You go silent for a time, as she carries you closer to the city. You entertain faint thoughts of feigning an accidental fall, and 'forced' reveal of yourself as a Red. A stunning revalation, but you still polite as ever, and earnestly hoping that this won't color relations between her and you... Hmph. Perhaps if her brother wasn't in town, maybe. Too risky.

Another mile breezes by, and she begins to descend, almost enough to make you shout.

“Cygnis? Height?” you call, a tad unsteadily. You swear you can see her claws brushing the jungle canopy as you fly along. Then again, her flight is much more stable than yours, if less powerful.

“Coming in low. Don't want to get spotted.” she explains. Reasonable enough.

“Are you going to put us down outside the city to walk in, or do you have some means of hiding yourself? Because if that's the case, why not ascend, make yourself invisible, and dive?” you shout, wondering what she intends.

“Outside the city. There,-” she says, as the canopy disappears beneath you. Replaced by a boulevard of broken columns, flanked on either side by the vegitation-covered walls of larger buildings. Cygnis descends even further, and you find yourself flanked on either side by the building walls. “- we're hidden from view. Normally I do as you suggest, but I'd prefer to save such tools, in case it becomes necessary later today.” she explains. Just over a minute of continued very-low-altitude flying brings you to the end of the ruined thoroughfare, and Cygnis lands, almost knocking you off in the deceleration. You're forced to cling to her neck to prevent it.

“Sorry.” you both offer at the same time, her for the jarring landing, and you for attempting to throttle her to keep your seat. Cygnariassis laughs softly, and her 'whiskers' twist and churn. She extends a leg, which you use to dismount, before she polymorphs herself into 'Cygnis'.

You proceed into Freeport together, her leading the way. You get the feeling that she doesn't do this too often, but has a plan; as she leads you in, she not only manages to lead you through Drake's End without confrontation, but you shortly find yourself back in the Old City, and without passing through any of the old city wall's gates.

“Azdukashen is searching for the crystal you mentioned in the Sealord's house. Ideally he'll be able to find it, and that will prevent the cult from doing anything, but he isn't optimsitic.” Cygnis says. “He is supposed to meet me at my house. Seeing as I'm not totally blind, and have noticed how you two are not the.... smoothest of relations, do you want to come along, or do you think your time can be better spent?”

[And... Go-time. Working on world map as you read this.]

Bump. This is what we're going for here.

>>12715350
Im still reading through...

Well, with so little time before the lighthouse opens I doubt this is the moment to be worried about feelings, Cygnis.

Also, no no no to revealing ourselves as a red. Hell no. Noooooo.

Not much else we can do....

Lets have a gander with Cynagis!

And what is this lighthouse thing I am hearin about?

>>12715448
It's a current main objective to disable or destroy.

>>12715533
got it. How vulnerable is it to fire?

>>12715571
It's not. Archives detail the plans we have in place to destroy it. They basically amount to either storming it in polymorphed form (bad idea), asking the crystal sage we have what to do, or using our cunning and long-prepared plot to blow the cliffside out from under it and send it tumbling into the sea.

>>12715392
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=dragon%20quest

Evidence suggests that the cult has some nefarious intentions surrounding (or in) the city's lighthouse that is rapidly approaching completion. As far as we know, it's made of stone and masonry, and possibly magically reinforced against hurricaines.

##############

"I appreciate your concern, but this is hardly the time to let persona preferences take hold." you reply, trying to figure out how to conceal the very sharp artifact you retrieved from the ruins. You end up settling for wrapping your cloak around it, and holding it by one of the iron ring's legs. Odd, and conspicuous, but less so than a massive, magical crystal.

You follow Cygnis through a few of the passages, towards her house, but put a hand on her shoulder as you arrive, holding her back.

"What?" she asks, and you silently point to a small patrol of the Sealord's Guard watching from the other side of the street.

"I... see." Cygnis says, unevenly. Worried. Afraid.

"It's possible that they got Az." you state, guiding her into a nearby alley, and out of the street. "Or that it's just coincidental. I think they might be here to tag us, though."

"Tag?"

"Bring us in, hold us for a while, then figure out that we aren't actually under arrest. I'm sure it would be explained as a bureaucratic error or mix up, though I would assume the Sealord gave the order to keep us out of his hair until he's done with whatever he intends." you explain. "It seems prudent to avoid the risk."


"Right. Well." Cygnis says, and you detect more fear. It's almost depressing to see her with such overwhelming phobia of mere humanoids. Even if she does have a fairly good reason. "We can wait for Azdukashen, try and hail him before he returns, or... Forgive me, you're the adventurer, what do you recommend?" Cygnis asks.

>>12715594
...Cynigas closes her eyes, we use the gem to go invisible, then we backstab both of them.

ANd I like the longstanding plot.

Lets make it stand for just a little bit longer...

Considering Azdukashen's age, it's more than likely that he'll notice the Sealord's guards as we have. Did he prepare an alternate meeting place with Cygnis in case of difficulties? If not, does Cygnis have a way to get intouch with Azdukashen remotely?

As much as violence would be satisfying, it's not all that subtle, and killing faceless minions here to cause "bureaucratic error" seems like a disproportionate response.

>>12715694
but faceless minions are there to be killed...

But yeah... Lets get to it as we can, politically, or violently...

>>12715594
Ask if she has any secret ways into her house, or places that Az knows about but the sealord does not. Good to know this information, even if we don't use it, as it can help when we eventually do enact whatever plan we want to use to deal with her.

Also, don't kill them. There is a "small patrol" so that could be like five of them. And they are probably prepared for us. No, I advise if there are no secret ways in that we simply distract them. Perhaps have Cygnis polymorph into some other humanoid female and pretend she was just robbed. The thief took off in 'that' direction, with 'that' being anywhere but here.

bumpage for more anon involvement.

>>12715118


Say that we have preparations to attend to. Then go check on the kobolds and their progress of the tunnel system to the lighthouse.

>>12715929
We have to make plans though.

>>12715992
and deal with our immenant threat.

>>12715694
>>12715739

"Hmm... Do you have any secret entrances to your house? And if so, does Az know of any of them?" you ask, in thought.

"Yes and no. I never... saw fit to tell him. I think.. I would hope that he would spot the guards too, and head back to the temple, perhaps."

"Was that your alternate meeting spot?" you ask, busy being the professional.

"No. It did not seem necessary... He's more skilled with magic than I am, he could probably have gotten by them..."

"In that case we need to get in to check if he's waiting for us. Lead the way." you say, testing the edge of your 'adventurer's authority'. You suspect that giving her orders would be unwise, but she's willing to follow instructions.

Sure enough, she leads you around to the other side of the block (you insist on dodging out of sight when another patrol passes through the area,), to a small boarding house. Cygnis flashes a key, and smiles at the old woman behind the counter. She nods back in greeting, and waves the two of you past.

Cygnis climbs a flight of stairs, to the second level, then a small ladder to the roof, who's door she unlocks. She holds the door open for you as you follow, shutting and locking it afterwards. The view isn't good; the building isn't particularly tall, and, roof or not, all you're seeing of the rest of the city is more roof and wall.

Cygnis leads you to a gap between two chimneys that overlooks the roof of her house.

"Down there... anything special?" you ask, starting to ease yourself over the edge.

"No. Trapdoor hidden by an illusion, I'll show you where. Are you sure you want to go down first?"

"Of course." you reply, deftly dropping yourself down. You slip and roll, but manage a graceful recovery.

>>12716030
Catching Cygnis when she drops down, you follow her as she mutters under her breath, recalling where the trapdoor is. Eventually, she orients herself based on two white shingles (you think,) and pulls out a third perfectly ordinary one. A trap door rises out of the roof, though it still appears an ordinary roof.

"Ah... After you, in this case. I wouldn't want to land on your desk, or break something." you say, allowing her to enter.


Following, you find yourself on her loft, dropping heavily onto her bed.

"Cygnariassis?" Azdukashen calls from below.

"Here. Just eluding the guard." Cygnis responds, descending the loft's ladder.

"Indeed." he says shortly offering her his hand as she reaches the floor. You follow her down.

"Did you retrieve what you went for?" Azdukashen asks brusquely, as obnoxious as ever.

"Of course. You?" you say, unwrapping the crystal and holder. "Careful." you warn, as he immediately reaches for it. "It's sharp." you add, a tad too late.

"Really..." Azdukashen asks, pulling his cut hand back, and reaching instead for the base. He tilts it to a few angles, watching the light on it, as far as you can tell, though you suspect he is identifying it himself.

"Interesting. Have you used it?"

"No."

"He didn't have time. I was waiting on his return, I arrived just as he gained entrance to the.. 'palace'." Cygnis adds, as if you needed to justify yourself. Still, kind of her to try.

"Indeed... I am afraid I could not locate the focusing crystal in the Sealord's residence, not terribly surprising, considering what I had to go on. This, then, seems to be our best hope, beyond demolishing the lighthouse itself." he says, ending the last sentence in a questioning tone.

"That should be doable." you affirm.

"Well, then. Do you /know/ how to use it?" he asks, turning his attention back to the crystalline artifact.

[Any ideas?]

>>12716034
Just one idea. It involves explosives, kobalds, and the sealords house... Other than that, not a clue.

>>12716034
Well, the cult seems to favor draconic and most of the truly great ancient races used it as well. Owing to it's noble lineage of course. I am somewhat versed, I shall ask it a question.

And then we ask one. If that does not work, lightly cut ourselves on it (enough to draw blood) and ask again. If that doesn't work, ask if either of them have ideas.

>>12716091
Ah man. If they do willingly cut themselves with this stone, I wish we had some way to store that blood. Would be most amusing if we had their blood.

In terms of using the stone though... We need to have a non-dragon hold it at some point. I'm wondering if it's only sharp because we're dragons.

