Drago’s Tale of Readying 18 to 20, 591

Looking around the group as he gathers his thoughts, Drago begins, “Please, no questions until after I finish my tale. However, my story is one of Chaos, a tale of both Good and Evil. I would therefore like to ask that those of you who can, to cast your spells now to discern the truth of my words. Open your mind and all perceptive skills you may have at your disposal. Newt, Ulmar, you may probe my mind deeply as I share.”

After the others have a moment to cast their spells, Drago begins again. “After Sir Indranil banished me from your merry little band three days ago, I went looking for Shaman G’ruk and the other renegade members of the Malarat tribe. I knew they must be around here somewhere. I found them in the swamp near the northeast corner of Thracia.

“The lizardfolk then took me to their encampment below ground. As you now know, their camp is heavily guarded by both lizardfolk and gnolls. The password is, or rather was, ‘We serve the king of the City of Eternal Light,’ although I suspect it has changed by now. Neither humans, elves nor dwarves can hope to make entry easily, even with the password.

“My kinfolk took me to see Shaman G’ruk, as I hoped. He is one crazy egg of a lizard. He’s become fat and comfortable in his power. His followers believe he is very powerful, that he is able to cast all clerical and arcane spells in the multiverse. I don’t know if that is true or not, although by this morning, I earned his full trust.

“Anyway, last night when we were feasting on Deathwalkers (humans are their food source) I learned more about their make-up. I was told they have been sending messengers out to all the lizard tribes in the swamps, to gather all those who have a like mind, lizards like themselves who want to destroy all of humanity.

“Chief Rahk and the other elders of my tribe of course strongly oppose such tactics. This is why Rahk sent me here to kill G’ruk, if the renegade fails to see the light of reason. Right now, there are about sixty lizardfolk in Thracia, although last I heard, most of them are guards down in Huvat Vex. Only a couple dozen are generally at their camp at any given time. A few more lizards arrive every day to join the revolution.”

Drago pauses, licks his lips, and considers his next words. “As you learned today, G’ruk seeks to awaken the legendary Immortal King, he who ruled Huvat Vex in the time before your Mammalian Hordes swept across the world, in the time when Reptiles still ruled the world. He believes that he sleeps somewhere below Huvat Vex, or perhaps elsewhere else below Thracia.” Drago shrugs. “I don’t know if it is true, but the other elders in my tribe do not believe in such tales. However, G’ruk claims to receive visions from the sleeping King.”

“Anyway, I also learned last night that because I descend from Kopep the copper dragon, I am G’ruk’s defacto heir as tribal shaman of the Malarat. It is the way of my people. Even so, the only way the other renegades are likely to follow me upon G’ruk’s death will be if I begin having visions of the Immortal King or find other clues as to his whereabouts.

“So, this morning G’ruk sent me on a mission upriver from their camp to find clues to the Immortal King along with some other lizards.” Looking to Newt, “The three who were with G’ruk, Newt. We didn’t find any clues, but we found some great treasure and fought an ancient beast. I don’t know what it was, but it had many razor sharp tendrils, with an eye on the end of each tendril. I received a gem encrusted magical shield and long sword as my reward for saving their lives.

“After we got back to camp, due to the trust I had earned, I was given a personal tour of the City of Eternal Light, Huvat Vex. The entrance to it is just like the ancient tomes described, the ones we found in the mound shrines in the swamp. It is below the temple of Zeus, I think his name is, but in the temple of some other unknown Goddess. There is a teleportation device that brings you there when you step on it! But again, it is very well guarded by gnolls.

“Huvat Vex is grand and beautiful. There is a giant crystal in the roof of the cavern that lights it with a bluish hue all the time. There are ponds and orchards with giant strawberries on them, all inhabited by dryads. There are four large ziggurats, each a different color, and an ancient palace where the king of Thracia lives. There are many powerful guardians everywhere one turns, including a huge five headed hydra that guards the palace.

“When we were in the palace throne room, there was quite a commotion. Evidently, they were very upset that you found, killed and ransacked the gnoll village above the cliffs. They were especially upset that you killed their women and children.” Drago chuckles. “King Stronghoen killed the gnoll leader of the tribe by twisting off his head for his failure to kill you as you climbed the cliff. Oh, by the way, King Stronghoen is a nine foot tall minotaur with terrifying arcane powers. He kind of liked me, though, because I refused to cower to his fearsomeness like everyone else.” Drago looks at Indranil and smiles toothily. “The minotaurs have ruled Thracia and Huvat Vex for a thousand years, since the beast-men threw off the yoke of their former masters, the humans who built most of the city.

