The Black Dragon
As the party pressed onward, now accompanied by Nathaniel's group, Ameena's curiosity was piqued by the details of the dragon contract. Despite Nathaniel's initial reluctance, he allowed Ameena and Varis to peruse the document. They discovered that the dragon was obstructing mining operations near a dormant mine, prompting Angus Mountainbreaker to issue the bounty. Varis found it peculiar that the contract bore the signature of Angus, as Craig Mountainbreaker was known to be the lord of Oakheart. Ameena clarified that Angus was Craig's brother, leading Varis to speculate that Craig remained stationed with his forces in Riverend.
Their journey northward continued along the winding road until they encountered three figures ahead. As they approached, the figures split up, positioning themselves on either side of the road while a towering goliath stood in the center. Clad in distinct Kalamar attire with a heavy pelt and cape, the goliath exuded an imposing presence. When questioned by Amelia, the goliath, named Ragnar, remained terse and guarded. Varis joined in the inquiry, seeking clarification about their intentions. Although Ragnar confirmed the legitimacy of the dragon contract upon inspection, he departed without further explanation, leaving the party perplexed.
Resuming their journey, Nathaniel expressed urgency, speculating that Ragnar's group might also be in pursuit of the dragon. As they approached the path leading to the mine entrance, Amelia and Keira discerned the ominous rumbling of the dragon's breathing. Keria stealthily scouted ahead, spotting the black dragon perched atop a stone ledge. Rayenne informed the party about the potential dangers of the black dragon and Amelia mentioned possible weaknesses from what she had heard. Thinking quickly, Rayenne utilized her druidic magic to dampen their footfalls as they positioned themselves for the impending confrontation.
Keria found herself perched on a steep rock, her bow poised and ready. With a flurry of arrows, she unleashed a barrage at the dragon, targeting its head with remarkable speed and precision. Though most of the arrows found their mark, some shattered upon impact, causing the dragon to awaken in a frenzy of pain and fury. It emitted a deafening roar before descending upon the party with thunderous force. Varis aimed his rifle, but his shots failed to penetrate the dragon's tough scales. Meanwhile, Amelia and Vaylin unleashed their own volleys of arrows, and Nathaniel and Twelvecut charged toward the beast. Amidst the chaos, Rayenne heard the voice of the dragon echoing in her mind, questioning the intrusion.
Suddenly, the dragon unleashed a stream of corrosive acid, scorching Varis, Ameena, and Rayenne. Twelvecut seized the opportunity to leap onto the dragon's leg, striking it with his blades. The dragon retaliated, lashing out at Vaylin with its claws then devoured her whole. Despite the onslaught, the party continued their assault, with Keira launching arrows and Varis employing his arcane abilities to ward off the dragon's attacks. Once again, Rayenne heard the dragon's voice, questioning their motives. Though she attempted to alert her companions, they remained focused on the battle. As the dragon turned its attention to Varis, he used his magic to disrupt its attack. Calling upon Sabre, his warforged companion, Varis commanded it to strike the dragon with its spear, dealing a devastating blow.
With a final, thunderous roar, the dragon fell lifeless to the ground. Keira, remembering Rayenne's warning, kept the party at a safe distance as she confirmed the dragon's demise with a well-aimed arrow. Nathaniel swiftly moved to extract Vaylin from the dragon's belly, but she appeared lifeless. In a desperate attempt to save her, Rayenne used a spell scroll to revive Vaylin, much to Ameena's disapproval. After securing the dragon's head for the bounty and tending to Vaylin's wounds, the party set up camp to recuperate. Despite their victory, Rayenne grappled with doubts about their actions, questioning whether they had made the right choice in confronting the dragon. While some sought to justify their actions based on the dragon's reputation, Rayenne couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty, fearing the consequences of their encounter on the natural world.
The River Mine
As the party rested in their camp, Twelvecut ventured into the mine, eventually they all heard an echo of a scream coming from him but he didn't come out. Curious, Keira followed suit, entering the abandoned tunnels alone. She discovered discarded tools strewn about, indicating a hasty departure rather than a struggle. Pressing onward, Keira found herself at a dead end, confronted by a pool of water blocking her path. Undeterred, she plunged beneath the surface, discovering a submerged passage that led to the other side of the obstacle.
Emerging on the opposite side of the tunnel, Keira scanned her surroundings but found no sign of the dragon's hoard. Perplexed, she retraced her steps and returned to the surface to relay her findings to the rest of the party. After sharing her observations, the group collectively decided to gather their strength and explore the mine further once everyone was prepared to do so.
