You come into the Inn of the Conquest’s End after a long
evening of drink and celebration.
Sitting in the corner is a familiar face, a Halfling, feeding cheese
curds to a small monkey. Heschen, looks
up and waives you over. “Friends, it is
good to see you. You look well, I am
sorry I could not join you at the Prince’s festival.” He drinks from a mug, as does Soba the
monkey, almost like twins. “I have come
from a meeting of sages in Kaer Maga.
Some of the finest minds in Golarion were there. We discussed a great many things, but mostly
the magic problem.” He looks to
Wong. “It would appear that an entire
school of magic is gone. Divination. No one knows why or how. No one knows if its coming back. Theories abound. Arguments raged. The Worldwound. The Drow Sickness. The Mana Wastes. The Lissala cult.” He takes a drink. “Then I brought up the dragons. It seems as if your encounter with your green
dragon is not the only recent appearance of chromatic wyrms. Evidently a white dragon has been seen in the
far north, near the Ice Spire. And
beyond that, rumors of a blue dragon in the sands of Osiron.” He puts a piece of cheese in his mouth. “I told them of the green dragon you killed. The sages are in agreement. We discussed it all throughout the night,
into the day. We believe there is no
doubt. The rise of the dragons must have
something to do with the degeneration of divination.” He nods to Tala. “They also think that the dragons’ rise has
something to do with your peoples’ sickness.”
He finishes his drink. “It’s all
First World you understand, the dragons, the gnomes, the drow, the elves. Something has leaked through. A wise Shoanti Shaman put forth the theory
that the dragons are gaining power at the expense of magics, and magical
beings. That seems to be the prevailing
thought among everyone there. The how
and why are really the only questions left.”
He raises his mug to the serving girl, indicating he needs more to
drink. Soba does as well. “We all came away with one solution. These new dragons…if there is going to be a
stop to this problem…if magics, if the first worlders are to survive…they must
be put down.”
Looking to each of our faces, and getting no response, the Druid speaks again. "Did you not hear what I said? Dragon's need to be killed in order to stem the tide that is destroying magic and magical creatures..." He nods to Kulman, Tala, and ThorBjorn. "THAT MEANS YOU AND YOUR PEOPLE. As I mentioned, I have heard of other dragons...including the rise of another old name, Sjohvor, a white dragon. Word is that he is somewhere north." He puts his hand on his head, pushing his fingers through his hair nervously. "The sages...they...well..I.." he hesitates. "You are the only ones that can do this. You are the only ones in hundreds of years who have dealt with a dragon let alone killed one. You are what our realm is counting on." Soba climbs on Chad's shoulder, picking something out of his hair, then popping it in his mouth. "The next step is to get to Absalom, to the society. My old friend Captain Dreng can help. We need information, and supplies. I have looked into transport, but it would seem that there are no public vessels heading there for weeks. Do any of you have any ideas? Also, did you learn anything at Stavian's palace?"
ReplyDeleteYou know I'm down for hunting some flyin' lizards.
ReplyDeleteI did learn some stuff at Stavian's place, but I've like, slept since then. Something about an island with a gold dragon... apparently it's a pretty chill dude, but I've got my suspicions.
What society in Absalom? Do they have snacks?
I'm not much of a map dude, but isn't it just right over there across the bay?
We could totally swim there if we had to.
Wong frowns. “Are you all so very certain, honorable Heschen? If you had all seen milk wagons while gathering for your meeting, would you be asking us to destroy cows instead? Outside of the timing of their appearance, what ties these dragons to the fading of magic and magical folk? I would normally be uncomfortable with the proposed genocide of an entire species. Several species. Is that what you propose? The death of every chromatic dragon? What about the metallics? There is at least one abroad, based on what we learned from Prince Stavian’s consort, the Lady Lashanna. She told us that the orb in the dragon vault of Prince Stavian of Oppara was from Dragonlord Mengkare, Ruler of Hermia. A gold dragon.
ReplyDeleteShe also shared some very interesting tales that tied into what we have learned and observed on our travels. Originally there were two entities, Law and Chaos. Law took the form of fresh water, and chaos took the form of salt water. They had children, the first of which was Dahak, which took the form of a great gray dragon. The Salt water created other dragons, known as the Beautiful Metals. Dahak cast them onto the material plane and hunted them for sport. The Fresh water took the form of a great dragon, calling himself Apsu, and rallied the metallic dragons against Dahak. During the battle, several dragons were killed and wounded others. Dahak was also wounded. The Salt water took pity on Dahak and healed him, and the wounded metal dragons, who were corrupted and turned into the first five chromatic dragons.
