With Seebo’s retreat back to the shores of the underground lake, Groz and Sariel push on deep into the tunnel through which they believe Chuth has attempted to escape. As they reach the other side they discover another chamber, smaller but still large, with the far edges just out of sight. Sariel is able to discern that something large is moving in the shadows but can make out any details. Before they retreat back to the main group she sees that there is a side tunnel to one side, perhaps another way into this back chamber.
Filling in the rest of the party on the lake shore they start to put the pieces together. Between the warmth of the garlands, Groz’s brand, and Belgwyn’s experience with mines, the party figures that the side tunnel Sariel saw should connect to the back end of the rooms in which they had originally found and ambushed the cultists. Returning to that section of the caves they discover two other rooms. One is simply a storage room, and the group pays little attention to it. Especially given the second room. This one is small, maybe for just a single person, but it has been decorated with fine wood furniture throughout with paintings and tapestries on the wall. On a desk is a small chest and an item shaped like a domed birdcage covered with a piece of cloth.
Before entering the room Dennis had detected a warding glyph, which he was able to successfully dispel. Taking in the rest of the room with suspicion, both Sariel and Dennis tackle the chest. They take their time checking for magical traps, using a knock spell to unlock it, and then cleverly utilizing Dennis’ mage hand to open it. Inside they find a stack of correspondences written in elven. As EKIM had entered the room since the investigation had started, he took a look at the letters in turn. Reading through he discovers that the rider of Chuth is not only the Malichite the Green Wrymspeaker mentioned in Varrum’s investigation report, but also he is Neronvain, the long banished, and subsequently believed dead, son of King Melandrach. The gravity of this information does not get past the group, and they collect the papers as evidence to present to the council.
EKIM turns his attention to the room itself and finds a second secret door across from the main entrance way. Beyond, they find an elven shrine in which they are not able to identify the god to which it honors. Ignoring the signs pointing at outcasts, EKIM quickly makes changes to honor the sea gods in an attempt to appease Wave. Finding no other passageway, the group returns to Neronvain’s chamber one last time. Sariel pulls off the cloth over the other object on the desk to reveal a mottled green mask with a frilled crest and leathery spikes along the jawline. The party is surprised to see what they think may be the green dragon mask given the contents of one letter from Sevrin to Neronvain wanting it sent to the Well of Dragons for safe keeping. They also pocket the mask for later examination.
It has been about 2 hours since the party lost contact with Chuth and the rider. Groz, ever focusing on the direction indicated by the brand, notices it beginning to move away from the back chamber and potentially circling back towards the main cave entrance. The group moves quickly in hopes of cutting it off before it can escape. As they reenter the main chamber they quickly spot 2 of the ettins blocking the path up to the waterfall and hear the third somewhere in the darkness. The group take their now well worked out positions and immediately confront the ettins. Within the first moments of violent exchange Chuth and rider burst from the lake and make for the ceiling. The intent of the dragon is clear, it is using the ettins as a shield to make good its escape from the party. Tobin’s Revenge is prepared to not have another dragon escape.
Dennis hits the dragon and rider with a high level fireball while countering an attack spell from the rider himself. Sariel uses her call lighting spell and puts the rider on death’s door and critically hurts the dragon. Not wanting to be on the frontlines, EKIM is able to find a narrow path to Hupp, supplying him with the dragon arrows, before returning to safety from the ettins line. Hupp is able to hop over one of the ettins and lands two of the three arrows, one striking deep into the dragon’s core. Attempting to slow down the dragon, Seebo takes flight this time and latches onto the dragon with the hopes that others will be able to bring it down quickly. Chuth has an answer, and with a beat of his wings knocks Seebo to the ground and moves closer to the exit.
While the party, with the expectation of Hupp, struggles to get past the ettins the dragon and rider make their first big mistake. Instead of making a dash for the waterfall, Chuth sees the isolated Harengon that struck it with the arrows and cannot resist a swipe as they go past. This small amount of extra time sweeping down to the ground to take out Hupp keeps it in range of Belgwyn and Whelm just long enough for the dwarf to land the killing blow to the head of Chuth. Falling from the ceiling the dragon crushes Neronvain and both leave this mortal realm. Tobin’s Revenge has finally broken their string of losses to the dragons and secured a major victory for their cause.
