Norbert Faces his Demon

The group arrived at Amago after having been flown to the outskirts of the city by Shimmerall. The members were excited to finally find Ngarius and were feeling good after being equipped with some new magical items. The city of Amago was a strange collection of home. Those built for the humans, elves, and dwarves were small compared to the much larger buildings that housed the oni. After asking around the group was able to find the home of Ngarius. Ngarius was not what they expected in the slightest as the elf of only 352 years was old and decrepit. Most elves of his age were still in their prime, so this was somewhat shocking.

Ngarius told the story of the Ashen Manticore and explained that his age and condition were a result of their battle with the Lich Durdis. Ngarius told them that he had sold his old bow but that it was the very bow that Leomarvis had, while the sword was Rojakiin. The bow Winter’s call once had 5 magic stones in it but Ngarius sold 4 of them. He sold one to Leomarvis and told him about the other four. Morthos found a stone in a shop and bought it for Leomarvis.

The group then went to see the King of Amago, a giant blue oni, but on the way a giant red oni named Vitr challenged Norbert to a duel. Vitr had long been a bully of Norbert and had vowed to Norbert the next time he saw Norbert. Ngarius tried to defuse the situation, but Norbert refused to back down and accepted the challenge.

In Amago there is an arena for such battles, and to fight is a great honour. The crowd expected Vitr to quickly destroy Norbert and the betting odds reflected that. Leomarvis, Bob, and Morthos had faith in Norbert and bet on him despite the odds. In the arena an oni mage cast magical shield around the arena so that there could be no magical interference from outside the arena, and so any magic would not escape the arena. This was a good thing as Norbert opened up with a massive fireball, that hit Vitr and sent flames up into the magical shield. The crowd cheered at the explosion, but Vitr charged forward. Norbert moved and then let loose with a second fireball, which again hit Vitr but did not seem to slow the angry oni. Vitr swung his large glaive, but Norbert ducked out of the way, however Vitr scored a hit that badly injured Norbert.

Norbert realized at this moment that brute strength was not going to work, the oni was simply too strong. Norbert used his misty step spell to create some distance and to try and regain his thoughts. Then an idea came to him. It was a long shot but he gave it a try and cast his suggestion spell. “Acknowledge I am too powerful for you and surrender. Then flee the city.” Vitr’s face twisted in fear and then in a booming voice said, “You are too powerful for me, I surrender.” Then the oni fled and Norbert had won the day. The group rallied around Norbert and celebrated his bravery and his victory.