Upon getting closer the party can see the hill has an entrance on one side, likely a mine shaft or something. “Looks like this keep was built right on top of a mine.” Around the castle is a small abandoned village surrounded by several abandoned farm houses. There's even a Yggdrasil gate outside the town. “This was once a settlement, but it seems the people left the area a long time ago. Probably before the dragon moved in.” Davy points out to Racknar who was touching the gate. Racknar nodded. “Dragons normally avoid people. They live mostly solitary lives in their own territory, only interacting with other dragons during mating season or in an emergency.”
Racknar paused for a moment, rubbing his chin. “Come to think of it… it should be around that time of the year. Maybe that's why the dragon is eating more. It's female. The appetite of female dragons increases when they are creating an egg.” Ariagoria felt a bit unsure. “I'm not sure how I feel about killing a pregnant dragon.” Racknar sighs. “We'll try talking to her first, see what's going on and perhaps provide a solution. Maybe she'll pay us for helping her and we can get the gold without having to nearly die fighting an adult dragon.” The rest of the party activate the gate before they start rolling into the abandoned city.
Krys'tal looks around the buildings. “This was once a bustling metropolis, relatively speaking. Bigger than some towns but not quite on the scale of a major city. I wonder why it was abandoned.” Racknar looked around. “I don't know, but be in your guard. Many dragons have Kobold servants regardless of type. Kobolds tend to worship dragons so even the good ones put up with them since it's easier than getting rid of them.” the rest of the party nod as they approach the cave entrance under the castle. Krys'tal looked at the entrance. “There is probably a whole system of caves under this city. If this place was still active it would probably have been converted to double as the sewer system. Some of these buildings are overgrown with vegetation.”
Racknar parks the cart outside the cave and makes a series of clicks while patting the spider's head. “Alright Ivory, you can stay with the cart. If attacked you can use a scroll of message to let us know then run. I don't expect you to engage. Alright Monster Mash, let's go.” Racknar does a handwave as he starts to enter the large cave mouth, the others falling in behind him. Krys'tal runs her arm on the side of the cave as they move deeper into it. It didn't take long before the party spotted some kobolds.
They had red scales and basic gear, leather armor and wood shaft spears with sharpened stone tips. They had golden face paint on and as soon as they saw the intruders they pointed their spears and spoke in draconic. Racknar puts his hand up. “I don't suppose any of you speaks common?” The kobold jabbed his spear forward threateningly and repeated his command in draconic. Davy sighs. “I'm going to guess none of us know how to speak in or understand draconic.” Everyone shakes their heads and both Davy and Racknar sigh. Racknar then gets an idea and tries speaking in goblin. “
The Kobolds tilt their heads with one speaking. “
The party reluctantly and begrudgingly agree and they return to the cart to drop off their weapons with Ivory before going back in the cave and allowing the Kobolds to pat them down. Racknar talking to them as they do. “
The Kobolds finish the pat down. “
Davy hums. “Hrm, oddly accurate.” Racknar nods. “Another fun fact, the only proper pronouns in goblin are “male” and “female”. There is no true equivalent to words like “I” or “you”. The closest you can get is the words “outsider” or “other”. Goblins almost always reference things in the third person. This is because there is no self without the community. If something kills a group of goblins and leaves a single survivor that single survivor will likely commit suicide because to a goblin it's better to be dead than alone.”
Ariagoria pitches in her thoughts. “Wait, wouldn't that make banishment effectively a death sentence then?” Racknar nods. “Yep. If you are banished as a goblin other goblins treat you as if you are dead. Banished goblins are given magical markers to signify they are as good as dead. The words for “banished” and “ghost” are the same in Goblin.” The party is led into the dragon's chamber of the cave to meet the golden dragon face to face.
The chamber itself was a large geode, not unlike how a Shatterkin cluster would look. There are chests, relics, jewelry, precious metals, precious gems, and coins stacked several feet high with more gold and riches than some entire nations have in their treasuries. On top of the stack lay a “gargantuan” reptilian creature with golden scales on its body and a white underbelly. Its body was long and slender, and a frilled membrane connected to jointed bones ran from its neck passed its legs and to its tail in a way that would look more like a kite if it were open and the creature was airborne. A living golden glider of immense proportions.
Several of the party members could not help but be awestruck by either the treasure hoard or the creature itself. Marionette was the first to speak. “She's majestic.” Davy whistles. “Just look at her bed.” Racknar waited for the Kobold leader to get the dragon's attention and gesture to Racknar. Racknar than cleared his throat and bowed “Kha’saka makala’soon. Kroh soon Racknar sul’ful Aradae. Kroh’saka brahn.” The dragon lifts a brow and lays in silence for a moment before laughing. “Kakakakaka. You catch this one off guard, young one. My assistants already told this one that you didn't speak the dragon tongue and yet you were able to perform a proper greeting.”
