[August 25th, 2023, 10:00AM/ 1493 DR, 10:00AM]
"Summoned to Waterdeep huh… Do you think I could have some time before we go right away? There's something I wanted to do."
"By all means Arthur, just come back when you're ready." Leosin nodded.
One thousand two hundred gold later and I had placed down three bathrooms within the town. Two for use of the local garrison and the final one for true public use, first come first serve. It'd be a start. Part of me was wondering how far I'd go into investing in Phandalin, how long would it be until I made it into a city? I had no idea.
I let out a sigh of irritation as I finished up my little tweaking of the town. I wasn't a fan of the city of Waterdeep, too much water. No but seriously it was just a bit overhyped in my opinion. But to have been summoned there myself was… ah right, they had a council there, never mind. Leosin most likely had mentioned me in his reports back and forth to Frume.
"Hmm… I'll need letters of recommendation, just in case."
I returned to the town hall and got to asking for and receiving letters of recommendation after looking for Danar, Sildar, Sister Garaele and Leosin himself.
"Alright, I'm ready."
Leosin gave his goodbyes to Sister Garaele, as did I along with saying goodbye to everyone else. Soon enough I had found myself inside the city of Waterdeep…yayyy… It was hustling and bustling as cities usually were. It reminded me of the mediterranean but colder temperature wise. Also not as good as the mediterranean either. My thoughts were interrupted by a sudden shift in the wind, a sense of unease more so than before. The feeling was akin to the drop in air pressure before the approach of a deadly storm, or faint tremors felt from a landslide or earthquake far away. The city around was unnaturally quiet. No dogs barking, no birds squawking. Even the street vendors who wouldn't shut up a second ago went silent. As if the "sound" of silence devoured everything else briefly. And then everything resumed itself once more. Akin to a noise dampening revelation in a movie scene.
[Congratulations you have unlocked Psychic Affinity 3/100!]
[Congratulations you have gained Psychic Resistance 1/100!]
[System reconfiguration complete, verbal interaction no longer required.]
I gnashed my teeth as a brief pulse of pain swam through my mind. "What the hell was that?" Leosin led me to the palace in which the council was being held. Lots of fancy marble and woodwork. We paused at the double doors, some speech being semi-audible from the inside.
"Well Sir Arthur, this is where we part ways, I can only pray that fate keeps smiling upon you."
"You're not coming along?"
"Unfortunately not, I'm not the head of the Harpers after all, someone else will be taking that role, but fret not, I'll still be informed of what occurs more or less."
I paused, my head still hurting slightly. "Any advice for these kinds of things?"
He stroked his goatee and then smiled. "An elven proverb of sorts, patience can work wonders."
I chuckled at that, thanked him, and bid him farewell before opening up the doors. There were a lot of people in this room. It reminded me of a college classroom, but worse because they weren't students like I was. They paused as I entered the room. Get ready for some descriptions.
[Name; Remallia Haventree
CR; 13 (10,000XP)
HP; 80/80
Stats;
Str; 10 (+0)
Dex; 12 (+1)
Con; 15 (+2)
Int; 20 (+5)
Wis; 17 (+3)
Cha; 17 (+3)
Proficiency; +3
Passive Perception; 17
Armor Class;
11 (Unarmored)
Movement speed; 30ft - 60ft
Class; Wizard 13/20
Alignment; Chaotic Good
Sex/Gender; Female
Race; Sun Elf
Ideals: Freedom, Respect ("Our failure would spell an end to all beautiful and honest things.")
Interaction Traits: Honest, friendly
Pledged Resources: Harper mages and scouts]
So that was who was representing the Harper faction. She bore the typical depiction of a sun elf, bronze kissed skin, gold colored hair and eyes like fresh sapphires. She was about five feet on the dot. Cute woman, sad that she was a widow now though, thanks to the Zhentarim, evil bastards. Hmm…seems even Analyze got a bit of a buff too, sweet. Alright let's get this out of the way.
[Name; Ontharr Frume
CR; 13 (10,000XP)
HP; 200/200
Stats;
Str; 20 (+5)
Dex; 12 (+1)
Con; 15 (+2)
Int; 15 (+2)
Wis; 17 (+3)
Cha; 17 (+3)
Proficiency; +3
Passive Perception; 17
Armor Class;
18 (Plate Armor)
Movement speed; 30ft - 60ft
Class; Paladin 13/20
Alignment; Lawful Good
Sex/Gender; Male
Race; Human
Ideals: Responsibility, Greater Good ("The strong must defend the weak, no matter the cost.")
Interaction Traits: Friendly, Hot tempered
Pledged Resources: Paladins and Clerics]
Delegate and representative of the Order of the Gauntlet. A brotherhood of knights who served various gods of justice and such. Hair and beard like fire, with eyes as blue as the sky. He had a diagonal scar over his left eyebrow heading up his forehead. Also slightly balding, poor guy. His skin was lightly tanned no doubt from zealous battles. He was a tad on the thicker side, about five foot eight inches as well, wielding a greatsword. Nice.
[Name; Delaan Winterhound
CR; 13 (10,000XP)
HP; 210/210
Stats;
Str; 12 (+1)
Dex; 20 (+5)
Con; 17 (+3)
Int; 15 (+2)
Wis; 17 (+3)
Cha; 15 (+2)
Proficiency; +3
Passive Perception; 17
Armor Class;
15 (Leather)
Movement speed; 30ft - 60ft
Class; Ranger 13/20
Alignment; Neutral Good
Sex/Gender; Male
Race; Half Elf
Ideals: Life, Balance ("In all good hearts there's a spot of darkness, in every tragedy a glimmer of light.")
Interaction Traits: Quiet
Pledged Resources: Druids, Treants, and good and neutral aligned therianthropes]
Representative of the Emerald Enclave. Collection of natural life enthusiasts and protectors of the wild. Eyes green as grass, swooping choppy oak brown hair. His skin had a slightly green tinge to it here and there, most likely wood elf ancestry. The cool and collected type, neat.
Then came the Lord's Alliance, these blowhards decided to send seven representatives, the damn nerve. Too many, I don't like it. I get they're a collection, a confederation, etc but gosh dang it, seven, really?
