Posted by Irzen, Serna, Scribe & Willow
on 7/2/2009, 9:43 pm, in reply to "Re: A Brief History of Aurilaz & The Talisman"
Tommy shrugged. "I have no particular desire to get into a fight with her, so talking her into giving us the Talisman is all for the good. For me, the sneaking about and learning how she fights is mostly because she doesn't seem to be the sort of person who would be open to us just walking in the front door for tea and conversation. As for how we'll get it from her, we need to learn more about her situation first. Figure out what this whole Talisman Bearer business is about." Whimsically, he added, "and why a Black Dragon has a name more appropriate for a Gold Dragon. But seriously," he continued, shifting tone to match, "War Scribe; do you have any more information about the Talisman? Who's had it in the past, what they've done with it, what they might have in common with each other… anything like that?"
The elementalist and the assassin looked at each other and agreed that the name of the dragon better suited a gold than a black.
War Scribe sighed, "Of all of The Twelve Talismans of Terenor the Terrible--try saying that one fast six times--the Eleventh Talisman was the least used. There are only two individuals who are known to be this particular Talisman's bearer--Terenor and Aurilaz. History records no other bearers. Terenor created the thing in an attempt to control and destroy the Dragons. Before he could do so, he was taken down by Bahumat and Tiamat. How Aurilaz came into its possession is not known, what is known is that she is in possession of it now and has been in possession of it since the previous age. As for the Talisman Bearer part of the story, legend has it that The Talisman must always have a Bearer and the Bearer must always have The Talisman. They share a bond which allows them to look after each other and protect each other. The Talisman cannot be taken from its Bearer. Its Bearer must give it away to someone who is willing to care for it. That's all I know, Tommy, if you want to know more you would have to summon the spirit of Terenor or talk with Aurilaz herself."
"Maybe we dont ask her to give us the Talisman," Kana started of with an idea. "You said that she has followers and worshipers and we're not even sure if she would give it to any of us, if she let us live. I say let's make plans to go in softly and peacefully because I wouldn't ask any questions if I had territory and found out someone came agressively into it. There's a reason Venger wants it, or maybe he doesn't and just wants to get us out of the way for good. The past will give us info on what, who and why, but I don't think it's gonna give us an idea on what's to come."
"Well said, Mistress Kana," Serna smirked proudly at The Wolfen, "well said."
"Wow!" Gasped the elementalist in utter shock from the wolfen's answer, "Um. Wow, I say again. But to answer why he wants the talisman, would be to have power over his greatest adversary, Tiamat, who on more than one ocassion has sent him packing for failed attempts to subdue her."
"Oh," Kana said a bit deflated. Then seriously, "Why don't we talk to her instead?"
"But why stop with Tiamat, High Lady Alyson?" added Willow Bark with a rhetorical question, "With such a power in his possession, he could control both Bahumat and Tiamat and by default both good and evil Dragons throughout the Realm. Venger has little reason to stop with just controlling Tiamat when the whole of The Realm would be laying at his feet."
"Agreed," Irzen nodded, "But I might have a plan to secure us The Talisman." Turning to War Scribe, the Drow asked, "Scribe, we know that Dragons are sentient, that they once had a civilization with its own culture, its own mores and its own rules."
"Correct," confessed the Drowling, "So what are you driving at?"
"What I am driving at are rules for a truce," the Dark Elf smiled, "Scribe, do the Dragons have any rituals for making conversation, making peace or parlaying without involving any bloodshed?"
The Drowling paused for a minute and then answered, "Well, there is one ritual which could do the trick, the people who would be doing the talking would have to wear white robes, tatoo their faces with the three draconic symbols for the word 'peace', carry laurel leaves in their hands and approach Aurilaz unarmed. All of this is provided she decides not to ambush the negotiators and send them back to the rest of the group as a pool of black acid. Still, the ritual would take three people to do it properly. Why do you ask?"
"Because I cannot see a way around it," Irzen answered almost hopelessly, "I cannot think of a more deadlier enemy to fight on her own home turf than this Black Dragon. Tommy, I believe that you are right, Aurilaz has had a century to set up wards, glyphs and traps that would make Grimtooth proud. Even if this Myron Ironbane would be willing to help us, if Aurilaz has done some serious remodeling to her domain, he may be as lost as we would be in trying to reach her through any hidden passages he may find. And if we try to sneak in, her intelligence network might pick us up and you can bet that any human intelligence she has could be augmented by the local flora and fauna such as trees, birds, even the rocks themselves. Kana, I also believe that you are right, we should talk to Aurilaz. We dare not attack a creature that has a perfect record for ambushing her opponents. She is an ancient Dragon who has probably fought more battles, seen more bloodshed and forgotten more strategy than we could ever experience, see or learn. For once, I believe we are going to have to have to be straight up with the bad guy and be honest in our intentions. We should try and talk her into giving us The Talisman BEFORE we resort to violence in some suicidal attempt to take the artifact away from her."
Irzen turned towards Alyson, Kana and Tommy, "And I cannot think of three people who would be better suited for the task at hand. What do you say, guys, would you be willing to undergo some wacky ritual so we can NOT fight a Black Dragon and hopefully talk Aurilaz into loaning us The Talisman at the very least?"