"Lin...look there at tha subtle ridge!"
Points it out
"I bet we could rest there!"
"Yes that should work. If we dig out a small section in the back we should be out of sight. As long as we set watches we should be fine." Maiathreen adds to Bel's suggestion.
Damian peers into the horizon, looking at the ridge and sizing it up. "Yes, that will do. We can get some rest, but we must fly hard tomorrow and the day after to reach Izmir before they do. We do not have the luxury of time, unfortunately, not while we carry our cursed cargo, and not while the Dragonflight looms over the Shining City. Rest, eat, heal, but prepare for a long, hard flight tomorrow." He lands Keythan, Brook nearly collapsing in exhaustion from the mount's back. He unbridles the griffon to give him an opportunity to rest, quietly whispering thanks for his dedicated service. He tries to meet with all of the Skyknights, checking on their health and welfare before starting to tend to his own wounds.
The pain of his burned skin is nearly unbearable, but he grits his teeth and blocks out the pain. He focuses on the tactical situation, thinking of how he can best return into Izmir with acceptable risk. Damian grimaces as he considers the Warbanians. He doesn't like sellswords in general, and the men of Warbane are sellswords to a man. He has yet to meet a Warbanian who wouldn't break an oath if there was enough gold on the other side. Still, the Warbanians are the allies of Izmir ('for now,' he thinks to himself). He wishes that he could check on them, but it would take too much time even with Keythan or Tora'an's speed. "While we are on watch, keep an eye out for the Warbanians. Alert me if you see them so we can perhaps connect with them in the field."
"Sir Damian."
Wand Cure Moderate Wounds
my count is that is 75/76
my count is
"Lin and I are in the best shape, I will hold the watch throughout the night, all of you should get some much needed rest. If you would relieve me in the morning Lady Aylaeth then I can get what little rest I need."
Aylaeth nods as she follow along with Damian's words, once again pleased and impressed by the Skyknight's good wisdom and tactical sense. When he finishes she immediately replies "Of course sir! Your plan is a perfectly sound one. Tora'an and I will be happy to scout ahead in advance and make sure we have sufficient strength with us to guide all the rest of you back in safely. We would leave now, but even Tora'an must rest sometimes." as her strokes his life-friend affectionately. "We will leave first thing in the morning though."
As Belsarious and Mai point out the ridge Aylaeth nods again, pleased with how well the party and their various skills seemed to go together.
Allowing Tora'an to guide himself in for a landing, once down, she immediately begins brushing him down, a comforting ritual they have performed together a thousand times and more. While doing this she sends Ada'an off to retrieve the wand of healing from Livain once she is done with it.
Somewhat later, when Min proposes the watch arrangement, she nods agreeing and says "It shall be as you say Min, however Tora'an and Ada'an shall also watch as well, as they need no sleep at all."
She then prepares herself for rest, her armor and weapon close at hand.
Her dreams this night are particularly powerful and change her more than she could have imagined.
Somewhat later, when Min proposes the watch arrangement, she nods agreeing and says "It shall be as you say Min, however Tora'an and Ada'an shall also watch as well, as they need no sleep at all."
Min nods to Lady Aylaeth just before he dismounts and begins removing the saddle from Lin's sore back. Once he's pulled everything off of her, and Lin starts flexing her sore muscles, Min digs out a set of potions from his saddle bags. He approaches Lady Aylaeth and presents her with the potions "These set of potions of Invisibility may come in useful if you need to avoid detection. Since I carry another they have proven less useful for us. If you plan on breaking through to Izmir you will need them." He bows to her before withdrawing and getting to cleaning Lin's scales, he did his best to remove the scuffs that Valkk had caused but was relieved to find her mostly unharmed.
As all of you settle down, leaving Min and Lin at watch, the bloated red sun sets through a terrible haze of smoke, washing everything in an unpleasant hue and soaking the fields of the plains in blood-red light.
