The Gargoyle's Nest
Our story begins with a call.
"THERE ARE MONSTERS AT THE GATES!"
Apparently a number of them. The city guard and mercenary warrriors alike are heading to the northern gates of the city in a rush! You're amongst tbeir number.
One that answers the call is Raethon as he flies towards the gates. Thankfully...he wasn't drinking, but he doesn't normally drink.
Corra heads for the gate as quickly as her two legs will take her.
Garak rides along on his powerful warhorse - its careful to avoid accidentally trampling on anyone, apparently well-versed in moving through Alexandria city streets. When horse and rider arrive near the gates, Garak murmurs something and the horse slows to a stop, breathing heavily.
"Out of the way," the sith-makar says testily. He pushes at the crowd with a sort of cane. It's more a cudgel in truth, its device too crude really, to be compared to anything so fine as the Myrrish or Charneth make. "Hass anyone sseen what they're talking about?"
GAME: Raethon rolls knowledge/arcana: (8)+19: 27
GAME: Atleti rolls knowledge/arcana: (1)+9: 10 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Corra rolls knowledge/arcana: (17)+8: 25
GAME: Hun'rar rolls knowledge/arcana: (17)+12: 29
Good news, everyone!
You pretty much immediately recognize the creatures gathered outside the gates of the city as gargoyles. They could've flown over the walls if they wanted to. They chose not to. Several of their rocky hides are split and injured. They don't look like they've seen good days, recently.
They're arguing vociferously with a rather nervous looking watchmen.
"...well, I'm afraid there's nothing I can do. You can't come into the city and you can't go home, so you'll just have to wait until the Explorers arrive. That's what they're for. You know, murdering people liek y-.. them. Other monsters. Worwse ones."
Let's hope he's never put into the diplmatic corp.
"I agree." Raethon says as he lands and walks his way out of the gates. "you would definitely send people into a panic." he says walking his way closer. "So.....from what I heard as we came out....you need our help?"
Hun'rar walks out of the gate in full dragon knight armor although not with a sword drawn and his shield strapped across his back. He quickly walks up to join Raethon. "Right, this city is guarded by the Wardens of Gilead, I am sure we can resolve whatever issue we have here."
Garak flashes the watchman an incredulous look. It's not murder if it's during civilized warfare...right? Regardless he peers at the monsters closely. "You look like you've seen a fight." He takes another look. "A vicious one." He edges his horse closer.
Alteti scowls as the creatures come into review. "...huh," he says. He lowers the cane (cudgel) to his side, and straightens as he comes to stand near Hun'rar. "What'ss wrong with your home?" he asks.
Corra makes it there wiht the others and catches some of what is being said. She waits to see what is going on, knowing there are probably better people suited for diplomacy.
And then ther are adventurers. It's not as if you're the only ones on sight. Rather, you're the only ones whov'e gone out to talk. The rest are taking a buit more precaution.
The gargoyle turns his rocky, fanged head towards Corra and Atleti, then studies Hun'rar , Garak, and Raethon. Intently.
"Invaded," he answers, his voice creaking like a wagon wheel on a stone road. "Great beats made of weed and vine have taken it from us."
Hun'rar eyes the gargoyle "Like... plants? Living plants have chased you from your homes? A lot of them?" he asks inquiring further after the threat and less concerned about the threat of the gargoyles. "Any strange people come by before the plants came about?" he asks tiling his head to the side a little.
"..." Alteti looks towards Hun'rar sharply. He inhales the scent of the air around them, and then looks back towards the gargoyles. "Sso you ssay," he says, though his voice carries no doubt.
Raethon says, "It does make sense. Are they just simple vines? or are they more than that?" he then looks to Alteti. "You've encountered them before?""
"Strange? You are all strange. But if you mean softskins like yourselves," the gargoyle gestures at all of you (including Atleti), "then the answer is no. We dwell in solitude, hidden in our aerie."
Raethon says, "mmmmm....." he then looks towards his staff for a moment....then returns to the gargoyles. "How did the plants attack you." he says moving closer to the gargoyles and looking at their wounds....."
One hass heard rumors," Atleti admits. He eyes the gargoyles, and were he human, he would sniff. Plebians, that as much says. "And no reasson to doubt their sstories. There iss a tricksster apparently, out there waggling hiss tail."
Hun'rar nods "How did it start? This is... this is not something that happens by itself. Have you pissed anyone off recently?" he offers a suggestion. "Also we can provide healing if necissary, assuming you agree to cause no trouble in this city." he adds matter of fact.
Garak listens and watches carefully. After considering he says, "What is it you seek? If you look for refuge here - " What's one more group of refugees? Times are tough across the land. "- you'll have to abide by the rules and laws of Alexandria." He gestures at Hun'rar. "And we can help you regain your strength."
