Zith Zinyra
Children
Related Reports
- S02E43. Laying it on in Leilon Report
- S03E13: Emberlost Report
- S03E14: Gol Badwind Report
- S03E17: Reunited Report
- S03E18: Dragons Gone Wild Report
- S03E21: Gnawbones Report
- S03E22: Rested Report
- S03E23: That Scratches the Ol' Lich Report
- S03E25 HOARDERS! Report
- S03E26 - This Party was a GAS! Report
- S03E28 - Mugshot Chimeras! Report
- S03E30 Iniarv's Keep Part 2 Report
- S03E31 - Iniarv's Part 3 Report
- S04E01 - Divine Contention Report
- S04E02 - Divine Contention Report
- S04E04 - Divine Contention Report
- S04E05 - Divine Contention Report
- S04E06 - Divine Contention Report
- S04E07 - Divine Contention Report
- S04E08 - Divine Contention Report
- S04E09 - Divine Contention Report
- S04E10 - Divine Contention Report
- S04E11 - Divine Contention Report
- S04E12 - Divine Contention Report
- S04E13 - Divine Contention Report
- S04E15 - Divine Contention Report
- S04E16 - Divine Contention Report
- S04E17 - Divine Contention Report
- S04E18 - Divine Contention Report
- S04E19 - Divine Contention Report
- S04E20 - Divine Contention Report
- S04E21 - Divine Contention - The Seige of Leilon Part the Last Report
- S04E23 - Divine Contention | Stormbreakers | Saviors of the Sword Coast | High Level D&D Actual Play Report
- S04E24 - Divine Contention | Stormbreakers | Saviors of the Sword Coast | High Level D&D Actual Play Report
- S04E25 - Divine Contention | Stormbreakers | Saviors of the Sword Coast | High Level D&D Actual Play Report
- S04E26 - Divine Contention | Stormbreakers | Saviors of the Sword Coast | High Level D&D Actual Play Report
- S04E27 - Divine Contention Report
- S04S22 - Divine Contention Report
Tick Tok not Tik Tok
She has it. That's it... tick tok. My time with these incredible friends is coming to an end. Maybe today, maybe tomorrow at the latest, next week. Sure, any number of things could go our way but more than likely, Ularan and Ebondeath with figure out the secret of the Ruinstone and start their Dark Reign along the coast and, eventually, throughout the realm. It's funny, I am not really scared of being erased from this chapter, in many ways it perfect as no one will remember me so no one will mourn or feel any guilt about letting it happen, as well they shouldn't.
We do need to do everything in our power to get to the Stone before they figure it out. Honestly, I was a bit surprised (and elated) that Lord NeverEmber sent help so fast. Both the Diviners and the Monk from Candlekeep. Its reassuring that the situation is being taken seriously by the most powerful people on the Coast; that does give me a glimmer of hope.
Getting to this foyer of Death was no easy feat. Rattie got zapped, Kanenas almost became a Dragon snack and either Hans or Franz (I keep getting them mixed up) came out a little worse for wear but nonetheless, here we are. We do know that there is a giant horde near Ebondeath's liar, I'm sure it's booby trapped to high heaven but dang it that money could get me some incredible pens, inks and scrolls. I'm getting ahead of myself though, we are about to do the bravest and by far stupidest thing we've ever done, at least since I've been around. We are about to take on the great ancient Gnawbone who has been possessed by an even older dracolich. And it's clear she knows we are here from Kanenas' swimming expedition and the lovely greeting we got right here in the foyer. We can't forget about the grenade and we can't forget what the kind Bronze dragon told us; we know Claugiyliamatar is in there somewhere, maybe at the right time, she can hear us.
We will drink our potions, buff ourselves up and all that but there isn't much that could level the playing field aside from some good old fashioned luck. During my mediations this AM I did foresee us putting up a very admirable fight but alas I could not see the end result...I fear that was for my own good.
Let's go get this done Stormbreakers!
