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Message: <blockquote data-quote="H.M.Gimlord" data-source="post: 5618948" data-attributes="member: 79440">[GM]I know this is long, but it's got some bits of history that will be necessary to keep in mind as the story unfolds.  Unfortunately, things will be RP heavy for a little while.  If you pay attention over the next few posts, however, you will find many useful clues.[/GM]The dragon turns to the others in the group, "If you all chose this one for your spokesman, you need to reconsider," now addressing Gensai, "Let's leave the lies and the half-truths to the dragons, shall we?" He cranes his head back up nearly touching the cavern ceiling from his perch, "First of all, I think it better if your 'friend' here" he glances over in Mervin's direction,"got some sleep. He's been through a lot. Secondly, the dwarf wasn't kidnapped," he cocks his head in a mocking attempt to look as though he is thinking deeply, "I prefer the term 'unwittingly summoned'. It's far more accurate. And, by the way, if you had checked your facts correctly, you would know that he's closer to home, here, than he would be in Rioc Alair. Daunton's a far cry from here, and I doubt the poor squeak has ever heard of it," the dragon shifts his weight on the rock, "And Finally," he brings his head down directly in front of the bladmaster, cocked to the side so that one eye stares right through him, "You did not just happen to 'come upon' Iguyo Di Wer Grovisv. You slew some of my most loyal followers and foolishly chose sides with a liar, intending to come here and slay me while I slept,"Wer Vhisar's voice grows in intensity, "Do you take me for a fool!?" he bellows turning to face the ronin, "Do you not think I know where my wyrmrats are and what their doing!?" the dragon's voice is now irate, "You confessed as much to my concierge not a moment ago!" with that last phrase, he turns directly down at Gensai as if to bite his head off, and then pretends to think better of it. He pulls back, and his face softens, "Perhaps I can give you a sporting chance," the dragon's eyes narrow allowing the ends of his mouth to curl up around his 'beard' into a villainous smile, "I'll tell you my version of the lies you have heard, and you can choose which one contains more truth." He chuckles, and his voice takes on an even more sinister tone, "And if you still stick by your poor excuse of a story, you can fight your way out of this room."A ball of vapor materializes in front of the party and begins to spark with lightning, as if it were a small thundercloud. Suddenly images begin to materialize and play out the story that Wer Vhisar narrates, Not long ago, at least not long for me, the mountains to the north were infested with dwarves.  They burrowed into the rock like termites into wood.  It was not long before they had tunneled deep enough to find vi kepesk sitelia persvek doton.  In your language, it means, "A storm captured in glass".  It was not a single stone, but an entire vein of elemental magic. Their king, Arkus Mast Gimlord quickly recognized its value and put it to use.  With it, they not only mined their ore, but also fashioned their weapons. Call it hubris or greed, but Arkus allowed the elemental power to fuel his ambitions.  I  can hardly blame him. After all, these traits are a singular similarity between dwarves and dragons.  In little time, he subjugated all inhabitants of the island, and even the sisters, Grovisvi Daariv and Lpuul Bakina, cowered in the forest in fear of caged tempest. Storm clouds gathered perpetually about the peaks of Rioc Parvel, and steel of the finest quality flowed perpetually from its roots. The dwarves’ success, however, was also, ironically, their downfall.  Legends of Arkus’ riches reached my father’s ears in Terning.  He made the journey across the ocean, and fell swiftly upon the dwarves.  There reliance upon their magic had made them forget how to fight with mundane weapons, and my father was immune to the sting of the captured storm.  Even Arkus himself fell at his own gates.  No one survived… …except for a small band of dwarves who were off to sea at the time, among whom was one Bardir Arkus Gimlord, son of Arkus Gimlord.  The pitiful group returned home to find a smoking ruin, and, realizing that they were too few to oust my father, settled on the western coast of Avenroc to allow their vengeance to build.  They constructed a lighthouse in hopes of attracting more seafaring dwarves, but none came.  Finally, the wait was too much. Bardir led the remnant of Rioc Parvel into the mountain to reclaim their right, but what they found was quite unexpected.  Grovisvi Daariv and Lpuul Bakina had not been idle. They had slain my father and taken residence in Rioc Parvel.  Bardir had found two young dragons, where he only anticipated a singular, aged wyrm.  They were forced back to mountain’s perimeter where they held their ground for quite some time, but, eventually, they were undone.  Only three made it out alive: Bardir, his wife Onyxia, and a fellow sea-dwarf Bredeniar Swordhand. Bredeniar was set adrift on a sea-going vessel in hopes that he could reach Erkemhest and return with more dwarves for one last foray to retake the mines.  He was to instruct others to pass the mouth of the Fluss (that is the river that runs from here to the ocean) regularly and watch for a beacon from the lighthouse.  The lit beacon would signal the success of the dwarves and the return of their king to his throne. Unfortunately, I was there to see Bredeniar’s fate.  Upon reaching the open water, he was immediately apprehended and pressed into the service of pirates.  It is not likely that he ever made it back to Erkemhest. Bardir and Onyixia waited long at the lighthouse, and when Bredeniar did not return, they decided to strike north and cut their losses.  Feeling abandoned by the dwarves of Erkemhest, Bardir changed his name to Bard Mast and settled in Rioc Alair where he and his wife had a son, Hankel, whom you had the good fortune to meet not a moment ago in the dungeons below.                  Concluding his longwinded speech, the Wer Vhisar brings his head down to human-eye level once more, resting it on the backs of his foretalons with a sigh as the vaporous oracle dissipates, wraithlike, from the space between himself and the small band of five.“And here,” he concludes, cocking his resting head to the side, “is where we decide who you will believe.  I could eat you all right now, to be sure, but I might be able to use you , and that suits me more than the satiation of my hunger…at the moment.   “Though immune to their poison, I, alone, am not strong enough to avenge my father’s death.  This is where you come in. I intend give you an opportunity to restore Hankel to his throne, but in return, I want three things:“First, I want my father’s diffusion moved to these halls.  I have prepared a place for it, and I can give you a ritual that will accomplish the task.“Second, I want the moonstone.  No doubt you have heard of it.  It is an aspect of vi kepesk sitelia persvek doton that stands 7 hands wide by 1 hand, 1 span deep in dwarven measure.  You will likely find it in my father’s lair within the mines.“Third, I want Grovisvi Daariv and Lpuul Bakina dead.  You are to bring me their heads as proof.”Wer Vhisar rises, “Your friend,” he indicates the unconscious Mervin, “will stay here with me.  I make no promises as to his safety, or yours for that matter, but my desire for your cooperation in this matter is likely enough to stay my appetite, at least until your return.”  The dragon looks from one adventurers' eyes to the other…   “Now,” his voice sounds villainously gleeful, “What say you?”      [sblock=Riardon's Insight]Riardon's insight reveals that Wer Vhisar, as with most dragons has revealed a dangerous half-truth.  His story seems accurate, at least to his own recollection, but he is holding back important information, primarily how it is that he knows this history.Riardon also realizes that Wer Vhisar has not promised to do anything but give them an opportunity and a ritual (i.e.: no help and no protection, either from himself or from the sister dragons).[/sblock][GM]Whew!  Thanks for your patience.  I actually had this about 3/4 written last night and the forum ate my post. @#&%$! [/GM]</blockquote>

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