We'll start OOC. Tryll, how do you plan to psychically fix the dragon pup?
Psychic Cirurgery (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/powers/psychicChirurgery.htm) is my go-to for healing brain or soul issues. Chirurgery being an Old English word for surgery, it seems apt. Essentially, it's brain surgery with the added soul bits. RAW, it's an enhanced Heal spell. But RP-wise, it's so much more.
The dragon pup lies on the ground before you, Surraruthru and his mother waiting nearby. Then...
The ball is completely in your court here, Tryll. Go ahead.
Tryll manifests as a large and unblinking eye, floating before the dragons. Meanwhile, Calleigh occupies herself with distracting the infant dragon.
To the adults, he says, 'Good day. I am Tryll. I will do my best to assist your child's recovery. Can you tell me what happened? It may help me narrow down what needs to be done.'
"Thank you," The faerie dragon is not phased and instead goes right on. "My pup has been shy and hesitant for as lon gas I can remember. It's gotten worst as he's aged. He does not do well with others, and I fear he may strive to become a Nameless Dragon if this is left unchecked."
'Nonstandard injury then, perhaps a personality flaw? Is he physically different from others in the clutch, or did he experience any injuries or accidents in or around the hatching process?'
"He is an only child, and no injuries," Is the reply you get.
'Interesting. What is a Nameless Dragon?'
"A dragon that forsakes its name for secrecy and protections. It is characterized by paranoia," The mother dragon says, drooping a bit. "It is a mental defect, even if it offers power."
"I know a bit about this, as it came up in my research on spellcatching and spellhoarding. Kascha knows quite a bit about this too. It's a type of psychosis. It's like being stuck in a loop of depression, only fear. At a certain point, it'll go beyond shying away from others. He may give up his name entirely in an effort to erase all knowledge of himself from the world. It may even progress to the point where tries to kill those who do know his name."
'Well then. That's certainly not something we want for him if we can avoid it. Let me have a look at him, then.' Tryll manifests Psychic Chirurgery and has a looky-loo!
K:Psi or Heal check, whichever is higher. Also, the Heal check's marginally easier.
Let's not talk about I don't have Heal as a class skill.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 2 + 42, total 44[/blockquote]
Ah. A mental deformation in his brain, an injury extending to his very essence. An inability to process the world, damage that results in him being fearful and paranoid. Seclusion and retreat is the only answer to him.
Fortunately, you should be able to fix it.
Well. No time like the present to move those bits around and back into their proper place! Tryll is all for chaos, but a physically chaotic mind leads to unpleasant results! He'll just make a few necessary adjustments to ensure the whelp's future is not filled with paranoia and isolation. Move this lobe under the other lobe, like so, make sure the blood vessels don't explode, head off that nasty stroke brewing in a few hundred years, and...
Need any other rolls?
The power ends in a split second, Tryll's work done. Surraruthru sees the wyrmling stir as it finishes, a twitch but nothing more.
"Is it done?" The wyrmling's mother asks.
'Yes.' Calleigh nudges the wyrmling, poking it on the snout, 'There was an abnormality in his mind. Not a wound or injury, but rather a defect that he was born with. An accident of birth, as the phrase goes. Unlikely to be anyone's fault, and I believe it is somewhat rare in dragons. Either way, I have corrected the issue. Before, he was unable to process stimuli. This naturally made him fearful and suspicious. As he developed, this issue would have become more pronounced as it influenced his behavior. I have repaired the underlying issue, though I have not altered his personality. Such a thing is within my ability to do, but should not be undertaken lightly. Especially upon a child. He is young, yet, and without his disability he will have little trouble adapting to the world around him. I would encourage you to be patient with him, as he will need to relearn how to interact with others. He will not fully recover on his own, unless he is especially hardy. He will need support, though he will likely not become a Nameless. If you notice any strange behaviors or issues, please contact me immediately. While I believe that I corrected the issue and I am quite skilled with the mind, I am by no means perfect. The mind is a labyrinthine place at the best of times, and it can be vexing even to those who study it exclusively. In addition, if you have further children, I would recommend bringing them to me immediately if they begin to exhibit odd behaviors. There, now. Do you have questions?'
