"I do not have a good feeling about this, friends. I have fought and slain a dragon, and I wish to not do it again. What if we have here the dragon in the story, disguised as a man by the witches spell?"

Xander's countenance turns stern as he observes what is going on before his eyes, slowly removing the bow from his back.

Dyric, I cannot heal him if I do not understand what ails him.

I fear you are right, Xander. He did avoid giving us the name of the dragon.

Edited June 30, 201311 yr by Chromeknight

That sounds about right, it would definitely explain his age.

What are we going to do? If he's a larger dragon he'll rip the inn apart. Even if not, I somehow doubt he will pay once he's gotten what he wanted.

"He seems fixated on the crystal, Dyric. Be bold in your action, and I will support you in whatever may come."

I think it's too early to make a decision. We still don't know if this is a side effect or not. Besides, if this is what he wants and we ruin it, then he definitely won't pay. I suggest we wait a little more and observe.

The Party watches as the man knocks over the crystal ball, swaying violently from side to side, knocking over the chemical equipment as the rest of his form is revealed. The man's face is grimaced in pain as his cloak flows to one side revealing a partially formed wing and tail. Talons begin to tear through the man's hands and feet as he turns his tear stained face to the heroes.

"Leave. Now. I cannot ensure your safety in the ensuing hours and do not want to see you hurt."

Edited June 30, 201311 yr by Waterbrick Down

This was not part of understanding, Ecatsue. Did Ecatsue ever plan on paying rent or was leveling inn Ecatsue's way of handling back rent?

And what of Krook, did Ecatsue have anything to do with Krook's death?

Cronk felt bad when Cronk heard Ecatsue's story. But Ecatsue could have handled situation better, not caused damage and death that Ecatsue is about to cause.

"Krook, did not understand. Krook would not understand. He called me a mad man, a lunatic. That night in the cellar...I will not destroy the inn and will pay any back rent after the ritual has been completed, but I cannot guarantee your safety if you should stay in this room."

Edited June 30, 201311 yr by Waterbrick Down

We were hired to collect the rents. Investigating Krook's death has ever been a sideline.

I suggest we stand down and wait.

Addressing Ecatsue, Nerwen said.

How much longer will the ritual take?

The dragon, for that was what Ecastue truly was, turned, face contorted as he was again racked with pain, small flickers of flames beginning to usher from his nostrils.

"Hours at best, a week at worst."

Edited June 30, 201311 yr by Waterbrick Down

Shall we go ask Greely what he would like?

Pain washes over my face as I watch the man transform. Clearly the process is a less than pleasant one.

I agree with Nerwen, there's little more we can do then trust Ecatsue. I turn to the dragon. Good luck, sir.

Let's go talk to Greely

Trust to dragon?! Dyric, Ecatsue killed Krook simply because landlord was in way. This has become about more than simply rent. Cronk is unsure of what to do but Cronk is sure that trusting the dragon to do right thing is probably not best course of action.

Ecatsue! Cronk understands pain of loss. Of losing self. But that does not excuse Ecatsue's actions. If Ecatsue had sought help, Cronk knows Cronk would have. Krook, by most accounts, was a gentle and kind man. Krook did not deserve a firey death any more than Ecatsue deserved witch's curse. How does Ecatsue hope to make this right?

  On 6/30/2013 at 1:57 PM, CorneliusMurdock said:

Trust to dragon?! Dyric, Ecatsue killed Krook simply because landlord was in way. This has become about more than simply rent. Cronk is unsure of what to do but Cronk is sure that trusting the dragon to do right thing is probably not best course of action.

Ecatsue! Cronk understands pain of loss. Of losing self. But that does not excuse Ecatsue's actions. If Ecatsue had sought help, Cronk knows Cronk would have. Krook, by most accounts, was a gentle and kind man. Krook did not deserve a firey death any more than Ecatsue deserved witch's curse. How does Ecatsue hope to make this right?

"You assume what I did was out of malice towards the man? It is true that Krook did not believe my affliction that night when I sought to obtain some essence from the fire drakes in the basement. When I attempted to reveal my true nature to him, I cannot deny that my heart did burn with all the sorrow, torment, and anger towards the lot that life had bestowed upon me. However, my intention was never to end the man's life simply for his ignorance. I am far too acquainted with that aspect of the human race. No, Krook did in fact come to believe for only the briefest of moments as my failure to control the dragon fire pouring forth from my maw ended his simple but peaceful existence."

"Dyric, do you want to fetch Greely, or ask for his opinion on this matter? Nerwen, Cronk and I will keep an eye on Ecatsue, and make sure nothing happens. I advise you be quick, however, in case the transformation here takes a turn for the worse."

Even if Krook's death was accident, how does Ecatsue intend to make things right? And how is Ecatsue sure that Inn or indeed Eubric will remain standing through transformation process if Ecatsue was not able to control fire then?

Does Ecatsue see the problem?

Cronk, handle this to the best of your abilities. I'll talk to Greely.

I run down to Mr. Greely.

"Why do you think I have all these dragonlings here? They will ensure that it doesn't happen again. As for Krook, what would you have me..."

The man's face contorts before he retches spurts of flame onto the floor. The rug ignites, but only for a brief moment before the white dragonling settles besides the blaze, cooling the fire with its icy breath.

Meanwhile, Dyric runs the dumbwaiter down to Mr. Greely.

"Goodness gracious my good rogue, what's all this about?"

We've reached an... interesting situation with the man in the penthouse. The man is not exactly a man. He is a dragon, cursed and transformed into a man by some witch. He is fully willing to pay for his rent, but first he has begun a ritual which will turn him back into a dragon. He does not know how long the ritual will take. It could be hours, it could be days. Like I said, he is fully willing to pay once the ritual is complete. I suggest we give his time, he seems to be trustworthy. However, I leave the decision to you.

The little gnome lifts his hands in sheer panic.

"A dragon in the penthouse! What will the other tenants think? He's liable to burn the entire inn down. No, no, no! Master Hinckwell would see me fired and thrown onto the street. You must quickly get him out. Out I say, out out out! I don't care if he was to offer me 10,000 gold right this minute."

Edited June 30, 201311 yr by Waterbrick Down

I'm afraid that's impossible, sir. The... dragon assures he will not damage the inn. He promises to pay the rent, and he promises that he will leave as soon as the ritual is complete and the rent payed. The other tenants will not find out. Give him a chance, Mr. Greely. He deserves that much.

Edited July 1, 201311 yr by The Legonater

"They won't find out. A dragon is in the penthouse and they won't find out?!? Deal with it. I'm going to go tell the tenants to bar their doors until that monster is out of the inn!"

The gnome dashes off to warn his tenants.

Mr Greely! I say in my most commanding voice possible. If you wish to create a mad chaos, then by all means go ahead. If you want to contain this situation then stop where you are and help.

The gnome continues on either not having heard Dyric, or having chose to ignore him.

You fight a goddess one day, and the next you're chasing a gnome. Welcome to Heroica, Dyric...

I pursue Greely.