Aylaeth relays to you all that when she left Izmir, the city was still under siege, on all sides, but that the black dragonflight was still being kept at bay. In short, it sounds like things have changed very little in the weeks you've been in pursuit of your mission, which is of course both bad and good. When the sylph left the Shining City, the last intel she was made privy to was that Captain Merit was going to lead a feint to the exposed north flank of the Dragonflight, hoping to draw troops away so Captain Coyne and his First Airborne could sneak out with less chance of interference on some mission that was kept utterly secret.
While Min continued to scrub down Lins scales, she kept silent watch. It was easy to see though thr at the pair were arguing quietly about something. Not with words though, but through the bond.
Even though Min was vigorously scrubbing down Lins scales, he was keeping a wary eye behind her as she was simultaneously watching behind him.
Aylaeth Perception:
Tora'an Perception:
Ada'an Perception:
'Why do you struggle for that which is already yours sister? Why do you try so hard to gain gifts which have already in you? You do not need trinkets and toys to be Who You Are cousin, you Are power. It is your birthright. The magic is yours to command, simply Let It Be.' the Voice had been whispering to her all night, showing things she could do, things she should. While at first she resistied soon her brilliant mind saw the benefit of the new way. For the rest of her dreamlees she allowed herself to reshaped, redisigned. When she wakesa, she knows sahe is different, she can Feel power humming through herself. Quiet, having much to think on, she rises and dons her armor, then relieves Min from his watch
As Min finished brushing Lin down, and was packing the kit away, he found his companion delving into his thoughts again. She was still trying to understand how he remained so calm during the battle, so resolved. He only slipped when Valkk appeared to have had the upper hand, but even now he was focused. From what he could read from the bond. She had went from being energized about the change to being slightly curious, but her delving wasn't invasive, so he let her wander where she would and eventually she sighed and gave up. Apparently she could not find the memory he had of his bonding with the lifebow... Curious.
Once everyone had bedded down they started talking quietly, the bond was much to erratic to speak through. They both could feel changes taking place, how serious it would be this time they weren't sure. Min was certain that it would be a long watch for him tonight, thankfully he would not be alone for part of it. But the changes in the bond weren't the main topic of discussion.
It was their varying views again and of course they were arguing in draconic...
"You pray for others yet not for yourself? It is not selfish to seek guidance from the gods Min."
Min scoffed at his companion as he tucked away his worn brush kit back in their saddlebags. "Load of help they were when we running for our lives in Heartland, hell I bet Hoppsville was feeling the divine the night they lost half their village..."
Lin shook her large head, sometimes her rider could be so dense. "The gods cannot intervene in every battle Min, these things happen for a reason."
Min wanted to throw his hands in the air, Lin frustrated him with this constant flip flopping. "I won't seek help from those who stand idle and let this happen..." He indicated the bleak and burned terrain around them.
Lin surveyed the land and bowed her head, her rider had a point but... "What of Jacob then?" She had wanted to speak more but Min gave her a glare that stilled her tongue.
"What of Jacob? He swore never to kill and picked up a fallen blade only because we were being over run Lin, the bastards had us and all of a sudden Jacob was death with blade and spell. It shouldn't have happened. It was a tragedy..."
Lin brought her face in close to her rider as she scowled back at him. "It was a and you know it. We couldn't protect them all and whatever power that urged him to take up the sword at that moment, saved more lives then you wish to admit Min. He was a Holy Orator in Heartland and he was able to banish the fear of our soldiers while urging them to fight on..."
Min whipped a hand across his tired brow as he tried to not show his anger. They shouldn't have started this, not now. "He also damned himself for breaking his vows. Min shook slightly as he suppressed his anger further. [/b][/smaller]"Soldiers? Oh you mean the boys and children I had to train to wield bows and pikes. I wonder which god we should thank for putting them on the front lines and forcing a man of peace to throw away his vows."[/b][/smaller]
Lin raised her head and looked down at her rider as he stared back at her, both of them were fierce in their beliefs and she knew pushing him would only make him dig in. "I would like to believe that the gods of good and righteousness do not hold tight to their followers and instead trade them so that great wrongs can be righted. We all have a dual purpose in this world, why shouldn't we when it comes to serving the greater good?"
