Shardos Unbound
Quest Journal Entry - Paladin Carl
Today marks the beginning of a perilous journey, one that calls upon the unwavering dedication of a servant of Ilmater. Belmyre, our beloved town, stands threatened by a fearsome foe, the Adult White Dragon known as Shardos.
It began when reports of frost-covered fields and terrified villagers reached the temple. Belmyre, once a bastion of peace, was now paralyzed by fear. It is my duty, as a paladin of Ilmater, to ease the suffering of our people. With Silverfang, my loyal friend and trusted ally, I set out towards the menacing peaks of the Frostspire Mountains, the abode of our icy adversary.
The journey was treacherous, with howling winds and bone-chilling cold. We encountered frozen remnants of the land, eerie signs of Shardos' malevolence. But we pressed on, for the safety of Belmyre was at stake.
As we neared Hoarfrost Hollow, Shardos' lair, we faced a formidable obstacle. Ice Elementals, born of the dragon's magic, sought to thwart our advance. With Ilmater's grace and Silverfang's might, we overcame this trial.
Yet, the most profound encounter came in the form of a spirit, an ancient Frost Mage, cursed by Shardos' presence. This tormented soul shared with us a cryptic incantation, a shard of hope that may prove instrumental in defeating the dragon.
As we approached our final confrontation with Shardos, the truth behind its aggression emerged. A mysterious artifact, steeped in elemental ice magic, had driven the dragon to madness. It falsely believed that Belmyre and its people posed a threat to its newfound power. We had to make a choice.
In the heart of battle, as the clash of scales and steel echoed through the cavern, Shardos' madness became evident. The cursed artifact was consuming it from within. With Silverfang's strength and my unwavering faith in Ilmater, we subdued the dragon.
And then, a choice lay before us. We could pursue Shardos, end its existence and risk the artifact falling into the wrong hands, perpetuating suffering. Or, we could focus our efforts on stopping the cursed artifact, releasing Shardos from its torment.
With heavy hearts and the belief that Ilmater's teachings call for compassion, we chose the latter. We shattered the artifact, ending its malevolent influence. Shardos, no longer consumed by madness, took to the sky and disappeared into the unknown.
As the cavern echoed with the dragon's fading roars, we knew that Belmyre was safe once more. The dragon, no longer a threat, had found freedom from its torment. Our mission was a success, and we returned to Belmyre with hearts heavy yet content, knowing that we had eased the suffering of both the town and the dragon.
With Ilmater's guidance, may peace reign over Belmyre, and may Shardos find solace in a world unknown.
Comments