3 - Secrets in the Sand

Plot points/Scenes

In a meeting with Galadan in the chamber below, they find him sobbing while an odd structure hums and streams of the aquamarine soil stream from the side into containers. He will tell them that they are being hunted and all the creatures that have been sent there have been watching them and waiting for the perfect moment to strike. He will explain to Abnor that he watched Grangerford (unsure if he knows or not) kill master Greekka during the battle with the dragon queen and soon after, he proposed this as a way to retain his knowledge and continue his training. Master Greekka was not well versed in the resources it took to keep the Order running and left that up to Master Galadan. He would sob again, pointing towards the soil stating that there was so much death and he could not even commit them into the ground; however, he doesn't know what can stand against such evil. He explains that Grangerford came from a different world and has become something more than a normal lich and can masquerade through holy temples and resist any normal means of detection. He explains that Master Greekka was close to figuring out the entire reason for this and was going to oust the lord before the battle against Tiamat ensued. He explains that Greekka believed that it was Grangerford that assisted in summoning her so he could acquire--and runs his fingers through the soil--a nearly limitless supply of soil of all kinds. With one last shred of honor, he would send Abnor and his friend away to live in peace away from this and for him to forget any of this ever happened. He would continue working whatever he needed to in the background for the greater good of the order so those without a place can be given a second chance. The wizard half warforged creature in the back would send them away. He will send them to Trinda and then have them make the journey to Portcha where they should stay there and live out the rest of their days in peace.
Upon entering Trinda, they will meet Bertrom and the Gunthar arc will commence.
Bertrom will escape once all of his companions are downed and he is backed into a corner. He will un-transform about a fate worse than death and how he has to do this to save his sister's soul. With that, he will open a scroll of teleport and disappear.
En route to Porthca, the group will run across the ruins of Balazar's nomadic village. The spirits of the departed still roam seeking vengeance against the cultists and the large wolf that destroyed them. Upon watch they will have a deer come out and talk to Balazar; this is Nastak Drysgil who is a druid that remains from the village. They will see the truth of what happened and the bodies of those that were paladins and clerics be removed for "processing" into soil. If the curse has not been lifted from Balazar, the ghosts will attack him to purge him of the evil that is there and bestow on him the ancient weapon of his people and request that it be taken to the dragon's armory to be sharpened. He will not be able to lift it yet.
While on the way to Porthca, they will have to camp at least once and will run across the remnants of the Lantern King. Eyeless, white zombie-like monsters that roam the fields at night; however, they do not enter near the city. With successful stealth checks they will be able to avoid combat.
During the meeting in Porthca, the group will meet the silver dragon who is aware of all of the plans but refuses to involve herself directly as the way of man and mankind are not hers to judge. Shrumbo will start getting pings regarding his hive. They will be happy and wanting him to come back to meet their new queen that they are in preparation for. Finally, the group will be teleported to Windbury who is extremely removed from the politics of Grangerford. They can choose to follow tinkles into the feywild and end up coming back out in the under dark where the "into the darkness" arc begins.