I fought my first drakes today! I was out hunting cold worms for the Rangers of Esteldin, accompanied by my trusty Bog-Guardian, on the border with Angmar. As well as cold and rock worms, we found several nests of drake eggs and destroyed those for good measure. The cold worms remind me very much of the putrid bog slugs that you find in the Shire - a similar shape, albeit much paler in colour and several times larger. As we explored the valley to see where the various paths led, we came across a young drake. Initially I was wary, but decided to try and tackle it. There was a small party of adventurers in the area at the same time and they seemed able to defeat them, so I thought I should try too.
Being a Lore-Master, my abilities include being able to stun a target - which helps a great deal when you are tackling something that can breath fire! Indeed, the young drake was not as threatening as it looked, and I was able to root out at least four more. It turns out that the Rangers can use the scales in their armour - it is certainly tough enough material. Bog-Guardian and I then ventured further into the valley to tackle the Mother Drake. She was not that much larger than her offspring, and we defeated her with only minor injuries to ourselves.
These drakes are probably small compared to those that can be found in other parts of the world, but it was good to know that my combat skills are now up to the challenge of taking them on. At least it stops them terrorising the local areas.
Aside from the drakes, today was also marked by finally learning the recipe for navy dye. That might not sound like much to a non-Scholar, but navy dye is a key ingredient in making blue fireworks - and making fireworks is one of my hobbies. I can make batches of the various dyes that give each type of firework their colour, even though it will be some time before I am able to obtain the special powder to make the fireworks themselves.
I obtained the recipe after defeating some Hillmen in the north-east corner of the North Downs - again helping out the local Rangers. Their camp is a rather fearsome place, with rumours of plague and all sorts. It was good to get out of there once I had defeated some of them. And finding that recipe made it more than worth it.
