Dragons of Despair, Chapter 1: The Tower of High Sorcery
Location: The Workshop, The Tower of High Sorcery, The Forest of Wayreth
Date: Shiarai, Evening, 26th Reorxmont 351 AC

As the sun set, the companions found themselves by coincidence in the great hall, where they had entered the previous night.  Some of them were clean and refreshed, others loose and limber with a day of light preparation.  Still others had the glow of recent accomplishment about them.

The Conclave Hall was open to the right of the entry doors.  The Hall was an immense obsidian chamber with a sixty-foot domed ceiling.  Twenty chairs sat in shadows, while one central chair gave off a cold white glow—the hall’s only light source. All twenty-one chairs faced the north wall.  The longer the companions stared into the room, the larger the chamber grew before their eyes.  One could only imagine the history of this place, spells of incredible power woven by Krynn's greatest mages, and the critical decisions made here about the future of the Conclave.

With this observation can the realisation that they were now a part of that history, however small or great their destiny proved to be.  At last, the companions turned away from the Hall and found that they were not where there were previously.

Where the entry hall had once stood, now the companions stood at the bottom of a spiraling set of black stone stairs.  The passage behind them had vanished entirely, and where the door to the Conclave stood was now only a dead-end wall.  The only obvious way to go was up.

Ayrron was one of the first to arrive, dirty with what looked like oil, grime and a strange yellowish dust - but despite that he had a smile on his face.

By the time he had finished at the workshop, he hadn't had time to wash up - he gathered his gear, had a drink of water then made his way.

He was standing there ready with a huge smile as people arrived, but that wasn't what people noticed - it was what was with him.

The metalic item he had been working on so long, you all recognized the work, though now it was more than a metal item - but a moving entity. Made with bronze and iron, the small beast moved around on the ground, took flight and perched on the kender's shoulder. The beast looked like a little metal dragon, it's bronze and silver color gleaming in the light. It's eyes, a clear crystal had pinpoints of yellow light with a brown iris. The wings were delicate, with a silver sheen material making up the wing membranes.

The automation paused when each came and looked at each person with a tilted head.

Ayrron waited until all were present before he spoke. "Everybody - this is Flux....my little friend and helper. May come in handy for the trial."

Vailin's mind whirred as he look at the mechanical marvel.  His mind was both amazed at the craftsmanship while his strategic mind tried to wrestle with another unknown on the board.

"Amazing work Ayrron.  What, what does it. . .do?"

Ayrron looked at the warrior with a smile. "Though he is akin to the magic user's familiars, he can attack, though given his size he's not too strong. He can assist in things as well...some of my more unique items he is able to help with, like my first aid patches. He can also scout smaller areas and be an extra set of eyes."

He looked at Flux. "though he's not physically strong...i wouldn't want him to break - but my master and i always spoke of a more robust version, something i can work on in the time thats more battle-ready." he looked at Flux, who looked back. "...you like the idea of that, little buddy? Being able to kick some butt, huh?"

The Homunculus seemed almost excited at the words, its wings out and tail twitching. The kender scratched it's metalic head. "...In time, lets just finish this first."

Aelina recognized the hall and called Shakra to her side, the cat coming from the dimensional pocket that was its home. Instantly the feline noticed the mechanical dragon and moved to Ayrron to have a closer look. "This hall is where I almost failed my first wizard test. Fortunately Don Henrique was there and he recognized my talents were better suited for the bardic arts. This is also where I summoned Shakra for the first time. Oh, Ayrron, you have something on your cheek, allow me.". With a short song, she magically cleaned the kender's face.

Use prestidigitation to clean Ayrron's face