Min glared fiercely at Lin. "You make it sound like we are coins in Abadar's purse being bought and sold to Iomeadae when she needs a new sword. Like our lives are easily spent for their greater good. You know why I pray Lin, I pray for others because I hope one day they may listen and protect an innocent. In the meantime though we endeavor bring low those who exist here and now. The Black Dragonflight, the furies, Valkk and any other who takes pleasure in causing pain. Gods be damned Lin, we have done good this day, why do you bring this to the fore again?"
She rose to her feet and moved to settle by their saddlebags, she would have to try again when Min was less fired up. Valkk was plaguing his thoughts, along with what the flaming catapult rounds were made up of. Her thoughts were blurry, she was so tired that she could barely stand all of a sudden. "You believed once Min, I would like to see that again. That's all. You have come far though in such a short time my rider. Perhaps this journey has done us some good."
Min approached his soul companion, his bonded dragon, his anger faded away like dust in the wind. It was hard to stay angry at her, she was still so Naive of the world, she though him dense but she still had so much to learn. "I will believe again when they give me reason to Lin, i've said this before and you know it. Not get some sleep you great lizard. We have work to do on the morrow."
He stroked her neck caringly as she laid her head down, keeping the saddlebags tight against her side and looking at Min with tired eyes.
"You... shouldn't be so... hars... you coul... I nnnn... oooo... lll....arr..."
Her words were slurring together, she was mumbling most of it as Min smiled down at her rolling eyes. Todays flight had taken a lot out of her and despite being tired himself he had work to do. As he picked up Avenaada, he moved to take up position at the center of camp. Using his superior vision to stare out across the blackened field around them as the smoke shadow moon rose above them.
As the hours passed the shooting pains he had felt were worsening, the bond felt like it was trying to tear its way out of his skull and his skin burned with a tingling sensation as well. It felt like ice and fire were dancing across his skin. He knew the bond was changing again, along with Lin and himself. He couldn't help but wonder, What would she look like tomorrow? Hell, what would he look like?
As his hands shook he tried to look calm to his fellow watchers, but soon he noticed Ayleath's strange companions looking at him. At least the pegasus was, he couldn't tell if the helmet had eyes...
The pegasus though eyed him knowingly as the other slowly floated in place. Trying to avoid them waking the others he tried to assuage their worries and feign feeling fine. Sadly neither one was buying it though and, before Ada'an woke his mistress, Min quietly moved over to them. "Best keep this under-wraps you two, for your mistress sake at least. If you must know whats going on, its the bond a dragon and rider shares, it... Changes, so to speak. Great changes cause many after effects. What is to come I don't know, but I am fine. Waking any of them will do us no good, the bond will do as it does..."
Damian tries to get some rest, easily slipping into a deep sleep while Min takes the first watch. As a soldier, he had long developed the ability to sleep easily and quickly, ready to awake and fight at a moment's notice. After such a fierce battle, and the ensuring crash after the rush of adrenaline, slipping into a deep sleep feels great. He awakens after a few hours, stretching his sore body. Belsarious's magical healing, from wand that the strange man seemed to produce from somewhere on his person, healed his body but taxed his spirit. He straps his armor back on, the familiar weight a welcome burden. He lets Brook sleep, all tangled up in his bedroll with his teenage limbs splayed in all directions, but awakens Keythan. He whispers to Keythan to take off and enjoy some quiet flight time, free of the reins and saddle. He thinks to himself that it will do his griffon some good to enjoy himself in such a manner, and knows that the mount is loyal enough to return and smart enough to keep an eye out.