[Name; Lady Laeral Silverhand
CR; 17 (18,000XP)
HP; 210/210
Stats;
Str; 12 (+1)
Dex; 15 (+2)
Con; 20 (+5)
Int; 20 (+5)
Wis; 15 (+2)
Cha; 15 (+2)
Proficiency; +3
Passive Perception; 17
Armor Class;
17 (Robe of the Archmagi)
Movement speed; 30ft - 60ft
Class; Wizard 19/20
Alignment; Chaotic Good
Sex/Gender; Female
Race; Human
Ideals: Creativity, Respect ("We cannot stop what we do not understand.")
Interaction Traits: Quiet, Curious
Pledged Resources: Waterdeep's army and conscript troops]
The Open Lord of Waterdeep, one of the chosen of Mystra, Faerunian goddess of magic. A witch's spawn. Flirting with the lines of mortality and the quasi divine if not being a demigod outright. Of course Mystra would ensure a backup plan like this being a witch herself, and having already died twice. But that's a story for another time. By far Laeral was the most powerful amongst the council. Much to my instinctual chagrin.
[Name; Lord Dagult Neverember
CR; 17 (18,000XP)
HP; 300/300
Stats;
Str; 20 (+5)
Dex; 12 (+1)
Con; 20 (+5)
Int; 15 (+2)
Wis; 17 (+3)
Cha; 17 (+3)
Proficiency; +3
Passive Perception; 17
Armor Class;
18 (Plate Armor)
Movement speed; 40ft - 80ft
Class; Fighter 20/20
Alignment; Lawful Neutral
Sex/Gender; Male
Race; Human
Ideals: Responsibility, Moderation ("The commoners need strong leaders to protect them and to do what must be done even if it is distasteful.")
Interaction Traits: Honest
Pledged Resources: Neverwinter conscript troops and mercenaries from around the world]
Hot damn, Laeral might've had some divine blood backing her up but Dagult was not to be missed with either. Arguably the strongest. He stood- or sat rather at six feet tall on the dot. A lion of a man with a beard and hair of auburn brown and teal eyes. Broad shouldered, he was what one thought of when thinking of a king, he had strength and charisma, and the benefits and flaws that came with it.
That's it, I was done. I wasn't going to bother delving into the others, my head was still pulsing slightly. After Dagult was Ambassodar Connerad Brawnanvil, a dwarf, representing the dwarves of the north. Marshal Ulder Ravenguard, a dark skinned bald human man, leading general of the armies of Baldur's Gate to the south, below Waterdeep. Then there was King Merodach- no, wait, King Melandrach, an elf, representing the elves of the High Forest. "Make your jokes now." He looked like your standard elder elf. Then there was Taern "Thunderspells" Hornblade, pretty cool name, human wizard representing the city of Silverymoon, known as the Gem of the North and FINALLY Sir Isteval, a human paladin with ties to the city if Cormyr to the west. All in all, more grey and silver hair in this council room, no doubt these people have seen and lived some things.
I was internally screaming, I didn't know if I wanted to rip my eyes out first, vomit, explode or all three at once. I laughed internally when my psychic affinity and resistance went up by seven levels. I cleared my throat and stepped forward, taking my place.
"I take it we can all begin the actual meeting now that we vented all our pre game energy and are all accounted for. It's a pleasure to finally meet all of you in person."
"Let us indeed." Said Dagult.
"Likewise." Said Remalia and Ontharr with varying degrees of a smile.
Despite no longer being the Open Lord of Waterdeep and the council taking place in the city thereof Dagult Neverember was still regarded as the leader of the Lord's Alliance. Neat variation within the timeline.
"While we've been informed through contacts with Leosin in regards to your adventures, the rest of the council would like to hear your tales from the source." Dagult explained.
"If it's any consolation, I also brought some letters of recommendation to assuage everyone's minds." I summon the letters into my hands.
I passed the bundle off to Remalia with a "thank you", said bundle would eventually be passed along to every council member to read over to their heart's content while I went over my past adventures regarding the Cult of the Dragon.
Lord Dagult was most intrigued considering how close all of this was to Neverwinter, Lady Laeral as well in regards to Waterdeep. When it came to the dragon eggs there were some mixed receptions, Delaan was grateful I didn't kill the eggs outright and that I technically somewhat gave the wyrmlings a fighting chance. Remalia and Dagult were a tad saddened by the fact that they couldn't use the eggs anymore for ransom, but I assured them that money was not an issue for me and that I'd be more than willing to aid any member of the council in regards to monetary costs. That helped turn their pouts into smiles real fast. In regards to Skyreach castle, everyone heaved a sigh of relief when I told them Rezmir had been slain alongside Rath Modar the Red Wizard of Thay. Remailia would've preferred him alive but oh well, tough cookies Remalia. They were brought to a momentary lull when I summoned the Black Dragon Mask itself and then unsummoned it. Lady Laeral confirmed that it was indeed the true mask. They were grateful to me to have dealt such a blow to the cult. Alas the giant flying castle couldn't have been salvaged but I managed to convince them via silver lining that at least it didn't fall into enemy hands once more.
Ontharr Frume couldn't help but finally laugh, expressing himself further, "Sir Arthur my boy, no, my man, truly you are an adventurer worth your salt, dare I say a paladin worth twice!"
The other council members nodded, Sir Isteval the most expressive in his support of me, meanwhile I could see within Dagult's eyes that he wanted to have me on his side rather than not, a future business agreement perhaps who knows.
"Right then, that brings us to our next point of discussion. Lady Dala if you would." Dagult motioned with his hand.
Lady Dala Silmerhelve, of House Silmerhelve, acting as a retainer of sorts to Lady Laeral while the council meeting was ongoing. She cleared her throat and nodded.
"The Sea of Moving Ice was the last known location of the Draakhorn. No one can pinpoint its present location from the sound, or even verify with certainty that the relic is still in the northern sea, but the search must start there."
I paused and stroked my face. "Oh, so that's what that sound was, that explains the headache."
Everyone more or less nodded as Dala continued, "The one person who could tell us more is a tiefling sorcerer called Maccath the Crimson. No one alive knows more about the Draakhorn than her, but the Arcane Brotherhood, of which she is also a member, hasn't seen her for three years. She was investigating the Sea of Moving Ice when she disappeared."
