Standing either side of the double door, El Bardo and I raise our legs together“…3!” then – SMASH – the doors go flying open. We’re disappointingly not greeted with anyone on the other side. Just a double bed and a desk. El Bardo points to the right and explains that’s where he must have come up using the ladder from below. While El Bardo was in the motions of explaining, out the side of my eye I spot Gondar was running at full speed. Did he see something we’d missed? He was heading straight for the bed, I raised my hammer in anticipation. He made it midway across the room and then lept, he looked like he was flying across the room towards the bed. It felt like he was in the air forever… in fact he’s hung still in the air. I notice El Bardo and Maisee exchange confused looks, even Gondar’s looking back at us confused. A cold voice belows out
“So we finally meet! I’ve been keeping my eye on you since you were delivered to us.”
From the body on the bed (was there always a body on the bed? can’t say i noticed.. was Gondar going to jump for it?) not more green gas! No wait it looks more like a green being. After a few moments it swirls up in front of us and an old ghostly figure appears before us. He turns to me and El Bardo with a wide smile on his face, he looks happy to see us.
“So its you that’s been tasked to stop my war!”
El Bardo and I exchange confused looks while Gondar chimes in with
“I think he means that old Phandalin war from years gone by, I think this may be Artis!”
The green figure approaches Gondar slowly with a sceptical look. With his hand on his chin he almost seems to age on the spot while he’s taking in what the floating halfling said. He turns on his heel and waves his hand dismissively and with that Gondar drops to the floor.
“No… no you are with them, and I’m so close to finishing my work. The work my father is relying on”
Gondar finally on his feet brushes himself down and with a smile approaches Artis
“Listen, I think you have the wrong idea about me my friend. These two are only kept by me as they’re handy with lifting things“
While speaking Gondar turns and winks to a very confused El Bardo and I.
“we all know they aren’t the smartest of beings. I’m only able to keep them around because the war with the orcs has been over for some time now. I’m on your side though they aren’t the most cultured or subtle beings but would I lie to you about this my friend?”
Artis looked like he was getting younger and younger with each word Gondar spoke and was nodding in agreement to everything Gondar was saying.
“Hmm you speak very a true word…”
Artis leans in to whisper to Gondar
“.. and this fine body will make a great vessel”
With that a flash of black and green washes over the whole room sending us all flying backwards. I’m not sure how much time has passed but I see El Bardo helping Maisee to her feet. I shake my groggy head and head over to Gondar who’s already up on his feet and looking over us. As I approach him to see if he’s ok a glassy darkness comes over his eyes and an unsettling smirk starts across his face.
“Are you ok?”
With a speed I’ve become accustomed to for Gondar he’s drawing his sword, however this was different.. I couldn’t see who our foe was… by the time I look back to Gondar his smirk was now a manic smile and his arm was slashing down towards me. Before I could make sense of the situation and brace for the impact Maisee thankfully catches his arm stopping the blade inches from my throat. Something kicks in and I finally launch myself forward to grab a hold of Gondar, pleading he comes to his senses. With a deft move to his left and a slip to his right Gondar had evaded both mine and Maisee’s clutches.. if it wasn’t the fact he was bearing down on us menacingly once again I’d have clapped at how easy he made it look.. it was quite impressive and I definitely under appreciated how well he moved until on the receiving end of it!
—FLASH—
Just behind Gondar, in the corner of the room, a bright shatter pulses towards him. As it passes through his body Gondar collapses to the floor… is he asleep? He’s snoring loudly! Luckily for us the wave stops short at our feet.
“I’ve cast a sleep spell over him”
Announces El Bardo. Before we could thank him Gondar’s body rises again into the air…
“Whoa… that should have had him out cold”
Says El Bardo.. but this looked different. Gondar still looked sound asleep. A dark black cloud starts to rush from his chest swirling around him and a deathly beast starts to form above him. Once his form completes Gondar is flung towards our feet.
El Bardo flies from behind my shoulder to attack the beast, but his sword catches thin air. The dark beast winces but it didn’t seem to register any pain from it. Maisee was up next drawing a glowing white arrow she found from earlier. Her shot heads straight for where the dark beasts eyes would be if it had them, but again the beast braces for impact yet the arrow flies through the creature hitting the wall behind it. Our first bit of luck happens though, as the magical arrows explosion of light actually looks like it’s caused the beast discomfort! Unluckily for us this kicks the beast into action. It lets out an blood curdling howl that rings through the room.. I can feel it ripping through my body and bones..
As the howl finally comes to a stop, the group gingerly get back up on their feet. As I’m standing something feels very different. It felt like I’ve been hit by a carriage, my body wasn’t reacting the way it should. At this point Gondar had stirred from his feet and he had a concerned look as he stared at us blankly.
“What happened to me… and why have you all aged so much?” said Gondar.
