Post by storm on Nov 28, 2007 10:25:16 GMT -5
Part 1 -- The Battle Rages:
It was a time of innocence, a time of beginnings. As a young elf, I made my way out into the world for the first time. Alone, but well trained by the best in our world, armed with excellent weapons, a suit of armor I had spellcrafted to fit my needs, and a good shield, I was ready to face the harshest battles this world of perile had in store for me.
The day dawned bright and clear, no rain in the skies as I made my way around the mountains of Destard to the other side. Through the mountain pass I ran, slaughtering the ratmen, ettins and trolls who tried to stop me in my personal quest to find the elusive Guardian Dragon. There was a reason for hunting this beast -- should it be a female, perhaps I would be lucky enough to gain an egg. I wanted a legendary dragon for my very own!
I drew closer to the walls of the mountain as I turned the corner onto the trail that led to its lair. I could hear the sound of the wind rushing through its nostrils and smell the scent of sulfur before I ever laid elven eyes upon this mighty creature. The narrow passage gave way to a glen and there, against the far wall, was the object of my fascination. It was beautiful and majestic, awesome in its power, even at rest. Wings folded down against its sides, the purplish-blue colors of its scales glistening under the brilliance of the sun, I paused to pay homage to the aged wonder that had survived all its battles to live to this day. No matter now. Soon its life would be mine, and its ill-gained plunder would be mine to claim as well.
A quick double check of my armor to make sure there were no weakened joints that would allow the streams of fire to singe my skin, then unsheathing my sword from its scabbard, my shield gripped firmly in my other hand, I took a deep breath and lowered the visor on my helm to shield my face from the heat and foul scent of this behemoth creature. Edging my way into that arena, my steps sounding loud in my own ears as I neared this guardian.
I knew the moment it became aware of my presence, the breeze carrying my scent to its nostrils to awaken the mighty beast from slumber. The mammoth head raised on that powerful column of neck and its dark soulless eye roved in search of the intruder into its realm. The smell of sulfur grew stronger as double plumes of smoke spewed from the flaring nostrils. Bowing deeply three times, I paid honor to a mighty warrior before engaging in battle, invoking the Paladin's creed as I called out "I honor thee!" Knowing I had to work fast, my arms waved in the air, I called upon my training of casting spells. My contortions confusing the monster, I summoned forth a mirror image of myself to send into battle. Feeling the drain of energy as a part of me went into that illusion, I watched it form and run heedless into battle against the mighty dragon. Not stopping to think of the drain on myself, I summoned another image to follow the first, and another after that. They would serve their purpose well by confusing and distracting the guardian while I moved in to do damage to its thick scaly hide. Crying to the heavens, my words rang out as I invoked the Spell of the Paladin upon the beast. "Forul Solem!" The guardian dragon was now my only focus in battle as I claimed Enemy of One upon it! Seeing the first mirror vanish in a puff of smoke from the damage done to it by the mighty foe, I cast a replacement. I would need them and they were of paramount importance if I was going to win this war. Another spell's words left my lips as I called again to the skies. "Consecrus Arma!" My weapon now blessed to do maximum damage to this foe, I moved within range of its slashing feet and massively thumping tail.
My sword slashing against the thick scale-covered hide, biting deep with each stroke to take damage toll on my enemy, I nearly missed the slash of those deadly claws coming towards me. Not so my faithful mirror who jumped between me and the foot of the dragon to intercept that blow that would have killed or seriously wounded me. Another mirror vanished with a small puff of smoke to signal the end of its life and purpose. Working quickly, my movements called another replacement before returning to stab and slash at the more tender parts of the guardian I waged war with.
Darting and dodging, my feet moving me away from the thrash of its tail and the mighty flap of wings, my blows began taking a toll on the strength of the valiant beast. I could feel a lessening in the power of those wings that beat in the air in an attempt to remove me, the thorn in its side that was causing it pain. The earth vibrated less beneath my feet as its tail thumped with fewer strikes on the ground and I gained confidence in my battle technique. Taking heart, another mirror was brought out to take the place of its vanquished predecessor. The enemy was getting close to death and began searching to preserve its life by fleeing. Blocking its retreat with a slashing blow to its lower leg, the enemy staggered and turned once again to face me. Now fighting for its life, it called upon its final reserves of strength. The flames spewing from its open mouth and the smoke filling the air around me, nearly choking me with the sulfurous ash and heat as I doubled my effort to run beneath its belly. My shield raised before my helm to block the foul air, my sword raised to rip into the thinner hide left unprotected by wings, tail and flames, I felt it give way and open a large wound in the creature. Blood spilled and pooled on the ground around me, making it slippery beneath my feet as I took heart and stabbed again at the tender underside.
