[IC] Chapter 2-4: You Hear Them Whispering in the Crowns of the Trees

[Torin]

Torin listens wisely.

[DM Surranó]

Toot remains in the middle of the pack, protected by Boo who doesn't feel uneasy to the sleightest bit in the presence of this strange and nervous creature. The doodid fills the gaps in the story Shanna and Giant might have left.

Mistletoe waits politely for everyone to finish, nodding here and there, then clears her throat again and replies, her voice still raspy and weak.
"Indeed, we feared for Krusher whom you've just found. He was our scout whom we sent to find out what happened to Koriolis". She adds a strange emphasis to the second name. Shanna, versed in Draconic, realises that this is the way dragons' names are emphasised in their native language.

"And indeed, Koriolis", again, the same strange accent, " is a mighty green dragon; and the fact that you figured this out yourselves proves that you have a slim chance of survival when encountering him. We have lived in a fragile piece, or call it a ceasefire, together in our common forest, from the years when he was just the size of a centaur. Over the past three centuries we had no serious issues with him. Food was plenty for us and game was plenty for him, even when he brought his mate and they had a wyrmling. The female left, the young left, and Koriolis remained, and he understood all too well that it's not in his best interest to destroy the fey community here. No, he couldn't even do that. He possesses magic, yes, but nothing comparable to fey magic, no."

"Then it happened. He slaughtered game by the dozens, and not for feeding. He left them there to rot. Animals started to migrate from Lower Myridon to Upper Myridon, as if the very water of the Crystal Lake were contaminated. We couldn't find the cause but all our animal friends confirm that they feel uneasy drinking from the lake. Maybe due to that faint smell of brimstone."

"First we hired some passers-by and sent them to Koriolis' lair to investigate. None returned. Then we sent Krusher to investigate Upper Myridon but as you also know, he never returned. We didn't want to lose you as well, therefore we put you into this little test of your wits, for which I apologise, but I hope you understand. We think that something, or someone, has a very strong influence on the dragon and this same force makes Crystal Lake tainted."

"And now it is up to you. We can escort you to the entrance of Koriolis' lair, but as I heard you've already guessed where it might be, and yes, you are on the right track. Be wary, for Koriolis, just like any other dragon, is very protective of his lair. Don't rush in headlong and don't try to defeat him by force. I can tell you: you would fail as soon as you even contemplated this possibility. If my instincts are right then Koriolis is as eager to shed that strong influence as we are to restore natural balance to our world."

"What else to say--" she looks at Cranberry who takes the cue.

"Take this," she offers her walking stick to Shanna who seems to be the most adequate choice for the tool. "This artifact has some power to break the strongest will, but we do not know the details. Use wisely."

Once the wand (for it is a wand for the average human) is in someone else's hand, she adds,

"The command word is 'Sliira'."

A closer inspection of the wand reveals that it looks like a piece of petrified tentacle, vine, or stalk, ending in a perfect orb, pale yellow by colour, polished brightly by everyday wear from its former owner's palm.

[Silent Giant]

Huh - he says nothing else

OOC - dispel Dominate Monster? Cool

[Merrinna Starsong]

(If it were only it were that simple, SG.)

"So. A ceasefire with a dragon. It does make a certain kind of sense. I am not sure which I would like to face less, a dragon or whatever entity that can exert control over a dragon. Have you enemies that would seek to destroy you through this dragon? Can you offer up any protections from dragon's breath or dragon fear?"

[DM Surranó]

"No enemies that we know of, especially none that could bend a dragon's will to the slightest bit. I can offer protection from the dragon's acidic breath for some, but not all, of you, but if you will need that then you will end up the same way Krusher did. You said he was torn to pieces. None of our spells would protect you against that. And no, I cannot counter his frightful presence."

OOC - the only spell I know if is Greater Heroism, do you have anything else in mind? Practically anything above 4th level is moot, but if you can find something in Core then I'll see if Mistletoe "knows someone" that can provide such protection. Mistletoe's offer is worth 4 instances of Protection from Elements (Acid), CL8.

