In the morning, after the elves departed on their giant owls, Dameron shared a vision: “Taking the path through Dwarf Hold, detours can be worthwhile.”
After a few hours, Teyna and the Lion’s Guard arrived with extra mounts. They informed her of the Warduke’s activities at the church of St. Gregory in Wychross as well as their defeat of Wyrmlord Saarvith and Regiarix the black dragon. Camwise explained what he knew of the arcane/divine requirements to dispel the runes on the Drakkenwhyte eggs and who in Brindol may be able to provide reagents cheaply. Balthasar gave them 150 platinum coins and they agreed to take the eggs back to the city. Along with Teyna and company was a mysterious nomad named Tormex the Seeker, who came to aid Camwise with his mental afflictions. Tormex shared that he worshipped an esoteric harrow named Ansev and Dameron recalled tales of this harrow raising armies of the undead in complete disrespect for the graveyards that housed the passed. Tormex spoke as if he was quite ancient and seemed to have warred in some manner with a previous iteration of the Red Hand. In exchange for their Skull Liqueur, Tormex put Camwise to sleep and removed the mage’s mental afflictions. Tormex then discovered a curse put Camwise by The Harlot Queen. Tormex demanded the spirit of Isabelle as payment to have this removed, but Camwise was reluctant and they agreed on 300 gold coins as payment instead. After removing the curse, Tormex received an ivory key from Teyna and told of a location of the lock: the bald hill. Tormex also offered the Daring Friends some parting advice: “To aid in the defeat of Takhisis one must use the blood of a metallic dragon.” With that, he departed along with Teyna and the Lion’s Guard. After Considering Dameron’s Premonition, the Daring Friends decided to head south toward the Dwarven Holds to avoid the Red Hand outriders that may be present along the Cadent Way. Along the ride, Camwise admitted to Balthasar some more poorly made decisions, such as having instructed Watt to prepare to open the sarcophagus back at the tower while they were gone, but not to do so until he returned. Balthasar was as disappointed in Camwise as ever. They spotted smoke over the horizon off the road. Further inspection revealed a smoldering cart and ten dead Brindolian Guard adorned in the city's blue uniforms. It seemed that they were making a delivery of large coffers to the Dwarven Holds. The slain guards were given proper burial and Dameron performed a brief funeral rite. The Daring Friends tracked the ambushers eastward, into the mountains where they found goblins and a giant. Camwise cast Clairvoyance a mile from the encampment of raiders and they were able to sneak up on the murderous crew frolicking in their booty! As they were crossing the bridge leading to the ridge of enemies, Balthasar lost his footing, alerting the hill giant! With his mighty blade of thunder, Balathsar felled the giant. Meanwhile, a bugbear berserker ambushed Camwise with a blood-fueled rage! Thanks to Dameron’s Aid, Camwise was able to hold out just long enough for Balthasar to engage the creature in a duel. Gruffudd had cleverly transformed into an owl and flew atop a statue of St. Adele at the top of the spiraling bluffs where he transformed back and decimated the goblin archers with Ice Storm and Lightning, leaving only the berserker standing. Balthasar locked blades with the ferocious bugbear and they exchanged mighty blows. With the creature weakened and crazed with reckless fury, Camwise seized the opportunity and hit the foul creature with an Acid Arrow, a trick he learned from the book of Watt. In one final act of devotion to Takhisis, the creature grabbed Balthasar and dove off the one-hundred-foot-high cliff, hoping to drag his opponent into the realm of death. Fortunately, Balthasar was prepared as always, and with a smirk cast Featherfall, leaving the creature to plummet to the river below as the acid melted its flesh. The Daring Friends recovered the gold along with a missive instructing the Lions to deliver the gold to one Thane Helhein. The letter was signed by none other than Jarmaath, Lord of Brindol. The letter contained instructions to deliver the 6,000 gold coins to the Thane in order to secure the services of a mercantile group known as the Shining Axes, a dwarven fighting force of two hundred fighters with axes that have never been lost and passed down through generations. Camwise stressed the importance of such a force in defending the city of Brindol during its darkest days to come and insisted upon pushing into the night to arrive at the Dwarven Holds as soon as possible. The others reluctantly agreed and suffered, arriving exhausted. On the march Gruffudd told them much of Mountain Dwarf culture, especially their caste system, which cannot be traversed and roughly consists of Nobles, Warriors/Smithys/Craftsmen, Merchants, and then the Casteless. Upon arrival at the Hold, they were greeted by a Dwarf named Bleddyn Rocksplitter. He was quite short with the Daring Friends and told them that the contract between Brindol and the Shining Axes would no longer be honored as the Axes were now unavailable. With not much else to go on, and being extremely fatigued, they were directed toward large encampments of merchants that traded with the cities to restock and rest. Bleddyn gave them six hundred gold pieces for their troubles before abruptly leaving. Dameron sent a Sending to Teyna: “Brindol legion carrying gold killed by Red Hand recovered and brought to dwarves for Shining Axes. Bleddyn says warriors not available, please advise.” Teyna replied: "Not sure of what you're speaking. Can check with captain and council. Sounds like Jarmaath wanted to hire dwarves or buy weapons. Contact again tomorrow." Dameron sent a Sending to Captain Soranna: "How is the caravan fairing? We have defeated a second Wyrmlord. We're struggling to secure assistance from the Shining Axes for Brindol. Any suggestions?" Captain Soranna replied: Should arrive the at Brindol on the 18th. Good work, keep going- heroes all. Mountain dwarves are difficult. Any Silver Path dwarves to help negotiate? Dameron sent a Sending to Kagdwynn: "Hope you are safe. We have defeated a second Wyrmlord. We're struggling to secure assistance from the Shining Axes for Brindol. Any suggestions?" Kagdwynn replied: We are well! Heard of some trouble in Holds, don't know what. They won't open doors for any but other dwarves. Could meet you on 17th? Dameron sent a second Sending to Kagdwynn: "Yes, please meet us on the 17th. Any assistance is vital."
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