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Steel Dragon's "Tales of Orea"
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<blockquote data-quote="steeldragons" data-source="post: 6156515" data-attributes="member: 92511"><p><strong>Nor Gorthok, revisited.</strong></p><p></p><p>Suitably equipped by the good merchants in the town below Dragonwing Keep, the party assembled at the appointed hour in the chamber that contained the curious teleportal platform. It was decided that Fen and Pyrnion would be sent to the Wyvern’s Wing to get their dwarf and satyr. The rest, including the lord prince, would collectively go directly to Bridgetower. The Seneschal and Lady of the Tower were expecting them.</p><p></p><p>Alaria and Braddok had “made up”, though the Grinlian swordsman was still sure to keep near the magess whenever possible and kept a curt, though civil, tone with the Dragon-mage apparent.</p><p></p><p>The “send off” party, which included Rhea and Londar, who could only get away for the evening before needing to return to the keep, was a casual affair. Lady Elhianne was, of course, delighted to play hostess to her “good friend the Magess Stormrider” not to mention the Lord-prince and two of his Steel Dragons, themselves! </p><p></p><p>Haelan was happy to see the chicken he’d left in Bridgetower was still being honored and the sign over her shrine-like coop, as he’d requested, read “The Hillmother’s Holy Hen.”</p><p></p><p>The next day, the party assembled upon the roof of the great tower. They said their farewells.</p><p></p><p>Braddok was fit to go into a rage seeing Montor lay a kiss upon Alaria’s cheek when the two embraced in farewell. Well, he was stuck here, the swordsman thought as little consolation.</p><p></p><p>In a swirling vortex of blue and white sparkles of light, the party felt themselves lift off of the tower’s stones, only for a moment, before encountering a “pushing” sensation, as if they were suddenly moving through molasses, a moment later, the light showering around them cleared and they stood, somewhat unexpectedly, very near the top of the mountain that contained NOr Gorthok. A large cave mouth before them.</p><p></p><p>A quite reconnaissance revealed they were on the eastern side, very near the summit of the mountain. The great oak trree that had been the druid Ornfael the Long Cursed was around the north side of the mountain about halfway down, beneath their position.</p><p></p><p>“Ow!" Haelan tripped upon something hard beneath the collection of rocky dust and dead brush surrounding the cave opening. Dipping down to pick it up out of the dirt and brush, Haelan dropped it quickly. It was a skull of...something. Something large.</p><p></p><p>Fen confirmed it to be a large reptile, likely an alligator from the swamps below. A cursory search revealed several other bones of a variety of creatures scattered about.</p><p></p><p>“Too bad it’s not Rach’sha.” Duor said as he edged along the side of the mountain to the cave’s opening. </p><p></p><p>*Hilltender, I do not like this scent. There is too much death here...and something...musty...damp and reptilean.* Buttercream chittered at Haelan.</p><p></p><p>“Braddok!” Haelan said in a panicked whisper.</p><p></p><p>The swordsman looked blankly at the Hilltender.</p><p></p><p>“Remember that night in the swamp? When we fought the stirges?” the daelvar still soke in hushed tones. “When something flew over us...”</p><p></p><p>Braddok nodded. He unsheathed Kandu and raised his shield. The rest of the company (except Pyrnion) ecame immediately battle-ready tense. Fen explained to the zephari that Erevan had presumed the creature Braddok and Haelan saw to be a wyvern...and they had further presumed it laired at the top of this mountain.</p><p></p><p>They stood in the midmorning...presumably the creature, if it were here, would be sleeping.</p><p></p><p>Opting against torches for the time being, they entered the large cave mouth carefully. Pyrnion was immediately uncomfortable in the dark rocky surroundings on all sides. He turned back to look at the outdoor light in the sky beyond while he could. It helped, but his insides screamed in panic when they turned a bend and the cave opening was no longer visible. </p><p></p><p>Fortunately, the cavern before them rose up out of their view. A wide, roughly circular cavern that sloped down. There, in the center of the cavern, their fears were realized as a large greyish dragon-like creature snored loudly. A half-eaten carcass of some humanoid creature lay near its draconic snout.