Winslow Villa - Azurea
Anya pulls the party off to the side of the main room, and starts fishing something out of her bag.
Anya: “I’m supposed to give these to you. Usila, since she couldn’t be here, crafted items for each of you that would help you in the fight. She said something along the lines of, ‘So their fight with Zelena doesn't happen like last time.’ Do you know what she means?”
The party laughs OOC as in character, Varis, Khadgar, and Moana shuffle awkwardly since thanks to Usila, last time they narrowly avoided death by Zelena’s hand. Anya pulls out amulets with pendants of a shard of clear crystal that gives off a faint green glow.
Khadgar: “Wait. Is that… Is that from the crystal we left her?”
Moana: “You mean the one I carried on my back?”
Anya: “Yes. She hasn’t finished her research but,” she pulls out a note, “The crystal you brought back is capable of storing magical energy. These crystals are just small fragments that should be able to hold a moderate enchantment for a time. You need all help you can get, and these should offer protection in the coming fight. I’ve been able to empower them with a small warding of death, but it will not last forever and unfortunately only works once. These are experimental, and though the magic will hold, it is unstable. Once triggered the crystal will shatter. So… don’t die… but if you do, it should help.”
26-Lobsters: “Don’t die, but if you do… this will help. What does that even mean?”
Gavin: “Guess we’ll find out.”
They rejoin the main group and 30 minutes later, a knock on the door. A guard from the outside opens it, and Khadgar immediately gets up and prepares a spell. A goliath in fine red and silver clothing ducks in and strides into the villa. “Which one of you is Rachel Winslow?”
Rachel: “That would be me. Am I correct in assuming you are Lord Cedric Vahn Brock? And you have been notified of the situation?”
Lord Vahn Brock: “You are correct on both accounts. I have ordered what patrols we have to fall back to the walls and the main garrison to await further instruction. It would help if I knew of your plan.”
Gavin: “We don’t have a plan.”
Lord Vahn Brock: “Hmph. So you summon me, tell me there is a threat upon my city, and yet offer no plan of action to fight against a threat only you seem to know exists?”
Khadgar: “Uhhh… well, Myriam has a plan.”
Myriam: “I beg your pardon? You overheard their plans. I rallied everyone together.”
Khadgar goes into a long speech detailing Zelena, the shadow web, their adventure, and other details. To his credit, Cedric’s eyes only gloss over for a few minutes once or twice.
Khadgar: “We need support from the guard to keep track of some locations we will give you.”
Lord Vahn Brock: “Very well. The guards are already on high alert. Do you suspect they will lay siege to the city or infiltrate it and attack from within?”
Gavin: “We aren’t even sure if they have an army. They probably can’t lay siege to anything.”
Khadgar: “But, it fits more their style to infiltrate and attack from within.”
Varis: “There is also talk of creatures being summoned. They may use diversionary tactics to hide their true target.”
Lord Vahn Brock: “Very well. I shall assign you a liaison to coordinate your efforts. I must see to it the Crimson Guard have the castle on full lock down. Our forces will primarily be stationed in lines of defense to protect the inner districts and castle. Keep that in mind before you attempt to send them to who knows where in the city.”
He rises and leaves the villa back towards the castle. The villa grows quiet as the night goes on. As if the calm before a storm, a few prepare their weapons or swing them absentmindedly. Others look over a map of the city, waiting for any word from the guards or from Varkol. Deep in the dark, hours into the night: the ground begins to tremble.
Gavin: “Well I hope all those elite guards at the castle can protect it from this earthquake!”
Night in Azuria
Myriam darts out the door, followed by the party and the rest of the allies. Dark clouds have rolled in, blocking all light from any celestial bodies. Looking out on the city, 3 large black spires are rising out of the ground across the city. From the tower rising in the Acropolis, blue streaks of lightning emanate from the ground as fighting breaks out. From the tower in the Mekali district across the city, creatures swoop down from the spire barely visible by the streen lantern light, and the spire at the Garrison is cloaked in shadowy wisps of dark energy falling off the tower and spreading along the ground.