Dragon Day
We are drowning in the unbelievable chaos of the moment. With no rest and running on fumes trying to fend off a multitude of threats we are barely hanging in there. Our resources and energy are sapped after fighting off the enchanting werebears to the North only to see her finally perch in the town and begin the devastation we've all feared. The townspeople are, understandably, running for their lives but the soldiers and guards, both from town and Neverwinter, are staying in this fight for the moment, thank the gods. We I first saw her land on the Tower, my heart sank thinking we'd be done for but then...but then... the mighty Swords of Leilon showed up as they have done for centuries! And even after all this time, they still had a surprise or two up their sleeve; the guardians of the Ruin Stone were joined by none other than Aubrey, the often inscrutable (and until now I would have added useless) shopkeeper from the curio in town. They bashed Ebondeath to the point of her spirit seeming rattled but then she turned on them and us, swiping them out of the fight temporarily as if flicking a fly off her wing. Then down came Ezra, he was flying and fighting bravely one moment then she dropped him right out of the sky. I assume he is severely injured if not outright dying. ... Ozus and I are running around the town barrier while I helped Kanenas, Ozus and Cassius take flight to try and help the Swords battle the infernal one. It's going to take a miracle (I think Ozus already rang up Casouth for guidance to no avail) to make it out of here. The strongest dragon I've ever seen is no match for us in this state...but potentially with some luck and the mighty Swords of Leilon, all is not lost yet.
nothing and nowhere
Well, at a crucial early juncture in this, supposedly foreseen by me, fight for Leilon I was not who I wanted to be. I played it safe, I played along, I played it "smart" and really didn't get much of anywhere. For all my visions, my actual critical thinking skills failed me after our first skirmish on the south wall. This is not just my soul and my existence on the line its literally the entire Sword Coast and potentially beyond. You need to not be careful Zith, you need to push your limits...though admittedly you are wearing down in this specific moment. Yes I haven't been badly injured yet and yes I've laid out some hits but this pace and this intentionality will not be enough to overcome this onslaught. I should have stuff with my original plan and maybe, though I would never want to let them down, maybe I have to follow my gut regardless of the pushback of my friends. We are family, even the new guy who makes me wish I took my combat training a bit more seriously... we are family but families disagree from time to time as we all know. I've never wanted to let anyone down less than I want to let this family down but I also need to be smarter and pick my battles. In hindsight they could have held that gate without me while I picked off some zombies who have surely been slashing their way through town on route to Thalivar's Tower. We'll have to see what mess we've created later...that gate has finally been breached and it's go time. I love the wall of blades that Ozus threw up, truly inspiring. Let's see if we can get out of here with enough left in the tank to take on whomever is next. We all are fearing the worst, Ebondeath, Nyx, Madame Stormsworn, or that blaspheme himself. Let's hope we can get to regroup before facing any of them.
Thankfully, the towns guard, the Lizard Folks (thank you Ozus, I thought you were wasting your time) and the few warriors we got from Neverwinter have fought admirably and I don't feel as alone as I did in my visions...maybe there is something to be hopeful for. Time will tell, literally minutes will tell.
This is it
This is it, this is the day I've foreseen, the day I've feared and the day I've anticipated more than any other since I joining up with the Stormbreakers. Ularan is must be near and if somehow we survive this invasion without letting the dead and the cultists overrun the town before the Neverwinter troops can dig in and get their bearings, we may get a chance at to rid this world once and for all of that pissbucket of a priest. I'm not going to lie, I think we barely held off the south front incursion before having to head north and we are worse for that wear. Their paralyzing bites almost killed our newest Stormbreaker just after joining up, poor Cassius must be wondering what the hell he's gotten into and how we've managed to stay alive all these weeks. It wasn't our best work but damnit I don't think we've ever encountered so many, so quick, in a fight quite like this. Thinking about the different ways we might slowly and painfully end Ularan Mortis immediately triggered my most horrible thought of the day...where the f**k is Ebondeath? I shudder to think what shape we'll be in by the time she shows up; gods please give us a day or so before that happens.
