Anomen and Adamant exert all of their strength upon the bars of the cell holding Garren Windspear’s frightened daughter. She stands hopefully near the door, chewing upon her lip. The two men cease with gasps, having had no impact upon either the bars or the cell door. Behind them, Yoshimo and Nalia return from searching the bodies of the dead monsters.
“No keys there, I’m afraid,” says Yoshimo. Nalia also shakes her head.
“Is there no art you might bring against this prison, Yoshimo?” asks Anomen, appalled at the failure of his strength. “I have even called upon Helm to grant me his arm, yet still to no avail.” Adamant sinks to a crouch, studying the cell door and the surrounding features of the prison. Shaking his head wearily, he looks up at Yoshimo with an unspoken question.
“It pains me more than I care to admit,” confesses the bounty hunter. “But this lock is of no construction I have ever encountered. I’m sure I could puzzle it out, given time. But I don’t know that we have that kind of time. We’ve been lucky so far not to rouse an alert, but it cannot be long away.”
Jaheira nods in agreement with Yoshimo’s assessment. Looking away, Adamant’s eyes fall upon the other corner of the prison, the place from which Tazok had emerged when the companions first arrived. The corner ends in an arched doorway and beyond can be seen a steep staircase, descending into deep shadow. “What do you suppose is down there?” he muses out loud.
“More dungeons?” ventures Nalia. But before anyone else can offer an opinion, the small voice of Garren’s daughter provides a strange but certain answer to Adamant’s question.
“That’s where the Fire Crack lives,” she says, a slight tremor in her voice. “All the monsters are afraid to go down there. Lots go down and don’t come back.”
“The Fire Crack,” says Jaheira. “Hhmmm?”
“An impressive man, if he can inspire fear in ogres and orcs,” Anomen comments.
“Indeed,” says Adamant. “Strange that he lives in a deep hole as well.”
“Another vampire, perhaps?”
“We’ll have to see, I think.” Adamant looks to the little girl and her palpable fear. “Little one, I’m going to ask Yoshimo to stay here and see if he can’t get you out of there. The rest of us are going to talk to Firkraag.” The little girl shakes her head in fear.
“Don’t leave me,” she pleads.
“I’ll be here with you, not to worry,” says Yoshimo comfortingly, not realising that he has agreed to the plan without thinking. He looks quickly to Adamant when he realises what he’s done.
“I charge you Yoshimo,” says Adamant, standing and placing a hand on Yoshimo’s chest. “Do whatever you can to get the little one free, understand.”
“Are you sure that you want to go down there one hand short?” Yoshimo asks. Adamant shrugs.
“We wouldn’t have come if we valued our lives over our purpose.”
“So you say.” Yoshimo turns back to the lock, studying it with the look of a craftsman surveying a new job. The rest head to the stairs, making their way downward by a white, arcane light of Nalia’s conjuration.
----
“Smell that?” asks Adamant.
“Like a pan left on the hob too long with nothing in it,” says Nalia, nodding.
“There are sulfurous springs in the Umar Hills,” says Anomen. “The water in them boils and bubbles continually; quite undrinkable. Those smell like this.”
“These vapours are clearly noxious,” Jaheira adds, wiping involuntary tears from her eyes. “It is a wonder that any man or beast might live here.”
“Yes,” agrees Adamant. Beneath his helmet’s visor tears are welling in his own eyes and his nose burns as though he breathes steam.
The companions make their way slowly down the wide stone stairs. On either side, the walls have been elaborately carved to form balustrades. The workmanship of the carving was once very fine, but time has worn and cracked the stone. The stairs proceed straight downward, widening as they descend until they strike the bottom of a downward sloping cavern of immense proportions. The walls of the cavern are carved with heavy buttressing, which soars high overhead. The vault extends upwards hundreds of feet, the ceiling lost in impenetrable shadow. Like the stairs, the structure has an aura of great majesty, long forgotten.
“Is this perhaps a drow temple?” Anomen muses with a hushed voice.
“No,” says Jaheira flatly.
“Not deep enough,” explains Adamant in a matter of fact tone. Anomen’s eyes show surprise, even through his helmet visor. He looks to Nalia, who is equally awe struck. The two shake their heads in wonder at this ancient vault which exceeds all that they have seen before.