>>12716150
A cabal of polymorphed dragons meeting in a small un-marked house for nefarious purposes.

In other bad news, the scanner I was counting on for scanning the map I was sketching is a... very classy piece of machinery. But nonfunctional. I fear I may have to resort to MS paint.

>>12716150
>>12716091
####################

"The obvious option is to ask it a question." you reply.

"By all means..." Azdukashen gestures.

"Ah... How do we oppose the cult's plans?" you try. Nothing happens. Feeling vaguely silly, you try a more specific question, "Has the focusing crystal already been placed in the lighthouse?". No response.

"Try yourself." you suggest to Azdukashen, "It may like blood. It's already got some of yours." He doesn't seem enthused, but does not argue.

"Crystal... 'Spinel Sage', I believe. Spinel sage, what does the cult intend?" he asks. Still no response. Failing that, he tries, as you did, a more specific question. "Spinel sage: Is the focusing crystal vital to the cult's plans?"

Beat.

"Is the focusing crystal anything more than rumor?" he asks, eying you. Ah, what wonderful faith you instill in people.

Silence.

Grabbing it with your left hand you lift it, ignoring the pain of the cuts.

"Artifact. Do you understand us?" you ask irritably.

>>12716407
"Yes..." a voice chimes out, literally chiming, like a bell.

"Why didn't you respond?" Azdukashen asks. Like before, it ignores him.

"Ah, why didn't you respond to me last time?" you ask, maintaining your somewhat painful grip on the device.

"You were not holding me." the voice chimes out again, a single long noise. Happily, however, despite what it sounds like, it doesn't actually vibrate.

"Give it to-" Azdukashen begins, presumably demanding it for himself. You ignore him and ask your own question.

"Would the iron ring be sufficient?"

"Yes." it chimes again. Gratefully, you shift it to your right hand, holding one of the iron ring's legs, rather than the spiky crystal itself.

"And will you continue to answer questions?" you ask again, before Azdukashen can demand it again.

"You have six questions left." it chimes, somewhat ominously.

[Questions!]

>>12716150

If this is the case, it has the potential to raise "interesting" questions from our "allies" concerning our nature. Perhaps bring Asha into the picture? She's not doing all that much at the moment.

Do we know of any third party experts on the matter that aren't dead? The person in the shop that we obtained our enchanted goodies may be able to help, but considering that we've used him to procure items that we'd rather our "allies" not know about, it's probably a bad idea.

>>12716415
What do you know of the Binder?

What would be the most effective way to disrupt a ritual to summon either the Binder or the Unspeakable One?

Save the other questions until after we have these answered.

What happens when we run out of questions?

>>12716522
That's a question. Don't ask that and waste one.

>>12716456
I can support this. We can't afford to waste these questions lightly. Might also want to see what Cygnis and her brother have to say in terms of questions. It allows us to potentially snub the brother on his questions and they might have good ones.

>>12716456

Is it worth blowing a question to find out if we each get 10 questions? It says "you", and we've used up 4 already trying to get it to work, so an extra 20 from our companions would be a good thing.

Could always play pass the artifact with Cygnis and see if it reports more remaining when we do actually ask questions.

Otherwise second this.

Possibly "How would one go about summoning the Binder or Unspeakable one?", since more information regarding what they are planning would be useful. (The most effective way of disrupting it may cause undesirable amounts of damage to the surrounding area. It would be a pitty to have the city get blown apart as a sideeffect just as we are establishing ourselves.)

>>12716557
I think we should know if it attempts to suck out our soul when we hit 0, so we can leave it with one question left. Just my personal opinion. Greater artifacts are not things you just play around with.

>>12716569
Fair enough. At the same time, however, I feel like that's a waste of a potentially valuable question. Especially if there are no consequences at all. Part of me thinks we shouldn't risk being that paranoid and waste a question... Guess the majority will decide.

>>12716456
How about what are the ten most effective ways?

And "What happens AS we run out of questions?"

That way if this thing is pedantic it will be forced int comprehensiveness with answers.

>>12716456
>>12716522
>>12716557
"Fair enough. Ideas?" you ask, looking up. Ostensibly at the two of them, but mostly at Cygnis.

"Ask it where the crystal is, like we tried." Azdukashen suggests.

"Try asking what they intend. Or possibly how we can acquire more questions." Cygnis says.

"None." the crystal chimes out. Evidently you will have to be careful about what you ask.

"We can acquire no additional questions?" Cygnis asks, surprised. You pause before answering.

"I... believe that it was answering my idea question. I also believe that I need to be extremely careful what I ask. Of anyone, while holding it." you say, setting it down. Hmm...

A brief discussion comes up with a short but literal list of questions, which Cygnis is kind enough to copy down.

"Item one..." you say, picking the crystal back up. "What would be the most efficient way to disrupt, and ideally permanently prevent, a ritual to summon either the Binder or the Unspeakable One?"

"Too many variables, indeterminate answer." it chimes out, toneless but somehow still obnoxious.

"Well, what good is it, then?" Cygnis asks.

>>12716776
"I want to know why it answers the humanoid." Azdukashen growls. You hold up your left hand, bandaged by Cygnis, as a call for silence.

"What is the best way to disrupt or permanently prevent the ritual that "The Cult of the Binder, the Unspeakable One" intends to enact imminently?" you ask.

"If that is your intent, to replace their focusing gem with this crystal, after they have started the ritual, would be extremely effective, and potentially permanent if you wish." it chimes out, again, a single, long-ringing sound.

"I-" you begin, but remember the problem as Cygnis starts to open her mouth. You carefully put it back down.

"Alright. Three questions left, it seems. Final rounds?"

"Ask it how to acquire more." Cygnis suggests again.

"Or whether destroying the lighthouse would prevent the ritual." Azdukashen suggests, unpleasant as ever.

>>12716787
Gotta go with Cygnis on this one.

Also, I don't trust this crystal. It could be the key to resurrecting the Binder and trying to get itself placed in the right spot at the right time.

>>12716787
Az's question is retarded. Yes, destroying the focus of the ritual will stop it.

Ask if there is any way to get more questions.

Hmmm. Let's ask Az what he found in the Sealord's palace.

>>12717020
Not in a way to make the crystal answer it though.

>“I said, 'I'm sure it's nothing to worry about.'” you shout back.
>“Liar.” Cygnis accuses, but amiably. The fear remains in her tone, though.
lie detection comes in handy at times, huh...
let's make a point to never lie to her, always speak half truths instead of lies
For example, instead of saying "it's nothing to worry about." if it comes up again, let's say "You have become too important to me for me to allow the cult to take you again"

>>12717105
But that's also untrue. We would let the cult have her again in a second if we thought it would benefit us.

Also, that's too forward. We aren't trying to spit fly game at the crunk bitches, here. Indeed, I don't think we should do any more than flirting with her, and only then to get her to trust us more. Later that may change, but I mean... we're a red dragon. We HATE golds. It's in our nature.

>>12716896
>>12716863

"Is there a way to acquire more questions, and i-" you start to ask, but before you can finish, it rings out,

"Yes.". Evidently not willing to let you get two for one.

"-f so, how do we go about it?"

"They would give me to you, and you would take me to a source of intense heat and/or light. I would charge for an hour, and be able to offer you more answers." the crystal states, surprisingly helpful compared to what you were expecting. Unpleasant charge-time, though.

"Well, that makes everything vastly simpler." Cygnis states, evidently satisfied. "We can ask it what we want then."

"We have one question left." you reply, pointedly. If it's 'charge an hour for each question', then you don't have very many left. "And we don't know what the charge-to-answer rate is. And we don't know if it's telling the truth."

"And /I/ am interested in why it seems willing to answer questions only posed to it by you." Azdukashen says, taking the crystal from the iron ring. To his credit, he doesn't seem to mind the cuts. Before you can react, he asks,

"What is the purpose of the ritual that the cult intends to enact?" he asks. The crystal remains silent.

"Are you crazy? This is an artifact!" you nearly shout, genuinely worried, but also trying to take the focus off of why the crystal seems to be obeying you only. "That could have been our last honest question! It could have decided to eat your soul- or MINE, now that it's done! It could have let whatever is bound in there free? I thought you were supposed to be /wise/!" you shout.

>>12717178

"I am. And that is why I am suspicious." Azdukashen grates. "Why does it respond to you, and no one else? Why does it answer questions you didn't even mean to ask it, but ignore anything anyone else asks?"

"I do not." The crystal chimes in. There is a brief pause as everyone stares at it a moment. Azdukashen breaks the silence, demanding, "Why do you answer 'captain' Azal's questions and no on else's?" His phrasing of 'captain' is mocking and scornful.

The crystal remains silent, an indirect condemnation of yourself.

rolled 2 = 2

Hold up everyone.

There is a riddle wherby you have 1 question to ask a man, to ascertain if he's lying or not. We need to do that to this crystal!

>>12717135
>We HATE golds
That's what makes it so delicious. She hates Reds as well and since we're more pragmatic than she is, she's the one that would suffer more of it.
Even sweeter if she IS a virgin...

Degradation is the sweetest form of torture. And if we do it well, we'll have a slave Gold to add to our horde.

Though the wording WOULD have to be modified, I admit

>>12717187
"To be honest, it could simply not like gold dragons. It's an artifact, after all. It could easily sense what the two of you are. And it's clearly intelligent. Also, neither of you were the ones who took it out of that dank, bleak hole it was sitting in for ages. It could just be grateful, some truly powerful artifacts are sapient.

In other words, there could be any number of reasons. It's an ancient relic so we have no way of knowing why it does what it does, and right now we can't afford to ask it silly petulant questions about whose reproductive organs are the largest. So if you would be so kind, *I* have one more question."

Don't mention what we are.

