The adventure begins where we left off, with our heroes wandering around a mysterious cavern. Beef, standing on a raised ledge, makes his way down and returns to Lucien and Farraine and proceeds to explain to them what the invisible scouting mission uncovered. Sigrid also returns to the group (still in snake form). Only Finn appears to be missing from the group discussion, that is until a voice from the shadows (around waist height) announces the attendance of a still invisible Halfling.
Beef explains the situation to the group along with the intelligence gathered from both Sigrid and Finn. Their quarry lies at the other end of a submerged tunnel on the other side of the lake in the middle of the cavern. Stealth is of great importance and the party must seek to defeat the Elven Wyrmspeaker Neronvain as soon as possible to hopefully mitigate any possible encounter with the adult Green Dragon. Finn, though still invisible cannot hide from the sight of this narrator, quickly makes his way back to the statue standing in the corner of the raised ledge, seeking other possible routes to their destination but despite his skills, returns unsuccessful. As the remainder of the party continue to discuss tactics, Sigrid slithers back into the waters and heads through the submerged tunnel and onto the other side to try and gain a better insight as to what troubles may lie ahead.
Her mission is largely unsuccessful and the element of surprise is suddenly lost as a booming voice rings through the cavern on the other side of the tunnel. "I can feel your presence, show yourself, mortal" Sigrid slithers back beneath the surface and returns to the party as they begin to step into the dark water with renewed haste. Emerging on the other side of the underwater tunnel the party notice a wall of thorns rising up on the shoreline beyond. Lucien, the professional pyromaniac, casts a flaming firebolt at the thorns which begin to burn slowly. Finn and Farraine aid the flames with a couple of well tossed flasks of oil before Sigrid adds her own little bonfire to the combustible barrier. Binky the irksome Imp suddenly mutters a quiet "oh shit" and promptly, yet incredibly bravely, pops out of existence. As soon as he does so, the waters of the pool surge tremendously and Lucien is the first to lay eyes on the massive Green Dragon as it rears out of the water behind our heroes. The foul beast announces it's presence with a strong breath attack akin to that of a hungover halfling after a night of drinking and excessive smoking of pipe weed, hitting Farraine and Lucien. Lucien wafts away the cloud of stench and casts a spell of blight on the Dragon. The dragon attacks once more, a cloud of poisonous gas spews from its maw hitting Farraine once again as well as Finn and Beef. Surely our party of Heroes have met their match this time.
Beef, gets a flash of inspiration on a level currently unheard of throughout the Forgotten Realms and attempts to polymorph the Dragon into a crab, thus negating a significant amount of danger whilst ensuring that the choice of an aquatic-based lifeform will prevent it from drowning in the lake thus allowing the party to easily scoop it up and place it in Farraine's magical backpack. Unfortunately the spell fails and the dragon remains, menacing as ever before. Beef's disappointment is palpable. It really was a good idea though.
Farraine unleashes a flurry of attacks, hacking away at the hardened scales of the beast as Lucien cast another spell at the dragon. Finn finally joins in the attack, sending a piercing crossbow bolt deep into the dragon's hide. Sigrid also casts polymorph on the dragon, this time attempting to turn it into a pig, obviously not blessed with the genius-level of forethought as the brilliant bard, although, to her credit, the outcome was the same and the dragon remained green, scaly and looked in no way inclined to "oink" at any time in the near future. She looks at Beef and they exchange glances, they were so sure their spells should have been effective, clearly there is some unknown magic at play here. Beef calls to the gods for better music and unleashes another spell at the dragon dealing a small amount of damage to both the dragon and the Bard's self esteem. The Dragon surges towards the battered fighter Farraine, claws and teeth piercing his armour, as blood drips from the wound it submerges beneath the surface of the water out of sight of the party. Sigrid, performs some dexterous mental gymnastics and tries to conjure an underwater tidal wave to damage the now underwater dragon whilst simultaneously avoiding Farraine with the aquatic attack.
Finn and Beef make a bid for the shoreline where there is now a singed gap in the thorn wall and notice a not so insignificant pile of gold and assorted treasure. Beef then notices a new enemy, none other than Neronvain the Elven Wrymspeaker and son of King Melandrach. Beef doesn't hesitate and cast Eldtrich Blast at the Elf. Surprisingly, for once, it appears the presence of a dragon has had a positive effect on the Bard's spellcasting and both bolts of energy actually hit their target. There is a roar of water as the Green Dragon emerges from the depths once more and attacks Farraine, as it's first attack misses, Farraine manages to deflect the attack and strikes a blow on the dragon's hide before another attack from the beast misses him by a whisker. Farraine decides to take the opportunity to insult the skills of the dragon which lets out a deep dragon equivalent of a chuckle followed swiftly by a swipe of its sharp claws which slice through the fighter's armour and blood drips into the water from a gaping wound. Somehow the fighter's confidence is unwavering as he utters "Is that all you've got?"
