Character ArtJohanna (Dwarmin, Current Player)-
Arwen (Felixsparks, Current Player)-
Adrik (TheBiggerFish, Current Player)-
((<--Needs more scales))
Cora Lightburrow (Twinwolf, Current Player)-
Player JournalsJohanna~1489, 5th of Alturiak
http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=147892.msg6012640#msg6012640~1489, 7th of Alturiak
http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=147892.msg6355803#msg6355803Additional Player Created Content
Sheila, I thought it best that my report went straight to your hands. I can only hope this letter reaches you safely. There is great danger in the air.
Greenest was under attack as we arrived, by the Cult we were sent to investigate. There were not only many armed Kobolds-we and the town defenders killed nearly fifty of them, though a cultist claimed to have four times as much. There were Cultists as well, Humans, Dwarves, Elves in Blue robes with very specific tattoos...I've included a drawing of a tattoo I copied, in this parcel...they also had a Dragon of their own, a large chromatic Blue. It called itself 'Lennithon the Blue'. I do not know what stirred this beast against the town, yet. We did not so much drive him off as annoy him into leaving, I think-or he was not interested in wasting his time fighting what he called 'insects'.
One of my team also met their commander in personal combat to save some hostages, and he lived, despite being badly injured. This captain proclaimed himself to be 'Langdedrosa Cyanwrath, Dragonfang, son of Niadhogr the Blue', and he was a curious mixture of man and dragon you told was called a Half-Dragon, though their capabilities I could not recall. I can only hope these names may meaning something to you, and the information may aid the Lords Alliance in combating this threat. We were victorious, in a fashion-though not without costs. They left without engaging in a lengthy siege, presumably they had what they came for. I suspect this may have merely been a raid...or a diversion.
I know it may be unlikely I will hear from you soon, Sheila, but know that I am mostly unharmed. You trained me well, and those teachings have saved my life. And the lives of the villagers. I am still ready for anything...I miss our talks over Waterhaven Cheese and Cherryfire. You always seemed to know what to say to clarify things to me. Now, I'm figuring it out for myself. Do keep yourself safe, Sheila. It's going to be a dangerous time to be a Dragon. Many people will...not appreciate the differences between chromatic and metallics, when they hear the news. I do though. I know you are different than them.
...Do send word, if possible. I will do the same. I would like word of my parents. My identity may not remain secret entirely, and I worry they might come to harm. Could you send them a letter for me, asking them to see to the manors defenses? Guise it as a precaution, not a warning. I wouldn't want to frighten them, though you should use your best judgement.
Johanna Stonesthrow
[Crown mark of the Lords Alliance stamped here]
((Authors Note: Professor Sheila, better known as Sheilathrax the Brass Dragon, was Johanna's magical tutor in all things arcane, and eventually her main contact in the Lords Alliance. Not to mention a decent friend.))
(What struck Johanna first was that the word 'Tyranny'-which emblazoned the books title-was not in any way of negative-the idea embodied by 'Tyranny' was in fact, supposed to be the perfect form of existence, the ideal to strive for. To the Dragon cult, Tyranny and Utopia were ideas that entirely meant the same thing.)
...
In the beginning, there was only chaos-wind and howling darkness, bitter cold and ever-burning heat.
From this beautiful desolation, came the sound of great wings hammering the air-heralding the Age of the Dragon.
The world was so then shaped and peopled with lesser beings whose destiny was to live in fear-to be ruled as subjects, or hunted as prey.
All beings live under these Iron Rules.
She is the only true Goddess. She is the only Goddess that exists.
....
All other powers are merely fragments, of echoes, of former powers. In truth, the Heavens as we know them are a mirror of the desolation of the time before. She slew all her rivals eons ago. What 'Gods' exist, she allows other mortals to believe in, are merely extensions of her self-other heads, you could say. These 'Gods' are made so that her children and worshipers may not grow too complacent, so that they may have something to struggle against. Pity them, for they are not ready to take Her words to heart. In her pity, she has allowed them the comfort of delusion...while at the same time serving her. (Sort of chilling to read, that.)
If you must do so, or if you are commanded to-slay these unhappy fools as the sport she intended them to be, for you know the secret they never will.
All beings worship power, no matter their icon they wear, or the words they mutter, or the truth they hold in their hearts.
And, She is power made incarnate.
(Johanna noted that Tiamats name was more or less left out in the oldest excerpts, though there was always a reference to a single, powerful Female. She wondered if Dragons were Matchriarchal since ancient days, and the worship of Tiamat sprung out of previously 'pagan' beliefs...)
...
