NOW LIVE! Today's the day you meet your new best friend. You don’t have to leave Wolfy behind... In 'Pets & Sidekicks' your companions level up with you!

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ltclnlbrain" data-source="post: 1944731" data-attributes="member: 12882">Chapter 30Smoky plumes rose from the chimneys of Finch, but nothing stirred among the stone houses or humble dwellings of wood and thatch. The village looked abandoned, and there was no sign of the threat that drove the people away.As the mystic theurge and paladin landed in the hamlet's central square, Rumar cocked his head to the side. Noises were coming from a nearby building labeled "Tratern's Goodstuffs." The aasimar gestured to the building, and Jelani nodded before silently creeping to the window. Peering inside, he could see that the store was cluttered and cramped. Boxes laid stacked about the walls and carpets, coats, and furs littered the floor without any apparent organization.Standing near one wall was a six-foot-tall humanoid creature wearing a breastplate that was either painted white or polished to such a degree so as to create the effect. Indeed, it was difficult to distinguish at a glance where the armor ended and the creature's scaly white skin began. A thin red cloak added the only color to its appearance. At a distance, the creature might have passed for a pale human. Up close, the sharpened claws, reptilian eyes, and long teeth marked it as...something else.The creature was buisly looking over the shelves along the far wall. A small collection of things--mostly foodstuffs--had been stacked on the floor next to the creature. Jelani looked the creature up and down, a thin smile coming to his lips. He had to give the fellow one thing: he was quite the snappy dresser. He turned to Rumar and gave an 'all-clear' signal, then strode brazenly into the store. "You don't look like much of a demon to me, but maybe that's just the life experience," he said aloud.The creature turned to regard the two men as they entered the shop, its nostrils flaring as its gaze fell upon them. "My name is Taigiel," it said in unaccented Common. "You do not have the look of a villager about you. And you are not afraid. You have no reason to be: I will not hurt you. People tend to run before I have a chance to explain myself though. The curse of my heritage no doubt.""Maybe it's rude to ask, but I just have to know: Why did you stop at the shrine first?” Though Jelani's tone was matter-of-fact, there was just a touch of a grin on his face."My mother always taught me to honor the gods. It is a good practice in this unforgiving land. Wherever I go, I am feared and reviled. Demon, they call me. Devil. Monster. I am none of these, yet no village, town, or city of men will accept me. I am the son of Acessiwal, the infamous white dragon of the tundra. I traveled far from these cold lands to escape my terrible birth and the curse my father bequeathed to me. Now, I have returned to fulfill my destiny. You are adventurers, yes? I am curious as to your reason for being here." “Soon you will not be the only one feeling the curse of your father," said Jelani. The theurge leaned against the store's wall, arms crossed. "We have learned of plans that he has to conquer this area, all the way down past the great city of Silverymoon. I’m not in the business of limiting people’s choices; the goddess would not look kindly upon that. So we are here to stop your father and his minions, before he imposes his will upon too much of the world. And what of your own plans…this destiny of which you speak?” Taigiel nodded, his face set with grim determination. "I have trained and readied myself, searching for a band of heroes to help me slay my father. By ending the dragon's terrible reign, I pray that the gods will grant me peace. Perhaps then, people will see me as something more than a monster. I beg for your help. I want nothing in return--no glory, riches, or fame. I just hope that once Acessiwal is dead, the gods shall grant me peace and rest." Rumar watched the interchange impassively, unobtrusively narrowing his eyes. Mortal flesh could be deceiving; the half-dragon's soul would reveal the truth.Jelani only partially suppressed a laugh at Taigiel’s words, instead just letting out a snort. “People will see you as a monster whether or you slay your father or not. But it is worth doing in any case, and there will be those who know of your great deed, which could help a bit. Those who’ve seen more of the world will be more likely to see you as a person than a monster; but they would have before. Your help would be welcome but we’ve learned that he has at least one child helping him; your brother or sister. Just how far are you willing to go with this, Taigiel?"Taigiel thumped his right hand across his chest and stared at Jelani with determination in his reptilian eyes. "I swear by Tempus that I will fight beside you until either I or Acessiwal lie dead and bleeding on the icy plains. I will slay all of his vile progeny, all of my brothers and sisters, if it means being able to confront my father once and for all. I can take you to Coldheart, the lair of the white wyrm, if you decide to fight alongside me. Together we can rid my father's stain from this world." "A bold statement," Rumar said abruptly, sheathing his sword. He had found no problem with the dragonspawn nor his claims. "Let us go rejoin the others then - best you remain behind us initially, so they do not grow alarmed at your sight and attempt to slay you. At least until we explain you mean no harm." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------"Why now?" asked Terenon. "What has changed, that you race to destroy your family?"Taigiel fixed the mage with a solemn expression. "I was forced to flee my hometown of Latona at the age of ten. I kept to the wilderness, ashamed of my heritage, and waging a private war against orcs, ogres, and other evil creatures of the lands. Three months ago, wracked with despair and loneliness, I came across an abandoned shrine to Tempus. There, I heard a voice. It could only have belonged to the god himself. The voice pronounced that only with the death of my sire could I be free."Taigiel thumped his hand to his chest and nodded. "Acessiwal must die. That is all there is to it." Terenon gave a slight smile and said, "Who am I to argue with a god?" He turned to his other companions and looked into each of their eyes. "Well, as the barbarians say, 'don't look a gift horse in the mouth.' But we can't run around with him looking as he does. We will need to disguise him. I have nothing long-lasting to accomplish that. Perhaps we can get him an item to aid in that." Terenon knew it was a bit rude the way he talked about their new addition, but such half-breeds were distasteful to him. Like a wild animal, one could turn on you at any moment.Terenon addresseds Taigiel once more. "It would seem we have the same goals. I have no objections to you joining us. However, I do not speak for everyone. If you are to join, tell us your skills and what you can bring to our cause. Information? Sword arm? Magic?""I am quite skilled with sword and bow, and I know the ways of the tundra well," said the half-dragon. There was no pride evident in his voice: he was merely stating facts. "I am adept at staying alive in the wilderness and tracking creatures across the frozen plains. I can also cast a few spells, though nothing too spectacular. I also know the approximate location of Acessiwal's lair. A few weeks ago, I was met by a pair of my father's servants outside of Latona and told how to reach Coldheart so that I might return to my father's side and help him enslave the southlands. I spat on their offer and fled.""An extra blade by our side certainly won't hurt," said Grundar. "I say we let him join us.""Aye," seconded Allanon. "Welcome to the group."Taigiel nodded. "You will not regret this decision.""We'll see," said Terenon. "Now, we need to--"The sound of heavy footfalls interrupted whatever the mage was about to say. Whirling to the north, the party saw three nine-foot tall creatures striding toward them. Glistening against the icy background, they resembled humanoid skeletons either encased in or composed of solid ice. Their arms ended in wickedly sharp claws."Servants of Acessiwal!" cried Taigiel."So soon?" asked Grundar.</blockquote>

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