Age of Ashes Story Thread

[Chris Leitzel]

We enter a room, discovering two Scarlet Triad members. We killed one of them, while the other vanishes. But he returned, with a very large golem that blasted fire at us, or tried to smash us with its huge fists. It took everything we had to fail to stop it. We hit it with everything we had, and at best, we could only slow it down. Every time we thought it was beaten, it started back up again. We at least killed the mage. It's an adamantine golem, so, nothing we have is going to destroy it.

So, while we are fighting this golem, Arun decides to open a door. Out come two demons and some more Scarlet Triad members, who we had to fight off, while still fighting this golem. But, it gets delightfully better, as we are able to defeat the demons and some of the Triad members, the forge in the chamber opens and a phoenix breaks free, starting to attack everyone. Again, as we are still trying to stop the golem.

We manage to kill the phoenix, but it reforms. Miklos opens a door and out comes a demilich. We finally, FINALLY, get rid of the golem, only because we teleported it into a room it could not get out of. And, of course, there's Arun, going about the phoenix and how we have to help it as it was in the room with the golem. We did manage to get the phoenix out of the room, and it told us how to place it in a gem so we could release it.

After taking some moments to rest and heal up, as well as recover some armor and grab everything we could in the demilich's lab, going through some of it, which were notes of unfinished experiments and insane rantings, we made our way towards what we hoped was the library. And, of course, it was trapped.

Going through the doors, we encountered Jelek Jaziman and Uri Zandivar, fighting them and killing both men. Now, we need to get the Pactmaster and get out of the pyramid. But, we know somewhere, the Triad has an orb of gold dragonkind and I highly doubt they will not use it as a weapon.

Eliza

[Aileen]

Many things happened after Arun opened the door. Demons, for one. I got sick and threw up all over Arun’s shoes, but I don’t feel bad at all since he opened the door. As if the demons were not enough, the circular room had more Scarlet Triad thugs, hitting us from the doorway as the golem kept Bill busy. And then the damn forge exploded, sending forth a bird made of fire!

Arun is very pleased to see the bird, announcing it being a Phoenix and sacred to Sarenrae. It does attack our enemies from behind, which is nice considering the battle in the corridor is not going well. Miklos kills one of the demons, which vomits up Arun’s scimitar and nearly hits me, and then moves toward the room. The golem hits him so hard his armor breaks and he’s laying unconscious on the floor.

“MIKLOS, NO!” I scream, charging forward.

“Nadja, I’m here! Don’t worry about him! Get those men!” I hear a familiar voice call.

“Qi’ana?!”

Our druid is back! I haven’t seen her since the damn swamps! I go into the room and start helping the bird fight the Scarlet Triad thugs, but then the bird starts attacking me! The thugs run, I run after them, and there is much carnage in the hallway soon after.

Everything is just a mess. I’m on fire, Qi’ana is a giant bird, the firebird wants everyone and everything to burn and is luckily stuck in the doorway, the golem just won’t die, everyone is horribly injured and tired and now apparently the bird can make walls of fire! I run all the way around the hallway to come up the other side of the Phoenix, only to get stuck in a firewall and then dragon blocked by my husband so I can’t beat up the Phoenix like I wanted to. Luckily it isn’t alive much longer, a horrible waste of a beautiful creature, but it was just too volatile.

I go back in the circular room and start shoving paperwork and blueprints into my bag. Something in here must be important! The others are still out dealing with the golem, and I guess from the shouts of displeasure that someone opened another door.

“You’ve come to steal my arcane secrets!” A voice yells.

“I can’t even spell arcane, man!” My husband’s voice replies.

“GET OUT!!!”

I’m still shoving things in my bag, sighing and shaking my head, as the pile of ash that was once the Phoenix suddenly erupts into flames. A new Phoenix emerges!

“Hello there! I am so sorry, I appear to have been in a rage. I hope I didn’t cause too much damage,” he speaks to me. “Do you happen to know the way out of here?”

“Yes… through the door, down the hallway.”

“I can’t fit through that door. Are you mocking me?”

He starts getting visibly angry.

“No! Um, Arun can probably help you, he is cleric of Serenrae! Arun!!!”

The cleric comes running in and smiles as he starts speaking to the Phoenix. The bird wants to get put into a gem receptacle but we don’t really have the time to do such a thing right now. Eliza runs in, pointing to the hallway.

“Nadja, your husband pissed off a Demi-lich!”

“Oh, Miklos! I’m coming!”

I run out into the hallway, hearing my husband and the other voice ahead.

“Look, I’m leaving!” Miklos calls.

“That’s not the exit!”

A flying skull with gems in it goes after Miklos, and the damn golem becomes a problem again. I join Miklos in fighting the skull. Eliza magically throws her staff at it, only for the lich to send it back at her.

“I think you dropped something!” It laughs.

The lich goes to fly away, but Miklos and I are faster. We cut it down! I start grabbing gems out of it as Miklos stomps the bones, and soon it is just a pile of broken bone. But hey, we got the gems!

There’s a lot of magical shifting around of things, Eliza moving the Phoenix into the hallway and the golem into the circular room. I’m raising the lab of the Demi lich and tossing everything about when I remember there was a nice suit of armor in the circular room. Miklos needs that armor!

“I’ll be right back, I’m going back in that room!”

“Nadja, Eliza just put the golem in there!” Arun warns me.

“And? There’s armor, my husband needs armor. I go get the armor!”

“Let me at least make you invisible,” Arun sighs, pulling out some dust in a pouch. “Please be careful, I can’t keep stitching you up, you’re already looking like a patchwork quilt!”

“I’m fine, I’ll be quick!”

I go into the room, sneaking as best I can, but then I accidentally kick a sword on the ground and the golem turns in my direction. Bill starts bombing it from the doorway.

“Come on, you know you wanna smoke me!” He calls. “Smoked mushroom!”

I run to the chest, dodging blows from the golem, and grab the armor! Now I’m just a floating suit of armor running along the platform, but I get out before it can hit me. I plop the armor at Miklos’s feet, and then sit my ass on the floor.

We get the Phoenix in the fancy gem I have and Arun puts it in his bag. We go over the blue prints and find they are for repairing the orb of the gold dragon. There’s also a staff of power recipe in the lich laboratory. After resting up and having our wounds tended to, we head down the hallway with the curtains and a door at the end. As soon as Miklos and I walk near the curtains we are hit by lava as the ground shakes like an earthquake. It stops, and I go open one curtain as he does the other. They’re just empty alcoves. We go to the door, and I check it and Eliza mage hands it to reveal a small breezeway and another door. This second door opens into a library. I’m just about to step in when I’m attacked from the side of the door.

It’s Uri Zandovar, the Scarlet Triad boss! He slashes me with his scimitar, then puts it away and pulls out manacles. He slaps them on my wrists before I can pull away!

“I’ve been arrested!” I cry out.

He takes his scimitar back out and slices me really good across the arm. Now I’m bleeding and handcuffed… a problem for most people, but I’m not most people.

“Jokes on you!” I laugh. “Miklos and I do this in the bedroom for fun!”

I slash into him brutally, still just as good with my kukris with limited range of motion thanks to the manacles. Uri looks awful, his spine nearly severed my one of my blows. The other guy on the other side moves away, and I quickly turn and slash him. Miklos goes after him, leaving Uri for us. Uri turns his attacks on Qi’ana, who ran into the room. I fail to hit him twice, and he turns around and kicks me right in the groin. I scream in pain, but then laugh.

“I’m not a guy, you idiot!”

He raises his shield as I strike him again, and my blow utterly destroys the shield! All of us are hitting him and he’s still trying to fight back, but then I slice him so hard he drops dead. And thus passes the boss, Uri Zandovar. Good riddance!

We help Miklos with the other guy, and soon the library is quiet. We need to find the pactmaster and get out of here- but where is he?

⚔️ Nadja

[dragonforgotten]

