Hierophant of Chislev
Story Two
Chapter Twelve: The Battle at Mt. Thelalan
Southwest Ansalon
Southern Abanasinia
Merwellyn Forest (Dire Wood)
The Red Dragon Infernos, once a General of the Green Dragon Overlord Beryllinthranox, and a long-time ally of the Black Brood has broken with the other Dragons and has entered the fight with the Druid. He flies over the Forest and rains fire down catching some of the forest on fire. From his back, Twenty Draconians jump off and glide into the burning trees and make ready for combat.
Nebris readies himself as he and the Awakened Tree look up and see the Dragon ignite the treetops of the forest on fire. While he readies a summon Water Elemental spell, Draconians glide into the Forest. Immediately, the Awakened Trees rush the Draconians as invaders to the forest.
Nebris changes his spell and instead casts plant control and binds up the Draconians headed towards him.
The awakened trees stomp on any Draconian left, One Draconian gets past the Druid’s defenses and tackles Nebris and he has to fight for his life, The Draconian dies with his hands around Nebris’s throat. Turning to stone and crumpling to dust over him.
Nebris breathes heavily laying on his back, watching the tree tops burn. He casts the summon water elemental spell and the fires are put out.
South of Merwellyn
New Ports
The Roaring Griffon Inn
The Heroes of the Hour gather together, Karnea has memorized her spells, and the Priests have prayed for their spells. The plans are set.
The People going to the top of the Mountain.
Talidaar Hierophant of Chislev
Karnea Master of the Black Robe
Dominique Helmsman Holy Warrior of Kiri-Jolith Ergothian dark skin
Priest of Mishakal Susana Redgrove
Orexas/Porthios Kanan, wearing a Firebane Cloak
The party readies themselves, and then Karnea teleports the party to the west side of Mt. Thelalan
Eastern Qualinesti
The red moon of Lunitari is at High Sanction, and large up in the sky above. The Invisible Black Moon Nuitari has risen already as Karnea notes the moon's positions and what it means for her magic that night.
Karnea brings her cloak of the bat around her and turns into a bat and flies up and observes the summit where the Draconians are located and goes back down and returns to her human form. Karnea asks “If everybody is ready? I know where we can teleport to.”
Talidaar looks around at the different faces joining him. The two Priests from New Ports, Orexas/Porthios, and Karnea. They all indicate they are ready. Karnea teleports the Party to the summit.
The Aurak Draconian leader of the Black Brood, Lord Ortaz is flanked by his Bozak commanders, along with Doctor Cruyl. Behind them are Three Hundred Thirty-Two Baaz and Seventy Kapak Draconians. All veterans of the Greysword Wars.
Major Dellick appears on the side of the heroes. He has climbed the mountain to join this meeting.
The Party looks across the summit to their opponents. Talidaar steps forward. “I give you this opportunity to leave to leave. Take your war booty away with you and just go and leave these lands forever, and I will give you your lives. You have threatened me, my family, and my home, I am excising great restraint in this offer. My Black Robe friend thinks we should just kill you all where you stand. I am offering you a way out of this.”
Ortaz steps forward “Who are you to dictate to us? You have your daughter returned to you; you still live as the Sivaks have all deserted me.”
Major Rellick pleads with his former master to heed the Druid’s offer.
Ortaz tells his Bozaks to eliminate the Druid and his friends while he Dimension gates away. The Bozaks tell the Baaz and Kapaks “to ready yourselves, but hold fast until I order you to charge.
Karnea says, “I should have seen that coming, Be on edge he could return and be hidden with invisiblty.”
The Boazks launch magic missiles at the party
Orexas/Porthios nocks his arrow and says “I told you we should have attacked from the start.” He releases and buries an arrow into the jugular of the Bozak spell caster
Talidaar reaches into his bag and drawls forth very small seeds that he throws across the summit at the Draconians. The seeds come alive and grow and grow, tangling up Draconians as they fight to get away, the plants keep growing and growing, wrapping around the Draconians some are pulled apart.