Racknar explains. “I'm not fluent, but I know the greeting and a few select words.” The dragon chuckled lightly. “Keke, it has been many ages since this one has received the proper respect. For that alone I will willingly converse with thee in thy bastard tongue. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Kha’makal, sun's messenger.” Racknar took a few steps forward. “We came to investigate because the people became worried and fearful due to your increase in appetite. I was going to question you about it but have already figured out the reason. So now what I seek to discuss is your options. I'd hate for such a rare and beautiful creature to be killed over a minor misunderstanding.”
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Kha’makal shifts in her gold pile. “This one understands the fear and confusion of the short lived ones that inhabit this place. After all, relative to them it has been generations since this one last saw an increase in dietary requirements. In fact this one was quite surprised by the development. You see… even by dragon standards this one has reached an advanced age and was under the belief to have been infertile. However, this maracle saddens this one slightly. It has been ages since this one has seen another metal scale let alone a golden dragon. This one has been the solitary metal scale for over a millenia.”
Racknar put his hand on his chin. “Do you know what happened to the other dragons?” Kha'makal nodded. “Two thousand years ago, when this one was just a youngling, this island was as rich if not richer with my kind as the neighboring archipelago. Chromatic and metallic dragons both called these islands their home. Then came the king of knights with his armor and his crown. Author Bramble sought to unite the many kingdoms that existed on this large island and its neighbor. To create a new, stronger, and unified kingdom. However, the chaotic chromatic dragons were an obstacle for everyone. He sought out the metallic and struck a deal with them. He already had an elvish blessing so they thought this human was different from the rest.”
The dragon paused to adjust herself before continuing. “They were right, because as long as he lived he kept his word. We helped him drive out the chromatic dragons, killing them till none remained in this land. A few fled but since they never returned it was a total victory. The human king Author Bramble was given the title of Pendragon for his ability to negotiate with my kin. Unfortunately for my kin, we live much much longer than humans. As we remembered the promises, the descendants of the Pendragon did not. And so, to avoid a repeat of history, all the surviving metal scales left. Only this one remained, bound by an oath to protect these lands and its people.”
Racknar grumbled to himself for a moment. “I'm guessing traveling outside Bramble even temporarily has become too difficult for you. So what I need is a solution to your food shortage problems. There are spells that can conjure farm animals and unused farmland in the abandoned city above you. Getting animals and teaching your kobolds to care for and breed them would be possible. Unfortunately during your current state your requirements out pace the ability of most livestock to reproduce. We could end your increase of appetite by finding you a mate but that might take time.” Racknar then started mumbling some math to himself. “Third level spell slot, conjures eight. If upcast can be used up to fifteen times at level twenty with upcast increasing creature count at fifth, seventh, and ninth tier. An absolute maximum of two hundred and thirty two animals a day costing the equivalent of three thousand silver coins in material components per day.”
Davy looks at Racknar. “What are you on about?” Racknar pulls himself out of his thoughts. “I was calculating how many farm animals a single mage could summon using the conjure animals spell. I was trying to figure out if magic would be a viable way to create the population of livestock needed to feed a dragon. If you pick the largest farm animal because it's based on challenge ranking not mass you could create over two hundred bison a day. However the cost in materials and crafting said materials would be a problem. Not to mention convincing one or more mages to devote their time and mana to feeding a dragon while we look for a mate. A dragon can keep an egg waiting for fertilization for up to five years.”
Davy took a moment before simply asking. “Wouldn't it be easier to… I don't know… just summon an adult male golden dragon?” Racknar sighed. “Unfortunately that's a different spell and the dragon pulled from another world would return at the end of the spell's duration unless you have a way to give it permanence. The spell only lasts an hour.” Davy starts saying. “That just enough time-” but is interrupted by Racknar. “Dragon mating can take anywhere from one to five hours.” Davy blinks a few times in stunned silence. “Oh.”
Kha'makal shifts and speaks up herself. “A location spell perhaps? If you are far enough this one won't be the closest golden dragon. That wouldn't promise an adult male though.” Racknar thought for a moment. “It would be easier to get an anchor to keep a summon in place longer than the spell would allow. All we would need for that is money and something to enchant.” Kha'makal perks up and stands in her mountain of riches. “An anchor?! Why didn't you just say so!? This one has one such artifact.” The dragon dug through her pile like a dog before pulling out a jeweled ship's anchor and putting it in front of Racknar. “Like this, right?”
Davy touches the anchor. “It's magical.” He then gathers magic to cast an identification spell. “It is in fact a reality anchor. Have a summoned dragon wear this like a necklace and it'll remain until it takes it off. Now we just need to convince a mage of a high enough level that it's a good idea to summon one.” Racknar looked at the artifacts. “Or, here's a crazy idea, we pay them to do it. There's got to be something in this vast pile a mage couldn't say no to. We take that to the main castle in Londinium and offer it to the court's high mage in exchange. I'm guessing this stuff is mostly bribes from the kingdom over thousands of years so we just tell them that this job also counts as your bribe for the next… generation or two of humans.”
