Jameson took a puff from his cigar and blew forward a perfect ring of smoke.'Tell me of this dragon, you seem to have a history with him.' He thought absently. This dragon seemed to mean well, but Jameson still hadn't decided how to deal with his arrival. His thoughts burned as intensely of the fires of the town above, he had to learn as much as possible about the enemy. Many evils lingered beyond the shadows of this conversation, many indeed. He was aware that the dragon could hear all of this, he even intentionally let him know that he was hiding something about himself from the dragon, something not even Cassandra knew. Only one other knew of his secret. He then asked the dragon, through thought, about the location of a certain being. Half demon half werewolf, this creature had been a long rival of Jameson.

Its name.

Was Barghest..

The lich was watching this group, and was amused. If one of them was able to sense a scrying spell they would dectect it, for the lich was not being careful. If his entertainment shut off he would just put it back on with cloaking spells so it was not so easily detected. He held up his hand to shoo the crystal ball that showed the whole city, and it went back to a shelf, still showing the city. He pulls another one up to show outside the mountain, and all was quiet. He uses this one to fly around the world at supreme speeds, flicking through towns like pages in a book. He brings a parchment and quill to his writing desk, and moves his chair over there, all with magic of course. He starts to write a message to the group by enchanting the quill to write what he says, and after muttering some words, a skeletal owl with blue fire in it's chest rises from the ground, and perches on the desk. After writing the message, he ties it, and slides it into a pouch with leather straps, and puts it onto the owl. The owl screeches, and flies off. The message reads this:
Hello, can't help but notice you have a demon problem! I might be able to help. Send the owl back with your reply. Don't bother writing, just tell it the message. Billy can talk and understand common just as well as you can, unless you can't and then this letter is gibberish! But, in the other hand, I can just enchant it to translate to the native language of whoever reads it. Much better than hoping, I believe. Hold on, the crystal ball is complaining. Doh, don't write that down! Stop! Gah!
Sorry, stupid magic quills, too reliable to write EVERYTHING down. It's back to being obedient now. So, you help me with a problem I encountered, and I help you with your demon infestation. I love me some demons. Their souls taste like chicken. But, besides that point, I have a slight problem here. I don't know what's been going on the last five hundred or so years, so maybe you could help me with a recap? You should have been taught history lessons when you were wee little boys like I was once a few thousand years ago, maybe more. I really need to get that number right. But, tell the scary owl your reply, and you will get some help, though it might not work. I'll tell the undead battalion to not flay you alive, but only to do so to demons. Red skinned vermin extermination only.

Hope to hear from you soon,
Skizzerax, The Destroyer

'Was Barghest,...... Was Barghest' Jauffre said the name a little bit more in his own head trying to remember it. 'No but Silver might, he is a silver dragon and has been around longer then I have. As for information about Alduin,...he is one of the few most evil dragons to have made his way through existence. He is so powerful he even created his own plane of existance that he goes to for rest. When me and Silver heard he had returned to this world to fight for the ruler of the mountain who I learned to be Eliphas.' He answered. 'Eliphas himself is very powerful said to be one of the ancient ones waiting for his banishment to subside, well that was 21 years ago. once he reached that moment he began to move towards his arrival. He had the help of Aries, a Erinyes who seduced a bunch of warlocks to summon him with a faulty circle which basicaly only freed him from his prison.' Then he looked up at Jameson as they moved with the group. 'Or did you mean Silver's relationship with me?'

'In that case, Silver and I have been friends for a good long while. We had loads of fun but we were quickly placed in this war when Alduin attacked our mountain we caused his retreat with the cost of the lives of three dragons.

