Siréne turned her focus to the archmage. There was a clarity found within the serenity. Battle with this ancient wyrm would be beyond them. Killing such a creature to fuel a spell was surely an act of evil. Before then the behemoth slew the beholders that had once been captors. Why would the aberrations imprison such a creature?

"Why must we take the heart of the beast? What darkness must we embrace? This dragon was imprisoned by the evil here. Why? There must be another way."

Ulthok heard Cor say he'd try to talk with the great dragon.

"I agree, but let's pass out the stuff that turns it to stone just in case. I'd say one to Rayne, Roan, Talco and Valene, dip an arrow or a sword. Lothor has his wipe and rest of us have magic. If things good badly at least we will have an option.....Also we should position ourselve maybe 50 yards apart or little more. This great creature could take us all it one swipe if we stay bunched."

Looking to the clerics,"Cor need a bless spell or something to help his speech."

Then looking to his old friend Cor,"I'd say tell the dragon we were on a mission to save the dragon queen and got cast back in time. We need to return to save her and there is a great magic item here we need to fulfill the spell to send us back. The truth should ring to our cause and it senses that we are sincere."

Then turning to the great mage," Allanan do you need the heart or just magic from the heart. Can you draw that magic off without killing the dragon if the dragon is willing to help?"

The party made ready and hoped Cor's god would aid the Knight Cleric in his attempt to reason with the great wyrm.

Valene looks around at her fellow party memeber. She was apprehensive about the possibility of killing the wyrm to begin with. "I know our need is to get back to our own time, but if Cor can't talk to this creature, I believe retreat will be the greatest stratagy." Valene then puts her weapons away, leaving her hands completely free. "Also, maybe when talking to the wyrm we don't leave tools of death in our hands. Personally if someone were coming towards me with his sword in hand, after watching him and his friends kill beholders like we have, I wouldn't be apt to talk."

As the party watched the giant dragon finish off the last of the clown faced Beholders having decided not to help them they learned a few things. The first that this huge Dragon had no qualms about killing the Beholders before her and in the most brutal of ways. Second that the breath weapon of this creature, though flame, burned so hot as to be a stark white in color. Even standing where they were, with the flame directed away from them, the heat in the this area of the cavern had risen by at least ten degree’s in a matter of seconds. Then the Beholders were dead, bodies too burnt to explode, or torn to shreds by teeth and claw.

Though Allanan had stated that the Dragons heart was that which had the power to fuel the ancient spell he had found to return the party to the future, still not all were sure that combat was the best way to gain it. As the last of the Beholders fell, Cor turned to the party around him.

Well the beholders will nae last long against that thing. We may not do any better if we fight. Perhaps there is another option. Since we did free it perhaps it would be willing ta talk and offer information on an alternate item with the power ta cast the spell. If the rest of ye stay back, I'll try ta talk ta it."

Cor waited until the last Beholder kin fell and then with hands wide to show he meant no harm he walked closer. As if having sensed the dwarf as he started moving forward, the dragon turned and took a lazy seat upon her legs and stomach as if a cat watching an upcoming treat a smile clearly showing it’s very white teeth.

"Such a regal and mighty creature ye are. Our thanks for killing that last of those creatures. We were not strong enough ta destroy the ice prison that held ye and the creatures as well. Never have I seen a dragon as impressive as yourself. Although we are not worthy ta even ask, I feel I must ask a small favor from you. We have come from the future at the behest of the dragon queen on a quest ta save the future of both men and dragons. In order ta return we require an item of great power ta assist in the casting of a spell. Surely one so wise as you knows of such an item."

As Cor finished a laugh came from the dragon’s mouth.

“Well what do we have here, a dwarf, hmmmm, It has been quite a long time since I eat one of your kind. Wait”

As Cor stood before the dragon it took in a long sniff of air through it’s nose.

“Well, well, well seems the dwarf is not alone.” Another sniff” “Interesting 3 elves, 2 humans, 2 children? No, something different, a new race? and wait” Another sniff. “A half-elf? No!” A look at the remains of the Beholders. “How long did you trap me, betrayers!” A second less powerful stream of fire once more flashed from her mouth and any remains of the Beholders was gone.

Her head turned, back to face Cor and the party behind him, cocking to one side.

“Wait, you say you come from the future, what tales do they speak of me, Kakaranatha, Dragon of the Gods”...................