The action switches now to the Elven Wyrmspeaker although it probably didn't need to because whatever his attack was, it misses Beef by a country mile. Lucien steps up and being the twisted firestarter that he is, unleashes a massive ball of fire at the dragon which manages to dodge the worst of the blast but emerges from the explosion slightly more singed than it was previously. Finn, who has been experimenting with some new magical spells decides that now is the time for some extra curricular experimentation and attempts to blind the dragon. A remarkably well thought out strategy, that was only let down by his complete lack of understanding of how the spell should effectively be cast. Maybe next time young halfling, next time. It seems that the good ideas just keep flowing from the party on this day and Sigrid is next to submit their application to Mensa, conjuring a dangerous hunter shark in the waters, she commands it to attack the dragon once it has become accustomed to it's sudden existence and surroundings. Beef, takes a swig of a potion of speed and makes haste towards Neronvain and once more the blast of Eldritch erupt from his palms and once again the gravity of the situation appears to have super-charged his abilities in a way never before seen. Both balls of light and energy streak across the cavern and strike the Elf who recoils in pain. Morale boosted, he attacks with another spell but it appears his confidence may have gotten the best of him and the Bard we all know and love is back.
The Dragon beats it's wings, taking to the air exposing one fundamental flaw in the druids shark-based battle plan as it soars 30ft above the shark infested waters. Farraine makes his way to shore and is immediately buffeted by the force of the down draft from the dragons wing's as they beat at the air ferociously, yet the fighter remains as steadfast as he is stubborn. The party notice that the magical garlands around their necks are starting to wither, there is not much protection left. Pulling a healing potion from his backpack the fighter takes a long pull from the flask and the pool of blood at his feet ceases growing, a renewed vigour spreads across his features. Neronvain begins to utter words of power but is masterfully countered by our robed prince of pyrotechnics, Lucien. Turning to face the dragon once more our wizard conjures a ball of blight on the dragon, it's armoured scales begin to crack and it roars in pain, but the beast remains nonetheless. Finn then takes careful aim with his crossbow and shoots a bolt, piecing the dragon hide, blood begins to ooze from the around the shaft of the buried bolt. Sigrid moves between Beef and Farraine and a healing light engulfs the trio. Beef, his previous failed spell cast from his memory unleashes another Eldritch Blast and once again, miraculously hits Neronvain square in the chest with an explosion of energy, he slashes at the Elf with his sword but the surprise of his spell's success affects his aim and the blade misses its target.
The green dragon continues to hover above with great booming beats of its wings, turns towards Farraine, Finn and Sigrid. Opening its massive jaws it lets out a cloud of poisonous breath sending the druid to the floor, unconscious, a victim to the putrid stench. Farraine, now back in the fight with renewed vigour and a somewhat pungent odour, throws, not one, not two, but three handaxes at the hovering horror each embedding themselves in the Dragon's torso. His celebrations are curtailed as he is struck from behind by 2 bolts of energy streaming from Neronvain's hands, knocking the wind out of his lungs, dropping him to his knees. Lucien does what he does best in retaliation and sends a flaming ball of fire straight at the Elven Wyrmspeaker, his final cries of pain echo through the cavern as he is engulfed in deadly flame. Finn looks down at his feet and notices a mist wrapped around his ankles that may have been there for a few seconds already but the effects are now seemingly taking hold as he is unable to move from the spot or draw his weapons.
Farraine runs over to the prone Sigrid and administers aid, helping her to her feet once more before unleashing yet another pair of Eldritch Blasts at the Dragon. Whatever our Bard had for breakfast this morning seems to be working as both bolts of energy strike their target and it howls in pain and lands with a thud on the cavern floor. It strides over to Farraine who really seems to have pissed it off for some reason (maybe something to do with the 3 handaxes protruding from its bloodied stomach) and bites and claws at the fighter. Its attacks lack precision and whilst they cause significant damage, Farraine is still standing, blood pouring from fresh wounds. Suddenly the garlands around each of our party's necks, crumble to dust and a wave of sudden terror and realisation crashes into their minds. Only the Halfling's clothing remains unsoiled. Farraine, encumbered by both injury and incontinence misses his strikes aimed at the Dragon. Lucien steps forward, somewhat uncomfortably, utters words of power and to no one's surprise except the Dragon's, hurls a ball of flame straight at its head. As it turns to face the wizard it's maw gapes open as it draws in a lung full of air, ready to unleash a fatal cloud of noxious fumes, the ball of flame is sucked deep into it's long throat where it meets the plume of gas and explodes in the most satisfying yet messy manner. What's left of the foul beast slumps to the cavern floor defeated.
A cheer of triumph and relief rings out through the vast cavern as our heroes realise the scale (pun intended) of their accomplishments. After taking a moment to compose themselves they soon turn to the important matter of loot. Finn moves over to the prostrate body of Neronvain and takes the Green Dragon Mask from his face and secures it in his backpack. He joins his friends at the remains of the dragon as they begin to extract teeth and claw and scale to be used for the crafting of equipment at a later date.
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