The EARTH story - December 31, 1372

As arranged, those of you who traveled back to Sandas meet again on December 31, 1372 at the Inn of the Drunken Dwarf. Winter arrived a few days after the Solstice Celebration in the form of a blinding blizzard which blew down out of the mountains, burying the city under more than a foot of snow. Now the temperature has grudgingly risen back above the freezing point and the snow is starting to melt.

While back on Earth you have had an opportunity to catch up on the latest news. In the war between Nlad and Mestom, Nlad recaptured the city of Flab from the retreating enemy in late September, followed by the city of Marmador at the end of that month. Ten days later King Ormund of Nlad declared that the war was over, as his armies had recaptured all of the lands which Mestom had taken. Apparently this caused great consternation in the Royal Court, as his lords had wanted to continue the attack in order to punish the enemy.

To the east, the news has been both good and disturbing. After successfully invading Riverland, the armies of the Empire of Saltar crossed the Mississippi River and established a bridgehead on the western bank...only a few days march from the eastern border of Nlad. In early November, Saltar began the reconstruction of the Great Bridge over the Mississippi, originally knocked down over 600 years ago during the civil war that saw the birth of Nlad. Meanwhile, the armies of Saltar, allied with the dwarves of Kludar, continue to push the armies of Imrimil the Black Wizard back across Nolthen. The dwarves recaptured Yorkk in late October, and from there they fanned out to the north, south and west. Ten days later they linked up with the armies of Saltar, who had taken large portions of South Nolthen.

Beth, meanwhile, has procured a scroll with two teleport without error spells on it, and when you are ready uses one of them to take you all back to Gladsheim.
At the planar equivalent of 8am, the people who had gone to Sandas for training suddenly reappear at the lair of the hill giants, rejoining Al, Drinor and Devlin. The latter report that all has been very quiet during their absence, and that they are eager to continue the quest.

So, you set off again, following the trail along the river through the hills. The air is crystal clear, and the mountains loom large before you. A cruel wind blows in your faces, making it feel like 0F. There is 10" of snow on the ground.

You have been this way before: before you turned around and returned to the lair of the hill giants to deal with them. By midafternoon you have reached the place where you had camped previously to wait out a blizzard. You continue on.

The trail at last leads you to the mountains, which rise in a rampart of snow clad peaks. The river that you have been following upstream at this point runs out of a narrow canyon, hundreds of feet deep. The trail continues to run beside it on a ledge some 20' wide.

You enter the canyon, following the trail. It climbs steadily along one wall. Soon the river is several hundred feet below you, though the top of the gorge is many hundreds of feet above. What is of greater concern is that the ledge is narrowing steadily.

Finally, perhaps a mile into the gorge the trail ends at a dark opening in the wall. Looking inside, you see a narrow, winding passage running back into the rock of the gorge...

At this point night is falling.

"These sort of situations always lead to something interesting," says Equinox with a grin, "I say we push on through now rather than trying to set up camp here."

Jon, invisible as always, agrees, "Yep I agree with you, Equinox. After you or would you prefer I lead?"

While waiting for Equinox's response Jon listens for noise, looks around for any tracks and any loose stones or obvious traps around the entry way.

He hears no noises. He does not spot any tracks either.

Jon says, "Sharone, perhaps a find traps would be a good idea."

You advance into the passage.

The tunnel is about 10' wide. It runs (arbitrarily) south for about 50', then curves southwest for about 20', south for 10', east for 40', then follows a curve to the right with a radius of about 20' (inner wall) around until it is facing west-northwest. After that it in that direction for about 50', north for 30' and then turns west for about 20'. After that it opens up into an enormous cavern.

This great cavern is larger than your light sources can illuminate at once. You see great, multicoloured stalagmites rising from the floor and hear the sounds of dripping water, mostly from the arbitrary south. Rivulets of water trickle around the stalactites, generally flowing south. Here and there you see the bleached bones of giants, orcs, ogres, and other humanoids.

To your right, the wall of the cavern runs west for 60' and on.

To your left, the other wall runs just a shade west of south for 60' and on.

Al sniffs the air.

"We've got company, people," Al says. *sniff, sniff* "Dragons, white if I am correct, and they are heading this way!"

He unsheathes his new blade.

"If we stay and fight, let's spread out."

"Right, Aron," says Mikodin, as he prepares for a flying kneecap strike.

Aldarin moves to one side where he can get a clear view of the cave where Al indicates that the dragon(s) may be coming from and prepares to fire a fireball down it as soon as he sees any movement. "Fireball in the hole."

Drinor hauls out his heavy crossbow and loads it, hoping to get a shot off before the dragons close. He steps behind a stalagmite for cover.

Ayazin casts barkskin on himself and wields his staff of slinging, picking up a nearby rock with its tip to use as a missile. He also takes cover behind a stalagmite, with a plan: if the dragons get involved in melee, he'll cast a wall of fire as a stationary line, positioning the wall so that it crosses as many dragon bodies as possible.

