Age of Ashes Story Thread

[Aileen]

At last we come to a chamber of magma and pushing through the heat come in to face the dragon. At first we don’t see him and then he breathes lava and ash all over us. I’m unscathed, but the smoke demons are another story. They tear into me, leaving me now feeling great about our odds. But I’m not here for them, I’m here for the dragon!

Arun casts a spell and I’m able to walk through the air, ignoring the other things and heading straight for the dragon. I can feel the magma roiling below, my butt starting to feel a little crispy. The dragon claws at me, but I hit back hard. Husband unfurls his wings and joins me, raging at the dragon. It beats on him, still breathing fire, and my dear Miklos is not looking good. Our healer cannot reach us, and if he takes another good hit he will surely drop into the lava below. I can’t lose the love of my life, that will always win over my need to destroy this thing. I sheath my kukris, and start patching up his wounds.

“Do not leave me, Miklos! Kill this bastard!”

The fight is hairy, but we prevail. The massive creature falls into the lava, dead. There’s no sign of anything else, so I jog through the air to the treasure pile.

“Nadja, there’s still a calmed one!” Arun calls.

Of course he used that spell. It’s helpful, sometimes, but also very annoying. I land on the platform and draw my bow, waiting for it to appear. Eliza in the form of a dragon starts going through treasure behind me, making a lot of noise using her big ungainly claws. The others come over, a giant Arun carrying my beloved like a princess. I continue to focus on the lava. At last as my arms are getting tired, it pops up, expresses fear, and goes back under. We are victorious!

We get all our loot together, including the stolen crown, and leave this place, making it back to the hall of the king. Eliza presents King Haral with the crown, which we are thanked profusely for. The king places it on his head, smiles, and fades away.

“No!” I cry out, and start bawling. “Where did he go?!”

“He’s at peace, Nadja,” says Arun.

“But... He was so cute! I loved that old dead dwarf!”

“Nadja... you can’t adopt everyone, my love,” Miklos says, hugging me. “When all this is over, we will have children of our own. We’ve already got lots of gold to give them the best life. You don’t need to pick up strays!”

“But I like strays!”

“I know. By the way, I’m getting a dog!”

We leave the undead city and head back to the dwarves. We are immediately arrested and brought before the council. It doesn’t take long to pardon us for all we’ve done, and it is revealed there is a traitor in their midst. Our debts settled, alliances strengthened, we leave the dwarves and return home. I have never been happier to be back in the castle.

“Miklos, we already have a dog, he’s with the elves!”

Miklos flops down on our bed, kicking his boots off.

“Yes, Bruce belonged to you and my brother. I want one of my own.”

It hurts a little when he says it like that. I never want him to think he is replacement for his dead brother. I loved Miklos before Laszlo, but I lost him when he went off to do whatever it was with dragons. I loved Laszlo, but Miklos is my true love. I throw my smoke smelling armor on the floor, slip off my spider climb slippers, and get on the bed with my husband. His dreadlocks smell of volcano, slightly singed. I lay my head on his chest and he pulls me closer.

“Alright... you get whatever pet you want. I will love it as our own child. Just please not a cat!”

🏹 Nadja

[Chris Leitzel]

Just once I would like to enter into an elven gate and NOT have something try to kill us.

We had defeated the dragon and returned to the dwarven city where we were promptly arrested, but we were allowed to state our case and in doing so, were able to expose the conspiracy against the city and clear our names. Then we returned home.

After a some time to rest and relax, we continued on our quest and entered the next gate having used a magical chisel we found that was the next key leading us to a large chamber. I used the prying eye spell to look around. Inside was an incredible elvish art gallery with elves engaging in a wide array of crafts, and a room with the art depicting the life of an elf and a metal staff and other rooms. They were all interconnected. I had expected the statues to attempt to kill us. Turns out, it was the paintings and the floor in the main room as stone golems emerged and began to attack us. They seemed to either want to smash us with their fists, stomp on us or push us into the walls. The room depicting the life of an elf had some sort of effect, forcing the person who entered to live the lifespan of an elf, possibly draining them as we learned the hard way.

We somehow managed to defeat the golems after a hard fought battle, be we took a beating from those things. Now is the time to heal up and see what lies beyond the exit of these chambers.

Eliza

[Aileen]

It’s nice to have some time off from adventuring. Miklos and I went back through the gate to the Ekujae elves, who welcomed us with open arms for some training. It was nice to see Bruce dog, happy with his new owners, and spend a week among friends.

A few weeks later, back at the castle, we ready to head through the next gate. I put the the magic chisel in, and the portal is opened. Stepping through we find ourselves in an art gallery of sorts, carvings of elves doing crafts on the walls. Looking closer it seems to be a temple of Findeladlara, the elven goddess of art and architecture.

We explore this first room as Eliza sends her prying eye through the halls to check things out. She reports back that there’s a Mithral staff in one room and what looks like another gate down one hall... the hallways all loop around the place, interconnecting all the rooms. We decide to head to the mithral staff room. I barely make it to the start of the corridor when there’s the sound of stone on stone, grinding. Turning around, I see the carvings on the walls are coming alive, crawling down to the floor.

“Greetings!” I call in elven. “We mean no harm.”

They do not respond, apparently not speaking elven despite looking like elves. They’re just scary stone golem things. I poke one with the chisel, but nothing happens. A moment passes, all of us holding our breath, and then they attack!

They seem to like plowing through us, pushing us out of the way before attacking. After seeing Bromley, who found us in the castle and decided to check out the gate with us, get bloodied and bruised by one of them trying to stop it, I decide to just let them push me around. Maybe they’re trying to help?

Arun and I are pushed back into the hallway, and all the way into the room. The walls have images of the elven life span, sunup to sundown. Suddenly my mind is taken over by images, the world around me fading.

I open my eyes, crying, and my mother takes me in her arms, soothing me with an elven lullaby. I grow up, making and losing friends, finding love, becoming an adult. I marry, have beautiful elven children, see them grow and have their own, and then I’m laying on my death bed, gasping for one last breath of air before-

“Ahhh!!!” I wake up in the room, sweating and shaking.

“Did you see it too!?” Arun pants, striking at the golem.

“Saw it, felt it...” I feel tears running down my cheeks. That was intense, more intense than I can handle.

Suddenly, it happens again. A different lifetime, but much the same. I wake up, grab the mithral staff, and attack. It happens again, but this time I come back to myself exhausted and reeling, the horrible sense of doom filling my body. It keeps happening until Arun does something to the walls, but the damage is done. I feel I could be broken in half at any slight breeze, my heart as broken as my body.

Miklos slays golem after golem, until the only one remaining stands between him and I. He downs it, and runs to me. I collapse into his arms, sobbing, unsure what is real and what is not. It felt real... the emotions, the pain... but I am only human, not an elf. I was raised by them, but I will never have their long lives.

We decide to rest, for if I am doomed much more I will surely die. This seems to be a pattern of ours, and poor Black Eyed Priest is always hard at work keeping us alive. I both fear what we will find here, and look forward to discovering where this way-station takes us.

