"I don't suppose we have any ritual magic that could aid in Master Valanor's work?"

>>77655
The shaman shakes her head. "I'm sorry, I can't think of anything."

"Ah," Valanor interjects. "I believe we have a target."

The gold dragon swoops forward suddenly, and the adventurers see it too--two wagons being pulled by red-scaled drakes. Two black-robed cultists with distinctive masks are riding each--all medium-sized humanoids, from the look of it. As you pull closer, you notice more details: the carts are loaded with bags and various valuable-looking objects, and the carts are coming to a stop--they've clearly spotted the incoming gold dragon, and know they can't possibly get away. However, there is a fifth humanoid wearing an elaborate purple mask in between the two carts.

As Valanor lands heavily on the ground, the adventurers disgorge themselves, weapons and implements at the ready--you get the impression it's not good to be mounted on him when he starts fighting. "Cult of the Dragon! Thieves and murderers! Surrender now, for either way, your vile actions end today!"

The four cultists riding the two wagons look at each other, then quickly hop off the carts. The one in the middle laughs and replies, "Heh heh heh... a chance to kill a gold dragon is rare indeed... fear the wrath of Eskanious, metallic!"

>>77658
Continued~

>>77450
Torinn doesn't have anything he can say to Tarhun. Not after that pardon. Not after getting what he'd worked for.

Almost everything. The Golden Narwhal is still missing, and as Fiona pointed out, the culprits are still at large.

So Torinn simply salutes the Vanquisher, putting as much effort into it as he can manage. And says nothing further to him.

To the others, though, Torinn has a few words. "Right, I'll do that," he assures Fiona, "I owe them that much for what they've done, and not just to me."

"And as for you," Torinn says severely at the retreating Gilgamesh... then smiles as an idea comes to him, before he continues more pleasantly, "you seem like you would know some very interesting stories and legends." He quickly adds, "possibly even lived a few." And then he gets to the important part: "If it's alright with you, I'd like to hear some of them while traveling."

Diplomacy to persuade Gilgamesh to travel and talk about things: http://orokos.com/roll/319890 (22)

Last edited at 15/08/25(Tue)18:23:55

"You... want me to come with you?!" Gilgamesh asks incredulously. "Well, er... it seems my plans recently fell through, so, maybe for a time...?" he suggests, looking at the fake spear in his hand. "You'll surely be headed somewhere interesting, yes? I will need to... collect some information, for my next quest! And then, perhaps, we can finally have our duel!"

Tarhun nods to Torinn, then moves over to the guards that followed Fiona up to the platform. Fiona looks uneasily at the inspector and Nashu--the inspector is posing, and the half-elf is cheering him on.

>>77452
Torinn grabs his dropped shield and heads back. He has to stop for a while, though. Inspector Hildebrand's actions make him clutch his stomach and laugh for a while, as the absurdity of everything that happened that day finally catches up to him. That, and a sense of relief that his family will be okay. It has the paladin laughing harder than he has in quite some time.

"Alright... alright, I'm good. I'm ready now."

When he's done, he's still grinning, and, as he starts heading out of the city with his unusual travelling mate, he reflects on what an interesting day it's been.

Last edited at 15/08/25(Tue)19:22:30

As this absurd and epic day draws to a close, Torinn prepares to head out on adventure with a new and unusual traveling companion. The trail of the Cult of the Dragon is still warm, and it's best not to let it sit for too long, as it will soon lead the paladin back to the Sword Coast--to old friends, new acquaintances, and both familiar and strange locales.

Perhaps the most memorable thing about this day is the intervention of Torinn's patron deity. Though his aid was most welcome, Torinn does have to wonder: is this an omen of things to come? Are matters in the mortal world really getting so severe that the gods themselves must intervene directly? What exactly is the Cult of the Dragon -doing- that is so important?

In the Well of Dragons, a force far older than even Bahamut stirs... and beckons.

"Yeah, I'd be sure to visit you once things calm down around here. The Emerald Cabal will some tough days thanks to our little trick here" the ranger says, with a smirk.

"It was a pleasure to work alongside you, lady Remalia. I hope your research on the mask to be successful" Reiyasu adds, doing a respectful bow.