“Do you suppose that this Firkraag is in here somewhere, or in some place we might find leading from here?” asks Jaheira.
From the other end of the cavern there is a sound like a huge object dragged over a stone floor. Dust falls in a fine mist from the unseen ceiling and, at the cavern’s far end the shadows acquire texture, shifting almost imperceptibly. Two flaming lights appear in the shadow, made small by the long distance of the cavern.
“Oh gods,” whispers Adamant in horrifying realisation, but his words are swallowed by another louder voice, which rumbles up the cavern like an approaching storm front.
“So the bastard son of Bhaal has finally found his way to my lair,” says the voice, the words battering the party like a strong wind. With a belch of flame that sends ruddy light dancing across his glittering vermilion scales, the great red dragon Firkraag walks forward from the depth of his lair, an evil glint of delight and triumph in his eyes. In the shadows under his right wing walks the robed figure of a man, a mage of sorts; possibly this is Firkraag’s ‘dragon disciple’.
“It has been such an amusement to watch you struggle your way through my clever comedy!” declares the dragon as he looks down on the party, his massively horned head hanging at the end of his long, serpentine neck. Firkraag’s sulfurous breath stings the eyes and burns their skin. An involuntary yelp of terror escapes from Nalia’s lips and Jaheira shakes her head dejectedly; “We have been fools,” mutters the half elf druid. “Fools.”
Unwilling to Acquiesce – Part 39
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, Aug 15 2003 03:48 AM
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#2
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Posted 15 August 2003 - 06:41 AM
“Is there no art you might bring against this prison, Yoshimo?” asks Anomen, appalled at the failure of his strength. “I have even called upon Helm to grant me his arm, yet still to no avail.” Adamant sinks to a crouch, studying the cell door and the surrounding features of the prison. Shaking his head wearily, he looks up at Yoshimo with an unspoken question.
“It pains me more than I care to admit,” confesses the bounty hunter. “But this lock is of no construction I have ever encountered. I’m sure I could puzzle it out, given time. But I don’t know that we have that kind of time. We’ve been lucky so far not to rouse an alert, but it cannot be long away.”
Those occasions on which you need a 'certain' key to unlock a simple door, require some explanation and reasoning - especially when you have a skillful thief as Yoshi, here.
“That’s where the Fire Crack lives,” she says, a slight tremor in her voice. “All the monsters are afraid to go down there. Lots go down and don’t come back.”
“The Fire Crack,” says Jaheira. “Hhmmm?”
Hehe. Yep, I suppose you can expect some 'fireworks' if you really piss off the one who resides below...
“I’ll be here with you, not to worry,” says Yoshimo comfortingly, not realising that he has agreed to the plan without thinking. He looks quickly to Adamant when he realises what he’s done.
Funny, I keep wondering what prompted Yoshi to say that, was it just a genuine concern or something more than that?
“Are you sure that you want to go down there one hand short?” Yoshimo asks. Adamant shrugs.
“We wouldn’t have come if we valued our lives over our purpose.”
I wonder if everyone in the party agrees with Adamant.
From the other end of the cavern there is a sound like a huge object dragged over a stone floor. Dust falls in a fine mist from the unseen ceiling and, at the cavern’s far end the shadows acquire texture, shifting almost imperceptibly. Two flaming lights appear in the shadow, made small by the long distance of the cavern.
Very impresive... the whole descending into the lair and the detalization - top notch.
“It has been such an amusement to watch you struggle your way through my clever comedy!” declares the dragon as he looks down on the party, his massively horned head hanging at the end of his long, serpentine neck. Firkraag’s sulfurous breath stings the eyes and burns their skin. An involuntary yelp of terror escapes from Nalia’s lips and Jaheira shakes her head dejectedly; “We have been fools,” mutters the half elf druid. “Fools.”
I would have been very surprised if you had guessed it. Unlikely that any of them has ever fought a dragon - and the way you describe Firky, I don't think they will be very eager to fight one now.
#3
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Posted 15 August 2003 - 06:51 AM
Anomen’s eyes show surprise, even through his helmet visor.
