A City Burns

[Bloodwing]

Avaren, so peaceful so innocent so unaware of the dangers that now face it. Thought the winged reptile as he circled high in the cloudless sky. The sun was bright and to his back and and he was so high up to the people below he was the size and color of a common cardinal. And looking at him would be to look into the sun. The only disconcerting this was the fact that this shadow was far bigger than that of any bird.

Bloodwing was bored, and sought to alleviate that boredom. The town was in the perfect condition for what was about to transpire. The people where perfectly prepared to become today's entertainment, while other would make a delightful snack.

He arched his neck down and folded his wings to his body. His boy began angling down wardas he fell head first towards the middle of Avaren's town square. He took a deep breath. hewanted this to make a big 'impression. As he dove for the ground and his silhouetted image got bigger and bigger, he felt the flame build in his chest as he called it forth. He didn't want to land so he used his wings to steer himself a little off course.. then arcing his body and opening his wings slightly he swooped down over the town. He open his tooth maw and let loose a condensed blast of flame escape his throat.

The red and orange blob of flame shot towards the center of town square so fast that is was hard to notice. BOOM Fire and stone erupted from the point of impact. Incinerating any one that was actually hit directly and scattering every one else. Near my building burst into flame, and all that was left where the fireball had hit was a smoking crater.

He watched as terror gripped the people and they started running. "Run, runs fast as you can I enjoy the chase!" He shouted with morbid delight. He picked a random person out of the crowd, swooped down and with a swift motion snapped up the little morsel. He felt flesh and bone give way as he bit down crushing who ever it was. And with one gulp the unfortunate human was no more. He turned and circled upward an began gliding in a circle to watch the chaos unfold.

(ooc: open to every one.)

[sia lee]

sia was laying on a bilding watching the fire and the dragon play their wonderful game "my my my what fun that is" sia said smiling with delight

[Kina]

Kina stared in awe as the dragon demolished the human's life in it's jaws. He ran into the shadows of an alley, throwing kunais connected with strings at the beast.

[Fredrick Harding]

Fredrick saw the dragon arrive, it's great maw open, breathing fire. He had been on his way to the castle, but this seemed far more important. He had temporarily broken from Father Vidar to make his way to the scene. When he arrived, it was exactly as he feared. There was but one man fighting the beast. It was dire, and there was what looked like where a building had once stood, but now a black pit carved into the ground.

"Men and women of Avaren, fear not the beast before you! Warriors of avaren, to arms! Bring your spears to bear on the belly of this creature, and mark your arrows upon his neck! Magi, subdue the beast with your spells! We shall sunder the wings of this beast from it's body, and send it into the earth below!"

With that, he cast a single spell at the beast. Not his most powerful, by far, but enough to let both the beast and those below him know that this was no idle threat. Suddenly, a few more spells issued forth, from those that had once been running. Now, he had but to wait for that priest to arrive with the army of Avaren...

[Kina]

Kina ran out of his hiding spot to join Harding in the war between mankind and the beast. He unsheathed a dagger and started jabbing away at the scaled legs of the dragon, dodging fire.

[Marius Derufin]

It had been a long ride and Marius was exhausted from his most recent exploits. He'd been roaming around the countryside, looking here and there for anything that could improve his reputation...and he had only succeeded in making it worse. Inside of jousting with giants, he jousted with gnomes. Where he should've been saving princesses...well, he'd been chasing their skirts and sometimes he was the one who abducted them in the first place. So alright, he really wasn't much of a moral guy nor was he the best fighter, but when his honor or money was on the line a change would come over him: transforming him into a great Knight who stood for the ideals and beliefs of one thing!

Bright, gold coins!

And Marius was seriously lacking those right now. So that's why he came to the big apple, Avaren itself. Usually he avoided places of this size, but no one here knew of his reputation so he had the chance to play a fresh hand. This warhorse, a gangly fellow what he called Westmor, cantered slowly into the square of the city. Marius was wearing his usual armor, a combination of a breastplate, plate armor, and chainmail, and his helmet was set smartly on his head. His sword was in its sheath, his lance and shield where at hand, and everything seemed perfect for his interence into the city...except for IMMINENT DRAGON ATTACK!

