Reign of Winter #38: The Dragon is dead and the key to the next destination is acquired!

Diary of Zaaz Bloodfortune:

Our magic and strength at low ebb, we take the only way open to us.  We barricade ourselves into a room and hope the forces against us won’t attack and waste our rest.  The powers of magic come to one only when one has prepared to receive them.  Rest, communion, a centering of the mind, all of these things are as important to one calling on the energies I do as a beer and a hearty meal are to a dwarven warrior.  

Dalomar and Sadobras offered to take watch while the rest of us rest and we gladly took them up on their offer.  When we woke, we learned what happened as we slept.

As Sadobras was on watch, he heard a Triaxian come out of a room and go to the door we heard something odd behind.  It sounds like he opened the door, then ran.  Sadobras, concerned for what might be loose, went out into the hall and found a hiding spot.  From where he sequestered himself, he unfortunately hears Snori’s prospective wife get eaten.  Soon enough he hears it wandering the hall for a time but is unsure what it was.  As his watch came to an end, he hears it coming closer.  Eventually it came to our room and realizing we were inside, it broke down the door.

Finishing my communion with Grr, I was shocked by the creature before me.   A brief image of four insectile legs with a humanoid body and the monster lunged into the room.   It’s skin, or perhaps carapace would be a better description, flowed and changed trying to match the room around it.  Huge in front of us, yet my eyes were having trouble following its path.  On its hands were deadly looking claws and its mouth filled with razor sharp teeth.  Later, I would learn this monstrous creature was called a StormGhost.

In moments it called forth a storm of plague that blinded Sadobras and the monk.  Knowing that to fight it we must better see it, I cast a spell of Glitterdust on the creature.  The great weapon of it’s stealth broken, it quickly escaped out into the hall.  Knowing that should it have the opportunity to strike at us later with its stealth restored, the outcome of the fight might be in question, we all gave chase.  All of us fought it, but with its electrical aura, even getting close enough to attack it would wound us.  Finally, gathering my power, I encased it within a tomb of ice.  Though it will eventually be free, in this cold place it will hopefully be long after we have gone.

After defeating the creature, Snori went and verified that indeed his new prospective wife was indeed deceased. Bracing our courage, we moved forward into the dragon’s lair.  The Antechamber was massive with two giant ice pillers.  Predictably, as we passed the pillars, and prepared to go within, the pillars showed their true form, huge Ice Elementals.  Snori moves up to attack them as Tauvum summed a Djinn. The Djinn was killed quickly, so powerful the ice elements were.   I moved up and threw a hex of retribution upon one so that at least it took some damage in return.  The two of them moved towards us and both attack Sadobras.  One cleanly missed, while the other looked to be able to score a hit, but Sadobras twisted his mount at the last moment.  Soon enough we finish off the elementals and once again prepare to enter the dragons lair.

Tauvum brings forth some strange shadow elf creature, while I down a potion then use dimension door to move Sadobras, Nevrah, and Snori into the room.  Within, two strongly build Barbarians and a Dragon are within on a massive platform at the center of the pentagonal chamber.  Tauvum casts a greater dispel magic on the Dragon to remove some of its defenses, while Sabobras charges and takes a chunk out of one of the dragon’s guards.  The other barbarian moves up and with his weapon slices deep into me.  Soon, a cold and icy fog spread throughout the room, emanating from the dragon and limiting our ability to see.  Before the fog covers everything though, Dalomar manages to finish off one of the guards.  Knowing that waiting for the Dragon would be the height of folly, I jumped up into the air, flying above and trying to get rid of the fog with dispel magic, but to no success.  Soon, I’m joined in the sky by the Dragon itself, as it breathes down frost and ice at our party.  I manage to avoid getting caught in it and the rest of my friends fare well due to our preparations.  Down on the ground, Dalomar finishes off the other barbarian guard as Snori and Tauvum trade ranged attacks with the wyrm.  Moving around, Sadobras uses his slink to sneak attack the beast as well.  

Previous to entering the lair of the beast, I had drunk a potion I thought might be of help against Yrax, a Truefrost Elixer.  This potion would let even a white dragon suffer from cold.  So, casting again I struck it with a cone of cold, causing it to scream in pain.  Yoska then flew over the Dragon and somehow attacked it by elongating his arm.  Tauvum’s creature of shadow, some kind of strange angel, also attacked the Dragon with a beam of light.  The Dragon struck back at the Angel wounding it.  Sensing we needed more heat to kill the beast, I brought forth a Cuestodaemon to blast it with fire.  The Angel also struck and wounded and managed to blind the dragon, but was soon killed.  Yoska, making a bladed dash finished off the last of the dragons Mirror Images, then damaged him as well.  With all of us attacking, soon the dragon was defeated, and we stood there panting.

