Tarja knew for sure but Elra also recalls Gundren mentioning his brothers back during their first meeting in Neverwinter.  Sadly their dwarven recruiter now clings to Elra, trembling and looking about wide eyed but otherwise willing to shuffle along with her.

In thinking about what is likely the first ever encounter with a dragon for anyone in the party, certainly a chromatic dragon with their reputation for 'less than admirable' demeanors, Tarja and Ethan recall a bit more beyond that which most people know about dragons.  Not only do many have magic in their blood, but many can actually wield magic.  In addition to that, Elra knows that dragons often seek out lairs they can defend, and that their territories and especially the lair can be infused with deep magic.  Fae has actually seen some research on the magic of dragons, but found conflicting reports.  Some suggest the dragon's blood can manifest in innate casting ability like that of sorcerers, others suggested that the magic comes from the gods, especially Bahamut or Tiamat, while others suggest a dragon might study magic over centuries much like a wizard.  Some sources suggested that any combination of the three could be accurate depending on the dragon.

As the party looks outside to the west of the castle a campfire had been lit while a hunk of meat cooks over it on a spit.  Nearby the now agitated and fearful goat is tied to a stake in the ground.  Not far beyond, only about 150 ft or so from the castle sits a huge green dragon that is bigger than one of the castle's towers when one takes into account it's long tail, neck, legs and of course the wings.  In the darkness that has now fallen the moon and the campfire illuminate the long shapes of the dragon with its distinctive crest running up its back and up over its head.  Glints of forest, emerald, and olive green scales reflect the light of the campfire as do its large green eyes when it lowers its head to sniff and toy with the goat.

Elra gently guides Gundren along, her blanket bundled up in her arms in case he needs it. If he suddenly wants to stop, Elra doesn't question it and stays behind with him, letting the party keep moving forward.

If Gundren doesn't resist continuing moving forward, when they make it to the west tower she has him set down nearby and wraps her blanket around his shoulders before going to peak out on of the slats to look at the dragon. Her eyes go wide, "Wow... he's really big... how are you going to handle him?"

Arvel rolls his shoulder to loosen them and pops his lip a couple of times in a stage exercise.

"With panache!" and he winks at Elra, feeling bolstered by her presence.

Stepping forward to just outside  the circle of fire light.

"I see now I was right to be wary of your ominous might. I apologize to your excellency for delaying our meeting. I, the Black Spider, stand humbled in your presence, Dragon."

Zeke follows Arvel/Spider's lead and approaches the dragon.  Keeping his blade sheathed but his hand resting on the pommel, the barbarian stands just slightly ahead and to the side of the charlatan.

As Arvel and Zeke take the lead on presenting themselves to the dragon they can feel that its presence is palpable in the very air around them, a slight tingle manifesting on the back of their necks. His eyes go wide as Arvel speaks his false name and he lowers his head and stretches his neck out from the shadows, his nostrils flaring some as he sniffs at a the air for a second before speaking.  When he does speak, his orotund voice and the deep rumble coming from his belly echo off of the castle walls but also are contrasted just a bit by long S's and a silvery quality that bring on a smoother, almost seductive tone. 

"The Black Sspider reveals himself at lasst, and is a drow no lesss!  Fascinating...  I have been patient, but was starting to fear that I could not trust these goblins to introduce usss.  It is fortunate that I no longer have to consider...other... methodss of motivation.  Such thoughts are quite...dreadful.  It is wise of you to address me properly, but 'dragon' will not do.  You may call me... Venomfang."

"It is a curious thing that the drow travels with a tiefling as well.  I was not aware.  Our names are known, infernal one, so I would have yourss."

Venomfang bobs his head a little as he sniffs slightly in Zeke's direction.

As Elra helps Grundren to the new area Fae would offer a hand to Ethan to help him pick himself up off the floor, "You're welcomed to join us upfront with the dragon, or remain at the castle with Elra and Gundren. Either way, I'd definitely feel better knowing you've got an eye on our backs too." She'd offer him a smile with a nod.