>>12717187
wow... this guy is really getting on my nerve
"Az, I don't know what your personal vendetta is towards me but can we please put it on hold until this cult has been dealt with? I fear that it will only hinder out progress and we might just have to work together to deal with this before it gets out of hand..."

>>12717296
Brutal. I like it.

>>12717105
In that case, I figured it was one of those polite or reassuring things that you say. "Oh, it'll be okay." "I'm sure he'll be alright." "Nothing to worry about." that kind of thing.

>>12717135
It's also in our nature to be chaotic evil. Always. That ain't too valid an excuse here.

>>12717296
What's our other question?

>>12717382
would replacing the foci with the crystal do something beside stopping the ritual? We don't want to accidentally summon something else.

Goshdarnit, so many potential questions!
So little time

do we know WHEN the ritual is planned for?
that could be a good question otherwise, gives us an idea how long we really have to deal with it

>>12717417
That's an interesting point

>>12717382
>It's also in our nature to be chaotic evil. Always. That ain't too valid an excuse here.
Alright, what would you like? I think it's absolutely retarded? That they are being guided by their dicks rather than the simple logic dictating that Cygnis is way too powerful for us to even hope to control at this point? (Not even gonna lie, she's a cutie, but that's not the point.) That if we want coitus with other dragons we would be better served by finding another red for a tryst rather than shitting in our own backyard for absolutely no reason? I am trying to be civil here and use reasons that have support in the manuals since rational thought regarding exactly how far we can reach seems to be fading rapidly. No insults intended, it's just the whole SECKS CYGNIS NAO! crowd (rather, I think maybe two people) grates on me. We just aren't strong or well established enough. Hell, they were suggesting we reveal ourselves not too long ago... with Az in the neighborhood, a critical juncture coming up, and us having plans that would be completely ruined by doing so.

>>12717417
I'm thinking it would summon the Binder, who happens to be bound into this crystal.

>>12717382
Our last question should be when will the ritual will be conducted.

>>12717626
No- he's just saying we don't have to do X just because it's in our racial profile
We can be whoever we want to be
I myself think that Cygnis would make a better ally then sexual partner

>>12717417
As much as I would like to know when exactly the ritual is taking place, I kind of have to agree at wondering what will happen if we replaced the gem with the crystal. It might mean we lose the use of this crystal or it might mean very worse things.

rolled 68 = 68

>>12717738

No denying that you wouldn't though, eh? ;)

>>12717755
I don't think the crystal is being completely honest, dude. Also, if it really IS the Binder in there then we want to ask her that alone. We should keep the questions asked in front of everyone as non-specific to possible benefits for us (yet still useful of course) as possible.

>>12717766
... Yeah, I would like to add Cygnis to the waifu pile
I just gotta warn you that she isn't the kind to be dominated easily

>>12717766
I actually wouldn't. I think we would better served with pureblood red dragons.

>>12717626
Then allow me to apologize for causing your ire. I am not one of the regular crowd (played during ep 1,2 and 6 I believe). Laying with Cygnis is certainly NOT a priority and considering Cygnis OUR WAIFU is just plain dumb. Laying with Az's sister, who scorned him on several occasions, and being a magnificent asshole towards him is just a fun thing to do.
Since this isn't a fetish thread, I doubt that WD would allow us to break her and keep her as a slave (even if she has shown tendencies to be vulnerable to torture).

I just really hate that guy and would want to claim anything and everything that he wants simply to deny it for him. I want to break him, systematically take everything from him until he has nothing left, see him grovel before us, a lowly human, before finally giving him sweet, sweet release only to twist the dagger as he dies.

rolled 45 = 45

>>12717833

> Laying with Az's sister, who scorned him on several occasions, and being a magnificent asshole towards him is just a fun thing to do

This. Very much this.

Also - has anyone had any luck on the answer to that riddle I mentioned? I can't remember it for the life of me ;_;

>>12717766
We should eventually kill her and annex all her holdings like originally planned. Doing her in elven form is optional, but I find it rather tasteless as I believe Golds are beneath us and in poor taste. Doing her in dragon form is out of the question because we need her to trust us completely for the amulet plan to work and thereby mitigate the risk.

>>12717845
You mean the one about the lying guards?
yeah I think I remember that one
gimme a second

rolled 43 = 43

>>12717887
It was one whereby you could ascertain their truthfulness in 1 question. Something we sorely need right now.

>>12717833

Hey,
>>12717858
here.

I suppose I can get behind that, and it's rational and in character enough for us that I would be able to see it. I still don't like the thought of lowering ourselves to fornicating with mere metallic scum, but if it's for the sake of a grudge I will approve it. I doubt Scinnari will, and she might even be a bit hurt considering that the more humanoid a devil is the more it desires love and companionship.

But yes, I agree that we now have a grudge against Az for the insults he has given us. And we will truly an completely destroy him on every level.

>>12717296
>>12717417

"Any number of reasons. It could deliberately be trying to sow discord. It could be intelligent, and thankful to the poor bastard that went and got it out of it's hole in the ground. It could not like Gold dragons. It could not like Golds polymorphed into humans. It could not like you because you speak with an accent. I could not like you because you worship the wrong god. There are, quite literally, an infinite number of potential reasons. We don't know. And we quite possibly don't have time to ask it at this point; we should be hoarding questions in case it is inefficient.

"So that said, perhaps it would be best if you get the hells of your high-godsdamn-horse and /work with me/ here. I'm sure you would never forgive me if you forced me to point out that I /did/ come back with what I was going after, and am the only one to do so." you end, glaring at each other. Only though great force of will do you prevent yourself from exhaling a stream of smoke.

"I hope we are quite finished with the comparing-of-reproductive organs?" Cygnis asks, continuing, "I'm afraid it's not much of a contest, if only because you are larger than my house." Cygnis adds, to Azdukashen, "Though your interest in taking on competition smaller than your head makes me wonder."

You visibly prevent a chuckle, which Azdukashen pointedly ignores. Cygnis glances at you, though, eyes amused.

>>12717845
>>12717902
Looking over it, I don't think it would work
This is a logic question and can be answered if one realizes that the TRUTH of a LIE is a LIE, and the LIE of a TRUTH is a LIE. You need one guard to give you the other guard’s answer. Knowing this one could ask a question like, “If I were to ask the other guard which door leads to freedom, what would he say?”

>>12717858
> Doing her in elven form is optional, but I find it rather tasteless as I believe Golds are beneath us and in poor taste.

People say this, but when it comes to Cygnis I'm really not seeing it. Think about what other dragons are like, particularly other reds. They're far more like Az, a bunch of covetous, arrogant dicks. For a dragon, Cygnis is actually surprisingly reasonable, and when it comes to other dragons I don't think we're actually going to do a whole lot better than her.

>>12717902
why not just ask it a question we already know the answer to?

>>12717918
"Perhaps we can start on charging the jewel? Sunlight may do it, though we have only a few hours left, judging by the storm front I saw moving in. If not, we can try a bonfire, or dragonfire." Cygnis asks, eminently reasonable.

"Cygnis. It is wise to know who you are dealing with." Azdukashen says, with excellent control of his tone.

"I... must agree, but the same goes both ways; he has no more reason to trust you than you have to trust him."

"You asked me for hel-" he begins,

"She asked me for help too." you point out, perhaps a bit sharper than he did. Another moments of uneasy silence.

"For the moment I will relent." Azdukashen says, a small give, but a concession, at any rate. "But if anything else comes up... I will want answers." he ends, not so much threatening as stating fact.

"Fine. Cibach?" Cygnis says, leaping on her victory before it can be debated.

"...Very well." you say.

"Good. Now if we can tolerate the unpalatable idea of /working/ /together/, perhaps we should decide what to do next? Destroy the lighthouse, or ask more questions?"

>>12717932
Alright then, let's ask it one more question, to prove the veracity of the information so far
(gods help us if it's intelligent and is just toying with us by being truthful sometimes and lying others)

>>12717918
>"Though your interest in taking on competition smaller than your head makes me wonder."
... ok... Cygnis might still be in the running for waifu...
though Scinnari has her moments of awesome burns as well

>>12717932
Privately, I think we should make a mental note that there is something fishy with the crystal's charging considering it was able to mouth off to Az earlier. If it needs to charge to answer, then supposedly it should have used energy there.

I think we should, perhaps, have a long talk with it when we are alone.

>>12718000
That's a wasted question. Stop. If it can lie then it will lie about that too.

Ask it when the ritual will be conducted. That lets us know how long before zero hour and what we have to work with.

>>12717930
Right, but all dragons are covetous arrogant dicks. Cygnis included. Just because she doesn't direct it at us due to believing we are her pawn doesn't mean she isn't. I'm sure we could find a lovable red out there, too. One who wouldn't have every reason to kill us (race, entire relationship based on lies, stealing her hoard, toying with her emotions and mind) like Cygnis.

And by beneath us I meant our pride as a Red, King of the Chromatics. To lie with a metallic? Sickening. To lie with a metallic in order to avenge a grudge? More acceptable, but still to be avoided if we can just lie our way around it.

>>12718068
To lie with a metallic who doesn't realize that we're a red, purely for the thrill of power and superiority that we get from knowing that we've made her do something which would utterly disgust and revolt her and that she never had a clue?

Delicious. Even more delicious when we enjoy our sadistic reveal scene later and/or keep her around as but trapped in human form as a toy in a twisted mockery of the sort of loving relationship that she had once anticipated having with our cover identity.


...admittedly, this is NOT what most people want to do to her. But it's the only kind of sex with her that I'd go for. Otherwise we should just kill her.

>>12717932
>>12718068
>>12718103
A dragon of wealth of taste, gentleman, remember that

You know, people seem to think that Cygnis is 'so far beneath us', but I'd think that she's no worse than the rest, and better than most; she's a goddamn dragon! Sure, she isn't a perfect and awesome red, but she's still a dragon.

