Dragon, lich, dracolich - 21/06 - Derthaad
Jun 23, 2022 9:02:25 GMT
Velania Kalugina and Andy D like this
Post by Derthaad on Jun 23, 2022 9:02:25 GMT
~excerpt from Derthaad's ledger
Week 18
22nd of Kythorn
The return to Hollow Spine has been... interesting.
A few tendays ago, after our encounter with the githyanki in the Realm of Midnight, I sent Evira a letter asking if she and Ormund could help us in some way. The two are a pair of friendly liches that currently dwell on top of Hollow Spine. The two are the only ones that popped into my mind that may be powerful enough to put a dent in whatever the gith may bring. And, thankfully, that whatever so happens to be an armada of red dragons, something that I'm sure Ormund will be willing to ad to his collection.
Firstly, I received a letter from Lt. Buttons saying that Evira has arrived on a roc bird and that she came here on behalf of Ormund. Seems Ormund wanted to teach me some life lessons. Knowing he's a dracolich and knowing he's pretty annoyed at the fact that he lost his favorite body, I wouldn't be surprised if said life lesson us fighting him.
I meet with Kelne along the way and invited them over on this 'insightful' trip. They accepted. At the Watch Tower, we meet with Evira, looking around the place in amazement. It dawned on me that she's been on top of Hollow Spine for the last 200 years and that she had never seen Daring Heights before. The team expands with Toothy, an animal-loving drow with a floral shirt and another drow by the name Jaezred, who's wearing a black suit. How can someone wear a black suit in this heat... Evira explains that Ormund's methods may seem a bit subtle, in that at first you don't realize it's a life lesson.
We part the city on the roc bird and onward towards the Sunset Spines. On our way there, though, we had to stop by Stoneleaf to feed the bird since they eat a ridiculous amount. Over there we stumbled upon Heret, which of course we took him along with us.
Thanks to the roc bird, we arrive at the spine in the afternoon of the same day. Near Ormund's lair, Evira informs us that it's best we shouldn't teleport and we shouldn't fly, unless we're riding a gargantuan dragon or a roc. The teleport bit may be cause by the amount of sunstone at the top of this volcano, and I think that if we were to teleport, it would either not work, or it would be because it may have a tendency to shoot you in a random direction and probably end up dead.
Over at Ormund's lair, we finally meet the dracolich in question, although dracolich may be a but of a stretch. He has not yet fully reformed, so his new shape is that of an amalgamation of various skeletons that he has collected. In his infinite wisdom, Ormund told us that our lessons starts with the acquiring of a fluff feather from a roc chick, a feather that he apparently needs for a ritual of his. I only know of one spell that I use that would require such component, Feather Fall, but considering the situation the spell would most likely allow him to fly about. Or, it could just be a wild errand to just have us run from place to place and spin that as a 'life lesson'. Evira was kind enough to create a telepathic bond between us and Ormund to help us communicate back to him once we were done.
Via Evira's roc, we quickly arrive at the roc's nest, situated on the NW side of the plateau. Upon closer inspection, the tree seems to be about 150ft tall and, wouldn't you know it, a nest is located at the very top of it. Sadly, due to the inability to fly or teleport, we'll have to settle to climbing. Upon arrival in the nest, we spot two small roc chicks. Well, small for rocs, these things are twice Toothy's height. How to extract feathers? Use the classic distract and pluck. Toothy was the main distraction while Kelne and Heret were the pluckers. Jaezred and I were unfortunately on stand by. Sadly, Ormund told us that no magic, whatsoever should be used in the vicinity of the feather, which meant that the resident spell casters were benched. We did provide some magical aid to our friend Toothy.
I telepathically told Ormund that the feather has been acquired. To which he replied that we should disarm some of the traps we planted in the chinchilla forest last time we came here. The rocs requested this from Ormund, but he didn't care enough to actually come over and destroy them himself. This is kind of where we lost Toothy. As we were approaching one of the traps, we were spotted by chinchillas, sunbathing as per usual. As we were trying to debate a course of action, not only was Toothy already on top of the chinchilla petting game, but more of them were starting to show up, so by the time we formulated our plan, we were surrounded by the chinchillas... or, Toothy was surrounded by them. The plan was simple, Toothy distracted the chinchillas (although, to be honest, I think he was more distracted by them), Kelne sneaked away to polymorph themselves into an inconspicuous ape and destroy the trap, while Jaezred, Heret and myself would just stand there and act surprised at this random ape, randomly deciding to destroy this one random trap. Also, we didn't go for all the traps, just the one. Ormund told us to destroy some of the traps. One could count as some, right?
