We'll start OOC for this one. Moore, go ahead and look up the name of the dragon and make your sending. Remember, 25 word limit.
Goldanariux.
Sending is thus: "Sir Goldanariux, this is Moore of Aurora. May I return to Goldenmist to speak to you about your decision?"
The answer is short and to the point: 'Yes.'
Off he goes, then!
Gating to outside the cave since he's familiar with the location.
Going alone?
He'll ask Arrel and Morniel if they want to go. If not yes.
Arrel's down but Morniel's busy with mission prep. That good or do you wanna press it?
I think it'll be fine since Afina's not coming this time (no offense Afina)
Okay then.
Arrel and Moore arrive at Goldenmist. It's like you recall, nothing having obviously changed. Perhaps fortunately, all told. Well, besides for the gold dragon waiting for you outside, but he's familiar too.
"Hello again, sir." Moore greets him with a small bow.
Arrel emits a soft screech and nothing more.
The gold dragon eyes the both of you, "Tell me more about your Crusade," he asks.
"I cannot speak directly for it as I did not join until some time ago, but I will tell you what I can." Moore says.
"Aurora is facilitated in a place that used to be known as Medicant. The heroes there were from a world called Lifasa that fell to devils. They work tirelessly every day to take back their home, but in doing so they've created a name that is cursed throughout the planes by evil -- wherever the Aurora shines, evil must retreat." Moore declares -- he's clearly picking up with his tone and his passion on this.
"If it were just a few people trying to get their home back, that would be one thing -- but we've reached across all aspects of Creation to bond against the forces of evil. We can count the lords of Mineral, Water, Mount Celestia, Arborea, Lathanderites, Rapture... you name it, I think there's some relationship to Aurora. We are willing to work with all beings as long as their heart means well -- as you saw, we even have people who have crossed the line with Bahamut himself... yet, here I stand, a follower of Erathaol of Venya. He would not send me to a place to aid them if he didn't believe in their cause." Moore evangelizes a little bit here.
"That is the heart of the paradox. When the wise men quarrel, who has the wisdom to choose sides?" The gold dragon asks.
"I think it would be fair to say that wise men can agree and disagree on certain points and find common ground to work together for a greater future, don't you?" Moore retorts.
"As can dragons," Arrel says, "Not every chromatic is a waste and not every metallic is a paragon. There are exceptions."
The gold dragon hums, whiskers twitching as it closely studies you. "What role would you have for me?"
"It was my understanding that you were a great craftsman. I think, if you wish to, your expertise would allow us even greater feats of arms, armor and magical goods for our forces. If you'd like, I'd be happy to show you our smithy first before you make a decision." Moore offers.
"Beyond that, whatever you wish to participate in would be welcome. We are a very diverse group, you would fit in somewhere. I believe Afina mentioned it when we were here last, but there is a prismatic dragon named Baleruk there." Moore says. "As... distasteful as I am sure he is to your kind -- and please do not take my saying such as making light of it, I cannot possibly understand what it is to be a dragon -- he is a craftsman as well, of art and things of that nature. I would be... Well, let me just say this -- I think your perspective on art, if it is a passion for you, would be met with a surprising amount of understanding.' Moore adds.
This calls for a Diplo check.
Take 10 for 56
The dragon sighs - a hiss of steamy smoke from his nostrils. "I..." he considers, "I am tempted."
Moore has to grin a bit at that response. "How about this, then - why don't we return together, and I will show you around and introduce you to a few people? Then you can decide for yourself, rather than relying on my stories -- which are all 100% accurate, by the way -- but I understand that seeing things for yourself can shift your viewpoint."
"What is better than seeing it with your own eyes?" Arrel adds, "For a dragon's eyes are sharp."
"I accept," The gold dragon finally agrees, "I will see your Aurora."
Moore smiles at Arrel and just grins. Appealing to his ego a bit, good one.
"Very well then, sir." Moore turns and creates the gate back to Water where Aurora is and rolls his arm with a bow.
