LXVI. Desert Gloom

"Now, will someone please explain what just went on here?" Edward demanded.

The brass dragons described the events of the past ten years that had led up to the day's dragon-battle.

"I see," said Edward, Green Arrow and Lina nodding in agreement. "It seems our arrival was particularly timely," added Lina.

"We would surely have been driven from our home, at the least, had you not come to our aid," said Iphess, "and for that we will be grateful evermore." She added, "And we will demonstrate our gratitude." And she and Simeheff did just that, rewarding the adventurers with a huge booty of gold, weapons, magic items and other treasures. The victors also searched the corpses of the vanquished, retrieving additional valuables.

Back inside the mine, the adventurers asked the dragons if they could tell them anything that would aid them in their mission. The dragons knew nothing of Khemri, Thutep or Neferata. They had, however, heard of the oasis of Uf. "A well-known trade center, one of the largest in all the desert," said Iphess. "Perhaps five thousand inhabitants." Lina described the death mask, and asked the dragons if they had ever seen or heard of such a thing. "Not this object specifically," replied Simeheff, "but Uf is known for dealing in antiquities. Perhaps one of the merchants there can advise you."

The conversation then turned to the dragons and their needs. "Would you possibly be able to provide us with long-term protection, perhaps an alliance of some kind?" asked Simeheff. "We would be happy to help protect the caravan route as part of such an agreement." Edward approved of the proposal, and, taking Green Arrow and Lina aside, suggested that they refer the matter to the Enterprise. All agreed that such an alliance would be favorably viewed by the Enterprise.

"We think that’s an excellent idea," Edward advised the dragons. "My companion will return to our home and consult with superiors in our organization. They may well be interested in making a deal with you." At that, Green Arrow teleported back to Darksea, where he proceeded promptly to the Enterprise station chief in the underground city to brief him on the recent events and the dragons’ offer. In the meantime, Edward and Lina brought the rest of the caravan, who had been hiding from the battle ever since it began, into the mine to rest and refresh themselves.

After the briefing, Green Arrow made a quick jaunt to Greyhawk to obtain a number of magic items, including additional arrows of cure critical wounds, a ring of evasion for Edward, an upgraded amulet of health for Lina, and another wish ring. Upon his return to Darksea, he returned to his estate for the night, then met with the Enterprise station chief the next day to follow up on the briefing. An agent from the Prime Material division of the Recruiting Directorate (an experienced diplomat named Orosius) met with Green Arrow at the station office, and informed him that the Enterprise had authorized him to negotiate with the dragons to establish an Enterprise presence in the mines and assist them in guarding the trade route. "Should make for some good field experience for some of our fighters," Orosius observed.

The two Enterprise agents teleported back to the brass dragons’ mine, where Orosius proceeded to negotiate an arrangement under which the dragons would hire Enterprise members to protect the mine and secure the trade route.

Three days later, the adventurers were ready to proceed on the next leg of the journey: a march of twenty days, covering about two hundred miles, to a small oasis. From the oasis, another month’s travel would cover the final three hundred miles to the oasis of Uf. The dragons provided fresh water and some food to the caravan, which would supplement the food and drink Lina magically prepared each day of the journey.

Since the climate was, not surprisingly, hot and dry during the day, the caravan traveled primarily by night, making camp and resting during the hottest parts of the day. Lina put the time to good use. Part of her share of the booty the party had recovered so far was a manual of bodily health. She found sufficient time for study during the journey to complete the course of training set out in the manual, and found that her constitution increased significantly as a result.

After twenty days, the caravan reached the small oasis (named Afar by the local inhabitants). They made camp on the edge of the oasis, and later conferred with local elders to obtain information on conditions along the route to Uf, as well as other information of interest. The locals were very happy to greet the caravan, which was the first to arrive from the northeast since the closure of the route over the Sulhaut Mountains by the deathdrinker. The merchants with the caravan made various deals with the inhabitants to the mutual satisfaction of both all parties.

Next evening, the party departed Afar. Thirty long, hot, but relatively uneventful days later, they reached a region where the desert sands began to yield to scrub vegetation and scattered trees, through which a dusty path began to lead. "We’ve arrived," said the lead merchant of the caravan. He pointed ahead. The party could see isolated huts, which soon were replaced by lone homes, then small groups of homes and other structures on either side of the path. At last, the path became a wider and more compacted road, ending in a large central square in the midst of a sizable desert community. Date palms and other trees grew thickly, and a large spring supported a thick growth of reeds and aquatic vegetation. The central square was filled with locals and, apparently, other traders who had reached Uf from points to the west and south.

"Well, now that we’re here, where do we go?" Lina inquired. The merchants were familiar with the town, having made numerous journeys there and back over the years. "Our favorite trading post here in Uf is called The Sleepy Camel," the lead merchant replied. "They’re hard bargainers, but they always are well-stocked with exotic items that fetch high prices back home. And they’re very well-informed about the area and its history."

"The Sleepy Camel it is, then," agreed Edward. The caravan quickly found a camp for their wagons and animals, and then headed into town.

The Sleepy Camel was a large shop prominently located at the west side of the main city square. The merchants led the adventurers to the trading post, which was filled with exotic goods of all sorts, and was busy with trading activity. The lead merchant spotted one of the shop’s dealers. "There’s Ahab!" he reported to the group. "Deals in artefacts. Known him for years." He headed toward the man, leading the rest of the group. "Heya Ahab!" he called out. "Ah, Zeff, my friend!" Ahab replied. "You have come back! We were afraid something had happened. No one has come from Kanak has come in close to a year." Zeff took Ahab aside and told him of the recent events, heavily embellished with tales of his own valor. Green Arrow’s sharp ears picked up Zeff’s boasting. He turned to Edward and just rolled his eyes.