Kha'makal shifts back into her bed of wealth. “This one is willing to accept this arrangement, for the survival of my kin. If you succeed, This one offers your weight in gold coins. Literally. Plus one magic item each. This one can't put a price on something like this and strongly dislike the idea of giving some of this up, but this is much bigger than the pride of this one.” Racknar nods and starts looking for an artifact to give the court magician by swimming in the pile before coming out with a golden staff with several jams inlayed in it. “This looks like something a mage would go nuts for. It's oozing so much magic even I can feel it.”
Davy casts an identification spell on it. “It can stash spells. The gems at each part of the staff represent spell tier. It can keep five level ones, four level twos, three level threes, two level fours, and one level five. It's currently fully charged. The identification even tells me what spells are stashed in it. This person really liked AOE.” Racknar climbs back down to the party. “Perfect, then back to Londinium via the gate we go. We will return with a mage who'll summon an adult male golden dragon. You'll then have an hour to convince him to put on the anchor. Shouldn't be too hard considering sex is involved.”
Kha'makal does lowers her head in a bow like gesture. “This one will await your return, young member of house Aradae.” The party members bow as well before making their way out of the cave and back to the cart. Ivory greats the party. “Seeing as your clothes aren't burned I'm guessing it went well.” Ariagoria hops in the cart first. “Apparently we're going to help an old dragon get laid so we can get paid. No conflict. I do like the fact this was solved without violence but it still feels strange to basically play latch maker for a dragon of all things. I'm just glad Davy had the restraint to not offer to impregnate her himself.”
Davy pulls back, somewhat offended. “How dare you. I may be a degenerate and a pervert but I know how to be a professional. Sometimes. Besides, she seemed determined for the child to be a pure and true golden dragon. So even if I was tempted to offer myself it would have likely just pissed her off. I might ask to watch however, for science. I'm curious as to how dragons do their thing.” Ariagoria makes a sound of disgust as everyone loads into the cart. “Just stay quiet for the rest of the trip.”
Later, the party stood outside the massive castle in Londinium where the king of Bramble’s throne was. Racknar stood outside the building at a distance and made a heavy gulp. Krys'tal looked at him. “Something wrong? You seem nervous. Normally you are collected and composed even in dire situations. We literally stared down a dragon not long ago and you didn't even bat an eye. Suddenly you're sweating bullets.” Racknar looks at the cart, Marionette still grabbing things and making sure everyone has everything they need. “This is the castle Bramble, the place Elizabeth grew up in this life. Although they are not who we are here to see… Her parents live here. We'll likely run into them and have to talk to at least one of them.”
Krys'tal’s colored lights shift. “You… are nervous over meeting her parents? It's not like she brought you here as her boyfriend.” Racknar groans. “Let's just say I have a bad track record when it comes to meeting her parents. Granted that's a track record of the one time in a previous life. I still can't help but worry history will somehow repeat itself.” Krys'tal nodded before sarcastically responding. “Uh-huh, that's why you checked to see if Mari was in earshot before saying something.” Racknar glared at them. Let's just get this over with.
The party once again left their weapons and Ivory behind as they approached the guards just outside the castle. One guard asked the party to state their business. Racknar looked at the rest of the party who were clearly waiting for him to respond. “I uhh… I mean we would like an audience with the high mage of Bramble. I've come with an offering in exchange for their aid.” He then showed the staff. The guards looked at one another and conversed for a moment. Then the guard spoke to Racknar again. “I'll see if you'll be allowed in. May I have your names?”
Racknar responded almost instinctively. “You may not have our names, but I shall speak them so that you know them. I'm Racknar Aradae, my companions are Marionette Abstrgo, Krys'tal, Davy Jones, and Ariagoria “Charity” Wrath.” The guards both raise eyebrows at the response. Though it wasn't clear if it was the names or Racknar's response to the phrasing the guard provided. Either way the party was instructed to wait while one guard went into the castle to speak to a superior.
Ariagoria took the opportunity to ask about the response. “Racknar, what was with that response to the guard? It was practically a reflex.” Racknar grumbled. “It's an anti-fae defense. If ever asked “may I have” I always say no because if a fae asks for a moment of your time and you say yes you end up aging magically with no easy way to reverse it. I've gotten into the habit just in case.” Ariagoria nods in understanding as the party sits in silence waiting for the guard to return.
Some time later he returns with a man in ornately decorated and embroidered robes that even Racknar could tell were magical. He casts some sort of spell from just inside the door. “You may enter and I'll hear you out, but only in front of my lord. I have cast a spell in the doorway so only those of noble blood may enter.” The mage gave a wicked smug grin expecting none of them to be nobles.