"But what of Sparkrender? He still lives and will likely continue to be a menace, " Z says, "as for friendship, I am willing to begin such, with both of us teaching the other the ways of the world through their eyes."

Sir Beauregard drinks deeply from his mug.  “We are a band of friends, Aidron, each finding ourselves here for one reason or another.  We have chosen to help each other and those who need our aid.  This is the lesson.  This is how good triumphs over evil.  We will stand by your side and see what comes.”  Finishing the drink, he reaches for the largest pile of food he can find among the small dishes served by the kobolds. Then he turns to Zeigler, “Have no fear of Sparkrender.  We bested him once without Aidron at our side and we can do so again.  For my part, I fear that he may undertake his ritual in secret while we wait for Runara.  I hope he comes to extract his revenge and to meet his doom.  Now his Author, that is a danger we cannot guess at.  If this ally is beyond us, then we may simply die heroically.  So be it, I say!”  He sets to work eating with enthusiasm.

Chapter 4 - The Author

11th Day of Uktar, 1491 DR

Dragon's Rest Cloister

Evening

A handful of disquietingly uneventful days have come and gone. The congregation gave Mistress Runara a fond farewell as she departed for the mainland, in search of aid.

Zeigler, feeling duty bound to return to his monastery manages to find passage on a whaling vessel that made anchor offshore. The ship was compelled to stop in response to strange, unpredictable weather patterns and ocean currents that seem to be radiating from the island.

They were eager to depart and delighted to have a defender of Zeigler's caliber join their company as they voyaged eastward. The monk promised to deliver word about the fate of Willion Cromwell and fulfill your previous assignment. Then he was off, to pursue his own path.

Enough days have passed in peace and silence since that day that the cloister managed to falls back into an easy routine, albeit with increased training and security measures in place.

In that time, an informal leadership council has emerged to discuss the unique concerns of the cloister. The eight member council consists of Varnoth, Tarak, Agga, Aidron and the four of you. You gather tonight in the temple to discuss the latest updates.

Agga reports that patrols of winged kobolds continue to circle the island but find no sign of the blue wyrmling. Either he's left the island or he's lairing in some corner you have not yet discovered.

She hears tales from her scouting kobolds about a hooded humanoid figure seen in fleeting moments in the wilderness. Though the inconsistency of the descriptions and the tendency of the kobolds to embellish their discoveries makes the reports suspect to say the least.

Varnoth suggests that everyone stays the course and focus on defense and pull back on the kobold scouting expedition. No news is good news. Preparing for an inevitable attack is the cloister's best hope at survival until the mistress returns. Scouting missions leave the kobolds vulnerable for attack or worse... a repeat of their previous defection.

Aidron dissents. He agrees that the cloister must prepare, but suggests taking a proactive approach to hunt down any leads might prevent Sparkrender from marshaling any yet-unknown power that might far exceed what the cloister can prepare for.

Tarak says there's no right answer. Rather, everyone needs to keep faith in their three advantages... The strength of the cloister's numbers and community, their inside knowledge of the enemy's plans, and the blessing of Bahamut, who will forever ensure that justice has a chance to prevail.

The council now looks to the four of you for your input, perspectives and ideas....

Sir Beauregard nods to Aidron.  “I share your fear.  I would gladly hunt down any lead we had if you and Varnoth were to remain here to protect the kobolds.  It is a risk, but so is doing nothing.  Still, what leads do we have?  None, I think.  Wandering the wilderness looking for a hooded figure seems unlikely to succeed.” He makes a mental note to retrieve the Owlbear whistle if they set off at some point.

Augustus chews on the end of his unlit pipe, considering their options. "I think Aidron has a point. That ritual at the observatory would likely have been completed if we hadn't sought answers and been there to stop it. Waiting here is only staying out of their way. Preparation is always a good idea but we have to know what to prepare for, or we're likely to be caught in dead water with no paddle. I agree that the usual scouting parties should be kept safe here, but I would be more than happy to take over in their stead."

Morlock chimes in as well. “I think our best service is out there disrupting their plans. “

“Then can anyone suggest a focus for our search?  If nothing else we could go to where the hooded figure was last seen I suppose.”

