Pasting Surraruthru's last reply in the previous thread, since Kascha's answering here.
Surraruthru watches the proceedings silently after returning Lady Sanzha's gaze steadily.
"Kascha, what is this place? It seems... Out of place. In a volcano."
As Afina goes, Kascha turns and smiles. "It's Seira's palace. She can be quite whimsical when the mood strikes her. She's very good at combining unrelated things together."
Mei puts aside Afina's gear, save for her hat. She studies it for a little bit before putting it atop the rest of her gear.
Surraruthru eyes the area, now unsure of the mental stability of the Dragon Goddess...
"Oh come now," Almost as if she is reading your thoughts, Kascha frowns, "Shouldn't a fairy dragon have a sense of fairy tales? What child didn't want a fairytale house like this?"
Eyes Kascha in the same way.
"Fairy, yes. Also *dragon.* Child, only by dragon standards. Besides, you're forgetting that fairy dragons live in the forests and in nests built from spider webs and flowers. Not... Sugar."
Mei considers at that, going to one of the candy cane fire grates. She runs her finger along it and licks, before making an mmmmm sound.
"Oh yes, it's actual candy. Magically preserved and hardened so it won't decay. But please don't eat any of it, it's bad manners." Kascha laughs a little, before turning back to Surraruthru. "Seira can be quiet whimsical when she wants to be. Besides, she can make it out of whatever she wishes and change it when she wants. If she desired, she could turn everything here to stone or wood in an instant. So it hardly matters."
"I think she likes toying with her visitors. Are we waiting for Afina to return before seeing Seira?"
"No, someone should be here shortly." Kascha goes and pours herself a glass of ice water, "Want some?"
Surraruthru sniffs the water before taking a drink.
"Thank you."
He then settles in to wait, inspecting the area for anything hidden or interesting.
Spot check for that.
You don't wait long. Soon enough someone joins you. She is an elf, slight of frame and wearing beautiful chain mail armor. Her blonde hair is long and straight. She has a presence about her that is overwhelming, such that you can barely notice things about her - like she wears a quiver of arrows on her back and walks with a steady, assured step.
"Lady Amaryl," Kascha rises, "This is Mei of the Triune and this is Surraruthru. Mei and Surraruthru, this is Amaryl Gaial, Seira's wife."
> roll 1d20+31 Spot
<Plushie_Ithea> Iddy roll for Plushie_Ithea < 33 > [d20=2]
Surraruthru raises an eyebrow at the wife portion, but then figures a Dragon Goddess' mate is her choice. Though, this does bode well for the gift he brought...
"Greetings, Lady Gaial." He inclines his head to the elf.
It seems like a normal room to Surraruthru. Well, 'normal', anyway. Nothing's hidden that he can notice.
"Surraruthru." Amaryl greets warmly, "Seira told me you're watching out for Kascha now? Good, Kascha needs protecting."
This gets Kascha to blush quite deeply, "But - I..." she tries, but nothing coherent follows.
Surraruthru grunts at this.
"Indeed. I assume you know about the poisoning? Troublesome. I may be a wyrmling, but at least I don't get myself into trouble."
Surraruthru shifts in disgruntlement at that.
"In any case, since we're speaking of children anyway, I have a gift for Seira's household. As you are her mate, I shall give it to you."
He reaches into his haversack and pulls out the Dragon's Egg, then takes to the air to hover at eye level with Amaryl.
"I give your household this Dragon's Egg. Magic and powers of a Goddess aside, may it be your house's first clutch and grow strong, proud, and wise. May it dominate all it surveys. If so, keep it away from my grove and lair."
With that and a small nod, he presents it to Amaryl.
"Oh!" Amaryl murmurs, staring deeply at the egg. She reaches out and takes it, "What a thing. Thank you." She brings the egg up and kisses it, murmuring words in draconic, "Sleep, little one. Your potential will soon be realized."
Amaryl sits, the egg held like a baby in her arms. "Seira tells me that you come seeking a quest?"
Surraruthru nods.
"She has a task, I have a goal. Once the task is performed, my goal may be realized."
"That's such a cold way of looking at it," Kascha murmurs, "The journey's just as important as the goal, if not more."
Amaryl nods ever so slightly, "She does. Before that, I'd like to know why you want this goal."
"Hmm.. An excellent question. Through my studies, I've already been able to manipulate my spells to be empowered by Good. This has proven to be effective against the devils and undead we've fought. Kascha's abilities and the various clerics and healers I've met since coming to Aurora have likewise been very effective. I wish to explore that further."
"I understand." Amaryl studies Surraruthru for a time, "What is Good to you, Surraruthru? What is being a celestial to you?"
"Fighting against the darker parts of the planes. Stopping things like Devils and Demons from destroying life, so that it can grow and flourish. Allowing nature and life to evolve and become whatever they desire, instead of being destroyed for amusement or control or power. Being a Celestial means championing that with everything you are, and serving that concept with your very life as an inspiration for all others."
