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Memoirs of a Lawyer turned Dungeoncrawler (Updated May 13, 2008)
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<blockquote data-quote="Altalazar" data-source="post: 3045139" data-attributes="member: 939"><p>Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Twenty-Five – White Dragon Fight – Round Three, Three Rounds</p><p></p><p> Much to my relief, there was solid ground beneath my feet and an absence of solid ground directly above them. We found ourselves in a large, perfectly round dome of hollowed-out rock. It was frigid, as expected, and the only water was found in the ice coating the walls. Sitting in the middle of the cavern, on a pile of coins and trinkets, was our new friend, the white dragon. She was surrounded by six armored figures, all unmoving. </p><p> Silently, I hoped this third round of our match up with her would last three rounds, to use a boxing term. My mind was all but spent from our previous encounters, and after three solid assaults against it, I doubted I’d have much left. To my companions, I said, “she won’t last three volleys against the likes of us!” without adding the additional comment that, if she did, we were in deep trouble. </p><p> My reflexes true, I moved right after Morwen, who charged toward the beast full speed before loosing a volley of arrows. All of the arrows bounced harmlessly off of the dragon’s thick scales. But the dragon’s hide did nothing to protect it from the two large balls of fire I send sailing her way. She roared in agony and hatred, and then engulfed me in a large, solid cloud of frozen fog, obscuring my vision. I slipped on the ice and fell prone, blinded by the thick soup despite my vision-true. </p><p> In the mists, I dimly heard the sounds of Kyrnyn voicing a spell from his god, and then I heard the familiar report of Ee’s bow followed immediately by his frustration at the thickness of the dragon’s hide. It did not look good for our first volley. </p><p> For her second volley, Morewn let loose more arrows, all harmlessly shed by the dragon’s scales. Then with my next thought, I was outside the fog and standing by the far wall of the cave, quickly locating the dragon in her new perch, standing on the ceiling of the cave, some 100 feet high. As soon as I caught sight of her, I sent another ball of flame into her frosty scales, causing another roar of pain from her jagged-toothed mouth. </p><p> The dragon, having quickly determined that I was the only immediate threat, climbed down from its perch to a spot only 50 feet from me and then let loose with its frosty breath, engulfing me completely. Alas, poor stupid dragon, she did not realize that her breath was all but harmless against my energy adaption coupled with the divine elemental resistance granted by Kyrnyn. </p><p> In the corner of my eye, I saw said Kyrnyn turn himself to mist and then slowly ooze his way toward the roof of the cavern. Ee sent another volley of arrows at the beast, all of them helplessly and hopelessly breaking on the dragon’s thick scales. </p><p> I searched the deep recesses of my mind and realized I had only one strong volley left, my third and last, against the beast. I sent yet another ball of flame at its hide, and with the second half of my mind, the lesser half, I tried to lock its brain, to no avail. Thus spent, I had barely enough mental strength to get us out of this frosty subterranean tomb. I hoped it would matter. </p><p> The dragon jumped down from the ceiling and almost right on top of me. Fortunately, the potions I’d consumed saved me from her grasp. For I was surrounded by three identical images, all blurred. Her bite found one, and it vanished, leaving me unharmed. I wondered how long I could last, standing alone against a dragon. I thought of the tales I could tell if I were to survive. The nobility ought to be impressed! </p><p> Kyrnyn’s mist moved back toward the beast as Ee dropped his bow, grabbed Big Bertha, his Axe, and charged at the dragon’s back. With one mighty blow against the dragon’s already charred flesh, the dragon’s spine split open and she fell to the icy floor, her scaly head landing inches from my feet. With her last, raspy breath, she proclaimed, “May the curse of Charasta be on you all…” </p><p> Cursed, however, was furthest from what I felt. I felt blessed, in that three volleys was all we had, and three volleys was all it took to fell the beast. As it turned out, I had plenty of opportunity to feel cursed two night’s hence. </p><p> </p><p> Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Twenty-Six – Skinning the dragon and her horde</p><p></p><p> We were much the worse for wear. Though I had not a scratch on my body, my mind needed rest and the cold cave did not seem very inviting. It