Scinnari is much father removed, but fewer people had qualms about that. (Beyond the 'Devil! Dangerous!' part).

Really, I don't see why we're worried about what we screw at all. Dragons do it all the time, and are usually philanderers in their youth.

>>12718068
> Right, but all dragons are covetous arrogant dicks. Cygnis included.
Cygnis is somewhat less so. Her behavior toward those that a dragon might normally consider its inferiors shows a surprising amount of reasonableness.

> Just because she doesn't direct it at us due to believing we are her pawn doesn't mean she isn't.
She mentioned to Az that we're not really her pawn. She might not consider us her equal, but compared to how most dragons treat the lesser races that's a significant break from the norm. And she doesn't direct it at us precisely because she does respect us and our abilities.

I think the odds of finding a red who would be more manageable than Cygnis are rather small. She's quite far from an ordinary dragon. Killing her would be a waste, continuing to slowly corrupt her would be a better plan. There's nothing forcing us to make our move right now, why rush?

>>12718150
You do have a point
Dragons will mate with anything
ANYTHING

>>12718185

>>12718182
Actually, this entire argument is because we are trying NOT to rush. It's the people going WAIFU, SQUEEEEE! that are rushing it.

>>12718182

You make many good points friend
(though I have to take some argument with "corruption," it is such an ugly word- I prefer"Opening her up to new ideas and ways at looking at the world," much more)
Including that Waifus may wait
We must focus on Crystal now and stopping cult

>>12718032
>Ask it when the ritual will be conducted. That lets us know how long before zero hour and what we have to work with.
I'll third this before the thread is completely derailed with waifu discussion

>>12718150
>>12718185
>>12718195

>>12717382
>It's also in our nature to be chaotic evil. Always. That ain't too valid an excuse here.

Like WD himself said. If we want to be monogamous with a lesser devil that's fine. Why? Because we can. If you accept that 'x' is in the nature of a red dragon so we should do it, then you are also implicitly accepting that 'y' is something we should do as well, with y being that reds don't mate with golds.

>>12718200
> It's the people going WAIFU, SQUEEEEE! that are rushing it.

What? They're just saying that we shouldn't kill Cygnis, and should continue on with what we're doing right now instead. We've already started to make some less than subtle moves, I'm just saying we should continue with that. This is all long term planning anyway, in the short term the lighthouse and its destruction are the main focus of our plans.

>>12718220
I myself would like to know more what will happen if we replace this crystal with the one in the ritual

>>12718245
Didn't your mother ever tell you that listening to a sentient artifact that wants to be placed in the center of a revival ritual is a bad idea?

Kids these days...

>>12718238
> Like WD himself said. If we want to be monogamous with a lesser devil that's fine. Why? Because we can. If you accept that 'x' is in the nature of a red dragon so we should do it, then you are also implicitly accepting that 'y' is something we should do as well, with y being that reds don't mate with golds.

I think the difference is between whether we want to behave like a dragon in general, or like a red dragon specifically. We've pretty solidly left the latter in the dust, though the former still governs a lot of our behavior, particularly in terms of how covetous we are. We're behaving like a dragon, but not really like a red dragon. Thus, philandering with members of other species is still in character for us.

>>12718300
Okay, dragons in general don't cross-mate between metallic and chromatic then. Happy? Still applies.

>>12718320
You know, leechery is not a specie specific trait

>>12718320
> Okay, dragons in general don't cross-mate between metallic and chromatic then.

And this is constantly in conflict with the "fuck everything" mentality that they have. The cross-mating thing is a social taboo precisely because Tiamat and Bahamut want their followers to kill each other instead of fuck each other as they are generally inclined towards doing with most other creatures. Now, for some dragons the chromatic vs. metallic conflict is a big part of their lives. For others, less so. Exact attitudes towards the other side vary widely from dragon to dragon, as we're going on the 3.5e draconomicon rather than the 4e. WD has mentioned that in several threads.

>>12718220
"Fine." you say, holding out the iron ring-stand. Azdukashen grudgingly places it back in the holder.

"AT what time and location will the ritual be enacted?" you ask.

"Thirty five minutes ago-" it begins. Cygnis and Azdukashen both start. "And it will continue until an hour after sundown. A minute after that, it will be completed."

"Why the minute delay?" you ask, but it remains silent.


"So." Azdukashen says, sitting calmly back down. "Do we invest more time in this, or demolish the lighthouse?"

"We have to prevent them from succeeding." Cygnis starts, "Cibach, you claim you have things arranged allowing you to destroy the lighthouse?"

"Yes..." you admit, unwilling to accede to Cygnis' panicked demands.

>>12718445
> "Thirty five minutes ago-"

...

Well fuck.

>>12718445
> Thirty five minutes ago

Of course it did.

>>12718445
Dan, he's not a Republic serial villain.

>>12718445
Frack
Alright
Now, stealthy stealthy time, or smashy smashy time?

>>12718445
Alright then, we've got some shit to wreck.

>>12718480
Do you even need to ask?

>>12718445
Explain in more detail. "I started making preparations, but I don't know if they've been completed yet- I thought the workers I hired would have days! It might work, but it's less certain than I'd wanted- we'll need a backup plan to go into motion immediately if it isn't ready."

>>12718445
"I will begin preparations for destroying the lighthouse and recharge the crystal. This is not ideal, of course. Cygnis, if you could go about contacting some of those adventurers who turned in snake heads it might not be taken amiss. Az, I'm not entirely sure what you are capable of. Perhaps you would like to see how well guarded the tower is, or make other arrangements that would aid in stopping the ritual without causing undue disruption? Regardless, I leave that to your discretion."

This totally has us taking charge and being in control like the pro adventurer we are. It will miff Az and make Cygnis more used to taking orders from us and/or placing her trust in us.

I say smashy smash time. If they're aware we're here, they'll either continue as normal or try to rush the ritual. There's a minor chance they could screw up the ritual.

Actually, maybe we should have Cygnis' brother act as a diversion while we sneak in. He can draw the guards to the front while we get in while invisible.

>>12718548
Correction: Rephrase as "my workers" instead of "the workers I hired". Less of a lie, since "hiring" and "ordering our loyal-ish followers" are not really synonymous.

I am liking this sphere more and more
I'd like to keep 'blowing the lighthouse up' strictly as Plan C.
Plan A is disrupting the ritual (replacing orbs/crystals optional)
Plan B is killing everyone on the ritual floor
Plan D is to pick a direction and start flying, fast

What time is it now? just before sunset, you said? so we have ~6 hours?

"Well, to be quite honest, I thought my workers had a few days, not a single day, do perform the digs. They may not quite be finished yet." you admit. "That said, I'll go talk to them, hurry them along, and see if they're done. When that happens, I'll contact you, or destroy it myself, if it's already sundown. Cygnis, I'm going to leave the artifact in your hands, see if you can get it recharged. Also might want to call after some of the adventurers who have been bringing in snake heads, in case we do decide to fight our way up. Azdukashen, I have no idea what you're comp- capable of." you say, correcting yourself. "You know what you do best, try and make yourself useful. Perhaps, should we end up storming the lighthouse, we will need you for air support or as a distraction."

"Interesting choice of words, 'storming'..." Cygnis says, when you're finished speaking. "It looked like there was a storm heading this way, so we may have unpleasant conditions come this evening."

"Right... Thank you for the warning, Cygnis." you reply politely, "If that is all..?" Getting no response, you turn to the door, activating your emerald, and sneaking out the door.
########################
[1d100+20 for the kobolds. Target of 70, let's see how well they've done.]

>>12718765
I like plan A for now
Go in, fuck everything up, and get out

>>12718792
Oh, and the time is 1500. Sundown is 1900.

rolled 34 = 34

>>12718792
FOR PONY!

>>12718562
I seem to remember us paying them / promising to pay them, so it's not strictly a lie.
Still, new wording is probably better anyway

rolled 33 + 20 = 53

>>12718792
No low rolls no low rolls
(Come on you sonovabitch- remember Tauquest?)

rolled 53 + 20 = 73

>>12718792
Kobold's!

>>12718849
>>12718830
there goes Plan C...
unless we move the blasting powder to the ground floor of the lighthouse instead of tunnelling beneath it

>>12718849
... fffffffuuuu!

>>12718792
Didn't the crystal say that WE should take it and get it recharged? I was hoping that we would, and then we could ask it a question or two in private. It seems like a nicely evil artifact, I hope.

Nah guys, first roll didn't have the +20 added on. So we got a 73.

I hope.

>>12718925
Well we do know how to get back into her house. In theory, we could hope she's not around and ask it later but it's not like we have a ton of time to do that.

>>12718830
>>12718849
"Now?!" Kantak squeaks. "Lord, we- we have /one/ chamber dug out! Yes, we have dug out central connector, but- Not enough /time/, lord!
We were planning on the night-"

"Relax Kantak. I understand. This was a surprise to me as well." you say. "Hmm.. You have been digging them out in my size, yes? Full tunnels?"

"Yes, lord. You wanted to be able to demolish it..."

"Right... Powder can be carried by itself. If you reduce the tunnels to kobold-sized, how quickly could you finish?"

"Oh... Lord, I am not the digmaster,-" Kantak begins.

"Then /get/ the digmaster. I want to know if that would be sufficient."

Kantak runs off, and you wait a few minutes until the kobold returns with another.

"Digmaster?" you ask. It nods and abases itself.

"When can you have the tunnels dug, if you reduce the size of the shafts to kobold-size?"

"Lord... Fo- Three and a half hours, lord!" it says, terrified.

"I see... Get to it, then. A bonus, should you make it on time." you offer, as it scurries away.

"And the powder, it is ready?"

"Of course, lord!" Kantak responds, bowing again.


