Mathew_Freeman
Adventurer
Dragon! Dragon! Dragon! Woo hoo!
I love reading about Dragon fights...
I love reading about Dragon fights...
The Unusual Heroes Enter The City of the Spider Queen!
- Thread starter Ziona
- Start date
PaynAndispare
First Post
Dragons! Big and mean and nasty, and those damnable breath weapons ... *gasp*
Ziona
First Post
The Dragon’s Horde
A low moan could be heard from the darkness, along with the whistle of wings beating against the breeze. Before Glouroth arrived however, the heroes sprang into action. Varr popped the cork on his last Fly potion, soared forward and swung his axe into the kir-lanan that had first spoken. The creature was not foolish enough to let the dwarf hit him again. Instead, he flew above him and reached his hands downward in an attempt to dig his claws into Varr’s flesh.
On the ground below, Tark had cast Fly on Belasco, while Ziona cast Air Walk on Dent. The ranger and warrior took to the sky and attacked the kir-lanan that were gliding around in the dank darkness.
“Glouroth is upon us!” communicated Rossal urgently.
The dragon emerged from the darkness above, it’s frightful presence pouring over the heroes. Only Tark and Ziona seemed unshaken by the sight of the dragon, while the immense creature made the others shaky and nervous.
Glouroth looked upon his prey, opened his enormous mouth, and sent a cone of smoking shadows upon them. Belasco and Varr, who were caught amongst the muck with the kir-lanan, felt greatly weakened. They continued to fight, however. Belasco swooped around in the air, slicing into the kir-lanan, while Varr charged straight for the dragon in his rage. The dwarf was able to smash his axe into the hide of the dragon twice, causing it to shriek wildly in pain.
Meanwhile, more kir-lanan were appearing in the air and on the ground. Avangel used his spear to fend them off, while Tark and Ziona were busy casting. Blood rained from the sky as Dent and Belasco attacked the flying kir-lanan.
Tark stepped back behind where Ziona and Avangel were fighting and began to cast, making sure his spell was not interrupted. The misty words rolled off his tongue and his prayer was complete. He looked up and watched as his spell engulfed the dragon in green flame. Glouroth wailed and roared briefly before the spell destroyed him entirely.
The raging Varr swiped at the air where the dragon’s form dissipated, and the kir-lanan looked around them in shock. They ceased their attacks and looked upon the heroes.
One lowered his head and spoke in Undercommon, “You are great warriors, and we surrender. You may pass without incident.”
“They are allowing us to pass,” translated Ziona with relief.
“Give us the dragon’s treasure and we’ll let you live,” spat Belasco.
The kir-lanan looked up with disgust at the drow.
“Ungrateful wretch! I’ll have your head!”
He lunged at Belasco, and the battle suddenly ensued.
“What’s going on?” shouted Dent.
“I thought they surrendered?” asked Tark.
“Belasco demanded the dragon’s horde,” yelled Ziona. “We have insulted them…we must fight!”
The kir-lanan were now angry and fighting hard, though their numbers were now very few. Belasco’s longswords dripped with the blood of his enemies as he sliced through them one by one. Dent’s arrows hit their mark each time, while Tark’s mace gave each foe an electric charge before sending them to their deaths. Varr was still frothing with rage while swinging Frostbite wildly, and Ziona’s Moonblade dealt a vicious blow to the kir-lanan attacking her. Finally, it seemed the battle was over.
“Fools,” chortled Belasco while Tark was restoring his strength. “They would be alive now if they had just handed over the treasure of the dragon.”
“Try to keep in mind this is not a treasure hunt we’re on,” called Ziona. She was busy tending to Varr.
“Maybe not for you, half-drow,” replied Belasco. “I’m sure you have more shady plans in mind.”
“You question my intentions, yet you lead the group to danger. We could have passed without incident if not for your greed.”
“It is over and done,” interrupted Dent. “No need to bicker now.”
