paradox26
I will get the first IC post up as soon as I can.

Recruitment Thread:  https://forums.giantitp.com/showthre...War-(Epic-3-5) 

OOC Thread:  https://forums.giantitp.com/showthre...3-5-OOC-thread 
paradox26
The action begins on the world of Ashfar, where the peace forged in the aftermath of the Player Characters’ apparent victory at the end of the last book has now been broken. Something is causing the barriers between worlds to collapse, smashing plane into plane, opening rifts through which atrocious fiends can step into the ordinary world and cause chaos. No hero can let this happen without acting against it, and on this world and others, armour is donned and swords are drawn.

Even former enemies recognise the threat. The Player Characters must deal with shocking revelations concerning an old foe who may well prove to be new friend. Is it written in the heavens that the Starborn and the drow must always be opposed or can the dark ones truly change? Can the olive branch be accepted or is this just another trick? There is no easy way to decide.

You are Starborn, chosen by fate itself. Only Starborn can be resurrected, lesser mortals have only a single chance at life.

What Has Gone Before
The party are no ordinary heroes. They are the Starborn, a group of legendary warriors who arise in new minds and bodies once every thousand years to face the threat of the rising Dark and its minions, the Host. Whether they are personally inclined towards good or evil or towards law or chaos, the Starborn stand for one thing above all: existence. The preservation of life itself comes before any personal moral outlook and the Dark is equally hostile to all save its champions.

At intervals of one thousand years, the forces of the Stars and the Dark come into conflict during a period called the Equinox of the Heroes. The outcome of this battle determines the fate of the world in the times to come, deciding whether the ordinary folk will live with the freedom to make their own decisions or be forced into blind compliance with the alien authority of the Dark. The primary representatives of the Dark, and the most likely creatures to become members of the Host, are the drow – or were until recently. The drow championing of the Dark has led to the battles fought at the Equinoxes being termed the Drow War, so historians tend to refer to the uprisings as the First, Second or Third Drow War. Since the First Drow War there has been an anchor point for the Dark on the Material Plane, a mass of black stone called the Abyssal Altar. While it remains here, the Dark can infuse itself into its minions, strengthening them and their magic and guiding them subtly against the foe.

The Last Drow War
The party are resting in the aftermath of the most recent of the Drow Wars, namely the Third. The events described below may have taken place differently in the Games Master’s own campaign; this is the version most likely to have played out. The archmage Rannirak, the twisted genius chosen to lead the drow against the upper world, came close to clinching victory. His massive Darkspears – metal spires filled with drow warriors and emanating domes of darkness that veiled whole cities – smashed upwards into the main cities of the strongest nation on Ashfar, the human-dominated land of Jehannum. Rannirak’s overconfidence proved his downfall, for he brought the Abyssal Altar to the chambers below the capital city in order to commune with the Dark more easily. He had no idea that this would allow the Starborn to reach the Abyssal Altar, destroy it and sever the Dark’s only conduit into Ashfar. Without their tenebrous patron guiding them, the drow were left desolate and abandoned. The allied forces were able to overcome the  demoralised enemy and win back Jehannum, bringing an end to the war.
Lioslaith
Reshad sits with his feet propped up watching the tavern patrons after his recount of the story of their defeat of Rannirak.   ”Twas a good battle, mayhaps ‘tis time to move on?”  . He says to no one in particular.

The ranger had enjoyed a successful boost in business as a hunting guide and caravan security guide for quite a while now. Nearly a year as he recalled. Several of the patrons whooped at the ending of the tale again and ordered yet another round of ale.
namo
In the past year, Yedra has been helping to rebuild.
Rebuild the hearts, rebuild the strength at arms, rebuild the nations.

She's just one person, and she doesn't have the mystical powers of some of her fellow Starborn, who can reshape reality, but she is nonetheless tireless, relentless in serving her people. "Her people" now means more than the small, dispersed group of Synads inhabiting Ashfar - it's all of the sentient creatures standing against the Dark.

The martial academy she founded holds a special place in her heart, but she can't spend all of her time there, so she delegates a lot, which is for the best.

Still, it feels good to be reunited with her Starborn companions, none of them looking any younger.
She arrives, regal as ever, blade in hand - for she is too used to the strange twists Destiny has thrown at them out of nowhere in the past - and warmly embraces each of them.
" It's not over, is it? I had a feeling... "

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Good to see the level 21 legendary heroes still hang out in a tavern, @Lioslaith. 😉
 
samduke
For some time ivory had been helping out in the area with various clergy needs, always on the move, never long for one location. Then as fate seemed to unravel itself, she found herself walking into the one tavern where someone she knew from recent past seemed to be boasting about that very past. Walking up steathly from behind. She spoke  and what of your companions Reshad ...
Lioslaith
A wry smile crosses his face,   ”My companions?  Why they are none other than the Starborn themselves. Truth be told they had way more to do with the whole thing than I ever did.”   He says to the enraptured audience then nods over his shoulder to the others.
paradox26
There is a sudden flurry of activity emanating from outside the inn. The commotion is quite loud, and it resolves itself quickly. A herald enters the inn, looking around at the inhabitants. He seems to take particular notice of the party members, who are better dressed and equipped than the others in the room.

 "Take heed, ye petty beings. Behold the might and glory of Prince Nuskahm of Jasmal,"  he announces in a loud, clear voice that explains how he got the position of herald.

A young man dressed in immediately identifiable rich garments  and jewellery enters the inn, accompanied by servants and guards, and others whose purpose is not clear. He looks around as the herald approaches and whispers to him. He looks straight at the party members. He then raises his hand and points out each member of the party, and says,  "You may remain here, for I wish a word with you, mighty ones. Everyone else in the room can leave. The staff may remain to aid my retinue." 

The guards quickly usher the commoners out the door. Even the more prosperous types in the room do not pause to complain, indicating that the Prince might be feared as well as respected.

You manage to get a better look as he sits. The guards are wearing full armour that covers every bit of them, and there is something odd about them that you have trouble discerning. He is accompanied by a small group of women. They move with incredible grace, and are not armed, which is clear since they are not wearing many clothes. Their features are hard to make out, though, as each is veiled.

A lean man with black lenses over his eyes and an upturned U for a mouth, clad in a garment of grey silk and a cloak that is mottled like a moth’s wings. He carries a long silver wand that he slaps on his thigh as he walks.

The herald goes and speaks quietly to the barman, and there is an immediate response, as food and drink start to appear and be served, first to the Prince, then to the others in order of rank. The man in the grey silk with the strange features directs the order in which people are served.
samduke
Turning to Reshad,  I do not recall him from anywhere. I wonder what this has to do with us ? 
Lioslaith
  ”I have a feeling he is about to tell us.  Once all the pomp and circumstance is dispensed with.”  
namo
Yedra stifles a smile at the pompous entrance of yet another noble with overly inflated self-importance.

Still, she never underestimates a potential opponent - nor a troublesome ally -, so after flashing a quick hand-sign to the party she heads towards the entrance and comes to a stop next to it. That way the group cannot be subjected to a single blast. (If the newcomers attempt to stop her she simply teleports behind them via her mystic martial powers.)

" We're listening, Prince. Or is it Your Highness? "

She keeps an eye on her friends to see if someone has intelligence to share.
To her, people hiding their faces, in particular their eyes, is especially evocative of the Drow - not a good omen.

She has decided she'll target the wand-wielding man if it comes to a fight. This does not mean she goes looking for conflict, but those automated mental processes and tactics are the result of her years of training and battle.
Lioslaith
Reshad’s eyes narrowed slightly as he watched Yedra position herself near the door, had he missed something?

He casually set his drink on the table and adjusted himself in the chair. A coin seemed to come from nowhere in history hand and started making its way across his the back of his hand over his fingers. A signal he had used in the past for everyone to remain calm.

If they remembered it, that is.
Athaleon
Krag's flinty gaze passed coolly over the peacock princeling to examine his entourage with much more interest. His companions had their eyes on the Prince, and he'd learned through hard experience to be wary of distracting displays. He also didn't need Reshad's signal to remind him to remain calm—not at the moment, at least. None of this lot had done anything to  earn  his ire, yet.

At the end of the last war, most folk dealt with their grief, rebuilt, and a fair number believed that a lasting peace with the Drow might be possible with the Abyssal Altar destroyed. Krag was both the type to hold a grudge, and a true believer in vigilance. He busied himself with keeping as close an eye as he could on the Drow, trying to gauge if and when they may threaten the surface once again—whether through a remade Abyssal Altar, or by their natural subterfuge and the force of arms that they still possessed in dangerous quantity.
paradox26
The man with the wand takes a step forward and announces,  "The Prince should be referred to as Your Highness." 

He then coughs slightly, and gestures at someone at the door, who heads outside and returns a moment later bearing a beautiful sculpture of a tiger made from ebony overlaid with gold, so that the stripes of black wood and golden metal create the effect of a tiger’s markings.

 "His Highness brings a gift to present to your august personages,"  the wand-wielding figure says to the Starborn present.