Zeff motioned for Lina to come over. "Tell Ahab about the death mask," he urged. Lina described her vision of the death mask to Ahab in full detail. "Ah, yes!" the dealer replied. "I am well acquainted with such things!" He went on to explain. "The ancients in Suel, long, long ago, before the Rain of Colorless Fire, used such masks. Other kingdoms too used them, in lands that bordered Suel or were influenced by that nation."

"Have you perhaps heard of a land known as "Khemri"?" Lina continued. "That name, along with others, was part of my vision."

Ahab thought for a while. "I know of no such land myself," he answered. "However, there is a region of the desert to the southwest of Uf. It is known as the land of Himm. Perhaps that is the place you seek, under a changed name." He went to a room behind his display area and returned with a sheet of parchment. "Here, let me draw you a map!" Quickly he sketched out a map of the Sea of Dust, indicating the Sulhaut Mountains to the north and the Hellfurnaces far to the east. Uf was located about five hundred miles from the western edge of the desert, which was bounded by another mountain range extending far to the northeast and beyond the junction it formed with the Sulhaut Mountains. About three hundred miles to the southwest of Uf, he marked an area and labeled it "Himm."

"The area of Himm is empty desert but for an ancient, weathered mound of stone. It seems to be the only remaining sign that people ever lived in Himm," Ahab added.

"Fascinating," observed Lina. "Could the names "Thutep" or "Neferata" be connected in some way with the land of Himm?"

"Perhaps they were," said Ahab. "The names of the ancient kings, however, are long forgotten for the most part. But," he continued, "it is said that many ages ago, a mighty godling ruled a lost kingdom. His name was "Su". Perhaps he was the same as the "Thutep" you name."

"How about Neferata?" Edward prodded.

"Again, that name is not known to me," answered Ahab. "But there are old tales of an ancient queen of great beauty, beloved of her people. She is known as "Ivrat". Perhaps that name derives from "Neferata". And perhaps," he pondered, "the mask you describe was a mask belonging to her?"

"You have been a great help," said Lina gratefully. "We are most appreciative. May your trading long be profitable!"

"Thank you, kind lady," Ahab replied. "And now, seeing that you are knowledgeable and appreciative of such things, perhaps I might interest you in a fine antiquity?"

Oh well, might as well cultivate this fellow, thought Lina. Might prove useful. And so, after a brief negotiation, Lina purchased a small item.

"Well, time to get going," said Green Arrow, nudging Lina. "My good Ahab, would you know of anyone else who might have information about the land of Himm?"

"You might try the antiquities dealer at The Dry Hole," said Ahab. He provided directions to the other trading establishment. "Give my best regards to Rukh, the proprietor!" The party thanked Ahab once again, and then took their leave of The Sleepy Camel. They returned to their camp for rest and relaxation, and further preparation for the next stage of the mission.

The next day the party spent in the town, the merchants conducting business, Lina shopping, Green Arrow and Edward interacting with the locals and gathering information and a feel for the area. After a restful night, the following morning the merchants announced that they were joining a large caravan heading southwest toward points beyond the desert. "I’m up for some trade, especially in exotic goods from far-away lands!" declared Zeff. "Mind if I join you?" asked Lina. "Wouldn’t mind doing some sight-seeing myself. Might pick up a few things here and there, not to mention a gold piece or two–thousand."

Green Arrow spoke up. "I think I will go along too," he said. "Somebody needs to keep Lina out of trouble," he added sarcastically. Lina sniffed. Zeff and the other merchants were agreeable to this suggestion, especially in view of Lina’s powerful casting abilities and Green Arrow’s prowess with the bow. "See you in, oh, a month or so!" said Zeff, and the traders and the two adventurers left to join with the caravan at the western outskirts of Uf, as it turned out quite close to the party’s own campsite.

Edward had decided to remain in Uf. After the others had left, he decided to try staying at a different inn, just for the sake of variety (and comparison). He ended up at a lodge called The Dusty Rug, a so-so establishment but one only one street west of Uf’s central square. As he approached the inn, he looked up at something that had drawn his attention, from the corner of his eye. Crows, flying overhead again.

What are crows doing in the middle of a desert? thought Edward to himself. This can’t be a coincidence. Spies, no doubt. But from whom?

Putting aside concerns about avian spies, Edward walked into The Dusty Rug. The inn hosted only a few scattered travelers, and the common room was mostly empty. He sought out the innkeeper, and, when he could speak privately, inquired about the local services. He had a particular service in mind.

"Tell me, good innkeeper," Edward began, "would you know of any healers here in Uf, in particular healers who might be interested in earning gold?"

The innkeeper’s ears pricked up at the mention of gold. "Do you know of sick people who are in need?" he asked in return. "Actually, I need a healer for my own travels," answered Edward. "I would be most appreciative of any assistance you could provide in this matter," he continued, in his most diplomatic and ingratiating manner.

The innkeeper smiled cheerfully. "I like you, Mister Paladin!" he said. "I may have just the man for you." Edward took out his money pouch and pulled out fifty gold pieces. "I would need his services for one to two weeks," he said, laying the gold on the table across from the innkeeper.

Smiling even more broadly, the innkeeper informed Edward, "I know of a traveling cleric who owes me a favor! I am sure I can get him to take employment with you!"

"Is he here in Uf?" asked the paladin.

"Yes, yes, he has recently arrived," replied the innkeeper. "He is a wanderer, you know. Cleric of Fharlangn, as you might guess. His name is Abelard. Highly experienced. I will arrange for you to meet him here tonight."

