[v.3.5] Realmsian Dragonstar: The Battle of Toril PbP Game [IC] (Game Cancelled)

[Knightfall]

Originally Posted by Shayuri
Silhouette winces as the house she and Thak are hiding behind trembles under the concussive force of the blast at the docks. Thatch falls over them, and the window off to one side blows out in a shower of cloudy glass. She shakes her head, trying to clear it of the ringing sensation in her ears that's muffling the world around her.

"Are you all right?" she asks the towering goliath beside her. He nods.

A quick spell envelopes Silhouette in a less...conspicuous...seeming. That of a half-elf wearing similar clothing, but colored in shades of blue and violet and green. Thus girded, she and Thak emerge from their shelter to cautiously make their way down the path towards what's left of the docks.

Silhouette scowls slightly at the carnage. That flying carriage would have been ideal. Still, perhaps something of value had been salvaged? They'd have to see.

The carnage has left several of the Flaming Fists dead in the street. A few of them are still alive. Most notably their commander who stands transfixed, his eyes on the winged man. A raptoran if Silhouette is remembering correctly. He stands next to the man with the floating jewel that attached itself to Haspur. The crystal had called the red-haired man Dakashi.

Wait! Haspur, where is he? She thinks. The last thing she remembers was him running away. Looking again at the carnage, it seems the mad prophet's fears were indeed real.

Thrak stands beside her solemnly. He looks at the carnage with an uneasiness that Silhouette has rarely seen in him.

Originally Posted by Shayuri
"Friends," she called as they came down. "Well fought! Did you manage to save that hobgoblin? He seemed to know quite a lot about what's going on!"

She soon discovers that the hobgoblin does indeed live. He is being tended to by the xeph girl. She had fought toe to toe with one of the armored men and lived. She was either very brave or very foolish.

Silhouette can tell the hobgoblin is likely hovering on the edge of death. He will need healing if he's going to be able to explain what is happening.

 

[Knightfall]

Rodan steps forward and into the midst of the injured and dying. "Lord Eltan, I will help your men. I would have helped your men even without the promises of reward, for I cannot stand to see those suffer when help could have been provided. This will mend their bodies, but the nightmares will remain. The nightmares always remain."

The raptoran gives a strong prayer to The Merchant and sends out his healing magic, touching those that are closest to death's door. Afterwards, he then begins to administer his healing skills to any and all injured, muttering to himself all the while about the tragedy he witnessed.

OOC: Dropping Spell Resistance for Cure Light Wounds, Mass. It can heal up to 10 people/animals. Rodan will heal the ones hurt the most and stabilize the dying.

(Cure Light Wounds, Mass; Healing Skill)

 

[Knightfall]

Originally Posted by Salthorae
"Ughh. So that's what a building feels like when it falls on you," Shazer'as voice calls over Nelalwe's comms. She can hear the shifting of rubble as his enormous strength enhanced further by magic lifts even heave blocks off and away from him. "Shazer'a, you made it! I thought I was going to have to take you home already to get your shiny body!" Nelalwe exclaims as she darts up in flight and over to where he would emerge from the building. "Get out here so I can heal you you big lug!"

As Shazer'a flies out covered in some of his own blood and dust from rubble and debris covering him head to toe. "I'm fine... I heard and saw Eltan and some of his Fist's enter the harbor just prior to the detonation. Let us see if we can salvage anything of him or his forces. Who knows, if he yet lives, maybe he'll now listen to us. Save your healing capacity for him and maybe weave me in if you can."

In the back of his mind, Shazer'a considers Lachlan Scaro and how his old foe came to be here at the same time he did. Was it just a random occurrence or had Fate put them here together to renew an old rivalry. Looking at the destruction all around him, Shaz can only wonder how worse it would have been if he and Nel hadn't been here.

Originally Posted by KainG
Kethrendil lowered his arm that shielded his eyes from the explosion. Gods, he had never seen an explosion as destructive as this. He may not have known what the flying carriage truly was, but the half-dragon's words were clear enough. He seemed to know what this was about, so Keth had heeded his words and rushed away as far as he could.

When he heard Duke Eltan's war cry, he halted and looked back. He could only look in horror as the machine exploded, blowing away the brave half-dragon, and engulfing Duke Eltan and his retinue.

The blast had nearly knocked Kethrendil and the others nearby off their feet. He'd hate to think what would have happened to him if he hadn't run away. Watching the duke and his soldiers ride into that blast had been one of the hardest things he's ever had to witness.

Originally Posted by Salthorae
With that, the two of them fly directly towards the blast epicenter to see if anyone yet lives.

The epicenter is a mark of destruction. the hoverjeep was completely gone. Whatever device Lachlan had built into its power core had done its job well. Most of the Flaming Fists are either dead or dying. Shazer'a is glad to see that Eltan does indeed still live. He is standing over a dead comrade and asking the raptoran to heal his remaining soldiers. The cleric is obviously not from the world. His armor and gear give him away as a either Imperial expat or an Outlander.

Either way, his celestial bear had saved many this day. The summoned bear sat in the rubble in one of the nearby buildings licking its wounds.

And there was a red-haired man and his xeph companion. Both of them had performed well during the fight. The xeph was tending to the hobgoblin while her master... no mentor stood next to the raptoran. Shaz sees that both of the elves, a male and female, who'd fought beside them also lived. Heroic natives of the world who would be greatly needed to fight against the invasion to come. Wait, there are two others as well! A female half-elf he hadn't seen earlier and a very large man who stands next to her, protectively.

