[Admin from Phaedra Whitlock: This compendium was the work of Von Sleigher who plays in this thread.] Black Dragon Attacts at the Inn.. Cassander turned from the doorway on hearing that Sier could not leave the Inn because of something that was hunting him. The Loremaster was eager to help so noble a creature as a unicorn. Before he turned completely away from the door, a woman in a hooded cloack walked in, smiling at him as she passed. She also seemed taken with Sier. Across the room, Minyrrah had become enraptured with the metallic and discordant harmonies being played by the strange bard Boingo. As his gaze swept the room, Cassander noticed that his friend, Matzsu, had returned. He was trying to decide what to do first, answer Sier, address the woman, or call to Matzsu, when the decision was taken out of his hands. A sudden gust of foul wind drove Cassander forward to his knees. The other patrons of the inn near the door were buffeted about, and a woman screamed. Cassander pivoted on his knee, and beheld a nightmare vision. Sticking its head in the doorway of the inn was a massive black dragon, and the flurring beat of his wings was wreaking havoc inside the inn. Across the room, Boingo Elfman stopped playing as the commotion began. Others around him were panicing, but the look on Boingo's face was one of irritation. "Hey, Lizard Breath," he shouted at the dragon, "this is a one man show I'm doing, no crashers." Pointing the neck of his magical guitar at the dragon, he laid down a barrage of ear-splitting licks that eminated in waves from the end of his instrument, striking the dragon full in the face with physical force of a giant sonic fist. As the dragon staggered back a few steps from the inn, momentarily dazed by Boingo's magical music attack, Cassander shouted, "Matzsu, time to fight," and leapt through the door, drawing his Fhae sword as he went. Taking advantage of the dragon's momentary disoreintation, Cassander went to his knees and placed his hand to the ground, searching for the ley lines of primal Fhae energy -- raw primordial power that had not coalesced into the sentient form of the Fhae Kin but remainded a part of the land, sleeping until the right manipulation of forces would awake. Cassander was a master of those forces. He located a major node, a nexus of interconnecting ley lines right under the Dragon's Inn!! Drawing in as much raw energy as his body could withstand, Cassander turned to face the dragon, which had shaken off the effects of Boingo's attack and had turned his enraged gaze on Cassander, who stood between him and the inn, glowing with the power of Fhae energies coarsing through this body, and poised with sword on hand to begin the lethal dance that was combat. INSIDE THE INN Minyrrah's mind was reeling from the surge of raw Fhae power she felt through her link to Cassander as the Loremaster drew in the energy from the leyline nexus under the Dragon's Inn. Dodging under tables, she morphed into her normal form. The next everyone's eyes were rivoted to the door and the altercation transpiring between Cassander and the dragon outside. Minyrrah flew up the chimney and out over the top of the inn to get a good aerial view of the battle. ############################################################### Boingo was feeling bummed, having lost his audience, to a dragon of all things!! Didn't these people see dragons all the time? How often could they listen to a rock concert? "Well, the old man out there is probably dragon meat," he said to himself. Then he started playing again: "Don't you ever wonder why Nothing ever seems to change? If it does its for the worse Seems its just a modern curse." ################################################################# OUTSIDE THE INN The dragon glared down at the puny, insignificant insect of a human who dared to block him from his mission and his prey. Removing this interloper should prove no problem at all, even if he was glowing with some kind of a nimbus, it could surely not withstand the dragon's superior magic. Rearing to his full height, the dragon drew in a deep breath, then bending foward, he shot forth a billowing stream of ebony smoke that rolled over the uniformed human, totally enveloping him in a cloud of acid and poison. The dragon waited for the smoke to dissipate so he could eat the seared flesh and bones of this miscreant before pursuing his mission. But as the cloud fell away, he was astounded to see the human still upright and unharmed, balanced on one knee his left arm upraised a field of energy shimmering around him like a magenta shield. For the first time, the dragon realized that this opponent may prove more difficult than the ordinary human nusance. ##################################################################### Though driven to one knee by the force of the blow, Cassander's Fhae shield withstood the onslaught of the dragon's breath. Unfortunately, it also used up over half the energy he had recently siphoned from the ley lines. He had spent enough raw Fhae on defensive purposes, he would have to save the rest for the offense. **Sweetheart, I could use a little help right now** he sent to Minyrrah, **A distraction or something.** **One dragon distraction coming up** the Fhaeling chimed as she soared out of the chimney and deliberately flew across the dragon's line of vision. "Weeeeeeeeeeeeee" she sang, and stuck out her tongue as she passed in front of the dragon's eyes. The dragon turned his head from Cassander and raised a claw to deal with the insolent Fhaeling. Though agile and adept for his size, he still had no chance of catching the diminutive Minyrrah as she performed a stomach-renching series of loops and weaves, easily dodging the strike of the massive dragon claw, and staying in the dragon's face as much as possible. Cassander took advantage of Minyrrah's distraction. With both hands on the hilt of his Fhae sword, he charged the dragon, summoning to mind the arcane symbols that would channel the raw Fhae power through the sword. He saw the ancient runes as burning characters in the forefront of his mind, and they melted and ran like liquid fire, coarsing through his veins on waves of blood and tranferring through his hands to flow down his sword. His blade struck a searing gash across the lower part of the dragon's chest. He kept the connection going as long as possible, pumping the Fhae energy into the dragon like molten poison. #################################################################### The dragon screamed. Never had he known the kind of pain he was feeling. It kept growing inside him, expanding as