Tryanny of Dragons: Corruption in Kryptgraden

Chapter 1

Dayereth is in the media

“Are you ready yet?!" Balthasar called out, his voice somewhat muffled by the wooden door in the way.

"Just 'bout," Dayereth called back. "One final check-up."

Dayereth looked at his reflection upon the mirror, giving a light smile to himself. His long brown hair fell down to his shoulders with his pointed ears extending backwards from it. With a clean face and tanned skin, he thought he looked pretty standard for a wood elf. He wore a green tunic with darker shaded shoulders, brown trousers, and green belt. His belt kept his outfit together while keeping his dagger, holstered to his hip, closeby.

Dayereth was normally not concerned regarding how he looked, but whenever he had a meeting with his fellow adventurers, he had to put a little more effort into his appearances. As leader of the Viridian Guardians, it was to be expected that he at least look the part during important. His adventuring group was a small band with their base in Westbridge, a few miles away from Waterdeep. To him, those under his leadership were like the family he never had.

Finally agreeing that he was ready for the day, Dayereth walked over the door that led outside his chambers and opened it. Standing before him was a brute of a man, standing two feet above the tiny wood elf. He ginger hair fell down past his neck and he wore no tunic or anything to cover his bulky chest. He wore green and brown plaid trousers that only covered his knees and a pair of boots. Across his right arm ran a black ink tattoo of a wolf, going down from his shoulder to his forearm. Even though he looked defenseless, the wood elf knew he could trust Balthasar for protection.

Dayereth and Balthasar went way back with the latter being hired to kill the former. The battle was short with a surge of magic overcoming the wood elf, who unleashed fierce lightning upon the bounty hunter. The man survived the conflict thanks to the treatment of his victor. Once he was awake, the barbarian was changed by the sorcerer's mercy, and pledged himself to protect him. The two traveled together ever since despite their differences.

"Mornin', Bal," Dayereth greeted. "Ready for that meeting?"

"I am, Dayereth," Balthasar grunted, looking to the side.

"Still not goin' to look me in the eyes?" Dayereth asked. "And I'll keep telling you this, but call me Day."

"I don't want you reading my mind," Balthasar walked away. "Come on. The meeting hall awaits."

"There you go again, with that whole 'elves can read minds if you look 'em in the eyes' bit," Dayereth followed after the brute. "You know, I just thought of something. You can't look me in the eye because I am an elf, right?"

"Correct," Balthasar nodded. "The same can be said for Birel."

' "How about Jarsali?" Dayereth asked. "She's part elf."

"Yes, but I have to keep an eye on her," Balthasar informed him. "She tried to kill you."

"I didn't mind that at all," Dayereth shrugged.

"She attacked you three times and successfully poisoned you before attacking a fourth," Balthasar reminded him. "Why do you trust her?"

"Well, she's a friend now, so what does it matter what she did in her past?" Dayereth answered with another question. "Also, I think half of the Viridian Guardians have tried to kill me at one point. Her, you, Nora, Jabble, and Birel. Say, if you're keeping an eye on threats, shouldn't you be looking at Birel too, even though he's an elf?"

"I'm going to stop talking now," Balthasar announced, followed by a sigh.

Dayereth was not surprised that he was constantly being targeted by mercenaries and assassins. Apparently, while he was growing up in his home village, one of the elders unearthed an ancient tablet, speaking of a powerful sorcerer bringing a reign of terror upon the world, and for some reason, the elder believed he was the source of the prophecy. Banishment was not enough to put an end to his supposed threat, with an unknown source hiring various adventurers to kill him. The wood elf never saw himself as a villain and proved it to his attackers by showing them kindness.

Dayereth and Balthasar walked in silence down the wooden hallway until they reached a staircase that led upwards. The barbarian led the way up with his companion following close behind. At the top was an ornate door with weaving vines carved into the wood. The bounty hunter opened the door and the two entered the meeting hall. It was a small room with a large oak table placed right in the center. Ten chairs were positioned around it and the sun beamed down on it from a window higher up against the wall.

Other members of the Viridian Guardians were starting to gather in the meeting hall for their session. Towards the head of the table was Nora Jamjar, the resident scholar and astronomer of their group. She was short, even for a halfling, with long, curly black hair that fell down her back, almost touching the floor. She wore simple, plain robes, that almost resembled a dress. Her blue eyes showed kindness while she smiled at the two.