Shaz remembers another, odd fellow. A bard, maybe. He was dress in Outlander gear, as well, but he seems to have disappeared. Saz checks the rest of the harbor for the invaders. He finds only one that lives; one of the shock troopers sits along the edge of a ruined wall. The orc man is severely hurt. Surrendering hadn't saved him or his companions from Lachlan's treachery. Shaz sees no sign of the invader's leader, Zugorim. It seems the bastard has lived to run away and be caught another day. The hobgoblin might be helpful with that, if Shaz can keep Eltan from skewering the goblin man.

Turning his attention back to Eltan, the man is hurt but not nearly as bad as his soldiers. Even his horse is alive, barely. A female soldier tries to settle it down so it doesn't hurt itself more. She coughs as she does, her throat stinging from the acidic vapors left behind by the explosion. An irritant but not fatal. Eltan stands with his back to where Shaz and Nel land, near the epicenter. The knight's instincts take over and Shaz soon finds a blade pointed at his jugular. The man is haggered and distraught, which is mirrored in Sha'z own eyes.

Originally Posted by KainG
As the dust cleared, the elf cursed at his inability to have prevented this. Staring at the remains of the explosion, Kethrendil feared the worst, but then he saw movement. The half-dragon was alive, and flying!

"Hey! You all right?" Keth called out to him. The elf hurried to the center of the explosion, keeping an eye out for other survivors, especially the Duke.

Keth is surprised to see that Grand Duke Eltan lives! Soem of his men weren't so lucky, however. The sight is brutal. There are pieces of body parts scattered around the area where the explosion took place. Keth sees as one man tries to gasp for air but can't because half his chest is gone. The man dies holding another knight's hand. It's grisly. One of their former foes. The female member of the group who he had face just moments ago was lying on the ground bleeding everywhere. She took off her helmet and Keth could see some human features in her face. A half-orc not an orc! Her face was filled with fear and Keth could see tears in her eyes.

As Keth calls out to he half-dragon, he and his companion land behind Duke Eltan who looks ragged but in no danger of dying. Indeed, the leader of the Flaming Fists quickly draws his blade, turns, and points it at the half-dragon. His hands do not shake but his knees tremble.

"You, you were at the temple," Eltan says to Shaz after recognizing the half-dragon. "You yelled something, but I couldn't hear it over the crowd. Who are you, half-dragon? And why are you here in Baldur's Gate? Are you one of these offworlders the High Artificer warned me about? Have you come to consul or to conquer? Speak!"

OOC: Shaz can tell that the man is on edge. A Diplomacy check might be a good idea at this point. Eltan is considered Unfriendly at this point.

 

[Knightfall]

Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
Rodan steps forward and into the midst of the injured and dying. "Lord Eltan, I will help your men. I would have helped your men even without the promises of reward, for I cannot stand to see those suffer when help could have been provided. This will mend their bodies, but the nightmares will remain. The nightmares always remain."

Rodan's words seems to calm the man, that is, until the half-dragon lands behind the knight. Eltan's blade is drawn quicker than Rodan's eyes can follow. The knight and protector of the city points his blade at the half-dragon and asks him the questions that the leaders of Rodan's own people had asked those that had come to either enslave or warn Rodan's world.

Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
The raptoran gives a strong prayer to The Merchant and sends out his healing magic, touching those that are closest to death's door. Afterwards, he then begins to administer his healing skills to any and all injured, muttering to himself all the while about the tragedy he witnessed.

The magic flows out off Rodan and into the worst of the wounded. He is happy to see that several of the soldiers on death's door begin to breath better and their color returns. They will need more than magical healing, however. Horrors such as this often leave mental scars as well.

He tends to those who need it most before going to check on the hobgoblin. The goblin man is badly wounded, but with his healing touch and medical gear, Rodan soon has the hobgoblin patched up. He'll live to answer the questions that will soon follow.

Rodan looks for any sign of the half-ogre. He finds her, dead, half hanging from one of the dock posts. A strap from a shoulder belt keeps her from sinking into the water. She is burned to a crisp and her gear is either destroyed or soaked. Blood and gore cover the edge of the dock and Rodan has to be careful not to slip on her life fluids.

He saves the surviving invader for last. While her wounds are serious, she wasn't in any danger of dying. Rodan can see that she's not a full-blooded orc. Half orc, half human most likely. The badges on her sleeve mark her as a mercenary for hire. She tries not to look at him as he tends her wounds. She had been crying earlier and now tried to hold back the tears once again. Her arms and legs are burnt from fire and lightning, as is half off her face.

As Rodan finishes with her, she speaks to him, finally. "I, I am sorry. It w-wasn't sup-" She stops herself from saying more.

Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
OOC: Dropping Spell Resistance for Cure Light Wounds, Mass. It can heal up to 10 people/animals. Rodan will heal the ones hurt the most and stabilize the dying, using his diagnostics monitor if necessary. I don't have my Dragonstar handbook with me and am unsure if the diagnostics monitor gives any bonus to heal checks.

(Cure Light Wounds, Mass, Healing Skill)

OOC: Rodan's spell is good enough to heal and stabilize the worst of the wounded. I'm assuming he's only going to use his Heal skill on the hobgoblin unless you say otherwise. (He's nowhere near as bad off as some of the others but he's going to need either rest or magical healing before he regains consciousness.)