⚔️ Nadja

[dragonforgotten]

We approach through the tunnel for it to open up into a sea of lava, a large pile of treasure and gold collecting on the other side of the lava lake. The dragon the appears. He bursts from the lava with a mighty roar along with four more fire elementals at his side. While he batters us with his scorching volcanic breath I bless Nadja with the power to walk on air while Mikolas unleashes his silvery dragon wings. They rush for the dragon while I am left to second Eliza from the remaining fire elementals. In desperation I managed to calm one away but I can only look up in horror and the husband and wife duo are getting torn apart in the sky, I’m too far away to help them. I can only send out prayers to my goddess that they hold out, that they do not fall into the lava bellow. Just as I begin to fear this to be the case he and Nadja strike the beast down as he falls while Eliza has managed to vaporize the fire elementals beating me up. The rest fold like cards under the two warriors might. Eventually everyone makes there way to the mound of gold but me and Mikolas appear to be stranded with his wings haven returned to his back with the ease of his rage. It’s then I remember that spell. A spell that uses my body to channel Divine energy and transform it.
“I may have something to help us get across. Just give me a moment.”
I concentrate, speak the incantations and perform the guesters. I gasp as I feel the rush of power and the shifting of my form. When the deed is done I tower of the barbarian. My skin radiates a glow of white energy yet my wrists and feet are looped with shadows, each of my nails are tiped with talons. I flex the massive four rows of wings on my back.
“What do you think?” I ask the barbarian, my voice speaking as if with two voices at once.
“Strange.”
“It is indeed.” scoop up the barbarian like he was only a doll in my arms and take to the sky just like I seen him many times, still concentrating on my calming spell. When we reach the other side Nadjas arms are trembling with effort, her arrow aimed at the lava. With everyone here I release my hold on the spells with my scimitar dawn. The last fire elementals bursts from the lava lake from were we once were. Turning around it sees us, goes back under, pops back up looking awkward and scared and then runs off. The battle is won! With the dragon slain we loot it’s hoard. During our packing Eliza discovered king Harals missing crown. There’s only one thing left to do.
We return to his ruined castle, finding him resting on his throne.
“The dragon is slain.”
Eliza presents him his crown. He takes it with shaking hands.
“Thank you.” He whispers and smiles as it rests upon his head. Then he fades into dust and I pray for him, incredibly happy for him. At last the old king has found peace. May pharsiam carry him safely to the arms of his god.

“No!” Nadja cries out and begins to sob. “Where did he go?!”
I grasp her shoulder and squeeze it.
“He’s at peace, Nadja. He’s finial at rest.”
“But... He was so cute! I loved that old dead dwarf!”
I don’t quite understand but I’m sure eventually she will see the good this is for the tired old king. Mikolas consoles her as we gather around his throne, unsure what to do with his possessions. If it is right of us to take his weapons and armor. Through the use of the ancestral war pick Mikolas is able to confirm that his effects can be claimed without any great offense to the soul so long as we leave the crown on the throne. With that and our task completed and both cities safe from harm we return to Kolver to face justice now that our jobs are done. The walk back to the city filled me more with dread then the moans of the undead. I tired all I could to save that guard but he still died on my watch because I had to flee.
As expected we are immediatly arrested and I go without a fight as we are brought before the council. My fears were unfounded. There was a traitor amongst them who has run off in the confusion, the guards that were sent to arrest us were corrupt and the city is thankful for the slaying of the dreaded volcanic dragon. Though corrupt as they were I still fell sorry I let him die on my watch. With our crimes absolved we stay to finish up any tasks we left before becoming outlaws. I learn how to craft the bloodbane runes from them. As amazing as this city I miss the sun and I believe I am not the only one.
——————-

Reuniting with my deadly, fluffy children always is a reward for me. They are still terrors but they are making progress, though I wish they would stop chewing on the poor goblins. The bumblebrahers have finally found a new way to feed them. Instead of using there hands they feed them with sticks. A great relief for me so I don’t have to regenerate lost limbs anymore. I still have much to be done once I return. Packing my bags I call the pups as we head back on the road to a humble temple of sarenrea. The moment they see me my old colleague come up to me.
“Arun! You’ve grown so much since we last saw you!” One of the acolytes tell me as she grabs my arms.
“Youve gotten so strong! Your not such a strong bean anymore!” She jokes as I chuckle.
“Well a lot has changed.” I tell her as she gives the pups a pat on there heads. I tell her I wish to learn more in the art of healing, that I am still unsure of my use in war. She understands and we swiftly get to work. When I return to the castle I still have more work to be done. I still must learn from the head mistress in Kintargo. She offered teaching in spells that can defend agaisnt fiends and undead and to pass up on this offer would be foolish. Eliza also has business in the city as well. She teleports the both of us and we spent the week furthering our studies. The last day I spend shoping, helping hold Elizas things. I think of visiting Halleka but then change my mind. Perhaps it’s better I don’t for now. Not when the midnight lords pale still has such a hold on me. I still feel the memory of what I saw, when I realized how deeply tangled I am with the shadow pact. We leave the city and no sooner I return to kovlar to commission a standard cold iron spiked gauntlet, purchase and upgrade my arsenal. I am still unsure what to make of the spike chain. To hold it feels right and wrong. It is the holy weapon of Zon Kuthon but it is also a symbol of my heritage. I know how to use it and a tool is just a tool. I shouldn’t be ashamed of my roots, as shadowed as they are. With my purchase complete I mentally reconcile with myself. I will not hide from the shadows nor will I allow them to damper the light in me.
——————

I wake up in my cozy bed in my room next to the altar where my friends gone had stained the giant grave back turtle. The pups are sleeping on my stomach and legs. I cleaned it up and it has become a fine altar for sarenrae though simple at best. I’ve been thinking perhaps we could give more to the community of breach hill as of late, build an infirmary but it will have to wait for my return. We are going to test another gate in alsetas ring. After morning prayers I climb down the stairs ready to begin. I’m delighted to see Bromely with us. He fell out of touch with us and had a mission of his own to complete but has manage to find the time to help us. We each step into an ancient dusty chamber, elves depicted on the walls. The moment we entire the art work peels from the walls and become massive stone golems. Nadja tries to make peace with them but they will not listen, they strike at her and the battle commence. Eliza and Bromely, caught in a bad way teleport out of position but they move so far away I cannot help them as they are boxes in. I stand and try and defend. The golem batters against my little sheild, slowly herding me and Nadja down the corridor away from Mikolas till we are pushed into a open room. Art work lines the walls, of elves growing and aging, the images almost seem to move and then everything vanished around me

Crying in my mothers arms I grasp my fathers fingers in my infant hand feeling warm and loved.

I take my first steps and speak my first elven words, my name is Asreil.

I play with elven children my age, free to go anywhere, play anywhere, coming home to a warm house and mother as my father tucks me in bed and reads me stories.

Rebellion. I ran away from my home. What do they know! They don’t know me! I run into the darkness I afraid of the shadows till a owlbear pins me down, i lose an eye till father manages to slay it.

I become a scholar as an adult, I met someone and we begin to date

Marrying my crush we begin to plan for the baby. So many years have past, even the forests have changed

Time has gone in a blink of an eye. I lay dying in my dead, surrounded by my family as I breath my last.

And I scream out in horror, feeling woefully incomplete, my eyes wide with terror. What was that!? All those years! I wasn’t myself! I didn’t feel the midnight lords call! Gods! I was Asreil! I felt myself die! I’m pulled back to see Nadja in the same state of existential horror.
“Did you see it too!?” I gasp in half breath striking at the golem.
“Saw it, felt it...” tears begin to run down her face and I feel my own tears fall as well, stained black. The grief I feel is all consuming. I feel it full body. The envy I have for Asreil. To have such a complete loving family and a life free from death and darkness. To not suffer from the Weil and woes of fate and the decisions of people long gone. I can hear the cries of Mikolas dimming. I cast regeneration in her before my grief consumes me and gives kuthon more power over me.
In a burst of speed I jump off the wall and roll on the other side of the golem, reaching out and healing Mikolas as he’s pummeled on all sides. My eyes catch the mural again as the elves dance on the walls, calling to me, calling to return to life as Asreil. I try to join them but the golem is in my way. I want to shout in anger but then I can almost imagine the twisted smile of kuthon at my misery. I come back to my senses as one clubs me from behind. Half dead and bloody I can see on the other side of the creature Nadja is not faring well. Her eyes are vacant and her face looks gaunt as she hits at the golem with the staff she found. I need to stop it! I need to get back into that room before these visions kill her!
I activate the cloak. In a blink of an eye I’m in front of the mural and it’s shifting colors. I see what I must do now. I begin to chant, praying for the vision to end. The walls begin to stop moving and I can breath a sigh of relief
I can hear stone breaking to peices as Mikolas smashes every golem to bits. Nadjas a mess and I can’t say that I am whole myself. She was exposed a lot longer then I was and it’s took a toll on her. That experience was so real but I must pull myself together. I am needed and I am strong enough to bare the scars and pain. I am a nidalese human with ties to the original horse lords, not a elf. Nothing will change that and nothing in my past can be changed. What I can do is continue to live and do good for the future while spreading the healing light of Sarenrea. I Shepard everyone into the gate room and begin to sew and patch up wounds hoping to escape the memories both past and facbricated through work.