As for what to do... we are admittedly against tall odds, outmanned and fighting a battle on multiple fronts against seemingly infinite and utterly expendable forces with few magic users to help the soldiers beat back this invasion. I don't see another way we can slow them down without taking a chance and splitting up. As we are running to the North wall I am going to propose maybe the worst idea I've had in a while. I believe there are windows up top of the Tower of Lathander. I can head up there and do my best to beat back the horde while they deal with the cultists up North. Potentially I can take Cassius with me but for that to work he'd need to follow my directions to the tee and I don't know if he'd want to go down the road I'd propose with barely knowing me; it would be dangerous but potentially glorious. If not, no bother, he will be safe and of great help with the others; either way I'll tell him that if there are any Harpers here who could help us, it would be a blessing to rally them to our side; short of that, if there was any fancy secret Harper knowledge that could help us, now would be the time. If he couldn't come with me I would look for a familiar experienced soldier as we head north, anyone I can trust with at least moderate experience; Hazyorum would be perfect but anyone near his level of experience could do. Finally I would write a quick note asking our crew to help out any way they could with this all fronts attacked; I don't know if anything on the ship could help soften up the back of this line of the wharf but if not, we could just use some great fighters. I'd hand the note to Ollie and send him on his way with instructions to drop it and come right back to find me, probably at the tower.
This fight is truly up to the gods, may they grant us favor.
Soulless on the Sword Coast
Well... how do I even start. I'd say the day started off well, we met a fellow elf (drow but I won't hold that against her, I kinda always liked them) adventurer named Xoeamarra. She seems sufficiently pleasant and I think Kanny vouches for her, which was good enough for me. I do love her crazy accent and turns out, she's pretty damned good in a fight. Without question, meeting her has been the high point so far. I feel terrible that we immediately led her into such a complete and utter shit show.
Surprising pretty much no one, Gallio Elibro proved to be an unrepentant asshole until the very end. Burying all of our distrust and ill will, we decided to help him try to control these extra-planar monstrosities he was conjuring. He couldn't leave the god damned beacon alone and now, of course, he was in over his head... Or that's what we naively thought...ugh...it's times like this when I'd trade all my young brains for just a pinch of sagacity. How the hell would we even GUESS that conniving cockroach actually just wanted us to fight off those monsters so he could take a shot at the Ruinstone; the same one that killed Thalivar and destroyed this town once already.
The fight was, in fact, tough but everyone played their part to down those aliens. Constantly flipping back and forth between the Material and Ethereal planes was definitely a first for me but we managed ok. Then we found the son of a bitch...unconscious at the foot of the Ruinstone! Even more shockingly, we saw THEM; the Swords of Leilon themselves! Well, two of them at least; Augusta Krul and Ogri Ninebeards (I didn't ask them what happened to the 3rd, which we should probably before we leave)... this explains why we saw Augusta that one day on the perimeter of the Tower.
After pleasantries, they went on to tell us the story of why (and how) they were still there and shared some of the secrets of the Ruinstone. Unbelievable and horrible secrets along with credible information that Ularan, Ebonbeath and potentially others now know of its existence and will be actively searching for it. The stone could make Ularan & Ebondeath unstoppable and I knew I had to do everything possible to ensure that did not happen. They CANNOT under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES win; it could mean the end of the Sword Coast, our families, us, everything. I couldn't fathom my family and our friends subjugated, OR WORSE, by that demented necromancer. Though I have a good 900+ years left to go, I did the, heretofore, unfathomable. With family, friends and this motley crew in my thoughts and tears leaking out of my eyes I bound my young soul to that cursed gem. I have never been so terrified. I didn't think I had it in me, I don't think anyone has ever thought I had it in me...but there didn't seem to be another way out. Hopefully Augusta and Ogri can keep it safe long enough for us to get to Ularan... but if either of us fail, no one will remember I was ever here.
p.s. I also can't die. No way, no how. I must find more ways to protect myself. Study has kept me alive so far....hopefully study can take me the rest of the way.
p.p.s Turns out Gallio was nowhere near as powerful as I thoguht, I should have taken my shot when I had the chance. Maybe I wouldn't be in this impossible predicament if I did!