 

[Knightfall]

Rodan pats the half-orc lightly on her arm, then says aloud, "I do not know what you may have intended this day, but you must have known on some level that coming here in such a way could only have resulted in violence and death. If you want forgiveness for your actions, I am not the one who can give it to you. You shall only receive it from those who you have wronged, and only after time and effort." Rodan then rises and uses his remaining cure light wounds spells on those that are the most grievously harmed. As he works he says to the local authorities.

"I cannot speak for the others, but I myself am a refugee fleeing from the carnage of invaders such as these. However, those you faced today were mere pirates. It is likely that the Empire now knows of this world and is coming to claim it. They will come with much greater power than what you have seen today. The only choice would be between flight or surrender, if you would ask my opinion. My people chose to fight instead, and we were answered with fire and death..." Rodan tells the nearby authorities his tale as he tries to keep his hands from shaking and administers further to the wounded.

OOC: Casting five more Cure Light Wounds, leaving only Updraft as the remaining 1st level spell. Also trying for Diplomacy to calm those nearby. Requesting a bonus to Diplomacy since I am using more magic to heal the most wounded of Duke Eltan's men and horses.
__________________________________________

Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
Rodan pats the half-orc lightly on her arm, then says aloud, "I do not know what you may have intended this day, but you must have known on some level that coming here in such a way could only have resulted in violence and death. If you want forgiveness for your actions, I am not the one who can give it to you. You shall only receive it from those who you have wronged, and only after time and effort."

She hangs her head and says nothing more.

 

[Knightfall]

Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
Rodan then rises and uses his remaining cure light wounds spells on those that are the most grievously harmed. As he works he says to the local authorities.

"I cannot speak for the others, but I myself am a refugee fleeing from the carnage of invaders such as these. However, those you faced today were mere pirates. It is likely that the Empire now knows of this world and is coming to claim it. They will come with much greater power than what you have seen today. The only choice would be between flight or surrender, if you would ask my opinion. My people chose to fight instead, and we were answered with fire and death..."

"So, it is as Thalamond Albaier told me," Eltan replies, lowering his sword. "The world is at risk. At first I thought he was talking about a magical portal like the ones in Dragonspear Castle, but as he went on and on, it began to make less sense to me. An invasions from the sky. Soldiers and infernal constructs of metal and magic that put spelljammers to shame. Entire cities laid to waste. Ours gods sundered into ruin by an unknown power. And now you tell me that these here that caused this destruction are only pirates! These brigands have done more damage to Baldur's Gate in one morning than seems even possible! And this Empire we're, no, the world is to soon face is so much stronger?"

"How do we fight these invaders without our gods," the fallen priest of Helm decries. "My power is gone, Eltan! Helm is silent and Mystra is dead!"

"The High Artificer told me that Gond is still with us," Eltan replies. "And I hope that Tempus is still with me now. I think I would have felt something had the Foehammer died."

Originally Posted by Deuce Traveler
Rodan tells the nearby authorities his tale as he tries to keep his hands from shaking and administers further to the wounded.

OOC: Casting five more Cure Light Wounds, leaving only Updraft as the remaining 1st level spell. Also trying for Diplomacy to calm those nearby. Requesting a bonus to Diplomacy since I am using more magic to heal the most wounded of Duke Eltan's men and horses. {snip}

Eltan remains on edge as Rodan talks about his world and what happened. The heroes and soldiers gather around and listen to the tale. The outlanders aren't surprised by the tale but hearing it is hard. The natives of Toril are both awestruck and horrified, as Rodan talks about the Dragon Empire and what it means for the world if they come to Toril. The death and destruction is on a worldwide scale. Forget the Time of Troubles, if the Dragon Empire tries to take the world, no part of Toril will escape its wrath. Those who resist either killed or taken into slavery. Better to be killed than to be transported off-world into a starfaring empire that controls hundreds of thousands of star systems filled with billions of souls who are loyal to a insanely powerful red dragon that is the latest ruler in a long line of dragons that have ruled the Dragon Empire for thousands of years.

Once Rodan finishes his tale, several of the Flaming Fists that had been standing have either gone to their knees to pray or are throwing up over barrels and crates. Grand Duke Eltan stands stoically in silence until Rodan is finished. He looks at his soldiers and then around the harbor and finally up towards the rest of the city of Baldur's Gate. "By Tempus," he mumbles. "What can I against such power?"

The leader of the Flaming Fists lets go of his sword inadvertently, as his gaze turns to the sky above. "What can any of us do?"

OOC: I can give you a +6 circumstance bonus on your Diplomacy check. +1 for each healing spell Rodan has cast. That gives you a modified Diplomacy check of 18. which is high enough to make Eltan indifferent towards the PCs, overall.

 

[Knightfall]

Originally Posted by Buddha the DM
Soumral stands quietly keeping her eye alert for any signs of trouble with an arrow knocked on her bowstring but not drawn taut.

Soumral Shadewalker finds no obvious threats on the docks. The orc has fled, the half-ogre is dead, the last armored foe has surrendered, and all the other pirates are dead. She tries not to look at the dead soldiers in the street, or what's left of them. She soon finds herself listening to the winged man's story. He's a raptoran from another world that was invaded by an empire of dragons from the stars. They came with powerful machines and magic and laid waste to the world. They dug up the world's metals and gems and 'clear cut' the world's forests.

