Hide

You glance around quickly, and locate a niche in the rocky depths that you think would make a good hiding place. Leaving your fallen lantern in the hopes of keeping the chamber illuminated enough for you to see, you carefully worm your way into the concealment of the rocks. Peering out from your hiding place, you wait and watch.

Another roar echoes through the caves, closer this time, and it's not long before the thunderous footfalls of the beast herald its approach. Your eyes widen as you catch a glimpse of the creature, its majestic form lit eerily in the flickering light of your lantern.

A great dragon, thought to be rare and virtually extinct upon the mainland, looms ominously above you. Its hawk-like gaze sweeps the room, nostrils snorting as it tastes the air. Although not as large as some legends would have had you believe, its august, draconian frame still rivals that of an elephant, and the power evident underneath its glimmering scales could crush you like a gnat.

The beast stoops to investigate the fallen lantern, and that's when you cringe. Had it been any other creature, the lantern would have likely been no more than a curiosity. Dragons, however, are renowned for their intelligence and you can swear you can see the great beast connect the dots.

Further surprise hits you when a deep, powerful voice booms throughout the chamber. "Where are you, little fleshling? I can smell you..."

You wonder what gods have cursed your existence as you realise that not only is the beast intelligent, but it can talk! Gritting your teeth, you will your body to remain as still and silent as possible as your breathing threatens to get out of control.

A snort and a sniffle can be heard as the dragon resumes its search. An appraising sound issues from deep within the creature's throat, and it continues, "Ah... and a -female-, no less. How... interesting. I must admit, eating the same blundering pirates who stumble in here has grown rather -dull-. What does that make you, I wonder? A runaway ****? How droll. You fleshlings have a saying for such things, do you not? 'Out of the frying pan,' or something to that effect? Come now, I shall not hurt you. Reveal yourself. I wish to... -talk-."

It seems you are faced with a choice: Stay hidden, or reveal yourself to the dragon.