it ran along his bones and through his brain. Insane with the pain, he jerked away from the Fhaeling and lashed out at Cassander, clipping the Loremaster with his razor claws. Cassander was hurled through the air to slam against the wall of the Dragon's Inn. As he lay there dazed and bleeding, the dragon reached for him again, as if by slaying the Loremaster he could stop the terrible pain growing inside him. Minyrrah screamed, "Help, in the inn, help!!!!" Betlazar as he walks down the road hears a loud scream. What type of animal makes a noise that will cause the trees to shake? A big one he hears himself say. Betlazar is from a nomadic tribe that live in the wasteland of burning sands. He is the second son of the Master Travor, the ruler92s chief advisor. Being the second son, Betlazar had nothing to look forward to in the clan. His brother would be the next advisor and unless something happened Betlazar would just be a second son. With this thought in mind, Betlazar in the night left the clan and set off traveling. Upon hearing the scream again, Betlazar quicken his pace. It was then he saw the beast.. What in the world is that thing? He asked himself. He had heard rumors all his life of large monsters that could fly and eat a person in one bite, but he never thought they were true. He searched his mind for the word that meant Evil Power in his clan and then it came to him D R A G O N.... He put on his cloak and stung his bow just in case it was needed. As he walked closer to the Inn he could see that the Dragon was fighting someone. The Red Dragon Inn was on a sign over the building. Betlazar thought that the Inn was named well if Dragons were common in the area and if they were, the old stories that he heard as a child might be true after all. Being new in the area and not knowing the laws, Betlazar deceided it was best if he got as close as he could to see if he could help in someway. With that in mind Betlazar made is his way to the Inn. Oh Thrice Blasted meatgrass and thistles, Seir thought to himself. Well if this means my death or the loss of my mind to the one out there stalking me at least I will die a noble death, one correct of my birth right. And he ran out side and leaped through the air as only a unicorn can with a battle cry htat is second only to a dragons. He hit the dragon straight through his breast bone and then wrenched himself away and ran for the semi cover of the inn hoping htat he had suceeded in the attempt. On the way he skidded to a stop near the fallen loremaster and quickly laid his horn on the wound thinking of the wound healing. Tehn he ran back inside, but just as he reached the door he felt a wrencjhing pain sear through his mind. The Demon!!! "Have to get inside. Help for the love of Night. Help!!!!" Suddenly Arion, comfortable in his drink, reels from an immence burst of pain. Agony explodes across his mind, shredding conciousness in seconds. Convulsions rack his body, tipping the table over and spilling drinks across the floor. Those who were sharing his table can see that he does not appear to be breathing anymore, and lies sprawled across the wreckage of what used to be the table. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- "Is this disturbance anything to do with someone here? If not it might be wise to see what it is before any damage is caused.." From S'ral The sword on Fleiges side shook a bit and hummed when S'ral spoke then was silent. Just then the dragons head entered the Inn and as it did Boingo attacked forcing the dragons head outside. "I believe that that is our answer" Fleige said referring to the part about "what it is". ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From dsmacwrld@aol.com or...Aarack Fazaar: Suddenly you notice a birdman standing over you....he stands about 5-ft tall with white and blue plumage cresting to a deep green on top. "It's been said" Fleige smiled glad to see another birdman "that birds of a feather flock together. Perhaps we can fight together as well? Hmm?" Fleige said turning around to both S'ral and Aarack. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Azuria turned from the bartender after hearing the incredible commotion going on outside... She slowly went to the door when suddenly a high voice was screaming for help. Azuria bolted out of the door and saw Cassander lying on the floor covered in blood. The dragon was overhead and preparing for the killing strike. (Only a black?!) Azuria thought... She dashed to Cassander's side and made a few arcane gestures. The dragon's claws came streaming down and at the last second were turned away by an invisible wall of energy! The dragon fought off the pain from Cassander's strike and got some sense to study the new person who had come to aid the puny human... Although she looked human... His eyes widened... Draco SHE'S A DRAGON! the black dragon thought! This wasn't going to be as easy as he thought it was going to be. _______________________ Azuria gently lifted Cassander's limp body and reached into the pouch at her side. She went impossibly deep into it and retrieve a metal flask. She opened it with her teeth and forced Cassander to swallow it. (That should help...) she thought... She saw the blood flow slow to a trickle and new her potion was working, but her shield would only last so long... (Hurry...Hurry...) she thought... The black dragon was quickly clawing his way through her shield and it would fail any second! As he got closer to the Inn, he saw the door fly open. Out of the door came a lady he thought. With a wave of her hand the dragon was unable to get to her and the man she was helping. Betlazar then knew he was in a very strange but wonderful place. As the dragon fought against Azuria's shield, Beltlazar prepared to make a dash to the Inn. He prepared his arrows. Selecting the diamond edge tips, he set and fired. He then began his run for the Inn. The dragon never saw the arrows coming but it felt the one that slipped between its scales and buried itself in its side. With a loud scream of pain the dragon stopped the assault on Azuria's shield. The dragon then turned to see where his new victim was. Spotting another human made the dragon furious. Who do these humans think they are? I guess now it will be two humans for a snack and a dragon for lunch. With hate in his eyes the black dragon turned towards Betlazar.09 Betlazar running for the Inn saw the dragon turn his direction. "I think I picked a bad time to visit." with that he continued his mad dash for what he hoped was safety. 
 "Why do these portals always take so long?",Matzsu cursed under
his

