1) The crystal tree and grove being claimed as his.
Just going start from the top with you. Say so if this is a problem since your stuff may be interlinked more than I realize.
"Surru."
Kascha is dressed for battle, just in case, standing as you finish checking over your hoard. "Are you ready? Also, I have something for you."
Spells renewed? Assuming a new day, but don't think it was ever specifically stated.
"I am. Thank you for coming. I think we'll have to do something to attune you to the Grove so the locals don't avoid you. When we get locals. What is it you have?"
It is and was, yes. Full spells.
Kascha takes it out - a leather bound tome. "An enemy spellbook," she says, "I think you'd like it, wouldn't you?"
"Well, well, well. Most suitable indeed. Once I establish the Grove, I'm going to work on a library. This will be a welcome first contribution. It'll have a special place. Thank you. And in return, you'll have free access to both the Grove and Library. Your descendents too. As long as they present themselves for evaluation."
Kascha laughs as she passes it over, "Yes, yes. If for no other reason than you don't make it too big a mess."
"Says the woman who spills food everywhere like a savage."
Surraruthru smirks as he heads out.
Warm and happy arguing follows as...
Where are you heading?
Crystal tree/Grove. Can portal there if need be, or whatever.
Deep in Lifasa there are no signs of Gar Malleos. No sign of the devils, the fire or the ice that opposed you before. Now it is simply Lifasa as you fly down. You find your tree waiting for you, having expanded into a large, fully grown tree. It pulses with energy in the same beat as the power of Lifasa pulses through you. Crystalline growths of every color fill the cavern, a rainbow strobing of various lights and colors.
"Excellent. It's taken firm root. Let me inspect it and then we can survey the area. Need to find suitable areas for the hydras."
Surraruthru inspects the tree, trying to figure out what effects and special properties it might have.
Spellcraft. Also refresh me on your aims here so I'm clear on them.
Spellcraft:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+57 : 7 + 57, total 64[/blockquote]
Goal is to establish ownership and find suitable areas for a den/hoard, and for the hydras. Also going to have to set up a bunch of protections, but that's sorta background stuff. At some point, after I figure the demi-plane out, I'll set up a connection between the Grove and it. After that, move the hydras here and see if that other faerie dragon wants a place here. Rosen-something, got it in notes at home.
It looks to be connected to Lifasa's life energy directly, giving it a tremendous amount of power. It should give it a great deal of power over the terrain as well as being something to help fuel magic, used reasonably and wisely.
"Interesting. It can exert control over the local area, and be used to provide power. We'll survey the area for the most suitable areas for the hydras and then I'll figure out how to maximize those areas for them. I think I'll also tie the protective spells into the tree... Probably the cafeteria spell as well. In a limited fashion, maybe. I don't want to infringe on the natural cycle too much, but I don't want the hydras to eat me out of house and grove, either."
Kascha nods slowly, "Hmm...yes, yes," she says, "I see how you could do that. Some magic for renovations around the energy and this should work. It's a magically potent place and a ley line as well."
"Yes. A perfect place to den for me. Perhaps I'll look into having some Earth Elementals hollow out a cave system under the tree. I think the crystal roots winding through the walls would look excellent. Let us survey the area quickly and figure out the changes needed. Once we finish here and get the hydras moving, we can head to the Cauldron."
I dunno how much in detail you wanna go into this. Basically, the plan is to just fly around and find areas that are suitably close to the tree to make icy and firey for the hydras.
That's fine and is frankly offscreen bait, since you're not in the remotest bit of danger unless you do something jaw droppingly stupid. Going to move the hydras in right away?
I assume you're going to handwave their massive appetites destroying the eco-system? If not, then I need to do whatever rolls to copy the magic from the cafeteria over to provide fooding. Outside of that, yes, relocate them to the Grove, ask Rosenathuan if she wants to move to the Grove, then hit Cauldron.
With your level of magical mastery, the ley lines and tree as well as Aurora support? Setting up a food source for them isn't a huge deal. I assume it will take some money, but I'm not worrying about it too much in the epilogue as long as it isn't excessive*, and I don't feel this would be excessive.
*Or for gear, since it's possible these characters could ride again. Crazy catch all time.
You find your fellow dragon with Arrel, the two sunning in Aurora's courtyard and deep in a private conversation. You catch a bit as you approach, "And then, General Ithea..."
Surraruthru strides up, listening to the story instead of interrupting, but making his presence known.
"Ah!" Rosenathuan interrupts, both dragons turning. "Surraruthru." Fluttering up, "How is your grove?"