History check: (25) http://orokos.com/roll/315667

Last edited at 15/08/09(Sun)17:39:32

Nodding, the eladrin replies, "Sureiya. Reiyasu, Sophie. It has been a pleasure to work with you." With that, she turns to leave, taking Minsc with her.

History: Storm Silverhand is most notable as an adventuring companion of Elminster of Shadowdale (unquestionably the most well-known wizard in all Faerûn). She is said to be one of the famous "Seven Sisters", seven chosen of Mystra, the greater goddess and Mother of Magic. The seven were also said to be daughters of Mystra, who possessed a mortal host to birth them. Storm took care of Elminster in the years following the Spellplague, who is said to have suffered a period of insanity when the Weave collapsed. Her activities since Elminster's departure are news to you, though she was well-known as an influential Harper throughout the centuries. She has a long and storied history, but suffice it to say she is regarded as a powerful force of good in the realm.

"I'll now excuse myself. Mr. Reiyasu, Sureiya, please take care!

Sophie, proud of providing support for an important mission, leaves the pub with a wide smile on her face. Meanwhile, father and son stay around while enjoying some more ale.

"That was certainly stupid, boy. Even all of us would have had a good fight against all of them. What made you fight them?" Reiyasu asks, talking in a worried tone.

"I was powerless before leaving this place, old man. But now, I am not. I wanted to teach those bastards a lesson, but it wasn't one of my best ideas" the ranger carelessly explains, gulping a generous amount of his drink after that.

"But you did. Stealing that mask was certainly a bigger hit for them than just killing some of their bodyguards and one of their leaders. Change will come, son."

The half-orc and his father spend a relaxing evening there, where they exchange several stories of their adventures. Reiyasu is still worried of the harsh nature of his son, but that night, there was no man more proud of their son than that worn adventurer.

Though it's hard to immediately judge the effects of stealing the dragon mask away from the hands of the Cowled Wizards and, indirectly, the Cult of the Dragon, Sureiya is well aware that something big is happening all across Faerûn. For now, he has done his part to see that the greater good is served throughout the duration of these events, but there will be many more challenges ahead. His thoughts turn northward towards Baldur's Gate, Thelkra, and his adventuring companions, and he knows that adventure will soon call once again.

>>77206

Myn steps over the corpse and knocks softly on the door to inform the gnome of his success.

After a few moments to confirm the silence, the door opens, and the gnome looks inside. He looks to Myn, then down to the body, then nods. "You have upheld your end, and now the Masked Lords shall uphold ours. Though there are formalities to attend to, your sponsor has arranged for a package to be delivered to your inn room tonight should the task be complete." The gnome bows deeply, then turns to leave, saying, "We should depart before the City Watch shows up. Agents are in place to cover this up, but still, we shouldn't be seen with them."

>>77208

"Understood. You have my gratitude for your assistance today, Mister Sifodyus."

Myn bids the gnome farewell and returns to his room, remembering to feed his owlbear for the first time in recent history.

When Myn arrives at his inn room after feeding his owlbear, he finds a package waiting for him there. His thorough search and magic detection on it determine that there is nothing suspicious about it. Opening, he finds a set of black robes designed to hide his physical build quite well, in addition to a black, smooth mask. The package also contains a magical staff, and a short note. The note reads, You have upheld your end of the bargain, so I uphold mine. Included in this package is everything you need as one of the new Masked Lords of Waterdeep. Soon, you will receive a missive when a meeting of the Council of Lords is scheduled, at which point you may head to Castle Waterdeep wearing the garb of a Masked Lord. A guard will direct you to the meeting hall. A meeting will be held soon, so expect a missive shortly. Do take care to guard your identity, as secrecy is necessary to prevent the forming of factions and other corrupt movements within the Council of Lords.

Myn determines that the magical staff only has a +1 enhancement bonus, but also possess a magical property which allows its wielder to alter his or her voice, even if the wielder is not proficient with magical implements. He is now one of the Masked Lords of Waterdeep, with all of the power and responsibility that entails.