Edward thanked the innkeeper for his assistance and prepared to meet the cleric later that night. At the specified time, the paladin returned to the inn’s common room, and found waiting for him there the innkeeper and Abelard. The innkeeper introduced the two, then left them to conduct their business. The two soon reached an agreement whereby Abelard would serve as Edward’s healer as needed for two weeks, with Edward donating two thousand gold pieces to Abelard’s church.

Abelard and Edward then went to their respective rooms to retire for the night.

Suddenly, Edward woke up. A woman’s scream, suddenly cut off. He looked out the window of his room, in the southeast corner of the second floor of the inn. He spotted a woman being dragged away into a dark alley by a cloaked figure!

Immediately, the paladin quaffed a potion of enlarge, then teleported to the spot he has seen the cloaked figure drag the woman away. He called out, "Are you in need?" He heard another muffled scream, then something dropping to the ground. It was very dark.

Edward ran to the alley. He spotted a face-down figure at the far end of the alley, barely visible in the darkness. Nobody else was visible. Quickly he cast daylight, illuminating the end of the alley, but saw only the woman. Rushing up to her, the paladin checked for signs of life. The woman was unconscious.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a tall, dark, cloaked figure appeared in the shadows behind Edward. The paladin was caught flat-footed! The attacker’s dagger struck Edward in the back. He gasped as the mysterious assailant drew streams of blood. He felt his very life essence under attack from the blade, but his scarab was able to block the life energy loss. But the attacker struck again, landing four more hits on the hapless paladin for severe damage, as well as a life energy loss that exceeded his scarab’s capacity to block.

Edward staggered to the fallen woman, took her up in his arms, and teleported from the alley back into his room, desperately trying to escape from the would-be assassin. Back in his room, he looked around. It appeared that nothing had followed him. Without lighting any lamp, Edward cast restoration on himself, then healed the damage done to himself by the attacker. He dismissed the enlarge spell.

The woman stirred. Edward promptly cast cure light wounds on her. When she was fully awake, Edward spoke to her. He learned that she was simply a local woman. He surmised that she had been seized as some kind of bait by the assassin (or assassins) whose real target was himself.

"Good woman," said Edward, "go to the innkeeper. Ask him to summon Abelard. This is urgent!" The woman thanked Edward for saving her, and rushed off to the innkeeper as Edward had requested.

Shortly the innkeeper arrived. "What has happened?" he asked, alarmed. Edward briefly recounted the recent events. "There’s an assassin on the loose in Uf. Don’t tell any of the guests! But tell Abelard he will face a foe capable of energy drain!"

While he waited for Abelard’s arrival, Edward left the inn again to look around the area. He spelled up defensively, and used his gem of true seeing. Nothing was there to be seen.

Abelard arrived at the inn. Edward called to him softly, and the cleric joined him in the darkened street. "An assassin may be near," Edward advised the cleric. "Following me. I’ll need a death ward spell when mine runs out."

"I must pray for that spell," Abelard replied.

"If you have any restoration spells, ready them now," Edward continued, "then stand back-to-back with me." Abelard did as instructed. The two waited for twenty minutes, but nothing happened. The assassin, or assassins, had apparently left the area.

Edward signaled to Abelard to return to The Dusty Rug. Once inside, he suggested they both occupy the same quarters. Abelard was agreeable to this, and took the first watch. After four hours, Edward relieved him. Nothing out of the ordinary occurred.

Next day, Edward and Abelard discussed recent events and Abelard’s role. "Do you come to Uf often?" the paladin asked. "I have been here from time to time, on my travels," replied Abelard. "The Lord Fharnaghn encourages his disciples to see the world, and this is certainly a more out-of-the-way part of the world. Which is why I like it," he added.

"Are there any good magic shops here that you can recommend?" Edward followed up.

"None that deal in the really high-end magic items," the cleric replied. "Mostly in the 10,000 gp range at best."

"I see," said Edward. "In that case, let’s make a trip to Greyhawk!"

"A bit far from here, isn’t it?"

"Not if you can teleport," answered Edward. He extended his hand. "Ready?"

Abelard grasped Edward’s outstretched glove, and suddenly the two were in Greyhawk, near one of Edward’s favorite local magic shops. Edward walked in, greeted the proprietor, and asked for two new scarabs of protection. "Ah, my friend!" the dealer exclaimed, "there has been a run on scarabs lately. Increased activity by vampires and the like." He went into the back room of his shop, then returned with a small case. "But for you, I just happen to have the last two scarabs in all of Greyhawk!" He opened the box and showed Edward the two new scarabs within. "And a bargain at only 51,000 gold pieces each!"

Edward tried to hide his distress at the price, which was fifty percent more than the standard price for the items. There must really be something abnormal going on in Greyhawk, he thought. "Is that the best you can do, for a loyal customer?" Edward inquired. "Ah, my friend, that is already lower than the price these items commanded just yesterday, with my customer loyalty discount included!" the dealer answered.

"Very well," said Edward. He retrieved a pouch containing platinum pieces and gems, and handed over the the dealer the equivalent of 102,000 gold pieces. "Thank you, thank you, my good paladin!" the dealer fulsomely replied. Edward took possession of the scarabs, bade good-bye to the dealer, and left with Abelard. He donned one of the scarabs, holding the other in reserve in his pack.

The paladin teleported himself and the cleric back to Uf. It was now late in the day, and they returned to The Dusty Rug for dinner. Afterwards, they left the inn and began to walk around the nearby streets. Abelard was well prepared with restorative magic. As they headed back to the dark alley where the woman had been assaulted, the two men both cast daylight on their weapons. Dusk fell.

They entered the alley. Edward requested a death ward spell from Abelard, who duly complied.

