Grotto’s Test, Arthur & Agnes, the Politicians Start Showing Up, and the End of the Battle

07 Newkolt 349 AC

Note: The Temple of Kiri-Jolith is based on "The Ghost Blade" from the 3rd edition Dragonlance Campaign Setting Sourcebook, modified for level and to fit the plot of our current campaign. 

AT THE ABANDONED TEMPLE OF KIRI-JOLITH

Seeing the statues animate, Grotto backs toward a wall to keep from being surrounded. He raises his throwing axe, gripping it in both of his gnarled, calloused hands and gives it a mighty heave at the nearest statue.

The weapon tumbles end over end and slams into the wooden warrior. The powerful blow shatters the dry wood and sends a shower of splinters across the floor. Grotto holds out one hand to catch the weapon as it returns to him.

The remaining carved guardians continue to stalk toward the scarred dwarf. He can hear the creaking and cracking of the wood as they close in on him. Grotto swings his axe at the nearest. The blow crushes the left side of the warrior's body. That fighter and its two wooden brothers all swipe with their wooden swords. Grotto's flying shield and armor block or blunt every attack. The dwarf erupts into motion, hacking and smashing with his heavy blade. The statues fight back but brittle, centuries-old wood prove to be no match for enchanted steel axes. In less than a minute, all that remains of the guardians are piles of kindling.

EN ROUTE TO THE DRAGON ISLES

Arthur’s voice carried just enough to reach her over the wind as he speaks again.
“Nehwon’s a strange kind of beautiful,” he said. “It’s rough around every edge, wild and restless — like it never wanted to be tamed. The mountains are sharp as broken glass, and the seas… gods, they stretch on forever. But when the fog rolls off the lowlands in the morning, and the first light hits the water, it almost feels like the world is holding its breath.”

He ran a hand through his hair, the ghost of a smile crossing his face. “I’ve seen cities that never sleep, and villages that don’t even show up on a map. I’ve fought in the cold, slept in the heat, and somehow kept moving because that’s what Nehwon teaches you — to keep standing, no matter how hard it pushes back.”

For a moment, he fell quiet, the memories flickering behind his eyes — the smell of rain-soaked streets, the roar of the sea, the laughter of people he hadn’t thought about in years.

“It made me who I am,” he said finally. “But it never felt like home… not really.”
He gently touches her silver scales and smiles.

IN COUNCILOR SUMMERWALKER'S WAREHOUSE ~ NOW SERVING AS RA'ZIIR/SHADOW/KYSEK'S COMMAND CENTER

Cedron backs away and lets the elven healers take over. He returns to his cup of tea. “I wonder what danger the others must be facing…where is Grotto?…I’m wise enough to know exactly where Arthur is right now.” He chuckles to himself and takes a sip of his now slightly warm tea.

The healers from Lorraine's hospital bustle about, well-trained and efficient, from one patient to the next. The drone of quiet talking fills the warehouse as the elves share the tale of their extraction to any who will listen, even to their fellow rescuees.

Cedron overhears snippets of conversations detailing a slain minotaur, burning ships, and a green dragon being handled quite readily by Kysek, Shadow, Ra'ziir, and Raven. Flags-turned-cloaks are traded for actual clothing and although footwear is in short supply more should arrive by morning.

Councilor Daebella Rainbrook and a small group of aides arrive, offering whatever help they can provide.

AND, LASTLY, IN KURINOST...

Shadow gives up the pursuit and begins to fly back towards Raven who has stripped the heavy coat off of the slain minotaur and rolled it into a tight bundle. As Shadow flies close to the ground, he scans for any sign of blood from the wounded green dragon or a dislodged scale. He nearly misses a cluster of small drops but Spewer hisses to get his attention, allowing the drow to gather a biological link to track the wyrm later.

The drow calls out, “Raz, we are leaving!”

Kysek; hearing and then seeing the approach of the incoming dragons chooses to abandon his plan on the ground for the time being. His thought returns to his plan to cast Chain Lightning. This time however taking aim at the approaching dragons and their riders. The elf waits patiently until he is certain they are all within range and utters, "Чаин Лигхтнинг." A blinding bolt of electricity streaks from his hand toward the lead dragon and its rider. The blast crackles into the dragon's chest without effect but the lightning courses up along the dragon's body and into its rider. The rider screams as the bolt races through his body and arcs into the next dragon and rider, both of whom jerk and spasm under the assault before the lightning arcs again. Once more, the dragon is unfazed by the attack but the finam rider shrieks in agony before the lightning dissipates into the sky.

Ra’ziir directs the fire monolith to kill any enemies it can. As the massive elemental moves across the ice toward the ships on the waterfront, the soldiers open fire will arrows, crossbow bolts, sling bullets, and spells.

The bladesinger pivots, focusing his attention on the dragons and their riders. He focuses on the human asteide the first dragon and casts a quickened spell to assault the psyche of the closest enemy leader. The black-robed wizards chants, "Interfector Phantasmaticus."

A vague, shadowy form appears before the rider as he shakes off the effects of Kysek's lightning spell. Terror wells within him and he tightens his grip on the reins of his draconic mount. His fingernails dig into his palms, focusing his mind and allowing him to see through the illusion.

Ra'ziir doesn't bother with waiting to see the results of his spell and returns to the others, laying his hands upon Kysek and Raven's shoulders as Shadow does them same. A moment later, the four are gone, transported to their makeshift hospital in Silvanost.