Onward My Knights....For Anduria!!

Continuing at the Cusp of Sunrise...

Jonl's eavesdropping catches Ankhin Taskerhill's complaints on how the Cusp's standards for members has latelty not been to his liking, as these thugs wandering about can attest to. Whom might he be talking about?? He continues the thread of his conversation with mentions of other "thugs" in the city he does not approve of, mentioning the half-orc mercenaries that have been filling the town guards ranks as of late.

Jonl also hears the Lathenmires discussing their plans on providing more higher-quality arms and armor to their customers through a new contact in Sasserine. After this short discussion, the Lathenmires and their "groupies" move into the west wing of the Cusp. Throughout the rest of the night, occasional clapping can be heard coming from the west wing behind the closed door.

Snake discovers nothing of interest in the books he has a short time to browse, but takes note that the library has vast resources in regards to local history and genealogy.

Morgan talks it up with Lord Vhalantru, who sits at the gambling table with him. Vhalantru praises the Crimson Tears on their recent acts of preventing the floods and taking care of the monster in the streets just a few days previous. Morgan also gets a chance to talk with Adrick Garthun at the gambling tables, attempting to pique Adrick's interest in some "mining equipment" he discovered in Jazdirune.

Finally, Celeste makes her appearance and gathers the party together, taking them to the east wing and one of the meeting rooms. In the meeting room, they meet Davked Splintershield, the father of Zenith Splintershield, who appears to be in bad shape; wheezing, coughing, and his wrinkled skin clinging to his old bones. Davked explains that through expensive divinations he has found that his son, Zenith, is still alive in the Underdark, specifically he is currently in a location called Bhal-Hamatugn. It is the dying dwarf's wish to see his son again before he passes on. Davked is truly worried that without making amends for the way him and his son broke apart when Zenith led his campaign into the Underdark, he will be cursed in the afterlife. The location of Bhal-Hamatugn is unknown to Davked, but he believes that Crazy Jared, a hermit in the northern mountains, knows of a fissure that leads to Bhal-Hamatugn from the surface. The three Crimson Tears members in attendance agree to discuss the proposition with the rest of the group.

The next day, the members put the acceptance of Davked's proposition to a vote, all but Modisto vote yes. Modisto's dreams, and the specific mention of Bhal-Hamatugn in them, make the idea of visiting this place less than comforting.

The group lingers in town for another week before deciding they have prepared enough for the journey ahead and leave Cauldron. They travel for almost two full days before reaching the area where Crazy Jared can supposedly be found.

As they begin to explore the area, an explosion of flame is seen off in the distance. Upon investigation, the group finds Crazy Jared...with a large red dragon poised over the old man, demanding to know the way into Bhal-Hamatugn. The dragon has obviously been in a recent fight, fresh cuts and acid burns cover its body.

A volley of missile fire is launched at the dragon, but no harm is done as the distance and the dragon's tough hide work against the volley. The dragon launches into the air, its large wings propelling it quicker then its size would suggest. Flying over the party it unleashes a blast of fire down to the ground, catching Snake within. A smoking Snake is quickly healed by Salla, soothing the burns.

The dragon flies out and circles around, taking its time as the majority of the missile fire that the party can unleash is not very effective. Flying over the party a second time, it breathes fire down on Snake and one of the dwarven miners that Morgan has hired for help. The dwarf is charred beyond recognition, while Snake is left in serious pain.

During this time, Jared has joined the battle, shouting out an epic poem for his darling knights of Anduria to spur them on in the face of danger.

The dragon descends on Snake, finishing the job and dropping Snake to the dirt with vicious slap from its tail. The dragon moves over to Modisto, and begins to tear into his magical shield, attempting to get at Modisto. Morgan charges from the side, dealing two heavy blows to the dragon. It seems to have had enough at this point, and takes back the air fleeing from the battlefield.

The heroes of Anduria prevail!