Not understanding Elven, Jakun turns to Thistle and asks, "My friend, where did you come by this?"
He places it in his backpack for further study in a less dangerous place.
Jakun then looks to Mariel, "While I would agree that we should aid Blaize, we have spent very little time investigating these Halls, our purpose for coming here. We gave already lost a day due to the crippling injuries suffered yesterday, I do not know if we can afford to lose another, even for a just cause".
Caitlyn replied to Blaize in elvish, "Oh so there are lots of metallic dragons. Where on Krynn are they hiding then, and why? The chromatic dragons are abroad, unchecked."
Jakun then looks to Mariel, "While I would agree that we should aid Blaize, we have spent very little time investigating these Halls, our purpose for coming here. We gave already lost a day due to the crippling injuries suffered yesterday, I do not know if we can afford to lose another, even for a just cause".
Caitlyn gave Jackun a sour look, he was right again! Sounding unhappy, she states "Every hour that passes is one that brings them closer to their doom."
"Is Solamnic...or Ergot...enough?" Blaize said to Jakun, trying each language in turn. He spoke them in a very archaic, formal style. "I've never heard of Abanasinian. Or this Fallen Prince."
"Of course there are...hundreds of us... In the war... How goes the war?"
Blaize took in what Mariel, Caitlyn, and Thistletorp said. He gently brushed the kender's topknot with his head, affectionately.
"If you vouch for the wizard then I will not slay him," the dragon said. "But I know what I smell. An infection like his might rise up at any moment. You would do well to watch him."
"And yes...there are many more of my kind."
Thistletorp giggles as the dragon rubs his topknot. "Heehee! You're such a nice dragon! See!! I knew all dragons weren't bad! The stories were true! Just like when I went to the moon! "
He giggles again, and absently rubs Blaize's head as he Jakun inspects the vial, already losing interest in a found object. "I dunno how it got in my pockets. It just did. Things are very sneaky like that! Always wandering off and ending up in innocent kenders' pockets!"
"You never can be too cautious with things, you know. " He whispers in Blaize's ear. "They're sneaky. Cabbages are the worst! One ended up being a poison and nearly tricking my uncle Thistledown into drinking him and poisoning an whole village! And, that's why you should never trust wagon wheels."
"Is Solamnic...or Ergot...enough?" Blaize said to Jakun, trying each language in turn. He spoke them in a very archaic, formal style. "I've never heard of Abanasinian. Or this Fallen Prince."
"Of course there are...hundreds of us... In the war... How goes the war?"
Jakun looks confused, not a look he often wears, "War? What War Mighty Dragon? My understanding is that there were three Dragon Wars.
The first, the Dragons of Light and the Elves against the Dragons of Darkness and the Ogres". He spits after he says the word Ogre.
"The Second involved the Elves versus the Dragons of Darkness and the Ogres and Lizard Men. The Dragons of Light eventually entered the fray saving the elves who through mighty magic finally defeated their foes. The mages released terrible fury upon friend and foe leading to the formation of my Order to prevent such from happening again.
Finally, the Dragon War that most know of, the Third. The one from which the Legend of Huma was borne. Huma and the Dragonlance struck the Dark Queen as she entered the world through a portal to the Abyss. In exchange for withdrawing from the world, all Dragons were forced to flee the world leaving it in the hands of the Humans, Elves, Dwarves and other bipedal races.
Most considered the latter portion of the story Myth as no Dragons have been seen since. Neither those of the Light or the Dark. At least until a few months ago where the Dragons of Darkness reappeared. You are the first Dragon of Light we have met or seen.
So tell us Blaize, from what time does your memory come?
Are the Draconians children of Dragons with the other races? I never remember hearing of their ilk in any histories".
The Minotaur sighs once the Dragon does not know who the Fallen Prince is. Then Jakun chuckles, "Yes, the Moon. Remember the what was it? Wolly Mammoth Thistle?"
Blaize, there have been no dragons since the time of Huma. They had become legends, stories told to children. Now, the stories told to children have become nightmares as the shrieking hosts of the Dragon Queen have returned.
