Dragondown Synopsis Thread

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Journal of Banus Malquen

As I make the long trip to the North I am compelled to make a record of my travels, if for no other reason than to convince myself I am not mad. My life was so much simpler before the dreams.... but perhaps it's best to start at the beginning.

I was raised in Sheskin, a small village nestled in the Western foothills of Rabyse. Being somewhat secluded we were partially sheltered from the ill's that plagued the rest of the Kingdom. My older brother Bradan and I had peaceful childhood's until the summer I turned 12. A company of King Dixav's soldiers swept through the village pressing young men into the army.

That was the last I saw of Bradan.

Several years later a group of mercenary's under the command of Yerech Alevor, a short, balding man with a permanent sneer, took over the town. What or who they were looking for I don't know, but when they left my parents and ten other people were dead.

Luckily my Uncle Ennis arrived to take care of me. Filled with anger I lashed out at anyone who came near me. Ennis quickly adjusted my attitude and more importantly he began my training. The sword, the bow, the lance, Ennis trained me in all of these and more. Six years later when he left he presented me with a gift. A fine suit of plate armor. The silver dragon motif is obviously of ancient design but there is not one scratch or dent on it. That night was the first time I had the dream.

Disjointed flashes of an armored warrior wielding a flashing bastard sword. A bubbling pool in a cavern of ice, and a child crying, alone in the dark.

Night after night I awaken in the dark with these images calling to me. Calling me north.

I fight the call for several years. Moving from town to town, seeing the cruelty that is rampant throughout the Kingdoms, I eventually give in when I start to notice flashes of light on my sword occasionally during combat. I must have answers.

Eventually I make it to the White Wood. This eerie forest has long been the subject of tales of the Children of the Trees. Monsters and strange happenings are not uncommon but I pass uneventfully to the community of Yolod. Although friendly enough the hunters and rangers that inhabit this town stare at me in a way that makes it plain I am not wanted. I decide to make my way up the Steep Stair immediately instead of waiting till morning.

It is well into the evening and the snow is starting to fall heavily when I reach the top of the Stairs. A cold wind whips through the scrub trees on top of the Plateau and the lights of Dragondown beckon to me with a promise of warmth when I espy a pair of small heavily cloaked figures shivering by the side of the road. Who could this be? A pair of kobolds from the town of Crooked Thumb? A lost pair of goblin raiders?

I cautiously approach the pair and ask if I can be of assistance. They push back their hoods and I see a pair of Githzerai children. The oldest is a girl of about 12 named Stones and her brother Birdsong is about 5. Both are coughing and have runny noses from the cold or something more serious. I have some basic medical training from my time spent with the healer Ultan when I was a child but this is beyond me. What I can see is that Stones has a broken ankle.

Focused on the children as I was I failed to see the person who came up the Steep Stairs behind me until it spoke. I spun around with my hand on my sword to see one of the tallest beings I have ever seen. I have met few people taller than me in my life but this man stood over six inches taller. He approached and I get my first look at a Goliath from the east. The large man spoke with an unexpected kindness and as he quickly moved to help Stones I am shocked when he healed her broken bone in seconds.

We introduced ourselves and he said his name was Zaos Kuagira. A quick questioning of the children revealed they were from the village of Korpel in the White Wood. Their parents Grass and Bird had died and they were traveling to Dragondown to find their uncle Iron when Stones hurt her ankle.

It was during this conversation when two more figures approached us. A Githzarai man(Bowl) in brown and white robes with a blue scarf came from the road to Dragondown and a female Tiefling(Jhayza) wearing red from the road to Crooked Thumb. More introductions and explanations were made and Bowl agreed to lead us back to Dragondown.

Arriving in town Bowl leads us to the Temple of the Winter Gods. Prelate Lorit was a gruff man and was reluctant to help us, but the sight of the sick children soon made him forget the lateness of the hour. It seemed Bowl lived here at the Temple and went about fixing us a bit of dinner. Neither Bowl or Prelate Lorit knew a Githzarai wizard named Iron. Only one Githzarai wizard was it town that they knew and that was Half-Moon, who owned the oddities and magicks shop.