The party decides on heading to the Mekali tower as it is mainly residential and has next to no defenses. As they run, Myriam and Merle break off to counter whatever magical forces are working at the Garrison Tower. The dwarves break off to bring the fight to the Acropolis Tower. Rachel, Gardevra, and Anya make their way towards a herbology shop run by a woman named Angela, a friend to Myriam, and will act as triage to direct citizens and bring healing where they can. Along the way to the tower, the Green Knight from before comes rushing up beside them, assigned as their liaison but now comrade in the coming fight.
After exiting the Lord’s Court District, 2 of the flying creatures break off from a pack and dive into an alleyway and head straight for the group. The hairs on the back of Gavin’s neck stand on end, and out of the corner of his eye, he sees a banshee materialize behind them. Varis darts out ahead, not knowing of the Banshee’s presence and attempts to form a shadow blade from Morthos’ amulet and throw it at an approaching Cloaker. Unfortunately, he is a little too eager and throws before it has formed, flinging only wisps of shadow that fall before him.
Gavin turns to alert the group of the banshee’s presence, ”Hey everyone, turn around and look at this stupid banshee.” However, his vicious mockery seems to have no effect.
The banshee unleashes a horrifying wail that echoes down the alley. Those closest heard Gavin’s warning and just managed to cover their ears and mitigate most of the effect. Varis, alone further down the alley, was unable to react in time and gets a full destructive blast (dropping to 1HP).
Moana rushes forward drinking a healing potion and tossing Varis another one before taking a defensive stance towards the Cloakers descending on the party. One cloaker rushes over their heads towards the larger group, specifically the Green Knight, and is bashed aside by her shield. Khadgar sends magic missiles towards the banshee and 26-Lobsters attacks the farthest cloaker. The far cloaker swoops in and bites and latches itself onto Moana. The Green Knight’s shield glows with silver light and she bashes the cloaker before her with it as it crumples, stunned.
Varis slashes the cloaker on Moana with a shadow blade, damaging both of them. Gavin’s dissonant whispers kills the Cloaker wrapped onto Moana, while the Banshee goes after Khadgar. He dodges as Moana unleashes his storm fury on the stunned cloaker and stabs it with his trident. 26-Lobsters lets a firebolt loose towards the banshee as she dissolves in flames. Enemies subdued, the Green Knight heals Varis with her paladin abilities.
Varis: “Hey uh, we didn’t catch your name.”
Green Knight: removing her helmet, a young woman with hair pulled back and a face vaguely familiar to one member of the party. “Yeah, I’m Bridgit. Is everyone ok?”
Varis: “Save your healing for later. We might need it.”
They race off again towards the tower. The other cloakers seem to have spread themselves thin. There are screams and cries from adjacent allies, but the tower is the prime target for the group. They round a corner that empties into a plaza. Cackling skulls wreathed in flame zip around as a goliath moves to the center of the plaza, bringing out a very ornate crescent saber.
Gaumul: “So we meet at last. I’m surprised tha-”
Khadgar: “Gaumul!” and he launches a fire ball that explodes hitting Gaumul and one of the flameskulls.
Gavin: “Sorry to interrupt you’re villain monologue, but we don’t have time for this.” and he activates the sky blue gem from Myriam’s tower and an obedient Air Elemental Myrmidon is summoned before him and commands it to attack.
Moana OOC: “I kinda wanted to hear what he was gonna say.”
Varis lashes out with a shadow blade and 26-Lobsters unleashes a Shadow Orb from the ring of spell storing also found at Myriam’s tower. An inky black sphere shoots out and races forward and slows as it approaches Gaumul and a tendril of darkness reaches out and leeches his life force. 26-Lobster's magic goes wild and fog emanates from him and obscures the entire plaza, before the swirling winds of the air myrmidon push the fog backwards into a side alley. Moana and Brigit run up to attack Gaumul. Bridgit lifts her shield as ghostly silver vines wrap around Gaumul and restrain him. Though raging, he is unable to break free.
