37 replies to this topic

[Laufey]

Never underestimate the power of trickery, of the subtle things that can be done with light, shadow and mirrors. It can be just as deadly as any elemental force or devastating necromancy, because it can tempt your enemies towards their own destruction.

Oooh...Neracer *SO* wants to steal that line!

Heh heh, thank you!

“We should wrap ourselves in protective magic though,” Mazzy said, her jaw set with determination. “The gods protect those who protect themselves.”

Neracer: Right! I'll eat this entire cheesecake for added protection.

Arud: How will *that* help?

Neracer: (burp) eh, it couldn't hurt.

And besides, it's tasty!

“Now, taming the dragon would be far more interesting,” Edwin said, and his eyes had a worryingly dreamy look to them. “Such a creature would be a worthy mount for a wizard of my own dazzling prowess…”

That ranks right up there with "Aw, they're only kobolds"

Famous last words, and all that...

The Shadow Dragon was resting, curled up like an enormous cat, the tip of its tail resting against its long snout. It was as large as a house, with wings vast enough to spread across half the cavern when fully stretched out, and claws as long as a grown man was tall. Its scales were an odd color, that seemed sometimes black, other times grey or blue, and that melded perfectly into the surrounding shadows. That wasn’t the only reason why she hadn’t instantly seen the large creature though. She was used to relying on her heat-vision, part of her elven heritage, when traveling in the dark, and a beast this size should have shone like a beacon. Yet the Shadow Dragon was dark, dark and cold as the shadows themselves, almost invisible even to her eyes.

Some very nice descriptions here!

Thanks!

“Magnificent animal…” he muttered. “Would you look at those scales? Oooh…and what about that tongue!”

Sounds like love at first sight to me.

Sssh...Rini might get jealous!

Next: The big dragon battle!

Looking forward to it!

There will be gore...

[Laufey]

Never underestimate the power of trickery

(Shrug) I guess... just that I tend to be more "Never underestimate the effectiveness of artillery..."

Oh, that works too.

A dragon. An actual dragon. And I’m carrying a rock as protection.

Ok... I've been on a pretty big Batman kick lately, but this really reminded me of this one great episode of the 90s Batman cartoon. Joker, Poison Ivy, Two-Face, Penguin, and Killer-Croc are all playing poker and trading stories about how each of them almost got Batman. Ivy has hers, Two-Face has his, and then Croc jumps in with "Bats and I were fighting, and I almost got him... he came at me, and... I threw a rock at him!"

They stare at him.

Croc adds, sheepishly, "Well... it was a big rock..."

LOL! Yes, I think I remember that one. Poor Croc.

Jan had accidentally inserted an extra ‘u’, and claimed that was the ‘modern Amnian’ spelling.

Smooth move, Indiana Jan...

"Iehovah," indeed.

At least he didn't get decapitated or crushed by a falling boulder.

In fact, I hope I won’t ever have to.

More of that "misdirection" mentality. Personally, I hate leaving an enemy at my back, no matter the situation. Even in games where you're supposed to be "stealthy", I'll still try and eliminate every bad guy on the level. I'll just tend to do it with knives, silenced pistols, and sleeper holds instead of shotguns, assault rifles, rocket launchers, and fragmentation grenades.

Oh, I'm definitely a rogue at heart - I *love* stealth games.

The dragon had awakened.

Woo! Fight! FIGHT!

Heh heh.

I'm gonna go shoot something now. Mmmmm... Counterstrike...

Though next chapter, no stealth - all out major fight.

[Laufey]

oh yeah...the series i'm working on, the protagonist can psychically affect people's attention and concentration...devistating to the martial artist and soldiers...

I can see that!

Fully assembled, the amulet had opened a final magical barrier, one blocking this tunnel. Softpaws had gone ahead to scout, and though she’d kept well away from the actual tunnel entrance, she’d been able to see enough to give Rini the chills. “Right,” she said. “It’s a Shadow Dragon all right, or so it seems. Probably not an ancient one, but definitely an adult. Which means creepy life draining powers, probably illusion magic, and Erevan only knows what else. We’d better hope that ward stone works, because if not, I think we’re pretty screwed.”

massively screwed...

Immensely screwed.

