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Lizard Bait Updated 10/27/06
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<blockquote data-quote="DM-Rocco" data-source="post: 2515680" data-attributes="member: 14451"><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><p style="text-align: center"></p></span></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 10px"></p></span></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 10px">Lizard Bait</p></span></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 10px"></p></span></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 10px">(Part 5: The Tale of Brunas)</p></span></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 10px"></p></span></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 10px"></p></span></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 10px">By </p></span></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 10px"></p></span></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 10px"></p></span></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 10px"></p></span></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 10px">C.E.Rocco</p></span></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 10px"></p></span></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 10px"></p></span></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 10px"></p><p>Comfortable in their familiar surroundings they glided on massive wings towards their home. As occasion would call, they would leap with their mighty legs onto the upper branches of the thick Iron Claw trees to gain more altitude for better gliding. Thick claws tore into the large trucks leaving noticeable divots in the bark. They had traveled a long distance and they were so close to home, they cared no more if others could track them.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">As the smallish hoard of Draconians leapt from tree to tree a man dressed in red and black pantaloons and a thick wool cloak somehow managed to keep pace with the beasts. He could not fly, but he too seemed to know his way around the swampy marsh and he kept the brisk pace with the others.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">“What do you mean abandoned?” queried the tall man with the bloodied club as he approached a reporting Draconian.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">“The city is abandoned,” reported a Baaz draconian with a swath of cloth covering his eye. It was wet with blood and traces of dried crimson began to flake from his scales.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">“What, how, where…,” the man look stupefied. He rubbed his fingers to his chin as he thought, “are the pity pits still intact,” he queried fearing a revolt.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">“Yess,” replied the Baaz, a long slow his of anger filling him to the bone. He rubbed his eye, a constant reminder of the filthy scum that they had enslaved as manual labor.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">“Perhaps I can be of assistance,” came a squeaky voice from behind them. They turned to see a small filthy dwarf who boldly strolled bare footed through the muddy swamp. The bandaged Baaz flew into a rage.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">“How dare you talk to us without beings addresssed?” screamed the Baaz as he easily picked up the filthy gully dwarf by both arms and held him over his head as if he was going to rip the disgusting creatures arms from their sockets.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">“Mind your own tongue Brass lest I feed you to a gold dragon,” cried the little man and soon he grew in size and form. The change was quick, so quick that the brass Baaz was not able to get from under the huge silver beast as it grew to a full ten feet, pinning the baaz under his massive weight.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">“Brunas,” demanded the man, “what is going on here, where is everyone?” </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">“Your servants need a lesson in respect,” he said calmly as he made a cut with a trailing claw down the cheek of the Baaz, “what happened to your eye slave? Let your tongue loose again against another you should have minded?”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">“Brunas, allow him to stand, he was attacked by surprise from a gully dwarf, Scum I think.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">The laughter of Brunas filled the hollow trees of the swamp. He regained his composure as he allowed the Baaz to stand.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">“Zrit, how was your mission to Planthus?”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">“This is not the time for small talk, where is Krothan?”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">“No, you are right, this is not the time for games,” he replied in a casual tone, “so lower your guard and take your true form, your mission to Planthus is at an end. We have more pressing needs.” Zrit raised a cautionary finger but decided not to argue with his superior. He concentrated for a moment and then released his hold on the shape of his former victim. His red pantaloons grew pink and then a faded pale red and then a silver as the clothes slowly grew into shining silver scales. He height grew to a little under nine feet and massive wings sprouted from his back and a long tail formed under that. His head elongated and rows of razor sharp teeth pushed their way through his gums forming a toothy smile.