Apsu and the remaining metallics attacked Dahak and the chromatics. Eventually the Salt water intervened, and eventually after a great battle Dahak and the Salt water were defeated and banished. Apsu lead the remaining dragons to Golarion to settle.
We also learned that the wizard Nur Amethon was rumored to be a worshiper of dragons, or had at the least, a very unhealthy obsession with them. Rumors are that he tried to find Dahak and bring him to Golarion. Not much else is know about his plan, as to the hows and whys. He was also known as the Dragon Wizard, and the Mud Sorcerer, as he worked with the elements of earth and water often. His followers were known as the Mud Sorcerers.
Was all of this known to you? Does it have any impact on what you and the others discussed? How certain are you of the conclusions of your associates?
He looks at Wong with a stern face. "Master Wong, with all due respect, the conclave that discussed this has a combined knowledge bank spanning thousands of years, not simply one odd divination professor from a local academy that has been urging excavation of the Mana Wastes for years." He taps his fingers on the table. "I can tell you that Kelshire Holgobin, whose studies have focused on the Mana Wastes his entire life, assured the sages that the Mana Wastes have had no effect on the magics at all...." He addresses the group. "What brought the sages to the conclusion was examination of all of the events that have been happening, not only in Belhaim, but throughout Golarion. I gave them all the details about Nhur Amethon, the Dark Window, and all of the information you discovered. Then, we discussed the relationship between the Drow sickness, magic dissipating, and the dragons reawakening. Many were very concerned that there was an open portal to the dark tapestry, and that this connection was more than just a window...it was a gateway. Something slipped out. Some sort of dark power, or force." He coughs, then takes a drink. "Whatever it was, the open gate coincided with all of the matters at hand". He looks to Tala and Kulman. "At first the belief was that the Fey are supported by the magic of the first world. Whatever may have slipped through or been exposed to Golarion likely has caused the Drow Bleach. It likely will cause other first worlders problems." He looks to Wong and Mal. "Whatever slipped also is thought to somehow effect the magic." The druid sighs. "I pointed out that these dragons' rise...that is not simply a coincidence at all. Then we went through the entire draconic history, experts assailed all of us with myths, legends, and fact. All are aware of Mengkare, his benevolence, and isolation are widely known, although no one has seen him for years. What we are talking about are the Chromatics. As you know, dragons are rare, aside from Mengkare, none have been seen for a very long time. The rise we are seeing is from the corrupt, malicious beasts that you speak of in the tales of Apsu. With all of this information, again, the conclave debated. The conclusion was almost unanimous in the end. Whatever the power that came through the gate...which I believe you destroyed at the monastery, awakened the chromatics from whatever state they were in. As dragons are creatures of magic, they need magic to survive, and thrive. It is believed that those awakened dragons became "sponges" for the lack of a better term. That while the window is closed, the dragons are siphoning off magic, taking it from the first worlders, and from the magic in the realm as well. Hence the divination issue. As time passes, the dragons will grow, the magic and the first worlders will suffer." He looks into the distance, clearly contemplating his next words. "You speak of genocide. It will be a genocide. Of the Drow, the Gnomes, the Elves, the Fey, every race and person in this realm. We, you, have the power to kill these evil beasts, and they are evil. You have read the book, even thousands of years ago the chromatics were vicious and cruel. That has not changed. What will change is the assets you have to fight them. As they grow, you weaken. We are headed to Absalom, to the Grand Lodge of the Pathfinder Society. We will discuss strategy and how to proceed. As Venture Captain Dreng was at the meeting, he has assured that he will do his best to get the Pathfinder Society's help in this matter. So short answer, Master Wong, we are very certain."
Delete"Just to be clear, I have also heard other theories on the problems with magic as well. For instance, Professor Montaque Marat is an honored scholar in this city. He believes the rise in the the use of technologies from the Mana Wastes is somehow diminishing the magics in the realm. I do not claim to know the answer. I only point out that there seem to be several to choose from."
ReplyDeleteYa see Wong, that's why I'm glad you're around brah. Never in a million years would I've ah groked all that. You have a beautiful brain, man.