Surraruthru gets a mischievous grin, "After all, isn't it natural for all creatures to be inspired by dragons? Why not give them yet another thing to aspire to?"
"You're right, it means being more. It means being an ideal," Amaryl says, meeting Surraruthru's eyes. Her gaze is like a palpable force against you, her gaze relentless. "But being an ideal isn't only about force. It's about compassion, love, justice, hope, humility, glory, redemption and so much more. Can you embody that as well, Surraruthru?"
"Hmmmph. Glory, justice, and hope, certainly. Humility... Might be tough. I know I have much to learn and to...improve on... If I didn't, there would be no task and I would already be a celestial. I'm learning, and will continue to."
"Becoming one isn't about power," Amaryl goes on, relenting and averting her gaze from Surraruthru. "That's the point you have to understand. There's many paths to power, but being a celestial means more than just power."
Surraruthru nods.
"I understand your point. I don't want it simply for the power, but I also won't deny the allure for it. As it stands now, I use what power I have for the benefit of others, to make them stronger. It's a new direction, but one I'm finding... fitting."
Mei looks up at all of this, nodding along to what is said.
Amaryl considers this, "Surraruthru, your task is to find Myr's Sword. It was a sword of a sentinel against evil, lost ages ago."
"Myr's sword...."
Surraruthru tries to remember if he's come across information on this before...
K:P?
Yes, K:P. Go for it.
> roll 1d20+34 K:P
<Plushie_Ithea> Iddy roll for Plushie_Ithea < 49 > [d20=15]
Myr's Sword was the sort of a sentinel who defended a prophesied savior against the daemons. The blade reveals the truth of everything it strikes and banishes illusions and darkness. It was lost after Myr ventured in Hades to stop the fiends at their source. It is said he succeeded, but never returned from his mission. Since then, you recall it's been rumored to appear every so often across the planes, but usually briefly and without verification.
"Lost in Hades.. Hmm.. Any ideas on where it'll show up next?"
"We don't know," Amaryl says, a slight frown forming, "It's protected by extremely powerful magic."
Surraruthru blinks at this.
"Interesting. Divination will have to be employed... Do you have a list of its past appearances? Perhaps there's a patter to discern."
"No. Reports conflict and suggest appearances across the planes," Amaryl replies. "Usually the blade appears in the hand of an upstart and vanishes just as quickly."
Surraruthru nods.
"Very well, then. I'll begin research. On a different note... Seira mentioned that a piece of Lifasa may come into my possession?"
"It may in time. It is a future potential to live up to." Amaryl says.
"Hm. Very well. Was there anything Seira needed?"
"No. Go enjoy the Cauldron," Amaryl says, rising.
Do you have any more plans in the Cauldron, Surraruthru?
After consulting my to-do list, unless there's a place I can find some sacred style spells to add to my spellbook, I don't really think so. I'm also not entirely sure what all is in the Cauldron for me to do.
What do you mean by sacred style spells?
Also, you'd need to poke around t here to see. Depends if you want to put the time into the Cauldron or not, Iddy.
I mean Wiz/Sorc spells that give Sacred bonuses like Celestial Valor.
And sure, I'll poke around a bit.
> roll 1d100
<Plushie_Ithea> Kotono roll for Plushie_Ithea < 1 > [d100=1]
The Cauldron has many layers, explored at Surraruthru's layer. The first he goes to is the busiest - a grand marketplace, buildings and caves both holding shops of all sorts. He wanders, finding a few possibly promising shops. He can explore any of them he wishes.
1. The Dragon's Whim. Looks to be a magic shop.
2. Jade and Gold. Looks like a jewelry shop.
3. Urathear. The shop isn't promising on the outside, but the name means deity in draconic.
Surraruthru has a distinct distaste for spending any more of is meager hoard, but he'll check out Urathear out of idle curiosity.
You walk in, find it empty. Blank. Blackness extends in all directions. The door silently closes behind you and a slow, meditative voice asks you, "Welcome to Urathear. Have you chosen one to serve?"
Surraruthru eyes the empty space suspiciously.
"I serve Seira."
Everything whirls around you. You stand in a bright chapel colored gold, windows letting more sunlight. Real gold lines the windowsills, reflecting brilliance. A circle of chairs surrounds an altar, each one also inset with gold, with the altar as well being golden. A draconic man is behind it, coming forward. He has scales of silver, wearing well made clothes of silk. "Welcome," he greets Surraruthru, "Tell me, where do your talents lie?"
"And who are you that I should give information about my strengths so freely?"
A chuckle follows, "Forgive me, dragon. Most of your kind have no compunctions against bragging." The man says, face smooth and calm. "I am the owner of this store. I ask so I can offer goods and services tailored to your strengths."
"... I am a Grand Weaver. I focus in counterspelling, aiding my allies, and rending my enemies to dust."
