The Lost Mines - Chpt. 11: Dragons....and treachery

General Summary

Tarsahk 22nd 1486; Morning
The group, upon waking up, were greeted by Anders and Harbek. They said the druid greeted them, then said he needed to run off. On his way out he mentioned to Anders and Harbek about the plan to confront the green dragon; promptly walking away after saying that. Leaving Anders and Harbek with jaws dropped, they then asked the rest of the group for details.   After breakfast and a confab, the group decided to find out more about these strangers at the east edge of the ruins.   The group made their way over to the southeast ruins, to find a building in better shape than the rest. Finding the front door to be locked, Bludgarm used arcane lock on it, to make sure no one would come out and get the jump on them. After that, “Mister” knocked on the side entrance and to their surprise, was “greeted” by a couple individuals. They offered to parlay and Bludgarm and “Mister” went inside to talk. The leader, Favric, introduced himself. He asked if their were any others in the group...after a moment of pondering, “Mister” said yes. Favric asked out the open door if the others would like to come in, to which, Bree said “thanks but no”. To that, Favric asked that the door be closed, as there are “many dangerous things lurking in the ruins”.   Agreeing to this, in the interest of showing good will, the door was closed and the party split. Mister and Bludgarm now noticed there were six cultists, including the leader, Favric. Favric then conversed with the party. Asking what they were doing there and “Mister” answered. They were trying to clear the ruins of creatures and drive off the dragon. Favric answered for his group, saying they were here to “treat” with the dragon. He openly shared that he and his group worship dragons, they are members of the “Cult of the Dragon” and intended to befriend it.   “Mister” asked what they knew about the dragon: it's demanor, name, etc. To this end, Favric had no solid answers, stating that is part of why they are here. Bludgarm interrupted, asking: “Your not all such fanatics that your going to let your God eat you, are you?”. Favric looked at Bludgarm wearily, saying: “Why would we ever do that!?”. Genuinely surprised that such a crazy thought would come to mind, much less be asked it. “We mean to worship the dragon, not give ourselves over to it. Our dying would defeat the purpose of worshipping it.” Mister confirmed with an insight check that Favric was telling the truth.   Mister and Bludgarm, as a point of inquiry, asked what the group plans to offer to the dragon? One of the cultists was hesitant, but after Favric nodded to the cultist, they showed the three diamonds they planned to offer (each worth 100gp).   After a little more back and forth, getting a handle on each other's motives and whether to trust one another, both sides agreed to meet the dragon together.   Upon leaving the building, Mister did say that Bludgarm should leave first, as he magically locked the one door. To this, Favric looked a little leery, but was willing to dismiss his concerns in the interests of cooperation.   Side note: Little does the party know that Favric plans to offer up the group as tribute to the dragon.   Tarsahk 22nd 1486; Late Morning
The group headed northward, towards the town square. On the way, it was noticed that more of the twig monsters, precisely six, were in and around a ruin to the groups left flank.   After a brief moment of conversation and some hesitation due to unknowing if the cultists would “jump” the group in the middle of battle, Mister, Bludgarm with a volley of damage into the twig blights. Following on their heels, Favric stepped up next to Mister, drew his weapon and fought alongside them. The other cultists did the same and in short order the twig blights were dealt with.   However, Favric took a reasonable wound on the right side of his abdomen, along with a couple members of the party getting injured. Harbek was able to treat the wounds, to which the group moved on their way.   “Mister” put his hand out for a “fist bump”, to which Favric looked at it oddly for a moment (Mister thought Favric might leave him hanging for a moment), then he gently “fist bumped” back.   The group, intermingled with each other, slowly made their way up the path to the wizards cottage and tower. Noticing two giant spiders that appeared to have been mauled (not including the other two the group dispatched the night before). There was also the notice that there were no birds or insect sounds within the area.   Making their way into the cottage, they were promptly greeted by a sinister voice in the tower. At which, Mister, looked to Favric to take the lead. Favric, walked into the tower, greeted the dragon and proceeded to talk with him in Draconic.   During Favric’s talking with the Green Dragon, Bludgarm was able to tell that he was talking in a form of broken Draconic. He wasn't sure if this was a slightly different dialect of Draconic or if Favric actually wasn't as proficient in Draconic as was assumed.   Only part of the discussion was heard. Bludgarm heard them talking about tribute and gifts for the dragon, but not specifically what “gifts”.   Shortly there after, everyone was invited into the tower and the dragon “greeted” them. At this point, Favric introduced everyone, there was a bit of talk, followed by the green dragon commenting that “Such sweet morsels for tribute, how delicious”.   A fight broke out, with Bludgarm and Harbek closest to the dragon (& next to Favric). As everyone worked their way back into the cottage, Bludgarm stood and fought, with Harbek directly behind him, keeping him healed. Once in the cottage, Harbek and Bludgarm retreated, narrowly missing attacks from Favric and a cultists still in the tower.   As the party started to take out cultists, Favric saw that things may not be in his favor. As Bludgarm closed the door between the tower and cottage, he saw Favric turn into a Misty form and then whisk out one of the arrow slit windows, leaving a cultist alone with the dragon. The dragon, now locked in the tower and agitated, mauled the lone cultist, which everyone heard.   The party quickly dealt with the remaining cultists as the dragon climbed out the tower.   Moving outside, the party thought it would be best to deal with the dragon in front of the cottage. Quickly setting up a formation, so not everyone was bunched up, the group prepared as the dragon crawled over the roof. At this point he wasted no time introducing the party to a “small gift”....his breath weapon. It immediately took out Harbek. The others retreated back to the cottage, dealing as much damage as possible. However, “Mister” was torn: leave his friend Harbek here and retreat to the cottage, or attempted to save Harbek and potentially get both of themselves killed.   Weighing the options, he retreated to the cottage hoping to finish the dragon in time to save Harbek. Unfortunately, the last act as they drove the dragon off, Venomfang made it a point to kill and maul Harbek’s lifeless body.   “I have no more time or patience for you. I have more important things to deal with. However, we will meet again strangers, and it will not be in your favor” were the last words Venomfang uttered to the party, before taking flight. The party, stepping out as Venomfang flew off, were able to see him swoop down at the edge of the ruined village of Thundertree and heard a great commotion. Venomfang had killed their horse and destroyed their wagon. After which, he continued on his way.   Tarsahk 22nd 1486; Afternoon
The party buried Harbek behind the cottage, each saying a few words. Solemnly, they headed back to Reidoth’s home, the Druids Watch. The group sat around most of the day, quietly reflecting on things. When Reidoth returned, they filled him in on the events, to which he asked if it would be alright for him to druidcraft a small headstone and some flowers around Harbek's grave. The party said it would be greatly appreciated.   Tarsahk 23rd 1486; Morning
The morning was warm and sunny, especially for an early spring. The mist that seemed to pervade the forest, brought on by the dragon, started to drastically subside. The group gave their farewells to Reidoth, hoping to see him again. Reidoth said he would and that he will attempt to visit Phandalin and Anders’ aunt more often. With that, the party began their trek back to Neverwinter.