All Dragonkind are her beloved sons and daughters, even down to the smallest and weakest of them. Each Dragon has the spark of the divine within in them, and through them the Law of Tiamat, of the Greater Cosmos is manifest-thought Tiamat is the greatest of them all. The rule of claw, tooth, scale, and flame is unalterable. To hear the Dragon speak, is to hear the beat of the wings that shaped the Universe.
So.
If She commands you to slay another, do so without hesitation. Hesitation breeds fear. Fear breeds disloyalty. Disloyalty breeds suffering.
If She you to take your own life, do so without hesitation. Hesitation breeds fear. Fear breeds disloyalty. Disloyalty breeds suffering.
She embodies absolute Power, and to set yourself against Power can equal only suffering.
Only the mad and Daemonkind embrace suffering for it's own sake. No thinking being desires pain-only his meager pleasures and sundry amusements, freedom from fear and despair. Thus, the only real choice you'll ever have, is to worship the power that She encompasses entirely. And even that choice, she foresaw and planned for you.
Any other choice is heretical at worst, and insanity at best. (There was a logic here she grudgingly admitted to understanding, if not accepting)
...
But, what of those without this touch of divinity? After all, you were made to be ruled. That is why you exist. What hope can there be in this?
Understand that She made you as a flawed, imperfect being-you were not born as Dragonkind, after all, and so naturally it stands to reason all other beings such as you are inherently flawed. But She is wise, and kind-she also gave you the tools within yourself to transcend these flaws-your desire for submission, your great courage, your at times needful cruelty, and your unquestioning obedience. If you serve Her with all your being, She will one day allow you to transcend your mortal form-to shed that flawed clay you wear. Then you will rule over the Lesser Beings, as you were once ruled. (Johanna wondered what this meant.)
In this final acceptance of your true place in the cosmos, you can find peace, comfort-even joy, and love among kindred hearts. You may live a span of mortal life in relative happiness, insofar as much as you are allowed. There is no true despair or sorrow, in the love of Her warm embrace. Clutch to her bosom as you once did the person you called 'Mother', whom you now know means nothing-she was a mere vessel of Her endless powers of creation. She is capable of giving you far more love than the any 'social construct' ever could.
...
If you reject these things, only the mockery of false friends will you know, and the cold light of the false puppet Gods, and the cleansing flames (Johanna noted here that the space for the word 'flames' had been previously erased and rewritten over many times-no doubt every Dragon assumed their natural element was the best one to embody divinity, depending on the cult) of the true lords of Creation. Pity this unbeliever, and slay him quickly if he does not yield to truth. Be cruel if commanded, but remember-no mortal pain you could ever inflict would be equal to even one one thousandth of a moment of the pain She feels when her creations disappoint her. So do not disappoint her with failure, either.
In this report, I've taken it upon myself to put forward a written record of my recent adventures in Greenest and the area beyond. I feel events so far have become important enough-with some potentially far reaching implications-that I should shed light on what has gone on, from a first hand perspective. Who better to tell the story, than someone who has smelled the smoke of a burning town?
Prologue
Little of what happened before my mission has any great importance on events, since this was before I took the Oaths of the Alliances-though it should be noted I undergoing important Arcane Experimentations shortly before that time, when it so happened I met my future traveling companions. Who bear some importance on the matters to come.
Arwen Dunwood: By all accounts, a young human warrior, quite bullheaded, stubborn, and reckless. I have heard him brag that he can 'stare down a Hellhound', and though I sincerely doubt he has ever actually looked one in the eye, I truly believe him. A former Town Guard by trade, then a wandering blade. You'll never find a truer friend, though he can prickly to get along with at times...He is skilled at all manner of weapons and armor, and is frequently found leading the charge of our small party-usually bellowing some foolish thing or another.
Mirella Beregrie: A devoted Cleric of of the Goddess Selune, a human female-a traveler by heart, proven by deed. Even tempered, kind-yet persistent, and unable to be daunted by even the worst hardships. It goes without saying I met her on the road going somewhere new, and if the Gods favor us, we'll depart in the same manner...a fine warrior, she is often fighting alongside Arwen in the frontlines, but her array of healing and cleansing magics have, predictably enough, saved the lives of all of us-several times. Sometimes I fear she may be in too much danger there, considering the amount of help she brings, but Mirella has shown me she is neither to be pitied nor shamed-she can handle herself quite well.
'Sweetpea': No other name given, I suspect we were given a handle of some sort. From what she told me, she was a street child from Baldurs gate-she was a young Wood Elf girl with a set of particular skills, mostly those involving subterfuge. She was a very good shot with a bow, and in the short time I knew her she showed me such bravery that it far surpassed many who would consider themselves higher caliber than she. Or perhaps her recklessness had something to do with her ill health-she was quite afflicted, in her own way, with a recurring cough and a lack of endurance. Though I never heard her complain about it. I speak of Sweetpea in the past tense, because she departed only a short time into our adventures...much to my sorrow. I had taken a great liking to her, in the short time we had together. Our of respect for the difficult nature of her personal history, I will leave out much much else she told or implied to me. If you want to know these things, you will have to find her yourself...and I can tell you, she's quite skilled at not being found if she doesn't want to be.