</p><p></p><p>Fen, silently, pointed across the wide chamber to an opening at the far side.</p><p></p><p>At Alaria’s frantic silent motions, the party returned out the ledge.</p><p></p><p>They had previously discussed their tactics to avoid all unnecessary conflicts, lest they come upon Tresahd unprepared. The magess cursed that they no longer possessed the Ihs Repahl which would allow them to simply fly in cloud-form to wherever they wanted. Soon, Alaria promised herself. </p><p></p><p>With Pyrnion’s ability to make himself invisible, it was decided the zephari and druid would use their gifts of Pixie Dust to make the whole party invisible. They were, unfortunately, unsure how long the faerie enchantment would last. But they hoped it could at least get them passed the slumbering wyvern, possibly even deeper.</p><p></p><p>With a pinch for Buttercream, Haelan, Braddok, Alaria, Duor, Jovias and Fen, Pyrnion’s dust was used up and Fen had, about, 3 pinches left. Thankfully, a side-effect of the pixie’s particular invisibility, they could all see each other normally.</p><p></p><p>The party moved with considerable care and silence across the chamber, choosing to circle around the back of the creature rather than pass near its nose.</p><p></p><p>Entering the opposite portal, which was no larger than a normal doorway, they found a set of stairs carved from the mountain stone itself. Their decent was long. They continued down and around, Duor supposed that were tracking around the outer perimeter of mountain, as the descent was not steep and the curve more or less consistent, minimal, and seemed to become ever widening.</p><p></p><p>Finally, the companions reached a platform that leveled off with a large door before them. It was not locked nor, as far as Duor or Jovias could tell, trapped. After a quick cantrip to conjure Alaria’s magical sight, no threat or dweomer she could perceive was revealed.</p><p></p><p>The party opened the door cautiously. It made a horribly loud, to their ears, creak. But there seemed to be no one on the other side.</p><p></p><p>The doorway opened to reveal an immense cavern, light from various unseen sources to shower the whole interior of the mountain in a fiery orange flickering glow. The party found themselves upon a 20 foot wide walkway, also seemingly carved from the mountain, that looked like it extended all around the interior of the mountain. A stone “railing” edged the pathway and various arches and doors were placed, sporadically, around the perimeter, leading obviously, to other sections of the mountain, such as the goblin quarters and conjuring rooms they’d encountered before...though could not begin to guess where those were in relation to the current position.</p><p></p><p>The greatest shock to the company was the large towered castle that sat within the open cavern, in its entirety. The twisted and bent ancient looking black towers reaching up beyond their vision toward the top of the hollowed out mountain. The roots of the multi-towered and walled stronghold far below their position. The various poeces of the castle look like they were composed of single pieces of black rock that from place to place seemed to be melted, as they’d encountered at the cave mouth of Rach’sha’s lair.</p><p></p><p>“How’d they build a whole castle inside of a mountain?!” Haelan said in amazement.</p><p></p><p>“Bah. Dwarves’ve been doin’ it fer ages." Duor said, obviously unimpressed. “Looks like crap. It's old, to be sure...but have a bit o' pride. Upkeep is necessary, even with dwarf-made structures."</p><p></p><p>“If this is Nor Gorthok,” Alaria posed, “I think it more likely the dragon created the mountain up around the castle.”</p><p></p><p>”An additional layer of concealment.” Pyrnion nodded in agreement.</p><p></p><p>”How do we get over there?” Duor said, leaning over the stone railing and looking down.</p><p></p><p>”Do we have to? Maybe we could find the orb someplace else.” Haelan said hopeful, peering over the rail beside the dwarf.</p><p></p><p>”That‘s where the treasure is. Make no mistake.” Duor pointed forefully at the black castle.