If we can restore his sight perhaps he can find the metallic dragons and inform them of our cause and what is taking place. she says sharply to the minotaur.
Jakun raises an eyebrow at the Revered Daughter, "We may but we do so at the expense of the Refugees. I actually agree with you here, finding the Dragons of Light is more important than aiding any ordinary group of Mortals, this includes us.
However, you, Mittens and even Loren have walked among these people. The messages of the Gods of Good have spread among them. With them is belief. With belief hope. Thus, they are not an ordinary band of refugees but the seed through which the world will rediscover Paladine, Mishakal, Kiri-Jolith and the rest.
We face tough choices. However, I will defer to your wisdom in this Revered Daughter". The Minotaur gives her a nod of respect.
Loren listens to the back and forth quietly, for a moment feeling like quite the provincial and sheltered son of a second-rate nobleman. And, once again, he is surprised by the Red Robe. Even if the logic is different, our conclusions are he same. He sighs.
[spoiler=Solamnic]"Forgive us the bastardized use of your tongue, Blaise, and forgive me a moment for speaking in another language you may not understand. I need to speak with my friends."
Switching back to Abanasinian, "I'm inclined to agree with Jakun. If he is like the dragons that fought with Huma, a good dragon, then he is a warrior of light and a servant of Paladine. He would not sacrifice the refugees for himself or a purely military advantage. We should make him comfortable and see to his dignity, but I don't think we can tarry overlong."
He translates this briefly into Solamnic for the dragon, then adds, [spoiler=Solamnic]"I speak of refugees who flee the Dragon Armies of Takhisis. Those that I travel with have rescued them -- and me -- from the prisons of Her forces. We now try to find them a route to the safety of Thorbardin."
[Ooc] too bad cure blindness doesn't count for a healing spell [/b]
Blaize listened to all that was said with some confusion.
"I know the three wars...but who is Huma?" he asked, extremely disturbed. "I have never heard of such a person."
Jakun nods at the Dragon's statement, "Then you must have been trapped here or taken by Fistandantilus and teleported here before the rise of Huma.
Huma apparantly fell in love with and she with him, a Silver Dragon. I believe her name in the stories was Heart. She first met Huma in the guise of a wild elf.
Together they rode to meet the Queen as she entered the world and with the Dragonlance, pierced the Queen nearly slaying her and forcing her away from the world. For some reason, the Dragons of Light were also forced to flee from the world.
This happened at the very end of the Third Dragon War. If you remember the War as still raging then it must be that you were captured in stasis or taken out of time before Huma rose up the ranks of Knighthood and confronted the Dark Queen and her henchman, Galen Dracos the Brown Robe.
What is clear is that the Dragons went...somewhere. Did they leave the world or hide elsewhere? Can you find them and bring them into the War Blaise? If not, I fear that even the Light of the Gods will not be enough to stop these mighty Dark Dragons. Especially with the elves fleeing as cowards and the Order of High Sorcery cowering in their Towers. As if the Dark Queen won't come for them, eventually". A slight bitterness creeps into his voice as he finishes his statement.
"Is Solamnic...or Ergot...enough?" Blaize said to Jakun, trying each language in turn. He spoke them in a very archaic, formal style. "I've never heard of Abanasinian. Or this Fallen Prince."
"Of course there are...hundreds of us... In the war... How goes the war?"
Jakun looks confused, not a look he often wears, "War? What War Mighty Dragon? My understanding is that there were three Dragon Wars.
The first, the Dragons of Light and the Elves against the Dragons of Darkness and the Ogres". He spits after he says the word Ogre.
"The Second involved the Elves versus the Dragons of Darkness and the Ogres and Lizard Men. The Dragons of Light eventually entered the fray saving the elves who through mighty magic finally defeated their foes. The mages released terrible fury upon friend and foe leading to the formation of my Order to prevent such from happening again.
Finally, the Dragon War that most know of, the Third. The one from which the Legend of Huma was borne. Huma and the Dragonlance struck the Dark Queen as she entered the world through a portal to the Abyss. In exchange for withdrawing from the world, all Dragons were forced to flee the world leaving it in the hands of the Humans, Elves, Dwarves and other bipedal races.
