Magellen’s Journal

July 1993

Deciding to clear my mind, I went for a hike through the supposedly haunted mountains towards Forked Bridge, smiting a few undead might just be the thing I need.

Following a small trail, I found myself in a glade, with a creek running between it and the woods to one side. Taking the time make a suitable camp to spend the night, I awoke surrounded by a small group of ruffians asking if I pledged my allegiance to “Aurora of the Mountain.” Informing them I wasn’t interested and that I pledge myself to no one, they attacked me! I could have killed them with one spell, but, convinced they were under the influence of some strong magic, I tried to tell them I didn’t want to fight. I decided to put them in a force cage and pack up my small camp site.

Coming upon a small ruined village with ghosts and things that looked like wights, I had initially decided to believe the rumors about the haunted mountains. Upon closer inspection however, my spells weren’t affecting them in a way that made arcane sense. Frustrated, I sat down in the middle of town until the illusion dissipated and I was staring at an ancient oddly colored green dragon. I attempted to speak to her but she wanted nothing to do with civilities. She wanted what I hoped as allegiance, but what I’m sure was meant as submission. Well I still had some of the red dragon scales that my party took down a few years ago, so I gave them to her as tribute and, of course, bowed my allegiance. She seemed to be amused by my gift but took it, and turned invisible. As I listened, I could hear the beating of her large wings as she headed back up the mountain.

Chiding myself for not preparing invisibility that morning. I took myself quickly down the mountain towards Forked Bridge. Seeing, but not having a problem with any more of Aurora’s worshippers as I finished my descent.

Aurora: Her scales became translucent and shimmer in the light, rippling as she moved. The dragon’s horns and spines hover above the body, moving and shifting along the back and tail to mirror her mood. Looking at her size and ease at which she was able to deceive me with her illusions, I would say she is old, if not ancient. With so few knowing of her, I will assume that she has only just arrived to the area. Possibly finding the area vacant of draconic influence when we removed Fire Brand from his territory.