Chapter 3: Stabbin' Westward

Hearing the voice in her head, Cordial turns to look back at Mar'i. He raises an eyebrow and tips his head to the side slightly, and Cordial nods almost imperceptibly in return.

"She's a beautiful beast and your bond with her is admirable, perfect for training these soldiers. I am always filled with wonder at the coolness of their scales to the touch, with such heat inside. I hope that after the battle, you may allow me to help heal her. My companions are worthy opponents for her."

(Persuasion +3)
(Casting guidance on myself to add 1d4 to my roll)

The member 'downwarddawn' has done the following action : Dices roll

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#1 'd20' : 10

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#2 'd4' : 4

(OOC: Thank goodness for guidance. That's a 17. Hope it's enough!)

[Yes, that Guidance-augmented roll of 10 + 4 + 3 will do it, both Mar'i and the militia soldiers are convinced. - DM]

You hear the murmur from the militia force, indicating their approval:

"Oooh, they are professionals..."
"I wonder if they're the ones that saved the town of Refuge..."
"Sounds legit, but that dragon's still gonna smash 'em like it did us..."

Mar'i speaks to the soldiers.


Mar'i: "You all better learn a thing or two from these fine folks, and be grateful they've taken time out of their travel schedule for what should be a special dragon battle!"

The archmage walks with you to the far end of the field, away from the resting dragon and the benched militia. You four stop with him just short of a glowing white line in the ground, which appears to border the perimeter of the training field.

"My windsoul ancestors must have heard my thoughts, to have sent you to me at such a time. I... the dragon, I mean, of course... need to make it authentic, so there will be no magical safeguards such as those I provide to these men and women in their sessions... but that shouldn't matter, you all will do fine. Just remember as a immature 'green dragon', I'm going to 'play with my food' a bit."

He steps away from you, and begins to walk back to the benches. "Cross the barrier when you're ready, and the dragon will begin its attack."

<map under construction>

The party now stands at the opposite end of the training grounds, a symmetrical grassy area with no shrubbery or cover to obscure the view. As you look down to the other end of the field, you see that the dragon has risen from its rest and closed distance with you, standing peacefully around 100 feet from your position. It bears its fangs and digs its claws into the ground, holding position; this would be unusual to any casual observer, the seemingly honorable behavior of a feral, untamed death monster, except you notice Mar'i to the right of the arena, arms outstretched and staff pointed at the dragon. He appears to be holding the beast at the ready, awaiting the party's next moves.

The magical border at the party's feet continues to pulse with wild energies, in sync with the arch mage's skin.

Cordial estimates that she and her companions are far enough from the trainees that she can speak to her group in slightly more than a whisper. She tells them what she knows of the situation with Mar'i and the dragon, "I am not certain of the magic he is using to create and maintain the dragon, but it seems he wants the simulation to be as realistic as possible so I would have to say its defenses and attacks will be modeled on a real dragon."

She asks Ezythyr, "how do you suggest we approach this fight?"

"Carefully. Any foe is goin' to be unpredictable. So I suggest we stay on our toes until we understand it a bit more." He leans over to the druid. "And save yer big spells for later. If we get inna pinch, they might just save our skins." He sighs. "A little more power and I could bring me uncle into the fight. I've got some bones for 'im in me pack."

Cordial looks quizzically down at the dwarf, unsure of his meaning. She studies his face and his clothing and armour more thoroughly than she has before now. He has treated her with kindness and generosity thus far and she hasn't put much thought into the source of his power, but this last comment of his doesn't sit quite right with her.

"Your uncle...?" she asks him, quietly. She hasn't fully committed herself to the question before it tumbles out of her mouth. Surely any discussion they need to have can wait until after they have tussled with the dragon. She scrunches up her face and shakes her head a couple of times, as if trying to erase the question and then focuses all her attention on the dragon, drawing her Staff of the Python.

Eledriar, uncharacteristically quiet during this exchange, turns her head to face the dragon, and she locks eyes with the mighty beast. Without breaking eye contact with it, she murmurs to the group, "I'm also curious about your uncle, but I think the time for questions may be later." She grins and begins to sing a gentle tune:

This beast we see, this drake we fight
Will surely tremble at our might

(OOC: I'd like to give a bardic inspiration die to Ezythyr - 1d6, add it to one ability check, attack roll, save, damage roll or add it to your AC against an attack)

OOC: Adding!

The crowd of onlookers are unseemingly quiet, waiting to see if this group of combatants is ready to fight this dragon that so handily defeated their group of ten. As the party steps toward the magical border, the Young Green Dragon appears to bow, before raising its head to the sky and roaring upward. It spreads its large clawed arms and wings out, as if to remind you that it is fully qualified to crush any opponent with sheer force alone.

[Roll initiative at this time, I will roll on behalf of the Young Green Dragon. - DM]

The member 'lord8track' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'd20' : 19

Initiative +3

The member 'Ezythyr Coalthane' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'd20' : 17

(OOC: nice job, Ezythyr! I can't believe you rolled higher than the dragon!)

Initiative +3

The member 'downwarddawn' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'd20' : 2

OOC: We'll we don't know it's bonus so I doubt I got higher. Also, be prepared for my dice karma. I'm due a whole lotta 1's.

(OOC: Initiative +3... also if dice karma is a thing, I'm due SO MANY 20s...)

The member 'galaxysedge' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'd20' : 17

Thokk has been playing with his sword hilt and watching everything play out. The idea of fighting a real-fake dragon leaves him unenthused, but then, isn't slaying dragons what being a paladin is supposed to be all about? He pulls out his blade.

Initiative +1

The member 'Mikegld561' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'd20' : 9

Ezythyr, feeling anxious to start the battle, bolts toward the dragon, ignoring his own wisdom. As he runs, scrapes his axe against his staff and send the sparks of arcane energy at the beast.

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OOC: Moving forward my full movement, 25 feet, and casting Magic Missile at the Dragon.

3d4 +3 Force Damage.

Ending my turn.