As the party delved deeper into the mine, Amelia and Vaylin remained at their makeshift camp near the entrance while Keira led the others onward. The passage echoed with the steady drip of water from the cavern ceiling, creating an eerie atmosphere as they progressed. Eventually, they arrived at a vast chamber bisected by a narrow stream, which they carefully skirted before spotting a figure ahead. Drawing nearer, they identified Twelvecut, motionless in the middle of the path.
Approaching cautiously, Nathaniel was suddenly blinded by a flash of light emanating from behind an abandoned cart. Shielding his eyes, he discerned the silhouette of a young female dwarf holding a lantern. Tensions eased as the party converged, and the dwarf, named Annora, explained her search for missing mining companions. She informed them that while some had left, others had remained behind, yet she had not yet located them. Concerned for Twelvecut's condition, Varis examined him and detected a paralyzing effect. Utilizing his arcane abilities, he dispelled the paralysis, allowing Twelvecut to regain mobility. With Annora now part of their group, they pressed onward, only to encounter a dead end. However, Keira's keen observation revealed a submerged passage beneath the pool of water at the terminus.
Preparing to traverse the underwater tunnel, Varis ensured everyone was ready for the swim. Fortunately, the journey was brief, and they emerged on the other side to discover walls adorned with gleaming crystals. Varis investigated the crystals but detected no magical properties, while Annora identified them as valuable blue sapphires, adding an unexpected twist to their exploration. As the party ventured deeper into the lower mining tunnels, Keira took the lead, vanishing into the shadows with her stealthy prowess. She scouted ahead, moving silently until a sharp crack echoed through the tunnel—a piece of bone had snapped under her foot. Cautious now, she continued, alert to her surroundings. She soon entered a chamber adorned with more of the sapphire crystals protruding from the rocky walls. Amid the glittering stones, she spotted a disturbing sight: scattered bones, remnants of several creatures. On a rocky ledge above, a strange creature lay slumbering, oblivious to Keira’s presence.
Keira quietly relayed her discovery to the party through a magical message, and they advanced cautiously. Despite their best efforts, some members were less stealthy, and the creature stirred at the sound of their approach. It jumped down from its perch, a large and lumbering being with fins instead of back legs, causing it to drag itself across the rocky floor. The party quickly moved to surround the creature. Once it detected their presence, they launched their attack. Despite its menacing appearance, the creature was not as formidable as it seemed. The battle was brief, though a few members sustained minor injuries. After tending to their bruises, they regrouped and continued their exploration of the mine.
Long Lost Ruin
Varis couldn't resist the allure of the sapphires covering the walls. He took out his tools and chipped away at the crystals, gathering a handful of rough gems. The party pressed on, feeling a warm draft from deeper within the mine. They soon found themselves in a vast chamber, the floor of which was a lake of bubbling lava. Crude wooden bridges spanned the lake, connecting stone ledges, but the bridges looked dangerously unstable. The party paused to assess the situation before attempting to cross the first bridge one by one. The wooden planks creaked ominously but held, allowing everyone to make it across safely. However, a sudden loud bang echoed through the chamber, and the second bridge collapsed into the lava. The cause of the collapse was unseen, leaving the party wary and cautious.
With no bridge left to use, they had to think creatively. Varis tried to disassemble the first bridge to construct a new one, but it too fell into the lava. Keira then used her limited magical ability to anchor a rope in mid-air, creating a makeshift swing across the gap. Despite a few close calls, the party managed to swing across safely. On the other side, they found themselves before an ancient ruin carved into the chamber walls, long predating the dwarven mining operations. The party stood in awe, contemplating the history and secrets that the ruins might hold.
The party ventured into the ancient ruins, entering a large stone chamber where the sapphire crystals now glowed blood red, casting an eerie light across the room. Ahead, they spotted the silhouettes of several dwarves, seemingly oblivious to the party's presence but poised for combat. Keira stealthily moved among the ruins, creeping up on one of the dwarves unnoticed. Nathaniel stepped forward, intending to draw the dwarves' attention. As he did, Keira quickly grappled the nearest dwarf to prevent an attack. The rest of the party joined the fray, with Rayenne and Annora hesitating at the back. Annora recognized the dwarves as members of her old mining company, now apparently under some dark influence.
