| Post number 27 by Newt..."Dragon Caves" \
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Fellow explorers I bring you news of my travels within the Dragon Caves
located not far from here. Manys the time in the past I've skirted past
these foul caves fearful of the warning at their entrance:
Beware, this is the Dragon Overlords realm. Do not tresspass.
Caution is indeed required but treasures and more are to be found
within for those who dare. The following notes are pieced together
over the course of several trips.
The caves are guarded by a Hydra, more formidible a sight than a foe.
However, there is another guard less easy to see who frequents this
spot that you need stay alert for - a Bounty hunter who is apt to
roam as you descend. The caves, remnants of an old Dwarfish mine,
have decayed and can be hard to follow as the passages bend back
upon themselves unexpectedly, nowhere more so than near the Thunder
Dragon's lair. Yes these caves are for the most part populated
entirely by dragons. Fortunately they are solitary beasts who seldom,
never in my experience, stray from their nests.
The initial going and monsters are relatively easy but as you
penetrate further you will find stronger magic to overcome. The
adventurer should be prepared to face and overcome strong magic
in addition to the flaming breath of the dragons.
Some curiousities within:
- the Spider Queen, hidden perhaps from the dragons themselves
- a clue suggesting one search the walls that didn't help me
- an old dwarven structure that again didn't help me
- "magical" exit. Has only ever taken me to spot near surface
- frozen hoard of the ice-dragon. Can it be thawed?
The denizens are by and large neutral or near neutral but mean,
with one exception - a saintly yet aggressive Sky Dragon. The
catalog following shows magic powers used in my presence by
various dragons - I expect that the stronger ones have more
variety than I have yet seen. I fear for those without the
wisdom to counter spells of annihilation and rapture yet some
will doubtless be lured beyond their means by the treasure
within for all but the Frost dragon carry hundreds of gold
coins as dragons and their ilk are wont to do.
Monsters:
Hydra 4K No Herculean task this one.
Drake 4K Weak
Spider Queen 10K Mean. Burn spells.
Dragons (most have flaming breath)
Erif 3K
Stone 4K
Ria 8K
Fire 9K Mean. Flaming breath.
Water (two) 10K Flaming breath [-150hp]
Black 23K Demonic. Flaming breath [-174hp]
Ice 10K Has Freeze. Frozen hoard.
Thunder 13K Mean.
Drol 9K
Sky 33K Saintly. Casts shock. Auto'd.
Mossy 23K Mean. Annihiliate [-280hp]
Flaming breath [-190hp]
Wind 22K Rapture!
Moon 14K Mean.
Cold 22K
Frost 29K Mean. Freeze.
D. Guard 9K Severs lifeforce.
D. Lord 40K Mean. Flaming breath [-168hp]
D. Overlord 73K Mean. Auto. Annihilate. Interesting death.
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Newt the blue cleric [Lvl 21 at time of exploration]