and onward through the Wyrmsmokes all the way back to Drellin's Ferry will be quite the journey, but not quite as impressive as their foray into (and more importantly, out of) the the Hell of the Fane of Tiamat.

[Private to GM: 25,925 XP]
Eoni Daflin
player, 1235 posts
Sister of Avandra
Dame of Brindol
Sat 19 Jun 2021
at 00:27
  • msg #782

Re: Chapter 20: The Fane of Tiamat - Upper Fane

"Let's leave the contents of the chest alone," Dame Daflin said.  "It seems to be a complete set of someone's and I'm curious to know who they were.  It may be possible to track down the house it's from.

"As to the rest, as Ovo has the axe, Vaxfar might try out the two handed sword.  The belt for Ovo and the wand for Elam.  That leaves the cloak and boots for Sarah and Grub to divide.

"We'll split the coin evenly.  Grub,"
she asked, turning to the man, "do you know if Laurenbeth, Rogar, or Lakshmi had family?  I'd like to give them their shares."

She had no idea if Dergen had family.  Perhaps someone in Drellin's Ferry might know.
Sarah
player, 968 posts
Thief
AC: 4 | HP: 21/21
Sat 19 Jun 2021
at 01:48
  • msg #783

Re: Chapter 20: The Fane of Tiamat - Upper Fane

"I'm not sure what the cloak I randomly grabbed does exactly; I feel better wearing it but that's all I've been able to figure out.  I don't know if I want it, and I certainly can't wear it and a cloak of protection at the same time."


OOC: So, can someone tell me what it is? :)
Sarah
player, 970 posts
Thief
AC: 4 | HP: 21/21
Sat 19 Jun 2021
at 02:39
  • msg #784

Re: Chapter 20: The Fane of Tiamat - Upper Fane

"I don't think I can get much use out of the cloak I found in the chests earlier.  It seems like something better suited for you, Eoni.

And as for the boots or the cloak of protection: I am not sure I would get much use out of the boots.  I'm inclined to prefer the cloak."

Eoni Daflin
player, 1238 posts
Sister of Avandra
Dame of Brindol
Sat 19 Jun 2021
at 04:20
  • msg #785

Re: Chapter 20: The Fane of Tiamat - Upper Fane

"My cloak did burn up during our fight in the mountain," Dame Daflin admitted, admiring the workmanship of the cloak the young woman offered.  "I can try it out to see how well it suits me.

"It reminds me of something Aldara would wear."

Sarah
player, 971 posts
Thief
AC: 4 | HP: 21/21
Sat 19 Jun 2021
at 23:24
  • msg #786

Re: Chapter 20: The Fane of Tiamat - Upper Fane

"I think I would get more use out of the protective cloak."

Sarah looks down, then back up and confesses: "Truthfully, if I were to have magical boots, I'd wish for something different."
Eoni Daflin
player, 1240 posts
Sister of Avandra
Dame of Brindol
Sat 19 Jun 2021
at 23:56
  • msg #787

Re: Chapter 20: The Fane of Tiamat - Upper Fane

"How are the boots for you?" Dame Daflin asked of their remaining mercenary.
Grub
NPC, 30 posts
AC: 7 | HP: 14/14
Sun 20 Jun 2021
at 01:42
  • msg #788

Re: Chapter 20: The Fane of Tiamat - Upper Fane

Grub visually assesses the boots and then picks them up to examine them a bit more closely. He turns them over, examines the soles, apparently likes what he sees judging by his low whistle, and comments, "I fancy them, if nobody else has an eye on them, will gladly take them. My old boots have seen better days."

A quick look at the man's feet reveals this is quite true.

"Not that Murph would know anything about it, would you?" and he shoots the brown dog a reproachful glare. She ignores him and continues to chew on a length of rawhide she has been working at for a while.
This message was last updated by the player at 00:29, Tue 22 June 2021.
Ovo Goldenshield
player, 227 posts
Axe For Hire 7
AC 3 (1) HP 47/47
Wed 23 Jun 2021
at 00:03
  • msg #789

Re: Chapter 20: The Fane of Tiamat - Upper Fane

Ovo closely examines the magic belt with great reverence and eventually states his fondness for the item. "I'll gladly wear and do great deeds by it," he solemnly states while trying it on for size.

