1999-08-08: The Lair
The Lair
| Author: Unknown author | Published: August 8, 1999 |
- From Friday evening***
What sight was this that mine eyes saw before me? Seemed to be a large gathering in the fine City of Corwyn this eve.
Quietly I strode up to the steps of the Black Rose Brewery, passing through the crowd with ease. Opening the door, I proceded to make my way to the bar and order one of the fine local brews. From here it was easy to spy on the folks inside. I turned my attentions to a young lad carrying many bottles of strong ale over to some strange green cloaked man who looked about ready to burst from his skin, literally.
The lad, Tai, handed these bottles over as a Dark Knight entered. The man clad in green drank greedily from Tai's offer and seemed to relax a bit. Personally, I was awed to see a normal man drink so much and still stand. A man named Kunger of T C sat nearby watching with concern. I asked him who this green cloaked man was. "What's that you say? A Druid named Auldrek? Why he hardly looks more than a dirty forest creature." "Ah, stress, and a curse? My how interesting. I must remember to research this further."
At that point the huge Dark Knight, Lord Darius of Let approached Auldrek.. They seemed to know each other. The conversation soured quickly as Darius grew tired of dealing with a drunk. The lad Tai could only watch as the dark knight siezed Auldek's last bottle and crushed it in his mailed fist. I lost sight of them in the crowd but soon after Auldrek was stumbling outside with many men at his side. Following, I was able to see Lady Angel Storm and Lion Heart, along with a sizable force of CBR, ride up and aproach Auldrek. Auldrek seemed to straighten and get a better grip on himself as Angel Storm stood before him. Then I had to duck as a few daemons went by chasing Lord Arius of CBR. What was that man thinking? I, for one, run when confonted with those hell spawn and do not playfully attack them and lead them around. When I turned back, Auldrek had summoned a shimmering blue gate that everyone was rushing into. Not one to be left out I quickly followed.
Emerging from the blue haze I quickly noticed that we where surrounded by tall mountains in a not so big alcove. There, at the end, was a wisp. A small discussion took place with mention of a diary found in Wind by Seifer that held much information. Looking around I spotted Seifer standing under the shadow of a pet Dragon he had with him. I decided not to talk to him. After a short time questioning the wisp we where able to learn a few key items.
"Seek the Knowledge of Kragen"
"Find virtue in the place where sacrafice is forsaken"
I, of course, had no idea what this meant. Lady Angel Storm, using her knowledge of the Virtues was quick to determine that the dungeoun of Covetous was just such a place. I just shrugged and waited for the next gate. While I waited I couldnt help but notice Auldrek standing with his face against the mountain and mumbling to himself. How odd. Then the gate came and I was standing outside some doors leading into the side of a mountain. Upon our entrance some rather large statues began to speak.
"Beware Ye Who Enter These Halls!"
And after a short walk another group of statues spoke.
"Go no further, lest ye face thy death!"
Well, I must admit that I thought about leaving but then Auldrek swept past with determination on his face and I felt compelled to follow. After dispatching a few Liches the group gathered in the Throne room to hear Auldrek's words. He instructed them in a harsh voice, whilst clenching his staff firmly, to search the area for any signs of Virtue. Splitting into groups they ran off on this mission. I just hid in a corner and waited. Twas alot of walking after all. Soon Lady Angel Storm found a small room with an Anhk. Leading everyone down the hallways she took us there. We asked the Anhk about Kragen and to our amazement it spoke.
"Long ago he dwelled within these Halls"
"Upon his throne he aquired vast Knowledge"
"Seek the Pentagram within the cave"
"It is the Portal to Dragar's lair"
"To go foreward one must possess the Secret"
"Kragen alone knew the way"
"He kept the secret Near to himself"
"The observant may yet find it hidden nearby"
It didn't take long for them to search his Throne room and discover a piece of paper with the numbers on them. After a small debate any confusion was dismissed and the force of over 20 set out to Dragar's lair.
I watched Auldrek enter a trance for a moment and was able to hear him call out to a Trigg of KEF. Later I learned that Trigg and Auldrek had discoverd where Dragar's lair was in advance. Apparently in an effort to save lives Trigg had marshalled an advance scouting force of his men and entered the lair before the main host had arrived. I'm told that they where able to defeat two Dragons with relative ease. Of course, that may be because the Dark Elves under the command of some Ixle person had softened them up first.
How did I learn this? Well it's my story so pipe down! I just happen to travel in certain circles. In my business information is worth far more than gold. Anyway, when the group led by Angel Storm and Lion Heart arrived they entered and inspected Dragar's lair. No doubt they wished to find him there and do battle but I, for one, am glad he was not.
After a while at a locked door in the back of Dragar's den I took my leave. Quietly stepping over Auldrek's body that now decorated the lobby I left.
Oh come now, you didn't expect me to stay did you? If you must know I later learned that, under Lord Darius's instruction, Seifer was told to antagonize Auldrek in order to gain more information. Apparently Auldrek , under some cursed Berserker rage, attacked both Seifer and his pet Dragon. Such a pity.
Now I must go. Angel Storm has called some emergency meeting of the CCoV together to determine what to do with this new information and I must find my spot in the rafters before it starts. If your a betting man, put your money on Dragar, I've seen him.
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