"No, none." The faerie dragon replies, "Such wonder in this place. The works of man are not supposed to be so elaborate."
Surraruthru chuckles.
"I think quite a bit of this place is beyond the works of man. Not gods... Not yet... But certainly beyond mortals. You are welcome to stay here until your pup recovers for both conveniences and for exposure to multiple types of creatures and dragons. Hope and I are not the only dragons here."
"Also, he's not a man!" Calleigh says helpfully. "He's a big ol' skysquid!"
Okay, this is winding down. Next moves, both of you?
Memory crystal and Seira/Waukeen.
Right, I'm gonna punt you over to another threat and let Tryll keep this one, since you replied first.
QuoteLet's examine our plans again.
Right now, we're looking into finding additional components for the familiar ritual.
-Timelessness
-Water
-Chaos
-Humor
-Color
Timelessness we've got.
Water is our current conundrum.
Chaos can be extracted from Limbo, likely without too much trouble. We have anarchs.
Humor is ???
Color is an essence we can obtain from Renbuu. We owe him a visit anyway from way back when we first picked up Hamogan.
I'd like to put Water off for a bit, I need to decide if risking dealing with Calleigh's interactions with the Padisha is worth the reward, or if there is another source we can tap.
I'd like to look into the work in Limbo right now.
However, I believe that Iddy is interested in getting my help with something, so I think hanging out a bit would be prudent.
That being said, let's go find Renbuu. Also, see if anybody wants or needs to go to Limbo for anything.
Also, Calleigh will leave a note in Moore's room specifically thanking him for acquiring precisely 70,000 cubic feet (no more, no less) of adamantine, he's so great.
Cool.
Why the note, though? It seems meta-gamey since you don't know he's gotten all that yet.
It might also be wise to wait briefly for Moore to return, if you want to consult with an anarch or have him help you for this, but that's up to the two of you, since I know time differences are a thing.
It's more Calleigh trolling Moore, as I believe we knew he was going, but not when he'd be back. We don't necessarily know he's been successful, but either way his reaction would be amusing.
Okay, no one really needs to go to Limbo right now, though if you wanna ask around you could likely drum up some help, or if you have specific people in mind, you could ask them. Barring that you could go alone, it's really your choice.
Let's see how busy Moonlight and Rosa are!
Moonlight is found practicing. Her red hair is tied back and sweaty, her mace in hand as she constantly pummels a training tummy. She's battering it apart methodically, blow after blow cracking it.
"Limbo?" Moonlight says, pausing and wiping her brow clean with the back of her arm. "I can spare some training time, but you're bringing lunch, right?"
"You mean you don't eat slaad?" Calleigh asks innocently.
"Not unless I really like that one," Moonlight retorts, hanging her mace on her belt. "Give me a little bit to get cleaned up."
"But they're just lettuce!"
Moonlight laughs a bit, going off to get cleaned up.
From there you find Rosa in the library, head bowed as she reads a book. Her attention is focused on it seemingly, no reaction to Calleigh as she flies up.
Calleigh lands on her shoulder and puts an arm over Rosa's ear lobe.
Rosa smoothly looks up, "Calleigh, Tryll. Have you come to read about the Triune?"
"You mean the big flying squidmonstergod that created Tryll's people?"
"No, I mean Angharradh, the Triune." Rosa closes the book, "The Three that are One."
"Ohhhhhhhhhhh. Nope. We're going to Limbo and wanted to know if you wanted to come!"
"The realm of pure chaos? Why?" Rosa asks, holding the book up. It flies out of her hand and back to the shelf. "It is always a dangerous trip."
"We need raw chaos stuff and raw color stuff for a ritual, and we have an invitation from Renbuu from a long time ago that we should really probably see to before everything gets nuts so we were gonna go to Limbo to see if we couldn't find stuff!"
"You seek Renbuu? I hope you know if he's in a good mood today," Rosa says, "I've heard stories of what happens when he isn't."
"Hopefully!" Calleigh replies, "And even if he's not, we'll probably be okay anyway. And we know how to cheer him up! I'm gonna buy him a cloak! He likes cloaks. And capes, too."