You all recognise the principality the Prince comes from, and you are at least vaguely aware of his name. His people were allies in the war with the drow.

The wand-wielder then returns to a more normal tone of voice.  "My humble self is known as Mal'Rannuz, and I am His Highness's majordomo,"  he says.
Lioslaith
  ”It would seem you are already aware of who we are.  How may we be of service, major?”  . Reshad spoke to the major but his eyes never left the prince. He knew the others were watching the rest. These may have been allies in the past but that was the past wasn’t it?  Never trust a royal.
samduke
 Well I for one would like to hear this directly from his royal haughty -(hotty)- ness.  No offense to the major .
namo
" We thank his Highness for the gift, but surely you must know what we Starborn are not bought. "

She can certainly admire the beauty and craftsmanship of the sculpture, but she also finds it impractical. She's not aware that any of her companions has just spent the last year indulging life and starting their own private collection - though it would certainly be well-deserved.
  And couldn't the money have gone to worthier causes?  

" Indeed, let's cut to the chase " she concludes, echoing her companions.
DrK
Kurnos, disheveled, slightly dirt smeared and with only a pair of trousers and a light cape lounges at ease, his staff propped against his chair as he looks at the others with a wry smile.   "His highness is kind but my coin can go to a poor house or kitchen. I have no need of many worldly things"   he adds the latter with a nod at his ragged shoes and tattered cape.   "But if you speak of the war resuming, of danger fostered by the horrid drow then you have my full attention. I have walked for decades in glen, wood and hill, I have scoured the realm for the dark elves. "  

He stands and paces slightly, twitched and angry at the thought of the drow before he whips round, his slightly tilted eyes fixing the strangely armoured figures,   "Out with it. "  
paradox26
The Prince himself speaks up at the varied responses that mostly tend to the positive.  "Please do not take offense, my friends. The statuette is merely a token of appreciation for your work, one esteemed being to others of similar rank." 

He leans forward in his seat, as it becomes clear to him that small talk is neither needed nor appreciated.

 "You may know that in the land of Kahoor, in the principality of Jasmal over which I reign, there is a beast more great and terrible than any other on Ashfar. It is the Royal Beast, the ancient ravager of kingdoms. No warrior has ever prevailed against it, for its hide is stronger than steel and its maw has devoured armies." 

As the Prince speaks, you get the feeling that he is rather proud of this beast, as if it were somehow a national mascot.

 "The Royal Beast slumbers for centuries, then when it awakens, it ravages the land. We propitiate it with offerings – cattle, barrels of good wine, unwed maidens – which it devours, and when it has eaten it returns to its lair. This is the way it has always been. We have not sought to slay it, for legends say that it cannot be killed. Our scholars predict its awakenings. We know when to expect it to arise, so we have many months to prepare the offerings. The beast’s appetite is terrific, so such lengthy preparation is absolutely
necessary. "

"We know not why, but the Royal Beast has awoken early. There is no offering. The Beast has become enraged and is turning Jasmal into a wasteland. You will know that Kahoor is a mighty kingdom of fierce warriors who know no fear. Many of our finest have ridden out to confront the Beast but when they attempt to slow its progress or turn it back to its lair, it pays them no heed or devours them before they can even make a dint in the creature’s hide. Thus it is that we turn to you."

"We have heard the tales of your stand against the dark ones. Our minstrels have made tales of you. Artists have rendered your likenesses in carpets that hang on the walls of the most exclusive spice-houses. Even His Celestial Eminence, King Parhay the Thirty-First, has spoken your names in the Hall of Ancestry and burned olibanum in your honour on the Feast of the Nine Orbs. We need champions. We need heroes" 
Lioslaith
  "Well I, for one, am interested in the challenge this presents.  A why, a how and a task.  Count me in."  
namo
" The Starborn are here to oppose the Dark " Yedra states flatly... then her mouth quirks in a kind smile - even a straightforward warrior can enjoy a little misdirection from time to time. " But I almost never refuse lending a hand when so many lives are at stake, and I am in a unique position to help.

My blade and my mind are yours. "
The latter is a ritual sentence associated with her position as a Blademind of the Synads.
Lioslaith
  "You never know, Yedra, this could be the work of the drow or the Dark.  Cause chaos, sewing destruction, it follows their patterns.    Reshad pauses before continuing,   "Or it could be the thing just woke up early."  
samduke
 First allow me to speak for my comrades, this statue you present as a gift to us, give it to the church the wealth it can bring will benefit those less fortunate.

Now as to this Royal Beast, where is it currently ? 
DrK
Kurnos pauses and considers the news.   ”The Royal Beast is a thing of true horror. If left unchecked it will devastate most of the continent.”   He stands a little formally and nods his head,   “I will assist you, but I do not need your tokens, have them given to the poor or distributed to your farmers.”  
paradox26
The Prince nods his acquiescence to the offer.  "The token is your to distribute as you see fit. I accept the nobility of your gift and will have my people distribute it to the poor,"  he says.

He then answers the question of the Beast's location by saying,  It has been terrorising the area around the village of Zubunti. If you travel there you can speak to the locals to find better directions to the Beast." 

You think back over your knowledge of the past and of nature, and a name comes to mind for most of you, a name attached by others to the Royal Beast. It is a name which will strike fear into the hearts of the boldest.

Tarrasque.
Lioslaith
As the creatures identity dawns on Reshad his eyes widen a bit. He says to the other Starborn   ”Even for us this will be no easy task.  However we should try and move quickly to limit the things destructive run. I don’t recall that is ever stops other than to gorge itself and hibernate.  Do we have a way to get there quickly?”  
namo
" If I recall, fast transportation was usually provided by Krag if he knew the place already, or Ivory or Kurnos if we didn't. " Yedra muses, tapping her lower lip with one finger.
" It might have to wait the morrow if they didn't anticipate this need, and how could they? "

Destiny knows what it's doing, for it assembled Starborn with complementary abilities. Yedra is thankful for the mutual support they provide each other.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Just venturing a guess here - Teleport/Greater Teleport for arcane or Wind Walk for divine.

I'm assuming the place is far enough that it doesn't make sense to just fly or gallop there in a few hours.
 
samduke
Immediatly upon learning/realizing the name of the royal beast as Tarrasque

Ivory will cast Scry Location targeting the area around the village of Zubunti
Athaleon
Krag turned his gaze on the Prince, now that he'd studied each member of his entourage in turn. He would have to remind his companions that refusal of a diplomatic gift was typically considered rude, but the Prince had handled things tactfully. He really did need their help, after all.

  "Aye, we can go straight away. I need only a well-detailed description of the village to bring us there, and Ivory can usually provide one if none present know it by memory."   His tone was conversational enough, but his accent and the timbre of his voice lent a hard edge to every word.   "Before we do—it's said this Beast can't be killed, and no warrior or army has been able to stop it. What else has been tried? Has some mage attempted to put the thing back to sleep, or seal it away, for example?"  
DrK
 Kurnos 
  ”A beast of legend, a beast released by the gods themselves.”   He will shake his head sadly and then nod at Ivory and Krag.   “Good we can step there today, a wisdom you show in your selection of magics today.”  

He’ll step up and look at the others clearly ready to move out
paradox26
 
 Originally Posted by samduke 
 Immediatly upon learning/realizing the name of the royal beast as Tarrasque

Ivory will cast Scry Location targeting the area around the village of Zubunti 
 

Zubunti is the closest settlement to the Tarrasque’s lair. The houses are simple wooden buildings with thatched roofs and chickens in the yard. The Tarrasque has not ploughed through the village, as the outlying farms offer more easily-caught food (cows and pigs) than the little humans who run away.



 
 Originally Posted by Athaleon 
 Krag turned his gaze on the Prince, now that he'd studied each member of his entourage in turn. He would have to remind his companions that refusal of a diplomatic gift was typically considered rude, but the Prince had handled things tactfully. He really did need their help, after all.

  "Aye, we can go straight away. I need only a well-detailed description of the village to bring us there, and Ivory can usually provide one if none present know it by memory."   His tone was conversational enough, but his accent and the timbre of his voice lent a hard edge to every word.   "Before we do—it's said this Beast can't be killed, and no warrior or army has been able to stop it. What else has been tried? Has some mage attempted to put the thing back to sleep, or seal it away, for example?"   
 

The Prince says,  "We have tried sending bands of mixed warriors and mages, to no avail. But they were not the Starborn. I am sure you are all more powerful than any of my own guards or mages." 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Can I please get a Knowledge Geography check from everyone.
 
samduke
Ivory passes along the description of the area to Krag to aid in the teleport/greater teleport efforts
paradox26
Jasmal is one of the most prosperous regions of Kahoor. Its main exports are wine and fruit. The sunny hillsides are perfect for vineyards. The landscape is one of serene beauty, with small farmsteads dotting the land and patches of dark woodland where stags roam, all overseen by a high whitewalled castle. This is Nuskham’s residence.

