Our first encounter with a takal (wyrm), a young black dragon bearing a dark rider. It spits a dangerous stream of caustic fluid.

A dark image rises in the sky and swoops past, spraying us with a vile substance. I manage to dodge most of it but its spittle still burns. The great beast lands and turns to face us. There’s a rider on it that we can now see. Stonebreaker rushes up to the lizard and pierces its hide with Jacked Tooth. It howls in pain and lashes out. The rider dismounts and attacks as well. The dragon is obviously young, only about 15′ in length. I blast it with fire, but it seems to have no effect. Rochendir joins Stonebreaker in combat with the dragon and rider, with Broknar adding to the fray with arrows. I move to secure one of the sleeping orcs. The battle is over in a matter of minutes, with the last two orcs retreating after they see us overcome wyrm and rider.

As typical, Kaitlyn reappears after the battle. We pillage the body of the dragon for useable parts-teeth, claws, scales, a vial of blood. Kaitlyn is visibly disturbed by our actions but was overcome with an awkward bloodlust to slay the orcs. Odd indeed. I explain that these dragon remains may be useful in our further efforts to defeat evil dragons and the cult. She still is not very understanding of our treatment of the fallen beast.

Down the road, we come across another gruesome scene. A stone marker commemorates the death of a white dragon named Frost Nax. Apparently, it died in combat supporting the cult against another dragon the likes of which I’ve never heard of. I again begin to see what viable pieces can be salvaged, and two large boring insects come out and attack. As we begin to face off against these, some creature bubbles up from the marshes. It obviously recognized the girl and threatens to take her life. Now, is that any way to speak to a young lady in our charge?

It appears to be decaying, and I fire a beam of blazing light at it. Unfortunately, it’s a glancing blow, so I draw my sword and the rest of the party engages the fiend. We quickly dispatch both the warrior that arose from the swamp as well as the dragon scavengers. There’s a third figure in the distance, and with more tears, Kaitlyn rushes to it.

I approach Kaitlyn and I can now see it. She’s no longer able to hide it when I tell her that I know that she’s a dragon. Amazed, she tells us that these are our parents. I offer her passage to Evermeet, where the good dragons live and help protect my people. Curiously, she states that her kind prefers the company of humans. Well, no one is perfect. I offer to help properly take care of her deceased parents after we complete our mission.

There are some huge tracks and a path of destruction leading away from Kaitlyn’s father. What appears to be another large dragon was grounded and making its way from the scene. We follow the tracks and come upon what remains of a town called Moortown. We had found a scroll case with a map showing this location near the body of the white dragon. We see humans, orcs, ogres, and, by the Seldarine, TROLLS!!! I had a special surprise for these foul creatures, some enspelled flasks of liquid fire. Unfortunately, these were lost when our ship capsized. Before we attempt a frontal assault, all too common a tactic for us in the past, I suggest a more strategic option. We should backtrack and make camp to come up with a plan. Some of our team are more injured than others, and I could use the time to recover some of the arcane energies. We may even have a scouting expedition to gather some additional information before I decide to make our next move. As a Keryfaern (war wizard), it makes more sense to assess the strengths and weaknesses of our adversaries. Then we can decide how to disrupt this cult’s operation as much as possible and report back to Thusk.

Stonebreaker says “I am not sure how we should proceed. We have had trouble with trolls in the past, and it seems that there will be more to face than these wretched beasts. I have potions of flight, giant size, and levitation and we can utilize them however will allow us to defeat the evil dragon cult. We should possibly consider eliminating the trolls first, especially if we can do that quietly. I do not understand how a little girl can be a dragon, but I have seen a man turn into a bear. Will the child be of any aid in this battle? She has avoided all violence to this point in our journey. I am willing to use the cover of darkness to gain more information before we approach. I am open to all suggestions, as I believe this may be one of our greatest challenges yet.”

I say we take a day or two to plan. We can recover our health and magic, as well as gather information on the town and the cult’s forces. I can get us close to the camp virtually undetected for short periods. I, too, hate trolls and had some special surprises for them that are now lost at sea. I still do have some special gifts for them, but it won’t be quiet. The girl will probably be of little use to us in this fight unless we are desperate, she is a very young dragon. It may not be completely necessary to defeat the cult. I think we should look to weaken them as much as possible and report what we know back to Thusk. We’ve already taken out one dragon and 20 harkavarn, plus an undead warrior of some type. By surveying the area we can gain an advantage. There is no need to attack head-on. They have to protect their city, so they can’t all come out at once. Let’s draw them out so we have the upper hand, and do what we can to avoid the red dragon!!! I also have some magic that may prove useful if we can just figure out how to use it. Does anyone care to play cards with me at camp tonight?

With Trolls patrolling Moortown, we take a moment to assess the situation. I’m cautious and suggest a day of rest and intelligence gathering before we decide on our next move, but my party is a group of action. It seems what is left of the town is unprepared for us, so we strike now. We put a quick plan together and plan a picnic for our troll friends. Unfortunately, we fail to inform them that barbequed and skewered troll is the main course!

