We find our heroes in the depths of the Icespire Hold, surrounded by sarcophagi of ancient elven warriors. While deciding what to do next Pine was taken away from his senses, encountering the The Dead Three that had become his Gods. He was told a bit on what was expected from him, their reaction to him meeting their father but also instructed him in how to best kill a Dragon. He relayed a summarized version of what he learned, at first missing the somewhat distrustful gaze from Zenari but realizing when she asked him if she trusted the three. He said he did so Zenari telepathically let everyone know of the tactics given. She also asked Siax to reinforce their boots with the climbers kit spikes in order to resist the frozen floor atop the hold. The ranger, as was his wont, did an excellent job, ensuring they worked without slowing anyone down.
The party now ready, started moving forward. As they passed the crypts they noticed that the names of the fallen were written in Elven, followed by the same phrase.
- Uridithas Femidrir, warrior of Delsendra Amzarr
- Petgeiros Shameth, , warrior of Delsendra Amzarr
- Enrora Opho, warrior of Delsendra Amzarr
- Yesbella Velosh, warrior of Delsendra Amzarr
Cautiously moving forward, Siax found that there was a pattern made on the walls with Ivae haran, a special type of residue that would light up if touched by the smallest amount of magic. Idris obliged the ranger and lit it up, the substance glowing brigtly as the magic coursed through it. It read Here lies the children of The Enclave of the Evergreen, defending the world from threats, even in death. Weep for their sacrifice, rejoice for their deeds. Siax recognized the name, as the organization that The Guided Path had emerged from, a force now only spoken in legends. Their mission was to safeguard the known world from outward strengths but unlike The Guided Path this included safeguarding culture and a way of life. Siax, with much to ponder, scraped off the residue from the wall and attached it to a pouch, hoping to throw it upon the Dragon for the party to be better able to see it if it flew up into the clouds.
Meanwhile Idris had gone up the narrow stairs that headed up, finding what was certainly a secret passage but what appeared as a mundane wall. For old times sake he attempted to place a gold coin upon it, something he had doen countless times before with little result. And yet this time it seemed he did exactly what the wall needed as it quietly slid open, showing the inside of a room with a few long dead occupants. Getting everyone in the room was challenging, mostly due to Tokk's girth but it was soon done, provoking no response from the dragon or any other threat. Inside the room there was an odd sight. A skeletal figure missing an arm sat upon a chair, a silver goblet with an encrusted residue on it, between their feet. Three other figures, wearing jagged armor that was certainly not Elvish lay dead before it. While Pine could sense some unrest from the three on the ground, there is no evidence of a soul or undeath from the sitting figure.
Moving on the party discovered where the Orcs had made their home. Filled to the brim with stuff, from goods taken from raids, to rough but effective weaponry, to tanned animal hides this place seemed full of things too valuable for a clan to leave behind. Ice on the floor stemming from the narrow arrow slits spoke of what the Dragon had done here and how it forced the orcs to flee their safe haven. Taking a moment to discuss their next step, the party decided that this was it, they would ascend to the roof and dispatch Cryovain. Checking if they were ready, there was also a heartfelt conversation between Falcon and Siax, the concern they had for one another evident in their words and actions.
Now ready the party ascended. They find themselves in the tower, a large 30 foot tall room with scattered debris everywhere, destroyed furniture and even a severed hand clutching a blade. Coming closer Siax and Idris were shocked to see this was a Moonblade, one of the most prized and powerful elven relics. That one just lay here was almost unthinkable. When Idris attempted to p[ick it up howver he was forced to drop it, a wave of emotion assaulting him from the sword. Eefendruphunka was not impressed. Siax however was able to pick it up and instantly felt the sword judging his life completely. A small part of him dared to hope that such a powerful relic could possibly bond with him but a sickening feeling gripped his heart as the sword denied him. Not sure what to do next Siax noticed that the sword was doing the same to the rudimentary intelligence that was his bow. Before he could react the bow caught on fire but it was not a destroying one. Where before roots wrapped to form the body of the bow it now had twisted into a beautiful latticework, encasing a softly glowing golden light. Where once this bow was dark and oil-slick, the wood has now become pure white, it's nature somewhat celestial to Idris's divine senses.
The bow spoke to Siax and it seemed different, more intelligent. It said it had changed because the sword thought it could be better. It also told Siax that the sword still judged them and would be watching at how the two of them worked together with great interest. Not sure how to take the news the young ranger sheathed the priceless relic and hung it on his belt.
Finally emerging on the roof, the party scanned the area. Everything had a few inches of pure ice on top of it, sparkling coins and jewels embedded into it. A giant mound of snow was in the Centre with a smaller one to the side. Siax peered at the mass of snow atop the tower but with some slight horror realised that there were seven other such mounds, looking created than natural, dotted alongside the cliffs around the fort. He felt watched but could not tell which mound the Dragon hid in. Spreading out, it was only when Zenari tried to dig into the small mound that the Dragon spoke.
Idris, proving his mettle and faith in peace, attempted to gain insight and understanding with the Dragon, desperately hoping to make peace. The dragon snarled that the dragon-slaying sword Idris carried said otherwise. While they argued Siax and Pine attewmpted to figure out where the voice was coming from. While it bounced off the chasms and seemed to come from all directions they narrowed it down to two of the mounds, both to their north. They readied their weapon. By now the Dragon seemed genuinely confused by Idris's perspective calling them peculiar creatures. However when it asked if they would help him, look after him and Idris affirmed it he flew into a rage. For a white dragon must never be looked down on for it is only the weak that need help. The sinewy body of the beast rose from the nearby mound, fangs as long as swords reflecting the fading sunlight.
Snow and ice was thrown forward but it was not enough to stop Siax's arrows and Tokk's harpoon. The Half ogre tied the rope around one the chimneys, the hope being that the Dragon could not disappear into the clouds while it rained ice upon them. Idris told the dragon they had met the Frost Giant and that he felt sorry for the Dragon. He unsheathed his sword and said "I'm sorry but you left us with no other choice, you will find death by my hand."

The fight that followed was as quick as it was brutal. Zenari's magic, perhaps responding to the high stress situation became fully one with chaos. Siax let arrow after arrow fly. Pine was a blur of action, hitting the creature with spectral claws while safeguarding the others with his magic. Finally, the Dragon having grabbed Idris in his mouth, attempting to flee, the rope still attached and a helpless Tokk dangling from it that a truly decisive blow was struck. Idris raised his sword and plunged it into the Dragon's head causing the creature to crash into a nearby building, finally falling on Tokk, breaking the half ogres leg. Now extremely wounded, the dragon attempted to fly once more but was finally brought low as the others focused their power on it.
However, as Idris went to swing his sword to cut off that draconic neck the feeling of death left the creature and it reared up, grabbed the sword between it's fangs and shattered it in one blow. Idris could see the magic flowing out the hold and into the Dragon, healing it somewhat and even strengthening it. This was the fabled power of a dragon lair, a place held on long enough to become a nexus of magic. Cryovain blew ice upon him, creating a shell as he absorbed that power, preparing what seemed to be a gigantic breath. Pine realizing that it would be directed forward used the artificers cloak and teleported behind the Dragon, the noise from it triggering an avalanche far above in the peak. The weather turned bad, blinding Idris but his ability to look at the magic around him allowed him to close into melee with the creature. Eefendruphunka dashed with savage glee and became Idris's weapon once again.
While the party broke through the shell they did not seem to have been able to stop the Dragon from charging up. In moments it would strike. In moments they would die.