Why you can never trust a bard

Dear Diary,
 
We entered the room, our hearts pounding with anticipation. Robert was seated on a rock, his expression a mix of resignation and defiance. He held up his hands, a gesture of peace.
"You're here to find Norgar," he said, his voice calm.
 
Liliana and Alistan confirmed, their voices filled with urgency. Robert explained that Norgar was safe, but they needed him for a ritual. He assured us that it was a temporary procedure, which would ultimately benefit Keralon. He promised no permanent harm to Norgar, as they only aimed to extract a small part of his draconic essence, which would be recovered with some rest.
 
Hayley wasn't convinced. She saw through Robert's facade, recognizing the deception lurking beneath his words (with some magical help). With a piercing gaze, she called him out, accusing him of stalling for time.
Robert's facade crumbled, his true nature revealed. He lunged at Alistan, his fists a blur of motion. Dadroz, ever the vigilant guardian, intervened, his rapier finding its mark. The doppelganger stumbled backward, his eyes filled with rage.
 
I sensed something amiss, a magical aura surrounding Robert. With a quick spell, I revealed his true nature, a doppelganger impersonating the facade of our former friend, meant to distract us while the real Robert could carry out his evil plan.
 
The doppelganger, weakened but not defeated, continued to fight. We fought on, our determination fueled by the need to protect Norgar. Finally, with a combined effort, we managed to subdue the imposter, binding his hands and feet.
 
We continued our search, our hearts pounding with anticipation. Another door was opened, revealing a chamber unlike any we had seen before. Six massive drakes, their scales shimmering in the dim light, stood guard over a ritual circle. In the center, Norgar lay bound, his body a canvas for strange, glowing runes.
 
Without hesitation, we drew our weapons and charged into the fray. Alistan and Liliana led the assault, their blades a blur of steel. The drakes, sensing our presence, roared and lunged, their claws outstretched. Alistan, overwhelmed by the sheer number of opponents, fell to the ground, his body battered and bruised.
 
Hayley and I, our hearts pounding with adrenaline, joined the fray. We cast the same spell, our magic intertwining, drawing life force from the drakes and channeling it into Alistan. The creatures, their bodies wracked with pain, collapsed one by one, as we continued our assault.
 
As the dust settled, we approached Norgar, our eyes scanning his body for signs of injury. He was bound to a giant dragon statue, strange runes etched into its surface. A gem, glowing with an eerie light, was embedded in his chest.
 
I examined the gem, my fingers tracing the intricate patterns. It was a container, a phylactery of sorts, designed to hold a soul. Removing it would be like ripping a piece of him away.
Hayley, using her magical senses, confirmed my suspicions. The gem was a vital part of Norgar's existence. Freeing him might mean killing him. The realization hit us like a ton of bricks.
 
With a heavy heart, I decided to disrupt the ritual, hoping to free Norgar from the cult's clutches. I took a deep breath, focusing my magic, and unleashed a powerful construct at the very limits of my abilities to cast. The ritual faltered, its energy disrupted. Norgar, his color returning, stirred from his trance.
 
We rushed to his side, lifting him onto our shoulders. With renewed determination, we made our way through the ruins, the weight of our mission heavy upon us.
 
As we emerged from the underground labyrinth, the fresh air filled our lungs. We rested briefly, our bodies weary but our spirits unbroken. Liliana pocketed the gem, a reminder of our valiant rescue.
 
As we prepared to leave, we decided to look at the rest of the ruins, hoping to uncover more clues about the cult's activities. With renewed energy, we set off, our torches illuminating the darkness.
We discovered hidden chambers, each filled with its own secrets. The cultists had transformed the ruins into a fortress, their presence felt in every corner. As we ventured deeper, we sensed a familiar presence. It was Robert, his voice echoing through the halls.
 
He pleaded with us to leave Norgar behind, his words laced with a hint of desperation.
 
Alistan, his voice firm, refused. Our bond with Norgar ran deeper than any loyalty to Robert, especially after he seems to have deceived us for so long. We were determined to see this through to the end.
Robert sighed. He knew we would not back down. With a heavy heart, he admitted that he had no choice but to stop us.
 
As the door behind us opened, revealing a horde of draconic abominations, we knew we had no option but to flee. We ran, our legs heavy with exhaustion, Norgar a precious burden on Alistan's shoulders. The drakes pursued us, their roars echoing through the ruins.
 
We burst through the surface, the fresh air a welcome relief. The embassy was just ahead, a beacon of hope in the face of overwhelming odds. We pushed ourselves to the limit, our bodies screaming for rest. Finally, we reached the safety of the embassy, Norgar safe in our arms.
 
As we emerged from the basement, the dragonborn guards were waiting for us, their faces a mix of relief and concern. A guard rushed to find Ragnar, Norgar's adoptive father. The other guards brought us to the chapel on the embassy grounds and informed us that a priest was on the way, ready to tend to our wounds.
 
As we waited, a strange light emanated from Liliana's pouch, the gem we had taken from the cultists. Hayley quickly seized the pouch and tossed the gem into a basin of holy water, hoping to dispel whatever was going on.
Dadroz, his senses heightened, sensed vibrations in the ground. We knew the dragon cult was close, their presence a constant threat. Alistan, taking charge, positioned himself at the door, guarding our sanctuary.
 
Suddenly, the ground beneath our feet rumbled. A massive hole appeared, revealing a creature of pure horror. It was a dragon-like abomination, its scales shimmering with an unnatural light. Its eyes, cold and calculating, scanned the room.
 
The creature's voice, a guttural growl, echoed through the chapel. It was Robert, transformed into a monstrous abomination by the dragon cult. Their champion.
 