I’m staring face to face with pig demons, who have teleported to both my sides, and armed men alone while my friends try to rush past the golem to save me. What a terrible lack of forethought I had today. Just as Nadja comes to my aid the demons throws molts of light at my equipment and my scimitar and shield glows with a sickly light. In a blink of an eye my weapon vanishes and the demon begins his assault as claws rake me and swords strike me from the doorway as Nadja cuts her path through the second pig demon. I pray my goddess that you are merciful in my lack of foresight, I have learned that I much be patient. Just please do not let my comrades suffer for my folly. I steady my sheild and send forth my healing to the injuried Nadja when a earth shattering bang turns my attention back to the massive forge. The rivets pop and fly across the room as the forge screams and erupts. A massive bird, wreathed in fire emerges from the destoryed forge in a enraged shriek as my heart plummets. Just when I thought things couldn’t get worst.
‘Eliza what is that!?’ I mentally call to her as the bird begins to attack my foes, hatred burning in its eyes.
‘That’s a bloody Phoenix! What’s a bloody Phoenix doing here!?’ She answers and my heart starts beating again.
A Phoenix!! The servitors of my goddess! My word how did they get him in that thing!? Regardless he seems beyond reason as he spits fire at both me and Nadja, revenge for his pain and suffering. Hes baying for all to burn and I’m sure he means it in his anger. It appears his rage has blinded him. Sadly I regret deeply that I lack the skills to sooth his rage. All I can do it try and cast a calming spell but he shrugs my attempts off.
Then suddenly I see a old friend and my head soars to new heights.
“Qi! It’s been so long my friend!” I call to her as she makes the end and sees the mess I’m in. He transforms into a Phoenix herself and wars with the enraged bird. The triade agents fall under my companions blades but the enraged bird and the unkillable golem still can not be stopped. It’s only thanks to Qi that the golem has not crushed us flate. The great bird begins to throw up walls of fire and I’m forced to activate the armors wings as I charge with Mikolas and pull Nadja out of the fire. She’s disgruntled by the great frame of Mikolas preventing her from getting to the bird but all I feel is remorse for the situation. I do not wish to kill him but it appears we have no choice. The ice of Mikolas breath weapon and teeth cut through the birds holy flames and it pains me as he gives his finial cry and dies, crumbling into ashes. Forgive me lord Phoenix. It was for your own good. Nadja runs inside the room and I join her hoping to escape the golem but also close enough to peek through the doorway to keep tabs on what’s going on outside. Suddenly the ashes shifts and the bird is reborn again. Both me and Nadja flinch as he shakes his new brighter coat of burning feathers and turns his great head to her.
“Hello there! I am so sorry, I appear to have been in a rage. I hope I didn’t cause too much damage,” he speaks.
“Do you happen to know the way out of here?”
“Yes… through the door, down the hallway.”
“I can’t fit through that door. Are you mocking me?” He growls puffing his feathers in agitation. Nadja is becoming more and more nervous.
“No! Um, Arun can probably help you, he is cleric of Serenrae! Arun!!!”
“Here!” I run to the top of the stairs and bow quickly to him.
“Lord Phoenix. We apologize for the distress. We’ve have a lot going on at the moment and are all very very flustered.”
“I can see that.”
“Regardless we will happily help you escape this place but I’m not sure if our wizard has any spells remaining to teleport you out.”
“There is another way. I would allow myself to be sealed with a reciprocal of sorts.”
“Reciprocal? Like a genie?”
“Similarly so. I require a gem stone of great value.”
“Can it be down fast?”
“I’m afraid not. I would have to walk you through it.”
It’s then that Eliza rushes in, staff missing and white as a sheet.
“Nadja, your husband pissed off a Demi-lich!”
“A Demi lich!? You awakened a Demi lich?!” The Phoenix calls in shock.
“Oh, Miklos! I’m coming!” She screams and rushes past me out side the door.
“Is there anything I can do to help you?” The Phoenix asks.
“Do you have anything to stop the golem. I beg you lord Phoenix to please stop it.”
“I believe I do.” He sticks his head outside the door but then comes back inside.
“I’m afraid I was mistaken. It is beyond my powers.”
“It’s alright lord Phoenix. It is appreciated you would even attempted after what has happened to you. May I have your name?”
“I am called Vitik.” He says with pride.
“It is a pleasure to met you I am Arun black sun, that was Nadja, and this is Eliza. The one who awakened the lich is Miklos and the one small plant being is Bill. If you excuse me I gotta attend to the situation outside.”
I rush outside but it looks like I wasn’t needed as Nadja and Miklos kick the lich around. Suddenly the golem vanishes as I can her the Phoenix scream in shock. I wheel into the wizard who looks pleased with herself.
“What did you do!?”
“Teleported the golem into the forge room. Your welcome.”
“The Phoenix is trapped in there!!”
“He’ll live. He can’t be hurt by fire after all.”
“No but I can still be bludgeoned to death! He can only resurrect once per bloody year. Get him out right the firk! ding! blast! now or so help me!”
“Relax. He’ll be fine.”
“No I won’t!” He calls out.
“Eliza!”
“Alright all right!” She concedes as the Lich crumbles to dust and Nadja and Miklos pick up the gems. We scramble about but finally Eliza remove the Phoenix from that death trap and I slam the door on the golem. Nadja chances a quick trip into into the room to retrieve the armor but otherwise it all worked out well enough. The golem is trapped and the Phoenix is safe. Praise the gods we made it. Battered and bruised, on the verge of death but we did it. I bow to lord Vtrik again.
“I am so sorry!”
“No need! I have all of you to thank for removing me from that prison. But now. Shall we get started on the ritual?”
“Of course.” I say.
“Just remember I must be released by at least a week. I shall give you a gift once I am free once again.”
“You are too kind.” I tell him as we begin to ritual. He refused any of the lichs gems but thankfully we got the gem gifted to us by the jewelers guild. When the task is done I place him safely in my pocket and return to the lichee lab, finially able to tend to both my injuried and my friends

Arun

[Chris Leitzel]

The Scarlet Triad is no more in Katapesh. We stormed the Red Pyramid, killed their leaders and saved the Pactmaster. Unfortunately, we were unable to find the orb of dragonkind and stop it from being moved. While going through their papers, we learned the origin of the Triad. A dragon created the group and sought special individuals. Eventually, the dragon became less and less active in the organization and they turned towards the slave trade, wondering why they were serving a dragon. The rebuilding of an orb of dragonkind would certainly aid them in fighting and even killing a dragon.

We defeated the Triad and spent two weeks attending parties and celebrations in Katapesh, where Miklos adopted a hyena, or something, I am not sure. He sort of showed up with it one day. And then, finally, returned home to prepare to open the final gate.

And it went bad as soon as we did. A large vortex of fire, acid, lightning, suddenly surrounded us., trying to pull us in. We escaped, but Miklos' hyena was killed. Immediately after, three creatures that I can only describe as massive piles of bones rose up from our keep's courtyard and started attacking us. We managed to best them, only for three mariliths to appear and attack us, and we were able to defeat them as well. While all this happens, a massive storm of fire is raging above us. And I doubt we are not done fighting yet.

What the Hells did we unleash?

-Eliza

[Aileen]

At last we find the kidnapped pact master after searching many doors, and the poor man is ashamed to be naked. And then when Miklos gives him a curtain to wear, we see he is some strange humanoid creature which he refers to himself as a witchwyrd. It’s weird alright.

We bring him out of the pyramid and back to the other pactmasters. They’re all very happy to see him alive and that we made it out.

“Miss, would you like us to undo those manacles for you?” One of them asks me.

“No thank you, I’m saving them for later.”

Miklos stands up and grabs my arm.

“Gentlemen, if there is nothing else, I have a… business meeting to attend to.” Miklos says.

“That is all- but before you all leave, we have a gift for you!”

They present us all with pactmaster rings, beautiful platinum bands with blue crystals. They’re very pretty but they also will allegedly help us get what we need in Katapesh, as they are a symbol of status. We leave the pactmasters and go back to our lodgings. Miklos and I go find the manor we now have a deed for, leaving the others.

The manor is nice, but needs a good cleaning. We barely make it in the door before we start breaking it in. Miklos and I claim the master bedroom for our own- the others have the castle, this is much more our style.

“Let’s live here,” Miklos says as we lay in the massive bed. “Breachill is too cold. I like Katapesh.”

“I like it here, too,” I say, snuggling up to him. “We need to return to the fortress and see where the last gate goes… put a stop to this dragon orb nonsense. But after that, we return here.”

The next morning we take a better look at the rest of the house. There is plenty of room for us, and visitors.

“This can be the armory,” he says as we pass the library. We come to a large room with tables and old beakers. “And this, Bill’s laboratory. Ah- perfect, then this can be the nursery!”

I grab his hand as we look into the big room, both of us picturing our children playing in it. Soon, once all of this is done, we will be able to settle down and be happy.

“Bill will be a great godfather,” I say. “Anyway… we should go find the others.”

We reluctantly leave the manor and head back to find our group. They’re eating a massive breakfast and being served mimosas. We are immediately grabbed by random citizens and merchants who are hanging around, and thanked profusely for stopping the Scarlet Triad. And thus begins two weeks of way too many parties, debauchery and many hangovers. One morning Miklos decides he wants to take a trip out into the desert and has me come along, tracking some mysterious prints in the sand. We find a hyena, which he befriends and to my astonishment brings back with us.

“Miklos, that’s not a family friendly pet!”

“It’s okay, I’ll train him!”

“Miklos! We can’t trust a hyena! It will eat the baby!”

“There’s no baby yet!”

I groan and give into my husband’s whims. Three nights later when I wake up with the strange creature laying with his beak on me, I give in. Freddy is a very good boy, and I love him.

I pick up my new customized adamantine kukri and say my goodbyes to all of those we have met in Katapesh in our short time here. Miklos and I will return soon, and I look forward to that day. For the first time in our lives, we have found home.

We head back to Breachill and find progress on Citadel Alterain is going well. Arun’s pups are no longer pups, they’re absolutely massive, and I’m a little nervous when Freddy plays with them. The kobolds are still in love with me, of course, and all but worship Miklos my dragon man.

We go to Alsetta’s Ring and use the wasp in amber to open the last gate. Suddenly the entire ring is filled with a swirling vortex, which shoots out all sorts of elements. Luckily I take very little damage thanks to my amulet, but Eliza and Qi’ana are being pulled into it. They all start to run while I stay, planning to disable whatever trap that got set off, but suddenly Arun holds his hands up to the sky.

