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Post by DM-Delfon on Jan 4, 2022 23:10:38 GMT -5
Xanadu takes all the equipment, and stacks it onto the supplies. Though he has no interest in any of it there is no reason to leave it for more of their tribe to find. Xanadu resumes his post, ever watchful until they reach the future location of the Temple to Bahamut.
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Jan 5, 2022 7:58:17 GMT -5
the rest of the trip is fairly uneventful short of some bugs and a few large gators crossing the wagons path. Soon the clearing is visible and everyone seems to let out a breath they didn't realize they were holding as the begin to unload the wagon after the guards cleared and secured the area once more. Xanadu sees the dryads tree shimmer slightly indicating that she is home and is watching but she doesn't seem inclined to make her presence known to the new comers just yet.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jan 5, 2022 8:21:59 GMT -5
Xanadu gathers everyone together before they begin unloading the wagon, "This place is special, and it is defended by other forces. Do not defile the local environment. If you forage, take only what you need and leave the plants intact. If you gather wood, only take dead wood that has already fallen. You do not want to anger our guardians." Xanadu locks eyes with each person in turn to drive home just how serious he is. After that, he gathers just the guards. "I want one awake, one resting and one sleeping in eight hour shifts. The Lizard Folk resist any incursion into their territory by Clifton, and they're rather annoyed at us already because of our claim on the Sinkhole. I'm going to try and deal with the Black Scales. I'm getting tired of being attacked by them every time I turn around."
Once everybody is settled, and doing what needs to be done Xanadu heads off toward Planter's garden.
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Jan 5, 2022 8:29:27 GMT -5
Everyone nods taking your words to heart before they begin unloading the wagon, the guards setting up off to the side where they can keep an eye on things as they patrol but not get in the way of the building. The small silver dragonborn from early rushes over to you before you are able to leave." thank you mr. xanadu sir." for a young dragonborn he is about the same height as you but it is hard to tell if he is truely young or just unusually short for a dragonborn. he seems to want to say something else but hesitates and then turns away returning to the rest of the group and helping to unload everything.
As you make your way towards the planters garden, the trees seem to whisper and the swamp grass almost seems to move out of your way as if welcoming an old friend in rather than a stranger invading their home.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jan 5, 2022 11:47:57 GMT -5
Xanadu only nods to the Dragonborn, no your welcome or any other acknowledgement. He doesn’t even ask after what else the boy wanted to say. Just gives the place a once over and calls out, “I’ll return if I live.” Before walking away.
When he arrives at Planter’s garden he looks around for Planter or his Hydra companion. If they’re not around he waits for maybe ten minutes before he gets impatient and heads off to the Black Scale territory. He’s careful to only skirt the area, he’s looking for trouble but not to start a war.
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Jan 5, 2022 12:18:07 GMT -5
just as you are about to leave the murky swamp water seems to rise up before dispersing and revealing a hydra head soon it is joined by the others and the peer at you intently before recognition can be seen in its eyes and it lowers its heads to smell you. From behind a near by tree out steps planter. A curious look on his face. "what brings you here friend"
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jan 5, 2022 12:44:19 GMT -5
Xanadu holds his hands off to the sides, well away from his weapons, “Hey there Hydra. I sure hope you remember me.” He holds very still as the massive beast sniffs at him. When Planter arrives Xanadu visibly relaxes. “I came to let you know that I’ve dispatched a squad of Clerics, ah shaman to deal with the skeletons we found in the lake.” Xanadu offers his hand to his friend, “I’m tired of being attacked by Black Scales. I’m planning on testing their borders. Want to come along? There will be battle I’m sure.”
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Jan 5, 2022 13:52:03 GMT -5
the hydra once satisfied with sniffing you settles down at the waters edge watching its companion. The planter takes xanadu's hand giving it a quick shake before shrugging. "it would be good to see where their weakness's are, plus hydra is hungry." he says as all the heads of the hydra look up at the mention of possible food. much like a puppy when offered treats.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jan 5, 2022 14:15:26 GMT -5
Xanadu smiles, “With what I learned about the territories, theirs is the smallest. They can’t have too many in their tribe, maybe we can finish the war they started with your people.” Xanadu checks over his gear, “Any idea how many we might be facing?”
