It Has Begun

December 4, 2007

The group decides that they have to go after the demon/dragon hybrids that were set free.  Knowing that it is going to be a tough fight, they try and get some items to help.  They also figure out the mirror and how to use that.  However, Jaden finds out from Lathander that they are supposed to keep the mirror for an even worse problem.  They think it must be for Figment but in a dream, Jaden is shown that if they don't use the weapons or items they got from the Dragon's Graveyard, that they might yet find a friend in Figment.  Confused by all of this, they do leave the items behind. 

They ask Martin and Tequesta to go along, besides Lisha and Julia.  Deuce was asked by Tabra to do something else, so didn't go along.  Using some scrying items, they manage to find where the things will be.  They ready themselves and Martin creates a portal for them.  When they arrive, they have a few seconds before they are attacked.  It is quite the fight.  Tequesta and Julia go down but they manage to heal Julia before she dies.  Tequesta isn't so lucky.  Martin goes down, gets healed, goes down again, and gets healed again.  Martin is also quite effective with many spells.  Even after three lightning bolts and many attacks, though, none of the demon/dragon things have gone down!  The party's morale is quite low.

That's when Reece sings several songs of inspiration and courage.  And that's enough to turn the fight.  Notch manages to hit several times, bolstering his confidence and then dodges blows as well.  Arindal is able to move away from the group and shoot arrows, which he is very good with.  Lisha manages to sneak attack a couple.  Soon, the tide has turned and one of the five goes down.  Then two.  Three.  Four.  With only one left, the conclusion is obvious but it was still very close at the beginning.  The last one goes down and the group gives a cheer.  Until the remember Tequesta.  They gather what they can and head back to Arabel. 

Over the next few days, they rest up and have Tequesta raised.  She seems rather sullen and doesn't talk to anyone before disappearing.  They are still celebrating when Deuce comes back.  It turns out he went to Irieabor to talk to people there.  And that's when he brings back the new of war.  The dragons have rising up with armies of various creatures, undead and mercenaries and have started attacking most places.  Already, Amn, Tethyr and Calimshan have fallen.  The North is hard pressed as well.  Deuce hasn't heard about the east but assumes it is the same there.  However, there is more.

Cormyr has increased its border security, activating all militia and guards.  A day ago, though, a druid from the King's Forest arrived badly wounded.  She eventually died before saying anything.  The leader of Arabel has asked Deuce to his the Alpha Pack if they will go and search the King's Forest to find out what happened to the druid and her circle.  The group once again finds itself preparing for a fight.

Notes

• Deuce's player was gone, so that's why he was busy.  And effective.  :)
• The fight with the demon/dragons was very tough.  Three of the PCs went down five times and one PC almost went down.  However, apparently that made it quite exciting and fun.  Yay!
• War - I have never been afraid to do my own thing.  For almost seven years, I used a completely alternate time line of the Realms, to fit my ideas.  I eventually reset that back to "canon" but have no problem doing what I need to do for the story.