“Serenrae, I invoke you!” He yells.

It stops, the vortex dissipating. All is well! Until there are crashing noises above us, that is. We run up and find three massive creatures made of dead bodies and weapons- the same horrible thing we faced back at the haunted mansion in the dwarf city! I run out and use my newly acquired flying boots, and start going up to the roof above. They lash out at me, but I make it up to the roof. Pulling out my bow I start shooting as the others fight on the ground. Above us swirls a massive storm, pouring acid rain down upon us.

Soon the horrible creatures, which Arun tells us are made of the bodies of Hell Knights buried under our fortress, are slain. We barely get a breath of air and healing before rifts open, and out come snake ladies with the many arms with swords. Mariliths! I can hear my husband yelling inside, but I can only keep shooting the ones out here and hoping that he’s okay. This storm is very unnatural, and I fear more and more things will attack.

We kill the Mariliths, but the walls start shaking. I turn and find myself face to face with a massive dragon made of bones. I find myself remembering the vision we all had when stepping through the gate to Katapesh- of Dahak attacking our city. Breachill is in trouble, and we have many people to protect. I fear what else could come from this storm- who is attacking us? Who have we angered?

⚔️ Nadja

[dragonforgotten]

Nadja set off a trap while we were moving along this wide corridor. Pillars of magma Shri out form the walls and floor, striking the both of them as I grimace in sympathy. I just fixed that!
She waves us forward as I give a wary glance at the spikes.
“But the trap?”
“It’s already happened, hurry up.” I sigh and keep pace and I am happily not run through my lances. Nadja opens the door into a massive library and It’s then we see them. Zandovar, the Scarlet Triad boss and another formidable lackey by his side. He strikes with suck ferocity, it’s blinding and is able to react in a matter of second. He strikes at Qui who managed to squeeze by and then turns to swing down upon Nadja. He is quick but he is also arrogant. Nadja lays into him, keeping him busy as Miklos roars charging his second in command. I cast my finial regeneration on her as I get into position with my sheild up, hoping to draw some of his attacks to me. As the battle rages on he begins to lose strength as his already slim odds decrease. Bill throws a vail of caustic acid into his face as he screams in agony clawing his face and cursing out the fungi. Before he can strike Nadjas blades flash and slash upward towards his throat. The mans eyes go wide. He gags then crumbles into the remaining pool of bubbling acid. Nadja and Bill runs off as I stand before the man, taking his scimitar out of the acid before it melts as well while checking his pulse. Evil as he has been it does not seem right of me to stand and watch a man burn alive from acid. My eddits demand that evil meat a quick end, not a slow painful one. Though it appears my aid was not needed. He has expired and is well beyond my powers now. I can’t feel sorry for his fate. This man and his organization has caused so much suffering and death. He emboldened the cinder claws all those months ago and had indirectly caused the death of Lazsol and Diana. Gather together his possession I find that Miklos has dispatched the second in command as well. It feels surreal. With the leader dead and there fortress conquered the scarlet triade is no more. I begin tending to everyone’s wounds as Bill studies the items and Eliza pours over Uris journals and letters. She hisses shaking her head.
“Damn were too late. He’s already shipped off the orb.”
Mutters of annoyance and worry etch into our faces and Eliza regalls us with the rest of what she has learned.
The triade was formed by Mengkare. The same gold dragon that we learned about after the rescue of the jewelers guild. It original goal was to gather the most talented and intelligent people of The world for his grand project but as the dragon turned his attention to other matters the organizations funding was lessened and the members of it grew resentful and turned from gathering to slavery to fund this glorious endeavor. They began down a dark path and found this way successful but with the end of slavery growing more and more popular this could not have ended well.
He and his sister planned to confront
Mengkare himself with the orb and establish the Scarlet Triad as its own entity in the city of promise as their goals no longer align. Uri had hoped to destroyed us and then use the Audara to travel straight to promise. Unfortunately for him he greatly underestimated us. Unfortunately for us he has completed the repair work. There’s no telling when that was. The orb is most likely already in the hands of his evil sister.
We must hurry our matters here before his sister can deploy her scheme. Ironically
His sister herself reveal a vital clue in her letters. Signed at the bottom is her name.
Emaliza Zandivar.
She appears to be the brains between the two for she counsels and updates Uri of developments in Hermea, and inquiring about his progress in repairing the Orb of Gold Dragonkind. These letters contain cryptic references to plans in motion, the “god within the ring,” and the need to secure more deterrents lest Mengkare learn of their plans. A dreadful feeling sinks into my stomach as those terrible visions of Dahak floats to the surface. Had Mac been right? I fear there was more to her doomsaying then I thought.
It appears the triade a evil is not done yet.
With part of our mission completely we scout the remaining rooms and find a strange four armed being in a cell. It turns out he is our captured pactmaster through he is ashamed of us to look at his form so Miklos tears down a curtain, revealing a wardrobe of cloths behind it.
“Ah Miklos?” Too late he is gone so I shrug and let it be so. With the man secured we quickly ferry him out. I wish to destroy the remaining fiend but safe guarding lives must come first and I have no healing magic to spare.
We return him to his comrades safely and they thank us graciously, gifting each of us a pactmasters grace ring. It’s a beautiful piece of jewelry. The moment we are dismissed I collapse into my bed back at the inn and I’m out like a light.
——-

I was a fool to think the next day would give respite. The moment I step out the door, the Phoenix still in my pocket I try to go to the permitter of the city to release him. I doubt the people would be pleased to see a giant flaming bird suddenly appear out of thin air and Vltrix does not need that kind of attention. But the moment I pass the casino my name is called and I turn, greeted by a group of people.
“Hey! Your that preist from breach hill right.”
“Yes? Can I help you.”
“No it’s what can we do for you my friend. Join us! We’re in the middle of a game here.”
“Umm I’m kind of in the middle of something.”
I start wringing my wrists.
“Nonsense! Come on in mate! First games on me.”
“I-“
“Oh what the harm. Just a few minutes of your time.”
My eyes dart around.
“I suppose one wouldn’t hurt.”
“Great!” Before I know it I’m swept up in a card game. As we play they ask me about myself, my comrades, if I dyed my eyeballs or if they were always black, the questions go on and on. A minute turned into a hour then 3 hours. As it starts creeping into hour 4 I finish my drink and stand up.
“I’m sorry I really need to leave.” They all moan and beg for me to stay but somehow when they turn there backs on me I slip out of the party and hide in the bushes till they lose me.
I have to sulk though the alleys and backstreets till I make it outside the city. Free at last and alone I pull the gem from my pocket and whisper the release command. The gem glows as the great Phoenix slowly materializes again.
“Many thanks priest of Sarenrea.” He shakes his feathers as I bow.
“And many thanks to you. I wish I could speak to you longer but It appears I’m short in time.”
“Perhaps next time. Your mission appears to be of great importance.”
I look upon him.
“Sometimes I worry we won’t be enough.”
“Have faith Arun Blacksun. You have weathered many things and I trust you will stand even against this.” He raises his wings but I stop him.
“Wait, Vltrix. Before you go. Here.” I cast a spell and a bounty of food and wine appears before him.
“Much appreciated. As promised here is a gift for you.”
He closes his eyes as a piece of his fire molds together into a rune stone. It is warm to the touch and practically has a heart beat of it own. I bow to him in thanks before we part ways.
———

The next few days are dizzying. I’m dragged into party after party. Meeting people of both great renown and thus of simple standing. From grand mansions to humble taverns I never want to see another acholoic beverage for a good while. I manage to spend time discovering the secretes to Uris weapons and gear and found the scimitar is magically quickened, thus is how he was able to strike so fast. The next day I begin making arrangements to upgrade my armaments. Miklos kindly patroned me in getting a holy rune stone and in exchange I gifted him the greater flaming rune. This shocks him.
“As much as I try to be in the heat of battle I am not in the fray often. I feel sarenrae would shine her blessings on you if you make use of this.”
He accepts it with a smile.
Nadja still won’t let me in the new mansion. She’s claimed it as hers and Miklos future home but they still won’t even let me see look inside. Maddening. I had wanted to give them a house warning gift, maybe make them a pie but oh well.
Soon the time has come to leave with A new companion in tow. Miklos has adopted a hyena and named his Fred. I just hope the pups get along with him. The travel back is swift and soon we are back in castle Alterean. The cold snap hits us like a slap to the face compared to the deserts oppressive heat. So it appears winter has arrived while we were sweating in the desert. Bundling up in heavier winter clothes I immediately go to check on the pups and find them with the bumblebrashers in the barracks, the Piff and Barf the kobolds are standing ontop of a closet as the pups practically shake the closet under there massive weight. I give a shrill whistle and there heads snap to me.
“Da!” The pounce on me, practically as large as I am as they lick my face back and I hug there necks.
“I missed you both to. Where’s Bimble?” They let me up and I see him waving at me, missing three fingers... again.”
“I am so sorry! I’ll fix that when I return.”
“Not stay?” Hati whimpers as I let her head.
“Sadly no. Daddy will be leaving for one lat time. Then we can be together.”
“Dangerous.” Skoll huffs abs whines.
“I know. I will try and survive.” I go silent as I fall into thought.
“If I don’t. The brashers will still need you two. Will you care for them in dads stead?”
“Will try.”
“And..”
“No eat fingers.”
“Good boy and girl.” I hug them again and they run up to Fred, towering over the hyena.
“Who this?”
“This is Fred. He’s a new friend.”
“Friend?”
“Smells of sand.”
They sniff him, pushing him around playfully as the the hyena cackles.
“Eat Fred?”
“No. Friends aren’t food.” His sister nips his ear.
“Oh.”
I say my good bye one more time before me and Miklos return to the party ready to face the last portal. Nadja does the honor but instead of the gate opening a earth shattering boom erupts and everything is lost in a hail of energy as a vortex forms in the center of the room. We’re battered on all sides, the stinging of our injuries as we withstand the first wave. Eliza has been pulled closer to the vortex. I act without thinking. I reach my hands to the sky and call, pratically scream to the ceiling.
“Sarenrea! Protect these souls! End the storm! I invoke you!” My voice pratically vibrates around the room. Then it all goes quiet, I feel her presence. For a brief moment she is here and then she is gone along with the storm. We’re left baffled and I have tears in my eyes.
“She came! She heeded my call!”
“Hey! Your imaginary friend helped us.” I let that go. Amazed by what had happened but my revelation is sort lived. A terrible sound is echoing above our heads. This was the least of our troubles.