From the side alley, a figure leaps out, and, with a whirlwind of blows, slashes at one of the flameskulls knocking out of the air and floundering to recover. It lets out a bolt of fire that the woman dodged effortlessly before spinning to face the party.
The Party in unison: “MELODY!”
Varis OOC: “I was wondering when she was going to show up.”
Melody: a smile on her face, but devilish gleam in her eye, “That sword is mine, Varis!”
Varis: “No! Why is she here?!” OOC: “I’m gonna need to sleight of hand this very fancy crescent saber.”
While the party is distracted, the other flameskull prepares to launch a fireball at the party, but with the quick perception of Gavin and Khadgar, they manage to dispel it before it can even form. Gaumul, surrounded, is in a very unfortunate situation. With the entire party, Bridgit, and the air elemental all focused on him, he doesn’t stand much of a chance. He lashes out, straining against the vines. Focusing on the other wielder of a crescent saber, he slashes Varis as dark flames spawn on the blade just before impact. In return, Varis brings Gaumul to death’s door as his mind is wracked with psychic damage from the shadow blade.
Khadgar: “Remember the name!”
Rest of Party OOC: “... what name do you say?”
Gavin OOC: “He has no clue who you are. He’s never seen you.”
Varis OOC: “He’s never met any of us.”
Gaumul looks up to the group with a look of utter fury. He opens his mouth. 26-Lobsters places a lightning wreathed hand on his shoulder, and Gaumul collapses, dead.
Gavin: “He died as he lived: without getting a chance to speak.”
Varis OOC: “and… using my free action of my turn I pick up the fancy Crescent Saber.”
26-Lobsters OOC: “actually, it’s my turn. I pick up the fancy sword… and hand it to Varis.”
The party quickly dispatches the flameskulls and Melody approaches them.
Varis: keeping the Sword of Kaleth behind his back, “I don’t know where that sword went Melody. Must have vanished.”
Mekali Plaza - Azuria
With a look of “I’ll get you back for this.” she smiles and tells them to lead on. She’s making sure Varis doesn’t break a priceless artefact. Racing through the alleyways and plazas towards the center of the Mekali district, cloakers still glide over the buildings and other dark creatures periodically dart between structures, but soon they come to a large plaza where the dark spire juts out of the ground several stories into the air. As they approach, a figure emerges from the archway.
Gavin OOC: “I politely wait for any monologues.”
Zelena: “Now why am I not surprised to find you all still alive? In a way, I guess I should be thankful Rolan’s incompetence allowed you to be here to witness this. Much more enjoyable for me.”
Khadgar: “How did you know we were his problem?”
Zelena: now leaning on the side of the archway, “My dear, I keep tabs on everyone. Especially you three after our first encounter.”
26-Lobsters: “You’ve been keeping tabs on me?”
Zelena: “... who the heck are you?”
26-Lobsters: “Aha! So not everybody.” and to his raven feather: “who is this?”
A soft female voice whispers in the back of his mind: “An enemy. One who tampers with fate. Kill her and she and I shall meet face to face.”
Khadgar: “You reign ends here, Zelena. Give up now.”
Zelena: “My dear, did you really think it would be so easy? Thanks to you, we have a new ally. I think it’s time to introduce you to Reg’tilgathra.”
An ear piercing roar echoes over the town. 2 pinpricks of blue light rise from above the castle and race towards the party in the dark sky. Soon they see the creature's mouth open and raining destruction down from the sky. The beat of its wings grows louder and louder as the party now begins to make out the faint shape of a large black dragon almost perfectly hidden in the dark sky. A contingent of guards was rallying to the parties location and was running down the alleyway when the dragon dove above the streets and unleashed black fire upon them. When it was gone, they all lay still. Suddenly, dark forms rose from their bodies and came streaking down the alley towards the party.
Melody: “Bridgit and I will hold back the Shadows. Take that thing out of the sky!”
Melody and Bridgit rush to the opening of the alley and take a defensive stance before unleashing chaos as Bridgit’s shield glows silver and radiant light explodes with each shield bash.
