Amàrad 25-27, 653 DR. The band gathers and plans are made. The dreaming winds come in the pre-dawn hours, sweeping Ferveo into clutches of Daggon. An assassin’s task is interrupted. A victim of the dreams is found outside the door. The group removes to an inn. The band of twelve meets at the tavern and discusses strategy. Vorén observes strange behavior among the Nūð.

Continued from To Kill a Dragul.

Pador, 25 Amàrad 653 DR

The evening was interrupted by a knocking on the door. Vorén slipped out the back door, padded around the side of the house and met a robed woman holding an ornate staff watching him. She introduced herself as Llyàndara, priestess of Baláras and explained she and her companions were seeking the Wurmàri woman Silda. Zuroolly spoke with Narsk through the door before welcoming him inside. Inside, Narsk noticed the poor state of Ferveo and called for Llyàndara. The priestess entered after him, followed by Vorén. Approaching the nervous monk, she offered words of healing and his soreness and wounds went away. From there she was taken to Silda upon whom she laid the same blessings. The six spoke for sometime about the upcoming task before a third figure arrived, dressed in unseasonable plate armor. The third man introduced himself as Morgōmir of Sarat, and when he arrived the others grew quiet. Narsk took vigil at the front door, half-listening to the conversation inside, but concentrating on the street life. Morgōmir explained the purpose of the mission but the conversation soon devolved into an argument with Ferveo over what constitutes lawfulness, and the value of supporting law that does not benefit the common good. Morgōmir’s explanation of the mission had centered on the fact that the Dágul are evil and that since Dekàli society centered around the worship (and possible rule) of or by dragons, that obeying the laws of this land was to abide corruption and evil. Silda repeated again and again that they were not qualified for the task at hand, but the paladin insisted that her training in Wurm would be invaluable to the task.

During the debate, Narsk strode from the doorway pulling his sword as he crossed the street. As others rushed to see what was transpiring, a short scream came from outside. Looking from the doorway they saw Narsk returning, and behind him a man’s body laying crumpled near a wall in the evening shadows, blood pooling in the mud around him. Vorén circled around the crowd as Zuroolly went to inspect the fallen man. Zuroolly found a crescent dagger in the man’s dead hand, coated with an oil substance. A few gathered to see the dead man, but no one spoke in words above whispers. Life was often short for those who dealt in dark matters, and the curved knife had been testament to his purpose. Vorén left the scene for the riverside to watch the violet Nuth, and their night activities. Zuroolly and Ferveo convinced their visitors that they couldn’t leave a dead man outside, so Narsk left the door again and picked the body onto his shoulders. By the docks, Vorén watched as Narsk arrived at the waterside and threw the man’s body into the slow-moving black river. Where the body entered the water the water frothed and bubbled and then became calm.

Back at the house, Morgōmir stood and thanked Zuroolly for his hospitality. He told Silda to consider the offer further and said that more could be discussed when the remainder of their group arrived from across the Dreamlands in the next day or so. After the paladin left, Llyàndara took the time to shake everyone’s hand and thank them personally, before leaving behind her armored companion.

Berdor,26 Amàrad 653 DR

In the late hours of nightsdeep, Vorén stopped back by the temple of Nulopu and retrieved the last of a long exchange of notes with someone inside. The latest note read, “Old City fountain under the full moon”, three days away. Returning to Zuroolly’s residence Vorén noticed a fine dust blowing through the streets and hurried through the door and closed it behind him. The “dreaming winds” he explained had started. Zuroolly gathered some blankets to seal the front and rear doors, but at the sound of a scream outside Ferveo rushed forward and opened it. Though his mouth and nose were covered, Ferveo soon collapsed in the doorway and the fine dust billowed into the house. Zuroolly and Silda dragged the monk inside and closed the door. Ferveo was shaking and sweating and murmuring to himself as if in a bad dream. After some attempts to wake him they let him be. Hours passed.

Elsewhere, Ferveo dreamed of being chased, of hearing the screams of people he could not aid, and finally a large and awful silhouette rose above him that he knew to be the Dágul of which they were speaking. In a rumbling soul-quaking voice the creature called to him by name. Ferveo, compelled to look into the monster’s face saw only two eyes glaring down at him from the darkness. Within the eyes he saw ancient forgotten things, places old, and people, thousands of people looking back at him. Ferveo was filled with a terrible fear and his screaming grew and grew until he was awake, and back in Zuroolly’s home, laying on the floor, looking at the old ceiling above. His clothes were drenched with sweat and his arms and legs sore from his restless unexpected sleep.