</p><p></p><p>”And there is little doubt the Kalanaptra is there as well. I presume that is where Tresahd resides. As crucial as it seems to be, the wizard will keep it with him.” Pyrnion said.</p><p></p><p>Buttercream‘s hair bristled immediately before she spoke to Haelan. *<em>Blek. I smell goblins.</em>*</p><p></p><p>As the party scanned their surroundings left and right. From the archway closest to their left, some fifty yards t their left, pair after pair of hobgoblin solders came marching out. Their booted feet creating a stomping beat that echoed through half of the cavern. Twenty in total exited. Half marching to the right, away from the party, half turning toe left ...heading for the party!</p><p></p><p>“Make way. Stand clear if you can.” Braddok hissed in command.</p><p></p><p>“Quiet now, Buttercream." Haelan whispered. “Let them pass."</p><p></p><p>The party split, pressing themselves against the railing or wall to allow the marching patrol to pass. </p><p></p><p>They seemed to take no notice of the adventurers. They continued to march the wide circle of the ledge, carrying on out of view around a bend in the perimeter.</p><p></p><p>“Now what?” Duor said.</p><p></p><p>“There.” Pyrnion pointed to their left. There are stairs going down to the next ledge.”</p><p></p><p>Braddok followed where the zephari indicated. “And there!” the warrior noted with some excitement.</p><p></p><p>A narrow sliver of natural looking stone jutted out from the level beneath them to the outer wall of the black castle.</p><p></p><p>“Well let’s get to it. I’ve been waiting half a damned year for this booty. Let’s get it over with and get out of here.” Duor said even as he began trotting off in the direction of the staircase a quarter of the mountain’s arc away from them.</p><p></p><p>The rest of the party followed, in their prescribed order.</p><p></p><p>“Uh, Alaria...” Haelan whispered as they edged around the outside of the cavern.</p><p></p><p>“Yes Haelan.” Alaria replied distractedly, as she continually scanned their surroundings for any sign of magical alarms or traps that might give away their presence.</p><p></p><p>“When we find the treasure and the Ihs Repahl...um...I mean, assuming we don’t have to fight or kill Tresahd...How are we getting back?” Haelan asked.</p><p></p><p>“Oh...well...we’ll...ummm.” Why hadn’t that been decided in all of their plans?! “We’ll get out like we did last time.” Alaria finally said. “For now, concentrate on our goal.”</p><p></p><p>“Well...my goal includes getting out of here alive.” Haelan answered somewhat perturbed.</p><p></p><p>“As do we all, Hilltender. Be stalwart.” Braddok answered for the obviously at-a-loss magess.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="steeldragons, post: 6156515, member: 92511"] [b]Nor Gorthok, revisited.[/b] Suitably equipped by the good merchants in the town below Dragonwing Keep, the party assembled at the appointed hour in the chamber that contained the curious teleportal platform. It was decided that Fen and Pyrnion would be sent to the Wyvern’s Wing to get their dwarf and satyr. The rest, including the lord prince, would collectively go directly to Bridgetower. The Seneschal and Lady of the Tower were expecting them. Alaria and Braddok had “made up”, though the Grinlian swordsman was still sure to keep near the magess whenever possible and kept a curt, though civil, tone with the Dragon-mage apparent. The “send off” party, which included Rhea and Londar, who could only get away for the evening before needing to return to the keep, was a casual affair. Lady Elhianne was, of course, delighted to play hostess to her “good friend the Magess Stormrider” not to mention the Lord-prince and two of his Steel Dragons, themselves! Haelan was happy to see the chicken he’d left in Bridgetower was still being honored and the sign over her shrine-like coop, as he’d requested, read “The Hillmother’s Holy Hen.” The next day, the party assembled upon the roof of the great tower. They said their farewells. Braddok was fit to go into a rage seeing Montor lay a kiss upon Alaria’s cheek when the two embraced in farewell. Well, he was stuck here, the swordsman thought as little consolation. In a swirling vortex of blue and white sparkles of light, the party felt themselves lift off of the tower’s stones, only for a moment, before encountering a “pushing” sensation, as if they were suddenly moving through molasses, a moment later, the light showering