4. The First Expedition

The ascent back to the surface is an arduous twenty minutes of monotonous stair climbing. By the time you reach the top, your legs are burning and you’re all out of breath.

You find that the cover across the top of the stairs is back in its closed position. However, an iron handle allows you to slide it open and gain access to the platform at the pyramid’s summit. The cool early evening air is refreshing after the staleness of the halls. Although you’re sheltered by the canopy, you see that it is still raining.

As you emerge, you notice that Billie is extremely agitated. He’s pulling at his tether and repeatedly winnying and braying. Looking around to see what could be the cause of this behaviour (hitherto Billie has been a calm and docile creature), you scan your surroundings. And then you see it. Silhouetted against the grey sky. A shape you’ve never seen outside of storybooks, yet instantly recognise. Wheeling above the south-western corner of the ruined city. A dragon.

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5:50 pm, Basilsday 2nd Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 4/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 60’ (Lantern)
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’

Link to Jacky’s maps …

Jacky gapes at the sight of the flying beast. "Where did that come from?"

Grim urges his comrades to step back. best just ta let it circle n’ den fer it ta be gone. N’ I say it, but it has a gender, n’ it’s prolly folly ta call it a beast. Dragons’re prgged ta be much more advanced in thinkin’ den we are.

I wanna presume, de dragon is what ruined de city.

Thurmarr's face goes pale and he instinctively tries to position himself behind one of the statues, attempting to stay hidden from the dragon.

"Very bad! What if dragon see?"