Flametounge

April 8th 2007

Players: Alance, Amari, Trysta, Siriel, Sorenson, Demetria, Heather, ShadowHawk

One of the forest folk stands outside the city gates on the road to the hotsprings. He is shaking...literally trembling like a leaf in a high windstorm. His face, revealed in the light of a weak torch is parchment yellow-sick and he stutters over his words as he points into the night sky.

Demetria was not in the city, Rather visiting a friend not far from the springs when the scream happened. Her little feet, carried her as quickly as possible to the pale faced man. Her eyes Look up slowly to regard this possible problem.

On her way back home from the city Siriel heard the scream and came running up to the small forest folk and also finding Demetria there as well.

Heather is out in the woods looking for fallen branches "what in the hell is that." said as she is not in the mood to fight something, but that doesn't stop her from doing it. Saying two words in the dragon tongue she summons her spear and shield and carefully goes towards where the problem is.

Alance rides up from inside the City, his warhorse stopping with a touch of his hand. Turning his head to look at Amari who rides beside him "This isn't going to be good" He nods to the Forest Folk standing there.

There's a brief flutter outside the circle of torches, then Sorenson's black-armored figure appears quietly in the treeline. There's a pause, as he considers the trembling man. His voice snaps: "Well? Out with it. What did you see?"

Trysta hadn't been on her way from the city, either, instead moving through the area on her way elsewhere when she heard the loud screaming and came to investigate. The woman sits atop an equine, but, it's clearly not her usual companion. This one is pure white and sports a large, spiraled horn that glistens even in the late hour.

The man, unshaven and unshorn, stands there and points into the night sky, his earthen brown trousers stained with dirt, leaves and detritus...suddenly the acrid aroma of ammonia and the darkening on the front of the forest man's trousers tell of a terror far greater than he can voice. Whatever it is the man is utterly and completely terrified, stunned silent by whatever he saw and can only point and shake, tears streaming from his eyes as he trembles. He seems completely oblivious to the lot of you, though those who stand near to him can hear him whisper once, and once only about 'Red Death with wings...'

Amari eyes the man and her lips set firmly as she nods at Alance's words. She is dressed in her golden armor and cloak as she sits atop the proud looking stallion. Her eyes go to the sky at the man's words and she begins to mutter prayers in a soft yet sure voice.

Demetria growls under her breath and turns to look up at the sky, attempting to see what might be up there.

Sorenson grunts, exhaling a breath. "Wonderful." He cracks his neck, then notes: "Something left the springs, landed on one of the mountains. If we are, indeed, the cavalry."

Siriel arches an eyebrow as she hears the whisper "Red Death with wings?" she repeats quietly a little confused, and looks to the others.

Alance nods to Sorenson "Aye, it seems we are" He shifts a bit "If it's what I think it is...this won't be easy, but can be done"

Demetria grumbles as the darkness prevents her sight from getting a good view upon the creature that might be around. What does she do instead. The young woman moves to slide to take cover on the other side of the Paladin Alance. "Enough talk. Hunt. Kill, bathe.." she states to the group.

Heather gets up with the group "you know for once I would like to meet a dragon that is not red and pissed, maybe I can meet a nice plushy one that breaths candy."

Amari presses her lips together,"You don't think he is talking about a red dragon do you?" there is little hope in her tone but she feels compelled to ask.

Trysta's equine companion comes to a stop about ten yards from the others. The woman atop it sits there, watching, before giving a shrug--to who? It's hard to say. It's almost as if she's communicating without even needing to speak. However when Demetria says something she finally goes to mention, "You forgot the looting part."

Heather ears perks up as she turns to the south west "its either that way." she points "Or there is a echo." said the group.

Siriel turns her head to the side a bit and then looks up towards the sky, looking as tho she's listening to something, and her face goes a bit pale as she hears a faint sound.

Sorenson nods once, curtly. "Yes. That way." He jerks his chin. "Well, at least it wants people to know its there." He glances around. "Hurry." Then he turns, and starts walking.

Demetria looks at Trysta, "Its involved with the hunting." Demetria states and motions towards the sound, "Come. I think its this way." she calls out to the group.

