Chapter 1
Game Master
The group spend a few days relaxing at the Branch and Stone, Daisy’s excuse was that the blood and muck just wouldn’t come out after only one bath, Poppyseed added that the Repository is paying the bill, and that free food, room and board are things that shouldn’t be given up lightly.
Once they were ready to leave, the party collected the belongings and made their way back through the city of Summer, and up the mountain slopes leading to the Great Repository where the Council had deliberated on the reports presented by Poppyseed and Daisy.
Game Master
As the party reaches the first gated walls of the Great Repository they find that a thick mist has settled over the top of the mountain, visibility is almost zero and they approach the main gate without being noticed from the ramparts above.
Daisy raps on the gate with her heavy soup ladle announcing their arrival, to which there is a surprised flurry of activity behind the walls before the gates peep hole is opened.
Behind the gates an elven watchman greets them, “State your business”.
Daisy the Hedgehog
“We have returned to the Repository to hear the deliberation on our report, we received a message that we were expected, Jack Frost, Poppyseed, and Daisy”
Game Master
The watchman responds almost instantly, “One moment, a Scribe will be with you shortly to guide you”.
Game Master
The massive doors to the Repository open slightly revealing the Head Scribe who they had previously dealt with on their first visit, “Welcome back, I’m sorry the deliberation took so long, although from what I hear you couldn’t keep out of trouble even for just a few days....... I see we are a person short from what I remember, I hope nothing terrible happened to them”.
Daisy the Hedgehog
“No nothing too terrible, just a restless spirit searching for a place to belong, it will just be the three of us for now”
Game Master
The Scribe looks over the group, “Very well, please follow me”.
The Scribe turns and begins the trip through the concentric fortifications surrounding the Great Repository, the heavy doors slamming closed behind the group as they follow.
Through the heavy cloud cover the group can hear the sounds of units training, although they can’t see more than five feet in front of themselves and have to walk quite briskly to keep up with the Scribe.
Jack Frost
“Is this degree of mist and cloud a normal occurence for you up here? I am certainlymore used to a higher degree of visibility and its.quite stifling”
Poppyseed
“Yes I noticed that to, it’s making my hair frizzy”
Game Master
The Scribe looks back briefly before continuing to hurry forward, “It is definitely not normal, the Repository is currently under heightened security, this is no natural mist”.
Game Master
The group follows the Scribe through the concentric fortifications and into the grand halls of the Great Repository, but what awaited them was even more of a surprise, the mist, it was within the walls of the Great Repository itself, some how and in some way even the grand halls, passageways,and libraries of the Great Repository were choked with mist, just like outside.
Following quickly after the Scribe, the group occasionally heard a bump or a thump, followed quickly by an apologetic voice here and there as scribes, and passers by in the corridors and halls bumped into one another as they busied about.
Eventually the party arrived at the Deliberation Chamber where they had first met the Judicial Council when delivering their reports, Poppyseed and Daisy were noticeably uncomfortable, having put a lot of work into their reports and worried about the outcome, and what the Judicial Council would decide.
Game Master
As the group moves through the mist Deliberation Chamber following the Scribe, they are led to the front of the chamber where little seats and tables had been set up right under the watchful gaze of the imposing bench of the Council.
Yet even through the thick mist the party could tell that the Council had yet to arrive, but the Chamber was far from empty, as they reached the tables they noticed a Human scrunched up trying to fit onto the little chair, his long legs spread around the little table, his knees coming up well over the table top.
Otto Albrecht
You will see a young man in his mid-20s with blonde hair, yellow eyes, and 6 feet tall, trying to awkwardly fit into a small chair and will grumble out
“Why does everything have to be so small? Couldn’t they have at least a couple of chairs in case someone my size is here”
He will let out a frustrated sigh, but as soon as he sees people, he will try his best to look normal and give a warm smile
“Well, hello there. My name is Otto Albrecht. Pleasure to meet all of you”
And will awkwardly wave at them
Poppyseed
Poppyseed flitters over through the thick mist as she reaches the little tables her mouth drops
“Wow a Human!..... I mean hello there, what an odd place to meet”
The one foot tall fairy hovers near the tables and looks at the Head Scribe
Game Master
The Head Scribe motions to Otto, “This is Otto, he has expressed a desire for work, and will likely be joining you”.
Daisy the Hedgehog
Daisy approaches through the mist, the sound of clattering pots and pans preceding her as her armour shifts as the two foot tall Fey Hedgehog comes into view
“How lovely! My name’s Daisy, this is Poppyseed, and our friend Hack Frost is just behind us, it’s wonderful to meet you”
Poppyseed
“Yes wonderful”
Otto Albrecht
Otto will stand up and slowly walk up to them, trying not to step on or break the small furniture, and say to them in a friendly tone
“Same here, and yes, I have agreed to join you all in your quest. I have lots of experience in fighting with this blade”
he will gesture to his greatsword
“So if you need any help getting rid of people with bad intent, just let me know, and I will take care of them, and I’m happy to serve with you all”
And will hold out his hand to shake theirs
Poppyseed
Poppyseed flitters over and shakes Otto’s thumb with both hands
Daisy the Hedgehog
Daisy waves with a smile
“Well it will be nice to have some more company, although they haven’t told us what we’ll be doing yet, we handed in some reports of some ........ odd occurrences in our travels, and they have only just called us back after deliberating over the information”
Game Master
The Head Scribe coughs, “ummm actually we contacted you weeks ago, but you had taken it upon yourselves to wander off, then spent a rather lavish time relaxing at the Branch and Stone Inn at our expense”.