Varis activated his enchanted boots, allowing him to hover just above the ground. This proved a wise decision, as the chamber suddenly shook, and cracks appeared in the floor, revealing molten lava beneath. The battle intensified, with Keira throwing her captive dwarf into the lava, where he was quickly consumed. Varis summoned his warforged companion, Sabre, who joined the fight only to be met by two powerful dwarves wielding warhammers. They attacked Sabre ferociously, nearly destroying him. Nathaniel faced off against a dwarf spewing molten lava, narrowly surviving a glancing hit thanks to Keira's timely arrow shots that took down the dwarf.
The battle grew more desperate. Sabre sustained too much damage and vanished, returning to the place from which he was summoned. Despite Rayenne and Annora's pleas to spare the dwarves, many of the party members, including Twelvecuts, ignored their calls and fought on with reckless abandon. The chamber continued to shake, and the floor cracked further, exposing more lava and creating an increasingly dangerous battlefield. With the floor disintegrating beneath them, the party fought with renewed urgency, each member striving to overcome the possessed dwarves while avoiding the deadly lava below.
Demonic Encounter
As the battle raged on, one dwarf stood out, clearly the chief, positioned protectively before a chained figure further in the chamber. The party soon realized it was a demonic creature, bound on a platform at the chamber's center, exerting a dark influence over the dwarves. Ameena, driven by her duty to banish such evils, locked her sights on the demon. With determination, she advanced, dual swords drawn, while the rest of the party continued their skirmish with the remaining dwarves.
The ground quaked as the demon struggled against its chains, causing the lava to rise ominously within the chamber. Ameena's relentless assault on the demon was soon joined by Nathaniel, who fought alongside her. Annora and Rayenne, seeking to reunite with the others, navigated the unstable terrain. Suddenly, smaller demons emerged from the lava, but Varis quickly cast a spell, putting the lesser fiends into a daze, allowing Annora and Rayenne to cross safely. As the party continued their fierce battle, Annora spotted a nearly defeated dwarf and rushed to aid him, freeing him from the demon's influence. Meanwhile, the rest of the party focused their attacks on the chained demon, using swords, arrows, and magic. Despite the chaotic environment, they managed to defeat the demon. Varis, ever curious, inspected the demon's corpse and found its heart, now crystallized, and a strange chain wrapped around it. He swiftly stashed these items in his bag.
With the demon vanquished and the chamber collapsing, the party hurriedly sought an exit as the lava rose perilously close. They eventually emerged to the surface, where Annora expressed her gratitude and confirmed that the rescued dwarf was free from the demon's control. Annora and the dwarf set out for Oakheart, while the party regrouped and prepared to navigate back around the forest to the mine to find Amelia and Vaylin, who had remained at the entrance.
Arriving at Oakheart
They traveled through the forest to find the mine's entrance. Upon arrival, they saw the dead dragon they had killed and the damaged Sabre by their small camp. Rayenne's tent was destroyed, and there was no sign of Vaylin or Amelia. The party began investigating the area, finding signs of a struggle and several sets of footprints. They concluded that Vaylin Moss and Amelia might have been taken to Oakheart and decided to move on.
Varis quickly tried to mend Sabre's damages but realized he needed more extensive repairs than he could perform on the road. Sabre's mechanical parts were grinding and screeching. As they approached Oakheart, they noticed a long line of wagons and carts outside the town entrance. They encountered Ragnar, the goliath, again, who inquired about the bounty. Varis pointed to the dragon's head tied to Sabre's back. Ragnar offered to take it off their hands and give them the reward, but Varis distrusted him.
The party then noticed Dominion soldiers among the town guards. Disguising themselves, Ragnar watched in confusion as Varis changed his appearance into that of Alara Croft but kept silent. At the town entrance, the guards questioned their purpose, and upon mentioning the bounty, they were allowed entry. Inside, they saw more Dominion soldiers. Varis headed to the local blacksmith, asking for the dragonborn smith they had met during their last visit to Oakheart. The current smith informed him that the dragonborn had gone south for personal matters but offered to help with whatever they needed. Varis showed him the damaged Sabre, and the smith said he would need a day to fix the dents and metalwork but couldn't aid with the arcane mechanics, which Varis agreed to handle himself.
While the smith worked, the party requested privacy in the armory shop. The smith's co-worker took a break, leaving the party alone. Rayenne and Varis untied the dragon's head from Sabre's back and dragged it inside. Varis cast the spell Speak with Dead, and they began questioning the dragon's spirit. Rayenne asked why it was at the mine, to which it answered that it was there to protect others from entering. When asked who sent it, it said its brethren. They asked what it was protecting them from, and the dragon revealed it was a great evil the miners had uncovered, likely referring to the demon they encountered. They also asked for the dragon's name, which was Venomor the Knight Terror. Nathaniel recalled hearing that title in his younger days.