ReplyDeleteAlso, What the Stavian is a mana waste? Is that like letting food spoil?
"Honorable Chad, the Mana Wastes is the devastated strip of land that lies between the once warring nations of Nex and Geb.
ReplyDeleteThe war turned once green fields into a wasteland, but had the further effect of changing the way magic works in the region. Some dead magic areas were created – pockets where magic simply does not work at all. In other areas, the laws of reality themselves have been damaged, and magic becomes dangerously wild and unpredictable. This is known as primal magic, and sometimes lashes the land with spontaneous waves of raw magical energy. These areas are not stable, alternating between states of dead magic, primal magic and normal magic, although the primal magic state is the most common.
Another by-product of the war is that numerous deadly monsters now roam the region. Finally, some conspiracy theorists claim that an evil undead creature of Geb called the Onceler destroyed large swathes of those lands in an effort to produce thneeds, which is something that everyone needs. But that has never been truly verified.”
As the bar gets fuller, a young woman with crutches approaches the table. It is Robyn. Her wayfinder dangles openly at her side. She looks at Kulman. "Good news, there is a ship of pathfinders who have been called back to Absalom leaving in the morning. After talking to the local Venture Captain about what you did for me, he has agreed to allow you passage at no cost. It leaves at dawn." She smiles, obviously not knowing the serious nature of your conversation. She raises her hand signaling a serving girl. "So, busy day, how did the knighting thing go? I for one could use an ale. Can we get service here!?"
ReplyDeleteHeschen's seriousness slips away. "Excuse me young lady, we have not been introduced, My name is Heschen Turngrace, at your service...and you mentioned something about transport to Absalom?" He pauses. "It is always a honor to meet a member of the Society." He looks from her to the group. "How did you all come to meet this, delightful lady?" He sits, as a harrower is not needed to reveal his thoughts...needing transport, he sees a convenient opportunity when he sees one.
Pulling out a chair to assist Robyn, Thomas speaks to Heschen by way of introduction. "This is Robyn. She, along with several companions, set forth from Absalom as a envoy from the Grand Lodge of the Pathfinder Society. They headed to the northwest, to Lastwall, Ustalav, and Irrisen, upon reports of the Drow coming to the surface in droves. With observations of the masses seeking refuge upon the surface, she and her compatriots set to return to Absalom to report. While in route, they were accosted by a band of brigands. We happened upon these bandits just off of the route between Belhaim and Oppara. Seeing that these men were attempting to sexually assault Robyn, we stepped in. We were able to save Robyn, but unfortunately we were too late to save her fellow travelers. We escorted her here to Oppara to assure her safety."
DeleteTurning to Robyn, "and this is Heschen Turngrace. He is wise in what is accosting the First Worlders."
"Given what we know about the nature of what we face, would any of you consider keeping the Guisarme that is known as Dragoncatcher? In addition to being enchanted to strike well, it can trip dragons out of the sky. They can use certain movements to possibly stop such a fall, but at the cost of not being able to use all of their claws, bites, and tail slams at the time. I do not claim to be skillful with armaments, but I do understand the nature of potent magical items. With that knowledge in mind, I shall leave those better suited to putting steel to flesh to decide if that magic would be useful within our mighty band of brothers."
ReplyDeleteGood thinkin' Wong! But the thing is, me and Mal had a look-see at that particular piece of hardware and grocked it together.
DeleteIt's like, a false-promise fancy fantasy land weapon and stuff. 'Less you were to throw it at a marauding owl or a rabid pelican, no flying beastie would bat an eye at its abilities. No self-respecting Dragon is gonna fail to remain 'aloft' with "mr. sticky lance" in his hide.
Better off just makin' our own badass weapons more badass and sell the thing.
That Gui-sarm-e was probably made by someone who never fought a Dragon, in real lifes. We're all like, experts now.
"Chad, I think you've missed the point w/ this particular weapon. From what I understand about it, if you are successful in "tripping" the flying creature, it is brought down to the ground and entangled before any check can be made by the beasty. Then on its turn, it could attempted to be free from the entangling affect of the weapon. Regardless if most of our adversaries can make this check, it will at least bring them down to our level for one round and allow others to pounce and also to get attacks when it takes off again. I think its absolutely worth keeping, but unfortunately I'm not skilled enough to use it!"
Delete