Now then, my friends tell me the best place to begin a tale is in the
beginning, so make yourselves comfortable - but not to comfortable less you
fall asleep!

Be it known that once upon a time a great winged beast was seen to roam the
skies out by the mine road. Once or twice even visible from within the
Landing itself! Now memory is a fickle thing, but here is what I can remember
of what happened next.

It was decided a score of us would go on a quest to investigate the matter.
Days of careful preparation where carried out. One must remember the world
was different then, and substantially more primitive in many ways.

There was much that needed to be done. At the time one could carry all of
twenty items, and you had to choose what you carried carefully. You needed
different weapons to use against various potential enemies, yet you had to be
careful in your selection as you tended to loose items when you died, among
other things. You always balanced risk against potential gain.

So it was I selected three fine weapons, a quarterstaff, drake falchion, and
a drake bastard sword, placed some doughnuts, cookies, and frosted pink
lemonade in my pack, and headed out to the gathering place.

Quite a gathering it was: Lord Kenner, Lord Krisenfest, Lord Dvalin, Lord
Marc, Lord Geoff, Lord Orlando, Lady Kaikeyi, Lord Bleys, Lord Bazil, Lord
Nixie, and a just-made-Lord named Manny, who was a cleric. The rest of the
adventuring band never did show.

So it was we set off to the mine road. We did not travel far before we
noticed that something was amiss. Judging from the state of panic, hysteria,
and bedlam from people running past us, probably back to the landing, it
seemed we where indeed getting closer to our goal.

One of the secrets to a long life as an adventurer is not to rush in, but
unfortunately we stumbled across the great winged beast without warning.

Fortunately for all involved it seemed asleep. Now, a sleeping dragon is a
bit of a disappointment, especially when it is the very first time you have
ever seen a dragon this close up, so it was decided to try and wake it up.

Thus it was someone; I do not recall just whom, sneaked up to the dragon and
tapped it on its sleeping snout with their weapon. Imagine our surprise when
it rang of metal!

Carefully did we enter the mouth and explore the dragon, but we stayed
together as a group. An evil Warlock was found in the Dragon, but he
retreated into the lowest portions of the mechanical beast and left a plant
to bar our access.

Desperation, and mostly because we had no better idea, found myself and
Orlando to try to sing to the plant - to either calm it with Orlando's
singing, or kill it with mine.

[Dragon, Seed Room]
This room is dark, the air here moist and warm. Yet the sense of
suffocation you feel seems caused more by fear and loathing than
discomfort. There is no cold blue glow, nor any sort of light in the
chamber. Two isinglass doors on each end of the chamber keep in the
warmth and permit a faint illumination to fall upon a raised mound in
the middle of the concave floor. You also see a dark pod.
>
A sickening feeling overcomes you as you stare at the ugly pod.
>
Orlando sings:

"Ugly pod that keeps trying to kill me
please let us by..so we can get on with this!!"

>
One of the tentacles suddenly snaps taut, trying to strike you!
Fortunately you manage to dodge out of the way.
>
Orlando exclaims, "see!"
>
Orlando tries to move towards the pod but stumbles back looking
distressed.
>
Orlando says, "it dont like that"
>

You sing:

"Rock a bye pod, on a big mound"

>
You are suffering from a bit of nausea while standing here.
>
You try to scoot past the pod, but are assaulted by a strong aura of
hate and disgust! You stumble backwards cursing.
>

Needless to say the attempt failed. After much exploring, we eventually all
managed to squeeze into the upper head, which was the control room.

[Dragon, Head]
You are in what is obviously the Dragon's head. This cramped room is
moulded into the shape of a large seat facing forward. In front of
the seat is a metallic panel displaying several levers organized in
groups. Two giant, round windows (the Dragon's eye when seen from the
outside) provide a compelling view. Two large pipes lead down through
the floor directly alongside a small hatch. You also see the Kaikeyi
disk, the Marc disk, a flared opening, what appears to be some kind of
log attached by a wire to the panel and an airlock.

Some in our group where of the "Gee I wonder what this lever does?" school of
dungeon exploration, so perhaps what happened next was unavoidable.

Someone started pulling levers and pushing buttons, and much to our horror
the great beast took flight! We will return to the matter of dragon fight in
a few moments, but for now it is enough to know that we traveled a very short
distance landing in the swamp.

We where able to disembark from the beast, but seven figures of the type
normally found past the Rune Stone in the Misty Chamber waited for us on the
ground. The combat was quick and rather easy. It was over before everyone
managed to get outside!