After finishing their questioning, the party carefully made their way through town to the great longhouse of the Lord of Oakheart. Upon arrival, they saw Angus Mountainbreaker, the acting lord, standing outside with his lawkeeper. He initially questioned who they were, but they revealed themselves and spoke about the bounty and the demon they found. They were rewarded for the bounty and given a bonus for clearing the mine of the demon. They requested a private conversation and were invited into the longhouse, where they discussed the presence of Dominion soldiers in the town. Angus explained that the soldiers arrived a few days ago, searching for possible traitors and rebels.
The party inquired if Angus had seen any prisoners passing through the town. Varis described Veylin and Amelia, and also asked about Bartimaeus, but Angus had not seen them. However, he mentioned that prisoners were usually taken to Northgate before being moved into the territory of the Silver Dominion. He suggested that their best chance of finding their friends was there. When Varis asked for further assistance, Angus agreed to write a personal note to the Lord of Northgate, the Hauser family. Angus sealed the letter with the Mountainbreaker seal and handed it to Varis.
The party thanked him and made their way to the local inn to secure rooms for the day and night. Some of them spent the day relaxing in their rooms and then slept through the night, preparing for an early start in the morning. As dawn broke, they prepared to leave. Rayenne and Varis visited the smith to check on Sabre's repairs. The construct looked nearly new, and Varis assisted with the final touches, ensuring the arcane mechanics were in order. They then headed to the local general store, run by a hooded Nekshou named Ty. He showcased many wares, and the party focused on acquiring potions to aid them on their journey. They managed to purchase a few with their bounty funds and even haggled for a better deal.
Meanwhile, Nathaniel searched for a wagon or cart to facilitate their travel north. Although most were unwilling to sell or were not heading in their direction, he eventually found someone willing to let them hitch a ride on the back of their wagon. With their arrangements made, the party set off once more, heading north towards Northgate, hopeful of finding their friends and ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.
The Ogre Ambush
As the party relaxed on the back of the wagon, Varis began distributing the potions he had purchased in Oakheart. The traveler at the front started making small talk, asking the party about their purpose in Northgate and other mundane questions. However, the party remained guarded and reluctant to share details.
As they approached a ruined gatehouse, the traveler slowed the wagon and asked if the party had travel permits, revealing that he only had one for himself. The party did not have any permits, so they began to change their appearances. The traveler was shocked to see them transform and realized they were adventurers. He stopped the wagon and offered to take a safer detour for 10 gold. Without a word, Varis handed him a platinum coin, and the traveler quickly turned the wagon around, heading down another road that ran alongside the Gylder River.
This new route appeared safer and devoid of any road checks. However, they soon encountered a group of three Dominion officials: a Warpriest accompanied by two soldiers. The officials greeted them and asked about their destination, to which they replied, "Northgate." The priest seemed satisfied and was about to let them pass when he caught a glimpse of Ameena's face. Just as he was about to point it out, a loud crack echoed through the air, and they all watched in horror as a large battleaxe embedded itself in the back of the priest's head, splitting it open.
The soldiers turned around in shock and were also struck down by large battleaxes. The traveler leapt off the wagon to take cover as a group of grotesque, mutant ogres lumbered up the road, laughing and coughing menacingly. The party quickly realized they were under attack and prepared to defend themselves against the approaching threat.
A fierce battle erupted as the party clashed with the grotesque ogres. The party members unleashed their skills and abilities, but the ogres, with their bloated and scarred bodies, laughed off most of the attacks. Varis hurled a Frostbite Gemstone at the group, engulfing them in magical frost. All but one of the ogres shrugged off the permafrost, with one being turned into solid ice.
Keira fired arrows, while Nathaniel and Ameena swung their swords with determination. Twelvecut, paralyzed by fear at the sight of the monstrous ogres, stayed close to Rayenne, who supported the group with her magical skills. Varis teleported into the midst of the ogres and activated his Echo of a Wail, releasing a deathly banshee wail. However, the ogres, unaffected, turned towards him, laughing ominously. Varis quickly realized they were likely undead or partially so.
Finding himself trapped between the ogres, Varis watched as Keira dropped her bow and pulled out the demonic Chain of Binding he had taken from the mine. She whipped it towards Varis, attempting to grab and pull him away from the ogres. Understanding her intent, Varis did not resist and was dragged across the ground to safety. Meanwhile, Ameena was thrown aside by the ogre chief, a hesitation in her attacks hinting at an internal struggle. Varis managed to put some of the ogres into a daze, taking them out of the fight temporarily. The party then focused their efforts on the undazed ogres, gradually inflicting damage.
