06-09-2017, 08:24 AM
Toot remains in the middle of the pack, protected by Boo who doesn't feel uneasy to the sleightest bit in the presence of this strange and nervous creature. The doodid fills the gaps in the story Shanna and Giant might have left.
Mistletoe waits politely for everyone to finish, nodding here and there, then clears her throat again and replies, her voice still raspy and weak.
"Indeed, we feared for Krusher whom you've just found. He was our scout whom we sent to find out what happened to Koriolis". She adds a strange emphasis to the second name. Shanna, versed in Draconic, realises that this is the way dragons' names are emphasised in their native language.
"And indeed, Koriolis", again, the same strange accent, " is a mighty green dragon; and the fact that you figured this out yourselves proves that you have a slim chance of survival when encountering him. We have lived in a fragile piece, or call it a ceasefire, together in our common forest, from the years when he was just the size of a centaur. Over the past three centuries we had no serious issues with him. Food was plenty for us and game was plenty for him, even when he brought his mate and they had a wyrmling. The female left, the young left, and Koriolis remained, and he understood all too well that it's not in his best interest to destroy the fey community here. No, he couldn't even do that. He possesses magic, yes, but nothing comparable to fey magic, no."
"Then it happened. He slaughtered game by the dozens, and not for feeding. He left them there to rot. Animals started to migrate from Lower Myridon to Upper Myridon, as if the very water of the Crystal Lake were contaminated. We couldn't find the cause but all our animal friends confirm that they feel uneasy drinking from the lake. Maybe due to that faint smell of brimstone."
"First we hired some passers-by and sent them to Koriolis' lair to investigate. None returned. Then we sent Krusher to investigate Upper Myridon but as you also know, he never returned. We didn't want to lose you as well, therefore we put you into this little test of your wits, for which I apologise, but I hope you understand. We think that something, or someone, has a very strong influence on the dragon and this same force makes Crystal Lake tainted."
"And now it is up to you. We can escort you to the entrance of Koriolis' lair, but as I heard you've already guessed where it might be, and yes, you are on the right track. Be wary, for Koriolis, just like any other dragon, is very protective of his lair. Don't rush in headlong and don't try to defeat him by force. I can tell you: you would fail as soon as you even contemplated this possibility. If my instincts are right then Koriolis is as eager to shed that strong influence as we are to restore natural balance to our world."
"What else to say--" she looks at Cranberry who takes the cue.
"Take this," she offers her walking stick to Shanna who seems to be the most adequate choice for the tool. "This artifact has some power to break the strongest will, but we do not know the details. Use wisely."
Once the wand (for it is a wand for the average human) is in someone else's hand, she adds,
"The command word is 'Sliira'."
A closer inspection of the wand reveals that it looks like a piece of petrified tentacle, vine, or stalk, ending in a perfect orb, pale yellow by colour, polished brightly by everyday wear from its former owner's palm.
Mistletoe waits politely for everyone to finish, nodding here and there, then clears her throat again and replies, her voice still raspy and weak.
"Indeed, we feared for Krusher whom you've just found. He was our scout whom we sent to find out what happened to Koriolis". She adds a strange emphasis to the second name. Shanna, versed in Draconic, realises that this is the way dragons' names are emphasised in their native language.
"And indeed, Koriolis", again, the same strange accent, " is a mighty green dragon; and the fact that you figured this out yourselves proves that you have a slim chance of survival when encountering him. We have lived in a fragile piece, or call it a ceasefire, together in our common forest, from the years when he was just the size of a centaur. Over the past three centuries we had no serious issues with him. Food was plenty for us and game was plenty for him, even when he brought his mate and they had a wyrmling. The female left, the young left, and Koriolis remained, and he understood all too well that it's not in his best interest to destroy the fey community here. No, he couldn't even do that. He possesses magic, yes, but nothing comparable to fey magic, no."
"Then it happened. He slaughtered game by the dozens, and not for feeding. He left them there to rot. Animals started to migrate from Lower Myridon to Upper Myridon, as if the very water of the Crystal Lake were contaminated. We couldn't find the cause but all our animal friends confirm that they feel uneasy drinking from the lake. Maybe due to that faint smell of brimstone."
"First we hired some passers-by and sent them to Koriolis' lair to investigate. None returned. Then we sent Krusher to investigate Upper Myridon but as you also know, he never returned. We didn't want to lose you as well, therefore we put you into this little test of your wits, for which I apologise, but I hope you understand. We think that something, or someone, has a very strong influence on the dragon and this same force makes Crystal Lake tainted."
"And now it is up to you. We can escort you to the entrance of Koriolis' lair, but as I heard you've already guessed where it might be, and yes, you are on the right track. Be wary, for Koriolis, just like any other dragon, is very protective of his lair. Don't rush in headlong and don't try to defeat him by force. I can tell you: you would fail as soon as you even contemplated this possibility. If my instincts are right then Koriolis is as eager to shed that strong influence as we are to restore natural balance to our world."
"What else to say--" she looks at Cranberry who takes the cue.
"Take this," she offers her walking stick to Shanna who seems to be the most adequate choice for the tool. "This artifact has some power to break the strongest will, but we do not know the details. Use wisely."
Once the wand (for it is a wand for the average human) is in someone else's hand, she adds,
"The command word is 'Sliira'."
A closer inspection of the wand reveals that it looks like a piece of petrified tentacle, vine, or stalk, ending in a perfect orb, pale yellow by colour, polished brightly by everyday wear from its former owner's palm.
