A/N: Welcome to the next chapter! I realized that a while back the party picked up an artifact of great and terrible power, and I've yet to have them do anything with it. That changes here.
Disclaimer: I don't own Dungeons and Dragons. I only own my original ideas.
Chapter 61: Luck of the Draw
We arrived back in town, and were met by the trio from the Emerald Enclave.
"You've returned," said the Lizardfolk, "what did you uncover?"
"Not much, unfortunately," said Lydratir, "it seems that with the exception of a small force, the Shadow Triad was long gone".
"I was afaird of that, the Triad has been good at covering their tracks," said the Elf, "what did you learn?"
"We encountered an Oni who meantion that he'd overheard the members of the Triad saying something about the Spine of the World," Said Krisyra, "as well we dealt with a minor planar incursion though it's probably unrelated".
"What makes you say that?" asked the Elf.
"A trio of Abishai were sent to deal with me," I said, "It seems I'm starting to gather attention from outside forces".
"Hmm… that does seem unrelated to our current task, but still something to keep an eye on," said the elf, "give us a few days to look into this information you've uncovered. Is there athing else?"
"We found these weapons, a finely crafted hammer, an ancient trident, and this cruel-looking sword," said Charles.
"Let me see those," said the human, "I recognize the markings of this hammer, their the symbols of Clan Dankil. I know where to find them, they'd be glad to have one of their people's lost aritfacts returned. This trident resembles ones made a clan of Storm Giants in worship of a one of their gods. This sword… I know nothing about this, but I agree that it seems like a foul thing. We will take it if you so desire for safekeeping. In return, we can offer you a fair payment for these items".
The members of the Emerald Enclave departed for now, and we headed off to consider what we'd found and learned. As we did, I remember that box I'd found in Demdrammon's sanctum. I retrived it, and cautiously opened the box, revealing a set of 13 cards made of vellum, featuring a ornate spiraling pattern on the back of each card.
"What have got there?" asked Krisyra.
"I remembered that I found this back while we were exploring Deldrammon's Sactum," I said, "what do you make of it?"
She took a closer look at the set of card, and frowned.
"If that's what I think it is, then you're holding something of great and terrible power," said Krisyra, "I think that that may be a Deck of Many Things".
That made me consider the cards again… I was holding something that could completely rewrite fate, grant great boon of terrible curses with naught but the draw of a card. At the same time, I was intruged.
"Does anyone want to try drawing a card?" I asked.
"I'll give it a try," said Charles.
Charles drew a single card from the Deck.
"Huh, a Key?" said Charles.
The card glowed brightly, and vanished from his hand, and he blinked for a moment, as if realizing something.
"I have an idea," said Charles, "I'm going to think on ths for a bit. Anyone else was to draw a card?"
"Not interested in risking it," said Krisyra.
"I'll take a card," said Narcrath.
Narcrath pulled on card from the Deck, and looked over what he got.
"The Star card," said Narcrath.
The card glowed and vanished, and seemed to empower Narcrath in some way.
"It seems to have strengthened my magical power," said Narcrath, "another good draw".
"I'm not going to press my luck," said Lydratir, "two of us have lucked out, chances are luck will turn agaist us at some point".
I considered the Deck, and thought about Lydratir's words, and made my choice: I drew a card. I looked at the image before me the Moon.
"The Moon," I said, "I drew the Moon card".
The card glowed brightly, and I felt an incredibly powerful pulse of magic infuse me. I wasn't sure what to expect, but as it settled into place, I realized what it was: the ability to call upon a powerful spell 3 times. All I had to do… was make a Wish.
Charles approached as I put the Deck back in its box, looking contemplative.
"Our battles have made me realize I need something better than this old sword of mine," said Charles, "I mean, I still hold this blade as something special, but I need something better".
"What are you planning?" I asked.
"I think that card put an idea in my mind, the idea for a new, better sword," said Charles, "I remember Pelthik saying that a weapon forged with the elemental power of a dragon will be infused with a small portion of their magic".
"And what do you need for me?" I asked.
"I'll need one scale, and for you to lend your fiery breath to the forging process," said Charles.
"That seems fair enough," I said.
Charles led me towards the local blacksmith's shop. The smith looked nervous as we approached, but greeted us regardless.
"So, what can I do for you?" asked the smith.
"I'd like to make use of your forge," said Charles, "I'm thinking of making myself a new sword. My scaly friend is lending a bit of his power to the process".
"Oh, of course," said the smith, "I've no problem with that. All I'll ask is that you pay for the materials you use".
Charles got his material prepared, and I localed one of my scales that was about to be shed anyway, and gave it to Charles. He looked it over nodding.
"This will do nicely," said Charles, "Now, I need you to light the forge with your flames".
I waited for both Charles and the smith to step back, and unleashed a controlled stream of flames into the forge. The coals lit up, buring brightly as my power infused it. Charles set to work heating the metal until it was glowing brightly and then he began hammering it into shape. Eventually the basic form of his new sword began to emerge. He worked throughout the day, and late into the night. As the sun rose the next morning, he completed his task, exhausted, but proud of his work.
In his hands was a beautifully crafted greatsword. It had several gems set into the crossguard, and a pattern resembling dragon scales on the hilt. It also seemed to be inlaid with platinum and images of dragons in flight, depicted in life-like detail. It gleamed beautifully, not a speck of dirt on the weapon. Charles whistled at his creation, marveling at the weapon's workmanship.
"Amazing work," said the smith, "but where did the precious metals come from? I watched you work: you did not use any in making the weapon!"
"In all honesty, I have no idea," said Charles, "thanks again for letting me use your forge".
"No problem," said the smith, "I've never seen a blade as fine at the one you've made".
Charles and I headed away from the forge, and off to get some rest.
A/N: and there we go! for those unfamiliar with the artifact, the Deck of Many Things is an artifact that if you draw from the deck, you are either blessed with great boons or cursed horribly. There's not much middle ground with this item. Here's a rundown of what the listed effect of the cards drawn actually were: The Key; A rare of rarer magical weapon that you are proficient with appears in your hands (I re-flavored this one, as having the character being inspired to make the weapon was far more interesting than simply having it pop into existence), The Star; Increase one of your ability scores by 2. the score can exceed 20 but it can't exceed 24. The Moon; You are granted the ability to cast the wish spell 1d3 times (Valignatirisk got a 3 for this, so, now he has 3 wishes to spend whenever he needs them. To simplify, our Fighter now had a magic greatsword, our Sorcerer has 22 Charisma, and Valignatirisk has 3 wishes.
Now, here's a question: if given the chance, would you or others you play with in you D&D games risk drawing from the Deck of Many Things? Remember, while the good effect are very good the bad effects are very bad.