"This is madness, child," Rosa sighs out, a long breath out through her nose. "I would be remiss to let you do this without protection, so I will come with you."
"Well yeah! Course it's madness! Slaadses! They're all nuts! We know Renbuu though. He taught me a lot I know about art!"
"I see," Is all Rosa says, "I will be ready shortly. Are you leaving soon?"
"Yep!" Calleigh nods, "I gotta go buy a cloak, but yup!"
Okay, what's the purchase gonna be?
King's Cloak from Blazing Fashions for 10k.
Awesome, post the expense in loot.
Soon enough the four of you are together. Rosa's in her armor and ready, shield on her arm.
Moonlight's waiting nearby, studying the gate as she waits, "Oh, are you coming already," she calls.
"Yep yep! I wanted Rosa to join Team Awesome, and we need a gift in case he's in a bad mood!" Calleigh replies.
"Well, let's go then," Moonlight says.
Aiming for any particular 'part' of Limbo, for as much as that matters, or just diving in?
Does Renbuu have a 'part'?
He has a domain of sorts but he sometimes moves it or rebuilds it randomly. Finding Renbuu is an art, not a science. Magic helps a lot.
Divination it is!
The actual spell, just to be clear?
Yep.
Okay, pose your exact question and post the expense in loot.
Where in Limbo is Renbuu right now?
Your answer is thus: Seek the Colored Arches.
rolling K:P wtf r those[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+49 : 10 + 49, total 59[/blockquote]
The Colored Arches are a semi-stable part of Limbo that Renbuu created long ago. They're all forms of things forged into arches and painted however Renbuu wishes. He generally views these as one of his successes and sometimes visits them. This isn't common, but perhaps it is common now.
'Indeed!' Renbuu's voice is heard in Tryll's mind, 'Forsooth, for ten score and eleven meals later, you dare divine me! Come and account for yourself!'
That sounds like an invitation! "Let's go, then" Calleigh says.
We'll catch a Gate to that area of Limbo.
Color. A riot of colors, arches all around. Arches of stone, metal, plants, bricks, gold, wheat, fried fish and countless other things. They stand amid a quiet lull in Limbo, floating in midair seemingly for the sake of it. There's a considerable amount of noise coming from the north, though you can't quite see far enough to see what it is. Even with clearness, the visibility in Limbo is not great.
Noise is good! Let's go check that out!
As you get closer, you see it. Blue slaad after blue slaad kneels, more on their shoulders, froming a pyramid of hundreds of them. Each one has their mouth wide open, from which various sounds come out. One sounds like a blacksmith pounding a hammer, while the one next to him is birds chirping. It's an avalanche of sounds, all being lead by a death slaad in fancy noble's finery, waving a conductor's baton.
"Wow! This is really impressive!" Calleigh remarks.
Moonlight comes to a rather abrupt stop, staring. "Why are they...?"
Rosa frowns, hand on the grip of her longsword. "I feel the question with slaads is to ask why not, rather than why. Madness lies trying to understand them otherwise."
"Well yes, it is impressive, but why or why not?" Moonlight says, "Is this some art of Renbuu's?"
The slaad either don't notice you or are uncaring of your presence.
"It's really pretty!" Calleigh claps her hands, "Just great! Definitely Renbuu's influence! He must be around here somewhere! Let's look around! Also, not interrupt the professionals."
> roll 1d100 slaad reaction higher the worse
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 31 > [d100=31]
As you say that, the conductor death slaad turns to you and clears his throat, "Chapter 498. When the courre and her strange companions approached me, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. Nothing good happens around women, and women were plentiful here. The courre was a classic eladrin beauty, all wild grace and elven features, like a bit of the forest put inside of a body. The elf, though? Damn. Mr. Elf Daddy must have been on a roll that day, because she is gorgeous. I would love to squeeze entire melodies out on her bosom, while her inkpot would forever wet my quill with her ink. There was also a human there, but she was ugly and boring."
Moonlight flushes deeply and growls - literally, like an animal, "The hell was that? I'm ugly?!"
