Sunday
April 14th 1428 Imperial Calendar
The dragon had revealed that the apprentice outside in
the wood was the last to possess the master’s ring.
The ring of Laric was necessary to avoid many of the pitfalls
and enchantments associated with the tower. A quick search
of the apprentices hut revealed the ring. The dragon knew
his only opportunity for release was with the ring. he
had tried everything in his arsenal trying to escape. eventually
he went into hibernation anticipating the opportunity before
him.
Now Enzo with Laric’s ting stood before the dragon.
The unnatural darkness had abated as a sign of trust from
the dragon. Enzo could plainly see the dragon had not aged
since entering his slumber and remained a dragon of some
fifty years maturity. He was a youthful dragon, but any
dragon was lethal and Enzo knew it. In the end Enzo released
the dragon from his bonds. As the dragon cautiously departed
the room, wary of trickery or ambush. Enzo called after
him. “The chains that bound you. What was the phrase
of binding?” Turning his sparkling obsidian head
he call out “With this ring and my word I bind thee”.
Turning toward the stairs The dragon Calphalon descended.
At the base the wizard Casper and the Celeste we unable
to face the radiant power of the dragon, fleeing to an
antechamber for safety. Calphalon stopped briefly in the
main room, passing a studious eye across the room. Once
satisfied he departed and took wing. Enzo followed the
dragon and watched until he disappeared behind the canopy
of the trees.
With the dragon gone the stairs were clear and the party
could proceed. The dragons room was nothing more than a
cell with a chain bolted to a heavy pillar. Further up
the stair the party moved to a landing with three doors
visible down the hall. Mouse quickly went to work on the
doors. The first room looked to be an unused guest room.
THe next some kind of a waste collection room. The end
of the hall held a door with a room number attached to
it. The number 13 hung from the door. Using additional
caution Mouse determined that it could be opened, but suggested
that the someone else open the door. A flash of magic light
discharged with the opening of the door and madness descended
on the rogue. Corman, who had volunteered to to open the
door saw a marked difference in Mouse’s countenance.
In an attempt to subdue Mouse Corman attempted to trip
him, thereby making him easier to subdue. The attempt backfired
and now Corman found himself flat on his bak at the feet
of a maddened hit-man. Enzo attempted to grapnel Mouse
from behind only to be rebuffed by his flashing dagger.
Desperation was growing in Mouse’s eyes. Triggering
the poison capsuel in the scabbard of his short sword he
prepared to play for keeps. Enzo attempted to strike with
the flat of his blade, but mouse was to quick for the precarious
blows. As Mouse’s eyes measured the threats against
him seeking to quiet an opponent Casper asserted his will
from the top of the stairs. “Hold!” The words
rang out in the narrow hall and Mouse ceased his aggression.
The party, knowing the skill set of the rogue and aware
of his maddened state was in a quandary as to how to keep
him from hurting anyone in the party. Then Enzo remember
the chains that bound the dragon and the charm that would
activate them. Using the time while Mouse was still under
Casper’s control to strip him of his lethal tools.
They bound him to the chains.
Regrouping at the door that had caused Mouse to go mad
the party moved inside. It was a wizard’s laboratory.
Standing on the workbench was a tiny electric blue goblin.
He introduced himself as XXXXX and announced that he was
a familiar. His contract to Laric had expired some years
ago and he was looking for a new contract. Casper quickly
interview the goblin and discovered wondrous advantage
to the little goblins company. Without a second thought
Casper slew his current familiar. Taking the penalty of
separation in exchange for the goblins promised powers.
With the room secure and a new member added to the party
they pressed onward to the stairs. |
