The Liar's Tale Begins - A Dungeon's & Dragons Serial
Foreword
Here’s something different.
I’ve been writing for a local magazine called the Campaigner, created by Matthew Lee, for some time now. The concept for my feature is to tell short stories inspired by the Dungeons and Dragons games I’ve played in over the years. I then finish with a little commentary section, in which I talk about the game in relation story, life and anything else interesting.
You see, D&D (roleplay games, in general) is quite a beautiful and powerful experience, much more than any game you might otherwise play (I’m calling it). It is interactive storytelling, shared experience, and just plain old wondrous fun.
Moving on. (I don’t think foreword’s are supposed to be this long - MOREword is more like it, hahahaho?)
So recently I decided to change up my little features and turn the story element into a bit of a serial. It is inspired by a campaign run by my brother, Kyri, back in the day. Matt has graciously and kindly agreed to let me publish these pieces on my website.
Few things.
Because this is based in the Dungeons and Dragons world, there may be references and such that confuse readers who have no grounding in fantasy tropes and such. I strive in these stories to make them accessible to anyone reading (I possibly fall short of doing so). But I am certainly interested to get feedback from all, and hope you enjoy these tales.
‘Nuff said. Now onward, to “The Liar’s Tale.”
The Liar’s Tale
Chapter 1 - Dealings with Dragons
Rin looked at the huge, green dragon looming before him and tried to suppressed a tremble.
It wasn’t just the fact that this legendary creature could swallow him whole without effort; nor was it the fact that green dragons were infamous for their cruelty, particularly towards those of elven persuasion.
No, it had more to do with the fact that he was currently in possession of the terrifying creature’s egg.
Specifically, it was Kaag who was holding the precious object, but that was a trivial distinction in this matter. At most, that meant the hulking goliath might be the first to suffer the dragon’s wrath – the rest of them would suffer it nonetheless.
The tremble finally escaped Rin, leaving the master of lies tongue tied – it was an alien feeling for the elf.
“Your egg is safe, majestic beast!” bellowed Kaag, lifting the egg high with massive arms.
Rin winced. The goliath’s attempt at flattery was clumsy. Never call a dragon a beast.
Thankfully, Lute stepped forward to mitigate the damage. “We are nothing in your presence, great lord of the forests,” the half-orc said, bowing low. “And we are humbled to have been given a chance to serve you.”
Well done, Lute, thought Rin, taking a deep breath. The half-orc priest’s words helped to ease Rin’s nerves, though not enough to snap him out of his panic.
The dragon stretched forward with her head so that it hovered right before Kaag. “Step forward, beast,” she rumbled. “Place the egg before me, and await your doom.”
Frustratingly for Rin, Kaag kept calm and did as the creature asked. How could he stay so confident in the face of near certain death?
And you, who wields a tongue of sharpened steel, stands silent and helpless. Speak!
A feint whisper came to Rin from his right – the halfling blade-master, Tanaki. “I’m not done with these blades, beguiler.” She placed a small hand on his wrist. “So snap out of it and speak!”
And – to Rin’s surprise – that prompt was enough to finally untie his tongue. Apparently, this tiny dark-haired assassin was as terrifying to him as the dragon. He swallowed and stepped forward.
First display humility.
“Do you see, Great Wyrm,” spoke Rin in the language of dragons. “Our companion eagerly kneels before you, awaiting your judgement. As do we all.”
He motioned to Kaag, who stared back with a raised eyebrow. A moment later, the goliath understood and took a knee. The rest of the party quickly followed suit.
Now appeal to order.
Rin continued forward until he stood closest to the dragon, then he too fell to his knees. “For while we fear your power and wrath, we also revere your illustrious command of the law.”
The dragon snaked her head towards Rin, until her massive nose was but a hand’s breadth from the elf’s face. She snorted and a gust of acrid air washed over Rin, choking him. He began to sway from the potency of the toxins in the breath.
“You speak well and true, elf,” she said. “Unlike my other-coloured brethren, I value the law above all ideals. And, while it is an affront for such vermin as you to even approach my unborn wyrmling, I know you are responsible for its safety. This will not be forgotten.”
Still reeling, Rin felt a sense of relief. Perhaps they would escape a dire fate after all.
“But this service does not pardon your other transgression,” the dragon continued, arching its head up to loom above the party. “You have trespassed into my forest without leave. Furthermore, you have said nothing of your hidden companion, as if wretched creatures such as you could escape my notice in my own domain. Such hubris is unforgivable.”