Immediately, Westmor lost his nerve and would've bucked Marius off of his horse had he not reined him in. Quite frankly, Marius himself was beginning to see little profit in this town especially since they had a dragon infestation, and was about to promptly make his escape...until it struck him. He could slay the dragon for money...and if he had money he could set himself up in this town...and that meant more money and his search would finally be over! And besides, he had fought a dragon before...abeit the fact that it was a baby drake that couldn't breath any fire and was chained up. So what if it was like clubbing a baby seal with an ice pick: it had meant money then and it meant even more money now!

Spurring Westmor into action, the gallant Knight rode until he reached the side of the man who he thought to be in charge. Flipping open his visor, Marius was about to speak when he got a good look at what the man was wearing. Pink? What sort of self-respecting man went around in those colors? Perhaps the royalty in these parts wore that flamboyant color to show off or something of that extent. Checking his tongue, Marius cleared his throat and said, "Hail to thee Sire! Methinks you need a hero to deal with this problem. And I just so happen to be...a hero!" Marius puffed out his chest slightly beneath his armor to exaggerate this point. "All I require is 500 gold coins, and I shall bring that dragon to its knees before you and saying the Our Father!"

[sia lee]

sia heard the man and giggled she jumped off the bilding on the dragons back "ha ha none shale bet him. this thunderous best" she said helping the dragon out "ha ha ha" sia said with a smile

[Bloodwing]

Bloodwing was till souring high above the buildings. listening to the screams and wails of the terrified crowd. It was music to his ears. Then he heard the Mage calling to calm the crowd and summon the cities defenses. He thought he felt something metal hit and bounce off his armored hide but he dismissed the nuisance, it would take more than thrown daggers or knives to penetrate his skin. And arrows shot from anything other than a Balista would probably be useless as well.

He suddenly felt the slightest tingle of magic as the magician that had called for the cities defense cast a spell at him. Well whether the mage wanted it or not he now had the dragon's attention. Bloodwing was only having a bit of fun reeking a little havoc. if anything he had save the town from rotting slowly from perpetual boredom. This mage just wanted to ruin his fun.

He arched his body and swooped down. He took another deep breath, and this time instead of letting it build into a single powerful blast he opened his maw and let loose a steady yet powerful stream of broiling flames. the tongue of fire sliced into the building like a knife, spreading, burning debris every where. The blade of flame didn't make an crater like the fire ball had but every thing touch by the flame was either tuned to ash or became unrecognizable From the sky it look like some one had taken a knife and slices a strait line gash into the flesh of the earth revealing a scorched terrain underneath and the fire was like blood oozing outward from the gaping wound.

He ended the stead stream of fire and closed his mouth, just as he came to where the mage was standing. Meaning the center of the line of fire ended about 20 feet in front of him as dust and burning debris fell around him. He missed the man on purpose to see if the man would hold his ground or run like a coward. Then Blood wing noticed something else.Just as he was about to pass over the mage a knight pulled up to him, and what the dragon heart fill his black heart with glee. He let his mind touch that of the human soldier's. Sir knight, I'll pay you one thousand pieces if you fan the flames rather than attempt douse them. Oh how pleased it would make him if he could use that knights greed against the town. He may even be willing to hold up his promise of gold, if the chaos that ensued was to his liking.

he passed over the two men and with a mighty wing beat took himself back into the sky. The wind from his wings likely knocking people down. He thought he felt something drop on his shoulder. His eye swiveled in its socket the one slitted pupil, in the bidd of a liquid golden sea rested on the image of a young lady that looked similar to a cat had become a passenger. The only thing that saved the child from a rather unpleasant death was her words. Had he lips a very wicked grin would be making its way across his face. In deepa rumbling voice his said. "Keep my skin clean of any arrows or ropes and i promise not to eat you." Has he saw it there where very few creatures that could say they even met a red dragon and survived the encounter let alone ride on one. If she proved useful he would keep his promise and let her live.

He flew higher and higher. now he was a good twenty feet above the roof tops and he cicled the city square in the other direction and waited to see what that knight and what the mage would do and whether others would come to enjoy the fireworks.