[what do, and be back in a bit, getting food.]

>>12718987
You have done well, Kantak. Indeed, you have become my favored servants, far surpassing mere men. Soon, within perhaps a decade or two, there will be great work to be done. I shall have you create a great city for kobold-kind under a fire mountain, and I shall reside there with you. But you must forge my tribe to be strong, Kantak. And numerous. Rejoice, for a new era shall soon dawn.

>>12719080
That's making some fairly ridiculous promises without any particularly compelling reason.

Damn. Guess the guy who didn't put the +20 in the roll did count. I can't really think of what else to do now... It doesn't seem like we have any options other than invading since I'm not going to hedge my bets on the powder taking the lighthouse down now.

Roightyo.
Scinnari! Right flank.
Asha! Left flank.
Kobolds! Keep diggin'. Drag the barrels of explosive powder as close as you can without blocking the tunnel.
Cygnis! Grab adventurers and get them over here.
Azdukashen! You've got anti-air.

Go go go!

>>12719098
Bah, they'll die off before too long. Kobolds only live 45 to 50 years at most, and usually die around 15 years of age.

Perhaps we shouldn't set a time table, just say that we will do it. Because, really, wouldn't a volcano hollowed out and occupied by a hundred thousand strong kobold army with us in grand chambers at the center be awesome? We CAN promise that, because eventually we ARE going to want a huge volcano to live in.

But yeah, mostly I was just hoping to inspire them and give them a goal. We should also transform back into our dragon form and go visit the workers, since the tunnel is wide enough. I say all this because Kantak said that it would be good for us to come again and show ourselves in red dragon form. I was assuming the kobolds were getting restless from a lack of objective as well as not seeing us.

We can even tell them that they should start carving out an undercity from the caverns below Freeport. But to leave "our" cavern (the one that connects to our house) the way it is and unconnected to the rest.

>>12719137
And in case it needs to be overtly stated...
Everyone get in here!

Buggered if I know what to do with the crystal. I'd say stash it somewhere, because putting a sentient artifact in the middle of a summoning ritual is a TPK moment.

>>12719177
Watch out. Cygnis or Az might have truesight, and that'd fuck us right up. We can leave it until AFTER we've kicked the lighthouse's shit in.
>Plan B is killing everyone on the ritual floor
Yep

>>12719177
They have made it clear that they suspect if they move too boldly adventurers/whatever will come in and exterminate them. I would rather not issue orders that we cannot feasibly back up at the moment.

We can inspire them with more generic looking impressive and draconic.

>>12719213
you mean, the adventurers that Cygnis is hiring right now.
To help us.
...
Riiight. Let's get everyone in the lighthouse and start busting some skulls.

>>12719210
We have a ring that prevents polymorph detection.

>>12719213
Okay then, let's just inspire them with the tales of that grand volcano city objective and our draconic presence then. No timetables or hollowing out.

>>12719291
We have a ring that what?
Homebrewan gaems!
Righteyo, if we have a homebrewed ring of "Can't true see this", then go ahead and inspire them kobolds.
Afterwards, get everyone in here to wreck some lighthouse.

Tunnels are a bit small for bein' a dragon in. Kobolds are miners, but they aren't THAT good. (Meant elf form.)

Brief respite, waiting on food. (hell of a line.)


Any support for >>12719137? Or >>12719080?

>>12719446
Waiting for op

I support
>>12719080
provided we don't give a time and just say it will happen eventually and the tribe must grow strong.

>>12719245
Yes, those exact adventurers will go exterminate the kobolds if we launch some sort of grad undercity construction plan. By the time we actually get anywhere with it, they'll have long been doing something else and be more than happy to slaughter the new kobold menace.

Bullshit sarcasm does not become you, anonymous.

I'm all for an inspiring speech, but don't mention things like a volcano or the kobolds becoming an exalted and populous race or other crap like that. Just keep things vague, good service->untold rewards and our favor, etc. etc.

>>12719516
We need to give them something concrete to look forward to. Just saying "Well eventually it will be awesome." doesn't work very well when inspiring people. You have to paint a picture.

Back and ready to go, just to verify,
>>12719137
>>12719178

Do this? (y/n)

>>12719578
>>12719080
How about this? (Y/N)


>>12719309
There are (as far as I know. I've been proven wrong here before, after all,) lots of D&D items that can be 'looted' but are not possible to create in-game, which is weird. I'm just assuming that if something is necessary, it can probably be created, somehow. (and countered, somehow,).

I do agree that the Prot. from True Seeing was a bit much, though I'm not going to ret-con it away.

>>12719652
Eh, it's not so bad because it only protects one thing: polymorphing.

I don't think we have to raid the place for sure, I mean we have 4 kegs of dwarven blasting powder. One of them usually is enough to blast through huge amounts of solid granite. I'd be shocked if the entire cliff survives. We just have to get them into the general area code.

We should inspire the kobolds anyway though.

>>12719578
We don't need to explicitly name anything concrete. We've already given them money, and they have imaginations; vague promises will be fleshed out in their minds without our actually saying anything.

And I don't really want to go live in a volcano surrounded by nothing but kobolds, ever. That sounds boring. Where's the excitement?

But hey, whatever. We can say "nope, changed our mind" or "sorry, lying!" later, depending on how much of a dick we feel like being, should my thoughts on this take the majority. I suppose it doesn't really matter.

>>12719700
Make empire. Use kobold civil service as a reward for their help. (And they may be beyond greed... as long as we make sure that they know they have this position because we trust them.)

Of course, making all tax-men kobolds would probably get them hated on pretty quick.

>>12719700
We'll have enough time that 10 generations of kobolds will have lived and died by the time we need to make the choice. What does promising hurt? And living in a volcano with magical scrying to watch our empire sounds awesome. Maybe on a raised marble island in the middle of a pool of magma, laced with molten gold. Our horde glimmering and huge columns and vaulted arches reaching overhead. ect. ect.

Basically, our lair where our junk is stored, surrounded by loyal kobolds who would never take it. We can only go there once in a hundred years if we want, and play politics in the capital instead. But it's nice to have an impregnable fortress for our horde.

>>12719802
>Y
Alrighty. Back to writing.
################ ###

"Keep in mind, Kantak... I do not intend to stay on this island forever."

"No lord?" Kantak asks, somewhat scared herself. Hmph. And you're not even using your Presence.

"Of course not. The mainland is where most things are... Personally, I'd like a lair in a volcano. Massive. Warm. Riven through with tunnels and caverns. A tribe, a kingdom of loyal kobolds, whom I could trust to guard a hoard... And would, of course, protect with all of my power... would be a nice accessory. When my wealth is legendary, I hardly want thieves and adventurers pouring in. Kobolds.... are renown for many abilities. Mining. Trap making. Ambushes. Loyalty to dragons... You have a very real chance to be my favored servants." you finish, turning to leave. Kantak has stopped cowering, and is watching you with a faintly reverential expression; you think your work is done here.

>>12719936
"Of course..." you add, a final note as you leave, "That requires both of us surviving that long. Something highly unlikely if the cult's ritual is completed. And they have already started."

"I- Lord, they will do everything they can!" Kantak exclaims.

"See that they do. They will be rewarded, should they succeed." you state. Vague, but easily fulfilled. Perhaps a gold piece each. Hmm...

Exiting the digsite, you emerge to view the lighthouse yourself. Standing tall in the afternoon sun, it casts a looming four-o' clock shadow, covering many of the ships in the harbor. A massive edifice, gargantuan beyond any architecture this island has ever seen... at least in around five thousand years. Around the base, marines stand guard, ostensibly from 'cultists', your sure. Probably the Sealord hoping he can prevent you from interfering. A few fastboats loaded with more soldiery patrol the immediate harbor area around the lighthouse... If you intend to take the place by force, it will be difficult. However, if Cygnis is right, (and it looks like she is,) there should be a heavy storm this evening. It's cover would probably let you, or a small group, sneak into it. Something to think on, at any rate.

[What do?]

>>12719948
What's the top of the lighthouse made out of? I'm wondering if it's possible to storm the lighthouse from the air... We do have dragons after all and if we just bust in from the top, that'll probably catch them just a little off guard.

>>12719998
It would be best if no dragons were involved at all. I mean, as a last resort sure, but if at all possible we shouldn't reveal that there are dragons among the folk here.

>>12720046
While that is a fair point, I think it's more important to stop the cult. And it could always be Cygnis' brother doing the airborne invasion since he is leaving soon after.

>>12720046
Maybe fly in from the top, then repel down, quietly sneaking our way until we get to the cult activity and bust in on them COOL AIDE MAN STYLE

>>12719998
Stone and glass. Arches and paned windows; lighthouse, after all. Not much of a way to land, though it might be possible to bust through a window and polymorph, though it would be a very tricky landing.

C'mon! Where did everyone go?

>>12720121
Why not simply buy scrolls of slowfall and parajump down? We'll land on the balcony of the beacon and bust through the paned glass. Bam.

Meanwhile our hired adventurers can be assaulting the bottom to draw guard attention.

>>12720143
Argh, I meant Feather Fall, not Slowfall.

>>12720143
There IS a balcony (though you wouldn't trust your true weight on it,) but is covered, arched canopy and rails. That might work, though, given a grapple or lasso of some sort, feather fall down, rope it as you pass, climb back up.

>>12720159
>You can cast this spell with an instant utterance, quickly enough to save yourself if you unexpectedly fall. Casting the spell is a immediate action, allowing you to cast this spell even when it isn’t your turn.

Better yet, we can plummet down from the skies, the two golds can polymorph on the way down, then when we are almost there we cast it. Nobody will even see us floating down due to the rate of decent. And it's a level one spell, dirt cheap for three scrolls.

>>12720179
I like it!