Water and dragon. He swims amid the waters without difficulty, looking up at Aurora. It's busy here - mobilizing and preparing. You see the hydra pool, where you can spot Surraruthru and the great multiheaded beasts. Morniel is giving a speech to an assembly of archons, while the phase spiders are followed by the magma oozes.
"Great variety, how rare. I see eladrins and archons? The angels are playing peacemakers?"
"We would have to speak to Morniel further about the history there." Moore admits. "But yes, we have a rather unique collection of viewpoints here. I think Celestia itself sees wisdom in our causes."
You head in from here as you talk. Once you're inside, Elena appears. She's dressed up like Mirima today, her hair even tinted red instead of blue. "Hi," she says, "Nice to meet you, dragon. Oh, if you have time, Hamogan would like you to come to the forges, Moore. He could use a boost for an item he's working on."
"Goldanariux, Elena. Elena, Goldanariux. She's um..." Moore tilts his head. "the... spirit of Aurora, is that right?" Moore asks, looking at Elena. "I never did quite get that story straight. Oh, yes, I can take Goldanariux there also and demonstrate what we're working with." Moore nods.
"Sure," A second Elena appears, this one dressed up like Jaela. "I'll take you along, this way." The first Elena vanishes.
"Twins?" Goldanariux asks, a hint of amusement. "Ghost twins?"
"It's... um..." Moore scratches his head. "They're the same person. Uh... entity? Think of her like the embodiment of Aurora itself given a form you can interact with. I'm sure there's far more to it than that, but going too far beyond the surface around here makes my head hurt sometimes." Moore says with a smile as he goes with Jaelena.
As you walk, the gold dragon shifts and shrinks. He is now a simple human in chain armor and with a blue cloak. He falls into step with you without any awkwardness, "Few castles are built for dragons," he notes, "Not even legendary ones."
"I don't know that Medi expected there to be many here." Moore says with a laugh. "But we could always have a suitable lair made for you." Moore says with a nod.
"We're going to need to expand the courtyard soon and maybe attach another building," Elena says, "Galariel and I have been talking about it and Aurora simply needs more space for unusual creatures, as well as a secondary defensive stronghold. It'll be expensive, though."
Moore nods. "I think I can help supply some funding from the sources I've met thus far. We can discuss it after the matters we're working on now are settled."
You pass into the entry hall. It's busy here, soldiers going about all around. As you walk, Elena says, "Oh yes. Aurora can house large creatures, but many don't like staying within a fortress. Plus more room to stage our growing armies is useful, since our courtyard is so well protected."
"We're still waiting to hear back from Sisatar in Rapture, but my understanding is he's also a dragon, so I think if we petitioned for that particular reason he'd be more willing to fund us with materials." Moore says. "We've also had some good rapport with Lord Crystalle as of late, so I can visit him to see if there are any materials they'd be willing to part with." Moore looks over to Goldanariux with a smile. "I'll have to ask you how you ended up in Goldenmist sometime, sir."
"It's a good story," The dragon says, as you head inside. The forges are busy - and there's a new one. It's made entirely of red and pink crystal, flames held within. Hamogan stands before it, studying the lump of metal within.
'Moore,' He greets you in your mind, 'Thank you for coming.'
"Oh, I'm never going to get used to that..." Moore says with a smile and a wave. "No offense, Sir Hamogan, I'm just not quite as well-versed in this as Tryll is. How can I help you?"
"Ah, a dragon?" Hamogan nods to your guest.
"Ah, a psionicist," The gold dragon returns drolly.
"Dragon lore?" Hamogan asks back with a hint of amusement.
"Mental sight?" The dragon banters back again.
Hamogan chuckles, offering his hand. A quick hand shake and then he says, "Yes, I want you to inspire my crafting to the limit, Moore."
Moore looks back and forth between them and then laughs. "All right, then. Sir Goldanariux, this should give you an idea of what I can do."
Moore takes a deep breath to clear his mind first. "All right, Sir Hamogan, you came here for a reason, and that was to succeed, so that's what you're going to do. I'm going to see to it that no matter what you do, it's so good it'll shock you!" Moore says, working up words of encouragement.
