Here the party were, at the end of all things. They made their way on through old, cavernous chambers littered with bones of creatures who had wandered here in ages past -- while far up ahead they could hear the ominous, echoing sounds of dark magic and darker chants.
They walked their way along narrow ledges to reach the end of the way, past dizzying heights from which they could see the whole way down to the grottos down below where they had first encountered Kresh.
Their presence was quickly discovered by Lord Serpentis, who had taken precautions in case of any intrusions. As he laid eyes upon the party, still caught in whichever ritual he was performing, he called out to them. He denounced Cobrahn as a traitor as he asked them how much the now former Fanglord had told them, before he goaded them that they were all too late.
As the battle began, Serpentis summoned forth an ancient creature of the barren wastes; a being known as Verdan the Everliving. Worse yet, more of the same shadowy, coiling tendrils broke on through to surround the party while they fought.
Though Serpentis himself was a sizeable challenge for the party, having to deal with the monstrosity that the druid had awakened almost proved too much. They fought to their bloody end, exhausting much of the powers of Zachariah Hallowhold, Nim, and Turuk Thunderhoof, and managed to emerge victorious by a narrow hair.
Bruised and bloodied as they were, once the party had their bearings again they all concurred that the best course of action was to make another return to the surface. Another chance to rest. Then, they could consult with the druids for what to do next -- what to do with Naralex.