>>12720179
Because of this:
>>12720200
we won't even need ropes. You can direct your fall when freefalling very easily. And we will all be in humanoid form when we touch down. Hopefully Cygnis will let us ride her and jump off before they polymorph. And Scinnari can teleport up there with us. We'd have 4 able combatants with no warning on their part.

>>12720244
Even if Cygnis doesn't want to let us ride due to Az watching, we can have her spring for a slightly more expensive levitate scroll. Walk up to the lighthouse invisible and with a rope, levitate up to the top, hook the rope on and clamber over.

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/levitate.htm

Searching for Cygnis, you manage to locate her using your abilities. Out of the city, ruins. Ah. Bonfire, maybe dragonfire. Charging the artifact.

Half an hours walk finds her, and, were she more paranoid, or you less fire resistant, might have killed you.

"Sorry." Cygnis says, nodding at you and apologizing.

"I'm only rare. If I was well done, then I might be having a problem." you say, calmly beating out a small tongue of flame on your shirt. "And I think I may have a plan."

"Oh?" Cygnis says, turning to you. Behind her, you can see a large pile of foliage blazing merrily.

"I think, if you're willing to risk your brother's contempt, we can take out the lighthouse without destroying it. If you were to fly some people up there, we could jump, use scrolls of featherfall, and land ourselves on the balcony of the lighthouse. They wouldn't be able to prevent us, and wouldn't even know we were there until we were planting our boots on their heads." you say.

"Hmm... I like it." Cygnis agrees, "Innovative. Might even be cheap, and certainly is efficient. I can get the scrolls. How many do you need?"

"I'd say... Let's see, Scinnari, Aisha, you, should you think you need one, and me." you count off. Scinnari doesn't need one, really, so that should provide an extra, just in case. Aisha may not need one herself, depending on her powers.. Hmm.

"Alright, I'll get them. Shall I leave the artifact with you, and where should we meet, once I've got them?" Cygnis asks.

>>12720418
Do we have a hidey hole nearby the light house?

>>12720418
The adventurers should meet out of sight of the lighthouse guards, and when they hear the alarm go up charge in and distract them. We should meet... where you deposited me on our return trip. It should provide ample space for both you and Az to take off, and cover enough to not be seen before going invisible.

>>12720418
For now, yes. Cibach has nothing else to do right now and Cygnis can return later for it. Time for questions, and to see if the crystal is willing to answer us while no one else is around...

>>12720497
I'm actually wondering if the "charging" was needed at all. It might have just wanted to get us alone.

It occurs... Is featherfall affected by wind? Because if we take to long, we could be dropping in in the middle of a storm, even a hurricane. (I think OP mentioned it was or would shortly be, the start of hurricane season in a thread recently.)

>>12720509
DM fiat. But we won't be feather falling for very far, we'll be skydiving for most of the drop.

>>12720418

Fuck yeah!

FEET FIRST!

Questions first. what is the ritual attempting to achieve? What will its results be?

Kinda bad, but if its recharged we should use it while we can.

>>12720418
We should probably let the Kobolds know to hold off until the last minute to set off the explosives
anyway to get into contact with them while away from the tunnels?

"Meet you where you dropped me off at one." you reply, "And have some adventurers ready to cause trouble for the guards on the ground floor. Make sure they know the cult is in there, and that we're being dropped in to deal with it. We don't want the guards being mixed up in all of this."

"Right. I think I can be ready... in two hours." Cygnis replies.

"I'll see you then." you say, "Thank you, we just might pull this off."

"Just might?"

"Please, I don't want to invoke Tymora's evil sister." you reply, gaining an amused chuckle. You watch as Cygnis walks off.

You watch her leave, and then turn to the crystal in the bonfire...

[dice 1d10]

rolled 1 = 1

>>12720584
Dice.

>>12720584
Come on 10.

rolled 6 = 6

>>12720603
Whoops.

rolled 5 = 5

The power of gygax compels you

>>12720591
>>12720612

"So. You have charged." you ask/state, as you pick the artifact up from the fire.

"Yes. You have another six questions."

"Indeed..." you say, formulating your questions in your mind...

>>12720670
What do you know of the Binder?

Why do you speak to me and not them?

If the ritual succeeds, what happens?

If I place you on the ritual alter, what happens?

rolled 7 = 7

>>12720697
That's a fine start.

also: Beside scinnari and the kobolds of freeport, who knows that I am a red dragon?

>>12720718
Nobody. Let's keep it that way, hmm?

>>12720670
Can this thing see into the future?
If so, ask it about what will happen tonight

>>12720670
Do we know who stole our memory and left us for dead out in the ocean?
Ask it that, if so

Did we ever ask just what the ritual the cultists are performing will cause to happen? we know that they are misguided, and are not gonna summon who they think they are, but what really would happen? It's something worth asking, as well as any ways to turn the ritual to our advantage, if possible. There are those some people voting to bind Cygnis, and this could possibly be an opportunity to that end. The orb said that if you replaced the cultists gem with itself, the effects would be potentially permanent, but on the other hand its an old magic item, with sentience and it never said what effects would be permanent.

>>12720697
>>12720729
"What do you know of the Binder?"

"Much." it chimes, extremely unhelpful. Then again, your question wasn't very specific.

"And if the ritual succeeds, what will happen?"

"The cult will succeed in breaking the Dead One free of his prison."

Dead One.. His... Certainly not the Unspeakable One... At least you don't think so.

"And if I were to place you on the ritual alter, what would happen?"

"I do not believe the cultists are using an altar." it chimes again. You growl under your breath.

"IF... I were to replace the focus crystal with you, what would happen?"

"I would be able to accelerate or cancel the ritual. Provided lifeblood sacrifice, I would be able to instantly complete the ritual, or permanently seal the Binder away, excepting my intervention in the future." It's 'voice' states.

Two left... [Confirm last two?]

>>12720809
Excepting my intervention, the hell does that mean?
That it can activate the ritual at will?

>>12720809
What is the Binder?

>>12720843
Apparently so, yeah.

Oh, Dice 1d100, too.

we should probably ask who the Dead One is, and then for anything else that would advance our personal agenda, like ways to kill Azdukashen if it comes to an out and out battle(hopefully not), expand our influence, increase our horde, or bind Cygnis for the lulz and bragging rights.

rolled 97 = 97

>>12720901
Dice

rolled 74 = 74

>>12720901
Dice for the win.

rolled 51 = 51

Dice.

Why didn't we ask the question about why it talks to us?

>>12720905
hooooly shit, nice

rolled 90 = 90

>>12720905
Holy shit.

>>12720809
Why do you seem to answer only to me?

>>12720912
Willing to, but there's two left, and I thought I'd try and give more people a chance to offer an opinion.
#################
>97

Hmm... You're contemplating further questions when you... sense something. You aren't sure whether it was your ears, or nose, perhaps, but you're certain, dead certain, that there is another dragon in the near vicinity. Watching, you can only assume.

This may affect what you think you should ask..

>>12720959
Dun dun dun. Looks like Cygnis' sibling is watching us. Part of me wants to call him out but we shouldn't let him know we're aware of his presence.

>>12720959
Hmmm. Well. No asking about the talking thing.

Let's stick it back in the fire and wait. Dragons are patient, and Az ain't getting nothing out of us.

>>12720959
It's Az, trying to figure out why it answers to us.

Ask a safe question then, like who the Dead One is, but save the last for later, or we could try and figure out if its az, waiting for us to do something to justify his paranoia, in which case it would be best to be REALLY DAMN CAREFUL, the bastard hates us already and is looking for anything that could justify gutting us.
If we really wanted to jack up his blood pressure, ask for help in wooing Cygnis, or something that would make him rage, while hopefully being unable to do anything without his sister getting too angry.

>>12720959
I'm suddenly tempted to ask How Cygnis would respond if we kissed her the next time we saw her, just to fuck with whoever might be watching.

>>12721043
Oh god, that would be hilarious. DO IT. We must do it.

>>12721043
Second. Troll the shit out of Az.

"Answer a question that you think we should ask you."

Might work.

>>12720959
We might wish to ask something like "What is a complete list of the forces that the cultists have deployed to protect their ritual?"

...do that BEFORE any trolling, please.

so now we have two routes, ask about cygnis to get a rise out of our watcher, or ask about the dead one and its goals/ or the cults capabilities.

rolled 97 = 97

>>12720905

Now that's a diceroll!

Does it have the power to choose what it does when placed? We know its capable of stopping it, but as a sentient thing, it can choose.

We do have another two hours guys. That's a least two more questions. Trolling can't wait.

rolled 5 = 5

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_115869585143426&ap=1

Also - I made a facebook group, just on a whim

>>12721080
...That may be criptic enough to work

>>12721151
It could also answer with "I respond to you because you are a red dragon in disguise."

It's too risky.

>>12721086
Doing >>12721080 , since we seem to have backup troll ideas in place.

"If you are capable, submit a full list of the assets the cult has in place to defend their ritual."

"Incomplete information; I can only guess. That was not an answer."

"Go ahead and guess." you reply, interested at the variety in responses.

"Everything they have. The Sealord's Guard will have been instructed to prevent any access, and assume that any is the cult. All cult resources will be drawn upon; this is their do-or-die purpose. They are doubting, and have only gone ahead with the plan because they fear that if they wait, you will prevent them from ever enacting it. All resources will be thrown into the fray, if they can. Expect summoned monsters on the middle levels, and cult officials and leaders, powerful ones most likely, on the top."

"I... see." you say. Hmm... It occurs to you to wonder how the artifact learns or knows things. Your silent watcher, though, makes this a potentially risky question.

[1 left]

rolled 9 = 9

"Would Cygnis react favorably if I tried to court her?"

>>12721189
Must. Do. This.

Must troll watcher.

Muuuuust troll.

