Snookums and the Library of Tsar

From the Diary of Snookums

Day 93:
I’m still fuming about that dragon’s ruse. I nearly died in that fight against the goblin horde. I’m not mad at Kruin, hell I shouted at her to do it. None of us could have known how horribly it would backfire.

Since then I’ve removed the dragon’s cursed armour and placed it in the armoury at Calaelen. I hope one day to have the curse removed and keep it as a museum piece. What little remains of the Thaurissians needs to be preserved.

But first the most critical task of replacing my plate. I took stock of the equipment and materials in Calaelen and delivered an estimate of the time I would require to craft myself a set of plate, but Mayor Shades didn’t “want the goblins to die of old age”. His words, not mine. So now I find myself on the trail to Tsar, to visit a famed blacksmith and an even more famed enchanter. My battlescarred companion Agamemnon has business in Tsar too, so at least I am not alone for the travel. Still, while he is communing with his god I find myself with time to make these notes.

Agamemnon told me of the Great Library of Tsar, and I think I shall wile away the empty days in Tsar researching. I have been thinking of the Thaurissians of late, and the incident with my armour has only increased my thirst for knowledge. I seek answers not only of the history I visit, but also how this dragon came to be here, how it knew me from my sigil, and how I might remove such an evil creature from the material plane.

Day 94:
Aggy passed wind in our cabin today. I was not amused.

Day 95:
Arrival in Tsar. My companion swiftly departed, with but a mention of the nights lodgings. I found the master blacksmith and spent the day with him poring over the plate, making adjustments and taking measurements. He shall be done in the morning and I take it to the Enchanter’s residence. For now I reside in the Inn, waiting for Aggy to return.

Day 96:
I am sitting in the Great Library once again at my wit’s end. The books only date back to the last 5000 years of the Fourth Age. Within the books here there is no mention of the Thaurissians. I suspect no one alive other than myself and the dragon even recognise the name. There was that Glabrezu but I don’t believe I will be seeing him anytime soon.

I wonder how the dragon knows of them. Perhaps oral history from his family? Do dragons have family?? I will seek further information...
There is scant information about red dragons in this library, perhaps no one in the region has seen one and lived? Much of what I have learned of other dragons can be extrapolated, however.
- Red could not be more than 400 years old. Dragons continue to grow in size for over a thousand years, and the books give me an idea as to his age. We are now in the 1789th year of the Fifth Age, so how does he know about something that happened over 6000 years ago?
- He was obviously intelligent, and all dragons are magical. There is no way he didn’t know the true nature of what he was giving me. I will end this creature.
- Each colour of dragon is aligned with elements. They can breath bursts of destruction related to their colour. It’s not hard to expect that a red dragon relies on fire. ((NOTE: We’ll need some fire protection. Could the Wizard help here?))
- They are also immune to damage from their elements...

A lot to think about, I will be back tomorrow to search for more.

Day 97:
A fruitless morning at the library. I searched every relevant text, inquired with every academic who would listen and walked away with nothing more than I already knew.
The Thaurissians might as well not exist for all intents and purposes.

Ah, but my cousin! She started me down this path. Perhaps I can find where the ring originated. I will head to Tsar Temple to talk to her superior.

Day 97, Evening:
Had a chat to Priest Hammerhaul of Mitra. He could only tell me that Bleer inherited the ring from her great uncle, a stalwart figure in our clan’s history. It’s beginning to look like this is a family tradition... On a whim I asked for a tour of the Temple, and he had a deacon show me around. There was a library which I visited after the tour, and spent some time reading up on the religions that the temple has collected under one roof. I have been trying to get a feel for Bleer’s life here, to see if she ever did the disappearing act like me. It’s possible she never even realised what the ring does!

Day 98:
Picked up my armour today. It felt MAGICAL (haha). There’s something to be said for a full suit of steel plate. I certainly feel more mobile and steady than I ever did in that accursed thaurissian plate. I would love to copy the markings and sigils over to this plate when I get time, however. I picked up some supplies just for this, and some other odds-and-ends that the Forge needs back home. I also got Perret his own hammer, so that he stops abusing mine with his awful work!

Starting the journey home. I have a lot to ponder and hopefully discuss with Aggy.

Day 99:
Heavens above, what does this Orc EAT?!

Day 100:
Back in Calaelen. Apart from my new armour I am inclined to say this entire trip was a waste. I will keep my ear out for any more information about Thaurissians or Red dragons, but for now I appear to have reached a standstill.

Perhaps I will write to my family.