Performance doesn't get much air-time, but seems appropriate here, so we'll go with that.

Sekkar does his best impression of the expression and mannerism of a dragonborn. The Captain listens attentively to the dragonborn's account, watching the eyes closely for any hint of duplicity. Sergeant? she says without looking away from Sekkar. Gorlak has been listening too and replies: Doesn't sound like anything we've encountered before, captain. We'll have to verify it. After a moment, the Captain simply says: Hmm, very well. I may have some more questions later. What's your name, dragonborn?

Themberchaud seems done with the surfacers, and apparently doesn't contemplate the possibility that they would refuse, so the three withdraw. Gartokkar is waiting at the entrance to the tunnel, and wordlessly directs them into the guard house and closes the door. In contrast to the attitude of the guard escorts (and indeed to himself from a moment ago), the priest's disdain has been replaced with a sycophantic air of flattery. Oh favoured ones of the Wyrmsmith, he says obsequiously, may I ask what Lord Themberchaud spoke to thee of?

- The conversation between Sekkar and the guards switched to Undercommon, so Rhayna and Zeno can hear and understand it.
- There are still a couple of guards standing near the body, but there is nothing preventing anyone from approaching it, either to see the body itself or to look for signs of the escaped assassins.

If there were any doubts before, Sekkar's name-drop of the duergar 'relative' seems to have improved the plausibility of his story. Captain Blackskull gives 'Hizire' one last thoughtful gaze, then with a wave of her hand indicates that he is free to go. She turns as if to approach the crime scene, but then turns sharply back and calls out: Dragonborn! Remember, you are worth nothing here in Gracklstugh. Most of those in my command would sell you off in a heartbeat as cheap manual labor. However, I've learned to make better use of the likes of you. That's probably the closest thing you'll ever get to a compliment from a duergar soldier, back-handed though it is. The captain continues: Meet me at Overlake Hold in one hour. I have a task that may suit someone who...

The Captain doesn't finish her sentence however, as the rhythmic hammering of the city's forges is suddenly drowned for a second by a thundering roar and the sound of crumbling rock from behind Sekkar. Duergar and outsiders alike turn to look as a two-headed, gray-skinned giant bursts through a nearby gate, howling madly and lashing out left and right, littering the street with rock and stone debris. As he bellows, one of his swings connects with a duergar soldier, whose broken body flies through the air and crashes with a sickening crunch near where Zeno is hidden.

Gartokkar's eyes widen as Kastix reveals that the dragon has knowledge of the 'situation' outside the city. To himself he mutters: So he has also sensed the disturbance, and that it has spread beyond the city. But what action would HE take? I must think on this.

Then, as if just remembering their presence, he turns again to the group: Yes, I have a task for you. There is a powerful magic at work in these parts. It is as if a hole has been torn through the world, causing all manner of strange occurrences. We know who is behind it - a group calling themselves the Gray Ghosts - but we know not by what means they can effect such magic. I charge you to discover this cause, and to bring it to me. We have identified one of their agents - a derro named Droki, who serves as a messenger or courier. He has been seen near the West Cleft, and it is there you should seek to follow his trail.

He then holds out three gold pins featuring the profile of the red dragon. These will grant you passage beyond the Darklake District. I will await your return.

Just to confirm, the dragon is in the cave in the SW corner of the map, correct?

2HGiant: Initiative: 3
Sarith: Initiative: 4
Duergar: Initiative: 11

Rhayna (17): Command v 2HG, save passed.
Zeno (16): Crossbow v 2HG (adv), HIT, 15 dmg
Sarith (16): hidden
Sekkar (10): BA: activate blade. Attack#1 miss. Attack #2 (dread ambusher) HIT 19 radiant

Giant (6): Unarmed x2 v Duergar: Attack: 19 Damage: 12 hit
Attack: 20 Damage: 14 hit

Duergar (2):
3x Stone Guard: Enlarge
Kavalrachni: Enlarge
Xarrorn: Enlarge

Zeno's bolt fly from the darkness and strike at the giant, enraging it further. It lashes out at another dwarf too slow to escape it's path, and send it flying into the side of a nearby building, leaving a crack in the stonework as the body slumps to the ground. As the duergar column advances they grow in size just as Hemeth did during the chaos in the kuo-toa village. But as Sekkar activates his shining blade, they shy away with cries of alarm and pain, apparently sensitive to the brightness of Dawnbringer's radiance.

From behind the giant two more duergar approach, and they also grow in size as they come closer to the giant. One is armored in full plate and carries a long lance that has a small flame issuing from the tip. The other is riding on an enormous spider, and swings a war pick as it bellows a cry of challenge to the giant.

Sekkar: the blade's sunlight currently has a 15' radius, and the giant takes up a 15'x15' square. This means if you are in melee with the giant, then any duergar on the same side or on adjacent sides of the square will get disadvantage to their attack rolls. The two duergar approaching the giant from behind will be out of the 15' radius.

The dragon's lair and the headquarters of the Keepers of the Flame are in the SE corner.

Yes, of course, says Gartokkar grudgingly as he produces three more pins. Show these to the guards if questioned, and they should give you leave to exit the Darklake District.

Where to now?

Wait, blade activation is an action? Because if not, Sekkar has something better to do.