Op Code checks for tracks.

The ranger sees no tracks.

The cave remains quiet.

Jon moves in 20 feet to the corner and prepares a fireball.

If a dragon appears Jon will try and jump behind cover.

Following Al's warning, Sharone moves behind a rock to give her some cover. She then starts a prayer for the group.

"Idun, please protect this group, they are not well suited to this icy stage..."

However, all stays quiet in the cavern but for the sounds of your own sometimes harsh breathing, along with the patient drip of water. No dragons assail you.

"Paladin, can you detect evil here?" asks Aron.

Drinor detects for evil, but reports that he he does not sense any within 60'.

"That is odd, I smell them and the odor seems to be getting closer, unless someone or thing has cast some magic on me," Al wonders, "or perhaps my new blade." He smiles as he says, "blade, are you doing this to me?" having experience with intelligent items before.

The sword does not reply.

"How close do you judge them to be?" asks Equinox of Al.

Jon speculates, "Perhaps they are invisible or using magic. Maybe a dispel magic would work? I don't have one!"

Aldarin replies, "I have a dispel magic but I would prefer to know where to throw it before using it.  If these dragons are indeed invisible they should not be too hard to locate.  Try firing an arrow down the hall; it would almost be impossible to miss such a large beast even if it is unaffected.  Otherwise, someone could possibly use a detect magic."

Aron asks, "If our path is through here, would it not be best to camp here now and let our spell casters prepare spells suited for this environment?"

Drinor says, "Perhaps it is some other sort of beast that smells similar, but even an invisible dragon would be revealed by its aura of evil. It might be an illusion or a deception, but look at the bones! I say we should advance until we get to the bottom of this mystery. Wyrm-nose, care to take the point?"

"Laugh it up, wise guy," Al says with a slight smile. He sniffs around to see where the aural emanations are coming from and he starts moving in that direction.

"The last time we checked for evil, right before we attacked the giants in their stronghold, they were not evil," Equinox points out to the party. "We are in a realm of good and chaos, not evil, so a Dragon might not be evil on this plane and detect evil might not work.  I suggest we spread out and our mages deal with the threat via dispel magic or, better yet, a fireball when Al is more sure of their location."

"Maybe we're reading too much into this, those bones look like they've been here for awhile.  Can anyone speak with the dead and find out what killed them?"

"Good idea," says Devlin, watching Al advance into the cave, following his nose.

The warrior glances at Drinor, shrugs, and follows the cavalier, lighting his flame tongue for illumination.

They proceed roughly south-southwest for about 80' into the cave before Devlin's flickering light is hidden behind a stone curtain. Still, the cave remains quiet.

Mikodin follow the pair closely, seeing if he can be of any assistance as they advance.

Jon moves up from the corridor and listens for any noise.

He hears nothing except the sounds of his companions.

Jon draws Geerzo and starts to follow the monk. "Hey Geerzo can you detect anything around here?"

"Nope!" says the sword.

Nearing the large area of bones Jon takes out a wand and does a circle around them.

The bones are scattered here and there.

Equinox follows the warriors.

Brennon readies his wand of lightning, and follows behind the others.

Op Code, sword in hand, will keep a vigilant watch for any sign of movement.

Aldarin does likewise, keeps watch, preparing to cast his fireball at the first sign of a dragon.

Drinor strides after Al, crossbow at the ready, detecting for evil as he goes.

Ayazin guards the rear of the party, ushering Beth along in front of him.

More or less as a group, you proceed deeper into the cavern, keeping about 30' from the east wall. The wall runs just a little west of south for about 170', then edges roughly south-southwest for about 90'. After that it turns west.

Close to the corner, though, you find a pool. it is perhaps 10' wide and 40' long, approximately paralleling the wall of the cavern. All of the rivulets caused by the dripping water converge on the pool and flow into it.

The water in the pool glows slightly with a soft, warm light.

"Hmmm..." says Devlin, "No doubt a magic pool."

He scoops up some water in his cupped hand and sips it.

"Good," he says, then pauses, as a strange look comes over his eyes. "I have received a gift from the gods. Praise Sargonnas! I see all as it truly is...I see the good and the chaos of this place...AAAAAHHHHH!"

He suddenly drops to his knees, covering his eyes. For a long moment he stays in that position, then uncovers his eyes and blinks.

"That was close," he says, standing and regaining his composure. "I almost lost my mind upon beholding this place as it really is."

"What did you see?" Brennon asks as he scans the area.

"I saw your auras, as well as the aura of this plane. Chaos and good...clashing and in harmony. It...was almost too much to take."

"So what is this place, really?"

"It is a cave," replies Devlin. "The pool is magic. I saw its aura."

"Thanks," says Equinox dryly, "I'll risk it and try some to see for myself."

"Been there, done that, must bestow true seeing on the drinker. Not good in a place like this!" Al smiles as he remembers what happened when he cast the spell when they first arrived.

Jon fills a water bottle from the magical pool.