Arun

[Chris Leitzel]

And so we continue onward.

After our battle with the golems, we take the time for Arun to heal us and press on. We search the barracks and find a shrine to the elf goddess Findeladlara, whom this structure seems dedicated to. Inside the shrine we find art supplies that seem well preserved and brought those with us. Inside a room with a gate decorated with a desert motif and with sand on the ground, Nadja suddenly falls into the sand, which then rises to try and attack us. We defeat this earth creature and step through the gate.

We arrive in our hometown to see it burning, a volcano rising from where our tower is, lava and fire consuming the tower and the god of Dahak atop the volcano. He attacks us, but before we can counterattack or anything, it all breaks, an illusion. We are in a desert in a sand storm. Behind us, ruins that look like a gate and ahead of us an obelisk. We make for the obelisk to try and get out of the storm that was in no way natural. There, we discover the body of a gnome with messages in his pouch, who died as if falling form an extreme height. Although I offered to cast magnificent mansion, we saw a town through the sand storm and made our way there.

The town seemed to be made of buildings of various height. A howl pierced through the storm striking some of us with fear, and I admit to suffering the worst of it, as elementals attacked us and the town. Arun, Bill, Nadja, and Miklos managed to defeat these elemental creatures. We were approached by a the town militia and a gnome, Soukmaster Satla Kivarn, the de-facto leader of the town, which is Finderplain, and she informs us that we are we are in Katapesh, and tells us her town's plights. We heal up and plan our next move.

- Eliza

[Aileen]

I’m feeling a little less doom and gloom after administrations by the Black Eyed Priest, and wave aside any talk of going back home to rest. What kind of hero would I be if I just gave up and went home to sleep off every horrible injury I sustain? It’s still early in morning and there is much to explore!

We do a search around the place, finding not much of interest save for a shrine with some art supplies. I paint a flower on the wall as an offering, hoping Findeladlara approves. I am warrior, not artist, but I was raised by elves.

There is another gate in a large chamber with sand everywhere, and we decide to search the sand for treasure before going through. I step into the sand, and immediately am engulfed by darkness! I can’t breathe, I can’t see, everything is sandy- I’ve been swallowed again!

I feel the creature, whatever it is, moving as it attacks my friends and husband. The sandy insides pin me in place, squeezing mercilessly. My favorite Kukri is wrenched painfully from my hand, hopefully not lost forever. With the other one I slash and pray. It hits! There is some tension in the sand, clearly this is an actual creature- and then my Kukri slices right through! I see light!

I stumble out through the hole I created, taking huge gulp of air in my burning lungs. Miklos is pounding on the creature, and I get in behind it. Soon it is dead, crumbling into sand.

“I have sand in places you don’t want to know!” I announce, trying to shake myself out.

“I’m sure I’ll find it later.” Says Miklos.

“Get a room!” Eliza shouts.

We take a quick breather, and go to the gate, ready to pass through.

“Bill, you have the spatula!”

“Nadja, it’s a chisel.”

“Yes, that is another common word for spatula?”

“No.”

Bill opens the gate, and we all step through. We are back home, in Breachill. But it’s on fire, everything is burning. A volcano erupts where our castle is. A great red dragon flies overhead, and dragon storms are everywhere. Screams of citizens trapped in burning buildings echo through the smoke. There’s no time to worry about the dragons when lives are at stake.

I run to one building, trying to beat down the door as Miklos effortlessly frees people next door. I try and try but the wood is not yielding. Miklos gets them too, and I turn to find the dragon is overhead. It swoops down, breathing fire, and I cannot dodge out of the way. I’m on fire, in pain, and terrified.

The dragon looms over us, speaking of destruction and it is clear this is Dehak. We are too late, his reign is nigh. Breachill is lost. We are lost.

And suddenly everything is gone. The flames replaced by sand, whipping at our faces. We are in a desert, not Breachill. Dehak is not here.

“Again?!” Arun screams against the howling winds.

“This happen before?” I ask.

“Yes! Before you joined us.”

I have experienced visions of Dehak, in the jungle. But not like that. That felt real, far too real. The wounds are real too, but maybe it was just the sand?

We push forward, heading toward an obelisk in the desert. As good a landmark as any. The door we came through looks broken, but it should still work. We find the body of a gnome, his sack on the sand beside him. Miklos sees to the gnome while I search the bag. Letters, several of them, but I cannot read them in these winds.

Miklos hoists the gnome body over his shoulder, and we head out. There’s glimpses of a town between gusts of sand wind, and hopefully we can find respite there. We reach it just fine, but as soon as we are walking down street several people run past screaming. Elementals of some sort attack!

We stand in the road fighting the whirlwinds, sand flying into our eyes. I’m getting beat down, pummeled as I pummel them. My husband turns into a white dragon, but I’m a bit too occupied by the fight to really take it in. A horrible howling noise comes from afar, and I feel terror grip my soul but stand fast. Eliza runs, faster than I’ve ever seen her move. She does not return until the battle is over, panting and exhausted.

Miklos turns back to human, and I throw myself into his muscular arms.

“Miklos, you never told me!”

“Surprise!” He kisses me and sets me back on my feet. “There’ll be more of that later!”

I hear Eliza gagging behind me, but ignore her. We are approached by a small militia of gnomes as we talk to the survivors, a couple gnomes and a half-elf. The lady leading them tells us to follow, and we are taken further into the city. We are brought out of the storm and into a building where we are introduced to the Souk-master of Finderplane.

“Finderplane? Where is this?” I ask.

“Katapesh!” He says.

“Katapesh?” I turn to Bill and whisper. “Like... Pesh?”

The mushroom nods, I think. We talk to these gnomes and hand over their fallen brethren. They tell us that there is an unnatural sandstorm that has been going on some time now, and that’s where we came in and found the body. Arun seems to not understand how the gnome died from falling injuries with no height to fall from.

“Arun, watch-“ I take out my kukri, one in each hand. “Strong wind- whoooosh!”

I toss the kukri and let them fall to the ground.

“He was swept up in wind and dropped!” I say as the gnomes clap for my demonstration.

Arun sighs and shakes his head. He gets to work doing some healing on us as we talk to the Souk-master. They want us to go do things for the town, helping people with defense and supplies and such. They don’t seem very keen on letting us rest, hurrying us along. I’m still not completely well, but i guess their supplies are more important than my life. So, we agree to help.


⚔️ Nadja

[dragonforgotten]