“Anyway, and perhaps most importantly, because of your success in the battle against the gnolls, Stronghoen is now calling upon all the tribes of beast-men to come to Thracia to annihilate you and the Deathwalkers. Once they complete that task, they plan to wipe out all dregs of humanity from the swamps and the rest of the world like a great wave of angry beasts. In this one regard, G’ruk and Stronghoen are in complete agreement.

“However, I threw my own wrench into the works.” Drago giggles evilly. “I made a secret alliance with the King when we were alone together. Since I don’t believe I can yet kill G’ruk in a fair fight, I told Stronghoen the truth of G’ruk’s plans to break their alliance and kill the beast-men once they find the Immortal King, setting the gnolls, minotaurs and other scary monsters against the lizardfolk. Stronghoen and I made a secret pact, that he would lead the beast-men and I would lead the lizardfolk in our quest to kill all humans. Of course, I would never do such a thing… I only want G’ruk dead and the other lizards to see the beneficial light of peaceful inter-species relations, at Chief Rahk’s direction. If I am right about the Immortal King’s identity, he could be the key to wiping out all evil in this gods forsaken city. If G’ruk is right, we are all doomed.”

“Anyway, when I told Stronghoen about the Immortal King, he seemed very surprised. I don’t think he knew about the legend. He does now.” Drago giggles again. “When I told him about my belief about my relation to the Immortal King, he began to realize that if my story is real, then I am the true heir to his throne. Things began to go badly then, but our alliance didn’t fall apart. As long as he believed that he could control me, that my allegiance was to him alone, he didn’t kill me. He almost strangled me, but he didn’t kill me.” Drago smiles toothily as he rubs his neck.

“So… that is when His Majest took me on a personal ‘tour’ of the level below Huvat Vex, perhaps the lowest level, or almost. He has expressly forbidden everyone, even his own people, from going down there. However, he has guards posted here and there, and scary monsters roam around looking for food. He didn’t throw me into the dungeon, per se, it was more of an ancient corral for an unused arena, it might even have special quarters for minotaurs, much older than the arena on the surface. Minotaurs live there, even cows and calves. He left my door open too, almost daring me to try to escape, which would have been a very foolish thing to do, to wander around down there alone, blind in the darkness, with manticores and who know what else looking for a tasty meal.

“When Stronghoen left me, he said he was going to go test G’ruk’s supposed ‘great powers’ and would return shortly to begin my arcane training under his tutelage. So, yes, for a short time today, this dragon became the Dark Lord’s disciple. I am guessing that the only reason G’ruk finally moved his fat lazy ass out of his tent is because His Majest is after his ass. Thus G’ruk’s profound hatred for me.” Drago giggles again.

“So, Sir Fingol, as you can now see, Thracia did not devour me. I, as your spy, devoured Thracia and established myself as the leadership heir to our enemies, for when the time is right. Chaos between the factions follow in my wake.

“This is why I say we should let G’ruk be for now. The beast-men and lizardfolk will soon be at each other’s throat, at my doing. Therefore, I believe our next task should be to rescue Newt’s mother, who is locked up below the Deathwalker villa. Ulmar knows the way.

“Anyway, a few hours ago Bitterbark, Stronghoen’s dog faced major-domo, showed up to question me in the corrals. I quickly realized his true identity. He was overjoyed that I knew who he was because it meant that Newt must be in Thracia.

Looking directly at Newt now, “I never talked about you to anybody, Newt, not even your father. He figured it out by my reaction to him. Further, neither G’ruk nor Stronghoen have any clue about you, or your father, if I am not mistaken. I’ll let him tell his own tale though.

“Anyway, that is when Bitterbark-Ulmar helped me to escape, changing our shapes as we crossed the city, so we could warn you about the impending gathering tribes of beast-men and to find Newt. Doing so caused me to lose my alliances with both factions. I am now enemy #1 in all of Thracia, all because I decided that you deserve to live after all, even at the risk of my own life.” Finally, Drago ends his tale in silence, looking from one face to another with a smirk on his face.

Adalwulf’s face has increasingly darkened the longer Drago spoke. As Drago finishes he ruefully mutters, “I think I am beginning to see that my suspicions of allegiance to Chaos were misdirected.” He then forces himself to be silent to hear the others speak.

Fingol scans the city through his spyglass for a few minutes.