To the north, the Wall of Grand Iora stretches like a white cliff across the plain, dividing Kahoor from the barbaric, untamed land of Urmish, where monstrous  humanoids, goblinoids and giants roam. In the distance to the west, the summery perfection of the landscape is marred by huge dark rents torn in the earth, as if some great machine had ploughed through it again and again.

The rigid caste system of Kahoor means that mere labourers are practically a different and inferior species from warriors, let alone champions.

Zubunti is the closest settlement to the Tarrasque’s lair. The houses are simple wooden buildings with thatched roofs and chickens in the yard. The Tarrasque has not ploughed through the village, as the outlying farms offer more easily-caught food (cows and pigs) than the little humans who run away.

Those are all the things you learn from the scrying attempt.
DrK
 Kurnos 

The hunter spins his staff gently around as the others speak of distant Kahoor.   "It is rare for me to travel to a new place..."   the elf mentions in passing,   "But I am excitd to see how we will hunt such a beast."   Nodding to Krag he'll offer a smile,    "I stand ready I need only a few moments to fetch my bear who is a close friend and travelling companion"  
Athaleon
Krag looked grimmer than usual while he pondered. The Prince's vagueness might have been deliberate, but most likely no close witnesses to the battles with the Beast had survived to report anything in detail. And this Prince was a man of considerable means, with the resources to consult any known source of further insight. As much as he hated going to battle unprepared, there was likely no other way to gather more information but from the Beast's very wake.

  "Aye, I'll need a moment to prepare as well—to fix this place in my mind, to ready additional protection, and to call upon the wisdom of our forebears. From  that , we can all benefit."  
 
 Spoiler 

Party Buffs:
Mass Adept Spirit

(Additional) Self Buffs:
Foresight
Adamantine Wings
Extended Shapechange (taking the form of a Marut Inevitable before we go)
 


When all were prepared and ready, Krag finally cast the spell to teleport the party to Jasmal.
namo
As Ivory conjured up a magnificent feast that filled their stomachs and imbibed them with protective magic, Yedra wondered out loud, not the first time, at the strangeness of it:
" I could never get fully used to stuffing myself  as preparation for  a battle! But I guess you never know when it's going to last 5 or 8 hours... Thanks Ivory, this is as delicious as ever. "
She eats with one hand, the other still bound to her trusted weapon.

She feels a thrill at the prospect of measuring up with the Legendary Beast. Based on what her companions have told her, it will be the single most powerful creature they have fought up until now.
Yet " an isolated foe is not the one that one fears the most ".
In truth, taking down gigantic beasts or fiends is a specialty of hers, so she does not feel worried.
" But does one of you have the right spell to send it back to sleep? "

When the time comes to teleport with Krag, she stretches then comes near him with a feline smile.
" Ready to slice that giant... possum? "
The comparison is obviously intended to be ridiculous.
paradox26
Zubunti is the closest settlement to the Tarrasque’s lair. The houses are simple wooden buildings with thatched roofs and chickens in the yard. The Tarrasque has not ploughed through the village, as the outlying farms offer more easily-caught food (cows and pigs) than the little humans who run away.

You arrive on the outskirts of the town. You see a commotion as the villagers spot you. They send their women and children running to hid in their houses, and the men come out and fall into a rough line in the village square. They all keep their heads down, not daring to look at personages as mighty as the Starborn.


 
 Spoiler: OOC Actions 

Can I please get a Gather Information check from anyone who wants to talk to the villagers.
 
namo
Yedra knows she cuts an imposing figure with her angelic wings and her wicked-looking, gleaming curved blade, yet she sees no need to minimize it - she wouldn't be good at that kind of deception anyway.
So with a beat of her wings she rises into the sky, her voice carrying far, magically amplified by her headpiece.

"  People of Zubunti, we have come to help you and protect you from the depredations of the Immortal Beast!
Fear not our might, for it is at your service.

Let those of you who have reliable information on the whereabouts of the Beast come forward: if you have seen it, or seen the spoors of a giant beast, then let us know. We have no needs for rumors, and remember that the sooner we find it, the sooner your families will be safe!  "

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Gather Information  (1d20+6)[ 7 ] 
edit: and a nice 1 to start with!

Yedra has terrrible social skills, but I'm hoping the RP and her display gives her a +20 circumstance bonus. 😉
 
samduke
Walking into the village, Ivory asks around of the people to see if any know of or have seen the royal beast and may know of its whereabouts.
Athaleon
 
 Originally Posted by namo 
 " But does one of you have the right spell to send it back to sleep? " 
 

  "Not I. Puttin' folk to sleep—proper slumber, I mean, not knocking 'em out—is Enchanters' work."   Krag's tone and shake of his head showed what he thought of  them .   "We ken so little yet of this Beast, I can't even be sure how literal its 'slumber' really was. It might have been compelled or imprisoned in some way that made it look asleep, or maybe it's unleashed onto our world in cycles by some outside force—which could be some demon lord, or it could be the stars' alignment for all we know."  
paradox26
Ivory manages to convince a few of the locals to speak up, and her warm manner and the lack of hostility from the party encourages the women and children to come out of hiding. The villagers start to cluster around Ivory and amongst the chatter she learns the following:

On the night of the great storm, holes opened in the world. It was as if a dark cloth had stretched and split in many places, with a great light shining from beyond.

Figures of bright light and figures of fire and smoke emerged through the holes, fought with one another and vanished. The peasants point to scorched patches of ground where they say the beings clashed.

Many were woken by a tremendous yowl like the cry of a wild cat, if there were such a thing as a wild cat that hunted elephants instead of mice.

One peasant, Krojen, was awakened from sleep by his dog barking madly, followed by a low growl outside his window. He looked out and saw a shape, bigger than a man, lope away into the darkness. It turned around and its eyes shone like those of a wolf.

Another peasant, Jastilla, who saw the Tarrasque lurching off to the northwest by the light of the moon, is convinced she saw a large shape like a man with gleaming, bestial eyes standing close by. He wore a long cloak and seemed to be controlling the creature with it. The Tarrasque was too ravenously hungry to bother answering him.



 
 Spoiler: OOC Actions 
Please roll me a Spot or Search check, whichever is better.
 
DrK
 Kurnos 

Kurnos now sat astride the massive and heavily muscled bear watches the villagers, inwardly sad and shameful as the women and children flee and men look so downcast. The likes of him and hi new allies should be celebrated not feared. As they discuss the situation h wanders around the village exploring and seeking signs of tracks and anything else that may lead to a clue as to the direction the great beast has gone.


 

Survival  (1d20+31)[ 48 ] 
Spot  (1d20+36)[ 52 ] 
 
samduke
 Ivory 

Returning to the party I have some information on where to go look for the beasty. I am going to go fly in that direction if you want to tag along or I can return here and then we can set out together proper like.

Ivory waits for the party to decide, then turns and flys in the direction indicated by the villagers

 
 Spoiler: rolls 

Ivorys flight in the direction indicated

search (1d20+28)[37]
spot (1d20+36)[52]
listen (1d20+31)[32] &lt; glad you can not auto fail on a 1 with skill checks - to much wind LOL
survival (1d20+20)[38]
 
namo
Yedra, already in the air, follows Ivory.
She tries to hear something, anything, over the sound of her wings beating.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Listen:  (1d20+26)[ 40 ] 
 
paradox26
Beneath Krojen’s window are the marks of a clawed paw like that of a lion.

On the outskirts of the town, the paw prints of a gargantuan creature lead toward the hill where the Tarrasque was sleeping.

That is all the party is able to gather directly, but stories are spreading about the monster being near. However there are differing version of the stories, as if they are talking about more than one creature.

The surrounding farms have been ordered to heap all of their produce on the limits of their fields, in the hope  that the beast will consume it and pass on without tearing the farms apart. Everyone is hard at work loading up barrows full of fruit and piling them up in mounds.

Following the trail of the tarrasque appears to be easy. You just need to follow the low ground where the trail of destruction leads.
samduke
If the rest of the party did not come along once the tracks are found Ivory will leave Yedra to continue to follow the tracks, and return to the rest of the party and inform them of the tracks and the direction of travel.

once the party is caught up to Yedra, then Ivory will begin discussing plans on how to put the beast to death or at the very least back to slumber.
namo
Yedra flies closer to the paw mark, taking in its breathtaking size.
" Truly a king among beasts... Even dragons do not grow to this size, methinks. "

" But if not all testimonies are fanciful - and I would not assume they are - then there is a third actor, still hidden, in this play. We have to watch out for additional threats even while we fight the Ta rr asque. " She rolls the 'r' as she names their prey.
" I myself intend to fully focus on the beast. As you know, I'm well matched to this kind of big, non-magical opponent. "
paradox26
You pass one wrecked farm after another. There is no sign of the animals or the people who used to live there, not even so much as a bone. The beast has  swallowed them all up. A heap of evil smelling dung higher than a barn is the only clue to their fate. You see a homestead that is still intact, though the roof is missing. You hear a bellow, and see a mighty beast eating a herd of cattle.


 
 Spoiler: OOC Actions 

Can I please get a Spot check and a Knowledge Planes check from everyone.
 