Poppyseed
Nodding seriously
“Yes....yes.....that did happen, thank you for correcting Daisy”
Otto Albrecht
Otto, hearing this conversation, will just awkwardly sit in silence, not knowing what to do or say about it, and after they finish, will just awkwardly say
“Okayyyy, um, interesting discussion and all, but um, what are we trying to do exactly”
And Otto will just wait awkwardly for someone to answer the question and explain to him what the hell they are doing
Jack Frost
“Hey we weren’t gone that long, besides we had to deal with some rather serious trouble makers. Either way the dirt and grime was quite extreme and required more than a few trips to the hotspring to cleanse us properly..... you surely wouldnt want us to come in and stink up the place right?” Jack says all this with a cheerful smile, Otto would see an Eladrin with an icy complexion, exclusively in his winter form never changing. He carries a candy can rod and wears a green outfit edged with white detail.
Game Master
The Head Scribe turns to Otto and looks about to respond when suddenly the light illuminating the area turns red and begins to flash, as the group hears a siren begin to blare throughout the Great Repository, “Oh no! The Repository is under attack!“.
Poppyseed
“Deja vu anyone”
Jack Frost
“Not this again, I promise we didnt bring anything cursed this time! We checked everything”
Otto Albrecht
Otto, seeing and hearing this conversation and the flashing alarm, will get ready to pull out his greatsword, still not sure if there is actually danger yet and say
“So, are we under attack, or is this a false alarm? Can someone give a clear answer?”
And will wait for someone to respond, desperately trying to figure out what the hell is going on
Game Master
The Head Scribe looks around, “No, it’s not you, someone or something has entered the records chamber using this mist as cover, we’ll need to hurry if we are going to intercept them!”
Poppyseed
“I miss the peace and quiet of the hot spring already”
Jack Frost
“Otto was it? Definitely not a false alarm, come with us quick we will see if your as good with that sword as you claim”
Otto Albrecht
Otto will turn to Jack, pull out his greatsword, and say
“Understood; don’t have to tell me twice. And Otto Albrecht is the name, and I will follow your lead”
Jack Frost
“Jack frost, try and keep up” I say with a wink and rush out with the scribe
Otto Albrecht
Otto will put on a smiling grin
“Oh, don’t worry, I’ll keep up alright”
And will follow behind Jack and the scribe, eager to prove himself
Game Master
The group follows the Head Scribe through the twisting passageways of the Great Repository, the red strobing lights reflecting in the mist, reducing visibility even further.
Eventually the Head Scribe pushes open a set of large wooden doors revealing a cavernous chamber.
Throughout the chamber towering pillars of books encased in iron spiral staircases reach up to a massive domed ceiling.
Through the mist the group spot shadows moving in the strobing red light, they appear to be collecting old scrolls and charts, and have broken open many sealed chests, the collection of documents sprawled on a small study bench.
The Head Scribe blinks and rubs his eyes, “I don’t believe what I’m seeing.....The Repository is often attacked by forces from the Abyss, but never have we been robbed by Kobolds!“.
Otto Albrecht
Otto will just give the scribe a bewildered look
“I’m sorry this place is commonly attacked and robbed...You guys really need to hire better security”
Game Master
The Head Scribe looks a little flustered, “I’ll have you know we have some of the best security on the continent, if not all of Aethelgard, but due to what the Repository contains, when we are attacked, our adversaries pull out all the stops”.
Otto Albrecht
Otto will just roll his eyes at him
“Sure, pal, whatever you say, but that’s not what’s important right now. What is important, though, is cutting these kobolds in half”
Otto will pull out his greatsword and get ready for the fight
Jack Frost
jack feels Otto clap his shoulder giving him the blessing to move first, “You want to see something cool yeah?” He says with a grin, his fingers tighten around the snowglobe in his pocket as he channels its magic to cast Ice storm in the area around the table, catching the group of Kobolds in a cylinder of freezing winds
Game Master
Even caught by surprise in the impromptu ice storm, the highly agile Kobolds manage to evade most of the damage, as they quickly gather up the documents they were thieving.
The Head Scribe cries out, “Oh no! The priceless ancient scrolls!“.
Poppyseed
“Unhand those accidentally slightly damaged priceless ancient scrolls you little lizards!”
Poppyseed twirls in the air as she pips a tune on her Panpipes of the Silver Wind causing three of the Kobolds to instantly start laughing uncontrollably and falling prone on the ground
Game Master
The Head Scribe covers his face with his hands in disbelief and begins to sob.
Daisy the Hedgehog
Daisy moves forward slightly getting into range, as she clutches her amulet of the Earth Mother and prays, summoning up a large heavy spiritual soup pot, which she proceeds to drop on one of the Kobolds heads, as it tries to scramble to safety with the ancient scrolls
Game Master
One of the three Kobolds is able to stop laughing as he lays on the cold ground, while two continue to laugh hysterically.
The Kobold who was hit on the head by Daisy, picks up the scrolls carefully and slowly moves to the edge of the ice storm, and tosses them to a Kobold waiting on the spiral staircase of a tower of books, but he drops them and has to quickly rush about picking them up of the staircase.
Otto Albrecht
Otto will watch as Jack casts Ice Storm and is impressed by the damage, but he won’t let him steal all the glory. And will start moving up and shoot two bolts at a kobold, hitting with one but missing the other and say angrily
“Dam crossbow, just wait till I swing my blade, then you will see real damage”
Jack Frost
Jack follows up with a couple of balls of Santa’s holiday cheer on kobold c
Game Master
The glowing balls of Santa’s Holiday Cheer streak across the chamber slamming into the tower of books near the Kobold, the Head Scribe shrieks, “Stop destroying the place!“.