Laying there, collecting himself, Ferveo became aware of knocking at the door. Zuroolly talked to a neighbor who explained that there was a woman outside the house. They had heard screaming and knocking at the door during the “dreaming winds” but had not answered. Opening the door they found the crumpled remains of a peasant woman, her back laid bare to the muscle and bone by two deep claw wounds. Another corpse. Zuroolly dragged the woman out back and dumped her into the cart for yet another trip back to the sinkhole. As they prepared to leave they heard the sound of bells outside and the creaking wooden wheels of a jar laden wagon. Looking down the street, some Pryr Sūdul were moving through the neighborhood accepting donations and listening to the confessions and revelations of those that had received experience from the winds. Two acolytes led the wagon as they walked swinging censers back and forth and filling the streets with a lazy bluish-green smoke.

The day continued with trips to the market, stocking up on wood and food for the next wind, disposal of the woman’s body, and another trip to collect more stone. While they were out and about, Silda answered the door and spoke briefly with a warrior-woman who introduced herself as Kilàra. The woman and Silda did not speak much before the woman left.

That evening the group moved to a nearby inn in the hopes that they could avoid the notice of the great number of people (and bodies) that seemed to be attracted to Zuroolly’s house. After securing rooms, they returned to the tavern where the Dragul-hunters were assembled. At the tavern they were greeted and introduced by Morgōmir to the other members of the band; Aljùrad of Caphar, an soldier of the Zin Vìrāel; Goom, a massive black warrior from the distant Fiery Isthmus; Kilàra glaive-wielder and dragon-slayer; Llyàndara, priestess of Baláras the Protector, daughter of the Dirímori temple; Narsk, warrior, veteran of many campaigns along the [eastern] Coast; Halágir Nōst, an old wizard who has traveled from western Vulmùra to the far eastern reaches of Lyrast; and finally Parrak, a master of stealth and opportunity. The group swiftly began discussing the issue at hand, the plan for attack of the Mound of Izzàradràagulð, the ancient Dragul of Jædð. Ferveo took a great interest in helping devise a plan after asking each member of the band about their various strengths and strongest attacks. Parrak reported on the intelligence he’d gathered looking about the Palace grounds, and even produced a map of the area indicating a path leading back to the Dágul mound. He explained that the mound was guarded by Jædðàri troops, and that there were fourteen doors leading into the mound, all seemingly protected with magical runes. He could report nothing on the interior, but assumed that entering and exiting was common for it was believed that the royals’ people fed the Dragul. Following some discussion, Vorén excused himself and left for the riverside.

Without an interior plan, it was difficult to plan an attack. It was decided however that three members of the band would lead the assault; Aljùrad, Kilàra, and Morgōmir. Llyàndara and Halágir would remain behind, offering support and healing to those in melee. Narsk and Parrak would work in concert to exploit the creature’s flanks; while Goom would smash the creature with all his might, looking specifically to disrupt any obvious spellcasting. Silda offered the idea that the people of her land approached Dragul with tower shields, to shield themselves from the creatures’ fiery breaths. Parrak claimed he could acquire some of those beforehand. Halágir offered a consideration toward the end of the meeting. He said that the powers of the magicians of Jædð might be connected to the Dragul. Furthermore he extrapolated, the magics of the region were oriented toward the Leðùra and illusory styles. He continued, following the supposition that Izzàradràagulð is a spell-user, it should be assumed that his spells are of the same nature. People grew silent for a moment. Ferveo asked if anyone could detect illusions, but no-one answered. Finally, Halágir offered that he could dismiss illusions if they were found. On this note, the meeting broke. Morgōmir told his band to rest, for the time was nearly upon them. It was his desire to strike sooner than later, for the longer they waited the more chance that their alliance would be uncovered.

Virínor,27 Amàrad 653 DR

In the nightsdeep, the bored but watchful Vorén noticed some Nūð activity. Within a small group, one of the silent people was clasping the shoulders of his fellows, a simple but emotional display he had yet to see among them. Afterward, the Nūð turned and strode into the city. Onto his feet, Vorén followed the briskly walking Nūð as best he could through the empty early morning streets. Soon the Nūð stepped into the marsh, and beyond that into the jungles, disappearing into the heavy undergrowth. Something had finally happened, but what?

Continued in The Mound of Izzàradràgulð.

• Ferveo Cælestis
• Talôr Dal-Vorenen
• Silda of Wurm
• Zuroolly Hicubaba
• Aljùrad Dàrjani of Caphar (Blood Master, Zin Vìrāel)
• Goom (Warrior)
• Izzàradràgulð (Dragul of Jædð)
• Kilàra (Dragul-slayer)
• Llyàndra (Priestess of Baláras)
• Morgōmir (Paladin)
• Narsk (Warrior)
• Halágir Nōst (Wizard)
• Parrak (Rogue)

Played: 02 Mar 2001