I screamed internally, if it wasn't predictable or obvious, I was not a fan of the Arcane Brotherhood. I mean hell regularly they were at odds and outright enemies of the Harpers and the Lord's Alliance due to them having no morality when it came to the pursuit of furthering magic. God forsaken wizards. My mind began to tune out the rest of the meeting here and there. I eventually found myself on the "Frostskimmer" a sixty foot longboat manned by forty men led by one " Captain Lerustah Half face", why that last part, because the right side of his face was scarred horribly from frostbite, poor man.
[August 26th, 2023, 7:00AM/ 1493 DR, 7:00AM, The Sea of Moving Ice]
I was honestly surprised, and so was the Captain, we made it to the Sea of Moving Ice in a day. That gave me a bad feeling, almost a bit too easy. I didn't like this place, not only because it was cold and full of ice but because it humbled me in a sense. Ice, water, predators, death everywhere and anywhere. To not stay alert was to commit suicide eventually. We stalked the ice floes and bergs as we hauled and rested Frostskimmer onto a shore. I didn't remember much from what Dala said but that the location we were looking for was a place called "Oyaviggaton'', a wild name, sounded like a vitamin or something. Though it meant "island of eternity."
We spotted a few "Ice Hunters" trying to catch wild game, they were essentially this world's version of eskimos or Inuit people. They were, to Captain Letsurah's apparent surprise, surly and not up for talk at all. In his words "to be shy was one thing but bordering on rude left a bad taste." We noted the paths they were following for now just in case. We were searching for an island of sorts after all. This happened once again in the afternoon while we were at sea. Captain attempted to communicate with them, only to be left hanging to his displeasure as the ice hunters paddled away.
"Something definitely isn't right. I've been on the sea for years, I know what the Ulutiun are like more than the average sailor."
"Considering we're at the frost laced sea in search of dragon related items, they most likely got caught up in some nasty business themselves." I commented.
Captain sighed at that, "In this region, aye, Old White Death probably has their stressors going off like a leaping bass."
We finally found the island by nightfall, the moon shining high in the sky. Gleaming in light were the hundreds of feet tall jagged spires of ice rising from the iceberg itself. I couldn't help but chuckle as we approached. Capitan Lerustah wasn't fond of departing his ship onto that island at all, not that I blamed him in the least. After paying one hundred gold for a translator I bid them a good night's sleep and headed deeper inward.
I felt my blood boil and teeth clench as I walked past the frozen corpse wall that greeted us as we delved deeper inside. I didn't care how old "Old White Death" was, I'd be it's grim reaper, his expiration date would be today. We were greeted to a hell of a village. Twelve wolves, twenty five warriors, thirty children, a shaman "Bone carver", the chieftain "Barking Seal" himself and the local gladiator "Orca Heart", I couldn't help but chuckle at his name. They were not happy to see us and when conversing with them they lied as freely as they breathed. Saying that "Old White Death" was already slain, the whale bones upon the shore were his body they swore. Meanwhile some were slipping away to what I assumed to be their town hall tent only to come back later. Others glared at the ship I was using with disdain. My patience was running then and so was theirs. I didn't feel like slaughtering indigenous people today though. After all they were clearly being oppressed and used by the dragon most likely.
"Screw it, trial by combat, go on, tell them." I told the crewmate I paid.
So it was me and Orca Heart were facing one another upon frosted grounds. I'd choose the harder way and fight bare handed, using my sword as it was right now, I would end the fight before it began, kill him when I didn't want to, and everything would just snowball into a mess from there. So my gauntlets would do their best to match his spear and shield. Or just shield in this case, despite lying his warrior's code most likely ate at him internally, so he forwent his spear.
I grinned at him, he scoffed and nodded his head upward, the fight commenced. He blocked my first strike with his shield only to eat a left hook to his face. Meanwhile I tanked two shield bashes to my face. Another failed strike followed by a success, I was tempted to break his shield outright. He shield bashed me again, on the second strike however I managed to backhand the shield out of his hand. Damn, I can't lie, part of me was having fun! It's been so long since I fought someone hand to hand! He ducked my right hook only to eat my left uppercut. He kicked his shield at me which hit me in the forehead and then threw a right hook across my face.
I laughed at that little display, my left cheek stinging in pain. "Good, good, good! LET'S FIGHT!" I rushed in once more. This time I threw out a side kick to his thighs and then rocked him in the face again with a left jab. I took two left hooks in response. Damn being punched was a hell of a drug! I gave him the courtesy of getting his shield back, which he slammed into my chest. I smiled and smashed my fist into his face twice more. I parried his shield bashes this time around and was getting bored now. Time to break his shield! With a scream and an overextended stance I swung my left fist at him, he raised his shield just like I wanted him to and it proceeded to crack right in half. Bingo! I then proceeded to give him a right uppercut to his jaw. He was spitting blood by this point, the poor man fought with all he had.
"Yield."
He sighed after being silent for a moment. I had won.
[Orca Heart the Gladiator has been bested! 1,800XP gained! 1,800GP gained!]
Huh neat…there was a non-lethal way and reward after all, so people don't need to lose their life after all if they choose to be rational unlike a certain group of cultists I knew. It was already night, the ice hunters going through the motions of honoring the duel. I told the crew mate to head back to the ship, I'd be fine on my own. I was given a barely adequate tent, most likely on purpose, along with poisoned fish from the shaman which I denied. I sighed as I laid down to rest. I was awoken in the middle of my rest by Bonecarver again.
"Warrior from the outside, arise quickly!" She spoke in hushed fervor.
She was back in my shelter, draped in furs and nothing else. I thought it was a dream for a moment. Or that she was trying to seduce me or something, a common tactic in times of war.
"What is it? You're not going to offer me poisoned fish again are you?"
She chuckled at that and shook her head. Bonecarver went on to explain what I already knew and surmised beforehand, how her people were being oppressed by "Old White Death" and how soon enough her people would perish. So knowing that I was stronger than I led on, claiming that I must've been sent by the "Great White Bear" spirit they worship, that I was the key to freeing them. I couldn't help but chuckle as I sat up.
"Alright Bones, lead the way, I'll slay your dragon for the tribe." I commented casually with a grin.
Soon enough after slapping my crampons onto my boots and throwing on some furs I was down in the freezing tunnels of the ice caves. On my way down and about I ran into another villager named "Mend-nets", yes, that was what he called himself. He was sick and wary of me at first but I assuaged his fears when I healed him.
"In the name of God may restoration flow through your veins." I quickly performed the sign of the cross over his chest.