DrK
Kurnos had been looking sadly at the trail of destruction as he rode his pet fire bear, the massive fluffy animal padding along happily

As they see the last farm and a massive beast in tye distance he halts atop the ridge looking down at the beast, a hand tightening on his quarterstaff

 Spot  (1d20+32)[ 49 ]  
paradox26
You study the mighty beast of legend, but you all notice something with your keen eyes. The Tarrasque appears to be wounded. You all know this to be very odd, as the beast is famous for its regenerative abilities.  Then you spot something that appears to explain it. A black talon is embedded beneath the carapace, stuck deep into its flesh. You realise that the creature can't regenerate with the talon stuck in its flesh still.

Taking a careful look, you decide that the talon is not from a creature of this land. It comes from some sort of what you can only imagine to be an extraplanar creature of colossal size. Perhaps that is what caused the Tarrasque to rise from its slumber.
namo
" Not so hidden after all. That talon... We have to get hold of it, to identify the cloaked menace.

I'm not the best at stealth, but I have decent survival chances even if detected. So if someone grants me some kind of invisibility I'm willing to try grabbing it. But I don't mind playing support either, and standing by in case a distraction is needed or we determine we need to knock it out to grab the talon safely. "
Lioslaith
  ”I could try and knock it out with a shot but plucking it out might be better. Or we could find whatever it is and rouse it to fight the thing. Maybe they will kill each other or at the very least weaken one another.”  
samduke
 Well I could call upon the gods to grant me some additional strength, that might be enough to pluck that talon, but I fear we will still need to put this beast down, or at the very least back to its slumber. 
DrK
Kurnos looks at the distant beast to consider his next options. Looking about he shakes his head,  ”A funny thing. The talon is large and seems to impact the creature but is not recognisable.”  

He glances at Ivory and nods though,  “The beast is awakened though so I agree we shall have to put it back down to sleep then remove the Thorn.” 
Lioslaith
Reshad sighs,   ”We say that so casually, ‘put it down, put it to sleep’, you know what that thing is and how difficult that is going to be, right?”  
samduke
Ivory begins casting allowing her comrades to remain close enough to benefit from any that could benefit them.

 I suggest my friends that you keep up for I am going to attack the beast. 
Turning invisible, Ivory heads off flying at full speed towards the beast.
Lioslaith
Sighing again, this was getting to be a thing with Reshad, he fires off a volley of arrows at the beast.   ”Lets get this party started then, shall we?”  
 
 Spoiler: Att and Dam 

 (1d20+43)[ 55 ] 
 (1d20+43)[ 49 ] 
 (1d20+43)[ 56 ] 
 (1d20+43)[ 60 ] 
 (1d20+43)[ 57 ] 
 (1d8+17)[ 23 ] 
 (1d8+17)[ 19 ] 
 (1d8+17)[ 24 ] 
 (1d8+17)[ 23 ] 
 (1d8+17)[ 23 ] 
 
namo
" Those who intend to charge and engage in melee, stay close to me! "
Her companions know that Yedra coordinates their group charge for maximum efficiency.

She begins to fly towards the creature, relying on hand signals to understand her teammates - her voice is magically amplified so that they can hear her well enough.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
When she uses War Master's Charge, you'll be able to charge as an  immediate  action and inflict bonus damage, and possibly stun the tarrasque, but you need to be within 30ft of her.
 Let me know if you intend to take part in it 

She needs to be within 180ft of the tarrasque to perform her flying charge (double her Hasted speed).
 

 Reminder: +2 morale to attack / saves / skills when you can hear Yedra  (cf. the OOC post will all the party bonuses)
samduke
flying in with Yedra from 160ft away attacking the mighty beast, Ivory lets out a mighty roar as she cast her final spell just before attacking.

 
 Spoiler: ignore these 

  (1d20+22)[ 29 ] 
 (1d20+57)[ 66 ] 
 (1d20+57)[ 74 ] 
 (1d20+52)[ 56 ] 
 (1d20+47)[ 61 ] 
 (1d20+42)[ 45 ] 
 (1d20+57)[ 70 ] 
 (1d20+57)[ 71 ] 
 (1d20+52)[ 57 ] 
 (1d20+47)[ 54 ] 
 (1d20+42)[ 58 ] 
 (16d6+30)[ 92 ] 
 (16d6+30)[ 82 ] 
 (16d6+30)[ 78 ] 
 (16d6+30)[ 75 ] 
 (16d6+30)[ 102 ] 
 (16d6+30)[ 87 ] 
 (1d6)[ 6 ] 
 (1d6)[ 5 ] 
 (1d6)[ 3 ] 
 (1d6)[ 1 ] 
 (1d6)[ 5 ] 
 (1d6)[ 2 ] 
 (1d6)[ 5 ] 
 (1d6)[ 5 ] 
 (16d6+30)[ 81 ] 
 (16d6+30)[ 80 ] 
 (16d6+30)[ 87 ] 
 (16d6+30)[ 82 ] 
 (1d6)[ 4 ] 
 (1d6)[ 1 ] 
 (1d6)[ 1 ] 
 (1d6)[ 1 ] 
 (1d6)[ 5 ] 
 (1d6)[ 2 ] 
 (1d6)[ 3 ] 
 (1d6)[ 4 ]  
 


see OOC for new rolls
namo
Once they are positioned as planned, floating or flying high above the oblivious beast, Yedra gives the signal to charge by raising her curved blade, and slashing it down as she reorients her body for the dive.

As she pierces through the air, she exults in the thrill of the battle to come, and the wind battering her body starts bringing some memories to mind, of tough battles and glorious victories.
Unbidden, a shout comes to her lips:
" Forward, Starborn! Once more into the fray! "
She might have clamped down on it if stealth was of the essence, but by now it's too late for their target to react, and it is apparently alone.

Yedra twists her whole bloody as she delivers a slash in time with her allies.
The Starborn team hits so hard that even the massive body is rocked by the onslaught.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
K Arcana  (1d20+26)[ 43 ]  (for K Devotion) - I assumed a +4 bonus below (edit: it's actually +5, but that's pocket change)
Attack  (1d20+48)[ 54 ]  (Power Attacking for 10)
Damage  (2d4+111)[ 117 ]  (breakdown available on-demand 🙂)

AC is 43 due to the charge penalty

If Yedra hits and at least one other ally hits, the tarrasque is  stunned (no save) for 1 round .
 
DrK
Kurnos grins at his allies as they scream battlecries an begins joining the others as spells and magic pulses and flies everywhere! He slips off the bear and beginsto by the beast, as he does a smell of spice and a shimmer seem to take him as the air trembles around him and the lithe elf soon morphs into a massive elephantine polar bear with ridged horns and cords of muscle coupled with massive claws covering its body! More spells and druidic green energy flow between the "elf" and his pet dire bear as both beasts seem to swell and and grow more muscular, faces twisted in snarls and feral snapping maws.

Finally as the call to war is given by Yedra both Kurnos and Gwrhydd hurl themselves forward at the legendary beast, colossal strength seeking to simply rend their way through the legendary beast' thick carapce. Before hammering and clawing in a frenzy at the massive colossal beast!




 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Immediate Action: When 140ft Away - repsond to the warmaster's charge

Kurnos:  (1d20+42)[ 56 ]    dam  (4d6+52)[ 64 ]  (inc. the +6 to hit and +25 damage for warmaster's charge)
- if 19-20 then threat   (1d20+42)[ 46 ]    extra dam  (4d6+52)[ 67 ] 


Pet bear:  (1d20+56)[ 71 ]  damage  (3d6+60)[ 66 ]  (inc. the +6 to hit and +25 damage for warmaster's charge)
- If 17-20 then threat  (1d20+56)[ 69 ]  extra damage  (9d6+180)[ 209 ] 

Full attack:
Kurnos
Claw  (1d20+36)[ 39 ]    dam  (4d6+27)[ 43 ] 
Claw  (1d20+36)[ 40 ]    dam  (4d6+27)[ 42 ] 
Bite   (1d20+30)[ 50 ]    dam  (4d8+12)[ 34 ] 

Gwrhydd
Claw  (1d20+50)[ 58 ]  damage  (3d6+35)[ 48 ] 
Claw  (1d20+50)[ 62 ]  damage  (3d6+35)[ 43 ] 
Bite Claw  (1d20+43)[ 60 ]  damage  (3d8+21)[ 32 ] 


Round 1:
Swift: Wildshape into a Dire Polar Bear
 Huge animal,   Str 39, Dex 11, Con 23,  Size mods -2/+8, Nat armour +11  
Standard: Jagged Tooth (Claws) 210 minutes - keen claws   (+ Pet bear)

Round 2:
Swift: Nature's Avatar on Gwrhydd (+10 luck hit/dam,  (21d8)[ 87 ]  Temp HPs, haste) 21 minutes
Standard: Bite of the Werebear (+Pet Bear) +16 STR, +8 CON, +2 DEX, +7 Nat Armour, Blindfight, POwer attack, "bigger claws and bite"

Round 3:
Standard: G'Magic Fang (Right claw) increase to +5 weapons for 21 hours (shared with bear)