Rosa's eyes narrow, "Did you just imply..."
"I was probably lucky that the human couldn't get two words out coherently, because it sounded like nagging bullshit. The elf said sweet nothings to me and acted shocked, like her people weren't one step behind dragons in knowing how it is done. Just my luck I'd run into one of the ones who pretends that she isn't hungry, because her hair reminds me of meat. Good beef not yet cooked, the way it should look after it's lightly grilled. She's like a cut of properly cooked beef, a thin layer of elven beauty around a soft, tasty elven core."
Calleigh raises her tiny fist and shakes a finger at the slaad, "None of that, conductor! Just cause you're a death slaad doesn't mean there won't be tentacles if you're not nice! Also, if you could skip to the chapter where you tell us where to find master Renbuu, that'd be great!"
"Then the courre got into it. Courre, they're like blueberries that talk back. It's been too long since I've had blueberries, but nevermind that." The death slaad holds his hand out, a handful of blueberries appearing. He pops them into his mouth and keeps chewing, as his left arm has simply had enough. It falls off at the shoulder, hitting the ground. A new arm regrows as the old one grows into another death slaad in moments, then picks up where the other left off.
"So there I was, dealing with that courre. They wanted Renbuu, of course. They all do. It's all about color, always is. These ladies may look noble, but they want Renbuu's color. The courre's no mystery there, she has chaos in her blood. The elf and the annoying human are probably flunkies along with the road, her ugly bruiser and her beautiful charmer. Not sure where the tentacles fit into it. So I told them Renbuu was ahead and working on performance art."
Calleigh slings a gold coin into the air at the slaad's clone. "Thanks!"
"You go." Moonlight says, voice cold. "I will not be a part of your delusions to insult like a tavern whore!"
Moonlight draws her mace, "Rot in the darkest, dampest hole of Hell you can find, slaad. I challenge you. Both of you."
Rosa frowns at this, "Moonlight, be care-" she begins.
> roll 1d100
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 80 > [d100=80]
The twin slaad stare at Moonlight, before exchanging mutual shrugs and going back to conducting the orchestra of slaad.
"Um? Girls? They're slaads. Slaads. Let it go?" Calleigh placates.
'Everything they do is an attempt to cause more chaos. You're playing into what they want.' Tryll sends to Rosa and Moonlight.
Diplo check, Tryll and Calleigh. Moonlight is pissed.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 19 + 42, total 61[/blockquote]
Something in that must have been the magic word, because Moonlight spins on her heel and flies off, not saying a single other word about it.
Calleigh claps her hands once, "Alright then! Let's move!"
Rosa follows, "Moonlight, caution. Your guard is weakest when you are the most angry."
Moonlight doesn't dignify that with a reply, flying along.
Ahead you fly. Soon you come on another thing - a single githzerai, sitting in meditation. He wears a monk's simple clothes and rests under an arch of solid, rusted iron.
"Besides, you're not ugly." Calleigh says, "It's just a slaad tryin'a rile you up! Give you some more chaos. In its own stupid way."
Moonlight finally stops, "Of course I'm not. That stupid frog spawn is clearly delusional!" Her voice is tight, tense.
"Well ya, it's a slaad. Most of 'em are nutsy."
"Exactly! There's no contest, thinking the prettiest of us is the ugliest," Moonlight grouses, "I've spent centuries getting down the warrior princess look to perfection!"
Rosa's frown returns in force, "I see vanity continues to lead to foolishness. I am an elf made in the Elf-Father's image, therefore you are wrong about being the most beautiful. Not to mention foolish for letting down your guard in a place like this."
"Um."
"Oh here we go," Moonlight rolls her eyes, a hand on her hip. Her other hand waves, gesturing at Rosa. "Oh, elven arrogance, the perfect partner to elven ego and elven beauty. Nice lips by the way, I'm sure you get them that way by kissing your mirror all the time."
Rosa's eyes narrow anew, a soft clang of armor as she steps forward, "Ah, jealousy smells ever so miserable, does it not? Especially when you marinade in it, like a second suit of armor."
"Um? Girls?" Calleigh states.