Here is the part I get most confused over still, for I am not very good with
puzzles. It was decided to try and fly the Dragon back to the landing. I had
my doubts about this, but that's what was decided.

It turns out there where some five substances or so, which needed to be
placed into a cauldron in a specific order and quantity, the resulting steam
of which filled a collector, which then filled a bladder. This seemed to be
how create the energy that allowed the creature the energy to move.

Now not being well versed in these matters and their successful resolution I
decided to stay in the bowels of the beast feeding grub worms to a mysterious
furry thing.

[Dragon, Port Bowels]
Looking up, you see a vast empty space, ending in the great arced roof
that forms the interior of the dragon's back. Metallic struts arch
and join at the midpoint high overhead. Just before you stands a
large, thick-walled glass tank. From within it, you hear faint
scratching and snuffling noises. You also see a ladder.
Obvious exits: south, east, west.
>Look in tank
In the large glass tank you see a furry thing.
>touch thing
You begin to reach for the furry thing but it turns to you and displays
about a zillion sharp, rabid looking teeth.
>
You see a furry thing in the tank roll from one side to the other.
>look tank
The tank is made of glass and appears to be a cage for a strange little
furry thing inside. There is no top, so you can reach right in.
>look thing
The furry thing appears to be some kind of animal. Mostly it's just
fur, but there might be some massive teeth hidden in there somewhere.
>
The grubworm wiggles in your hand.
>put grubworm in my backpack
Given the nature of this thing, you decide not to put it there.
>drop grubworm
You release the little bugger and it splats on the ground.
Unfortunately it's still pulsating.
>
With great apprehension, Orlando picks up the ugly grubworm, holding it
at arm's length.
>

After many hours, the puzzle was solved and we attempted flight once again. I
will now detail our second flight, which was rather famous at one point. We
join Kenner, our pilot, in the control room of the beast.

Kenner pulls the red lever and there is the sound of explosive steam
releases throughout the dragon! You feel a little unsteady as the
floor bucks and shudders. Suddenly the entire dragon heaves upwards,
almost causing you to vomit! Looking out the window you can see the
dragon appears to have moved into a sitting position. You can see
that its wings have extended to either side as if ready to fly.

Kenner pulls the green lever and there are some straining noises.
Through the window you see the ground begin to move downwards. The
room sways a little. A giant whump-thump marks the movement of the
dragon's huge wings as it strains to keep the contraption balanced.

Soon the features of the land become tiny and the blue sky prevails.
Soft clouds are within arm's reach as the dragon-machine floats by
with its beating wings. In several directions you can see the
vaporous distortions of Essence flows which criss-cross in chaotic
patterns at this altitude, making some directions of travel
impossible.

The dragon begins to move forward but then slows to a stop. Looking
out you see the beast has nestled up against a churning flow of
essence.
It seems the dragon is losing altitude.

The dragon begins to move forward but then slows to a stop. Looking
out you see the beast has nestled up against a churning flow of
essence.
It seems the dragon is losing altitude fast.

The dragon pitches forward, and begins an uncontrolled dive!

Kenner pulls the blue lever and you hear some grinding noises deep
within the dragon.
Slowly the dragon begins to turn to port.
The dragon is now flying southwest.
>
You say, "pick any direction"
>
Nixie says, "sheesh"
>
Kenner says, "Ack"
>
Nixie says, "Kenner do something"
>
Bleys went through an airlock.
>
Krisenfest exclaims, "Oh no!"
>
You look out the window...

-------------------------------------------------------------------

[Above Lower Kaldsfang, Clearing]
You are at the north end of a large clearing. Several ramshcakle huts
are scattered around it.
Obvious paths: southeast, southwest, descend.
Apparently the dragon is facing southwest.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Kenner pushs the green lever but nothing happens! It doesn't seem as
if there is enough pressure to operate the control surfaces and
ballast compressors.

The dragon appears to be entering free fall, your stomach begins
climbing into your throat!

Kenner pulls the green lever but it is already as far back as it will
go.

Krisenfest exclaims, "crash positions!"

It is at this point and time that everyone lies down, in order to lessen the
impact of the impending crash. Why? I do not know. Perhaps it seemed like a
good idea at the time.

The dragon is falling fast! The controls seem unresponsive!

Kenner pushs the blue lever and you hear some grinding noises deep
within the dragon.
Slowly the dragon begins to turn to starboard.
The dragon is now flying west.