Exploring the room, we found the bear skin we had been looking for, a bag filled with special dice, and a variety of other treasure.

The dragon now dead and our mission essentially complete, I wonder how much more we will need to do to return to our own world.  

Reign of Winter #37: Inside the Ivoryglass to confront Yrax, Lord of the Howling Storm!

Diary of Zaaz Bloodfortune

Finally, we are within the fortress, but I wonder if we have made the right choice.   Immediately, after we charge in Dalomar locks them, yet in moments we can hear the doors clang and crash as the Hydras outside try to follow.  Without, there is enough to give us pause, and yet we know little of what waits within.  We’ve no way to seal the doors effectively, so soon we may be pressed on both fronts.

In the brief respite we take the time to renew protective magics and heal.  Dalomar scouts ahead and soon warns us something large is approaching.  Ahead, he tells us, there are several paths and a room that opens up and has several bone statues arranged.  Before anything can get to us from the front, a crash from behind shows us that my fears were well founded.  The hydras break in and move towards us.   Sadobras casts plant growth on some shoots he brought with and manages to slow them down.   Tauvum, once again draws a scroll and begins to read.  As they seem to have matters in hand, I move forward to see what approaches from the right, only to start back at the sight of some kind of dragon bone golem creature.

Back at the Hydras, Yoska strikes at one and a flurry of elemental magics all seem to spark at once.  Tauvum finishes his scroll with a shout and a strange black lantern appears.  Flying around it, five large Escorite Death Moths come forth, shooting black rays at the hydras.  A palpable aura of inevitability shines from them, shaking our enemies.   Their end approaches and the Moths are the harbingers.

Sadobras moves up to engage one of the golems and manages to drop a 10’ pit in its way, hampering it’s ability to retaliate.   Slicing quickly on my arm to coat my dagger in blood, I quickly draw a symbol on the ground and begin summoning a Cuestodaemon.  Once the daemon comes forth into our world, I command it to attack the golem and it blasts at it with its fiery breath.  The construct strikes it back and suddenly a bone cage flies from one of the pedestals and surrounds me. 

The next few minutes are mostly a blur.   One moment Sadobras is hard pressed, the next the Cuestodaemon dimension doors him to safety.  The moths fly in and one of the constructs turns to dust.   Freed of my prison, I jump to Nevrah and dimension door us both to safety.  Dalomar moves like an acrobat, springing in and out of the fray.  Snori exploring and bringing more to attack us.  More golems, these made of glass, that inflict terrible wounds that bleed profusely.  One by one we manage to smash the enemies in our way, yet my magic wanes.  My hexes have no real effect on constructs and so I must needs use my spells, which are quickly running out. 

Somehow, we manage to finish off the hydras and golems, yet more dragonkin are headed in from outside.  White, Copper, and red dragonkin move to attack us.  Luckily for me, these are no immune to my special magics and I call forth retribution on my enemies.   Each attack made by the white only serves to damage itself.  I use enervation to remove even more of his life. 

Dalomar moves up and strikes several times at the red dragonkin, killing it as Snori harasses the copper.  Yoska finishes off the white dragonkin and we all turn towards the remaining foe.  Combining our attacks, Dalomar moves up with a disorienting strike, a hex of agony lashes it with pain, as Yoska moves in and finishes him off. 

All immediate opponents finished, we quickly heal again and start to move forward.  Snori warns us not to go into a Kitchen area he has found as his wife is in there.  I would ask more details, but I fear Snori would drag me into whatever realm of insanity he dwells within.  Continuing to explore, we find a shrine to Dahak, evil god of chromatic dragons.  Dalomar continues to scout and finds a room with the sound of something within.  Another door he unlocks and finds a magnificently decorated room.  Another door has a dining area.  In another he finds a figuring of wonderous power that summons a bronze dragon.

Snori, who has been exploring as well finds prison cells and then a training room with a woman and he chats with her a bit.

Having looked at the other doors, Dalomar opens the door that he had heard something within.  A Huge 8-legged white bear is within.  Dalomar recognizing it as a Kokogiak, a magical beast of high intelligence and very dangerous, closes the door.  Soon though it comes out into the hall and begins to attack us.  Yoska pushes me out of the way.  Casting tongues on myself, I try to negotiate with it, but either it still doesn’t understand or it ignores me.   I try to stop it or slow it down with a web, but it breathes cod in attack.  Snori pulls out a wasps nest from somewhere and throws it at the bear’s feet.   The swarm of wasps does come out and attack the bear, but it does so little damage the bear just ignores the swarm.  Yoska moves in and strikes at the creature several times.  I try to use an Agony hex, but the bear just shakes it off.  The Kokogiak bites Yoska and strikes at him with six of his claws.   Poor yoska is wounded but fights on.   I call forth a sleep hex, but again it shakes it off.  Snori somehow makes his weapon a bane weapon vs Kokogiaks and strikes at it surprisingly hard.  Tauvum tries to support with his bow, but misses as the creature breaks cold on Snori, Yoska, and I.  Yoska lets out a yell and moves forward, hitting and killing the creature.