around them cleared and they stood, somewhat unexpectedly, very near the top of the mountain that contained NOr Gorthok. A large cave mouth before them. A quite reconnaissance revealed they were on the eastern side, very near the summit of the mountain. The great oak trree that had been the druid Ornfael the Long Cursed was around the north side of the mountain about halfway down, beneath their position. “Ow!" Haelan tripped upon something hard beneath the collection of rocky dust and dead brush surrounding the cave opening. Dipping down to pick it up out of the dirt and brush, Haelan dropped it quickly. It was a skull of...something. Something large. Fen confirmed it to be a large reptile, likely an alligator from the swamps below. A cursory search revealed several other bones of a variety of creatures scattered about. “Too bad it’s not Rach’sha.” Duor said as he edged along the side of the mountain to the cave’s opening. *Hilltender, I do not like this scent. There is too much death here...and something...musty...damp and reptilean.* Buttercream chittered at Haelan. “Braddok!” Haelan said in a panicked whisper. The swordsman looked blankly at the Hilltender. “Remember that night in the swamp? When we fought the stirges?” the daelvar still soke in hushed tones. “When something flew over us...” Braddok nodded. He unsheathed Kandu and raised his shield. The rest of the company (except Pyrnion) ecame immediately battle-ready tense. Fen explained to the zephari that Erevan had presumed the creature Braddok and Haelan saw to be a wyvern...and they had further presumed it laired at the top of this mountain. They stood in the midmorning...presumably the creature, if it were here, would be sleeping. Opting against torches for the time being, they entered the large cave mouth carefully. Pyrnion was immediately uncomfortable in the dark rocky surroundings on all sides. He turned back to look at the outdoor light in the sky beyond while he could. It helped, but his insides screamed in panic when they turned a bend and the cave opening was no longer visible. Fortunately, the cavern before them rose up out of their view. A wide, roughly circular cavern that sloped down. There, in the center of the cavern, their fears were realized as a large greyish dragon-like creature snored loudly. A half-eaten carcass of some humanoid creature lay near its draconic snout. Fen, silently, pointed across the wide chamber to an opening at the far side. At Alaria’s frantic silent motions, the party returned out the ledge. They had previously discussed their tactics to avoid all unnecessary conflicts, lest they come upon Tresahd unprepared. The magess cursed that they no longer possessed the Ihs Repahl which would allow them to simply fly in cloud-form to wherever they wanted. Soon, Alaria promised herself. With Pyrnion’s ability to make himself invisible, it was decided the zephari and druid would use their gifts of Pixie Dust to make the whole party invisible. They were, unfortunately, unsure how long the faerie enchantment would last. But they hoped it could at least get them passed the slumbering wyvern, possibly even deeper. With a pinch for Buttercream, Haelan, Braddok, Alaria, Duor, Jovias and Fen, Pyrnion’s dust was used up and Fen had, about, 3 pinches left. Thankfully, a side-effect of the pixie’s particular invisibility, they could all see each other normally. The party moved with considerable care and silence across the chamber, choosing to circle around the back of the creature rather than pass near its nose. Entering the opposite portal, which was no larger than a normal doorway, they found a set of stairs carved from the mountain stone itself. Their decent was long. They continued down and around, Duor supposed that were tracking around the outer perimeter of mountain, as the descent was not steep and the curve more or less consistent, minimal, and seemed to become ever widening. Finally, the companions reached a platform that leveled off with a large door before them. It was not locked nor, as far as Duor or Jovias could tell, trapped. After a quick cantrip to conjure Alaria’s magical sight, no threat or dweomer she could perceive was revealed. The party opened the door cautiously. It made a horribly loud, to their ears, creak. But there seemed to be no one on the other side. The doorway opened to reveal an immense cavern, light