Arun

[dragonforgotten]

Charging up the stairs we burst into the court yard panting and pale as we witness the chaos erupting before us. The sky has grown dark. A massive pillars of fire strike the earth as acid rain bits our skin, wind tears at our hair and cloths. The vision! It’s coming true! Shielding ourselves we watch as workers and goblins alike scramble for sanctuary from this hellish storm. The earth trembles under our feet as the ghostly screams of thousands roar around us. They burst forth from the ground. Humanoid bones and gore tears itself from the earth, crashing into each other, growing to immense size till the match the height of the courtyards single tower were I first chased a murdering halfling all those months ago. I was just an acolyte then. Now I stand here as high Dawnfather witnessing two War sworn matteralize in front of us.
“How is this possible?! Where are they even coming... oh sweet grace! The crypts!”
“The what!?” Eliza shouts over the wind.
“The hell knight crypt! The one under the castle! The order of the nail buried its dead there. It was haunted before!”
“And you didn’t exocerise it!?”
“I did! I cleaned it out a long time ago!”
“Couldn’t you have, I don’t know, santafied it!?”
“Wasn’t experienced! Slipped my mind! Incoming!”
The undead shriek and charge us but Nadja flys forward on winged boots and Mikolas rushing into the fray as he changes into a silver dragon. I unleash my holy might, casting the burning fury of the sun while Eliza rains meteorites upon them. Qui unleashes a chain lightening while Bill pelts then with positive energy. Soon the undead are quelled and fall to our might. We barely get a breath in when portals tear open. Three Maraliths step from the rip in reality and begin to lay into us. I utter my cantations and one eyes goes glazed and slack jawed as it relives its past life before it’s soul was corrupted to its current state.
We fend them off and I call everyone together to link hands with me. A surge of energy courses through me as our strength is restored and or senses are refreshed for whatever may come. I was feeling rather proud till a drudge of acid rain is dumped over our heads and stings us greatly. Suddenly thunder cracks. Four bolts of lightening fall outside the citidals walls and where the energy once stood appears four bi pedal massive dragon skeletons crackling with energy.
“Eliza what is that!?”
“Dragon storms! Some kind of constructions of sorts!”
“Dragon storms? Dahaki! Fields of Nirvana why couldn’t Macs doom saying be wrong for once.”
They shriek and begin to attack the castles walls! This can not be allowed! We can not let them inside to harm the innorcents inside! I activate my armor and fly on glowing angelic wings with Nadja. Together we focus fire on one but it appears they resist everything we throw at them. My holy damage seems to pack a punch but they shrug off my divine decree. It turns out to be a poor mistake to focus on one for by the time we reach the the other two they have punch a sizeable hole into the walls. Bill rides in dragon Mikolas jaws and I’m surprised to learn that he can fly! Sort of, more like glide with his sprouting mushroom. Winging within range of one I cast for a divine lance and it strikes true rattling its skull. I get to overly excited and forget I’m still in the air. I fall as my wings flounder but they catch me too late. I crash through the ceiling, landing in the arms of the chapels statue. It appears I’ve landed within the fixed up chapel right in the arms of the sarenrae statue I installed months ago. Gingerly I sit up and spy a familar set of red and green scales shivering behind a pew with pots and pans for helmets.
Pip and zarf peek over from there hiding spot.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to drop by unannounced.
“They gone yet?”
“Not quiet yet.” The room shakes and they duck back into their spots.
“Best stay here. Won’t take much longer. Whatever you do don’t go outside.” I jump from the statue and fly back through the ceiling to find the battle has been won. I inspect the wall agonizing over the massive holes.
“Ah! All that time and money! This is my friends home! My home! How dare Dahaki touch it!”
“We have bigger problems then that.” Bill points to the horizon to breachhill. The storm is growing out, it’s coming for the town next.
With grim determination, bloody and angry Eliza haste’s us and we run as fast as our legs can carry us.
——-

We arrive at the towns ring of water towers to find the animated dragon storms trying to knock them down. Lessened learned we engage them fast and stop them from destroying them. One lumbers towards us with claws outstretched still suddenly it halts in its tracks. It head rolls off it shoulder as Nadja appear behind it mid leap. She lands infront of it as the last massive construction tumbles to its side. With a flourish she sheaths them back in her holsters and flips her hair out of her eyes.
I don’t even get a breath in. Screams echo everywhere in the town. It never ends! We arrive to find Cayden Kegs ablazed. The fire is not natural. No matter how much rain or water is put in it the flames don’t even shoulder. Burning just as hot as in a fire pit kindling.
We spring into action, Mikolas is kicking down doors, I’m trying to organize the panic and frightened residents and Eliza is putting the building on ice with her magic along with Qui. I glance from the corner of my eye to find Nadja is patching up the wounded. She is doing an amazing job. I’m very proud. My needle work and technique must have rubbed off on her. We manage to get everyone out but there’s no sign of the Caydens cleric. I hope she is alright. With a bucket line organized the fire is atleast out out but we are drawn to more screams.
Our feet lead us to the Dream House, crumbled and flaming and I can feel the warmth leave my face. It’s attacking the churches. It’s attacking places were people would gather for protection. Regardless if nothing is done these people will die. We jump into action. Mikola pulls people from the rubble
And I stabilize anyone brought to me as the amount of injured becomes numerous as Nadja acts as my nurse and second pit of hands. I had to perform cpr on a few as some began to crash from the trauma. Regardless they all pulled through. Qui suddenly comes around a corner with a tarp, trying to beat the flames out but only manages to set the nearby homes on fire as well. Thankfully no one is inside them at the time.
As the finial victim is freed and the bucket baragade commences again were approached by Desna head priest and one of my many teachers.
“My friends. You have worked wonders today. Together you have worked a miracle and I am humbled. Desna smiles upon you all.” And she does. I feel it in my soul. I feel her presence among us just as I had when my goddess reached her hand through the planes to stop the raging storm from escaping the portal. I rest my hand subconsciously over my heart and I catch others doing the same though Bill looks just as unchanged by this just as he was when Sarenrea intervened. We are not allow this moment of awe for long. The sky arcs lightening once again as four massive shadows appear at the end of two.
“Oh sweet empyreal lords! It never stops does it!?”
I turn to look back to my elven teacher.
“I trust you can handle the rest brother.”
“Of course. May our goddess blessings hold true young priest.”
Dusting off our cloths we engage the new entities. Four massive giants with flaming hair and massive swords. There just as maddening as the constructions but once again we come on top. I feel haggard, fatigued and strained beyond my measures. My resources are dwindling and our bodies and minds are battered and bruised. Is it over? Please let it be done.
A terrible sound vibrates through the air, pericing our ears. We turn towards the exit of town to find a familiar tear in reality but much larger then what the Maraliths had stepped out of. A large clawed hand pushes the tear open. Our steps a large demonic creature with cloven hooves, great horns wielding both sword and flaming whip. It doesn’t attack anyone. We watch as it frighten and scares anyone who tries to leave town. The meaning behind it is beyond me. My eyes glide over to Eliza.
“Know what that is?”
“No. You?”
“No. Think it’s from this plane?”
“Do you have banishment?”
“I always have a banishment. Do you?”
“I’m a wizard.” She says like this answers my question.
“Fair enough.”
“You know it’s not too late to hide in the magnificent mansion and leave this town? Anyone?”
“This is my home. My original band built up that castle, helped these people and started this quest with the triade. It is my duty to safe guard them and my allies from evil.”
She sighs.
“Ya your right. I just don’t want to fight that thing.”
“Me neither. But we must. Everyone is depending on us.”
“Then I suppose we better try and heal as much as we can.” Says Qui, rolling up her sleeves. Between me and her we heal everyone the best we can before engage the otherworldly entity. It’s just as imposing as was expected. It swings Nadja about in its flaming whip as Miklos lays into him. I try to banish him but he shrugs off Sarenraes magic. Nadja starts shooting at it, dropping her kukris as I align her weapon to the holy energy of my goddess. It appears to harm him along with Mikolas frosted weapon. Nadja manages to escape the whip but The creature then casts a spell and I find him before me.
He grins as I smile nervously, raising my shield up. I try to curse him the same way I did to the Maralith but he instead strikes me hard and I feel the magic leave my armor. Nadja continues shooting and I simply raise my sheild to cover her while Mikolas charges back into the monster and savages him. Under our might the creature staggers and falls to the ground. Suddenly the area erupts into fire, light and agony. The screams of my own voice echoing in my ears. It’s over we are left victories, chared black with soot, smoking and burnt. Least no one was-.”
“Noooo!!! My kukris! There gone!!!” Scratch that. Not everyone made it out alive.
We gather whatever ashes we could find if the fallen weapons and returned to our keep. The kukris may have died but the storm has subsided for now. Though it feels more like the calm before the storm. The ominous sky pillar still hand over heads above our citidal. The moral in breach hill is obyssimal. Citizens are panicking, stressed, fretfully wondering the streets watching the sky as if it would swollow them whole. There just one more bad fright away from running into the woods. I hold out my hands and shout but my voice is drowned out by their fear. It’s only when Miklos pratically roars do heads turn. Bill jumps ontop of a barrel and begins to tell one group to hold fast just like their founder has when creating this little town. Qui speech falls alittle flate, Nadja is lying through her teeth.
“Everything’s fine. It’s just a bad storm. Nothing to see here.” I sigh, and sort though what I’m going to say now that I have a group watching me. I think about consoling them, that we are taking care of it but I think it over I can not tell them they would be safe under us when I myself doubt that I can protect not only protect my allies but myself as well. But I know who can. I steel myself and speak feeling Desnas favor guiding my words.
“People of breachhill. Do not fear the storm and it’s monsters. We have fought demons and cursed beasts alike and have come through victorious. The gods have aided us. Your gods have not forsaken you to your fate for we shall work in there stead to banish this evil from our lands. This place is our home. As long as we remain, your faith and hope unwavering we shall push back against this blight. We shall greet the dawn once again!” The crowd cheers. The mood begins to improve as the infectious moral boosts our battered souls. I look back to the eye of the storm, hovering over the citidale in the distance. It appears we have a moment to breath again. It is time I get to work.
——————