Alance nods and nudges his horse into motion, scanning teh sky now as he moves with the others. Drawing his sword quietly, he shifts his shield to the opposite arm.

As Sorenson heads off into the darkness followed by Demetria, the forest man makes a break for the nearest copse of trees, finally deciding to apparently duck and cover, the opposite direction from the one that Sorenson is headed.

Heather follows the group

Trysta doesn't say anything more nor does she even need to nudge the equine beneath her--it just seems to instinctively know to start following after the group.

As the group travels through the forest, the snow crunches underfoot. It soon becomes obvious that the terrain does nothing but worsen as the lot of you travels towards the southwest. Tedious work breaking through virgin snow doesn't replace the odd feeling though...especially to those of you at home in the forests and taiga of Vintermor. /Something/ is amiss here.

Heather is walking on the fresh snow with no problems thanks for her magical boots. She is keeping quiet and not saying anything as she doesn't care much for something that can breath fire and eat her in one bite.

Siriel looks around and into the forest and she stays quiet listening for a moment "Anyone else realize that there's absolutely no sounds except for the ones we're making?" she asks the group.

As the footing gets worse, Sorenson mutters a little curse and a command, and his cloak transforms into a pair of black feathered wings -- they beat, launching him into the air. He glides low to the ground, using the trees as cover, shadowing the walkers.

Trysta remains quite still upon the back of her unicorn companion so that it was as easy as possible for the equine to move through the snow. Her eyes are alert, however, and scanning the area before her constantly. "If that's the case we're likely in trouble."

Alance rides along quietly, alert for anything unexpected. He frequently checks to make sure Amari is near and ok. "It's like the animals know..something.. is not right"

Amari rides along side Alance quietly. Her full focus on communing with Tuli before this battle and she whispers prayers and questions to the firedancer. She grows quiet at times as if listening to a voice that others cannot hear. She strokes her mounts neck from time to time to give it courage.

Heather moves near Demi "keep near me before the fight starts and I will give you the cats grace spell like we usually do." she waits for a response.

Demetria nods to Heather with a soft chuckle, "Deal." comes her words quietly as she walks with the group. "has anyone noticed the lack of.." she motions around. "nature." she regards her words quietly, "This does not bode well."

Siriel walking in front of those on the horses, she keeps her eyes ever watching and her ears ever listening. Every once in a while looking up to make sure Sorenson is still with them as well. She keeps her hand on the bow strung over her shoulder as she walks.

Sorenson rasps from overhead: "Well, the animals have the right idea. We're the insane ones."

Siriel snickers at Sorenson's statement and the large amount of truth in it.

Alance's grin is hidden by his helmet but it can be heard in the tone of his voice when he speaks "And we say we are the ones with the ability to reason..."

After about an hour or so of walking and climbing (except for Sorenson), your group comes to a sheer escarpment thrusting up out of the darkness several hundred feet. The trail meanders away on the side of the escarpment and eventually ends, no more than three or four feet wide at its widest point, the ground drops away to the side, dwindling down several hundred feet.

Amari looks to Alance and seems to have finished seeking advice from the goddess,"I can lend you some extra strength and possibly protect you from some fire if it proves to be a creature of fire. Does anyone else need such help?" she asks even as she lays a hand on the paladin and begins to let the magic course from her to him.

Heather looks to Amari and says "I can cast the spell that makes you a little resent to fire to, but against a dragon I dont know if it will help at all."

Siriel walks on, not really paying attention to what's going on with the group just paying attention to what's going on around the group.

Demetria seems to think for a bit, "the best bet is to surround it." she remarks simply, "That will hopefully cause it to go down faster." she looks at the world about her and frowns. "Who goes down first?" Demetria wonders of the group.

Alance smiles at Amari murmuring his thanks, looking at Deme and still speaking quietly "If need be, to save others...I will"

Demetria looks at the group and moves to shake her head as she gets a length of rope. "I will go down." she remarks quietly, "Lure it out. I am small, snack sized and easily to hull back to town if I end up deader then a pile of Dragon dung."

Amari arches a brow at Demetria's words,"Can you climb like a spider or fly or anything? We don't want you getting dead on us." she says simply,"I still need you at the shop."

Heather says "want the spell now Demetria?"