Once Ethan, Elra and Gundren were situated and ready, Fae would coax Edgar out of her hair bun onto her arm. "Be my eyes in the sky." She'll whisper to him before sending him off to the skies. The wizard will then pop her hood up over her head and trot out the entrance to catch up to the others. She'd take position behind Zeke, Arvel and Tarja, but off to the side to ensure she had a full view of the legendary beast to commit to memory. When Venomfang inhaled, it was as if he sucked the breath out of her. Fae didn't just hear what the dragon said, she felt it with every fibre of her body. She remained as still as she could be, trying to breathe as silently as possible. Her eyes would follow Venomfang's, from the Black Spider, to Zeke.

Ethan takes Fae's hand with a smile, bending down to once he is standing, to retrieve the shield and store it away.

"Well, I don't think I will be much use in any social interaction with a dragon, and my combat capabilities allow for long range, so I think I will keep Elra and Gundren company."

"Stay safe out there, ok?"

Ethan follows Elra and helps her settle Gundren, although he seems not to know what to do with his traumatised friend, he just following Elra's lead.

Ethan then directs his Eldritch Canon to climb up onto the wall/ceiling, so that it can aim its barrel out of the top of the arrow slit.

Ethan then joins Elra, looking out at the dragon.

"Yeah the books don't really give you the real sense of scale do they?"

Ethan watches as Arvel, Zeke, Targa in her spider form, and Fae following behind, head out and address the dragon.

The shield pipes up "what's happening?"  "Is everyone...nervous?  Is there danger?  Oh dear... oh dear... I can tell... don't let it hurt me!  Don't let it hurt him!  Please!"

"Should I take a look at him while we're waiting here?" Elra asks, looking back to Gundren to make sure he's okay.

Ethan shrugs with a clueless look on his face.

"I honestly don't know what to do. If any major accidents happened at the university, the medical department always looked after them."

"I wasn't even allowed to see people until they where mostly fine again."

"I don't know what's wrong with Gundren and I don't know what to do to help, sorry."

"I meant the shield," Elra says quietly.

"Oh..."

Ethan's cheeks go red, as he opens the compressed space compartment of his gauntlet.

Ethan pulls the shield out and hands it to Elra.

"Here you go."

Ethan goes back to silently watching the others, his cheeks still red.

Tarja skitters alongside the "Black Spider", not wanting to go in front or lag too far behind. Eventually she settles just a bit in front and to the side, like Zeke but on the other side.

"Great Venomfang, this is my bodyguard Brinzak. He's terribly overprotective of me and I have finally tired of his worrisome nature and decided to meet with you.

Have our offerings been sufficient? How may I serve?"

Deleted post entirely - my post from yesterday somehow got lost in the interwebs :) 

Elra takes the shield from Ethan and moves closer to Gundren and sits down. "Hello Mr. Shield," she says with a smile. "I'm going to check you out to see if you're alright."

A deep rumble comes from Venomfang's belly as he chuckles a little at the introduction of 'Brinzak'.  "Perhaps Brinzak is wiser than you give him credit for.  Iss it not 'noble' to try and protect those who cannot protect themselves?"

"Offerings?  What offerings do you speak of?  Your filthy little sservants bring me my dinner at times, but I have received no more, nor have I asked for it, beyond to meet with you, that is.  I am not greedy with those who know their place in my domain.  Since you mention it, however, what is it that you offer?  You would be wise to do so since you have entered my domain and refused to meet with me, all the while sssearching for...sssomething...?"  At mention of his dinner, Venomfang ficks at the goat with a claw and chuckles a little as it topples over, bleating all the while.  While the dragon seemed amused about Brinzak and even the mention of offerings, he seems slightly more serious about his interest in what the Spider might be searching for, narrowing his gaze when inquiring about the Spider's search.

The shield replies "oh, hello!"  "Are we still in danger?  I tried to be brave, but the death...so much death... and the shadow.  I just don't...ah...hmmm....didn't want him to get hurt."