Editing Dragon's Blood (campaign scenario) (section)

=== Timed events ===
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{{TErow| 1 |Day 1|The [[Dragontalker]]'s account of the disappearance of the good [[Dragon]]s has left me concerned for their safety.  One morning, with blank stares in their eyes, they took to the air and flew east toward [[Nighon]].  The [[Dragontalker]] tried to stop them, but what can an old woman do to stop a [[Dragon]]?<p>If the [[Dragontalker]] is right that the [[Dragon Queen]], [[Mutare]], has indeed gained the ability to control the minds and wills of all [[Dragon]]s, then the world will soon be under [[Nighon]] rule.  And [[Mutare]] would be a greater tyrant than I had been when I was the [[Barbarian]] King.<p>Now, I know that I must not only save the good [[Dragon]]s, but I must stop [[Mutare]], no matter what it takes.}}
{{TErow| 3 |Day 3|I sit with [[Aspen]], my advisor, each night to play a game of chess.  I always lose, but it's a chance for us to discuss our plans for the next day in private.<p>"The [[Elf King]] sent one of his own captains to find the [[Vial of Dragon's Blood]] months ago before all this happened.  He heard it had fallen into [[Nighon]] hands and didn't want our enemy to possess such an artifact," [[Aspen]] said and absently moved his queen.<p>"They obviously didn't find it, so what happened?" I said.  I saw a weakness in [[Aspen]]'s defense and moved my knight to take advantage of it.<p>"Check!" I said.<p>[[Aspen]] smiled, and didn't even look at the board.<p>"The group sent to retrieve the Vial has never returned, and is assumed dead."<p>"I see," I said.  "Your move."<p>[[Aspen]] moved his queen once again and said, "Checkmate!"<p>The old Elf's gloating face always makes me want to smash the board in two, but I resisted.  One day, I'll win, and then I'll teach him how a [[Barbarian]] gloats.}}
{{TErow| 4 |Day 4|The [[Pegasi]] have decided to join my search for the good [[Dragon]]s.  Although their aerial attacks will be a priceless benefit to my army, my [[Master of Supplies]] is angry with me.<p>"More mouths!  That's the last thing I need!" [[Kurbon]] shouted when I told him.}}
{{TErow| 7 |Day 7|"What exactly does this [[Vial of Dragon's Blood]] do?" I ask [[Aspen]] as we ride.<p>"It's said to be the blood of the [[First Dragon Dame]] - the one who gave birth to all the [[Dragon]]s," Aspen said.  "That can't be proved though.  Just a tiny drop of the blood within the Vial can make a [[Dragon]] stronger, and I've heard no matter how often you use it the Vial never runs dry."<p>"So how's it suppose to break [[Mutare]]'s control over the good [[Dragon]]s?"<p>"I guess the [[Dragon's Blood]] has more powers than we know.  Maybe it strengthens their mind as well as body."}}
{{TErow| 11 |Day 11|Today, [[Aspen]] provided me with a map of the region, including our best information about the land of the [[Devil]]s across the mountains.  I must find a way into that land.  It'll take me too long to build an army large enough to get through the [[Fire Gate]] - that's for sure.<p>So, if I can't go through, I must go around.  And that means the ocean.  Our information is vague, but we do know the [[Devil]]s don't have a port.  The real question, however, is if they have any place where we could land a ship.}}
{{TErow| 14 |Day 14|[[Kurbon]], my [[Master of Supplies]], has requested that I hire a Hero responsible for visiting the [[Windmill]], [[Mystical Garden]], and [[Water Wheel]] each week.  It seems a good idea, since I may get too busy to do it myself, or too far away.<p>Not only that, but this new Hero can collect the new troops trained in places like the [[Enchanted Spring]] and the [[Dwarf Cottage]].  Poor [[Kurbon]].  More mouths to feed.}}
{{TErow| 17 |Day 17|This morning, some Dwarven guards brought me an [[Elf]] with his arms bound behind his back.<p>"He was skulking about, trying to slip by us," said one of the [[Dwarves]].<p>The [[Elf]] smiled when he noticed [[Aspen]] standing next to me.<p>"Do you know him?" I asked my advisor.<p>"Well, yes.  This young lad is one of the [[Elf King]]'s spies," [[Aspen]] told me.  Then to the spy, he said, "Go on, tell us what you're doing around here.  Last I heard, you were in [[Nighon]], were you not?"<p>"I was," said the spy, "and I have urgent news for the King.  The [[Nighon]]s are building a massive army - it could only mean invasion!"<p>"I see.  Then you best be running to the King," Aspen said.<p>When the spy was gone, [[Aspen]] said to me, "No doubt, the [[Dragon Queen]] has found a use for the good [[Dragon]]s.  Soon, I imagine they'll be flying over our borders at the head of her army."<p>"I won't let that happen," I promised.}}
{{TErow| 23 |Day 23|As I ate my morning meal, [[Aspen]] approached me with a worried expression on his face.<p>"What is it?" I said.<p>"You'll have to do without my company for a while, [[Tarnum]].  I must be off."<p>"Off?  Where?"<p>"I just received word carried by messenger bird that one of our spies is trapped behind enemy lines and needs help.  Apparently, he has remarkable news about a plot against the [[Elf King]]," [[Aspen]] said.<p>"Take some soldiers with you," I said.  "I don't want you dying before I get a chance to beat you at chess."<p>"Nay, I must go alone.  Better that I not been seen."<p>I reluctantly agreed, then asked, "How is it you know so much about the [[Elf King]]'s spies, [[Aspen]]?"<p>Smiling, the old [[Elf]] said, "I haven't been an advisor all my life.  There was a time when I was [[Aspen]], the Spy - and if I say so myself, the best spy in the world!"<p>"Of course!" I said.}}
{{TErow| 32 |Day 32|Today, [[Aspen]] returned from his mission to rescue the trapped spy.  He looked a little tired, thinner, and angry.<p>"I need a drink," he said, refusing to say more.<p>So, I waited until he had cleaned up and ate, approaching him only after he had had a glass of wine.<p>"What happened?" I asked.<p>"I was too late!" Aspen said as if it was his fault.  "The poor young lad was dead - tortured and left tied to a tree as a message."<p>I clenched my fists at my side, fighting down the anger rising within.  I didn't know the spy, but the man must've been courageous to enter enemy territory.  He didn't deserve that kind of death.<p>Aspen shook his head and said, "And now the information the spy had is lost forever.  Whatever plot he uncovered, we will never know until it is too late!"}}
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