Page 259 of 289
Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2015 8:16 pm
by Gizmog
Large cavern worth of gold? Giant SLEEPING dragon? Oh no... you can get into too much trouble in a place like this. Harvey quietly slips into the party's general supplies and tries to find those books everyone keeps reading. Yelling at Dan can wait till it won't end up with a face full of fire and pain.
Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2015 11:41 pm
by Spoonweaver
"I shouldn't do this here. I think this should be in an open field. Last time I did this the tomb was the size of a house but we were all teleported there. I don't think that will be the case with the really summoning," Dan said after a long pause. "To answer your question Lynda, this time will be real. The last time I did this, Azedarac had enchanted the Ring of Eibon. We were confronted by a agent of Levistus and conned into thinking we had broken the curse. I don't know how long I was in an illusion induced coma, but when I awoke, most of my friends had died of starvation."
Dan drifted off for a second, his body becoming slightly transparent. Then he snapped back to reality, and a solid form.
"If you are going to help face what is in this tomb that Azedarac is so afraid of, you have to prepare yourselves. The silver dragon has agreed to give anyone that agrees to help break the curse, 50,000gp each. The town right outside of this cavern should have a great number of things to help you. Be quick though, Azedarac knows what we're planning and will likely be planning an attack on this place. Come back quickly when you're ready, or let me know if you're not going to taking part. I would respect your decision not to fight." The last part he seems to direct towards Rob, but then quickly looks away.
Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2015 11:55 pm
by Gizmog
Harvey forgets whatever it was he was doing, hypnotized by the promise of loot. "I'm in!" he says, more cheerfully than he's said anything in years, caught up in the hype so fast that it takes a while before skepticism and common sense kick in. "You've been there before, you're runnin the show. But I do have a question: If it was yours to do again, and you had 50,000 pieces of gold, is there anything you'd buy beforehand?"
Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2015 12:08 am
by Gizmog
MEANWHILE...
An angry man continues to menace the weary regulars of an inn with a ladle! Randy, a farmhand, is the first to speak: "It's good... I like it". His praise earns him a scornful wallop from the ladle!
"Damnit, don't you lie to me! You've never liked soup in your life! You just look at it sad-like, chewin' on bread and drinkin' beer!" the mad chef reminds the young man, pushing the soup to the adjacently seated old-timer. "YOU like soup. Eat it! And what the hell are you sitting over here for? You and Marty have been sitting together ever since he patched that hole in your wagon!"
The old man plays along, just happy that nobody's been hurt yet.. what does he want from us?! his eyes cry in terror, but his mouth too frightened to make the words... oh god, he wants me to say something... with a croak, the old timer speaks up "Oh.. oh yes, I love soup. I'm a soup eater! That wagon.. that wagon had a hole in it.. I'm so grateful it's fixed now.. Marty.. grateful to Marty!"
When the lunatics eyes find Marty hiding the corner, the young man knows the jig is up. He trembles all the way to the table, and sits gingerly next to the weird smelling old man who had just praised soup. Sensing that it isn't enough, he puts a sweaty, nervous palm onto his neighbors shoulder, shocking the soup spoon out of his hand.
Galse crosses his arms as he examines the scene. "That's more like it. Now who wants dessert?!"
Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2015 12:45 am
by BMR
Kalar eyes the silver dragon then says, "And what sort of guarantee do I have that you haven't just destroyed me by bringing me here? Further, twenty five thousand gold pieces is a significant sum, but we are going to be facing a high general of Baalzebul, and I would imagine we will need significantly more time and preparation in order to face such. I am all for breaking the curse, as I have given my word that I would do so, and my word is iron. However, I am not for unnecessary risks, at least not ones where there is the option to greatly minimize that risk."
Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2015 1:27 am
by Spoonweaver
"We have limited time and I'm not willing to gamble more money than that on you," boomed the dragon. "Despite your alignment, you will not be harmed here, unless you welcome it upon yourself." The dragon did not rise as it said this, and seemed to resume sleeping right after speaking.
"There are others that have gathered here that I believe will accompany us," said Dan. "We'll need all the help we can get if what is coming is as bad as I think it is."
Half a kingdom away, Dretchell, an intellegent ghoul from the ghoul lands, had escaped the dungeon as it regenerated itself during the time warp. The instant appearance of dozens of undead in the area, also due to the time warp, was enough of a distraction to escape the bug creatures. However, Dretchell looked back and saw that their numbers were increased incredibly. He saw signs of them in the forest ahead, and to the sides. Out of other options, he and the undead he was leading, jumped into the river and were carried down stream. They did their best to avoid rocks and rapids as they quickly traveled down the river. As they floated past the town of Moulins, they watched the townsfolk fight in vain against the creatures. It wouldn't be long before this whole town was devoured.
Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2015 1:32 am
by Master K
Lynda looks upon the gold and stares at it intently, deep in thought.
"...I'll still go, no matter the odds." She says gravely. "Even to allow the people who want to go back home to do so. Me? I don't care if I make it home anymore. I just want this to end. This damn curse. It's sucked in so many adventurers who go off to meet a grisly fate in the castle, or to live and die in this plane. I want to succeed just so this miserable cycle can end. And perhaps, find a conclusion to all this insanity. I swore to see this adventure to the very end...I had never dreamed of coming this far, but I'm here now, and I'm sure as hell going to go down fighting."
Lynda will take up her gold.
"I'm going to see what the town offers. Perhaps pick up some magic items. Is anyone coming with me?"
Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2015 1:34 am
by BMR
"Very well. How much time is 'limited time' though? I had hoped to create tools for our use, but those will take time to create."
Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2015 1:40 am
by Bob the Hamster
"Dad, what was that thing that happened to you just a moment ago while you were talking? You went transparent, and then snapped back solid again.
Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2015 2:25 am
by Spoonweaver
"Very limited," Dan said. "We should start at sun up. And, don't worry about me Rob. You've got yourself to think about." Dan gave Rob an almost worried look that he covered with a smile. "I have to go get the others. meet back here when you're ready. Remember, we go at dawn." Dan vanished.
Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2015 2:28 am
by BMR
"Very well."
Kalar takes his gold and heads off, away from the others. Before finding a place to buy new gear, he finds a dark, secluded spot.
There, he traces a circle on the ground and lights incense. Then he begins a low chanting, calling on his deity for his blessing in what is about to come.
Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2015 2:34 am
by Spoonweaver
Kalar awoke in a deep dark place. He was no longer undead, and was his old self again. A pitfiend stood in front of him. "You are a fool to have not shown yourself here sooner. Dispater has pulled his influence from you. He does not like your chances ion the coming battle. Except me into your mortal body and I shall win this battle for Dispater!"
Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2015 2:41 am
by BMR
Kalar does not give ground and instead says:
"No. I gave my word that I would do this, and I do not go back on my word. Even for you. And who is the greater fool? He who does all he can with his own hands, or he who runs to his master at the first sign of danger? I have accomplished all I can with only what Dispater gave me, and without running here for aid at each confrontation. Now though, the battle is coming to a close, and I only ask for the boon that my divine powers be restored that I might accomplish this task."
Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2015 2:46 am
by Spoonweaver
"Your undead body displeases dispater. Forsake it and your powers will grow as you wish." said the pitfiend, unfazed by Kalar's denial of his intrusion.
Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2015 2:51 am
by BMR
"Very well, if that is what it will take, then I will accept. Restore my divine power."