As the cleric cast the spell, from out of the shadows behind them the tall, dark, cloaked figure appeared. Edward was again caught flat-footed! The assailant’s dagger found its mark again, and again Edward was saved from energy drain thanks to his magical protection. The assassin ground its teeth, but otherwise was expressionless–literally, for the being lacked eyes. It didn’t seem to need them, however, as it landed four more blows against Edward, wounding him severely, and with its off-hand slashed Abelard and would have drained him of energy but for the cleric’s own protective scarab.

The assassin was over-confident of its abilities, and Edward took full advantage of that overconfidence. A short step brought Edward face-to-face (such as it was) with the assassin. The being seemed familiar somehow, but Edward couldn’t quite place where he might have seen such a creature before. No matter. Edward invoked the holy might of Hieroneous against the clearly evil being, and with two mighty blows of his greatsword, brought the assassin down.

Seeing the extent of Edward’s wounds, the cleric promptly healed him. Edward promptly seized the body of the assassin, stuffed into his portable hole, and, turning to Abelard, said, "Let’s get out of here and figure out who this was. Do you know a safe place? The Dusty Rug may no longer be much of a refuge."

"There is a place on the other side of the central square," said Abelard. "A shabby inn, called The Desert Wind. I know the innkeeper, and the bouncer." He gave Edward a description of the area sufficient to enable teleportation to the vicinity.

At The Desert Wind, Abelard spoke to the innkeeper. "We need a "special" room," he said. The "special" room was available, and the two men took it. Once inside, they secured the doors. Edward then pulled the body out of the portable hole, and they examined it. On the body, they found two daggers, and also a pouch. Edward opened the pouch. Inside there appeared to be some kind of medallion. He didn’t touch it.

The paladin turned to Abelard. "This requires consultation with experts. Come with me?" The cleric agreed, and again, the two teleported back to Greyhawk. This time, their destination was a tavern marked with the sign of the spider-eater. Edward quickly located the Enterprise agent stationed at the tavern and gave the proper recognition signal.

"Have to confer now," Edward told the cleric. He signaled to the nearest barmaid, who promptly attended. "Set up my friend here with food and drink," Edward requested, then whispered, "and send over some companionship too." He winked. The barmaid nodded and went about doing so.

Meanwhile, Edward followed the Enterprise agent, a half-elf named Cedric, into a secure private room. He told the agent all about the encounter with the mysterious assassin. He produced the body, and the daggers and pouch, from the portable hole. The agent, however, was unfamiliar with the being. "I’ll have to kick this one up the chain of command," said the agent. "I’m being hunted!" exclaimed Edward. "I need to know more, and soon!" He pointed to the daggers and the pouch. "Can you at least identify any of this?"

The agent glanced at the treasures. "I’m not a wizard," he said. "I’ll need to bring in an expert." With that, he teleported out of the room.

Edward sat tapping the table for the next half hour, until Cedric finally returned. He was accompanied by another Enterprise agent. "Edward, meet Gelasius," said Cedric. "High-level wizard. Good at identifying things." Gelasius nodded to Edward, who again produced the body and the items recovered on it from the portable hole. Immediately, Gelasius recognized what had been stalking Edward. "This is a gloom," he said. "Specialist assassin. Very dangerous." With that, Edward finally remembered where he had seen such a creature before: during the battle of Chalons.

Gelasius picked up the first dagger and examined it. "As I suspected," he said. "This is an enhanced weapon that also drains multiple life energy levels from its victims with each hit. It’s similar to the weapon known as a "souldrinker". Very valuable too." He put the first dagger down, then picked up the second one. "This one is also dangerous, but less so," Gelasius announced. "An enhanced keen dagger."

Finally, the wizard retrieved the medallion from the pouch and examined it. After a short time, he reported, "This medallion has an antipathy spell on it. It’s keyed specifically to you, Edward!"

LXV. The Dracontomachy: Not for Dragons Only

While the couatl was seeking help from the adventurers, Zizz soared in a looping path over the mine entrance and back over the western cliffs, casting heal on himself in the process. Just in time, as the lesser rust dragon flew straight toward the blue dragon and loosed a line of acid breath that Zizz failed to evade. The larger rust dragon rushed toward Simeheff. The brass dragon was stopped in mid-air and plunged to the top of the western cliff, felled by the rust dragon’s stunning breath.

On the valley floor, the godslayer quaffed a potion of cure critical wounds, then moved to back up the surviving stormlizard. The potion’s effect was undone, however, by two more light rays from the eladrin. The stormlizard in turn gored the celestial triceratops for heavy damage. The dinosaur’s attempt to gore the nearby godslayer was unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, Iphess flew up and north over the eastern wall of the canyon, seeking a brief respite to cure some of her wounds. The iron dragon refused to allow her to flee, and dimension door’d next to her.

And then, rushing in from the southeast, new combatants intervened!

Green Arrow loosed an epic arrow of death at the greater rust dragon. No harm! Flaming holy arrows, however, managed to inflict some damage on the creature, but the metal arrowheads then disintegrated, rusted away. The elven archer suddenly began to shake. The rust dragon’s frightful presence was affecting him!

As Green Arrow attacked, the couatl saw an opening and attempted to charm the greater rust dragon, but its attempt was easily resisted. Still worse for the elven archer, the greater rust dragon reversed course and bit him in a flyby attack for severe damage.

As the greater rust dragon came under attack from Green Arrow and the couatl, Zizz, hovering next to the lesser rust dragon, savaged the creature with devastating bite, claw and tail attacks. The tail attack was particularly effective, since Zizz was armed with a tail weapon. Only once. On contact with the rust dragon, Zizz’s tail weapon instantly corroded and turned to dust! And the lesser rust dragon wasn’t finished. He maneuvered into a flyby attack on the blue dragon and stunned Zizz with his breath weapon! The great wyrm blue dragon plummeted toward the western cliff bordering the valley.