Ulmar comments, “The city of Huvat Vex predates this human city,” he
gestures to the surface ruins. “From what I have been able to gather,
Huvat Vex was the city of the ancient lizardfolk when they were ruled
by the Immortal King. Drago, I know you think the Immortal King is the
copper dragon Kopep, but I have to say that I have seen no indication
of any dragons, copper or otherwise, in, near, or under Thracia. In
any case, Kopep could only be hundreds of years old, but Shaman G’ruk
believes that the Immortal King may be thousands of years old. I
certainly want to rescue Saeva as quickly as may be, but I fear what
will happen if Shaman G’ruk should discover and awaken the Immortal
King.”

Adalwulf says, “Whatever we do, I must tell you all that I have very
few spells left, and those would not be of much use if we are to go
into combat again, whether against Patriarch Tavasmok or Shaman G’ruk.”

“I have faith that the awakening of the Immortal King will turn this land of chaos into one for good, rather than evil. So, yes, I have faith in the sound of the music of dragon’s blood in my veins. Thus I now seek the Immortal King. We each have a place in the revolution, don’t you think? Will G’ruk or Drago be proven the bigger madman?” Drago smiles.

Drago responds to Ulmar, “Yes, those are the prophecies of the mad
lizardman G’ruk, Master Ulmar. While I cannot claim to have visions of
the Immortal King like Elder G’ruk, the blood of dragons within me
seems to sing a song of faith, ‘I am here, I am here. No one knows
where, but I am here. Find me.’

“I agree, Master Ulmar, I found no sign of dragons. But I don’t buy
G’ruk’s refutation about his age. Kopep may or may not be the immortal
king, but we may be his grandchildren. When Kopep lived with my
people, he was in the form of a copper scaled lizardfolk and he bred
with my people. He could have been any age. How would one know, but
for the dreams of a mad lizardman? Anyway, it is said Kopep came from
around here, maybe from the Tors.

“I have faith that the awakening of the Immortal King will turn this
land of chaos into one for good, rather than evil. So, yes, I have
faith in the sound of the music of dragon’s blood in my veins. Thus I
now seek the Immortal King. We each have a place in the revolution,
don’t you think? Will G’ruk or Drago be proven the bigger
lizardmadman?” Drago smiles.

“I want to believe that, so we can watch for an opening to attack the villa and free Newt’s mother.

“But as much as I want to believe that, there is too much at stake to ignore the possibility that the Immortal King may be the leader the beastmen need to unite them against humanity. If that were to happen, the Great Druidess’s vision could become a reality. And frankly, without such a leader, I don’t see the beast-men rising above their factionalism.

“Ulmer, you said you thought Drago was mistaken. Could you elaborate on why?”

Fingol turns from scanning the city. “Drago, your tale is amazing. I
commend you for your resourcefulness. Please don’t take my abundance
of caution as an insult, or that I think you insincere. I believe you
are quite sincere, but you could be sincerely mistaken when you say
G’ruk is not an immediate threat. I want to believe that, so we can
watch for an opening to attack the villa and free Newt’s mother. But
as much as I want to believe that, there is too much at stake to
ignore the possibility that the Immortal King may be the leader the
beastmen need to unite them against humanity. If that were to happen,
the Great Druidess’s vision could become a reality. And frankly,
without such a leader, I don’t see the beastmen rising above their
factionalism.

“Ulmer, you said you thought Drago was mistaken. Could you elaborate on why?”

Ulmar responds to Fingol, “I did not wish to risk prying into G’ruk’s
thoughts. If he detected my presense he would have come after me I am
sure. And yet, his dreams are leading him on and, if anything, making
him even more hateful and vicious. I do believe that whatever power is
down there is leading G’ruk, and it is not a good influence on him. I
also have to wonder, though the copper dragon’s are mostly aligned
with the powers of Good, why would one so ancient have been trapped so
long in a place as dire as this? Wouldn’t his kin have freed him in
all this time if that was the case? And there are other types of
dragons as well, those not aligned with Bahamut, the lord of
benevolent dragonkind. There are the children of Tiamat, the mother of
evil dragons. Whatever is down there is ancient, and I believe it was
locked away for a reason. Don’t G’ruk’s followers themselves quote the
human loremasters who said, ‘That is not dead which can eternal
lie/and with strange eons even death may die.’ Those were not words
meant to give us comfort.”

Indranil replies, “Drago, you have done wonders. I must offer a word of caution. You are new to your powers and the nuances of them. I would caution to rely to heavily on the words of prophecy and vision for those usually are not what they seem on the surface. The powers of magic wil seek to twist the newly initiated to their purposes.”