 Ivory buff: Haste

Dire Polar Bear Kurnos:
Str 55, Dex 17, Con 31 // HPS 317 // AC 46  (Arm 5, Dex 3, natural 18, haste 1 Misc 11, -2 size)
Saves 28/16/28

Pet bear
Hit Dice:	252 (18d8+108) + "MANY" + 72
Armor Class:	41 (-1 size, +4 Dex, +20 natural, +7 armour +1 haste)
Attack:	Claw +50 melee (3d6+35 17-20/x4)
Full Attack:	2 claws +50 melee (3d6+35 17-20/x4) and bite +43 melee (3d8+21)
Saves:	Fort +(27) 17, Ref +(22) 14, Will +(16) 7 [+4 vs enchantment]
 
DrK
 
 Spoiler: Critical threat bites 



Kurnos
Bite  (1d20+30)[ 47 ]  extra dam  (4d8+12)[ 23 ] 

Gwrhydd
Bite Claw  (1d20+43)[ 61 ]  extra dam  (3d8+21)[ 40 ] 
 
paradox26
The beast is rocked by the sudden unexpected attacks. It roars, but it is grievously wounded. It lumbers off back up a nearby hill. There is a cave halfway up the hill, and something or somethings, that stand just outside the cave entrance. The cave is huge, big enough to allow the Tarrasque to enter. It must be its lair. The beast is wounded enough that it seems to want to go back to sleep.


 
 Spoiler: OOC ACtions 

Can I get a Spot check from each of you to determine what lays outside the lair.
 
samduke
Ivory not sure what lays outside the lair, looking intently in that direction attempting to spot what it is.

*
With the aid of the party members will attempt removing the talon and then using her divine magic WISH the beast back to sleep
Athaleon
Krag stayed back, keeping his sharpened senses ready to detect ambush. This Tarrasque was very large and powerful, to be sure, but for all that it seemed little more than a simple beast—one already on the run, by all appearances. Whatever, or whoever, had left that talon embedded in its hide may still be around, and it was too easy to imagine this Beast being used as bait for warriors and mages of greater caliber than the ordinary soldiers who possessed no means of stopping it anyway.

 
 Spoiler 

Ready an action to cast Time Stop if Krag detects an ambush.
 
DrK
 Kurnos 

Kurnos paused in surprise as, instead of mauling them with claw, fang and horn the massive colosaal monster of legend placidly walked off, ignoring them like children heading for the cave. He considered trying to wrestle it to the ground before just watching it go, now more curious than ever and starting to feel just pity for a beast so massive yet ultimately a beast of simple desires for food and shelter. As it seems to settle he'll watch carefuly, looking around for the makrs where the talon may have come from.

 Spot  (1d20+36)[ 49 ]  
paradox26
Outside the cave lie three immense blocks of stone. They have been fashioned into rough rectangular shapes and seem to have been here for thousands of years. This is where the people of Jasmal leave their offerings at the times when the beast is due to wake from what you can tell, as there are offerings at the base of the blocks.

As well as the smell of a reptile, which you assume to have been the Tarrasque, there is another, fainter, smell, that very strangely appears to be feline.

You can't get the talon out of the Tarrasque's hide, as it is high up the creature, and since it is dangerous to stay near the beast. However, since you can see that the Tarrasque is under the effects of the wish spell, it could be assumed that it is going back to sleep, in which case you can get the talon out of the hide when it does. However, you would need to follow it to its cave to see it go to sleep.
samduke
realizing the beast is headed back to it's lair to  sleep, Ivory restores her invisibility, and follows the beast flying behind 30ft and above estimating the level of the lair roof (20-30ft elevation)
paradox26
The cavern is thirty feet across; it slopes downward at the back and becomes a steeply plunging tunnel. Broken  rock formations show where the creature scrambled through and pools of blood – dried to a thick crust on the floor – show that it was wounded when it did so.

The immense vault where the Tarrasque slumbered is surprisingly warm for an underground cavern. Splashes of gore deck the walls, floor and roof, making the region stink like an abattoir. Clearly, a vicious fight took place here.


The Tarrasque enters the lair and immediately curls up into a slumber. You can pull the talon out if you want to, in an attempt to keep it asleep for as long as possible.
namo
Yedra comes to a stop near the talon, wings flapping gently to hold her aloft.
The sheer scale of the beast is even more breath-taking this close...

She grabs the talon, puts her two feet on the hide for leverage then pulls with all her strength; if needed, she'll call for help from her companions.

Once it's out, she'll let the talon circulate for examination by the more knowledgeable among them.
" Any idea where it could have come from? Something to do with the Dark? "

Then she'll fly around the cave, trying to find a clue as to who or what fought the Tarrasque here.
paradox26
You pull out the talon and pass it around. It is unusual, and not a part of an animal you would normally identify it by. But the answer comes as Yedra flies around the cavern. A rare interplanar creature hides at the back of the cavern. You identify the colossal feline creature known as a Tayellah.

However, it has a sign of civility to it, as it has a mithral collar with the name "Mourngrim" written on it hanging around its neck. Maybe it belongs to someone, or maybe it is a sacred beast. It is studying the group, and looks like it is deciding about whether to try to ambush the party members.
DrK
The huge polar bear and slightly less huge dire beat wander along after the tarrasque with their clawed feet leaving heavy paw prints in the mud. Entering the cavern Kurnos looks around and shakes his head at the carnage.

  ”A strange fight. What manner of beast attacks such a legendary monster.”   He’ll assist Yedra with his heavy paws dragging at the talon. If the other beast is mentioned Kurnos pauses and stares up at it, flexing his claws as he waits to see what an extraplanar cat monster does.
Lioslaith
Reshad studies the beast studying them. Without taking his eyes off it he says to the others,   "I'd wager it came from that."  
namo
" Is it intelligent? " Yedra asks her booksmart companions.
She doesn't want to presume it's simply a pet.

If told it's intelligent, she will attempt to communicate with it in the languages that she knows: Abyssal, Undercommon, Draconic...
" We do not mean you harm for now, though we will defend ourselves with extreme prejudice should you attack. We need to know more about what happened here. "

If told it's likely just an animal, she turns to Kurnos: " Can you communicate with it? Or at least win its good graces? "
Lioslaith
  "I'd wager that it is.  It is not from this world, it's huge, wearing a collar."    Reshad takes a few steps towards the Tayellah,   "As my companions said, we mean you no harm.  How is it you came to be in this world?"  
Athaleon
Cats wearing collars weren't necessarily intelligent, but who knew what creatures might look like cats, or who might be collared in distant lands, or on other planes? The Drow, much closer to home than that, put collars on any folk they could get their hands on, including each other. For that matter, who  had  done the collaring? Krag continued to hold his spell at the ready while he pondered.

 
 Spoiler 

Knowledge (Planes):  (1d20+36)[ 37 ] 

Continuing to ready action to cast Time Stop if the party is attacked.
 
paradox26
The Tayellah is a creature whose name you have heard, without knowing anything of the creature.

When it realises from your stares that it has been spotted, it growls, but doesn't attack. It walks forward slowly into the lit part of the cave. It doesn't speak, but it seems to understand common, and you suspect that it is more intelligent than most cats.
samduke
Ivory while invisible maneuvers around to a spot behind the creature.
Where the creature would actually have to turn its head if it were to continue to watch her or so she thought.
Lioslaith
Reshad takes a tentative step forward with his hand extended in friendship,   "I'd wager that you understand me pretty well but you probably aren't much of a talker."  
DrK
The pair of bears, one massive, muscular and white, the other leaner and shaggy with brown fur looks at the cat closing a little. Kurnos will look to the others   "A funny looing beast. I have not seen what these monsters are."    He'll wait and  watch carefully. Still looking at the cat's multiple heads with a careful level stare.
paradox26
The tayellah looks curiously at Reshad, as if it understands the words, but it clearly can't talk. It's three heads try to follow as many of the party as possible, but the central head remains focused on Reshad.
Lioslaith
  "How's about we find someone who can talk to you and lets see if we can get you back home and back home to whom ever's collar that is?"    Reshad inches a bit closer still, trying to see if there is any writing on the collar or any identifiers at all.

 
 Spoiler: Collar Read 
[roll]1d20+36{/roll] Spot check
 

  "Doesn't seem to be anything written on the collar.  I wonder how you got here, big fella?"  
DrK
Looking to the others Kurnos will keep his distance as he slowly with his massive bear companion goes to block the cave exit standing by the sleeping colossal tarrasque. He looks to the others,   ”it looks like a predator, be ready.”  
paradox26
The collar has an inscription on it that says "Mourngrim".
Lioslaith
  "Wait, wait, there is a word on it, Mourngrim.  Is that your name?  Mourngrim?"  
paradox26
The tayellah purrs for a moment at the calling out of the name on the collar, suggesting that must be the big cat's name.
Lioslaith
  "Mourngrim, hunh, well lets see if we can get you home or at least back to your owner big fella."    Reshad reaches the last little bit and attempts to pet the big cat.
paradox26
The big three headed cat is cautious, but allows you to pat it for a moment, before pulling back again. It doesn't appear to be completely hostile, but is wary.
Lioslaith
Reshad turns to the others,   "How the hell do you think Mourngrim got here?  It's obviously not of this world."  
samduke
seeing that the beast does not seem hostile (Becoming Visible)  well there are a few spells that could certainly have caused it to be here. I have an idea however. 