Daisy the Hedgehog
Daisy moves up closer and repositions the large, heavy, spiritual soup pot, she tries to drop it on the Kobold once more but misses
“Drats”
Poppyseed
Poppyseed moves up behind Daisy, flittering about, she calls out to the Kobold by the table
“Look out they are right behind you!”
But the Kobold is wise to the fairy’s tricks and pays no attention, resisting Poppyseed’s spell
Game Master
The kobold on the spiral staircase picks up the scrolls and disappears up into the ceiling where an air shaft had been cut open.
With the scrolls safely on their way the Kobold by the tower of books rushes in to slow the party down slashing out with a vicious looking Dragon-Tooth Sword which as it strikes Daisy sends sparks and flames bursting around her.
The Kobold by the table jumps up on top of it and aims its Hand Crossbow at Otto, but the bolts miss the armoured fighter.
A second Kobold finally stops laughing as it lays prone on the ground.
Only one Kobold is still laughing uncontrollably as it rolls around on the floor.
Otto Albrecht
Otto will go up to a kobold and will swing viciously at it and will cheerfully yell
“Now that is how you deal damage”
Game Master
The Kobold reels from the massive damage dealt by Otto as it staggers about seriously injured.
Daisy the Hedgehog
Daisy attempts to drop the heavy spiritual soup pot on the Kobold in front of her, but misses, she follows up with her heavy soup ladle, but again the swift little Kobold dodges the attack
“Drats and double drats!”
Poppyseed
Poppyseed reaches into the mind of the Kobold in front of Daisy, driving a psychic spike into its mind causing serious damage and disorientating it
Jack Frost
Jack steps forward 20ft more before slinging off 2 more balls of holiday cheer at kobold c
Game Master
Jack’s glowing balls of Santa’s Holiday Cheer slam into the Kobold in front of Daisy almost ending the creature as it barely holds on, its eyes darting left and right looking for an escape.
It lashes out at Daisy before rolling away and trying to escape via the tower of books.
The two Kobolds by Otto mob the human, using well practiced pack tactics to gain the advantage as they deal consecutive vicious strikes at vital areas on the fighter, blood spurting across the room and spraying over the little table and documents.
The last Kobold continues to laugh hysterically rolling around on the floor unable to control itself.
Game Master
Otto swings his heavy blade cutting the first Kobold in half, as he follows through dealing another heavy hit to the second Kobold in front of him.
Otto Albrecht
Otto, after being hit so hard by them, will realize the dire situation he put himself in and will go all out, killing one and wounding another, and will use a second wind to try to disengage and hide behind the tower of books and say in a panicked tone
“Holy shit, what kind of Kobolds are they”
Jack Frost
Jacks eyes go purple as he summons his elfs curse to lay on kobold e before slamming him with 2 more holiday cheer using 2 luck points to get advantage on both rolls
Game Master
The Kobold screeches as the two glowing orbs of Santa’s Holiday Cheer slam into it, sending it crashing over the little table and landing on the floor dead.
Daisy the Hedgehog
“Oh my gosh Otto, you seem to have sprung a leak.......or two, or three.... don’t worry, I’ll patch you up”
Daisy’s healing words sooth Otto’s wounds as the blood stops gushing from the vicious stab wounds left by the Kobolds
Poppyseed
“Hay where do you think you’re going little lizard!”
Poppyseed points at the Kobold trying to escape out the ventilation shaft, where the other Kobold had disappeared with the scrolls, the little fairy’s mocking words hit the Kobold like a well aimed brick as its body goes ridged and it falls back down the spiral staircase to the chamber floor sprawled out dead
Game Master
The last of the Kobolds finally stops laughing, but its face quickly turns from relief to fear, as it realizes it’s alone in the chamber with the party, and all its teammates are either dead or have fled.
Otto Albrecht
Otto, after being healed, will run out and chuck two javelins at the last Kobold, dealing some damage but still standing, and Otto will curse out
“Come on, you dam oversized lizard”
Jack Frost
Jacks eyes flicker purple again as the remaining Kobold finds himself illuminated in purple light, “perhaps we should try and take a hostage find out what they were after or who they work for? Ill try and hold him for a minute if you can run in and tie him up!”
Jack Frost
Jack moves next to daisy and casts ‘he knows when you are sleeping’
Game Master
The Kobold goes ridged and drops to the ground, incapacitated.
While Daisy and Poppyseed move up towards the creature.
The Head Scribe has started to pick up scrolls scattered across the floor as he begins to tidy up the mess the Kobolds, and then the party have made, “You really needn’t bother, this is the Great Repository, we know exactly who they are and what they are after”.
Otto Albrecht
Otto will nod to Jack and say
“Roger that, Jack”
And will go to the unconscious Kobold and tie his hands and feet and gag his mouth so he can not cast verbal spells.
Game Master
As Daisy and Poppyseed approach, the Kobold falls unconscious.
Game Master
Otto quickly and skillfully restrains and gags the Kobold without disturbing the unconscious creature.
The group now stands in the chamber an unconscious kobold lays prone on the floor tied and gagged, most of the scrolls have been taken by the kobold which escaped up through the air ventilation shaft, although some still lay sprawled out on the floor and little table, although they are now quite damaged and blood splattered.
Game Master
The Head Scribe stops cleaning and looks at the group, “Well? Are you just going to stand there or are you going to chase after the one which stole the scrolls?“.