Failing to find the path to Chuth’s lair and horde, the party begins their journey back to Waterdeep. They stop by Altand to let the settlers know the true fate of the dragon threat in the Misty Forest. Even the warden Galin is shocked to know that the figure he struck a deal with was the lost son Neronvain. Seebo also takes the time during the journey to identify the mask, proving it is the true Green Dragon Mask. It is a quick and easy discussion to turn it over to the metallic dragons on their return to Waterdeep knowing one of them will be there for protection. Several days later they get their chance as Otaaryliakkarnos greets them shortly after making their way in the Undercliff of Waterdeep. She is pleased, and a bit surprised, and the success the group of ‘humans’ have had in the Misty Forest. She welcomes the offer of the mask and takes it for safe keeping.
Tobin’s Revenge has several days to kill before Lady Silverhand can call the full council to session. During this time EKIM makes further improvements on his so far successful shrine. Sariel pays a visit to the Silver Bough alone to speak with Thessalindra about her time in this realm. Seebo works on some items for the group’s less visually inclined, producing one set of night goggles. Finally the day of the council meeting is upon them. They arrive early to prepare themselves with hopes of a few meetings ahead of the main council gathering. They call King Melandrach to let him know of their discovery prior to making their main report to the council. He becomes more stoic than normal, perhaps even angry for a regal elf, when presented with the correspondences of Neronvain. He leaves, with papers in hand, before the party can protest.
At the council meeting the information regarding the dragon council and the misty forest is received with mixed feelings. No council members can claim that Tobin’s Revenge has not made great strides towards their goal, but they are also not all happy with the methods. While the support of the metallic dragons is to be celebrated, the concessions the party made to win the dragons over has put off many of the factions at the table. The news of Neronvain being the Green Wrymspeaker is as shockful within this group as it was with the elves of Altand. When questioned directly by the council, King Melandrach, presenting the letters, meeking confirms the claims of Tobin’s Revenge.
The council has no doubts that the cult needs to be stopped, but they are also not fully ready to commit the full power of the members within the council room to the cause. Most are ready, but the ones that have doubts are necessary to persuade before confronting the cult at the Well of Dragons. New information is brought forth. There is word of a defector from the cult, wanting to to meet as Xonthal’s Tower. The council feels there is a good chance it is a trap but leave the final decision with Tobin’s Revenge on whether to pursue the lead or not. Lady Silverhand also reveals that the ruler of Thay has sent an envoy to the Waterdeep. The Thayans wish to have a conversation to see if the will of the council and Thay can be aligned. Travel to Thay is promised to be swift and safe if the invitation is accepted. With no other business the meeting is closed and the members disperse throughout the palace.
In the late afternoon, the party is finishing up their reports and subsequent private meetings in their provided offices. Several members have taken to relaxing and enjoying drinks and food provided by Lady Silverhand as the Open Lord of Waterdeep. EKIM is complaining about the guard that kept following him around the palace, stripping notices to visit his shrine from the walls as quickly as EKIM could place them. It is ironic that this same guard abruptly enters the office, closing the doors quickly behind him. Several members begin to notice the sounds of conflict building on the other side of the doors. As the guard turns to speak, he holds a knife embedded in his chest.
As the guard opens his mouth to speak, a sound overtakes the room from outside on the balcony. It is the wet, heavy sound of something enormous moving too fast. The outer wall comes apart as stone and time become projectiles in the room. All present are either flung against the walls or knocked to the ground as the unmistakable weight of something massive fills the room, yet is obscured by the dust and debris. First comes the massive thud as the whole palace shakes once again. Next comes the deep resonating voice from somewhere outside, clear as a bell with the missing wall. “To the pitiful lords of Waterdeep. Your precious cavalry is being shattered, your citizens are in peril, and your pathetic draconic protector is no more. Bring us the traitor Varram, the stolen mask, and the murders of our kin. Do this and your city will cease to suffer more.” The dust begins to settle. Those closest to the windows can see outside as the Griffon Cavalry battles a large green dragon and in the far distance the faint silver figure of a large dragon being set upon by a plethora of smaller flying creatures. Those near the opening out onto the balcony feel the impact as a black dragon lands on the edge and peers into the gaping hole. It bellows into the air, “They’re here!”.
Session Date – 10 July 2026
Roster
- Belgwyn (NPC)
- Dennis
- EKIM
- Groz
- Hupp
- Divad
- Sariel
- Seebo