Audience with a Dragon

Week 7 (19/04/16): Audience with a Dragon
GM: Phil

Players:
 * Rose Burdin III, Dwarven Fighter / Luca
 * Arthur, Halfling Skirmisher / Scott
 * Hepititus, Halfling Skirmisher / Kieran
 * Elwyn, Elven Cleric / Erika
 * Tarthus, Elven Battle Mage / Jonathan
 * Ethanwe, Elven Druid / Emma

Report from Rose Burdin III (Luca)
My Dearest Liath,

A makeshift campfire sputters nearby, flickering in the old forest that we travel through after the fall. The faces of my kin are lit by the weak flame, as I notice the heaviness in their eyes. Many are injured, others are cold, but all of us are bewildered. It took hours of convincing from Davon before I agreed with him. Someone needed to step up and lead us back to glory, for the people of Wrymsfell and for Imelda.

I hesitantly put my name forward for the Vanguard position, by the persuasion of my new found friend, the Dwarven Gardener and husband of Imelda. Both of us being Dwarves with a love of crafts rather than war, a friendship blossomed between the two of us as we sheltered with the rest of the broken Citadel. It was through Davon's convincing that I, a sworn and loyal Vanguard Recruit, was pushed towards leadership. I had followed Imelda's very last order without hesitation, honouring her sacrifice and helping to assure everybody's safety - convincing the Warlord Keerla'n to order his troops to lay down their arms and allow the surviving members of the Citadel to escape and prevent further genocide. Davon saw that as the type of leadership the Vanguard needed to persevere through this hardship.

"It is with a heavy heart that I address you all today. The Granite Citadel has fallen. Our leaders are in disarray as our shared home burns. We were attacked. Our blades struck true, but the power of forces far beyond us had their way and Imelda, one of our brave leaders called the retreat. Through this battle - lies, corruption and secrets were unveiled. We shared a crest, but not a vision. We were divided and unprepared. I have stepped forward today, because I believe in an idea. An idea for our great order, that will lead us to further greatness. Our elders founded the Citadel on the belief of unity. The people of Wyrmsfell came together to see the protection of our realm, through the strength of no individual, but by the collective will of us all. That is what the Citadel stood for, and why it has stood for so long. I look to reclaim our home and see that this tragedy never befalls our great order again. We will carry this out using the vigilance of the Sentinels, with the knowledge of the Keepers, brought down by the strength of the Vanguard. I will help lead us towards this purpose, not for vengeance or for pride, but for the protection of Wyrmsfell and its people! We stand together and we stand strong!”

I had grabbed the crowd's attention. They nod in agreement, as many murmur and discuss amongst each other. A grizzled halfling steps ups, his armour covered in grains of dirt and the chiseled scars of battle. He stares me in the eye as I stand over the group. He claps. Others join him. I attempt to hide my appreciation, as the crowd erupts in applause. I feel myself begin to well up, as I cast it aside, strengthen my resolve and carry on my speech;

"We ARE still Citadel, no matter if we reside in the heart of these lands, or in the outskirts of Stromborg. We are still Citadel, and it is our duty to protect the people of Wyrmsfell. No matter the hardships that have befallen us, our thoughts must still rest with it's people. We must do everything in our power to show that the Citadel still has strength. With the tragedies that have befallen us, we must be as united and strong as ever, and Wrymsfell needs to see our new found power. We must not allow the people to feel abandoned and alone. We were not the only ones attacked on that fateful night. The Southern Dwarves had caused a path of destruction in their journey towards the Citadel, the ransacking of Port Plenty that would now have been abandoned and the activity of the Hobgoblins before the attack, with whatever victims they may have come across. It is our duty to see to the aid of those townships and show the people of Wyrmsfell that our allegiance lies to them, and as long as we draw breath, we will defend them. Through teamwork and perseverance, we will achieve this. We will collect knowledge, keep a watchful eye over these lands and lay down our lives if we must. I trust in your blades and I trust in your spirits. These gods come to tear our homes apart, but we will show them the strength of the Citadel. We will show them the collective will of our soldiers and the resilience that each of us bear. We will make Imelda proud as we never let her sacrifice go in vain. The Citadel survived and we will prosper. For the protection of Wyrmsfell, and for the good of it's people! FOR WYRMSFELL!"

