Journal of Rollo Lavius 3

Entry #563 - The Lying Dragon

(G563 22/06/2024 via Roll20 - JF, KT, AP(GM), AD) YI-B7

[Myself (your humble narrator, Rollo the Druid), Reinward the Chosen One and Fangornio the Barbarian find ourselves on a quest to save the village of Hartsvale from a very naughty dragon. We are now in some caves having just biffed up a bunch of goblins, hobgoblins and bugbears.]

DAY 622 (15th Uktar) (November) cont ...

This lad Fangornio. Either he has a death wish or he lacks the basic understanding of tactics in a dungeon environment and is incapable of learning them.

Reinward had lapsed back into being reasonable and went to the door to the west of the chamber to start checking for traps and that sort of thing. Fang just sauntered right past him, as if he was walking along the main street in Waterdeep.

One day, that boy will come a cropper. Not today though. The next chamber we came to was a jail of sorts. There were six unarmed goblins in here (I recognised two of them from the bridge). I didn't attack them and they cowered in the corner. Reinward came in and started searching the place. Meanwhile Fang wandered off down a corridor to the south - once again pushing his luck.

We left him to it and I had a look in the cells. All I saw was the corpse of a dwarf in shackles. I then questioned the goblins about the dragon, but they didn't tell me much of any use.

We then went south and met Fang in (what we guessed to be) the bugbear sleeping quarters. It was pretty smelly and nasty although Reinward did search it. He didn't find much.

From there we explored some other chambers to the east. These were laid out much the same. The quarters of monsters we had already slain. Finally we came to a room with a ramp.
As we went up it some weird rats began to circle us, almost as if ushering us on. Most strange. They appeared to be normal rats (not a summoned swarm) but under the domination of some unknown power.

Up we went, anyway and found ourselves outside. Ahead of us we saw a tower and a temple. The temple had been desecrated, the stained glass windows broken and the statues pushed over. We approached and Valturnax came out to meet us. He seemed to want to talk;

"
It has taken you long enough. I have been waiting for you. I have heard the sounds of the slaughter below. I can smell your foul odour on the wind. And I know you covet my treasure.
"

That seemed a bit presumptuous of him I thought, but he went on:

"
If it's a battle you want, I will provide it – but I hope to parlay. If you value your lives, you should hear me out. I come carrying, as the human custom goes, the white banner of peace. Step into my lair as guests and no harm shall come to you.
"

I was doubtful, but followed him in. The other two hung back and hid at the temple entrance. The dragon continued to talk:

"
Let us put aside our weapons. To be welcomed into a lair of a dragon is a trust and honour no dragon dare go against! I am issuing the old draconic guest rite. It is an ancient custom between host and guest, one that has evidently passed to some human cultures. May Tiamat strike those that defy this rite down!
"

An old draconic guest rite? thinks I. Is that a thing?
He went on:

"
As part of my role as host, my full name is Valturnax the Wise, though my half-sister calls me Valturnax the Wise-ass. Tell me, heroes, what are your names?"

I gave my name, being the only hero present at that time. He continued:

"
The truth, adventurers, is that this fight is more evenly matched than I prefer. Now, don't get me wrong! I would surely destroy you. But while I was wounded from this fight, licking my wounds, I would be a prime target for my half-sister's attack. I may be inclined to be evil, by your standards, but I'm not stupid. I would much prefer fights I can overwhelmingly win.
"