“Thank you, Miss Ziona. I feel my strength return,” said Varr, wiping the spittle from his beard. “Now, let’s find that treasure!”
Just then, Avangel swooped down from the darkness above.
“I have found it already,” he said. “Follow me.”
Those who could fly or airwalk did so, while Avangel carried Ziona, Tark and Haley to the top of the cliff where the dragon once resided. Upon seeing the gold and gems, Rossal shot out from Ziona’s cloak and nestled among the treasure like a cat in a sunbeam.
“A dragon’s horde, indeed!” laughed Dent.
The Adventure Continues…
A low moan could be heard from the darkness, along with the whistle of wings beating against the breeze. Before Glouroth arrived however, the heroes sprang into action. Varr popped the cork on his last Fly potion, soared forward and swung his axe into the kir-lanan that had first spoken. The creature was not foolish enough to let the dwarf hit him again. Instead, he flew above him and reached his hands downward in an attempt to dig his claws into Varr’s flesh.
On the ground below, Tark had cast Fly on Belasco, while Ziona cast Air Walk on Dent. The ranger and warrior took to the sky and attacked the kir-lanan that were gliding around in the dank darkness.
“Glouroth is upon us!” communicated Rossal urgently.
The dragon emerged from the darkness above, it’s frightful presence pouring over the heroes. Only Tark and Ziona seemed unshaken by the sight of the dragon, while the immense creature made the others shaky and nervous.
Glouroth looked upon his prey, opened his enormous mouth, and sent a cone of smoking shadows upon them. Belasco and Varr, who were caught amongst the muck with the kir-lanan, felt greatly weakened. They continued to fight, however. Belasco swooped around in the air, slicing into the kir-lanan, while Varr charged straight for the dragon in his rage. The dwarf was able to smash his axe into the hide of the dragon twice, causing it to shriek wildly in pain.
Meanwhile, more kir-lanan were appearing in the air and on the ground. Avangel used his spear to fend them off, while Tark and Ziona were busy casting. Blood rained from the sky as Dent and Belasco attacked the flying kir-lanan.
Tark stepped back behind where Ziona and Avangel were fighting and began to cast, making sure his spell was not interrupted. The misty words rolled off his tongue and his prayer was complete. He looked up and watched as his spell engulfed the dragon in green flame. Glouroth wailed and roared briefly before the spell destroyed him entirely.
The raging Varr swiped at the air where the dragon’s form dissipated, and the kir-lanan looked around them in shock. They ceased their attacks and looked upon the heroes.
One lowered his head and spoke in Undercommon, “You are great warriors, and we surrender. You may pass without incident.”
“They are allowing us to pass,” translated Ziona with relief.
“Give us the dragon’s treasure and we’ll let you live,” spat Belasco.
The kir-lanan looked up with disgust at the drow.
“Ungrateful wretch! I’ll have your head!”
He lunged at Belasco, and the battle suddenly ensued.
“What’s going on?” shouted Dent.
“I thought they surrendered?” asked Tark.
“Belasco demanded the dragon’s horde,” yelled Ziona. “We have insulted them…we must fight!”
The kir-lanan were now angry and fighting hard, though their numbers were now very few. Belasco’s longswords dripped with the blood of his enemies as he sliced through them one by one. Dent’s arrows hit their mark each time, while Tark’s mace gave each foe an electric charge before sending them to their deaths. Varr was still frothing with rage while swinging Frostbite wildly, and Ziona’s Moonblade dealt a vicious blow to the kir-lanan attacking her. Finally, it seemed the battle was over.
“Fools,” chortled Belasco while Tark was restoring his strength. “They would be alive now if they had just handed over the treasure of the dragon.”
“Try to keep in mind this is not a treasure hunt we’re on,” called Ziona. She was busy tending to Varr.
“Maybe not for you, half-drow,” replied Belasco. “I’m sure you have more shady plans in mind.”