Otto Albrecht
Otto will turn to Jack and ask
“Well, you’ve been here the longest, and I don’t know much about this place, so it’s your call”
And Otto will wait for his order.
Daisy the Hedgehog “I’m a little against killing for the sake of killing, but we should probably go after the one that got away..... probably”
Poppyseed “That’s all well and good for you and me....”
Side eyeing Otto and Jack
“But maybe some of our larger members might not fit in the air vents..... although I can fix that....kind of....”
Jack Frost “Where exactly does the ventilation shaft lead? Is there a way in which we can head this Kobold off?” jack asks the Scribe
Game Master The scribe looks up from his cleaning only momentarily before returning to the task at hand, “The air vents go to any number of places, but eventually leads to the roof of the Great Repository where old air is expelled and fresh air drawn in”.
Otto Albrecht Otto will look to the scribe and say
“Well, then the answer is clear. Let’s have our wonderful little fairy help us get into the air vents and head to the roof to intercept the Kobold and whack him”
Otto will then clap his hands loudly for dramatic effect
“AND BAM, problem solved, and you get back your precious little scrolls”
Poppyseed “Ok you two hold still”
Poppyseed flitters over to Otto and Jack, before tossing a little fist full of fairy dust in their face
Game Master At first nothing happens, the fairy dust makes Otto and Jacks nose itch and makes them feel like they want to sneeze, then suddenly and without warning they shrink, the effect is so quick it almost makes them fall over dizzy as the blood rushes to their head, then suddenly they realize they are about two feet tall, still bigger than the little fairy, but about the same size as Daisy the Hedgehog.
Poppyseed “That worked better than I was expecting”
Game Master The Scribe gives a slow clap, “Nice work, now get after that Kobold before we lose it, and the scrolls it stole”.
Otto Albrecht Otto, still dizzy from the effect, will stumble around and say with a confused face
“Oh myyyy, this feels weird and terrifying at the same time. Everything is so huge; I feel like if I make the wrong move, I’m gonna be squashed. Is this how it feels for you every day, Miss Poppy?”
Otto will shiver a little, still trying to get used to it.
Poppyseed “Luckily I can fly, but yes big things are always trying to crash into me”
Daisy the Hedgehog Daisy folds her arms across her chest and nods in agreement
“Yes big things don’t always watch where they are going, like their head’s in the clouds or something and can’t see their feet...... I imagine the feeling is even more terrifying for tiny creatures”
Game Master As the group prepares to head up the staircase to follow the escaped Kobold, the Head Scribe checks on the prisoner and examines the shortswords they were carrying, “Interesting....“, the group hears him say as he mutters to himself, as he checks under the captive Kobolds leaves and under his leather vests collar revealing several tattoos, “Very interesting...“.
{Reactions} thinking
Otto Albrecht Otto will hear it but think nothing of it unless the group does something else. Otto will prepare to follow the group.
Poppyseed Poppyseed gives a cheerful wave as she disappears up the air shaft
“Be back soon”
Daisy the Hedgehog Realizing the Kobold has a good twenty second headstart on them, does her best to quickly scale the staircase and climb up into the air shaft behind Poppyseed, her pots and pans armour clanking as she goes
“Sorry about the mess!”
She calls back as she disappears up into the air shaft
Game Master Ascending the spiral staircase and climbing into the air ducts, the group begins the chase after the Kobold with the scrolls, the sound of its bare feet running through the air shaft echoing loudly from up ahead.
{Reactions} 🏃♂️
Otto Albrecht Otto will be running with the group to try to help intercept the Kobold. And will say to the group
“Does anyone know a way to intercept or chase this dam Kobold? It’s very hard running in a full suit of armor”
Daisy the Hedgehog Daisy looks back, she is noticeably uncomfortable as her heavy pots and pans armour clanks about as she waddles ahead
“I’ve often wondered the same thing, chasing isn’t really my cup of tea”
Poppyseed Poppyseed giggles as she flits ahead with ease
Otto Albrecht Otto will turn to Jack and say, panting heavily
“Well, you’ve been here the longest. Any ideas”
Game Master The group hurry along through the air shaft, as they move they realize the passageway is getting larger and larger, and the air current increasingly stronger.
Then they hear the sound of machinery whirring up ahead and the sound of something heavy turning and churning the air.
As the group emerges from the air shaft system they find themselves in a huge chamber which seems to circulate air through the Great Repository. Between a seemingly bottomless shaft three large bronze mechanical instruments scoop, churn and push air through the cavernous shaft. The machine has large flat spokes which push the air creating an updraft of strong wind.
The group also spots the Kobold, which they have finally caught up with, but he is not alone, four other kobolds, crossbows drawn block the path ahead as they perch themselves in the center of the spinning blades.
To get across it looks like the party will need to jump onto the blades as they spin riding them around in a circle, leaping from one machine to the other, but the Kobolds don’t look like they are going to make it easy for the group as they notch bolts into their crossbows ready to fire.
Otto Albrecht
“Those little bastards, YOU’RE NOT LEAVING WITH THOSE DAM SCROLLS”
And will be ready to fight
Jack Frost Jack looks down “dont suppose you could make us all fly as well Poppy?” With a gulp he steadies himself and looks towards the first machine and the Kobold on there he then fires off 2 balls of holiday cheer on him
Poppyseed “Sorry Jack, can’t make you fly...... But aren’t you the teleport king?”
Poppyseed pips a tune on her Panpipes of the Silver Wind, and with a little twirl in the air summons up three more mirror image Poppyseeds
“So many Poppys in the field but can you tell, which one, is real!”