The half-elf nodded. Much as she didn’t like the Halfling, she had to agree with that. “Better safe than sorry, I guess,” she said. “Protective spells, illusions, combat enhancers…it could all be useful. But we’d best not use it all, we have no idea what else could be waiting down there, and we may not have another chance to rest before we run into this Shade Lord of yours.”

that shadelord is nasty...good thing you have daystar...

Oooooh yes.

Minsc scratched his head. “Minsc is confused…we don’t get to fight the Evil Dragon? But that is what Heroes of Goodness do!”

that's what LATE heroes of goodness do...

“We…could always come back later, Minsc,” Zaerini reassured him. “If we want to.” Much later. Fighting dragons is not on top of my ‘to do’ list, thanks. In fact, I hope I won’t ever have to.

yeah...i mean all of us remember vividly our first dragons...

I died a *lot* of times against the shadow dragon.

“I am perfectly capable of domesticating any known creature, druid! I know my own limits, vast as they are, and would not attempt such a thing if I did not feel confident of my success.”

not even illithid circlets work on them...

Awww...

“An unfortunate accident, so improbable that by rights it should have been impossible! Certainly it won’t happen again.” The wizard’s voice softened a little, and Zaerini felt him grasp her hand and give it a reassuring squeeze. “Though, if you are really worried, Hellkitten, I will put it off for now, and perform a study under more fortuitous circumstances.”

like, umm...never?

Rini: I sure hope so!

Zaerini sighed. “Yes, Ano, you’re right,” she said. “Let’s get this over and done with, one way or another.” And let’s hope we won’t all end up as Dragon Dinner.

a dragon happy meal...

And what would be the toy, I wonder? Maybe Boo.

Eventually, the tunnel opened up into a vast cavern, large enough that the half-elf couldn’t quite see around to the other side. She could just glimpse black tree-branches silhouetted against the night sky though, through a gaping hole in the ceiling. Presumably, that was the dragon’s way of leaving its lair, since it couldn’t very well fit through the door at the other end of the tunnel.

remember that big hole in the windspear hills? i'd always hoped you could like drop stuff down it..like barrels of explosive gnombish gunpowder, or a siege engine...

Oooh, nice idea!

The dragon shifted a little, and snorted. Rini swallowed hard, feeling her knees go weak and jittery. She suddenly realized that she was clutching Edwin’s arm. Hard. The wizard didn’t seem to mind though; and he was eyeing the Shadow Dragon with rapt enthusiasm.

He's incorrigible.

The dragon had awakened.

i bet daystar is going to be critical in this battle...you pretty much gave that away earlier...

Perhaps...we shall see.

Next: The big dragon battle!

YAY!!!

[Laufey]

[quote][quote]Cards Reshuffled 245 – Heart Of Darkness
[/quote]

[quote]
A dragon. An actual dragon. And I’m carrying a rock as protection. All right, it’s supposedly a ward stone, but it’s still a rock. I’d prefer a Ring of Invisibility…oh, wait. Those don’t work on dragons, do they?
[/quote]
[/quote]

[quote]
I felt the same way when I first played it. "I'm tiptoeing past a dragon... with a little rock for protection."
[/quote]

And then of course, I took the dragon on. And died. Several times.

[quote]
[quote]
“We should wrap ourselves in protective magic though,” Mazzy said, her jaw set with determination. “The gods protect those who protect themselves.”
[/quote]
[/quote]

[quote]
Ah, now that's the Mazzy I know.
[/quote]

*nods* Yes, much as I hate her, I still think she's a competent warrior. It's just her attitude I can't stand.


[quote]
[quote]
Minsc scratched his head. “Minsc is confused…we don’t get to fight the Evil Dragon? But that is what Heroes of Goodness do!”
[/quote]
[/quote]

[quote]
*hugs Minsc* I had him in my party until the end in my Silrana game. He was great against the dragons.
[/quote]

Minsc is one of my favorites.

[quote]
[quote]
“I suspect your head would be what was mounted, on the wall of the beast’s lair,” Jaheira said. “And while it would certainly improve your disposition, it would make Zaerini unhappy, so I do not recommend it.”
[/quote]
[/quote]

[quote]
I'm with Jaheira. Hmm, maybe with a nice walnut mounting plaque.
[/quote]

Rini: Oh, I prefer him as he is!