He's a Helmite, he doesn't use a visor for his helmet. (unless it's a magical, see-thru visor, hehehe...now where from did I dig up this stupid idea?
)Nice chapter!
#4
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Posted 15 August 2003 - 07:47 AM
“It pains me more than I care to admit,” confesses the bounty hunter. “But this lock is of no construction I have ever encountered. I’m sure I could puzzle it out, given time. But I don’t know that we have that kind of time. We’ve been lucky so far not to rouse an alert, but it cannot be long away.”
Those occasions on which you need a 'certain' key to unlock a simple door, require some explanation and reasoning - especially when you have a skillful thief as Yoshi, here.
Yes indeed. A game feature that needs a 'flavour' explanation.
“That’s where the Fire Crack lives,” she says, a slight tremor in her voice. “All the monsters are afraid to go down there. Lots go down and don’t come back.”
“The Fire Crack,” says Jaheira. “Hhmmm?”
Hehe. Yep, I suppose you can expect some 'fireworks' if you really piss off the one who resides below...
Fireworks and the rest
“I’ll be here with you, not to worry,” says Yoshimo comfortingly, not realising that he has agreed to the plan without thinking. He looks quickly to Adamant when he realises what he’s done.
Funny, I keep wondering what prompted Yoshi to say that, was it just a genuine concern or something more than that?
I dunno - it just seemed to fit.
“Are you sure that you want to go down there one hand short?” Yoshimo asks. Adamant shrugs.
“We wouldn’t have come if we valued our lives over our purpose.”
I wonder if everyone in the party agrees with Adamant.
He might be a good paladin, but he's still a paladin.
From the other end of the cavern there is a sound like a huge object dragged over a stone floor. Dust falls in a fine mist from the unseen ceiling and, at the cavern’s far end the shadows acquire texture, shifting almost imperceptibly. Two flaming lights appear in the shadow, made small by the long distance of the cavern.
Very impresive... the whole descending into the lair and the detalization - top notch.
Thanks.
“It has been such an amusement to watch you struggle your way through my clever comedy!” declares the dragon as he looks down on the party, his massively horned head hanging at the end of his long, serpentine neck. Firkraag’s sulfurous breath stings the eyes and burns their skin. An involuntary yelp of terror escapes from Nalia’s lips and Jaheira shakes her head dejectedly; “We have been fools,” mutters the half elf druid. “Fools.”
I would have been very surprised if you had guessed it. Unlikely that any of them has ever fought a dragon - and the way you describe Firky, I don't think they will be very eager to fight one now.
No indeed - dragons should be the very pinnacle of an adventurer's enemies - Firkraag certainly is.
Thanks for commenting.
#5
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Posted 15 August 2003 - 07:54 AM
Anomen’s eyes show surprise, even through his helmet visor.
He's a Helmite, he doesn't use a visor for his helmet. (unless it's a magical, see-thru visor, hehehe...now where from did I dig up this stupid idea?
Whoops - unintentional canon violation.
Oh well, Anomen's from a little known off-shoot of the Helmite religion that does wear visors, I guess.As for where the idea of the see through invisible visor, all I can say is "Hoody hoo!"
Nice chapter!
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it.
#7
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Posted 15 August 2003 - 10:48 PM
“Indeed,” says Adamant. “Strange that he lives in a deep hole as well.”
“Another vampire, perhaps?”
Nah, monsters like orcs and orogs wouldn't follow a vampire - it would take something more impressive to get them in line.
“Smell that?” asks Adamant.
“Like a pan left on the hob too long with nothing in it,” says Nalia, nodding.
Nalia's a bad cook, is she? Guess she wouldn't have had too much practice growing up in the keep.
The companions make their way slowly down the wide stone stairs. On either side, the walls have been elaborately carved to form balustrades. The workmanship of the carving was once very fine, but time has worn and cracked the stone. The stairs proceed straight downward, widening as they descend until they strike the bottom of a downward sloping cavern of immense proportions. The walls of the cavern are carved with heavy buttressing, which soars high overhead. The vault extends upwards hundreds of feet, the ceiling lost in impenetrable shadow. Like the stairs, the structure has an aura of great majesty, long forgotten.