breath.  He never knew exactly how much time passed inside one.  Moments
ago a giant animal not unlike the lizard morph of a Sanveratu attacked
the patrons of the Inn.  The musician attacked it and dazed it for a
moment.  Cassander, his new companion, had called to Matzsu and lept
into battle.  

Matzsu knew he might not make it in the confusion to the crowded battle
in time.  So he had decided to port.  A decision he was coming to
regret.  He he was just out of the port.  Cassander on the ground.  A
curious creature linked to the Loremaster in a way Matzsu did not quite
understand screaming for help.  The unicorn/man fleeing the creature.
Well he wanted to wear the dark cloak.  He wanted to be a member of the
order and he had a duty to do.  He quickly extended both claws and
yelled "Come for me Foul beast and know that you have felled a friend of
Matzsu and that you face one who wears the dark cloak." The dragon
turned and stared at Matzsu.  "I know what you wear little bug", replied
the dragon in Matzsu's native tongue (much to his surprise), "and why
you wear it.  Long ago I felled a disciple of the order.  He was a
priest of the order of Yom Chi.  Come with your power and learn why I am
feared." The dragon reared back and spit another cloud of gas.

************************************************************  Matzsu saw
the cloud coming and dropped to one knee, rolled over twice, and sprang
past the dragon swing his claw and opening an intersecting wound drawing
more blood from Cassanders playmate.

The dragon emitted a loud roar from deep within itself.  Two humans had
spilled its precious blood.  Humans were usually such easy tartets and
he was magically endowed by a great wizard;  two advantages which should
have served him better than this.  He would just have to show this
insect what a dragon could really do.

*********************************************************** Matzsu saw
the pain reflected in the monster's eyes and heard its screams of pain
and anger.  He quickly bent the light around him and masked his scent
and tracks.  He smiled at the monster's silence and seeming confusion.
This monster had a strong aura ofpower protecting it.  This was why
niether Cassander's strike nor his own, both of which carried great,
though different, spiritual energies, were fatal.  Matzsu phased himself
into sync with the monster's chi lines and grasped them.  He clenched
his teeth in concentration and traced the lines into the soul of the
monster to the heart of its chi.  He plucked the monsters chi strings
like a master harpsman giving a concert and to no avial.  He could not
seem to get at the chi center.  This chi was composed of, what had the
goddess called it, magic.  The whole animal was composed of this magic.
Unfortunately that made the animal's chi thick but less like the
spiderweb chi Matzsu was used to and more like maple syrup.  Matzsu had
not had much practice with totally magical creatures and was not adept
at magic himself so he continued to struggle with the monster's chi.


*************************************************************************
The dragon reeled in pain.  The dark cloak had begun to manipulate his
chi.  The disciple was not yet a chi master and was struggling with the
magical properties of his chi lines.  The dragon could not percieve the
dark cloak, they could become impercieveable at will, but he could feel
the manipulation of his chi.  Since he was magical in nature he reached
out with his chi lines and tried to entangle the dark cloak.  The dark
cloak mantained enough control to elude the attack but sacraficed his
camuflage and materialized befor the dragon.  The dragon, as was the
option and ability of magical creatures, became one with his chi until
the union was so complete his soul and chi were one with his body.  The
dragon now had all his strength and magic channeled into his chi and at
his disposal.  This gave him a milky white hue and a dose of self
confidence to add to his bad attitude.