Out the corner of my eye I catch my reflection and the person staring back looks much like my father.. A sudden fear hits me as the beast begins to laugh uncontrollably. I can sense this fear fall across the whole room, as the rest of the group look disorientated. It was at this moment I felt a warmth in my hand.. Darkbreaker was glowing and even though my body ached a power ripped through it. Instinct kicked in and I was flying towards the beast with Darkbreaker raised above me, pulsing with more light as it arched towards the beasts head. As it approaches closer I’m shocked to find that I’m screaming
” I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee. “
The moment Darkbreaker connects (much differently than the previous attempts by El Bardo and Maisee) a flash of light screams down from the sky and explodes on the spot below the figure. With that the beast’s laughter stops dead and I now sense a great fear coming from the beast as it recoils away in terror.
Sensing the end El Bardo delivers the last blow with nothing but a whisper of
“I’m afraid your time is at an end be gone”
And with that the ghostly figure lets out one final howl as it disappears. With that the group is left looking at one another, unsure what just occurred and what next. El Bardo (while feeling his lower back) explains
“I think it cast an age spell on us all.”
Gondar is quick to point out that he feels fine and doesn’t think it hit him
“I feel fine, actually its the best sleep I’ve had since the bo… since we got here. I would be lying if I didn’t say I’ve had enough of this place though. Maybe we should make our way out and head back into town?”
Before I could agree Maisee cut through with
“I found an odd looking key though that looks like it should fit the door with danger written all over it. Easily check it out on our way, unless your scared about whats behind it Gondar?”
With an almost snort/sigh Gondar shakes his head in response to Maisee.
“I… I’m just thinking about you old codgers, since you won’t feel as sprightly and youthful as myself anymore.”
As we approach the door I can see the group get themselves all prepped for the worst, I mean we’ve already been through so much in this weird dungeon. If this was the one place that’s under lock and key god knows what awaits us on the other side. As Maisee inserts the key and a mechanical whirring and shuddering noise starts up from inside the door as the patterns on the doors start to circle and move within the frame, and in a moment we all hear a loud click. With that El Bardo and I enter the a very dark room, and stand waiting for the inevitable. After some time passes Gondar walks past and says
“looks like it’s empty.. and full of trash from the looks of it.”
“maybe they were burning stuff in the furnace over there” I mention as I approach the furnace.
As I lean down to see what may be inside it I noting just on the outside a sphere shaped hole
“Maisee isn’t the red marble you found before the same size as this?” I say
With that realisation Maisee shifts uncomfortably on the spot
“No surely not these are just shiny keepsakes”
“It won’t hurt to see if they fit would they hey?” With a big smile Gondar adds as Maisee shoots a deathly stare his way.
“Ok I’m sure it won’t hurt to try.. I’m sure it’ll turn out to be nothi..”
And as the orb in Maisee’s hand approaches closer to the sphere hole, the Orb shoots out and clinks into place. With that the red in the marble almost sparks into fiery life, as steam starts to shoot out all over the furnace as it starts to shake… is it rising up on the spot too? The furnace keeps rising on the spot as we all stare on, starting to now tower over us as well as starting to look more like metallic knight. As the shaking stops the furnaces eyes open and to our shock introduces itself as Forge.
“Is.. oh dear… is that… please no… is that Embers orb?”
“We found both these in a chest but never knew there purpose until now. Who’s ember?” I ask
“Ember is my… I.. I mean was… my brother. The state of the orb is irreparable.“ says a sullen looking Forge.
“I was locked away in this room as Ember and I began to worry about our master’s son Artis’s work. I’m not sure how long it’s been but would you mind if I accompany you out of this place.”
“Sure we’re looking to finally get out of this place, we’ve definitely had enough of it. Can I ask what year you think it is?” Asked El Bardo
“Why we’re midway through the 900th century and Phandolin is in the grips of a war with the orcs..”
Before Forge could continue Maisee puts her hand on her shoulder “I’m sorry to say Forge but that was a long time ago. Let’s get you out of here and we can catch you up on everything that’s passed.”
Quietly the group heads down back to the main dungeon quarters.. but in the distance we hear a big commotion..
“oh Raxaforth, WHHHYYY… they did not deserve this!”
As we arrive at the quarters Naxiram was on his knees with the mother and child in each arm.. before we could explain or say anything he shoots us a fiery look, knowing already what must have happened. Gondar makes his way to the front and approaches him
“Look Naxiram.. I know there isn’t a single thing I can say to take away what happened here. We can only say how deeply sorry we are for the outcome.”
At that moment Naxiram shoots up revealing a blade in his hands. Gondar doesn’t flinch with this but slowly raises his hands to say we don’t mean any harm. Naxiram takes a step toward Gondar, and before I can move towards the situation El Bardo puts his hand across me and shakes his head slowly. Naxiram now a staring Gondar dead in the eye says
“You will have to live with this on your soul for the rest of time.”
And before anyone could say anything else raises the knife to his throat and in one swift swipe slit his throat, collapsing down to rest by his family.