"Jealousy?!" Moonlight glares daggers at Rosa - one can imagine almost literally. "I'm jealous of you?! The only way I could possibly be jealous of you is of your free time, since you have no lover or husband to take care of."
Rosa returns the glare, biting off an unkind world in Elven before adding, "I merely abstain so that I may better serve. You? You have eternity and yet you have your palm and your fantasies, because I don't see anyone keeping you company."
At this point the two are just glaring at each other, shooting figurative death at one another.
Throughout this, the githyanki nearby continues to meditate, seemingly uncaring.
Tryll manifests as a tall, barrel-chested man with a lantern jaw. From his head flow silken and curly locks of neon-orange hair, which frames a stubble-covered cave with a hawkish nose. A luxurious pointed beard twists into a single curl just above a massive set of very hairy breasts. Said breasts are squished together by equally-hairy and tremendously muscular arms. Veins bulge along chiseled abs. A voice like purple thunder and sweet lime ketchup echoes in the heads of all as Tryll broadcasts,
'I AM THE PRETTIEST ONE OF ALL. WORSHIP ME AS YOUR NEW GOD.'
Calleigh's face falls forward into her palms.
Both ladies whirl and stare, Rosa gasping and Moonlight quickly looking away.
If nothing else, they aren't arguing anymore.
Tryll flexes, making everything better (worse?).
"Okay. You're not allowed to use that anymore. Even if it works. Can we please just...?" Calleigh looks at Moonlight and Rosa, "We're all friends here. No fighting! We have devils to fight! Tyranny! Bad juju!"
Moonlight shakes her head, looking away from Tryll. "...Let's just get going," she says, hurrying along.
Rosa also looks away, "What in...yes, let's get moving," she concurs.
Calleigh eyes the gith, "You got anything to say?"
The githzerai opens his eyes and rises like smoke wafting from a campfire. 'You are disturbing my meditation. Please be silent."
"Well said! Let's leave!"
Make a Spot check, Tryll.
<Serith> Reflecting_Meditant roll for Serith < 45 > [d20=9]
As you fly ahead, you see it. A vast array of rainbows, half finished. Slaad of every color march to them, leaping into them and transforming into pure color, joining the rainbows.
"This looks right!" Calleigh says, flying on toward the rainbows, "Renbuu must be nearby!"
"Yeah, let's go ahead and get this over with," Moonlight agrees, face drawn in a faint grimace.
As you fly ahead, you see it. A throne of rainbows held on the backs of dozens of multicolored slaad, a great platform for the throne to rest on. Here sits a slaad taller than Hanna and with fine, refined features. His eyes are a clear blue that resembles the sky - no, they're a pale green that reminds you of a leaf semi transparent in the sunlight - no, they're a vibrant red the color of tomatoes - you look away.
The figure is dressed in finery befitting a noble prince - fancy cape, rich doublet, hose, fine boots and jewelry. He sips from a purple and green skull, the liquid within glowing with all the colors of the rainbow. He takes a long drink from it and puts it down, "Miscreants and heroes, forces of Aurora and dysphoric aboleth! You have the audacity of red to divine me so openly. Though the one that smells of the sun and fury is a fair tribute. Fair maiden, I demand a lock of your hair, for that is a red I will use in the future!"
I'm making assumptions about Moonlight's appearance here in that I'm assuming Renbuu is referring to Moonlight, because I can't find her original description. Also it's not on her sheet. Also there are no character photos.
MEANINGFUL GLARE.
Calleigh does not look away, because colors! Also, she's done this before. She grins and waves, "Hi, Great Teacher Renbuu!"
To Moonlight, privately, Tryll sends, 'It's not a bad idea to humor him. Renbuu is as close to an ally of Aurora as a slaad lord can get. It's probable that he'll distill it down to a pigment and use it in some sort of artwork. Unlikely to truly affect you in any way, and appeasing a slaad lord doesn't get much cheaper.'
But I'm a cute and innocent DM! Don't be mean.
Moonlight doesn't show it, but to you she simply sighs. Then aloud she speaks, "Very well, you will have it." She draws a simple knife, grimaces and cut off a lock of hair. It then appears in Renbuu's hand, just like that.
