Gold in the dark

by Gael

Wyverns are, without a doubt, among the most dangerous foes one can face. Their speed and mobility, combined with fiercely territorial instincts, make them highly aggressive. They are armed with both fangs and claws capable of shattering boulders and are protected by scales that are as hard as steel. To make matters worse, they also wield a venomous stinger at the end of their tail, sharp enough to pierce plate armour with ease. But perhaps the most dangerous aspect of a wyvern is its cunning. For while not as intelligent as a true dragon, their actions reveal a deviousness that should never be underestimated.

Fortunately then, when confronting three of them at once, we managed to catch them by surprise. They were so focused on the dragonnel they had just brought down that did not notice Luke unleashing a mighty fireball upon them. This was then followed up by Hayley, still in her giant spider form, trapping them with her webbing. Leaving them both trapped and disoriented. Allowing Liliana and Alistan to quickly find the opening they needed to drive their blades in deep. And with a few well-placed bolts to the eyes, courtesy of Dadroz, their fate was quickly sealed and the battle was over. Almost as sudden as it began.

Upon inspecting their bodies, we confirmed without a doubt that they too had been infected by the wurms. Hopefully, their deaths would finally mark the end of the threat. As for the remaining dragonnels, most had scattered when the wyverns attacked, leaving us free to properly explore the ruins we had found ourselves in.

We had hoped to uncover some clue as to the identity of these ruins. But time had not been kind. As many buildings had already collapsed, leaving little for us to find. Just as we were about to give up, we stumbled upon a massive bronze door, untouched by decay, in the hillside. It was adorned with the image of a dragon and looked as if it had been crafted only yesterday. According to Luke, this was due to a series of magical protections. Still, working together, Luke and Dadroz were able to bypass these enchantments with relative ease.

The door opened silently, revealing a staircase descending deep into the hill. Driven by curiosity, we began our descent. Now for the life of me, I couldn’t say how long we were on those stairs exactly. As they seemed to continue endlessly. But eventually we reached the bottom and entered a vast chamber.

The first thing we saw was a life-sized statue of a copper dragon. To its left stood a large stone door bearing the image of a knight riding a dragon. And to its right, a tunnel descended even deeper into the hill.

We chose to explore the tunnel first, reasoning it was best to deal with any potential threats that lay in it before proceeding further. But we needn’t have bothered. The tunnel had collapsed about fifty feet in. Though just as we turned to leave, Liliana noticed a small earth elemental trying to hide from us. As it wasn’t hostile, we naturally left it be.

Returning to the central chamber, we turned our attention back to the statue. A carefull inspection revealed it was not only hiding a secret door. But that both the neck and head could be moved. At first, we thought this might be the key to open the door. However the scorch marks we noticed on the floor suggested it was more likely part of a deadly trap.

We thus shifted our focus to the large stone door. After giving it a good look, Dadroz confirmed that it wasn’t trapped. But that the locking mechanism was so intricate that opening it would be nearly impossible. Still, never one to back down from a challenge, Dadroz pulled out his tools and got to work. Time crawled by, but eventually he gave a satisfied sigh, twisted his tools one last time, and the door swung open.

We stood in awe at the mountain of gold that revealed itself in front of us. More coinage than any of us had ever seen. As we regained our focus, we also noticed several pools of acid in the corners of the room. Along with a large, damaged statue of a knight standing in the centre of the northern wall.

We expected a trap of some kind of course, but neither Luke or Dadroz could find anything, magical or otherwise. Perhaps that’s why we let our guard down. Or maybe, and I hate to admit it, our greed for gold dulled our senses somewhat. Whatever the reason, we paid for it. A swarm of beetles, nearly indistinguishable from the gold, suddenly engulfed Hayley.

We rushed to help, but before we could several crimson oozes slithered out of the acid pools and surrounded us. It quickly turned into a desperate fight. Our attacks barely harmed the oozes and the beetles were relentless in their attacks against Hayley and Liliana. Still, after a bloody struggle, we eventually managed to turn the tide once more and emerge victorious. Though we found ourselves badly wounded.

After a short rest and a much-needed round of Hayley’s witching brew, we gathered what treasures we could carry and returned to the dragon statue once more. It took some time, but eventually Luke and Dadroz managed to uncovered its secrets and opened the hidden door behind it.

Behind it lay a chamber with a vast lake of acid. And in its centre stood a small island with what appeared to be a staircase descending even deeper into the earth.

Judging the distance, Liliana and Alistan managed to jump across with relative ease. But the moment they set foot on the island, a massive acid ooze easily the size of a house rose to attack them. Luke reacted quickly, trapping it in a ring of fire, which gave the rest of us the chance to cross the lake safely.

Before the ooze could escape, we descended the staircase. Delving deeper into the darkness.

Continue reading...

A day of celebrations and beginnings
30th of Daga, 121 year of the tree

A trial of brambles
30th of Daga, 121 year of the tree

Departure
1st of Lug, 121, Era of the Tree

Dreams and Peril
2-5 Lug, Year 121, Era of the Tree

City of Strife and Secrets
5th of Lugh, 121 Year of the Tree

A complicated situation
6th of Lugh, 121 Year of the Tree

Onwards towards the west
7th & 8th of Lugh, 121 Year of the Tree

Strangers in the mist
8-11th of Lug, 121 Year of the Tree

For now I am the hunted
11th of Lug, Year 121, Era of the Tree

Hunted no more
12th of Lug, Year 121 Era of the Tree

Trial by fire
13th - 14th of Lug, 121 Era of the Tree

Keralon at last
15th of Lug, 121 Era of the Tree

Has it truly been five years?
1st - 2nd of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

The Journal Entry’s title

Escorting the envoy
2nd of Nuan, Year 126, Era of the Tree

Heart of fire
3rd - 4th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

A festive day
10th Nuan, Y126 Era of the Tree

The Journal Entry’s title

Shadow of Ravenfield
14th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

The Tomb of Hollow Hill
15th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

The battle for Ravensfield part 1
16th of Nuan, 126 Year of the Tree

The Journal Entry’s title

The battle for Ravensfield part 2
16th - 17th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

The Journal Entry’s title

Return to Keralon
18th - 21st of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

The Journal Entry’s title

The Embassy ball
22nd - 23th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Searching for Norgar
23th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

The fall of Robert Talespinner
23rd of Nuan, Y126 E.O.T.

Intermission: Letter home

An Audience With The King
28th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

The Journal Entry’s title

A new beginning
29th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Breaking and making deals
1st of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

The Journal Entry’s title

Nightly intrusions
2nd of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

The Journal Entry’s title

Dinner for Seven
9th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Graduation Day
25th of Aran, Y126 EOT

A love for the ages
24th of Aran, Y126 EOT

The festival
26th of Aran, 126 Year of the Tree

Battle of the bards
26th of Aran, 126 Year of the Tree

Fire in the night
2nd of Brigan, Y126 E.O.T.

Lord Quinn I presume
4th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Departure for Latebra Velora
5th - 6th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Wurms and Dragons
6th - 8th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Gold in the dark
8th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Heart of Acid
8th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Meeting Grandmother
11th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

The Journal Entry’s title

A shadowy evening
12th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

The Journal Entry’s title

Latebra Velora
16th of Brigan, Y126 E.O.T.

A dragon's fate
16th - 17th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

A royal summons
17th - 20th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Gold in the dark

Continue reading...

Find your way!

Resources

WHO WE ARE

LEGAL

Get the news

Listen to our Podcast

Our Allies