Dragon Hunt Session 1

Princess Guard - The New Era 2016/09/22 	 Titan Charm Caleb Daemon Harlequin 20

At the Embassy
Caleb sends over the PG comms .oO(So can somebody explain what's going on?)Oo.

Now you're within range of the communicator Princess Liandere is wearing she can reply. Her mental voice carries overtones of fear as she conveys the message, .oO(Come to the team quarters. I will explain when you are here.)Oo.

Charm runs toward the team headquarters! She's worried.

Caleb follows Charm. He's not worried, but hey, he signed up for this gig.

When Charm enters the PG team quarters her grand-mother, Princess Liandere is already there. In an uncharacteristic reaction she goes over the Charm and hugs her. "Are the others coming?" she asks verbally.

Titan says to Harlequin, who is carrying Micky, "Please put him under guard. Be sure to warn the guards about his mental abilities. I'm sure they can come up with some mental defenses of some kind." He then heads toward the quarters.

"Some are," Caleb replies as he enters on Charm's heels. "What's the sitch?"

The Princess says in fearful tone, "They've found us. Found the Twilit Worlds."

Charm asks, "Who? The lost fae?" as she embraces her grandmother.

Titan raises a brow as he catches the initial conversation. "Hmm."

Princess Liandere's reply is just one word, "Dragons."

Charm says, "Dragons?! But surely they're all dead! Or all but..... I know there are one or two hunters that still seek them out on distant worlds...."

Caleb recalls that the war against the dragons is the most traumatic event in fae history. Basically they lost and had to flee their original worlds and seek out a new home."

Caleb nods. "OK, so, the Dragons caught up with you. I'm assuming you've been thinking for a long time about what to do when that happens, yeah?"

Daemon is tailing the rear of the Princess Guard, listening in quietly as he tries to get a grasp on the situation. He's feeling a little unnerved since having his invisibility cloak seen through.

He watches everyone's body language as they speak- but soon enough, his eyes lock on to the Princess as he listens to her warning.

'Dragons? Come on- you've gotta be kidding...' He thinks to himself.

Titan rubs his chin, "There was one that was seen on that desolate world the Duke had been taken to. But it didn't look like a huge threat at the time, from the reports."

Charm says, "They're supposed to be gone - the great dragons that is, the magic eaters - all dead long ago - or on worlds with so little magic they're not a threat....."

The Princess squeezes Charm slightly and then releases her. She takes a moment and a breath to pull herself together. "Although we have a truce with the goblins of Wyrmwood the Duke of Westmarch maintains regular patrols at the paths the goblins used to invade. One of those patrols found a dozen grey elves. All dead. Some torn limb from limb and others burned to charcoal. There were dragon tracks at the site. Lord Elrohar believes the grey elves came first using one of their secret ways, and the dragon followed them here."

Caleb shrugs. "Dragon, singular? OK. So we take it out, we close whatever path it took to get here, problem solved?"

Charm says, "How many dragons are there? Have any actually been seen?"

[To Caleb] Charm says, "If there's just one. And she hasn't laid any eggs...."

Caleb nods. "OK. Take it out, deal with its eggs, close the path. Anything else?"

"The trackers followed the signs to an old long abandoned Dwarven mine. There seems to only be one dragon at this time. But in a world of mana it will lay and hatch more within days."

Titan furrows his brow, "The dragons have suffered greatly since the original war, yes? Is there not some place we could relocate this one to that might ensure safety for your people and doesn't consign the dragon to death?"

Charm explains. "The great dragons breed faster the more magic there is. On high-magic worlds, they breed so fast that eventually they destroy *everything*. In the Dragon Wars, so many worlds were lost...."

Caleb nods again, this time to Titan. "OK. Neutralize it, relocate it to some mana-poor world, deal with its eggs, close the path. Anything else?"

"If we knew of other mana rich un-occupied worlds we would have settled on them, Ablenman Johnathan." The Princess says. Then she nods to Charm, "Listen to Ablewoman Charmer. Dragons have no restraint. They destroy everywhere they go."

Charm nods. "The Twilit Worlds were our last retreat. The other worlds - all the great mana-rich worlds where the fae once walked - the dragons destroyed."

Titan grimaces, "The dragons I've met were sentient beings. And not all were evil. I'm not going to pronounce judgement on one without more details."

Caleb tilts his head to one side. "Good point. There are a couple living in Chinatown, I hear... maybe we should get their input?"