I tend to Nadjas and everyone’s wounds. My goddess show her divine favor for brave Nadja as her healing energy is able to remove the wariness of her bones but sadly not the one in her soul. So I begin practice on this new technique I learned from my colleagues in the church. A way to relieve the feeling of dread in others. It’s a simple method but I does Nadja wonders.
We continue our journey and find a small shrine to the elven god of architecture. I pay my respects to her before helping to see if anything can be of use to our mission. Nothing much besides a collection of very fine art tools and a divine scroll of divine presence. I’ve heard of this one before. A spell to guide yourself as a deity like being. May be a good diversion if need be. I tuck it away as Bill begins shoving all the art products up his sleeves of storing.
Continuing on Nadja is immediantly swallowed by a Zaramun before I can even blink. A elemental creature of sand who delights if swallowing travelers and stealing there valuables for its hoard. I fear for her life but it appears my fears were unfounded. She cuts a massive hole in its stomach and is able to fight once again though missing one of her knives.
When the creatures slained we are able to retrieve it much to her relief.
I pled for them to stop and slow down as they wish to find the gate. This is not my first rodeo and we are always appear to be set upon by a series of demands and trials or attacked by creatures. I have already called upon much of my goddess power to heal the ailments and wounds and I fear I will not have enough for what we may face. My words of wisdom, once again go unheeded. Everyone jumps into the portal as I follow only to be might with a horrifying sight. We stand in breach hill but not the same little town we just left. Everything is on fire, the screams of the dying ringing through the air while dragon storms rage. Wide eyed I look to the castle to see a massive volcano has burst from inside it and my heart leaps to my throat. The bumblebrashers! Werbal, the little kobolds, My Children. There gone...
The despair is blinding. They were so young. The goblins and kolbolds my stead fast friends and the pups young lives snuffed out before they even began. I first came her so long ago with just Farooque hoping to make a name and a home for myself as I seek inner peace. But I’ll continue to find is despair. It is then I see him. The draconic go’s of destruction once again. Dahak.
“Dahak.” I mutter outloud clutching my scimitar.
“Who?”
“The draconic god of destruction. This is not my first encounter with him but it is the first I’ve met him in the flesh.”
“Oh god!” Eliza screams but then looks up.
“Hey Nadja, I think I see your room in the flying chunk of lava. And it’s gone.”
Dahak flies over head raining death from above and I scowl, wiping the black tears from my eyes. Everyone is thinking the same. We rush to building while I situate myself between the many houses and pour from my own personal reservoir of healing energy as I send it rippling out between the houses. Mikolas breaks down doors with Nadja helping people out while Eliza disintergrates homes and the fire with it as people shift out of the ashes. Bill searches and points out more victims. Just as we begin to make real head way Dahak roars and snarls, hovering above our heads
speaking of destruction, of our futility in stopping it. We are too late, his reign is nigh. Breachill is lost. We are lost. But I refuse. I draw my scimitar, sheild emblazed with sarenrea protection.
“Heed this oh god of destruction! You were not the first to ravage this land and kill the innocent and you will not be the last. But Mark my words so long as there breath in me I will live to stop your evil! So long as I remain I will never stop to smite you from this world as the dawnflower once did to rovague! Just like she had done with the aid of many deities so will we as a United front! You will taste the your own fires of Pungency!”
We each rally against his taunting and the dragon snarls in anger and inhales deeply. I raise my shield, ready to begin a fight for the future of the world. The pain washes over me and I can’t help but shut my eyes in pain but then something strange happens. Instead of a plume of flames in battered by stinging sand. Sand? I peek my eyes open and lower my sheild. Instead of the burning remains of my home and the angered incarnation of draconic fury I’m standing in the desert getting battered by sand with the runed archway behind us and a dead gnome besides me. It all becomes alittle clearer.
“Again?!” I screams against the howling winds.
“This happen before?” Nadja asked.
“Yes! Before you joined us. The moment we entered the second portal leading to the jungle he appeared to us as a massive dragon made of fire. Nearly killed us all.”
“Ah.”
I get to work, inspecting the dead gnome to peice together what happened to him. He appears to have died of a fall from a great hight. How that happened I can’t say. The longer we stay in the sandstorm it becomes obvious this weather is abnormal the way it damages the local fauna. Thankfully as our eyes scan the horizon we spy a town and make haste. It isn’t along till we find trouble. Three strange wind creatures are chasing after three gnomes and a half elf. We engaged in a tense battle, the howling sending Eliza running as she is beaten and then revived having to call upon my goddess for more healing and some healing of my own supplies. When the battle ends we have manage to save all but one gnome who was thrown into the air but I’m not thinking about the gnome. I’m more concerned on the living currently with my nerves very frayed, still amazed that Mikolas had briefly transformed into a dragon. Even now the two of them are fawning over each other as Eliza joins us.
We are approached by a small militia of gnomes as we talk to the shaken survivors. Commander leading them tells us to follow, and we are taken further into the city. Taking shelter within a battered empty tavern. She introduces herself as the Satla, Souk-master of Finderplane. Wait... does that mean..
“Finderplane? Where is this?” Nadja asks.
“Katapesh!” Bill shouts. I was wondering that. I think back to all those months ago in the wighnrights shop. That’s right. The triade is based in ketapesh. I should have been paying attention but at the time I was concern for the shop owners safety.
“Katapesh?” Nadja turns to Bill and whisper. “Like... Pesh?”
Oh lord. I knew this day would come one day. I better prepare the detox.
Besides this new knowledge we come to learn that besides the unnaturally aggressive weather the scarlet triade were present in this town. I can’t help but feel that they may be tied to this. Whether they go, trouble follows.

Arun

[Chris Leitzel]

There are moments when good news is also the bad news.

So, we are Finderplain. The town needed our aid in a few tasks as the sand storm raged on outside.

Our first task was to head to the Blue Spire area of town and find survivors of the storm and elemental attack. We found several of the townsfolk in one of the inns. One of them, a traumatized gnome, saw the creature that made the howling noise and described it as a large antlered creature that lifted him into the air, and at the same time, made him feel light, like he wasn't solid, and was floating up. He escaped by biting the creature's finger. The good news is I was able to identify what the creature was, which was also the bad news as it is a desert wendigo. Wendigos are normally found in colder regions, but there is a rare desert version, and just as deadly. The worse news is that the gnome was cursed to become a wendigo, which Arun was able to cure, though probably shouldn't have told the gnome. Luckily, Miklos was distracted by a need for cheese, otherwise, may have ended up killing the gnome before we could heal him.

After getting the survivors back to where the rest of the townsfolk were hunkered down, we had to retrieve supplies from the granary.

Our next task was to try and convince someone called King Narvimelbs in the Royal Rise area to help defend the town. I am unsure if he is really a king or not, but I was a drunken lout in the middle of what seemed like a party that had been going on for days. We had a drink, Miklos found more cheese and despite our efforts, the king was unconvinced and we left.

And it was then, we heard the howl again, piercing the sand storm and before us was the wendigo. We managed to kill it, but unfortunately, wendigos can only be permanently killed by cold iron, otherwise, they regenerate. Wish I remembered that before it got back up and tried to run. Somehow, through a snowstorm, Nadja managed to track down the creature and we were able to kill it thanks to a cold iron weapon Arun had that Nadja borrowed.

Returning to the townsfolk, we ended up camping inside a magnificent mansion.

The next day, the storm began to abate due to the death of the wendigo. The town praised us as heroes.

In the aftermath of the storm, we discovered that, at some point, several caravan wagons had been destroyed and the Scarlet Triad had abducted one of the locals and made off to the city of Katapesh. We agreed to go that way with the Soukmaster and after four days of uneventful travel, we arrived in Katapesh, the City of Trade. Finding an inn to stay at, Soukmaster Satla went off to investigate. She returned with good news, which also served partially as bad news.

The Scarlet Triad is entrenched in Katapesh, and are a recognized guild by the city leaders. We cannot attack their base of operations without having to fight much of the city. Our best bet is to turn the city guilds and leaders against the Triad. We have only a few weeks to perform this task.

Eliza

[Aileen]

We successfully rescue many citizens who are hiding in village, and discover there is bigger problem in this place. The horrible howling noise we heard is supposedly a terrible, deer headed creature that attacked a gnome who is here in the tavern. We soon discover that the gnome is being affected by the charms of a wendingo, the deer head creature, and he will turn into one. Luckily Black Eyed Priest is able to heal him.

Our next task is to go find the king, who is reported to be holed up in his “palace”, just a few buildings grouped together. We go there and find a wild party going on, drunks everywhere. The former “king” refuses to leave, claiming they are safe here, and only is nice when we decide to drink with him. I consider burning kitchen down to get them to leave, but husband talks me out of it. We all leave just before an orgy may be starting... Bill wanted to stay and find out, but we have things to do.

Heading out into the sandstorms, we head back to the tavern when we are set upon by a horrible wailing noise. It’s found us! The wendigo! It’s more terrible in person than how I imagined it. We fight it, and I’m pleased to see my weapons hurt it just fine. At last we take it down, but as we go to check the body it suddenly springs to life! It flies up into the sky, disappearing into the sands.