Ishmael saw the owl and what it had brought. The looks and condition of the owl did now ease his thoughts. He took the letter it had carried and read it. The moment her read the words of "undead" He knew exactly what sent it. "Looks like we have a necromancer calling for our alliance. I don't trust his words and do not enjoy the thought of how many lives were lost to create his army. Valken don't tell me your no different because you eat human flesh. The difference between you and this necromancer or whatever he is, is you are under the protection of the church by order of your father. Also you ate humans to survive, this man had no need to kill people to create himself and army." He added. The letter spoke of him to send a answer. His answer was simple swipe of his holy sword which felled the owl in one fatal strike. The holy blessing of the sword made sure it would not rise again. "There is our answer." he said and cast a spell called locate enemy and sure enough he saw the scrying orbs and with that he sent forth a massive dispel evil which deactivated them rather quickly. He then cast a greater ward against evil upon himself which brought a good enough radius so that no more scrying could be done.

Skizzerax cringes when he sees that happen. His scrying spell shows it too, by growing a mouth and saying "HEY! that wasn't very nice! Now I have to find another owl soul that actually gets the job done. Thanks a lot! Now I have to do something about this!" It starts spewing out a green fog, and it goes up their nostrils and...
Makes them feel stronger and grants them 15% more strength until their next battle ends. "Wait, that was supposed to be poison fog. Cursed memory never works. Oh well, enjoy." The mouth blinks out of existence.

~::Eliphas::~

The demon lord moved back into his chamber as his minions dispersed one at a time. A succubus had moved to his side with a curious look. "What?" He asked rather annoyed by her look. She shrugged. "What about Barghest? You didn't send him out with the others." She asked to which he responded with her implosion. Her blood decorating the already blooded floor and walls. "I do not have to explain to a low level demon about my intentions.... Besides we have a lich now as a enemy, I want his location and who better to track him then him." He gestured to a quasit giving him one order. "Go tell him I have summoned him for a special little job."

Valken seethed at the one he called bitch. "I am 10 times older than you, incredible idiot.. You pretentious waste of female material. I've known these folks for some time before this, so again, your an idiot who feels the need to heighten herself so that she can masterbate her ego. Don't you dare talk to me about what I don't know..I know a place where I can condemn you for all eternity. And don't you EVER talk to me about my mother or my father or so help me I will chew on your spine. " valken turned away, still a bubbling pot if oil when he reached Cassandra. Some other folk had become fed up with their chicken clucking and he rose his neck to look over the crowd at the voice. "Well then solve the problem before I do.."
He was quiet for a small time, Ishmael hounding him for giving the monologue from before. Valken blushed slightly over his scowling face. "Shut up.." He huffed, "I can see where your coming from but truthfully I have yet to bring one with me...I am a slave to my sperm as are you and every male on the earth.."
The way valken spoke used terminology describe it as odd and uncomfortable. Certainly not the kind that a child should hear. Still, valken focused on Cassandra, "he is human but he will need to be as strong as a demon if he is to survive a parent less life."
He had become less disturbed now, opening his nostrils wide to keep the smells of Cassandra in his mouth. Some how the sounds of a bird made it into the sewers and Ishmael slayed it quickly. Valken chuckled, "necromancers raise the already dead, they don't have to kill living people for it...there are millions of dead laying around..but I'm not going to defend him."

If someone was looking down the tunnel, they would notice two glowing eyes in the dark, along with some blue lines that were both blue. The eyes and lines go away when they move behind a wall for a moment, and then reappear and get closer. "I'm not the only one that thought of the sewers than. Greetings, my name is Frostwing and I seem to be lost. Is there something you need help with?"

Nova was a little annoyed that Valken was ignoring her. She sighed at little bit and just let it go. All she got out of it was more stares from her two companions Elendil and Dorian. Her being nice to the demon was a little peculiar to them. She did however think the whole thing between him and the witch was laughable and even giggled. Perhaps the witch will get killed by the demon and that would end a lot of suffering on our part. She then heard Kyoto yell out for them all to shut up. He had been quiet for a long while. I guess everyone has a snapping point. I suppose the witch had pushed Valken to his and them combined pushed him. It was rather funny to see it. The owl was a little bit of a surprise but Ishmael quickly dispatched it saying it was sent by a necromancer.