After all of this was done, we returned to Ormund with the feather. Ormund relented a valuable life lesson from endless wisdom.
"It’s up to you what you learn, what you go after, but no one’s gonna solve your problems for you."
Oh yeah, remember that foreshadowing from earlier? Yeah, the life lesson was followed by, of course, us fighting him. This, however, was mostly so he can release himself of the body that he formed so that he can be carried over to the gith and start grabbing some of their dragons and and them to his collection.
Upon parting from the spine, Evira admitted that she knew Ormund wasn't that willing on giving life lessons, but she thought that we could still learn things from others and that this hasn't been complete waste, as she hands me some of the lessons she has learned. I assured her that the trip was fruitful and that we have gained an ally of sorts, to which she replied that I may need to have a less practical approach on life, to take some time and relax.
If only it would be that easy. Sadly, it's the work that helps me move forward.
After completing his entry, Derthaad puts down his quill and sits there in contemplation of the actions he should take, of the people he should finally talk to and of the advice that Evira has given him. It was in the end she who him the life lessons.
Lesson 1: Trust your friends.
Lesson 2: Just cause something bad happened you should still move on.
Lesson 3: Don't be afraid to fight things you can't quite understand. (this one's just from me!)
Derthaad throws his hands up into the air, incredulous smile on his face "I just got life advice from a pair of liches... what?" He drops his hands, resting his head on one of them "This is Kantas, I guess." He then throws another glance at Evira's notes, the corners of his mouth still quirked up into a smile "One of which seems to be frightened of chinchillas."
"Thank you. I'll -" a pause as he takes in a deep breath and releases a sigh filled with a weight from deep within "- I'll try..."
It's not about the fear of fighting things I don't understand, though... it's about the fear of what I may uncover if I do so.
Week 18
22nd of Kythorn
The return to Hollow Spine has been... interesting.
A few tendays ago, after our encounter with the githyanki in the Realm of Midnight, I sent Evira a letter asking if she and Ormund could help us in some way. The two are a pair of friendly liches that currently dwell on top of Hollow Spine. The two are the only ones that popped into my mind that may be powerful enough to put a dent in whatever the gith may bring. And, thankfully, that whatever so happens to be an armada of red dragons, something that I'm sure Ormund will be willing to ad to his collection.
Firstly, I received a letter from Lt. Buttons saying that Evira has arrived on a roc bird and that she came here on behalf of Ormund. Seems Ormund wanted to teach me some life lessons. Knowing he's a dracolich and knowing he's pretty annoyed at the fact that he lost his favorite body, I wouldn't be surprised if said life lesson us fighting him.
I meet with Kelne along the way and invited them over on this 'insightful' trip. They accepted. At the Watch Tower, we meet with Evira, looking around the place in amazement. It dawned on me that she's been on top of Hollow Spine for the last 200 years and that she had never seen Daring Heights before. The team expands with Toothy, an animal-loving drow with a floral shirt and another drow by the name Jaezred, who's wearing a black suit. How can someone wear a black suit in this heat... Evira explains that Ormund's methods may seem a bit subtle, in that at first you don't realize it's a life lesson.
We part the city on the roc bird and onward towards the Sunset Spines. On our way there, though, we had to stop by Stoneleaf to feed the bird since they eat a ridiculous amount. Over there we stumbled upon Heret, which of course we took him along with us.
Thanks to the roc bird, we arrive at the spine in the afternoon of the same day. Near Ormund's lair, Evira informs us that it's best we shouldn't teleport and we shouldn't fly, unless we're riding a gargantuan dragon or a roc. The teleport bit may be cause by the amount of sunstone at the top of this volcano, and I think that if we were to teleport, it would either not work, or it would be because it may have a tendency to shoot you in a random direction and probably end up dead.