“You question my intentions, yet you lead the group to danger. We could have passed without incident if not for your greed.”
“It is over and done,” interrupted Dent. “No need to bicker now.”
“Thank you, Miss Ziona. I feel my strength return,” said Varr, wiping the spittle from his beard. “Now, let’s find that treasure!”
Just then, Avangel swooped down from the darkness above.
“I have found it already,” he said. “Follow me.”
Those who could fly or airwalk did so, while Avangel carried Ziona, Tark and Haley to the top of the cliff where the dragon once resided. Upon seeing the gold and gems, Rossal shot out from Ziona’s cloak and nestled among the treasure like a cat in a sunbeam.
“A dragon’s horde, indeed!” laughed Dent.
The Adventure Continues…
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Mathew_Freeman
Adventurer
And what a sweet image to finish on!
Truly a great SH Ziona, for me, this one is right up there with Pkitty and Sepulchrave in terms of wonderful player interaction and good writing.
(I'm starting to sound more like Horacio than Horacio!)
Truly a great SH Ziona, for me, this one is right up there with Pkitty and Sepulchrave in terms of wonderful player interaction and good writing.
(I'm starting to sound more like Horacio than Horacio!)
"Tark stepped back behind where Ziona and Avangel were fighting and began to cast, making sure his spell was not interrupted. The misty words rolled off his tongue and his prayer was complete. He looked up and watched as his spell engulfed the dragon in green flame. Glouroth wailed and roared briefly before the spell destroyed him entirely."
I'm just kinda curious as to what spell could destroy a shadow dragon quite like that. Hopefully my PC's don't have one waiting in the background when/if they make it this far
Abacab
I'm just kinda curious as to what spell could destroy a shadow dragon quite like that. Hopefully my PC's don't have one waiting in the background when/if they make it this far
Abacab
Abacab said:"Tark stepped back behind where Ziona and Avangel were fighting and began to cast, making sure his spell was not interrupted. The misty words rolled off his tongue and his prayer was complete. He looked up and watched as his spell engulfed the dragon in green flame. Glouroth wailed and roared briefly before the spell destroyed him entirely."
I'm just kinda curious as to what spell could destroy a shadow dragon quite like that. Hopefully my PC's don't have one waiting in the background when/if they make it this far
Abacab
I'd say it was a Destruction.
Ziona
First Post
Tallarn said:And what a sweet image to finish on!
Truly a great SH Ziona, for me, this one is right up there with Pkitty and Sepulchrave in terms of wonderful player interaction and good writing.
(I'm starting to sound more like Horacio than Horacio!)
/blushWhat a compliment! I appreciate your praise. It's a bit of an honor to have my SH compared to Pkitty's and Sepulchrave's!! Thank you.
As for the image, I love Tony DiTerlizzi's art. Xaltar had the Dragon magazine with the pseudodragon article in it, and I thought of that picture when I was writing the story today. I used that picture as my desktop image for awhile, and I remembered it was on DiTerlizzi's website, so I snagged it for the post. Glad you like it.
There is another picture DiTerlizzi did for a Magic card called Angelic Blessing, which is probably my favorite. I used to use it in my sig when I posted, because, without the wings, it's kind of what I've always pictured Ziona to look like. (Thinking about it now, I should use it as my avatar...)
Thank you again for the compliment. We play again tomorrow night, so I won't promise an update just yet. And BTW Abacab, it was Destruction that Tark cast upon the dragon. Very deadly spell, indeed!
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PaynAndispare
First Post
Aye, it was Destruction. I started the first round with Tyche's Curse (prestige ability for an Auspician which has the same effects as bestow curse) which hit. So I took 6 con away from the dragon, thus reducing his fort save by 3. Never really thought my spell would get through but again, the luck of the gods was with me that day
Great as usual Ziona ... looking forward to tonights adventure!!
Great as usual Ziona ... looking forward to tonights adventure!!
