The Dragon Of Icespire Peak

[QizPizza]

Viscount Jean-Paul Pierre of Stellata
Link to CS
Ellya DapperDogman BarrenThin2 Celestial Speck dr xenon​

Lazaro1505

Things quickly died down and Jean-Paul was left without an answer to his overly dramatic outburst. Thorgen emerged from the tavern and gave them directions to the windmill: 15 miles to the south on a hill. For most of the party, the 15 miles was only an easy walk, but for the scholarly noble, such a trek was among the greatest distances he had traversed on foot. The nobleman had spent most of his life in front of a desk, with little time outdoors until recently. He could handle a few miles, but the four hours it took to get there winded the man. For the last stretch up the hill and to the windmill, Jean-Paul fell behind for a few minutes to catch his breath, “Seigneur aide-moi! *pant* I was not prepared *pant* for zees sort of *pant* strenuous physical exercise! When I return home *pant* hiking must become a regular part of my *pant* regimen.”

As the nobleman was catching his breath, he suddenly heard shouts and the crack of pistols ringing through the air. The others were getting into a fight without Jean-Paul! How regrettable! He had come to experience the thrill of combat, but all he was getting was the pain that came from a lack of exercise! Among the noise were the screams of an unknown woman and a primal roar. They were facing a wild beast without him! Jean-Paul could not stand it any longer. Despite his exhaustion, he rushed up the hill to the best of his effort.

Oh, the young viscount could hear the whistling arcane bolts and the crackling lightning as he climbed! By the time he reached the top of the hill, the final moments of the battle played out, with a manticore of all things falling to the ground beaten and bloodied from an epic battle. The viscount’s party didn’t escape without any wounds either, as Timmothy, Zulgar, Hope, and May’falla clearly showed. The first three were lucky enough to only have superficial wounds, but the wood elf...did not look okay. “Mon Dieu, Madamoiselle May’falla! You are gravely wounded! Does anyone know of the medicinal a-”

Jean-Paul stopped mid-question as he heard the beating of wings above him. Another manticore? He gladly accepted the challenge! He raised his cane and drew the blade out of it as he spun around and looked up, only to freeze in terror. What was above them was no manticore. It was the dragon. At that moment, Jean-Paul Pierre was simultaneously filled with unbridled excitement and overflowing fear. He was staring at a white dragon flying by. Half of him wanted to attack immediately, but the other half feared for his life. Depending on which side of him you ask, the disappearance of the dragon behind the hills was either a relief or disappointment. The viscount was the first to break the silence that hung after the majestic appearance of the great, white beast, “Ze...ze dragonne! In ze flesh!”

It took several seconds before Jean-Paul put the situation together. The dragon had flown northward, the direction they had just came from, which meant… “We must return to ze town! Ze dragonne is flying towards zat direction! Ze good people of Phandalin are defenseless, even with Thorgen.” The nobleman looked up to the windmill where Adabra must live and shouted, “Madamoiselle Adabra, I am not a man to rush a lady, but we must depart posthaste! Phandalin is in danger and your talents will be needed very soon.”

STATS
(Parentheses for Argent Cavalier's Stats)
HP: 50/50
STR: 8 (8)
DEX: 10 (20)
CON: 10 (10)
INT: 16 (8)
WIS: 16 (8)
CHA: 12 (8)

PERK CHOICES
Ability increase: DEX/WIS
Advantage: CHA
​

 

[BarrenThin2]

Zulgur Storm-Herald
HP 42/50
STR 20
DEX 8
CON 16
INT 10
WIS 16
CHA 12

Behind the Goliath, the ratfolk set about rambling and attempting to tend to their injuries. Turning his head around with a feral snarl, Zulgur didn't say anything, but the intention was clear. Do not touch me, his eyes seemed to say. The spines stuck from his back through the gaps in his armor still, but the pain only pushed the Cleric of Talos forward in his destructive anger. Zulgur did not enjoy violence, nor did he seek it out, but he had every intention of finishing this fight.

The beast ripped into May'falla, and Zulgur felt another surge of anger. The crack of thunder that sent the beast flying away from the elf was followed by a similarly thunderous bellow from the Cleric. The beast was let bloody and beaten, its roars turned into little more than pitiful growls, so weakened by its injuries. It almost seemed to be trying to convince them to leave it be, to allow it to take the windmill. Its pleas fell on deaf ears, at least for the Goliath. Mercy was a coward's out, and Zulgur was no coward. This beast had harmed him, had attacked the home of an old hermit and, most importantly, had hurt Hope, who Zulgur had taken it upon himself to keep safe.

