The Devourer of Kadmos II

[Ross]

Draconius and Diomedes recounted their first meeting on Delphoi and how it led to them, together with another Hero, Nikodemus, defeating the Devourer of Kadmos II and gaining Glory to their names...


Chapter 1 - A meeting

After striking up a conversation in the anti-chamber to the Oracle of Delphoi on the planet's fabled temple moon, Draconius and Diomedes descend to the planet to enjoy the well kept planet as they decide how to proceed in their adventures.

Draconius has been invited by an acquaintance to a symposium on Olympia, in the Elis System, after which he intends to take part and become a champion in the quinquenial games held on that world. He therefore invites his new friend Diomedes to join him- all they need is a ship to get them there...

Fortunately for them, an enterprising ship's captain and pilgrim named Nikodemus is nearby and overhears their need and offers them passage on his ship. They accept the offer and soon the group are on their way through the Panthalassa, albeit with some reservations about the quality of Nikodemus' ship.


Chapter 2 - Travelling the wine dark seas

After some weeks of travel, during which Draconius attempts to instruct Nikodemus how to fly his ship properly and Diomedes attampts to fix it, the ship is hailed by a customs cutter close to the Oleneos System, which warns them of a slipspace storm ahead and advises that they drop into real space and await the storm's subsidence on the planet of Kadmos II, which has been advised to accept visitors.

Little did the heroes know that their was in fact no raging storm, and that they were being drawn into landing here for darker reasons.


Chapter 3 - The hospitality of King Kreatos and the Devourer of Kadmos II

As they come into orbit and descend to land Diomedes, life giver, notes the lack of vegetation on this large world, which he reasons should display every bounty of the earth which is Aemoton's boon. He also recalls hearing of a savage beast which ravages the planet, destroying all crops and foodstuffs as well as terrorising the populace.

Upon landing the heroes are met by the King's major domo and also introduced to Lanachus and his family, who have also taken refuge from the storm. Drachonius immediately speaks boldly and with authority to assert that they will rid the planet of its scurge.

The group enter King Kreatos' palace and are shown through its well appointed halls to the feasting chamber, appointed with magnificent arms and wall hangings, where the King, together with his Queen Antigone and beautiful daughter, Princess Tiphone, await them.

As they are introduced Draconius feels he has met someone of his standing, and is certain that King Kreatos will have heard of him and his great deeds! The King cannot recall hearing of Draconius, but is amazed to hear that the heroes will face the Devourer, which he explains is a monstrous creature, the size of a hut with three heads- one carnivorous, one herbivorous and one poisonous, which has stripped the land of all food and driven away most of the once prosperous planets inhabitants.

He also tells of a blind seer, who has advised him of offerings to be made to rid the land of the beast, but considers the heroes more direct approach may be more expedient.

During the feast which stretches long into the evening, Nokodemus talks to Lanachus wishing to know more about his new, sleek, ship. Lanachus extholls its finer points and also relates his fascination with mathematics, through which all matters can be explained.


Chapter 4 - A mystery

The next morning as dawn's fingertips of rose gently lift the veil of sleep from the heroes eyes they are troubled to learn at breakfast that Lanachus cannot be found, and his wife is concerned for her husbands whereabouts. King Kreatos is dismissive and states that he expects that his guest has simply gone to explore the marvells of his palace or city and that he will surely return soon.

The heroes' suspicions are arroused and they decide to use a sight-seeing trip into the city with Princess Tiphone as an opportunity to look for Lanachus and learn more of the Devourer.

Nikodemus is swift and investigates a local taverna to ask around- using his 'persuasive' side to garner information, which is unfortunately negative.

Diomedes decides to visit the temple of his patron God, Aemoton the farmer, and whilst making an offering he speaks to the priest who tells him of his vision of the creature, whom no living soul has returned to describe. He also discusses his concerns about the Kings lack of respect for the Gods in recent times, which lead him to question how far the King may go and what methods he may employ to gain more power and rid the planet of the beast.

Draconius meanwhile offers votives to Areson, God of War, and Heria, the mother, to ask for their aid in his forthcoming attempt to kill the creature.