-

Weeks passed after my induction as the new leader of the Vanguard as we made our way towards the Obsidian Fist, a Citadel outpost on the edge of Stromborg. Along with Basalt's Watch and the Stoneshield, these three watchtowers would serve as a suitable location for us to operate from, while we collect our thoughts and regain our strength. Through the journey, I discussed strategy with the other leaders of the factions, along with Davon, my faithful advisor. We all agreed that we will needed allies if we hoped to stand strong against the corrupted Oligs, and make good on our promises to continue protecting the people of Wyrmsfell. Solene of the Keepers told me of her adventures into Bellefontaine and her dealings with the Elven noble, Sinder. Having revealed himself as a Dragon, hidden amongst the Elves that he blames for the massacre of his species, Sinder showed himself to be a powerful threat against the Elven Emperor. Believing him not to wish ill upon the people of Wyrmsfell, Solene suggest we would be wise to have discussions with the ancient beast, and see if we would have his aid in the battle against the angels, with the Emperor being one of them - Olig Dak.

It is with this knowledge that I set out on my first adventure as the Vanguard - I had to lead a group of brave adventurers towards the great Elven city of Bellefontaine, in the hopes of brokering an alliance with the Dragon Sinder. Possible scouting work on the current status of the Elven Empire was also an option, if we now believed them to be a hostile force. We required eloquent diplomats, if we hoped to have Sinder's aid in defeating the Corrupted Oligs, and strong warriors incase he didn't wish to entertain those discussions.

We had barely taken in our new surroundings as we entered the first tower of Obsidian's Fist, before my mind turned to our quest. While there was work to be done in establishing our new home, I knew there was no time to waste in finding the former Elven Lord. The forces of Bellefontaine hunted him at every moment and we needed to hasten if we hoped to get to him first. I watched as the last of our order entered the Fist, and after I knew they were safe within it's walls, I called out for followers to aid me in my adventure to Vervignon, and to confirm the aid of Sinder. Trusting in Davon to watch over the Vanguard's affairs in my absence, I set foot for the nearest of the Citadel's portals, at the Dwarven capital of Ardrossen.

I was joined by Halfling Skirmishers Arthur and my close friend Hepititus. Word of her unorthodox ways had travelled throughout the Citadel, but there wasn't any other spear that I wished to have by my side when things should go south. I owe her my life many times over, and I welcomed her aid. Also accompanied by Tarthus the musclebound battle mage, Ethanwe the wild druid and Elwyn a kind-hearted clerical recruit, fresh in the face of battle, these three Elves would prove irreplaceable as we braved the walls of the Elven Empire.

We traveled towards Ardrossen, where our remaining portal mage resided. We had had words with Aranwe Leanathshea, Solene's mother, and were given a lead to find Countess Francisa, the leader of the guard. We would travel to Bellefontaine under the guise of assisting her investigations into the dragon attack, knowing that the protection of her people would be at the forefront of her mind. Word of possible corruption at the great Elven city was relayed to us, as we heard that none had returned through the portal in some time.

Cautiously, we ventured forward. Perhaps not cautiously enough, as I still bore the colours and crest of the Citadel. City-wide corruption was nothing new to me. If I could help unravel the plots of one infected empire, then surely I could do it again. Foolish was my pride as I stepped through the portal with my loyal companions. My eyes had not even adjusted to the light before I heard the orders of the Elven Major. "They are with the Citadel! Quick, arrest them!"

I lay down my weapons upon their orders. "We have no quarrel with your people." The heavily armoured Elf rhetorts; "Silence prisoner. You are all enemies of the Empire and are to be arrested on sight. You wish ill to our way of life, and I will not let it stand." "You are sorely mistaken Elf! We come here to request an audience with the Countess Francisca, to discuss the matter of the Dragon Sinder. We come to aid you in the face of this threat." The pompous demeanour of the major is turned to curiosity after the mention of the Countess. He clicks his fingers and calls over one of the bumbling human guards. "Send word to Lady Francisca. Representatives of the Citadel wish to see her." The piercing look he gives me bears a sharper edge than the balanced blade hanging at his side.