Charm says, "Not all dragons are sentient. The great dragons - if the old stories are true - mostly were not."

'How the hell did my investigation devolve into a dragon hunt?' Daemon thinks to himself. He's managed not to spout any of his non-believer talk aloud- which is a small miracle.

He considers turning around and walking out - after all, his concern generally ends at the limits of Earth, and from the looks of things he's found himself in Neverland.

A tiny voice in the back of his mind tells him he can't possibly turn his back on people in need. Daemon then wishes he could punch that voice in the throat.

'Oh joy- so this mission might culminate in murder? This has to be some kind of hat trick.' He thinks morosely.

Charm says, "Taking the dragon to a low-mana world *should* end the threat. If that can be done...."

Charm says, "And if it can't find its way back."

"Ableman Johnathan, without your aid, without the aid of those in the Princess Guard, the Twilit worlds will be lost. Swords and arrows will not prevail against dragonhide and using magic only makes them stronger." Princess Liandere states. "I do not believe you can reason with a dragon. But if you wish to try, please do not get killed doing so. Because we need you."

Titan actually smiles slightly...after all, he knows nothing could kill him. Not even a dragon. "We shall see."

Caleb laughs. "If it makes you feel any better, the _last_ guy he wanted to reason with ended up with his ribcage caved in. So I kinda like our odds. So: what can these dragons _do_?"

Titan mutters an aside to Caleb, "The kid used mental powers. I told him to surrender."

"He deserved it." Daemon says chiming in. "Little Bastard..."

"The tales of your people are surprisingly accurate. I suspect you have had encounters with them in the past. Although your world is too low in mana to sustain a great dragon for long. Their strength on a world as rich in mana as the Twilit worlds is astonishing. Their hides turn arrows and swords with ease. And they breath a fire so hot it can melt metal."

Charm says, "And their claws and teeth slice through Dwarven steel with ease...."

The Princess nods to Charm, "Even enchanted Mithral."

Caleb nods to Titan and Daemon. "Totally with you -- like I said in the first place, I was all for taking him out by surprise and not giving him a chance to whammy anyone. And, OK," he replies to the elves. "Tough, strong, flies, breathes fire. Got it. You said non sentient -- is this like mindless-raging-beast, or like weirdly-cunning-but-you-can't-talk-to-it kind of thing? And, just cuz I gotta ask: any weaknesses?"

Titan folds his arms as he listens. He just thinks to himself. o O (The Undermoon records of the grey elves were wrong. What if the records of the dragons are wrong too? I'm sure they're too sure of themselves to even consider the possibility.)

The Princess says, "Dragons have a great deal of cunning. The mine the trackers followed the dragon to... It was a Dwarven iron mine."

Charm says, "They cannot live with no mana at all. That is why they aren't everywhere - once they destroyed the other mana-rich worlds they died of starvation..."

Caleb nods. "OK. Won't try to lure it through a Gate to Science Country, then. Maybe we can shove it through one once it's down. How big are these things, anyway?" He thinks a bit and adds "And do we have a map of these mines handy?"

To Caleb the Princess says, "Some legends suggest that dragons molt scales occasionally, and before a new scale forms to replace it that yields a weak spot."

"Look for bald spots. Got it," Cale replies.

"Aim for the softspots..." Daemon mutters. 'Real helpful.' He thinks to himself, finishing the thought he began aloud.

The Princess looks at Charm. "You won't be going of course. It's far too dangerous."

"Gee, thanks," Cale replies. "What, the rest of us are disposable?"

Charm says, "The babies are - well, egg-sized. The largest - I don't know know. There is an ancient story of one wrapping round a whole world, but I doubt the truth of that.... One thing is sure - on Heartworld it will be growing quickly...."

Then to Caleb answering his question, "The great dragons can grow in a mana rich area to lengths of 120 feet or more." Princess Liandere says.

"Oh so just a little dragon then..." Daemon says sarcastically. "Sounds like a better job for a warship- you wouldn't happen to have any Ulysses Class Warships around would you?"

Charm frowns. "Grandmother - I am part of the team! And they don't know the Heartworlds."

"I'm guessing all their big guns are magic, which the dragons just eat," Cale adds to Daemon as an aside while the family spats. "Which is why they're sending us."