He asks, "Devlin, has it affected you in any other way that you can tell?"

The warrior shakes his head.

"Geerzo, what can you tell about the pool?"

"It's magic...but so is everything else in this place!"

Equinox cups a hand a takes a sip of the water.

Equinox stands up after drinking from the pool and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Wow!" he says, "that was amazing.  I feel, well, different.  Smarter somehow."

"Ok, here goes nothing," Al says as he cups his hands with the pool's water and drinks deeply.

Nothing obvious seems to happen.

Equinox looks around the room to see what he can see.

He sees what he saw before.

Equinox looks up and down the long cavern the party is in.

"Al," he says, "do you still smell those White Dragons?"

"Not sure, but whatever is in that water is really good. I feel better," he smiles and then sniffs the air to see if he still smells or detects the dragons.

Sharone takes out her tin cup and fills it with the water. Taking a swallow she looks around the cave.

Nothing obvious appears to happen.

"Well, if this pool bestows any gift of vision upon the drinker then I must attempt to broaden my scope of reality."

With that Aldarin also partakes of the pool.

Nothing obvious appears to happen.

Ayazin shrugs, then steps forward and drinks from the magic pool.

He appears more handsome to the rest of you.

Drinor hangs back, seeming credulous. "Why should this place be here, full of magic yet unguarded? With dragons nearby?" He ponders for a few moments, then makes a decision. "I shall trust in Tyr," he says, and draws his holy sword, projecting its dispelling circle of power over the group. "If my companions are in some thrall, let them now be free."

Nothing much happens so the paladin drinks.

Nothing obvious happens.

Mikodin hangs back, surprised at the attitude of the party.  "One person nearly lost his senses, yet you all seem desirous of drinking from this accursed pool?  I fail to understand your motivations.  If any benefit exists, it seems that only the first one to drink from the pool gains any benefits."

"Suit yourself," says Equinox, "but I don't think the pool caused me any harm."

"I agree with Mikodin, it's an unnecessary risk."

"I must agree with you Mikodin, about people being in a rush to drink the water before thinking." Op Code nods as he, too, restrains from drinking. "Is the water giving some benefit to people, or do they falsely believe that it does?"

Op Code keeps an eye out for the sign of any cave dwellers while the others drink away.

Equinox then draws MC from his belt loop. "Hey MC, do you sense anything around here?"

"Peace an' love, bro!"

While everyone else is partaking of the pool, or not, Equinox casts protection from fire and protection from lightning on himself.

"I think everyone needs to relax a little," Aron says as he goes to find a spot, a hundred yards or so, from the pool drinkers and spell casters.

"I'll relax as soon as we find that *&%&^^%$ Sword," Equinox says to Aron.  He turns to Al: "Can I use Claw while you are trying out your new blade?"

"Of course, brother, just be careful with her," he smiles as he hands over the Claw of Horus to Equinox.

"Will do and Thank You," Equinox replies as he straps the scabbard to his back, "what abilities, if any, does the 'Claw of Horus' have?"

"She is enchanted and allows its wielder to strike quicker than usual," he replies.

Brennon tries the water from the pool as well.

He screams and covers his eyes, then drops dead from the shock to his system.

Sharone goes to Brennon to see if she can do anything.

He is dead.

Jon goes to help Sharone. "Can you raise him here with that wand thingie of yours?"

"I could try to cast raise dead on him," Al says as he looks him over to make sure he is not an elf. If no one says no, he will gather what ever components he needs and will cast raise dead on him.

"As I understand it raising and resurrecting do not always work and risks death forever.  We could return to Sandas and have him Wished back to health by Ray Jay or we could just Raise him and hope for the best," Equinox says to the party. "Why don't we rest here and, in the morning, one of our Priests can cast speak with dead and ask Brennon what he would like us to do.  If he wants to be wished back to health, one of our mages could return to Sandas via the teleport
without error scroll and purchase a wish and two additional teleport scrolls from Ray Jay. I would be willing to put up my remaining 35,000 gold or so toward this endeavor should Brennon desire it."

As Equinox finishes speaking you hear a terrific screech, like nails being drawn across a blackboard, but far more terrifying. It comes from the northwest, approximately, and above.

Then, you hear the slow, deliberate, flap of large wings...approaching...

Regarding Brennon, Op Code tells the others, "That's what happens when you rush to conclusions about strange pools of water."

"Crap - a dwarf probably would have prepared us for this!  This is the underground and the paladin's ability to detect evil is kind of useless when the ceiling's so high.  And whatever the creature is, it's not dumb - it's using the magical pool as bait."

Fearing it is the dragon, Aldarin spins and releases a fireball at the creature, if he believes the cavern is large enough to sustain it without backlash on the party.

Op Code tries to find some cover, not too far from where he is, in anticipation of the winged denizen.

Drinor unsheathes his holy avenger and begins striding toward the sound. "Casters take cover and watch out for the breath. Let's try to lure them down to the floor where we can use our swords, and spread out if there's more than one."