As Rodan describes the systematic pillaging of his world, a tear creeps from Soumral's left eye as she thinks of the Dalelands and its people. And, somehow, the Shadowthorne had known that change was coming. Had they known that the world was going to be invaded by a stellar empire with advanced constructs beyond anything that Soumral could have possibly imagined before today.

Rodan talks about the empire having hundreds of thousands of what he calls starships, which, to her, sounds very similar to advanced version of the few spelljammers she's seen that shoot massive bolts of fire and lightning. Each of these ships are filled with soldiers armed with weapons similar to the ones that the pirates used here today, and these soldiers will come in powerful metallic armor that will be nearly impervious to any sword, bow, or crossbow.

And these invaders will have magic as powerful as anything that exists on Toril. In some ways, the magic will be more powerful. Magic and artifice combined in devastating ways. And they will have massive metal machines that made the 'hoverjeep' seem like a child's toy in comparison. Each of these metal constructs will be filled with armored men and fire larger energy weapons like the one on the construct that just exploded. And there will be massive metal machines that walk like men.

After he finishes his story, she finds that her hands are shaking.

 

[Knightfall]

Kethrendil supposed he should be angry with the sole enemy survivor, but looking at her pathetic state replaced any hate he might have had with pity. Still, although it was obvious to him that she no longer had any fight left in her, he made sure that no weapons were left in her reach as the raptoran began his healing. While he did so, Kethrendil went around the battlefield to help the survivors pick themselves up.

Listening the cleric's story sent a chill down the elf's spine. This was worst than the Time of Troubles. They were dealing with invaders wielding technology far beyond what they could imagine, and with the willingness to burn an entire world to ashes to get what they wanted. He thought of home, blessed Evermeet. Even if some of its defenses survived the Weave's destruction, he had little doubt that these invaders could easily rain death and destruction on her beautiful forests.

Duke Eltan's lamentation brought him back to the present. Hearing the despair coming out of this strong man that he respected ignited something within him. He approached the Duke, and heard what the half-dragon said to him.

"Your Grace, the words of our friend here ring true," he said. He clenched his fists. "These foes that are coming are powerful and have many advantages, but they are mortal like you and I. They can be fought, outsmarted. And killed." He spared a glance to the remains of the pirates.

"We'll have to be careful and more cunning them, but we can fight back. We of Faerun are no strangers to surviving cataclysms. And we are not alone. It appears we have allies who know our enemy, and may have the knowledge we need to defeat them." He nodded to the half-dragon and raptoran.

"You cannot give to despair, your Grace. We need your strength. Your people need you. We need to find ways so that they will be able to survive the coming storm, and get those willing to fight ready to do so. Speaking of fighting, that orc ran off before the explosion. We should track him down before he causes more trouble."

OOC: Rolling a Diplomacy check if that can help: [1d20+9] = 11+9 = 20 (http://www.unseenservant.com/default.asp?do=showone&id=95034&macid=0)

DM's Note: I seem to remember that Sil says something about being cunning and that it is something that she can get behind. I couldn't find that post either.

 

[Knightfall]

Not flinching as the duke spins his sword towards Shazer'as throat. "I am Lord Shazer'a, scion of House Golion. And yes, your world is at risk from the Dragon Empire. I have been trying to warn you and your city for weeks now, but none would heed me. My House was the last to rule before the Red's took power and Mezzenbone the throne. His ways of planetary aquisition are... aggresive. But you have not yet encountered the Imperial Legions, these are but a small band of pirates and opportunists. How they managed to lay their hands on imperial shock armor baffles me. One of the pirates, who betrayed the rest and detonated the hoverjeep, told me that the Centurion, an Imperial Battle Cruiser has indeed arrived. I and my wesham Nelalwe will lend what aid we can, though against the Legions, I'm not sure what we can do and my House is bound by Imperial law, they cannot openly act against the Legions. We may be able to have His Grace, Duke Kupric submit a greivance against the Imperial action as technically this world falls under the Golion domains, but that will take time, and your world may not have the luxury."

Seeing the Raptorian for the first time and noting his markings, he adds, "This outlander worshiper of the Merchant will be useful."

Thinking as Eltan and the backworlder cleric speaks of the death of gods, "If the Empire brought an Aspect of the Twelve into your system, it could potentially have laid waste to many of your deities."

"He claimed to be RES, see what you can do about healing and reviving him. He may know more of the Legion's plans. Also tend to the surviving pirates, they may know something of Lachlan's plans." Shazer'a says looking at the wounded and dying, he motions Nelalwe to the hobgoblin.

Looking back to the Grand Duke, "In truth there is little hope should Mezzenbone truly desire it, but despite their armor, the legion are but mortals and can be killed. If your magic is awry it will be difficult to stand with your level of technology, I refuse to hide the truth from you. Your world is but one, while those of the Empire are as the grains of sand on a beach. If your world has many more like those who stood here today, then you may stand some chance, slim though it may be, of survival."