"Who felt tha rift o broken souls as we flew through? I feel tis important how much power have tha dead or tha spirits if harvested by a force?"
Perception
"I wish Dolo were here tah give ideas tha might set mah mind at ease."
To Her.
In the far west a ball of energy briefly appears, expanding outward like a soap bubble being blown, until it winks out. The thunder of clawed paws and hooves is heard cruising not far from your campsite, both south and north. They come no closer than maybe a quarter mile from your camp, careful investigation reveals dark riders; some sort of spirit warriors clad in black in armor and bearing a standard that is a field of black, with sharpened bones crossed like swords. Black dragonflight cavalry and regular ground troops escort them. They number well into the hundreds and travel seemingly in all directions.
Weird creatures with elongated noses are guided along by dragonflight-allied Kuthites, at one point one of these beasts snuffles questioningly toward your hill, but a wind comes up and its handler jerks its chain, causing it to grunt and wheeze and continue on its path.
Erinyes zip past overhead, but do not see you.
Strange and horrible new demons and devils walk by, cavorting and prancing on pincered hooves and spindly spiderlike legs, spewing blood, dripping effluvia and mucus, leaving trails of offal and maggots and horror. They all go north.
A legion or more of Dark Paladins -- Antipaladins, really -- march by in strict formation, also headed north, all armed to the teeth and wearing bitter armor and hoisting blasphemous banners to the night sky.
Worst of all, there is a shroud over the stars, and you could swear two constellations were brighter than they had been, or perhaps were entirely new; the Dragon, and the Skull.
It is not a restful night.
As the sun struggles up over the horizon, you all begin preparations for today's flight. There is a strange and foreboding feeling in the air though none can pin down just what it might be coming from. To the west, there is a strange and colorful cloud of some sort; it looks like a duststorm.
Blasting in from the east, to everyone's dismay, is a ruinstorm. It is zig-zagging along at a lazy speed, but is definitely coming towards you. You are unsure whether your makeshift shelter could stand up to the fury of such a thing, though it seems unlikely.
As the dark creatures stalked the night, Min kept his lifebow close, with an arrow nocked, as he kept he vigilant during his long watch. With all the evil slithering about them he had begun to welcome the growing pain as the Bond evolved, twisted and changed. Jacobs words echoed in his mind, and he looked towards his sleeping companion. He mumbled to himself as he watched her sleep. "Long after I have turned to dust, she will still be alive to carry on the fight. I hope she becomes a symbol, one people could rally too in dark times."
He looked to the sleeping forms of Sir Damian and his squire. Brook will carry on the memories he has of these days and will become greater then even Sir Damian, whose image he will come to reflect in both bearing and manner.
He woke Ayleath around when the sun was supposed to be rising. "time for your watch, I have a lot to tell you. Strange things have been happening tonight..."
Min watches the coming storm warily, as he straps on the saddle bags and readies his gear for another hard day of flying. "Perhaps we should fly higher this time and use the cloud cover to hide us from our enemies?"
"Seems tha mine enemy chose to re-set lines o battle rather than search for us in this wasteland, perchance they believe we flew thorugh tha night an hope to catch us depleted."
Night, Before Bed
As the group prepares itself for their much needed rest Aylaeth responds to the Eldritch Knight's question "Yes Belsarious, I too felt and saw the horror we passed though. I have thought on it and consulted with Ada'an. Between the knowledge of us both I feel quite sure that it was a necromantic working of staggering, terrifying and dire proportions. I believe what were were feeling and witnessing is an immense harvesting of the souls and energy of the dead. The power something on this scale would bestow is immense. From reports and speculations it might even give the power to move the ley lines themselves. As for what entity may be behind it all, I fear it is none other than Veriala herself, leader of the Black Dragonflight. For those of you who do not know, she was an elf when she was alive but became an ethereal creature so she might live forever, and have even greater access to dark, arcane secrets. With the sheer, raw power she is drawing to her now, her might may already be nearing that of the Gods themselves...." Pausing for a moment to let the weight of this statement sink in, the magus continues heavily "Regardless, this information must reach Captain Merit and the Paladine. Should I fall before Izmir, one of you must swear to pass on the warning." as she waits for their reply the magus also wishes the famous Gnomish scholar were with them, knowing the immense knowledge of her former teacher would be of great value to them. She only hopes she fill his great shoes. She is determined to do her best.