Ayazin grabs Brennon's body and drags it toward the southeast, hoping to stash it quickly out of harm's way.

Sharone moves with him.

Equinox draws Claw and moves over to stand near Beth in order to be in a position to protect the party's best mage from physical attack.

"Are you out of spells Equinox?" asks Aron as he spreads out.

"Not by any means," Equinox replies, startled. "I have my full complement less only the two protection spells I just cast upon myself.  Why do you ask?  My magic is not generally offensive, at least not for this type of place."

Mikodin begins bouncing on the balls of his feet, ready to leap either left or right to avoid the dragon's breath weapon, or to deliver a kick to the dragon should it pass near his position.

Jon moves quickly to get protection among the stalagmites from the dragons breath and then tries to hide in shadows.

The cavalier unsheathes his new blade and stands by a wall, waiting for the arrival of the dragon and to see how the best way to attack it once it is in sight.

Aldarin's fireball explodes over your heads and in its ruddy glow you glimpse an enormous white dragon about 65' up...in the act of breathing. Unfortunately the elf fired his fireball blindly, the dragon was only caught in the outer fringes of the burst.

The floor of the cave becomes a blizzard of stinging ice crystals.

Tully is engulfed for 72 hit points of damage. He releases an arrow at the dragon but misses. He then scurries for cover.

Al dives behind a nearby outcropping but is still frozen for 36 hit points.

Drinor stands firm and takes a full 72 hit points of damage.

Devlin jumps behind the paladin for cover and hence takes only 36 hit points of damage.

Aldarin sees the icy breath coming and jumps aside, only suffering 36 hit points of damage.

The dragon is still visible in the dying glow of the fireball, as he turns sharply to avoid colliding with the wall of the cavern. However, behind him you hear the slow flapping of a second set of wings...as another dragon prepares to make its run...

Op Code casts his two magic missile spells into the retreating dragon, then waits to see what the magic using members are doing.

His four missiles blaze a trail, searing the dragon.

"Hey Beth?" Equinox nudges the mage, "Your wand of fire might be very useful here!"

She shakes her head and opens up with her own magic missiles.

Equinox casts Faerie Fire around the first dragon and then yells to the party: "Whoever needs healing, come on over to me!"

The dragon lights up as Beth's missiles blast into it.

Seeing that there are two dragons, Aron looks around to see if there is anything egg shaped nearby - maybe the fireball provided enough illumination...

He sees no eggs.

Mikodin looks franticly for a missile weapon, then decides to just continue waiting for a dragon to fly close enough for a swift kick.

Drinor's knees buckle as he fights to remain conscious, and the tip of his avenger clangs on the stone floor. He draws a shaky breath and lays hands upon himself for 16 hit points, then hearing Equinox's yell, heads over to the druid for some healing, sheathing his sword and pulling out his crossbow as he goes.

Equinox casts cure serious wounds two times on Drinor to patch him up for the remainder of the battle. The paladin is healed for a further 20 hit points.

"I have more healing spells," Equinox says to Drinor, "But I am going to save them for now."

Ayazin drops Brennon's limp body and pulls out his magical javelin, hurling it at the first dragon if it's still within range. His javelin flies wide of the mark.

He then rushes over to Tully and casts cure serious wounds on the archer for 10 hit points.

Summoning a power of his buckler, Al drops a globe of darkness over the dragon's head.

The head end of the dragon is engulfed in darkness, effectively blinding it. It shrieks, and flies into a stalactite. You hear bones snap, and the dragon, already badly hurt by Aldarin's fireball and Op Code's and and Beth's missiles, drops heavily onto the point of a stalagmite rising from the floor, impaling itself.

It flops about for an instant, then lies still and limp, pinned atop the stony spire.

Jon casts protection from evil and shield.

Jon next casts unseen servant.

Jon throws two continual light coins 20 feet in front of him.

Jon directs the unseen servant move the coins to the limit of the spell (30foot) at about 45 degrees to the left of Jon and have the unseen servant move the coins about from side to side.

Aron steps into the magical pool...and disappears out of sight.

Sharone then takes out a continually lit coin and fires it at the ceiling, assuming she lights up a dragon she will cast continual light on its tail.

She lights up the second dragon, as he opens his enormous mouth to breathe...

Beth fires two more magic missile spells, then starts casting a lightning bolt.

Aldarin casts his lightning bolt as well, as Jon does likewise.

The dragon's breath engulfs Al, Ayazin, Mikodin, Op Code and Sharone.

The high priestess takes 18 hit points of damage, as do the ranger and the druid.

Al, standing out in the wide open like the foolishly fearless cavalier that he is, takes 36 hit points.

The monk jumps aside, avoiding any damage.

Beth's bolt blasts into the monster, but with the dragon's inherent resistance she does not kill it. Next comes Aldarin's bolt, which blows a leg off of the creature. Finally comes Jon's lightning bolt, which finishes the dragon off.

Suddenly it is raining dragon giblets.