Back in the castle I finish the last stiches in Miklos side. We sit in the grass outside the front of the castle and we are not alone. The castle residents, the bumblebrashers, the citizens of breachhill. They all gather behind the walls and some stand on them with slings at the ready. We wait and wait. The minutes ticking by when it happens. The air changes as the storm swells. Emerging from the eye of the storm he appears. A massive great red dragon with hateful burning eyes. This is it. Dahaki, or more accurate a mere projection of him has arrived. This is the finial assault. Dahaki unleashes a painful burst of dragon fire down upon us from the sky and it burns as I’m unable to shrug off his blow. Mikolas and Qui both become dragons themselves, picking up Nadja and Bill as I try to switch my shields. Burning the scramble another draconic shape appears from the clouds. Another red dragon, this one much smaller but our worry turns to shock as a glint of gold shines from his chest.
“Kyrion!”
“I’m here my friends! Sorry I am late!” He slams into the much bigger dragon. Everyone takes to the sky as I’m trapped on the ground watching the battle 60feet above my head. Dahakis blows strike with devastating force but his focus is split. The people behind the walls scream and curse him. Throwing pebbles at merely bounce harmlessly off his scales. The enraged god strikes against the walls of the castle in blind anger as my comrades strike him. Kyrion whimper as Dahak burns into his forearm and I can hear it dislocate. I must get up there. They need my help. A crazy idea enters my mind. So crazy it could work. I activate the cloak and find myself on Kyrion back. He snorts in shock.
“Just me. I’ll help you there buddy.” I reassure him patting his back before throwing a divine lance at the god as he thrashed and attacks both castle and us. I begin to perpare a wave of healing energy when the evil god turns his burning eyes to me. I lock eyes and a shiver runs through me as I feel him stare through me.
“Preist..” his voice rumbles like a incoming storm. In a flash his fangs lock around my torso. He lifts me clear off the young dragons black. Pain overwhelms me, my vision blurrs. My body feels cold. He knows me. My confused thoughts mutter. I feel myself falling, the battle growing distant. I barely even feel the ground or the pain as the darkness consumes me...

I float back. Agony coursing through me. The agony empowers me but all I can see is red blurry images. I fall back on old habits. Old habits I thought I left behind. I focus on the pain. The pain anchors me to this life. I turn my body and more pain comes. Arms broken, a few fractured ribs, leg is dislocated. I will not die. I will not die here. I will not die now. I will not leave when I am still needed. Someone is pulling me across the ground and it hurts.....
I barely manage to peel my eyes open to watch the draconic god of destruction fall from the sky. It’s over... it’s over....
....
.....
I awaken. The pain-lessening. Bill hovers over me with Eliza in the corner of my eye.
“Is he gone.” I wheeze.
Bill nods.
“It’s over... for now.”

Arun

[dragonforgotten]

The past

Years it has been since I was shipped off to the salt mines. I was almost assigned to be a janitor but I had the misfortune to be unique. My eyes can peer through dim light. My mother told me it is a blessing from our ancestors but it seems like a blessing for someone else. The moment they discovered my uncanny sight I was sold for a highest bidder and was pitched to the darkest parts of the mines with a handful of other demi humans. Kobolds it turns out make pleasant company. They put me in charge of the other humans when I was toiling in the dark, the ‘lucky’ first to explore a new cavern. My comrades are very kind but the work is full of perils. Collapses, poisonous gases, explosions, monsters. We lose more of us every day. The work never ends. The injuries never end. I patch my comrades up, stay by there side through sickness and death before I’m tosses ahead again. There’s something wrong with the tunnel I’ve been through. I pounder if I should report my worries when I’m frantically pulled away towards the medic bay. It’s Simon. There’s been another accident. By the time I reach him I know there’s nothing I can do for him. He knows as well. He simply asks to hold my hand and I take his in mine. We sit and wait as I sing a soft melody I heard oh so long ago.
He smiles, the pail of death coming over him as my close friends grip weakens and falls from my hand. Something finally breaks inside me. Whether it was the mounting deaths or the baying of my tormentors as they grasp my collar and pull me back down the pit One voice rings loud and clear. No more.

——————-

Present.

I finish my hour of reflection in the castles altar. There’s a massive festival outside for not only for our victory but also for many other things. It’s ironic that the day after we defeated the manifestation of Dahak the winter solstice has come to great us. Today is candlemark, the day of remembrance in my religion of when we reflect on the moment we joined the church. It feels so long ago I was a slave dreaming of freedom. All those years ago when I did what I did I thought I would die in those mines and yet here I stand, now carrying the same status as Dawn mother Juno. It’s strange. In all those years I have not told a single lie. Not since my finial lie in those tunnels. I thank that finial lie for my freedom, the kindness of the church for caring for me and for lady Juno for healing both my mental and physical wounds.
I miss lady Juno. I hope I do her proud and she is in good health where ever she is.
With my reflection period over I return to the festivities and play with the pups. Though all the merriment there’s a dark shadow over our thoughts. Though we pushed him back we all know it is not over yet. It will not be over till we vanquish him instead of pushing him back. We must also track down Uris sister. She was to receive the orb of dragon kind and we know she plans to use it to take control of Mengkare. This can not be allowed. We must speak with him, warn him of the betrayal and stop Emaliza before it is too late. Packing my back and storing the journals and letters gathered I find that Kyrion has received a hero’s welcome by the people of breachhill. He is the center of there love and cheers and it warms my heart how well he is being received though it pains me to see the massive shard still in his chest. I approached him and asked if he’d like me to remove it for him but he tells me he is fine. I’ll respect his wishes. With a heartfelt farewell to pups and the people of the town we throw ourselves through the finial get of the ring.
——