**************************************************************************
Matzsu was tired after his fruitless attempt to gain control of the
monster's chi and was disheartened to have to drop his invisibility to
the senses to maintain his hold at all.  He saw, though he had heard in
the temple it could be done he had not believed, the monster convert
itself totally into the chi and channel all its strength and power into
itself.  Only a true chi master could defeat such a being.  He left
before he was given that title.  Did he deserve it?  He thought so then
but facing the monster he began to wonder.  He gazed at his newfound
friend Cassander and doged the dragons attempt to entangle him.  He
anchored his chi partly in Cassander's.  Hopefully if the monster proved
to much for him that anchor would preserve his soul and sanity.  That
done he walked into the center of the beast and merged with the chi
disappering to all onlookers.


*************************************************************************
Iniside the chi

 `Welcome dark cloak have you prepared yourself for the fight?`

 'Hello monster.  I have entered the chi to defeat you for
  what you have done.  You have felled my friend and assaulted
  me.  For that I shall show you the power of a chi master.'

 `You are no chi master dark cloak`

  'Enough talk'

Matzsu channled his chi into his blades and squared off with the monster
who deftly sidestepped each of his valiant blows.  With a laugh more
horrendous than any Matzsu had heard the dragon declared "You are a
dance master to be sure but your own battle skills have undone you." and
as Matzsu lunged the monster sidestepped yet again and sent forth a
stream of magical fire raining upon Matzsu who reeled in pain.  Ice
followed fire freezing open the burning wounded flesh of Matzsu's mind.
His autonomic nervous system kept his heart pumping but Matzsu was
paralyzed in pain.  The dragon laughed again and smiled.  Now the insect
could understand pain.  Now the insect was paying for his interference.
When this deed was done he still had a sword to find and a victim to
claim so the dance had best be done.  The dragon sealed the link of chis
with his death spell.  Matzsu felt himself solidifying and returning to
motion.  A spell that should have killed him had flowed through him.
The anchor!  Cassander!  This battle had to end or Cassander's

life would.  There was only one choice.  Matzsu worked his way to the
center of the monsters chi despite the monsters best efforts to stop
him.  Through webs of chi that stimulated his pain receptors, through
burning forests of fire, through blizzards of ice shards tearing his
flesh and when he reached the inner altar.  He drove both blades into
the quivering pink flesh and channeled all his chi into it.  The dragon
wailed in pain as never before and evaporated into a mist of blackness
around Matzsu.  He stood in the center of where the dragon had been
facing Cassander's unconcious form.  He turned to see the dragon/mist
floating away and evoked the hidden phrases that could bind the power
before it was lost.  I am a Chi master true.  I bested thee with honor.
Bind me to thy power Bind it to my will.  JipJong!  Bandung Ryook!  Ho
Hup!  Kyung Hyung!  Sok Do!  The dragon/mist swirled into a tornado of
sorts and phased into Matzsu's head and disappeared.  The dragon was no
more.  Matzsu turned to see Cassander very much awake with his eyes wide
and a questioning look on his face.  He had apparently been awake long
enough to see some of the spectacle of the confrontation Matzsu had had
with the dragon.  "Come Cassander", Matzsu said as he helped Cassander
to his feet and channelled enough healing chi into him to allow him
freedom of movement,"Come and let me buy you a drink.  Ask me your
questions and I'll ask mine and we can both learn something." 


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"Good show my friend!" Azuria called out to the cloaked man as he rolled
past the dragon.

(Now I can at least get this guy out of danger) she thought.

Azuria easily lifted Cassander into the air with a strength that seemed
virtually impossible to have come from her frail looking body.

She quickly carried him into the inn, while the dragon was distracted,
by the other stranger.

"Master Innkeeper!" she shouted...  "The juice will have to wait...  I
need a place to put this injured man right away!"



**I feel like I'm having a "morning after" without the benefits of a
night before** Cassander groaned to himself.

He was sitting at a table with his new friends in the aftermath of the
dragon attack.  Minyrrah, in ferret form, glided up his leg and curled
up in his lap.  Looking up, she sent:

**Too much, you took on too much.  Some day you will burn yourself up
channeling that much raw Fhae** her voice was laced with concern and
void of her usual fond jibings.

**Peace, Minyrrah** Cassander reassured her, **I know my limits**
Minyrrah huffed at him mentally, not at all convinced.  According to her
obeservations, human males rarely acknowledged their limits and often
let pride drive them past the point sane beings should go.

Cassander looked up at the group surrounding the table and smiled
weakly,

"I thank you all my friends, for your timely assistance.  It is a
comfort and a boon to find beings of good will on this world.  I am in
your debt."

