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#Post#: 508--------------------------------------------------
The Tale of Tali and the not-so-best-friend Thraxis
By: Rojosama Date: January 20, 2020, 9:32 am
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So after spending the night casting identify on the items and
counting up the gold and jewels, here is what Hexor presents to
the party -
Gold - 45,000 is mixed coinage of gold, silver, and copper.
Plat - 3,300 in platinum coins. That right, you read that
correctly. That is 33,000 gold worth of Platinum. (Last week I
was a noble without a country, this week I am a noble trying to
choose which county to buy!)
Items of note - non magical -
A drinking horn of ivory set with a black opal - 7,500g
A vest of sable set with a star sapphire - 7,500g
A painting of hunting hounds in a forest, in a golden frame -
2,500g
A tapestry sewn with platinum thread of a snow covered mountain
range - 2,500g
Various gems and jewerly - 10,000g
Now for the fun stuff - the magical items
Minor -
A +2 breastplate
A shield of bronze wreathed in a Continual Flame spell, is
always active and sheds light like a campfire would - 2,500
A rose in a glass case in temporal statis (think Beauty and the
Beast) - 7,500
A Stela (marker, sign, or gravestone) of Jasper, 2 feet tall and
1 foot wide, square, covered in purple flames, as the Continual
Flame spell, also cannot be turned off. The stone is marked in a
bisected fashion horizontally with the top half a set of scales,
and the bottom half a shield. - 10,000g
Potions -
Giant Strength x1
Longevity - This removes 1d6+6 years from you, making you
younger. - x1
Superior Healing - x1
The Big Boys -
The Echo Stone - Requires Attunement by a Bard
This blue fist sized gemstone pulses with magical energy from
within.
Spell Song - You can spend Bardic Inspiration to raise the DC of
the next spell you cast this turn. Roll your die and add the
number to your DC for the next spell you cast this round. You
can use this feature once per long rest. In addition, you can
add your Charisma modifier to any damaging spells you cast.
Greater Inspiration - When you spend Bard Inspiration on someone
other than yourself, they can roll the die twice and take the
better of the two rolls. You gain two additional uses of your
Bardic Inspiration
Spellbreaker – Requires Attunement by a spellcaster.
This unassuming silver ring is smooth on the outside, but the
inner ring is covered in arcane sigils in eight different
languages.
This ring has 12 charges and recovers 1d4 charges each day when
you complete a LR. You can spend charges to do the following -
Detect Magic (1 Charge)
Cast Counterspell at up to 5th level (1 charge per spell level,
up to 5 charges). When you spend your reaction to Counterspell,
you can make an Arcana check to identify the spell and what
level it is being cast, DC=15+spell level. If you successfully
counter a spell you recover a number of charges equal to half
the spell’s base level, rounded up, min 1.
Dispel Magic at 3rd level (5 charges)
Bracers of the Duelist - Requires Attunement
These silver bracers have long sweeping grooves on them, as if
the air itself was depicted on them. The grooves are tinted red.
While wearing them your strikes come faster and you are capable
of exceptional dexterity. While attuned to these bracers, and
using a weapon in each hand, you can make two attacks with your
offhand when you make an attack as a bonus action. You can use
this feature twice per long rest.
Ioun Stone of Mastery - Requires Attunement
Mastery (Legendary). Your Proficiency Bonus increases by 1 while
this pale green prism orbits your head.
And that is everything. Now obviously I didn't do anything with
the Skull of Thraxis that was left behind, not even Identify it
as I assume Tali would not want anyone touching it. We do,
however, have some hard choices to make now - who gets what?
The easy stuff -
Obviously the Echostone goes to Halan, as he is the only one
that can use it.
The bracers either go to myself or Kiran, as the only melee ones
in the group, of which I say Kiran should take them, as I have
options for extra attacks already.
I wouldn't mind hanging on to the shield, just to hang in my
house when I get it back, bc its cool looking.
