(The following is seen by all outside the merchant's hall as well as anyone outside of a building in the town proper.)
Having been scooped up in the maw of the ancient evil called Scorch, Gecel Grandhelm pushes with all of his might to keep the jaws open. ?What?s tha matter dragon? Did ya bite off more?n ya can chew?? Gecel mocks. In one hand he struggles to swing his magical axe, Storm Caller, striking swiftly, but clumsily with the weapon against the dragon?s cheek. The skies darken as an imposing thunderstorm rolls into the area. The wind whistles in Gecel?s ears.
Turning his axe slightly to make a different angle of attack, Gecel launches his axe mightily toward the dragon?s eye. Scorch rears and opens his mouth as the axe bites his flesh just under his right eye. The sudden movement and the deafening bellow of the dragon combine to disorient the mighty warrior and he falls from the dragon?s jaws. In a split second the great Gecel Grandhelm plummets to the ground and strikes the roof of an unoccupied house in southern Jastery, crashing through the roof to the first floor.
A huge plume of dust can be seen for a mile or more accompanying the massive crash. Scorch circles, and now having nothing in his mouth to hinder his speech, bellows, ?Come forth dwarf, your strikes are much weaker then last we fought.? Lightning cracks across the sky as the winds pick up and the storm begins in earnest. Scorch watches intently for any sign of movement from the ruined cabin.
?Well if you are finished then you should have a funeral pyre!? Scorch yells and swoops toward the cabin. Issuing a massive gout of flame fifty feet long he engulfs the house, which instantly catches fire. Even the now pouring rain can not stop the unholy blaze. For a long moment Scorch hovers there, surveying his terrible work. As the roof cracks and caves in from the weakening flames a form walks determinedly out the front door.
Gecel strides out and with all of his strength throws his massive two-handed axe at his ancient foe. The axe strikes and rips through Scorch?s massive right wing. As the dragon struggles to stay aloft with his new wound, the sky crackles with energy. A lightning bolt streaks across the sky and pierces Scorch?s abdomen, blasting the massive dragon with such force that it stops his wings from beating and he falls for several seconds. As Scorch regains his senses he swoops back into the attack and pounces onto the dwarf seeking, to pick him up again in his massive jaws or crush him in his claws.
Gecel anticipates the maneuver and sidesteps the jaws. Ducking under the claws he seizes hold of the dragon?s enormously strong tail as it strikes him against the burning house. Gecel cries out as the air is blasted from his lungs, still his iron like grip holds and he is lifted into the air. Scorch continues upward as Gecel shouts, ?I have you now dragon!?
Climbing deftly up the rain slicked dragon?s back using his mining boots to bite into the scales, Gecel climbs to the back of the huge beast. Lightning streaks all around, as the storm mimics the fury in the dwarf. Calling for his axe, Gecel stands on the back of the wyrm. In a flash his axe is in his hands and he raises it above him. The sky crackles with energy again and the axe is struck with another powerful bolt of lightning. Gecel forces the charged axe down into the dragon?s shoulder and blasts a large hole in the flesh just above the wing. The dragon writhes in pain from the massive wound. Raising his axe again Gecel screams, ?And now ta end you dragon!?
Scorch rears back and climbs till almost in a vertical posture just as Gecel raises his axe. The momentum of the two moves forces Gecel to start back peddling, then as his boots fail to find purchase, Gecel falls. Reaching for the spines on the tail Gecel holds on for a split second as he catches the glare of the dragon. Scorch turns his entire body toward his tail and breathes his flames right in the dwarf?s face. As the breath is burned from his lungs, Gecel falls.
The flame covered dwarf falls for several seconds and strikes the earth with a huge crash. Scorch follows him down and almost as soon as he hits, Scorch lands claws first on him. A massive claw pierces his throat. As he struggles to breathe he raises his hand in defiance, Scorch twists his hand in the grizzly wound. Gecel?s hand falls lifeless as he dies.
Breathing heavily from the terrible fight Scorch grabs up Gecel?s axe in his jaws and swallows the accursed thing, adding it to the magical energies already in his blood. Scorch rises and takes off carrying his victim aloft. Flying over town he flings the dead dwarf at the feet of the council. ?No one can help you now! You are lost!? Scorch laughs as he retreats across the sky.
The trees sway and the very mountains weep from the loss of such a courageous warrior. The storm fades and the winds die down. Gecel Grandhelm is no more.
Standing next to his fallen teacher and brotherin Alec has a look of knowing. Alec states "This vermin must die." Turning to Kevass I would be honored to see ye by me side and that goes for anyone who would help to destroy this pest of the town of jastrey. This will be a fierce battle and many will die but for those willing meself will be indebted to ye."
With that Alec goes to Azriel to talk about where he might find the dragon.
Despair steps up to the body then looks to Kevass and Alec. " Speaking to Azriel will do you no good he knows nothing but we have had someone looking for Scorchs lair for a while now, my informant is due back in town any day now. As soon as I get the information we can take the fight to him."
Violent jingling can be heard as Nevara runs up the hill. She drops to her knees in the mud beside the Dwarf's body, places an palm oh his blackened chest and quickly but quietly whispers "Heed the Wanderer's call and live anew."
A soft energy surrounds his form briefly but fails to restore flesh or spirit. Her shoulders slump for an instant before her hand closes into a fist and she says quietly but firmly; "We'll finish your work friend. He will not take us all. This I swear."
She rises to her feet, opens her pouch and removes a few vials and small covered bowls. She extends her full hands to Kevass. "Sheriff, please distribute these to those who will be accompanying you to where Despair leads." Once he takes the potions and salves she turns to Sabian. "Please follow me." She then heads back down the hill toward the Healer's Den at a quick walking pace.
Thalenir watches the scene with an almost deliberate dispassion, gripped not by tears or anger, but rather by a somber pensiveness. Standing apart from the crowd gathered around Gecel, he does not speak.
"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain."
- Wizard of Oz
Kevass kneels by the torn and smoldering dwarf(which for the savage is a first for kneeling to anyone). The rain washes down his distraught face. Kevass's sadness quickly boils into rage.
"This must stop now! Scorch has plagued this town long enough. The loss of our mightiest warrior will not happen in vain. Gecel has given us all a good head start on taking down that wyrm. Alec I will help you avenge Gecel's death. I regret we have no time for mourning. We must prepare. We must act while Scorches wounds are fresh. Who will stand and fight? Go forth Jastrians. Gather those who would stand that we may end this blite on Jastrey by our victory or by our deaths. We have a chance we must take it."
"There is one we cannot allow to come on this journey due to his affliction. Although his sword would be appreciated, Azriel must stay behind should his consciousness be taken over as before by the wyrm. His knowledge of the wyrm may be helpful before we leave. He may have incite into weaknesses we can exploit."