Severin’ the Snake’s Head

The voyage back to Waterdeep from the Sea of Moving Ice was blessedly uneventful, at least from an adventurer’s point of view. This gave me time to finally refine the haul of raw gem ore we’d picked up in the Beholder’s lair. We did stop in both Luskan and Neverwinter. Both cities had been feeling the push of refugees and the nearby raids from the Cult. The five Captains of Luskan actually seemed to be cooperating to prepare to defend against incursions, and my former employers even hinted at possibly providing aid. Nuri was able to gain some inroads with the Arcane Brotherhood, which is no small feat.
 
I made inquiries in both towns, largely to send out feelers for where I might be able to procure a new blade, but virtually all arms and armor shops were completely bare as folk have been outfitting themselves for the impending raids from cultists.
 
Upon our return to Waterdeep Leosin informed us a new Council meeting was set for 5 days time. I also received a message from Sand, asking me to drop by. Rhumor’s presence was requested by the Tower of Luck, Conrad went off to the University, and the rest of us went to the market to sell off the gem ore and some magical items that we procured from Aurathator’s hoard. Then it was off to see Sand. Sand indicated he had a shipment that had been intercepted by the Zhentarim that he wanted us to liberate. In addition to supplies for the mass of refugees were some items specifically for Sand, including a sword of legend, which would be my prize should we succeed.
 
Tracking down the stolen wagon was not terribly difficult. It had been taken to the Rat Hills, which is effectively a dumping ground and collection of hovels. Naturally, it could not be quite that simple. It turned out the Cult had devised a rather devious plot to lure us there, or perhaps I should say to lure me there. Fortunately I had not gone alone, I would not be penning this memoir if I had. All of the Scale Breakers accompanied me, save Rhumor, who was still off helping the Tymorans with some other task. Once we’d located the wagon, the cult sprang their trap. And what a trap it was. Initially we were greeted by none other than Severin himself – the highest ranking Cultist that we were aware of. He gloated, and then disappeared, leaving several cultists and a young black dragon to kill us. We defeated them, though that fight did deplete a considerable amount of our resources. And then true trap was sprung.
 
FangTooth, whom I’ve decided will henceforth be called Snaggletooth, flew in. Snaggletooth was an obscenely large adult black dragon. Already weary from battling the smaller dragon and the cultists we had to figure out how to regroup and reorganize to fight back. The dragon’s presence and acid breath were horrific. Nuri ran around to an alley behind some buildings. Virgil ran into a building. Standing on a rooftop, watching this dragon fly all over the place and having no good way to reach it with Flametongue, I was sorely missing Rhumor and his bow. Conrad was popping all about trying to keep all of us from dying, and I was taking small pop-shots of Firebolt.
 
I began struggling for breath as the acrid fumes from the dragon’s breath leeched my strength, and the wounds I sustained from its claws gushed blood. Just as I was about to make myself scarce and flee into a building, the dragon finally grew brazen enough to come on level with me. Abandoning all reason I ran headlong toward it and began my assault. Snaggletooth’s retributive attacks were ferocious and I was very nearly knocked out. Just then Conrad’s head appeared over the edge of the roof, transforming me into a giant ape. And now we were back at it. I continue bashing it, Virgil came flying out of the building (literally) and began hacking away it. Together we gave as good as we got and Snaggletooth abruptly decided he’d had enough and fled as fast as his wings could carry him. Regrettably, he got away. For now…
 
To top off that disastrous series of fights, the legendary weapon I was after was missing. It had been taken from the wagon. We were able to return the rest of the supplies, and Sand’s other things, but the sword was gone. Well, at least we now know what Severin looks like. Hopefully the Council can finally begin to support us more directly. I am curious to see how things go…