The greatest construction in the history of Greyhawk is now complete. A towering monument to the artistry, imagination and sheer brute power of Allius Queylar - the primal elementalist. The Dragonpalace of Niole Dra is at the forefront of the sorcerous achievements of Greyhawks’ many aspiring mages. It’s unique creation eclipses any structure ever built, resembling something from the lower planes, yet possessing the same obstinate indestructable quality that all previous palaces of Niole Dra displayed.

The rock itself is sculptured by hand and mind. It’s walls can be scaled by none but the very best climbers and there are thousands of hidden arrow slits and murder holes to prevent immediate assault. The mouth of the ‘creature’ acts as a massive portal with the neck acting as a ‘corridor of death’. The wings envelop the barracks and other guest wings that will eventually accomodate the palace staff. The ‘belly’ of the creature will house the more serious, sensitive areas of the new king’s fortress, including his private chambers, offices and the chancellor’s chambers.

The entire structure has an innate magical resistance (the figure is based upon Allius Queylar’s level at the time of construction) and is the hallmark of all of his buildings - be it a palace, temple or shrine. It seems to radiate a presence all of it’s own - as though it could extend it’s wings and fly away at will. From the air the sight is even more spectacular and flying creatures from miles around will not fail to spot it’s magnificence.

Allius Queylar is overcome by a sense of great achievement. His acute intelligence and ability to assimilate information lead to several theories about the new regime in Niole Dra and the affect of his power upon the new city of darkness. Above all things it will be the palace itself that will bind people - not the negotiations and inside dealings of the king and his new chancellor. The structure is so impressive that it will instill in the populace a perverse pride in the city of Niole Dra. So unusual and grand is their palace that the people will strive to protect and nurture it with the same intensity that the Isulans’ did with their temple.

The burden of the Void lies heavily upon him. Now the palace is complete the full impact of Loxums and Basra’s deaths hits him. The awesome responsibility of Primal magic weighs upon him like a mountain around his neck. An unbearable feeling of solitude overwhelms him and he is forced to sleep - a deep, troubled, dream-filled slumber...

"I am stunned by the beauty of your creation, Archmage," she says with tears of pride clouding her vision. "In all my vast years there has been nothing like this. The new king is fortunate indeed to count you as one of his friends. Fear not my intervention, for I am nought but a spirit who infiltrates your dreams with advice. My power is obscure and mystic but my visions are clear and precise.

"The palace lacks one important ingredient. The new king must prepare a chamber within his palace and you must set a magical pentacle within the stone (she shows you a picture in your mind which you memorise) - this circle will aid king Suliman and yourself and allow you free passage into the dreamworld of dragon magic.

"I must depart - another wishes to assault your slumber. Be well, archmage..."

"Greetings, once again, Allius Queylar. You seem to be branching out from temples to palaces. I’m impressed. You and the new king are certainly making your presence felt in the West. You may not believe me when I say that under different circumstances we might have become great friends. The problem is the company you keep. I don’t trust priests, particularly vampiric ones. When the dust settles in all of this there will be a great reckoning my friend and your treachery against my former master will be known and you will pay a heavy price.

"Never turn your back to a shadow, Allius Queylar, for one day I will take your soul..."

"You are walking a fine line, Allius Queylar," the tall deity says calmly. "It is a path few even dare to imagine yet you embrace it as though you have ultimate control of the universe. That sort of arrogance is reserved for gods and archdemons, not mortals. One would have thought that you would have learned from the experience of Blackheart and turned your back on the dark power of the Void.

"Alas, for all your intelligence you lack the wisdom of good sense. Renounce your primal power and purge your soul. Become a hermit and I may spare you..."

"Dreams cannot harm you, Allius." He appears calm and serene - at peace. "Chael called it ‘The theory of power displacement’. He wrote a manuscript about it some time ago that explains it all very well. I used to have a copy - when I existed..." A wry smile. "Only start to worry when they don’t threaten you. Threats are scared men’s bravado - they fear you and that is the crux of your power.

"You are experiencing a weight upon your soul - a primal melancholy that sometimes manifests itself as grief, perhaps anger. Do not worry - I went through something similar. In actuality you are maturing. Primal power takes some time to get used to - just as you have to adjust, so it has to. The next few months are critical.

"My palace in Woodwych probably does not exist now, but there is a legacy there for you. There are three wells that served me in Woodwych and I named them. One I called Bantiax, after a particularly strong demon I once encountered. At the bottom of this well there is a portal - a pentacle obscured by silt and debris. Clear it away and enter the domain of Blackheart - my world was unlike anything Greyhawk has ever seen. I was a groundbreaker, just as you are now.

"I was chastised severely for what I became and what I believed in - make sure that you learn from my mistakes..."

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