We arrive at the waystation into what appears to be a spa/pleasure house. Of course it’s not exactly empty. Three animated skeletal dragon storms are also present tearing up the main hall. They fall faster then anticipated. We have certainly gotten better at this. While we were fighting Bill had gone exploring, reporting about a massive bath and beds in another room. Nadja and Miklos run off giggling towards the baths and we all awkwardly stand around now that we are not allowed inside. That is until I hear them screaming of ghost. By the time I get there I only see them and a broken knife. It looks like the haunt is gone but I don’t believe it quiet yet. The group runs to the bed chambers while I stand watch in the baths. No ghost so far. I can hear the commotion outside. When I step into the main room I find Nadja hovering over an altar trying to cut herself and bleed on a tiny box containing scripture.
“Nadja what in the gods names are you doing? If the stitches are too tight you should have said so.”
“It’s not what you think!”
I don’t know what to think. I inspect the box she was trying to make a blood sacrifice over and blush as I read through the scripture. It’s an account of Seductive acts to perform. I immediately give it back to her wishing I could unread what I just saw.
Eliza discovered this is a temple of Calistra and I can only shutter in horror. She is not a bad goddess but she certainly not one to displease. Haven found all we could we leave and step into a dark dwelling. We barely make it two steps inside till we find a massive book case. Eliza has detected magic amongst the books and sets upon them. I help her pour through the contents with Bill to speed it along. We discover they are books of great power but we are not alone. During our investigations a woman and a man has stumbled upon us.
“Oh my who might you all be?” She asks us. We stand and introduce ourselves and awkwardly discover that not only are we in Mengkares lair but those books are his. We return them bashfully. As she is explaining to us that we are currently in the city of promise and that Mengkare is away in the plane of axis unfortunately to research more about the Dahak I squint at her. Blond hair…. Could she? The news that the great dragon is an ally in our fight against the evil god is uplifting but I’m so lost in thought I barely listen to the rest she’s saying. She looks familiar. Could she really be her? I’m brought back to reality as she speaks to me.
“Oh pardon. Didn’t mean to drift off like that. Arun blacksun my lady.” I shake her hand. My brows come together.
“Just curious but who may you be?”
“It’s Amaliza.”
That’s… similar. Perhaps I’m overthinking things. I shouldn’t jump to conclusions especially considering she is Mengkare’s right hand. UnIntended insults could ruin our chances of having a audience with the dragon when he returns. I need to be taticful.
“Ah ok. Pardon it’s just We’re actually are looking for a Emaliza Zandivar. It’s very important we find her immediately.”
“I’m sorry I haven’t heard of her. Perhaps you’ll find her in the city. You’ll need these to get around.” She hands us each a gold pin shaped like a dragons wings. Apparently we need these to travel about the city legally for those who are not from promise. We leave her and her sullen companion behind as the city awaits for us. Of course we can’t be alone. We’re escorted by two city guards which lowers my excitement just alittle. The city is vast and beautiful but my unease grows as I learn there are no churches in the city and the districts are strangely named. Each district is named for who lives there like the merchant or beggar district, each one separated by walls. Despite how big it is this city feels like a cage. The uncanny unease gnawing at me grows as we explore. Suddenly our guards are swapped by a change of guards. We are taken to a secure building and are addressed Inzra, the captain of the guards. She brings about startling news and I may be addressing it lightly. I bring up the subject of Emaliza and it is discovered that not only had we had just finish speaking to her but she has lied straight to my face. I slam my fist on the table.
“I knew it! Damn!” I hisss and settle back in my chair as this is only the tip of this colossal sized problem.
She tells us more as the heinousness of the gold dragons crimes comes to light. This entire city is under a tyrannical thumb. This glorious project is a massive eugenics project of gross abuse! Controls every aspect of the city to what jobs people do, to even who they marry and who has children. It’s sickening. And to make matter worst this is all for the ekujas ritual! The animus invocation! She learned this from an Ekuja scholar. He was invited to share his knowledge with the gold dragon knowing that he plans to destoryed the evil god but he had no way of knowing the henious abuse of this same ritual. The results are obvious what these people are being cultivated for. There sheep bred to slaughter. She has every reason to worry that as good his intentions are he has lost his way. He refused to listen to the scholars warning. He mysteriously vanished the next day. Inzas fears something has happened to him but has been powerless to do anything thanks to her citizens contract. It breaks her heart for she has fallen in love with the man. She hasn’t given up on him even after two years. We all react in a mix of shock and disgust. Stunned in silence we all look at each other as the pieces fall into place. He’s going to sacrifice a entire city I order to defeat Dahak trapped with Elsettas ring. In our silence I speak up, shaken.
“Perhaps he can be reasoned with.”
“Arun he’s going to kill everyone!” Mikols shoutes.
“I know! I know! But there has to be more. There’s gotta be another way! I need to speak to him.”
“He’s going to bath you in flames. Heck looks what happened to the scholar.” Eliza reasons as my knuckles band out white against my clenched hands.
“I know. But I must try. I have to know more before I can follow though.”
Miklos sighs as Nadja looks to me.
“We’ll cross that bridge when it comes.” She says.
“Will try speaking if he will even listen to us.”
“Perhaps Emaliza was right to try and remake the orb.”
“No. She isn’t.” I refuse to believe that the orb is the only way. Let alone one in the hands of an enemy we’ve harred and the sister to Uri. Whatever plans they have with the orb can not be completed.
For now we set aside the heavy moral subject of Mengkare for finding the scholar. Inzra believes he has been taken prisoner under the golden citadel. Now all we need is a plan. We gather together and discuss.

Arun

[Aileen]

What madness has occurred to us these past couple days. First the attack on Breachill by the Dahak and dragon storms. Reuniting with Kyrion the dragon, who we now realize has part of a dragon orb in him. Meeting Emaliza and not realizing it was her, despite the obvious correlation between her name and the fake one she gave us. Oh how stupid we are!

I had to use my feminine wiles to distract all the guards in the capital building, and surprisingly it worked. Only for us to nearly die to a crystal dragon. We found parts of a dragon orb, and went back and found Emaliza in the lair where we met her.

Oh, speaking of the lair… the big golden dragon, Mengkare? Planning a genocide. These perfect people with their perfect eugenics program, breeding only by selection- they are all lambs for the slaughter. Their lives exist only to be sacrificed in a ritual to defeat Dahak. And it is not the first time, no- Breachill was the first experiment, and it failed. These people I have lived among and gotten to know, they survived the first attempt. Everything has been a lie!

As Miklos and I are in the middle of enacting “dragon and maiden” we are interrupted by a voice in our heads. It’s Mengkare, summoning us to meet with him. We tell him to wait, but dragons are sticklers to being on time. So, we throw some clothes on, don our armor, and run out the door with our companions to go see the big evil dragon.

The dragon is beautiful, but insane. We were told he is possessed by Dahak, and Emaliza and Bill were working on putting together a dragon orb to control him. We seem to maybe be getting somewhere with Mengkare, who is convinced he wants to continue with the ritual, but he’s unrelenting. Then, Emaliza walks in with the orb. The dragon freezes in place, and we all spring into action. Something about her actions unsettles me, and I go grab the orb. She does some crazy magic, and next thing I know the orb is out of my hand and she’s running out the door calling me a b****. She puts up a stone wall behind her, but I’ve got flying boots. Arun and I try to pursue, i shoot her, but she still gets away. So, I guess I need to help with the dragon as much as I don’t wish to hurt him.

I turn, draw back an arrow, and let loose. It impales the great Mengkare through the neck. He roars in agony, then falls to the ground nearly crushing my friends. Stone cold dead. We run, the guards hot on our heels. Now what? I have just killed their leader, and I don’t know if that is good or bad!

We head out and find our friend, who helps hide us from the town guard. We can only hope we will be strong enough to take on Dahak and end this madness once and for all.

⚔️ Nadja

[dragonforgotten]

Getting in was easy. Get deeper in is a different challenge. The golden citidal is a wonder to behold with its massive domed ceiling and artisitc mosaics and paintings. I’m left shadowed by the number of books and shaken as I pass by the guards of the citadel. They are very pleasant people it bothers me to have to be so dishonest in our actions but it’s a unfortunate must if we are to free the scholar but also to understand what happened to this country. What is driving Mengkare to even conceive of this monstrous plan? With Nadjas charm and Bills sneakiness were able to explore the restricted sections without anyone knowing. After a near fatal encounter with a crystal dragon golem we find documents containing knowledge we were seeking and also the rest of the shards of the orb of dragon kind. We learn the citizenship contract is magical in nature that binds any who signs it under the dragons will. Knowledge of the animus invokation in full but most shocking for me is Mengkare tragic past. He lost his family to the orb and was enslaved as well as a child. He lost his parents to a group of adventures and manage to break free and escape to the plane of Axis. He returned years later as a teen only to be enslaved once again by the same artifact. He broke free years later once again only to cause the eruption of Dosark Craig, kill thousands. When he discovered Elsettas ring and learned of Dahak he dedicated his life to destroying him and came upon this ritual to do it. The shocking truth is promise wasn’t the first. Breachill, my home, was the failed attempted. He was Lamond Breachton. The truth shakes me as everything comes together and I feel I understand now. Mengkare has never moved past his pain. Dispite how old he is he is still enslaved to his fear. His control over this city, over people’s lives, is his way of inflicting the same hurt he’s suffered. He’s playing out this pain without realizing the evil he is doing. He knows what he’s doing is wrong. His journal entry shows his hesitation but he believes what he’s doing is for the greater good. That it must be done. Unfortunately many evils are done for this greater good. It never ends well.
“He’s crazy.” Eliza mutters.
“He’s hurting.” I mutter to my self then anyone.
“My friends. I believe Mengkare can be saved. We should destory the orb once we have it.
I get looks from my companions.
“It could be our way to defeating.” Says bill
“Not like this. Enslaving him is not right. He will understand! We must speak to him and show him he is wrong.”
“Arun you cant talk every mad dictator down.”
“As along as he doubts then there is hope. Ending a conflict with violence will only cause more violence. We all want the same thing.”Miklos folds his arms
“Alright. If he will let us we’ll talk but your standing right in front of us if he breaths out fire.”
“If it means saving him from himself I would gladly walk into it.”
We shelf the matter and continue our search. Descend down another set of stairs we find mengkares prisoners, there spirits broken. They don’t even try to escape as we open there doors. We then stumble upon a crazed man surrounded by his twisted abominations.
We take them down easy enough and no one sheds a tear for the death of this human monster. It’s when we reach the second door that our stomachs turn. There are more mutants, each one horrorably twisted and grotesque. We kill them and finally find the elven scholar, tired and beaten from his two year imprisonment. Apparently the doctor had taken a unhealthy amount of blood from the elf. He tells us his plight. He had confront Mengkare as well but was imprisoned for it. He has faint hope that he can be swayed. Everything we’ve learned and seen has shakened me to my core. I don’t know what to think of the dragon anymore. I have doubts myself but I hold try to my confections.
“No one is beyond redemption.”
No really heartily believes that except for me and maybe Nadja.
We file into the gord home and wait in awkward silence as Bill sneaks out of the citadel carrying the now small gord with him. Gathered around the bountiful cauldron with the Scholar at our side.
“You don’t think he’d just leave us in here would he?” We can only shrug at his question and laugh in awkward silence as we question if he really would.
—————