[quote]
[quote]
The Shadow Dragon was resting, curled up like an enormous cat, the tip of its tail resting against its long snout. It was as large as a house, with wings vast enough to spread across half the cavern when fully stretched out, and claws as long as a grown man was tall. Its scales were an odd color, that seemed sometimes black, other times grey or blue, and that melded perfectly into the surrounding shadows. That wasn’t the only reason why she hadn’t instantly seen the large creature though. She was used to relying on her heat-vision, part of her elven heritage, when traveling in the dark, and a beast this size should have shone like a beacon. Yet the Shadow Dragon was dark, dark and cold as the shadows themselves, almost invisible even to her eyes.
[/quote]
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[quote]
Very nice description!
[/quote]

Thanks!

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[quote]
“Eddie – please!”
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[quote]
The wizard seemed about to protest, but then he turned to see her face, and his expression softened. “Of course,” he simply said.
[/quote]
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[quote]
What do you know, he *can* be sensible!
[/quote]

With the right motivations.


[quote]
“Curse the dragon!” Mazzy screamed. “And curse you! No darkness! Light alone! IN ARVOREEN’S NAME! IN THE NAME OF JUSTICE!”
[/quote]
[/quote]

[quote]
Ah, yes, justice. Though I strongly suspect that what is on her mind right now is a lot closer to revenge.
[/quote]

I think it's probably so, yes. Not that I blame her for it, really.


[quote]
This was very believable. Love her or hate her, the one undeniable thing about Mazzy is that she has to be a mess right now, since she lost her entire party, including the man she loved. It is easy to see her cracking like this.
[/quote]

Yes, and this is one thing I don't blame Mazzy for - I think it's very understandable that she'd lose it like this.

[quote]
[quote]
Next: The big dragon battle![/quote]
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[quote]
We'll be waiting. [/quote]

[Laufey]

[quote]Hello Laufey!
[/quote]

Hi there!


[quote]
[quote]
A dragon. An actual dragon. And I’m carrying a rock as protection. All right, it’s supposedly a ward stone, but it’s still a rock. I’d prefer a Ring of Invisibility…oh, wait. Those don’t work on dragons, do they? [/quote]
Relax, Rini. Amauna gave you that “rock” after all; you don’t think she’d steer you wrong, do you? Just keep a careful eye on Edwin and you should be fine... Oh, and Mazzy of course. And you better watch Minsc as well. Oh and Jan! For god’s sake, don’t take your eyes off of Jan.
[/quote]

Rini: *shudders* In other words, be afraid. Be very afraid.


[quote]
[quote]Eventually, they had found a few more rituals of Amaunator, and managed to puzzle out the proper order in which to perform them. The ritual statue had rewarded them with part of an amulet…and two more parts had been found scattered about the dungeon.
[/quote]
(*grumbles*) You’d think that what with the temple having been taken over by the shade lord and a dragon, that stupid ritual statue would bend the rules just a tiny bit, but noooooooo...
[/quote]

'
Well, Amaunator *was* LN.


[quote]
[quote]
“Why, Valygar!” Jaheira said, arching an eyebrow. “You mean to rely on magic?”
[/quote]

[quote]
“For support only, and as little as possible,” the ranger said, with a small shrug of his shoulders. “But I dislike seeing resources squandered, no matter what.”
[/quote]
Valygar isn’t crazy. I could imagine him distinguishing between a simple stoneskin or defensive spell versus summoning a demon, stopping time, or predicting the future. Or maybe Jaheira and Anomen's priestly spells don't count as "magic."
[/quote]

I don't think he's got anything against priest magic, no.


[quote]
[quote]
“Now, taming the dragon would be far more interesting,” Edwin said, and his eyes had a worryingly dreamy look to them. “Such a creature would be a worthy mount for a wizard of my own dazzling prowess…”
[/quote]
Edwin on a dragon? That is some image...
[/quote]

And a lovely one it is!