The breastplate we can sell, no one uses armor really. Same with
the Stela and the Rose, unless someone wants them for some
reason. Same with the art and other non-magical stuff.
The potions - sell the giant str, we don't use that stat lol,
and if anyone wants to be younger, go for it. I am basically a
toddler in elf years, so it won't help me much seeing as unless
I die in combat, I could live to see over 2,000 years.
The Hard Stuff -
Ioun stone - That is a tough call as everyone can benefit from
it, since it raise all proficient saves/skills/attacks. Note -
As it raises your Prof, it also allows you to attune for free
basically. Hexors opts to pass on it at first, allowing someone
who wants it more to take it. Again I vote for Kiran, as he has
the most need of raising his attacks, but that just my vote.
Spellbreaker - This one I will argue does the most good with
Halan, as he doesn't really use his Reaction a lot, or Hexor, as
he is in the mix and most likely to be in range to counterspell.
Tali could also get a lot of milage from it, with freeing up her
spells, but she has to be within 30ft to counterspell, which
isnt as common. Kiran gets the least use from it, but can still
use it very well since this would give us a 3rd person to
counterspell each round, and he doesn't actually have access to
the spell otherwise.
#Post#: 509--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Tale of Tali and the not-so-best-friend Thraxis
By: Rojosama Date: January 28, 2020, 12:10 pm
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After handing out the loot, Hexor will pull Halan aside, out of
earshot of the others.
"I have a favor to ask. I need to go visit my teacher, the
Archmage Solom Ned'razak, back at Sporedome. He is an expert in
all thing magical in nature, and I would like to discuss, at the
least, this book on spellbraiding with him. I can use the
teleportation circle to get us there, I still have the majority
of my magic remaining today, and we can rest there. Then, if you
could, you can teleport us back here."
#Post#: 510--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Tale of Tali and the not-so-best-friend Thraxis
By: Deetoo Date: January 28, 2020, 8:47 pm
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"I'm not opposed, but why can't we all go? I can teleport us all
back and after today, I don't think I want to leave Tali alone.
I'll be glad to let you learn about spellbraiding, especially if
I can learn it myself afterwards, I'm just wary about spending
time in a dragon's lair, let alone splitting up for a day or
even more and leaving the others here. If your teacher wouldn't
accept them being there and you really need to do this now, then
we can do this, but I want to talk to Tali first."
#Post#: 511--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Tale of Tali and the not-so-best-friend Thraxis
By: Rojosama Date: January 29, 2020, 8:48 am
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"Outsiders are generally not very welcome among my people, which
is why I asked you, as you can disguise yourself quite easily,
and even if it is seen through, it is the effort that makes the
difference. My . . ," Hexor pauses for a moment, before
activating the Hivemind with just Halan.
"My powers feel different now, after that fight. I feel as if my
understanding of the abilities has grown, but I have not broken
into learning anything new. It was my assumption that I would
have the ability to use such magic myself by now, but I cannot
grasp it. Vexor is little help in this, being caught up in
mysteries of her own at the moment, so I seek information from
the only other source I can think of. Of all the others, you
alone understand the implications of such limitations for one
such as myself." (He pauses a moment to allow Halan to reply in
the Hivemind if he chooses)
Speaking aloud - "I understand your intent with Tali'shale,
especially now, and if that is more pressing, then my trip can
wait."
#Post#: 512--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Tale of Tali and the not-so-best-friend Thraxis
By: Deetoo Date: January 29, 2020, 4:27 pm
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In the hivemind, Halan responds: "I appreciate your candour and
I appreciate your eagerness; if you say it is important, I trust
you and I am willing to go. If you believe that your teacher's
place is safe, I would also consider leaving Tali and Kiran with
any means of defence we can, at least temporarily.
Unfortunately, the best I can do are my boots but I suppose
every little bit helps.