Poppyseed The little fairy then flitters off at speed over the gap, hovering over the spinning blades of the first machine
Game Master Bolts fly across the chasm as the Kobolds unload at the group, but the small hand crossbows are unreliable over the long distance, and Daisy easily steps between the oncoming hail of bolts and the party, deflecting the bolts away.
Otto Albrecht Otto will go to the edge and throw two javelins at the Kobold in front of him, but miss twice and will curse out
“God dam it, ahhhh, screw it”
And will jump onto the fan and move towards the Kobold
Daisy the Hedgehog *Daisy waddles towards the gap preparing to jump across, and leaps over onto a spinning blade, as she lands she clutches her holy symbol of the Earth Mother and gives thanks.
Around the little Fey Hedgehog a whirlwind of Natures Spiritual Energy whips up in a vortex as she presses forward towards the Kobold at the center of the first machine*
Jack Frost “Hey just cause im good at teleporting doesnt mean its not energy zapping you know, flying is still easier” he fires off 2 more holiday cheer balls at the closest Kobold, maintaining distance
{Reactions} 🤣
Poppyseed Turning and flying backwards she gives Jack a stern look
“Jack, it takes a lot of energy to fly, it’s quite taxing you know”
Turning ahead once more she points at the Kobolds on the central machine
“Quit your shenanigans little lizards!”
One of the Kobolds instantly starts laughing hysterically, the second looks like it’s going to resist the temptation, but then Poppyseed wags her finger at it
“No you don’t!”
And that’s the end of that Kobold which drops to the ground laughing
Game Master The Kobold on the first machine fires at Otto, but misses his chance as the fighter, and Daisy charges towards it along the long turning blades of the machine.
The Kobold on the third machine fires at Poppyseed getting a lucky hit at long range, but the bolt hits a mirror Poppyseed, which bursts instantly in a shower of scented bubbles.
Jack Frost Jack tries to finish off the kobold in front of otto and daisy....
Jack Frost happy with his works he aims for the.kobold on the 3rd machine “hey leave the little fairy alone”
Poppyseed Poppyseed continues her highspeed flight across the chasm below, as she approaches the third machine she pips a playful tune on her Panpipes of the Silver Wind. The Kobold looks like its going to resist the fairy’s charms but again Poppyseed wags her finger
“No you don’t you naughty little lizard!”
Which sends the Kobold into hysterical laughter as it drops to the floor
Game Master The Kobolds continue to laugh hysterically, except the kobold carrying the stolen scrolls which continues to dash for the exit in the east.
Otto Albrecht Otto will whisper under his breath angrily
“Son of bitch, that was supposed to be my kill”
And will look at the other kobolds in the middle fan and will try to jump over to them
Otto Albrecht Otto will jump to the middle fan and move up to one of the kobolds on the ground
“Hey, I see you all laughing over here. Want to hear something? Really funny? Well, listen to this”
And will swing his blade twice at a kobold, slicing into it
{Reactions} RosieKnifeStab omg
Game Master Hitting the laughing Kobold, it immediately stops laughing and tries to scramble to its feet.
Daisy follows after Otto as she jumps to the center machine, her guardian spirits whip around her buffeting the prone Kobolds on the ground, as she wallops the remaining laughing Kobold, it stops laughing immediately, both Kobolds laying prone on top of the machine in front of Otto and Daisy.
Jack Frost Jack moves to the edge of the ledge and uses misty step to get across to the centre of the first device, he then makes a move to the south east blade to open up an angle on the furthest Kobold and fire some holiday cheer his way
Game Master As Jack spins around on the flat blade of the machine he fires off two glowing balls of Santa’s Holiday Cheer, one slamming into the Kobold as it rolls around trying to get to its feet.
Poppyseed Poppyseed looks crossly at the two injured Kobolds
“Who said you could stop laughing cheeky little lizards”
And with that the two Kobolds begin laughing uncontrollably once more
Otto Albrecht Otto, seeing Poppy make the kobolds start laughing and fall to the ground, will look towards Poppy and say
“Nice job with the laughing spell”
Otto will look to Jack
“And Nice shots on the kobolds; you all are killing it. I need to start putting in more work; can’t let you guys have all the glory”
Otto will then remember Daisy and look to Daisy
“And you too, good job with that mace”
And will then start slashing into the kobold
Game Master Otto lands a devastating blow on the Kobold causing it to stop laughing as the hit almost ends its life, as it recovers its eyes start darting around looking for a way to escape. Meanwhile Daisy’s Guardian Spirits whip around the two Kobolds buffeting them about and causing more damage.
Jack Frost Jack continues his pursuit of the furthest Kobold, taking another fey step across the gap to the larger blade and then moving towards the 3rd device. He then fires 2 holiday cheer at him
Game Master A glowing ball of Santa’s Holiday Cheer slams into the Kobold who stops laughing immediately.
Poppyseed “You are done for little lizard surrender!”
The Kobold receives a powerful psychic backlash from the fairy’s mocking words
Game Master The seriously injured Kobold on the central machine sees its chance, and disengaging makes its escape along the long flat blades towards Jack Frosts location.
The second Kobold on the central machine, is buffeted by Daisy’s Guardian Spirits and continues to laugh hysterically.
The Kobold on the third and final machine across the gap of the chamber, having stopped laughing, takes aim at Jack, hitting him with a poisoned bolt from its hand crossbow.
Game Master Jack is able to overcome the poison on the bolt as he teleports away.
Game Master But as Jack looks around he can’t see the Kobold anywhere, but beyond the exit, at the end of the long air shaft he sees a ladder leading up.