Tora'an and Ada'an keep a silent vigil throughout the night with Min. At the sight and sense of the dark and evil forces passing by the pure goodness and the unwavering determination and valor of the celestial pair are a great comfort to the half-elven scout. Knowing there is little they could do against such a force at the moment they merely stand fast and viligent should any of the evil veer dangerously close.
When Min begins to go through his changes, depsite his brave efforts to hide his suffering both perceptive celestials notice. Tora'an much more so than Ada'an though as the little familiar seems distracted and keeps flying over to his mistress to check on her tossing and turning sleeping form. The pegasus lord though stares intently at the dragon rider and when Min requests their silence on what had befallen him the magical winged steed merely continues his stare, no sound escaping him.
When the immense host of deadly evil creatures and beings pass by the two celestials stand rigid in their fury that such evil should freely walk the land. It seems to be only a miracle of the gods that their shining forms are not seen by any of the foul multitude of their natural and sworn enemies that pass by. Even though it may seem the Light is receding from the land, in these two beings at least, large and small, the Light and Truth of Hope burns Strong and True.
Next Morning
As Ayleath is woken by Min for her watch she sits up, feeling that simple yet profound changes have come over her. The wisps of her potent dream begin to drift away yet whispers remain, somehow imparting to her the new and changed abilities now hers to command. Through all of this though, as she pust on her armor she listens to the terrifying and utterly grim reports from the half-elf and her familiar on all that had transpired the night before. The weight of the evil against them and the difficulty of the task before them makes her armor feel twice as heavy as it normally does. Nodding without reply she bids good night to Min, wishing him a restful sleep as she can she the pain and strain of the long night clearly on his face. Walking over to Tor'an, she lays her hands on each side of his large head and the two simply stare deeply into each other's eyes, sharing in the unspoken communication they have been able to bond in throughout their entire lives. Her burdens eased by the infinite well of the Pegasus Lord's confidence and determination she strokes him affectionately as the three of them maintain the last part of the watch and her companions fill her in on the tribulations of the Dragon Rider the night before. Looking over at Min she thinks to herself 'There is such great depth to that one, depth he himself may not even be aware of, although I am sure Lin must know. He is destined for great things that one, of this I am sure.'
As the others finally wake and begin the preparations for the dangerous day ahead of them Aylaeth does the same, making sure to share with the others all that had transpired the night before, although she keeps Min's personal challenges to herself.
Nodding in reply to both Belsarious and Min she says "You are both right. There if little chance we can fight our way through such a force on our own. Flying high and fast is our only chance."
She then approaches their commander saying "I still feel your plan for my companions and I to fly in advance to prepare an escort is a sound one Sir, yet perhaps it would be best I do so tomorrow for I feel our strength may be needed to help us all make it through this day." she waits patiently for his answer, ready and willing to follow whatever command her superior officer gives her.
"Sadly my friend I think they weren't moving their battle lines, they were more then likely reinforcing their hold on this area. While looking for us, because there was no possible way we could have made it to Izmir. Not with three days of hard flying ahead of us and our injuries... Best we get packed continue northwar..."
Min paused as the pain swelled in his chest, he leaned heavily on Lin while she looked down at him. The bond was still hammering against his skull like a hammer an anvil. With a quick breath he stood straight again and fastened the last couple of belts on the riding saddle. "We should use as much of the smoke and cloud cover to mask our escape as we can. Let us pirece the heavens and feel the cold sun again..."