We continue exploring and find a library with dragon size books, the dragons toilet, and a work room for making golems.   In the work room, we find several scrolls and reagents worth much gold.  Unable to understand the woman who had been in the training room, Snori brings me over to talk with her.  I learn that her name is Cesser of Ning and is a Quigong monk and Yukara warrior from the Immortal Suzeranity of Ning.  She tells us she is honor bound to report us to the dragon unless we have a champion spar with her.  Snori, insists that he wants to battle the woman, so we all move to the arena.   There, she uses some kind of strange medusa strike and hits Snori with a barrage of strikes.  Snori, wavering so badly it’s a wonder he can stand strikes back and somehow takes the monk down in one strike, both falling unconscious.   While she lays there, we debate if we should finish her off, but decide that since she fought honorably, perhaps she needn’t be killed.  Once she awakens, she tells us that she feels that though she came under honorable pretense, this place isn’t honorable anymore.  That she wants to leave, but can’t assist us in the fight.  She can’t fight for us, but she does tell us how to get to where the dragon is.  Also, from her we learn that the white bear was a barbarian leader being recruited by the dragon.  She also tells us that the dragon is on a large, very slippery platform and that he has a nest with great treasures.

So now we must decide.   Continue our attack and strike at the dragon when most of our magics are in their ebb.  Or, retreat for now, knowing the dragon could leave or bring in more allies, yet we would attack with all our power.   I feel as if I’ve passed another barrier of self with all the fighting we have done and that could I but commune with Grr, I could bring forth a whole new range of magics.  Bloodied and tired, I look at my companions and feel sure I know what their choice will be….

Reign of Winter 34-36: Into the crevasse towards the Ivoryglass...weird creatures, human trophies, and a fortress within a glacier!

Diary of Zaaz Bloodfortune

Standing after the fight I looked over at the creature we had defended.   SO Fluffy was all that came to mind at first.   Looking like a humanoid wolf, she introduced herself as Baknarla of the Adlet race and a shaman.  I can barely keep my focus on her words as I want to go over and pet her so badly.  Disguising the reason for my actions as a healing, I reach out to her and stroke her fur.   It is even more fluffy and soft than I thought it would be.   A fleeting thought of stuffing her and making her into a body pillow skims across the surface of my thoughts and again I need to bring my mind back to the matter at hand.  Was that truly my thought or the voices I hear?  For now, I will choose to believe it be the voices, for surely that was not a thought for the good.   So soft…

Baknarla explains to us that her gift of foretelling has led her to us.   Her people had been driven out of their normal home by the white dragon we go to seek.   Desperate and exiled from their home, they life on the fringes, barely able to survive.   A time before Baknarla had started to have visions of strangers from another place and world coming to save them and give her people the ability to go back home.  An outcast within her tribe, she stuck to her beliefs and readied for the moment to come.   A pull of premonition led her to where we found her today.   The face may be alien in it’s wolfishness, but the satisfaction of vindication does shine strongly from within.  She offers to guide us forward to our goal and tells us of her Uncle who had gone before and never come back from the crevasse. 

After the obligatory attempt of Tauvum to force her to marry Sadobras we journeyed onward.   Though we had lost mounts, the Adlet is able to use the Windwalk spell to keep up with us.  After a quiet night we can see the massive crevasse ahead.   So as not to advertise our arrival we land a good distance off and make our way down inside.  Cold and slippery in places it was.  At first we can still see the open sky and light, but as we make our way deeper the light fails us and we need o prepare torches or other means.  As we find the a cave leading down into the heart of the glacier, we found a pictogram left by her Uncle, letting us know that we have hopefully found the right way.   Thought he obviously didn’t finish his mission of killing the dragon, we are still hopeful that we can find him and his powerful gear.  Baknarla has assured us that he was well armed with weapons that would bring pause to even a powerful wyrm. 

