Gateway to the Savage Frontier, Chapter 11: How Not to Train Your Dragon

Over plates of fried potatoes and honeyed ham, The Company consulted their map of the Savage Frontier. It appeared the Star Mounts could be reached by boat, however, reaching the heights where "even birds cannot fly" was something else entirely. Being as none of them had a ring of flying or some-such thing, it was decided their only option was to investigate and hope for the best.

"Amanitas did say we would need to have faith," Avrilenne said, with a flourish of her hand, "May Tyr guide us on our path."

As soon as they arrived at the base of the mountains, their faith was answered... possibly. There was a group of man-like birds being assaulted by giant snakes! Although most of our altruistic party would have rushed to their help anyway, everyone saw the possibility these winged men provided.

They hacked the snakes until they released their captives. Suddenly, Steve Nash let out a yell, "For all that is holy! What are those things?"

The objects of his wonder were massive mounds of moss and undergrowth that appeared to be walking towards them, with an almost human gait. They were quite hideous, with gaping black maws and red pinpoints for eyes. Their bodies were soft and moist, glistening as if with dew. They were true horrors, their bodies making them resistant to both weapons and fire.

These guys are truly b*s. The're resistant to everything... except stinking clouds, which is how I beat them. This first battle, as you can no doubt guess, necessitated a reload. My last character couldn't even do 7hp damage. 

Our party discovered something very peculiar in the aftermath of battle, though. The formidable vegetables apparently had a penchant for swallowing equally formidable foes, for their insides contained a trove of magic items! Augustar and Avrilenne equipped themselves with new suits of plate mail, after cleaning of the wet soil of course. Chode and Ranzo both found themselves the new owners of magic cloaks which, when worn, served to disguise their positions with illusions. "These will no doubt come in handy, eh?" Chode said as he nudged Ranzo, but was startled when he missed and almost fell over. 

"Hah!" Ranzo laughed heartily, "They work quite well."

Deyumn that's some crazy magical loot! The top gear is all shambling mound, as if they swallowed some great warrior, or cleric; as the ioun stones are for wisdom.*

*I figured my reason for looking up how to use a semicolon was because I like to do things correctly. The website I checked may have the best reason: "By using semicolons effectively, you can make your writing sound more sophisticated." (Emphasis added)

The battle won, the bird-men approached. It turned out they were, thankfully, both intelligent and benevolent. After the party explained their mission, they were very willing to take them as far as they dare, to the edge of their aerie. Beyond that, dragons ruled the sky, led by a black-hearted sorceress who rode upon one into battle.

So many vowels! How does one pronounce Aarakocra?

It did not take long before The Company was greeted by their host, Ceptienne. By her own admission, her lair was a maze, made in the shape of her first initial in three different alphabets. There were many portals, she said, but only passage through twelve would reach her. The group was very patient mapping the place and its almost uncountable one-way passages. With Lady Deschanel now gone, Steve Nash took over the mapping duties, as he seemed to be only member left with the patience to do so.

First fight with dragons! I made a rookie mistake and got my elf killed by putting him in the line of fire. Never let anyone with less than the dragon's hp -9 near them. I know this. I couldn't even be mad about it.

Ceptienne was at first flippant and mocking. As the party conquered one obstacle after another in short order though, her jovial facade faded.

Like so many other villains, her boisterous threats were empty. The Company made short work of the sorceress and her guardians. The Statuette of the South now in hand, they triumphantly returned to the aarakocra, who were thankfully still waiting safely for their return.

Seeing the full inventory here did feel good.

With all four statuettes and the ring of reversal in their position, they made one last stop in Secomber to see Amanitas. Although they were certain what he would say, all still felt the need to see their friends one more time before leaving for what would no doubt be the most dangerous of their quests.

Amanitas thanked them heartily for thinking of him, but would tolerate no foot-dragging. Soon, they were out the door, and on the way to Yartar; where they would travel by boat all the way around the realm to the city of Sundabar. and from there, to Ascore!