<div class="floatright">(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/5d/ab/33/5dab33f30292488cee34ebe35e4291ec.jpg)</div><br/>As you enter the Dragon’s hut, you would find yourself in the most lavishly appointed dwelling of the village, lit by a low burning fire in the center of the room.  All sorts of interesting baubles and trinkets are scattered around with a bed of lush animal hides strewn over a pile of coins made mostly of copper and silver, though there were more than a few flecks of gold among them.  Voredara, a woman who is among the most beautiful in the tribe, lies upon the pile barely covered by the furs.  What is revealed of her nearly pearlescent white scales suggests she is naked and the rather amorous expression she has only serves as a reminder that she is one of the Dragon’s mistresses; for obvious reason.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, the Dragon stands alongside a desk laden with scrolls and tomes.<strong>”Come, my elite, there is more I must tell you.”</strong>He would wait long enough for you to gather around the desk before continuing.<strong>”I am entrusting you with the crusade to recover the holy shards.  You will be in charge of the Wyrmwood, along with the lesser elites, to accomplish this; I will let you divide up the responsibilities among yourselves.”</strong><br/><br/>He would spare you a moment to look among one another to consider the role you were best suited for while unrolling the large scroll at the center of the desk revealing it to be a map (http://i.imgur.com/fVwAOE3.jpg).<strong>”The monsters in metal have traced their search of the holy shards, having reclaimed four in total.  Though they could not be sure, they suspect that there are a total of twenty-one holy shards scattered throughout these islands.”</strong>The Dragon would then place the pendent on the map, sliding it across the tabletop for whoever wished to claim it.<strong>”This, along with several tomes, should be the keys you need to accomplish your holy task.”</strong><br/><br/>At this time, the flap to the hut is pulled aside as the high priestess, adorned in a white silken ceremonial attire, entered the room carrying a fancy box wrought of ebony and electrum.  She would approach the Dragon with the box held out in offering.<strong>”Impeccable timing, Desh.”</strong>As he opened the lid, the hut filled with the brilliant white light that could be nothing other than your village’s crystal.  With a satisfied nod, he closed the box and locked it with a key that was protruding from its keyhole.  Taking the box from the priestess before handing her the small pouch that contained the larger crystal that had been claimed from the metal monsters, he would then return his attention to you.<br/><br/><strong>”You are also taking our sacred crystal with you on your journey.  The tomes mention of something called Dark Water, formless entities as dark as pitch that seeks to devour all it can.  Ships, living creatures, and treasure alike have been consumed without discrimination or hesitation.  They are powerful <em>things</em> that can no more be harmed by weapon or spell than if you attempted to slay the ocean itself, but they have a weakness.”</strong>The Dragon would gesture to the fancy box upon the table.<strong>”The presence of these holy crystals prevent them from regenerating.  The light itself weakens the creatures, making them hesitant to remain within its glow.  The physical touch of the crystal destroys the Dark Water, something that it seems innately aware of.  So be cautious if you seek to employ the shards in self-defense; the metal monsters believe that it will try all it can to cause you to drop it into the depths of the ocean.”</strong><br/><br/>The Dragon will allow that information to sink in as he rolls up the map and sets it alongside a stack of books, likely the ones that are to be going with you on your journey.<strong>”You are to set sail tomorrow at dusk.  The larger crystal will remain here; because it is larger, the compass will point to it more brightly so that you may use it to find your way home should you lose your way.  I shall do my best to answer any questions you may have before you leave, but until then, you are free to enjoy tonight’s celebration honoring the start of your sacred journey.”</strong>