Seeing Simeheff plunge to the cliff-top, the ghaele eladrin sped to him and healed the dragon with his healing magic. Iphess too made her way to Simeheff, via dimension door. No longer stunned, Simeheff then rushed the greater rust dragon and grappled the planar invader!

While Green Arrow was dealing with the greater rust dragon, Lina flew to within range of the iron dragon and used her wand to assay the dragon’s spell resistance. "See if you can stand up to this!" Lina taunted the dragon, before sending a black ray of necromantic energy. Not enough! The dragon withstood Lina’s avasculate. Lina, however, was unable to resist the terrifying presence of the monster, and found herself starting to shake uncontrollably.

The iron dragon was not amused by the sudden intervention of the adventurers. He looked directly at Lina and Edward. "Leave now, puny mortals!" the dragon hissed. "This is a matter for dragons. You have no business here." The dragon quickly cast a spell, and his scales began to shimmer with protective energy.

"That’s where you’re wrong," Edward replied, as he rushed toward the iron dragon and swiftly cast find the gap, boosting his ability to strike the creature. "Hieroneous, grant me victory!" the paladin exclaimed, invoking the full power of his patron god at the scaly creature. But mighty as it was, his swing missed the target!

From the battleground, an arc of electricity struck Edward, loosed by the surviving stormlizard. The godslayer finally destroyed the celestial triceratops, and maneuvered for his next attack.

The free-for-all continued. The lesser rust dragon wheeled around and rushed toward his iron dragon companion, casting iron guard on himself as he flew. The greater rust dragon managed to break free from Simeheff’s grapple, then flew toward the iron dragon and the near-by paladin.

Suddenly the ground in the midst of the valley erupted. Four huge blue reptiles emerged–bluespawn burrowers!

But the first two, amazingly, turned around and immediately fled the battlefield! The couatl had spotted them and targeted them with a fear spell, driving them off.

Lina’s and Iphess’ greater dispels nullified several of the iron dragon’s magical enhancements. While the two casters were dealing with their foe, Green Arrow, who had held up for Lina, struck the greater rust dragon, damaging its wing for critical damage! Edward activated his boots of teleportation to reposition himself away from the iron dragon.

The ghaele eladrin sped toward Simeheff and cast mass cure serious wounds, benefitting both the dragon and Green Arrow. Now revitalized, the brass dragon launched a firestorm at the three invading planar dragons, scorching the rust dragons but failing to damage the iron dragon. Said iron dragon’s scales again shimmered, and he advanced toward Edward, claws readied.

The godslayer positioned itself on the battlefied, and the stormlizard moved behind it. And then, another spray of rocks and dirt shot up from the ground, and four bluespawn ambushers emerged to join the fray.

Zizz finally came to his senses. Immediately, he took to the air, headed for Edward. As he flew by the mighty paladin, the dragon directed a black ray of crackling energy at him. To no effect–Edward’s scarab absorbed the attempted enervation. But the greater rust dragon flew around and back toward Edward, and struck the paladin with his stunning breath weapon. Edward was severely injured and stunned! Meanwhile, the lesser rust dragon landed in front of Iphess and bit at the brass dragon, drawing blood. Iphess did not let the attack go without response. "Name yourself, dragon!" she demanded. "Ukhuuz," hissed the rust dragon. "Then, Ukhuuz," screamed Iphess, "feel my wrath!" She struck at the rust dragon with every attack she had, and did–no damage! The creature’s magical protection blocked every blow and every bite.

The godslayer was able to land another blow on the brass dragon. As he did so, three more bluespawn burrowers emerged from underground, while the two who had not fled the battle rushed toward the mine entrance.

Lina saw an opportunity. After a swift assay of Ukhuuz’s spell resistance, she directed her own ray of blackness at the rust dragon. Ukhuuz bellowed in pain as Lina’s avasculate devastated the creature! But Lina in turn was stung by an electric discharge from the stormlizard.

While the great wyrms were engaged in battling each other, Green Arrow flew to Edward. Grasping the paladin’s hand, the elven archen then teleported with Edward to the mine entrance ahead of the bluespawn burrowers. "We have to protect the mine!" he cried.

The couatl and the ghaele eladrin used their magic against the ambushers and the iron dragon, driving one of the ambushers away and dispelling the iron dragon’s scales of energy. But the dragon simply re-cast the protective spell as it flew back above the mine entrance. Meanwhile, three more ambushers emerged from underground. At the same time, the three that had emerged previously loosed bursts of electricity at the eladrin. None of them did the eladrin any harm.

Both Zizz and Ukhuuz suddenly disappeared, driven away by the heavy damage they had suffered. The greater rust dragon, however, winged his way toward Lina, reached out, and brushed her with his huge claw. Instantly Lina began dancing about, compelled by Otto! "Remember my name, foolish girl!" the dragon bellowed. "I am Bruccaahav the mighty! You cannot defeat me!" Lina resolved never to forget that name. And also to make sure he never forgot her.

Now the godslayer, with several of the emerged burrowers, launched a full attack on Iphess. The godslayer was unable to land a blow, but three burrowers shocked the brass dragon with electric bursts, and also struck Green Arrow and Edward for serious damage. And three more burrowers emerged, but the couatl flying overhead struck fear in their bluespawn hearts. At the same time, Edward laid hands on himself to heal some damage he had previously suffered, then rushed out of the mine entrance and back toward the main battle.