The path led deeper within and seemed to circle it’s way down.  More and more treacherous the footing became till we were beset by a part of strange Frostcrawler Behirs.  Throwing lightning from their mouths I realize that I had certainly not prepared the correct spells for this attack.   Still, a witch must do what she can.  I move up and cast and evil eye on one as I shake off the electrical damage it had done me.  Sadobras and Nevrah move up and attack one, but then the Behirs counter.  In the blink of an eye the one I had hexed sweeps it’s neck over me and plunges it’s terrible mouth down.   Swallowed in a gulp, terror blotted out the indignity of it.   Luckily for me, good Yoska managed to call slumber down upon it and was able to set about freeing me.  Between the group of us we resume trying to take down the two of them.   Baknarla summoned the largest ice elemental I’ve yet seen which struck with great effect.   Sadobras and Nevrah charged again and again striking at them.   On of them also swallows up Yoska, but luckily it was one that I had cast a retribution hex on.   As it does the damage to poor Yoska, she curse it brings about struck it down.  Finally, Sadobras and Nevrah strike a killing blow on the other and all is quiet.

Soon thereafter we encountered one of the strangest, yet most terrifying creature we have yet fought.   As we advanced forward, we noticed a strange humming coming from a side passage.  Investigating, Sadobras found a crystalline thing set with various rocks that seemed to be making the hum.  Moving to investigate, the humming surged in intensity and in a moment, he was rocked in his saddle, stunned.   Nevrah moves to strike the thing, but it slides unexpectedly quickly out of the way.  The hum growing again in intensity, Yoska is hit by a pulse o fit’s energy and stunned as well.   Nevrah concerned for Sadobras grabs him up and tries to back away but is quickly hit by this strange carnivorous crystal.   Within moments it starts to envelop her and we all recoil in terror as we see her skin begin to change and become glassy and transparent.  After a few minutes of battle we finish it off, but at great cost.  Nevrah has become a crystal herself and we are concerned that she will be done.   Luckily Tauvum still has a remaining miracle scroll and manages to bring her back to life.   In the room we found a large number of valuable crystals, but who knows if it will be enough to replace the cost of the scroll?

Retreating a bit we move back to a safe location and decide to make camp.  While Tauvum leaves to pick up Snori from his training, I took the opportunity to get to know Baknarla a bit more.   Difficult it is with no common language, but a tongues spell does come in handy.  As for the return of Snori, while more hands would certainly be welcome, I’m just not sure if the flighty little fay has the hands we need.  Still, one makes do with what one has and it’s not to say that Snori hasn’t gotten us out of a pinch or two.  That he had put us into a pinch or two I suppose balanced it out.

Once Snori and Tauvum returned, we readied ourselves once more and advanced into the glacier.  Dalomar using his invisibility to scout ahead and the rest of us following behind.  Soon he did whisper back using the message spell I maintain on him that he had come to a large cavern with various mushrooms and a feeling of something off.  As we moved forward to see in more detail suddenly a large Frost Worm burst from the floor.  Though I had been friends with a Frost Worm in my youth, I knew that without time to get to know it, a frost worm could be little but an enemy to us.  Sadobras, sensing the danger of the attack so frequent for these creatures, ripped a patch off of his useful cloak and suddenly was holding a large rowboat above his head.  Some protection given, he urged Nevrah to the attack.  As she was getting space to charge, the Worm let loose with a blast of frost.  Sadobras pulled Nevrah sideways at the last moment and took the hit to himself instead of her.  I tried to cast an evil eye on it and weaken it’s resistance, but to no effect.  Snori  moved up and tried to slip into hit it, but its superior reach let it hit him as well.  Still, Snori managed to move close and do serious damage to it.  Tauvum moved into position to support him with his bow as well and the creature let our a roar of indignation.   Nevrah and Sadobras also moved into position to strike at it.

Suddenly, as Sori continued to harras the worm, it whipped it gaping maw around and bit him virtually in half.   Before anyone could do anything, Snori fell to the ground, dead.  Screaming in rage at the loss of a companion, the adlet finished summoning a massive ice elemental which pounded the enemy with a massive slam.  Gazing on the battle and I knew not what to do.   I knew we could summon back Snori’s spirit with a ritual my familiar had taught me, but I knew I had not the required components.  Just as I was thinking this, Tauvum ran up with another scroll and read the terrible and mighty words within.   The breath of life descended upon Snori and his chest began to rise and fall once again. 

As I rejoiced on Snori’s return to life and we continued to restore Snori’s health, the room was shook by a massive explosion as the Frost Worm died.  There was no time for rejoicing though as soon another worm burst from the floor.  Again we fought for our lives.  Moving forward I use my healing hex on Tauvum and with the split hex feat my patron had granted me, I also was able to give more healing to Snori.  The extra health was certainly needed for soon the creature used it’s breath weapon to hit most of the party.   Nevrah and Sadobras move over to ride by attack the worm as it lets out a shrill trill.   Nevrah is fascinated by the strange sound and Sadobras tried to wake her.  Unable to wake her, he reaches to his neck and throws a small crystal at the beast, which transforms in flight to a fireball.  As the creature reels back in pain, Dalomar races in and finishes it.   After the explosion of it’s end passes, all is quiet. 