[quote]
[quote]
Anomen cleared his throat. “So – shall we continue then? I should be able to grant each of us several protective spells, and so should Lady Jaheira, but we must determine how to divide them up, and how many to save for later.”
[/quote]
He sounds so classy when he says “Lady Jaheira.”
[/quote]

That's our Ano, he's all about being classy.


[quote]
[quote]
The Shadow Dragon was resting, curled up like an enormous cat, the tip of its tail resting against its long snout. It was as large as a house, with wings vast enough to spread across half the cavern when fully stretched out, and claws as long as a grown man was tall. Its scales were an odd color, that seemed sometimes black, other times grey or blue, and that melded perfectly into the surrounding shadows. That wasn’t the only reason why she hadn’t instantly seen the large creature though. She was used to relying on her heat-vision, part of her elven heritage, when traveling in the dark, and a beast this size should have shone like a beacon. Yet the Shadow Dragon was dark, dark and cold as the shadows themselves, almost invisible even to her eyes.
[/quote]
Nice description.
[/quote]

Thanks!


[quote]
“Magnificent animal…” he muttered. “Would you look at those scales? Oooh…and what about that tongue!”
[/quote]
And those teeth! Don’t forget those teeth.
[/quote]

And the claws.


[quote]
“Eddie – please!”
[/quote]

[quote]
The wizard seemed about to protest, but then he turned to see her face, and his expression softened. “Of course,” he simply said.
[/quote]
The gods must love Edwin. He would have died so many times over, were it not for all the people looking out for him.
[/quote]

Well, given that in this universe *I* rule the world, you're quite right.

[quote]
[quote]
“My miniature knight has come at last! Such a shame – you would have made a lovely consort!” The voice was shrill, and oddly metallic, and it came from a shadowy shape floating in the air in the middle of the cavern, before the dragon.[/quote]
(*Ulp!!!*) Wait, you’re not supposed to be here!
[/quote]

Rules? Me? Noooo...

[quote]
[quote]
A high-pitched cackle emerged from inside the dark hood. “Oh, of course you would, little one. One night on my altar, and you would have made for a lovely shade, so evil and corrupted. Far more impressive than your little friends. You noble warriors – the shadows you cast are long indeed. If you deny the darkness within, it will grow…and grow…until it consumes you…”
[/quote]
Couldn’t bring yourself to have him imply she was among the noblest souls in life, eh?
[/quote]


[quote]
Actually, I think this dialogue works well here. It fits with Rini’s vision of Mazzy in her reading, and the development of Mazzy's character over the last few chapters. Although the very last sentence almost sounds as though it ought to come from a good spirit warning her.
[/quote]

I deliberately tried to make it sound ambiguous - so that you can interpret it either way, hopefully.

[quote]
[quote]
“Curse the dragon!” Mazzy screamed. “And curse you! No darkness! Light alone! IN ARVOREEN’S NAME! IN THE NAME OF JUSTICE!”
[/quote]

[quote]
And she wrenched herself free; rushing towards the Shade Lord much faster than should have been possible for such short legs, with speed such as could only have been granted by her god, her sword held aloft. The Shade Lord laughed again, but just then, Anomen completed his spell and the dark apparition disappeared, as suddenly as a candle flame blown out by a gust of wind, laughter cut off.
[/quote]
(*sigh*) I actually feel sorry for her, psychotic nut that she is.
[/quote]

Oh, don't worry...she may get a blow or two in.


[quote]
[quote]
The dragon had awakened.
[/quote]
I can’t wait to here the rest.
[/quote]

Next week!


[quote]
P.S.
Just added this after reading previous reply. According to Columbia Journal review, fortuitous doesn't necesarly mean lucky, but it definitely means by chance:
[/quote]

[quote]
http://www.cjr.org/t.../fortuitous.asp[/quote]

Ah, thanks! Then I definitely need to change the word.

[Laufey]

Oh, I do love propi...prop...that word. Think I just might use it.

[Laufey]

Jan had accidentally inserted an extra ‘u’, and claimed that was the ‘modern Amnian’ spelling. It had taken several minutes and a ‘Snilloc’s Snowball Swarm’ spell before his beard stopped smoking.

I can just imagine Jan running around with his arms flailing and trying to beat the fire out of his beard. He always makes me thing of a cartoon character for some reason

Heh, yes, he reminds me a bit of Bugs Bunny.