Ziona
First Post
Sekrr’s Lair
The heroes traveled for days after their encounter with the kir-lanan and Glouroth. They found only darkness and fitful rest as they journeyed, and were almost joyous when they came upon a cavern and a stream. The water flowed into the cavern, making it nearly impossible to enter without jumping into the stream and making noise.
“Looks as though it would reach the dwarf’s chin,” said Belasco.
Ziona clasped her holy symbol and prayed quietly. As she did, the water began to lower until it was barely the depth of a puddle.
“Now that’s more like it,” smirked Varr and he clanked into the waterway.
“I don’t think that was wise,” said Belasco with annoyance. “You don’t think someone will notice their stream all but vanished?”
Ziona climbed down into the path that the water had been traveling and said, “It lasts only a short while. I suggest you follow along…unless you want to wade through three feet of flowing water.”
The rest of the group climbed down and walked along the new pathway, which lead to a large room that was full of fungus. Upon entering, they interrupted two female drow who had been busy cultivating mushrooms.
“Surface raiders!” cried the first in Undercommon.
“They have come here, to the master’s domain? Fools,” growled the second.
The first pulled a small knife from her boot, while the second held her sharp-edged gardening tool before her.
“Hope you’re ready to meet your evil, drow goddess, wenches!” bellowed Belasco as he strode forward, swords in hand.
Belasco’s attacks were deadly, yet graceful. His skill with the blades were rivaled only by the legendary Drizzt, who had once traveled with the group for a brief time. As Ziona watched Belasco attack, she was reminded of the heroic drow that once helped her rescue her father. She noted the style and grace of Belasco’s attacks, but realized he was almost more vicious, and seemed more heartless than Drizzt had ever been. Even his size and stature were larger than most drow she had met.
In a moment’s time, Belasco had slaughtered the first drow woman, and was about to carve into the next one, when Varr advanced on her.
“She’s mine, pointy ear!”
Varr swung Frostbite, which connected with the drow’s stomach, causing her to drop her weapon in pain. As she clutched at her stomach and gasped a few last breaths, Varr brought his axe down again and finished the job he started.
“And that’s how drow women are to be handled,” spat Belasco.
Ziona looked at him, thinking again about the bitterness he possessed. Surely his upbringing was comparable to Drizzt’s, yet their attitudes were so different.
“Do you have something to say, half-drow?” he grumbled, noticing her stare.
“Only that you remind me of someone we traveled with for a short time, though he was far better at controlling his anger at those who wronged him,” she replied.
“I’m sure he never faced the torture and atrocities that I have endured at the hands of drow women like yourself.”
“Actually, I’m sure that’s exactly the treatment Drizzt Do’Urden received, Banrae,” she said coolly.
“Drizzt?” asked Belasco with a hint of surprise. “I didn’t know he had traveled among…”
“Now is not the time,” interrupted Dent. “I think we have company!”
Dent had noticed the hole in the ceiling when the scuffle broke out, but only spied movement now. As he warned the group, a large beholder lowered from the hole and looked upon the heroes with it’s many eyes.
Several rays shot forth from the wriggling eyes of the beholder, but only one struck it’s target. Varr, who had been about to charge the monster, was suddenly moving very slowly. He felt lethargic as he pushed himself to move and attack.
“Not a beholder,” grumbled Ziona.
“Fear not, milady,” said Tark, who was not far from the half-drow.
He began to chant as he gripped the cold silver of his holy symbol. The words were the same as those that he had recited a several days ago, and they yielded the same result. Sekrr the beholder was suddenly engulfed in green, misty flames as the destruction spell obliterated him.
“Not so bad, now was he?” said Tark musingly.
“That’s because you haven’t been petrified by them several times,” sighed Ziona. “It’s very frustrating.”
“That is true,” said Tark. “It is the luck of my god that keeps me safe.”
“Do you think there are more?” asked Avangel.
“There’s only one way to find out,” said Belasco. “Haul me up there.”