Above them, a noise very briefly drew his attention. The dragon. The thing was massive- bigger than any living thing the Goliath had ever seen before. Now, White Dragons lived most commonly in the mountain range of his home, the Spine of the World. He'd even heard Goliaths hunted them as a rite of passage. Zulgur himself had never seen one, though. Never felt that connection to his culture. Anger broiled up in him once more, breaking the fog of surprise. When the Manticore looked up to watch the dragon go by, the murderous fury in Zulgur's eyes only flared as he lunged forward, arcing his large, heavy hammer towards the creature's skull.

Ellya Celestial Speck dr xenon Lazaro1505 QizPizza​

 

[Ellya]

The silence after the fierce battle with the Manticore was suddenly dispelled by a gory cracking of bone and squishing of some visceral matter, as Zulgur slammed his hammer down into the monster's head. It lied there, limp and lifeless.

"Come in, come in!" You all heard a voice coming from the windmill nearby. A woman stood in the door, holding it open and looking frantically up in the sky. "It's got a friend around here and by the Gods, if that damn dragon sees ye, we're all dead!" The noble viscount retorted, suggesting they go back to Phandalin to help with the dragon's attack. "You bleedin' idiot! If the dragon's attacking the village, they've no chance anyway, they'll be dead within minutes! How long'd it take you all to get here? You'll never make it back in time! Now get in here before it returns!"

The woman stepped to the side and beckoned everyone in, still keeping her eye on the skies.

Celestial Speck dr xenon Lazaro1505 QizPizza BarrenThin2

 

[dr xenon]

Rolling to her feet with a wince or two of pain May'falla nodded agreement with the old woman. Though part of her wanted to linger over what was left of the Manticore.

"Best we all get in there as she says. We'd never make in back in time."

As she climbs the hill to the windmill May'falla mentally instructs her Familiar to keep watch for the dragon.

 

[DapperDogman]

Heron 14

Holstering his pistol, Heron rushes forwards to the windmill, gripping one of the manticore's legs as he draws his axe "May your soul be at peace" he cleaves down with his axe, attempting to hack the leg free as he resumes his beeline toward the windmill. If it wouldn't come after a single strike, he'd give up, knowing he didn't have the time to waste with the dragon potentially circling around.
"Its body may be useful" he explains as if expecting questions for his choice "Its blood may have use alchemically, and its flesh might be edible"

Holstering his axe, he ducks into the windmill, slinging his cannon around his body and grasping its handle in one hand, a hammer flipping out of his forearm and replacing his hand as he stares at the doorway "It is not ready yet, my Decimator could kill us all if I am forced to use it now" he looks around the room, letting out a quiet chuckle "But at least it would be quicker than being eaten"

STATS
HP: 50
STR: 14 DEX: 20 CON: 18 INT: 11 WIS: 10 CHA: 8

Ellya BarrenThin2 Celestial Speck dr xenon Lazaro1505​

 

[Ellya]

Heron 14

Holstering his pistol, Heron rushes forwards to the windmill, gripping one of the manticore's legs as he draws his axe "May your soul be at peace" he cleaves down with his axe, attempting to hack the leg free as he resumes his beeline toward the windmill. If it wouldn't come after a single strike, he'd give up, knowing he didn't have the time to waste with the dragon potentially circling around.
"Its body may be useful" he explains as if expecting questions for his choice "Its blood may have use alchemically, and its flesh might be edible"

Holstering his axe, he ducks into the windmill, slinging his cannon around his body and grasping its handle in one hand, a hammer flipping out of his forearm and replacing his hand as he stares at the doorway "It is not ready yet, my Decimator could kill us all if I am forced to use it now" he looks around the room, letting out a quiet chuckle "But at least it would be quicker than being eaten"

STATS
HP: 50
STR: 14 DEX: 20 CON: 18 INT: 11 WIS: 10 CHA: 8

Ellya BarrenThin2 Celestial Speck dr xenon Lazaro1505​

(( Make a strength check on this one if you please ))

 

[Ellya]

he cleaves down with his axe, attempting to hack the leg free

Heron's axe hits the creature in the thigh, burying itself a good few inches deep before getting stuck. It definitely cut through a portion of the bone but not all of it. With a good pull, the Warforged would manage to pull his axe out, but then he made a run for it toward the mill as well.