(DM OOC: Ok finally a post from me. I must apologize to you all as I have been for last few weeks in a depressed state and not in a posting mood at all. But I’m getting better and though I’m still disappointing in some things in my life I’m still breathing so who am I too complain. Ok next post next week March 18th if everyone posts and you don’t need more time to talk strategy.)

    Cor felt the dragon fear gnawing at him.  Even though he was here of his own chosing the sheer power emanating from the giant wyrm was nearly overwhelming.  Nothing could have prepared him to stand in such presence.  The dragon spoke and it was clear it knoew of his companions even if it did not know exactly what the halfling were.  In the final words of the beast Cor found an weakness he might be able to exploit; arrogance.  I am Cor, knight-cleric of the god Odin, a singluar honor that makes me one of a kind something I expect you are as well.  The ones you call children are of a race that has yet to appear and are known as halflings.  Cor looked the dragon over once more.  Such a magnificent creature you are.  Up close you are even more stunning than from afar.  I have seen your name only once in an ancient tome of tales, although it won't be written for many years from now.  Your name is tied to legend and many believe you were simply a myth as they could not imagine such perfection.  Your breath is so hot it burns white, not like the red fire dragons breath in our time.  Compared to you they would be as mere hatchlings.  Dragons of our time do not speak your name but it is likely out of jealousy at their imadequacy.  Oh the surprise and jealosy that will come over their faces when I tell them of the great Kakaranatha, Dragon of the Gods.  If only you could cend us back so we might re-write the history books and fill them with the tales you have to tell.  Cor waited for a reply.

Ulthok watched as Cor addressed the Wyrm. He had to smile to himself as seldom used charm for the Knight's Cleric bloomed forth.

Now it was how would this great dragon react? Her words followed.

“Well what do we have here, a dwarf, hmmmm, It has been quite a long time since I eat one of your kind. Wait”

As Cor stood before the dragon it took in a long sniff of air through it’s nose.

“Well, well, well seems the dwarf is not alone.” Another sniff” “Interesting 3 elves, 2 humans, 2 children? No, something different, a new race? and wait” Another sniff. “A half-elf? No!” A look at the remains of the Beholders. “How long did you trap me, betrayers!” A second less powerful stream of fire once more flashed from her mouth and any remains of the Beholders was gone.

Her head turned, back to face Cor and the party behind him, cocking to one side.

“Wait, you say you come from the future, what tales do they speak of me, Kakaranatha, Dragon of the Gods”...................

They had been in tight places before and Ulthok felt they had always worked well as a team...and Cor had always been their strength and backbone. Once more it was risk all or nothing. May the Gods be with them....Game On.

Lothor stood a bit to the side of the others.  They had spread out a bit so that they wouldn't all die in one blast of firey breath.  Great.  He'd watch his friends burn before he died. Or maybe he'd be the first to burn and they would briefly feel grief for him.  But  whatever it was, this did seem like a bad situation.  Had they ever been in worse?  Liches, normal dragons and such all seemed modest in comparison to this . . . monstrosity.  

He shook his head a bit to clear the dangerous and depressing thoughts.  Yes, the thing was massive, but there was no use giving in to the dragon fear.  It had a heart and if that was the case, it could be pierced.  Somehow.  But for now all he could do was to stand here and listen to Cor try and talk with the creature.  'Dragon of the Gods?'  Well, Cor was a cleric of a god.  Seemed like a fair match.  

Lothor stood and listened and tried not to let his mind wander away during what could easily be his last moments.  But then these were moments that were actually prior to all of his previous moments.  And that was kinda weird.  Was it possible to die before you were born?  That should be a paradox, right?  

'Stop it!' he said to himself.  Focus!  He focused on the dwarf. 

“You say you come from the future, what tales do they speak of me, Kakaranatha, Dragon of the Gods...”

Siréne knew that name and it filled her with dread. Legends of Kakaranatha were ancient, even among her people who remembered the time beyond time. Those tales were foggy, twisted with beneath the haze of time. Yet through it all one truth burned through, Kakaranatha was a god.

There would be no hope for them in such a battle and by some miracle should they manage to kill the beast, what damage would they do to the flow of time... Mistrust began to itch through her mind planting the seeds of doubt. Allanan surely had known Kakaranatha. Why then had he sent them to kill her?

The question gnawed at her mind. If they survived this she would have it answered. And so, she watched, her cerulean gaze shifting from dragon to archmage, and back again.