Hotaru looked to the boy cleaning the tears from his eyes after Valken's little bullying. She heard his words about the boy and she shook her head. "No he doesn't have to worry about getting stronger. I have enough power in magic to defend him and I am not afraid to use it." She said. She then had to smile. "I will take care of the boy as if I was his mother. He shall be raised well." in truth she planned on dropping him off at the elves for awhile. Not for forever but for as long as this war would last. She was going to fight and she did not want to endanger Danny.

Ishmael simply ignored the newcomer. He sounded like a sell sword and he did not respect them either. "Stick around if you like, but don't expect to get paid for it." He said rather coldly. He then continued to lead the group. They finally started to come to the end of sewer tunnels and were not greeted by sunlight from the hole. What they saw was fog and even so the dark clouds blocked out the sunlight anyways. The smell of fresh air welcomed them and suddenly the fog began to dissipate.

What now welcomed them was silver, large and scaly with wings. It had a golden crest upon it's head. The large creature was a dragon. A silver one for that matter. Anyone knowledgable of their species knew silver dragons were good not evil. It rose it's head to look to them. "Finally Jauffre you arrived, my attempt to dissolve the storm has failed. " he said. Then the fox who was beside Jameson moved to the front. He looked up at Silver and smiled.

"I helped as much as I could Silver, these people are odd but they fight for what we want. At least that's what I know so far" spoke the fox. He then took on his true form as a bronze dragon. He looked to the group and nodded. "Consider us a ally in battle. The demons may or may not attack while we travel but we will help however we can."

Nova was a little weary about the newcomer and Ishmael seemed to dislike him already. Ishmael then continued on after telling the man he could follow them if he wanted but he was being paid for it. Mercenary? That all washed away when she saw light coming from up the sewer tunnel and instead of golden light they were welcomed by a fog. This fog was strange for her kin noticed none of it upon their arrival in Lithuim. If that did not help her suspicions it suddenly began to die down too and out of it came the form of a massive silver dragon. Her eyes light up and she felt like a college girl at a concert. A silver dragon was right here, right now and boy it was beautiful too. Then it spoke out a name Jauffre it was. She looked to the people as if she expected the name to belong to one of them but to her surprise she saw a fox move about the crowd and up to the dragon. The very fox that had been near Jameson the whole time. This fox then began to change and quickly became what she also knew was a bronze dragon. His name must have been Jauffre and according to him the silver one was just plain old Silver. They then told them that they would join them as allies and she felt more safer then she ever thought she would. Not one but two dragons.

Hotaru and the little boy known as Danny were both surprised and excited at the same time. Neither one of them ever saw a dragon before. Well not a good one anyways in the boys experience. Hotaru bowed rather politely to the two dragons and the boy did in suit mimicing her. The goal here was simply to be just respectful. The dragons were both beautiful as what light they had shined upon the two dragons. "I never seen a sight like you two ever. Thank you for coming to our aid."

He had ignored the new arrival just as everyone else. See he wasn't a sell sword to be exact. He did not favor money not one bit. He favored the thrill of battle. He was always free for hire and never accepted anything for payment, except for a good meal that is. What peaked his attention though was when they came outside and he saw the two dragons. He was farther back in line so he did not get to see the transformation or the fog vanishing but their sight was quite a spectacular. "Well that escalated quickly." Was all he said and when he reached the front he saw Hotaru and the boy with her bow and he had to smile. I knew I would like that girl. He then stepped forward and went to his knees in a pure act of respect and humilty. His people worshiped dragons after all and seeing two of them right before him made him feel like he was in the presence of gods.

--------------------------

Far off in the distance though there was another dragon who had just reached the city once more. With him were several flying demons and when Alduin arrived he looked to the demons below. "Orders from Eliphas, he says to stand guard at the city,and defend it from the undead... while he tries to locate the whereabouts of the lich. Continue burning the keep. The other generals are here to join us." He clarified.

