They had just agreed to help the small hamlet of Stonestar
vanquish a threat far beyond there tiny militia could handle. The blue dragon Dalbinth had recently settled
in north of the village below the abandoned Stonestar Tower
Once
encountered they faced a threat like they have never met before, for dragons
are not a thing to be trifled with, especially when concerning their treasure. During battle heavy blows were landed,
knocking out Searos and Elexan. Finally
a powerful blow from Belros caused the dragon to flee out an arcane portal.
With
a moment of rest, they were able to help several of the villagers that
previously went missing escape from a cage in the lair. Also, they met a formidable companion, Hans Doombringer. Although that was not his
given name, Hans’ parent were drow renegade form the underdark, following a
trail to find his lost sister Hans ended up in Stonestar and learned that
Dalbinth had likely abducted her.
Foolishly, alone Hans took up arms against Dalbinth, and quickly became
another of Dalbinth’s prisoners. While
imprisoned he learned that the dragon had been breaking the will of the
villagers and then selling them to the Zhentarim Slavers. Fortunatley, they also learned of the
dragon’s secret hoard in the underwater tunnel.
After almost losing Elexan forever in an underground eddy, they were
able to find the dragon’s hoard along with the Hans’ battle gear and the
villager’s meager wealth, which some members of the group still found it quite
difficult to part with. In a special compartment
of the hidden dragon hoard they found something unique, a set of black masks,
bearing resemblance to a panthers. After
looking at the masks closely they all decided they were magical items of
significant value. After each of them
dawned there mask it became apparent that they would then be known as the Black
Panthers.
With
an extensive looting of Dalbinth’s hoard they finally decided to leave out of
the arcane portal only to be confronted by a very angry blue dragon, although
beaten badly he was circling the Stonestar tower determined to put an end to
these impudent adventurers. After ending
poorly for Dalbinth and a good nights rest in Stonestar, they found themselves
on a cold journey to Phlan having acquired another member in the group, Hans, for Phlan would be on the journey back to the Zhentil Keep,
where the slavers were surely taking his sister.