At the tower, the shadow dragon has coiled around the spire and it’s blue eyes glow menacingly as it stares at each of the party members.
Zelena: “Careful lovelies. One slip up and you could lose everything you hold dear. We wouldn’t want to tarnish such lovely reunions now would we?” She gives a cruel laugh as she glances towards Gavin and Varis. She throws up a ward in front of her and the tower, and the dragon lunges and lands in front of the party.
It’s glowing blue eyes flare to life, the dragon raises its head back before unleashing a wave of black fire upon the party as they scramble to get out of the street. Khadgar manages to hit the ground and roll to mitigate a direct attack. From inside the dark plume, 4 silvery white pinpoints of light appear before the fire fades and the other party members look to each other in shock, before the crystals around their necks crumble away.
26-Lobsters: “Hey feather, should I kill this one too?”
A different voice responds. A masculine voice, steady but reassuring comes to the back of his mind.
???: “Yes. and my blessing shall be upon you.”
The party quickly moves to try and surround the young dragon.. Varis keeps glancing back to Bridgit and Melody to check on them. Moana enters a rage and a stormy aura surrounds him and lashes out at the dragon. 26-Lobsters casts a lightning bolt straight at its face, and a surge of magic courses through him. He is just able to harness it and he teleports 60ft away behind the dragon.
Gavin ensorcels the dragon into believing a pair of ravens have flown down and are pecking out the dragons eyes. As the phantasm occupy the dragon’s attention, Khadgar unleashes motes of ball lightning from the ring of shooting stars he found in Myriam’s tower. The orbs flutter around the dragon’s head as it thrashes against the imaginary ravens. Varis unleashes attack after attack with the Sword of Kaleth. Despite the attacks not seeming to pierce through the shadowy aura that deep, Varis can sense the dragon taking damage. In fact, none of their attacks seem to be piercing its aura very well.
Though irritated, the dragon unleashes a roar and senses those in close proximity to it. It spins aiming to smash them with its tail. Moana is hit and thrown 10ft away from it, as Varis and the elemental jump and duck to avoid it. The air elemental myrmidon swoops off to the side and strikes the dragon’s head with its mace as a bolt of electricity arcs down the chain. The phantasmal ravens continue to pick at its eyes, as Varis unleashes a critical attack and another flurry of strikes at the dragon. Gavin loads one of his modified barbed crossbow bolts and fires it into the chest of the dragon, critically hitting it, before sending a healing word to Varis. Moana flanks around behind and stabs with his trident as his storm aura sends more lightning at it. 26-Lobsters, sends both a firebolt and lightning bolt towards the dragon, and the shadowy aura starts to thin. The ball lightning still dances around its head. Varis continues glancing back at Melody and Brigit as they have slowly been falling back to the dragon’s position as Shadows begin to overwhelm them.
Irritated with the situation, Reg’tilgathra spreads his wings and takes to the air unleashing a blast of air down the street. Varis, Gavin, Khadgar, Melody, and Bridgit are forced to take a knee and brace themselves, though the Shadows are pushed back, giving a slight reprieve. Khadgar sends the ball lightning to its head. Gavin heats the barbed bolt. Moana takes out a harpoon and launches at the dragon, missing, and reels it in for another shot. Varis weaves through his allies straight for Bridgit and slashes at a Shadow attacking her, dissolving it.
Bridgit: “Hey! What do you think you’re doing? I had it under control. You should be focused on the giant dragon over there!”
Varis: “Just stay behind me.”
Moana pegs the dragon in its leg and begins climbing up to it, his aura just barely able to reach it. 26-Lobsters unleashes another twinned spell before another wild surge of magic rises up and waits to amplify the next spell. As Moana climbs onto and grabs the dragon’s leg, it attempts to kick and throw Moana off. As it kicks its leg back, the barb flares a glowing red throwing the dragon off balance. Its wing clips one of the buildings and it tumbles to the ground into the narrow street. Moana hits the ground hard, Khadgar is slammed by its tail, and as he hits the ground, the crystal shatters and Khadgar is still alive.