Aron bobs to the surface of the pool, spluttering. Apparently it was deeper than he thought.

You pause for a moment to catch your breath...then you hear the familiar sound of more flapping leather wings...as a third dragon begins his approach on you through the darkness...

"Ouch," Al says and then smiles as he watches both dragons go down.

As the third one approaches, he finds a wall to be against and intones, "Great Thor, Heal your servant," as he casts heal on himself.

Jon says, "Wow...two down how many more can there be? Beth, can you blast this one with the wand?"

"Take it down quickly, some of us can not survive another blast of breath!" says Aldarin.

Equinox also calls out to Aldarin: "Come over here if you are badly hurt, I have more healing spells available."

Aldarin nods in acceptance and heads over to Equinox for some much needed healing.

Equinox casts cure light wounds on Aldarin three times.

Ayazin quickly shape-shifts into the form of a large tortoise, then back to human form, healing his wounds as he does so for 10 hit points. Using his staff of slinging to pick up a nearby rock (or failing that, a dragon giblet), he holds it ready to fling at the next dragon as soon as it appears.

Drinor readies his crossbow and peers up into the darkness, firing at the first glimpse of the beast.

Equinox stays next to Beth to try to protect her from any direct attacks.  He looks around to try to make sure there are no more monsters sneaking around behind the party.

He sheaths Claw and draws MC Hammer out of its holster on his belt: "Hey MC, if you sense anything anywhere around here, let me know, OK?"

"Yo!"

Seeing that the pool did not kill him for his folly, Aron gets out of it before it does.  Once out, he goes for his crossbow, but it is wet.

Jon casts magic missile at the approaching dragon, then takes cover behind the stalagmite and will fireball the dragon after it breaths if it is still flying.

The third dragon looms out of the darkness, coming in very low and slow.

You open fire on the monster as he spreads his wings wide.

Beth uses the wand of fire, and a fireball blossoms right in front of the dragon. It flaps its wings, though, and keeps the worst of the flames at bay.

Equinox gets one cure spell into Aldarin for 4 hit points.

Ayazin flings a stone at the dragon, bouncing it off of the creature.

Drinor fires his crossbow, grazing the monster.

Jon's four missiles from his spell burns a furrow across the underbelly of the wyrm...then his fireball explodes as it comes in for a landing. Once again, the dragon evades the worst of the blast.

The white dragon lands before Beth, Equinox, Drinor and Aldarin, and breathes.

Drinor takes a full 72 hit points of damage, which freeze dries him instantly...blowing his icy dust across the cavern.

Aldarin jumps aside and avoids a similar fate, only taking 36 hit points of damage, as does Equinox.

Beth flattens herself against an outcropping and also takes 36 hit points of damage. She is badly injured, though, and barely clings to consciousness.

Aldarin retaliates by unloading by a magic missile spell into the dragon, leaving the big white also badly hurt.

At the same time, a fourth while dragon sails into view, dropping rapidly from far above.

One dragon is on the ground and in melee range while another is coming in for an attack run.

"Spellcasters, take out the one in the air, this bastard is mine!" the newly healed Al cries as he rushes the landed dragon with his new sword.

Jon replies, "No spells left! Throw me a wand to use, somebody!"

Teeth chattering with the cold, Equinox casts cure light wounds on Beth, as many times as he can.

The dragon attacks Equinox, Beth and Aldarin. The druid is bitten for 15 hit points and his spell is ruined. Beth is clawed for 2 hit points and drops.

Aldarin is clawed for 5 hit points, then tries to retaliate with his flame tongue but misses.

Al arrives, though, and swings his new sword. The broadsword feels slow and unwieldy in his hand but he still hits and slays the dragon.

Jon throws a bead of force at the new approaching dragon, then starts another spell.

The bead strikes the dragon and explodes, throwing the dragon off of its stride as it swoops in. As a result, when it breathes it catches only Op Code in its icy breath. The ranger suffers 27 hit points of damage.

The dragon swerves away as Jon releases his spell, apparently without effect.

At the same time, his invisible servant floats over to him, holding a wand.

No more dragons appear to be forthcoming.

"Shit, that is cold," Op Code says between his chattering teeth. He grabs a vial, which he thinks is healing or extra healing, and downs the contents.

He is healed for 8 hit points.

Sharone rushes to Op Code casting a cure serious to repair the frostbite damage.

The ranger is healed for a further 8 hit points.

"Thanks, Sharone," Op Code smiles through his teeth that are not chattering as much.

Jon says, "Sharone or Equinox heal Beth. The dragon is slowed but not for long, we need to try and finish it. Aldarin and Al are you up to it?"

"We can no longer rely on Beth's assistance, Jon. Even if she were healed to full she would still need several days of rest before she could even cast spells."

Jon replies, "Agreed, but if we don't stop the bleeding she will require a resurrection and we already have enough dead. Also that dragon may be back. Maybe leave Beth to Sharone for healing and we go hunt the last dragon and then work out what to do afterwards."