Walking over near the beast cautiously, touching it... Casting Comprehend Languages Duration: 10 min./level &lt;250 min&gt;

Speaking to Mourngrim,  Easy does it, we wish to know how you came to be here, and how your claw ended up in the side of that beast  pointing to the Tarasque
namo
" It came with whoever orchestrated this, though I now wonder if the Tarrasque rampaging was deliberate, as I initially assumed. Perhaps the confrontation between Mourngrim and it didn't go as expected. "

She realizes belatedly she's not quite answering Reshad's question.
" The villagers mentioned  spoke of portals , if you recall, or something akin. "
Lioslaith
  "I'm almost of the mindset that this was less deliberate and more an accident of fate.  If we can somehow get her to tell us where she came from we might can get her home."  
paradox26
The Tayellah's three heads glance at each other, then it growls something which is understandable under the effects of the language comprehension spell.

 "I was in my homeland, when the sky seemed to split and shake. Suddenly I was here. I tried to find a lair to take shelter in, and I found this one. This beast was here, fast asleep. So I managed to take it by surprise and attacked it before it was aware of its surroundings,"  the Tayellah says. It  appears to be remarkably intelligent for what you might at first have taken for a simple animal.
samduke
Pointing at the Tarasque,  That is a great beast, one that usually slumbers for many years. it is a great foe to fight, &amp; nearly impossible to kill.

Can you tell me where your homeland is? We may be able to send you back. 
DrK
The great shaggy polar bear shuffles closer to the massive cat.  "Why did you fight the sleeping beast? Or had it stirred when you were cast here?"  he asks with a low throaty growl.
Then a look at the others, especially Ivory and Reshad,  "With rest would yo be able to prepare magics to send this creature back its home realm? It is not a power that I posses" 
samduke
 
 Originally Posted by DrK 
 The great shaggy polar bear shuffles closer to the massive cat.  "Why did you fight the sleeping beast? Or had it stirred when you were cast here?"  he asks with a low throaty growl.
Then a look at the others, especially Ivory and Reshad,  "With rest would yo be able to prepare magics to send this creature back its home realm? It is not a power that I posses"  
 

 I have the ability, I just need to know where to send it. 
Lioslaith
  "Planar travel is certainly not my thing."  
Athaleon
  "I wish I could help ye there. All I could ken of the Tayellah is what they're called. Couldn't tell you their provenance, let alone where one individual's home  plane  is, let alone where their actual  home  is. You or I would certainly not want to be deposited on some random point on the Prime Material - not without protection against drowning, for example, and that's just a start."  
namo
" Perhaps some divinations might help? Calling to the gods or other higher-power entities? " she asks the spellcasters.
Yedra doesn't fully understand how that works, but it's proved quite useful in the past.

" But seems you were right, Reshad; it sounds like the planes colliding was perhaps not caused intentionally by Mourngrim's people. "

" Mourngrim, can you tell us about your master, if you have any? Or the people who took care of you?
What were their names? And what did they call themselves, as a people? "
paradox26
Mourngrim considers the questions, then answers,  "My home is just my home. I do not know what you would call it, but it is a greener land than this, with much forest to hunt in.

As for this beast, I wanted it's lair. It was asleep, but it could wake up at any time, so I attacked it to drive it away. Now it has come back.

And as for a master, I do not have one, but I do have a friend in this place. I do not know what you would call him, but he visits me sometimes." 
samduke
 How often does this friend visit , maybe we can get answers from them.? 
paradox26
The big cat considers this, the three heads looking at each other for confirmation of an answer. Finally, the cat says,  "My friend comes regularly, though I have rarely left this cave, so I am not all that sure of the passage of time. He hasn't been here in a while, though so he should probably come soon." 
namo
" If you don't mind, we'll wait for your friend, to discuss and figure out the best course of action from here on out. "

Yedra settles to wait: she sits cross-legged, her wicked blade lying flat across her knees, and closes her eyes meditatively.
samduke
to the cat -  I guess we shall wait here if it is alright with you 
paradox26
The tayellah settles down to wait for its friend. After several hours of patience, you are rewarded. A figure enters the cave. It is eight feet tall and looks like a human, but it has the head of a lion. It stops moving as it enters the cave, then sniffs the air. It flexes its hands, and two sets of claws come out. The figure starts to move more carefully into the chamber, eyeing the tarrasque warily but not overly concerned about it.
samduke
Tense Ivory stands and speaks, watching every move the creature makes.

in common , and then every other langauge she speaks.. if it does not seem to understand.

 Greetings, We followed that beast (pointing to the tarasque) to here and discovered this cat (pointing to the  tayellah) it would like to return to it's home plane and it's home, but we do not know where to send it. do you know where it came from? 
namo
As the newcomer arrives, Yedra stands up slowly, with no sudden threatening gesture.
Her weapon is held low, parallel to her leg, but she is ready to react with extreme prejudice should he prove dangerous.

She waits to see if Ivory or anyone else manages to establish communication with him; she lends her help too with the languages she knows.
paradox26
The lion headed man studies you all, and then glances at the big cat.  "I come from a land known as Ardentia. My friend Mourngrim, here, was sucked out of our plane and into this land. I am not sure exactly where we are now, other than that it is a place somewhere on the Material Plane. I have been looking for Mourngrim, and only recently discovered she was hiding here. What did you do to the Tarrasque to get it to go to sleep? I was wary of coming here,"  he says.  "Incidentally, my name is Rhozauur. There is something special about each of you, I can feel it. If you managed to make the Great Beast sleep, I must be right about you." 
samduke
 I called upon my divine powers and they gave me the power to cause it to return to its slumber. it should remain asleep for a great while if left undisturbed.

We know not where Mourngrim or you are from within the planes,otherwise I could return you to your home.

We have a greater evil yet to fight, you are welcome to join us if you wish or remain here in this place. 
DrK
The pair of shaggy bears circle around slightly watching the newcomer with caution.  "Why did you come here and disrupt our plane? Did you awaken the great beast that here that we had to send back to sleep?"  He hackles are raised as he feels an innate sense of threat from the creature that has entered.
namo
" Which plane is your land, Ardentia, part of? " Yedra inquires politely.

" Quite perceptive of you to notice it, but we are indeed all infused with a spark of Destiny. "
paradox26
Rhozauur pauses to think, then says,  "My lands are known as the Summerlands. It is a flat plane with the Shadowlands on the bottom side. Mourngrim has been trained to accompany me in hunts for Shadowlanders who come to our lands."

"I am a Beastwarden in my lands, a protector of wild animals. I serve the Sylvan Covenant, who are made up of elves. The Court of Jasmeera is their opposite number in the Shadowlands.  They are elves as well, but are twisted by evil. As for how I got here, there was some sort of...I don't know how to explain it to you, but it was a sort of earthquake in the sky, which sucked me through it." 
namo
" That must have been rather terrifying " Yedra empathizes, nodding sagely.
Her companions who know her well may note that she has relaxed imperceptibly, meaning she does not see the man as a threat anymore.

She turns to them:
" Should we have a private chat, once we're done with our questions? "

When they're ready and gathered:
" I believe we are done here with the Tarrasque. We should inform the Prince, or have someone do it for us.

Do you think this reality quake warrants investigation? The twisted, evil people are reminiscent of the Dark... but perhaps it's prejudice at work. "
DrK
Kurnos sits back on his haunches and switches into Sylvan  &lt;“What is your plan then? Do you wish more harm or will take this 3 headed beast with you?”&gt; 
samduke
 Rhozauur .. The Summerlands, I have heard of them. If you can give me a very detailed description of where within the plane you are both from location wise, I can get you both much closer to your home than without a description. 
paradox26
Rhozuaar considers his answer briefly, then says,  "I would like to return to my homeland very much, and I will take Mourngrim with me. However, from what little I understand of what happened, I am not sure if it is safe to travel between planes at the moment. This planar event, whatever it was, may have made travel between planes unstable. I would not like to return home more than I am fond of my life." 
namo
Yedra turns to Kurnos and Krag, the resident casters. " Is that something you could check for, that there is a disturbance in the planes? I'm not doubting our guest's word, but it's something we should verify by ourselves... and then it might require some action. "
DrK
 Kurnos 