“No! I won’t let it get away!” I shout, and start running.

I track for a while, heading off into the desert with the others hot on my heels. No ranger worth her salt would ever let a foe such as this get away. This may be my greatest hunt yet.

The wendigo finds us before we find it, coming up from behind. At least I had the right track, I thought I would lose it in this crazy sandstorm! Again we engage it, and it tears me up, but we take it down. I can never thank Arun enough for letting me borrow his cold iron glove that can turn into kukri! We defeat the horrible thing, and I remove its head.

Heading back to the village, we go to the survivors all gathered together, and I present the leader with the severed wendigo head. We are at last welcomed with open arms.

Our next destination is the city of Katapesh, and we are joined by our new gnome friend for the journey. We are heading straight into the land of the Scarlet Triad- it’s time to take them down from the inside!

⚔️ Nadja Kozlov

[dragonforgotten]

Satla tells us the things that need to be done for the town to be evacuated from this hellish sand storm. We need to gather the survivors, load up the supplies, and then convince this rich guy in his palace to help. We search blue markets streets and stumble upon a tavern, the lights still on inside. Mikolas knocks in the door and the scared inhabitants let’s us in as we shuffle inside out of the bitting sand. So many people huddle around tables and against the walls. The moment we are inside the building they push the furniture back into place
“Look that one has black eyes.” And now I feel uncomfortable. I shuffle around, adjusting my robes I order not to look at people and seem intimidating.
“Alright everyone. Where here to escort you back to the souk master so you can leave this hellscape.” Eliza announces. The people talk excitedly till one voice cuts through the excitement.
“And how do you suppose you’ll do that?”
A dwarf woman sets forward, hard faced and arms crossed
“There only five you against howling screaming monster out there. Were safer here I’d say.” I step forward, bowing my head respectfully.
“Madman I beg of you. It is not safe here. I may be safe now but there is no telling for how long. I beg of you all to trust us. We have fought many powerful monster in the past. We shall escort you safely to Salta.”
Her expression softens and she sighs.
“Fine. I’ll trust you. For now. Alright folks, pack everything up.”
We arrange plans to bring them to her once we ensure there are no survivors left outside. Before leaving were informed of one witness to the beast attack and come to meet a shaken gnome named Eloisil. He slurrs and stutters as he recanted his terrible tale of a deer headed monster that grabbed him and lift him into the air, whispering terrible and evil words into his ears before he but the creatures hand. It dropped him upon the roofs and he was able to escape. I strange look comes across Elizas face.
“Arun, can I talk to you for a minute.” I nods and we go around a corner as she leans in close.
“Ya, that’s a wendigo. They eat humans and ride the winds, they also curse other humanoids into becoming one. Ya he’s cursed.”
“No!” I gasp.
“Yes. Can you do anything about it.”
“Of course. My goddess can aid him.” I return to poor striken Eloisil. I bend down to his level.
“I’m sorry to tell you that you have been afflicted with a terrible curse my friend. I shall remove it immediately with sarenrea grace. Place remain still.”
“Arun! Your not suppose to tell him he’s bloody cursed!”
I don’t respond. It is important to be honest about ones intentions. The gnome Gives his blessings and I lay my hands on his shoulders. Light emanate from my hands and then is gone.
“How do you feel my friend?”
“I don’t know.” He answers back.
“He’s clean!” Eliza announces as we all breath a sigh of relief. Praise the dawnflower. With that matter settled we descend into the storm and begin coming the square. I manage to spy three victims on the edge of death and manage to revive them, Mikolas and Nadja kicks open doors to people trapped in homes. We only find seven till we are satisfied we have not missed anyone, escorting them back to the inn with the rest. We quickly pack the carts full of supplies and head towards royal rise. It’s a mess inside. What appears to be a party crashing towards the end of its merry making. A gnome sits slumped in his throne known as
Narvimelbs. He asks us to partake and be merry. I find it rather hard to be merry with a sandstorm screaming outside and a blood thristy monster stalking in it. We all urge him to leave but he does not. Bill then esclaims the roof is about to collapse but even that is going ignored. He stuffily asks to leave and in desperation to get him to come we try and drink with him. I take three shots but still he wishes for us to leave. Seeing any further attempts futile we leave and I walk a little faster as he meantions the party’s closing event. We begin to make our way to the battered inn when a howl echos through the winds and sand. The beast strides from the air and begins its attack on Nadja. I rush for her, casting divine aura as Mikolas takes the shape of a silver dragon. The wendigo tries to grab and her and take her into the air but it falls every time. We all send spells and weapons into its flank till it collapses seemingly dead only for its wounds to close and jump back to its feet. Retreating into the sky.
“S***! We need cold iron or we can’t kill it!” Announces Eliza. The party starts to curse there luck but then I remember my new gauntlet.
“Nadja! Take my gauntlet! It’s cold iron!”
“I can’t use glove black eyed preist.”
I focus on the rune on it and it becomes a kukri.”
“But I can use that!”
She takes it from me and we rush, Nadja acting as our guide as she sniffs out her prey. The beast returns, fully healed but we are ready. Nadja slashes into it as it screaming and renders her flesh in return. I just manage to reach her and restore her vitality as she is able to at last put the beast down. Surprisingly it had treasure on its body. Nadja takes its head as a trophy and are met with a hero’s welcome to the scared survivors as we safely escort them back to Salta. We all stand together weary but successful in our mission. Eliza summons a extra dimensional castle as everyone eats. Once they are full and conversation is in full swing I take Nadja to the side.
“Are you alright dear Nadja.”
“I am.” She sighs.
“I was thinking of elf life and castle.”
My heart hurts remembers the vision.
“Yes the castle. I can only pray it has not come to past. That it was only an illusion just like before. I have cared for the pups for a long time. They are family to me. I feel I would have failed them should the worst have happened but I trust in sarenrae that they are safe just for the sake of my peice of mind. I’ll confirm my fears another time.”
I center my mind and take a deep breath.
“Do you remember priest Arun? Your elf life? I can’t remember mine. Too many.”
“I do.” I sigh.
“It felt different being Asreil. I did not realize how different it is. It was very fascinating.” I look around for anyone to see.
“I have something to show you.” I reach for the cactus inside the manor and pick my finger. I weave the shadows together into a tapestry, a shadow representation of Zon kuthon and the horse lords .
“This is incrediable.”
“It is the same source that has dyed my eyes black.
I flip it over to show sarenrae with her wings spread up.”
“It is cool?”
“It is!” She hugs me and I pat her back. The tapestry vanishes form my hands as a stray light source touches its surface.
——-

The next day the sandstorm finally begins to lift and the glorious sun burns bright over head. Salta shares to us grim news. A merchant who was a close friend of hers has been stolen away to ketapesh and has become a slave by no other then the triade. We make haste towards the city, through the burning desert.

Arun

[Chris Leitzel]

Within the city of Katapesh, the Scarlet Triad is a recognized and established guild. We had a month to try and get the various guilds of the city to turn against the Scarlet Triad. Some were supporters of the group while others did not like the Triad, while others didn't like them and some are neutral towards the guild.

Through a combination of skill, a lot of dialouge, hardwork, filling a room with a magical mansion and throwing a few parties, we many of the guilds on our side. Others had to take some work.

The leader of the Jeweler's Guild, Exavisu Kerndalion had been taken by the Scarlet Traid was was going to be sold into slavery. We had to rescue her. This involved a lot of planning, trying top think how we would infiltrate the party and the auction, and the Nadjia decided to throw that all out the window and just went off and rescued the slaves while we were attempting to make a plan. But through the guildmaster, we learned that the Scarlet Triad is attempting to rebuild an orb of golden dragonkind, a long lost arcane item that would allow them to control gold dragons and use them as living weapons. So, that was a bit of news.

On the other hand, the party held before the slave auction was pretty good. Broke up after the hosts learned the slaves were gone. But, still a pretty good party.