Equinox casts as many cure light wounds on Beth as are necessary to bring her back to consciousness, just, and then converts quickly to Raven form and back again to human.  Then he casts the remaining three cure light wounds spells on Aldarin.

Only one spell is required to bring Beth back to consciousness.

Beth regains consciousness to discover that Equinox has healed her. She is at 6 hit points but will be out of action for two days.

"Don't waste any healing spells or wands on me, Sharone," says Equinox, as she approaches, brandishing her staff, "I'm OK."

Equinox converts to a raven and then back again, healing himself for 32 hit points in the process.

Aldarin recasts stoneskin on himself as he awaits healing then proceeds to pull forth his bow to see if the flying dragon returns.

Sharone moves over to Aldarin, her staff in hand.

"Seems you too are in need of a belt..."  she smiles and applies the healing to Aldarin.

The priestess heals the elf for 13 hit points.

Jon takes the wand and looks at it to see which one it is one of Brennan's. He sees the command phrase 'walls have ears'.

Jon, in almost a commanding voice, states loudly, "Equinox take care of Beth. Find a safe spot and take cover just in case there are more surprises. The dragon is slowed but not for long. We need to try and finish it. Aldarin and Al if you are up to it? Who else will come?

"What are you doing, Sharone, Devlin, Aron, Mikodin, Tully, Op Code? Want to kill a another dragon?

"Is there any thing left of Drinor to try and raise other than dust?"

Jon says, "Mikodin, let's go hunt the last dragon. Can you follow it at speed and we will follow you?"

Mikodin glances toward Jon, and asks, "Which dragon?"

Jon says to the ranger, "Coming dragon hunting Op Code? Sounds like some disassembling of a dragon needs to take place..."

"Yeah, shit. Why not?" Op Code tells Jon. Feeling rejuvenated, he joins Jon.

"Would you please start doing something useful instead of talking so much?" Equinox says to Jon, "Use the wand or cast a spell, anything would be nice at this point."

Jon walks over to Sharone. "Sharone, do you have any spare potions of cures just in case I can't get to you??"

Jon looks towards Equinox, "Listen, I'm out of spells and haven't worked out how to use the wand or even what type it is yet, don't suppose you'd like me to test it and get it wrong, would you?"

"Probably better than doing nothing, Jon," replies Equinox, "But more importantly, if you cannot figure out how to use the wand for this battle, why did you tell your unseen servant to steal it from one of our mages?"

"I thought, Equinox, it made sense if you could stay with Beth for her security as you can still heal her if required and the rest of us could hunt down the last dragon."

Equinox addresses the entire party: "I think splitting up the party right now would be a bad idea.  We have two members dead, one of whom has been vaporized, our battle mage is hurt and most of our warriors badly injured.  I strongly suggest we immediately beat feet on a quick retreat to a more defensible position."

Seeing that the trick worked once, Al summons the power of his helmet to lay a blanket of darkness over the head of the dragon.

The darkness misses the dragon, which is now wheeling about for another run.

"Oh, I see now," says Mikodin.  "I'll follow it north.  Follow me."

Mikodin takes off at full speed towards the dragon.

The dragon swoops down out of the gloom, about 20' above the floor of the chamber, and breathes.

Beth, Aldarin, Equinox, Sharone, Jon, Op Code, Mikodin and Al are caught in the icy blast.

Al takes the breath full in the face for 72 hit points of damage.

Mikodin jumps aside but not quite quickly enough, and suffers 36 hit points of damage.

Op Code depends again on that confounded armour and buckler of his, and takes another 27 hit points of damage.

Jon jumps behind Op Code, taking 36 hit points of damage.

Sharone also takes 36 hit points of damage. She falls unconscious and frostbitten.

Equinox suffers 36 hit points of damage but remains standing.

Aldarin stumbles as he dives for cover, and takes a full 72 hit points of damage. He dies in mid leap, his body shattering into frozen pieces when it hits the floor.

Beth, barely conscious, is frozen to death where she lies.

The dragon flies 20' overhead, and swerves west.

Drinor, Aldarin and Beth are dead. Sharone lies unconscious.

"Ouch," Al mutters as he is covered in an icy blast.

Finding a giant-sized missile, Ayazin attempts to throw it at the dragon with his staff of slinging.

The chunk of stalagmite sails wide of its target, as the dragon swerves again, readying for another run at you.

"I think everyone, except Jon and I, should scatter," Equinox says.

He then rummages through Beth's belongings until he finds the wand of fire with the command word 'Snurre' which he hands to Jon.

"Now go blast that *&$%^$%&$^^ dragon!"

"Equinox, I'll be the decoy."

"Okay," Equinox says to Aron, "And thanks. Do your best to protect Jon from another attack as he is our last surviving magic-user and the only one who can read Beth's scroll of Teleport without Error. We can return to the Prime Material without a Mage, but it might get sort of complicated."