In a moment of bravery, Twelvecut leaped onto an ogre's head, helping to finish it off. Keria retrieved her bow and took down another ogre with a precise headshot. Suddenly, the traveler who had been driving the wagon bolted in fear. Shortly after, Varis fired his rifle, startling the oxen. The panicked animals bolted, pulling the wagon and nearly trampling Nathaniel in the process. Despite the chaos, the party continued to fight valiantly, slowly turning the tide against the grotesque ogres.
The party managed to take down all but the dazed ogres and cautiously approached them. Standing still and looking around in confusion, the dazed ogres were easy targets. The party readied their attacks, knowing that any harm would break the enchantment. They struck swiftly, but the last ogre began to cast a massive spell. Nathaniel quickly counterspelled it, causing the ogre to burp in frustration. Keira fired an arrow to silence him, ending the threat. Varis then commanded Sabre to knock over the frozen ogre, shattering it into pieces.
With the battle over, Varis walked over to the dead Warpriest and searched for valuables. Ameena followed, offering a brief prayer for the fallen. Varis found a pouch containing 500 gold coins, a seal from the priest's armor, and another pouch with five unfamiliar Silverite gemstones. Pocketing the items, they prepared to move on.
Familiar Faces
Unsure of their direction, Rayenne pointed northward. They followed a narrow pathway alongside a cliff by the Gylder River. Suddenly, dark clouds gathered and rain began to pour, making their journey treacherous. The wooden path was damaged, and Rayenne noticed a bloodstain on the rocks below. Varis, suspecting it might be from the traveler who had fled, climbed down to investigate. The blood trail led to the river, but he found no sign of the platinum coin he had given away. He climbed back up and helped the party navigate the gap.
Further along, they encountered another gap in the wooden path, which they crossed with teamwork. Once back on solid ground, they heard Twelvecut scream up ahead. Approaching, they saw him confronted by two armored paladins demanding he drop his daggers. Nathaniel stepped forward, claiming Twelvecut was with him. Varis disguised himself as Alara Croft once more. Nathaniel explained to the paladins that he was hired to escort a lady and her handmaidens. One paladin approached Varis to confirm the story. Varis affirmed, stating they were heading to Northgate and could use assistance. However, the paladins were heading south.
Suddenly, the paladin called for his commander, and three figures appeared in the rain. One familiar figure was Daviok Beastbane, now clad in new paladin armor and commanding the group. The party, confused but maintaining their disguises, watched as Varis approached Beastbane, trying to give him a hint of their identity. Beastbane recognized some faces but couldn't place them. He offered to help them reach Northgate, and they began to follow him and his paladins through the rain.
Varis walked back to Ameena and whispered about the situation, wondering why Beastbane was now a commander and seemed to have no memory of them. She found it strange as well, and they agreed to wait for an opportunity to single him out for questioning.
As the party traveled up the road through the heavy rain, they soon came across a small chapel by the roadside. Beastbane ordered his men to stand guard outside while he went in to check it out. The party followed him inside. The chapel appeared abandoned, its interior showing signs of neglect and disuse. Seeking shelter from the rain, the party looked around for anything useful. Rayenne discovered some dry rations and pocketed them. Varis examined the bookshelves, but found only old, deteriorating church scriptures.
With the chapel quiet, the party took the opportunity to question Beastbane, hoping to understand his situation. They asked him about his current affiliations and his memory of the party. He struggled with some answers and frequently scratched the back of his head. Varis approached him and discreetly attempted to dispel any magical influence, but Beastbane noticed and became slightly suspicious. Though he recognized them as friends, he couldn’t recall their names or where he knew them from. This raised their suspicions that his memory had been tampered with.
When asked who he was currently working for, Beastbane replied, "Mother Superior in Moorn." This name was unfamiliar to the party, but Ameena explained that she had a vague idea of who Mother Superior was—a member of the Church with a somewhat independent reputation. Ameena had only heard rumors, having never visited the barony of Redmond where Moorn is located. Intrigued but cautious, the party decided not to press further.
Beastbane walked to the chapel door, peering out as he waited for the rain to pass. The others took the opportunity to rest. Eventually, the rain stopped and the sun peeked through the clouds. Eager to continue, Beastbane urged everyone to get ready. They ventured further up the road and soon found themselves at the southern entrance of Northgate. Without wasting time, Beastbane wished the party well before he and his men continued on their own mission. The party now stood ready to enter Northgate.