Most considered the latter portion of the story Myth as no Dragons have been seen since. Neither those of the Light or the Dark. At least until a few months ago where the Dragons of Darkness reappeared. You are the first Dragon of Light we have met or seen.
So tell us Blaize, from what time does your memory come?
Are the Draconians children of Dragons with the other races? I never remember hearing of their ilk in any histories".
The Minotaur sighs once the Dragon does not know who the Fallen Prince is. Then Jakun chuckles, "Yes, the Moon. Remember the what was it? Wolly Mammoth Thistle?"
...
"Ya!! We should go there again sometime!! I neve got to exploer the other side!"
"Never heard of Huma?" Caitlyn just stared for a moment, "My goodness you've been trapped for a long time then! The age of dreams ended nearly fifteen hundred years ago if the bards are to be believed."
"Never heard of Huma?" Caitlyn just stared for a moment, "My goodness you've been trapped for a long time then! The age of dreams ended nearly fifteen hundred years ago if the bards are to be believed."
"That is...a dragon's span and more," Blaize said. "What the Wizard says... I would slay him now if not for the Revered Daughter's word. He speaks like a madman."
"But if we have gone... There are secret places known only to our kind."
Jakun's nostrils flare, "Then I've no more business with you. If I wish to be slain by a Dragon, I can find foes enough among the Dark Queen's armies.
Aid this creature as you will. I shall continue the search for the Fallen Prince. I see no hope in this one that he would slay allies with no cause. It is clear now why these creatures were all sent away, irrational and dangerous to the rest of the races that worship the Gods..."
Jakun looks around the room for which way to head next.
Would you be able to find these places in your condition, Blaize? she asks in elvish.
Would you be able to find these places in your condition, Blaize? she asks in elvish.
"I can't fly where I cannot see," Blaize said, ignoring Jakun.
Jakun heads back to the Big Hall and considers where to head to next. North has been explored, the west and north also explored. This Hall also had an eastern door.
He turns back, "Thistle, can you come check this door next my friend? Let's hope it does not lead to the moon this time". As the Dragon ignores him, so he ignores it. If it cannot find it's companions and acts belligerent, at best it's spare parts for magical components and at worst a grave threat.
Can you use any of your own magic to change your size so that you might be able to come with us? she inquires.
Can you use any of your own magic to change your size so that you might be able to come with us? she inquires.
"I am weak...I could not fight at your side."
You would not need to do so Mighty One, however, I would be remiss if we did not try to help you she remarks in elven.
You would not need to do so Mighty One, however, I would be remiss if we did not try to help you she remarks in elven.
"I understand. I cannot change my shape. That is a gift for silver scales."
I do not want to leave you here noble one but our mission is important for the refugees, yet if you could contact other good dragons you could help us to turn the tide against her shrieking hosts in elven.
Loren does his best to stop a sigh as the Companions focus on divergent priorities, culminating in Jakun's departure. Well, at least he didn't demand satisfaction for his slighted honor.
He watches Jakun depart, considers the situation a moment, and then --
after Mariel and Blaize have finished their conversation-- he poses a question to the dragon.
I do not want to leave you here noble one but our mission is important for the refugees, yet if you could contact other good dragons you could help us to turn the tide against her shrieking hosts in elven.
"Your mission takes priority, but if I can get out of this place then I'll do all I can to find them."
Loren does his best to stop a sigh as the Companions focus on divergent priorities, culminating in Jakun's departure. Well, at least he didn't demand satisfaction for his slighted honor.
He watches Jakun depart, considers the situation a moment, and then --
after Mariel and Blaize have finished their conversation-- he poses a question to the dragon.** spoiler omitted **
Blaize looked in Loren's general direction, visibly troubled.
"It should be... I can't remember exactly. Something the wizard did... It should be the..." Blaize shook his head, clearly trying to work it through with some effort. "Seven hundred and ninet- no, seventy in the Solamnic Kingdoms. More in Ergoth."