Otto Albrecht Otto will swing twice at a Kobold, dealing devastating Blows
Game Master Swinging his heavy blade Otto cleaves the laughing Kobold in half, the separated portions flopping over the edge of the machine and fall down into the darkness below.
Daisy and the swirling vortex of nature spirits around her become a swirling spiral of mist as the little Fey Hedgehog teleports in front of the fleeing Kobold. As Daisy materializes the Kobold is swept up in the vortex and tossed over the edge down into the depths of the chamber below.
{Reactions} 🔥
Jack Frost “Guys im heading after the one with the scrolls, follow when you can” Jack shoots 2 balls of holiday cheer at kobold a as he moves in and starts to get climb the ladder, if he can he will teleport to a spot at the top where he can get off the ladder
{Reactions} 👍
Game Master Jack heads off down the air shaft after the scrolls, one of his glowing balls of Santa’s Holiday Cheer hitting the last Kobold in the back.
Poppyseed continues to chastise the Kobold her mocking words drawing the rogues full attention as it unleashes two poisoned bolts from its hand crossbow, both well aimed and striking the little fairy’s last remaining mirror images, which pop in a shower of scented bubbles.
Poppyseed “Oh dear, all my other me’s are gone”
Otto Albrecht Otto, seeing one Kobold still standing and attacking them, will go to jump on the fan to get to the Kobold and make it.
Otto Albrecht Otto will land a brutal blow for the first and hit it with another, causing blood to go everywhere
Game Master The Kobold staggers from the massive blow from Otto, as Daisy moves up, her guardian spirits whipping up the Kobold and tossing it down the shaft.
With the last of the Kobolds defeated the group presses forward where they find Jack just a little ahead at the bottom of the ladder leading up.
Game Master Looking up the ladder Jack can see it goes up a long way, with a small pinprick of light at the top, possibly the exit.
Jack also notices that there is a strong updraft and that although it is an extremely long way up, the air current will carry him quickly upwards with little climbing effort required.
Game Master Jack feels the updraft behind him, and with a whoosh he takes off his hands and feet lightly guiding him along the ladder as the updraft rockets him upwards towards the pinprick of light. Otto, Daisy, and Poppyseed watch Jack shoot upwards as they approach, seconds behind the Warlock.
Daisy the Hedgehog “Oh dear, this looks a little uncomfortable”
Poppyseed “Come on Daisy it will be fun, like flying really....... really really fast”
Daisy the Hedgehog “I’m not a Fairy Poppyseed, I’m a Hedgehog.....we don’t fly......and we don’t go really really fast”
Game Master Despite herself Daisy pushes on and like Jack the three tailing party members shoot upwards along the ladder towards the pinprick of light at the top.
Otto Albrecht Otto will be pacing tired from all the running and fighting and will yell out to Jack
“Holy crap your fast Jack We can’t keep up not even Poppy with her wings can oh god im so tired”
Game Master The group all pop out of the air shaft at roughly the same time, and find themselves on the roof of one of the Repository’s tall towers.
A quick look around and the party sports their target, the small Kobold Rogue is handing the stolen scrolls to another Kobold wearing slate grey armour, strange goggles, and a hand glider strapped to his back.
There are two more Kobolds standing guard and all around a thick rolling bank of heavy cloud cover blocks the surroundings and plunging the area into a perpetual twilight.
Then the group sees it, a huge shadow moving through the cloud cover around the tower, as the shape breaches the cloud bank a massive Dragon curls and glides across the clouds, it’s long serpentine body and shining white, silver and blue scales effortlessly moving across the clouds like a ship sailing over the frothy ocean. Feathery whisps of cloud-like hair stream and shimmer over its neck and back, with antler-like horns protruding from the back of its elongated head. A watchful eye turns in the groups direction as it circles the tower, weaving through the clouds.
Otto Albrecht Otto, for the first time, will have a pure look of fear seeing the mighty dragon looking at him and the group and will yell with fear in his voice.
“Jack We need to get the HELL OUT OF HERE that Dragon is as big as the building and I dont know about you but it was a tough fight with those Kobolds and I’m already exhausted there is no in hell we are gonna be able to take this thing on.”
And will look towards Jack, his eyes begging him to leave also, and will wait for Jack’s response
Daisy the Hedgehog A slight tremble in her voice “I’ve never seen a dragon that big before, the one in Wrinklers Well was just a hatchling fresh out of the egg”
Poppyseed “That...that...that...” Gulps loudly “That’s a Cloud Dragon, that is.... I’ve never seen a real Dragon before”
Poppyseed Poppyseed waves her hand, returning Otto and Jack to their normal size
“We might need you full sized for this...... maybe even bigger...”
Daisy the Hedgehog Daisy puts her paw on Otto’s hand
“We can do this*
Looking up at the human her gaze is kind but firm, and as she speaks healing energy transfers to the injured fighter, bolstering his vitality
Game Master As the Kobold hands the scrolls to the Kobold wearing the hand glider, the two Kobolds guarding the transaction move forward, firing a barrage of hand crossbow darts at the group, one striking Jack in the shoulder.
With amazing speed and grace the Cloud Dragon moves from one corner of the tower rooftop to the other, then coiling up unleashes a mass of cloud, which lands over the party.
Inside the mass of cloud it is cold wet and charged with static, the cloud is so dense it is almost impossible to see, and disorientating.
Otto Albrecht Otto will see Daisy put her paw on him and heal him, and seeing her determination to fight will calm him for a second, and he will say to her.
