This time, we finish up the chapter.
The characters (The Vingaardians):
- Drystan Silverhart – Level 8 Aasimar Paladin (Knight of Solamnia)
- Yseult De Lorimar – Level 8 Human Warlock (Noble)
- “Fletch” Siannodel – Level 8 Kagonesti Elven Ranger (Folk Hero)
- Sabelina – Level 8 Human Cleric of Gilean (Acolyte)
- Sidekicks: Hrigg Roundrook and Tem Temble
Last session, the party successfully carried our assault on Camp Carrionclay, and returned to Hearth’s Hollow with the rescued captives – and the Bronze Dragon Egg – in their care. On arrival, Nezrah, having figured out that the players had suspected something, quietly laid things out. Yes, she’s a dragon. There are other Metallic Dragons out there. The reason they aren’t acting openly is that the Chromatics have their young as hostages. However, she and others have fears that the Draconians are related to the stolen eggs, and if that’s the case, then they potentially can act more openly – so she asks not just for the egg (which the party had already planned to return), but also the journal from the failed experiments at the Sunward Fortress to use as evidence with her peers.
In return for all of this, she provided (as written in the adventure) a suit of Bronze Dragon Scale-Mail, along with giving specific directions to a crack that would lead to the City of Lost Names along the side of the mountain, along with the main canyon in, which likely would be used by the Dragon Armies. She also sends guides to help provide our forces with a safe route through the Maze.
While reporting this in via the Fargab, the party got notified that Dalamar had something he needed their help with. This took them to Dread Wolf Cove, and another fight with an ankholox. This was a relatively quick fight, and made for a nice show on how they’d progressed with their two level-ups. It also provided a little bit more hinting on what went down when the City of Lost Names crashed, with the shard of a broken Orb of Dragonkind. The party had no idea the cause of the break, but it’s a good further development of the story.
From there, the party and the army were ready for the final big battle of the chapter. The army launched a sneak attack on the main force at the canyon as a diversion, while the party snuck up to where the back entrance was. The Red Dragon Army had a Dragonell pen set up there, but the diversion drew off most of their fliers, save for three officers and a Dragonell. In this fight, finally, the “Chaos of Combat” actions had a significant impact. First, a dragonell flew overhead, stirring up dust, giving total concealment to everyone, friend and foe – leading to a lot of whiffs, and one accidental friendly-fire hit when Yseult accidentally hit Drystan with an Arcane Bolt. Then, as the dust settled, two Red Dragon Army soldiers joined the fray, stretching out the combat a little longer. Things eventually went down to one soldier, who tried to disengage to go for reinforcements, only to get got by Drystan on an Attack of Opportunity.
With the area clear, the party quickly found the entrance (thanks to Hrigg’s Dwarven stonecunning), and moved into the depths of the mountain, ending the chapter.
Next time, we get into the heart of the mountain.
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