The Farmer's Guild is under the protection of the Scarlet Triad, but they were clearly not doing the job as there was a monster of some sort attacking their caravans. The Triad had not been lifting a finger to help them, despite taking their money. Bill, Arun and I went to talk to the farmers about their situation while Miklos and Nadja went to the arena and the Gladiator's Guild, a solid supporter of the Scarlet Triad ever since they helped put the new guildmaster in power, to audition for a fight.

Ever go on a walk through a city with a cleric who is worried that two of the party will die horribly because he isn't there to heal them? Not as fun as it sounds. Not like Arun didn't know what they were doing, but he wanted to talk to the famrers. Fortunately, Miklos and Nadja won their fight.

We teleported back to Finderplain and then wandered into the desert for three days. The good news is we found the monster that is attacking the caravans, I hope. Whether that turns into the bad news is a whole separate issue.

Eliza

[Aileen]

What a nice little city Katapesh is! I go shopping on first day we are here and get myself a new weapon rune imbued with holy energy. Now Black Eyed Priest doesn’t have to try to catch up to me in a fight to bless my kukri!

The next several days I spend hanging out with the Aspis Consortium, trying to get them on our side against the Scarlet Triad. I was warned going in that they’re horrible people, but only a couple days in and I have had a great time with them! Of course I’m lying my ass off about myself, spinning increasingly elaborate tales to make myself seem like I belong. I’ve got slaves, my own mansion, seventeen camels, my husband is a dragon. What is real, what is not? They don’t know as long as I snap my fingers and use my ring. I could say I’m the queen of Varisia and they would say “more olives in your martini, your excellency?” I have them caught in my little web of lies, and I like them there.

Miklos has made friends with the Guild of Sweepers and Dung Carters, coming home every night smelling of camel and dirty while I always smell like incense and spiced wine. He is so happy, and they are too- he’s big, willing to work, and gets s*** done with a smile on his face. A couple nights into his new gig he hosts a party at Eliza’s magic mansion, where we’ve been staying every night. It’s a great time with all these working class lads (and a few lasses). These gnomes in particular know how to party.

Arun comes to me at one point saying he got names from the Aspis Consortium, all proud of himself, and I can only laugh.

“Yes, I know him... and her... and him... oh, he has a double date with Miklos and I tonight!”

“What?!”

“I know! It’s been long time since Miklos brought me on proper date! We’ve only been married what... a year?”

“No, I mean... you’re friends with the Aspis Consortium?!”

“Of course! I friends with everyone! They hate Scarlet Triad now, too!”

Miklos and I have a lovely date with our friends, and spend night drunk in town and end back at mansion with... well, let’s just say I can get him to rage on command.

With the Aspis Consortium eating out of my hand, I move onto other matters. Our host Satla notifies us that her associate, Exavisu is being sold at slave auction at a mansion owned by the Scarlet Triad. She is being held there, and we clearly need to get her out. I spend the morning scoping the place out, walking the perimeter and spying from a tree, until I feel reasonably confident I can get in. Arun and Eliza work on getting information and invitations to the auction party, and when I tell them what I’ve discovered Arun is adamant he breaks in with me.

“No. I work alone. I am sneaky, I can get in. You are clunky, Arun. Sorry.”

He’s not pleased, but he is liability. I am made for crime. I leave my money with Satla in case I get caught, so she can buy me back, and then I head to the mansion. I scale the wall with my spider slippers, and sneak through the shadows in the yard. A guard walks by my hiding place, and I snag the keys off his belt as I dash behind him. I get in a door, and start my search. Opening doors, hiding from voices, I finally find the holding cells in the basement. Sweet little Exavisu, a gnome, is very pleased to see me. I free her and the other kidnapped people, and then seek out the others she says are here. We pass the vaults, and I am tempted to rob them, but these peoples lives are more important than gold.

When I show up with a gang of escaped slaves, Satla is very impressed. It was no trouble at all for me, I’ve been breaking into places since I was little. Of course I never did anything bad, I just liked to know I could be sneaky. Exavisu rewards us for her freedom, but the real reward is knowing we saved lives from a terrible fate.

Miklos and I spend the day after the heist together, shopping and eating exotic foods. I try to keep a low profile in case I was seen, and I know I cannot return to the mansion. We have the best day ever, one of the rare occasions we can spend time as a married couple that’s not a battle or adventuring. He is looking forward to trying out at the gladiatorial arena, and I am going to go with him to cheer him on.

The next day we go to the arena, and they immediately sign Miklos up. The woman turns to me, sizing me up.

“You’re fighting, too?”

“Uh...” I turn to Miklos, who grins. “Yes?”

“Good. You probably want more people, but two... well, it’s a fight to the death. Good luck.”

And so we find ourselves coming out of a portcullis to a somewhat full arena, our audition beginning. Miklos is better at working the crowd, flexing his muscles and roaring like the barbarian he is. I’m smaller and less of an exciting person to put a bet on, but they don’t know what I can do. I smile and blow kisses to the crowd, flipping my hair and playing dumb. They fall for it. Miklos gives me a kiss at the second warning horn, and the crowd loves it. This could be our gimmick, the fighting couple! At the third horn, the ground at the far end suddenly explodes upward as a horrible, spider like thing comes erupting from it. Our opponent.

I move in, hitting with my kukri, but it gets me first. I’m clawed up, bitten, already bleeding quite bad and it’s only the first few seconds of combat. Miklos flies over in dragon form, the crowd losing their minds. Together we lay into the thing, him clawing and biting and me carving it up with my two favorite weapons. I’m hanging on by a thread, but it turns it’s attention on Miklos. I can see a lot of blood on his white scales, and I’m very concerned we may lose this fight. Luckily, things turn in our favor, and our blows are slowing the creature. Finally, with two well placed hits of my kukri, it shrieks horribly and falls down dead.

Miklos flies up in the air, lets out a blast of cold breath, and showers the crowd in snow. They love us! He returns to the ground and human form, pulling me in for a kiss so strong he nearly knocks me off my feet. The woman in charge jumps down from the stands, congratulating us, but also saying some not so nice things. She says the creature was tired, that we got lucky, blah blah blah. She’s a mouth I would be alright shutting forever. We earned our victory fair and square!

The other gladiators bring us into their midst after the fight, giving us gold in thanks for killing the horrible beast. They had lost friends to it, and we saved them from being its next meal. These guys are alright, strong warriors like Miklos, and all very friendly. lol never thought I’d enjoy being a gladiator, but this is fun!

Back with our own crew that night, Arun is pissed when he sees the state we are in. He heals us up and ridicules us for fighting without them here. Once again, we are doing things we are qualified for. He, Bill and Eliza were following a lead with some caravans that got attacked and burned. We are heading out to the desert to find whatever awful fire breathing creature is responsible. And so the next day we teleport back to the town we left a week ago, and head into the desert.


⚔️ Nadja Kozlov

[Chris]

Mar 4, 2021 12:02:45 GMT -5 Aileen said:

What a nice little city Katapesh is! I go shopping on first day we are here and get myself a new weapon rune imbued with holy energy. Now Black Eyed Priest doesn’t have to try to catch up to me in a fight to bless my kukri!

The next several days I spend hanging out with the Aspis Consortium, trying to get them on our side against the Scarlet Triad. I was warned going in that they’re horrible people, but only a couple days in and I have had a great time with them! Of course I’m lying my ass off about myself, spinning increasingly elaborate tales to make myself seem like I belong. I’ve got slaves, my own mansion, seventeen camels, my husband is a dragon. What is real, what is not? They don’t know as long as I snap my fingers and use my ring. I could say I’m the queen of Varisia and they would say “more olives in your martini, your excellency?” I have them caught in my little web of lies, and I like them there.

Miklos has made friends with the Guild of Sweepers and Dung Carters, coming home every night smelling of camel and dirty while I always smell like incense and spiced wine. He is so happy, and they are too- he’s big, willing to work, and gets s*** done with a smile on his face. A couple nights into his new gig he hosts a party at Eliza’s magic mansion, where we’ve been staying every night. It’s a great time with all these working class lads (and a few lasses). These gnomes in particular know how to party.

