Early morning- River’s Crossing Inn
After stopping the vile barghest ritual, one of the captives, Lord Mathias Drosund, thanks us for rescuing him. As it turns out he is a friend of Lord Eric Indaren in River’s Crossing, a powerful human. He mentions that we would be rewarded if we go back to meet Lord Indaren. Before we begin our journey back, however, a large white dragon flies overhead, strangely similar to the dragon that melted before our eyes.

Upon reaching River’s Crossing, we find the town on edge, having seen the winged creature fly overhead. Querying the guards, we are told Lord Indaren sent a scouting party to investigate. Our party, however, is exhausted and Lord Mathias offers to put us up in an inn, which we gladly accept. In town, we come across a crier spouting conspiracy theories threatening the end of the world. Interestingly, the wild-eyed crier accuses Lord Indaren of allying with the elves and that the dragon is part of the forces to help the elves win the war. Gale, skeptical of the vehement commentary, challenges the crier, but does not get anymore useful information from him. We continue to the inn and collapse in exhaustion.

Afternoon – Illithid Ruins, south of River’s Crossing
We wake up later that day after staying at the inn and go directly to see Lord Indaren. At the door to the throne room, I overhear whispering between 2 people, Lord Indaren and his advisor, Varison Dargur we later discover. They argued over which allies to call for aid; the Brimmahg Confederacy, Illithid Deepguard, or Wolfos tribes. The page introduces us to the lord and the advisor seems to be interested in us, looking our way, having heard of our deeds. Lord Indaren rewards us for our help rescuing Lord Drosund, and then we offer our help with either the dragon scouting party or with the elves. The lord of River’s Crossing explains that Knight Derrack Grisholm was sent out with his retinue to find the dragon and task us with following up on the scouting party.

Departing River’s Crossing yet again, we travel to the south, finding the knight and his retinue easily. The dragon, they say, is just a little farther in a clearing yet they had not made contact with it. Curiosity getting the better of us, me especially, we approach the great white beast, noting its injuries. Manifesting Tongues, I advance, words of a strange language stating our peaceful and inquisitive intentions. It is able to understand my speech and while guarded, is not hostile. Strangely, however, the dragon does not speak instead using hand (or claw) signals which I am not able to grasp, even under the effects of my power, that is, until it touches me and I feel a rush power and understanding.

With the dragon and I finally on the same page, I begin my questioning as well as relay Gale’s offer for restorative magic. It tells us that its wounds are deep and cannot be healed by mortal magic, saying that it fought some abominations, some dark creatures in the Bittercold. I ask what creatures, but the dragon defers, wishing not to speak of them. I ask his name, to which he signs at length, the full name escaping me as I write this. Thankfully, he offers a name we can remember. The newly dubbed Frostfang explains that many of his kind are being hunted- “they” are coming and the foretold time is upon us. Apparently, a prophecy was made by their elders and though Frostfang doesn’t know much about it, he offers the location of the inscription; the dragons’ ancient home in the Bittercold.

Suddenly, a robed figure interrupts our discussion. He explains he wishes to speak with the dragon, and I offer my newfound interpretation, first asking his concealed friend to step out of the bushes. He explains that they are “students of power” from the university and they want to ask the dragon for some of its power in return for some service. Sensing darker intentions, we challenge their honesty which prompts an ill-conceived attack. Frostfang aids us with a mighty breath of ice and we defeat the “students”, slaying one and binding the other two to await justice at the hands of Lord Indaren. Honestly, I am curious to know why they thought they could best not only the four of us, but also a gigantic (though slightly wounded) dragon…

After some discussion, we split up the party; I go with Frostfang to find a safer place to hide in some Illithid ruins, while the others take the 2 prisoners we incapacitated back for questioning with Lord Indaren. I talk with the dragon on the way to the ruins, and he explains about his life so far, but still refuses to discuss the creatures that attacked him. I ask him for the location of the ancient home in the Bittercold, but it is much farther north than any map shows and even if we could find it, the Bittercold would kill any mortal, just from the climate alone. He also says it took him weeks to fly here, while injured. Curiously, Frostfang, and others of his kin draw on the energies of Daern for power and restoration, which makes sense why, while helpful, Gale’s mortal magic could not aid such a large creature to heal its heavy wounds. For it is taught in Wolfos culture that drawing on the energies of Daern itself is a feat not capable of mere mortals. At this point I look upon Frostfang with new eyes, and new questions- is he a god? How long has he been alive? While I knew he could not be one of the nine of creation, could he be a descendent, an avatar? Or blessed by the gods? Were others of his kin the same, making dragons a race of the divine? These questions float through my mind, begging answers.

For now, however, I put down my quill and my curiosity; the thunder of hoof beats signal the arrival of my companions.