was made worse when a large beast burst through the wall of the cave soon after, sending a torrent of water flooding in from the other cave. </p><p> “Ah, there you are Tiny,” Kyrnyn said as one of his strange beasts arrived in yet another form, Rhino in tow. </p><p> Morwen dealt with the tricky dragon’s trapped chest and we all gathered up the spoils of our victory. As it would later turn out, the dragon’s means of egress was facilitated by bracers that allowed it to do what I did with but a thought – traveling through dimensions to locations unseen, though within a short distance. </p><p> Morwen found a key and suggested we search the hidden cave I found earlier. We all joined hands and, with a thought, we were there. As she began hear search, I lay down and slumbered, resting and rejuvenating my mind in the small cave above. </p><p> When I awoke, my mind felt not only refreshed, but renewed, and I realized, stronger than before. As I restored the protections of my mind for the long day, I felt my mind close in on itself like an iron fortress, impregnable and unbreachable in a way I had never felt before. </p><p> Morwen showed me a giant white diamond she had discovered in her search. It was the most beautiful gemstone I had ever seen. </p><p> My mind restored, I transported all of us out, taking along the corpse of the dragon for good measure. Ee spent the whole next day skinning the dragon and making his trophy. For once, Ee did not complain about my stealing his kills. From a purely technical, legal standpoint, in fact, he stole my kill, but I did not point this out to him. I know when to keep my mouth shut. I’ve seen too many lawyers who do not learn this lesson, too many who, when the judge all but tells them that they’ve won their case and need say no more, if anything at all, then begin to speak and change the judge’s mind. Let Ee have his glory. As it turned out, it was fortunate that he had it, or else he may have taken the incident with the mouse that next night rather harshly. </p><p> All told, minus expenses, we gained three thousand pieces of gold each from the dragon’s horde. Without objection, I took the dragon’s box of cold for myself. I imagined it would be great help at chilling large quantities of spirits for a party. That and so much more. </p><p></p><p> Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Twenty-Seven – On the road to Cauldron – Farmers Curse</p><p></p><p> We stayed the next night in a farmer’s home, having paid one gold each for the privilege. I, of course, paid two and stayed in his master suite, a room fit for a noble, or at least, nobler than sleeping on the floor of his common room. Thus comfortably in bed, I slept and dreamt of my impending celebrations. </p><p> My slumber was interrupted with the sounds of a crash and then the sickening sound of flesh rended free from multiple blades. It sounded like a small army of attackers had come into the common room and attacked my companions. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I willed myself to the far corner of the common room from my mattress and then beheld a terrible sight. A large beast, scaly and black like a dragon, but shaped like a humanoid, was sending small webs against my companions. And next to him, a large skeletal creature was ripping them to shreds, a blade in each hand, moving so fast I could barely see them. This foul creature must have swung six blows in the space of a heartbeat. Poor Tiny the Rhino was a slab of carved meat on the floor, and Kyrnyn fared no better, the life gone from his body as well. </p><p> Unsure of what might stop such foul beasts, I sent the tendrils of my mind out to them both and attempted to take over their wills and turn them against each other. I felt strong resistance from the beast with the swords, but the black-scaled one’s mind folded like a wet parchment. The bladed beast was in for a surprise. </p><p> Then, in the midst of this mess, a small rodent ran past my feet to Kyrnyn’s body and I saw breath within him stir once again. Truly a miracle, I thought, though I found out later, it was truly a gnome. </p><p> Ee and Morwen stood against the bladed beast, barely surviving its blinding slashes. And then, the turning point. The black scaled beast finally moved, sending its webs against its former ally, sticking him to the wall. Thus enraged, they turned on each other, sparing us all until I could finally lock the brain of the bladed beast, making him helpless as a babe. Then the rodent ran from beneath my feet yet again and dispatched him, right from beneath Ee’s own coup de grace. Truly a magnificent mouse! </p><p> The mouse transformed before our eyes to a diminutive gnome, who introduced himself as Larch, a Druid of Hieroneous, companion to Kyrnyn. I’m going to have to pay more attention to the minds of rodents from this day forward. </p><p> Fortunately, no further curses came our way for the remainder of the two week journey back home. We transported the carcass with us, magically preserved, in a wagon I purchased. </p><p></p><p> Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Twenty-Eight – Back home, time to rebuild, time to restock, time to party!