Demetria looks at Amari, "Nope." she offers with a dead pan expression. "I figured I would tie a rope around my waist, run, jump into the pit of dark death and pain and pray that you all pull me out before I smack my head on the side of the hole." she pauses and reflects on her words for a moment. "I really am suicidal aren't I?" she asks holding out her hands to heather.

Heather kneels down and says a prayer in celestial while touching demi yielding the max the spell can give her "ok you be safe ok." said to her friend.

Amari frowns deeply,"I shall make you a pair of slippers then or boots if you prefer. When we return of course. It's the least I can do for my new employee." she says with a kind smile.

Trysta looks out over the escarpment when they finally reach it. She says nothing, as usual, and goes to climb down off her unicorn companion's back. "Watch the other horses," she tells the equine before starting to follow after the others.

Demetria laughs quietly at Amari, "Don't bother. Its already on there." she remarks, "As well as a ring of Jumping in case I get into to much problems." she remarks and looks at the pits. "If I get eaten." she starts out to the group. "Don't let me get pooped out." and with that, she moves to head down into the pit

Alance eyes Deme "You be careful Deme, don't do anything to crazy ok?" He pauses a bit, then moves over to stand near Amari.

Sorenson comes spiraling down to the rest of them, landing, wings folding into the cloak. He squats down on near the ledge, and waits,.

Demetria moves to climb down, Getting about half the length of the rope she pauses a bit to rest. Not that its overly hard for her. Oh no, the young woman is actually well adept at this climbing thing for a halfling apparently!

Siriel stands at the edge and watches Demetria climbing down.

Heather watches demi climb as she makes a silent prayer.

Alance watches the rope at this end, making sure it doesn't get snagged or such as Deme climbs.

Trysta stands next to the others, for now, but isn't watching as Demetria climbs down--she's watching the surrounding area for any sign of problems. How hard can something big and red be to spot anyways/

Heather looks around a bit hoping to see something "its coming I hear the rush of the wind, take cover." she says moving 40 feet from the group.

The sound of rushing wind fills the night, screaming out of the darkness a boulder the size of a clydesdale horse crashes down from the night sky above you, slanted in slightly. Most of you manage to get out of the way of the granite projectile, with the exception of Amari. She is slammed back into the side of the cliff and then face-dives over the side as it momentarily stuns her, trailing blood through the air behind her. She has the presence of mind to grab the rope though before plummeting to her death hundreds of feet below. A roaring chuckle and the flap of tenebrous wings can be heard far above as something purely evil sees the result of its handiwork.

Sorenson dodges out of the way of the boulder, going sideways. His next steps are not necessarily the most usual -- he jumps out into the void, wings spreading once more, as he glides into the air. As he moves, his hand goes to his waist, drawing out a slim metal wand. He also drags his shield from its sling and onto his arm.

As the boulder comes down Siriel dodges out of the way just in time, getting back onto her feet she readies her bow with and arrow, not wanting to shoot just yet as she sees Sorenson take flight for fear of hitting him, she refrains for now.

Heather phews as she gets out of the way from the surprise attack and holds her holy symbol saying a prayer out loud that strengthens every one with a +1 to hit and damage, except for Sorenson thats out of range of its effect

Amari scrambles to gather her senses and gets a better hold on the rope.

Trysta can't see much of anything thanks to the dust hanging in the air. So, she takes out her bow, aims where she thinks the dragon is, and lets go. The sound of an arrow bouncing off scales makes it clear she hit; but did little else.

A rushing of wings can be heard and a booming as they cup the air, hovering about 50 feet from Sorenson, a cone of flame licks out, hitting him square in the chest, engulfing him in fire. In the fire light what can only be a red dragon, huge sleek and powerful hovers about 60 feet out from the ledge.

Alance ducks as the Dragon swoops. A startled yell is pulled from him when he sees Amari go over "Hang on!" When she grabs the rope he looks very relieved and starts to pull the rope back up, slowly as the turbulence from the wings of the dragon make it very difficult.

Demetria moves to slide up towards Amari. Demetria pulls the rope from her body and moves to tie it around the cleric's waste. "So you don't end up splatter." she tells The young woman.