Half-Moon turned out to be as odd as the trinkets in his shop. I was contemplating writing him off as mad when he mentioned a Githzarai wizard in town who frequented the only inn in town. The Corrupt Conjurer Hall. I have made it a point to avoid any dealings with wizards and found the events of the evening being most disconcerting.

We quickly locate the wizard Stormcloud and question him about Uncle Iron. He obviously reacted to the name and denied any knowledge of who he was. I pressed him on this point after mentioning the children he indicated in a round about fashion that he was in fact Iron. He reluctantly agreed to go see these children and we returned to the Temple with his butler/apprentice Avarro.

As soon as Iron sees the condition of the children he turns deathly pale. They are victims of a magical plague he has seen in the past. Highly contagious, anyone who has come in contact with a victim is instantly infected. Already half of the town was infected with this evil plague and it was our fault.

Luckily Iron knew of a possible cure. Nearby in the Crypt of the Ancients was the last specimen of a flower called Pureblossom that can be used to make an antidote. The flower was dying so it made the pain of destroying a species of flower a little less painful.

First the town had to be sealed to keep the plague from spreading and that demanded we speak to the Council of Four. My new found compatriots and I decided the first member of the Council to be told should be the human wizardess Dynad. If any of them would understand the danger of this arcane plague it would be her. Rousing her from her studies she quickly agreed to convene the Council and we headed to the Council Hall.

As we waited on the other Council members to arrive I finally had a chance to rest. The long climb up the Stairs and the stress of our current situation was finally catching up with me. Wearily I rose to explain the situation to the other Council members and told them we four who brought these children into town would volunteer to retrieve the Pureblossom. (Some would say it was presumptive of me to volunteer the other three without talking to them first but in the short time we have been working together I had a sense that they would also volunteer. The look of approval in their eyes was proof I was correct in this.)

It was at this point that Avarro rose and protested us going. He said he and his friends would go retrieve the flower. They did not trust their lives to a group of strangers who possibly killed everyone in Dragondown. It was easy to see where they where coming from but it was decided that two groups going for the flower would be best. As an added incentive the party that returned with the flower was promised the Blizzardbane Blade.

After the meeting Bowl and Zhayza went to get their gear and we set out for the Crypt. Upon our arrival we see Avarro's party engaged it battle with a group of Dwarf Slaver's. When we join the fray the other party disappears through the puzzle door to the Crypt. The Dwarve's fought well but in the end with their friends dead two of them attempted to flee. Normally we would have let them go but the risk of spreading the plague to the Dwarven communities was too great. A short chase and it was over.

Returning to the door the puzzle was quickly solved and we entered the Crypt proper. Immediately inside the door a freshly caved in pit lead into the depth's. The only other feature of the room was a pair of statues of some plantlike humanoids. Swarms of rats issued from the rubble but were quickly dispatched. A doorway lead to a hallway with a locked door. Unable to open it we continued down the hall. Another fight and a secret room later we have the key to the locked door. A long hall with more statues ends in a door with two locks on it. Beneath one of the statues we find a ladder leading down into the dark.

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2

Standing around the dark opening the party stares at each other, a sense of foreboding seems to emanate from the darkness below. Pushing aside my fear I begin the descent into the hole. The ladder soon ends in a dusty tunnel. The shadows cast by our light seem to dance about the walls as we continue down the tunnel.

Shortly we enter a large room. More of the plant man statues stand in this room. The only difference is that these have medallions with the symbols we found on the door into the crypt. Before we can give these statues a more in depth examination ghostly shadows attack from the dark corners of the room. Our weapons find scant purchase on these spectral fernling's and the fight is long and draining. A hidden compartment found under one of the statues contains a large key. Finding no other exits from the room we return to the hall above.