“I am Cor, knight-cleric of the god Odin, a singular honor that makes me one of a kind something I expect you are as well. The ones you call children are of a race that has yet to appear and are known as halflings." Cor looked the dragon over once more. “Such a magnificent creature you are. Up close you are even more stunning than from afar. I have seen your name only once in an ancient tome of tales, although it won't be written for many years from now. Your name is tied to legend and many believe you were simply a myth as they could not imagine such perfection. Your breath is so hot it burns white, not like the red fire dragons breath in our time. Compared to you they would be as mere hatchlings. Dragons of our time do not speak your name but it is likely out of jealousy at their inadequacy. Oh the surprise and jealousy that will come over their faces when I tell them of the great Kakaranatha, Dragon of the Gods. If only you could send us back so we might re-write the history books and fill them with the tales you have to tell.”

Hearing the dwarves words, the dragon’s smile faded and her grimace become less friendly. Something Cor had said, had changed her mood, and not for the better. Her gaze swept the party closer and lingered it seemed more upon Sirene as if she knew what the Elvin Enchantress was thinking. Her next words confirmed her more intent interest in Sirene.

“Why are you and your party really here Elf? “ This statement clearly directed at Sirene “This dwarf wishes that I send you back, back to your future,for afterall I am quite powerful" An arrogant smile plays once more upon her face, yet changes just as quickly. " However even then, why should I, whats in it for me?” Her head moves forward gazing directly into the eyes of Sirene.

(DM OOC: Ok short post I had planned on posting it much earlier this week but got side tracked by real life.)

"What's in it for me?"

Now that was beginning to sound like a dragon.  And dragon of the gods as well?  Or was that "Dragon of the Gods" as in capitalization?  Arrogant thing probably would want the caps.  But then when you are as big as a carrier (Still hadn't figured out exactly what that meant beyond "holy crap! big") he guessed you probably got all caps if you wanted 'em.  And you made people's minds wander as they inwardly wimpered at the immesnity of the thing they were confronted by.  Sometimes swords just seemed inadequate.  But even fireballs seemed like a mosquito bite to this thing.  

Was this the dragon fear talking?  No, he wasn't really afraid, despite the wimpering thought.  Just impressed.  The critter was big!  

And Cor was not.  Nor Sirene.  But it would be up to them.  Lothor kept watching and kept his meandering thoughts to himself.  He wondered what exactly was in it for the big guy . . . 

Ulthok could feel the forceful will of the great dragon as she spoke to Cor. He was glad she had not singled on him yet other than to refer to him as a child. This gambet was perhasp the most risky they had yet to endur. Then the wyrm turned toward Sirene.

“Why are you and your party really here Elf? ......This dwarf wishes that I send you back, back to your future,for afterall I am quite powerful" An arrogant smile plays once more upon her face, yet changes just as quickly. " However even then, why should I, whats in it for me?” Her head moves forward gazing directly into the eyes of Sirene.

He knew Sirene was strong and mostly fearless, he hoped her inner strength would serve her and the party to withstand the dragons gaze. Perhasp they were each going to have to stand thier turn under the dragon's gaze. The mage shuddered at the thought.

   Typical dragon Cor thought to himself, the attention span of a gnat.  The dragon switched from talking to the knight-cleric and address Sirene.  As long as it is talking it is still good, no need to interupt and risk angering it.  Cor waited for Sirene to answer, hoping that the elf would choose her words wisely.  

Kakaranatha turned her head slowly to regard the fey witch and those great reptilian globes beheld her fully. Dread, awe, desire all flowed through her and were swept away by the tide of calm that was her birthright. Over the course of the many lifetimes she had lived, Siréne had learned acceptance. One must be like water, soft enough to respond to the touch of the world and not break. To bend was to persevere, to continue on, to be forever. This was the wisdom of those who knew the touch of eternity. Be like water lest you be washed away by the fickle currents of the ages. So she would be like the river and follow round this bend. 

Siréne let her gaze move up to face the great dragon's, fey eyes met the reptilian, different visions of eternity. 

"I see you will not be impressed by flattery," Siréne began. "What need do you have of our praise? In truth we have little patience for fanfare among my people. But such a perspective is needed to walk through the ages, is it not?"

Be like water, flow.

"In truth I cannot say why we are here, in this moment. We fought a battle, one we thought won but magic met magic and went awry. All went black and we were hurdled through time, back through the centuries, to the dawning of the new age that has already passed. We have come for one reason, and one reason alone. To return to our time."

Flow, like water.

"We do not belong here, outside of our time. Every moment we remain in this age threatens what will be and what has been. Our return is vital, for all throughout the centuries."

Be the tide, the rive, the ocean, the rain.