"Quickly now, hurry it up!" The woman yelled out as she saw the Wood Elf entering first, quickly followed by Heron 14. Without even checking who came next, she turned to the Wood Elf. "My dear, you're in bad shape," after which she hurried about the room.

The room itself was obviously circular with a huge contraption in the middle. It looked like two giant stone wheels on top of some sort large circular stone platform with wood on top of it.

~ Intelligence (Nature) check 9 or above ~

Spoiler

From the herbal remnants and strange smells in the air, you gather that this is a contraption used for grinding. In windmills, it usually served for crushing wheat, but with Adabra apparently being an alchemist, you figure that she uses it for other plants mostly.

There was about 10 feet of open space from the side of the contraption to the wall, leaving enough room for the whole party including the Goliath, even if it would get a bit crowded in here. Adabra in the meantime, had run off somewhere behind the giant stone wheels for a few seconds, before she returned with a small, corked glass vial in her hand. It contained a liquid that looked thick and syrupy, reminiscent of the healing potions some of you might be familiar with, but not entirely the same. "Here, girl. Drink this quick before it gets worse..."

DapperDogman dr xenon

 

[dr xenon]

STR: 9 (-1)
DEX: 16 (+3)
CON: 15 (+2)
INT: 20 (+5)
WIS: 12 (+1)
CHA: 10 (+0)
HP: (50) 36

Wheezing in pain, May'falla quaffs the potion while at the same time inspecting the contraption dominating the room.

OOC : Nature check at +5 = 24

Potion of greater healing! WOW! = 20 HP

 

[Ellya]

Wheezing in pain, May'falla quaffs the potion while at the same time inspecting the contraption dominating the room.

You especially notice that the ground up remnants all appear to be from flowers, leaves and seeds. All plant-based items, but even with your vast knowledge, you don't quite know whether these are truly natural and how they would respond within the context of alchemy.

As you drink down the potion, there's actually a bit of a bitterness to it. Its thick consistency already makes it difficult to swallow and the taste certainly doesn't help, but luckily it was a small amount to get down. You can take a breath of gentle relief as you feel some pain subsiding, and the wound on your shoulder starts to close up slightly on its own, still leaving an ugly and bloody scar but at least being clear from any danger of infection.

~ Roll 4d4 + 4 on your previous post and add that to your HP ~​

 

[BarrenThin2]

Zulgur Storm-Herald
HP 42/50
STR 20
DEX 8
CON 16
INT 10
WIS 16
CHA 12

The creature's skull broke like an eggshell under the weight of his hammer. He felt droplets of blood fly outward, landing on his exposed face. For a few moments, the Goliath stood there, breathing heavily in silence. The fog of anger that darkened his mind still did not relent as the cleric of Talos stared down at its broken form. That fog persisted when the old woman shouted for them to come inside. His head snapped in that direction, teeth bared, only to see that there was no threat. Slowly, his hammer fell to his side and he shook his head, like he was physically trying to shake something off.

Looking at Pierre, he nodded his agreement with the woman. "If the dragon is attacking Phandalin, there is nothing we can do to help. We must bide our time to kill the beast when we are ready." The Goliath hesitated one second longer for stepping through the door. Scanning the room, Adabra certainly seemed to be only person present. Every move caused a pulse of pain from the quills still lodged deep in his back, but he was hardly the worst injured person present. No, those honors went to May'falla and Hope. Adabra administered magical healing to May'falla, though she still seemed pretty banged up.

Looking at each of them in turn, Zulgur sat down and began to pull bandages from his bag. "Sit." The Goliath said to both of them. Uneasily, he watched the machine wield its cannon. Still, he supposed the thing was right; it might be a better fate than being eaten alive.

dr xenon Celestial Speck QizPizza DapperDogman​

 

[dr xenon]

Looking at Pierre, he nodded his agreement with the woman. "If the dragon is attacking Phandalin, there is nothing we can do to help. We must bide our time to kill the beast when we are ready." The Goliath hesitated one second longer for stepping through the door. Scanning the room, Adabra certainly seemed to be only person present. Every move caused a pulse of pain from the quills still lodged deep in his back, but he was hardly the worst injured person present. No, those honors went to May'falla and Hope. Adabra administered magical healing to May'falla, though she still seemed pretty banged up.