Caitlyn didn't know what to make of this, a senile dragon and Jackun going off in a huff. This certainly wasn't how she'd imagined the first meeting with a metallic dragon would have gone. Perhaps it was best not to say anything, so she just folded her arms and watched...
We also cannot leave a being here that cannot fend for itself. It would be a death sentence.
Caitlyn glances at Mariel and back to the Dragon. What to do? How should she know? The best thing to do was ask.
Loren listens to the dragon's answer and tries to piece together the various calendars cultures use to measure time. If Blaize has no concept of the Cataclysm, then it's a useless reference for him.
He hears Mariel agonize over the dragon's fate and nods in understanding. "It would be, and staying overlong will mean the same for the refugees. I also doubt, in his current state, he'll be able to leave the same way we came in. So, it seems, our mission remains the same: that we find a path to the Thorbardin, that is..." He glances at what remains of the dwarf the dragon was in combat with, then back at the dragon with a puzzled expression.
Caitlyn glances at Mariel and back to the Dragon. What to do? How should she know? The best thing to do was ask.** spoiler omitted **
"If you can lead me from Zhaman, I think that I could hunt well enough by smell. Everything here reeks of the wizard. But if you have enough honey, I would be grateful for it."
Thinking it through, Loren believes that Blaize counts the years from the founding of Solamnia. Seven hundred and seventy, or thereabouts, would put him from late in the Third Dragon War.
"The dwarves... They are a secretive people, but not an evil one. Their thanes are proud. To demand aid might ensure you get none. Asking or doing them a service would be wise."
Loren's eyes widen slightly as he does the math. Ancient history wasn't one of his strongest topics but... could it be, trapped more than a thousand years? But wasn't Zhaman destroyed after the Cataclysm? Gah! Wizards and magic! This makes no sense!
He says in Qualinesti to the dragon and then translates the conversation on the dwarves into Abanasinian (sp) for the others, "Thank you for the advice on the dwarves, Blaize. Your wisdom is appreciated for many lives hang in the balance and we cannot afford to offend them."
[b] With the potential for red dragons to be looking for us, I am not sure that allowing noble Blaize to be alone is the most prudent of actions [/ooc]
Caitlyn gives Blaize a large pot of honey, before saying, "Here you go, probably only a small snack for you. Anyway can you walk? If so we could guide you out. There is a rather steep slope we clambered up to get into this complex mind you."
Caitlyn gives Blaize a large pot of honey, before saying, "Here you go, probably only a small snack for you. Anyway can you walk? If so we could guide you out. There is a rather steep slope we clambered up to get into this complex mind you."
Blaize swallowed the honey, put and all.
"I believe I can walk."
Then we will accompany you as far as we can she says.
It was hard not to stare when Blaize literally ate the pot! "Erm OK, I'm glad to hear that Blaize. I'm not sure any of us would enjoy having to haul you out of here. So the exit is over here..."
She kept talking to guide him out side to where the entrance was. "I don't know what you plan to do now Blaize, but if I may be so bold. How about you find the other metallic dragons and kick their asses. We need them now, more than ever!"
Thisletor[ listens tat the door and if there's nothing there, he'll pick the lock
Jakun ignores the Companions and the Dragon as they pass by as the Dragon reaches the end of the hall Jakun calls out, "Good luck and stay well in your search Mighty Blaize. The peoples of Ansalon need your people if the Chromatic Dragons are to be defeated".
He then focuses on the door that Thistle is opening once more, just like old times, he and Thistle getting into trouble...
Thistletorp perks up and darts back to Blaise to give the dragon a big hug. “Byeeeeeeeeeee I’m gonna miss you! Come and visit me any time!”
Thisletor[ listens tat the door and if there's nothing there, he'll pick the lock
[dice=perception]1d20+12
[dice=disable device]1d20+19
The Companions see Blaize out of Skullcap and Mittens is called by Kiri-Jolith to serve as his guide. The two make their farewells and depart.
Caitlyn watches them go for a long moment before swiveling on her heel and marching back inside, "We'd better find those two, no telling what trouble Thistle will stir up if left to his own devices..." There was the hint of a smile on her face, not that she'd admit it but she had a certain fondness for Thistle's antics.