>>12721188
How would Cygnis respond if I kissed her?

We could always ask who is watching us right now.

>>12721218

Lets save that for if we can't think of another, more pressing question.

Fuck it. Let's ask why it answers us. Whoever is watching can stuff it. Maybe we can even ask it to answer quietly. (That might give us an idea of how intelligent it is, too.)

>>12721275
No. No no. I would sooner ask who is watching us, even though we most likely know the answer. Troll question gets my vote, and then we head home to check on Scinnari and Asha.

Before asking any question let's see where Scinnari is. She hasn't checked in lately.

>>12721188

Well if it comes down to the troll options I believe I prefer >>12721189 over the others.

>>12721232

This is risky as fuck, as the sphere will almost certainly bring up our nature.

I'm still tempted to vote for it though.

>>12721298
I second this. Could influence our qestion.

How about "Without stating what I am, are you answering me alone because of who/what I am?"

we could troll the watcher, or we could do something that makes us look like we are preparing for the upcoming attack, which would make us look better in the eyes of our watcher, as they would probably not know we are aware of them.
if the watcher is cygnis, she would be happy, if its az, he would be satisfied, and if its someone else , well we are probably screwed no matter what we say then, so best to get the most valuable information while we can, as any dragon would love to have an orb like this, and we are really not sure that the dragon watching is an ally, it could even be bound to the cult.

>>12721322
Can a non polymorphed dragon kiss someone though? >>12721189 certainly would take our true nature into account but I thought >>12721232 was something covered only by our human form.

>>12721289
>>12721218
>>12721189
"And..." you say, as if pondering your last question. It's already formed in your mind, though, a happily twisted jab at Azdukashen.

"How would Cygnariassis respond if I attempted to court her?" you ask, after a few 'furtive' glances around. Listen as you might, you can't hear a response from your watcher.

"...Favorably..." the artifact chimes, a slightly different tone. No further answers are forthcoming, so you stand for a few moments, silent, and straining to hear, lest Azdukashen resort to preemptive measures.

[What do with the artifact, and what do now? We've got almost two hours left, and a bit over three until sundown.]

rolled 23 = 23

Is something watching us?

>>12721363
[sarcasm] Oh yeah, that doesn't sound suspicious as fuck. [/sarcasm]

>>12721237
>>12721366
Yeah, I doubt dragons can kiss
Just ask if how she would respond if we kissed as is

>>12721365

Yeah, fuck it, let's be diligent about stopping the freaky cthulhoid cult.

SRS QUESTION TIEM NAO.

>>12721390
Too late, questions exhausted.
Time to fuck shit up!

>>12721371
check in on our Demon

>>12721371

INITIATE MAXIMUM TROLLFACE.

either way, we have to make sure that the answer doesn't expose anything we don't want exposed, like the dragon-slaying sword, our true nature, or hell our alignment would probably be best to keep secret. even hinting that we might not be kosher would probably be enough to get Az snapping at our heels.

So, show of hands now. Who else is wondering if it wasn't Cygnariassis spying on us rather than Azdukashen?

>>12721371
Take it home with us. And see where Scinnari is, hopefully waiting there.

I have a suggestion for the artifact while we are on the raid. Leave it with Jerrik and a cadre of kobolds in our secret cavern. If Jerrik is holding it then it can't be scryed and Az can't know where it is to steal it. And oh my I'm sure he wants to.

>>12721426

That would be somewhat awkward.

GM initiates trollface?

>you forpint

Captcha, are saying I'm short?

>>12721426
I was wondering, but I doubt it. I was honestly wondering if it was another dragon that we don't know. But it's most likely Az.

>>12721451
Aw, just thinking that that wonderful troll opportunity might have been wasted ticks me off.

Switching the orb to your right hand, you focus on the ring bound to Scinnari's collar. You begin visualizing it, then her.. then... Aisha? Walls... Bars... A cell. A /cell/? The hells? Disturbing. Shifting focus, you try and figure out where she is.... The pompously named 'Halls of Justice', where you have been once before. Bagged by the Sealo- Of course! She teleported back to your house.. How on earth did they actually managed to capture them, though? Perhaps they brought a wizard in two, or she couldn't get out without blowing her cover as your consort.. Still, you evidently need to get them out.

>>12721426
If it was, I don't think we'd lose cred with her. A throwaway line about how it's tough to know how bold one is allowed to be when trying to charm a dragon, and we simultaneously justify our action and flatter her pride.

>>12721523

Shit just got real.

We're going to need them for the assault, and they're OURS. No motherfucker takes what's ours and gets away with it.

Rescue Time.

>>12721523
It never rains but it pours, huh?

>>12721403
Devil.


And does anyone think that any significance is attached by the fact that we used her full name, or were we just doing that to make sure there could be no misunderstanding for Az?

>>12721523
Blast! How inconvenient.

Nothing for it, though. Talking our way in and out of there would be a bitch, but fighting our way in... seems dangerous.

Can we polymorph well enough to imitate someone, and subsequently use that to bluff our way into seeing them freed?

okay, now that we are out of questions we should see if we can get the orb back into the fire to start recharging(only if we are sure nobody would be able to steal it), come back in an hour to check it again, ask serious questions without having a watcher, so we could ask the questions that would reveal secrets best kept away from prying ears, and then chuck it in, wait until we are ready to attack, and bring it with us with a few charges left, just in case we need the extra info in the middle of the battle, or to ask for specific information about the situation after the battle like say if we have a door that we can't open,can't get around, can't bash down and only have 10 min left before the cultists succeed it would be a really useful trump card, also if they bring out some crazy shit it would be handy for identifying dangers. considering that this is going to be an all or nothing, having the ability to question it about exactly what they are throwing at us if we can't deal with it normally would be useful. considering that they know dragons are around, they will probably have specifically anti dragon equipment prepared, as well as whatever they can get their hands on, so estoric spells and traps here we come. of course this assumes that they will be expecting us to drop in before they are done. which they should, what with how they have a price on their heads and this is the hour of their triumph(or so they think).

We should also check up on Asha, then see if we can work on getting to Scinnari, as it would probably be bad luck for us to go without all available assets we can afford to use.

>>12721523
Glad we did that. Let's go invisibly, keeping an eye out for magical alarms or dispels since it is a prison after all. First let's sneak into our house and down into the cavern and get Jerrik to hang on to the crystal. He is our most trusted servant, after all.

>>12721613
>>12721610
We must not use any draconic powers anywhere where Az could be watching invisibly. That's why I said sneak into our house and then down into the catacombs while invisible. He won't be able to follow us without opening the doors, which are all alarmed and trapped.

>>12721590
I think there may be some significance. But I'm also a little concerned, that stupid artifact never give you the whole story after all.

>>12721649
>our doors are all alarmed and trapped
You are so full of BS. Seriously. I'll let it slide, though. Let's say we sent Scinnari out to make it happen last week, or something. ('cause, people forwarded the idea, but never actually confirmed that we should DO EET.)
#########################

Your arrive home invisible, and bypass two sets of guards. The interior of your house, you find, is somewhat empty without either of your two ladies present. A pity. You remember that they were in the same cell, and hope that they can... refrain from killing each other until you get there. That would be most disheartening. At the very least, though, Scinnari knows you don't want Asha dead, and would probably be able to prevent it. How to get them out...

Descending to your secret cellar, you do not find Jarrik. A disappointment, to be sure; he is rather capable. Ascending the long route once again, (the chute is more difficult with one hand holding the crystal,), you return to your room, and the anti-scrying chest in particular. You could store it there, if you did not want it along for the ride.

[How are we going to arrange our break?]

rolled 1 = 1

Polymorph into a guard?

Take out a guard, steal his uniform and polymorph into him. Attempt to bluff our way through and open their cell. After that, they can both likely escape on their own.

>>12721782
I call BS on your BS. I specifically remember saying, myself, that we should have alarms on our trapdoors and heavy traps on the entrance to our sewers. Our house doors, no, they aren't trapped or alarmed. But then again, we're going through the trap doors. And we couldn't have Scinnari trap or alarm our trap doors because she doesn't know about them.

>>12721782
Kick down the door, eat the guard, prestigation open the lock, walk out with escorts?

Or just them both to teleport out.

>>12721782
Let's haul the shielded chest down into our cavern and stash it in some nook. Like look over the edge to that bottomless pit and see if there is a (solid! rock!) ledge we can lower the chest onto.

I'm really paranoid about someone taking this artifact away. It seems too powerful for WD to let us keep.

rolled 36 = 36

Daft suggestion that's daft enough maybe to work - how about going through the wall? I mean, they'll be expecting people to go through the door.

You know, we're the goddamn Hero of FREEPORT, and a potential council member to boot. Perhaps we can just go in there and demand that they release our ladies, they have no proof, no justification, word between us and them, the Sealord's a cultist, it'll all be going down at the lighthouse tonight, thank you, thank you, I'll have someone send a fruitbasket along tomorrow, if we're all alive?

>>12721874

Cool aid man style?

>>12721881
The city guards obey the Sealord, not us. And these are probably either his cronies or maybe even cultists. I say stealth and prestidigitation.

>>12721898
I support this idea.

Or the stealth. Either one.

>>12721817
Ah. Okay. That I remember to, I thought you were saying that all our house doors were trapped and alarm'd.

>>12721868
>Implying I can't fabricate an excuse any time I want. Also that I'm not enjoying the annoying-as-hell answers.

I'll concede that it has the potential to be very problem-causing, if it lasts too long.

####################

Deciding to at least case the scene, you approach the courthouse-and-prison, and step inside, invisible. You aren't detecting any magic, which doesn't necessarily mean anything, as one ring on you demonstrates. Still, you're confident enough to move forward.

A small detachment of guards on patrol, a harried-looking captain at a desk, and several (shut) gates leading off into the other wards. Well manned, but then again, it is a major civic institution.

