Fhel 17, 2425 - Chapter 2 - Session 11 - Damn Dirty Dagrons -_-

The Rave died down and we were left to lick our wounds and make our way down from the Grove. Victorious but beaten.
A BENevolent deity must have been watching over us because as we started our trek we were gifted some useful tools and equipment. It was almost as if it fell out of the air, a gift from the divine for our quest. I got some new potions and poison and got a nifty remote I might be able to detonate some bombs should sneaky subterfuge be needed. Z'ed got a nice tool for climbing that will definitely come in handy.
After we spent the night recuperated we started off towards the Ashvein Cradle is. No sooner had we stared that Bruin had a slight misstep and almost got all his hair burn clean off from a lava fissure. Lava, steam and the smell of singed bear hair filled the air. I don't think I will ever get that smell out of my nose which is saying quite alot as I have burned myself and plenty of other things in my experiments. Z'ed and Bruin cautiously started leading us through the area. We by sheer dumb luck made our way through with no further incidents. As we approached the Ashvein Cradle we prepared for what we might come upon. We heard slivers and rumors that a drake could be in the Cradle. Out of nowhere 2 figures rushed out of brush onto the trail. There boots melted and burned. Soot covered faces coughing trying to catch their breath as we approached. They looked at us with fear but quickly realized we were of no threat. We offered water to them to sooth their throats and wash their face. Amani tried to convince them to part with their souls but Odra quickly quelled that idea. They said they had come from the Grove trying to offer up their harvest to whatever was up there. They said fire and ash filled the air and they ran. The creature had massive wings and scales. Upon hearing this Odra knew this was no mere drake but a full on magma dragon waiting up there for us. Along the path I whipped up some elixirs to sooth the burns we got from Bruins mishap. We hesitantly made out way to the Cradle. When we got there the whole place was a scar where magma veins had burnt and destroyed the Grove. The sleeping dragon in the middle of the desolation. Smoke rising from its nostrils with every heave of breath. As if sensing our presence its eyes shot open and its gaze immediately drawn to our group. Odra, now in here dragon from started speaking to the creature in draconic. Trying to appeal to its desire for freedom and to be left alone he appeared a little less hostile towards our group. Next to step up was Amani. She tried to dig into her deep knowledge but came up empty. I tried a different approach and tried to smother it with compliments about the destruction caused from one pyromaniac to another. It saw right through me as a lesser to the might and awe that he is. I sheepishly bowed and retreated to the rest of the group. Bruin did not prove any more successful. Klackers pulled out a syndicate uniform we had from a previous encounter and said we are not associated with that group as he through the regalia into the nearest lave pool. At this the dragon seemed to snarl in anger at the idea of the Syndicate. Perhaps we can use that to sway it to our cause. Z'ed in awe of seeing a real dragon, well besides whatever Odra is, stepped forward and started touting the glory and magnificence of what she was beholding. This appealed to the dragons sense of self and he seemed to appreciate the compliments. The fact that at this point were weren't burnt to a crisp and a pile charred remains was a promising miracle. Odra used the moment to try and converse more with the dragon. Apparently the Syndicate had lied and told him that a group of people were on their way to chain and leash him. Odra with a poor choice of words responded with "And you believed them?". This was not taken well by beast and he spit some lava flehm at her. Amani quick to defuse the situation tried to step in and back track on Odra's comment. Thank god it worked and the tension in the air calmed down again. To show the idea of freedom and the wish for not keeping things bound and chained Amani summoned some of the souls she had gathered and gave them to offer of freedom from their ties to her. The declined and decided to stick with her for now. But the offer seemed to make the dragon pleased at the proposition Amani made. Z'ed after observing the recent interactions had a better understanding of what ways would best to talk to the dragon. After all this back and forth trying to convince this guy to trust us I had had about enough of all the scale licking hoof kissing to this thing. Dragons think they are so damn great and mighty. They are selfish self centered creatures. I walked away not wanting to be apart of this facade any longer. If the rest of the group wants to continue the farce then that's on them. I tried to push down my feelings but I couldn't hide them anymore. Seeing the destruction and cockiness of the beast brought a flood of memories long buries back to the forefront of my mind and I couldn't keep it in any longer. I went off to study the magma veins in the area plotting and charting safe areas. Odra tried to attune more to the dragon, who now identified himself as Sevrythar, keeping an eye on his demeanor and attitude as we got to work on the Grove. Z'ed also attuned to his mood as he seemed more intrigued with our group as the conversation had evolved. Amani learned how the totems in the area used to ward and protect the Grove. We might be able to use that in combination with the Cinderhearts. Bruin found some intact shards used for the rites to purify the Grove. Klackers leaned more into the disdain for the Syndicate and smashed some Syndicate relics that were scattered in the area. Odra tried to match wits with Sevrythar but was no match for the beast. His annoyance with the idea she could match him erupted in a sudden flare of dragon fire in her direction. What a bitch move by the thing. They are so temperamental and moody. I rushed to help her from staying a burnt marshmallow. Bruin not learning from Odra's actions challenged him to a wrestling match like an idiot. Against all odds Bruin was able to get the advantage back and forth earning some respect for the effort. Amani was unable to stabilize the leylines. I successfully diverted the magma surges calming the ground and chaos moving them away from the leylines. Amani kept trying to rebuild that wards this time to some success. Z'ed kept the dragon busy talking about independence and how fighting the Syndicate promotes that independence. Bruin helped Amani rebuild the Cinderheart wards proving my able than Amani had been. Klackers and I spent time cleansing the soil from the corruption that had tainted the Grove. Through all this we were able to stabilize and liberate the Grove earning the dragons thanks and respect. Weather he helps us or not I could care less. We don't need any self serving dragon's help.