Karnea observes Talidaar growing vines and approves but thinks it’s time to thin the herd. She casts the Death Spell. A 30x30 box of death turns dozens and dozens of Baaz into stone, moments later they crumble in dust.
Dominique Helmsman, the Holy Warrior of Kiri-Jolith ignites his blade with fire and readies for the fight, but asks “Why are they not attacking? Not all of the draconians are caught up in vines.”
Talidaar says “They are waiting for something, but what?”
Karnea casts Seven-eyes
The spell Seven-Eyes
This spell conjures into existence seven magical orbs that float above the caster’s head in a ring about 5 feet in diameter. The eyes remain for one round per level, or until the caster chooses to either expend the orb by using it in attack or defense. In addition, as long as at least one eye is still in existence, the caster gains 360° vision and can detect invisibility and detect phase at will, with a 60-foot range. The powers of each eye are described below. Eye of the Mind. This orb protects the caster against mental attack, charm, or influence, including charm, beguiling, hold, and emotion effects. The first such attack is negated by the orb and destroys it in turn. If the wizard desires, the eye of the mind can instead be used to charm person like the 1st-level wizard spell, although this also expends the orb. Eye of the Sword. This eye deflects the first physical attack that endangers the caster, including hand-held or missile attacks, and then disappears. The wizard can also employ the eye of the sword to create five magical blades that strike as magic missiles for 1d4+1 points of damage each. (Knockdown d6, medium (1 hit) impact) Eye of the Mage. One manifestation of raw energy, such as lightning, fire, force, cold, or a similar effect, is absorbed by the eye of the mage. The eye can also project a 60-foot long by 5-foot-wide lightning bolt that inflicts 4d8 damage (saving throw vs. spell for half damage) to all in its path. Either use expends the eye’s power. (Knockdown d12, large (1–3 hits) electricity) Eye of Venom. This eye can be used to halt any one attack or effect that could poison the caster. In the case of an attacker armed with an envenomed weapon, the caster may decide to expend either the eye of venom or the eye of swords in order to block the attack. The eye can also be used to poison one creature within 30 feet; the victim must make a saving throw vs. poison or die in one round. Eye of the Spirit. The first attack that affects the victim’s life energy, including energy drain, strength drain, cause wounds, trap the soul, magic jar, or death is parried by the eye of the spirit. The wizard may instead choose to expend the eye’s power by casting enervation (see the 4th-level wizard spell) upon one target within 30 feet. Eye of Artifice. This eye deflects and is destroyed by the first attack directed at the caster from a magical device. If the attack also takes a form that may be blocked by another eye (for example, the bolt from a wand of lightning) the caster may choose which eye is expended. If used to attack instead, the eye of artifice functions as a dispel magic cast at 8th level. Eye of Stone. This eye offers protection against the first attack that could petrify the caster and then vanishes. It can also be expended to cast hold person. Although any number of eyes can defend the wizard in the course of a single round, only one eye may be used to attack per round. When the caster uses an eye to attack, he may not cast a spell, attack physically, or employ another magical item in the same round; willing the eye to discharge its energies requires his complete concentration. Eye attacks are considered to have an initiative modifier of 1 or a speed of very fast in the Player’s Option: Combat & Tactics initiative system. The material component is seven blessed gemstones worth at least 50 gold pieces each.
Karnea says “nothing good”
Orexas/Porthios answers the question facing the party. “Dragon.”
Priest of Mishakal Susana Redgrove casts Protection from Fire on the Holy Warrior, the next round she casts on herself when the Elf and the Druid declines.
Moments later Karnea puts up a Prismatic Wall.
The Spell Prismatic Wall.