Very atmospheric description
“Is this perhaps a drow temple?” Anomen muses with a hushed voice.
Drow have to breathe just like you, Ano. The whole sulphur stuff wouldn't really work out.“No,” says Jaheira flatly.
“Do you suppose that this Firkraag is in here somewhere, or in some place we might find leading from here?” asks Jaheira.
Really? You think? Maybe it's the sulphur getting into their brains and making them think slow or something...
“It has been such an amusement to watch you struggle your way through my clever comedy!” declares the dragon as he looks down on the party, his massively horned head hanging at the end of his long, serpentine neck. Firkraag’s sulfurous breath stings the eyes and burns their skin. An involuntary yelp of terror escapes from Nalia’s lips and Jaheira shakes her head dejectedly; “We have been fools,” mutters the half elf druid. “Fools.”
Yep, indeed you have - it's not like there weren't clues. But fortunately Firkraag probably doesn't find you interesting enough to actually attack you right now, so you should be ok - unless Adamant suddenly gets infected by 'moronic paladin' disease and decides it's his duty to slay the dragon, anyway...
Nice chapter
#8
Arcalian
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Posted 16 August 2003 - 02:04 AM
The Dread Pirate Roberts.
Very good discription of Firkraag.
And don't worry, Ano and Nally, the Drow will be along soon enough.
Very good discription of Firkraag.
And don't worry, Ano and Nally, the Drow will be along soon enough.
The road to the abyss may be paved with good intentions, but it is those with bad intentions that race down that road as fast as they can.
#9
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Posted 16 August 2003 - 06:09 AM
“That’s where the Fire Crack lives,” she says, a slight tremor in her voice. “All the monsters are afraid to go down there. Lots go down and don’t come back.”
Lunch.
“The Fire Crack,” says Jaheira. “Hhmmm?”
“An impressive man, if he can inspire fear in ogres and orcs,” Anomen comments.
“Indeed,” says Adamant. “Strange that he lives in a deep hole as well.”
Bells ought to be ringing now.
“I’ll be here with you, not to worry,” says Yoshimo comfortingly, not realising that he has agreed to the plan without thinking. He looks quickly to Adamant when he realises what he’s done.
Even yoshimo is not immune to a pleading girl.
“Not deep enough,” explains Adamant in a matter of fact tone. Anomen’s eyes show surprise, even through his helmet visor. He looks to Nalia, who is equally awe struck. The two shake their heads in wonder at this ancient vault which exceeds all that they have seen before.
Kinda like the mines of moria.
“Do you suppose that this Firkraag is in here somewhere, or in some place we might find leading from here?” asks Jaheira.
From the other end of the cavern there is a sound like a huge object dragged over a stone floor. Dust falls in a fine mist from the unseen ceiling and, at the cavern’s far end the shadows acquire texture, shifting almost imperceptibly. Two flaming lights appear in the shadow, made small by the long distance of the cavern.
Uh oh.
That's the time when you realise that perhaps you should have stayed at home.“It has been such an amusement to watch you struggle your way through my clever comedy!” declares the dragon as he looks down on the party, his massively horned head hanging at the end of his long, serpentine neck. Firkraag’s sulfurous breath stings the eyes and burns their skin. An involuntary yelp of terror escapes from Nalia’s lips and Jaheira shakes her head dejectedly; “We have been fools,” mutters the half elf druid. “Fools.”
Walked right into the trap.
Hunter
#11
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Posted 18 August 2003 - 01:37 AM
“Indeed,” says Adamant. “Strange that he lives in a deep hole as well.”
“Another vampire, perhaps?”
Nah, monsters like orcs and orogs wouldn't follow a vampire - it would take something more impressive to get them in line.
A matter of personal opinion I would think.
“Smell that?” asks Adamant.
“Like a pan left on the hob too long with nothing in it,” says Nalia, nodding.
Nalia's a bad cook, is she? Guess she wouldn't have had too much practice growing up in the keep.
It was either a cooking analogy or a blacksmithing one - I figure she's spent more time in a kitchen than a forge.