I could feel my body heat up in response briefly, soon enough he was ecstatic and thanking me. Turns out he picked up the Common tongue from a few sailors, neat, that made things easier. Mend-nets went on to tell me about the others of the caves down here, the ice toads, kobolds, and horrid scary ice trolls. "Sweet, more fuel for the slaughter." I thanked him and told him to try and head back on up after I replicated my crampons for him. And with that I set off to explore deeper!
[Kobold has been slain x12! 300XP gained! 300GP gained!]
Found the kobold den! Along with some carved walrus tusks, don't mind if I do. One thousand eight hundred more gold in my wallet. Walking about the caves even with proper clothing and armor didn't stop my nose from sniffling and being as red as Rudolph's nose. I was definitely glad to be nearing the end of this little frozen sea trip. I came across a war trophy room, and by war trophy room I mean a bunch of dead giants flash frozen in cubes of ice being polished by kobolds.
[Kobold has been slain x12! 300XP gained! 300GP gained!]
Or I suppose you can say now that they were being polished at one point. Alas, they stood no chance. I continued onward remembering half way that I was supposed to be looking for Maccath the tiefling as well throughout this whole thing. Fighting a dragon to the death sounded way more appealing and exciting to me personally. I stepped into what had to have been the tenth cave at this point. It held a most unexpected sight. A large shelter seemingly built of scraps, and in the style of the tents used by the desert nomads of Calimshan, some two thousand miles to the south, only thing it was missing was the sand. First thing to greet me as I stepped further inward was an ice troll though! Sweet!
I thought about using alchemist's fire to burn the troll up but that would've run the risk of burning down the shelter as well which ultimately should be avoided. So I opted to once more run my blade with golden flames. It staggered for a moment as it was bombarded from my sword slashes, going into a survival fueled rage, managing to swipe my leg with its claws. An aura of ice bellowed off of it as it howled, frost crystals crawling their way upon my mail. Ice trolls were quaint, they look like werewolf cosplayers with grey skin and big jutting tusk teeth. I was starting to grow an odd appreciation for trolls.
[Ice Troll has been slain! 3,900XP gained! 3,900GP gained!]
[Congratulations you have reached 12th level!]
Sweet. Damn nearly four thousand, ice trolls go hard. I saw no mushrooms this time so I decided to do some dissection and found that the troll's heart was encased in ice, damn, apt name for a reason eh. I pulled myself from my musings and went further into the tent. The interior of the shelter was warm, thank God, due to a small stove and simple lamps burning aromatic whale oil. Carpets were heaped on the floor in thick layers, and tapestries from every culture in Faerûn hung suspended from a sturdy frame of whale ribs. Books and scrolls were stacked neatly on tables and reading stands made of hide and whalebone. The only furnishings in the shelter not made from these natural materials were the carpets and tapestries, and a portable writing desk that appeared to have been taken from a sailing ship.
Seated at the writing desk was Maccath the Crimson herself, adorned in a blazing crimson cloak over tailored furs. The cloak fastened with a silver and ivory brooch bearing a design reminiscent of a stylized, branching tree, the symbol of the Arcane Brotherhood. Two kobold attendants stood nearby, glancing nervously between the two of us, I was cackling mentally at them as I grinned.
After a few moments, she looked up with an expression of pale disinterest and asked, "Have you come to save me or kill me? Not that there will be much difference between the two."
"That my dear magi depends entirely on you, your choices and then some, I'd personally rather avoid the second option though."
She went on to explain how she ended up here, how she met Arauthator years ago and how they struck a deal in regards to deciphering magic items etc etc. How she was unable to escape due to the dragon's own magic ways. How she didn't care anymore if she lived or died, the only thing that mattered to her was solving that magic puzzle that she was working on. A non magi would never understand. God, I hate spellcasters, the damn nerve and arrogance I swear. They reminded me of posh elitist trust fund babies. During her monologue I threw the ice troll's heart into the furnace and proceeded to eat it when it was cooked enough. I snickered as I looked at the notifications I got, I almost lamented not replicating the heart beforehand but whatever.
[Congratulations, you have gained Cold/Ice Affinity 9/100!]
[Congratulations, you have gained Cold/Ice Resistance 98/100!]
"Does my predicament amuse you that much adventurer?"
"Ah, no, sorry this troll heart just tasted better than expected."
She was nonplussed only expressing some surprise when I kicked one kobold into the other knocking the two out. "Alright, now that you've been secured I can go slay that dragon."
She offered me some magic items to do so but I declined and went about my way. I was a happy man. The last thing she told me was of a shortcut in the way of a chute practically leading me to the dragon's lair, don't mind if I do. Moments later I found myself upon gold covered ledges and mounds of ice. Treasure as far as the eye could see, more or less. And all of it most likely cursed. Wonder how and why most dragons within this world know what is taken from their hoards down to the last copper piece? They infuse, curse and practically slather their damn essence into it, that's how. After all hoards do contribute to a component of their power, for what is a dragon without their hoard but a failure. Rest assured this hoard and many others like it was rigged with magic and curses. It reminded me of the Nibelung sagas with Fafnir and Siegfried, that treasure too was cursed. So no, I wouldn't be taking any of it no matter how appealing, attractive, tempting it was etc. I could always procure more gold through faster and safer means.
Now where was I, ah yes, Arauthator, time to kill him. I ran towards his den, there he was, the tall white bastard, what a tool. I think about the logistics of causing a cave in using dynamite but decide against it as it might also catch me as well, and not even ensure a proper kill let alone damage him. Sword it is! I inhaled as I let out a scream, slicing at him, golden flames flaring to life in the dark frozen cave that was reminiscent of Dante's final layer of Hell. I tapped into my Hatred Empowerment as well twice over just to ensure a proper thorough slaying.
Whatever he was going to say or do was cut off as he roared out in a mix of rage, pain and fear. A first and final roar. I had finally done it, I was finally able to two-shot an adult dragon, with my sword, stacked with various other buffs, oh whatever, let me have this moment.
[Arauthator "Old White Death'' the Adult White Dragon has been slain! 10,000XP gained! 10,000GP gained!]
[Congratulations, your Frightful Presence Perk has been upgraded to Dreadful Mein (Passive)!]
[Congratulations you have gained +2 Stat points!]
[Congratulations you have gained the Perk; Magus Killer (Passive); You gain advantage against checks and saves regarding magical effects, spells, curses etc against you. Likewise you deal bonus damage equal to your Wisdom score when fighting against spell casters.]
