Khûm – Chapter 4

“Spring of 68. Second Age. Truethrone.
“Beautiful, it might be, but Zamût’s tits, the motherland was such a paradise. No coin, free beer and marvels at every turn. Even such a celebrated curmudgeon as I would be hard pressed to find something worth complaining about here.
And yet.
I’ve garrisoned enough border forts and insurgent city-states to get a tingle on the back of my neck when something’s about to go bad. Even here, high in these breathtaking mountains, in the place where all the world’s treasure is made, I can sense it. There’s something spoiling beneath the surface – and that don’t include the rampaging dragons.”
– Beholder's Log, Hemson 25, 68 2A

In the chaos of the Mystriarchy's announcement, there is no clear answer to the company's way forward. Dûnya, in the midst of arguing, sends both mercenary companies back to their respective quarters and promises to inform them of her decision as soon as she can.
Once returned to the Guest Quarters, the Commander's Tent discusses – at length – a potentially reckless plan to sneak into the depths of Truethrone and speak to Dûnya privately but Makem the Mumbler is aghast at this suggestion and does his best to discourage it. Meanwhile, Stirge asks to speak with Griffon privately but, in truth, this's an excuse for Yorgos to speak with him. Accused of manipulating the Menagerie from the inside, Yorgos tries to defend himself but Griffon isn't listening. He simply drops the sword on the ground and storms away.
The next morning, the disappointed mercenaries are informed that Dûnya has selected the Iron Word and they are dismissed from Truethrone. They begin to pack their things and, escorted by the dragonslayers, make their way out of the dwarven capital. Yet, as they take their leave, something is afoot – there's an extra dragonslayer, hidden beneath an obscuring helmet and, when questioned, she insists they hurry along.
What's more, when they enter the stoneways, they take a different route, heading northwest along unfamiliar tunnels. They emerge at Ovma Terminal, deep in Khûm, at the foot of the massive Krazvadan. The mysterious dragonslayer removes her helmet to reveal none other than Queen Dûnya Dragonbane herself. Ushering the Commander's Tent to a nearby veranda, she explains her plan.
Denied access to the kingdom's funds, she cannot legally hire them as mercenaries. Instead, she's hiring them personally and flaunting her obligations to the kingdom. This means she has no money to pay them and offers instead a share of the combined dragon hoards. After some negotiation, the mercenaries agree. Talking tactics, they decide to split up – send the army north to Snowperch, where they can entrench and prepare to fight Zhoraska the Red Matron, while the party, accompanied by Dûnya and her dragonslayers, head for Tyrodax's lair and attempt to catch him unawares.

Campaign: The Menagerie
Game Date: Hemson 24 – 25, 68 2A
Starting Point: Truethrone
Player Characters:

• Griffon
• Mouse
• Remorhaz
• Umber