Cover Art by Jason Pedersen

Fritz Warrenberg doesn’t get a lot of attention on this blog.  Partially because he wasn’t a long-running character.  Yet, here we are with him in the spotlight.  One of his best scenes from Legends of Windemere: Prodigy of Rainbow Tower.  Enjoy!

Kellia is about to say something to Nimby when Nyx suddenly screams. The caster is on her feet and rubbing her rear in surprise. Glaring around the tavern, the half-elf’s eyes lock onto Fritz, who is quietly chewing on some raspberries. Sensing her attention, he looks up at his companion with a confused expression on his face. She storms around the table and lifts the gnome into the air by his greasy hair. He slips out of her grip, so she picks him up again by his shirt collar.

“You tweaked my butt,” Nyx growls while shaking Fritz.

“I couldn’t,” he coughs, frantically kicking his legs.

“Nobody was behind me and you’re an illusionist. That grip had the ‘invisible hand’ spell written all over it.”

“I swear that I didn’t do it.”

“Then who did it?”

“A dragon did it.”

“A dragon?”

“Yes.”

“What kind of idiot do you take me for?”

“I’m serious.”

“Other than Fizzle, I don’t see a dragon around here.”

“He’s over there,” Fritz gasps as Nyx tightens her grip. He points at the bar where an elderly gnome is sipping some tea. The caster looks at the stranger minding his own business and gives her friend a sideways glance.

“Don’t blame innocent bystanders, Fritz.”

“It’s him. I swear.”

“Hey, mister! The gnome in robes! My friend here claims you tweaked my butt with a spell!” Nyx shouts. All of her friends try to cover their faces in embarrassment when everyone in the tavern looks over at them.

The elderly gnome turns around with a kind smile on his face. “I didn’t tweak you, my dear.”

“You’re a lying bastard, Fritz,” Nyx says, her voice still uncomfortably loud. “Calling this poor guy a dragon and blaming him. I should turn you into something for that.”

“He called me a what?” the gnome asks with a touch of concern in his voice.

“A dragon,” grunts Fritz, whose face is bright red from struggling.

“I see. Well . . .”

Without warning, the gnome spins off the barstool and bolts for the door. Everyone watches him change into a green-scaled Darkvawn Dragon, his leaf-like wings unfurling once he gets out into the open street. He kicks up a cloud of dirt and dust as he soars a mile above the azure rooftops. A light rain drizzles from his wings and bathes the paved streets of Hero’s Gate as the dragon escapes. Being familiar with the beast, the citizens who are caught in the downpour shout and wave to him. Nyx and Fritz dive for the window to watch the dragon land on top of the tower attached to the wall.

“Was that your idea of a joke?” Nyx mutters in shock.

“I’m not that good,” Fritz croaks.