Heather sees the dragon and points her finger at him sending a light from it, though the spell did good damage it ended up just a minor scratch.

Sorenson singes, flames flaring from the fringes of his wings. His shadowy armor glows faintly with the imparts heat as he gives a yell -- and shoots straight up into the air, moving rather quickly indeed, embers trailing after him. He pivots in the air, spits an arcane command word, and watches five lines of purplish-white energy draw themselves against its scales. Then, he tucks his wand into his belt once more.

Siriel pulls back on her bow and gets the creature in sight, she slows her breathing down as pulls. She holds her breath as she lets go, suddenly startled by a singed and yelling Sorenson, her arrow flies wide.

Trysta now has a clear sight of the dragon! Unfortunately she seemed to do better shooting blind and sends two arrows careening into the night sky rather harmlessly.

Amari coughs as a bit of blood comes from her mouth. She nods at Demetria's helpfulness with the rope and all the while is slipping a potion from a small pocket on her trews. She drinks it down and looks a bit less damaged. Then she casts a spell that engulfs her with the faintest aura of magic, a protection from fire type of spell is likely for those who know about such things. She clings to the rope with both hands once her casting is done.

The dragon apparently has had enough of your stings and flung spells. It torches out at Sorenson one more time as it dives for the ledge well above your group. Though the dragon misses Sorenson with its flaming breath, it plucks something from the ledge and hurls it down the side of the mountain, a screaming blue ball of fur. The dragon then powers away into the night sky, rapidly retreating from the group.

A small blue ball comes flying out of the darkness to spiral towards the mountain face he takes a moment to wonder what it will be like to meet the mountain this way but just as he is about to find out Sorenson flies out of nowhere and catches him setting him down with the rest of the party. "Oh, Hi did you see the dragon, he was talking to me then launched himself out of the cave. a little bit later he came and grabbed me and threw me down here!" he looks around at the group gathered with surprise "Wow, did you all come out here to save me? I'm sorry to have troubled you."

Sorenson tosses Shadowhawk the last five feet, cursing the whole time. He turns, beating his wings up to howl: "COWARD!" at the retreating dragon.

ShadowHawk looks over at everyone and says "He said that we have to clear out the city of all people or the Baron Buffalo will send some Ironhead guy to the city to challenge it's heroes, what ever that means."

Demetria looks at Shadowhawk and blinks slowly, "What is..Ironhead..." she growls. "And ..ugg." she growls out. "I need sleep."

Trysta unlike others is quite happy to see the dragon go since she had little ability to hurt it. The woman dusts herself off a bit, puts her bow back into place and just shakes her head while mumbling.

Alance slowly pulls Amari up, reaching down when she's close and gently lifts her into his arms "Amari?"

Heather looks up "just once and I mean once I wish a dragon would be civil and just talk to us." she then looks to the party "SORENSON come here I will heal you."

ShadowHawk watches the dragon fly away and waves shouting goodbye in draconic. "it's too bad it was so mean that it through that boulder at you I was hoping to get to know it better. I mean it was willing to sit and talk to me."

Sorenson circles down towards Heather, sooty. "It looked worse than it really was. Honest."

Siriel looks about, shouldering her bow "Shadow are you alright?" she asks her gnomish friend, walking over to him.

Amari tries to help herself by climbing while Alance pulls but she is wearing full plate here. The scraping of her armor can be heard against the rocks as she is finally is pulled up."I'm still breathing, though a bit raggedly." she admits. She has several nasty bruises and cuts but is able to walk. She pats Alance's hand reassuringly."I take it the Dragon is gone?" she asks as she looks around just to be sure. The view from down there wasn't the greatest.

Heather shrugs "the healing is free, and I can do it in one spell."

Alance smiles at Amari checking to make sure she's alright, murmuring a soft prayer to Aurinko, a soft glow spreading from his hands covering Amari

ShadowHawk grins up at Siriel "Yes I am ok thanks to the flying man over there. It's just too bad that he flew off before I had a chance to make friends with him." he says looking wistfully into the night sky in the direction the dragon flew. "I think I may go to Stonesong tonight since there is a mess in the forest where the guards were killed and it is drawing scavengers to the area. I think it will be a couple of days before I go back to the yurt."