Avangel flew Belasco to the top, then came down and helped the others into the upper cavern. Here they found countless statues of adventurers, most of which were broken in the most despicable places, guaranteeing that they would return maimed (or worse) if the petrifaction was ever dispelled.
“Look here,” called Dent. “I think this one is okay…well, as ‘okay’ as a petrified elf can be.”
The group gathered around the elven statue, which stood with a bow gripped in one hand while reaching back with the other to get an arrow from his quiver.
“Can we break the spell?” asked Dent.
“Allow me,” replied Tark, who cleared some room and began to pray.
The elf’s stony features began to soften and become alive with color as his flesh reverted back to it’s normal form. As he came to life, his look was one of confusion and anger.
“Who are you? What’s going on?”
“It’s okay,” said Dent. “One of our clerics has broken the enchantment that was placed on you by the beholder.”
The elf looked around the room, remembering what had happened.
“Where is it now?”
“Defeated,” said Tark proudly. “What is your name, friend?”
“I am Roedyn. I traveled here with a group, not unlike yourselves. Several perished…the others were badly injured when we arrived here, in Sekrr’s lair.”
“How long have you been here?” asked Ziona.
Roedyn looked at her, realizing she was part drow.
“I’m not sure,” he replied hesitantly.
“It’s okay,” she said. “I am not a drow of the Underdark. I am part drow, and was raised on the surface.”
“Some of us did not have such luxuries,” blurted Belasco.
“You travel among the drow?” asked Roedyn of Dent.
“Trust me, they are worthy companions. Even if they bicker like children from time to time.”
The heroes introduced themselves, and after talking with Roedyn for a short while, came to realize it had been nearly a decade that he had spent as a statue, unmoving in the Underdark.
“Ziona,” called Rossal. “Come quickly!”
She found the pseudodragon hovering beside a decapitated statue, with a small head in his hands. He held the petrified head forward for all to see.
“Ziona, it’s Gnettles!!”
The Adventure Continues…
The heroes traveled for days after their encounter with the kir-lanan and Glouroth. They found only darkness and fitful rest as they journeyed, and were almost joyous when they came upon a cavern and a stream. The water flowed into the cavern, making it nearly impossible to enter without jumping into the stream and making noise.
“Looks as though it would reach the dwarf’s chin,” said Belasco.
Ziona clasped her holy symbol and prayed quietly. As she did, the water began to lower until it was barely the depth of a puddle.
“Now that’s more like it,” smirked Varr and he clanked into the waterway.
“I don’t think that was wise,” said Belasco with annoyance. “You don’t think someone will notice their stream all but vanished?”
Ziona climbed down into the path that the water had been traveling and said, “It lasts only a short while. I suggest you follow along…unless you want to wade through three feet of flowing water.”
The rest of the group climbed down and walked along the new pathway, which lead to a large room that was full of fungus. Upon entering, they interrupted two female drow who had been busy cultivating mushrooms.
“Surface raiders!” cried the first in Undercommon.
“They have come here, to the master’s domain? Fools,” growled the second.
The first pulled a small knife from her boot, while the second held her sharp-edged gardening tool before her.
“Hope you’re ready to meet your evil, drow goddess, wenches!” bellowed Belasco as he strode forward, swords in hand.
Belasco’s attacks were deadly, yet graceful. His skill with the blades were rivaled only by the legendary Drizzt, who had once traveled with the group for a brief time. As Ziona watched Belasco attack, she was reminded of the heroic drow that once helped her rescue her father. She noted the style and grace of Belasco’s attacks, but realized he was almost more vicious, and seemed more heartless than Drizzt had ever been. Even his size and stature were larger than most drow she had met.
In a moment’s time, Belasco had slaughtered the first drow woman, and was about to carve into the next one, when Varr advanced on her.
“She’s mine, pointy ear!”