Pointing towards the west where the dragon was last heading, Aron says, "I should go now to buy you as much time as possible.  If Jon can get the scroll and teleport everyone out before the dragon comes back, do it.  If anyone has something with a continual light spell on it, give it to me, otherwise I'll use a torch to let the dragon see me.  No time for discussion - if you make it out of here, ask the priests of Tyr if I'm alive before you come back looking for me," says the monk as he ditches any gear that might slow him down.

"By the way, we had a potion at some point where it would grant the user the ability to control huge creatures.  I don't know if that's giants or dragons, but if we still have it, either give it to me now or one of you use it."

"I'll help, too," says Mikodin, "And run a crossing pattern if the dragon gets anywhere near Jon."

The monks run off as the dragon begins his approach. However, it ignores them completely as it cruises in low at Equinox, Sharone, Op Code and Al.

Jon points Beth's wand at the monster and a fireball explodes immediately in front of the dragon. The wyrm flies straight through the blast and emerges singed and angry.

He begins to exhale...

....and suddenly Tully swoops down at him from above on the Cadillac! The arrow he looses strikes the dragon in the neck, and at the same time you see Devlin jump off of the flying carpet and land on the monster's back.

The carpet - and Tully - are engulfed in the dragon's icy breath...then they emerge. The bard is frozen and unconscious, even though the bulk of the Cadillac saved him from thew worst effects of the breath.

Devlin, meanwhile, attacks twice with his bastard sword. His blade digs deep into the neck of the dragon, and it shrieks...then goes silent as the warrior beheads it.

"Uh-oh," says Devlin, as he falls to the floor with the rest of the carcass...suffering 4 hit points of damage.

The Cadillac, with Tully on it, settles to the floor nearby.

Equinox casts two cure light wounds to return Sharone to consciousness.

Equinox converts to raven form immediately after casting his cure light wounds spells on Sharone.

Sharone returns to consciousness to find that she has 4 hit points. She will be out of action for one day.

Tully is also being tended to.

Equinox is in raven form, strutting about like a cock. He has regained 20 hit points.

The remains of four white dragons - the largest such dragons that you have ever seen - lie scattered in bits and pieces all over the place. Jon is already collecting bloody samples.

Devlin comes over to Sharone and bows to her. His bastard sword is slick with dragon blood.

"Air power is the key, high priestess," he says, "I learned that from Leslie. We need flying mages."

He throws a dirty look at Jon.

You notice a stirring in the waters of the magical pool, whose surface is dusted with the frosty remnants of Drinor. With a collective gasp you gape, as suddenly the paladin bobs to the surface and climbs out, naked as the day he was born, but otherwise intact and healthy.

Evidently the pool possesses more powers than you had already found.

Equinox plucks the fire wand and the "Walls Have Ears" wand from Jon's hands and puts them into his belt pouch.

Then he bends down and picks up Beth's body from under her arms and starts dragging her toward the pool.

"Someone grab her legs, will you? Let's see what that pool will do for Beth and the rest of our fallen comrades."

Aron helps Equinox, making sure that any body they put in is really dead.

Op Code picks up Aldarin's body and carries it over towards the pool.

"By the way, Devlin," says Equinox as he and Aron carry Beth over to the pool, "That was a nice trick with the Cadillac and all.  How did you pull that off? Where did you get the Cadillac?"

"The carpet? Tully had it. I think we found it along the way here."

Drinor leaps out of the pool, sputtering and blinking.

"Tyr has seen fit to return me to life. He told me to seek the dragon's treasure to find the next key -- and He told me to tell you, Aron, that if you piss in His pool, He will piss on you."

Almost dropping his hold on Beth, Aron stammers, "I...I...I almost desecrated a holy vessel of the lord Tyr?  I assumed it was evil because of the dragons...forgive me Tyr."

The paladin then begins looking around the chamber for the remnants of his equipment, particularly his sword. He shivers a bit in the frosty air. "Does anyone have a towel?"

Equinox laughs out loud as he pushes Beth's body into the pool.

The bodies of Aldarin and Beth are placed in the pool and left for awhile. However, they do not revive. Apparently only servants of the Norse gods gain that benefit from the pool.

"Okay," Equinox says. "I think that we need to make sure that there are no other monsters in the vicinity. I am going to scout up where the Dragons came from, invisible, in raven form.  I ought to be fairly safe and, after I convert form for the third time today, I will not be too badly hurt."

Equinox slips on his ring of invisibility.

After about a half an hour Equinox returns to the party.  He lands, reassumes human form and removes the ring of invisibility.

"I don't think that this area is a good place to rest and recover," Equinox says to the party. "The good news is that the dragon's treasure horde is just around the corner, on a ledge about 100' up. The bad news is that there is an open door leading to a dark passage and a large opening in the ceiling of the cave which I imagine the dragons used for entrance and exit of the caves.  This place would be very difficult to defend. It might be possible to camp somewhere down that dark passage that I saw, but I have no idea what is down that way. We need to make some decisions on whether to try to raise our dead companions here or to return to Sandas and hope we can purchase a wish. Whichever we decide, I think we should gather the dragons' treasure tonight rather than letting it just stay there. Who knows? There might be something in the treasure that will help us right now."