The sight of him sent a shiver down our spines. The creature's appearance was a grotesque blend of dragon and human, its features distorted and twisted. Its body was covered in thick, leathery scales, its eyes glowing with an unnatural intensity. Greasy hair, remnants of Robert’s own locks, plastered his scalp and face. Its limbs were powerful and muscular, its claws razor-sharp. It was a creature of pure evil, a testament to the dark magic that had corrupted it.
 
Gael fired an arrow at the abomination. The arrow pierced its hide, but the creature's regenerative abilities were astounding. The arrow fell to the ground, its impact barely a scratch.
 
The abomination retaliated, spewing a ball of acid towards Liliana. She raised a magical shield, deflecting the attack. I turned to run, seeking cover from the creature's wrath.
 
Behind me, I heard Alistan's grunt of pain. I glanced back to see him locked in a fierce battle with cultists who tried barging through the door of the chapel. Liliana, her resolve unwavering, carried Norgar towards safety towards the back.
 
As I distanced myself from the abomination, I saw Alistan charging towards the creature, his sword a blur of steel. The abomination, sensing the threat, turned to face him. Alistan's strikes landed with a satisfying impact, weakening the creature before it dropped down entirely. The powerful slashes of the Knight of Keralon had proven too much for the abomination that was Robert. Proving that for all their bluster for dragon-infused strength, they were still no match for hard work and determination.
 
The cultists, enraged by their champion's defeat, rushed towards us. I retreated, seeking a strategic position to defend Norgar. As a cultist lunged forward towards the back where Ragnar was kept safe, I unleashed a blast of magic, forcing them back.
 
The battle raged on, a desperate struggle for survival. We fought with everything we had, our bodies aching, our spirits weary. The cultists, driven by their dark masters, were relentless.
 
Finally, the last cultist fell, its lifeless body a testament to our victory. We collapsed, our breaths ragged, our bodies trembling. But we had survived, and we had protected Norgar.
 
As the fighting subsided and we caught our breath, a priest burst into the hall, crying over the loss of his brand-new chapel.
 
We regrouped in the main hall and were seated at a table with Ragnar and representatives of the major factions. We were then asked to recount the events of the evening. Ser Donovan listened intently as Alistan and Liliana detailed the entire story.
 
When we finished, Ragnar thanked us for saving them from the cult again. He explained that the gem he and Norgar were carrying contained part of their souls, ensuring that if they died, they could be brought back to the city and reunited with their ancestors. We speculated about the cult's intentions with the gem but didn't have all the answers.
 
Ragnar asked if the threat had passed, and we replied that while the immediate crisis was over, there were still cultists out there, especially near Ravensfield. Ser Donovan volunteered to coordinate with the Fenhunters to hunt down these remnants.
 
Our discussion was interrupted by guards who reported discovering a magical gate deep underground while investigating the tunnels we had been in earlier. This was likely how the cult had been smuggling troops into the city.
 
Ser Donovan, his voice filled with gratitude, thanked us for our bravery and sacrifice. He assured us that our actions would not go unnoticed, that the royal family would want to recognize our contributions personally.
 
Ildan, the herald of the High Circle, stepped forward, his eyes filled with admiration. He informed us that while no official quest had been assigned, our actions had earned us the opportunity to earn a mettle. He turned to me and Gael, offering to explore the possibilities.
 
Liliana, her heart heavy with doubt, declined the offer. She needed time to reflect, to consider the implications of joining a knightly order. Ildan, while surprised, respected her decision.
 
He also addressed the knights present, saying they could still expect an acceptance ceremony, as the oversight in not having one was likely due to a mistake.
 
As the Keralon representatives departed, Ragnar pulled us aside and expressed his indebtedness. He assured us that we were always welcome in the embassy and that he would think of a suitable reward. If there was anything we needed, we should simply ask him or Norgar if he was unavailable. Hayley nudged Dan toward the rebuilding and relocation efforts around Ravensfield. Ragnar nodded and said that the loss of Ravensfield and the homelessness of its people were on his agenda.
 
We suggested that they change the locks, as the cult had access to the manor keys. Ragnar nodded in agreement. My date, Elsa, spoke up and suggested that the guards had likely been infiltrated by the cult, as we had seen before. This was probably why the cult had access to the building, as the locks hadn't been changed before the transfer of ownership. She offered her assistance to Ragnar and the embassy and suggested they handle the lock change themselves to avoid spies.
 
With a renewed sense of purpose, we returned to the city, our minds filled with the events of the past few days. Alistan, overcome with guilt, apologized to his date, who reassured him that she was used to such adventures. His mother, surprisingly proud, congratulated him on his bravery and announced that he had been invited to meet the king.
 
Lady Sofia then suggested that Liliana should consider the position of ambassador's wife. It was a tempting chance, she explained, a chance to rise through the ranks of society. Liliana gave a timid nod, despite all her strength, she still has trouble standing up to her mother.
 
Before we left, Elsa volunteered to act as our liaison with the royal court, if we did plan on taking up responsibilities as Knights of Keralon. With her connections and influence, she could help us navigate the complexities of court life. I personally wouldn’t mind seeing her more often.
 
I offered my companionship to any future outings that Elsa might need to attend, and she said that she would consider it. I know that she has several suitors and that she must consider her position in high society. I will simply have to work myself through the ranks as knight to become a worthy companion for someone like Elsa.
 
As we walked through the city, the weight of our recent adventures seemed to lift. We had faced countless challenges, overcome seemingly insurmountable odds, and emerged victorious. The future was uncertain, but we were ready for whatever it might bring.