“Cousin, I agree with you the main threat is the greater one to all of humanity. I also agree whatever has been locked away down there was done so on purpose. And if Grucka… excuse me, G’Ruk, is trying to free it and King Strongoen guard it it is likely no friend of humanity.”

“Although I do think a quick assualt on the villa might be possible to rescue Saevra first. Then we can go after G’Ruk.”

“So this power that has captured G’ruk’s ambitions may not be the Immortal King… or it may… or it may be powerful enough to unite the Beastmen whatever it might be.

“If that’s the case, I can’t help but think we need to stop G’ruk immediately. His meddling may awaken something that is too dangerous to ignore.

“Looking at these maps Drago drew of the second level of the caverns it would appear there is another entrance. (OOC: I am looking at the map titled Level Two Beastmen Cavern)” Fingol points at point at the top left of the page “Here is a stair leading down that ends very near the temple. What we need to know is if that stair leads from the outside. If we can take that, perhaps stop G’ruk before he does any further damage.”

“I can live that plan,” Drago replies to Fin. (Is this the map of the level below Huat Vex, beneath the palace? If so….) That hallway goes back into the palace. One secret on each side of the palace from below, that I saw. I am sure there are many ways down there. I suspect Ulmar will know some other ways. Seava first, then G’ruk. Agreed.”

Newt asks “Drago, how did you recognize my father? Before he said anything about me, I mean.”

Drago ponders a moment, then tells the tale in the third person.

“My, but gnolls and minotaurs certainly are stirred up, aren’t they?” asks the major-domo Bitterbark as he steps into Drago’s cell several long tedious hours later. “Let us chat for a little bit. I am curious to hear your tale.”

Drago blinks, stretches, and asks, “How so, milord?”

“I am curious as to what could have led the Keolanders they say you traveled with back to Thracia. Did you find a map or did someone lead you back here? Was it one of your former comrades perhaps?”

Drago nods, then replies, “The Keolanders found an ancient manuscript in a Deathwalker shrine in the swamps. Their clerics were able to translate enough of it to lead us here.”

“Is that so? There wasn’t a young girl with you from Cypress Hill?”

Drago gasps softly. He pauses, cocks his head, looks Bitterbark in the eyes and says softly, “Are you both safe?”

Bitterbark’s eyes widen. He puts his paw to his snout to shush Drago. Then he whispers, “So you know. Thanks the gods, our little one is safe; but maybe not for long. The gnolls and the lizardfolk are hunting them down as we speak. We must both get out of here at once if we are to save your friends. Gather your gear and come with me. I am Ulmar, the father of Newt. Her mother Saeva is still being held by the Deathwalkers in their villa. We can talk later, for now we must get out and quietly.”

Drago silently smiles toothily as he quietly gathers his gear and follows Ulmar as instructed. Drago is giddy with happiness. He slobbers absentmindedly. Newt will be so happy!

Newt ponders what she has heard carefully before saying “No one really knows who or what the Immortal King is, right? It could be Drago’s ancestor, or it could be some all-powerful force of evil? Drago, I feel terrible saying after you’ve helped me so much to find my family, but finding the Immortal King isn’t something we should risk. We should look elsewhere for your ancestor, and leave this thing to slumber in its cavern until those with power enough can destroy it.”

“Perhaps, perhaps so,” replies Drago. Looking around at everyone now, “However, I hope you all realize that if we kill G’ruk tomorrow, I will need to leave you for a time, to establish my dominance with the renegades. I may live or I may die, but it is my destiny to try. Perhaps Ulmar will consent to join me as my 2nd in command to assist in the conquest of their mind. He has a life established there as well. If the Immortal King turns into an evil reptile after all, we will have His Majest’s armies at our disposal to take it down.

Fingol shows a momentary look of surprise at Drago’s plans. “Remember that we will be reporting back to Westkeep, and so to Chief Rahk, regarding our actions here.”

Drago replies, “Thank you, Sir Fingol. Please do report to Chief Rahk on your return. I, of course, will not be leaving. This is the city of my ancestors. The blood of dragons simmers in my blood. I must follow its scent. Uh, uh, are you leaving soon? I have completely lost track of time.”

“Oh, and if we succeed, please tell Rahk about G’ruk’s death scene in detail. He will enjoy it.” Drago smiles.

Fingol shows a momentary look of surprise at Drago’s plans. “Remember that we will be reporting back to Westkeep, and so to Chief Rahk, regarding our actions here.”