He winced internally, for the phrase meant much more to him than a
casual acknowledgment.  He was a mercenary Loremaster, honor bound to
repay such favors as these folks had granted him.  And his gratitude was
deep, but he longed to be free of obligation.  First he had a debt to
the Goddess Inanna, and now to these people.  

**Friends help friends because they're friends** Minyrrah sent him,
**Not out of obligation**

**A Loremaster pays his debts** Cassander recited the Credo of Lore at
her.  

     > Matzsu was the first to speak.  "We have had a
     >small struggle.  Cassander wounded the dragon.  Seir saved
Cassander after
     >the dragon wounded him.  Azuria did his part.  I finished the
dragon.
  As I
     >defeated the dragon we battled with our chi and when the dance was
done I
     >absorbed what remained of his chi.  The long term affects I cannot
say.  I
     >have never before delt with a magical creature.  I did however
glean some of
     >its mind.  It was created by a powerful wizard.  The target was
another that
     >has a sword the wizard wants.  We can now be certain that that
wizard
 will
     >surely move against us in the future.  He will surely view the
slaying of
     >dragon as an insult and retaliate.  Cassander has a demon against
him.  Nay
     >deny it not Cassander for the goddess enlightened me much.  Few
are the
     >fools who trifle with a goddess and live but she and I have
learned much
     >from each other and besides", Matzsu smiled as he finished," I
think she
     >likes me.



Azuria shifted uncomfortably in her chair...

Being refered to as "him" all the time was starting to annoy her...

(Perhaps in the battle I accidently shifted my form...) she thought to
herself...

She looked down the front of her dress...  "Nope!  Still got 'em..."





"A demon against me?" Cassander queried.  "Not that I'm aware of.  I
have had more battles with the devil Fhae Kin than their chaotic
cousins.  The only Power I can think of with a bone to pick with me is
bound by Lore Bond not to harm me after I defeated him in a dual
arcane."

**Things aren't always what they seem** Minyrrah sent cryptically.





     >Matzsu:  Further Seir, you seem to be on a quest as well and you
have

     >your reasons no doubt.  A song wasn't it?  A madness as well
correct?
  It
     >seems gentlemen that each of us on his own quest would forge ahead
with
     >great difficulty and could use the help of some allies.  Truly you
all must
     >feel the same as you have all journyed here.  The dragons Inn is a
place for
     >allies.  My proposal is this.  We band together and set out to
right the
     >wrongs the demon has done and help Cassander find his ultimate
confrontation
     >with his demon.  As we do so we can search for clues to Seir's
predicament
     >(once he tells us more about it) and hopefully find both his song
and
 an
     >end to his fits of madness.  As for Azuria, well you must
enlighten us all
     >as to what your aims will be in this venture.

"Me?...  ah..."



     >Before you agree let me tell
     >you all of my life and who I am.  I am a dark cloak.  Only the
greatest of
     >warriors on my world are allowed to wear the dark cloak.  It is a
rank
     >awarded in the circle of the five temples.  There is one temple
for every
     >virtue and the styles and practices and mental disciplines of all
five
     >must be mastered as well as other standards to be awarded the dark
cloak.
     >I wear the cloak with pride.  The five orders are Ye Ui, Yom Chi,
In Nae,
     >Guk Gi, Backjool Bagul.  To translate Courtesy, integrity,
preserverence,
     >self control, and indomitable spirit.  I was without equal on my
world and
     >when it came time to be awarded a weapon I was awarded my two
pairs of
     >forearm chigi." Matzsu extends the twin blades from each forearm
and allows
     >everyone a good look at them.  They extend about seven inches and
are
 jagged
     >on the cutting edge.  The metal is unlike anything seen on
ifreann.  Matzsu
     >smiles, retracts the claws, and continues, " I was without
parallel.  
 The
     >members of the high council of set wanted me to preform
assasinations
 on key
     >political enemies.  When I refused they kidnapped my wife who was
large with
     >child at the time.  When I had completed my fifth mission
successfully I
     >returned to find the council gone and my wife and unborn child
murdered
     >brutally.  I vowed vengence and killed all the high council except
set
     >himself.  He is a demon of great power.  He Manipulated a portal I
created
     >to find him and I ended up on this world.  It is not within my
power to
     >return to my relm.  I have no life there now anyway.  I am still
of a

     >disciple of the order of truth and it is my sworn duty to help
those in
     >need.  Set will be mine someday, but in the meantime it is within
the

     >snake demon's power to send minions after us.  They are formidable
     >foes but have their weaknesses.  They are usually the snakemen
that
     >follow set but can also be strong mages.  Keep this in mind when
seeking
     >to join me.  It has kept close companions from following me long.
Set
     >cares only for me but will destroy everything in his path.  So my
friends
     >tell me can we form a group and undertake our quests?  I think
so." Matzsu
     >drains the last of his ale and looks around.