>>12721898
We're big... and red. Could work. Might take explaining.

>>12721913
Please. The crystal said the cult has all their resources on the docks. We are a prominent person in the city, a blazing star of meteoric rise, and we have opposed the cult at every turn. Joe McAverage guard is probably feeling confused and unethical about being ordered to detain our lovely ladies for no reason. Worth a shot, they can hardly stop us if it doesn't work.

>>12721970
It guessed, and diverting resources to locking us down would be an effective use of manpower too.

>>12721951
I know you can do it at any time, but I can at least do my best to make you say "And then one day it just wasn't there anymore. Must have been a sentient class-leveled artifact with teleport memorized."

As for the jailbreak... hell, I don't know. I guess walk up to the front desk and act all noble and offended, threatening dire punishments and using the phrase "Don't you know who I am?" a lot.

>>12721951
Incinerate the lobby with fire. Do the entire thing, make sure noone who actually sees us survives, free the pair and get them out. Curl up in the lobby, look traumatised. Claim it was a small dragon who polymorphed and disappeared, describe Az in hus human form.

>>12721970
Pulling an OH YEAH is foolish, reckless and completely abandons our thus-far surprisingly successful efforts at remaining incognito. As tempted as I am to vote for it, I cannot.

If we didn't need all of our 'bolds tunneling to the lighthouse, I'd say put a few on Alcatraz duty. I am conflicted.

>>12722099
Yeah, he's probably gonna figure that one out right quick considering we're one of like, two people who knows about him being here and the other is a blood relative on good terms with him while we're doing everything in our power to troll the shit out of him and/by bang(ing) his sister or whatever.

Last time we were in here, we got bailed via a religious figure, so if it hasn't been announced yet that the church head is dead, we could polymorph into an acolyte, say their presence has been requested, and that Cibach is already waiting for them there.

Assuming that they've also been ordered to lock US down as well, odds are good they'll just let them go so we can lead the guards back to "us". With the girls out and us basically knowing we'll be followed, it'd be pretty easy to lose them.

We lose the element of surprise on the lighthouse attack if they know we're on to them, though.

No to revealing ourselves. I mean, seriously guys? Waste all of the effort we've made thus far in remaining unknown? Nope.

rolled 75 = 75

>>12722124

I wasnt directly saying to impersonate that strange coolaid chap - just to not use the door.

As an aside though - it would be kind of funny xD

>>12721868
>>12721970


"Captain." you say, stepping out from nowhere, "Please explain why you have two members of my household held here." your voice is hard, and your appearance doesn't allow him any time to prepare.

"I-Wha- Lord." he says, rising, buying time with a simple salute. You press the attack.

"I am informed that Lady Asmora and the individual Asha were accosted on my own property. The excuse- Perhaps you'd care to remind me?"

"I'm sorry sir! 'Pending official investigation, I'm afraid." the guard sergeant replies. "I- had orders to detain you too, I'm afraid. Sir."

"To detain me? Then you know who I am?" you ask, and again allow no time for him to respond. "Listen to me, then. The cult is currently active, and things are unfolding rapidly. High Captain Kazmiri was not a cultist; the actual cultists on the council, including the Sealord, who's signature, I'm sure, was on your orders, used him as a sacrifice to claim the council was cleansed. Currently, /as/ /we/ /speak/, the cult is enacting a vile ritual in the lighthouse. They know I know too much, and they know I am a threat." You've been leaning over the desk as you speak to him, and are now almost nose to nose.

"Captain, those orders were sent /specifically/ to delay me and my compatriots until it is too late. Those orders came directly from the head cultist of the lot. Are you really going to try to follow them?"

[dice 1d100+20, Target of 60]

rolled 83 = 83

>>12722181
Dice

rolled 74 + 20 = 94

>>12722181

>>12722201
good one, with +20 that's a 103 with target 60

rolled 28 + 20 = 48

>>12722181
rolling

rolled 32 = 32

I'm liking the look of those dice rolls! :D

>>12722207
>>12722201
"I- My orders..."

"Captain, would the this guard take anyone who tried to join? A deserting sailor, a gutter cutthroat?"

"No, sir. Bu-"

"Then think about why that is. Why is it that individuals like you are accepted, but others are not? Do you know the answer?" you actually pause here, just in case.

"Yes." he says, unhappy, but won over. "I- Alright. I'll get them out. Please don't prove me wrong."

"Captain; the Sealord has no justification. Orders will come down this evening, or tomorrow morning, if they're trying to be thorough, saying that it was a mistake, let us go, apologize and kowtow for them. They have nothing they can legally demand you to do."

"You're right, Free Captain. I'll send someone- Meniks, go and bring back the two-" he answers, and you notice him stumble over his words. Word choice, your presence. You idly wonder what he had intended to call them. "-ladies back up."

"Sergeant?"

"You heard me, and you heard him. Move." he orders. The guard salutes and heads out. You're paranoid enough that you don't sit down, and keep an eye on the entrances and exits. Still, a few minutes later, Asha and Scinnari are led back out, glaring daggers at their captors.

"Ah. Cibach." Scinnari says, smiling.

"I was hoping you wouldn't be here to join us, when you arrived." Asha says, still glaring at the guards.

"Show time, I'm afraid." you say to them, then turn to the guards. "Thank you, Captain, I won't forget it." you say, then turn to leave.

"Good luck, Free Captain." he says, as you walk down the front steps.

>>12722333
Time for a sitrep, get their status and what went down. Update them on the plans for the lighthouse, quietly. Let's not mention the dragons to Asha yet, I would like to see her candid reaction to them when we are about to depart. How much time do we have left? If it's an hour and a half let's go retrieve the crystal and send Scinnari to grab as many magical knicknacks for Asha as she can from our hoard. Finally, we make our way to the meeting point and charge the crystal while we wait for zero hour.

>>12722333
Uh, let's locate Cygnis just to make sure she's not back there in the dungeon too. Grab the crystal and charege it at the spot we are supposed to be.

>>12722379
It's getting a bit late, and I am under no condition staying up until five again to finish the quest. Shall we call it a night and resume on Monday or Wenesday?

>>12722379
Do this, but also make a stop and tell the kobolds to blow up the tower ten minutes before the ritual would be complete if we don't stop them.

Could we buy a, like, long range signaling stones or something? Like, a pair of them. We break one and the other one changes color. That would make it a lot easier. Kinda like an "EVERYONE DIES!" doomsday switch for if we are overwhelmed.

rolled 76 = 76

>>12722392

We could wrap up. Monday sounds good :D

>>12722392
Sure.

>>12722392
It is getting kinda late, you remembered to set your clock back an hour right WD?

I never read the first thread, and it's not archived, but was the start of the story one of those 'you wake up with amnesia' ones? If so, we should ask the crystal, "Who am I?" next time we get a chance. Provided we're sure we're alone, of course.

Actually, even if we do know, it might be an interesting question, and might reveal a bit about how the crystal works.

rolled 22 = 22

>>12722422

tis' 8:13 am here

>>12722438
Ditto, it's kinda hard to reference stuff you can't read though.

>>12722422
Computer. I'm good.

>>12722414
Monday or Wednesday. Hopefully both, though I may be busy one or both days. I find the later highly unlikely, though. Even if that happens, next Sunday is a given.


>>12722379
>>12722391
Can be done, confirm/correct/countermand?

>>12722409
Might be possible. It's late, and the weather is rapidly getting worse, though. Shops are closing, people getting indoors, etc. Roll for it, beat 75.

rolled 93 = 93

>>12722461
Confirmed, and rollan. Night, WD. Another awesome thread. Think you could recap what happened in thread 1 sometime for those of us who picked it up on thread 2?

rolled 10 = 10

>>12722486
My dice are the dice that will pierce the heavens. 93, aw yeah.

>>12722461
Sure we can do that. No need for me to roll it seems.

>>12722486
Not too much. Got off a ship (we'd been picked up as a castaway from some floatsam,), bought Jerrik, got hired by a small group to translate some stuff for them, went to help them loot (what turned out to be) Kazmiri's tower, and the group wizard managed to critically fumble a fireball, offing himself and a wounded part member when we were attacked by ghouls. (Ended very abruptly right after that. I realized quite how late I was up.)


As for the missing memory, we remember being born, growing up, etc, it was just that we didn't remember how we came to be a castaway in the middle of the ocean, lucky to be picked up by a passing ship. Perhaps we got hit on the head.


I actually have my OP from DQ 1 somewhere... lemmee go search.

>>12722527
dnd noob here, Born or Hatched?

>>12722540
I believe dragons are supposed to be semi-sentient when they're laid as eggs, though I may be wrong. Either way, Egg, egg shell, all that stuff. Hatched. And we (dimly) remember both. No parents, grew up on our own. Haven't run into other dragons until now. (After all, we're /still/ kind of small. Just less small.)

>>12722540
Presumably hatched, being pureblood red and all.

rolled 50 = 50

>>12722540

Born blatantly.

Also - have we archived yet?

>>12722559
No, I'll do it now. Was waiting on WD's last post but it probably won't be significant PLOT so much as just tying things up and seeing what Scinnari and Asha were up to.

>>12722573
I'm feeling tired enough and typing slowly enough I think I'll just neglect that, or have it be in the next quest's OP. (Mon. or Weds., usual non-weekend time.)

Actually, I might start with us mou- uh, 'saddling up' for our attack. List anything that we need to do between now and then here, I guess. I'll check it before I start XXII.

>>12722486
Confirmed and noted. What form should they take? Rod, break-to-signal style?

>>12722602
If we can get it with multiple uses and command word activated it would be best. But if that's not viable we can just have a glass ball or something that we can throw onto the stones and shatter to make the kobold's crystal change color.

Archived.