As they later discuss their investigations they notice Princess Tiphone overhear them raising concerns about her Father, and she appears to look uncertain of how to respond. The heroes initially retreat to the wrestling ground, where only men may gather and train, in order to talk in private.
They agree that Drachonius will try to charm the Princess to learn what she may know, and Nikodemus will go back to the palace to see if any of the guards or staff have seen Lanachus, who obviously has not been into the city.

Diomedes decides to stay put and take part in some wrestling with the locals.

Nikodemus questions the palace guards and the staff, skillfully passing himself off as Draconius' attendant.

Draconius talks to Princess Tiphone who knows in her heart that her Father has gone too far, but does not wish to let herself say too much out of lingering respect for him.

As the group reconvene it is clear that the King has a dark secret and that Lanachus' dissappearance cannot be brushed aside as casually as King Kreatos would like. The heroes concerns are heightened when that evening Princess Tiphone does not join them for dinner and Lanachus is still missing.


Chapter 5 - The day of Action

As the heroes awake from a fitful night's sleep, during which they each expected to be assaulted in their chambers, they dress and look out at the ominous dark skies, with clouds and thunder so dramatic as to have been sent by Heuson alone.

At breakfast they find Lanachus' wife so distraut as to be unconsoleable, with her children now also vanished with the night. King Kreatos is glib and appears inhumane in his lack of concern.

The heroes prepare themselves and sally forth from the palace into the countryside to seek out the beast.

Shortly, whilst travelling on an antigravity chariot they spot the tracks of a cart, which lead freshly from the palace toward the mountain pass where the Devourer is said to dwell. Approaching with caution Draconius spies out a glinting against the rockface. Nikodemus gallantly scouts ahead to learn more.

As he approaches, moving stealthily through the rock-strewn landscape an unguarded movement makes a noise, which is answered by the scream of Princess Tiphone. At this the group swiftly move toward her and find her chained to a rock, together with the bodies of the two dead children, who have perished through exposure overnight. Lastly the bloody remnants of Lanachus' body lie at the foot of a further set of chains.

As Draconius and Diomedes set Tiphone free by breaking her bonds, Nikodemus tends to the bodies of the infants in order to provide them with a dignified funeral later.

Tiphone warns them that the time for the beast to approach for it's sacrificial meal is near, and that her Father's evil was such that when the Seer had advised that the sacrifice of human flesh, particularly that of foreigners would sate the beast's appetite not only was the Seer the first to be offered, but the King also devised pretence of the false slipspace storm to draw in more victims. But that is not the end of his evil- the King has taken to the worship of the Titanoi- the enemies of the 12 Gods of Olympos, and is therefore also a heretic!

At last the group set themselves around the route which the monster will take and lay in wait- but it is soon upon them. The Devourer is huge- the size of a house, with the body of a bull and three heads- one of a bull, one of a lion and one of a serpent.

A heroic struggle to kill the creature ensues, during which Draconius initially halts the beast with a rockfall, then attacks with his sword. Nikodemus valiantly leaps onto the Devourer's back, plunging his sword into its neck. Diomedes meanwhile uses his Amazoran Flame Lance to inflict further damage. At last the beast is slain as it's heads are severed one by one.


Chapter 6 - Their Glory Grows

As the last fetted breath issues from its monstrous body, the heroes take trophies from its carcass- the huge heads are taken and Diomedes removes one of the vast horns from the head of the bull.

With their work done they collect the Princess and make their way back to the city, entering through the furthest gate so that they may parade the trophies through the streets and show the populace the evidence of their deed and describe the King's evil doings.

At last they enter the palace and find King Kreatos preparing to flee. As they confront him he falls to his knees and begs for their mercy. His pitiful pleadings meet with no softening of the heroes resolve, and Nikodemus dispatches Kreatos with his pistol.

Queen Antigone now asks what is to become of Kadmos, and whether the heroes are to claim her, or her daughter as their bride and take the spoils they have won.

Nokodemus wants no part of the world, and simply accepts sufficient spoils to allow him to follow his destiny and found a temple to his patron, Hosiedon, on the world he seeks.

Draconius, still hopelessly in love with his lost love Philinoe, wants none of it and takes merely token wealth as an honour gift.

Diomedes however sees the potential of this world which he can work to make bountiful once more and accepts the great southern continent of the planet on which to found his own city. In addition he agrees to Antigone's wishes to marry Princess Tiphone and hopes to continue his line.

End