Session 20 — The Best Laid Plans

An entry in Argora’s private journal:

“Even the best laid plans can lead to more turmoil.” These are some of the words from my father I still carry with me to this day, but don’t necessarily follow..

As we faced the black dragon, we noticed his pattern: spray and dive. The beast knew an easy way to take on our troupe. A cowardly way, but it seemed effective. As we began our squabble, we each tried a divide and conquer method. With the dragon’s breath hitting in a straight line, we thought it could be our best chance.  I happened to notice Charlie hit Zin with his rock spell. He may have saved me from falling off the bridge, but one good deed doesn’t erase a myriad of bad. Keeva also died right away, but that poor wolf never seems to hold on for too long…the old gal.

Just as Zin fell in the water during our divide phase (and got bit by the beast I mind you), we heard a faint splash in the distance. As it would turn out a majestic, stand on its two legs, green-eyed cat would soon join in our mission to take on the dragon. It was at this time that I hatched a plan with the dwarf, Blumf. He and I seem to think very similarly about how to approach battles, though it’s still hard to see him all bald. We would charge at the dragon’s gold and force the damn thing on land so we can pulverize him face to face! This required getting over a gap from the water that was around us, so Blumf shoved a javelin with rope into the ground and threw another one, with the rope attached, at the treasure island. It actually worked! Blumf made it across and I, athletically and elegantly, tiptoed my ass across the rope (brushes shoulder off). As the gang continued to land blows from a distance, Blumf and I made it to his treasure. The gang was getting the hint and began to advance towards the beast with us…except Charlie. He kept throwing his rocks from a distance…ugh…but it was being effective I guess.

As soon as Blumf and I made it across, the beast was pissed, popped up, spewed its breath and took us out. Best laid plans indeed. Thought this magical shield might have intervened. Seems as though my faith will remain shook.

Charlie apparently downed the dragon with a fireball and Blumf and I were revived. We then turned our attention to that…cat guy. His name was Jade Eyes. Clever name with his green eyes and all. Guess that’s how cats name their young, but I digress. He mentioned he was sent by Lyra (Oh, Lyra…a girl after my own heart). I asked if he knew much about her, but I guess he was only here with us on business from her. Damn…

Did I mention we might have seen Jade Eyes hit someone with his bow during the battle? Yeah, that might have happened. Perhaps we all need to go into some training with our weaponry.

As the group tried to find out more from Jade Eyes and who we should give the weapons to, Qeew continues to go on about her imaginary friend that she thinks is floating about. Crazy bird. She went off on her own to go back to town I think. The cat followed.

We all reached a standstill after the battle and laid out our options for the weapons. Give them to Lord Kane, give them to Warren (he’s dark), or give them perhaps to Durgeddin to rebuild his home. Durgeddin did look at my shield and told me it was not made by any mortal, but from divine intervention. Hmm..

As this was going on, the bird and cat met with Lyra on their way out. Guess we’re going to meet Lyra in town! Be still my heart.

We finally take a rest after all of this discussion and Charlie has another one of his “nightmares.” Hit Kerath. How much more can we take of this?!

As we approach town, we hatch another one of our brilliant plans to send only certain people into town because some of us are too recognizable. Why is this upsetting? Because that’s another missed opportunity to see my girl. But, I wrote her a letter and gave it to the cat to give to Lyra. It read:

Dearest Lyra,

 Though we have only spoken few words, your beauty continues to fuel me to be my best. It is my hopes that you will accept my invitation to meet, one on one, so that I may have the opportunity to secure our fate to be as one

With Love,

Argora

Hope she gets my letter!

This is what happened in town. I had to hear about. Some of the gang went back to the Stagnant Pool the meet with Lyra. While there, Zin saw a shimmering object out the window that led her to that floating cube Warren was always looking at. As it turns out, she discovered a new symbol. There was also a symbol the same as on my shield. What could it all mean?

This is what happened to those of us who stayed back. We were met by a cloaked figure. Turns out that Snuffy guy the bird was all crazy about was true. Perhaps I owe her an apology. Perhaps not. He claimed Lord Kane was quite a shady character. He’s the one behind all of division within town. He actually had something to do with Warren as well. Seems as though the dragonborn lost some of his memory and he wasn’t always dragonborn. He even had a wife and kids which Lord Kane had some influence over. Though he let me stay in his home, the way he treats people goes against everything I was taught. The bastard needs taught a lesson.

We met up the the folks that went into town and tried to piece it all together. It seems the new symbol Zin found represents Cyric the Trickster and my shield represents Pholtus, a god of light. Perhaps these two forces are at arms.

Most importantly…my letter was never delivered…