Rin swore. Amidst the dire nature of the circumstances he had forgotten about the fifth member of their party, Avaelin. The scout would have slipped into the surrounding thickets the moment a threat was detected, likely with bow in hand and hostility at heart.
This is bad.
“Come and join us, hidden one!” the dragon roared. “Face judgement with your companions.”
A moment later, Avaelin stepped into the clearing, holding her bow with defiance in her eyes. Any other time Rin would admire her tenacity, but here it would only add fuel to the already raging inferno that threatened to engulf them.
Every mannerism, every move, every moment was being judged. And the verdict was all but decided.
Think, Rin, think! He was meant to be a master of information, a manipulator of circumstances. There had to be something here that could save them. What had this dragon revealed of its nature? What weaknesses?
“For your audacity, hidden one,” the green dragon said, turning to Avaelin, “your life is forfeit.”
A roar of protest escaped Kaag. The rest of the party stiffened, ready to snap. They would not accept the dragon’s words.
Pride, order, domination, survival. Rin cycled through all the information he had gathered on the creature and frantically began to devise a story – it had to be powerful enough to capture the dragon’s attention, and it had to happen right now.
“For the rest of you,” the dragon continued, “I offer the reward of servitude. A place amongst my most favoured pets.”
The story must evoke urgency - a threat that cannot be ignored.
The party rose to their feet and reached for their weapons. The dragon sneered at them, then hissed bitterly.
The story must draw on a higher ideal - Law's domination of Chaos.
The dragon spoke. “So, it seems you would rather choose death.” She reared back, toxic fumes spilling from her nostrils in thick streams.
Most important, the story must centre on a common enemy - the one who dared to steal her egg.
“The succubus!” Rin screamed. “The succubus who stole your precious spark of life. She lives!”
The impending violence halted momentarily and the dragon glared at Rin.
“A demon, a harbinger of chaos,” Rin continued, heart racing. “She trespassed into your realm and stole your unborn child. Surely for a purpose you cannot ignore.”
“I will deal with her in time,” seethed the dragon.
“You may not have time,” Rin pressed. “There is an underground complex north of your forest where these creatures are gathering. Whatever they wish to accomplish, it can only lead to chaotic ends.”
“I will crush them if they dare oppose me,” the dragon roared. “I will watch their skin bubble in a bath of acid.”
“And if they bring forth a power that can match your own? What of your hatchlings? Do you think they will ignore such a chance to cause you sorrow?”
The dragon looked skyward and roared, a torrent of green smoke erupting from her mouth like a volcano. The party shrunk back in terror at the sight.
Then the eruption subsided and the great creature slowly calmed. She looked at Rin with eyes that understood his play perfectly – temporary resignation, and a promise of deadly reprisal. “Enjoy this minor victory, elf, while you have it. Now, make your offer.”
“We are headed for the underground complex to deal with the threat that gathers there. We will bring you the succubus’s head.” Rin sighed, knowing what else had to be done to make the dragon agree. “And when this is done, if you are still not content, I offer my life.”
The dragon’s eyes narrowed as she considered Rin’s words. “I agree,” she said finally. Then a grin formed across her face, slow and wicked. “But know, elf, that your life is already mine.”
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Author’s Musings
So begins a new Dungeons and Dragons journey, which includes some of my most memorable experiences in any game.
To this point in writing these articles, I’ve focused on particular campaigns and loosely told connected stories about them. But here, I want to try a serialised format of an entire adventure – it is my attempt at capturing the epic scope that a D&D game can have.
While in the past I’ve said a lot about the experience of the game, highlighting individual lessons and takeaways that I have gained from playing it, I hope here to translate the completely immersive nature of a Dungeons and Dragons adventure.
Take a show like Game of Thrones, for example (in its prime, not its conclusion - why’d i have to go there?…sigh) Part of the draw of such epic serialised storytelling is the way it pulls you from episode to episode with use of tension and anticipation, finally releasing that tension with payoffs that leave you cheering, crying or some mix of the two.
The beauty of D&D is that you don’t just watch the epic unfold. You write it together, as a group, and the bonds you get living that story with each other are bonds for life. You tell tales of how you killed that dragon, or how you got turned into a chicken. And all the people on the bus around you look at you as if you’re a crazy person.
Which in my case, is a fair assumption.
So, while this was not technically the start of this particular adventure, what better way to start things than with a terrifying dragon who could eat us all if she wanted to. And of course, being that the DM was my older brother, the one that the dragon wanted to eat the most was my character.
At least I managed to convince the dragon to wait till after we finished the adventure. Thanks to a lucky roll of the dice.
Till the next instalment.