Session 9: The Long Road Home Part 1

Into the Depths

After the difficult meeting with the rebellion leaders Artemis heads off into the City fuming (the player missed the session). Azhanti receives an urgent message from the Temple, the Warlord Najentus has invested the Temple with his troops and is trying to supplant the Voice of the Dragon, Azhanti’s old mentor.

Fearing the consequences the group gathers at the Temple of Mael and prepares to go to Nihlils aid. Assamber has recently mastered a new ritual, the Linked Portal and Azhanti provides him with the design for the Temple of Vulcan. After a day of furious scribbling and redrawing the circle is ready. A great coiled dragon covered in runes is outlined on the floor of the Temple. Invoking his powers the dragon animates and swallows the group teleporting them many miles to the west, into the volcanic caves of Vulcan’s temple.

Immediately the alarm is raised. No human has ever set foot in the sacred precincts before but Azhanti bullies the lesser priests into accepting their presence. He is brought before Nihlil in the heart of the temple where he rests beneath a great statue of their God. The two renew bonds of an old friendship while Martek, pawn of Najentus watches with hateful intent. The unpleasant spell of burning acid wafts down from his two hooded companions.

The next day the Temple Priests gather at the great gates to the underways. Those who seek the position of Voice must first receive the blessing of Fulmenus, progenitor of the Clan. He lies coiled deep below the volcano and the aspirants must reach him and stand within his jaws. The worthy will be blessed with his breath, the unworthy will be eaten. At the gates there is much posturing between Azhanti and Martek who reveals his companions as Seeping Poison Dragonborn, a clan long thought lost. Morn puts his imposing bulk to good use and stares down the normally steadfast Martek.

As the gates open both groups head in, each seeking to be the first to reach the Chamber of the Dragon. All competitors are fair game until such time as his jaws open to accept those who seek the position of the Voice. Our three heroes make their way through the lave caves quickly and quietly. Assamber puts his magic to good use conjuring a glowing map of their travels to avoid getting lost in the twisting passages and the group make good time reaching the crumbling chamber well ahead of the competition.

The Dragon is enormous even with only its head visible. The Chambers shudders with the sound of its heartbeat and the breath from its nostrils sets a wind in the tunnels strong enough to bowl over a strong man. The group decide on subterfuge putting the Hat of Disguise to good use. Azhanti disguises himself as Assamber who takes up a position well in cover. As Martek and his servants arrive they fool them into believing that Azhanti has fallen. Seeking to brush them aside Martek makes his way to the Dragon when they spring their ambush. The fight is fast and furious. As they battle the dragons breath grows quicker and more deadly. The chamber shakes with his awakening and all of the combatants are thrown around. Rocks crash down from the ceiling, sections of the floor collapse and poisonous volcanic gas vents into the chamber.

Martek proves his skill in battle and as a leader of men. The twin serpent priests ply their deadly trade but Sobol is kept out of much of the fight by Assamber’s magic eventually being hurled broken and bent into a handy pit. Morn sustains massive damage with Martek determined to remove him so he cannot interfere. It is not enough, the healing power of Morn and Azhanti combined keeps him alive and Martek on the back foot. As the Dragons Jaws open Assamber sends Martek hurtling into the back of the room with a mighty fist of ice while Azhanti leaps in. Pulling himself free Martek makes one last desperate dash for glory but is cruelly struck down by Morns Hammer. As the Jaws close Azhanti gives him the nod and the spike crashes down on Marteks skull ending his ambitions.

Alone in the darkness the smell of ozone and the feeling of being trapped is almost overwhelming. Azhanti finds himself the focus of a power far greater than his own. His worth and his mettle are tested, his every flaw exposed, examined and weighed in the balance. Through it all one things runs though his mind, "are you worthy.” The answer is always the same, “yes, I am ready.” Sensing amusement at his presumption he is expelled by the Dragon and bathed in lightning. Fulmenus accepts him despite or perhaps because of his audacity.

Returning to the surface they are hailed as heroes, Azhanti has been accepted by the Breath of the Dragon and Morn and Assamber are considered honorary Dragonblood, they have felt the touch of Fulmenus.