Session 60: The Ancient Gold Dragon Report

General Summary

Session 60 – Wednesday March 31, 2021

5 Hour roleplay / massive Battle session. 5:30 PM to 10:30PM

Party of 6 (The order of Heroes, Inc.):

It is the 23rd day of the month of Marpenoth (Leaffall) in the 3rd year of the Age of Enialis

Fredrik Fredson – Human L11 Barbarian/L3 Fighter – Dan King
Jaquette Mara – L14 Human Druid – Jackie Armstrong
Lucky Lightfoot – Leprechaun – L13 Bard/L1 Sorcerer – Jacob Munson
Annalisa (Anna) – Human – L 8 Monk – L4 Wizard /L2Fighter – Ryan Armstrong
Rolen – Human L14 Warlock – Josh Pozsonyi
Tyrus Rechs – Human L11 Ranger/L3 Fighter – Nathan Gioconda

Goals:

Get Rolen out of court in Mechanus
Restore relationship with the good and generous Ancient Gold Dragon.
Aid Zyark in destroying the Slaadi
Red Rocks treasure
White Dragon at Purple Rocks

Many Bothans died to bring us this information

A group of highly trained Gnolls were sent in to map out the passageways in Gauntlgrym, avoid detection by the Slaad and return with a detailed map. The A team was slaughtered by a Black Slaad but a few of the B team were able to return with what the A Team drew. Skill check results for 5 Bothans with 3 checks each: 41, 41, 36, 14, 15 average = 9.8 (slightly below average.) Some portions of the map were clearly drawn better than others. Some areas have decent detail while others may be lacking some information. However, they were able to identify what appear to be 4 specific choke points.

An invasion plan is formed

General Gronor revealed his plans to Tyrus based on the maps brought to him by the famed Bothan forces. Gronor explained that he needs the Order of Heroes to lead 4 different teams that will simultaneously perform different tasks. He explained that 3 of the teams must first secure and hold three choke points while a fifth party attempts to attract the Slaadi’s attention and lead them out to the 4th choke point. At this 4th point, a long corridor, the major battle will be fought. The other choke points MUST be held to prevent the enemy forces from flanking the primary forces. If any of the choke points fail, the Slaadi could flank the forces from multiple directions and the entire plan will fail. General Gronor stated that having the Order of Heroes’ lead these individual missions are key to the success. Jaquette joined Tyrus and Tyrus told General Gronor that he and Jaquette needed to go talk.

A long-lost friend rejoins the party!

After hearing of his friend’s exploits by the Night’s watch of Mirabar, gossip in local taverns and some very specific details by an elderly gentleman, Fredrik was able to find the cavern of Zyark and the Gnolls. On guard were the Gnolls Imdad and Ummek. Fredrik persuaded Imdad to go tell his companions of his arrival. Fredrik briefly communed with nature (that took the form of a bear spirit.) As the spirit faded, he saw Tyrus approaching from where the bear stood. Fredrik said, “I return to you know at the turn of the tide.” Tyrus gave him a bear hug and Jaquette ran to him. They filled him on all the adventures of the past few months and the current situation with the Slaad. Fredrik explained his progress on the Majestic mule.
Tyrus explained that he needs help finding the rest of the party. Tyrus used his flip stone of sending to try to contact Anna. The response was, “Hello, your friends have lost what they own, and I don’t know if they’ll be joining you or not.” Tyrus saw the caller ID as “Gildon.” Tyrus explained the situation to Jaquette and Fredrik.

Lucky and Anna return

Lucky was not happy at all with the situation and neither was Anna. Lucky began to turn back to mist and windwalk back to Gauntlgrym. Anna considered her options and wanted to formulate a plan, but Lucky was already gone. They both arrived back in Guantlgryum with Tyrus, Jaquette and Fredrik. Lucky hugged Fredrik’s leg. Lucky explained the situation with Rolen and that he was taken to Mechanus and the Gold Dragon has all his stuff and he wanted to go kill it.
The party debated what to do. Tyrus wanted to go get Rolen but Anna thought they should wait, and Fredrik wanted to go kill things. Lucky suggested that they go to Gronor and postpone the invasion while they wait 1 day for Rolen. Tyrus went to Gronor and Gronor said he would talk to Zyark about it. Tyrus returned to the party and said, “let’s go to Mechanus.” Lucky gave the party Mechanus Exemptus Robes that he made. Anna begged that they delay until morning and the party reluctantly agreed.

