Journal of Arcadius

Tragedy

We slew a dragon today, but at great cost. The Aboleth's plane is assaulted by demons and guarded by all manner of strange beings, including a talking lizard enchanted to appear as a dragon. However, we also encountered a very real and live one. An enormous, powerful, and no doubt very old Green Dragon. Ken, whose powers were great, turned Dantroe into a Dragon, of smaller stature, and that brave, reckless monk soared into the skies to do battle while the rest of us organized. It was a fearsome fight, and over all too soon - Dantroe falling from the sky and turning back into his natural form upon death, and that form breaking in ruin upon the ground. The rest of us meanwhile were given glowing wings by Lord Pelor, through the intercession of Ragnarr, and we took flight in attack, dealing the Dragon much harm. It then claimed to be an ally of Melrik, here attacking the Aboleth's plane for its own purposes. It seemed plausible, yet something about it rang untrue, and there was the recent memory of our friend's death...

Trusting in the guidance of Lord Pelor, I announced my disbelief and charged the Dragon. Alas, my powers seem week upon this plane, and I failed time and again to strike it. Meanwhile, the others had better luck, and did it so much further harm that it attempted to escape. As it soared to the skies, perhaps five hundred feet up or more, Ken hit it with a magic missile, and this spell finally struck it down. It fell towards us from on high, and at that moment we realized our danger. We fled in all directions from the colossal bulk dropping towards us, all except Azan, who crouched to the ground under his shield. The thing struck the ground in an explosion of flesh and scales. Lord Pelor must have preserved Azan, for I cannot see otherwise how he survived that impact. Alas! Ken was not so lucky. He was running, laughing in triumph as he went, when a large piece of bone flew like a ballista bolt through his chest and impaled him against a wall!

Two brave comrades lost so quickly! Yet at least, they died well and in service to a great purpose.

Praise be that we were guided with the foresight to prepare for the resurrection of one. It will be Ken, as Dantroe once told us he did not wish to be brought back from death. Yet, matters are now worse.


*A*