"Set," Cassander spat the name as if it was the most vile swear word,
"That's a major, major Power among the Fhae Princes."

He looked at Matzsu meaningfully.

"No wonder Inanna is interested in you.  In her manifestation as Isis,
Set is her archenemy, who slew her husband Osirus.  At least, if its the
same Set I know of -- a great Prince among the Devil Fhae."

On Cassander's lap, Minyrrah lifted her head:

**Set?** she sent, then laid her head down on her forepaws like a
forlorn dog **Shxt**

"It gives me great sorrow to hear of the loss of your family," Cassander
told Matzsu in empathy.  "As a mercenary, I have learned to eschew such
ties, for they are too easy for an enemy to manipulate.  A merc's family
is his unit.  I hope you will consider us your friends, though we can
never take the place of those you have lost.  Let us drink to their
remembrence, May their souls find rest."

Cassander lifted his class in the mercenary salute to the fallen.

"Matzsu, you remind me of a former associate, a friend named Phoenix.
He was a monk of the Order of Maat, the way of balance.   Do you
consider yourself a monk?"



  " I am a dark cloak", Matzsu stated genlty.  "I am not aware what a
monk is but I am not a priest.  I was a teacher to the priests of each
of the five temples.  I was offered grand priesthood in any temple of my
chosing but I was granted the higher path before I could reply.  The
high council made me the

High priest of the land.  I was for a time the spiritual and Martial
leader of all the five temples and was a powerful figure among the
council.  Jealousy of my position played into my wife's kidnapping."

"Cassander Set is indeed a major player.  I knew Osiris and once bested
him
 in battle.  I am powerful but he was more so and in a rematch proved my
better.
  Setis a demon nemesis of mine since before his high council could not
handle power I wielded both within my own temples' high council and on
the battlefield.Set is a formidable opponent.  One I could not best in
my youth.  I WILL f him again and best him then.  The godess is
willing to help me I think for

slightly more than just the loss of her husband who was also a friend of
mine" Matzsu declared as he laughed outloud.

"Azuria I think you had better enlighten us all for we all know very
little

about you and I'm sure we all would love a more intimate knowledge of
you"

Matzsu declared with a similar smile.  Those at the table seemed to
detect a gleam from behind the crimson bubbles covering his eyes but
could not be

sure.

"Thank you Cassander for the toast.  My family is gone and with it my
passive nature and instead I find loneliness.  Good friends are indeed a
comfortThank you" Matzsu raises his glass and ends with, "To good
friends and
 goo battles and to Azuria and Seir two friends who I still know little
about."



After Matzsu's reply, Cassander turned to his other companions,

"Sier, Azuria, I am likewise in your debt.  Tell me how I may be of
service to you."



"Oh, I don't know, " Azuria stated demurely, while batting her long
black eyelashes and stroking her pointy chin with a dainty hand...

"I will think of something..."





As Betlazar was running toward the inn for safety, he notices that the
Dragon was no longer was interested in him.  The dragon seem to be
fighting an invisible opponent.  Betlazar slowed his pace but kept
heading for the Inn.



As he reached the Inn he now noticed a man confronting the dragon and
then

the dragon was gone.

As he stood there with his mouth open, gaping at the now empty space, he
saw his arrows lying on the ground were once the dragon stood.  After
retrieving the tip, since the collision with the dragon left the
shafts broken , he headed for the Inn.

Betlazar had never been in a building before.  The closest thing in his
land
 was a sand cave were they gathered stones for trading.  As he open the
door the smells of the food, drinks and people burned his senses.
Shaking his head Betlazar cleared his senses and walked through the
door.  

>From behind the Bar the bar tender points a Betlazar, "Hey, close the
door.  We are trying to keep these people in here." As the room fills
with laughter, Betlazar does not quite understand why people would
want to say in a closed building.  

After going back to close the door, he starts looking for the man who
was fighting the dragon.  Betlazar as he looks around finally see the
man and the group of people who
 helped.  Upon reaching their table he asked if he can join
them.........


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Cassander smiled at the beautiful woman, thinking to himself that raven
black hair had always been his favorite color for women.

"Not lord, actually, just a merc -- a sellsword.  And my present
assignment, it seems, is with Matzsu." He smiled at Matzsu.

"Not that it looks like he needs much help, with his extraordinary
powers." He finished.

**Wrestled with a god?** he thought, recalling Matzsu's tale that he had
wrestled with and OVERCOME Osirus.  **Must have an ego the size of a
barn.**

**Takes one to know one** Minyrrah chimed in his mind.

**Love and kisses** Cassander sent sarcastically.

**Bites and bruises** she answered sweetly.

Cassander noticed that everyone had apparently told his or her story, at
least for the moment.  He also noted his empty glass.  Rising, he said,

"If you good folks would excuse me for a moment, I'll be back."
###########################################################################
############ #### SIDE STORIE
######################################################################

Admin:  for what ensues, please read the post "Inn:  Jack Ferncap
Rescue?"