Rolen on trial

Rolen was brought directly to the courtroom with Slim Triskin. The judge, the honorable Kai-garn Triskin was presiding over the court room. Slim Triskin greeted Rolen and offered to settle this now but Rolen demanded a trial. He was appointed a dwarf named Thardir as legal counsel. Rolen had to surrender his cloak and magic use badge and was placed into a room of magical suppression.
Rolen met with Thardir and mentioned that Anna was a witness and provided a receipt she wrote. Thardir asked that the receipt be scanned, and Anna be called as a witness. Rolen asked if a different judge could be used as there is a family relationship between the judge and his accuser. Thardir said he could see what he could do but there is only one other Judge, Judge Lonadd Mrupt who does contract law disputes. Thardir asked if he was expecting any other witnesses or visitors. Rolen said no.
Thardir took Rolen to Judge Mrupt’s court room that was packed with all sorts of various creatures. A frustrated Judge Mrupt complained that he was swamped with illegal aliens coming into Mechanus via a portal that was left open. He had no time do an immediate trial and told him he can have a trial in 3 days. He gave Rolen a robe he could wear, and a room for 3 days and told not to leave the plane. Rolen asked if he could leave to take care of urgent business, and the judge asked the Bailiff to deal with it.
Rolen asked the bailiff if he could send the vest of control gems to his friends and then bribed the Bailiff with a 500gp ruby. The Bailiff offered to send the vest back to the exact location the Marut found him but Rolen said no. Rolen provided an arrow that belonged to Tyrus and the bailiff had it scanned so he could be tracked down. The Ballif took the vest and then setup Rolen in a hotel room about a block away from the court.
An hour later, a Drow knocked on Rolen’s door and offered to help him out. The Drow took Rolen to a very shady location deep with the bowels of Mechanus that had a several rogue Modrons and various other creatures that did not belong to the plane. Rolen offered him 100gp. The Drow looked disappointed and said, I can send you wherever you want to go. Rolen paid him additional 300gp. The Drow, being satisfied with the payment took him to a portal that was being used to smuggle people and various items to different planes. The Drow fidgeted and told him the accuracy on this isn’t perfect. The Drow told him “Whatever you did to get in trouble, don’t do that again. Now get out of here. I’ll take care of everything else.” Rolen walked through the portal and arrived about 8 miles away from the caverns near Gauntlgrym.

Rough Battle Plan.

In the morning the rest of the party found Rolen sleeping outside Lucky’s mansion’s portal door. They all recapped the situation and Lucky expressed his extreme frustration at Rolen and the situation with the dragon. They went to check with General Gronor and Zyark. They went over the plans again. General Gronor showed them the battle map. Zyark explained that he’s got 3 of his friends Sloktu, Udosstu and Keltray who will be aiding the team specifically in their tasks plus Zyark would join one of the teams.
Gronor pointed out the 4 general choke points.

A Bridge over a ravine that needs to be held.
A large area that is a great location to trap large number of creatures and bombard them with AOE spells.
A narrow area that can be sealed somehow.
The long hallway that makes a great location for taking out the Slaadi with ranged weapons.
A fifth team needs to go in and lure out the Slaadi.

Rolen suggested that Lucky take 5 of the controlled Slaadi to the bridge. Fredrik, Jaquette and 5 Slaadi should take the open Room area. Anna, the Alhoon and the Green Slaad would take the narrow passageway. Then Rolen and Tyrus would join the main forces to take on approaching Slaads down the long hall.