Gondar now standing frozen on the spot just staring in disbelief at the scene doesn’t notice that the body of Naxiram is convulsing violently.. not in the normal way a body should react when it’s taken it’s last breath. As the shaking grows more violently Maisee goes to pull Gondar back, Naxiram’s body bolts upright and a loud screech echos around the room… his body still shaking this way and that in the air now. It starts to crunch and crack as it deforms… growing in size to now look like a massive rat that towers over the group. Forge steps forward and calmly asks
“We do not mean any harm to you, please allow us safe passage?”
The giant rat delivers its answer instantly with two crunching swipes across Forge knocking her back allowing me to visibly see how panicked she is.
El Bardo springs forward circling the rat to take a hold of it’s tail. No sooner than he clutched the tail a concerned look shot across his face as the rat broke his tail free without any effort, swinging it one way and then the other slamming down onto El Bardo taking the wind out of him as he crumples on the floor.
Gondar and Maisee throw everything at the giant beast, Gondar slashing across its chest drawing blood and Maisee sticking two arrows accurately into the side of the beast. But the rat barely flinched.
I finally approach the giant beast and before I could raise Darkbreaker the beasts powerful claws come smashing down with such force, as I brace for impact everything begins to slow down.. is this my body’s way of protecting me from the pain about to be inflicted.. I look around the room and can still see El Bardo hunched over barely breathing on the floor as the rats tail was flying back over him for the final blow.. Forge was frozen on the spot with the look of fear across her face.. Gondar was looking back to Maisee as they exchanged concerned looks, with each of their blows seemingly ignored by the beast.. is this what our final battle will look like? Will I never get the chance to find my path? Have I let my friends down in this fight too soon!?
As the blow finally connects a bright light engulfs my vision. Am I meeting my maker? By the time my eyes adjust my old master is standing over me. As his hand reaches out to help me up the warm touch feels familiar in my hand. It is the man that saw potential in me, my old paladin master who began my journey away from my sheltered life.
“I’m sorry Baratheus, I feel I have failed you and my friends in my journey to find my true path. I hope in my last moments I had at least made you proud by standing by my friends.”
“It is I master, Darkbreaker” sensing my confusion Darkbreaker continued on
“I have taken this form to put you at ease, please follow me master if you wish to save your friends.” As I followed on silently for a while the man spoke again
“my name is Agorath, my master will be pleased you are finally here. He’s been waiting to meet you”
“Is this the voice Baratheus asked me to seek out, to help me find my powers through god?” I ask
“yes master, my friend will definitely grant you great powers… powers to help you save your friends from the vile beast before you. You must listen carefully and follow my master ways.”
A we walk for some time silently, with only our footsteps echoing around us I can’t help but think this must be the voice my old master spoke about.. I can’t let him down in my time of judgement. Before I knew it Agorath was standing alongside a hooded man. He had a dark, purple aura to him.
“Welcome my friend, Agorath has spoken very highly of you. I have been waiting some time to meet a person worthy of his recommendations.”
“Darkbreaker said you have the power to help save my friends.” I said.
“Yes, a great power. A great power that you may wield as well to save your friends. All you have to say do is repeat after me.. I Matt except the terms of the contract.”
“That is all I have to say and you will save my friends?”
“Yes you will see my true power, I will slay the vile beast that’s been set upon you by the filthy Xvart god. Say these simple words and I can save you, to guide you on your journey…”
“Anything to help save them.” As I cut across him and repeat the hooded mans phrase back to him.
As I recite the last word I can see my old master… i mean Darkbreaker’s grin grow from ear to ear as the light goes out… The room comes back into focus, and I’m on my knee with the same warm feeling in my hand while holding Darkbreaker. It’s looks like its glowing purple in my hands and vibrating.. the hit must have been more painful than I realised.. Darkbreaker begins to glow brighter and my hands violently shaking as small fissures begin to spread out over the dusty looking warhammer. Before I could make sense of everything Darkbreaker shatters in my hand sending a shockwave of energy through my veins. A feeling of power and invincibility now throbbing through me as I’m now standing holding up, what looks to be a new warhammer with smooth purple stonework and a glowing purple gem in the hilt, above my head. I swing towards the beast crashing Darkbreaker deep into its chest.. a fire burning purple across the beasts chest with the blow visibly causing the giant rat distress for the first time.
Before I could marvel in this new power the room begins to shake as stone starts to fall from the ceiling.. the floor bellow us start to open. I push forge back from the edge while I run around to El Bardo. In this time purple tentacles start to raise up from the holes, wrapping themselves all over the giant rat pulling it down and into the ground. I scoop up El Bardo and move away from the falling floor beneath us just in time as more stone from above is falling.
“This way Matt, the escape is over here!” shouts Gondar.
We all barely make it outside when we’re greeted by Adrick who swoops by everyone to see El Bardo in my arms still unconscious. With a softly spoken word a magical glow appears under Adricks hands and El Bardo comes around and sheepishly says
“Lets get out of here..”