But I would like to talk to Tali first. And borrow her language
helmet. I can't imagine drow speech being more beautiful to
listen to when I understand it but it's bound to be less bone
chilling. At least I will know when someone is planning my
death, rather than just assume."
He nods to Hexor and moves off in the direction of Tali.
He sits close to her, closer than is usual with him – he's not
generally too distant but he likes his personal space when he
seats himself but this time he goes close up.
To Tali he says: "I'm glad Xzar is okay." He hesitates for a bit
but then he goes on. "I can't understand what you've been
through. A hundred years is unimaginable to me. And I understand
if you don't want to trust anyone now. That I understan. I don't
know if I've told you this,
but I was sold out and left to rot in a jail cell, if not to be
executed, by the people who raised me. I was their prized
property, something they used to run scams and once I rebelled,
once I outlived my usefulness, they left me for dead. So I don't
understand fully, I can't, but I think I understand enough. And
you and I are clearly" he looks her up and down, in her forest
garb, "very different people. But I understand how this may
change a person. Make them jaded, make them automatically
distrust anyone they meet. I just want you to know that if you
don't want to pull back, I'm here for you. To do what you and
Mara and Kiran did for me. To keep you strong, to keep you sane,
to keep you alive and okay and to keep you able to make friends,
alive or not. You did what I thought was impossible, you
actually made me trust people again. Well, some people. But
that's still something. And I'd hate if some dragon took that
ability away from you. So I want you to know that if you need
anything, I'll do it. No questions asked. Because you didn't
deserve what that thing did."
He pauses again, realising how bad the next thing will sound.
"Listen... Hexor feels he needs to go somewhere. He would go
alone if he could, but if he goes alone, he can't come back and
so he asked me to take him back tomorrow morning. That would
mean that we leave Kiran and you here.
If you don't want us to leave, just say the word and we'll stay.
I can give you my boots to keep you safe and I'll leave Bubo
with you so that he looks out for you, hell, even my armour will
do in a pinch because it can hide you or Kiran a bit; I don't
know how well it would really work, but it might. Your safety is
important. Either way, we'd come back as soon as we could.
Oh, and one last thing; do you think I could borrow your helm of
comprehending languages? It would really help me but once again,
if you want to keep your stuff, if you're afraid I wouldn't come
back with it or anything, it's fine if you keep it. I... am
sorry for all this."
And he shrinks into himself a little bit after all this.
#Post#: 513--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Tale of Tali and the not-so-best-friend Thraxis
By: aspockalypse Date: January 29, 2020, 11:55 pm
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Talishale is leaning against Xzar, holding the skull of Thraxes
in her hands. Her face is stained with dry tears, and blood.
“It’s-” her voice cracks. “It’s so quiet.” She sets the skull
down without looking up. “So. Quiet.”
She runs her hands over her wild blond hair, a leaf falling to
the ground. “My every thought was a conversation. Now,” She
pulls on her long ears, “nothing. Silence.”
Talishale pulls off the Helm of Comprehend Languages and hands
it over to Halan. “It’s just stuff to me,” she shakes her head.
“I think. I don’t know anymore.” Her hand grazes delicately over
the skull in her lap. “Everything I know. Everything I am.
Everything I can do. It all came from...him. Everything. Even
Xzar. My friends, the living ones and the not. But… none of it
was real. It was all a lie. I am a lie.”
She is quiet for a long time, swaying ever so slightly. Then she
reaches for Halan’s hand, but hesitates. “This place is silent
too,” she pats him on the arm awkwardly instead. “I think we
will be fine here.” She finally looks up at Halan, tears
reforming in his eyes. “Thank you.”
She looks across the chaos of the room, pausing over Kiran and
Hexor. "We are all just a bunch of broken things. Maybe that is
what can hold us together."