"Kakaranatha, you ask what is there for you to gain from preserving the flow of time? All I can offer is the time we came from. What do you wish to know of the future? What do you wish brought into a time that has not yet come and yet is all the same?"

Siréne let her gaze move up to face the great dragon's, fey eyes met the reptilian, different visions of eternity.

"I see you will not be impressed by flattery," Siréne began. "What need do you have of our praise? In truth we have little patience for fanfare among my people. But such a perspective is needed to walk through the ages, is it not? In truth I cannot say why we are here, in this moment. We fought a battle, one we thought won but magic met magic and went awry. All went black and we were hurdled through time, back through the centuries, to the dawning of the new age that has already passed. We have come for one reason, and one reason alone. To return to our time

Be like water, flow. Flow like water

“We do not belong here, outside of our time. Every moment we remain in this age threatens what will be and what has been. Our return is vital, for all throughout the centuries. Kakaranatha, you ask what is there for you to gain from preserving the flow of time? All I can offer is the time we came from. What do you wish to know of the future? What do you wish brought into a time that has not yet come and yet is all the same?"

Sirene stood tall, her gaze never leaving the Dragons eyes as she awaited it’s response.

 Be the tide, the river, the ocean, the rain.

Finally, slowly as if lost in thought, the great head lifted, the creature once more appearing relaxed. Her head turning once more to Cor.

“Dwarf if you be leader of this group, my advice to you is never let this Elf die for she has saved all your lives this moment. Now take the rest of your group and find a place to rest, the Enchantress and I have a lot to talk about”

Moving around as if a huge cat Kakaranatha made herself comfortable and looked to Sirene once more as if prompting her.

“Tell me Enchantress of this future of yours”

For the next eight hours Sirene answered all of the dragons questions.

Odin’s discovery of what Loki had done and his banishment of him to the outer regions of Asgard for 100 years. …..

Of Cirith Ungol, and the new creatures, all serving darkness and evil. Hob-Goblins, Half-Orcs, Trolls and a new Species of Giants took their first steps. The era is known as the Age of Darkness…..

The coming of a new race, the Valor, who came to power. A circle of twelve great wizards ruled the land with kindness and benevolence. The most influential of these wizards were Karza, Kaladrial and Allanan. Of their falling out and the first of the Wars of Darkness…..

And so very much more, and but for a brief interruption of the last three Beholders return, quickly destroyed by a word from Kakaranatha. Sirene told it all until the moment of their arrival in this time.

“So Loki created others of me, these, ‘hatchlings’, the dwarf called them” A line of anger all could see burned in her eyes at knowing she was no longer the only dragon. “Yet you never spoke of me in these recountings, what happened to me?”

(DM OOC: Ok gonna stop here to let Sirene answer this question herself as its a biggie as to how you all handle it. Please post your actions during this 8 hrs of rest, healing, spells relearned and such all except you Nimu as Sirene is of course talking. Everyone for now is under the grace of Kakaranatha but still be careful what you do or what spells you relearn or pray for. Ok next post Sunday April 1^st )

Well, that went well, was Lothor's reaction to the Dragon's meeting with Sirene.  Apparently the elf had managed to keep them alive for a little while longer anyway.  And all she had to do was give away all the knowledge of the future.  Where was the harm in that?  A Dragon the size of a carrier that knows what's coming.  That can't be bad, can it?  And a future that does not include such a dragon.  Does not.  Should not.  But now does?  What exactly would this mean for the future?  Not to mention their present and past/future.  Lothor knew he had no idea how time worked beyond a simple it happened, then it was the present, and what was yet to be was the future.  Except that now 'what was to be' was actually the future and the past.  Both were yet to be.  And all of it included a Dragon; except that it didn't.  

Sigh.  As with all things, 'wait and see' seemed to be the order of the day.  Or was it, 'remember and see' now?  Stop that! he said to himself as he prepared to get some rest.  He wasn't worried for his safety.  Either the dragon would kill them or it wouldn't, but it seemed unlikely that anything else would present a threat.  And so he got some rest.  

When he got up Sirene and the dragon were not quite finished talking.  He looked around a bit.  Everything just seemed like a cave - and a frozen one at that.  Although the temperature was rising, which he appreciated.  He looked around for some sign of the beholders.  Where had they come from?  Had they done anything besides float here and cast cones of uber-cold?  Certainly there must be more to them than that.  Where had they come from?  How had they survived?  Why had they done this?  He looked around for some sign of something.  But he didn't really know what he was looking for.