Varr swung Frostbite, which connected with the drow’s stomach, causing her to drop her weapon in pain. As she clutched at her stomach and gasped a few last breaths, Varr brought his axe down again and finished the job he started.
“And that’s how drow women are to be handled,” spat Belasco.
Ziona looked at him, thinking again about the bitterness he possessed. Surely his upbringing was comparable to Drizzt’s, yet their attitudes were so different.
“Do you have something to say, half-drow?” he grumbled, noticing her stare.
“Only that you remind me of someone we traveled with for a short time, though he was far better at controlling his anger at those who wronged him,” she replied.
“I’m sure he never faced the torture and atrocities that I have endured at the hands of drow women like yourself.”
“Actually, I’m sure that’s exactly the treatment Drizzt Do’Urden received, Banrae,” she said coolly.
“Drizzt?” asked Belasco with a hint of surprise. “I didn’t know he had traveled among…”
“Now is not the time,” interrupted Dent. “I think we have company!”
Dent had noticed the hole in the ceiling when the scuffle broke out, but only spied movement now. As he warned the group, a large beholder lowered from the hole and looked upon the heroes with it’s many eyes.
Several rays shot forth from the wriggling eyes of the beholder, but only one struck it’s target. Varr, who had been about to charge the monster, was suddenly moving very slowly. He felt lethargic as he pushed himself to move and attack.
“Not a beholder,” grumbled Ziona.
“Fear not, milady,” said Tark, who was not far from the half-drow.
He began to chant as he gripped the cold silver of his holy symbol. The words were the same as those that he had recited a several days ago, and they yielded the same result. Sekrr the beholder was suddenly engulfed in green, misty flames as the destruction spell obliterated him.
“Not so bad, now was he?” said Tark musingly.
“That’s because you haven’t been petrified by them several times,” sighed Ziona. “It’s very frustrating.”
“That is true,” said Tark. “It is the luck of my god that keeps me safe.”
“Do you think there are more?” asked Avangel.
“There’s only one way to find out,” said Belasco. “Haul me up there.”
Avangel flew Belasco to the top, then came down and helped the others into the upper cavern. Here they found countless statues of adventurers, most of which were broken in the most despicable places, guaranteeing that they would return maimed (or worse) if the petrifaction was ever dispelled.
“Look here,” called Dent. “I think this one is okay…well, as ‘okay’ as a petrified elf can be.”
The group gathered around the elven statue, which stood with a bow gripped in one hand while reaching back with the other to get an arrow from his quiver.
“Can we break the spell?” asked Dent.
“Allow me,” replied Tark, who cleared some room and began to pray.
The elf’s stony features began to soften and become alive with color as his flesh reverted back to it’s normal form. As he came to life, his look was one of confusion and anger.
“Who are you? What’s going on?”
“It’s okay,” said Dent. “One of our clerics has broken the enchantment that was placed on you by the beholder.”
The elf looked around the room, remembering what had happened.
“Where is it now?”
“Defeated,” said Tark proudly. “What is your name, friend?”
“I am Roedyn. I traveled here with a group, not unlike yourselves. Several perished…the others were badly injured when we arrived here, in Sekrr’s lair.”
“How long have you been here?” asked Ziona.
Roedyn looked at her, realizing she was part drow.
“I’m not sure,” he replied hesitantly.
“It’s okay,” she said. “I am not a drow of the Underdark. I am part drow, and was raised on the surface.”
“Some of us did not have such luxuries,” blurted Belasco.
“You travel among the drow?” asked Roedyn of Dent.
“Trust me, they are worthy companions. Even if they bicker like children from time to time.”
The heroes introduced themselves, and after talking with Roedyn for a short while, came to realize it had been nearly a decade that he had spent as a statue, unmoving in the Underdark.
“Ziona,” called Rossal. “Come quickly!”
She found the pseudodragon hovering beside a decapitated statue, with a small head in his hands. He held the petrified head forward for all to see.
“Ziona, it’s Gnettles!!”
The Adventure Continues…
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