Min nodded to Ayleath and her companions as she got ready to depart. "Best of luck to you and yours friend Ayleath, hopefully those potions help."
"I shall bear tha message you have spoken, if not I then another of the ones assembled here."
"Who among us still is not refreshed to his fullest?"
"Neither of us is completely healed my friend." Maiathreen says as he stands alleviating some of his sore muscles. ::Yes the Boss and his wife decided there was to much going on to tell you all about their injuries. Apparently they thought it wasn't important. I tried to concince them otherwise but I am only a sword apparently. Rather than an artifact of great intelligence.:: Servais quips into the mind of Belsarious.
"How much so? I beleive one of us holds a wand o lesser energies, lest we waste more energy than tha wound needs; show your injuries an let us decide which magic to use!"
Here's our wand it might work better for you. Maiathreen says as he pulls out a wand and shows Belsarious the few remaining arrow wounds he has including one that managed to nick his ribs but not causing to much damage.
As you all stretch out and begin to discuss what to do, there is a sudden shift in the air and a chirruping little growl from over by Sir Damian and Keythan and Brook. A muffled "gah!" of surprise escapes the cavalier's lips along with a gasp of surprise from his squire.
Turning, you all see the tiniest dragon you have ever laid eyes on, perched cat-like on the hippogriff's furry back. Keythan seems completely unperturbed by this, and indeed even turns his head around to eye the little creature and give it a friendly shake of his head. It is a little bit larger than a pseudodragon, and has a similarly spiked tail, but its scales are a shining combination of verdant, leaf green and shining copper, each scale alternating color to make a breathtakingly beautiful pattern.
Brook's eyes are wide with wonder and joy and surprise. "A wyverling! No way! No one back home is gonna believe me when they hear this!"
The diminuitive little dragon stretches out and then returns to his sitting position, poised and alert. The more you look at it the more you feel that the wyverling is not a miniature dragon so much as large dragons are blown-up versions of wyverlings. You all hear a pleasant voice, smooth of tone and precise of diction, begin speaking in the back of your head. "Hello Sir Damian, Cavalier of the Silver Flame, Keythan, companion of Sir Damian. It is a pleasure to see you both again. I note that you have lost one companion but gained several new ones. Delightful to meet you all. My name is Vel. I see you are preparing to fly. North, I assume? There is another way, if you wish to hear of it."
This is a Wyverling, known to have many mates, to live and thrive in all environments, though certain color combinations do better in some climes than others, and generally be cautiously friendly creatures. They are quite intelligent, have their own complex societal hierarchy, can communicate in several languages -- including Common -- via telepathy, have miniature versions of large dragons' breath weapons, and can cast some spells. Their scales are always metallic-chromatic combinations.
It is a fairly commonly accepted theory amongst academics and cryptozoologists that Wyverlings are the original dragons of The Land, and a strain of them were bred via magic to be large dragons. Unfortunately this breeding polarized their temperaments and moral compasses, leading to huge dragons of a single color that were either all good or all bad, instead of being more morally complex. They have never been known to hoard treasure like their larger cousins. While friendly, they have tended, historically, to stick to themselves; seeing one is said to be a sign of tremendous good luck. Additionally, you have noted as a sidebar to your studies that throughout history, it is very common for extraordinary individuals to either have Wyverling companions, familiars, or to be close to someone with such a companion. They are a sort of...indicator of historical significance, of greatness.
Thankfully Min's reactions had been slowed by the changes in the bond, as he turned to look at what the commotion was. He sighed as he saw something unexpected sitting on Keythan. "Who is that Lin? A cousin of yours?"