Searching the hall again we discover openings under two more statues. Gods this place is a maze. Picking one of the holes we delve into the darkness again.

This tunnel soon leads to a barred gate. In the room beyond are crude wooden masks and strange metal stars on the wall. Finding no mechanism to open the gate I grab hold of the bars and pull with all my might. Slowly, with a metallic squeal, the bars slowly rise until a suitable opening is cleared for us to enter the room. Light emanates from around a corner at the far side of the narrow room. We carefully make our way through the room, carefully checking the masks as we go. As we near the corner the stars begin flying around the room, attacking anything in the way. The weapons are easily destroyed but not before they inflict much damage on my companions and I. Around the corner we see a large glowing plant. Could this be the Pureblossom?

Curled around the base of the plant is a large snake. As we approach the snake raises his triangular head and tells us too come no closer. Put here by the plant beings long ago this intelligent creature was placed here to guard the plant. Unfortunately in order to get the plant we would have to destroy this noble and lonely creature. A difficult and bloody battle ensued and much to my sorrow the guardian was killed. As I pulled the plant from the earth I cant help but feel that something was not right. It seemed too easy.

My party and I discussed returning to Dragondown with the flower immediately but I was loath to return without Avaro and his compatriots. When I voiced my reluctance the other members of this brave band agreed to continue the search. Taking the final ladder we came upon more of the animated plant statues. A quick fight and we had another key. Through another door we did indeed find the other band, hurt and distrustful of our intentions. When Zaos and I began to treat their numerous injuries their concerns about us quickly faded and we aided them upwards toward the entrance.

Passing the double doors with the two locks on them I convinced Avaro and company to continue on and my group proceeded through the door. Inside we found one of the plant creatures, the real Pureblossom keeping the wretched creature alive but unable to communicate for countless decades. It was almost a mercy to take the Pureblossom and let the creature finally join its brethren in the afterlife.

Quickly as we could we collected Avaro and the others and retraced our steps back to town. It seems as if the entire town was up to greet us as we approached the Temple of the Winter Gods. Prelate Lorit and Iron quickly to the Pureblossom inside to start working on the cure. The town would be saved.

The Council of Four showered us with praise for our safe return. Dynad pulls forth a wrapped bundle and passes it over. The cloth falls from the sheathed bastard sword. I pull the sword from its scabbard and the white steel of the blade seems to flash in the morning sun. The light is reflected in the eyes of the dragons on my armor and for a split second the flashing sword in my dream is before me. Was it me wielding it? What does it all mean?

My reverie was interrupted by a black clad human pushing his way through the crowd. He is closely followed by a fat goliath woman, a male kobold, and shrouded Githzarai. All are similarly clad in black. The man, Jonathan Nyler, greets Zaos like an old friend and declares that they must find the four fugitives. Its seems that much has happened since we left for the Crypt.

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3

My mind is numb with exhaustion but I must take a few minutes before I sleep to record the events of the evening. The black clad party turned out to be a group of bounty hunters called the Long Arms. Their leader, Jonathan Nyler, is an old acquaintance of Zaos's and there appears to be no love lost between them. (Ask Zaos later what happened. It could be important.)

The Long Arms are looking to collect the bounty on a skald named Naln wanted for murder is Pozos. He is traveling with a female halfling woman named Akino and can be recognized by his red hair and beard. It would seem that they were performing at the Corrupt Conjurer Hall the night we left for the Crypt. While we waited for Iron to finish the cure we spoke to the Council and convinced them to let us go and try to apprehend the fugitives before they reached Crooked Thumb. The Long Arms opposed the assistance but the authority of the Council quieted them down.

Feeling the effects of the last couple of days my new friends agreed to get a few hours of sleep. Zaos and I returned to the Inn and Shayza and Bowl to their homes. At the Inn Zaos and I grab a bite to eat and he tells me a little about Jonathan Nyler. He was kicked out of the War College they were studying at years earlier. The mans attitude and bearing make it plain to see why. Something about this man repels me. I will have to keep a closer eye on him.