And so the adventurers went their separate ways, at least for now. While Sureiya, Torinn, Bernkastel, Sid, Thelkra and Myn all head for Waterdeep, they have differing goals that will split them when they arrive, and Ramuh has departed for the Luruar region. However, their combined strength has put an end to the threat of the Fell King--again, at least for now.

However, lingering threats loom on the horizon. Ragrim Dragonsworn still lives, and his mysterious appearance at the Well of Dragons has raised more questions than answers. And though Daragoth the Desolator's plan to seize the leyline convergence for his own purposes was foiled, the dragon himself is unaccounted for, and the mysterious words relating to the Draakhorn that Ragrim spoke linger in the minds of all who heard him. Nevertheless, a grave threat to the Sword Coast and neighboring parts of Faerûn has been defeated by the heroic deeds of a party of adventurers, yet again.

And perhaps, one day, fate will see fit to bring them together again, to answer some of the lingering questions from the Fell King's fall, and to explore the other countless mysteries that lay buried across Faerûn...

Somewhere over the ocean, a sleek-looking black vessel drifts slowly, far above the water, hidden in the clouds. This sky-going vessel is, strangely enough forged entirely of metal. It possesses no sails, and no other obvious means of propulsion, though along the sides are elongated cylinders set horizontal that have red lights that form rings around each end. Portions of the ship are painted red, in an obvious sort of symbol that stretches across the entire belly of the ship. Nobody stands aboard the deck of the ship, but visible through a window on the upper forward portion stand several figures, and panels colored with what appear to be all sorts of blue, glowing arcane sigils.

"Faerûn..."

This voice belongs to the figure standing furthest forward. He wears a strange sort of armor, something like half-plate, comprised of hardened reddish-brown leather with white plate sabatons and gauntlets, as well as a chest piece that includes shoulder armor as well as a heavily stylized helmet that covers the entire face and head. The helmet is ornamented by wing-like protrusions from the sides that jut straight back, and a beak-like design that curves down between the eye slits which are covered with a non-reflective black glass, and a circular breathing apparatus covering his nose and mouth. His build suggests a male humanoid, perhaps a human or orc.

"A land ruled by false idols. Gods. Dragons. Primordials. Fiends."

There are three other figures standing behind him wearing similar suits of armor, though with varying colors and designs. One is short and stocky, with a build that suggests a male dwarf, though his armor plating is red in color, and the helmet lacks the bird-themed design--instead, the helmet comes forward to a single elongated horn that protrudes from the forehead a few inches, and sweeps back into two spike-like protrusions above where his ears would be. On his gauntlets are grooved protrusions that make it look like heavy plates of some sort are meant to be attached to the back of the forearm. Another possesses a lithe and feminine build, perhaps a

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"How the hell did I end up here?!" Magplok cries incredulously, making his way up the unnerving, twisting path. It wouldn't have been his first choice, but the entire area seemed to be littered with what appeared to be dragon bones jutting out of a contorted, bizarre landscape. He couldn't figure out a way down, so he keeps going up.

The strangest thing about his current location was what appeared to be an enormous, serpentine, coiling form that encircled the path at a great distance, amidst jagged spires of rock and what appeared to be crystal. It was almost like the petrified body of some humungous serpent, hundreds of feet in length and perhaps thirty feet in circumference.

As he approaches a platform at the top of the twisting path, he sees that overlooking a jagged cliff, raised above the trail's end was what appeared to be the head of a dragon sitting at the end of the serpentine coil. It, too, seems petrified and inert, but for a moment Magplok thought he saw one of the eyes glowing red--but that glow quickly fades.

"What in the..." his voice trails off as he looks down and spies a humanoid form collapsed upon the platform in front of him. "Hey... hey, are you okay?" he cries out, rushing over to the fallen form.

And now I just want to take a moment to thank the players for my heroic tier campaign! We've had a -lot- of rough spots, and I thank you for your patience in putting up with me for all this time. I think I have learned a lot. I hope to see most or all of you back for the paragon-tier adventure, where I hope to put the lessons I've learned to use and provide a fun and enjoyable game for everyone involved!

This goes for everyone who stuck through to the end, and even those who only joined briefly. Thank you so very much! I do enjoy playing with you guys and hope to keep doing so!