In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 316):

Warwick shrugs and floats back to the ground.

Aztar, realizing that shorty probably doesn't comprehend what is being said, calls out, 'Shorty.  Please follow Warwick and land back,on the ground. I don't think there is a way we could win this battle with force.'

In reply to Warwick (msg # 317):

Shorty bristles a bit at the gnat comment.  He knows bugs.  But the rest goes over his head.  "Youse make up lotsa funny word.  Silly dragon thing.  Just cause big not need acts so portent.  Lotta ogre be big den me too."

Shorty looks over to Aztar.  "If'n sure.  but me not lets him hurt.  Nots dis day."  Shorty follows Warwick to the ground.  But he doesn't let down his guard.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 319):

The creature watches Shorty go back to the floor, and then it reaches back and puts the sword back in its scabbard.  "Very nice.  Just a moment."  It continues coming down from the wall, revealing the rest of itself.  The tail is about 30' long, overall the creature is about 100' long.  It continues to look at Morteft and Aztar as it gets to the floor.  It makes a slight turn so as to face you all.  It then sits down on its hind quarters and front arms just hanging down and it's tail wrapping around the bottom.  It then unfurls its wings which where previously flat to its body, each wing is about 25'.  "Ah, that is better."

It then gives you all a look before stopping at Morteft.  "Mageling, you wanted to parley.  So, why are you here, why have you invaded my home?"

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 320):

Morteft bows and says, "We are on a quest, my Lord. I think my friend Aztar can explain it better than I can at the moment." He looks to Aztar.

Aztar takes a step forward and address the guardian, 'A companion of mine is trapped in one of the artifacts.  We have come simply to free him.  We have no intentions of removing any of the gems from this vault and apologize for intruding, but there seemed to be no other path to the vault and time is of the essence.'

In reply to Aztar (msg # 322):

The creature stares at Morteft briefly and then looks to Aztar.  "Yes, we thought of that earlier.  Are you the leader then of this little band?"

--DM2

Aztar had never really considered the group to have a leader but for purposes of this mission, it might seem that he was since he was personally affected by Rigel's loss.  He looked at the others briefly to se if anyone objected to him making the claim that he was.  'We work as a group but I am the motivation behind this mission so it's safe to say that I can speak for the party in this matter.'

In reply to Aztar (msg # 324):

Morteft nods in support.

In reply to Morteft (msg # 325):

"Aye lad, go ahead," encourages Warwick

In reply to Warwick (msg # 326):

Trysk looks around nervously.

In reply to Trysk (msg # 327):

"I shall take that as a consensus." says the creature  "Now, who is this companion of which you speak?"

--DM2

'His name is Rigel and he is a sapphire dragon.'  He pauses for a moment before asking a difficult question, 'Are you aware of the time shift that occurred that returned one of the orbs to the vault that had previously been taken?'

In reply to Aztar (msg # 329):

"Very much so." it replies "Other than the ones who broke in last time, the theft you mention, you are the first to breach these walls in 672 years.  The time shift, as you say, is still proceeding and I have been watching.   I also know of your 'friend' who came under the Orb's influence.  The state of an artifact is not changed in the time realignment even though its position might."

It looks you all over again.

"Hmm, you are aware of the anomoly but perhaps not your role in it.  You have not known this Rigel for long yet you chose to risk all to free him?  Your compainions chose as well?"

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 330):

Morteft nods. "That is correct. We all decided to help."

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 330):

Shorty looks at the dragon creature and replies.  "Rigel dragon fight fer us gainst  king troll.  We fight fer him be free."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:59, Tue 05 May 2015.

'Our role?  I wasn't aware we had a role.  We are only aware of the changes because of where we were at during the event.  Otherwise I wouldn't even have known what happened to Rigel.'

'As for helping him, he and I came to arrangement some time ago and I view him as an ally if not even a friend.  Although I grant you the  situation is a bit unique.  I cannot tolerate people being wrongly imprisoned and so I do all I can to free those that I'm able to.  So, that is why I am here.'