 

[Knightfall]

Originally Posted by Salthorae
Not flinching as the duke spins his sword towards Shazer'as throat. "I am Lord Shazer'a, scion of House Golion. And yes, your world is at risk from the Dragon Empire. I have been trying to warn you and your city for weeks now, but none would heed me. My House was the last to rule before the Red's took power and Mezzenbone the throne. His ways of planetary aquisition are... aggresive. But you have not yet encountered the Imperial Legions, these are but a small band of pirates and opportunists. How they managed to lay their hands on imperial shock armor baffles me. One of the pirates, who betrayed the rest and detonated the hoverjeep, told me that the Centurion, an Imperial Battle Cruiser has indeed arrived. I and my wesham Nelalwe will lend what aid we can, though against the Legions, I'm not sure what we can do and my House is bound by Imperial law, they cannot openly act against the Legions. We may be able to have His Grace, Duke Kupric submit a greivance against the Imperial action as technically this world falls under the Golion domains, but that will take time, and your world may not have the luxury."

"If you've been here all this time and have not been able to meet with me of the other Grand Dukes, it means the city's bureaucracy has failed it. Of course, it would have been unlikely that I would have believed you without some form of proof. I'm sure you came prepared. So, this Emperor of yours, this Mezzenbone is like you? A half-dragon or some other dragonblooded being? I understand that those responsible for this attack aren't as dangerous as your legions but *look at what they did!*" Eltan holds his arms out wide while looking around in frustration. "How will your Emperor Mezzenbone react to this assault on our city? If we offer peace, will he hunt down the other pirates who have escaped? And you say you and your House want to help yet you can't stand against these legions with us due to your loyalty to your empire. Where is this Duke Kupric of yours and why didn't he come himself if this so important to your empire? How am I supposed to trust anything you say at this
point?"

Originally Posted by Salthorae
Seeing the Raptorian for the first time and noting his markings, he adds, "This outlander worshiper of the Merchant will be useful.

"I am thankful to him. He has saved my soldiers from deadly wounds." Duke Eltan salutes Rodan. "You, Merchant worshiper, have my thanks! Your god, is he like Waukeen?"

Originally Posted by Salthorae
Thinking as Eltan and the backworlder cleric speaks of the death of gods, "If the Empire brought an Aspect of the Twelve into your system, it could potentially have laid waste to many of your deities."

"So, these Twelve aspects are your gods? And only Twelve for all the stars? That seems very unlikely. But, if it is as powerful as you say..."

Originally Posted by Salthorae
"He claimed to be RES, see what you can do about healing and reviving him. He may know more of the Legion's plans. Also tend to the surviving pirates, they may know something of Lachlan's plans." Shazer'a says looking at the wounded and dying, he motions Nelalwe to the hobgoblin.

Nel nods and goes to check on the hobgoblin. Rodan has stabilized the goblin man, but he is still unconscious.

"So, your empire allows goblins to have free reign amongst the stars? That doesn't sound like a good way to run an empire. The next thing you'll be telling is that they use displacer beasts as guard dogs." Eltan looks at the hobgoblin with some disgust. "I've never met a hobgoblin that didn't try to kill me. If he knows something vital, I want to know. But if he lies or tries to flee, I will have him killed. At the very least, he will have to stand before me and other Grand Dukes and answer for this attack, as will the half-orc female." Eltan glances at the half-orc in shock armor menacingly.

"We should wake him," the female Flaming Fist says. "He can tell us where the other pirates have fled."

Originally Posted by Salthorae
Looking back to the Grand Duke, "In truth there is little hope should Mezzenbone truly desire it, but despite their armor, the legion are but mortals and can be killed. If your magic is awry it will be difficult to stand with your level of technology, I refuse to hide the truth from you. Your world is but one, while those of the Empire are as the grains of sand on a beach. If your world has many more like those who stood here today, then you may stand some chance, slim though it may be, of survival."

"Our world has many who are considered heroic, but there are just as many who are dangerous opportunists. Many will be unwilling to bow this tyrant of your and will fight to the death for their freedom. I appreciate your honesty, at least. You could have come here and tried to lie your way into my good graces. As for out technology, I admit that I'm not versed in the art of artifice, but the High Artificer does know something of mixing magic with metallurgy. I'm not sure how much use he'll be to us today. His faith in Gond and the others gods of Faerun has been shaken with Mystra's death."

 

[Knightfall]

Rodan answers the question brought to him, "Yes, Waukeen and the Wanderer have similarities. An explanation would be complicated, however, and this is not the time for such a lengthy discourse. The more important discussion is a course of action. Your world is not united, so do you truly believe that your nation can fight against the Empire on its own? Who would join the fight? Who would side with the Empire against you? The Empire has a soft spot for hobgoblins and the drow, so where would your own world's drow and hobgoblins stand?"

OOC: DM's Note: My reply to this post was lost. A small part of that post can be seen in Shaz's response to the Grand Duke's exclamation of disbelief that the Imperials allows drow to coexist with other races in the Dragon Empire. He is uncertain what the hobgoblins and drow would do if offered a chance to join the empire and he bemoans the risks of the Zhents doing the same.

 

[Knightfall]

Kethrendil slammed his fist into an open palm, and smirked. "Well, in any case, you can count on my blade in this fight." He turned to assembled defenders. "My name is Kethrendil of House Symbaern. Those who I fight alongside with can call me 'Keth'. It is an honor to have done so with you all this day."

He turned to the Outlanders. "Do you think that pirate will be able to cause any more trouble at this point? Perhaps we should—ah, wait." Keth blinked, suddenly remembering that he was already on a mission. He addressed the locals. "A bit of a tangent, but would anyone happen to know of a 'Haspur'? Local mad prophet? A dear friend told me he was going to have an important part to play in the coming war, and I promised my friend that I would protect Haspur at all cost."

OOC: DM's Note: My reply to this one seems to be gone.