This spell enables the wizard to conjure a vertical, opaque wall--a shimmering, multicolored plane of light that protects him from all forms of attack. The wall flashes with all colors of the visible spectrum, seven of which have a distinct power and purpose. The wall is immobile, and the spellcaster can pass through the wall without harm. However, any creature with fewer than 8 Hit Dice that is within 20 feet of the wall and does not shield its vision is blinded for 2d4 rounds by the colors. Each color in the wall has a special effect. Each color can also be negated by a specific magical effect, but the colors must be negated in the precise order of the spectrum. The accompanying table shows the seven colors of the wall, the order in which they appear, their effects on creatures trying to attack the spellcaster, and the magic needed to negate each color. The wall's maximum proportions are 4 feet wide per level of experience of the caster and 2 feet high per level of experience. A prismatic wall spell cast to materialize in a space occupied by a creature is disrupted and the spell is wasted. Prismatic Wall Effects Color Order Effect of Color Spell Negated By Red 1st Stops nonmagical missiles--inflicts 20 points of damage, save for half cone of cold Orange 2nd Stops magical missiles--inflicts 40 points of damage, save for half gust of wind Yellow 3rd Stops poisons, gases, and petrification--inflicts 80 points of damage, save for half disintegrate Green 4th Stops breath weapons--save vs. poison or die; survivors suffer 20 points of damage passwall Blue 5th Stops location/detection and mental attacks--save vs. petrification or turn to stone magic missile Indigo 6th Stops magical spells--save vs. wand or go insane continual light Violet 7th Force field protection--save vs. spell or be sent to another plane dispel magic
The Red Dragon comes in and casts Darkness makes a swipe for Karana and she takes the form of a bat and flies above the Darkness.
The Dragon Infernos breathes fire down upon the party. Orexas/Porthios pulls in his firebane cloak and feels the heat wash over him. Moments come back to him of dying in flames, the skin sizzling. He will always he remember that which happened to him in the Sumer of Flame.
Dominique Helmsman Holy Warrior of Kiri-Jolith is protected from the fire
Along with Priestess of Mishakal Susana Redgrove with her Fire Protection.
Talidaar, who has walked on the cosmic rays of the Sun at the center of our sphere. He is a Hierophant of Chislev. The Elements are his to command. The flames lick around him but he is unharmed.
Karnea is still in Bat form and witnesses the Breath Weapon pour over their position.
Talidaar casts Continual Light and blasts open the Darkness, negating both effects.
The Draconians fire arrows at the wall to no avail. They cannot get through. They fear gliding off the mountain into the forest of what the Druid could do to them.
Orexas/Porthios Kanan tells Talidaar “Good job, but we still have to deal with that Dragon.”
Karnea lands on the Summit turns into her Human form and walks to the edge looking for the Dragon. “I intend to.” Karnea says determinedly.”
She is just trying to figure out how she is going to pull this off. She casts Paralyzing touch and stands there watching the Dragon. The others of the party ask how she intends to do that.”
Karnea watches the Dragon, how fast it is flying, and what is its airspeed?
Porthios has seen this Black Robe before. He has seen her teleport them around to a few different places. He asks her “Can she teleport on its back, in flight?”
Karnea looks at the Dragon, and how it's flying, not very fast, she considers this new idea and calls it “the ballsiest idea in the world.” And looks at Porthios in a new light. She has always felt his condemnation when they were ever in each other’s presence. But he’s right. It might be the only way, even if it is crazy.
Talidaar shakes his head and tells her “Good hunting.”
Karnea watches the Dragon and sees its back and she pulls her dagger and teleports-
The air violently whips over her and her robes steam around and Karnea realizes she might have miscalculated and is blown back over its back between the wings She drives her dagger between the scales and finds purchase and holds while getting her knees down on the back, on the scales, and her feet find edge to grips her toes in and digs in. Karnea breathes again and laughs. She lets go of the blade and grabs the Dragons back with her hands with Parlaying touch that was already activated on her hands onto the Dragon.