Mikodin, still smarting from having caught a portion of a dragon's breath, says, "I agree.  We may need the treasure to pay for our companions' resurrections, and we may find some immediately useful items.  Then we can make a more informed decision."

"Why don't we dip the dead bodies in and see what comes of it?" Al asks. "Also I can cast raise dead by tomorrow. Once we do identify items, can someone identify my new blade?"

"Op Code, would you be so kind as to take a few volunteers aboard your magic carpet to put the dragons' treasure into your portable hole?"

Op Code looks at Equinox. "Uh, I don't have a magic carpet on me. Are you sure that dragon's breath didn't freeze your brain?"

"That was Tully," says Devlin.

"Pretty sure," Equinox replies to Op Code, "Will you come with me on Tully's magic carpet to put the treasure in the portable hole?"

Aron takes the lotus position in front of the pool, "Lord Tyr, forgive this humble servant for the foolishness he almost committed upon this vessel of your holiness.  We are in need of your divine powers to raise our fallen companions to complete the task before us.  Some here want to return to Sandas, taking the dragon's treasure if needed, to raise our dead - to what temple I know not.

"I pray to thee, my lord, that if we bring the dragons' treasure to this pool as an offering to you, would you raise those fallen so that we may continue our mission?"

Sighing, he adds, "But the treasure contains the sword, so we can't give that to you, right?  So it would be whatever else is in their horde."

His reply is a stony silence.

Sharone takes out her heavy cloak and lies back to rest.

"Boy, it's been a tough day. Perhaps we should all take a break."

"I too can perform a raise dead if needed, but I need to speak with Idun to get her blessing."

You take the last body over to the pool - Brennon - and dip it in the waters. The power of the pool does not work upon him.

Equinox and Op Code borrow Tully's Cadillac and sit on it. However, they are unable to work it with any skill; after rising just a few feet it turns and dumps them. You recall that it took the bard several weeks to learn how to fly it, and he is in no condition to assist you now.

"Great Thor, please heal your servant," as Al casts both cure serious wounds on himself. He then casts one cure light wounds on Sharone, Mikodin, and Ayazin. He is then be out of cure spells for the day.

"That dragon lair is probably the safest place around here - who would attack the home of four dragons?  I think we should move everyone up there and rest until we're ready to move on.  Plus, it would give us the chance to look for any items to aid us in our quest.

It's a hundred feet up, no easy climb nor something to pull the injured up on a rope.  Can we use the magical carpet for a simple up and down movement? Jon, can you levitate objects? Or dimension door?"

"If magic won't do it, I'll try the climb."

But Aron then looks over at Equinox, "But you can turn into a bird, fly up there and revert to your normal form - that is so cool.  Can you bring rope along when you do that?"

"I think I'm going to try the climb anyways."

"I would be happy to do that but Ayazin and I can only convert to another form three times a day and I have already changed three times today. I can do it
tomorrow but, I think, Ayazin can do it now. Am I correct, Ayazin?"

Ayazin nods. "Actually, I changed shape once during the fight, in order to heal my wounds. But I have a better idea -- my psionic abilities allow me to levitate, and using that ability I could reach the treasure. It might take me several trips, but unless there's a particularly heavy item, I should eventually be able to get it all down. Or I could carry each of us up there, and we could make camp in the dragons' nest and bring the loot down when we're rested."

"Getting everyone up to the ledge sounds like a good idea," says Equinox to Ayazin.

Drinor shakes his head. "When I was with Tyr, he told me that the key we seek is in the dragons' treasure hoard. Remember that we got a key from the giants' stronghold as well. I don't think we're close to the sword yet, it must be behind the locks that these keys open."

"We should explore those tunnels up there before moving the treasure," says Devlin. "We have not found any other way out of this cavern."

You move across the cavern to the base of the west wall. Ayazin levitates upwards, accompanied by a flying Jon. Reaching the top they drop a rope, and one by one the rest of the group climb or are hauled up to the ledge above. This is a very broad (about 120' wide) ledge about 100' up which runs the length of the west side of the cave. The floor of the upper level is littered with more bones, bits of clothing and armour - much of it giant sized - and junk. To the northwest you see a large pile of coins...the dragon horde. In the southwest you see a 10' wide opening...evidently the beginning of a passage. In the ceiling over this upper area is a much larger opening, apparently a tunnel leading to the outside.

You are all exhausted by the time you are all atop the ledge. Moving over to the treasure, you spend the rest of the day counting it: 44,000gp, 4 potions, a suit of gleaming ring mail (human sized), 140,000cp, 60,000sp, 36,000ep, 2600pp, 160 gems (10gp ea.), 36 assorted articles of jewelry (4000gp ea.) and a glowing blue key.

The night passes uneventfully.

Next day

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