Looking at each of them in turn, Zulgur sat down and began to pull bandages from his bag. "Sit." The Goliath said to both of them. Uneasily, he watched the machine wield its cannon. Still, he supposed the thing was right; it might be a better fate than being eaten alive.

dr xenon Celestial Speck QizPizza DapperDogman​

"What me?" May'falla replied to Zulgur distractedly. Her eyes never left the mill. "I'll be right as rain."

She dips a hand into the mill works' remenants, pulling out a pinch and holding it up to her nose. Rubbing the contents about and giving a suspcious sniff to it. Eventually she turns to Adabra and holds out the empty vial to return it to her.

"That's a ripe concoction, that is, mum, but roight potent all in all, I'd say. What the deuce?!" she cries out seeing Zulgur's back. "Who's going to take care of you mate? Those spoines gotta come out!"

BarrenThin2

 

[BarrenThin2]

Zulgur Storm-Herald
HP 42/50
STR 20
DEX 8
CON 16
INT 10
WIS 16
CHA 12

Zulgur frowned at May'falla in genuine confusion. Shaking his head, he repeated what he said before. "You are still hurt. Sit down, so that I may treat your injuries." At the mention of the spines, almost in response, he felt a ripple of pain up his back, but the Goliath ignored it. "This is nothing. A flesh wound. I will bear it with pride until they are removed. You were very seriously hurt. Sit." His bedside manner aside, Zulgur fortunately did know what he was doing, and he knew she was still very much injured. More so than he was, anyways. "I will not allow someone to treat my wounds until everyone else's are looked at." This wasn't a selfless act- at least, not in his mind. He really was alright, and it was simply impractical to tend to his lesser injuries when others were more hurt.

dr xenon
​

 

[Ellya]

Adabra was rushing around the room a bit as the rest of the party also made their way inside. As expected, it did get a bit crowded, but there was room for everyone.

"Shut the door!" she called out loudly, then breathing a sigh of relief when said door was finally shut. "Right... Yes, very good..." she breathed deeply for a few moments, looking over the entire party. "Well... Aren't you a colorful bunch?" She said, finally giving a smile for the first time since everyone arrived, now in the comfort of her closed home. She looked over Zulgur's shoulder (barely though) as he kneeled down to tend to May'falla's wounds. "Right... Looks like you know what you're doing... I have one more of those potions should the girl need it, just give me a shout."

The human woman made her way around the mill, elbowing and bumping into a few of the party on her way and giving especially Heron 14 and Timmothy a lingering look with raised eyebrows. "Colorful bunch indeed..." she mumbled, moving past the group and opening a small chest under the staircase. She rummages through a bit.

"So...What brings you lot here? I've heard mister foreign fancy pants screaming out for my help before but I assure you, if it's combat you need me for, you will be sorely disappointed."

DapperDogman BarrenThin2 Lazaro1505 Celestial Speck QizPizza dr xenon​

 

[QizPizza]

Viscount Jean-Paul Pierre of Stellata
Link to CS
Ellya BarrenThin2 Celestial Speck dr xenon​

Jean-Paul Pierre’s cries for the group to return to the town went unanswered and even rebutted by the woman in the tower! For a few more moments, he looked at the dragon helplessly, before he dejectedly turned back towards Adabra. She was correct, there was no way for them to get back in time, especially with Jean-Paul’s athleticism...or rather, lack thereof. The nobleman sighed, sheathing his sword as he offered up a prayer for the townsfolk. He was not a particularly religious man, but if there was any time where he hoped a prayer would make a difference, it was now.

The young viscount was among the last to enter the windmill, but once he was inside and shut the door firmly behind them, he felt an inappropriate amount of relief. There were people back in town in grave danger, and yet, here he was feeling safe in a windmill. It was disgusting to man so obsessed with honor and chivalry, but there was nothing to be done. To take his mind off their failure, he looked around the room dominated by a millstone as the others received much needed medical treatment.

As expected, Adabra returned with a health potion for May’falla, but what he didn’t expect was Zulgar moving to tend to May’falla and Hope’s wounds. This Goliath was a cleric??? That was certainly unexpected, but the only other reason for the sort of armor he wore was being a paladin. Never before had the noble seen a Goliath cleric, but that was not saying particularly much, seeing how he had met few Goliath prior to this adventure.

