THE TREASURE OF TARDOS
SUMMARY
It’s washing time for Uni; Bobby is trying to get her clean in a lake, and she is not cooperating. Eric is having a good laugh at the mess Bobby gets in to, when he is soaked too. Deciding that he fancies a swim, since he’s already wet, he wades in.
What he doesn’t see, as he’s too busying stripping, is a water monster rearing up. The others rush forward to help (well, Bobby and Hank do) but they realise that the monster isn’t attacking, it’s running, from something behind and all it wants to do it get away.
Dungeonmaster appears, and immediately tells them there is great danger ahead, something so deadly, that it might keep them from ever finding home, as “if this world is destroyed, you will have no chance of returning from it to your own.”
He tells them of Demodragon, a terrible creature, half demon, half dragon, who’s power could devastate the Realm. He sends them off to find Tardos Keep, and gives them a map to help. When they ask how they stop Demodragon, they are told to help the one who stands against them.
First, they get to the Wonderous Wood, but it’s been destroyed by fire, and the Alicorn River is frozen. As they wonder what could have done it, there is a horrible noise from nearby.
They go on through the Dustlands, and reach Tardos Keep only to find it is besieged by Venger’s army of Orcs. They don’t manage to keep their presence secret, and they have to make a run for the doors. As they run, they are watched from the keep, by Queen Sulinara. She decides to let them in, even though they are most likely spies of Venger. They reach the doors and are let in, but are not given a warm welcome; Sulinara demands to know what Venger wants with them.
She tells them that Venger wants the Treasure of Tardos and has been trying to trick his way into this keep for years. The mention Dungeonmaster, and that he has been helping them, and he sent them here. That seems to be good enough for Sulinara.
Venger is at the door, demanding they yield the Treasure or face the ultimate consequences! Sulinara knows that Venger doesn’t have the power to break in, as the walls “have been strengthened by stone and spell for a thousand years.”
But Venger isn’t having any of it! He shows her Demodragon a huge two headed monster that breaths ice and fire, and tells it to attack. It is going to heat and freeze the door, until it breaks (which eventually it does).
Hank immediately volunteers them to go and stop the creature. They manage to immobilise Demodragon, but can’t get at Venger. Hank is about to try again, when something grabs the Bow and pulls it out of his hand. One by one, all the weapons are taken in this way by Demodragon.
The power of the weapons enables it to break free of Venger, and instead of doing what it was told, it goes on a rampage. While Venger is otherwise distracted, the kids manage to run and get back inside Tardos. The broken door is blocked by a big bit of stone.
Inside the kids try to get their bearing in the new city, Eric and Bobby and Uni go off to find some food. The others talk to Sulinara, and they find out that the treasure is the only crop of a rare herb, that “can render the mightiest dragon helpless”. It’s called Dragonbane, and Venger is so keen to getting it so he can use it against Tiamat!
And that was why he made Demodragon, to force them to use Dragonsbane on it, so he could collect some.
She also reveals that her people are hiding in a land far away. The remaining people are volunteers, who stay to guard the Dragonbane, and if the gates fall, to destroy it. And if that happened, Venger would then destroy them too.
Meantime, Eric and Bobby and Uni are wandering the gardens. Uni spots a gardener nearby and he summons her over. He is pleased they like his garden, and gives a garland to Uni, telling them it will bring luck. They go to find the others, and after they go, the gardener’s reflection in the pool changes to that of Dungeonmaster.
Sulinara realises that Venger will regroup soon, and the kids want their weapons back. Then Diana remembers what Dungeonmaster said and thinks they need to approach Venger to get his help. Hank agrees, and they head off back outside. They follow the sounds of destruction, thinking that they will find Venger.
Venger is watching the destruction too, telling Shadow Demon that Demodragon is uncontrollable, and more powerful than he’d planned, and he knows that it will destroy the realm, unless something is done.
The kids appear and offer him a deal; they want to join forces. Venger doesn’t think they’re up to it without the weapons, but Bobby reminds him that he’s taken the weapons before, and they’ve still won.
Reluctantly Venger agrees, and gives Hank a magic talisman. He must aim it at Demodragon and call his name aloud. They head off, following the noises, and Venger tells Shadow Demon to “assist” them!
Finally, the find Demodragon, and Hank tries to use the talisman. Nothing happens!
They discard the talisman and run, and a little bit chips off, releasing light. Hank gets the idea to break it properly. When it breaks, it releases enough light to blind Demodragon. They take the chance to get their weapons back, but they fail and as they try to escape, Eric and Uni stumble. They are grabbed by Demodragon, and it looks like they will be eaten.
But as Uni is pulled up, her garland starts to glow. The glow spreads, and eventually Demodragon is engulfed in light and disintegrates.
The kids are extremely confused, but Sheila sees the garland and figures out that it is made of Dragonsbane, and that destroyed Demodragon.