The Princess shakes her head. "No. Ghost made the same point to the king some time ago. That we of Undermoon and the Twilit worlds are technologically backward. If I was to wish for anything it would be the space-ship she claims to have commanded before coming here."

Titan says, "I can say that Charm has been a big help so far. But it's not my place to determine whether or not she comes along. I'll leave that to Ghost and yourself, Princess."

Charm thinks. "There are the dwarves. They have their steam-machines, and hate the dragons if anything more than we do. Perhaps they have some weapon that could be used against dragons...."

Then to Charm she starts to speak... and then just shakes her head. "While you make me proud of you I would wish right now that you have slightly less courage and sense of duty. Very well. You may go. Don't take chances and come back safe and sound. Your mother will never forgive me if anything happened to you and I would never forgive myself."

"As long as we're counting bereaved family, Your Highness," Caleb snaps, somehow making the title seem not-quite-complimentary, "I've got a couple of brothers back home who are tolerably fond of me too. We'll try to avoid killing anyone,"

Charm nods. "Duty and honor require that I go. Family requires that I come back." She smiles. "And for that matter, coming back seems like a good idea on a personal level, too."

'Looks like I've finally found a place I belong...' Daemon thinks sarcastically to himself after the Princess admits to this 'realm' being technologically backwards.

"So what we're all saying here is there won't be wifi where we're going?" He asks in a tone that makes it clear he's joking while the Royal Family sorts out their personnel issues.

[To Caleb] Charm says, "No one is going to die. Grandmother's particular concern is that my powers are magical - and so of limited use."

The Princess speaks to all of you. "The fate of three worlds hangs on your actions. If there is anything at all we can do to aid you we shall. Lord Elrohor and the Westmarch guards will go with you to Westmarch. If you feel it will help take Lady Surian. She is a healer. The dwarves of Mal Tokac will be able to provide a map of the mine."

Caleb says, "I approve of healers. And maps."

"Also," Caleb adds after a moment, "there's someone from Colonial Bay I think we ought to bring with us. Not a member of the Guard, but I think she's particularly well suited to this mission." He turns to Titan and adds "Have you met Natasha?"

Titan nods. "I believe I have. But let's be honest, here...Natasha's a dragon. Do you really think it wise to bring Natasha into this, given how the people of Undermoon feel about dragons?"

"Can I carry the map?" Daemon asks with a hint of mirth in his voice. "You guys all seem to have a pretty good lay of the land after all..."

He's not being very helpful is he? Hopefully he dragon-slays better than he quips.

Caleb shrugs. "Is there an Undermoon equivalent of 'set a thief to catch a thief'?" He thinks a moment and adds "Though I suppose 'fight fire with fire' would be more appropriate. Which always struck me as a stupid idea. So, OK, point."

Charm says, "And - another dragon? Even if it's not one of the great dragons, which side would it be on?"

Titan sighs and whispers to Caleb, "Prejudices run strongly here."

"This sounds like a terrible idea..." Daemon mutters before asking aloud, "How big is this Natasha the hopefully very friendly dragon?"

'Well at least they realize this is a terrible idea... somehow I don't think that's going to stop us from bringing another dragon along...' He thinks to himself.

"I dunno, Charm... I mean, I'm an ape, but I could probably bring myself to defend a planet of intelligent lizards from a rampaging tide of giant angry gorillas. Anyway... never mind. Shall we checkout those dwarves, then?" says Caleb.

Princess Liandere is staring at Caleb in sheer disbelief, "You actually suggested bringing another dragon to the Twilit Worlds? That's a totally insane idea. Absolutely not!"

Caleb raises an eyebrow in Liandere's direction. "Princess... with all due respect, if species matters more to you than whether someone is capable of having a conversation and enjoying a cup of tea, I may have to rethink my continued employment when this job is done. Give it some thought. Anyway... shall we?"

Charm looks distinctly uncomfortable at the disagreement.

Titan nods. "Let's get going."

Charm nods. "The quicker the better - the longer we wait the bigger the dragon will be!"

Princess Liandere tells you a world-walker is waiting at the way path under the bridge to take you to Undermoon.

Charm is glad of that. She can worldwalk, but is far from an expert.

Caleb decides not to make a point of going under his own power, and follows the path.

The party heading to Undermoon has grown to quite a size. As well as the PG team there's the Westmarch guards and Lord Elrohor. The firebird carriage also makes the transition. Once on Undermoon it's suggested that the PG team use the carriage to reach Westmarch rapidly. The guards will follow at their best pace and arrive some hours later.