Jean-Paul Pierre was so wrapped up in his bewilderment that he didn’t pay attention to Adabra until she raised mention of “mister foreign fancy pants” and his scream for her assistance. She thought that they required her help in combat, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Jean-Paul responded with a bit of exaggerated incredulity, “Zees ‘monsieur étranger fancy pants’ ‘as a name: Viscount Jean-Paul Pierre! And you misunderstand mademoiselle, our mission here is twofold. First, we are to ensure your safety from ze brutal orcs and ze…dragonne. Second, we are to bring ze only known apothecary in ze region to help in ze aftermath of attacks from ze former. We do not need you to participate in combat, au contraire we require your assistance to undo ze consequences of combat.”

STATS
(Parentheses for Argent Cavalier's Stats)
HP: 50/50
STR: 8 (8)
DEX: 10 (20)
CON: 10 (10)
INT: 16 (8)
WIS: 16 (8)
CHA: 12 (8)

PERK CHOICES
Ability increase: DEX/WIS
Advantage: CHA
​

 

[dr xenon]

STR: 9 (-1)
DEX: 16 (+3)
CON: 15 (+2)
INT: 20 (+5)
WIS: 12 (+1)
CHA: 10 (+0)
HP: (50) 36

​

Jean-Paul Pierre was so wrapped up in his bewilderment that he didn’t pay attention to Adabra until she raised mention of “mister foreign fancy pants” and his scream for her assistance. She thought that they required her help in combat, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Jean-Paul responded with a bit of exaggerated incredulity, “Zees ‘monsieur étranger fancy pants’ ‘as a name: Viscount Jean-Paul Pierre! And you misunderstand mademoiselle, our mission here is twofold. First, we are to ensure your safety from ze brutal orcs and ze…dragonne. Second, we are to bring ze only known apothecary in ze region to help in ze aftermath of attacks from ze former. We do not need you to participate in combat, au contraire we require your assistance to undo ze consequences of combat.”

"Rye-tah," May'Falla grunted out as Zulgur tended her wounds. Her eyes were two glimmering slits of emerald and she squinted against the pain of the Goliath's ministrations. "Only that was before the ice wyrm set out to the town. Now the best we moight be able to --- unnnh -- do is go and pick up the pieces left behind. Or maybe we got lucky and he just frosted a few as a big show of who's boss now and please put out a cow for me every ten day or it'll be mid-winter fest next time and yer mum's on the menu."

She turns to Adabra.

"You did say somefin about the manticore havin' a friend out there, yeh? What kind?"

 

[Ellya]

QizPizza
The woman of the mill gave a short chuckle at Jean-Paul. "Alright alright, your lordship, I apologize" she raised her eyebrows and her voice to a higher pitch with a smile. "Just not used to havin' a man as sophisticated as yourself in me 'umble 'ome." After that, she looked him up and down a bit, taking in his clothing, his posture. "Welcome any time though, Sean-Paul" she added with a wink. She probably misunderstood his name a bit.

dr xenon
To May'falla, she nodded and responded. "Ooh yes, its mate, I'd wager. First saw the pair of 'em yesterday in fact. She's a nasty one, she is. Or... He is. I don't know manticore anatomy." She shrugged while rummaging further through the chest. "The beast you've just disposed of came knocking on my door just mere minutes ago, gave me a proper fright. 't Was looking for a home. Can you imagine! A manticore, staying in here with me like a lap dog!" The woman chuckled and shook her head a bit. "Glad to be rid of it, yes."

BarrenThin2 Celestial Speck DapperDogman Lazaro1505
"Well everyone, I'm sorry to disappoint, but I am perfectly fine staying right where I am" she pulled another vial filled with the same thick red liquid out of the chest, closed it and made her way back through the group. "Truly, I won't be of help to you there. Any healing I could provide would take a while to make, and if that town's been attacked by the dragon..." She placed the potion on the table near Zulgur and May'falla, then clasped her hands together in front of her with a bit of a worried look growing on her face. "The bloody thing will have eaten every one of them by now. Even if there are wounded, it would take weeks for me to prepare enough potions..."

There were no windows in this lower portion of the tower, but it looked almost like she was looking out of one anyway, staring at the wall until she turned back towards the group. "I promise you, I'm of more use staying here. And safer, as well!"

