A read traffic light - and cars begin their movement.
However, some unsteady man almost sees them not - as if he’s not able to see a red light, blocking the way … Now he has almost crossed half of the roadway …
“Watch out, red light!” - a shout of pedestrians reaches him - and a man starts turning to face the speaker.
Brakes, pressed against the stop. A squeal of rubber on the ground … A man starts turning towards the approaching car - and his eye pupils starts widening …
A crash.
* * *
- So, what happened to your friend?
- He died in a road accident … the car brought him down. Craniocereberal trauma and brain’s hemorrhage. When he has been transported to a hospital, he was already dead.
- I deeply regret.
- I know. These words are unnecessary.
- Как думаешь, почему он погиб?
- What are your thoughts of the cause of his death?
- I cannot judge for certain. Something strange was going on with him recently - and he became beside himself. Divorced from his wife Tatyana and married Larissa. To tell the truth, I couldn’t understand his choice - they were totally different. From the time of his divorce with Tanya he ceased to contact me anymore, despite our previous warm friendship. I still not fully understand what made him take those rash steps.
- And how are now Tatyana and Larissa fare, do you know?
- Tatyana married another man and moved to a different city - I know nothing of her further destiny. And as for Larissa … Larissa died. She was killed.
A speaker sighted.
- Some maniac trapped her in a lane, when she was coming back home. Raped at first, and then cut with a knife. A body was found in a cellar of one of the next building approximately a week after the events.
- It’s all that terrible.
- Yes, very sad indeed.
- Still that doesn’t explain the motives of his behavior several months prior to his death.
- Yes, it doesn’t. However - and speaking man smiled - I guess I have some clue.
And having that said he took out a small pile of papers from his portfolio.
- Here, take it. This is a diary he has been writing - or at least that part which I have managed to get my hands on, when levy of execution was being performed. I didn’t look it through yet, but if you seem so interested in the question of his motives … here, take it and read, probably you’ll be able to find an answer there.
- Yes, let me take a look at that thing.
And a man opened the pages …
13.07.2011
Fantasy as it is
How RPG heroes will battle with the Ancient Red Dragon
1. Warrior
There is nothing easier for him than to defeat some unfledged flying lizard. Before entering the den of a dragon he triply loudly tries to challenge him on a “fair fight” and then, having received only silence in reply, barges into the lair himself. Feeling absolutely no confusion from a view of a heap of bones and skulls, scattered through the lair (he had to see much more intriguing things in battles, after all), finds a lurked dragon. Performs a short war-call speech, like “Into the battle !” to encourage himself, and straight off rushes into a fight. When the dragon tries to breath a fire on him, instinctively defends with a shield. After that the dragon needs only to have a supper from a next titbit of a roasted meat, spitting out indigestible iron trinkets in a process.
2. Thief
Waits for whole year to choose the longest and darkest night possible. This night creeps to a den exactly at midnight. Thoroughly searches for a secret door. Having found none, opens front entrance with a lock pick, and makes a way in a den on tiptoe, trying not to make much noise (who knows, maybe dragon suddenly does not sleep yet ?). Searches heaps of bones and skulls in a search of valuables. Finds a sleeping dragon. Accurately walk around, setting the traps he has brought with himself.
Hides in a shade behind a stone and throws a poisoned dagger from his cover. When a dragon, having awakened from something light, which has struck him and slid off his scales, half-asleep breathes a fire, illuminating at least half of his den, the thief tries to hide in a shade of the flashed fire. After that the dragon needs only to have a supper from a next titbit of a roasted meat, spitting out all those jewelry in a process, previously concealed by a dragon and then pocketed by a thief, which now have been returned to their lawful legal owner once again.
3. Priest
Before going to a campaign against a dragon, thoroughly prays to his gods for them to strengthen his belief and grant him their divine aid in a battle with winged demon. Going to a campaign, he stocks up with several liters of holy water. Having at last reached journey’s point of destination, he approaches a den and blesses himself. Being inspired by the made successes, he fearlessly enters the lair. Tries to revive the souls of living beings, sent into nonexistence by the winged demon previously, by casting Raise Read spell and splashing holy water on them. When a dragon, having noticed this obscenity, flies close to a priest, the priest blesses himself once again with a sacred sign, shouting : “I banish you, evil one !”. He has the time to cast Bless, Divine Favor, Prayer, Holy Word and Fire Resistance, before the dragon spits a stream of fire on him. Breathed fire heats up an armor of the priest to 50C and then in his last efforts the servant of gods tries to extinguish the fire around him with last remnants of holy water. After that the dragon needs only to breath a fire stream once more to have a supper from a next tidbit of a roasted meat, having satisfied his thirst with several liters of holy water, yet not splashed by faithless priest.
4. Paladin
He has been born to struggle against such evils that destroy settlements of innocent peasants and eat their virgin girls. Having not a slightest sign of hesitation and fear, wasting no unnecessary words (except for something like “For the sake of justice !”), goes on a campaign against the dragon. After many days of travelling and having reached a lair, enters it fearlessly. Having not a slightest sign of hesitation and fear, bravely walks over the heaps of bones and skulls through a den. Seeing a dragon, shouts : “Godless creature ! Today’s yours Doomsday !” and heads into the battle, swinging his sparkling sword Holy Avenger + 5. Has not a slightest sign of hesitation and fear when exhaled stream of fire comes near him. After that his armor, heated up to 120C, surpasses in the degree of brilliance even his sacred sword. After that the dragon needs only to have a supper from a next tidbit of a roasted meat, having carefully spat out (and having added to the already impressive list of his treasures) Holy Avenger +5 sword.
5. Mage
Before going on a campaign, for several years sits at reading of ancient books and manuscripts, concerning the history of dragons race, their arrival into this world, their classification, character traits and basic habits and, finally, their weak spots.