"Yes, yes, I see..." The half-dragon considers, before snapping his claws. "Alchemy is perhaps not your forte, and cauldron steel would ill suit a wizard. You do not wield a weapon? Of course not, you are a dragon. Perhaps special material components to bolster your spells? An expensive option but a rewarding one, my friend."
"Expensive... It would depend on what you're offering..."
A small ball of amber appears in the dragonman's hand. "This is called unbreakable amber, harvested in the Wychwood of Sylica. When used in the casting of an abjuration spell or mage armor spells, it grants sacred protection on top of what the spell already offers. It is 400 gold for a single ball, which is good for one spell."
The stuff he mentioned first (alchemy, cauldron steel) is in the Cauldron's writeup over on the R&S board. Relevant for you so a link: http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,103074.msg1056192.html#msg1056192
Unbreakable amber's stats are here, so you can make an informed decision.
Unbreakable Amber
This amber comes from trees deep in the Wychwood. When used with an abjuration spell (as well as mage armor, greater mage armor and other spells of that line), the spell grants a +1 sacred bonus to armor class in addition to whatever other defenses it offers. The spell also gains the good descriptor.
"I'll... admit.. it is tempting. But I've parted with far too much treasure when I acquired my gift to Seira. I will certainly keep it in mind, for after I've gathered more."
Surraruthru inclines his head to the draconic man.
"I must say. I do approve of your shop's decoration. Another time."
He turns to leave.
"Come back anytime," The man says, Surraruthru heading out.
Going to check out the other two shops or move along?
Move along. I don't really want to spend cash. I dumped a lot into the last purchases.
> roll 1d100+14
<Plushie_Ithea> Kotono roll for Plushie_Ithea < 40 > [d100=26]
Surraruthru's just leaving the shops when he hears a voice behind him. "Excuse me, fairy dragon?"
Surraruthru puffs up a bit, as yes, he is indeed a Fairy Dragon. A glorious thing to be, assuredly, and turns to look at the person who called him.
It's an older elf woman, walking with a cane and with her hair kept in an iron-gray bun. She wears leather armor that doesn't quite fit her thin body. "My oh my, a fairy dragon," she smiles, stepping out of the way as a small air elemental zips past. Behind youa re shops, stalls and caves, all full of people buying and selling. You can see a dwarf with a flaming red beard arguing with a well dressed hobgoblin of all things, the two bickering over some pottery.
"I'm Flora, an artist. I greatly enjoy drawing dragons," she says, "Can I have a few hours of your time to draw you?"
Surraruthru idly considers... Perhaps allowing this elf to paint him would be a good way to spend time while Kascha and Afina finish up their business..
"An artist, hmm? As I am waiting for my companions to finish their business, I do have the free time... Very well. You may."
"Oh, thank you," She smiles and clasps her hands together, then leads Surraruthru on. It's a shop a little ways away, and inside you see it's full of painting and sketches. It's all fine work, portraits of creatures from the mundane to the amazing. A drawing of a dog is next to a sketch of an angel of some kind, which is besides a painting of a pegasus. You see more than you can easily count. "Please perch where you like," Flora says, ducking through a door to the back, "Let me just go get my supplies."
Surraruthru looks around the shop for a suitable perch. Something that will lend itself to a noble poise.
There's a table, as well as a few chairs. Those could work, he thinks.
Surraruthru chooses the table and assume a suitable noble pose.
> roll 1d20+18
<Plushie_Ithea> Infinite_Ko_Loop roll for Plushie_Ithea < 36 > [d20=18]
A few hours of posing and art follows. Flora works steadily throughout, chewing on her pencil several times as she draws. But at last the time pays off and she announces, "Finished! Come see."
Surraruthru flies over and does just that.
You see yourself. An extremely good drawing of yourself, sunlight illuminating you in a golden halo. You are majestic...oh! The drawing moves! The Surraruthru in the image occasionally moves, adjusting himself, looking at the viewer or preening himself.
"I am.. impressed. You have done excellently. What will you do with it now?"
"Hang it up," she says, going and placing it next to an image of a lion. "Thank you so much," she smiles, "You were so patient. Would you like one of the drawings for yourself?" she offers.
"Yes... It would be appreciated."
Surraruthru looks around for a suitably impressive painting.
Make an appraise check. As for the details, I'll let you choose exactly what the painting is, within reason.
> roll 1d20+8 Int Check
<Plushie_Ithea> Iddy roll for Plushie_Ithea < 27 > [d20=19]
I'd like to get a painting of a mix of pixies and forest creatures playing/frolicking.
Surraruthru selects his painting. "That's a good one," she says, taking it down and fitting a cloth over it. "Thank you so much!"
Loot post.
"My thanks to you, as well. This painting will be much appreciated."
Can that fit in my haversack? If not I'll have to see if it can be arranged to be sent to Aurora.
Yes, it can be worked out either way. Ready to move along?
Yep.
I'm going to merge you back into Afina's thread, though that will probably be brief and unremarkable.