Nights of Steel and Fire (D&D)

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Fri May 19, 2006 11:28 pm

The masked men crept through the alley. One boosted the other up so he could reach the sill of the second story window. The charm in his hand glowed for a moment and the shutter opened. He attached a short rope and slipped in.

The girl was sleeping. Quiet as a cat he crossed the carpet and applied the second charm. Her sleep deepened. The second man climbed the rope. He pulled himself in and pulled his knife. His partner nodded. They only needed the girl. The rest could prove troublesome if they lived.

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In a different part of the realms, four adventurers stirred uneasily during their rest. One of them was an elf and did not sleep, but even they sometimes had dreams during reviere. Images of a horde of slavering hobgoblins, blood running in the streets, and the inside of a tower lined with ghosts haunted. And fire. Blue-white fire twisting in spires and flowing through the streets, consuming flesh and leaving only blackened bone in its wake.

The adventurers bolted awake from where they lay. It was predawn. Sunlight was creeping over the horizon. There was no ghost haunted tower. They were in Westgate.

[Feel free to start posting where you are sleeping and other mundane or not so mundane details as you start your day. Don't go nuts though]

Comrade Tortoise · Post by **Comrade Tortoise** » Sat May 20, 2006 2:48 am

Astinius shook the horror out of his eyes. He had been having nightmares for some time. He got up and pulled out the series of small tomes he kept his spells in. He took out a holy symbol of mystra, whispered a quick prayer thanking her for his spells, and he got to work. He was primarily a battle-wizard, but there were a good number of utility and nondetection spells as well that he put into his repertoire for the day.

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » Sat May 20, 2006 7:14 am

Gaheris bolted upright before calming himself. He didn't need the look around the monastery guest room he was occupying to reassure himself. Hobgoblins, attacking the abbey in the middle of Westgate's narrow streets? Not to mention helpful strangers simply appearing inside the walls or through unguarded entrances that simply didn't exist. Ridiculous.

The paladin reached for Shadowguard and his sword belt. He had much to do today. While the security of the abbey was nice, his purpose was different from that of the monks, and it would defeat that purpose to be visible and known as the abbey would make him and his men. Fighting a shadow war was well and good, but there was more to it than simply jumping thieves in dark alleys before they could do the same to a victim, after all...

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Sat May 20, 2006 9:12 am

Torma's head jerked up, and she looked around wildly. "Well.. that was weird... I've never had -that- happen before..." Her mouth fell open in a wild yawn, revealing a long arrowed tongue and rows upon rows of sharp pointed fangs. "I wonder what it meant? Maybe I should find out..." she said to herself as she rose from the scattering of pine branches she'd used as a bed that day.

Like a cat she stretched, first humping her back upwards until vertibrae popped, then stretching her front legs out, each clawed finger flexing and digging into the ground. Finally she unfurled her copper wings, stretching the alar to its fullest extension and shaking the spine frills until her wings were nearly flat out to her sides. One reason why she tried to find clearings in the woods to sleep in when she traveled.. she had to have her stretch in the mornings. "Of course... when I'm bigger I won't be able to fit in these anymore," she giggled to herself. "Malkamar won't know what to think of me... he still thinks I'm tiny and cuddly, I'll bet."

The young dragon grinned at the thought of pouncing her friends Malkamar and Astinius. When she was only 6ft long, it was amusing enough. Now at 12ft from nose to tail-tip, she doubted they'd find it funny anymore. "But what a fun joke to pull on them!" she giggled gleefully as any adolescent planning mischief.

She made a quick check to make sure everything was in place, her backpack with her treasure horde untouched, her various magic items still attached, and then ate the pine branch bedding to remove all trace of her presence from the clearing. "Pooey..." she said, trying to work a needle loose from between two fangs. "Next time I'll take the time to hunt. But at least Malkamar can't complain about my breath... Pine Fresh!"

Giggling, she took a brief gallop and leapt into the air, her wings flapping heavily to gain height before settling into the steady rippling beat that kept her aloft. She shone in the morning sun, no longer as shiny bright as a new-minted copper, but burnished like a well-scrubbed copper pot. Even her wings were starting to show the verigris tint along their edges, more evidence of her new status and age. But she still had centuries to go.