[Shanna Rendin]

Toot remains in the middle of the pack, protected by Boo who doesn't feel uneasy to the sleightest bit in the presence of this strange and nervous creature. The doodid fills the gaps in the story Shanna and Giant might have left.

Mistletoe waits politely for everyone to finish, nodding here and there, then clears her throat again and replies, her voice still raspy and weak.
"Indeed, we feared for Krusher whom you've just found. He was our scout whom we sent to find out what happened to Koriolis". She adds a strange emphasis to the second name. Shanna, versed in Draconic, realises that this is the way dragons' names are emphasised in their native language.

"And indeed, Koriolis", again, the same strange accent, " is a mighty green dragon; and the fact that you figured this out yourselves proves that you have a slim chance of survival when encountering him. We have lived in a fragile piece, or call it a ceasefire, together in our common forest, from the years when he was just the size of a centaur. Over the past three centuries we had no serious issues with him. Food was plenty for us and game was plenty for him, even when he brought his mate and they had a wyrmling. The female left, the young left, and Koriolis remained, and he understood all too well that it's not in his best interest to destroy the fey community here. No, he couldn't even do that. He possesses magic, yes, but nothing comparable to fey magic, no."

"Then it happened. He slaughtered game by the dozens, and not for feeding. He left them there to rot. Animals started to migrate from Lower Myridon to Upper Myridon, as if the very water of the Crystal Lake were contaminated. We couldn't find the cause but all our animal friends confirm that they feel uneasy drinking from the lake. Maybe due to that faint smell of brimstone."

"First we hired some passers-by and sent them to Koriolis' lair to investigate. None returned. Then we sent Krusher to investigate Upper Myridon but as you also know, he never returned. We didn't want to lose you as well, therefore we put you into this little test of your wits, for which I apologise, but I hope you understand. We think that something, or someone, has a very strong influence on the dragon and this same force makes Crystal Lake tainted."

"And now it is up to you. We can escort you to the entrance of Koriolis' lair, but as I heard you've already guessed where it might be, and yes, you are on the right track. Be wary, for Koriolis, just like any other dragon, is very protective of his lair. Don't rush in headlong and don't try to defeat him by force. I can tell you: you would fail as soon as you even contemplated this possibility. If my instincts are right then Koriolis is as eager to shed that strong influence as we are to restore natural balance to our world."

"What else to say--" she looks at Cranberry who takes the cue.

"Take this," she offers her walking stick to Shanna who seems to be the most adequate choice for the tool. "This artifact has some power to break the strongest will, but we do not know the details. Use wisely."

Once the wand (for it is a wand for the average human) is in someone else's hand, she adds,

"The command word is 'Sliira'."

A closer inspection of the wand reveals that it looks like a piece of petrified tentacle, vine, or stalk, ending in a perfect orb, pale yellow by colour, polished brightly by everyday wear from its former owner's palm.

Shanna perks up at the word 'Koriolis,' her mind whirring with new information.  That is most certainly draconic and, thus, it's name.  So...the dragon had agreed to an...uneasy peace with the fey.  Smart.  But something is forcing his hand.  That is...disconcerting.  Frightening, even.  She accepts the walking-stick-wand with a grateful nod and a solemnly murmured "Thank you", memorizing the command word as quickly as she can while examining it.  Her eyes spark as she attempts to discern what spells are present in it.  She looks up as she finishes "No indeed.  I have argued against a direct assault since I noted the particular nature of the dragon's attacks.  I am fully aware of this Koriolis' capabilities and, as you say, a direct attack is a foolhardy and pointless way to die.  Stealth will be critical.  Stealth and charisma, yes.  And a fanatical devotion to not being breathed upon."

((  ))

Huh - he says nothing else

OOC - dispel Dominate Monster? Cool

((Doubt it, and that wouldn't necessarily help us once we get in there.))

(If it were only it were that simple, SG.)

"So.  A ceasefire with a dragon.  It does make a certain kind of sense.  I am not sure which I would like to face less, a dragon or whatever entity that can exert control over a dragon.  Have you enemies that would seek to destroy you through this dragon?  Can you offer up any protections from dragon's breath or dragon fear?"