The walls of the cavern are carved with heavy buttressing, which soars high overhead. The vault extends upwards hundreds of feet, the ceiling lost in impenetrable shadow. Like the stairs, the structure has an aura of great majesty, long forgotten.
Very atmospheric description
Thanks.
“Is this perhaps a drow temple?” Anomen muses with a hushed voice.
True - but Ano's probably heard more fairy tales about drow than true facts.
“No,” says Jaheira flatly.
Never one to waste words.
“Do you suppose that this Firkraag is in here somewhere, or in some place we might find leading from here?” asks Jaheira.
Really? You think? Maybe it's the sulphur getting into their brains and making them think slow or something...
It's not actually all that obvious in the game - there's only one solid clue that Firkraag is a dragon and I haven't had the party go past that shaft with the breathing coming up from below.
“It has been such an amusement to watch you struggle your way through my clever comedy!” declares the dragon as he looks down on the party, his massively horned head hanging at the end of his long, serpentine neck. Firkraag’s sulfurous breath stings the eyes and burns their skin. An involuntary yelp of terror escapes from Nalia’s lips and Jaheira shakes her head dejectedly; “We have been fools,” mutters the half elf druid. “Fools.”
Yep, indeed you have - it's not like there weren't clues. But fortunately Firkraag probably doesn't find you interesting enough to actually attack you right now, so you should be ok - unless Adamant suddenly gets infected by 'moronic paladin' disease and decides it's his duty to slay the dragon, anyway...
Ah Palidinae Stupidemia - no, so far Adamant has shown some resistance to all known strains. Firkraag is still in this for the fun of it - the party's blood shouldn't end up on his claws just yet
Nice chapter
Thanks for commenting
#12
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Posted 18 August 2003 - 01:50 AM
The Dread Pirate Roberts.
"I'm not saying I'd like to build a summer home here, but some of the trees are really quite lovely."
Very good discription of Firkraag.
Thank you
And don't worry, Ano and Nally, the Drow will be along soon enough.
All too soon I should think!
#13
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Posted 18 August 2003 - 02:10 AM
“That’s where the Fire Crack lives,” she says, a slight tremor in her voice. “All the monsters are afraid to go down there. Lots go down and don’t come back.”
Lunch.
or breakfast or dinner - Firkraag is an equal opportunity gourmand.
“The Fire Crack,” says Jaheira. “Hhmmm?”
“An impressive man, if he can inspire fear in ogres and orcs,” Anomen comments.
“Indeed,” says Adamant. “Strange that he lives in a deep hole as well.”
Bells ought to be ringing now.
I think they probably are, but they still haven't quite figured it out.
“I’ll be here with you, not to worry,” says Yoshimo comfortingly, not realising that he has agreed to the plan without thinking. He looks quickly to Adamant when he realises what he’s done.
Even yoshimo is not immune to a pleading girl.
Ain't that the truth
“Not deep enough,” explains Adamant in a matter of fact tone. Anomen’s eyes show surprise, even through his helmet visor. He looks to Nalia, who is equally awe struck. The two shake their heads in wonder at this ancient vault which exceeds all that they have seen before.
Kinda like the mines of moria.
I hadn't thought of that, but yeah.
“Do you suppose that this Firkraag is in here somewhere, or in some place we might find leading from here?” asks Jaheira.
From the other end of the cavern there is a sound like a huge object dragged over a stone floor. Dust falls in a fine mist from the unseen ceiling and, at the cavern’s far end the shadows acquire texture, shifting almost imperceptibly. Two flaming lights appear in the shadow, made small by the long distance of the cavern.
Uh oh.
Yes indeed. Darning socks and cooking bread is so much less dangerous.
“It has been such an amusement to watch you struggle your way through my clever comedy!” declares the dragon as he looks down on the party, his massively horned head hanging at the end of his long, serpentine neck. Firkraag’s sulfurous breath stings the eyes and burns their skin. An involuntary yelp of terror escapes from Nalia’s lips and Jaheira shakes her head dejectedly; “We have been fools,” mutters the half elf druid. “Fools.”
Walked right into the trap.
Some days are just like that.
Hunter
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