Now the dragon is on the ground and surrounded. The barb flares again to life, and 26-Lobsters lunches an amplified lightning strike straight at the dragon before yet another surge of wild magic bends an illusion around him, rendering him invisible. Varis and Moana strike its head as the orbs of lightning descend upon it. 26-Lobsters invisibly clambers onto its head as he uses thunder step and with the crack of thunder, the dragon drops; lifeless. The Shadows in the street dissolve and disappear.
The party immediately goes into loot mode as Khadgar is very eager for materials. Varis immediately pulls him back and reminds him they have a tower and Zelena to deal with. Gavin notices movement at the tower and watches as a scowling Zelena backs into the archway and fades into the darkness. Bridgit and Melody come running up to the body of the lifeless dragon. There is a loud crack, and everyone glances to see the dark spire at the garrison begin to crumble. A second crack, and the Acropolis spire lists to the side before imploding on itself. They turn back to the tower before them.
26-Lobsters OOC: “My health is equal to my lobsters.”
Bridgit starts passing out cure wounds like crazy, Gavin uses what healing he has left, and Varis passes out his healing potions. Then, the party then turns their attention to the spire.
Melody: “I will stay here and guard the entrance. Be swift.”
Khadgar: “Hey, Melody, while you’re here. I’d like some dragon scales, teeth, and some hide if you don’t mind.”
Melody: “Do I look like a tanner to you? Take care of Zelena first and we can worry about it.”
Varis: “Do you want this?” as he holds out the Sword of Kaleth. “If you have the time, see what you can get and I will honor the promise I made you.”
Melody: “Very well, but be quick about it.” and she turns to work on the dragon.
Varis: “You’re the best!”
As they race across the plaza, Bridgit also follows along behind them to the archway into the tower.
Varis: “What are you doing? You need to stay in the street.”
Bridgit: “No way. I’m coming into that tower. I’m not standing by while you could use my help.”
Defeated, Varis sticks close to her and the party enters the tower. The staircase goes in both directions, beneath the city and to the top of the tower. Khadgar sends Hedwig down the stairs, while they race up the stairs. Several stories higher, they reach the top and in the center is a black orb with crackling purple energy. It seems to be a primary source of magic that rose the tower and holds it aloft.
Gavin: “Can… Can I dispel it…? But we’re in the tower so….”
Through Hedwig’s eyes, Khadgar sees Hedwig still descending before coming to a long hallway of rough stone. As she flies along its length, she comes to a closed portcullis that obstructs her path. Waiting to see if she can see anything, Khadgar returns his mind back the party.
Khadgar: “Zelena got away again. We need to take down the tower.”
Varis: “but there are 6 of us up here. 7 with the elemental.”
Khadgar: “Wait who else is up here?”
Varis: “Bridgit is up here.” and he nods over to Bridgit who is inspecting the dark orb.
Khadgar: under his breath, “I don’t care about Bridgit. She’s tough she can take care of herself.”
Gavin: “We’re not killing Bridgit. … I can fly if that helps.”
Khadgar: ”Just trust me I can get us all out of here.”
Khadgar turns to the orb and casts dispel magic. With a faint “pop” the orb disappears. For a moment, nothing happens.
Suddenly, there is a sickening crack as the tower lurches to one side. Gavin immediately casts fly and begins to levitate over the tower.
Khadgar: “Everyone, to the edge and jump!”
Moana: “I’m not jumping off!”
Khadgar: “Just do it!”
Moana, 26-Lobsters, and Khadgar move to the edge. As the tower trembles, Bridgit immediately heads back towards the stairs before Varis catches her arm.
Varis: “Jump off. Let’s go.”
Bridgit: “What?! Are you crazy?! ”
Varis: “He’ll make sure you don’t hit the ground. Let’s go.”
Bridgit: “Are you sure?”
Varis: “Positive.”
The others jump over the side as the tower begins to tremble and collapse at an alarming rate. Bridgit and Varis stand at the edge looking over.
Bridgit: “Well, I’m making sure you’re coming with me.” and she holds out her hand.