Lin was watching the small wyverling with a curious expression, she was entranced by its scales and smaller size. She was also curious on how it had snuck up on all of them so easily. "A Wyverling, I don't know much of them Min. Much is surround in vague facts, rumors, legend or speculation. But its presence here is a good sign at least." She rumbles pleasurably at Vel as she bows her head respectfully to the newcomer. "A pleasure to meet you Vel. I am Lindórievórea and this my rider Min." Min smiles broadly at Vel and nods as the Wyverling acknowledges him. "We would be glad to hear what you have to say. "
"You have my thanks Min, we shall put them to the best use possible and I am sure they will be a great help."
Knowledge(nature):
Knowledge(history):
Aylaeth stares in scholarly fascination at the Wyverling. She had studied about them before of course but couldn't quite seem to bring the knowledge to mind but she nodded along as Lin spoke, her words sounding correct to the magus. She then turns to Ada'an, emotionally inquiring her familiar if he can add anything else.
Meanwhile she looked to Damian for his response. Of course a alternate route would be almost certainly be better, but it was their leader's decision to make.
Min bows his head to Lady Aylaeth. "We were lucky to be gifted them by Captain Merit of Izmir himself and with three in my company I cannot use them. I'd hate to see them waste away when they could protect someone else from evil."
Maiathreen seems surprised for the first time that any of the sky knights can recall as he seems at a loss for words. "A…a wyverling?! But I…we were told you were extinct. I mean it is an honor to meet one such as you Vel."
::Oh sure it's an honor to meet him but was he honored the first time he met me? No in fact he'd probably say he was cursed with me. What do I need to grow scales and a wings and tail?::
"Extinct an unseen are two very different things."
Vel bobs his head once. "Your friend the wood elf speaks wisely; long have we existed, and long shall we, seen but rarely if we have anything to say about it. Rumors of our extinction would be just fine with us, we can always fly by some poor traveler if a reminder is required of our existence for those who might stray too far from the old ways."
After the surprise of Vel's appearance wears off, Damian smiles at the little dragonling, remembering its friendliness and the mysterious disappearance of the Black Dragonflight forces last time it showed up. How it keeps landing on Keythan, he doesn't quite understand. Perhaps the two of them worked out an understanding. "Vel, it's good to see you again. Your gift was much appreciated at our last meeting." He gives a significant, friendly look at Vel before continuing. "Can I offer you any refreshment or a shared meal? The oncoming storm beckons, but that's no reason to skip breakfast." Normally, that would be a perfect reason to skip breakfast, but Damian remembers their last meeting. "We would be most pleased to have your assistance, master dragon, if you will but show us the way."
"Breakfast is always welcome, Sir Knight." Vel's voice is swathed in dignity and refinement, as if he were king of a great nation. As you all eat, Min and Aylaeth, both of them always scouting, keep eyeing the baleful, anvil-shaped clouds that are weaving towards your position across the battered plains. Finally, when it appears that things are too close for comfort, Vel leaps up, his tiny wings a riot of color in the strained sun.
"Come then, my friends, as I introduce you to a secret five thousand years old, older than any of your respective races on this Land. From the time of the Dragon God Kalaroth. Come!" The wyverling darts off on a northwest heading, flying with surprising speed for one so tiny. To the north you see enemy camps dotting the landscape and devils and black dragons flying about. The way seems impossibly difficult and dark.
After about two solid hours of travel, Vel flits down to the ground in the middle of an anonymous field. There are no discernable landmarks of any sort. "This is it!" he announces proudly, his voice still ringing in your heads. "Behold! A dragon door of Kalaroth."
You see nothing.
Years of surviving Heartlands rough lands made spotting the slight depression easily, Lin rumbled pleasurably at the thought of it being a dragon door of Kalaroth. She wanted to know more about this Kalaroth. "Forgive my ignorance Vel, but perhaps you could tell me more of ?"
AS Lin spoke Min gestured to the slight depression before dismounting. "Looks like something is buried here friends. Lin if you wouldn't mind helping me."
Lin rumbled with laughter as she brushed her rider aside. "Your far too small to dig quickly, besides my claws will turn the earth far more quickly." Lin continued to listen to Vel as she prepared to turn dig up whatever was hidden in the ground.