We wait for an age, as the sun begins its descent beyond the horizon. We look out on the organised city of Bellefontaine as people from all works of life are subjected to rigorous checks and overbearing authorities. Guards are situated at every corner as borders are put up over the streets, checking papers for the correct rights to pass. The fascist nature of what Bellefontaine has become dawns on us as we see the anguish in the faces of those that call this former great city home. Luckily the Countess shares some of our concerns, as the same bumbling guard bursts into the hall and gives word that we are granted passage to meet with Francisca, and are then lead to her home.

She is as beautiful as she is stern. Our conversation, albeit brief, gives weight to the growing threat of what the Elven Emperor is becoming. Aranwe's description of this strong woman was not wrong. Her concern for her people is inspiring as she sees through the vague accusation towards the Citadel. "I am in quite a predicament Sir Rose. You see, I have been ordered by my Emperor to have you all arrested on sight, yet I have also been given permission to use any means necessary to stop the Dragon Sinder from laying waste to our city. Perhaps we can broker a deal that benefits us both." I see through her coy misdirection as she orders her men to accompany us to the forest that she says the Dragon was last sighted. "Stay with these prisoners until the Dragon's blood has been shed, then return them to our cells. If you are to disobey my orders, you will all be executed on sight. If they do not return here in chains, then they shall never show their faces in Bellefontaine again." Battles of wits have never been my strong suit, but her clever betrayal is not lost on myself and my companions. We were free to find Sinder for ourselves, and with new allies in the sympathising guards.

After our brief but enlightening venture into Bellefontaine, we made our way out of it's guarded gates and into the forest it resides in. Away from the watchful gaze of the Emperor, Ethanwe bears down on all fours and forms herself into the shape of a bloodhound. With her distinct streak in her hair, I watch as this canine bounds into the forest. Without hesitation, we follow her. I had heard much of the druids abilities, but this was the first time I had seen any of this magic in action. She leaps over logs and through shrubs as we struggle to keep up. The two skirmishers watching our flanks as I lead the group through the forest, growing ever more cautious as we close in on our target.

We keep up the pace for much longer before I begin to lose my breath, and we luckily come across our first real sign of the beast's lair. A Dragonet, only the size of a rabbit, but with all the qualities of their terrifying brethren, spotted perching on the trees above us. Then we notice another. Then another. Before long, we are surrounded. Dragonets of all colours and sizes litter the forest, watching us in a passive nature. Their density grows as we move further, following Ethanwe as she keeps her nose on Sinder. She halts, looking back at me and giving me the sign that we've reached our destination. The fur on her back begins to retract back into her body, as her Elven physique returns and she stands on her two feet. "He has found us," she tentatively murmurs.

I call out to it, faking the confidence behind my words in the hopes that I can gain the dragon's respect. "I am Rose Burdin III, Vanguard of the Citadel. We seek an audience with you, Lord Sinder." I feel it's movement through the trees, as branches crack and his scales grind up against bark, creating a surge of sound from every corner. "Hahahaha, you come to seek an 'audience' with your axes and spears in hand, shields drawn and eyes fierce. You appear to seek far more than an audience." "I assure you that we come in pursuit of your aid. You are an ancient being of immense power, but I do not believe you to wish harm upon the people of Wyrmsfell. Perhaps you even wish for harmony amongst them." "Well perhaps you believe wrong, Dwarf? Was it not your people, and the Elves that were the ones to push my species off the face of this realm? Should I not wish for your destruction, along with all that reside in the poisonous Empire?" His voice is thrown from every edge of the forest clearing that we find ourselves in, as I struggle to workout where the Dragon lurks.

"I have lived for years in their presence. Walking amongst the Elves as they built over the graves of my kin. Should I not wish to see their blood spilled on the soil that they buried us under?" "Know this Sinder, if you are to declare war in my presence, we will respond in kind." "Then show me the weight of your threats, Dwarf! Cower in my presence while you throw your empty words!" I clench my axe Mindi tighter, as I feel the Dragon slither through the clearing. As sudden as the discussion turned south, he breaks through the trees in front of us, breaking the ground beneath his large talons. 30 feet in height, the large black beast rivals the stature of the trees surrounding him. His dark scales, each one larger than my shield, cover his body, with not an area of weakness. His leathery wings spread out from his body as he rears his head back and the inside of his throat ignites in flame. "I am Onyx, and I am your REAPER!"