"One day, everything was fine. The next morning, we were invaded by weeds and vines! I do not know else beyond that. They come on the wind, I suppose!" The gargoyle shrugs his broad, stone shoulders and wings, glancing back towards the otehrs with him.
"We fought. They healed. They drove us out. We seek shelter but your city denies it to us. But if you help us, we grant you our wealth."
It's like they said the magic word. Suddenly, other members of the guild are perking up.
Raethon doesn't quite perk up. "How highly do you value honor?" he asks the 'lead' gargoyle.
Garak's brows draw together in a frown at something he hears. "Your aerie - is it like a keep?" He watches to see if they understand the term. "Like a castle? Something you -built-?"
"Indeed. The word 'wealth' makes them pop up even if you don't have them. "...I ssuppose," Atleti says graciously. Gracelessly. "Well, we could help. I have a few wordss to ssay to thiss vine-weaver, anyway."
Corra hmms and stays quiet still, plants attacking...that sounds strangely familiar.
"We nest in a place abandond by the feathered ones decades ago." So it's an old eaglerin aeriew. Which means it was /probably/ built by Dwarves even before that, if Eaglerin tendencies are to be accounted for. In any case, the Gargoyle shrugs again.
Hun'rar shakes his head "We don't do it for gold but donations to the Adventurers Guild is appreciated. If you are willing to give me your word I am sure these guards here will happily allow you into the city. In fact for a coin or two someone may be able to guide you and help you find some rest. I suggesting seeking out the Althean temple for any wounds." he says reaching out his hands. "Tell us where your home is and we will clear it of these plants."
Raethon says, "I do not do this for coin, but to see that your home is freed." he then looks to Hun'rar. "And he speaks the truth. But, make sure no one in the city is harmed....and tend to your wounds....""
"For the woundss we're about to incur, I would gladly take payment," the sith-makar says, after a glance towards the other two. "If anything I've heard iss true, it will not be eassy. And our sskins are ssofter than yourss. Sso eassily pierced." He isn't going to let that one go. A nice smile comes with it.
To the aerie, then.
It isn't long before you're up there, in the mountains, thanks to the wondewrs of airship. The aerie in question looks like a collection of buildings built into the side of one mountain in the vast red-ridge range.
You're deposited there by airship and there does appear to be some entryways...
But you're gonna have to /climb/ to them, since there's no 'floor level' doors, it seems.
Raethon says, "Somehow...I'm not surprised they don't go in through the windows." He then chuckles....."
Hun'rar looks up at the windows "Right, this is going to be a hoot, at least the fall won't kill me." he says unpacking some of his climbing gear. "Suppose someone should get a rope up too?" he asks the others.
"..." Alteti looks up, UP at the thing they're expected to climb. "Can you fly?" he asks Hun'rar, after he seems to think on it. "...on ssecond thought, that may not be worth it with the wind up there. But I have ssome bassic rope, yess."
Garak follows the others. Always a good sign when the airship makes it in one piece. But he has a feeling the challenges are just starting. "Remember, the gargoyles were driven out." Garak peers up. "We must not seperate."
SO.
After Raethon secures a rope and pulls up the rest of you -- or you climg the rope in any case -- you find yourselves within a place that looks like a considerable amount of battle has been done. Gauges are in the walls, amongst other things. This was certainly a dwarven fortres at one point, but it looks like it's occupation over the years firwst by the khazad, than by eaglerin and then by the Gargoyles has done considerable alterations to it over the years and a not inconsiderable amount of age-damage to boot. And that's not even getting into the fact that it's been overgrown like a jungle in here. Feels more like am'shere than it does a mountaintop. How are these plants even surv-- oh, right.
They're alive.
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+11: (13)+11: 24
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+6: (1)+6: 7 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+6: (7)+6: 13
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 2d6+7: (3)+7: 10
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+19: (2)+19: 21
Just then, a massive maw leaps up at Raethon out of the massive vegetation consuming htis room, snatching at him. Seems like it was waiting for /enough/ stimulation, all of you being here, before it attacked. Raethon is promptly half-swallowed in the creature's maw, tentacles writhing and bouncing off his magical shielding.
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+16: (9)+16: 25
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 2d6+7: (8)+7: 15
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d6+3: (6)+3: 9
Immediately, a second maw is lurching out to grab at Garak, leaving him similar staights and even more bloodied.
Great.