“Thank you Daisy and well if you going to fight so im I”
And will pull out his greatsword and put on a huge smile
“Well then time to slay a dragon-”
His speech will be interrupted, and he will be blinded and damaged by the dragon’s Cloud and will scream out in pain
“FUCK IMMM BLIND OH GOD I CAN’T SEE GOD IT HURTS FUCCCCK”
Otto Albrecht Otto, in a blind state of rage (literally), will rush at Kobold A and swing wildly and will hit him once but miss the second
Jack Frost Now visible again Jack takes a few steps north to put a little bit of distance between him and the kobolds and fires off 2 balls of holiday cheer at Kobold A
Game Master A glowing ball of Santa’s Holiday Cheer slams into the Kobold in front of Otto, as it tries to avoid the blind fighters wild swings.
Poppyseed zips out of the blinding cloud of Dragons Breath, and spotting the scrolls now in the possession of the goggles wearing Kobold, reaches into the mind of the thief in an attempt to warp his senses. But the Kobold easily resists, despite the fairy’s efforts to distract him.
Daisy the Hedgehog Daisy comes bursting out of the Cloud of Blinding Dragons Breath towards the Kobolds , she grips her symbol of the Earth Mother her little legs stomping across the Repository roof, as she does the nature guardian spirits burst out around her, the vortex of energy buffeting the Kobolds in her way
“Give us back those scrolls!”
Game Master The Kobolds disengage backing away towards the edge of the roof where the goggled Kobold waits with the scrolls by their hand gliders, as they retreat they fire multiple volleys of poisoned bolts from their hand crossbows striking the party members.
The Cloud Dragon spins into the air arcing over the rooftop, as it passes over head the mighty creature looks down, her eyes flashing like lightning as a jet of supercooled static electricity blasts down tearing up roof tiles as it tracks a path of destruction towards Otto.
Game Master Otto tries to jump out of the way, but is hit by the cold electric blast as it strafed across the roof sending the Human flying backwards careening across the rooftop towards the edge.
Otto reaches out, grabbing an awning just in time to prevent himself from going over the edge, and into the thick cloud surrounding the tower, and the fatal fall below.
Otto Albrecht Otto, battered by the dragon, will have blood and bruises everywhere on his body and is only moving with pure adrenaline. He will throw two javelins at a kobold, but one will miss due to the overwhelming noise of the battle, but he will focus his shot on the last one, using all his will, and will strike a blow on it and will then run away for cover.
Game Master Otto jumps and slides down a roof ridge for cover as the seriously injured fighter assesses his options.
Poppyseed Poppyseed zips ahead taking cover at a chimney stack sticking out of the roof, she pips a tune on her Panpipes of the Silver Wind, the sound travels towards the group of Kobolds its rolling pitch gaining velocity untill it hits the Kobolds in a high pitched tone shattering roof shingles, cracking glass, and damaging the Kobolds hearing momentarily
Daisy the Hedgehog Daisy runs forward, her guardian spirits enveloping the fleeing Kobolds, as she brings her heavy soup ladle down on the injured Kobolds head leaving it bloodied and unconscious on the tiled roof
“Give us back those scrolls!"
Game Master The Kobolds grab their hand gliders and dive off the edge of the Repository roof, as the long serpentine body of the Cloud Dragon arches over the building following them down into the thick cloud cover.
Seconds of silence pass as the group holds its breath, then in an explosion of cloud vapor the Cloud Dragon bursts out streaming upwards and southward, followed closely in the massive creatures up draft by the Kobolds, the odd goggles wearing Kobold looks down at the party as they make their escape, smiles and waves, before the currents move him beyond sight into a heavy bank of cloud.
Poppyseed “No! They got away”
With her hands on her hips she makes the action to stamp her foot although she is flittering three feet off the ground
Jack Frost “Well i dont think there is actually anything we could of done, we should of just stayed indoors in the warm”
Daisy the Hedgehog “Maybe you’re right, but we had to try”
Otto Albrecht As they go away, Otto will feel both relief and anger
“Goddammit, we went through all that and still lost the scrolls”
And will let out an annoyed sigh
“Well, at least we are still alive I guess I’ll be honest when I saw that dragon, I thought we were done for, but thankfully they didn’t seem to care about us that much”
Jack Frost “100% we get the blame for them getting away... they weren’t exactly jumping to retrieve the scrolls themselves..."
Daisy the Hedgehog “I’m sure they aren’t looking for anyone to blame”
Poppyseed “It’s not like we opened the door for them or anything”
Jack Frost “They seemed pretty adamant that we had to retrieve the scrolls, these guys just rub me the wrong way”
Poppyseed “Everyone rubs you the wrong way Jack”
Daisy the Hedgehog “Yes for someone who works for Santa, you sure do dislike people, jollyness, and cheer”
Jack Frost “Think of it more as ive had my eyes opened to people’s true nature and it normally isnt very pretty”
Daisy the Hedgehog “That’s dark....and very sad Jack”
Poppyseed “Not me I’m all sunshine and rainbows inside and out”
Daisy the Hedgehog Daisy raises an eyebrow at Poppyseed and hums as if she’s not quite sure that’s the truth
Poppyseed “Otto you still breathing?"
Otto Albrecht Otto will yell out
“YESSS THOUGH, BARLEY*
And he will come over to her with deep, open wounds and clearly having trouble standing.
“Is it possible for you to heal me up cause now would be a great time.”
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Otto Albrecht
“Also, screw those guys. They really expect us to beat a dragon the same size as this building with only four people. Maybe they should stop being cheap bastards and hire more people, or shut up and be grateful we tried at all.”