[Congratulations you have gained the Perk; Weathered Body (Passive); You can now thoroughly survive in extreme weather conditions suffering no ill effects ranging from 0 to -100°F (32 to -37°C). You can also shrug off the first increment of the Exhaustion debuff.]
[Warning you have been Poisoned from usage of Hatred Empowerment!]
I let out a sigh at the notifications, overall honestly good news. Now I could leave this place and never come back. I heard a cracking and shuffling within the cave and quickly turned around to see Arauthator's corpse twitch and rise back up, sickly green slitted pupils piercing through trailing frost blue eyes that glowed in the dark.
"So this is what has Talos in such a fit I see, how pathetic of him, a filthy mortal who thinks himself a god after slaying a dragon or two." The voice was distinctly female.
I couldn't help but give a toothy grin. "Auril darling, pleasure to meet you, you frost faced #$%&. "
The dragon's corpse roared before blasting a swathe of frost towards me. It was as harmless to me at this point as a fresh cool summer breeze.
"That's more like it, I knew we got here way too easily."
A fraction of a winter goddesses divine essence laced within the fresh corpse of a white dragon, what could possibly go wrong? For all intents and purposes the beast was now classified as undead. I was confident I could still handle myself even if poisoned. That blast of frost breath did nothing but fully max out my resistance. If and when I ever laid hands on Auril herself she'd be screwed.
I rushed in once more. Slicing another cross slash into his chest. I ducked under the massive tail strike as it spinned only to eat twinned claw strikes to my legs and tank a tail strike to my chest. My sword swing was parried away by a wing talon but I managed to grab onto the beak of the white beast and pump every drop of Lay on Hands into it, watching it burst into flames as its body began to fall apart. It screamed in frenzy, Auril was pissed, good. Arrogant little #$%& goddess, false usurper. As if reading my mind she piloted Old White Death's body to bite into my left arm. Smash my head over with a tail swipe and then slash at my leg with another claw strike once more.
[Warning you have received a Critical Hit!]
[Warning you have received Organ Damage!]
I screamed as I rammed my blade through Arauthator's heart. "GREAT, MORE ORGAN DAMAGE, CAUSE I DON'T GET THAT ENOUGH ON A CONSISTENT BASIS!"
[Arauthator "Son of Auril'' has been slain! 10,000XP gained! 10,000GP gained!]
[Congratulations you have reached 13th level!]
I let out a sigh of relief as the corpse essentially became a giant pile of ashes. I coughed as I heard snorts and grunting. I turned around to see two sea trolls and an ice troll. I inhaled and let my Dreadful Mein Perk run wild. "Hatred" by Yasuharu Takanashi blasted as I trudged forward with a predatory grin, they were successfully stunned.
[Scrag has been slain x2! 3,600XP gained! 3,600GP gained!]
[Ice Troll has been slain! 3,900XP gained! 3,900GP gained!]
Scrags, also known as sea trolls. I sighed trying to catch my breath. My ribs were hurting. Managed to snag another troll mushroom though, eating it tasted extremely salty, but hey, it cured my organ damage so I was grateful. I could hear a faint feminine chuckling.
"Go #$% yourself Auril, I'll beat you, Talos and whoever else decides to go after me, because it's not just me you're going after. You have no idea who you're messing with."
I tuned out everything as I dragged myself away back to Maccath's tent. Telling her that I'd be back to fetch her. I then proceeded to fast travel back to my bedroom in Phandalin and SLEEP.
[August 26th, 2023, 9:00AM/ 1493 DR, 9:00AM, The Sea of Moving Ice]
After having properly rested I teleported back to the hell rock of an iceberg, Maccath finally cracked the code to her stupid magic puzzle, and we left the damned north sea.
[August 27th, 2023, 9:00AM/ 1493 DR, 9:00AM, Waterdeep City Harbor]
"Captain Lerustah I will literally pay you one hundred thousand gold to take her and all this other crap to the Lord's Palace in my place as the hired adventurer."
He laughed at that, "I appreciate the offer Sir Arthur but no need, I'm just grateful to be alive and back in Waterdeep, which reminds me, your friends from the council wanted me to hand this over to you."
It was a letter from Leosin. Something about new rumors that there was a Wyrmspeaker within the Serpent Hills. I groaned and dragged my hand over my face. That location would take DAYS! Wait a minute…the Market tab! I began to laugh.
"Huh, must've been pretty good news then. Well anyway, I need to take Maccath back to Luskan so I'll pray for your safe travels in your quest to stop this infernal cult Sir Arthur."
"Aye you too Captain, it's been a pleasure sailing with you. I'll see you around."
And with that I departed back to the Lord's Palace, the roof specifically as I browsed the Market tab. I was sorely disappointed in what was generally available. "Shoot, maybe I should've been an engineer instead of a paladin or something." I clicked my teeth in anger and then teleported myself near the edge of the city and summoned Sunfire once more.
"Alright boy, prepare yourself cause we're riding far and fast this time!"
I bought some horseshoes, pulled out my Bible and prayed over them. "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah Ch 40 verse 31) "So let it be in His holy name, that you may gallop like the wind and shine like the sun, Amen!"
I felt slightly tired but was amazed as I saw the horseshoes shine gold in the direct sunlight, shifting to freshly polished iron in the shade of my hands.
[Blessed Horseshoes of Celerity, Rank; Legendary
Doubles the mount's overall speed and treats any difficult terrain as normal terrain when worn.]
"Sheeeeesh, you're going to love this boy." I slipped them on Sunfire and he was very pleased indeed!
"Wait a minute, I'll be right back boy."
I fast traveled my way back onto Captain Lerustah's ship, giving him and his men a bit of a fright. "Capitain, I got a proposition for ya, in private of course."
Soon enough we were at the south end of the ship, I was amused by Lerustah's curiosity. "I figured since I can't give ya coin, I'd give you peace of mind instead, if you'd let me, in regards to healing you."
Capitan shrank back a bit at that, right hand slightly touching his face. A few seconds passed by before he nodded his head. I had no idea if this would work but I was confident that it would. I could after all replicate organic matter now, it'd be akin to copying, mirroring and pasting- er, replacing more so, his scar tissue with healthier tissue.
"You might feel some slight discomfort, just to be clear." I said as I cupped the left side of his face gingerly.