Survival
"Indeed as if a giant footprint came to rest upon tha earth here."
"Where is tha door an how dost it open?"
Aylaeth and her companions followed with the other after Vel. When they stop around the depression in the earth the Magus has Tora'an remain airborne for the moment as they continuously scan for any sign of danger and a nervous eye on the two dangerous cloud fronts.
Damian looks around, seeing nothing. Even with Min pointing the way, he can't see it, but he trusts the half elf's keen eyes. "Vel, my friend, what is a dragon door, and who is Kalaroth? I am a simple soldier, and not knowledgeable in these things. What does the door open to?"
Min knew nothing of this Kalaroth and instead looked inward as he tried to remember the stories of the ancient Tuathan hero, Tinuvelfaer. He hadn't been a god, yet he overcame armies of demons with nothing but brave soldiers, his eldritch skills and his faith in Ketephys. What intrigued him most though was how did Tinuvelfaer overcome such great obstacles?
Min stood quietly with Avenaada in hand as he watched out for unseen foes, he tried not to distract himself with his deep thinking. But sadly he was very distracted...
Vel gives an embarrassed little cough, then you again hear his voice in your heads.
"Ah heh. Ah heh-heh. Terribly sorry. It's a bit buried, you'll have to dig. In the ancient past, in the times when dragons ruled, these doors existed as ways to travel from place to place when ruinstorms were about, or slake moths in mating season, or time sinks. Hazards that now have mostly left this Land, except for the odd ruinstorm here and there, all of which are faint and faded versions of the great horrid crashing waves of destruction that used to skim over the Land; shameful shadows of what used to be. Without so much need for them, the doors fell into disuse and were covered over by soil and grasses. But they're still here. Dragons built things meant to endure."
Vel hops up and flies around the borders of a decently large square in the ground, and now you all see what Belsarious and Lin and MIn pointed out; a slight depression in the ground where something like a door could indeed be buried.
"We'd best hurry," says Vel mildly, "as that storm will be on us before too long. You'll all fit with no difficulty, but I apologize in advance if things are a bit musty. These don't get used much anymore."
But the rumor was there that Kalaroth would return to destroy the gods that bound him so long ago. It was said the approaching Confluence was the sign of his return, not anyone else's ascendancy.
Much of this was beyond your understanding, and you knew the memories weren't really yours but some artifact of the work they did to you. But still; you have the words. You heard the things that the creatures and warriors of the black dragonflight spoke in fear.
@Aylaeth: Ada'an makes a tch sound. "I am sorry mistress, but the time master Vel speaks of pre-dates my time of creation by some millenia. I have encountered the name Kalaroth only once in all my long years; it is a little-known constellation, visible here in the Land only once every several centuries due to the vagaries of the movements of galaxies across the multiverse. I believe, in fact, that this constellation will be visible in a just a few months' time. Isn't that a funny coincidence?"
"I do not believe in coincidence Ada'an, as you well know. We live in an ordered universe and nothing happens by chance." even though she knows she can not see the stars by day, she cannot help but glance up at the sky as she speaks.
Her glance does though remind her of the closeness of the approaching storms and she immediately commands Tora'an to land and add his great strength to the digging effort while she still keeps a sharp eye on the sky and land about from the ground.
"Known are tha locations o all tha doors, this knowledge might serve us in ways yet unknown. How many doors, an do they each go to anyother door or to a spscific door? If tha destination is covered ken tha door still be used?"
"Is a door within tha trackless wood?"
DM
Belsarious would like the locations/destination information for all the doors.... ;)
Livain's eyes widen at the sight of the Wyverling and suddenly remembers to be polite and gives a greeting through a small nod. She whispers to Maiathreen how beautiful and small Vel is and she has never seen anything like it. It's a pleasure to meet you Sir Vel my name is Livain and this is my husband Maiathreen.