THe savage looking bear pauses and then with a strangely humanoid shrug for a bear shakes his head.  "There is nothing I can do today certainly, perhaps tomorrow after some contemplation but that is not my strength in magics. I can embrace the natural world but less so with the planar shifts," 
 "If we are satsified that tis 3 headed beast means no harm what do we do next? The tarrasque has been halted, so what is our next steps?" 
Lioslaith
  "Mayhaps we should test this planar travel theory and see if it is indeed dangerous to travel that way.  If so that would be a fundamental shift in how the planes are interacting and might be something we need to look into, as starborn."  
Archmage1
The ancient human who had been slowly following the team of Starborn speaks up at long last, having remained silent throughout the journey thus far. (No one really minded this, as between his general lack of clothing and his lack of bathing, he wasn't the best at polite company).  His voice is mushy, and his mouth barely seems to move as he talks.  " Find the sorcerer behind it.  Always some foul magic user behind it.  Find where the cat thing emerged, then track back to find the cause. "

As his breaking of his silence draws attention back to him, you take in his appearance.  Unlike the rest of the Starborn, he doesn't seem to be all that impressive at first glance.  He was small, almost frail looking, old, and human.  His movements were carefully planned to avoid pulling anything, and seemed slow, but he had kept up.  Almost as though he knew just how to move to keep up with the minimum of effort.
His white hair had clearly been fighting a losing battle against balding, but a small tuft remained, complimented by a thick beard. His equipment, however, seemed to be on the minimal side.  A simple, if battered sword, with a leather wrapped handle, clearly quite well used.  A tattered, sweat stained vest tucked into a cracked leather belt holding up a loincloth.  A blackened ring on one finger, and what might be a chain caught in his beard seem to be all that he has.
DrK
 Kurnos 

The pair of massive shaggy bears turn and look at the grubby looking ancient human and the larger of the two (Kurnos) nods.   "Always a magic user..."   the bear then laughs with a strange barking sound.  "Yes, we can track them back and then resolve this issue."  Then he looks back to the three headed cat,  "Can you show us where you emerged?" 
paradox26
Rhozauur looks at Mourngrim briefly, then says,  "We were taken seemingly at random not far from here. I can take you there, and you can likely use magic to learn more, I would imagine. Beings might enough to bring down the Royal Beast can sure use magic of some sort to learn more." 

He tells Mourngrim to follow, then leaves the cave and its sleeping tarrasque. He head over a few hills, then stops at a spot seemingly no different from any other.

 "This is where I appeared. Mourngrim, from what he has told me, came through a similar rent in space, but he was more confused than I was, and does not recall where exactly he arrived,"  he says.
Lioslaith
Reshad follows Rhozauur keeping an eye out for signs or clues, and possible threats as they go.
Archmage1
Traveling with the team towards the presumed entry point, Coman seems to move with a strange surety, minimizing motion, but yet still somehow keeping up in a way that makes everyone else look slow.

Reaching the site, he doesn't waste time talking, but instead sets his eyes to work, trying to figure out what happened here.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Why yes, of course the old man who is ignoring ageing penalties is a trained master of survival, with max ranks for his level.  He might sometimes have memory issues, but at least he can usually work out where he is, and figure something out from there...
 (1d20+27)[ 43 ]  Survival
 
paradox26
You take a look around quite carefully. It is a nondescript location, though you see a few unusual tree growths that seem ordinary enough, but would allow you to identify the place if you have cause to return here. You study the ground, and the air itself, since from the description the rent in space appears to have taken effect in the air.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Can I please get a Knowledge Planes check from everyone, unless you have other means of learning.
 
namo
Yedra follows along, quietly. The time for the Blademind to use her unique skills hasn't come yet, so she leaves it to scholars and mages to do the talking and investigating while she meditates upon the way her shadow is projected, distorted, onto the canopy of trees and bushes below, as her wings carry her after their strange visitor from another dimension.
Benoojian
Edwin has mostly stayed quiet thus far, even when the others were slandering arcane magic users wholesale, but this...this was a problem for magic to solve. "You know sometimes the best way to counter a magic user is with another magic user." The fire elf lets down his hood, the tips of his hair seeming to smolder as he casts a spell to investigate the hole in the sky. He lifts off the ground to get better coverage with the cone of magic.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
50 K. Planes from the OOC thread, Casting analyze portal, and flying at with a pre-cast Overland Flight w/44 hour duration
 
paradox26
You recognise that this must be the place it occurred. Coman detects very faint scratches int he ground, where it is clear that this is where Rhozauur and Mourngrim must have arrived. There are no signs of footprints arriving from anywhere in this realm, but there are footprints leaving it. Although very faint, they match the prints that the two unusual cats leave behind as they walk with you now.

The planar rifts seem to be the results of a shockwave travelling through the multiverse. Neighbouring planes grind against each other in a way similar to tectonic
plates. At weak points the fabric of reality tears and the differences in pressure cause creatures to be sucked through the rifts.

For some reason there has been a rearrangement of reality. Some portals from the Astral Plane to other planes have moved or disappeared altogether, while new portals have opened up. It is as if someone has removed a card from the cosmic deck, causing a reshuffle as the planes move into new positions.

You realise that it must be an incredibly rare event you have only heard whispers of in the past. It is an event called a Planequake.

You also ascertain, using your magic and your knowledge, that the originating point is likely a plane known as Sakurafu.

The chronicler Dyanthor wrote this of it:
‘The world is one of grey rocks standing alone in seas of grey sand beneath a sky like marbled tin. The winds that blow there are lukewarm, and no plants grow other than a sort of half-hearted pink lichen that can be seen on some of the rocks. The only life forms any researcher has discovered are small white creatures like trilobites or horseshoe crabs moving with unbearable slowness across the dunes. They extract nourishment from the sand by some process that is doubtless fascinating to someone in this universe, though not I. If shouted at, they die of surprise.’
DrK
The pair of massive armoured bears lumber after the colossal three headed cat and the rest. As they circle the spot of the PLanequake he will also scour the ground looking for any tracks nodding at the small old man who looks to be skilled as well. Pausing as there seems to be nothing else here the bear growls a throaty deep rumbling question   "what now? THe cat does not seem to know anything and we have no means of discerning these planar quakes. However the Tarrasque has been settled so much of the land is now safe."  
 
OOC
Survival  (1d20+31)[ 47 ] 
 
paradox26
Rhoazuur suggests,  "Perhaps you should try the library at the castle of the lord of these parts. I believe his name is Nuskahm. His sages may know more about planequakes, or at least, the plane originating the quake." 
Benoojian
Edwin is a little frustrated with the lack of information that the portal yielded, but a library trip always cheered him up, “ If the Astral Plane is also affected, we’ll have to travel the slow way rather than teleporting .”
Archmage1
Hearing the suggestion that the answer might be found in books, Coman grunts in a vague sort of way.
namo
Yedra, as often, proposes a rather straightforward approach: " Shouldn't we just travel to the plane in question to investigate? If you think it's not too risky, that is, but I assume perhaps wrongly that the spell would just fail, not kill us.
Or do you really think we'll find more information in a local library? "
She doesn't recall local lords' libraries having niche knowledge like detailed info on specific, foreign planes, but it's not like she spent all her time frequenting those. She's not ignorant, but she's far from a scholar.
Benoojian
 
 Originally Posted by namo 
 Yedra, as often, proposes a rather straightforward approach: " Shouldn't we just travel to the plane in question to investigate? If you think it's not too risky, that is, but I assume perhaps wrongly that the spell would just fail, not kill us.
Or do you really think we'll find more information in a local library? "
She doesn't recall local lords' libraries having niche knowledge like detailed info on specific, foreign planes, but it's not like she spent all her time frequenting those. She's not ignorant, but she's far from a scholar. 
 

"I didn't actually prepare a  Plane Shift  today, so I wouldn't be able to take us right now anyway. Also to my great shame I never learned the  Gate  spell, and its function to see the plane through the gate before we walk through might be important if there really is something wrong with planar travel right now. My suspicion is that we end up on the wrong plane if the spell goes wrong, rather than killing us."
Lioslaith
  "That is your suspicion or that is knowledge?  I'm not to keen on using that much magic hoping I know the outcome."  
Benoojian
 
 Originally Posted by Lioslaith 
   "That is your suspicion or that is knowledge?  I'm not to keen on using that much magic hoping I know the outcome."   
 

"Suspicion, which is why I'd like to do the research first before throwing ourselves to the whims of a planequake."
Archmage1
Hearing that the debate about where to go to find the evil sorcerer behind this so he could be stabbed continue, Coman wanders up the hill, to the very tip, where the portal had once formed, and experimentally tries stabbing the air with his sword.

It would either work, and the portal re-open, or it wouldn't, and he could start running through some katas while he waited for events to advance.
paradox26
The portal does not re-open, regrettably.

Rhozauur shrugs, saying,  "I know little of planar travel. But  a teleportation effect travels within the same plane, and a planar instability is unlikely to affect it. But I would be very wary of trying to simplyu travel to a new plane without investigating it as much as possible first." 
namo
" Alright, research it is, then " Yedra acquiesces, sighing. " But rather than the local library, I suggest we go straight for the largest one in this world? "

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Not sure where that would be, but I assume it's in reach of a Greater Teleport or something, and it makes more sense for Epic heroes.
 