It worked! It actually bloody worked AHAHAHA! Watching the scar tissue ripple away like water was wild and surreal, his right eye fluttered to life, now being able to see fully, he had beautiful brown eyes. He was overjoyed as he began to laugh and touch his face. And that was how Capitan Lerustah "Half-face" became Captain Lerustah "The Handsome" in the future.
[Congratulations, you have reached 100% Reputation with Captain Lerustah and his crew. You have reached the rank of Friend!]
[41 new seeds of faith have been planted!]
"OH okay! Sweet!" I gave them three bottles of fine wine as means of celebration and teleported back to Sunfire. I was a happy man, smiles and all! Now for the Boareskyr Bridge! I couldn't help but cackle and laugh like a hyena mentally as Sunfire absolutely blitzed his way throughout the lands, let it be known that under the sun and possibly above, Sunfire was the fastest thing in all the realms. We managed to speed through six hundred miles in five and a half hours.
[August 27th, 2023, 2:30PM/ 1493 DR, 2:30PM, Boareskyr Bridge]
"A dwarf in purple robes? Oh, I saw him alright. He was asking about escorts into the hills, when this hooded fellow started asking him his business. The dwarf looked him straight in the eye, then pulled out his dagger and stabbed the tall fellow dead! He was one of the scaled folk of the Serpent Hills, coming down to spy on us! That dwarf's a hero, make no mistake. But he and his entourage took off straight away for the hills then, quick as cats!"
I nodded my head listening to the story the innkeeper, Bolo, was telling me when I asked about Varram the dwarf. "Thanks for the tip, I might be back later." I said as I left a gold piece on the countertop.
I yawned as I got off Sunfire, basking in the presence of the "Tomb of Diderius", another damn God forsaken wizard. You know who made the first rampaging owlbear, a wizard. You know who first made that woodland manse in Neverwinter wood, the same one that was being used for evil rituals, a wizard. The people helping the Cult of the Dragon, wizards. The one responsible for killing Mystra a second time causing the spellplague incident, a wizard! WOW HEY GUESS WHAT, GUESS WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MOST IF NOT ALL #$%& UPS IN THE FORGOTTEN REALMS, A #$%&!%^ WIZARD! God! I hate spellcasters. I sighed and approached the mountainside tomb.
The entrance to Diderius's tomb stood in what was once a large paved plaza. The remains of a fountain were little more than a stone circle set around a crumbling hole in the ground leading to a well deep below. Two stone statues stood in the courtyard, rising twenty feet high. Behind them, a forty foot high edifice was carved into the cliff side, dominated by relief columns carved with strange, otherworldly scenes. I already wanted to bomb everything with dynamite. Maybe later. I could already see trashed campsites, corpses and bones before I even stepped foot into the damn place.
I blitzed my way through a few magic puzzles and found myself in a rather quaint mosaic chamber, or rather it was quaint because the damn mosaic came to life and started to attack me because of course it did! Wow, I love magic! I slashed into it, wanting to preserve my power. It roared in a trio as it rammed its horns into me and then sunk its claws across my legs. I gritted my teeth in frustration and let out a yell as I slashed it across the face and then smited it into pieces with an overhead smite.
[Tile Chimera has been slain! 2,300XP gained! 2,300GP gained!]
I collected half the tiles and placed them in my inventory, moving on. Damn magical booby traps. Opening the doors towards the right I had to double back and leap as rubble flooded part way into the room from the hallway further in. Guess I wouldn't be going that way. I found a well in the meantime in the room to the north of the mosaic chamber. I sighed and kept my eyes peeled for any traps as I kept searching. Going through a hallway, I found a secret tunnel going both right and left, hopping into it I dodged a magical boulder made of skeletons…I made up my mind, I'm definitely bombing this place once I'm done with my mission.
I decided to go left, I quickly regretted going left as I fell from the tunnel into what I assumed was Diderius' bedroom and treasure room, which was currently being occupied by three specters and three wraiths!
"$#% !"
I let a smite go off as I swung twice at the trio of specters. They let out a cry of agony and faded apart like mist.
[Specter has been slain x3! 600XP gained! 600GP gained!]
That was when the wraiths went into a frenzy. I felt like Harry Potter fighting off dementors for a second as I was entombed in a whirlwind of death.
[Warning you have received a Critical Hit!]
[Warning you are suffering from Inflammation! Disadvantage on all Strength related checks for two weeks]
[Congratulations you have gained Necrotic/Death Resistance 2/100!]
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME!" I coughed as I felt my body heat up, sweat breaking on my forehead.
I clenched my teeth in rage as the wraith pulled its arm out of my guts. I inhaled as I tapped into my Hatred Empowerment and yelled going into a rage, longsword bombarding itself with holy light as I smited all three wraiths to death with two swings. I grimaced in pain, my stomach hurting as I leaned against the wall.
I stored a book labeled "Transubstantiation across Potentialities." into my inventory for study later. It sounded important, and familiar, ah yes catholic theology, that's why it sounded familiar. One of the divine mysteries regarding the Eucharist or Holy Communion, the last supper of Christ etc. Though I doubted that's what the book would be about.
I stood back up straight and went back through the secret tunnel towards the right and found myself now in a dining room…filled with bearded devils. Five purple skinned spike covered devils sat at one of the dining room tables and ceased their discussion and turned to me as I walked in.
"You have got to be kidding me." I facepalmed. "Alright let's get this over with." I rotated my blade in hand, they responded with murderous glee.
I managed to carve through one like butter as the other four jumped me. And jump me they did.
[Warning you have received a Critical Hit!]
[Warning you have received a Minor Internal Injury; Whenever you attempt an action in combat, you must make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, you lose your action and can't use reactions until the start of your next turn. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, heals the internal injury; alternately, if you spend ten days doing nothing but resting, it heals on its own.]
[Warning you have been Poisoned!]
"AHHHHHHH" I grit my teeth as I sliced through another one.
I parried the two attempting to flank me but had to endure the middle one's assault as the glaive cut into my legs and spiked beard tentacles pierced my mail. Another fell, I could feel the blade starting to slice through them with more ease. I felt like fire was flowing through my veins. I suffered another pair of wounds. I finished slaughtering the last two devils.
[Bearded Devil has been slain x5! 3,500XP gained! 3,500GP gained!]