</p><p></p><p> I was quite happy to find that the items of power I’d left to be sold on commission had sold during the weeks of our absence. That, combined with my other coins and the take from the dragon left me with the twenty thousand gold I needed to finance my enoblement party. Knowing the sensibilities of certain nobles, I had the noble celebration first, at the Cusp of the Sunrise. </p><p> My coin bought a pavilion that was set up behind the Cusp where bands and bards sang noble songs as the well-to-do dined on food of the finest quality. My companions came as my guests and we all saw the noble five (minus one, who then showed up to the commoner’s celebration). Things went rather well. I even saw the mayor of Cauldron there, along with four interesting bodyguards of far east persuasion whose minds were surprisingly disciplined. </p><p> From the random thoughts of the guests, I discovered, much as I suspected, that the shallow, uppity nobles enjoyed the party best, while the more worldly and practical among them felt almost disdainful at such a celebration when the city was in crises. But I anticipated this, which is why I planned the commoner party. I knew their minds would be changed when they saw how it uplifted the spirits of the people in this dark time. </p><p> And a wonderful time was had by all. My new acquisition, my box of cold, was a tremendous hit, providing cold drinks for all, and providing the fuel for something never before seen in the crater of Cauldron – snowball fights between the children, snowmen on the banks of the river, and sculptures of ice. </p><p> The minds of the commoners collectively felt uplifted and restored and the morale of Cauldron reached a high it had not seen since long before the eruption. Though it did not surprise me, I was disappointed to find that, despite my best efforts, almost half of the town had no idea what the party was even about, but my status within the town was cemented and now my reputation for generosity as a noble was assured. </p><p> Now I just needed to find more coin to build myself a noble residence. An adventurer’s life always seems to involve chasing more coin. And now I needed to work toward securing my next noble title.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Altalazar, post: 3045139, member: 939"] Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Twenty-Five – White Dragon Fight – Round Three, Three Rounds Much to my relief, there was solid ground beneath my feet and an absence of solid ground directly above them. We found ourselves in a large, perfectly round dome of hollowed-out rock. It was frigid, as expected, and the only water was found in the ice coating the walls. Sitting in the middle of the cavern, on a pile of coins and trinkets, was our new friend, the white dragon. She was surrounded by six armored figures, all unmoving. Silently, I hoped this third round of our match up with her would last three rounds, to use a boxing term. My mind was all but spent from our previous encounters, and after three solid assaults against it, I doubted I’d have much left. To my companions, I said, “she won’t last three volleys against the likes of us!” without adding the additional comment that, if she did, we were in deep trouble. My reflexes true, I moved right after Morwen, who charged toward the beast full speed before loosing a volley of arrows. All of the arrows bounced harmlessly off of the dragon’s thick scales. But the dragon’s hide did nothing to protect it from the two large balls of fire I send sailing her way. She roared in agony and hatred, and then engulfed me in a large, solid cloud of frozen fog, obscuring my vision. I slipped on the ice and fell prone, blinded by the thick soup despite my vision-true. In the mists, I dimly heard the sounds of Kyrnyn voicing a spell from his god, and then I heard the familiar report of Ee’s bow followed immediately by his frustration at the thickness of the dragon’s hide. It did not look good for our first volley. For her second volley, Morewn let loose more arrows, all harmlessly shed by the dragon’s scales. Then with my next thought, I was outside the fog and standing by the far wall of the cave, quickly locating the dragon in her new perch, standing on the ceiling of the cave, some 100 feet high. As soon as I caught sight of her, I sent another ball of flame into her frosty scales, causing another roar