A Valiant Attempt

Just wanted to let everyone know that Lady Vox is one tough Dragon!

My word of advice to anyone who dares enter the lair of the ‘former’ member of Ring of Scale would be to bring lots of friends.  My Tribunal wife Vixerean and I joined forces with Rikasrn and 27 other willing combatants to enter the chilling caverns of Permafrost.  The ancient white dragon has ruled over all the icey creatures in peace and solitude since before Halas was ever thought of.

We sat for hours, thinking of the great treasures (and great tales) that would come from slaying the Lady.  Waiting for word.  An elder paladin silenced the anxious crowd.  Waiting for my name to be called, hoping I would be in the same group as my wife, I hear ‘Rikasrn’… group 2 was forming… Rik was of great skill and had attained some popularity in Norrath.  Still waiting….

Finally I got called into group 4 – my wife didn’t.  All the shamans including my wife were in a separate meeting.  I tried to think of the fight ahead.  Worried by the comments made about the dangers of ‘Vox’, I told my group leader of my fear.  Should I stand back and use my arrows?  Suddenly the same voice that called me to join group 4 said, ‘Rusko, Join group 5’.  I was told to melee.  I was told to fight fast and hard and not be a coward!

I called upon the sky to empower my weapons.  I called the protections of Riftwind and Tunare, and looked around…  My Vixerean… The priests had already blessed me in my former group, but I felt safer knowing that Vix was by my side.

With the knowledge of possible doom, I heard ‘Advance!’  I followed the crowd.  The guards, giant icemen, seemed to be no challenge for our mighty group of 30.  I felt I was in good hands.  The elder paladin and his elite were forging onward.

We paused when we had penetrated the frosty lair, waiting for direction… My wife, only slightly tired from the spat with the giants, was resting.  Then I saw a beautiful but angry, ancient creature, great wings on a greater being.  Why had we come?

FIGHT!  I saw the others charging at her.  I joined.  I fought.  I hacked away at her magical skin.  Doing enough damage to bring her attention to me.  The Lady Vox was able to do great damage to many fighters seemingly at once.

BACKOFF!  I heard the call of retreat… confused, I stepped back and at once I was of no use… The Lady had me.  I was a minion of her desire.  I am told I was turned into an ice creature, frozen by the dragon, but only for a while.  My mother Tunare raised me out of the cold and I was able to land a blow.  I delivered a blow to her breast and another to her wing.  Again I deserved the attention of another period of cold unconsciousness.  I caught a glimpse of Vixerean; my wife had also felt the scorn of the Lady lizard.  I knew that we were in trouble then.  I knew it was time to fight or die trying.  There was no retreat.  Again I called upon Tunare.  The Lady looked right at me almost as if to say she was sorry.  I felt the sting!

Conscious again, I swung my powerful axe sinking it deep into the white scales.  The great lizard had fallen almost half of the party.  I saw notorious warriors fall first.  Then I saw the leader paladin get pummeled.

The next thing I saw was the priest looking over me.  I had been in limbo.  I wasn’t dead!  I knew we had been wiped out… not a single survivor.  The Lady Vox had taken out 5 full groups of seasoned fighters, but not without suffering a long recovery period herself I’m sure.

So when you decide to explore the frozen Permafrost, and you think you might try to best the great Lady, be sure to bring more that 29 friends.

Rusko Elvenwood

Proud Ranger of Branded