She kept squeezing the ward stone hard enough that her knuckles turned white, and with every step she took, she kept imagining what it might feel like to be bitten in two halves, or perhaps wiped out by the dragon’s deadly breath

Well, if all else fails, you could always throw the stone at it's head and hope he just dies from laughter at the attempt.

Or chokes on it.

The Shadow Dragon was resting, curled up like an enormous cat, the tip of its tail resting against its long snout. It was as large as a house, with wings vast enough to spread across half the cavern when fully stretched out, and claws as long as a grown man was tall. Its scales were an odd color, that seemed sometimes black, other times grey or blue, and that melded perfectly into the surrounding shadows. That wasn’t the only reason why she hadn’t instantly seen the large creature though. She was used to relying on her heat-vision, part of her elven heritage, when traveling in the dark, and a beast this size should have shone like a beacon. Yet the Shadow Dragon was dark, dark and cold as the shadows themselves, almost invisible even to her eyes.

Ooooh, very nice description here.

Thanks!

You noble warriors – the shadows you cast are long indeed. If you deny the darkness within, it will grow…and grow…until it consumes you…”

Well you have to admit, for a rotten dead thing, he does make a good point.

Oh yes. I don't believe there is such a thing as a perfect person, we all have our shadows inside. You shouldn't accept them, but you should be aware of them so you can better avoid making mistakes.

There was a loud, hissing noise, and then a roar, like a suddenly erupting volcano. A sinuous body unfolded, rearing up on powerful hind legs, and the air was filled with the storm of its wings.

Someone's cranky in the morning

Very cranky.

[Laufey]

Oh, dear god, I am *so* in behind with commenting. I have been busy with military (well, we sort of skip the 'military' things such as salutes, marching in formation and such most of the time) training. I'm in signal corps and electronical warfare, it's really cool (and the sniping is too). Mu hubby says that I look cute in fatigues. *deep indignation* I wanted to look intimidating!

Heh, I'm dreadfully behind myself - commuting like I do now is a huge drain on me. And as for the cuteness, that's a halfling thing, I fear.

A dragon. An actual dragon. And I’m carrying a rock as protection. All right, it’s supposedly a ward stone, but it’s still a rock. I’d prefer a Ring of Invisibility…oh, wait. Those don’t work on dragons, do they?

A good point! When playing a game, you know that of course thing X works if you have item Y in your inventory... but in such a situation, would'nt you feel just a tiny bit worried relying on a little rock?

*nods* I know I certainly would.

“We should wrap ourselves in protective magic though,” Mazzy said, her jaw set with determination. “The gods protect those who protect themselves.”

If only she was not such a fanatic I could actually like her.

Me too - she's competent in many ways.

“We…could always come back later, Minsc,” Zaerini reassured him. “If we want to.” Much later. Fighting dragons is not on top of my ‘to do’ list, thanks. In fact, I hope I won’t ever have to.

Peri: Sis... I have bad news for you...

The Shadow Dragon was resting, curled up like an enormous cat, the tip of its tail resting against its long snout. It was as large as a house, with wings vast enough to spread across half the cavern when fully stretched out, and claws as long as a grown man was tall. Its scales were an odd color, that seemed sometimes black, other times grey or blue, and that melded perfectly into the surrounding shadows. That wasn’t the only reason why she hadn’t instantly seen the large creature though. She was used to relying on her heat-vision, part of her elven heritage, when traveling in the dark, and a beast this size should have shone like a beacon. Yet the Shadow Dragon was dark, dark and cold as the shadows themselves, almost invisible even to her eyes.

Burrrrr. Great description. A creepy beastie all right.

Thanks!

“Magnificent animal…” he muttered. “Would you look at those scales? Oooh…and what about that tongue!”

He's hopeless.

But intimidating.

A high-pitched cackle emerged from inside the dark hood. “Oh, of course you would, little one. One night on my altar, and you would have made for a lovely shade, so evil and corrupted. Far more impressive than your little friends. You noble warriors – the shadows you cast are long indeed. If you deny the darkness within, it will grow…and grow…until it consumes you…”

Makes sense to me.

