Session 4
Sunshine and Travel
When Evol and Anett woke up that morning, they found that Menolly was her normal size again. They all gathered their things, and went for one more meeting with the queen.
The queen saw them off graciously, and directed them to the portal that will lead them home - along the mountains, past the Rose Dragon's lair, and towards the mountain with the flat top. She also took care to mention to avoid entering the seventh door within the dragon's lair 'or evil will befall you.'
Evol thanked her, and asked what needed to be done to end the twilight in the realm. The queen looked at her in surprise: "Have you not been outside? The sun has been shining for several hours! The night began to fall as soon as you held the power stone in your hand."
Evol murmered her relief (as too much more time in this chaotic land would be very taxing on a Paladin), and the others were happy as well.
They set off in the sun - too bright for Evol's eyes - and travel along the path toward the mountains. Soon, however, the path wanders off to the left and so they decide to continue straight ahead. Some of the trees start to look a bit... different. Perhaps more vivid, more lively if possible. They spot a Satyr or two a distance through the trees, and small animals abound.
The Clearing
Just as the land returns to twilight, they come across a small clearing in the woods and decide to make camp. Anett takes first watch, and the others lay in the soft grass, looking up at the most stars they've ever seen. Even though there is no moon, there is enough light from the stars to see forms and figures.
Anett is surprised to see a few lights floating through the woods, coming into the clearing. Soon there are more of them at the edge of the clearing, and she hears lively dancing music that almost demands a happy jig. In fact, both of her sleeping friends jump up, awake, with a smile and begin to dance! They ask her to join them, but she declines.
"I've heard stories of faerie music, I don't really want to be stuck here dancing for 100 years!" She shakes Menolly, who continues to dance, and then goes over to Evol and shakes her. Evol reluctantly stops dancing as she feels the pull fade, while Anett tries to bring Menolly out of it again. They stand there debating what to do for a short time, when Evol begins to get a far-away look in her eyes and starts swaying to the music.
Menolly backs up to the edge of the clearing - "I'm getting out of here!" Anett shakes Evol one more time and they leave the clearing together. Outside the clearing, they watch the lights move around and hear the music but it no longer seems to have the same pull. Then they realize... they left all their gear in the clearing.
A fast and furious debate ends with the realization that Anett had never been affected by the music, and the decision is made that she will venture in and gather the remaining items. Two trips and no dancing later, they are plus two backpacks and their weapons. A soft layer of pixie dust puffs up into the air and makes them sneeze, but they seem to have no other ill effect.
They lay down just outside the clearing, and attempt to finish their night. As dawn breaks for the second time in over a thousand years, the lights and music fade off into the woods.
The Rose Dragon's Cave
They rise, and stretch, and realize that the flat top mountain is in a slightly different place than when they went to sleep. But, no matter... they aim for it as they trek across rolling hills and begin to climb on a path along the edge of a tall mountain - Rose's mountain.
A dark mouth of a cave, too small for a dragon, leads off the path into the mountain ahead. Cautiously, they approach it, and hear a roar from within. Anett is positive it sounds like a bear and they hurry past, wanting to avoid a battle with an innocent creature.
And then, they see the Rose Dragon's cave. The mouth of the cave is 20 feet wide, and 20 feet high, and leads into the mountain. They pause a few feet into the mouth of the cave to discuss a plan.
Should they negotiate? Should they get physical? Should they try and best him at a game again? Should they even try to rescue the children that had been turned to stone - is it worth the risk?
Finally Menolly blinked with realization. "You know, we're discussing all this inside the mouth of his cave. He's probably listening to every word we're saying."
As one, they turn and look deeper into the cave. About 50 feet back, a shaft of sunlight pierces down from above and falls on the Rose dragon, who is lying comfortably in the middle of the room, watching them.
"Hello, mortals. It is good to see you again." He rises up, stretches, and smiles down at them.
They come forward into the room, and they see carefully arranged hundreds of perfect statues of fairy children, many smiling and laughing, others frozen in a scream of horror. A stone dryad peers from around a rock, and several stone pixies have been carefully hung from the high ceiling.
Menolly mutters, "If it gets physical in here, we'll have to be careful with that big dragon tail lashing around."
Rose swings his head to look at her with a little chuckle. "You're planning on getting physical?"
"Well... not necessarily." Then, to the others, "So, what's our plan?"
Glad you're enjoying it. Once we're done - in one or two more sessions - I'll write up a few things I would do differently if I could start over. I'm relatively satisfied so far, but I certainly wish I'd planned it out farther in advance so I could drop more hints. Hopefully that will be helpful as well 