It takes a full day by the time we are released. The city has discovered our raiding of their archives and prison. With the scholar in the safe hands of Inzra it’s time we confront Emaliza and take the orb back from her. It does not go as expected. She brings up good points on her deception. She feared we’d kill her if we knew her real name, she is not involved with Uris business and that she simply wishes to stop Mengkares plans since he’s been possessed by Dahak. It all seems reasonable. Too much so. Somethings off. Everything fits too nicely into place. So the dragon is evil and his advisor who has ties to a snubbed slaver guild finds that it is in her interest to stop him and possibly kill him. What happens after then? What happens to the country? It feels like I’m the only one looking into this. I want to destroy Dahak as well but I do not want to see a city left in the hands of some one who has lied to us in the past and who has even the captain of the guards suspicious of the purity of her motives.
I have this nagging feeling she is not being honest. All the documents we collected say otherwise in her involvement but I can not act in hunches and mistrust alone. I cast zone of truth but I still can not tell her motives. In the end she’s convinced the group to help her assemble the rest of the pieces into the orb, minus Kyrion piece. Nadja and Mikols go to Emaliza villa I linger, not wanting to know what there getting up to. I have far too much on my mind as is. I watch Eliza and Emaliza discuss amongst each other and hand over the notes to the scholar so he may begin to convert the ritual. He’s studied them and has found another way to do the ritual without mass sacrifices. Though it’s not without risks. The alternative is he modify the ritual and take the fight to the draconic god of destruction himself. There’s no telling what the consequences will be. I say let’s do it. I’ve sworn to fight back against evil as I find it. If it means my destruction then I can proudly say I did my best.
The days following I throw myself into transferring runes from the armor sets we’ve found. My head is spinning and my soul is wracked with nerves. I don’t know what to do. Who to believe. I don’t like the plan Emaliza has done but am I right to stop her? Go against the groups decision? I don’t know. But maybe I know some who does.
I lay down the hammer and walk into the villas garden. It’s midnight. I clasp my hands together and call to Sarenrae. I wait. And wait. I start to believe that I have failed when I hear her voice.
“Speak your question my child.”
It’s her! Sarenrae! I have to stop my shaking and gather my thought.
“Ah, hi.” I start off meek.
“My lady I’ve been doubting. Can I trust Emaliza? Can Mengkare truly be saved?”
I can almost imagin her resting her hands on my shoulder.
“My son. Is anyone beyond redemption.”
“No.”
“Then You know what you must do.”
“I…thank you.”
“Is of no trouble. Is there any other questions my child.”
“No my lady. That is all. Thank you for you wise words.”
I feel her presence leave as I stand with new conviction. I’m a lesser herald now. I am the voice of redemption and truth. I do already know what must be done.
I return to bed assured in my mission.
——-

The next day during my morning prayers a voice rings through our ears. He has returned. Mengkare is waiting for us. I pull a scholar from my robes and summon a celestial for one last bit of council. The celestial cat materializes before me.
“Silvanshee I need a clue on what will happen today.”

Arun

[Aileen]

We’ve done it- the manifestation of Dehak is defeated and the Age of Ashes prevented. We can finally go home! I take Miklos’s hand as we step through the gate, feeling a lightness I haven’t felt in months. We step back into Alsetta’s ring, and without a word to anyone else walk up the stairs into the castle proper.

For months upon months we have tracked the Scarlet Triad, and learned things that seemed so beyond belief until we saw and heard for ourselves what was really going on in this world. Stabbed, shot, burnt to a crisp, terrified beyond belief and eaten by more than a couple monsters, I’ve truly been put through the ringer just as my friends have.

Miklos is already packed, and I am nearly finished. We will return to Katapesh, but first there are celebrations to be had. After a celebratory romp, we head out to join in the festivities in town. The bar is still in a state of disrepair, but tables have been moved outside and food and drinks are flowing. Kyrion even greets us and pulls us each into his massive dragon wings.

“Come on, Nadja, have a drink with me!” Arun slurs, throwing an arm over my shoulders.

“Oh, I couldn’t,” I hug him back. “Too much on my mind and someone has to stay sober! Enjoy an ale for me!”

“Don’t have to ask me twice!” He goes off to accost Miklos who gladly accepts a drink with the priest.

I thumb the pendant in my pocket, feeling the carved elven word I had commissioned in secret. I smile, seeing my husband’s reaction in my mind… tomorrow. It will have to wait. Tonight, they party, and we celebrate our victory with the good people of Breachill and one sweet red dragon.

—-

The next morning I am up before everyone, the only one not hungover from the previous night’s festivities. Even the poor dragon had over his fill. After securing a breakfast menu that can chase away the worst alcohol induced illness, I return to mine and Miklos’s bedroom to find him laying in bed still asleep. Careful not to enrage him, I wake him up and give him a few minutes to freshen up for breakfast.

“Miklos, my love- I have something for you!”

I hold out the wrapped present, finding myself growing nervous.

“What is this for?” Miklos grins, taking the small package from me.

“You’ll see. Just open it!”

I sit on the bed, cross legged and nervous as I watch him open the paper wrapping. He pulls the pendant out by the chain, watching the smooth jade swing before him before he stops it to read it.

“Father? Is that what it says?”

I nod, holding in laughter at his confused countenance.

“Is this for my father?”

“No, Miklos. It’s for you.”

“Wait… are you?”

I nod more vigorously, laughing now. He nearly plows me over jumping onto the bed, and grabs me into a deep kiss.

“I can’t believe it! How long have you known?!”

“A while. I was afraid to say anything in case… you know, we didn’t survive. But everything is good… we made it!”

Down to breakfast we head, excited to share the news with our friends. And, of course, to eat some well earned pancakes and fried potatoes.

We say our goodbyes to the others the next morning, ready to start our own lives and settle down. The house in Katapesh is ready and waiting, and soon we will fill it with love and laughter. It’s time to fill up the armory with our weapons and armor, invest our treasure, and start preparing for our newest family member. I have never had a true home, always living on the road through my entire life in Varisia, but Miklos and I have earned this. I could not think of a better ending to our wild adventures.

—-

Our life in Katapesh is everything I ever dreamed of. Miklos runs the “Poop Guild” as he so affectionately calls it, and still is the reigning champion at the arena. We have six beautiful children, and our oldest two girls are now students at Lady Docur’s School for Girls in Kintargo. I hope at least one of them will pick up some magic, but we are okay with either of them being a fighter like both of us. I am first and foremost a full time mom, but I still am the best hunter in all of Katapesh and frequently go out in search of strange creatures. We still haven’t caught that horny camel, and I don’t think we ever will.

I still see Arun and Eliza sometimes, often having to keep the wizard from breaking into our home. Arun checks in on our girls, making sure they are not wasting the tuition money and keeping them in line. Bill has the entire basement of our home to himself, and I never question the strange smells coming from down there. He is The Godfather to our children after all.

Tomorrow we set out for the Mwangi jungles, back in my favorite adventuring territory. For it is our annual trip to visit an old friend, Mokole Mbembe. This year he meets our youngest, our second son, as all of his siblings have met him before. We will honor the memory of Diana and my former husband/Miklos’s brother Laszlo- both taken from us in that very jungle. And, of course, we have to go see the Ekujae and our old dog, Bruce, who is still alive and thriving.

It has taken many trials and losses to get where we are, but it has all been worth it. The Kozlov family will always be known as some of the heroes who helped stop the Age of Ashes, but we just want to live our lives in (relative) peace. But if anything ever happens in our childrens’ time, if any dark forces rise up and threaten our existence- we are still ready.

