The fall of Robert Talespinner

Robert immediately raised his hands, assuring us he wasn’t there to fight. He then admitted that it was in fact him who had spirited Norgar away. But that he was more than willing to return him to us. All he asked in return was that we allowed them to finish the ritual that they were doing. Which, he claimed, would only take another hour.
 
When we pressed him about their goals, Robert explained that the ritual was meant to extract a small piece of Norgar’s draconic essence. But that it should not have any lasting effects on him. As to why, I guessed that they most to wished to implant it into someone else, much like what had been done with poor Raynis. What then followed was a discussion on the ethics of what he and his fellows was trying to do. With us trying to convince him to turn away from this path, while he insisted that by granting mortals the power of dragons, they would be helping everyone.
 
Suddenly, Hayley hissed that Robert was just stalling for time as she raised her hands to cast a spell. In that moment, Robert lunged at us with a feral, almost animalistic fury. It was only then that Luke and Hayley realized that this was in fact a doppelganger. A magical shapeshifter left to distract us as the real Robert completed his ritual. . Fortunately, the imposter was no match for all of us and we quickly knocked him unconscious and tied him up.
 
We ventured deeper into the ruins until we came upon what appeared to be a prayer room of some kind. At the center of which stood a large statue of a dragon, with Norgar lying unconscious on an altar at its feet. His body covered in glowing magical runes. With the gem that we had used to track him, atop of his chest. Pulsating with a steady rhythm, almost like the beat of a heart.
 
Norgar was not alone however, six drakes stood guard around him. We immediately sprang into action, using the narrow hallway as a choke point to prevent them from overwhelming us with sheer numbers. Allistan and Liliane, bolstered by the magics of Hayley and Luke, were able to hold the line. Preventing the drakes from getting to the backrow and collapsing our formation. This gave the edge and we were eventually able to vanquish all of them. Allowing us to focus our attention on Norgar.
 
Not wanting to worsen the situation, we decided to hold off on moving Norgar until Hayley and Luke had the chance to examine him. He was, fortunately, still alive. However, the ruby, resting on his chest was somehow linked to his soul. Hayley explained that the gem was acting as a phylactery. This is apparently a kind of container that can house the soul of an individual. Most commonly, the soul of a lich, a powerful undead mage. Though in this case, it housed only a small part of Norgar’s soul.
 
After weighing his options, Luke proceeded to dispel the ritual. Exhausted but relieved that Norgar was safe, we took a quick breather to regain our strength before heading back. I was a little worried that Norgar still hadn’t woken up, but Hayley assured us that all he needed was time. We then made our way back towards the surface.
 
As we entered the same hallway where we had first encountered the doppelganger, a deep, menacing, but unmistakably familiar voice echoed through the tunnel. After a brief moment of hesitation, we realized that it was Robert’s. he begged us, his tone desperate, to leave Norgar behind and just walk away. Naturally we refused, which was followed by a deafening roar in the distance.
 
Through the dim light, we could just make out a massive figure struggling to navigate the corridor, lumbering toward us. Considering that we still had the unconscious Norgar with us, we agreed on the wiser choice of action and fled for now.
 
Glancing over my shoulder, I could vaguely make out a dragon like figure in the distance, its enormous bulk awkwardly squeezing through the narrow passage. Fortunately for us, its size slowed it down, giving us plenty of time to escape. I suppose that was the limit to what Robert proclaimed as draconic supremacy.
 
Once we exited the tunnels, we were greeted by a group of guards sent to reinforce us. Upon seeing the unconscious Norgar, they immediately send word to his father and guided us towards the embassy’s chapel. As some of us received healing, I collapsed onto a bench with a heavy thud, vowing to myself that as soon as I got home, I wouldn’t leave my bed for days. Or at least, that was the plan, until Norgar’s gem suddenly began to glow.
 
Dadroz shouted in alarm, "They're coming!". Causing Fiachna to quickly grab hold of the gem and fly out the window as the ground beneath us erupted. Thrown back by the force, I scrambled to my feet as a hideous creature the size of a house emerged from the dust. It was an abomination, a twisted fusion of man and dragon. Its hulking body was draconic and covered in green scales. While its head, covered in greasy black hair, retained unsettlingly human features. With its face, though barely recognizable, still bearing the twisted likeness of Robert. This was the form that he sacrificed his humanity for.
 
