Dragon duty

The party was preparing to travel north to investigate the fate of the kobold village. They had received word that the village, once a thriving dwarven facility for smelting and iron trade, had fallen silent. Known as "Iron Town" in the past, it was a place where dwarves had once made their home. Even though the dwarves had abandoned it centuries ago, the locals still referred to it by its old name.

After the Hateful Wars ended in 510, a silver dragon took in a group of kobolds, hoping to guide them toward rehabilitation. This led to the establishment of a peaceful trading hub in Iron Town, where the dragon, Sarinox, vigilantly guarded against the taint of the Shadowfell that seeped into the nearby Phostwood. Under her guidance, the kobolds made significant progress, and the village flourished. In gratitude for their efforts, Sarinox even entrusted the kobold with her two young hatchlings to raise.

However, a year ago, contact with the village suddenly ceased. The adventurers set out to investigate what had happened. Following the river north, they soon spotted a winged figure soaring in the sky—a kobold Urd, undoubtedly acting as a scout.

When the creature noticed the party, it threw a flask of alchemical fire in front of them, slowing their progress as it flew toward Iron Town. Though the adventurers attempted to fire arrows at the Urd, the flames from the flask created enough of a distance for it to escape. It was clear that the kobolds were aware of their approach and were not eager for company.

The party continued, reaching a point where the river was flanked by towering cliffs. A narrow staircase, leading fifty feet up the cliffside, led to an opening. Further along, a bridge connected two openings of a cave system on opposite sides of the river. At the foot of the stairs, a rusted plaque in dwarven read "Iron Town," while a note in common painted on the cliffside simply stated, "No treespazing."

As Elera stepped onto the first stair, a booming voice called out, "Welcome to Iron Town!" Startled, the elven rogue stumbled slightly as another voice echoed, "The eastern freeland's finest smelting facility!" It became clear that the dwarves had enchanted the entrance to the facility long ago, and the kobolds had since repurposed it as a warning system.

Elera, ever vigilant, noticed small magical runes glowing at the inner corners of each step. Cautiously, she scratched out the runes as she ascended, silencing the disruptive alarms. The rest of the party followed, with Chord and Douglas staying behind to keep watch.

When the group reached the top, the double doors at the cliffside entrance suddenly flew open, revealing a red Urd holding a staff in its claws. The kobold’s scales were marred with splotches of shimmering black mist, reminiscent of the dark crystal fragments the party had encountered at the temple. It was clear: this kobold was tainted by the Shadowfell.

"Go way!" the kobold shouted, extending a claw. With a sudden burst of wind, the adventurers were sent tumbling over the edge of the cliff and into the river below.

"None shall disturb Sarinox the great!" the Urd bellowed.

The adventurers, recovering from their fall, seized the opportunity to parley with the tainted kobold. They learned that Sarinox, the silver dragon, was still the protector of Achordia. However, something had changed over the past year. Sarinox had been corrupted by dark powers, and the kobolds had split into two factions: those who continued to follow Sarinox, now imbued with her dark energies, and those who clung to the original teachings of the dragon. Those who followed Sarinox were now required to sacrifice others to her every month in exchange for her dark blessings.

The party quickly devised a plan to trick the kobolds into believing they were willing sacrifices. Griks, the Urd, fell for the deception and led them to individual rooms. The group was guided through what once had been a vibrant trading area, now in disrepair, a clear sign that the village had not seen true use since the split in the kobold clan. The rooms they were shown to were simple and functional, clearly once intended as an inn for travelers. It was obvious that, not long ago, the kobolds had genuinely tried to create a peaceful and civilized settlement.

Once left alone, Elera wasted no time in escaping her bindings and freeing Chord. She carefully disarmed the traps set on the doors and unlocked each one, allowing the party to gather their belongings. They navigated their way through the cave system, but before they could reach the final exit, they were confronted by a hallway filled with kobolds, two Urds, and a massive blue drake.

The kobolds wasted no time, launching a vicious attack. Griks hurled a fireball at the party while crossbows fired from all directions. The adventurers scattered, seeking cover. Barluk, in a fit of rage, charged forward, cleaving through the first kobold and striking the drake. Tyr fired bolts from his crossbow, Elera unleashed arrows, and Douglas cast bolts of flame.

Vincent advanced, summoning a blast of thunder and lightning that surged down the hallway, hurling two kobolds into the river below. Douglas, with a few muttered incantations, summoned a cloud of enchanted sand that caused several kobolds to collapse into a deep sleep.

The drake lunged for Tyr, but Barluk swiftly decapitated the creature. One of the remaining kobold loosed a crossbow bolt at Chord, but the monk caught the bolt midair and hurled it back, striking the kobold in the neck.

As the battle raged on, Griks was roused from his slumber and, realizing defeat was imminent, opened a magical portal to escape. The remaining kobolds were swiftly dispatched, and the adventurers collected one of the Urds and the head of the drake.

They made their way back to Achordia, determined to report their findings to Leinad.