[sia lee]

"yes lovely dragon" sia said standing on his back "i am will do as you say" sia loves dragons and would fallow one with no compant

[Fredrick Harding]

"Perhaps, if I see your work is to my liking, I will pay you in gold suitable for your task... hero," He said the last word jokingly, as if to make note that a hero need not gold nor fame to carry out his duty. It was laughable, to think that this sellsword might be a hero. Just as he had finished, however, the dragon charged at him. He had its attention. As it drew closer, he began muttering, and waving his hands. He launched a rather large icicle at the beast, sharpened to a point. As he launched it, however, the beast breathed fire, and the icicle connected and doused the fire.

As the dragon flew past him, he threw his hands forward once more, launching a powerful burst of lightning, arching from his hands, and striking at the beast...

[Marius Derufin]

This situation was clearly getting out of hand. Here was Marius, trying to make a little profit on the side while vanquishing a terrible evil and now that horrible creature was offering to pay him double if the Knight Errant sided with him! 500 coins was a profit anyday, but 1000 coins could let a man up for sometime. The dark-haired knight really didn't know what side to choose and it was driving him insane. Working for a dragon had its ups and downs: sure Dragons usually have a great deal of treasure, but they are so powerful that they don't have to keep their word. And at least if he were fighting for 500 coins, he'd be doing it for the good of humanity. Mulling it over a little longer, Marius slid his visor down and told Frederick, "Forsoothe, mi'lord! Your comment cuts me to the core, but I'll not hold it against you. I'll not stop until the creature is defeated."

Dismounting from his horse, Sir Derufin left his lance leaning against its saddle and whispered into Westmor's ear, "Now don't be a yellow-belly and run off this time, huh? There's a lot at stake here and Lord knows you eat too much for your own good. We need this, so no cowardice." Westmor blankly stared at Marius until the knight shook his head and drew his bastard sword. With his tower shield covering the majority of his body, save his helmet and boots, Marius advanced to the center of the crater with his sword drawn.

Tilting his head up to the sky, Marius shouted, "O mighty Dragon! Truly you are the master of all things that you see. You ride the currents and control the vast sky, but here stands one who has no master! Come and face me Dragon, I know of the legends that you can change forms: fight me man to man. Should I win, you shall never return to this realm under pain of death. Should you win, you can continue your pillaging until the next fool tries to stop you."

"But I can understand if a beast like you has no sense of honor and will continue to fly in the sky. Had I wings, we'd not be having this conversation, but should you not come down to face me in the terms that I have set down then here is what I shall call thee! Thou art a no good, two-timing, pidgeon-winged scaredy cat! You call yourself a red dragon? You look pretty yellow-bellied from down here, o Mighty one!"

[Horu]

They had been a peaceful one for the most part. The sky's where clear of clouds people where milling about doing their own business. Making friendly chatter there where arguments here and there but for the most part everything had been normal. Horu, clad in his brilliantly bright armor that was as reflective as silver, but some how brighter, reflected light in nearly every direction, walked out of the tavern, decided that it might be a good day for a walk around town. Maybe go visit his steed who was penned up in Avaren stables.

He was walking towards the stables. His short dirty blonde hare ruffle as an od wind blew threw the steed. A shadow sweeped over him like that of a passing bird the the ground was darkened far to long for it to be any bird he watched the shadow as it glided past in and over the ground. The fine hair on the back of his neck where standing on end once his recognixed the shape of the rippling silhouette. He looked sky ward and had to blink as he was looking right into the sun. And because of that he couldn't make out the color. But something told him that the events that where about unfold would not be pleasant ones.

He looked around, he was in town square he needed to move, and fast. He broke into a run completely ignoring any strange stares that followed him as the shiny paladin ran through the streets for seemingly no reason. He already had his sword strapped to his belt, thank the gods. So he didn't need to run to the tavern to get his main weapon. So he headed strait for the stables to collect his warhorse.

The dark gray roan was giddy with anticipation when he saw his rider coming for him. Stormcloud, that's the horse's name, wgot a wiff of his masters sent and from the smell of fear radiating for his master The Roan knew that something exciting was about to happen.