GAME: Atleti casts Enlarge Person. Caster Level: 10 DC: 14
GAME: Raethon rolls 1d20+6+4+2: (10)+6+4+2: 22
GAME: Raethon rolls 1d20+10+6: (5)+10+6: 21
GAME: Raethon rolls 1d20+10+6: (13)+10+6: 29
GAME: Hun'rar rolls weapon10-2: (19)+11+-2: 28 (THREAT)
GAME: Hun'rar rolls weapon10-2: (18)+11+-2: 27
GAME: Hun'rar rolls 2d10+13+13: (9)+13+13: 35
Rae was mostly helping people in when he's suddenly grabbed by a vine. Cursing, sputtering and swearing in sildanyari, He fires off a loud set of words that grabs the vine and drags itt off of him. "GET OFF ME, YOU ASS!" He screams at the vines. "I hope you feel pain you little shit, cuz when I get completely free, you're going to burn......"
Hun'rar has dealt with living plants before and moves towards the one still grappling, drawing his bastard sword as he moves and slicing into the creature with his blade wreathed in pale purple flame. "Come on, come get some of me." he taunts the vine.
"Thiss issn't good. Warrior, plantss can be poissonous. I don't know that thesse are, but the gargoyless wouldn't have notissed." Atleti pierces his forearm with his thumbclaw. Blood wells in a pool around the point.
GAME: Garak rolls cmb+2: (14)+11+2: 27
Garak's first instinct is to call on Serriel for divine aid. But he recalls the last time he was pinned by an enemy, and couldn't even properly cast the spell to free himself. Very well. Serriel's teachings are vast. Instead of relying on the mystic Arts, Garak employs the martial. Realizing how one vine across his upper torso is applying most of the force trapping him, he gradually presses out with his arms, causing the vine to constrict tighter. But then he suddenly changes the direction of his efforts, shrugging upwards as if shrugging off a cloak. Suddenly the vine's force is shifted and the cleric squirts out from their grasp, winded and abraded but only partially crushed.
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+11: (13)+11: 24
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+6: (14)+6: 20
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1ed20+6: (9)+1ed20+6: 15
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+6: (2)+6: 8
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+16: (2)+16: 18
So, good news, everyone!
You have two of these things in here, lashing out at Hun'rar for one. Vines and maw bounce off the great armor of the draconic paladin.
And then there's the other, which is squirming and trying to get out from under the magical pressure Raethon's managed to put it under, even as he's half in its maw.
GAME: Atleti RAGES!, gaining +2 to melee attack/damage/Will saves and 20 temporary HP
GAME: Atleti rolls 1d20+17: (8)+17: 25
GAME: Atleti rolls 1d20+12: (8)+12: 20
GAME: Atleti rolls 1d8+24: (8)+24: 32
GAME: Atleti rolls 1d8+24: (8)+24: 32
"Rhrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!" Atleti steps forward, driving blade into the plants. His eyes are as cold as the Void, and a cold frost begins to curl from his scales. The blade strikes twice, infused with the same chill.
GAME: Hun'rar rolls weapon10-2: (9)+11+-2: 18
When the vines aren't able to grab onto him again, Rae makes a BEELINE away from the vines and out of their reach by a good margin. "Ugh...that sucked...."
GAME: Hun'rar rolls 1d10+13: (2)+13: 15
GAME: Garak rolls weapon1-2: (6)+12+-2: 16
GAME: Garak rolls weapon1-2-5: (8)+12+-2+-5: 13
It's frustrating but the wounds being inflicted on these things are... /healing/.
And healing fast. And worse still, you hear sounds in the distance. Odd, 'sloughing' sounds like something is making its way here. are there more?
Given the fact that a /third/ beast has just arrived at the exit from just this room, you're finding out that, yes, there is indeed a third.
Garak raises a hands and suddenly his gleaming lance is held in a fighting grip. He stabs it into the mass of vegetation but it seems to bounce off harmlessly. Garak stumbles back, panting. "We need to form a line if battle!" he shouts to be heard over all the other noise of combat. "Don't let them surround us!"
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+11: (15)+11: 26
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+6: (18)+6: 24
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+6: (1)+6: 7 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+11: (18)+11: 29
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+6: (17)+6: 23
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+6: (19)+6: 25
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 2d6+7: (8)+7: 15
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d6+3: (4)+3: 7
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+16: (14)+16: 30
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 2d6+7: (7)+7: 14
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+16: (7)+16: 23
GAME: Atleti rolls 5d6: (13): 13
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+4: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL)
Atleti shoves an elbow into the plant as it lifts him from the ground. He follows the momentum, twisting around and peeling back his lips--cold blasts the plant, freezing some of the roots. He grips his blade in one hand.
GAME: Raethon rolls 1d20+10+6: (13)+10+6: 29
Floating far into the back, Rae untangles Atleti from the vine. "Hack it up, Atleti!"
The two tendriculi are injured, but that doesn't stop them from biting Atleti and Hun'rar. Both of them are savaged rather powerfully by them and the latter is even whipped by a vine.