⚔️ Nadja Kozlov

[dragonforgotten]

Stepping back through the halls of the golden citadel again after haven robes and killed a mad scientist is strange and surreal. My pulse can’t stop racing knowing we are about to met face to face with Mengkare. Everything hinges on this audience going well and I’m the only one slightly skilled enough to convince him to change his mind. Then there’s of course the reassuming of the orb should I fail…. It’s not right. Using the orb is wrong. Having the orb on hand would ensure the city is not sacrificed, but… Mengkare has suffered too much from that orb. What makes us any different? Enslave him for the greater good so he will be easier to slay? How is that any different then him wanting to sacrifice this city for the greater good? No one seems to see or understand my perspective. They think I’m being too soft but I know what it is like to be enslaved. If he is truely evil then I would not have a qualm of slaying him but I can’t stomach using the orb, the source of his trauma against him. We should not be resorting to these methods regardless. We are each peerless in our profession. We are capable of fight him on even ground.
I don’t believe he is evil. He is lost. His journals have voiced his doubts to me. He should not be killed or enslaved. He should be saved from his own mistakes, shown he is not too late to change. And yet I’m a coward. I should have said something. I should have done something. Instead I ducked my head, worried about what the others would say. I already made a fool of myself with confronting Emaliza without any evidence to my own gnawing suspicion. I don’t trust her. Uris letters don’t match what she claims. Sarenrea left me one cryptic message but I’m afraid I am out of time to explore this further. I am forced to leave our fates in Emaliza hands. The only thing I can do is pray that I am wrong about Emaliza now that bill has helped her assemble the orb.
We are escorted though the citadels halls, some of the guards looking a little scorned by Nadja. They must feel rather foolish for not thinking with there heads that day.
It’s then we see him. Mengkare rests in the great divet in the ground, perched on his rocky throne, his golden scales shimmering in the light. He leers down at us.
“You trespass into my grand city, break into my vaults and raid my secrets, Kill my scientist and free a important prisoner of mine. Many leaders would view this series of criminal actions very negatively but I am willing to hear what you all have to say. Now please speak freely.”
I bow politely and met his gaze.
“Lord Mengkare. Forgive our actions but we had no choice but to act once we learned of the Anima Invocation and the method your planed to use it for.”
His brows raise in interest as his tail flicks.
“Ah so you are aware.”
I step forward away from my friends.
I beg of you please reconsider, these people are innorcent! They did not ask to be apart of such a monstrous ritual!“
“So you are appealing to my mercy?”
“Yes. Through research we’ve discovered another way to change the to combat Dahak.”
“Hmmm, and has it been tested?”
“I-ah… no it hasn’t. But please it has to be better then consigning an entire city to death! The backlash to using the ritual on unknowing targets could be catastrophic!”
“Also as well. If this works then you still have an entire city of loyal citizens as well.” Mikolas steps in.
“Hmmm. Interesting but I am not quiet convinced yet that you have thought this through. I’ve have done everything in my power in ensuring nothing would go wrong with the ritual. I would have notice if there was another way. You can trust my judgement.”
“But were you aware that the agency you founded, the scarlet tirade, has betrayed you?
While you have been away they have become slavers and have been causing chaos and destruction in there wake. They have kidnapped merchants and guildmaster in ketapesh, conspired with valsracs and demons, even incited a small sect of Dahak cultists to attack the Ekuji elves and even made deals with a necromantic wizard in breach hill to torment the town and create a site of operations. Your negligence has caused a further spread of evil and has aided your foe.”
His eyes narrow.
“Do you have proof of your claims?”
“I do.” And I proceeded to extract all my documents such as Voxs and Uris journals and Uris letters to Emaliza.
He scans each document in his massive claws. Many of my band speak up but they, Miklos case of playing to his ego was very compelling to the dragon but then Eliza begins to drift the flow of conversation back to already tread upon conversation as mengkare straightens his back.
“It appears this is all then.”
“But Sir there’s still some-“
“It is enough.” He humms in the back of his throat and exhales.
“Your argument is compelling. I still believe I am right in staying my original course but I shall consider allow to try this plan.”
I can finially breath again. It may not be a complete victory but to have his blessings means a peaceful path to stoping Dahak. Then it all goes to gos se. Emaliza appears. She sweeps through the doors and presents the orb of dragon kind to the dragon.
“I will hold him, now do it!”
“Emaliza no! He agreed to let us try! I beg you not to do this!”
“What is the meaning of this!?” Mengkare roars. I have no words to say to this. I feel like a fool. I feel craven and depraved. Against my better judgement I had believe in my friends, my religion that we should have faith in Emaliza. As my faith dictated I have given her a chance and she has uses it to stab us in the back. I failed to secure a peaceful outcome. Everyone looks at her as my resolve hardens and I come to a decision. I have errored but I will not follow this corrupting path. He may have done great evil but enslaving him is not right. I will not allow mengkare to be enslaved or any living creature to feel that pain again. I activate the cloak and begin to wrestle the orb out of Emalizas hands much to the groups shock.
“Run Mengkare!”
“What are you doing!?” She shouted confused.
“What I should have done to begin with!” Mengkare begins to cast a recognizable spell, trying to subdue her as I tussle to no effect. Emaliza activates the orb and my pulse quickens as Mengkare slumps on his stone throne. I need to stop this. Now. I expected I’d be fighting alone in this, Eliza being the most vocal as I push her far from my mind and hearing. My heart rises as I see Nadja rush to my aid. It would have brought me to tears to have someone believe in me had things not been so pressing. She swipes the orb and runs far from the two of us as the guards have Emaliza flanked and me at her back. Then suddenly she is gone, then she’s running for the exit. Ah s**! I start running with the guards, Nadja not to far at my heels. She tries to place a stone wall to block us but with the celestial armor and Nadja winged boots Were able to fly over it. Then she dimension doors far out of our reach and runs outside. Nadja is able to land a few devastating arrows into her but she is too far to chase anymore, not if we want to explain to the dragon what has happened. Me and Nadja return to chaos. The few of our group left behind didn’t the worst of any situation. They are attacking Mengkare. Now there is no way for this to end peacefully if there ever was a chance before Emaliza smashed it to pieces. Mengkare has torn up everyone and a peice of me hurts seeing them like this. Mengkare has a claw raised, about to strike chi down till suddenly a arrow Pericles straight through the dragons heart. All our eyes widen, Nadja stands in the door dumbstruck as Eliza bleeds on the floor. Everyone is silent as mengkare falls. I don’t have a moment to lose. Stabilizing Eliza I rush to the dragon and clutch my hands over the wound.
“Sarenrea! I beg of you please! Do not take him yet!” My hands radiate with light as I cast miracle, pleading to raise him back from death but my plea goes unanswered.
“It is not time yet.” A whisper echos. I don’t understand. My hands tremble as I feel myself eaten alive by my guilt and shame. The guards act poorly to the death of their leader and attack us. Both wizard and Druid kill one of them. The same man I ran with moments ago. We can hear the sounds of more guards approaching. We need to leave now. Nadja catches a ride on Miklos in his dragon form as the spellcasters make themselves invisible. I don’t have a clue we’re Bill is. The guard swipes at me and cuts a long jagged wound up my shoulder. I simply stare at him before casting my eyes away and flying off. He’s dead. A nations ruler and a innocent guard are dead because we lacked greatly in this meeting. My companions are injuried Because I failed to protect them. This might be why Sarenrea did not grant me my desperate miracle. I could have saved his life with breath of life but I had feared he would not stop if I had. I didn’t have faith in him when it mattered and I wasn’t there to stop him from hurting my companions despite how much we differ. Returning to the captain of the guards was painful, looking into her eyes hurt. The city is out for our heads and Emaliza has already told everyone we are responsible. We have no choice but to flee the city and complete the ritual back at the citadel. Bill informed us he has a elixir that can restore the fallen monarch but we’ll have to finish our business within the week otherwise it will be too late. It eases my heart that atleast we can still save him and complete our mission. The captain will secure Mengkares body as we face our finial challenge. With a plan in motion Eliza teleports us and the professor into Mengkares treasure hold to collect any funds needed for the ritual and magic items that could aid us in the finial battle. I pause at the star pillar sculptor, surprised to see a familiar but ancient name amongst the carved letters of the poem. Dou Brawl. The midnight lord name before his corruption. The appearance of this here echos somberly in me but I push this away. There is much to do and little time to ponder. We take the spoils and vanish back through the gate.
——-

Four days of transferring runes, studying the ritual and fortifying armor and we stand ready amongst the portals of Elsettas ring. With the materials in pace me and Eliza stand in the ritual circle and begin the casting as the professor orchestrates the spell and everyone links hands. She speaking is occult and arcane words as I raise my voice as Sarenreas herald to guide our passage, protect us from the harms of alsettas landing so we may vanquish the imprisoned god of destruction. The rush of power hits us full force, a wave of energy seized out very souls and infuses us. When I open my eyes again we have charged ever subtlety. I can not put into words what has been done to us but I feel electrified by it. With the ritual complete we activate the portals and step through them. We step into a large circular room, two massive insect like monstrosity’s before us. It becomes apparent what has changed as we easily shrug off blows and channel holy energy into these beasts with each strike. They fall to us and I bind there injuries as we take in what is before us. There are six gates and a tear in the fabric of reality against a wall leading to a pleasant field. Of course we choose the curious rift first.
Turns out someone lives here. The elven creator of alsettas ring himself though not all of him. He is a pleasant and jovial man who asks us feverishly about our adventures. We sit at his table sharing tea and muffins as we exchange stories. It soon becomes apparent to me as we speak that he isn’t a fresh and blood being anymore. He is an echo of that person, playing out this mans identity, unaware he is already long dead. His current knowledge of events is far in the past. I’m tipped off to this by our asking about the gates. They match the same as the ones in the material realm but he tells me that kintargo is a chalxian state. This I know is false so there is no telling if those portals will open to echos of past or projections of current events. Sadly time grows short and we have to leave his company and his cozy home. We set our minds towards dream gate and step though.

Arun