Frostwing looks slightly insulted that they confused him for a sellsword, but also makes an observation. "I am not interested in money, but don't wish to rot someplace and be useless." He looks at Ishmael, and says "Saying how they respect your wisdom and opinion, i would guess you are a leader figure. Know I have no intent of being payed. I am a War Forged, so I was created with one purpose, and time took that away from me. It was.. strange for me." He saw the gleam, and took his bow in hand. He drew it back and a arrow of blue magic appeared. But after seeing it was a silver dragon he puts his bow up, and nods his head in a quick greeting to the dragon.

By this time, the skeleton squad of about twenty six arrived at the city, and let themselves in. They saw what had to be seen, and if there were demons, then they would charge, not caring that they were outmatched or outnumbered. One of them yelled "FOR OUR MASTER, FOR THE LICH, CHAAAAAAAAAARGE!" And started slaughtering anything that got in their way.

Jameson~

James was prepared for the arrival of the Silver dragon, as Jauffre had warned him in advance of his arrival. James nodded to the beast and greeted him through thought. He then turned to the group who mostly seemed to be in awe of the grand beasts arrival. He tipped his cap up and studied their expressions, he noticed the new comer for the first time since his arrival and nodded in greeting. He paused for a moment before beginning to speak. "As most of you now know, my name is Jameson, I have offered the select few of you who are not welcome in the elven city a sanctuary in the forests to the west of here. I ask now that we might split into two groups. Myself, Jauffre and one other head into the woods, I shall introduce you both to my home there whilst the others head to the elven city as originally planned. Jauffre would then head with the other individual who followed me back to the group to hear of the elves reaction to our arrival. If they accept you with open arms, then I will have no need to worry further for your safety. If not than My offer stands to be taken up. While my plan is but a suggestion, I do hop that we all consider it carefully. Either way, I will be parting with you here, I have business too attend to in the forest."

James turned away from the group as he awaited their response. He decided it best to let them decide amongst themselves. For the time being he simply watched the land. Here was still untouched by the ravages of the demon army, so peaceful it was that it almost made him forget the threat that loomed over them all. Directly ahead was the beautiful elven capitol, surrounded by the famous pearl walls. Within he knew lay the most protected city in all of the realms, if they were not safe here, than they were not safe anywhere. The serene planes stretched out before him and to the west he could just make out the outline of his home. The forest of Elden, a beautiful wood, and a place he missed dearly. He truly hoped that it would be Cassandra joining him, he had wanted to show her the beauty of that forest for some time now. He let out a sigh of relief. Perhaps now he would finally be able to take a small rest. Yes,it would seem that for now, in this small Sanctuary of the light, their was indeed a calm before the storm.

Barghest~

While Jameson the Silver took his time enjoying his moments of peace, Barghest the black grew restless in a rut of impeded plans. The red moon that had shown for 30 years cast its eerie glow upon his empire. His strongest pack had just returned from a midday hunt,and their prey was rather intriguing. Barghest idly scratched his main with a empty paw as he awaited the traitors arrival. Oh how he enjoyed teaching the young pups a lesson. He would take great joy in this particular scolding as well, for this very pup had been the source of his shame for quite some time now. He then scowled as Eliphas's messenger approached his throne. "What.. is it?" he barked at the cretin.

"S-sir.. Milord Eliphas asks for your presence in his chamber.. It is for a special task." The creature shuddered like a pathetic imp.

Barghest devoured it in a single gulp. The creature slid down his throat with ease. He ripped the dimensional fabric with a single bark and lept through. He landed beforethe demon lord. "Eliphas.... what is it that you need..." Barghest was a proud wolf, but he knew when to respect those above him. He bowed to his lord as he said this, truly curious as to what he might need.