Having survived the onslaught of the godslayer and the burrowers, Iphess attempted to dispel the dancing enchantment cast on Lina. Bruccaahav’s spell proved too powerful for her magic. The eladrin directed a flamestrike against the burrowers, but only did minor damage as the targeted bluespawn successfully avoided much of the flaming attack.

Overhead, Simeheff flew in Lina’s direction, then dimension door’d his way back to the mine entrance. But the iron dragon also soared overhead. Then, pointing his mighty head downward, the iron dragon blasted all below him with his breath weapon admixed with cold! A cone of sparks, fire and ice annihilated the godslayer, and devastated two of the burrowers and Iphess. Green Arrow and Edward screamed as they too suffered the effects of the dragon’s triple-energy attack.

And the battle continued as three more bluespawn ambushers emerged into the valley. Bruccaahav flew higher up over the battle and protected himself with iron guard. The bluespawn burrowers regrouped before the mine entrance. Three of the burrowers together swept the area with a blast of electricity, which shocked Iphess and Simeheff, as well as the three adventurers, for serious damage. Edward quaffed a potion of rage, enhancing his fighting prowess. The couatl scorched one of the burrowers. The ghaele eladrin’s flamestrike burned three of the ambushers for heavy damage.

Enraged by the attacks of the enemy dragons, Iphess rose up and struck the burrowers, and the stormlizard hiding behind them, with her sleep gas breath weapon. The creatures fell down unconscious. As she was attacking the burrowers, her mate attempted to free Lina from the dancing enchantment. He succeeded! Lina instantly stopped her prancing about. But overhead, the iron dragon flew through three-quarters of a revolution and landed on the eastern canyon wall. From there, the great wyrm attempted to dominate the heavily-wounded paladin. But Edward’s will was able to overcome the dragon’s magic!

A stream of acid from Bruccaahav seared Iphess as the rust dragon flew by. "I’m with you!" Lina called out, speeding to the brass dragon to confer a protective spell from acid damage. While the elven caster aided Iphess, Green Arrow sent five arrows of cure critical wounds speeding toward Edward. "Thanks," the paladin replied, "I needed that!" Meanwhile, Iphess cast heal on herself, restoring much of her vigor.

From above the battlefield the couatl blasted the bluespawn ambushers with a last fireball, killing one of the creatures. Telepathically, the creature informed Iphess, "I must now return to my home. Good luck!" And with that, the creature vanished from the battle, its summoning ended.

Now the iron dragon wheeled about overhead and bore back toward the adventurers and the brass dragons. A blast of sleep breath rushed upon them–and was resisted by all. But suddenly the lesser rust dragon reappeared over the battlefield, and apparently substantially restored to health! "Oh no," cried Lina, "he’s back!" "Look out, so’s the other one!" shouted Green Arrow. And then Bruccaahav was overhead and rushing toward the entrance to the mine. As he flew overhead, a greenish cone from the creature’s mighty jaws. Suddenly all of the adventurers’ metal weapons disintegrated, rusted to nothingness. Including Edward’s mighty mercurial greatsword!

Green Arrow immediately recognized that the party was in serious danger without the paladin’s fearsome weapon. Quickly he activated his ring of three wishes. "I wish that Edward’s sword had evaded the rust dragon’s breath!" the elven archer declared. And with that, the paladin’s sword reappeared in his hand as if suddenly reassembled from nothingness! "Well done, my friend!" Edward called out gratefully. He immediately secured the sword in the portable hole he had been carrying for just such purposes, and drew the mighty hammer of thunderbolts that he himself had quested for. Then he called out to the iron dragon, "Let us end this fight and work our our differences!" But the dragon only hissed with contempt, then roared, "We demand metals!" His claws suddenly seemed to take on an exceptionally sharp appearance.

Edward flew to Simeheff. "The iron dragon demands metals. Of course, we will defend you." He added, "Provided your claim is legitimate." Simeheff looked askance at the paladin, as if somewhat insulted by the implication that the brass dragons’ claim to the mine and its metals were anything BUT legitimated. But then he turned to more pressing matters. For while Edward had been parlaying with the iron dragon, Zizz had also returned, seemingly from nowhere, and also appeared to be in much better health. Ukhuuz suddenly disappeared, then reappeared inside the mine, where he positioned himself for combat with Simeheff. And Bruccaahav flew overhead, landing a claw on Iphess as he did so that set the brass dragon dancing! Even Simeheff’s breath weapon attack was insufficient to prevent the spell from going off, despite doing serious damage to the passing rust dragon.

Firiona saw what she needed to do. Swiftly she reached for a scroll, and read the incantation. A gate immediately opened, and through the gate emerged an adult force dragon! "Your assistance, if you please," Lina requested of the epically powerful creature. "But of course," the dragon replied serenely. Suddenly the creature blinked to a spot near Edward, who felt suddenly speedy, as if someone had cast a spell on him between the ticks of a clock. As Edward prepared to make his move, the force dragon blasted Bruccaahav and Zizz with his force breath. Both dragons took heavy damage.

And still the iron dragon continued to bellow, "We want the metal!"

Looping up and around overhead, Zizz returned toward the newly-arrived force dragon. A dark bolt from the blue dragon struck the force dragon–and failed to affect it. Ukhuuz’s bite attack was more successful, slashing Simeheff.

"That iron dragon needs a lesson in who’s who," said Lina. The elven sorcerer proceeded to dispel all of the great wyrm’s magical defenses from him. "Let’s see who’s tough now!" she cried.