He's going to mix Inspire Competence (+8 morale), Song of Fortune (+5 untyped), using his regalia bonus (+5 insight) and then he's using his awesome take 10 for 42 Profession (Motivational Speaker) to make Hamogan feel good about himself. Goldanariux would also get the +8 morale and +5 untyped bonuses just because Moore figures he might as well demonstrate for them both. So all in all it's +18 with the extra fluff from Motivational Speaker.
Are you using Words of Creation with Inspire Competence?
Yes. Oh, shoot, I forgot the nonlethal damage. Hold on.
[15:02] <Nephrite> roll 6d4 nonlethal
[15:02] <Serith> Nephrite roll for Serith < 12 > [d4=1,1,2,4,3,1]
Hamogan looks at the lump of metal, which quickly begins to forge itself into a slender baton of steel. Well polished and perfectly balanced on a glance, with a small orb on each end. With a gesture it flies over to Hamogan's hand and he peers at it, despite the fact it's still steaming hot. Doesn't seem to be burning him, anyway. "Yes...yes, this will suffice. Thank you."
He took 10.
"What is it? I mean... beyond the obvious, I suppose." Moore asks.
"The beginning of a psionic item," Hamogan says, "Return later and I'll show you what it will become. For now it's only a base, potential yet to be realized."
"Oh, neat! Sure. I'll be more than happy to help if you need anything else." Moore agrees, then takes his dragon friend through the rest of the smiths.
"As much as I probably shouldn't, I think it's best for you to meet Baleruk while you're here. There's no way to avoid an eventual confrontation between the two of you, and I think it's just going to be better off if we just... ah... if we just rip the bandages off all at once." Moore says, sounding a bit serious. "If it ultimately means you don't want to stay after that, then that is fine as well -- It simply wouldn't do to have you unhappy because of something like that. Is that acceptable to you?"
"Yes," Gold replies rather tersely, "I've seen enough to know a good magical smithery. It's only that damned rainbow dragon now."
Moore nods and takes him to Baleruk's lair. While he's on his way he does cast a spell for some divine guidance... and a little luck.
Divine Insight and Improvisation as they're on their way.
Just casting it right in the open?
Before they get to the lair, but yes.
As you cast those spells in the courtyard, Arrel gives you a curious look and your guest does the same. "Why such magic when greeting an ally?"
Taking 10 on relevant checks.
"You'll see." Moore says with a bit of an exasperated sigh. "Although I suppose he's just as likely to greet us with a smile and a nod than like usual..."
"I doubt it." Your new friend says, "Oh, I deeply doubt it."
Moore smiles. "It's good to be optimistic, but it's also good to be prepared, regardless of the circumstances, right?" He takes a breath and heads in to see the great rainbow dragon.
You fly on up and into Baleruk's lair. The prismatic dragon is there, hunched over a huge aquarium - dozens and dozens of feet long and two dozen feet tall. Right now it's full of water and the dragon holds a single gold piece between his claws. He carefully angles, seeming to be figuring where precisely to drop it in.
Moore glances at the aquarium to see if he can be helpful in this particular regard.
Taking 10 for 32 on K:A&E.
What precisely are you trying to learn here, Moore?
if there was an aesthetically and structurally sound place to put the gold.
It's a huge aquarium. Structurally sound isn't an issue. It's also empty, so aesthetically is a wash. At least to traditional senses, Baleruk likely operates to his own opinions.
"How about right in the middle, to showcase and accentuate the rest?" Moore calls out. May as well get this over...
Baleruk looks up and peers at both of you. He is silent and locks eyes with the gold dragon. Long seconds turn into a minute as the two stare at each other. The humanoid gold dragon has a look of disdain and superiority, while Baleruk's expression is inscrutable.
"Baleruk, I'd like to introduce you to Goldanariux. He's a new ally of Aurora." Moored says simply.