Game Master Both Daisy and Poppyseed use their last ounce of energy to bestow their healing word on the badly injured fighter.
Daisy the Hedgehog “I think we should get inside, they’ll probably be looking for us”
Poppyseed “Hope they have snacks, I’m starving”
Otto Albrecht Otto will grumble angrily
“You know what, Jack, I think you’re right about these people. I think we should take as much food as we can and quit and find a new job somewhere else where they respect us instead of these ungrateful bastards.”
Daisy the Hedgehog “Technically we don’t work for the Repository, but our current employer is worse.....no pay, no days off..."
Poppyseed “No dental”
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Game Master The group climbs back into the building through a hole in the roof where the Cloud Dragons breath had struck, and after a few wrong turns make their way back to the Research Chamber where the chase had started.
By the time the party reaches the Research Chamber the heavy mist which had strangled the corridors and rooms of the Great Repository had all but evaporated and the group finds the Head Scribe almost exactly where they had left him, picking up books and scrolls, and cleaning up the mess the party had left behind.
Otto Albrecht Otto will see the scribe and casually walk up to him
“Well, unfortunately, we have some bad news to report: we failed to retrieve the scrolls, and on top of that, these Kobolds had a dragon on their side as big as a building, so getting it back would be a nightmare if we or any of your guys choose to chase after it, and that’s if you find it. The only good news is we killed some Kobolds, and that’s it.”
And Otto will shrug, not knowing what to do, and wait for his response.
Game Master The Head Scribe looks up from the puddle of blood he’s trying to mop up and clean away, as he wipes sweat from his forehead, “That’s ok, we know where they are going, and based on what they stole we now know what they are planning”.
The Head Scribe stands up with a grunt, “We should probably head back to the Judicial Chamber, now that the attack is over the Council will be expecting you”.
Game Master The group follows the Head Scribe back to the Judicial Chambers where, as they enter, see that the Council have already entered and are seated in their high podium, the Council Members to the left and right flick through notes while the member in the center just watches the group as they enter and take their seat at the little table and chairs.
The Council Member to the right begins “Seems you were able to subdue some of our attackers, who are now in interrogation, pity we couldn’t secure the scrolls, but knowing what they took does give us a good start in resolving the matter”.
The Council Member to the left continues, “We spoke to your previous employer, in order to pick up your contract, who funnily enough had no recollection of you, until we mentioned your inclination for large scale property damage, he seemed a little too eager to pass on the contract after that”.
Daisy the Hedgehog “Pick up our contract......what does that mean exactly?"
Game Master The Council Member to the right responds, “That means Miss Daisy, that you and your team will no longer be working for the Lumber Yard in Spring, and will be officially on the payroll of the Repository”.
Poppyseed “Payroll....... does that mean we’ll actually get paid.....for like doing work...?"
Game Master The Council Member to the left responds, “Yes you will receive pay befitting the difficulty of whatever assignment you undertake upon its completion, and yes before you ask we have a dental plan, and holidays”.
Poppyseed A tear comes to Poppyseed’s eye
“Daisy....did you hear that.....they have dental...... I’ve never been so happy”
Daisy the Hedgehog “They had me at ‘pay’, and ‘holidays’ was the icing on the cake”
Game Master The two small Fey friends give each other a high five and hug, before turning back to the Council, attempting to keep their composure.
Jack Frost “Does that mean you want us to chase that dragon?" Jack raises an eyebrow
Game Master The central Council Member looks at the group, “The Dragons name is Nimhara, and she, although inconvenient, is not the real threat, no, the real threat is the Dragon Cult and what they are planning. Individually or in small groups Kobolds are a minor pests at best, yet Someone or Something has unified the clans across the Continent, and based on the star charts and scrolls they stole are planning to summon back the Ancient Dragons in an attempt to restore their rule once more”.
Otto Albrecht Otto will give a concerned look, hearing all this
“How powerful a dragon are they trying to summon? The one that helped the Kobolds attack was as big as a building. If what they are summoning is more powerful than that, then we gotta stop them before they unleash hell. So how do we find their exact location?”
And will wait for a response
Game Master The central Council Member corrects Otto, “Dragons” emphasizing the ‘S’, “There are twelve Ancient Dragons which long before the Weeping Star shattered the moon and our worlds collided ruled unappossed through greed and terror, none could stand against them, until a coalition of the Mortal Races and Dragons joined together and were able to banish their oppressors, scattering them across the stars”
“Now there are only a handful of Dragons in Aethelgard, and only two here on the Great Continent. The Natural Museum classifies them as an endangered species and works to preserve the few remaining and their habitats. although the Repository is not involved in this and only intervenes in rare circumstances”.
“But yes you are correct, the Dragon Cult must be stopped”.
The left Council Member speaks up, “Poppyseed, your reports have been invaluable allowing us to put key people in place regarding Balthazar Shade, and Alis’Zar Kisparta, you may have saved not only the Great Continent but all of Aethelgard from a fate worse than death”.
“And thanks to your report on the Void Maestro and Singing Stones, as well as your previous help defending the Continuum Gate, we have bolstered security at key Meridian Points hopefully buying time to fully comprehend the Abyssal threat”.
The Council Member to the right continues, “But we feel that it is Daisy’s report that we want you to act on, yes, we want you to return to Wrinklers Well in Spring, uncover who is behind the Dragon Cult, and the unification of the Kobold Clans, and put a stop to them before they are able to complete their scheme, returning the Ancient Dragons and plunging this world into chaos”.