Meanwhile, the speedy Edward used his wand of cure critical wounds, as well as his paladin healing power, to bring himself back up to nearer his full strength. He again called out to the iron dragon. "I, Edward Gallahand, paladin of Hieroneous, urge you to cease your attack. Let us resolve the matter peacefully!" But Simeheff was again miffed by Edward’s impertinent suggestion, and cried out, "This is our home!" He attempted to dispel Otto’s irresistible dance, but failed, leaving Iphess still tap-dancing about the battlefield–a strange sight indeed.

"No more interference, puny mortal!" bellowed the iron dragon. "I, Axomox, mightiest of iron dragons, will take what I came for!" And the great wyrm sent out a cone of sparks, but strangely admixed with ice. The triple-energy assault severely wounded the force dragon and Iphess, as well as Edward. But worse for the adventurers, Green Arrow as also caught in the cone. The elven archer shrieked in pain and fell to the ground, struck dead by the blast!

The draconic free-for-all contined. Zizz and Brucc both flew by the force dragon and blasted it with their breath weapons, while Ukhuuz launched an all-out attack on Simeheff, brutally slashing the brass dragon. The force dragon in turn teleported from the battlefield, to reappear inside the mine and behind the lesser rust dragon. But now Lina chose the right time to strike. A bolt of blackness struck the lesser rust dragon, as Lina’s avasculate devastated the creature. Simeheff struck back at the now-weakened Ukhuuz with his full might, biting into his foe’s neck and slashing with his claws. "Die, invader, die!!!" screamed the enraged brass dragon. Ukhuuz’s life breath sputtered from his bloody throat, and the rust dragon dropped lifeless to the floor of the mine.

While Simeheff was dispatching the lesser rust dragon, and the iron dragon soared far overhead, readying another attack, Edward rushed to his fallen companion. He searched through Green Arrow’s belongings, desperately searching. "Found it!" he exclaimed, as he retrieved the elven archer’s ring of three wishes, now reduced to two. "You’ll thank me for this later," the paladin muttered to himself. Placing the ring on his finger, he called out, "I wish Green Arrow had been fully healed before the iron dragon’s breath killed him!" Instantly Green Arrow began to stir, then suddenly he leaped to his feet. "Thanks, I needed that!" he said to the paladin, just as Edward had expected.

Still the free-for-all raged on. Zizz rushed up a hundred feet above the valley, then sent chain lightning at Iphess below. The brass dragon’s spell resistance was sufficient to resist the blue great wyrm’s attack. Iphess was able to cast heal on herself before retreating back into the mouth of the mine. But Zizz himself came under a fly-by attack from Bruccaahav, which inflicted heavy damage. And far above the mine entrance, Axomox prepared himself for his next attack with protective magic.

The rest of the adventurers retreated into the mine as well, before the force dragon, accompanying Lina, blocked the mine entrance with a wall of force. "Time for reinforcements!" Simeheff cried. Suddenly a gate opened up within the mine, and through the gate emerged a mighty solar. "Please, aid us!" the brass dragon urged the angelic being. And the solar complied, providing a mass heal to the beleaguered brass dragons and their adventuring allies.

Down bore the blue great wyrm toward the wall of force at the mine entrance. Suddenly, the magical barrier flickered, then vanished, dispelled! Seeing how Zizz had unintentionally aided him, Bruccaahav turned round and also headed for the now-open mine entrance. Green Arrow launched a volley of arrows at the on-rushing dragon. "Blast it! That dragon has iron guard!" the archer cried in frustration, as none of the arrows did any damage against the magically-protected creature.

Iphess successfully cast mass cure critical wounds, further restoring the adventurers and her mate. Lina, emboldened by the healing, flew out of the mine, accompanied by her force dragon ally. Swiftly she assayed the spell resistance of Bruccaahav. "Now I’ve got you!" she thought to herself. Another bolt of utter darkness shot from her finger and intercepted the greater rust dragon. The creature howled in agony under the effect of Lina’s avasculate. He howled again as the force dragon’s breath weapon dealt further massive damage. The rust dragon bled profusely, its flesh torn and its wings perforated. Now the summoned solar rushed to Lina’s side, and spoke but a single word. The power of the word struck Bruccaahav like a sledgehammer. With a horrible shriek, the rust dragon plummeted to the mountainside above the mine entrance, its life extinguished!

Hovering far overhead, Axomox further fortified himself against the inevitable attack from the defenders, and his scales shimmered with crackling energy. But he was not the immediate target of the adventurers’ retaliation. Instead, Edward soared upward to Zizz and smote the blue dragon with Hieroneous’ righteous might. The dragon bellowed as Edward’s weapon bit deep and devastated him with its power.

But the enraged Zizzetokhtaangkesh flew around and back at Edward, and caught the paladin in an antimagic ray, depriving him of his magical flight capability, among other things. The paladin plummeted to the ground and found that his magical items and protections no longer functioned. The blue dragon, in turn, was devastated by Lina’s avasculate, directed at the passing dragon from inside the mine entrance. "Got him for you, Edward!" cried Lina. The solar targeted Zizz as well, and brought the great wyrm crashing to the ground with a power word, stun, as Edward had previously crashed.

The force dragon tried to seal off the mine entrance with a wall of force, but was unable to prevent Axomox from diving from high above the battlefield to breathe another admixed blast of electricity, fire and cold. Lina, the solar and Simeheff suffered heavy damage, especially Lina, who fell mortally wounded! Green Arrow, who had previously teleported to Simeheff, hovered near the brass dragon as he made a fly-by attack against Zizz. The bite, unfortunately, missed its target badly.

Iphess had seen enough. "We require further assistance," she declared. A wave of her claw and the enunciation of mystic words of power brought a thundering seismic incident. Suddenly, a towering figure comprised of flaming liquid rock appeared. Iphess spoke to the creature. "Fight for me now, oh mighty burning one," she said. The magma para-elemental took its place on the battlefield, preparing to remove the puny humans below.