We see the trolls fighting over an animal, and we quickly devise a plan. Stonebreaker summons Lemmy and he drops a feast in front of the wretched beasts. Hesitant for a few seconds, the trolls surround the banquet and are close and distracted. While the rest of the party throws a few flasks of Greek fire that I had, I get close enough to engulf the trolls in a shroud of flames. In a few moments, the trolls are burning to almost nothing, and Rochendir, Stonebreaker, and Broknar quickly sweep up the remains with a few strikes and arrows. Enjoying the roast, I sneak into the town with Kaitlyn.

There are only a few guards and some strange noises emanating from one of the buildings. We spread out and take cover around the various structures. I cast a protective spell to increase my agility and we begin to see more. The sounds come forth from a small pen, and there are 3 young red dragons that must have caught our scent! The guards at first try to get the creatures back into their caged area, but once they notice something is wrong, they regroup and let the dragons out.

Stonebreaker gives a command to Lemmy the Djinn, and then he engages a small red dragon. Caitlyn disappears as typical. A large roar and head and wings of a larger red dragon appear from the building that Rochendir is next to two. There’s no sign of Broknar yet, made invisible by his magical ring.

A figure in black robes appears in a window and seems to yell for silence. You’re mine, wizard! Surprised, instead of coming forward to engage us, he hurries back into the house. I had prepared a spell to prevent him from using his dark magic against us, but it is ruined as he disappears from my sight.

Stonebreaker engages a guard which tries to break off from him. He’s also attacked by a small red dragon. Lemmy valiantly attempts to combat the dragon, but even his power is no match for the red-winged demon. Lemmy is vanquished. I hope our fallen friend is now freed to whatever end he may find.

Rochendir attempts to engage the large red dragon. For whether it is bravery or foolishness, one cannot say. His first dagger thrusts simply bounce off the creature’s hide, but incredibly one of them find the throat of the beast. The dragon roars a strange, half-muted sound as blood pours all over Rochendir. The large monster kicks Rochendir back several feet almost without effort.

And then it happens. A giant-sized Broknar appears, shooting arrows the size of long spears! He must have used his growth potion, and he’s now taller than the dragon at approximately 30 feet in height! Maybe we won’t be destroyed so quickly after all.

Rochendir is mauled by the small dragon but continues to attack the large beast instead. Broknar attacks with his spear-arrows. I’ve lost sight of the evil wizard, but see a small dragon now spy me. I drink a potion and prepare to engage it in battle. About this time, a steel grey dragon appears from the sky and engulfs the dragon that fell Lemmy in a cloud of gas. The dragon screeches and takes flight to engage the air. Stonebreaker continues to battle the two guards, and Rochendir and Broknar bring the large beast down. Rochendir then turns his attention to the smaller dragon that has been tearing into him. As this happens, the small red dragon is upon me and I draw my sword. The dragon attacks first, but cannot hit me as I dodge and parry with cat-like grace. I strike at the dragon with Lorson, but fail to find a weak point on my first round of strikes. Before the dragon can attack again, two spear-like arrows pierce the dragon from behind, and it falls before me. I have now stared face to face with a red dragon, and live to tell the tale!

The steel dragon tears the wing off of the small red dragon and it crashes down outside of the encampment. I make my way to the building to see where the cowardly wizard has disappeared to. I see a human female cowering inside, and quickly ask the whereabouts of the wizard and of any other forces we may need to defeat.

The wizard had headed out the door and sees he will face Stonebreaker and Rochendir. The mage wisely casts a spell in an attempt to prevent the two from engaging him in combat, and a billowing noxious cloud of gas appears. Undaunted, Rochendir tackles the wizard through the cloud. The wizard recovers and draws his blade as Rochendir strikes with his daggers. The dark-robed one attempts to enter the building, but I am there with a blade in hand. I see the look of shock as a short blade runs through him from behind. Rochendir smiles as he wipes Jacked Tooth clean, and I can see it in his eyes. ‘Well, where’s the treasure?’ I am sure that is what he is thinking.

We start to spread out and search the town. I instruct the warriors to burn down the stables where there are a few orc forces. I tell them to keep at least one alive for questioning as I begin to search the wizard’s chamber for important clues. I procure his spellbook, a carpet, and two scrolls, one with vital information on the Cult.

As we search for treasure, we find a hidden door beneath the hatchling pen. It appears that these fools have not noticed it. We enter an area sacred to Tempus, and in it are some items of great value. We regroup and I share the information on the cult’s activities. They are making a treaty with the Zhentarim, although from the instructions there is clearly mistrust and the alliance is yet to be completed. Kaitlyn implores us to prevent this unholy alliance from taking place and to help her avenge her parent’s death. There are still two large black dragons and two large red dragons with the cult, so this will be no easy task. We take a day to heal and for me to discover the nature of some of our arcane items.

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