Being a magical item, the belt adjusts to its wearer's dimensions and fits quite well.

Ovo beams, "Aye. This'll do quite well!"

That detail taken care of, Ovo turns his attention to allocating the treasure among the party's pack animals and ensures the load is distributed evenly.

"We've a long walk back to Drellin's Ferry," he comments while asking for assistance securing a chest to one of the stronger mules.
Eoni Daflin
player, 1241 posts
Sister of Avandra
Dame of Brindol
Wed 23 Jun 2021
at 00:12
  • msg #790

Re: Chapter 20: The Fane of Tiamat - Upper Fane

"The sooner we start, the sooner we get there," Dame Daflin said, moving to help Ovo with the chest.

They weren't out of the woods, yet, but unless another dragon showed up, they were in good shape.
Vaxfar
player, 185 posts
AC: 2 | HP: 13/37
Wed 23 Jun 2021
at 00:40
  • msg #791

Re: Chapter 20: The Fane of Tiamat - Upper Fane

Vaxfar takes the large sword, and holds it out, first with one hand, and it slowly drags his arm to the ground.  Frowning, with two hands, he steadies it.  Moves it around, slowly, and sloppily.

"Hmmmm.  It will take years to learn to wield this thing properly.  And time I have" he smiles.

"Let's go....Eoni, I recall Dergan was from far over the sea, no family nearby but he did mention a place in Dennovar, I think a kind of orphanage for the street kids that worked around the docks,  we could give them a donation in his name, I think he'd like that".
DM Pawn
GM, 1563 posts
Wed 23 Jun 2021
at 00:58
  • msg #792

Re: Chapter 20: The Fane of Tiamat - Upper Fane

The adventurers turn their attention to packing out for their return trip to the settled lands of Elsir Vale and have their gear sorted in short order. It took seven days to reach the Fane of Tiamat from Drellin's Ferry and it will likely take a bit longer, owing to the increased load of the blue dragon's treasure. The company accounted for this possibility and traveled as lightly as possible, even down to only packing enough rations as necessary to make the trip with no delay. Of course, there were four more mouths to feed on the way here than there will be on the way back, but still not a lot of extra food for side treks and false starts.

Fortunately, the trip through the slot canyons to the Wyrmwash is uneventful. Traveling along the Wyrmwash likewise proves anything but memorable. There is no evidence of hobgoblin patrols or any other activity, save for occasional buzzard sightings in the distance, these circling over some unfortunate creature near the end of its life.

The drudgery of travel allows each of the adventurers to contemplate all they have seen and done these past few days, perhaps even over the course of their adventuring careers. Moreover, thoughts perhaps turn to the future, or maybe some are content to simply focus on the present, and getting home, wherever that may be.

In any event, the company eventually emerges from the Wyrmwash and begins their eastward trek along a dusty trail on the northern periphery of the Thornwaste, an inhospitable land of broken hills, briar-choked ravines, and dry, dusty scrubland.

One night, while encamped along this trail, the company hears a great number of unknown beasts howling and yapping in the distance, but not that distant. The party sets to defensive positions, expecting trouble, but none comes. The howls and yaps grow more and more distant and eventually are heard no more. Whatever their source, they either want no part of a well-armed and alert adventuring party or they were unaware of their presence.

The next morning, the party sets out again, on yet another mind-numbing day of sweltering, dusty travel through largely forgotten land.

As the party pushes eastward, the landscape becomes greener and off in the distance they begin to see outlying farms and ranches, and beyond, Drellin's Ferry.

Civilization!
Sarah
player, 973 posts
Thief
AC: 4 | HP: 21/21
Wed 23 Jun 2021
at 13:03
  • msg #793

Re: Chapter 20: The Fane of Tiamat - Upper Fane

Sarah lets out a deep sigh, as if she'd been holding her breath the whole trip from the Fane.