As the grimaskari Xukhezur had fled west, he eventually flew beyond the sight of the city of Lithium. He'd left one of his optic orbs to orbit the city and monitor the fiendish forces and their movements. He needed to figure out where the defenders of the city had fled, in order to contact his superiors and inform them of the fate that had befallen Lithium. He required the assistance of one of those who had last visited and examined the items stored in the Imaskari armory cache that had been plundered. Making sure he was alone, he took a minute to open a protomorphic gate to his protomorphic demiplane. The rectangular portal soon opened wide enough to permit him to enter it, as he momentarily left the prime material plane of Kurn. Once in his demiplane, he released himself from within his eiffgy mecha 'Shroud' and called out his protomorphic minion to join him and to prepare itself for a little journey. Once it was ready, he opened a second protomorphic gate that led to the edge of the imaskari enclave that lay near the Lorosfyr void deep in Toril's underdark.

They were greeted by a score of the enclave's spellswords with their weapons readied, although they relaxed when they recognized the mechamancer. The company stood at ease or resumed their training as he spoke steadily across the threshold of his gate, "Greetings. I apologize for being abrupt. But if some among you would kindly escort my minion to Lord Turrex as my attending proxy, I would be grateful." In response, a lithe and adroit, dark haired imaskari captain stepped forward and nodded, "Captain Lu'Vayla Dezuqui at your disposal. I don't believe we've met. " As she replied with a welcoming smile, she gave him a salute, by laying a hand across her chest, whilst holding an etched blade in a vertical position to display its markings for him to read.

"Your reputation precedes you Velocimaster. I'm Farseeker Xukhezur Kavinath. Pleased to meet you and disappointed I can't linger." he replied with respect, as he examined the blade a moment. "Although, I'm sure once I've gone back to my current business, your new crew here might be coerced into providing information relevant to the role I play on behalf of this enclave," he continued, as he dismissed with a wave, the comical shrugs and looks of feigned ignorance passed their way. A well regarded arcane warrior of the highest order, Lu'Vayla was capable of manipulating the timestream in her favor to a degree that few others of his kind could match. If anyone understood how to make the most of time itself, it was her. He found himself briefly contemplating how he might keep her within his orbit for reasons that slowly wandered beyond her professional value. His obligations of recent years had kept him from pursuing anything more than the occasional distraction that was both brief and discreet, to keep himself balanced and renewed for the path ahead. He still wanted to test the limits of how far he could take himself and his craft, fearful of losing his edge or letting down those who counted on people like him to help watch the proverbial gates.

Before his moment of consideration grew too long for comfort, Xukezhur pivoted to bidding his minion to stay with the captain and whomever she assigned to escort it to see the lord. "Very well, seems I have nothing to worry about on this end," he commented to express his confidence in them. "If you or your company require anything I can help with, just relay it to my minion. Until next time, thanks, and I hope you all find the success you seek." After his minion slid through the air on its gravity aura to join the company, Xukhezur waved and dismissed the open gate between them.

Once he returned inside his mecha, Xukhezur guided it back through the first gate he had opened, into the world of Kurn, before he dismissed that gate as well.

Ishmael nodded to each word Jameson said. It was best that they did split forces and he looked to each of the crew members and came up with something. "I will lead one half to the elves with the survivors. I will take with me Nova and her two kinsmen, Hotaru will also accompany me. Cassandra wil lead the rest of you with Jameson as a guide to this hide out. Fenn, Kyalia you will go with them." He concluded. He looked to the two dragons and smiled. " The elven city is well protected so I don't need you to go with me. Protect them." He then looked to Valken. "Same concept, the group staying with Cassandra and Jameson will need your echolocation." He said. He then looked to Frostwing. "You want to earn my trust then keep them protected." He said and with that he lead his group off towards the elven city.

Cassandra pulled Valken and Jameson close so she could wrap her arms around their necks. "It's like old times, Valken try not to kill Fenn okay, we might need her magic." She said with a bit of mirth in her voice. "The idea of resting a bit is a welcomed one. Plus I did not get to dowse my crossbow bolts with poison." She added.