!!!ruuuunnnnnnnn!!!
Ruuuunnnnnn... well, that was my initial plan at least. I should have lobbied the team hard but so be it, they eventually came around. We are in the meat grinder and though collectively powerful, there are just too many of them. My one hope, that the zombie horde would be as much a threat to the Chimera Crew as us, sadly did not come to pass. My mighty magic wall did help a bit as did Ozus' fire wall but it's just not enough against their sheer numbers. Like what care does a zombie care about life preservation? I think we've learned exactly zero; right through the fire wall into Ezra's spirit soup with not a care in the world.
And now we have to see just how they react once we all get clear. Do they have it in them to leave the keep and come after us in the open? Do they hole back up and take pot shots from safety? Do they just let us go and wait our return? I also wonder how they are going to put the proverbial genie back in the bottle. They aren't threatened by them but we did see the scuffle the other day. Maybe those were rebels, or maybe there is some magic control going on here.
Whatever happens, we all need a rest, this was far more than we bargained for. I do blame myself, I was the one getting bored running from their archers. I wanted a fight, just not this one. I know we can take this Keep knowing what we know, but we definitely have no real shot in our current state.
The Long Road to Leilon
Well that was an inauspicious start. I don't know why I thought it would be any different as we headed to Leilon right through the Mere but lo and behold, we find out the hard way that the undead are getting tougher and stronger. Surely Ularan is behind this. As he gets stronger and more powerful, as his new pet Gnawbone gets stronger and more powerful it only makes sense that he will be able to put more dangerous foes on the battlefield. I really failed the team in this encounter again trying to be too clever by half. They need better of me if we are going to stand any chance of surviving this adventure. I have so many new abilities but when it comes right down to being useful to these guys, I can't look at it as a showcase opportunity as it could mean real trouble.
And what the hell with those asshole guards? First they ask for our help and like idiots we blindly oblige? Then they turn on us? Thank God they didn't do that while we were engaged with the zombies. But why? What would be their angle? No way they could have known about the horde we just risked our lives to pilfer...they just wanted to tangle with us for other reasons. Hmmm... I'm glad Kanny left the last guy alive, maybe we'll get some answers. Maybe they can be of some use or maybe they've seen where these specific undead came from. They were different than the others and I suspect they aren't the garden variety you'd find in the Mere.
I would search the dead guard and the live one's arms for distinguishing tattoos then sit back and watch the guys get it out of him. And is there something else we can do with that damned skull?
OF COURSE...
As soon as I see Kanenas place the right statue on the right slot without getting blown to bits again I realized my idiotic mistake. OF COURSE the dragon who breathes poison would have leave it's essence to finish off anyone coming close to it's horde. OF COURSE we should have prepared for this eventuality with a blessing from our priests; esp with everything I know from Mother. Gods I wish I'd summoned her teachings and been thoughtful before this mess. And OF COURSE, I don't stand a chance against such a powerful dragon's trap. Sure... I'm soooooo smart and sooooo powerful with my new staff, I'm obvisouly the smartest of us all.... but I couldn't see this coming? Idiot. If I had the time, this oversight would have shaken me to my core but, I don't. I ran toward the lake as soon as I saw the gas but I wasn't fast enough.
Not longer being able to hold my breath, my eyes burning and my skin feeling as it's peeling off I fall to the ground trying to choke myself so I don't take in any of the noxious gas. Hands at my own throat I pass out thinking....OF COURSE.
I was too greedy, maybe we all were...except Ozus. He was the only one of pure heart in that moment. His initial reaction after we fought off the undead ghost warriors was to speed back to Leilon and prepare to defend our adopted home. I thought he was being an idiot. I thought we'd need every bit of that potential horde to even have a chance at ridding Gnawbone of her demon. All I thought of was the powerful spells and possibly enchanted items the horde would provide, one way or another. Leilon would HAVE to wait. And now...as far as I can tell... we are all dying; at least that's my assumption. I did get one look back before I could no longer keep my eyes open and saw Kanny and Ezra upright but withering quickly. They'd be no match for this.