Just as Horu reached Stormcloud he heard the explosion. he looked back and saw the column of black smoke billowing up into the air. Then he saw the dragon. And now he could see that is was bloodred.And he was HUGE. this dragon had to be at least twice the size of the one he had slain to get the armor he was now wearing. The reason his armor wasn't red, was because it had been blessed by Bahamat, the platinum dragon deity to all good dragons, and patron of protection. The god that he followed in his duties as a paladin.

It just had to be red, just had to be. he though to himself in annoyance as he went about saddling his horse who was now in a fit of excitement. One would think that knowing it was about to go into the middle of the fight with a dragon the Horse would be panicked. but his hose was eager for something to do. He was also a warhorse, bred for the heat of battle. He was big and strong and as soon as Horu jumped up on the saddle the horse bolted from the stable quick as lightning.

Horu came on to the scene just as the dragon was letting loose a stream of fire. It seemed that the town regent, who was issuing orders. had drawn the Dragon's attention and was now fighting the beast,, for the most part all by himself. The knight talking to him seemed to be anything but helpful. The dragon was still in the air and Horu was without an effective ranged weapon. So he did the next best thing. He rode his horse up to the Mage, He was already muttering a silent prayer. hoping that it's powers would imbue the mage with a little power. "May the blessing of Bahamat guide your power." He said. once he was within earshot. He looked over at the knight and decided to give some advice. "Where are you going to get any money if the people that could pay you in the future are dead?" He asked. Hoping to inspire a more meaningful reason to fight.

[Daedra]

Daedra had only just returned to her city when she was caught up in a horror show. From the gate she could see the dragon circling and burning the buildings. She froze for a moment, eyes wide with unrestrained fear. All those people, she thought. It's heavy body glided effortlessly through the air. Daedra swallowed and her face grew hard. "Let us do what we can!" she called to her attendants. Without another seconds hesitation she drew her bow. Not another word spoken and she rushed forward.

It was difficult to navigate through streets... seeing as most people where headed the the opposite direction. As she grew closer to the square Deadra could feel her stomach knot as people passed her by. They were covered in crispy burn marks and red boils. The young Queen wanted to stop and comfort each one. Sadly, she knew her first priority was to either destroy the winged beast, or drive it away. Before she entered the decimated town square she order her female aid to go get help. Daedra was sure to give her something that would ensure that the woman was connected to the queen.

Daedra entered the blazing city center and her expression only turned more grim. The street lay with burnt corpses and other barely alive. I will pray for them later, the young girl told herself. The air smelled strongly of smoke and sulfur, it make her sick. She surveyed the area to find a small group of warriors, and someone she thought she recognized. They all stood, locked in battle with the dragon. She ran over to join them.

Daedra only just returning from a goodwill trip to neighboring countries only had a small force with her. Trailing slightly behind her were four knights, and two mages of mixed race. She was luckily dressed in her finest, most ornate armor. The finest metal, elegantly carved upper body and lower body plate mail. It gave her defined shoulders, and her slender waist. The armor was fit to her and had a long chain mail skirt , but didn't further the young girl's goal to appear older and more regal.

The girl's face was flushed once she reached the group of men and warriors. She didn't greet them, but automatically got to work. She turned behind and gave orders. Her voice was just as delicate and her physic. "Kali! Valeria!" she called to the twin magic users, "Only ice, water, or lightening. Spread!" They fanned out on either side of the queen and began to chant. "The rest of you follow my lead!" She took a moment to nod at those around her. She knew the regent, never met him, but she had gotten vivid descriptions. Among the rest was a Draconian; she rarely saw their kind, but was pleased, an Adventurer Clad in armor, and a white haired rogue.

The four remaining fighters made a semi-circle around Daedra. She dutifully retrieved a magically enhanced ice arrow from her quiver and notched her highly decor bow. She drew her left arm back and with a strong hand held her position. "Fire when in range!" she ordered powerfully. Within a minute the fiery beast was in their aim. "Belly, throat, wings!" she told her party and they replied quickly with a few, "Yes, Your Majesty!" and "Milady!"s. With that she let her arrow fly at the reptile, a trail of cold steams followed and it flew toward the wing. Not a moment after her the guard at her back released and the mages began their water and ice onslaught. She readied another arrow and steadied to fire.