***************************************************************************
***************

A commotion ensued outside the Inn.  The ragtag trader glanced around
curiously as the sounds of battle came through the open doorway.  He
began to stash his wares away in the myriad bags and pouches he had
brought.

As his hand alighted on the jar containing the little faerie, something
stopped him.  He looked up into the cool eyes of a remarkable
stranger.

[If someone - or more than one person - wants to take the bait, do it
now.  
 Bargain, wager, lie, shatter the jar, conduct unfinished personal
business with the trader, whatever.  Have a field day.  So long as the
jar is broken open.]

In a flurry of glittering lights, the tiny figure of Jack Ferncap rose
into
 the air.  The trader's eyes widened in surprise.  The faerie hovered
before him angrily, beating butterfly wings.

"A curse be on you, Jamie Morrovain.  For seven years your food shall
turn to dung in your mouth.  Your wares shall turn to dry leaves as
you sell them.  A duke of faerie has said so." The merchant opened his
mouth to speak, and found himself voicing the bray of a donkey.
Horrified, he dashed from the Inn.

The fay turned to his rescuer(s).  "Your aid will not be forgotten.  The
blessings of the Seelie Court are upon you.  If ever you are in need,
you may call me by repeating three times, Tree Sap, Corpse Wrap, Come
Good Jack Ferncap.  But you must never thank me for any good I do you,
or ask me for a particular service." So saying, he turned three times
in the air and vanished.

-------------------------------------------------------------



Minyrrah was sitting on Cassander's lap, growing bored with the ongoing
conversation.  It was not that she was rude or indifferent, it was just
her nature to have a short attention span.

She looked out from under the table to see if that faerie from the
Seelie Court was still at the bar trapped in a jar.  Being a denizen of
the rival Unseelie Court, Minyrrah found Jack Ferncap's predicament
amusing.

**Might teach the goodie two-shoes faeries a lesson in humility** she
thought.

**What's that?** Cassander sent.

With relish, Minyrrah filled him in on Jack's situation.

Cassander pondered the issue.  As a Loremaster, he was highly interested
in all of the Fhae Kin.  He didn't like to think of one of the
free-spirited Seelie Court Fhaelings being pinned up, unable to fly
free.

Cassander excused himself from his friends at the tabele, promising to
return once he procured an ale from the bar.

As he walked up behind the man at the bar, Cassander drew his Fhae sword
non-threateningly, as if to inspect it after the battle outside.  He
didn't want anyone in the inn to misinterpret his move as hostile.

Reaching over gently, he tapped the jar with his Fhae sword, sending a
supple flow of energy through the blade to shatter the jar.

>In a flurry of glittering lights, the tiny figure of Jack Ferncap rose
into the air.  The >trader's eyes widened in surprise.  The faerie
hovered before him angrily,
 beating >butterfly wings.

>"A curse be on you, Jamie Morrovain.  For seven years your food shall
turn
 to dung in >your mouth.  Your wares shall turn to dry leaves as you
sell them.  A duke
 of faerie has >said so." >The merchant opened his mouth to speak, and
found himself voicing the bray
 of a >donkey.  Horrified, he dashed from the Inn.

>The fay turned to his rescuer(s).  "Your aid will not be forgotten.
The blessings of the >Seelie Court are upon you.  If ever you are in
need, you may call me by repeating three >times, Tree Sap, Corpse
Wrap, Come Good Jack Ferncap.  But you must never thank me >for any
good I do you, or ask me for a particular service." So saying, he
 turned three >times in the air and vanished.

**Hey, whose side are you on anyway?!** Minyrrah sent Cassander.

**Relax, just doing my job as a Loremaster** Cassander replied.  Oberon
will owe me one now.**
###########################################################################
##################### ####### END SIDE STORY
####################################################
#####################



  " I am a dark cloak", Matzsu stated genlty.  "I am not aware what a
monk is but I am not a priest.  I was a teacher to the priests of each
of the five temples.  I was offered grand priesthood in any temple of my
chosing but I was granted the higher path before I could reply.  The
high council made me the

High priest of the land.  I was for a time the spiritual and Martial
leader of all the five temples and was a powerful figure among the
council.  Jealousy of my position played into my wife's kidnapping."

"Cassander Set is indeed a major player.  I knew Osiris and once bested
him
 in battle.  I am powerful but he was more so and in a rematch proved my
better.

Setis a demon nemesis of mine since before his high council could not
handle power I wielded both within my own temples' high council and on
the battlefield.  Set is a formidable opponent.  One I could not best
in my youth.  I WILL fight him again and best him then.  The godess is
willing to help me I think for

slightly more than just the loss of her husband who was also a friend of
mine" Matzsu declared as he laughed outloud.

