19-C: Firebird

Key Plot Developments
After hours of tense navigation, Glyn glimpses an orange glow in the distance. Soon he hears faint metallic echoes, growing louder as he come closer.

Firelight illuminates massive columns with structures built around their bases. The cold air of the Underdark is becoming warmer even at this distance, and he can now see a variety of piers made from zurkhwood, stone, and plain rock jutting out along the edge of a huge cavern.

Zeks and Edsel inform Glyn that he's entering Gracklstugh through the Darklake Docks. They caution him to be careful and say that they'll hang around the Darklake to help him get away. Glyn thanks them for their friendship and offers them some of the necklaces her gave to the people of Durhlong. They graciously accept.

Glyn, ignoring their advice to not draw a lot of attention, bluffs his way past the inspector. He asks to see the local captain of the Stone Guard, claiming that he is Lord of a nearby settlement and wants an official meeting. The inspector, a duergar named Werz Saltbaron, acquieses and directs him towards Overlake Hold, a fortress and temple dedicated to Laduguer carved into the heart of a massive stalagmite on the shore of the Darklake.

Glyn strides into Overlake Hold, demanding to see the Stone Guard's captain so he can speak with the Deepking. The guards are not impressed and immediately demand that he surrender and throw himself on the mercy of their captain (a strict warrior named Errde Blackskull). Glyn, still brimming with confidence after his experience at Durhlong, summons Long-Ears to intimidate the dwarves. They immediately kill the worg with javelins. Glyn realizes he's bit off more than he can chew and calls on his crystal wraith to fly away before he's captured.

As Glyn careens skyward, he fails to notice a tremendously powerful presence. As he turns around, he's greeted by another flying creature: a red dragon, flying above the center of the city. He has no time to react before the overwhelmingly strong monster breathes a tempest of fire into Glyn and his wraith. His wraith evaporates as he loses consciousness.

New NPCs

 * 1) Werz Saltbaron, duergar dock inspector
 * 2) Errde Blacksull, duergar captain of the Stone Guard