Arun comes to me at one point saying he got names from the Aspis Consortium, all proud of himself, and I can only laugh.

“Yes, I know him... and her... and him... oh, he has a double date with Miklos and I tonight!”

“What?!”

“I know! It’s been long time since Miklos brought me on proper date! We’ve only been married what... a year?”

“No, I mean... you’re friends with the Aspis Consortium?!”

“Of course! I friends with everyone! They hate Scarlet Triad now, too!”

Miklos and I have a lovely date with our friends, and spend night drunk in town and end back at mansion with... well, let’s just say I can get him to rage on command.

With the Aspis Consortium eating out of my hand, I move onto other matters. Our host Satla notifies us that her associate, Exavisu is being sold at slave auction at a mansion owned by the Scarlet Triad. She is being held there, and we clearly need to get her out. I spend the morning scoping the place out, walking the perimeter and spying from a tree, until I feel reasonably confident I can get in. Arun and Eliza work on getting information and invitations to the auction party, and when I tell them what I’ve discovered Arun is adamant he breaks in with me.

“No. I work alone. I am sneaky, I can get in. You are clunky, Arun. Sorry.”

He’s not pleased, but he is liability. I am made for crime. I leave my money with Satla in case I get caught, so she can buy me back, and then I head to the mansion. I scale the wall with my spider slippers, and sneak through the shadows in the yard. A guard walks by my hiding place, and I snag the keys off his belt as I dash behind him. I get in a door, and start my search. Opening doors, hiding from voices, I finally find the holding cells in the basement. Sweet little Exavisu, a gnome, is very pleased to see me. I free her and the other kidnapped people, and then seek out the others she says are here. We pass the vaults, and I am tempted to rob them, but these peoples lives are more important than gold.

When I show up with a gang of escaped slaves, Satla is very impressed. It was no trouble at all for me, I’ve been breaking into places since I was little. Of course I never did anything bad, I just liked to know I could be sneaky. Exavisu rewards us for her freedom, but the real reward is knowing we saved lives from a terrible fate.

Miklos and I spend the day after the heist together, shopping and eating exotic foods. I try to keep a low profile in case I was seen, and I know I cannot return to the mansion. We have the best day ever, one of the rare occasions we can spend time as a married couple that’s not a battle or adventuring. He is looking forward to trying out at the gladiatorial arena, and I am going to go with him to cheer him on.

The next day we go to the arena, and they immediately sign Miklos up. The woman turns to me, sizing me up.

“You’re fighting, too?”

“Uh...” I turn to Miklos, who grins. “Yes?”

“Good. You probably want more people, but two... well, it’s a fight to the death. Good luck.”

And so we find ourselves coming out of a portcullis to a somewhat full arena, our audition beginning. Miklos is better at working the crowd, flexing his muscles and roaring like the barbarian he is. I’m smaller and less of an exciting person to put a bet on, but they don’t know what I can do. I smile and blow kisses to the crowd, flipping my hair and playing dumb. They fall for it. Miklos gives me a kiss at the second warning horn, and the crowd loves it. This could be our gimmick, the fighting couple! At the third horn, the ground at the far end suddenly explodes upward as a horrible, spider like thing comes erupting from it. Our opponent.

I move in, hitting with my kukri, but it gets me first. I’m clawed up, bitten, already bleeding quite bad and it’s only the first few seconds of combat. Miklos flies over in dragon form, the crowd losing their minds. Together we lay into the thing, him clawing and biting and me carving it up with my two favorite weapons. I’m hanging on by a thread, but it turns it’s attention on Miklos. I can see a lot of blood on his white scales, and I’m very concerned we may lose this fight. Luckily, things turn in our favor, and our blows are slowing the creature. Finally, with two well placed hits of my kukri, it shrieks horribly and falls down dead.

Miklos flies up in the air, lets out a blast of cold breath, and showers the crowd in snow. They love us! He returns to the ground and human form, pulling me in for a kiss so strong he nearly knocks me off my feet. The woman in charge jumps down from the stands, congratulating us, but also saying some not so nice things. She says the creature was tired, that we got lucky, blah blah blah. She’s a mouth I would be alright shutting forever. We earned our victory fair and square!

The other gladiators bring us into their midst after the fight, giving us gold in thanks for killing the horrible beast. They had lost friends to it, and we saved them from being its next meal. These guys are alright, strong warriors like Miklos, and all very friendly. lol never thought I’d enjoy being a gladiator, but this is fun!

Back with our own crew that night, Arun is pissed when he sees the state we are in. He heals us up and ridicules us for fighting without them here. Once again, we are doing things we are qualified for. He, Bill and Eliza were following a lead with some caravans that got attacked and burned. We are heading out to the desert to find whatever awful fire breathing creature is responsible. And so the next day we teleport back to the town we left a week ago, and head into the desert.


⚔️ Nadja Kozlov

Good for 10% XP bonus and 12 Loyalty points!

[dragonforgotten]