Without wasting a second, I loosed an arrow at the creature. It struck true, but the wound quickly closed and pushed the arrow out. Allistan charged forward, engaging the monster head-on, which gave Liliane the opportunity to pull Norgar to safety. Just then I noticed that two additional Half-dragons emerging from the hole that Norgar came from.
 
The rest of us shifted our attention to the two new half-dragons, giving Allistan the space to focus entirely on Robert. Despite the overwhelming odds, Allistan proved more than a match for the creature. For while he was missing his trademark heavy armor, it allowed him to be quick enough on his feet that he could dodge most of Robert’s attacks. And after a series of intense exchanges, Allistan finally landed a decisive blow, his blade slicing cleanly through Robert’s neck, decapitating the monstrous figure.
 
At the sight of their leader's fall, the remaining half-dragons let out enraged roars and unleashed a barrage of breath weapons. Flames and lightning tore through the battlefield, nearly scorching both Allistan and Hayley, who were only saved by some timely healing magic. Despite the ferocity of the attacks, we pressed on. And while the battle was a long and brutal, in the end we were victorious. With the last of them falling to Hayley’s magics.
 
It wasn’t long before we were joined by a priest, who tended to our wounds with his divine magic. But more importantly, he was able to revive the unconscious Norgar. Once Norgar regained his strength, we were escorted back to the main building. As we walked the grounds, we informed Norgar of the events that transpired. And I must admit, as we recounted the events of that evening, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of sadness. For while Robert had strayed far from the man I once knew, or perhaps never was that man, there was a point that I considered him a friend. And this was not the ending that I had hoped for him.
 
When we returned to the main building, we quickly discovered that the party had already ended, as the guest had already departed. Instead, we were greeted by a much more serious group. Standing alongside the ambassador were Ser Donovan, the leaders of various knight circles, the heralds Aspental and Skald and of course, our respective partners for the evening.
 
Once seated, we began recounting the events that had unfolded. From Norgar’s kidnapping by Robert, to the ritual beneath the city, and finally, the climactic battle at the chapel. The room was silent as we spoke, the weight of the situation hanging in the air. When we finished, Ragnar was the first to break the silence. He thanked us sincerely for once again saving his son's life an then proceeded to explain the significance of the gem we had recovered. It was part of a cultural tradition of Morenthene’s followers. The gem was passed down throughout generations, with each inheritor contributing a piece of their essence into it. Thus creating a lasting connection to their ancestors. And more shockingly, it could also be used as a powerful focus by Velora Morenthene to resurrect someone if they fell in battle. Which would explain as to why the cult was so eager to get their hands on it.
 
Ser Donovan was the next to speak. expressing his gratitude on behalf of Keralon, not just for our actions this evening, but also for our previous service as well. And he promised that we would be properly rewarded, with the king himself presenting the honours. And the rewards didn’t stop there. Herald Aspental then addressed both Luke, Liliana, and me directly. For while this hadn’t been an official quest for Keralon, we had more proven our mettle beyond a doubt. And as a result, he extended his support for us to join any knight circle of our choosing.
 
I could hardly believe it. After five long years of striving toward this goal, I had finally earned the title of knight. Naturally Luke and I accepted the offer immediately, but Liliana hesitated. Herald Aspental took it in strive however and suggested that she think on it for the next couple of days. And I understood her hesitation. Liliana had always had her choices made by other. Afterall, while she did join Lady Viviene service to honour her family, ultimately the choice hadn’t really been hers. It was one made by her ancestors after all. So for Liliana, this was a rare opportunity for her to forge her own destiny. And whether she ultimately chose to become a knight or pursue another path, this decision was hers alone to make, and that was the most important thing.
 
Herald Aspental then went on to announce that Allistan, Hayley, and Dadroz, who had yet to receive a formal knighting ceremony, would be honored alongside us. It felt fitting, almost poetic even. Afterall, we had started this journey together, and now we would finish it together as well.
 
With the formalities complete, the evening wound down. And while the others said their goodbyes to their respective partners, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement for the future. The rewards awaiting us, the knighting ceremony itself, it all felt a bit surreal. After everything we’d been through, one chapter of our lives was closing and the next one was just beginning. And I was eager to see where it would lead.