---

Eliphas looked to Barghest, his most prized possession. "I was saving your pack for a hunt on the man who imprisoned my Succubus queen but a Lich has challenged us. Your job is to locate this Lich, kill everything and everyone. Then bring the Lich to me."

Aries finished off the keep rather quickly and saw that the undead were fighting with her demon army and were not doing so good. The generals that had arrived with Alduin made short work of the undead. Their abilities made sure of that.

The lich senses that the skeletons had died, and smiled to himself. He decides to send a more powerful foe to combat them. He calls for another general, a dwarf. "IronBeard, send a beast to the city. Make a pick of the one you feel would be best for it."
A panther with six legs and long tentacles walks from the mountain. These tentacles were revealed to have long spines on the inside of the tip. A Displacer Beast.

It started running towards the city, not caring that it would disturb anyone it passed.

Alduin smirked at was sent after the destruction of the skeletons. A displacer beast, of all things. He took it upon himself to fly down and used his weight to collide into it breaking the creature's spine. As it screamed Alduin finished the displacer off by torching it with its breathe weapon. It then devoured the displacer beast soul and flesh.

Kyoto moved to the three and sighed. "Well lead on to this paradise of yours"

The lich slams his fist onto his writing desk, snapping it in half. He roars, and yells BRING OUT A BEHEMOTH. MAKE THEM BURN AND PUT THEIR HEADS ON A PIKE!
The lich watches as a huge monster made of the half-decayed bodies of assorted races rose from the bowels of the cave, and says PROVE TO ME THAT YOU HAVE SUCCEEDED IN KILLING THE OFFENDERS AND YOU WILL EARN YOUR FREEDOM
The bodies groan in unison and the creature roars, green smoke pouring from where a head should be. It runs off towards the city, leaving destruction in it's wake.
He chuckles. "If that doesn't give them a good smack in the pants, then i'll have to make something myself."

The creature arrives in the city and roars, bashing down the gates and ducking to get inside. It starts says "I CHALLENGE ANYONE THAT DARES FIGHT THE BEHEMOTH. FIGHT ME TO THE DEATH!"

Nova and her two kinsmen enjoyed the idea of going with Ishmael to their city. The followed with along with the survivors. She took up the lead beside him so that the elves at the gates would see her and accept them in. Elendil and Dorian were much eager to get back after their failure and loss of their two comrades. Even little Hotaru was a little excited despite any worries about her being half demon. She could care less and looked to Danny. "Ever seen a elven city before? My father told me all about it. Beautiful flowers grown naturally and they live in great houses built into large trees. The very craftsmen ship of the homes is just beautiful as well." She told him and he was even more excited. The elves had tons to offer travelers. Great food and wine as well as the softest of beds and beautiful music. The queen was said to be breathe taking and every word she spoke made Nova even more proud of her kin. People always loved their cities and they welcomed those with good hearts.

This very fact made Hotaru wonder if the monk she meet was right. Your birth matters not only what you do matters. Well if her father was a able to describe the city in full detail then he must have been inside and if so then the elves accepted him into their arms despite him being a demon. Perhaps they looked beyond the skin and at the soul of the person. If the insides are beautiful then they are allowed in.

As the behemoth challenged the group of demons suddenly one such challenger came forth. This challenger caused them to part like Moses did the red seas. This challenge was the great beholder known as Grimhold. The same one who caused Xukhazur to flee. The beholder had no desire to let this drag on longer then it should. His central eyes closed and the stocks all aimed at the behemoth and fired their rays of disintegration. Within a instant the great behemoth was just that disintegrated. Grimhold looked to the demons about him. "Take what survivors there are in the buildings to the fortress. Eliphas wants them put to work immidaitly for the preparation for the Succubus Queen's return." He said.