Varis takes her hand and they both jump. Everyone is free falling several stories as Gavin slowly flies over them. As they approach the ground, Khadgar casts feather Fall to catch them all, and once grounded, the tower loses structural stability and begins to come crashing down on them and imploding on itself. Running back towards the street with the dragon and Melody, they barely escape the crumbling debris and catch their breath before Khadgar immediately jumps up and goes still.
Khadgar: “Hedwig!”
Looking through her eyes he sees her flying rapidly up the stair case before the tower collapses in and his vision goes dark. He turns, a forlorn look in his eyes when the party brings him to what Melody had been able to come up with. Separate piles of several scales, fillets, and teeth are nicely stacked as Melody keeps working. Seeing the group she stands back up and holds her hand out expectantly.
Melody: “Well. There you go. Now then.”
Varis: “What? Oh! You know what, I lost it in the tower. It was a real shame and-”
Melody: laughing and smiling, “Don’t play games with me, Varis. Don’t do it. I can see it on your back.”
26-Lobsters: “I can thunderstep us outta here if you need.”
Varis: “No, I gave you my word. Here you are.” and he holds out the Sword of Kaleth.
As soon as Melody gets a hand on it, Gavin comes up behind and casts invisibility on him, rending him and the sword invisible. A look of shock goes across Melody’s face.
Melody: deadpan, “Varis, don’t play games with me”
Varis: “I’m not. I’ve let go. It’s yours.”
Gavin drops the invisibility and walks off grumbling.
Melody: “I appreciate that. I assume you found it a most impressive weapon to wield. However, being the only one of its kind, I cannot let it fall into the hands of someone who would misuse it. I can’t have you accidentally losing it. And it would be such a tragedy if it was destroyed and we had no way to replicate it. I just want to make sure it is well protected. But you did a fine job wielding it. Guess all my training you paid off, huh?” She smirks and returns to the spot she was working and continues harvesting some bits.
Off to the side, Gavin heats his dagger and presses it to Moana’s arms to make it look like he got seared and took more damage to impress Rachel. 26-Lobsters crawls into the dragon’s maw and climbs through to try and recover its heart. Khadgar empties his vial of ShadowFood and fills it with black Shadow Dragon blood. When 26-Lobsters tries to talk to the feather, there is no response. Varis takes Bridgit aside and they stroll back into the plaza while the rest of the party collects their loot and begins to head towards the Acropolis. As they get to the Mariner’s District, they run into the dwarves jostling and laughing as they make their way back. Kathra has the biggest grin as she mumbles results to herself and scribbles everything down in a small notebook. Hlin and Barkley are comparing scores with how many kills they got and which ones didn’t count. With them safe and joining the party, they all backtrack towards the garrison. Gavin makes a slight detour without the notice of the party and looks up at the estate with the banner of the Piscor family as silhouettes run back and forth in the lit windows, before rejoining the group.
Flashes of blue lightning, black tendrils of energy, and streams of flame crackle and soar skyward as the party approaches, but all lies still when they arrive. Myriam and Merle stand back to back watching and waiting for any more enemies to reveal themselves. Seeing the others they rally with them and all return to the Bayshore district where Gardevra, Anya, and Rachel are waiting with Lord Cedric Vahn Brock outside the villa.
Winslow Villa - Azuria
Lord Vahn Brock: “Well well. Quite an evening we have had. I suspect you know why I am here?”
Gavin: “Yeah, ‘cause your soldiers did a real bang up job.”
Lord Vahn Brock: “Your presence has been requested by the king. Come with me.”
Before leaving, Khadgar sends a message to Usila:
“Your gifts saved everyone’s life this night. Thank you.”
Usila: in a very sarcastic and teasing way, “Well of course they did, dear. It’s what I do.”
Flanked by Crimson Guard, the entire group is escorted through Bayshore to the long bridge that spans from the mainland to the island fortress of Castle Vereanor. Passing through the gatehouses and up the the large doors of the castle, the party enters to face the King of Merridorn himself.
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