The large fireball envelopes the opening as I raise my shield in defense. The heat burns at my forearm, but my shield holds strong. The magical flame dissipates as I run towards the terrifying creature. Scorched nature surrounds us as Tarthus throws divine light at Onyx's throat, extinguishing it's glowing heat. As I approach my target, I throw my axe towards it, with Arthur at my side. Mindi bounces off it's scales as the enraged dragon swats us away with the crushing force of his fist. We are both thrown through the trees as I let my armour take the brunt of the hit. As we pick ourselves up and sprint towards the battle I approach the clearing as I see Sinder, clambering towards Elwyn and Tarthus, threatening the lives of my friends.

I leap onto it's skull, and bear my axe into it's flesh. I feel the plates of its scales crush under my blow. He lets out a roar of pain as the forest erupts in movement. The Dragonets had taken flight. Onyx begins to beat its wings and lift itself into the air. Still holding onto the shaft of my axe, I brace myself and clench tighter as we both ascend. I shout at the behemoth; "Sieze this madness and we will spare your life. No more blood needs to be shed today." Onyx screams in rebellion as he rolls his body, attempting to throw me off of his back. I hold strong, as does our resolve. I hear a crossbow bolt let loose as I glance down at my party as they become overwhelmed by the dragon's army. I call out once more, "SIEZE THIS MADNESS!", and gripping Mindi tighter I feel relief as the great beast plummets into the ground, bowing his head in submission. "Fine. You have your victory, Dwarf. State your wishes."

The Dragonets call off their attack, as the sweat fills my brow and I breath a sigh of relief. We will live to see morning. I gracefully remove my axe from his back, and step off of the subdued beast. The repressed fire and shame of defeat has now replaced his former proud demeanour. "I do not wish for war, but know that we are always ready for it if the safety of Wyrmsfell is at risk," I shout. "You see us as your enemies because of the actions of our ancestors, but know that this Citadel looks to the wellbeing of all those who reside in this realm, including yourself. If you are to make me a promise that you will declare peace with the people of Wyrmsfell, then you will have our protection." Silence befalls the scorched forest as I await his response; "If you wish for my aid, you must make another promise, Dwarf. You must promise me your assistance, in the creation of a... female."

I think long and hard on his proposition. I look over the scorched forest and my injured allies and bear witness to the destruction that one Dragon can wreak. But I also remember back to the reason this animosity began. The people of old took it upon themselves to perform genocide. To drive a race to the edge of extinction, out of revenge and in the name of the protection. That is not what our order should stand for. If faith is not given to those that have done wrong in the past, then they stand no chance for redemption. It is our duty to give everyone that right. "You have my word, Onyx."

The Citadel has gained a strong ally in the Dragon Lord and his army, and has also learned a powerful lesson. We must not make the mistakes of our ancestors. We have the power to right wrongs and bring true peace to these lands. As we travel back to the Obsidian Fist and I write to you this letter, I hope I have made you proud. Every step I take, I pray that is the same one that you would have.

Until next time my love,

Your Rose.

Report from Tarthus (Jonathan)
Fighting Smart Issue 1: Concerning Dragons

Originally I was going to tell you all how to best fight and slay a mighty fire breather, but given that the only dragon in existence has now joined us that seems a bit bad taste. So rather lets look at how to best fight alongside out newest member.

Pre Battle: A dragon rules the open field, wide area attacks and heavy armor allows it to destroy small armies with ease if they are caught in the open. Attempt to draw opposing forces out into the open, even an open area as small as a forest clearing allows the dragon to use it's breath to great advantage. If the dragon is forced to fight in a city or castle, he'll be open to all kinds of heavy hitting sneak attacks and will have a limited ability to fight back, avoid this situation.

During Battle: It's always important to cover your friends weaknesses. In the case of a dragon those weaknesses are disabling magic and powerful single attacks. Prioritize targeting wizards, elite fighters and siege weapons, the dragon can withstand a hundred arrows and a hundred spear thrusts but a single powerful and accurate stroke can spell doom for him. Whats more should a wizard successful stifle a dragons fire the dragon will loose most of it's area control making him far more vulnerable to your average group of warriors. If you can destroy these targets before they become a problem the dragon will easily mop up the rest.

And finally to Sinder himself, in the hopes that he reads this and can lay aside any arrogance. Please avoid small groups of elite well prepared warriors who have made it their mission to slay you, it only takes one group to be successful. The story of a small force of dwarfish paladins slaying one of your kind is repeated over and over in the histories of the late dragon war.