And equally suddenly, the ground before the mine entrance became active again–the sleeping bluespawn burrowers, and even the surviving bluespawn stormlizard, stirred, then awoke from their magical sleep! Instantly they began to charge toward the mine entrance! The nine remaining creatures rushed Edward and the force dragon and ripped into their foes. The force dragon in turn landed behind one of the burrowers and attacked, severely wounding it. The same burrower was further battered by the magma monolith, as Iphess concentrated on controlling the para-elemental creature.

Edward took serious damage and had no remaining magical protection. Seeing this, Green Arrow could think of only one answer: use the final wish in his ring to free Edward. "I wish," said the elven archer, "that Edward is no longer affected by the antimagic field he is now trapped in!". But the ways of magic are strange, even wild, especially when it comes to altering the fabric of reality via wishes. For as soon as Green Arrow completed his wish, Edward vanished!

The paladin’s sudden disappearance had little effect on the battling dragons. Simeheff tried to bite the prone Zizz, but amazingly, missed the seemingly unmissable blue dragon once again. The iron dragon was more accurate, landing next to Simeheff and delivering a powerful bite of his own.

Lina was at death’s door when the solar flew to her side and revived her with a heal spell.

With a mighty burst, Simeheff finally landed blows against the stunned Zizz. Unable to defend himself, the arrogant blue great wyrm could only shriek in agony as a last fatal wound put him down. But Simeheff had no time to gloat, as lightning from a number of the burrowers shocked him for serious damage. The monolith was blasted by lightning from four more of the bluespawn for serious damage, but, guided by Iphess, managed to strike one of its attackers in return. As the dragons battled, Green Arrow desperately tried to bring Edward back into the battle. "Bracelet of friends might work. I hope," he thought to himself. He tried activating the magical article. Nothing happened. Edward remained lost.

Meanwhile, Lina, now restored to vigor, targeted the iron dragon with a greater dispel magic. Two of the dragon’s defensive spells were eliminated. The force dragon flew to Lina, then took her with him as he teleported into the mine, near Iphess and behind the wall of force blocking the entrance. Outside, Axomox grappled the solar, which failed to dispel any more of the iron dragon’s magic or break out of the grapple.

The burrowers and the storm lizard, not deterred by the battle around them, continued their attacks on Simeheff and the monolith, dealing out serious lightning damage. Green Arrow peppered the creatures with a hail of arrows, one of which also struck the nearby iron dragon. "Looks like you could use some extra protection," Lina remarked to her force dragon ally, bestowing protection from electricity on the creature. "Many thanks," the force dragon replied, then charged at one of the burrowers seeking entry into the mine, passing right through the wall of force that was blocking access. The burrower was grievously wounded by the assault. Now Simeheff flew to the aid of the grappled solar, and slashed and bit the iron dragon, forcing it to fly up over the battlefield with the solar still in his claws. As the dragons flew overhead, solar still in tow, the monolith landed a fatal blow on one of the burrowers, then followed through to devastate the storm lizard and wound another of the burrowers. The tide of the battle had clearly turned.

Seeing their leader stricken down and their companions destroyed by the monolith, four of the burrowers broke off their attack and burrowed away from the battle. The others continued their electric assault on Simeheff. Green Arrow loosed arrows at the iron dragon, wounding it for heavy damage.

Lina dimension door’d out of the mine to the side of the force dragon, who advanced on one of the remaining burrowers and ripped it to shreds. Simeheff and the solar continued to attack the iron dragon, wounding it seriously. Not seriously enough: the mighty planar dragon’s admixed breath weapon blasted both Simeheff and the solar. The solar was brought almost to the point of unconsciousness, and Simeheff fell, mortally wounded!

Iphess was horrified to see her mate fall in battle, but still maintained her concentration to guide the magma monolith rampaging toward the three remaining burrowers, who had in the meantime redirected their lightning to strike Green Arrow, shocking the elven archer severely. "Need a few of my own arrows," he thought to himself, then drew five healing arrows from his quiver and restored much of his vitality by shooting himself with them! Then the monolith, guided by Iphess, advanced on the burrowers and destroyed one of the surviving three, smashing it to bits and burning it to cinders. The two remaining burrowers bellowed in terror, then turned around and followed their surviving companions in burrowing away from the battle.

With the burrowers removed from the battle, Simeheff, Lina and the force dragon flew toward Axomox and focused their attention on their most powerful remaining foe. Lina dispelled another of the iron dragon’s protective spells. Though Simeheff’s breath weapon did no damage, the force dragon’s powerful breath weapon broke through Axomox’s defensed and devastated the planar creature. As they attacked, the solar had just enough strength left to wish himself and all his allies healed!

The iron dragon knew that his attempt to seize the metallic riches of the mine had failed. Axomox let loose a final roar of defiance, and then, casting greater plane shift, left the battlefield forever and returned to his home plane.

Firiona and Green Arrow looked at each other. "Is it over?" asked Green Arrow. "Seems to be," replied Lina. "Unless something else comes up out of the ground." But nothing did come up out of the ground.

Something did come back out of thin air, however. About a minute after Axomox’s departure, Edward suddenly reappeared. He looked askance at Green Arrow. "Well, what did I miss?" he asked. "One second I’m in a dragon free-for-all, the next second I’m here and you’re the only ones left."

"I thought I was freeing you from the anti-magic field you were trapped in," answered the elven archer. "Seems I managed to do so, just not the way I had in mind. You must have been sent into the future, to just before the field would have ended on its own."

"Magic," said Edward, shaking his head. "Well, at least you finished the job."