Taking on the Gold Dragon

The party decided to head to Gildon. Lucky notified Gildon and Jaquette cast windwalk on them. Tyrus stationed himself on the other side of a river, Fredrik and Jaquette took up positions in the woods. Lucky positioned some twigs and stones in the opening. Rolen stood in the center of the field and shouted out, “Gildon, I’ve come to bargain.” Gildon, in the form of the old man walked into the field. Rolen tried to talk to Gildon but Gildon was not very accommodating and appeared to be quite upset. Fredrik burst out of the woods charging Gildon and saying: “It’s a boring conversation anyway, Tyrus let’s go we’re going to have company!”
Fredrik ran in, knocked Gildon over and put a loosely lassoed rope around his neck. Lucky raised his hands and cast animate objects on the twigs and stones. The twigs and stones began pummeling Gildon knocking him out of his human form and Gildon appeared in his ancient Gold Dragon form. Rolen summoned a fiendish demon who attacked the Dragon. Anna rushed in, attacking with her axe.
Gildon used his frightening presence and everyone except for Rolen and Fredrik were frightened. Gildon then breathed his weakening breath on Fredrik who had hopped on his back. Jaquette summoned 4 giant eagles to attack the Dragon. The dragon flapped his wings and knocked all the animated objects and Anna down to the ground. Lucky cast blink and disappeared.
Fredrik remained on top of the dragon as it rose into the air. The dragon continued to lash at Fredrik with his tail and Fredrik continued to drive his spear into the dragon’s back. Tyrus, even though he remained frightened loosed his arrows at the Dragon.
Rolen shot the dragon directly in his neck dealing a very powerful magical critical blow. Gildon was bloodied and Anna shook off her fear. The dragon climbed to 90 feet an blew fire down upon the party, wiping out the eagles and the animated object and badly burning Jaquette. Jaquette considered Whirlwind but realized she’d just hurt Fredrik, so she instead cast firestorm on the dragon’s wings. She was quite upset when the dragon took no damage. Anna began using her magic missiles against the dragon.
The dragon turned to Fredrik and offered to spare his life if he would get off, and then Gildon said he would leave without killing his friends. Fredrik told him that he would not unless Gildon surrendered his friend’s stuff. The dragon dove down slightly, and Fredrik watched as the massive dragon unleashed his fire breath again upon the party. The demon was destroyed, Rolen was badly burned and Jaquette was knocked unconscious, her hair badly singed. Four Giant eagles appeared and protected her. Gildon began to fly away. Lucky popped back and summoned, what appeared to be an ancient Red Dragon.
Gildon ignored the image, began to fly away, and kept attacking Fredrik with his tail but Fredrik stayed on top. Rolen cast Fly on himself and Anna and they began to chase after Gildon. Anna continued to pick away with her magic missiles and Fredrik continued to stab with his spear. Gildon attacked Fredrik with his tail and claws and even bit him. Lucky ran towards Jaquette to try to stabilize her but he didn’t quite make it there in time. When he reached her she was already dead. Lucky, with a tear in his eye, found an alive but badly scalded chipper in the remnants of Jaquette’s hair. Rolen pulled a star off his robe and threw it at the dragon, casting a 5th level magic missile. Anna continued to dash towards the dragon and cast another magic missile at it. The Dragon frustrated with the continued attacks turned to end the battle and clawed at Anna. Fredrik used the opportunity to continue to stab at the dragon. The Dragon smacked Anna with her tail and nearly killed her, leaving her with 1 HP.
Rolen said to Gildon, “Return our possessions and we part peacefully, or we end it hear.” The dragon replied, “Withdrawal and I will not attack you again.” Rolen threw another star at the dragon wounding him deeply. The dragon, deeply angered, sneered at Rolen, and regained its fire breath. Anna flew below the dragon and attacked with her axe digging deeply into the Dragon’s belly. The dragon ignoring Anna breathed on a retreating Rolen knocking him unconscious.
With Rolen unconscious, the fly spell was broken, and Anna fell to the ground landing in a 3-point stance. The Dragon satisfied that the battle was effectively over began to fly away. Tyrus however, continued to shoot with his arrows and he hit the dragon. Anna, barely alive on the ground, fired her last magic missile at the dragon’s wings, and the Dragon fell to its death. Fredrik rode the dragon to a dramatic crash in the woods.

Campaign

Rebuilding in the Age of Enialis

Protagonists