GAME: Atleti rolls 10d6: (42): 42
Atleti shoves an elbow into the plant as it lifts him from the ground. He follows the momentum, twisting around and peeling back his lips--cold blasts the plant, freezing it down to the roots and causing it to wither. He drops, scrambling for a surface and breathing hard, his lips pulled back from his fangs. "Now that. Iss what it meanss to fasse the sscaled."
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+11: (18)+11: 29
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+6: (20)+6: 26
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+6: (18)+6: 24
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 2d6+7: (8)+7: 15
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d6+3: (3)+3: 6
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d6+3: (5)+3: 8
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+16: (8)+16: 24
Lashing out blindly at Atleti, since he's big, tentacles and maw rip across the Sith's flesh, leaving bloody furrows in their wake.
GAME: Garak rolls 10d6: (41): 41
Garak backpedals and then begins circling to one side, stepping over the half-frozen remains of the 1st plance monster, while keeping lance levelled at the second. When he's reasonably certain he's out of it's reach, he raises the tip of the lance to point at the ceiling. "Now Serriel - show how nature is tamed by civilization!" He brings the weapon down on the ground and holds it like a pole in front of himself. In time with the motion, a column of fire descends on the plant monster.
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+4: (20)+4: 24
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+11: (6)+11: 17
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+6: (6)+6: 12
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+6: (13)+6: 19
GAME: Atleti rolls 1d20+17: (8)+17: 25
GAME: Atleti rolls 1d20+12: (18)+12: 30
GAME: Atleti rolls 2d6+24: (6)+24: 30
GAME: Atleti rolls 2d6+24: (9)+24: 33
Atleti swings the blade around, slashing at the plant creature as a hunter-caste cutting through vines. Cold coils from his scales as he does. That same energy enters the blade, leaving the pieces it cuts frozen and blackened. "...tamed," he says, his voice a hiss and mockery. "Nothing will tame the jungless. ...but by our Empress, THISS ISS NOT THEIR TERRITORY!" he roars. As though he expects some nameless person or force to hear him.
GAME: Raethon casts Fireball. Caster Level: 10 DC: 19
GAME: Raethon rolls 10d6: (29): 29
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+4: (18)+4: 22
Rae keeps back and keeps an eye on the new vine monster. Once it's in full view, Rae tosses a fireball it. When it explodes, the vine monster only gets half as much damage as it could have. "hmm....."
GAME: Garak casts Searing Light. Caster Level: 10 DC: 17
GAME: Garak rolls ranged: (9)+10: 19
GAME: Garak rolls 5d8: (17): 17
Garak shoots a quick glance at the Sith at the hunter's words. "We'll see," he murmurs under his voice in acceptance of the challenge. The lance vanishes, and instead Garak raises his holy symbol. His other hand points at the next plant-like creature. He calls his goddess' name again and a ray of pure light blasts from his palm to scorch into the monstrosity. The movements are calmer somehow, methodical and precise.
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+11: (18)+11: 29
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+6: (13)+6: 19
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+6: (11)+6: 17
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 2d6+7: (8)+7: 15
As Garak blasts it, it again adjusts its position and reaches out for him to snatch him. Back to its maw, he's being dragged!
GAME: NeverSleepin rolls 1d20+16: (11)+16: 27
GAME: Atleti rolls 1d20+17: (19)+17: 36
GAME: Atleti rolls 1d20+12: (14)+12: 26
GAME: Atleti rolls 2d6+24: (8)+24: 32
GAME: Atleti rolls 2d6+24: (8)+24: 32
GAME: Atleti ends his rage.
GAME: NeverSleepin removes the timestop.
When Garak gets grabbed, Atleti turns. He runs forward, and drives the blade into the last plant-beast. "--You let him go!" he snarls, the words a bare, chill hiss. The plant, already burned and then seared by both shamans, falls to pieces.
Raethon flies his way back in and whistles. "That....was close. Was that all of them?" He says to Garak and Atleti.
All of them? There are sloughing sounds throughout this place.
...there may be more coming your way. Might be best to get out and return a little later!
Garak tugs at the suddenly-limp tendrils until he's freed. He gives Atleti a slight nod, his expression perhaps - embarrassed? Then he tilts his head to the side, listening. "No...I don't think so. They surprised us this time, these close quarters work to their advantage. We should come back better prepared. With archers and flaming arrows..." his mind races at the possibilities.
Raethon says, "among other things. I think it'll be a while before this palce is cleared. Let's go." He then flies out of the 'aerie'. "need help getting down?""
"As you ssay," Atleti says promptly. He resheaths the blade, and begins making his way down. "No, Raethon. I will make it. But thank you." His eyes are still cold, cold.