Aidron responds to Sir Beauregard. "That is certainly one place to start... It's also worth considering that the blue dragon and his secret ally might have abandoned their attempts at utilizing the cosmic power of the King Killer Star, since their access to the observatory has been compromised. They may have reverted to one of the earlier, abandoned plans..."

He regards all the members of the party."...one was to locate the source of necromantic magic in the northern archipelago... but it seems you've already neutralized that power source."

He leans forward, for emphasis. "The other was to explore the island's depths in attempt to awaken Sharruth himself. That is the plan that has me most concerned. For, if that mad gambit succeeds. It would be a catastrophe, not just for this cloister, but for the entire Sword Coast."

Varnoth sits up straight, troubled and activated by that notion. "Alright then... What would they need to accomplish such a goal?"

Aidron shakes his head, "I'm unsure. When he first brought up the idea, I pushed back hard... I had no interest in exploring such a dangerous scheme. I thought Sparkrender had let the matter die... But the notes in that journal you found suggest otherwise... All I know for certain is they'd need to find an access point to reach the island's fiery inner core... Not just any old cavern.... It would need to be a place where the remnant elemental magic of the fallen greatwyrm seeps to the surface, leaving a trail for Sparkrender and his mysterious ally to follow."

He looks to the council, searching everyone's faces to see if they know of such a place.

“There is such a place within the cavern of the Myconids.”  Sir Beauregard stands.  “We must go there, then, for Sparkrender will slay them to get to it.”

Vinn gives a pointed look to the members of the cloister, specially Tarak. "The fumes are strong-- it's basically poison if everyone is breathing a concentration of it. They gave Sunesa some special stuff to fight the disease, I'm hoping they'll join our cause and gives us of their supplies to enter deeper."

A jolt of realization passes through Tarak.

"Gods..." He says, growing ashen. "You're quite right. And they have no means of communicating their distress to the world beyond their cavern. At the very least we should send a party down to investigate..." 

Aidron, looking eager to act adds, "I'll lead the way."

But Varnoth objects. "No. We do not know what Sparkrender and his ally have planned. If the best of the cloister's defenders are heading southward, we need robust defenses here. I'm an experienced soldier and we've done well training the kobolds, but not enough to face a dragon alone."

Aidron, looking frustrated, appeals to the party. "What say you folks? Would you rather have me at your side or up here defending the cloister?"

Varnoth sets her jaw, clearly irked by the dragon second guessing her judgement, but she allows you all to respond.

Sir Beauregard bows to Aidron.  “Who would not choose to face danger but with a dragon by one’s side?  But we are only guessing at what our foes will do next.  Runara asked us to keep the monastery safe and we are bending her words enough to look after the Myconids.  Your presence here may keep Sparkrender from attacking and a battle avoided is far better than a battle won for I fear many kobolds would die in a clash between dragons.  For my part I hope you will protect the temple and we will hurry back as soon as we can.”

Augustus stands beside Sir Beauregard nodding. "I agree, perhaps your presence here will help dissuade an attack, and the safety of the locals is definitely top priority. Sparkrender tried to use you for his own gain before, bringing you back to them may not be our best course of action. And if they dare to attack the cloister, you'll get a grand chance at showing them you're not to be crossed. If we're wrong about the myconids, it would be wise to not put all our wind in one sail. We can make use of our numbers by some going and some staying."

Vinn nods. "The kobolds can't fly either. You can, Aidron, and you might be their best chance to distract and lead Sparky away too.

Aidron settles back with a slightly pouty expression on his face.

Varnoth leans forward and continues, addressing the rest of you. "Probably best if you make whatever quick preparations you need and head down there immediately. Is there anything else you need before you depart?"

Vinn sticks his tongue out at Aidron.

Sir Beauregard trades for a potion of healing, collects the Owlbear Whistle, and is ready to head out.

Morlock also trades for a healing potion

Augustus works his way through his pack making sure everything's in place. He carefully refolds his fishing nets and attaches one to the side. Once he's all ready, he sits outside, puffing on his pipe until it's time to go.

Sir Beauregard joins Lord Silver and stands waiting for the others and gazing out at the ocean. “I prefer to walk,” he says to nobody in particular.