This small group would eventually accompany me to to Baldurs Gate, where I was inducted into the Lords Alliance as an Initiate, and after a short time, I was given my first task. I included the contents of Sir Palsider's note to me here.
Johanna Stonesthrow,
The Lord's Alliance has heard reports of a cult operating in the southern central Greenfields. Our other agents in the area are pre-occupied, so you are tasked with investigating these reports and, if you are able, deal with them. Raise a few mercenaries with the funds we have provided you and stop first in Greenest. Governor Nighthill there is sympathetic to our cause and should be willing to assist you.
Sir Palsider
We departed at all due haste.
In retrospect, there is little I need include here not already in my personal file, except to save you the trouble of referencing-this report is written by one J
ohanna Stonesthrow, of the noble family Stonesthrows of Beregost, A
very powerful supremely skilled Wizard, formerly of Ulcaster College.
While the travel was uneventful-it was quite pleasant, actually-we found the town of Greenest burning as we approached. It was under attack, by a mixed force of Humanoids and Kobolds who were clearly part of a Dragonoid Cult. They were also accompanied by a mature Blue Dragon who named him "Lennithon the Blue".
We rendered aid as best we could, fighting our way to the Keep, rallying as many civilians under our protection as we could. It was clear the enemy was intent on slaying, kidnapping and looting as much as they could get their claws on-my only regret is that we were not able to save more, for I have no doubt those that did not find their way to the keep either lost their lives, or suffered much to come-though as I will relate, we did some to relieve that suffering.
We were met then, by Mayor Tarbaw Nighthill and his Castellan, Escobert the Red. On their advice, we helped clear our an old tunnel underneath the keep (there were some very large rats and many of them bit me), and then the entrance of more humanoid vermin. What little we got from the survivors was that the 'Queen-Mother" (Who I now believe may be known as the Goddess Tiamat) had told them to follow the "Dragon Lady" (The true identity of this figure I have unfortunately not found yet) to raid the town. It is clear they maintained Order by appealing to this Tiamat, who you all know is the overarching Goddess of all Evil, chromatic Dragons.
As the day wore on, our battles continued with renewed ferocity. We all nearly died attempting to liberate a Church from a besieging cultist force, but with some...inventive...use of illusion magic and low cunning, we managed to frighten a large group of them away and herd another group of civilians toward the keep.
Later, Lennithon roused himself to attack the keep, strafing it repeatedly with his lightning breath-he seemingly had not taste for the battle itself, as were able to drive him off with some difficulty. Arwen Dunwood actually jumped on the beasts back, attempting to ride the beast as he would a a wild pony! He was immediately eaten. This feat amazingly did not result in his incineration, consumption, or transformation into a sort of pudding like substance at the bottom of the Dragons foot death-it was in fact, the thing that finally drove the Dragon away in annoyance.
Perhaps the insulting treatment of their Dragon, or the lack of easy slaughter and the prospect of a siege against an entrenched foe-caused the Cult of the Dragon to cease it's attacks for a time...that was when we met Langdedrosa Cyanwrath, the Dragonfang, son of Niadhogr the Blue. As he so named himself. He offered to trade a few prisoners in return for a personal duel-as we found many more prisoners later had been taken, and they had not been presented for exchange-it seems to me on the outside his actions were not so much honorable as for saving face, and instilling fear of him in his army.
Arwen Dunwood again accepted an impossible task set before him, accepting the duel-and thought he gave a good accounting in the following battle, he was badly wounded and nearly killed. The Dragon Cult departed, seemingly sated on their killing.
It was not altogether with a feeling of victory, did I lay down that night to sleep. More one of desperate survival.
With the second phase of our journey starting, it was as this time we found that our friend Sweetpea had all but disappeared into the horizon. I still hold a firm belief that perhaps she'll be back one day, to pull us out of the fire, a proper hero swooping in at the last minute...but, that hasn't happened yet have not seen her again since.
In any case, the War goes on. The Mayor gave us our next task-to follow the path of the cult, and ascertain more about them, their ultimate aims and such. Of course, also to save any other prisoners we might find.