#Post#: 514--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Tale of Tali and the not-so-best-friend Thraxis
By: Deetoo Date: January 30, 2020, 4:46 am
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Halan takes Tali's hand. "Maybe we are broken, I don't know. I
couldn't even begin to know how it feels to be whole, so I'll
have to believe you. But I don't think you should sell yourself
short. Granted, I only knew Thraxes for a short time but he
seemed nothing like you. He may have given you some knowledge,
he may have given you some advice, some of it may have even been
good, but it's not all you are. I'd known the dragon for a few
hours and it tried to kill me and my closest friends so I don't
think that all you are was its doing. And... listen. I don't
know what it's like to be lied to for this long, fortunately,
but I know what it's like to feel like a lie because I am, in a
very literal sense of that word, a lie myself." He transforms
into the non-descript milky white form of his natural changeling
self, and whispers and his clothes change into regular studded
leather. "I'm also somewhat good at picking out liars; you're
not one. So if you think your existence is a lie, then you can
find its truth or whatever and we can try to help you. But your
friends, Xzar, we? We aren't a lie."
He takes the helmet. "Thank you. I'll bring it back. It's... not
really my style."
He will then sit with her for a while, conversing with Bellfear
telepathically, asking if she would be fine staying here with
Tali and trying to cheer her up by connecting with her for a
while.
#Post#: 515--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Tale of Tali and the not-so-best-friend Thraxis
By: Rojosama Date: January 30, 2020, 9:04 am
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Hexor, catching Talishale's gaze as she looks over at him, nods
to her.
"My whole life is was always Vexor and I. Once we learned our
powers, nothing was secret from the other. Ours minds were
constantly connected. When my family died during the war, we
survived. When we made our way to the surface, it was together.
When we met all of you, it was supposed to be a temporary
things, few days or weeks, then moving on. When she died, I
died." He pauses for a moment, slowly shaking his head and
running a hand through his hair. "Nothing made sense then. So I
pushed forward with her plan, her life, what else was I to do?
How else could I hold onto her? It was only upon meeting the
Archmage that I learned that there are other paths." He walks
over and squats in front of her, drawing the blade from his side
and holding it before her.
The blade, broken at the halfway mark, is more a hilt than
blade.
"You say we are broken, and I agree. However, what is broken can
be remade," he pauses to ignite the blade into its full form,
blade of blue/silver energy completing the weapon. "And often
made stronger in the process." He holds the blade for a moment,
letting the light play across the darkness of the room and his
eyes.
"Talishale of House Atticus, Warden of the Wood, it has been my
honor standing and fighting at your side. At your word, I would
stand with you against all comers," he says tapping the blade
against the skull on the ground. He rises and puts his sword
away, turning and walking a few steps away to begin his casting
of Circle of Teleportation. He tilts his head upwards with a
small smile before saying softly "Because that's what friends do
I suppose." He shakes his head and falls into his casting.
#Post#: 516--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Tale of Tali and the not-so-best-friend Thraxis
By: aspockalypse Date: January 31, 2020, 2:06 am
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"Hexor just called me a friend." Talishale's eyes widen a
little, and an awkward laugh escapes her throat. "It's funny,
Thraxes was the one who told me to befriend you all to help in
our goals. I think that was his greatest mistake." A weak smile
forms on her lips. The first genuine smile to grace her since
the battle. "My friends kicked his ass."
She looks up at Halan, a little color coming back to her face.
"I don't know where to start rebuilding myself, but having you
all gives me hope." Talishale squeezes Halan's hand. "I like
your true form by the way. It's beautiful."
(By the way you skipped half Tali's title. She is not offended
but I am ;-) haha For the record: Talishale Turen Deathmaker of
house Atticus, Destroyer of Haelynshire, Warden of the Wood,
Mother of Dragon, Slayer of Thraxes and Assassin of Friendships)
#Post#: 517--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Tale of Tali and the not-so-best-friend Thraxis
By: Rojosama Date: January 31, 2020, 7:14 am
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(I honestly couldn't remember anything other than Deathmaker
lol.)
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