Over at Ormund's lair, we finally meet the dracolich in question, although dracolich may be a but of a stretch. He has not yet fully reformed, so his new shape is that of an amalgamation of various skeletons that he has collected. In his infinite wisdom, Ormund told us that our lessons starts with the acquiring of a fluff feather from a roc chick, a feather that he apparently needs for a ritual of his. I only know of one spell that I use that would require such component, Feather Fall, but considering the situation the spell would most likely allow him to fly about. Or, it could just be a wild errand to just have us run from place to place and spin that as a 'life lesson'. Evira was kind enough to create a telepathic bond between us and Ormund to help us communicate back to him once we were done.
Via Evira's roc, we quickly arrive at the roc's nest, situated on the NW side of the plateau. Upon closer inspection, the tree seems to be about 150ft tall and, wouldn't you know it, a nest is located at the very top of it. Sadly, due to the inability to fly or teleport, we'll have to settle to climbing. Upon arrival in the nest, we spot two small roc chicks. Well, small for rocs, these things are twice Toothy's height. How to extract feathers? Use the classic distract and pluck. Toothy was the main distraction while Kelne and Heret were the pluckers. Jaezred and I were unfortunately on stand by. Sadly, Ormund told us that no magic, whatsoever should be used in the vicinity of the feather, which meant that the resident spell casters were benched. We did provide some magical aid to our friend Toothy.
I telepathically told Ormund that the feather has been acquired. To which he replied that we should disarm some of the traps we planted in the chinchilla forest last time we came here. The rocs requested this from Ormund, but he didn't care enough to actually come over and destroy them himself. This is kind of where we lost Toothy. As we were approaching one of the traps, we were spotted by chinchillas, sunbathing as per usual. As we were trying to debate a course of action, not only was Toothy already on top of the chinchilla petting game, but more of them were starting to show up, so by the time we formulated our plan, we were surrounded by the chinchillas... or, Toothy was surrounded by them. The plan was simple, Toothy distracted the chinchillas (although, to be honest, I think he was more distracted by them), Kelne sneaked away to polymorph themselves into an inconspicuous ape and destroy the trap, while Jaezred, Heret and myself would just stand there and act surprised at this random ape, randomly deciding to destroy this one random trap. Also, we didn't go for all the traps, just the one. Ormund told us to destroy some of the traps. One could count as some, right?
After all of this was done, we returned to Ormund with the feather. Ormund relented a valuable life lesson from endless wisdom.
"It’s up to you what you learn, what you go after, but no one’s gonna solve your problems for you."
Oh yeah, remember that foreshadowing from earlier? Yeah, the life lesson was followed by, of course, us fighting him. This, however, was mostly so he can release himself of the body that he formed so that he can be carried over to the gith and start grabbing some of their dragons and and them to his collection.
Upon parting from the spine, Evira admitted that she knew Ormund wasn't that willing on giving life lessons, but she thought that we could still learn things from others and that this hasn't been complete waste, as she hands me some of the lessons she has learned. I assured her that the trip was fruitful and that we have gained an ally of sorts, to which she replied that I may need to have a less practical approach on life, to take some time and relax.
If only it would be that easy. Sadly, it's the work that helps me move forward.
After completing his entry, Derthaad puts down his quill and sits there in contemplation of the actions he should take, of the people he should finally talk to and of the advice that Evira has given him. It was in the end she who him the life lessons.
Lesson 1: Trust your friends.
Lesson 2: Just cause something bad happened you should still move on.
Lesson 3: Don't be afraid to fight things you can't quite understand. (this one's just from me!)
Derthaad throws his hands up into the air, incredulous smile on his face "I just got life advice from a pair of liches... what?" He drops his hands, resting his head on one of them "This is Kantas, I guess." He then throws another glance at Evira's notes, the corners of his mouth still quirked up into a smile "One of which seems to be frightened of chinchillas."
"Thank you. I'll -" a pause as he takes in a deep breath and releases a sigh filled with a weight from deep within "- I'll try..."
It's not about the fear of fighting things I don't understand, though... it's about the fear of what I may uncover if I do so.