 

[BarrenThin2]

Zulgur hardly let May'falla's pained grunts discourage him. It was somewhat to be expected; his hands were hardly delicate, and certainly lacked a surgeon's precision. In spite of this, his medical knowledge made triage fairly easy, if unpleasant. "Hold still." For now, he just listed as the two spoke, before subtly whispering the incantation of a spell. The irony of a healing spell chanted in Abyssal was lost on the dry Goliath. Was this not how all priests worked? It certainly was in his mind. Either way, the briefest flash of light danced across his palm as he cast cure wounds on the wizard. He glanced down at the potion placed before them before sliding it towards the wizard as well.

As for the noble, Zulgur shook his head silently. The apothecary was right- there was virtually nothing they could do to stop the dragon as it was, and showing up would just likely get the rest of them killed. Still, the cleric doubted she was actually safer here. It was, after all, an isolated windmill; if the dragon simply knocked it over on a whim, she'd be dead. Hell, if that other manticore came back, she'd be dead. That was probably pertinent to point out. "That second manticore will likely want revenge. You are no safer here than you would be in town. We cannot remain to protect this place without good reason." Keeping her alive wasn't reason enough in his own mind; in truth, Zulgur had half a mind to just abandon this entirely. If the town was destroyed, it was entirely possible their paycheck was, as well.

Then came those images of Goliaths slaying white dragons in the spine of the world. A rite of passage. A test to reach adulthood. Zulgur bit his tongue and studied the floor for a few moments. He may never know where he came from, but this might be the only opportunity he got to prove himself to... Well, whoever was watching.

Maybe just himself.

Maybe no one.

"You do not have to go to town, grandmother, but I wouldn't stay here, either." Glancing at his party, Zulgur weighed his options. There weren't many. "Phandalin is probably gone," His voice was grim- more so than usual. "As such, so is likely our pay. I will not fault anyone who wishes to leave. You are small and weak, and, as such, your survival is not guaranteed." His tone was pragmatic more than it was vitriolic or insulting, though his eyes settled on Timmothy and Pierre in particular as he spoke.

"Pay or not, the town will be avenged. I will mount the dragon's head as repayment for the lives he takes. This I swear, Talos as my witness." Standing up, Zulgur lifted his hammer off the ground where it rested beside him. "We need an edge. To consolidate allies and resources, and find out where it is living- aside from just 'in the mountains.' The next couple jobs seem as good a place to start as any. Maybe the gnomes will have something to help us, and the dwarves may have found something." Shaking his head, he continued, "We have wasted enough time talking here as is. The sun moves to the west."

Without really waiting for a response, Zulgur collected his bearings and started for the door.

dr xenon Ellya QizPizza

(( dr xenon 10 points of healing via cure wounds.))​

 

[dr xenon]

STR: 9 (-1)
DEX: 16 (+3)
CON: 15 (+2)
INT: 20 (+5)
WIS: 12 (+1)
CHA: 10 (+0)
HP: (50) 46

"Many thanks, Zulgur," May'Falla says to the cleric as she feels the healing knit her wounds almost completely. She picks up the healing potion wihtout any guile and pockets it. "Now if my memory serves Gnomengarde is the closer of the two other spots ta hit, roight? So maybe we deal wif the Manticore's mate so our friendly Alchemist here can sleep tonoight - and then set out for it? Plus - bein Gnomes they may have a fing or two ta help us out like you said, yeh? Other option - mayyy-be - is to head back to Phandalan and see what's left to help us out wif this endeavor over all, yeh?"

The latter option doesn't seem to sit well with the Elf, but it is a practical idea.

"As for bein' - whazzat you said?" She added standing her full 4' and 11" and looking up at the hulking Goliath with a smile. "Small and weak? Be that as true as it may be, I'm finking I'd like a shot at this wyrm as much as the next reckless hero!"

 

[Ellya]

Adabra was sitting on the edge of her table now, actually grinning a bit at the pair. "Oh, you two remind me of a friend I had when I was younger... Always keen for an adventure and ready to slay mighty beasts... " She shook her head a little. "Why don't you lot take this extra healing brew? I've only the one left, but it might come in handy in a bind."

She grabbed the potion sitting beside her on the table and extended it toward the group. "Gnomengarde would be closest, yes... In the mountains southwest of here, about ten miles out maybe? I don't rightly know, I've never been. Dwarves are holed up southeast of here, maybe fifteen - twenty miles? Never been too fond of those dwarves, if I'm to be honest... As for the other manticore, I'm not sure you'll catch it coming by here any time soon..."