Adalwfulf’s face has increasingly darkened the longer Drago spoke. As Drago finishes he ruefully mutters, “I think I am beginning to see that my suspicions of allegiance to Chaos were misdirected.” He then forces himself to be silent to hear the others speak.

Ulmar comments, “The city of Huvat Vex predates this human city,” he
gestures to the surface ruins. “From what I have been able to gather,
Huvat Vex was the city of the ancient lizardfolk when they were ruled
by the Immortal King. Drago, I know you think the Immortal King is the
copper dragon Kopep, but I have to say that I have seen no indication
of any dragons, copper or otherwise, in, near, or under Thracia. In
any case, Kopep could only be hundreds of years old, but Shaman G’ruk believes that the Immortal King may be thousands of years old. I
certainly want to rescue Saeva as quickly as may be, but I fear what
will happen if Shaman G’ruk should discover and awaken the Immortal
King.”

Adalwulf says, “Whatever we do, I must tell you all that I have very
few spells left, and those would not be of much use if we are to go
into combat again, whether against Patriarch Tavasmok or Shaman G’ruk.”

Ulmar responds to Fingol, “I did not wish to risk prying into G’ruk’s
thoughts. If he detected my presense he would have come after me I am sure. And yet, his dreams are leading him on and, if anything, making him even more hateful and vicious. I do believe that whatever power is down there is leading G’ruk, and it is not a good influence on him. I also have to wonder, though the copper dragon’s are mostly aligned with the powers of Good, why would one so ancient have been trapped so long in a place as dire as this? Wouldn’t his kin have freed him in all this time if that was the case? And there are other types of dragons as well, those not aligned with Bahamut, the lord of
benevolent dragon kind. There are the children of Tiamat, the mother of evil dragons. Whatever is down there is ancient, and I believe it was
locked away for a reason. Don’t G’ruk’s followers themselves quote the
human lore masters who said, ‘That is not dead which can eternal
lie/and with strange eons even death may die.’ Those were not words
meant to give us comfort.”

Indranil replies, “Drago, you have done wonders. I must offer a word of caution. You are new to your powers and the nuances of them. I would caution to rely to heavily on the words of prophecy and vision for those usually are not what they seem on the surface. The powers of magic will seek to twist the newly initiated to their purposes.

“Cousin, I agree with you the main threat is the greater one to all of humanity. I also agree whatever has been locked away down there was done so on purpose. And if Grucka… excuse me, G’Ruk, is trying to free it and King Strongoen guard it it is likely no friend of humanity.

“Although I do think a quick assualt on the villa might be possible to rescue Saevra first. Then we can go after G’Ruk.”

Newt changes subject, “Oh yes. I see. It was when he asked about a young girl that must have tipped you off” observes Newt.

“I’d like to know more about your personal goals. They seem to be coloring your judgment regarding the Immortal King. Is this your last, final clue to finding your ancestor? The consequences of contacting this being could be so dire—I think you should only attempt contact with the Immortal King after you have tried everything, everything else first.”

Adalwulf interrupts, “Pardon me Newt, Fingol, Drago, but I would like to say something. I must remind you all that until I rest, I will not be fit to channel anymore divine energies nor will I be able to use divine spellcraft. Therefore, I will have no chance of overcoming an enemy cleric. I am not even sure I am a fit enough vessel for the light of Pholtus to have a chance of overcoming Tavasmok on my own even fully rested. However, if we must confront him tonight, our only chance is to get his holy symbol away from him as soon as possible. Back there,” he gestures to the squat building, “Indranil, Grim, and I overcame two Deathwalker priests through teamwork, and because I was able to disarm the last priest of his holy symbol and stop him from killing us with the emanation of the deadly forces of the Negative Material Plane.”

“Also, and I am sure you will be surprised to hear me say this, “I agree with Drago, though I will honestly say that I do not fully trust him. The Deathwalker rank and file may not themselves be totally given over to evil. If their priests were eliminated we might be able to win them over to the light. In any case, I do not believe they are aligned with Chaos. They seem to be Lawful, and only as far as that goes may be fit temporary allies against the Chaos and for the moment greater evil of King Stronghoen and Shaman G’ruk.”

Newt says with a sigh “I don’t like it, but I agree that the rescue will have to wait until tomorrow. It may have been necessary, but it’s too bad the Deathwalkers were put on alert.”

With a sidelong glance at Drago and smiling wryly, Newt adds “And don’t feel bad about distrusting Drago. I think I’m the only person here who does.” Newt jabs Drago’s ribs with her elbow as she says this.