"Azuria I think you had better enlighten us all for we all know very
little

about you and I'm sure we all would love a more intimate knowledge of
you"

Matzsu declared with a similar smile.  Those at the table seemed to
detect a gleam from behind the crimson bubbles covering his eyes but
could not be

sure.

"Thank you Cassander for the toast.  My family is gone and with it my
passive nature and instead I find loneliness.  Good friends are indeed a
comfort Thank you" Matzsu raises his glass and ends with, "To good
friends and good battles and to Azuria and Seir two friends who I still
know little about."



{Well, I don't know how I got in from outside, but boy does my head
hurt.

I can feel just a little more of my sanity missing from me.  If this
goes on I won't have much more left.  Oh if only I could find that
song.}Seir thought to himself.  Then he realized that Matzsu was
addressing him and came out of his inner mind to listen.

:  Further Seir, you seem to be on a quest as well and you have :  your
reasons no doubt.  A song wasn't it?  A madness as well correct?  It

:  seems gentlemen that each of us on his own quest would forge ahead
with

:  great difficulty and could use the help of some allies.  Truly you
all must :  feel the same as you have all journyed here.  The dragons
Inn is a place for :  allies.  My proposal is this.  We band together
and set out to right the

:  wrongs the demon has done and help Cassander find his ultimate
confrontation :  with his demon.  As we do so we can search for clues
to Seir's predicament :  (once he tells us more about it) and
hopefully find both his song and an :  end to his fits of madness.  (and
more stuff)

{I wish I was able to toast, The problems of this form, sigh.} Seir
thought sadly.

        "I wish you condolances on your loss and green pastures in your
future." Seir said gravely and then continued, "Well, Friends, I hope I
am allowed this word with you, I know nothing of this Set you speak of.
Honestly I am not even sure what this word "GOD" you use is, but I am
interested in helping as I can as well as being helped.  I shall tell yo
of my reasons for being here, if you will grant me the time.  I was
raised among my people, May their pastures remain forever green, and in
time became Herd Stallion, eventhough I had the recessive 'were' gene.
My other atributes made up for this shortcoming.  The time of my rule
was a prosperous one, but one Moon time (unicorns tend towards the
nocturnal side) I had a vision.  It was of hte future of the herd.  I
saw all of my foals decimated by a force they could not see, much the
less fight.  It robbed them of their minds.  The next day I heard the
song for the first time.  I tried to ignore it for who wishes to leave
the saftey of the herd, but as Herd Stallion I had to look over the
welfare of the herd and after a day I gave up resistance and followed
the song.  I Knew if I left the foals would grow strong for the force
would follow me.  I don't know why, but I am its target.  I bade
farewell to the herd and named my sucessor.  That was long ago I have
lost track of the traveling I have done.  I travel in human form in day
for I have no choice, That is my sun form and this form is for night.
My beloved night I must now hide from in fear of the demon, for I have
no other word for its evil.  Each noght that I am away from other beings
it taunts me and chases me, like a mouse.  I saps all of the power of
sanity I have.  I fear soon I will be left with nothing.  Well, this is
my story, take what you will.  If you still wish me in your band I will
join gladly." 


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        Wraith watched Azuria carefully.  Meeting a dragon would almost
make coming into town worthwhile.  And there were several other
non-humans in the Inn, not the least of which was a Fhaeling.  'I may
need help later, and a dragon...' Wraith thought.  The only problem was
her current companions.  There were altogether too many people near her,
and even more in the Inn.  Azuria seemed to accept them, however, and
one had a Fhaeling companion.  That decided it.  Wraith walked up to
Azuria and bowed.  "Milady, if I may introduce myself.  I am called
Wraith, and I rendered a small assistance against the dragon.  It was
all I could do, as the nature magic I know has few combat spells."
*However, I am highly gifted in many other areas* he sent mentally.
*And I would be pleased to assist you in your current endeavor, whatever
it may be* Wraith bowed, and began studying the Fhaeling while waiting
for her response.

>Matzsu and Cassander get up and move off to talk alone...



Azuria looked up and saw a pale elf with stunningly green eyes.

"My name's Azuria...  Azuria Cromwell and I am pleased to make your
acquaintance, Wraith."

"Please bring up a chair and sit..."

"This is Betlazar..." she indicated to the warrior seated next to her
"and this is Seir" she indicated to the unicorn across the table from
her.

"As for my present endeavors...  there really not much going on right
now..." "I'm just enjoying the inn..."

Suddenly she remembered something and excused herself from the group.

"If you will all excuse me...  I have a few errands to run before the
day is over...  I will return tonight...  Peace be with you all..."

Azuria went to the bartender and exchanged a few words with him and
exited out the front door.