"Good Morning, Faerun!" she crowed into the sky. "I, Tormantineth the Copper, am here!"

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » Sat May 20, 2006 11:19 am

Malkamar's eye opened and he peered up. Silver-blue fire.. Spellfire. What had that been about? Slowly, he sat up, stretching, shaking it out of his head. He slowly popped his back, peering out of the window. A time of shadows, of approaching dawn. Donning his equipment and armour, he cleared his mind and focused.

"Westgate." He shook his head. "Fun."

Comrade Tortoise · Post by **Comrade Tortoise** » Sat May 20, 2006 12:38 pm

After his spell swere prepared, Astinius went about the business of getthing himsef ready for the day. He bathed, scrubing himself a littlemore than a normal person would. Then he put on his rather oppressive robes. Socks and leggings went on first, then an under-tunic. Then the loose-fiting blue robe was wraped around him, the sash affixed to his lower face so only his eyes would be visible when the cloka's was on. Then he affixed isl cloak to his back and drew the hood. Then slipped on his gloves, one magical, the other mundane due to the magical ring interacting with it if it were.

His belt then went on, it held his coinpurse, his sword, his quiver, and had puches for spell components and wands. Then he looked out the window of his guest room in the Abby and saw the light of dawn. Glorious

Then, he thought to himself, that Torma was coming back. He smiled. Such a nice little dragon. The living embodiment of that which was good in the world, and he didnt even need to summon her from the celestial plains. Still it scared him half to death whenever she pounced on him. He would have to be on his guard.

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Sat May 20, 2006 7:21 pm

Even Dragons need to pay attention to laws when it comes to cities. It just causes *far* too much trouble when you don't. Arrows, spells, people screaming, horses panicking... ... well, ok, the last two might be fun. But that's for another time.

Right now, however, Torma flew to the main entrance into the city of Westgate and landed flamboyantly in front. Folding her wings as close to her body as she could for politeness' sake, she tilted her head and addressed the guard on duty. "Hello. I have business inside the city. May I pass?"

The last time she did this, she was half her size, and adorably cute. The last few years had slicked away the egg-fat, making her look far more threatening than adorable. Still, she had only gained in charm and charisma

Comrade Tortoise · Post by **Comrade Tortoise** » Sat May 20, 2006 7:51 pm

Astinius walked down the stairs, stalking was a better word really. His steps were fairly silent on account of the boots he wore rather than armored sabatons that many of the clergy wore while in the abby.

He ended up at Gaheris' door, and rapped on i three times, making sure the paladin was awake and ready to start his day. Silly human and their 8 hours of sleep.

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » Sat May 20, 2006 8:02 pm

Gaheris opened the door as he clipped his cloak around his neck. "Good morning, Astinius," he said brightly, slipping Bright Edge into its sheath. "I suppose we'd best go meet Torma," he continued, concealing knives in his tunic and sleeves. "Wouldn't want to keep her waiting. She might get bored, and Tyr preserve us all if that happens." He let out a chuckle at the last and stepped towards the doorway, grabbing his disguise kit on the way out.

Comrade Tortoise · Post by **Comrade Tortoise** » Sat May 20, 2006 8:10 pm

"Oh gods yes. There would probably be screaming and gnashing of teeth to be had by some poor shopkeeper when she got the urge to talk someone's ear off. Still, it is good that she is back. SHe always manage to lighten up my day" Astinus said as he steped back, keeping a constant bubble of personal space between him and the paladin. It wasnt that he didnt like or didnt trust his constant companion. He just had certain personal boundaries that only that dragon could, for some reason, penetrate.

Still, his personal space maintainence he had honed to a subtle art. he used to be jumpy, now it was just a single fluid movement, as if he was doing something other than being standoffish, or was simply being polite and letting a friend come through the door.

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Sat May 20, 2006 8:15 pm

Torma waited patiently as the guard on duty called for his sergent.
Who called for his lieutenent.
Who called for his captain.
Who came out and took one look at her and called for the Commander of the Watch.