As we are finishing our meal Matilda, hearing of our pursuit of Naln, asks us to save the skald. She is convinced he is innocent. The heartfelt look on the lovely young woman's face compels me to discern for myself if this man is guilty or not.

I must rest.



The dream has returned only this time there is more. Zaos standing if flames, the writing on his bracers glowing brightly. A large black warhorse with a white star on his forehead standing in the fog. He looks at me as if waiting for me. And an old kobold screaming the Dragons have returned.

Trembling I try to understand these visions when there comes a knock at the door. Iron and Face have brought us the cure and enough to cleanse Crooked Thumb. Quickly gathering my companions we set out after the Long arms who have already left.

By the Winter Gods these Kobolds are maddening. We have been robbed of every coin we have and have yet to get a strait answer from any of them, including the King. We finally spot a red haired human in town but he says his name is Boldo Ironglove. He talks tough but Zaos shows him a thing or two about fighting in the Battle Circle. During the fight Bowl spots Akino and quickly captures her. She tells us where Naln is and that Boldo is involved in the murder.

It was about this time that one of the Kobolds hears me mention the Plague. As panic quickly spreads through the town and old Kobold looks at my party and screams the Dragons have returned. My vision made real... What does this mean? What is happening to me? I must learn what this means!

It takes Prelate Krempvang to calm the townsfolk and get them to take the cure. Jonathan attempts to take Naln back to Pozos. I ask him to return to Dragondown and discuss what we have found with the Council. The arrogant son of a bitch actually draws his sword. This could be fun.

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4

Our recent success has unfortunately given me a false sense of competence and the Long Arms quickly defeat us. When we come too they are long gone. Luckily it appears as if Naln and Akino escaped during the melee. Knowing that Jonathan would have to travel through Dragondown to reach Pozos we set out as quickly as we could.

Out of the mist ahead of us we see a large red haired figure. Is it Naln? We quicken our steps and finally overtake him.

Boldo Ironglove. The real killer for the murder Naln was accused of. Our luck seems to be getting better. Boldo attempts to flee our custody when several giant stag headed birds attack. In the ensuing fight Boldo is carried off by one of the creatures.

Following the creatures to an old abandoned tower we come across armed men wearing black tabard's with a gray circle.

The Iron Circle.

I've been waiting half my life for a clue as to their whereabouts. Finally I have a chance to make Yerech Alevor and his men pay for the murder of my parents. Mayhap the Winter Gods have heard my prayer's and sent the visions to me to bring me to this place.

Upstairs we find a dead man frozen into his chair. Even odder is that he speaks to us. Odder than that is the pale woman who floats out of the shadows. She is the dead mans grand-daughter as is called the White Witch. The Iron Circle brought her here to create to plague we just dealt with.

Downstairs we find a Necromancer and two demon men prodding the remains of Boldo. An Imp named Quicktail seems to be in charge here at this outpost. Searching the remains of a desk we find papers that detail the population's of Dragondown and the Plateau. We also find 3 shards of a magic mirror that belonged to the dead man upstairs. Each shard will answer one question we put to it.

Our first question is the whereabouts of Yerech Alevor. The answer was East, probably heading away from the Plateau toward Pozos. We decide to save the other two shards to clear Naln's name.

Returning to Dragondown we inform the Council of our findings. Face agrees with our desire to find Yerech and put a stop to his plans. In the morning we set out to the east.

The morning fog is thick as we leave Dragondown. Bemoaning our lack of funds for suitable mounts my thoughts drift to the warhorse from my last vision. Suddenly in the fog ahead a black shape appears. The horse from my vision is there, silver tack jingling in the still air. The haft of a lance is tied to the saddle and a Silver Dragonshead pennant hangs from its tip.

The intelligence in its eyes is apparent as we look at each other... I know this animal. But how? I have only seen him in my vision but I know his name is Oberon. Just as I know he has been waiting for me for a long time. A very long time......