Characters: Grim, Anthony, Terus, Nomin, Julian, Samael, Randal, Tulgar.
NPCs: Rorgh the Black (Death Giant, Blackguard), Berakk the Blue (Sand Giant Cleric of Tiamet), Werghret the Green (Forest Giant, Ranger), Tugargl the Red (Fire Giant, Fighter), Bezurk the White (Frost Giant, Barbarian), Draguth Endroun (High Druid of the Knightswood Nine).
M 17 Mirtul 1374 - M 17 Mirtul 1374
8600 XP
The party returned to the halls of Elfhold once more. This time however, they were met with a terrifying sight; they were surrounded, and Avazgourl was slain. Much to Terus’ surprise they were indeed surrounded. How these five massive warriors could have known that they would be Teleporting to this exact position and time was beyond him. It did not matter now though; battle was joined.
Grim remembered back to his vision within the lair of Augloroasa, and knew who these five were, the infamous dragonslayers known as Tiamet’s Talons. They were Large warriors armed with Dragonhide full platemail, each wielding great weapons too large for any man. The five Giant Dragonslayers smashed into the party with their Dragonfang greatweapons drawing a costly first blood. Could the great fiery bearded warrior in red dragon platemail actually be a 4th generation identity of Gorut? Perhaps, but for the time being it seemed they were fighting dragonslayers, and not a dragon. Samael, Terus, and Julian tumbled and maneuvered away from a number of deathly blows as they escaped the circle of attackers and began their tactical assault from behind. Anthony Manton cast Mass Heal to rejuvenate the party from their gaping wounds. Grim returned with great evocations of his own, after breaking through the epic spell defense on the Tiamet’s Talons equipment. Tulgar began to square off with Bezurk the White, a great Frost Giant in White Dragon full plate, and traded powerful strikes with their icy weapons. The Talons continued to slash and pound away at the party and soon Grim and Balin were in grave trouble. The Forest Giant’s attacks had Balin reeling in pain after numerous hits with his twin War Picks. Just before the Forest Giant could deal a death blow to Balin; Randal heroically leapt forward into the path of the Forest Giant’s furious attack and saving his life. Randal’s body would forever bear the scar of the attacks, but remained in fighting capacity holding off the Forest Giant with his own flurry of fists.Meanwhile, Julian, Terus, and Samael had managed to surround the Death Giant Blackguard. They swirled around him with blinding speed slashing with their swords, severing arteries, nerves, and tendons. The Sand Giant Cleric came to his comrade’s aid, saving him from true death. As the battle raged onward, Nomin saw an opening to charge at the Forest Giant. He readied his steed and made haste out of the circle. Tugargl the Red however was waiting and anticipated Nomin’s move. Nomin did not see Tugargl at first, but as he turned his steed toward the Forest Giant, Tugargl followed in pursuit dealing an awesome blow to the Cormyrian Knight, tilting him off his horse. Nomin’s mount continued the charge however, and assaulted the Forest Giant with its armored hooves. Nomin returned to his feet only to be locked in a dangerous melee. He could see a great yellow smile through Tugargl’s fiery beard.
The rouges continued to outflank and maneuver the Rorgh the Black and Berakk the Blue. It was apparent now to Rorgh and Berakk that this third fight of their day may be their last if they were to continue. Just that instant, the Talons were gone in a flash. The party scrambled to their feet panting heavily and choking in the humid swamp air.
After the battle the party finally took their time to investigate the defiled temple grounds. The great gold dragon Avazgourl, whose help they sought to enlist in finding the proper texts concerning Gorut the Red Dragon, was slain. His massive corpse rested in the center of the temple, dark blood ran down into the holy circle Grim had previously rejuvenated, and soaked into the pale dirt. Julian gathered from the blood streaked marble floor that Avazgourl had been killed just outside the temple and dragged into the center later; dragged there so that his blood would soak into the dirt and marble stones, and defile them. The still air reeked of death. Even more dust than before hung in the air and choked their throats. The marble dust was from the last 2 fallen Colossal Guardians which had also been destroyed, their great earthen pieces shattered across the temple grounds. Whether the Knightswood Nine, the only other guardians of this place were still alive was unknown. Balin set out to find the answer.
Balin stepped away from the butchered dragon corpse and slipped back into the flooded grounds of the lower ruins of Myth Tarna. Walking further, the ruins became sparser, as the Vast Swamp seemed to swallow them up. Balin listened closely to the whispers of the vines and old trees. After a befriending the local plants, Balin sent a message through the vegetation to contact the Knightswood Nine. Not shortly after the trees whispered back their response. They were indeed still alive, and would meet him on his journey back to Elfhold. Balin turned and started back toward Elfhold, gliding effortlessly through the murky swamp water. Some time after, Balin was greeted by an old vine covered swamp dweller, Draguth Endroun, High Druid of the Knightswood Nine.
Balin informed Draguth of the recent battle with Tiamet’s Talons, though Draguth was aware of the death of Avazgourl. Though he was not a natural creature, he was noble, good hearted, and most of all, an old friend of Draguth’s. The power of the Dragonslaying giants was one that Draguth and the other Knightswood Nine knew they could not match. So they had receded back to the Swamp, ready to fight a guerilla battle against the Evil Knights of they attacked the Swamp. Draguth promised Balin that the the Knightswood Nine would for now on keep an eye on the ruins of Myth Tarna, especially Elfhold. Balin then thanks Draguth for all his help and returned to the company of his fellow adventurers.