> roll 1d100 slaad
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 slaad --> [ 1d100=42 ]{42}
> roll 1d20+105
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+105 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{115}[/i]
Renbuu takes the hair, a knife in hand. He begins to finely chop it up, smooshing it together as he does. He condenses the hair into a small ball, one that grows steadily larger as he chops it up. Divide and combine, each time more, more and more in place of less. Soon enough he holds a red ball the size of a human's head in one hand. Renbuu then leans in, studying the ball intensely.
"We also brought you a cloak to apologize for being late!" Calleigh helpfully adds.
> roll 1d100 slaad
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 slaad --> [ 1d100=24 ]{24}
8*3 is 24. Luck is on your side.
Renbuu pokes the ball a few more times, "Splendid!" he announces, the ball slowly becoming a rich red cloak, "I dub you Moonlight's Muse." He snaps his fingers, the cloak settling on Moonlight's shoulders. "Inspire her craft to greater heights!"
Moonlight startles at this, "Um...thank you." she says after an awkward moment.
"Yes. Now you have a splendid cloak of your own? I am hungry, present it to me." Renbuu says.
Calleigh pulls the King's Cloak from her pouch and tosses it into the air. Tryll's power catches it there and fans it out gloriously. "It's a cloak made by an azer! It'll never burn!"
> roll 1d100 slaad
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 slaad --> [ 1d100=83 ]{83}
Renbuu snaps his fingers, the cloak flying towards him. He devours it in several bites and then, "An ashy start with a surprisingly full bodied and robust spice note once you get past that. A bold entree, but something of a mistake here as a first course."
Renbuu then hacks the cloak right back up, as if it was never eaten. He lays it on his throne and says, "Now, your request?"
I'm making assumptions about how common the knowledge of this is! Yay!
"You remember helping the guys with Aurora with Baleruk, right?" Calleigh asks.
"Baleruk!" Renbuu declares, "A fine piece of art! Never in my days have I been so proud of a rainbow. I recall it well."
"Yep, he's pretty awesome! Well, he's been helping the Aurora with a bunch of stuff. Eating other dragons and stomping devils and other nasty stuff. I dunno if they ever told you, but the original goal of the folks on Aurora is to free their home prime from tyranny. See, devils invaded the plane while it was in the middle of a golden age and basically enslaved or killed everything. There's so much evil lawfulness that Bel himself was recently able to set foot on the plane and not have it shake apart into little bitty pieces. You might have even heard about it. But! That started the clock, and now if we don't stop them real super soon, the plane is gonna slide into Hell forever and tyranny will win and we can't let that happen because tyranny is awful awful lawful nonsense and everyone knows that freedom and proper chaos is best for all great things to be as best as they can be and so we need help!" Deep breath. "They've got devils that think they can perfect law to control destiny and all sorts of other stuff and worst of all they're sorta right 'cause they're doing it and we've gotta stop 'em 'cause that's what we do! We're trying to be paragons, but we need stuff for the ritual. Specificically, we need a small portion of essence of color for me, and two portions of raw chaos for both of us."
"Plus, the colors in Lifasa right now are super gross. Just dull and ugly and bland and gross. Not fun at all. Like spoiled paints, and not even in a fun way. Lots of grays and oppression." Calleigh makes a face. "We gotta fix it."
> roll 1d100 slaad
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 slaad --> [ 1d100=33 ]{33}
"WHAT?!" Renbuu gasps, "You lie! You lie! Aurora's colors are ugly, bland and boring? I WILL NOT TOLERATE THIS!" Renbuu sweeps his arm out, "To Aurora! THERE IS ART TO BE DONE!"
"Well that's not quite what I said but okey-dokey!" Calleigh is ever-cheerful, "Aurora's colors are good. Mostly. It's Lifasa's colors that are dying."
"But you should still come! Baleruk would be happy to see you! Probably! As happy as he gets, anyway!"
Rosa and Moonlight exchange a glance, while Renbuu declares, "Open the portal!" he commands you.
Calleigh opens the portal!
Well here we go. New topic incoming.