Benoojian
“Shall I teleport us to the Capitol in the morning then?”
namo
     Yedra     
  AC  45 / Touch 36 / Ff 38  |   HP  346/346  |   Saves  Fort +23 / Ref +29 / Will +27
 Senses  Blindsense 30ft (Hearing the Air stance)
 Defenses  Concealment (20% miss chance), DR 3/cold iron, Evasion, Freedom of Movement, Immunity to gas, Improved Uncanny Dodge
 Counters  Concentration check instead of Fort/Will save; Parry incoming attack; Reflect melee attack back on attacker; Turn incorporeal 
      
 " Yes, I support that move. "

To Rhozauur:
" I assume you will wait here? Please keep your companion away from the villagers; we'll warn them to leave you alone in return. " 
 
  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
I think we can move on to the library the next day, to speed things up.
 
Archmage1
Listening to the discussion between his companions, Coman wanders over, and gives a non-committal grunt.
He certainly wasn't going to be reading any books at a library, but he would find something else to do.
paradox26
Rhozauur replies,  "We will wait here in the cave until such time as you manage to resolve the planequake issue. Once it is safe to return home, we will find a way to do so. Or you can return here and find us and cast a plane shift spell to return us home. But that is once you have found the source of the problem. Good luck, my friends." 
Benoojian
" Curses, I was expecting more combat today and replaced my  magnificent mansion , I guess I'll have to settle for  rope trick  for tonight. " After a bit of handwaving, he throws a rope into the air, where it sticks in something unseen and the Fire Elf begins to climb into the safe hiding space. " Do you all plan to join me or do have your own accommodations? "
namo
     Yedra     
  AC  45 / Touch 36 / Ff 38  |   HP  346/346  |   Saves  Fort +23 / Ref +29 / Will +27
 Senses  Blindsense 30ft (Hearing the Air stance)
 Defenses  Concealment (20% miss chance), DR 3/cold iron, Evasion, Freedom of Movement, Immunity to gas, Improved Uncanny Dodge
 Counters  Concentration check instead of Fort/Will save; Parry incoming attack; Reflect melee attack back on attacker; Turn incorporeal 
      
 " Fare thee well, Rhozauur. "
Yedra climbs in the Rope Trick after Edwin. 
 
  
Archmage1
Not trusting the magic, the grumbling old man sets out to find a tree to turn into a campsite, using the boughs for cover, the trunk for a campfire, and the remainder to rig up a shelter.
paradox26
The night passes peacefully, with no indication of the massive Tarrasque that lies sleeping in its cave nearby.

Come morning, you find yourselves awake with the sunrise, feeling fit and healthy and ready to take on the multiverse.

You make your way back to the city at some speed, ready to do your research.

As you arrive at the palace, you see an unusual looking elf standing int he shadows studying you. It is hard to get a good view of him in the darkness cast by the wall he leans against, but he has the air of a dangerous being. It is just something that you sense, judging by the way he stands.
namo
Yedra vanishes to reappear next to the strange elf, her weapon lowered so as not to seem overtly threatening - yet.
" How can we help you, stranger? "

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
She has different maneuvers she can use to close in, so just tell me how far away he is so I know which ones she expends.
The main one is she can teleport 50ft as a swift action, but before that she can turn incorporeal to move underground and emerge closer.
 
Archmage1
In the morning, awakening and stretching takes the majority of Coman's attention, the wide range of creaking, groaning, and cracking simply being part of the parcel.  Despite his previous mistrust of magic, he seems willing(Barely) to go along with the teleportation to the library, but once he arrives, he keeps a wary eye out for dangerous books or other dangers.
paradox26
The elf is only fifty feet away when you notice him, so you can close easily enough.

When Yedra appears next to him, he has a dagger in hand instantly, faster than you can believe. He doesn't actually point it at her, but it is threatening just for the sudden speed followed by stillness.  "I seek a beast. You have the smell of those who have been near it,"  he says.

Coman watches closely in case of support, but is close enough to hear the elf's words.
namo
     Yedra     
  AC  45 / Touch 36 / Ff 38  |   HP  346/346  |   Saves  Fort +23 / Ref +29 / Will +27
 Senses  Blindsense 30ft (Hearing the Air stance)
 Defenses  Concealment (20% miss chance), DR 3/cold iron, Evasion, Freedom of Movement, Immunity to gas, Improved Uncanny Dodge
 Counters  Concentration check instead of Fort/Will save; Parry incoming attack; Reflect melee attack back on attacker; Turn incorporeal 
      
 " Which beast? And what for? I am known as a slayer of beasts... but some of them I spare; some are very nice. " Yedra answers with a smile that shows a lot of teeth. 
 
  
paradox26
The elf pushes himself away from the wall he is leaning against, and replies,  "It is a lion headed man, and his pet giant three headed cat. They should be easy to find, though I have just arrived here myself." 
namo
     Yedra     
  AC  45 / Touch 36 / Ff 38  |   HP  346/346  |   Saves  Fort +23 / Ref +29 / Will +27
 Senses  Blindsense 30ft (Hearing the Air stance)
 Defenses  Concealment (20% miss chance), DR 3/cold iron, Evasion, Freedom of Movement, Immunity to gas, Improved Uncanny Dodge
 Counters  Concentration check instead of Fort/Will save; Parry incoming attack; Reflect melee attack back on attacker; Turn incorporeal 
      
 " Yes, we've met those.  Why  are you looking for them? Do you mean them well or ill? " She puts a weight on the question that lets the elf know his answer will be decisive. 
 
  
paradox26
The elf studies the party, then replies,  "The beast is a criminal in my land. I am a hunter who goes looking for evil ones." 
Archmage1
Looking the elf over, Coman sniffs deeply, trying to get a whiff of any evil nearby.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Using detect evil as a SLA, and doing some scanning.
 
namo
     Yedra     
  AC  45 / Touch 36 / Ff 38  |   HP  346/346  |   Saves  Fort +23 / Ref +29 / Will +27
 Senses  Blindsense 30ft (Hearing the Air stance)
 Defenses  Concealment (20% miss chance), DR 3/cold iron, Evasion, Freedom of Movement, Immunity to gas, Improved Uncanny Dodge
 Counters  Concentration check instead of Fort/Will save; Parry incoming attack; Reflect melee attack back on attacker; Turn incorporeal 
      
 " Ah, a serious matter indeed, then. What crimes is it accused of? "
She's a terrible bluffer, so she tries not to mention at all whether they have met the beast and whether it is still alive. 
 
  
paradox26
The elf radiates evil almost palpably.

 "The beast and it's companion hunt my people frequently. They have killed a great number of my kind,"  he says.
Archmage1
Spitting on the ground in a vain attempt to clear his nose of the scent, Coman looks to the elf.  " Stinks of evil. "  Despite the mushiness of his voice, the words can be understood with a bit of difficulty.

As for Coman?  With his message conveyed, he promptly goes to take care of another issue, trying to twist around to scratch that annoying spot on his lower back.
namo
     Yedra     
  AC  45 / Touch 36 / Ff 38  |   HP  346/346  |   Saves  Fort +23 / Ref +29 / Will +27
 Senses  Blindsense 30ft (Hearing the Air stance)
 Defenses  Concealment (20% miss chance), DR 3/cold iron, Evasion, Freedom of Movement, Immunity to gas, Improved Uncanny Dodge
 Counters  Concentration check instead of Fort/Will save; Parry incoming attack; Reflect melee attack back on attacker; Turn incorporeal 
      
 Yedra frowns. " This is a grave accusation. May we have your name? I promise we will either investigate this ourselves or take it to the local legitimate authority.

Also, I'm told the beast came from another plane - presumably you too. How did you make it here, from there? " 
 
  
paradox26
The elf replies,  "My name is Gan Scarrow. The beast committed crimes in my people's land, and I want to take it back there for trial. It is dangerous, so it might not surrender. But the Court of Jasmeera, in the Shadowlands, from where I come, is where it belongs. It is a beast of the Summerlands, where many dangerous creatures live. The beast is not evil, of course, merely deluded and misguided. I bet it even did not want the Royal Beast to be killed. It believes that animals, such as itself or the Tarrasque, have as much right to eat people as you have of eating a chicken."

"As for where I come from and how I came to be here, Ardentia is a great disc with continual, remorseless daylight on one side and peaceful moonlight on the other.
There are two courts, the Sylvan Covenant and the Court of Jasmeera. The Sylvan Covenant believes that it rules over the whole disc and resents Jasmeera’s independence. The planequake happened there too, and caused luminous rents to appear in space, as if a clawed hand had struck it from behind." 

As he says all of this, a great beast comes walking through the gates, and approaches the elf. The elf reaches up and pats it.  "Rest easy, Ulrich. These beings are going to assist us." 
DrK
 Kurnos 

The pair of hulking bears regards the elf poorly. Hackles raised both of the beasts growl slightly at Conman's assertation that this small elf reeks of evil. The larger of the two bears (i.e. Kurnos) growls out a question  "You say you want to take this three headed majestic beast for a trial. What if we say "no" to your request?"  The massive bear shrugs its shoulders,  "Beasts hunt and eat. Its a predator and you are prey... you can control that as well as you can control the rising and the settings of the suns or the moons."  