"Argos!" Cried Nemean with excitement, "You have impeccable timing my friend, thank you for assistance against this fearsome beast. Ah... but we just left your kinsfolk behind in Phandalin. Nundro is reunited with Gundren, they and Thulgrim have taken over as stewards of the lost mine. Surely the fates have thought it fit to reward us with another mighty Rockseeker warrior to fight by our side." He shakes Argos's hand and embraces his old companion. "Have you any sings of the Dragon or our old druid friend?"

"So Nundro and Tharden finally showed their faces, did they? I'm glad to hear it. Been lookin' for 'em for too long," Argos sighs.

"I don't know about no druid, but I been keepin' an eye on the trail, warnin' folks that wander by. The dragon's stayed in its tower last day or so. Saw some grisly signs along the High Road, looked like the dragon had a good scuffle with a crew, and looked like the dragon won," he says. "Been hopin' to see ye folk, if I'm bein' honest. I take it ye came to get that monster gone, yeah? I figured ye could use some help."

Nemean bows his head and places his hand on Argos’s shoulder. “Tharden didn’t make it I’m afraid. We found his body in the mines and returned him to his kinsfolk for a proper send off. I’m sorry for your loss my friend.”

Argos grimaces and gives a nod to Nemean. "Thank ye for returnin' him. And thank ye for findin' him, and bringin' Nundro back too. It was more than I was able to do, and I been lookin' for 'em since I left ye."

"Now then...do ye need to rest, or shall we be off to Thundertree? There's a dragon to slay," he asks.

Finna shook off the bear appearance and joined the conversation: "Some of us wounded, so, at least a bit of a rest would help, though we can rest in the wagon if you ride it and the road allows such travel. I do not like it that you have not seen Reidoth - he was stationed here to watch over the dragon, I fear the worst. Anything else you can tel us about the beast? Is it still alone?"

"Well if he's an old druid, as Nemean says, I could have seen 'im a hunnerd times by now. I've only been to the outskirts of that little town, though, so I can't tell ye much about it. Judgin' by the hole in the tower on top o' the hill, I'd say that's where yer dragon is, but I weren't fool enough to get closer meself," Argos answers.

"We're only a half hour or so from the path into Thundertree on foot. How are we approachin'? Do ye wanna rest here or in yer wagon?"

Nix thinks for a moment before replying, "The dragon will hear the wagon coming. I know I'm the rookie of the party but, I'd recommend we rest here then approach as stealthily as possible."

Nemean nods in agreeement. “Aye, we can hide the wagon under some of the brush and make our way in foot first thing after our rest.”

Finna did not mind walking, helped to hid the wagon and took a short rest like other's (natural recovery for the spent slot).

OOC: Characters have gained the benefits of a short rest.

Roland Hit Die: 10
Roland Hit Die: 10
Roland Hit Die: 3
Roland Hit Die: 4

After catching your breath and hiding the wagon alongside this patch of forest, you continue on toward Thundertree.

Gradually, the trail becomes an old, overgrown lane winding between dilapidated buildings choked in vines and brush. Ahead of you, in the middle of the settlement, rises a steep hill, upon which stands a stone tower with a partially collapsed roof and an adjoining cottage. A dirt road hugs the base of the hill and wends its way between old stone houses, many of which are roofless ruins with interiors open to the weather. Other buildings appear more or less intact. The whole place is eerily silent.

A wooden sign is nailed to a post nearby. It reads:

"DANGER! Plant monsters AND zombies! Turn back now!"

If Finna remembers where Reidoth preferred to stay here (after all, she helped him to watch over the dragon) she would lead the small party straight to that place (in hope to find old druid there).

Otherwise, she would suggest to the group to stay in that first house to the left (the most top open one) and go scouting in a shape she spent so much time in - Giant Wolf Spider

OOC: The last time Finna was here, Reidoth was sheltering in the building to the southwest.

OOC: Then this is where we are going

"I would feel better if we at least try to find Reidoth. Would you mind if we first check his house here?"

Nemean equips his longbow and dashes off to the southwest, he uses his catlike agility to stealthily scale an old ruin wall that sat adjacent to an even older tree. He scanned the surroundings atop his perch, all the while moving as quietly as he could.

The small house to the southwest appears to be in better condition than the ruined and dilapidated structures nearby. The doors are reinforced with heavy iron bands, and thick shutters protect the windows.

If there was any special way between Finna and Reidoth to announce their presence to each other - Finna used it.

In case no precaution ever existed, she would simply knock on the door.

OOC: There certainly can be!

"Finna," a voice comes from a nearby squirrel that has taken the form of an old gaunt human with a long white beard. "It's stuck again. You brought them. Well done."

Nemean and Finna recognize Reidoth. He is quiet, and speaks as if doing so is unfamiliar to him. He eyeballs Nemean, nodding in recognition, then looks over Nix. His brow furrows; he grunts and says, "You were the survivor."

"Sorry it took that long, we had to deal with other things before." Reidoth was never an affectionate one and she did not expect a hug (nor was going to give one). "Yes, this is the last victim. The one that lived. Any movements in the lair since then?"

Reidoth grunts, taking a meditative pose next to the stuck entryway of the building. "I understand. You did well," he says, "The dragon returned yesterday. It has not emerged since."

Nemean grins upon seeing the squirrel morph into the man before them, recognizing Reidoth. However his face turns stoic and emotionless as they discuss the attack on Nix and his companions. 

“Reidoth, do you know where the creature’s lair is? If we can use stealth to our advantage, and ambush it, we can stop more innocent blood from being shed.”