Yes, I thought a lot about this. We all have our dark sides, and trying to pretend that we don't won't make that inner darkness go away.

The dragon had awakened.

Whoopsie.

Indeed.

[Weyoun]

A dragon. An actual dragon. And I’m carrying a rock as protection. All right, it’s supposedly a ward stone, but it’s still a rock. I’d prefer a Ring of Invisibility…oh, wait. Those don’t work on dragons, do they?

Try to hit the dragon with the rock. You'll win a prize.

“We should wrap ourselves in protective magic though,” Mazzy said, her jaw set with determination. “The gods protect those who protect themselves.”

... Meaning it's all your responsiblity and the gods don't do crap, yet take all the credit?

“For support only, and as little as possible,” the ranger said, with a small shrug of his shoulders. “But I dislike seeing resources squandered, no matter what.”

Minsc scratched his head. “Minsc is confused…we don’t get to fight the Evil Dragon? But that is what Heroes of Goodness do!”

Laska : BOOOOO!!!! HISSSSS!!!! I wanna see violence!

“I am perfectly capable of domesticating any known creature, druid! I know my own limits, vast as they are, and would not attempt such a thing if I did not feel confident of my success.”

Laska : Domesticating a dragon? Hmmm, that would be fun if you'd have to start taking it for walks. All the trees would be properly fertilized, that's for sure.

The dragon shifted a little, and snorted. Rini swallowed hard, feeling her knees go weak and jittery. She suddenly realized that she was clutching Edwin’s arm. Hard. The wizard didn’t seem to mind though; and he was eyeing the Shadow Dragon with rapt enthusiasm.

“Magnificent animal…” he muttered. “Would you look at those scales? Oooh…and what about that tongue!”

LAska : Wanna pet?

A high-pitched cackle emerged from inside the dark hood. “Oh, of course you would, little one. One night on my altar, and you would have made for a lovely shade, so evil and corrupted. Far more impressive than your little friends. You noble warriors – the shadows you cast are long indeed. If you deny the darkness within, it will grow…and grow…until it consumes you…”

Mazzy’s eyes were wild by now, and she was reaching for her sword. “Mazzy! No!” Rini hissed, grabbing the halfling’s wrist. “You can’t! The dragon…” Behind her, she could just about hear quiet chanting. Anomen, casting a spell, his words almost tripping over each other.

“Curse the dragon!” Mazzy screamed. “And curse you! No darkness! Light alone! IN ARVOREEN’S NAME! IN THE NAME OF JUSTICE!”

*kicks Mazzy*

But it was too late. The halfling’s sword had already struck, struck where the illusion of the Shade Lord had been, and was no longer. Struck the shimmering dark scales of the Shadow Dragon. There was a loud, hissing noise, and then a roar, like a suddenly erupting volcano. A sinuous body unfolded, rearing up on powerful hind legs, and the air was filled with the storm of its wings.

The dragon had awakened.

I bet it's pissed.

[Laufey]

A dragon. An actual dragon. And I’m carrying a rock as protection. All right, it’s supposedly a ward stone, but it’s still a rock. I’d prefer a Ring of Invisibility…oh, wait. Those don’t work on dragons, do they?

Try to hit the dragon with the rock. You'll win a prize.

“We should wrap ourselves in protective magic though,” Mazzy said, her jaw set with determination. “The gods protect those who protect themselves.”

... Meaning it's all your responsiblity and the gods don't do crap, yet take all the credit?

Or something like that, yes.

Minsc scratched his head. “Minsc is confused…we don’t get to fight the Evil Dragon? But that is what Heroes of Goodness do!”

Laska : BOOOOO!!!! HISSSSS!!!! I wanna see violence!

Don't worry, you will.

“I am perfectly capable of domesticating any known creature, druid! I know my own limits, vast as they are, and would not attempt such a thing if I did not feel confident of my success.”

Laska : Domesticating a dragon? Hmmm, that would be fun if you'd have to start taking it for walks. All the trees would be properly fertilized, that's for sure.

I don't think he has thought that far ahead.

“Magnificent animal…” he muttered. “Would you look at those scales? Oooh…and what about that tongue!”

LAska : Wanna pet?

Of course he does.

The dragon had awakened.

I bet it's pissed.

Very.