from various unseen sources to shower the whole interior of the mountain in a fiery orange flickering glow. The party found themselves upon a 20 foot wide walkway, also seemingly carved from the mountain, that looked like it extended all around the interior of the mountain. A stone “railing” edged the pathway and various arches and doors were placed, sporadically, around the perimeter, leading obviously, to other sections of the mountain, such as the goblin quarters and conjuring rooms they’d encountered before...though could not begin to guess where those were in relation to the current position. The greatest shock to the company was the large towered castle that sat within the open cavern, in its entirety. The twisted and bent ancient looking black towers reaching up beyond their vision toward the top of the hollowed out mountain. The roots of the multi-towered and walled stronghold far below their position. The various poeces of the castle look like they were composed of single pieces of black rock that from place to place seemed to be melted, as they’d encountered at the cave mouth of Rach’sha’s lair. “How’d they build a whole castle inside of a mountain?!” Haelan said in amazement. “Bah. Dwarves’ve been doin’ it fer ages." Duor said, obviously unimpressed. “Looks like crap. It's old, to be sure...but have a bit o' pride. Upkeep is necessary, even with dwarf-made structures." “If this is Nor Gorthok,” Alaria posed, “I think it more likely the dragon created the mountain up around the castle.” ”An additional layer of concealment.” Pyrnion nodded in agreement. ”How do we get over there?” Duor said, leaning over the stone railing and looking down. ”Do we have to? Maybe we could find the orb someplace else.” Haelan said hopeful, peering over the rail beside the dwarf. ”That‘s where the treasure is. Make no mistake.” Duor pointed forefully at the black castle. ”And there is little doubt the Kalanaptra is there as well. I presume that is where Tresahd resides. As crucial as it seems to be, the wizard will keep it with him.” Pyrnion said. Buttercream‘s hair bristled immediately before she spoke to Haelan. *[I]Blek. I smell goblins.[/I]* As the party scanned their surroundings left and right. From the archway closest to their left, some fifty yards t their left, pair after pair of hobgoblin solders came marching out. Their booted feet creating a stomping beat that echoed through half of the cavern. Twenty in total exited. Half marching to the right, away from the party, half turning toe left ...heading for the party! “Make way. Stand clear if you can.” Braddok hissed in command. “Quiet now, Buttercream." Haelan whispered. “Let them pass." The party split, pressing themselves against the railing or wall to allow the marching patrol to pass. They seemed to take no notice of the adventurers. They continued to march the wide circle of the ledge, carrying on out of view around a bend in the perimeter. “Now what?” Duor said. “There.” Pyrnion pointed to their left. There are stairs going down to the next ledge.” Braddok followed where the zephari indicated. “And there!” the warrior noted with some excitement. A narrow sliver of natural looking stone jutted out from the level beneath them to the outer wall of the black castle. “Well let’s get to it. I’ve been waiting half a damned year for this booty. Let’s get it over with and get out of here.” Duor said even as he began trotting off in the direction of the staircase a quarter of the mountain’s arc away from them. The rest of the party followed, in their prescribed order. “Uh, Alaria...” Haelan whispered as they edged around the outside of the cavern. “Yes Haelan.” Alaria replied distractedly, as she continually scanned their surroundings for any sign of magical alarms or traps that might give away their presence. “When we find the treasure and the Ihs Repahl...um...I mean, assuming we don’t have to fight or kill Tresahd...How are we getting back?” Haelan asked. “Oh...well...we’ll...ummm.” Why hadn’t that been decided in all of their plans?! “We’ll get out like we did last time.” Alaria finally said. “For now, concentrate on our goal.” “Well...my goal includes getting out of here alive.” Haelan answered somewhat perturbed. “As do we all, Hilltender. Be stalwart.” Braddok answered for the obviously at-a-loss magess. [/QUOTE]
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