As my life drains away, my lungs ablaze and flesh searing I think of what everyone I guess thinks of: family, regrets, and accomplishments. The "smartest" one in my family, too smart for the family business... the "easy" way I thought was not good enough. A profession for elves not willing to study and put the time into developing their brains but relying on trickery, deception and, well, killing. The "smartest" one of this new group of friends, the most "powerful" of them and the one thing they relied on me for, I couldn't provide. Divination powers, intelligence, strategy. Damn it, I've let them all down and it's come to this. Driven by my greed and my arrogance, we are here, dying while surely Leilon, and maybe even the whole coast, happily drinks their ales, and roasts their pigs unaware what is to come. No one I've met so far will be a match for Ularan and his army but we could have made a difference... I think. Me and these poor fools who trusted that I might have the brains and foresight to keep us in the fight. I wonder if the stories about reincarnation are true...what will I be next...
Well, this isn't really that suprising
I tell the guys, let's maybe go take care of the undead...maybe it's actually Ularan and we have a chance at nipping this whole thing in the bud. I tell the guys, this place is probably heavily boobie trapped and guarded.... but nooooo. Everyone want to go talk to the ancient green dragon and who am I to stop them. Sure enough, the ground erupts with magic making it harder to make progress while deeper inside the cave the vines come alive and almost kill Ezra. I don't know what the hell is going on with Kanny but he just made a run for it and after bashing a few vines, I hear him screaming about teleporting spiders. Sending Olly up, I see what he means, this doesn't look good at all and we JUST entered this cursed lair. Ozus thankfully has made a dent up there and seems to be the only one actually fighting the possessed foliage. What? Kanny is down again? Damnit. I have to clear these creatures out so we can get up to help Kanny though they do take quite a punch. Fire doesn't seem to work as well as you'd think. And I can't shake the feeling that we are just clearing the hazards so Ularan can sneak up the rear and take us out on the way to his more vile aims.
I don't often frolic, but when I do...
Well, I can't say that's ever happened. I mean, I know my poisons (and for that matter, I need to get back to my studies on them... you know to make mom proud and all) but I have never had one have THAT kind of effect on me. Mother claimed some of her recipes could do similar things but honestly I never believed her. So we just got ambushed by those wood things who must be helping guard the lair. There were knots where their hearts should have been, I didn't know what to make of that and will have to read up on it later.
Everything happened so fast I haven't really got to discuss my Ularan theory with the group. I'll do it tonight when we camp. I think we also need to discuss the obvious... the guards gave us enough trouble that I think we need to figure out a way, any way, not to tangle with Gnawbone as I don't think we'll make it through that. I mean, thank the God's for Ezra, whatever that hammer is is the only reason we made it out of there with our limbs intact; the new guy really did the deed! Ok back to Gnawbone...
How should we go about this? I would have to assume the ramp in from the ground is the most heavily guarded, booby-trapped, etc. The place we tried to enter had that damned poison that threw me and Ezra off the cliff! From what I know, Gnawbone can be reasoned with but how do we get to her alive? Anea went down pretty quick and I'd assume that Ollie would meet the same fate. Maybe a different form for her; I'll think on it. That highest entrance is maybe closer to where Gnawbone is and a place less guarded or trapped...hmmm... but no one can get up there. I mean I could eventually but I can't take anyone with me. I've heard of magic carpets, this would be great to come across one right now!
I'm fairly certain the priests have access to blessings that could inure us to the poison effect for a while, maybe at least long enough to get an audience with the great dragon. I can't believe I'm saying this but we don't want her treasure and we have zero interest in fighting her (I hate myself!!!), so maybe we have a shot.
You know, the other thing we cooouuulllldddd do is double back and search for Ularan. Maybe that is a more winnable fight. Sure he'll have hordes of undead but that might be better than an ancient green dragon! On that note, I maaayyyy have heard that Gnawbone hates undead as much as we do (RULING HERE JIM, WOULD THAT BE WELL KNOWN?). Maybe a scalp or two might convince her we are only here to protect her and by extension, protect innocents all along the Sword Coast.