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">“Now, follow me back to what is left of the camp and I shall tell you a tale you will find hard to believe.” Zrit and the others listened with great interest. They had been stationed in Palanthus to gather information. Zrit had killed, among others, a noble from a prominent family. He then used his Sivak Draconian abilities to assume the form of the individual he had slain. In this form he was able to gather more information and go places where he could not as a dragon man. He had stayed in this form even after leaving Palanthus. Once a Sivak released the form he had stolen from his victim, he lost the ability to assume that form again. Brunas must have had a great need to force Zrit to release his form.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">During the short journey back to the village, Brunas related to them the tale of the Dragon Highlord. He told them of the history this man had presented. How he was the grand son of the fabled Lucien, Dragon Highlord of the Black Dragon Army during the War of the Lance. He mentioned how he came baring the sword of this once mighty general and how at the site of it the other Draconians flew into a frenzy. They hung on his every word, listening to his speech as if the Dark Queen herself had spoken to them. He related how they had went from the ruined temple of the accursed Mishakal to their village and packed everything they could manage to carry with them and still travel swiftly, for now they had a purposes. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">They arrived at the remains of the village to find it a ghost town. Brunas told them how Krothan lead the others on the blind faith this man had offered and how Brunas had escaped this fate by slaying one of the gully dwarfs and assuming his form.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">“What do you mean escape their fate?” queried Zrit.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Brunas looked sad. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">It was an odd look for a Sivak. They seldom showed any emotion and when they did, they had a tendency to look sadistic or menacing. This time, however, Brunas looked deeply troubled.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">“I followed them, through the swamp, to the very borders of our lands. They were singing songs of old, songs of conquest. They had a gleam in their eye and a spring in their step. They followed the Highlord into Neraka.” Many of the Draconians did a double take to make sure they had heard properly. Neraka was the former base of operations of the Dragon Army. During the War of the Lance it was the temple of the Dark Queen, her doorway into this world from the Abyss. They had only been their once, during the glory days of Neraka, when the streets were run by Draconians and the Highlords ruled supreme. Then they had been assigned to guard an artifact of terrible power in the swampy marsh of Xak Tsaroth and they had never seen their homes again. He waited for the Draconians to settle down before continuing.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">“It was in a mountain pass where it happened. He had told them that they needed to enter the cave, a series of narrow openings in the base of the mountain. It was here that it happened. They had entered the caves and I never saw them again. I waited for seven days and no one entered or left. In the form of a gully dwarf I could not assault the keep myself, but I fear something terrible has happened. Even in full form, by myself it would be a complicated task at best. I knew you were due to report, I knew you were on your way. I need your help. We have to rescue Krothan and the others.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="DM-Rocco, post: 2515680, member: 14451"] [size=2][center] Lizard Bait (Part 5: The Tale of Brunas) By C.E.Rocco [/center] Comfortable in their familiar surroundings they glided on massive wings towards their home. As occasion would call, they would leap with their mighty legs onto the upper branches of the thick Iron Claw trees to gain more altitude for better gliding. Thick claws tore into the large trucks leaving noticeable divots in the bark. They had traveled a long distance and they were so close to home, they cared no more if others could track them. As the smallish hoard of Draconians leapt from tree to tree a man dressed in red and black pantaloons and a thick wool cloak somehow managed to keep pace with the beasts. He could not fly, but he too seemed to know his way around the swampy marsh and he kept the brisk pace with the others. “What do you mean abandoned?” queried the tall man with the bloodied club as he approached a reporting Draconian. “The city is abandoned,” reported a Baaz draconian with a swath of cloth covering his eye. It was wet with blood and traces of dried crimson began to flake from his scales. “What, how, where…,” the man look stupefied. He rubbed his fingers to his chin as he thought, “are the pity pits still intact,” he queried fearing a revolt. “Yess,” replied the Baaz, a long slow his of anger filling him to the bone. He rubbed his eye, a constant reminder of the filthy scum that they had enslaved as manual labor. “Perhaps I