A mighty roar issued from the throat of the dragon, followed closely by a low groan as the pain of its wound reached that small brain and told the behemoth its life would soon be over. With a final upper thrust into the now open belly, the razor sharp sword found its way into the beating heart. A final groan filled the glen as its knees began to buckle beneath it. Running as quickly as I could to remove myself from under the collapsing weight before I found myself crushed, the earth vibrated from the massive beast's crumple to the ground. The heaving of its sides slowed and the breath hissed out one final time as its eyes glazed over, grew dark and closed. The earth grew still and the silence was deafening in that small arena of battle.
I was victorious! I had slain the mighty Guardian Dragon and would now claim my prize! Would it be there? Had this been a female, holding a precious egg deep in her belly? I would soon find out as I approached the now dead beast. My sword, dripping with the soils of battle, again slid deep into that beast to open the wound ever wider. carving the choicest pieces of meat from its bones, I wrapped some to cook later. Dragon roasts would keep me in food for many moons to come. Savoring each moment, I held my desires and curiosity in check as I removed the many colored scales carefully and packed them in my pack. They would come in handy to make dragon scale armor for some deserving warrior. Finally, I couldn't hold myself back any longer and my feet took me to that area of the cooling corpse where I would either find the precious gift of life or not. Drawing out my dagger, I began to carefully cut into the meat. My now bared, bloody hands pulling the fat away to expose the innards, I could see the wet pearly sphere inside. With tender care, my hand curved around the slippery orb to draw it clear of the mess and clutter.
Unfastening the cloak from around my neck, I pulled it to the ground in front of me and laid my prize upon it. What did I care that it would be ruined from the blood and guts on the ground? The prize that it would now hold safe and secure would be more than worth the cost of a new cloak! Once wrapped within the folds of the garment, I placed the egg inside my pack where it would remain safe until I returned home where it could finish incubating until it was ready to be hatched.
(Stay tuned for Part 2 -- Ashteroth: The Beginning)
It was a time of innocence, a time of beginnings. As a young elf, I made my way out into the world for the first time. Alone, but well trained by the best in our world, armed with excellent weapons, a suit of armor I had spellcrafted to fit my needs, and a good shield, I was ready to face the harshest battles this world of perile had in store for me.
The day dawned bright and clear, no rain in the skies as I made my way around the mountains of Destard to the other side. Through the mountain pass I ran, slaughtering the ratmen, ettins and trolls who tried to stop me in my personal quest to find the elusive Guardian Dragon. There was a reason for hunting this beast -- should it be a female, perhaps I would be lucky enough to gain an egg. I wanted a legendary dragon for my very own!
I drew closer to the walls of the mountain as I turned the corner onto the trail that led to its lair. I could hear the sound of the wind rushing through its nostrils and smell the scent of sulfur before I ever laid elven eyes upon this mighty creature. The narrow passage gave way to a glen and there, against the far wall, was the object of my fascination. It was beautiful and majestic, awesome in its power, even at rest. Wings folded down against its sides, the purplish-blue colors of its scales glistening under the brilliance of the sun, I paused to pay homage to the aged wonder that had survived all its battles to live to this day. No matter now. Soon its life would be mine, and its ill-gained plunder would be mine to claim as well.
A quick double check of my armor to make sure there were no weakened joints that would allow the streams of fire to singe my skin, then unsheathing my sword from its scabbard, my shield gripped firmly in my other hand, I took a deep breath and lowered the visor on my helm to shield my face from the heat and foul scent of this behemoth creature. Edging my way into that arena, my steps sounding loud in my own ears as I neared this guardian.