"Glad to see the town, but I'm not looking forward to listening to Lord Guidry -- who, no doubt, will conveniently forget his opposition to this effort and claim credit for the brilliant idea of asking us to go to the Fane."
Eoni Daflin
player, 1242 posts
Sister of Avandra
Dame of Brindol
Wed 23 Jun 2021
at 16:53
  • msg #794

Re: Chapter 20: The Fane of Tiamat - Upper Fane

"I'm just looking forward to a bath and a bed," Dame Daflin admitted.  Though their first priority would be to secure the treasure they'd brought back.  There was just too much to hide from prying eyes.
Ovo Goldenshield
player, 228 posts
Axe For Hire 7
AC 3 (1) HP 47/47
Wed 23 Jun 2021
at 23:20
  • msg #795

Re: Chapter 20: The Fane of Tiamat - Upper Fane

"Aye, a bath and bed, and maybe tall tankard of ale!" Ovo puts in. "To start," he adds wit a twinkle in his eyes.

With that, he urges the pony he had been leading to move along with a bit more pep in her step.
Vaxfar
player, 186 posts
AC: 2 | HP: 13/37
Thu 24 Jun 2021
at 00:40
  • msg #796

Re: Chapter 20: The Fane of Tiamat - Upper Fane

As the days passed, Vaxfar was healed of wounds, and burns, and soreness, and stiffness.  Each evening, he practiced for a period with the strange two handed weapon, and each day, it looked more natural in his grip and motions.  He spent more time looking at the sky, giving small treats to the brave mules, even scratching the dogs ears.  Some darkness seemed to have lifted from the grim elf. j
DM Pawn
GM, 1564 posts
Mon 28 Jun 2021
at 01:04
  • msg #797

Re: Chapter 20: The Fane of Tiamat - Upper Fane

The company's return to Drellin's Ferry turns out, at least initially, to be free of much of the fanfare that immediately followed the Battle of Brindol, three years prior. Of course, the situation was a bit different. Brindol's citizens had a front row seat to Wyrmlord Kul's siege and saw the adventurers' exploits first-hand. The Fane of Tiamat was far away from Elsir Vale's settled lands and even farther out of mind.

The party elected to avoid the scrutiny of the larger and busier Old Skull Inn in favor of the smaller Green Apple. Carrying as much treasure as they were, this was likely a smart decision, Sarah would have concluded based on her understanding of the Old Skull's nosy halfling proprietor, Kellin Shadowbanks.

The Green Apple is a cheerful taphouse and inn frequented primarily by locals. Its proprietress, a stout dwarf by the name Tharrma, is a good friend of Valthur, and known for being discrete. The part secures accommodations at the Green Apple and spends the next several days resting and recuperating.

It turns out Lord Morton Guidry has already left for Brindol well before the adventurers returned to Drellin's Ferry, so there are no awkward meetings there. At some point, Town Speaker Norro Wiston and Captain Soranna Anitah meet with the adventurers, and both seem content to allow the adventurers as much privacy as they would like.

Of course, everyone in town is aware of what the adventurers set out to do, and in the following days, the adventurers are pressed for details on what they saw at the Fane of Tiamat. The people of Drellin's Ferry remember full well the devastation wrought by the Red Hand, so any assurance the adventurers provide that the threat has been vanquished is met with great relief.

News of the adventurers’ exploits then spreads from town to town as the Tale of Wyrmlord Kul’s Doom makes its way to inns, taphouses, and taverns all along the Dawn Way. The tale grows more fantastical with each retelling, every traveling bard, minstrel, and storyteller offering a subtle variation on the same theme--heroic adventurers overcoming overwhelming odds, delivering the killing blow against Wyrmlord Kul, and foiling his designs in unleashing a tyrannical goddess onto the world.

This, their latest exploit, would undoubtedly go on to bolster their renown across the Elsir Vale, and even into lands well beyond the far-flung frontier. But for most, it would almost assuredly not be their last adventure. But, having slain Azarr Kul and caused his stronghold to implode in the process, the adventurers have decapitated the Red Hand horde, once and for all. Their charismatic leader gone, the remaining goblinoid tribes of the Wyrmsmoke Mountains scatter back into the wilds and are hunted down over the next few months.

Days becomes weeks. Weeks become months and, eventually, months become years as the roll of time unfurls with new tales added to the adventurers’ exploits. While each tale seems to be more fantastic than the next, the truth of what happened within the Fane of Tiamat is often just as fantastical as the half-truths and outright falsehoods. Of course, the only ones who know what really happened in the Fane of Tiamat are Dame Eoni Daflin, Elam N'Tari, Grub, Ovo Goldenshield, Sarah, and Vaxfar Leaf.

Long may tales of their mighty deeds spread across the lands!
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