I pulled myself onto the marble dining table to catch my breath. Back to full health and stamina but still debuffed nonetheless. Oh well. I paused as I stood back up and paid one hundred gold to have my longsword silvered, dipping it into the Market tab itself and pulling it back out. It gleamed silver alright. With that out of the way I moved onward, checking out the room labeled "DANGER" above the doorway.
I was greeted to the sight of a twelve foot tall tanned man in a purple toga with a long mane of white hair. Honestly it reminded me of Zeus when I first saw it but soon found out it was a clay golem fashioned after Diderius himself. Wizards, always so humble. I let out a string of curses in draconic. I contemplated fighting it but refrained, throwing some gold coins its way and searching through the other rooms. I met Ilda, a ghost, in the library, who upon giving the book I picked up earlier to, managed to pass on into the next life. Neat.
I shook my head to force myself awake. The infernal poison was starting to make me tired, didn't help my body was also inflamed and I was rocking an internal injury as well. But I had to keep going! I found the royal antechamber reeking of incense and covered in tapestries and was about to leave when I heard a whisper flutter into my ear, the same whisper I kept hearing and ignoring before.
"Humility proffered in the manner of Mystril shelters those opening the way to seeking knowledge."
"# $% Mystril, she's a %$##$ and your history is outdated. Get the hell out of my ear Diderius."
Oh he didn't like that one bit. Six mummies burst forth from the sarcophagi that were hidden behind the tapestries. I sighed and grinned as I readied my sword once more. I hacked through the first one, their glares doing nothing but making me laugh in anger. For mummies they were surprisingly fast and apparently into hand to hand combat! I could feel the necrotic energy pulse into me as they landed their punches. I had managed to weave three out of five, not too shabby for someone who was already debuffed.
[Warning you have been cursed with Mummy Rot!]
Oh yeah I love that. I sliced through another one, tanked a hammer fist to the head as I gutted another one to pieces and laughed at them while doing so. Halfway there.
[Warning you have received a Critical Hit!]
[Warning you have received Cracked Ribs; Whenever you attempt an action in combat, you must make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, you lose your action and can't use reactions until the start of your next turn. Magical healing of 6th level or higher, such as heal and regenerate, cure the injury, or if you spend ten days doing nothing but resting, it will heal naturally.]
[Congratulations you have gained Bludgeoning Resistance 2/100!]
[Warning you are below half health!]
I could hear the actor Adam Sandler laughing and screaming in my head as the hands of the undead punched and beat at my body. It hurts to breathe. I swallowed the blood forming in my mouth as "Crimson Flames'' by Yasuharu Takanashi played in the air. My Dreadful Mein Perk was unleashed in full force as I death stared the mummies down. Gold irises glowing in the dark like a predator. They were all successfully stunned. I GLEEFULLY hacked them to pieces as I screamed out in anger.
"#$%& YOU DIDERIUS, I AM BOMBING ALL YOUR #$%&!"
I left, looping back into the dining room. I lost count of how many debuffs I had accrued in the past hour, four, more or less, oh yeah, and a curse.
[Mummy has been slain x6! 4,200XP gained! 4,200GP gained!]
I switched from "Crimson Flames" to "Courtesy" to calm myself down. I liked the way the bells sounded. Let it foreshadow the death of every enemy I come across. At last I had found the divination pool Varram was after. A dead cultist laid on the floor, the pool drained. I flipped the pool off and moved onward once more, I had found the personal crypt of Diderius. A twenty foot high chamber lit by braziers imbued with the continual flame spell. A massive stone sarcophagus sat atop a stepped stone dais at the center. Walls decorated with life sized frescoes showing the lost gods of the ancient empires of Netheril and Anauria. It was then that four mummies and Didierus himself burst forth from their tombs. COME ON! I CAN STILL FIGHT BABY!
The music switched back to "Crimson Flames" as I made a beeline straight for the bastard mummy lord himself, screaming of course.
[Diderius the Mummy Lord Wizard has been slain! 13,000XP gained! 13,000GP gained!]
[Congratulations you have reached 14th level!]
The other mummies dissolved into sand as I coughed in pain. I proceeded to wreck the whole room to spite him further. That was when I heard a shuffle and a grunt, it was a troll. IT WAS A TROLL HAHAHA YES PLEASE. "The Only Thing They Fear Is You" by Mick Gordon started blasting as I ran at the troll with ferocious joy.
[Troll has been slain! 1,800XP gained! 1,800GP gained!]
Yes! A mushroom bloomed! I instantly plucked it up and began replicating it in my hands. I stuffed four in my mouth, nearly choked and wolfed everything down. Afterwards I prayed the Mummy rot curse away, double checking my status to see it indeed was gone. Praise God, prayer works, and I love the taste of mushrooms. I grunted in pain as I rested against the walls of the crypt. I could feel my body acclimating, the debuffs vanishing one by one. I ate another four. My Necrotic, Slashing, Piercing, and Bludgeoning Resistances all shot up by twenty nine percent as well. Sweet. My stomach grumbled as I let out a burp. I wouldn't test fate any longer, I put the last mushroom in my inventory.
I had a Wyrmspeaker to hunt down. I went back into the personal crypt, spotting a secret door behind Diderius' tomb. Upon ripping the door off I was attacked by six lizardfolk!
[Lizardfolk has been slain x6! 600XP gained! 600GP gained!]
I was ambushed by another gang of lizardfolk as I crossed the bridge forward. Their bodies falling to the pits below.
[Lizardfolk has been slain x6! 600XP gained! 600GP gained!]
I was then accosted by archer yuan-ti malisons. I slash dashed through one of them, who knew they were spell casters too. I loved my Magus Killer Perk so much. I weaved through the scimitar slashes of the remaining one and put an end to him too.
[Yuan-ti Malison has been slain x2! 1,400XP gained! 1,400GP gained!]
I moved onward! Or I would have if I didn't fall to my knees and vomit.
[Warning you have been Poisoned!]
I glanced at the walls around me, slickened and green with slime, toxic slime. Just being in this snake filled cavern was a safety hazard. I grit my teeth and stood back up, legs wobbling. I had to be faster. I clenched my fist as I felt my guts boil. Blissful healing ran through my veins, counteracting the poison as I exhaled. I hate snakes.