As Adabra spoke, the faint flapping of wings could be heard outside, but there was no visual on the source, since there were no windows on the first floor of the mill.

BarrenThin2 dr xenon

 

[BarrenThin2]

Zulgur Storm-Herald
HP 42/50
STR 20
DEX 8
CON 16
INT 10
WIS 16
CHA 12

The Goliath frowned down at her. Shifting his weight, he considered what she was saying. Most of the plan made sense to him; it was largely in line with what he'd said a moment before. What gave him pause was her desire to stay and fight the second manticore. It seemed like a waste of time for fairly little in return, considering the woman likely couldn't pay them. Still, even as he was about to protest, Adabra offered them yet another healing potion, which Zulgur reluctantly took and added to his pockets. Even his stony demeanor could be worn down. It would be difficult to abandon this old woman here without help. Shifting his weight once more, he shrugged."... Very well. We may remain to help before we head to the gnomes."

His frown deepened at May'falla whens he said quite boldly that she wanted to take a shot at the dragon- the only one that seemed to, other than himself. The woman was half his height and easily several hundred pounds lighter than him, but she had shown herself a capable fighter (as well as some sort of magic user). Slowly, he nodded. "If we die, let it be gloriously at the dragon's hand, then. I will have your back, elf... May'falla." He momentarily corrected himself, then looked up at the sound of wings beating. "Gnomengard is a half day's walk, then. The dwarves, closer to a day. It seems we may not have to wait for our company."

Calmly, Zulgur opened the door to peer outside.

dr xenon Ellya
​

 

[Ellya]

The door opened and Adabra looked outside as well, her face twisting into a frown. "Oh, dearie me..." she muttered, slowly walking backwards and making her way back upstairs. "You lot have fun with that now..."

Outside, standing just beside the now dead Manticore, was yet another creature of the same race. Another manticore with more feminine features on its human-like face. There were few differences in their bodies, but this one's claws looked sharper and longer, and instead of having multiple quill-like thorns in its tail, it had one large spike on it, from which a greenish liquid dripped. The creature walked slow circles around the other Manticore, producing low whining sounds and eventually leaning down to softly push its head up against the dead monster, as if trying to flip it over or wake it up.

It didn't seem to notice Zulgur peeking outside.

dr xenon BarrenThin2

 

[dr xenon]

STR: 9 (-1)
DEX: 16 (+3)
CON: 15 (+2)
INT: 20 (+5)
WIS: 12 (+1)
CHA: 10 (+0)
HP: (50) 46

Making her way to ZUlgur's side, and attempting to use him for some obfuscation May'falla peers out out the Manticore. She gives her Crow familiar a mental command to send it on a flyby to observe the creature.

OOC:
Hoping to figure out if it's pregnant
Guessing Perception or Investigation, and Nature rolls?

 

[Ellya]

STR: 9 (-1)
DEX: 16 (+3)
CON: 15 (+2)
INT: 20 (+5)
WIS: 12 (+1)
CHA: 10 (+0)
HP: (50) 46

Making her way to ZUlgur's side, and attempting to use him for some obfuscation May'falla peers out out the Manticore. She gives her Crow familiar a mental command to send it on a flyby to observe the creature.

OOC:
Hoping to figure out if it's pregnant
Guessing Perception or Investigation, and Nature rolls?

(( Let's say just a Nature on this one ))

 

[dr xenon]

STR: 9 (-1)
DEX: 16 (+3)
CON: 15 (+2)
INT: 20 (+5)
WIS: 12 (+1)
CHA: 10 (+0)
HP: (50) 46

"Wot have we got here now?" May'falla mutters to herself as she studies the creature.

OOC:
Nature check +5 = 16

 

[Ellya]

After checking out the manticore for a short minute, May'falla's crow returns to her and reports back. The creature didn't seem to be carrying - or at the very least not very late into its pregnancy - and nothing really stood out about it aside from it beign a generally rare creature. As the manticore finally managed to push its companion's lifeless corpse over, it stood still and just seemed to stare down at it, occasionally letting out a soft whining noise. If left undisturbed for a while longer, it would simply lower itself onto its side and lie down by the corpse.

Both Zulgur and May'falla recognized one thing about it though. The creature seemed to be grieving.

BarrenThin2 dr xenon