We pass unharmed through the burning desert and make it through the city gates. The city is baffling. It makes me feel small walking through its bustling streets and towering buildings as the holy sun burns down on merchants and customers alike. I spy merchants haggling with customers in there shops with colorful tapestries protecting them from the heat. I also see unsettling things as well such as people chained together in a familiar fashion, being sold off to others and it turns my stomach and I have to fight not the scratch at my neck where a collar use to be but my elocution chocked hides the scar. Surprisingly with my robes I am dressed for the heat, my friends though, not so much. I hear many things about this city both from the few words Mac conjured from the dead slavers throat and the stories my fellow priests told me. They say that originally followers of sarenrea founded this city and called it the golden oasis’s but raiders chased them off and a sandstorm soon chased them away. The acolytes told me it was a sign of sarenrae displeasure as the original concave migrated to Solku. Eventually the pesh was the discovered, becoming the city it is famous for today. A city of trade and drugs and unfortunately the base of the scarlet triad. Satla leads us to the cities last golden oasis and helps us settle into a nice inn as me make plans. We have a difficult task ahead of us. Though it is clear that the triad is here they are considered as a official guilde and are under the governments protection. So elizas plan of storming then and blowing them up will have to be shelved in the form of tatics. A vote will be held on the 27th of neyths. We have until then to bring the other guilds to our side to cast them out of the city. The next day is spend shoping and I finially find the armor of my dreams. I feel alittle guilty spending so much in myself but a upgrade was in order and I feel less like a walking shadow with the constant reminders of my past staring me in the face.
Next day We each go over who we will try and speak to. I decide to try and establish diplomatic relations with the union of breeders. My mother use to tell me stories of her time taming and caring for the horses at Atteran Ranche. Perhaps they will find interest in what I know. I step into a lavish stable, filled with all manner of mounts. I meet the stablemasters and we hit off very well. He takes interest in my knowledge but sadly I can only tell him it’s merely a second hand account and that I’ve never been to my ancestral home nor do I wish to return. At the mention of this he takes me to see his stock of nidarrmars. There just like how mother described them but words alone couldn’t really convey the beauty and power of them. I can almost feel a spiritual connection to them as i pet there noses. I spend the next three days helping to care for the horses and helping defuse business deals when tempers flare. Everyone is so nice here if very intense when customers come around to barter and sell. It’s a great news to hear when they tell me they will consider my pleas in disavowing the scarlet triad in the coming election.
The next day fills me with dread. I have to speak with the flesh monger guild tomorrow. I beg Eliza to come with me for support and I’m thankful she does. We reach the building and immediately I find it’s the same as the way they treated the horses. No, it’s not the same. The animals we’re treated better. The animals were not caged all day. Not chained to each other or shivering in cells. These poor souls are fed and watered and given the bare minimum but nothing else. I manage to navigate this tense situation rather well surprisingly as Eliza uses her charms and knowledge of merchandizing to her advantage. It makes me sick as I follow the head of this place as we pass rows of caged people. I can’t help seeing the faces I knew during my time as a slave. Some of them the faces of once’s I saw before the mine collapsed on them and the fires came.
Progress is being mad slowly but surely. I continue my efforts feeling exhausted every time and plagued by memories.
Sometimes I see myself in those cages at the man gloats and laughs at his profits. I nearly thought I saw my mother before into to return back and realize I was only seeing things.
The last day I return I tell myself I’m almost there. Just one more day. Just nod and talk about the money. Don’t look at them or you’ll surely say something or do something to undo it all.
I hide my hands within my robes, nails digging into my arm as he displayed his prized slaves to me and tries talking me into buying. I just smile and say nothing, apologizing that I am not looking for a slave as we move on to the business side of things while I slowly interject the need for more healthy food and not to separate the children from there parents. All the while I’m thinking how much I hate this man and I make up my mind.
When I return to the inn I collapse at the table with everyone else.
“I can’t do it anymore. I’m close but I can’t stomach it. Sorry my friends.”
Nadja comes to my side and gives me hug. She’ll take over the rest now that she has cleverly smart talked the asps consortium.
I take the next day to bug alittle deeper into the consortium. They hurt Akosa all those years ago, they enslaved him but he broke free. If they have seen through Nadja and plan to do her harm I must make sure.
I discover more information but it isn’t anything she hasn’t already discovered from them.
The next day I interview the jewelers guild and discover that there guildmaster was unlawfully kidnapped and sold into slavery in a way that ketapeshs laws will over look. It’s a spit in the face to hear this. Atleast I can breath a sigh of relief that I can’t be reenslaved in this city. Both her and satlas missing merchant are being sold in a big fancy auction. Still we must save her and Satlas friend. I tell Nadja and Eliza of the news, Mikolas at the gladiators guide and Bill somewhere else. We leave and begin to prepare for freeing our associates from the auction. I set off and begin to spread word of wishing to met with the silver falcons. They find me more then I found them. They snag me while I was combing through the pubs and escorts me to a private booth. I met a man with steely eyes.
“So, you seek our aid?”
“Yes sir. We wish to free the people being sold in the up coming auction.”
“And why must you?”
“Because there are innocent. Because it is wrong and immoral, And because I know the fate of those people.” I lower my chocked to reveal the scar and the mans eyes narrow.
“I am free now but I wish no one to suffer such a fate again. Will you please help us?”
He puffs on his pipe and extends a hand.
“The falcons accept your offer sir Blacksun. To have people working amongst our agents shall help our shared goals run smoothly.” I smile back at him and take his hand. I return to Nadja and Eliza with great news. We group up in front of the mansion which will hold the auction in the next few days. I move to follow Nadja but she stops us.
“No. I work alone. I am sneaky, I can get in. You are clunky, Arun. Sorry.”
I can feel myself grow angry. I don’t like her going alone in such a dangerous place where I can’t help her but I bit my tongue, leaving to secure a invitation to the party should she become added to the stocks.
She ends up doing swimmingly, free Exavisu and the rest without even a hint of trouble. Meeting up with her she tells us her story. She went to met with the leader of the triad, a man named Uri. He had snatched and others outside the boarders of the city in a meeting. They wished for her skills in fixing a orb which Bill concludes to be a possible orb of dragon kind. Why they have such a object is worry, for Eliza explains that the dragon Mengkare had possessed broken pieces of a orb and how it’s a vastly powerful item. So what is it doing here?
We leave our meeting with more questions then answers.
I continue investigating the tirad and find that the farmers guild is in need of help.
I ask Nadja and Mikolas if they need me. Worried that I will not be there to protect and heal them when they fight in the arena. Eliza has to take me away and drag me from the inn as I keep turning around every few minutes starting to regret agreeing to leave it to them. What if they get hurt!? She keeps having to talk to me over and over again that they are grown adults and capable in handling themselves. We reach the farmers and they tell there story.
The triad has been harassing them with protection services but to little to none protection for the pesh fields. They tolerated it till a monster began terrorizing them in the desert and destroying caravans. Big as elephants they burst for the ground spitting fire and devouring everything that crosses its path. In the dead of night. There’s whispers they are the spawn of a horrorable creature called xotani. They refuse to tell us what this xotani is. They say he is simply a boogeyman meant to frighten people. As hard as I try to pry I can not find out what he is or what this means.
Me, Eliza and Bill return to our inn. Tired form our day of walking I find Nadja and Mikolas bloody, barely standing, slumped over the table. I can not contain myself.
“What the f***k happened!?”
“Hi, Black eye priest. We need healing.”
I swat the both of them over the head with a rolled up piece of paper before pulling my staff of healing out my bag. I accosting them with words, check over the severity of there wounds. It’s bad but not something that can’t be fixed. I pull out my needle and thread and begin sewing the wounds closed.
“Everything fine you said! Not to worry you said! Go do to farmers you’d said!”
They wince as I intentionally pulled hard on the stitching.
“Sorry young Arun.”
“Sorry!? No I’m sorry! I should have been there to make sure you were not hurt so bad! I’m coming next time. No buts!”
“But!”
“No buts!”

Arun B

[Chris Leitzel]

We found the giant insect monsters attaching the farmer's guild. I said monsters because there were, in fact, two of them. We did not know about the second on. The first one attacked by surprise, spewing lava on us, and it had something about it capable of inducing fear. We managed to kill it, and then kill the second one. None of us could tell what the creatures were. We took two mandibles to prove the creatures were dead.

We returned and spoke with the farmers, telling them the monsters had been dealt with and receiving payment for the task, the money they were going to pay the Scarlet Triad for protection. The Scarlet Triad received the mandibles by courier.

On our way to our temporary home, we were sought by the Soukmaster to meet with her. She introduced us to Mekrem and his daughter, Sarla. Mekrem is was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Anvil, which is a group of smiths. Mekrem was skilled at getting sky metals and had made a deal with Jelek Jaziman of the Scarlet Triad who wanted to buy some metal. When Jelek came for the metals, he tried to pay a lower price, but bitterly paid the original price he and Mekrem agreed upon that. Soon after, Mekrem was accused of possessing and selling metals that were poisonous. He lost his shop, his reputation, his membership in the Fraternal Order, and was on the verge of bankruptcy, as all his merchandise and his shop were seized, with his stock put up for auction. He believes Jelek is responsible for this, and considering the metal Jelek wanted can be used to enhance items that deal with enchantment, like an orb of dragonkind.

We investigated this. A basic search of Mekrem's shop revealed none of the metals were dangerous. Bill, Miklos and Nadja went to the auction house and discovered that Mekrem's stock had been sold for a very low price, not even enough to cover his debt. Arun and I interviewed his neighbors and learned that a Katapesh woman and a dwarf were the once most commonly seen spreading rumors about Mekrem that ended up destroying his business and reputation.

There are many things I am willing to overlook and forgive. Prior to this, I have never considered anything with the Scarlet Triad to be personal. But, I am the daughter of a merchant. My father was a merchant, and while I may have had more interest in being a wizard than being a merchant, my father supported my desire to learn magic and did still teach my siblings and I his trade. It is one thing to negotiate for a better price, to try to buy low and sell high, but once that deal is struck, the agreed upon price should be paid. It is another thing entirely to refuse to pay the agreed upon price. And yet, they felt that the appropriate reaction to having to paid the agreed upon price is to complete and destroy a man's reputation and business? And they made his daughter cry.

I do not currently have a spell that would make Jelek, the woman and the dwarf suffer enough before I decide to kill them. This is something I take VERY personally.

However, before we could do deal with them, Nadja, Bill and Milos met with an individual who said he could help us with the guilds against the Scarlet Triad, if we managed to do a simple job and deliver a package. We had to convince a merchant to give us the package, and we did deliver it, but we have not heard back. The man represented a group that may not be entirely the most heroic, but it is Katapesh and we need all the help we can get.

The next day, we tracked down the dwarf and the woman I am sure there was a diplomatic way we could have handled meeting them, but I am hardly in the mood to deal with these people diplomatically.

Eliza