The ground is rushing towards you as the dragon buffets and gyrates due
to the unusual flight attitude!

Kenner pushs the green lever but nothing happens! It doesn't seem as
if there is enough pressure to operate the control surfaces and
ballast compressors.

You take one last look out the window as the dragon plummets at
terminal velocity. You feel strangely at peace.

Nixie exclaims, "head for the water quick!"
Strike to shield shoulder. Spun about.
An extra 12 concussion points of damage.
Blow to jaw. No solid food for awhile!
Blow to jaw. No solid food for awhile!
Staggered by strike to side.
An extra 10 concussion points of damage.
He is stunned!
Strike to right leg. Knocked down.
An extra 8 concussion points of damage.
Blast to shield arm.
An extra 10 concussion points of damage.
Blow to jaw. No solid food for awhile!
Blow to upper right leg. Muscles torn.
An extra 15 concussion points of damage.

You get a sudden apprehensive feeling in your stomach, knowing you are
about to...

CCCCCCC RRRRRRRRR AAA SSSSSSS HHH HHH !!!
CCC CCC RRR RRR AA AA SSS SSS HHH HHH !!!
CCC RRR RRR AAA AAA SSS HHH HHH !!!
CCC RRR RRR AAA AAA SSSSSS HHHHHHHHHHH !!!
CCC RRRRRRRRR AAAAAAAAAAA SSS HHH HHH !!!
CCC CCC RRR RRR AAA AAA SSS SSS HHH HHH
CCCCCCC RRR RRR AAA AAA SSSSSSS HHH HHH !!!

Blast to shield arm.
An extra 10 concussion points of damage.

After a bit you come to your senses...
Well, as they say, any landing you can walk away from is a good one!
Blow to jaw. No solid food for awhile!

You look out the window...

-------------------------------------------------------------------

[Lower Kaldsfang, Clearing]
You come upon the northern edge of the clearing. Dense underbrush and
closely-spaced pines made progress northward something you would
rather not contemplate. The shadowy presence of the black obsidian
dome dominates your view, even here. The area also is the
northernmost outpost of the cluster of huts, with one lying to the
side of the path's end.
Obvious paths: southeast, southwest.
Apparently the dragon is facing west.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Lord Bleys did die of complications from wounds suffered in the crash, and
Lady Kaikeyi resurrected him.

Unknown to us, the evil Warlock did place the plant pod in the swamp - which
later became the source of another quest I partook of which is to be told at
another time, for this tale is long enough as it is!

So after eating a great many healing herbs, for we had no healer amongst us,
we did discover the plant pod gone and proceeded to find the evil Warlock in
his bedchamber!

[Dragon, Melgorehn's Bedchamber]
This room is a plushly appointed and incongruously elegant bedchamber.
It seems totally out of place with the grim, functional machine you
have tranversed so far. Velvet drapes hide the metal plates of the
walls, and muffle the clanging vibrations that still reach here. The
curved floor is covered with luxurious skins of wondrous and rare
animals. A high silver throne with a matching silver footstool
occupies the far end of the chamber, opposite the large, plush bed
that dominates the room. You also see an evil warlock and a giant
trunk with a small plaque on it.
Obvious exits: east.

The warlock spewed forth many an evil incantation! Lighting bolts flew
furiously into our party! I recall missing with my blindness spell and
drawing my drake falchion for the final combat.

Here is the final death blow delivered:

Krisenfest swings a red laen hammer at an evil warlock!
OB: 217 vs DB: 50 = +167
THT 71, d100 roll: 56, modified: 223
...and hits for 47 concussion points of damage!
The warlock staggers back against a finery of his abode with the a look
of utter horror on his face. His old age returning to his body, the
warlock begins to slide down into an awkward sitting position, leaving
a trail of blood behind on the silken tapestry. With his last breath
he speaks, "A curse on you all! My treasures will never be yours!"
With a feeble motion the warlock makes a sign which you take to be the
catalyst of the curse.

A stiff wind charges through the chamber causing you to blink. But it
was enough for the warlock's body to have vanished!

Upon searching the wizard a dark cloak was found. The trunk was opened to
find several gold bars, which where pawned off and the coins shared, and a
dragon pendant for each participant.

The plaque in the room read:
Melgorehn's Revenge Quest: Designed by Bardon. Implementation by
Bardon, Makurias, and Gira.

Our quest group was overseen by Kygar, Fawn, and Banthis

=========================================================================