Heaving a great sigh over the delay, Torma pleadingly asked "Can someone just go find Astinius called "SpellStrike"? I'm supposed to meet him and a paladin of Tyr today....." Her tail was twitching, her wingvanes rustling. She'd been outside the gate for nearly 20 minutes now. "I should have just flown over," she muttered darkly as the guard 'guarding her' rushed off to relay this to the Captain.

Comrade Tortoise · Post by **Comrade Tortoise** » Sat May 20, 2006 8:23 pm

They were soon on their way, they would eat breakfast when they got back. The streets of westgate were places of commerce and life. But also of treachery, deciet and murder. The city was controlled by the night masks, who were in turn controlled by a vampire cabal. Everyone more or less knew that first part, not so much the second. And as they got nearer the gate, Astinius could swear he heard a dragons voice talking the ear off of some poor unfortunate person in the distance. He smiled under his sash.

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Sat May 20, 2006 8:38 pm

Yes, Torma had found a VICTIM.. a poor merchant also stuck waiting for approval to pass.

"You know, it's really not fair that we have to wait like this. We have urgent business inside the city, and what to they make us do? Wait. And wait... And wait, until they can find someone with the authority to allow us to pass thru the gates. It would be so simple to just fly over, or just give it a nice runnign jump. But no, I wanted to be nice, I didn't want to cause trouble or start a riot, so I came to the gate nice and properly, and how do I get treated? It's not fair, really. Do they honestly think I'm going to cause trouble inside? I just want to see my friend..........."

Sniff... sniff sniff. "I know that smell!"

She leapt to her feet and swarmed over the city wall, using the natural spider-like ability to climb all her species had. "ASSTINIUSSS!" she shouted joyfully, her superior senses spotting the mage amongst the crowd. Before anyone could stop her, she leapt off the wall, half-gliding, arrowing right towards her friend.

Pity she forgot she wasnt' only 6ft long anymore... and that she was a lot heavier than she used to be. Small condolences: she had yet to gain an adult dragon's fear aura, so it wasn't supernatural terror that had people stampeding out of her way.

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » Sat May 20, 2006 8:40 pm

When Astinius next looked over Gaheris wasn't there.

The paladin looked around the small alleyway to make sure he was alone, then quickly pulled out his disguise kit. Working quickly, he applied a grey-streaked false beard, a false scar across his lower jaw, and some additional wrinkles around his eyes before moving out again to rejoin Astinius. The mage shouldn't be all that hard to find again.

[+14 on Disguise, +19 if you decide to grant the "minor details only" bonus. I rolled a 14, but then remembered it's one of those that the DM is supposed to do secretly.]

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » Sat May 20, 2006 8:42 pm

Malkamar was out and into the city, trying to track down Astinius and his paladin friend. He didn't stand out; he lacked the blatant armour and weaponry of most adventurers, and he knew how to act. He kept his hands at his sides, and peered along.

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » Sat May 20, 2006 8:47 pm

It was obvious where Astinius was now, not to mention Torma. He quickened his pace, a tight grin forming as he neared the gate.

Comrade Tortoise · Post by **Comrade Tortoise** » Sun May 21, 2006 11:21 am

"Mystra preserve me" Astinius intoned as the dragon was about to slam into him. She had doubled in length and he was tempted to out up a wall of force soley to avoid being crushed. But decided against it and prayed that she would decelerate before giving him a hug.

He braced for impact, and the uncomfortableness of being touched, not that he would show the latter to the friendly dragon

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Sun May 21, 2006 2:02 pm

Comrade Tortoise wrote:"Mystra preserve me" Astinius intoned as the dragon was about to slam into him. She had doubled in length and he was tempted to out up a wall of force soley to avoid being crushed. But decided against it and prayed that she would decelerate before giving him a hug.