I knew the moment it became aware of my presence, the breeze carrying my scent to its nostrils to awaken the mighty beast from slumber. The mammoth head raised on that powerful column of neck and its dark soulless eye roved in search of the intruder into its realm. The smell of sulfur grew stronger as double plumes of smoke spewed from the flaring nostrils. Bowing deeply three times, I paid honor to a mighty warrior before engaging in battle, invoking the Paladin's creed as I called out "I honor thee!" Knowing I had to work fast, my arms waved in the air, I called upon my training of casting spells. My contortions confusing the monster, I summoned forth a mirror image of myself to send into battle. Feeling the drain of energy as a part of me went into that illusion, I watched it form and run heedless into battle against the mighty dragon. Not stopping to think of the drain on myself, I summoned another image to follow the first, and another after that. They would serve their purpose well by confusing and distracting the guardian while I moved in to do damage to its thick scaly hide. Crying to the heavens, my words rang out as I invoked the Spell of the Paladin upon the beast. "Forul Solem!" The guardian dragon was now my only focus in battle as I claimed Enemy of One upon it! Seeing the first mirror vanish in a puff of smoke from the damage done to it by the mighty foe, I cast a replacement. I would need them and they were of paramount importance if I was going to win this war. Another spell's words left my lips as I called again to the skies. "Consecrus Arma!" My weapon now blessed to do maximum damage to this foe, I moved within range of its slashing feet and massively thumping tail.
My sword slashing against the thick scale-covered hide, biting deep with each stroke to take damage toll on my enemy, I nearly missed the slash of those deadly claws coming towards me. Not so my faithful mirror who jumped between me and the foot of the dragon to intercept that blow that would have killed or seriously wounded me. Another mirror vanished with a small puff of smoke to signal the end of its life and purpose. Working quickly, my movements called another replacement before returning to stab and slash at the more tender parts of the guardian I waged war with.
Darting and dodging, my feet moving me away from the thrash of its tail and the mighty flap of wings, my blows began taking a toll on the strength of the valiant beast. I could feel a lessening in the power of those wings that beat in the air in an attempt to remove me, the thorn in its side that was causing it pain. The earth vibrated less beneath my feet as its tail thumped with fewer strikes on the ground and I gained confidence in my battle technique. Taking heart, another mirror was brought out to take the place of its vanquished predecessor. The enemy was getting close to death and began searching to preserve its life by fleeing. Blocking its retreat with a slashing blow to its lower leg, the enemy staggered and turned once again to face me. Now fighting for its life, it called upon its final reserves of strength. The flames spewing from its open mouth and the smoke filling the air around me, nearly choking me with the sulfurous ash and heat as I doubled my effort to run beneath its belly. My shield raised before my helm to block the foul air, my sword raised to rip into the thinner hide left unprotected by wings, tail and flames, I felt it give way and open a large wound in the creature. Blood spilled and pooled on the ground around me, making it slippery beneath my feet as I took heart and stabbed again at the tender underside.
A mighty roar issued from the throat of the dragon, followed closely by a low groan as the pain of its wound reached that small brain and told the behemoth its life would soon be over. With a final upper thrust into the now open belly, the razor sharp sword found its way into the beating heart. A final groan filled the glen as its knees began to buckle beneath it. Running as quickly as I could to remove myself from under the collapsing weight before I found myself crushed, the earth vibrated from the massive beast's crumple to the ground. The heaving of its sides slowed and the breath hissed out one final time as its eyes glazed over, grew dark and closed. The earth grew still and the silence was deafening in that small arena of battle.
I was victorious! I had slain the mighty Guardian Dragon and would now claim my prize! Would it be there? Had this been a female, holding a precious egg deep in her belly? I would soon find out as I approached the now dead beast. My sword, dripping with the soils of battle, again slid deep into that beast to open the wound ever wider. carving the choicest pieces of meat from its bones, I wrapped some to cook later. Dragon roasts would keep me in food for many moons to come. Savoring each moment, I held my desires and curiosity in check as I removed the many colored scales carefully and packed them in my pack. They would come in handy to make dragon scale armor for some deserving warrior. Finally, I couldn't hold myself back any longer and my feet took me to that area of the cooling corpse where I would either find the precious gift of life or not. Drawing out my dagger, I began to carefully cut into the meat. My now bared, bloody hands pulling the fat away to expose the innards, I could see the wet pearly sphere inside. With tender care, my hand curved around the slippery orb to draw it clear of the mess and clutter.
Unfastening the cloak from around my neck, I pulled it to the ground in front of me and laid my prize upon it. What did I care that it would be ruined from the blood and guts on the ground? The prize that it would now hold safe and secure would be more than worth the cost of a new cloak! Once wrapped within the folds of the garment, I placed the egg inside my pack where it would remain safe until I returned home where it could finish incubating until it was ready to be hatched.
(Stay tuned for Part 2 -- Ashteroth: The Beginning)