 

[Knightfall]

Dakashi and Hadyri listen intently to the conversation... both seem deep in thought. The red haired man rubs a holy symbol that looks like a ruby and mumbles something about a Ruby Dragon under his breath.

Dakashi speaks up, "I am watching over Haspur. I will ask him to join us here."

The psicrystal speaks to Haspur's mind, "The master wishes you to meet with the heroes and survivors of the battle..."

OOC: DM's Note: My reply for this post also went bye-bye. In that post, it is Haspur moving through the city away from the harbor, trying to escape. He is talking to himself. It is reveled to Dakashi through his psicrystal that Haspur is a Chosen of Mystara, although Dakashi isn't sure what that means. Haspur agrees to meet the others in front of the temple of Gond.

 

[Knightfall]

"Mezzenbone is not like me, no. He is a Great Wyrm Red, Emperor, King of Asamet, and Grand Duke of House Mazorgrim." His head drooping at the horror Eltan sees in this small skirmish. "Unfortunately, if your planet is as rich in magic and minerals as reports speak, there is little chance at finding solace from him. As to the Grand Duke Kupric... politics in the empire are complicated at best. Imagine the tenuous balance that must be struck in order to allow ten galaxy spanning houses of the various dragons to maintain even a modicum of harmony. The Grand Duke does what he can, but he is bound by the limitations of politics. Something I am sure you are all to familiar with as a ruler of this city."

Looking at the unconscious hobgoblin, "if he as he claims, an agent of the Royal Exploratory Service, he is also one of your best chances for gaining official succor from an actual legionnaire invasion. The law that allows the Empire to maintain it's careful balance is the Principle of Active Morality. Regardless of ones race or moral inclinations, you can only be judged based on your actions. With that, all creatures are able to be a part of the whole even drow and red dragons. Without that, our society wouldn't begin to function."

Originally Posted by Knightfall
"Is this single enemy worth a patrol of Flaming Fists? Is he less dangerous know without his, what did you call it, ah yes, ho-verj-eep? A strange word that."

"Zougrim is a dangerous individual and a dangerous pirate, but abaondoned by his crew and without his own transport...? I cannot say for sure, but my guess is that he will seek to find a way off planet rather than risk being stranded on a backworld that may about to be slagged by the Empire for its resources. If you are concerned about his presence in your city, I and these others who gathered to fight here today can hunt for him. As to defenses, if you can magically ward your soldiers and buildings against fire and electricity, you can blunt their main weapon's capacity for damage."

Originally Posted by Knightfall
This emperor must be a wicked being to allow such menaces to mix with good peoples.

"That is both true and false. As I stated, the law of Active Morality governs the Empire. So, yes, while the Emperor is a wicked Red Wyrm, even under the first Gold Emperor drow and other unsavory characters were tolerated and allowed to freely live. Mezzenbone has elevated the drow and their place in the empire in the last forty years by creating a special division of the Imperial Police called the ISPD, populated almost entirely by Drow. They are his special enforcers of imperial law, more like a private army than anything, it was that act among many that caused me to resign my commission with the Imperial Legions, otherwise I may have helped lead the assault on this planet myself, rather than being here to warn you and try to help you prepare and fight."

With another sigh, Shazer'a continues, "fighting the legions is a two edged sword. If we can put up enough of a defense and allow the houses of Qesemet to know of our plight sufficiently, they may be able to officially send succor and lift the assault, which would allow your planet to more peacefully join the Empire. Life as you know it will be different, there is no denying or stopping that now, but you may have a chance. If the Emperor is truly determined to harvest the resources of this planet and you show stiff resistance, he may well send sufficient force to scour all sentient life from this planet, just to get at the magic and minerals. i and my wesham will do what we can here and I will try to get word to my sire and from him to the Grand Duke about the status on the ground. The hobgoblin is an official Royal agent and may well have access to other resources as well. On my honor as a scion of House Golion and a retired Lord General of the Imperial Legions, I cannot allow any harm to or torture of the hobgoblin as he is a lawful representative of the Empire. Allow me and my wesham to care for him and present him to you for questioning. Call that the price of my aid if you will."

 

[Knightfall]

"Mad," agrees Silhouette, "But accurate. Which for our purposes means he's useful."

She gave the Duke a graceful bow.

"An honor to meet you, your grace. Forgive my lack of manners earlier. There was a lot happening at once. I am Siel, and this is Thrak. Sadly, our visit to your fine city seems to have been cut somewhat short by these events. I realize I have no standing here, but whatever aid or counsel I can give I freely offer.

"This threat would seem to hang over far more than just Baldur's Gate, after all."

 

[Knightfall]

Kethrendil lowered his eyes. "His name is... was G'axir the Seer. He... passed away recently. Like Haspur, he also received portents of the future. He warned me of the coming danger today, but I fear the strain of this particular vision was too much for him. Time permitting, I plan on returning to the Blade and Stars Inn where he currently lies, and take care of his earthly remains."

He turned to the elan, and smiled in relief. "Haspur is in your care, Master Dakashi? Then it seems that the fates have not abandoned us. And Lady Hadyri, those were some impressive moves back there." He nodded in respect towards the xeph.

 

[Knightfall]

Dakashi asks Shazer'a, "What of the Gem dragons? Do they have a place in this empire of dragons? Hadyri and I are followers of the Ruby Dragon, Saridor... Master of the Gem Dragons."