can be of assistance,” came a squeaky voice from behind them. They turned to see a small filthy dwarf who boldly strolled bare footed through the muddy swamp. The bandaged Baaz flew into a rage. “How dare you talk to us without beings addresssed?” screamed the Baaz as he easily picked up the filthy gully dwarf by both arms and held him over his head as if he was going to rip the disgusting creatures arms from their sockets. “Mind your own tongue Brass lest I feed you to a gold dragon,” cried the little man and soon he grew in size and form. The change was quick, so quick that the brass Baaz was not able to get from under the huge silver beast as it grew to a full ten feet, pinning the baaz under his massive weight. “Brunas,” demanded the man, “what is going on here, where is everyone?” “Your servants need a lesson in respect,” he said calmly as he made a cut with a trailing claw down the cheek of the Baaz, “what happened to your eye slave? Let your tongue loose again against another you should have minded?” “Brunas, allow him to stand, he was attacked by surprise from a gully dwarf, Scum I think.” The laughter of Brunas filled the hollow trees of the swamp. He regained his composure as he allowed the Baaz to stand. “Zrit, how was your mission to Planthus?” “This is not the time for small talk, where is Krothan?” “No, you are right, this is not the time for games,” he replied in a casual tone, “so lower your guard and take your true form, your mission to Planthus is at an end. We have more pressing needs.” Zrit raised a cautionary finger but decided not to argue with his superior. He concentrated for a moment and then released his hold on the shape of his former victim. His red pantaloons grew pink and then a faded pale red and then a silver as the clothes slowly grew into shining silver scales. He height grew to a little under nine feet and massive wings sprouted from his back and a long tail formed under that. His head elongated and rows of razor sharp teeth pushed their way through his gums forming a toothy smile. “Now, follow me back to what is left of the camp and I shall tell you a tale you will find hard to believe.” Zrit and the others listened with great interest. They had been stationed in Palanthus to gather information. Zrit had killed, among others, a noble from a prominent family. He then used his Sivak Draconian abilities to assume the form of the individual he had slain. In this form he was able to gather more information and go places where he could not as a dragon man. He had stayed in this form even after leaving Palanthus. Once a Sivak released the form he had stolen from his victim, he lost the ability to assume that form again. Brunas must have had a great need to force Zrit to release his form. During the short journey back to the village, Brunas related to them the tale of the Dragon Highlord. He told them of the history this man had presented. How he was the grand son of the fabled Lucien, Dragon Highlord of the Black Dragon Army during the War of the Lance. He mentioned how he came baring the sword of this once mighty general and how at the site of it the other Draconians flew into a frenzy. They hung on his every word, listening to his speech as if the Dark Queen herself had spoken to them. He related how they had went from the ruined temple of the accursed Mishakal to their village and packed everything they could manage to carry with them and still travel swiftly, for now they had a purposes. They arrived at the remains of the village to find it a ghost town. Brunas told them how Krothan lead the others on the blind faith this man had offered and how Brunas had escaped this fate by slaying one of the gully dwarfs and assuming his form. “What do you mean escape their fate?” queried Zrit. Brunas looked sad. It was an odd look for a Sivak. They seldom showed any emotion and when they did, they had a tendency to look sadistic or menacing. This time, however, Brunas looked deeply troubled. “I followed them, through the swamp, to the very borders of our lands. They were singing songs of old, songs of conquest. They had a gleam in their eye and a spring in their step. They followed the Highlord into Neraka.” Many of the Draconians did a double take to make sure they had heard properly. Neraka was the former base of operations of the Dragon Army. During the War of the Lance it was the temple of the Dark Queen, her doorway into this world from the Abyss. They had only been their once, during the glory days of Neraka, when the streets were run by Draconians and the Highlords ruled supreme. Then they had been assigned to guard an artifact of terrible power in the swampy marsh of Xak Tsaroth and they had never seen their homes again. He waited for the Draconians to settle down before continuing. “It was in a mountain pass where it happened. He had told them that they needed to enter the cave, a series of narrow openings in the base of the mountain. It was here that it happened. They had entered the caves and I never saw them again. I waited for seven days and no one entered or left. In the form of a gully dwarf I could not assault the keep myself, but I fear something terrible has happened. Even in full form, by myself it would be a complicated task at best. I knew you were due to report, I knew you were on your way. I need your help. We have to rescue Krothan and the others.” [/size] [/QUOTE]
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