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Jan 5, 2022 14:32:56 GMT -5
"last report was about 20 but that was shortly after the war so im honestly not sure at this point." he said simply and shrugged as he climbed onto hydras back and once you are ready to go he leads the way towards the black scale territory.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jan 5, 2022 16:21:19 GMT -5
Xanadu nods, “Then we find a good spot for you and Hydra here to wait and I’ll look for their scouts. If I get engaged in combat, you two can ride in and turn the tide.” Xanadu starts to walk toward Black Scale territory, “Sound good?”
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Jan 5, 2022 17:08:22 GMT -5
"sounds good if you see this one here open her mouth just duck and cover." he says pointing towards the middle head of the bunch. "she likes her food extra crispy." he says with a smirk as they start towards black scale territory. after finding a good spot to wait he nods and motions for you to go ahead.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jan 5, 2022 19:31:03 GMT -5
Xanadu only nods at the ducking suggestion, before he begins to walk toward the Black Scale territory. As he gets closer he carefully skirts wide trying to find a good place to hide the Hydra.
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Jan 7, 2022 17:16:35 GMT -5
once planter and the hydra are hidden the swamp seems to grow quiet once more as you walk the edges of the territory. For a while all is peaceful and its almost enjoyable walking in the swamp aside from the annoying bugs and the mud... and the gross smell that seems to get stronger. the further you go.... oh who are you kidding the swamp is gross and there is nothing fun about it. a high pitched whistle draws your attention upwards, just in time to see a volley of spears flying threw the air at you...
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jan 8, 2022 10:39:37 GMT -5
Xanadu raises his shield to block his vitals and carefully backs away from the direction of the barrage, and toward his waiting companions. (Dodge action.)
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Jan 8, 2022 11:36:16 GMT -5
the spears plink harmlessly off your shield as you retreat. the faint sound of rustling weeds can be heard some where nearby (perception check). all you know is they are some where near by but the sound seems to be echoing all around and blending in with the rest of the normal swamp sounds. As you make your way back to planter and his hydra, a low growl is heard before set of large eyes seem to appear next to your head. it takes a second to realize its just hydra and as soon as it realizes its you, planter steps out from where he was hidden as well.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jan 9, 2022 5:08:44 GMT -5
Xanadu nods to Planter and Hydra, “Well I drew a volley of their spears, so I suspect we will have company for dinner soon.” He glances at Hydra as he says dinner, then smirks at Planter. Xanadu shakes his head when Planter doesn’t respond to his humour.
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Jan 9, 2022 6:40:47 GMT -5
hydra tilts its many heads to the side (think giant puppy) at the mention of dinner and seems to get rather excited at the prospect of food, one of the heads has its tongue hanging out as it looks around excitedly for food. planter just looks rather confused as he doesnt understand why they would be eating dinner at a time like this, let alone with black scales as they are not someone he would want to dine with.
a short time later, you can hear rustleing nearby again, before 3 black scales step out, weapons ready. though from the past you know there are probably more hidden near by.
black scale b planter black scale a hydra black scale c xanadu.
one of the black scales goes after planter, engaging with him though the black scale barely gets an attack in before one of the hydras heads snaps down on it. crunching happily on the lizard. The other heads seem to be playing with the other two black scales.
Which one are you gonna fight.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jan 10, 2022 7:26:40 GMT -5
As the three Black Scales step out, Xanadu smiles, "Hydra, dinner is served." Then he gestures toward the three creatures before adding, "It's a joke because there are two meanings Planter." Xanadu sighs, it seems he has finally found someone less responsive than himself. Maybe this is how Fillin feels half the time. Xanadu will flank, then engage with the one fighting Planter if it has not been defeated by Hydra already. Otherwise he will circle a little and try to flank one of the other two Black Scales.
Xanadu Attack 9+7=15 (or 17+7=24 with advantage) Damage 4+4=8
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Jan 10, 2022 14:45:40 GMT -5
the one engageing planter is nothing more than a bit of blood and some chewed up meat as one of the hydra heads has effectively eaten it weapons and all. The other heads seem to be playing with the two remaining blackscales. Effectively distracting them and allowing you to get in and attack one of them (black scale A). you hit it across the back and it hisses in pain before turning around, a sickle like blade in its hand which it swings at your neck.
black scale A- 17/25 black scale B 25/25 hydra planter
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jan 11, 2022 9:45:22 GMT -5
Xanadu deflects the blow as best he can, before pressing the attack himself. He tries to drive the creature back toward Hydra. The sooner the battle is over the better. "Stop playing with your food Hydra. Finish these ones, as there are more nearby!" Xanadu shouts over the din of battle.