In response to Eltan, "He will meet us in front of Gond's temple.. he is not as mad as you all perceive him to be. He was 'Chosen' by the late goddess of magic, Mystra..."

There is a slight pause, "Is 'Chosen' perhaps a position or title... it sounded as though there was an emphasis on that word during his conversation with... himself."

 

[Knightfall]

"I will observe, record, and remember what happens during these events," Soumral says in a level tone of voice that carries with conviction. "I will protect my home with everything that I have."

 

[Knightfall]

Originally Posted by Salthorae
"Mezzenbone is not like me, no. He is a Great Wyrm Red, Emperor, King of Assamet, and Grand Duke of House Mazorgrim. His head drooping at the horror Eltan sees in this small skirmish. "Unfortunately, if your planet is as rich in magic and minerals as reports speak, there is little chance at finding solace from him. As to the Grand Duke Kupric... politics in the empire are complicated at best. Imagine the tenuous balance that must be struck in order to allow ten galaxy spanning houses of the various dragons to maintain even a modicum of harmony. The Grand Duke does what he can, but he is bound by the limitations of politics. Something I am sure you are all to familiar with as a ruler of this city."

"It sounds to me like this empire of yours is a many-headed hydra that likes to argue on how best to eat its victims," Eltan shakes his head in disbelief. "A red dragon as a ruler. I would not like that for Toril or wish it on anyone. You have my sympathies that you must live through such an age of, what is most likely, fear and death. Reds are vicious creatures and if your emperor is as brutal as the few red's I've fought in my life, the world is in serious trouble indeed. And he has an entire empire of stars behind him. Frightening."

Eltan speaks to Shazer'a as the two of them lead the way towards the High House of Wonders. The others follow along while helping the Flaming Fists take the wounded to the temple. Nel stays with the hobgoblin to watch over him for his protection. Rodan helps Carnda with the wounded. Most of those who could walk do so while the others are carried on makeshift stretchers put together by the raptorian. A wagon eventually arrives along the way and the worst are placed carefully in the back and held down as the horse-drawn wagon moves towards the temple of Gond.

"I assume this Grand Duke Kupric of yours is a dragon as well? Ten great houses of dragons all with there own motives, I take it? It is a dangerous stellar sphere we all live in, it seems. Well beyond anything my tutors taught me when I was a boy."

Originally Posted by Salthorae
Looking at the unconscious hobgoblin, "if he as he claims, an agent of the Royal Exploratory Service, he is also one of your best chances for gaining official succor from an actual legionnaire invasion. The law that allows the Empire to maintain it's careful balance is the Principle of Active Morality. Regardless of ones race or moral inclinations, you can only be judged based on your actions. With that, all creatures are able to be a part of the whole even drow and red dragons. Without that, our society wouldn't begin to function."

"I imagine such a code would be hard to enforce in such a vast empire as you describe. If he is truthful then I will judge him not by his race but by his words. The other Grand Dukes might not be so forgiving, however. My voice is not the only one that matters in Baldur's Gate.

"In all, there are four Grand Dukes in Baldur's Gate, so in one way, my city is much like your empire but still tiny in comparison. The difference is all our voices are equal. There are no kings or emperors here. The people would not stand for it. *I* would not stand for it."

Along the way, the Fists and heroes come across other citizens of the city who were injured by the storm. Soon everyone, even the Grand Duke, is helping the wounded to the temple. He carries a small half-elven boy in his arms while Shazer'a lends a shoulder to a tall man with a huge gash on his forehead. Shaz can tell that the man likely has a concussion but there is no more room in the wagon.

Rodan and Carnda soon have their hands full.

Originally Posted by Salthorae
"Zougrim is a dangerous individual and a dangerous pirate, but abaondoned by his crew and without his own transport...? I cannot say for sure, but my guess is that he will seek to find a way off planet rather than risk being stranded on a backworld that may about to be slagged by the Empire for its resources. If you are concerned about his presence in your city, I and these others who gathered to fight here today can hunt for him. As to defenses, if you can magically ward your soldiers and buildings against fire and electricity, you can blunt their main weapon's capacity for damage."

"It might be a concern if he finds he has no where to turn out in the wilds. With you all here, I doubt he'd be eager to return. He'd be facing equals who have numbers. I will have the Flaming Fists keep an eye out for him, but more than likely he'll perish in the wilderness without allies. The Western Heartlands can be a very dangerous place for the unwary. Maybe a dragon will eat him. Now, wouldn't that be justice.

"So, this empire uses mainly artifice of fire and lightning as their weaponry. That's very useful to know. If magical protections will prevents such devastation as that construct's destruction did, I will see to it that all possible resources are gathered together. Once the situation is explained to the populace, it might be possible to gather potions for my soldiers, at the very least. As for protecting the buildings, the High Artificer may have ideas. And I'm certain you do as well."

Many of the injured who can overhear begin to listen to the conversation between their Grand Duke and the half-dragon. Most have no idea of what to make of the strange conversation, but a few others come to realize what has happened and what is going to happen.

"Lord Eltan, how will we live through this?" A young woman asks as she carries her daughter to the temple. The child's leg was broken by one of the ice chunks from the storm.

"We will endure, citizens, as we always have," Eltan raises his voice for all to hear. "Do no give up hope. We have new allies with knowledge of what is to come. They have already proven themselves by chasing off the rogues who attacked the harbor."