Just then, Shadow Demon and some Orcs appear, and are shocked to find Demodragon gone. Sheila has the presence of mind to hide the Dragonsbane garland under her Cloak, while Eric lies, saying Presto got rid of Demodragon!
The Orcs don’t take him seriously and start to charge. Venger appears and calls them off. Venger seems to believe them and he warns Presto “to take care when he speaks of magic, lest they see who has the greater power”.
Venger turns to Hank, telling him that now the balance is restored, they are even. So next time they meet, he should expect no favours! “Likewise, Venger!” Hank tells him. With that standoff, Venger leaves and the kids walk off, back to the Keep, talking.
As they leave, Dungeonmaster appears behind them. When Sheila wonders if Venger was ever good, Eric replies of course not. But Dungeonmaster over hears and says:
“You are wrong, Cavalier, there was good in Venger once, a long time ago. Everyone makes mistakes. Venger was mine”.
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Scatter Count -
Presto Hat produces –
Goodies – Queen Sulinara
Baddies –
Walk-ons –
Monsters – Demodragon
Groovy Objects – Dragonsbane, that nice disk Venger gave to Hank
Named Places – Tardos Keep, Wonderous Wood
Starwars References –
Other References –
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The amazing vanishing breastplate returns! And Eric has a nice, white vest!
“If this world is destroyed, you will have no chance of returning from it to your own.” Good point!
Demodragon is half demon half dragon, and is a he rather than an it. He was created specifically by Venger (How?)
Dungeonmaster does sound quite worried when he explains the situation to the kids.
He gives them another map, in English. But it doesn’t have a “you-are-here” marker.
Sheila pops up behind hank in a very cool way.
Hank keeps the map in a very odd place, as it’s a big map.
Eric decides to wander off the wrong way, and Sheila goes after him.
Alicorn is the technical name for a unicorns horn.
Uni sneezes and gives away their presence.
“I’ve got you, you little alien!” Orc to Boby.
Presto magics up some marbles to stop the Orcs.
Why can Venger deflect arrows?
What does she whisper to the aide?
“We don’t really know him, not on a first name basis.” Eric, about Dungeonmaster.
Sulinara knows Dungeonmaster.
Venger can’t break into the Keep – “The walls have been strengthened by stone and spell for a thousand years”. Yet another thousand year ref!
Bobby and Hank rush out first to confront Demodragon.
“Looks like the game’s over,” Diana.
Demodragon turns on Venger and tries to incinerate him.
Where did that big bit of stone come from?
“How can you think of food at a time like this?” – I never realise to was an actual quote! (Only Heroes)
Eric and Bobby head off to find food in Tardos. Eric “invites him” to come too.
What else do they do there?
Dragonsbane is a rare herb, that only grows in Tardos. It “can render the mightiest dragon helpless”
Sulinara states that Tiamat is an evil dragon, and the only creature Venger fears.
The rest of the people of Tardos are hiding in a far away land. The remaining people are volunteers, who stay to guard the dragnbane, and if the gates fall, to destroy it.
The gardens smell good. “if youre into flowers” Eric.
The gardener deliberately summons Uni over.
Eric thinks the garland is probably poison ivy!
Diana is the one who thinks they should go and see Venger. Hank agrees - Venger is their only hope.
“Make friends with Venger? How are we supposed to do that?” Presto.
“Buy him another horn for his helmet!” Eric
How to find Venger – follow the sounds of destruction!
Venger’s magic coalesces into a disk.
Orc nudge – as if to say hahaha suckers!!
Where is Uni during this, and doesn’t Venger see the garland? (In some shots Uni is missing the garland.)
When Hank calls Demodragon, the talisman glows, but nothing happens.
“That things bigger thn my dads bank account’ Eric.
Hank saves Diana from the tail.
“I hope we at least give him a stomach ache” Eric
Diana helps Eric up, and he seems really pleased – not so convince she is!
Diana is the one who recons it was Presto, even without the Hat!
“I couldn’t have done that with 10 hats!”
E tries to make out he knew about the garland all along- but no one believes him.
Eric warns Shadow Demon not to get Presto mad, or hell turn him into “creamed spinach”
Venger seems to believe them and he warns Presto to take care when he speaks of magic, lest they see who has the greater power.
Why does Venger think it was Presto?
“There was good in Venger once, a long time ago. Everyone makes mistakes. Venger was mine.” Oh, the questions!!
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ALTERNATIVES
What were Bobby and Eric doing hanging around Tardos? And did they ever get to the kitchens!
What was Venger’s real plan for the Young Ones?
How much Dragonsbane do you need to kill a dragon?
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FANWORKS
Waterfall (photomanip) by Wolfman
"Tardos" wallpaper by Wolfman
A possible missing scene :)
by Wolfman
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The Curse of the Dragon (R for language) by Sealgirl (Episode Coda/Alt Ending hybrid)
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Previous Episode - The Girl Who Dreamed Tomorrow
Next Episode - The City at the Edge of Midnight
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