Charm talks softly to the firebird in greeting as she heads to the carriage.

Titan heads along with the group, though he's starting to have serious misgivings about working with the Guard. But it remains to be seen what the real situation is. After all, things are rarely as they're reported to be.

Caleb follows as well, not too concerned. Taking down a powerful magic beast might be beyond them, but at least an initial skirmish will show them what they're facing.

It's only ten minutes later that the firebird carriage is descending to the courtyard in the Westmarch castle. The Duke and Princess Stephenie are in the courtyard waiting for it to land. Which it does.

Charm is delighted to see home and her parents again! But she can't go and greet them - in Undermoon it's doubly important to maintain her disguise....

The team is greeted formally by the Duke and Princess. Then invited to the Duke's private quarters. Which Charm will know is secure from spying and scrying. There the formality breaks down as the Duke welcomes Titan and the rest of the team warmly while Princess Stephenie catches up with Charm.

Caleb does not operate under Charm's constraints, and greets his old friend with a decided lack of restraint. "Steph!" he calls out cheerfully, approaching for a hug unless speared like a mannerless boar by her guards. "I don't get to see you nearly enough on this gig, y'know."

Princess Stephanie gives Caleb a friendly hug. "I know, it's been too long - I'm sorry. But things are getting bad here - and that's not counting the dragon. No good deed goes unpunished and all that...."

Titan does a decent job of covering his feelings of awkwardness when greeting the Duke and Princess. He smiles cordially enough.

Daemon watches the greeting between Caleb and Princess 'Steph' aloofly.

In fact- it seems everything he does in Undermoon is pretty aloofly. While they transported themselves along the magic highways and byways - he seemed unimpressed maybe even a little hostile towards the journey itself. He is obviously uncomfortable and well out of his element- and his attitude shows it.

Caleb nods. "Yeah, if it's not the Olympics it's an invading dragon. Always something with you people," he agrees with a smirk. "And I'd make an incredulous comment about how ridiculous it is that Undermoon is playing politics as usual when facing an existential threat, except, well, you aren't as different from Earth as all that. So. Let's get to it, then."

The Duke glances at Daemon and asks Titan, "A new member of the Princess Guard? Perhaps you could introduce me?"

<> Caleb sends, chortling, only realizing after the fact that the Duke might well be on the comms himself. Oops.

The princess nods. "Oh, don't get me wrong. The Twilit Worlds could put aside all their difference to fight the dragons. But that would mean that the cold iron would come out of the secret caches no one will ever admit to having. And I doubt that genie could be put back in its bottle. If there's any other way to fight the dragons, we have to take it.... Preferably before the Wormwood goblins decide to break their recent treaties..."

Ghost turns up looking utterly exhausted and carrying a half dozen earth made ear-bud communicators. Going to Titan she gives him a tired hug and a kiss, and then hands him the communicators. "You'll probably find the PG comms don't work when you get close to the dragon. I've enchanted those to function on the Twilit worlds."

Caleb nods to Steph, pulling a label out of a hole in space that reads "Some Other Way" and affixing it to his shirt before greeting Ghost and taking one of the earbuds. "Testing, testing... this thing on?"

Titan nods to Ghost and returns the kiss. He then looks to the Duke, "Duke Vanatherion, this is a hero that helped us with the ATM case we were working on. I'm not sure I've gotten his name, though he knows who I am."

Caleb thinks. o O (Oh right, there were ATMs involved at the start of all that!)

Charm asks, "What is the range of these communicators?"

The Duke goes over to Daemon and following his knowledge of Earth customs offers Daemon his hand. "Allow me to welcome you to Westmarch. I'm sorry it has to be under such trying circumstances but let me thank you for helping."

Daemon steps forward to both Titan and the Duke.

"You can call me Daemon." He says simply as he's usually not one to offer up any information freely- especially when that information is about him specifically.

"I guess I'm just one of those people who can't refuse to offer to lend a hand to those in need..." He says in a tone that implies that fact was even a surprise to him.

Ghost seems to be having trouble staying awake. Enchanting takes all her energy out of her. "About twenty miles in the open. A lot less in the iron mine."

Daemon takes the Duke's hand and shakes it.

Charm says, "Where is this mine - on which side of the border?"

Lady Surian enters. The Fae healer smiles at Titan.