Eltan leaves out the part about the hobgoblin and the half-orc being with the invaders.

Originally Posted by Salthorae
"That is both true and false. As I stated, the law of Active Morality governs the Empire. So, yes, while the Emperor is a wicked Red Wyrm, even under the first Gold Emperor drow and other unsavory characters were tolerated and allowed to freely live. Mezzenbone has elevated the drow and their place in the empire in the last forty years by creating a special division of the Imperial Police called the ISPD, populated almost entirely by Drow. They are his special enforcers of imperial law, more like a private army than anything, it was that act among many that caused me to resign my commission with the Imperial Legions, otherwise I may have helped lead the assault on this planet myself, rather than being here to warn you and try to help you prepare and fight."

"So, he uses drow as enforcers," Eltan sighs. "For a red dragon, that doesn't surprise me. It sounds like this Mezzenbone is altering your empire's society in ways that makes him less a ruler and more a god. It might be best to replace him with another Dragon Emperor. A beast with more, if you'll excuse the expression, humanity.

"And I am glad to have you as an ally instead of as an enemy. Although I doubt one disgruntled half-dragon will be enough to save Toril from your emperor's wrath, even with all these others to help. But, we must try," Eltan says to Shaz in a whisper.

The temple of Gond comes into view and the priests of the temple are already gathered on its steps to help the wounded. The worst are taken inside to sacrd rooms that boost healing powers. The rest of the temple is soon filled with the injured. Rodan shows the Gondite clergy how to do advanced triage and the brightest and youngest of them take to the skill quickly. The old guard seem resistant. The heroes help where they can but most of the time they stay within earshot of the Grand Duke and Shaz.

Originally Posted by Salthorae
With another sigh, Shazer'a continues, "fighting the legions is a two edged sword. If we can put up enough of a defense and allow the houses of Qesemet to know of our plight sufficiently, they may be able to officially send succor and lift the assault, which would allow your planet to more peacefully join the Empire. Life as you know it will be different, there is no denying or stopping that now, but you may have a chance. If the Emperor is truly determined to harvest the resources of this planet and you show stiff resistance, he may well send sufficient force to scour all sentient life from this planet, just to get at the magic and minerals. i and my wesham will do what we can here and I will try to get word to my sire and from him to the Grand Duke about the status on the ground. The hobgoblin is an official Royal agent and may well have access to other resources as well. On my honor as a scion of House Golion and a retired Lord General of the Imperial Legions, I cannot allow any harm to or torture of the hobgoblin as he is a lawful representative of the Empire. Allow me and my wesham to care for him and present him to you for questioning. Call that the price of my aid if you will."

"So, these Qesemet are good-hearted dragons while the Asemet are dragons that believe in evil? All the colors divided between good and evil, law and chaos. For if these Qesemet dragonlords are protectors of good and law, they must act accordingly and use your society's moral code to stop this invasion. But what if they do nothing? What if your faith in them is misplaced? What if they say, 'well, it's just one more world'. What do we do then? Are there powers amongst the stars to rival your empire? Other stellar forces that could stand against it? No empire can exist in a vacuum of opposition?

"It sounds to me like Toril has no choice in what is to come. Even you are telling me that it would be best to follow your laws in my city," Eltan says in frustration. "Your empire does not rule here yet, offworlder. You cannot simply tell me and the other Grand Dukes that we cannot bring the hobgoblin to justice for what has transpired today. As long as he is truthful and contrite, he will not be harmed during questioning. However, I cannot promise that he won't be sentenced to death for these crimes. Even if he wasn't aware that the conflagration was going to erupt, he still came into Baldur's Gate with knowledge of malice.

"You can act as his barrister if you wish, but justice, justice as Baldur's Gate defines it and not your empire will be done! Good soldiers died on those docks! I cannot simply let him walk away if he cannot provide a reasonable defense for those actions! For you to ask me otherwise is unreasonable! I know of no ruler on this world who would let one of my subjects enter his or her domain and commit horrible crimes and then let that person go! No, no, if you must try to subvert our rule of law then there is no hope for a lasting peace between this world and your empire!"

Grand Duke Eltan's voice becomes louder as he speaks. The enhanced acoustics of the temple of Gond causes his voice to echo throughout the entire building. Everyone hears the man's tirade and the temple grows silent except for one weak voice.

"I, Tocrhor of Cesmion. accept your rule of law over me, Outlander," the hobgoblin speaks from a corner of the temple. "To do otherwise would to be against the empire's law of Active Morality. If you must seek justice for your people, I will submit myself to it, as long as it is lawful justice that allows me a chance to explain my actions and why I am here."

"It will be lawful but may be unyielding, hobgoblin."

"I understand. And do not judge the half-dragon too harshly, great sir. His heart is in the right place even if he might have overstepped his rights on your world. It is hard for us imperials to not think of our empire as the center of the universe," Tocrhor says before falling into a coughing fit. "I, I am still weak. Will you allow me to rest before you pass judgment?"

"I will. I promise."

"Thank you," he says. "And I promise to tell you all that I know of Zugorim and his crew and even help you make a case against them. Did you capture him, half-dragon? Please tell me you did? He must not be allowed to escape? He is wanted on a dozen worlds for his crimes."

 

[Knightfall]

"With due respect," Silhouette said, coming closer to Tocrhor and peering down at him, "With an invasion of our world looming, you might forgive us seeing a lone outlaw as a secondary problem? If that?"