Given our reduced numbers, and relative wealth of foes before us I argued successfully that subterfuge would serve us best going forward-and indeed, using Cultist disguises, we were able to infiltrate and destroy a small Dragon Cultist force within the first days of our journey. As you will soon read, I have found an important weakness of this Dragon Cult-the fact that they are actually many cults, each one with it's own motives and patron colors. They are mistrustful and hateful toward one another, with the only binding being shared loot and plunder-and this hate is easy to manipulate, especially if you mimic a position of authority. As they are strictly hierarchical social unit in design, they do not easily question orders of perceived superiors, nor think much for themselves. What goal has motivated them to gather in such numbers is no doubt not one that will be good for law abiding folk.
It was at this time we managed to liberate a Wood Elf named 'Aesalam' from the camp-who accompanied us a short time. Unfortunately, he played very little role in what was to come, and departed just as quick. He spoke little and acted less, and I only have the feeling I might have missed knowing him as a friend, perhaps. He has recently vanished entirely, and I suspect he may perhaps have been Sweetpea in disguise the whole time.
In time, we found our final goal-the Cultist base of operations, which was both a large camp and a corresponding cavern system. Though the events of that are quite interesting, in short, we managed to do there what we had done to the previous small force-set them against one another, imposing chaos and disorder, and ultimately getting them to fight one another. The entire camp erupted into a mass conflict, and we used this time to spirit away a good deal more of the Prisoners they had taken raiding Greenest and other towns. We also managed to rescue the Monk Leosin, who had detailed knowledge of the cult...
Again, I find myself writing of Arwen Dunwood-for he managed, in the chaos, to approach and battle Langdedrosa Cyanwrath, who lead the Blue Faction-this time, he was able to slay the brute via use of a device called the "Orb of the Void", which apparently drained the life whomever it touched to ends ultimately unknown at this time. True to his nature, Arwen did not bother to tell me (the Party Wizard, master of all things Arcane) about it's existence until we had returned to town! We were ultimately unable to recover this Orb-so another mystery, goes unsolved, for we found no trace of it upon our return. Interestingly, Arwen did seem to have gained a Spellscar from his exposure to the device, given him odd sorceric powers...and perhaps longer term effects, but that is yet to be seen
Shortly as we had returned to Greenest, however, we realized that the job was only half done. We had to return to the Cultist Camp, and explore the cavern system underneath it.
We spent a short time resting, before we our departure. In our continuing adventures in the rotation of party members, we found one Adrik Ungart up to the task. A half-Elven Sorcerer with a Dwarvish brogue and possibly Draconid blood, it is not surprising that he was looking for some answers to his Parentage. He has lent his not inconsiderable natural power to our efforts, though I know little of him truly-he knows little of himself, to be honest...I can't speak much for his aims, but he is a good man, and true friend.
...
The trip to the caves was merely backtracking, and we ran into no danger...inside the caves, however, it was a deadly trial, long and grueling. Man-eating mushrooms, ropers, lizard-dogs, kobolds and more cultists barred our way-though there was not as many as their had been, as they had been quite efficient in destroying one another. Through sheer grit, and an unlikely alliance with the neighborhood troglodytes, we managed to achieve victory however. Along with a rich prize-a pair of Dragon Eggs, which I have kept a secret from everyone, and even made sure none of my allies so much has breath a word of. The decision to do so was clear to me, but I am not sure if it was right one. Only time will tell.
By the way, I would advice any Agents returning to this area to investigate cult leavings, to bring gifts of meat for the new owners of the Caves-though that are brutish Lizardy folk, they were quite hospitable to us, and willing to listen to reason. These beings communicate much information through scent, however, not words-so I have helpfully included a lock of my hair, and an article of clothing in this missive that will identify any one wishing to approach this place in peace, as a friend of old friends. Given the canniness of their sense of smell, I suspect this sample will last for many years, if kept in dry conditions.
Ultimately, we brought two things out of the caves with us-prisoners, and a new friend-one who called himself Brother Cian. An odd fellow, to be sure, he claims to worship a being known as 'Beyzgot'. I have identifed this being as a Baernaloth-a fiend that rules over the rulerless daemons, properly known as Yugoloths. What greater, incomprehensible plan this may entail I do not know.
I should say, Brother Cian is a perfectly nice person, if a bit quiet at times. He's brave, loyal and decent. I'm not sure if he realizes the truth of his belief system. Still, I have no doubt we will continue to be traveling together for some time, and who knows what our future adventures with Brother Cian will hold?
The second thing we brought was a prisoner named Frulam Mondath, a high ranking member of the Black Sect. A high ranking prisoner I hope may allow us to shed light on the happenings. We also managed to liberate a number of powerful magic items. It is at this point we r*****
*Crack*
Johanna frowned. Her magic quill had broken...
Author
Topic: D&D 5e: The Tyranny of Dragons. OOC Thread. [Ended] (Read 101956 times)