"Excellent indeed. Everything I hoped for. The Hydras are moving there now. I was going to ask if you would like to go there as well. How's your pup doing?"
"Better," Rosenathaun replies then, "Yes, I would like that. I think I would like that very much, Surraruthru."
Surraruthru nods.
"I will likely be claiming a den under or near the tree. The Hydras have their own areas as well. You can claim what territory you want, but understand the Grove is mine."
"It is yours," Rosenathuan says with no resistance, no posturing, just a submissive bow of her head.
Surraruthru nods.
"Then make yourself welcome and comfortable. If you need anything specific, do not hesitate to ask. The magic of the area can be used to make changes to the land, but I'd like to keep those from being significant, to keep the wildlife comfortable as well."
A nod and..
Okay, I think that about covers the on screen grove stuff for now. What's your next move, the Cauldron visit and demiplane?
Pretty much. Report in, see what's what, get the demi-plane figured out and connected to the Grove, figure out a spell that'll copy the library of Aurora into my demi-plane. I imagine Seira will have something to say and probably work for me to do, which will likely be the 'and thus he spent his days' kick. I've got some ideas on the demi-plane and grove to work with the tapestry, too, but that's a bunch of off-screen stuff.
Your trip to the Cauldron is a peaceful one. The menaces of the Astral Plane do not bother you this time and soon enough you're there. You find an honor guard of elementals waiting for you, the lead one bowing, "Congratulations," it rumbles, a large and blocky earth elemental. "Your return has been anticipated. Come with us."
"Thank you. I imagine congratulations are due you and yours as well. At least some of you must have been fighting."
Surraruthru falls into step with them... As best he can in his dragon form, at least.
Just checking, but Kascha is here too?
Yes, she is. Does it impact your actions?
nope
Kascha follows along, "Are we being seen by Amaryl or Seira?"
"Lady Amaryl will see you," The elemental says, "Come with us."
From here you are lead on a slow march through the Cauldron, cheers and adoration as you go through. The military of the Cauldron is out, forming around you for an impromptu parade, putting you firmly in the center of attention as you head on down.
Surraruthru takes it in stride. After all, he is a dragon, and adoration is a natural part of that.
"How did the Cauldron forces fare? We heard some reports but nothing detailed."
"Well enough," The elemental says, shortly. "Ask Lady Amaryl."
Surraruthru nods and continues on.
The two of you meet Lady Amaryl, greetings exchanged as you have a seat "Congratulations again," she offers, "Our battle with Bel was fierce, but we triumphed. How was yours against the Duke of Destiny?"
"Surprisingly easier than expected. I imagine that was due to our efforts on multiple fronts and the erosion of Bel's support. He had a few troublesome spells, but I was able to strip enough of them away to leave him vulnerable to Jaela and 21."
An agreeable nod, a pause to sip her cup of tea. "Superb work. Creation is better off without him there. Now..." A moment's pause, teacup placed down, "Self congratulations aside, you have business here?"
"A bit. I thought it'd be a good time to check in and see if there was anything else for me. Kascha also made great contributions in the war. I've secured my Grove, but I'm also interested in establishing my own demi-plane. I thought I should check in and see if there were other duties Seira wanted me to complete before I disappeared into those things."
"There are, but they can wait," Amaryl says, "You've earned a chance to pursue your own deeds before calling on you again. Dragons have no need of unseemly haste."
Surraruthru nods.
"In that case, could I ask for assistance with the demi-plane?"
"Of course. What do you need?" Amaryl asks.
"Normally when a demi-plane is created, it is small and barren. I would like to move past those things; I would like the Hydras to have a space there and I plan to create my own library. I plan to create my own magical mansion and servants. I have ideas for a spell that will connect me to the library and any book I read will be reproduced, and with magical servants to reference and pass knowledge to me as needed. I'd like there to build it into a Forrest and plains exo system with life in it. I know these things are possible, but require an amount of energy I lack."
"We'll help," Amaryl agrees and...
The finer nuts and bolts of it don't need to be gone into, as noted before. Do you have anything else to add here about this?
Nah, not really. Primarily checking in for myself and Kascha to see if there were any rewards or work.
The reward is the demiplane help, and work are hooks, so that one's knocked out. Anything else you need to do? Most of your todos are done or offscreen stuff.
Not really. The only other loose ends I have are mechanical/spell wrap ups and super minor RP stuff like getting teachers for the Hydras and helping whoever else needs it with their wrap up.
I may have a bit more for you later, but for now I'm wrapping you up.
In case this is Surru's last topic - thank you, Surru. You've been great.