DM Note: Through a lot of Rules, the old 2e DMG, and all over the place in the Monster Manual, Infernos has a 5 Rating. An adult, 200 Years old. We rolled this all out. The Dragon failed his save.
Karnea sees the wings go rigid and sees they are no longer circling the mountain. She looks for a place to land so that she won’t get crushed by the Dragon. She teleports to a grassy meadow in Qualinesti. She watches as the rigid Dragon soars into the Qualinesti Forest, wrecking horribly. She takes note of the location.
The Party atop the Mountain Top can’t believe it worked. Porthios has a new respect for Karnea. He can’t believe she did it, and that it worked.
Talidaar casts Call Lighting. (It takes a Turn) A storm begins to form over the mountain.
Soon Karnea joins the party on the mountaintop, on their side of the summit. She gets congratulated by everyone, and even Porthios nods to her. It was certainly one of the most insane things she had ever done. Karnea tells them “It was invigorating, to say the least.” She sees what Talidaar is doing and holds her tongue.
The First bolt of lightning wipes out several Draconians, after the third blast, Karnea stops Talidaar and tells him to “offer terms again. They can’t win. We’ve taken out their Dragon, their leader abandoned them. They are checkmated.”
Talidaar agrees and steps forward and demands the surviving draconians to surrender, “and keep their lives.”
Broken and beaten. The Black Brood surrenders. Talidaar tells them “Forthwith they are to leave Abanasinia and do not make war here again, ever.”
Not with a bang, but a whimper, it is done.
A few things. Talidaar and Porthios tracked down the Aurak Ortaz. Talidaar ends up slaying Ortaz. They stand back as Ortaz dies a violent magical death.
For the good of his family.
He put Rellick in charge of the Brood and bid him to lead his people back to Teyr.
Karnea kills the Red Dragon Infernos. His wrecked and broken body was in no shape to put up a fight. A few Lightning Bolts and he is put out of his misery.
Karnea harvests several parts from the Dragon for spell components, along with a sizable amount of Dragonblood. Karnea has Talidaar get some for Lashia and Las. She takes its eyes, its talons, some scales, and that it. Loaded with souvenirs, she wonders where the Dragon’s lair is…
Karnea teleports the party back to New Ports. Where Porthios is reunited with his wife and her protector General Samar. The party has a drink to celebrate their victory. Talidaar invites Porthios and company to come to Merwellyn with him as his guests until Lashia and Damara get back, hopefully with Dragons. This perks up Karnea’s ear and asks what that is all about. Talidaar looks at her and says what are you doing the rest of the night? Why don’t you stay over as well? There are some things we should talk about. Karnea thinks of her souvenirs from the Dragon and says,
“I must beg off your company for the evening, but I will return to your Forest in the morning if that is convenient for you?”
Talidaar nods and says” Absolutely, I will make breakfast and will have the tea on when arrive. Thank you again Karnea, you made this night a complete and total victory. It might be one of the final cogs propping up the Goblin kingdom. This is a huge step in the fight for Qualinesti. Thank you for your help.”
Karnea says” Well, we all do what we can."
Porthios nods to Karnea as she passes and she nods to him back and walks outside and teleports back to Blood Sea Tower and deposits her spoils of war to her Laboratory.
Meanwhile, Talidaar catches a ride on Griffonback with Samar and the two Griffons fly to Merwellyn but he bids them land and he will calm the awakened trees.
He enters the forest to find that it has been attacked. He sees the bits of fire damage. He commends Nebris for defending the Forest. Talidaar calms the awakened trees to a little more relaxed state.
Talidaar gives the okay and his visitors join him at Dae Dyrnastaerynfalos. Porthios shakes Talidaar’s hand in the first brotherly handshake they have ever had. They have a drink together, with Alhana smiling and hugging them both and the scene fades.
End of Book Two
Look for Talidaar and Family to return in Hierophant of Chislev Book Three