Oh, and I'm really getting to like Sparky. He has more bite than bark and I deeply appreciate that. I've never really been fond of dogs as most I've met were guard dogs but that mutt is one of a kind.
Amuse Bouche
Well that seemed a bit too easy which is worrisome. That flaming flying skull and the ghouls had to just be an amuse bouche, right? That thing reconstituted and flew back to a boss which I have to assume has much more heat to bring. Hold on... Ghouls, flying skulls, near Gnawbone... Were those assholes working for Ularan? I have no idea how powerful he could be at this point but would I rather fight him or a possessed and pissed off ancient dragon? I think there is only 1 choice...if that's what's actually happening. Ok, I gotta talk this through with the guys. Do we try to get to Gnawbone first, do we double back to see if it's in fact Ularan, or maybe we wait here to ambush Ularan and his (hopefully small) army of undead as they try to get at Gnawbone.
And WTF is Galio doing. He was definitely NOT there when we looked and then he just appears, incredulous that our search skills were up to par. I think he still might be possessed by Thalivar and trying to restart his experiments; this can only lead to no good. I wonder if I can get him to come clean or probe his mind without him knowning. There are deep, dark depths to that wizard and I feel like we need to get to the bottom of his motivations before it's too late. Leilon didn't last through an extra-planer invasion, they definitely aren't going to last through another one and/or a possessed ancient dragon attack.
I do really really so much stronger with that staff. I sleep with it, I talk to it, I even bring it to the bathroom with me. She has given me powers I've only dreamed about. I must keep her safe; my spellbook I could at least copy (though those damn inks are so expensive). and stow. This bow can never leave my sight.
Now back to figureing out what to do with Gnawbone and, maybe, Ularan.
F**king Kanenas
Begin writing your story here...zith 10/24
Man Sslusi is kinda wonderful. So tough, so smart, so kinda hot. I mean, elf women haven’t found me exciting… maybe her? Maybe there are some love spells, not charms or anything where she’ll know what I’m doing, untraceable, obscured, occult. I did save her life, maybe that’s enough? I can’t let guys know, they’ll think I’ve cracked. Anyways, back to her soon enough.
This bow staff is incredible, it’s the most powerful magic item I’ve ever actually held. I’ve meditated and meditated on it and I feel like I’m just scratching the surface of her capabilities. There is so much to learn but she makes me feel…well, I’m mean stronger than I’ve ever felt before. I wish it was shorter, it makes me look tiny but what the hell, it’s a long bow that needs no arrow and can cast magic… much more to learn. I wonder if Kanny will show me how to properly wield it. I hate asking him for anything that will make him feel ever more superior than he already does but I think, in a pinch, I might be able to lay some hurt down in close quarters.
Speaking of Kanenas, wtf is his problem with water?? He almost let Ezra drown? I honestly didn’t think I could save his armored squat dwarf ass… but there you have it. I mean, it's the least I could do, that crazy cleric basically saved the 3 of em. Was it a flash, a vision, or was it just self-inspiration in the form of a vision? How will I ever know? Can I summon a vision yet? Is that a thing? Can I convince my mind that a vision is true? Lord, can I manifest reality in some tiny way? I must study and meditate on these questions, they could be the difference between ending up grifting travelers in Leilon and having my name be feared and revered in Waterdeep… having mom and dad hear of my exploits and beam with pride. Anyways, back to that chicken Kanny, now he has us in a potential dust up with a Bronze dragon and a tomb full of guards! I have to find a way to get us out of this with the visions we came for, the visions we need to save the Coast. How can I do this without ending up like Ezra? Did I apologize for stabbing him? I forget. Have to remember to at some point but for now… I knew I should have studied flight, damn it. Maybe the staff can help, but it’s more my master than I its’ at this point. F**king Kanenas…"I’m coming…"
Comments