After taking the time to heal, we decided to move on again, deeper into the cavern.   The next major room we came to we knew must have some hidden danger, for frozen and lined up like a trophy rack stood various warriors.  An elf, a dragonkin, and adlet, and more stood, encased in clear ice.  Baknarla beside me lets our a quiet yelp and I can tell from her reaction, within the ice is the relative she told us of.   Sadobras moves in and goes invisible, moving across the room.   Looking up, he an eye looking down at him.   Whispering back to me, I let all know what he has found, a Roper.   Tauvum immediately begins summoning a djin, while Snori move in and glitterdusts it.  Before it can strike at him, he brings several thin stone walls up to try to surround it.   Unfortunately, it isn’t successful and it manages to move free.  Calling on my magic, I fly forward trying to get into a good position to help, but the Roper manages to hit me with two of it’s tentacles, draining much of my strength.  I try to evil eye it, but it manages to resist the magic.  Dalomar uses another fireball which manges to do some damage and Snori moves in, striking at it’s eye.  Nevrah breathes lightning at it, but it doesn’t seem to do any damage.  The ropes constricting me suck away more of my strength and I was paralyzed.  Snori too is hit by several ropes and fights to stay in the battle.   Tauvum manages to use Clense to wipe away my strength damage and once again I’m in the fight.  Sadobras had moved free of Nevrah to get into position carefully and then used what he had been sneaking up to do.   Throwing another patch off of his cloak, a massive 40’ tall tree appeared and slammed into the monster.   It doesn’t kill it, but it does manage to greatly slow its movement.  I cast enervate, but its innate resistance to magic is hard to overcome.   Dalomar strikes at it doing damage as Tauvum lets loose another spell from his scrolls.   Two massive earth elementals come into existence near the creature and in moments, they smash it to dust.  

I fear for moving forward further into this glacier.   We still only battle underlings and guards, yet they are more powerful than most of the things we have battled before.   I cannot expect with guards of this strength that the Dragon will be any easier.

Such battles as these do drain one’s magic.   We stood contemplating the next fight and decided to rest and restore ourselves.   Moving back to where the Behir did lair, we set watches and prepared.   My cauldron did bubble and soon a few potions did be ready.

The next day, Dalomar scouted ahead and we continued to move through the glacier.  Soon, he found a massive cave and why it was called the Ivoryglass.  A fortress lay under the ice, tall and proud.   Massive and upon a strange cube.  Carefully, carefully we scouted it out.   Dalomar advancing far within, past the surrounding farms and fields, right to the gate.   

Above flights of dragonkin and other dangers there were and we knew it would be no easy feat to journey within.  Snori decided to scout as well and was discovered picking pockets.  Tricky he was and told them he was the money fairy, there to give them reward.  He left them some gold and scooted off.  The alarm wasn’t totally raised, but the guards did be more on alert.

After a day of scouting and planning it was decided to teleport as close as we could, then force our way within through the gate.  The next morning, we put the plan to action and immediately things began to go wrong.  As we appeared by the gate, the invisibility we had raised fell away and we could see the guards had magic items to purge that stealthy magic. Past the first gate and at the door to the keep we were set upon by a pair of barbarians and a wizard we fought to clear the path within.   Dalomar put his picks to work on the doors while the rest of us fought.  Lightning flew back and forth between our group and the defenders.   Another wizard soon appeared, entangling Yoska within an icy prison.  One went down to my slumber and soon I was able to lightning another two.   Tauvum called forth a Djin to help us in the fight as well.  Time was not our friend as Hydras were rapidly approaching from without. 

As we fought outside, Dalomar scouted within and found that death awaited there as well.   Some sort of strange blind half-dragon stood guard and was anxious to come out.  

Retreating back outside Dalomar used his spring attacks to great effect but the creature was formidable and shook off the attacks.   More often than I would have believed possible the half dragon let loose with blast after blast of sonic energy.  Soon the blast took me to the edge of death and only the quick help of Tauvum and a cleanse spell were able to wake me.  After a time, the only enemy left outside was the dragon as the rest had been killed.  The combined attacks of the rest of us did manage to strike it down.  

The way clear we gathered ourselves and ran within the fortress, pulling shut the doors behind.   What new horror does lay within I know not, but the approach of the patrols to the gate tell me it’s not likely much worse within than outside.

Reign of Winter #33: Snorri come back, Tavum is worse! The best defense is an offense. Big bugs and a sarcastic wolf lady.

Diary of Zaaz Bloodfortune

My body still entwined with the transformed seer, I could hear the calls of battle outside.  Our need has been powerful and urgent and fast.  What one would expect of a first time and I was starting to consider a second, but slower match.   Still, my eyes strayed towards the door as the screams and explosions sounded. 