"Next time," Baleruk's head comes right up to Moore, overshadowing him and both eyes all on him, "Invite a female dragon. This is important."
Moore smiles and offers a flourishing bow. "You have my word." He turns to Gold at that. "Goldanariux may know a few that he'd be willing to bring here once he's sure he wants to stay."
Goldanariux nods sharply and turns, heading out of Baleruk's lair with all due haste.
"Excellent." With a long, sharp look at you, "I have heard the Grand Sultan of the Efreet has the greatest harem of the planes. I WILL NOT BE OUTDONE!" From casual to a roar in a split second, Baleruk's eyes bulging out, "Understood?"
"I'll do my best." Moore promises before he turns to fly after Goldinariux. He figured they needed some Private Alone Dragon Time but apparently not!
"There is no arguing with that one," The gold dragon says once you are out. "He speaks to the mind directly and with great confidence."
"Oh, that's what the silence was about... so you did have some privat--er, ahem." Moore clears his throat. "Nonetheless, it seems like things ended peacefully...?"
"Acceptably," Goldanariux replies, "I would like a guest room to rest."
"Do you want one for your... er... normal size, or...?" Moore asks.
"One for this size is sufficient." The gold dragon gestures to himself, "I can hold this form for as long as I wish."
"Let me show you to one then, honored guest." Moore smiles and will take Gold to one!
Anything else you want to do while Gold has some personal time?
I'd like to go talk to Hanna.
It's not hard to find Hanna. She's standing outside Ithea's room, banging on the door. She holds 27 in one hand and calls out, "Ithea, are you in there?"
Can't Elena just... tell her that?
"I don't think she is." Moore says.
Hanna sighs a bit and drops 27...and promptly punts him, sending the slaad to the far end of the hall. One glare gets 27 scurrying away. "I know. I thought to try anyway."
Moore smiles. "Um, you may have already heard, but we came back from Yggdrasil. I... um... ...you seemed to know something about the whole thing before, so... do you mind... um..." Moore takes a breath. "Can we discuss that, if you're... able?"
"You found Yggdrasil?" Hanna asks, "Where was - no." She stops, leading you along and into an empty quarter and firmly closing the door. "In the Hidden Layers?"
Moore nods. "I wanted to ask you what we were and weren't allowed to talk about. I mean... I doubt many people are going to believe the story anyway, but... it seemed like you and Afina had gone there before but some people forgot for some reason. Is that going to happen again, do you know?" He asks -- he actually sounds a bit... upset? There's a lot of emphasis around the way he says forgot.
"I don't know about Yggdrasil, except that it's location isn't known. So don't go spreading that around. As for the Hidden Layers, don't be too overt. It's anathemic knowledge, which means people won't remember it after about a day. The only way to remember it is to visit the Hidden Layers, so as long as you aren't dropping too many overt hints, people will naturally forget."
Moore nods. "All right. It's..." He shakes his head. "If I told you I thought elves and the fey were related, what would you say?"
Hanna shrugs, "I wouldn't be surprised."
"...That seemed more of a big deal of a revelation to me than I guess it is." Moore says with a bit of a sad smile. "Like I figured out a secret that isn't really that important."
"It's usually held by the fey that the elves are distantly related to them. It wouldn't be the most stunning revelation ever," Hanna remarks, "The Hidden Layers seem to be where all of Arborea's secrets reside. Including Yggdrasil."
"I think we all came from the same source." Moore says. "I suppose I can always verify my suspicions if it's something that nags at me." Moore smiles again and shrugs, like he just lost a bet but can't feel bad about it. "I'll talk to... Kascha, right? Now's not the time, but maybe once we're back from the Lifasan trip. Thanks, Lady Hanna -- I needed to at least get some of it off my chest."
Your answer is a nod, Hanna largely keeping her own council.
Anything else on your todo list, Moore?
I do need to talk to Dana about going on a trip to find a missing magic island and follow-up with the Consortium to see if they're donating anything and a few other fundraising efforts, but all of that can wait.
Okay, then you're paused pending things getting rolling.