I sifted through the Market Tab for an antidote, fifty gold, yes please. I felt my body shiver over as I drank every drop. Okay let's keep going. I found what was a meditation chamber. The northeast and southwest walls of the chamber featured statue shrines to the yuan-ti deities Merrshaulk and Sseth. The other two walls had statues of yuan-ti high priests carved into them, with suits of plate armor arranged as offerings at their feet. As I took in the scenery hundreds of snakes began to slither out of holes in the statues and into the armor. They were piloting the armor. I gritted my teeth and readied myself.
I felt the poison run back into my blood as they slashed at my legs. I beat my blade into the first snake horror, fended it off as it tried to counter attack, catching another slice to the back of the leg from the second. That was when I had a flash of remembrance and back pedaled away tossing a tangler grenade between the two. God I love grenades. I then proceeded to hack away at the armor or rather the gaps in the armor, into the snakes till they died.
[Snake horror has been slain x2! 2,200XP gained! 2,200GP gained!]
My reward? The four rubies worth one thousand gold each that acted as the eyes for the snake god statues, sold 'em off real quick. Fun fact, regular helmed horrors could somehow fly, probably through means of magical bull #$%, just thought I'd let you know, cause I sure as hell didn't. I came across their sleeping den in the next room. A dozen cylindrical shafts, "Classic." three feet wide and seven feet deep were cut into the stone floor, and were used as sleeping holes by the lesser yuan-ti.
[Lizardfolk has been slain x3! 300XP gained! 300GP gained!]
[Yuan-ti Pureblood has been slain! 200XP gained! 200GP gained!]
I can't believe Godforsaken actual snake people managed to be a creator race in the realms of Toril for as long as they were. Reminds me of the Annunaki, and a little bit of the Egyptians, but mostly the Annunaki. Found an empty bloody prison and a trash room, followed by more evil magic casting shape shifting snake people. Get thee behind me Satan. I want no part in your plans or kingdom.
[Yuan-ti Pureblood has been slain x3! 600XP gained! 600GP gained!]
I found it ironic and amusing that the yuan-ti that was the most snake-like was considered to be an abomination, when in reality they all are, just saying. It was definitely the toughest so far, as it managed to just barely survive through two full powered smites. I managed to slice its head off as it tried to run away. Even with all the physical healing, the divine health and healing, the grenades and troll mushrooms, I could feel it. My mind was starting to burn out. Just keep going, just a little bit more.
[Yuan-ti abomination has been slain! 2,900XP gained! 2,900GP gained!]
"Cool."
I turned the corner of the hallway and was greeted to the sight of more yuan-ti and lizardfolk charging at me ready to kill me.
[Lizardfolk has been slain x4! 400XP gained! 400GP gained!]
[Yuan-ti Malison has been slain x2! 1,400XP gained! 1,400GP gained!]
I let out a sigh as I paused to rest. I think I was starting to hallucinate the scent of food. Almost done, almost. It was no use in speaking to me. I was going to kill them all. I spat onto the ground as I shook my head and finally made it to the temple. It looked straight up demonic. And green, lots of green. It's like a slytherin wizard decided to have an orgy with the color green, sorry maybe that was a bit much hahah. The cave walls were carved in reliefs of snakes, with giant open mouthed wholly fanged snake heads also carved into them. The only source of light was the green fire burning in their mouths. This highlighted the predatory unholy eyes of the yuan-ti found within the room. Three purebloods, two malisons and a priestess abomination. I closed my eyes to prepare myself.
[Yuan-ti Pureblood has been slain x3! 600XP gained! 600GP gained!]
[Yuan-ti Malison has been slain! 700XP gained! 700GP gained!]
Almost there. I parried the remaining yuan-ti malison but felt my legs get sliced into by the abomination's scimitar in the end. I grit my teeth as I went into a blood rage.
[Warning you are below half health!]
Once again that red aura enveloped me as I screamed and went forth. "Suffering Empowerment x Hatred Empowerment x Magus Killer combo get messed up on snake demon scrub!"
[Yuan-ti Abomination has been slain! 2,900XP gained! 2,900GP gained!]
Parrying the last malison and then gutting him to death I had done it. I had slayed every damn snake in this place. At the back of the room, near another altar, layed the comatose Varram, beaten and bound. I giggled as I saw him and punched him over the head once to relieve some stress before placing him in my inventory, fast traveling back to the Lord's Palace in Waterdeep and dumping him onto the floor of the council room.
This sent those present into a bit of a tizzy before calming down and getting situated, as my presence all but summoned the means for the second council meeting to begin.
[August 27th, 2023, 6:30PM/ 1493 DR, 6:30PM, Lord's Palace, Waterdeep]
I quickly told them how as they could clearly see, Varram was both alive and captured, and that I managed to also kill Arauthator and somewhat to my chagrin got Maccath out of there alive and more or less got the support of the Arcane Brotherhood. A fact which Remalia backed up as per written testimony from Leosin. Ontharr then voiced his displeasure in a comment regarding the Arcane Brotherhood, which I agreed with, but reminded him that even if we felt the same way about it, we'd still be outnumbered council wise. Overall though they congratulated me on a job well done. That's when they told me of another Wyrmspeaker, the green one. Apparently they were wreaking havoc in the Misty Forest of the High Elves.
"Heh, misty forest, high elves. I'll be here all week folks." I could hear the sound of the "Ba dum tss" from the drum go off in my head. In the meantime they'd go about judging and arresting and God knows what else they'd do to Varram, maybe he'll die, that'd be nice. I told the council I'd get started on it tomorrow and fast traveled back to my bedroom in Phandalin. Sure I had a room given to me within the palace but I liked mine more.
As I drifted off to an early sleep I was greeted to a surprise. Within my dreamscape, within my dream realm stood a man, a man who bore the name Hazirawn, or who I assumed to be Hazirawn, seeing as how he was wielding the blade of the same namesake as well. Dressed in black military garb befitting of a general, adorned in medals of silver and gold. Cropped grey hair and a mean mug of a face.
"It's about damn time boy, I've been trying to reach out to you. We have business to talk about."
AN; three more wyrmspeakers to go oh boy. Oh boy boy boy the gods of fury trying to sabotage Arthur's life? That'll be fun to see. Hope y'all enjoyed this madness and are curious to see what's to come next, especially in regards to Hazirawn too :D I have a fun idea for him, guess you'll just have to wait to see haha. Anyway, do take care, be safe, be healthy, be strong. Water is good for you, you should drink that. I'm going to bed ahahhahah okay God bless!