“Go,” she said gently. I looked into her eyes to be sure of her meaning.  “The crisis is past and one particular future dissolves to dust. Your friends will need you now.”

Giving her lips one last peck, I extricated myself and dressed quickly. Letting myself out the door, I ran quickly down to the courtyard and out to where my friends fought.   Just in time to catch the end I thought, when suddenly a wild gibbering in my head did come.  Looking up to the sky I did see four new opponents flying above.   Two were just copper dragonkin, but two were a sight that froze one’s soul.   Dracolitches they were and where they flew, men turned to stone statues.   

The battle was now desperate as the defending crossbowmen were largely defeated.  It became clear these things had a limited range of effect so our fight with them became a fight of distance.   Luckily, I can fly fast enough to avoid the fate of the crossbowmen and so moved off enough to stay just within range of my longest spells.   As we fought to take down the opponents, I heard a strange cry of summoning and saw movements in shadow all around.   They did flow to the center of the courtyard and a massive creature came into being.   Some kind of strange bird of gargantuan size.   Fear of some new horror pulled at me, but as quickly as my thoughts fell in  that direction the creature struck at one of the Dracolitches.   I should have know with the flow of shadow that this was another spell of Tauvums, somehow massively overpowered. 

Between this shadow-beast and for the next wave a Tauvum summoned Ankou we manage to hold the keep.  In the fight we managed to save Shatha from being beheaded and managed to kill her attackers.  After we revisit the council to see what they have planned next.  After much arguing the consciences is to attack the enemy camp at dawn.   Two wings of attackers will attempt to draw off the bulk of the enemy generals guard and then we will move in to the attack.   In the night I commune with Grrrr to change my spells readied and between Tauvum and we are able to remove the flesh to stone effect of the Dracolitches from dear Yoska and bring him back to life.   While he makes a fine statue, he makes a much better active participant in our adventure.

Preparation is the key to successful battle and knowing the enemy general’s penchant for cold, we ensure to cast resist cold as we head to battle in the morning.   As we move past the defensive wards, Tauvum and Gretta dimension door into the enemy general’s tent.   Sadobras rides out on Nevrah who has offered to let Sadobras ride her into battle.   Yoska and Dalomar go invisible as well while I fly boldly, perhaps stupidly visible.  As we get close, I see the ruse has worked and many of General Malesinders forces have been drawn off.   I cast a lightening bolt from distance to fix his attention on me.  I had used the handbook of arcane augmentation to imbue the bolt with sickness, yet Malesinder shrugs off the effect. As I get closer, I can see how formidable he seems to be.   Massive and strong with large white wings he stares imperiously up at me.  In his hands he holds a terrible looking blade of blue, a Rime blade seemingly carved from ice.  As I get close, he uses his breath weapon on me and I give silent thanks for Tauvum for his gift of cold resistance.   Behind him the doors to his tent open and Gretta strikes at him with a javelin.  Following up his lover’s attack, Yoska also strikes at the general, but misses.  A black skeleton steps from the tent as well and shoots a searing ray of light at the general, but misses.  Enervation from me also claws at his soul, but I also miss my target.   This general will certainly be no easy prey. 

Or, so I thought.   Dalomar appears having struck a critical hit on the general sending him staggering.   His allies bring two Cuestodaemons to assist him, but before they can have any real effect on the battle Yoska hits with an intensified shocking grasp.   The general is finished and Sadobras and Yoska finish off the two Cuestodaemons.  

Quickly we hack off the general’s head and Tauvum has his strange skeleton take to the air with the head showing the defeat to the remaining battlefield.   Soon, the forces of the general are in route and the day is won.  Gathering the papers and treasure from the general we soon head back to the keep.   Going through the papers we see that this was just a small part of the battles here.  The forces arrayed are quite formidable and this was just one front in a massive invasion. 

The council in the keep rewards us with quite a few items of magic and wealth to thank us for our part in ending the immediate threat.  Additionally, we receive the two headed eagle as promised.   It was decided that Gretta will take the eagle back to the hut and await us there as we head to finish off the Dragon who has started this all.  