of pain from her jagged-toothed mouth. The dragon, having quickly determined that I was the only immediate threat, climbed down from its perch to a spot only 50 feet from me and then let loose with its frosty breath, engulfing me completely. Alas, poor stupid dragon, she did not realize that her breath was all but harmless against my energy adaption coupled with the divine elemental resistance granted by Kyrnyn. In the corner of my eye, I saw said Kyrnyn turn himself to mist and then slowly ooze his way toward the roof of the cavern. Ee sent another volley of arrows at the beast, all of them helplessly and hopelessly breaking on the dragon’s thick scales. I searched the deep recesses of my mind and realized I had only one strong volley left, my third and last, against the beast. I sent yet another ball of flame at its hide, and with the second half of my mind, the lesser half, I tried to lock its brain, to no avail. Thus spent, I had barely enough mental strength to get us out of this frosty subterranean tomb. I hoped it would matter. The dragon jumped down from the ceiling and almost right on top of me. Fortunately, the potions I’d consumed saved me from her grasp. For I was surrounded by three identical images, all blurred. Her bite found one, and it vanished, leaving me unharmed. I wondered how long I could last, standing alone against a dragon. I thought of the tales I could tell if I were to survive. The nobility ought to be impressed! Kyrnyn’s mist moved back toward the beast as Ee dropped his bow, grabbed Big Bertha, his Axe, and charged at the dragon’s back. With one mighty blow against the dragon’s already charred flesh, the dragon’s spine split open and she fell to the icy floor, her scaly head landing inches from my feet. With her last, raspy breath, she proclaimed, “May the curse of Charasta be on you all…” Cursed, however, was furthest from what I felt. I felt blessed, in that three volleys was all we had, and three volleys was all it took to fell the beast. As it turned out, I had plenty of opportunity to feel cursed two night’s hence. Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Twenty-Six – Skinning the dragon and her horde We were much the worse for wear. Though I had not a scratch on my body, my mind needed rest and the cold cave did not seem very inviting. It was made worse when a large beast burst through the wall of the cave soon after, sending a torrent of water flooding in from the other cave. “Ah, there you are Tiny,” Kyrnyn said as one of his strange beasts arrived in yet another form, Rhino in tow. Morwen dealt with the tricky dragon’s trapped chest and we all gathered up the spoils of our victory. As it would later turn out, the dragon’s means of egress was facilitated by bracers that allowed it to do what I did with but a thought – traveling through dimensions to locations unseen, though within a short distance. Morwen found a key and suggested we search the hidden cave I found earlier. We all joined hands and, with a thought, we were there. As she began hear search, I lay down and slumbered, resting and rejuvenating my mind in the small cave above. When I awoke, my mind felt not only refreshed, but renewed, and I realized, stronger than before. As I restored the protections of my mind for the long day, I felt my mind close in on itself like an iron fortress, impregnable and unbreachable in a way I had never felt before. Morwen showed me a giant white diamond she had discovered in her search. It was the most beautiful gemstone I had ever seen. My mind restored, I transported all of us out, taking along the corpse of the dragon for good measure. Ee spent the whole next day skinning the dragon and making his trophy. For once, Ee did not complain about my stealing his kills. From a purely technical, legal standpoint, in fact, he stole my kill, but I did not point this out to him. I know when to keep my mouth shut. I’ve seen too many lawyers who do not learn this lesson, too many who, when the judge all but tells them that they’ve won their case and need say no more, if anything at all, then begin to speak and change the judge’s mind. Let Ee have his glory. As it turned out, it was fortunate that he had it, or else he may have taken the incident with the mouse that next night rather harshly. All told, minus expenses, we gained three thousand pieces of gold each from the dragon’s horde. Without objection, I took the dragon’s box of cold for myself. I imagined it would be great help at chilling large quantities of spirits for a party. That and so much more. Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Twenty-Seven – On the road to Cauldron – Farmers Curse We stayed the next night in a farmer’s home, having paid one gold each for the privilege. I, of course, paid two and stayed in his master suite, a room fit for a noble, or at least, nobler than sleeping on the floor of his common room. Thus comfortably in bed, I slept and dreamt of my impending celebrations. My slumber was interrupted with the sounds of a crash and then the sickening sound of flesh rended free from multiple blades. It sounded like a small army of attackers had come into the common room and attacked my companions. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I willed myself to the far corner of the common room from my mattress and then beheld a terrible sight. A large beast, scaly and black like a dragon, but shaped like a humanoid, was sending small webs against my companions. And next to him, a large skeletal creature was ripping them to shreds, a blade in each hand, moving so fast I could barely see them. This foul creature must have swung six blows in the space of a heartbeat. Poor Tiny the Rhino was a slab of carved meat on the floor, and Kyrnyn fared no better, the life gone from his body as well. Unsure of what might stop such foul beasts, I sent the tendrils of my mind out to them both and attempted to take over their wills and turn them against each other. I felt strong resistance from the beast with the swords, but the black-scaled one’s mind folded like a wet parchment. The bladed beast was in for a surprise. Then, in the midst of this mess, a small rodent ran past my feet to Kyrnyn’s body and I saw breath within him stir once again. Truly a miracle, I thought, though I found out later, it was truly a gnome. Ee and Morwen stood against the bladed beast, barely surviving its blinding slashes. And then, the turning point. The black scaled beast finally moved, sending its webs against its former ally, sticking him to the wall. Thus enraged, they turned on each other, sparing us all until I could finally lock the brain of the bladed beast, making him helpless as a babe. Then the rodent ran from beneath my feet yet again and dispatched him, right from beneath Ee’s own coup de grace. Truly a magnificent mouse! The mouse transformed before our eyes to a diminutive gnome, who introduced himself as Larch, a Druid of Hieroneous, companion to Kyrnyn. I’m going to have to pay more attention to the minds of rodents from this day forward. Fortunately, no further curses came our way for the remainder of the two week journey back home. We transported the carcass with us, magically preserved, in a wagon I purchased. Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Twenty-Eight – Back home, time to rebuild, time to restock, time to party! I was quite happy to find that the items of power I’d left to be sold on commission had sold during the weeks of our absence. That, combined with my other coins and the take from the dragon left me with the twenty thousand gold I needed to finance my enoblement party. Knowing the sensibilities of certain nobles, I had the noble celebration first, at the Cusp of the Sunrise. My coin bought a pavilion that was set up behind the Cusp where bands and bards sang noble songs as the well-to-do dined on food of the finest quality. My companions came as my guests and we all saw the noble five (minus one, who then showed up to the commoner’s celebration). Things went rather well. I even saw the mayor of Cauldron there, along with four interesting bodyguards of far east persuasion whose minds were surprisingly disciplined. From the random thoughts of the guests, I discovered, much as I suspected, that the shallow, uppity nobles enjoyed the party best, while the more worldly and practical among them felt almost disdainful at such a celebration when the city was in crises. But I anticipated this, which is why I planned the commoner party. I knew their minds would be changed when they saw how it uplifted the spirits of the people in this dark time. And a wonderful time was had by all. My new acquisition, my box of cold, was a tremendous hit, providing cold drinks for all, and providing the fuel for something never before seen in the crater of Cauldron – snowball fights between the children, snowmen on the banks of the river, and sculptures of ice. The minds of the commoners collectively felt uplifted and restored and the morale of Cauldron reached a high it had not seen since long before the eruption. Though it did not surprise me, I was disappointed to find that, despite my best efforts, almost half of the town had no idea what the party was even about, but my status within the town was cemented and now my reputation for generosity as a noble was assured. Now I just needed to find more coin to build myself a noble residence. An adventurer’s life always seems to involve chasing more coin. And now I needed to work toward securing my next noble title. [/QUOTE]
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