[Bloodwing]

The great read beast now had most of its attention on the crowd of warriors that where attacking him. As he flew over the top of them he fet hot bolts of lighting raking his belly, and there was something divinely unpleasant about it. There had been something added to the magic something that This dragon hadn't felt in ages, not since his last confrontation with one of the metallic dragons to the far north. The only problem here was that there where no lightning breathing dragons here, infact he was the only one he smelled and he breathed fire. he circled around to get a better look and his good mood was suddenly dashed.

There standing next to the mage was a man clad in Platinum armor. Some might mistake it for silver but he stuck out like a sour thumb. and silver looked dull in comparison to this Paladin's armor. As a chromatic dragon, he knew that there was only one wat that any one could be wearing platinum armor. That paladin had to have killed a a red dragon on his own. Say the least Bloodwing was not exactly thrilled to see a Vassal of Bahomat, wearing the skin of one of his kin. In fact He was quite angry about this turn of events.

The paladin was blessing the weapons of the warriors around him. This was going to make thing far more uncomfortably that they where when this all started. Then he saw a woman join the warriors. She seemed to have her vary on escort and some rather expensive looking armor. That armor would definitely go well with his collection. Then, after she issued orders he heard her knights call her 'majesty.' She was luck that the Paladin was there, or she would probably have ended up a captive. A kingdom with a captured queen was both fun and easy to manipulate.

However he could see that the odds where quickly stacking against him. His fun was beginning to get difficult to have played out. It seemed he would have to cut his visit to Avaren short, pity. He was still hungry, He's have to steel a cow from one of the farms on the out skirts after he left. As snatching another morsel out of this buffet would probably prove more trouble than it was work.

Before he left however he decided to give the group of warriors a farewell present. He sucked in more air and heaved another fire ball down at the cluster of archers and wizards.The arrows in its path became ashe and so too would the warriors if those wizards didn't stop the fire ball.With that the dragon Beat his massive, powerful wings and began turning away from the crowd, not even watching to see if the fire ball had done all of its intended work, and he started flying back towards his mountain home. Until the next time Bloodwing got bored Avaren was for the most part safe from the imediate threat of a dragon attack.

[Marius Derufin]

"Damn you, you large lizard!" shouted Marius as he shook his sword while the Dragon completely ignored him. Which he was fine with, but at the risk of not getting paid that was a completely unacceptable option. The bloody thing just keep circling, choosing to ignore his insults, and instead look to other things. Furious, the dark-haired Knight kept his gaze up at the sky until he heard some comment about his character cast at him. "From their coffers of course, because dead men have no need for gold and it would be rude to let their riches go to waste," said Marius sarcastically at whomever spoke to him.

That one moment of not paying attention to the dragon cost him though. He looked skyward just in time to see the beast's maw fill with fire and he knew exactly what was going to happen. Bringing his tower shield to bear in front of him, the Knight threw himself to the side as the fireball crashed into the center of the square. It took him a few moments, but covered in soot Marius rose from the cobblestone. Coughing profusely as he opened his visor, Sir Derufin searched the skys for any trace of the dragon and he was fortunate enough to catch which way he was headed.

Staggering back to the main group where Westmor was patiently waiting, Marius knew that there was only one way he could get that money now. As stupid and as impossible as it seemed, it was the only way that he'd get anything out of this debacle, so he'd regretably go after that venture. Having made it over to his warhorse, Marius grabbed Westmor's reins and pulled himself ontop of the saddle. Sheathing his sword and grabbing his lance, the Knight shouted, "People of Avaren! The monster has fled, but he shall surely return in the future if he is not dealt with immediately. I, Sir Marius Derufin, shall pursue this beast unto the ends of the world until he mets his death at my hands!"

Westmor reared up onto his hind legs, and Marius turned the horse around: riding full speed after the red dragon. All the while there were two conflicting voices in his head. The first was saying, "You're so dead Marius. Sooooooo dead: you're going to be turned into cinders." And the other was saying, "But if you win, it's a dragon you've defeated. And they hoard vast amounts of treasure! Imagine if all that treasure was yours..." It was the second voice that had won out in the end, and Marius Derufin spurred his horse on as he pursued that flying road to El Dorado.