The next morning we make all haste towards our destination.   As we travel on borrowed Hippogriffs, we spot an Adlet being threatened by several huge insect creatures we later found are called Ursikka.  The Adlet is quite handsome and covered in downy white fur so of course we have to save it.   Tauvum seems to want to joke a bit with it, but we still move to defend.  Strong opponents the Ursikka were.   One of their attacks consisted of spitting a thick and sticky saliva at us and it was enough to entangle.  Yoska managed tag the three of them with a large fireball and their screams make it clear they didn’t appreciate the attack.   Yoska and Tauvum are soon covered with the spittle and fighting to escape it.  Sadobras moves up to the attack and though he misses Nevrah doesn’t.   Dalomar spring attacks, but the creatures shell is hard to break.  Upset with the attack from Nevrah, the creature she attacked bites Sadobras from his saddle and swallows him in an instant.  Calling forth my evil eye I manage to hex the one swallowing my companion to make it easier to attack in the future.  As I move into position to try to lightning bolt the creature, Yoska manages to shock the creature strongly.   It starts to fall over, apparently killed, yet suddenly regains its strength and starts to fight again.  Some of our mounts are killed by the various attacks and so it looks like we shall fly no further.  Yoska moves in again and strikes at the one that has swallowed Sadobras, bringing it down for good this time.  Dalomar and I strike one of the remaining ones with lightning and sword and wound it greatly.  Again, we manage to take one to the edge of death just to have it surge back to the fight.   Still, now with two of them remaining and both wounded we manage to finish them off. 

Standing after the fight I thank Dalomar for finishing off one about to breath its spit on me.  All of us let out great rollers of steamy breath as we stare at the dead creatures.  Turning to the Adlet, I’m about to ask his name, when Tauvum starts off with, “So, how much are you going to pay us for saving you….”

Somehow, I don’t remember Tauvum being so mercenary.   Frankly, he wasn’t quite this talkative when Snori was here.   Does that mean I’m missing the days when Snori travelled with us?   Gods forbid.  This quest is one enough to tangle one’s mind.

Reign of Winter #32: While the battle raged on Zaaz was...well....I'll let her explain....

Diary of Zaaz Bloodfortune:

I’ve heard it said that the life of a seer is that of confusion, vision, and frustration.   How confused one must be upon learning of their gift.   To see small visions of a future that may come to be.  How frustrating it must be when you tell your visions to others just to have them ignored.   My family name, Bloodfortune, comes from the visions that plague and guide us from time to time.   My mother, Zana, had this gift and it is what caused her to leave the great coven of the South long ago.   It set her footsteps on the path that led to my birth and childhood in the far north.  The prophesy she had that guided us there was one she never doubted for her mother and her mothers mother down through the ages knew the power of this.   So, when the seer Jarilne sent a note that said she had a prophesy I knew not to trifle with fate.

Climbing the long stairs up to her tower I came to her room and knocked upon the door.   Calling me in I opened the door and was greeted by the sight of her lair.   Lair it was for that was all one could call it.   Upon every surface there was some…. Something.  Books, skulls, scrolls, and brick-r-brac lay everywhere.  Smoke hung heavy in the air, touched with the scent of something sweet.  Jarline bade me to close the door and sit with her at a small table.  At first we took tea together as we traded questions.   Her to learn more of my homeland and me to learn more of her world.  We told stories that had us laughing together like old friends.  Alien she might be to me, but the beauty of her words and the light of her eyes attracted me greatly.   Suddenly, intuition hit me, “You aren’t as old as you would have those here believe.”

Shaking her head to deny it, she saw the sureness in my eyes and finally held her hands up in surrender.  Lowering her hands, she chanted a few words and her features seemed to melt and flow.   Her skin became taunt and young, her milky eye cleared.  In moments she seemed to lose fifty years of age.    “The threefold aspect of the crone.   Very helpful to establish the authority of age.  I’ve learned that ones words as a seer are taken with more belief, the more gravitas you carry.   It doesn’t matter that the visions aren’t mine, they are gifts from the gods.  If the words come from a child, they are taken as if from a child.  And you are not as old as you look Zaaz or at least you don’t yet carry well the age you seem to be.”

For a while I talked on my experiences in the pit, the fight for my sanity and the age I had gained.   The anguish of losing my youth, coupled with my realization that the same spell she used could regain me that youth at any time.  The smoke was befuddling my thoughts and the voices in my head murmured constantly, but I knew I had to find out what she had in mind for me.  “So, you mentioned a vision in your note to me, what must the gods tell to me.”

“First, a drink to the gods to honor what they tell us,” and she poured us both a deep draught.  

Holding up my cup I toasted, “To gods and worlds and visions of truth.”   I downed it lustily and leaned forward to hear what she had to say.  I leaned forward and almost fell out of my chair.   The smoke and drink combining to make me quite woozy.

“Zaaz, your companions will face great difficulty in the coming battle and death will stalk your companions.  However, you must not fight with them or you will die.  You must stay here and while away the day while they fight.   It is the only choice.”