Shanna nods in agreement.  Something that could dominate a creature as immensely intelligent and powerful as a dragon was truly something to be concerned about.  She was glad that the line of debate had swiftly turned this direction.

"No enemies that we know of, especially none that could bend a dragon's will to the slightest bit. I can offer protection from the dragon's acidic breath for some, but not all, of you, but if you will need that then you will end up the same way Krusher did. You said he was torn to pieces. None of our spells would protect you against that. And no, I cannot counter his frightful presence."

OOC - the only spell I know if is Greater Heroism, do you have anything else in mind? Practically anything above 4th level is moot, but if you can find something in Core then I'll see if Mistletoe "knows someone" that can provide such protection. Mistletoe's offer is worth 4 instances of Protection from Elements (Acid), CL8.

Shanna shakes her head.  "While I believe in being prepared, and protection from that sort of attack would be helpful, I do not believe we should rely on it.  We need someone who is capable of communicating with Koriolis and gleaning some information about who or what is influencing him.  He is, regardless of his breath weapon, a dragon.  Dragons have far more than just the ability to expel an element from their lungs at their disposal."

((I believe Remove Fear, a level 1 core spell, grants +4 morale bonus to Saves against fear effects for 10 minutes.  Heroism grants a +2 morale bonus to saves, Greater Heroism is level 5.))
Spellcraft: [1d20+17] = 10+17 = 27, Knowledge (arcana): [1d20+17] = 8+17 = 25

[Torin]

- Is this wand a real arifact or just a very powerful magic item? Should I check it with a DM?

[Shanna Rendin]

EDIT:

Shanna frowns in thought.  She'd just had an idea, she hoped it was that simple, but she also hoped she was up to this challenge...visions of her first mistake in the Tower flashing before her once more as she suddenly experiences doubt.  She had two questions to ask now, but only one of them out loud.  "If I may...I mean, would you allow me to determine what magic is contained within this item?"  She holds up the walking-stick-wand that she had just received.  "In addition, I have a thought about the theoretical direction that we are headed in.  There is an artifact that may have caused this form of coercion even in such a creature as a dragon.  It would necessitate the dominator being relatively close to Koriolis, so we would have to find our friendly Green in any case, and be prepared to engage it...at least for a short time.  I merely said be prepared to.  There is a chance, however slight, that we will not need to..."  She trails off, doubt lingering and festering now.

[DM Surranó]

Mistletoe nods at Torin and Shanna.
"You can use divinations at my place but the rest of fancy magic, and espacially all kinds of arcane trickery, should be done beyond the boundaries of the Sheltering Oak. If you have no other questions then you may as well leave."

She looks at Cranberry who nods, showing the way to the party.
"Do you need escort to Koriolis' lair, or any other support from our side?"

Once outside, Portho addresses Cranberry,
"Elder, I get it that you lost your valuable minstrel in this case. If you don't mind, I would like to stay at your side so that I can learn about Crystal Grove, the community here, and serve as a minstrel for the time being. I've kind of-- well, lost the motivation to seek out my premature death."

The elderly woman raises her right eyebrow at this development of events but does not comment.

[Silent Giant]

Mistletoe nods at Torin and Shanna.
"You can use divinations at my place but the rest of fancy magic, and espacially all kinds of arcane trickery, should be done beyond the boundaries of the Sheltering Oak. If you have no other questions then you may as well leave."

She looks at Cranberry who nods, showing the way to the party.
"Do you need escort to Koriolis' lair, or any other support from our side?"

Yeah, some fresh water and food. And a good beer if you have any.

Once outside, Portho addresses Cranberry,
"Elder, I get it that you lost your valuable minstrel in this case. If you don't mind, I would like to stay at your side so that I can learn about Crystal Grove, the community here, and serve as a minstrel for the time being. I've kind of-- well, lost the motivation to seek out my premature death."

The elderly woman raises her right eyebrow at this development of events but does not comment.

Heh, little coward! - SG comments