Xanadu Attack 4/15+7=22 Damage 2+4=6
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Jan 11, 2022 16:45:03 GMT -5
the black scale stumbles back as it manages to trip over its own feet as its companion is quickly gobbled up by another head of the hydra. It seems to freeze when it realises its now standing between you and hydra. "duck" calls out planter as hydra's main head rears back and opens its mouth wide, shooting flames out and engulfing the last black scale. before gobbling its charred corpse up as if it was a perfectly roasted chicken.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jan 12, 2022 7:37:50 GMT -5
Xanadu drops to the ground as the flames gout over his head. As the flames subside he stands up quickly, adding, "You were not kidding about ducking and covering." As he moved back toward where the next most likely place for the Black Scales to attack from was. He calls out in Draconic, "Come out and fight me! My people tire of your endless ambushes." He stands with both hands outstretched, shield in one hand and weapon in the other, just daring them to come out and fight him.
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Jan 12, 2022 16:54:15 GMT -5
planter just shrugs well that what it seems like he does as he pats one of hydras heads affectionately.
The swamp is quiet and for a time it seems there will be no answer till slowly out of the swamp comes not one or two but about twenty black scales, all dressed in various mixes of armor. They seem to be led by one black scale, Who even at their tall height is taller than all of them. Even planter is forced to look up slightly at the large black scale. The black scale leader looks to the hydra and then to planter and finally to Xanadu. "your people invade our lands and trespass on a most holy site. they deserve what they get."
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jan 12, 2022 17:12:52 GMT -5
Xanadu scoffs, “Have you considered having a conversation?” He gestures at the dead Black Scales, or at least what’s left of them. “I’ve spoken with the other two tribes, and we have worked out a way to coexist without violence.” Xanadu moves ahead of the others to stand in front of the Black Scale leader. “So what is it that you and your people want?”
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Jan 12, 2022 19:24:45 GMT -5
"pull your people back from the Abyss, it belongs to us." says the black scale as it gestures towards planter and then to the rest of its people.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jan 13, 2022 3:02:49 GMT -5
“I do not see the people of Clifton leaving the place they refer to as The Sinkhole.” He says slowly, quickly adding, “But that doesn’t mean that we can’t find a way for your tribes to cast their old, dead or dying down into The Abyss.” he says the last with reverence, knowing that they find the site holy. “Nobody wants a second melting, but the people of Clifton don’t yet know that your people must fall to a Fang greater than your own. That in doing so you feed the Great One, and stave off a second melting.” Xanadu hoped that by including so many of the things the Lizard Folk had quoted like scripture, he could finally put an end to the attacks at their source, but he was willing to fight if it came to that.
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Jan 13, 2022 16:29:45 GMT -5
"find a way? yes you do so then come back we will wait for your answer you have three days. " he says with such authority and then turns away to return to the swamp. the other black scales watched you some with curiosity others with malice before turning and following their leader back into the swamp, quickly disappearing from sight.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jan 14, 2022 9:47:57 GMT -5
"I will do as you have so kindly asked." Xanadu says, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Not because you asked, but because I want to put an end to these pointless hostilities." After the leader has walked away Xanadu turns to those that remain, "I only want to bring peace between Clifton and the tribes." He says, meeting the eyes of those that look at him with curiosity. Turning his eyes on those that look at him with malice he continues, "You know your tribe is the now the smallest, and these constant attacks only weaken your tribe further." As they leave, Xanadu adds mostly to himself, "I will bring peace, one way or another."
Turning to Planter, Xanadu says, "Thank you for coming with me. I think that having you and Hydra here made their leader more willing to talk. Were I alone, they would have attacked what they perceived as weaker." Xanadu begins to walk away from the Black Scale territory. "I have to go speak with the people over at the Sinkhole. Sorry, the Abyss. Will you come with me again when I go back to report my dealings?"
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Post by lilmsdarknes on Jan 14, 2022 16:50:25 GMT -5
planter nods and glances at hydra who seems to be eyeing the retreating black scales and licking its lips. planter simply pats the large beast on its side effectivly drawing its attention away from the blackscales. "follow me." he says to xanadu before turning and leading the way towards the abyss.
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