As the others speak, Aztar stand silently for a moment.  His fear has slowly started to fade and been replaced by curiousity and he's genuinely curious where the conversation is leading.

In reply to Aztar (msg # 333):

Warwick bows low to the dragon.  "Aye, Lord.  We are here of our own free will, knowing what we knew of the dangers here.  And the guardian, which I guess is ye."

In reply to Warwick (msg # 334):

The creature is silent for a moment "Interesting, quite different from my last visitors.  Much more ill intent, and not meant for your Rigel.  Troublesome he is."

A moments pause ... and then remarks

"You have a strong group, the dark one is a specialist who could get thru most traps, a competent mage of some renown, the muscle who lives nearby, a warrior/priest with an interesting ancestry, a power-man yet to understand his potential and the chemist who has engaged some of the strongest beings of this world.  Most of you also have mental gifts although in this case it may have been a detriment.
    However, you are lacking in some key areas.  The golem is not yours, somehow it has been able to link to this facility and entered after yourselves.  Some of your items provide links to other minds.  The secrets of this place are well hid or lost in time, it would take decades of research to discover even bits."  pause

"You are being aided by an outsider, are you not?"

--DM2

Feeling it would be foolish to lie at this time, plus seeing little reason to hide the fact, Aztar speaks up again, "Yes.  The golem is support from an arch-mage known as Dualis."

"He is not allowed to enter because of a deal with the dragons but was able to provide us some support before entering as well as sending RockJaw to help guide us to this spot."

"The items that link our minds should be sufficient to allow one of us to open a vault door as we were told it requires a single focus to be able to open a door."


Aztar is extremely curious to know what happened with the last visitors, but hestiates to ask any questions, rather simply answering questions for now.

In reply to Aztar (msg # 336):

Morteft says, "What other group? What happened to them? Perhaps we should have a meet with them."

Aztar raises an eyebrow at Morteft's question, "I believe he's referring to the troll king and his black cloud that stole the orb that was used on Rigel."  Since Morteft broached the question, the alchemist continues, "Though I would be curious to hear the story of what happened with them in here."

In reply to Aztar (msg # 336):

It listens without movement or expression. "Ah, a name.  I would have thought a arch-mage to keep themselves shrouded as they do.

Yes, the dragon council, a tiresome bunch.  'Noble' to a fault.  They are concerned and afraid of what is contained in this tower, in someways myself more than the Orbs.

The items of which you speak you will most certainly need to gain access to the Orbs, only a very few have the ability on their own."

--DM2

In reply to Aztar (msg # 338):

"You are correct" he says to Aztar "The troll king, as you say, was somewhat trivial along with his companion mage.  The true power in the room was the black cloud, which is the form the Avatar of Set took, a powerful god who has taken notice of this world.  It was the Avatar which got them thru the maze and allowed them to open the vault doors to take the Orb.  It used them as pawns; however it was beyond our power with which to deal.  The Avatar manipulated events and was nearing the culmination of its schemes when an out-worlder mage cast a spell of incredible power to change the course of events on this world causing the time realignment.  It was an incredible wonder to behold.
   Since the troll king, in essence never, existed the Orb returned to where it was prior to him gaining access to it; but as I mentioned its state did not change and so Rigel remained within."

--DM2

Aztar shrugs, 'I doubt  it's his real name but one he uses most of the time and I do not wish to deceive you so am being as forthright as I can in the situation.

Aztar nods regarding the time change, 'it was quite confusing to us for a time as we didn't understand what had happened and why we weren't affected until later.  It's amazing that you are so in tune with what happened and aware of what happens outside the vault.'

Hearing Rigel's name returns his focus, 'so, is there an issue with us retrieving Rigel from the orb and being allowed to leave?  We truly don't wish to disturb you or this ancient place any more than is necessary, though I admit I am curious about what you know about us and the role you spoke of that we play in all,of this.'
This message was last edited by the player at 04:12, Thu 07 May 2015.