Anger rose in me and I tried to stand and leave.   My legs were as supple leather and would not hold me.  Why must fortune always take a hand in my steps.  Anger was quickly replaced with giggles at my plight.   Angry I was that the seer had done this to me, but humor in the sensations rolling over me. My intuition was telling me she had seen a true vision and anger wouldn’t change the course of events.   Coming to my side, she pulled me to my feet.  Calling upon my magic, I cast a cure to clear my head.  Up close I could smell the strange muskiness of her as I held onto her for balance.  Regardless of her intention to hold me here by clouding my mind, I knew she only had my safety at heart and a warning from the gods.  Unable to stop myself I bent forward and gave her a kiss.  Unhooking first her dress, then mine we stepped over to the bed and lay down.  In the distance I could hear a bell ringing, but my mind could only hunger for what it held close.  My companions would fight and perhaps even die, but I would live.

Reign of Winter #31: A dangerous flight to Spurhorn, Commander Pharamol and the dragon legion, impending attack!

Diary of Zaaz Bloodfortune:

Who would imagine me, flying over a battlefield in my skirts, battling to reach safety.  The enemy, camped in a great mass around the keep, shooting magic and rallying troops to intercept us.  This quest leads us down stranger and stranger paths.  Only the revelations about the… fluid nature of reality keep me sane.   What's that you voices… Bahh.. I be sane as one can be in a world where up is down and ducks quack like lions.  Now, where was I in our tale...

Tavum had turned as diffuse as the wind and was floating slowly towards our goal, but I could see more coming to kill us.  Taking out my Wand of Levitation I cast it upon him as he came back to normal.  Towing him along with me, I resumed my flight as he grumbled about the indignity of it all.  Frost Drakes and an obvious spell caster almost upon us, I shushed him and called upon my magic as they entered my range.  I tried to enfeeble the wizard, but his strength of will was too great.  Sadobras charged the group and was into the fray.  Bescaylie and her mount Efrixes swooped and fought, but were badly hurt by a breath weapon.   Calling upon the energies, I turned the air around two of them to a toxic miasma and one of them fell violently upon those watching the battle below.  A bolt of lightning came forth from the wizard, striking Bescaylie with more damage and we could see she was woozy in her saddle.   Sadobras moved up to pressure the spellcaster and struck him.  One of the Drakes moved up and struck at me, while another struck at Sadobras’s Warg.  Before he can fall from the sky, Tavum casts Dimension door to bring us close enough that I can use the wand to levitate the beast.  After a short intense fight, we are ready to start again towards the keep. 

Two dragons spotted headed our way, Yoska yells to Dalomar to search the bodies later as he is examining the spellcaster for loot.  Now with Sadobras, his Warg, and Tavum in tow, I feel like a train of wagons in the sky as we race to safety.

The keep is most impressive.   It’s 30’ falls are covered with ice and soldiers.  Nearly all have crossbows at the ready, as I would expect of those defending against attack from the air.  Bescaylie gives the proper passphrase and we land in the courtyard.  All look at us strangely as they have obviously not seen our kind before.  Dalomar is also quite upset as they insist on taking away his prize, the spellcasters body, before he can remove the various magic items upon it.   Warned not to wander as we may be mistaken for enemies, we are led to small, yet comfortable quarters. 

Being told to stay in one place obviously picks at Tavum’s paties, or Snorri has begun to really rub off on him, as he constantly keeps asking the guards question after question about the teleportation barrier and what happens if one tries to teleport.  He also seems to be trying to give them strange impression of us with odd pronouncements on food requirements and such.   I’m not sure what game he’s up to, but I suppose time will tell.

The next morning, we meet with Commander Pharmamol and his gold dragonkin Amerenth, Samara and her white dragonkin partner Calissus, Zusk and his black dragonkin Harjan, Jarilne and old Seer of the Triaxians, Nevra a blue unbonded dragonkin, Talsune an unbonded copper dragonkin, and Thronull who is the leader of the crossbow legion.  Sticking my foot into my mouth, as is my wont, I begin talking before Bescaylie who had wanted to introduce us first.  Well, I exist to ruffle a few feathers.. Even if these things fly without, so pish on those who wish me to wait my turn.  Over the conference we learn that what we seek is very likely to be at Ivoryglass.  There, but under the watchful eyes of an Elder White Dragon, Yarick. 

I can see they are impressed by our boldness when we state we’ll head there to finish off the dragon.  The council debates and votes to let us try and even Pharamol is agreeable to give us the two headed eagle of his should we succeed.  They only ask that we stay to help our with todays expected raid. 

Shown back to our quarters I begin reading potions and spells for a time and make time to write this.  Soon, the raid will come and who knows its result, so best to get this down to leave a record.   Not that it’s likely many in this strange place will know how to even read it.  Perhaps I’ll take some time while I wait to speak with Jarilne the seer.   Few know more what is real than those who understand nothing is…