He braced for impact, and the uncomfortableness of being touched, not that he would show the latter to the friendly dragon

Mystra must have heard him, as Torma landed in front of him with a loud *WHOMP*. She wasn't yet massive enough to shake the ground, but it still raised the dust in the roadway.
"Astinius!" She gleefully shouted, shoving her head into his chest like a cat headbutting their favorite human. She had to lower her head to do this... the younger version had just barely topped a halfling's head, but now she could meet a tall human eye to eye. Her swept-back horns had gained a ring, but her cheek frills were still bare ridges. What made it difficult was her head was now nearly the size of Astinius' ribcage, and she was too happy to see him to consider her own strength.

Comrade Tortoise · Post by **Comrade Tortoise** » Sun May 21, 2006 2:31 pm

Despite his bracing, Astinius was knocked over by his scaly friend.

"hello Torma, good to see you again"

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Sun May 21, 2006 2:51 pm

Comrade Tortoise wrote:Despite his bracing, Astinius was knocked over by his scaly friend.

"hello Torma, good to see you again"

As he fell over, Torma drew back, embarrassed. "Oh no.. I'm sorry, Astinius! I didn't mean to knock you down!" She offered a claw to help him up, and the forearm wore a finely decorated bracer. The other forearm had a matching bracer, with a ring fitted snugly over one claw-finger. An amulet gleamed against the burnished copper of her throat, and as her wings settled against her back like a cloak a backpack or saddlebag could be glimpsed briefly.

The little dragon was now wearing pieces of her horde, it seemed.

Comrade Tortoise · Post by **Comrade Tortoise** » Sun May 21, 2006 3:50 pm

"It's alright. You have gotten much stronger since we last saw you" he said, as he took the claw and pulled himself up. He looked around, everyone around was giving them odd looks or had their mouths open at the sight of a copper dragon.

"Shall we be off? It would be good to be in a place more..private... than the city streets." He said

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Sun May 21, 2006 5:25 pm

Comrade Tortoise wrote:"It's alright. You have gotten much stronger since we last saw you" he said, as he took the claw and pulled himself up. He looked around, everyone around was giving them odd looks or had their mouths open at the sight of a copper dragon.

"Shall we be off? It would be good to be in a place more..private... than the city streets." He said

Torma grinned, a sight that revealed far too many sharp teeth. "Stronger, bigger, and older," she bragged. "And you should see my horde now... it's the envy of my nest-sibs. Since I've met you, I've been able to gather twice as much as the rest of them."

She paused, realizing she just said this in the middle of a busy street, with people looking at her. "Of course... if my dragonic siblings couldn't get it from me... I'm -sure- no one here is going to try, are they...," she suddenly said, conversationally, her tail lashing like a feline stalking prey. "Now, shall we go have a pint? I've found that I like ale."

Comrade Tortoise · Post by **Comrade Tortoise** » Sun May 21, 2006 5:29 pm

Astinius laughed at that last bit "Especially not with a powerful archmage and a fearsome warrior around" he sai, slightly raised but in conversational manner.

"Still, that is what adventuring gets you. Lots of stuff which you cn either keep, or trade in for better stuff. Other dragons have to do things the hard way" He did of course, look around to make sure no one was going to try anything monumentally stupid.

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Sun May 21, 2006 5:34 pm

Comrade Tortoise wrote:Astinius laughed at that last bit "Especially not with a powerful archmage and a fearsome warrior around" he sai, slightly raised but in conversational manner.

"Still, that is what adventuring gets you. Lots of stuff which you cn either keep, or trade in for better stuff. Other dragons have to do things the hard way" He did of course, look around to make sure no one was going to try anything monumentally stupid.

"Where's Gaheris?" she asked, her head turning to scan the crowd. "Wasn't he supposed to meet us as well?"

((OOC: So.. anyone want to bet on Dragon Senses beats out Gaheris' attempt at disguise? I can Smell You!))

Comrade Tortoise · Post by **Comrade Tortoise** » Sun May 21, 2006 5:40 pm

"he is trying not to be noticed somewhere. I am sure you will be able to smell him once he is close..." astinus said. Truth be told, the paladin had slipped out to disguise himself. He would probably try to get a laugh out of Torma, but he doubted it would work, and he would just end up being dragon-hugged

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Nights of Steel and Fire (D&D)

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