Leaving the cave behind, you escort Jardeth south along a familiar road. As you reach the forested section, the fields of Chelnadatilar’s domain come into view ahead. You hear the rush of mighty wings from above, but the trees hide their source from view. Moments later, you see Chelnadatilar standing on the road ahead. He motions you forward, but his attention is behind you. Looking back, you see that another powerful-looking older man stands on the road just outside the forest. You recognize him as the man who first plucked you from your daily life and set you on this course of events. As you move past Chelnadatilar, the other man disappears and you catch a glimpse of a sapphire-blue dragon flying away before the trees obscure your view. As you return to his town of Demast, Chelnadatilar explains how Domborcojh raided his lands and captured Jardeth. A dragon prince council session was called to discuss this matter, attended by all four of the princes. He had been getting nowhere with his complaint, but suddenly Domborcojh made excuses and left the meeting. Suspicious, Chelnadatilar did the same and followed, which is how the two dragon princes arrived at the forest at the same time. Having heard your story of the portal experience, the dragon prince recognizes the hand of Bahamut. Clearly the favor of the dragon god of justice is with you, having both shown you the involvement of the Red Wizards and saved you from being pulled into the hellscape of Avernus. Chelnadatilar also relays to you that the subject of the Cult of the Dragon was brought up at the dragon prince council. A young black dragon has been spotted in the lands, perhaps in service of the cult. The leader of the dragon princes, Skalnaedyr, is a blue dragon and thus somewhat sympathetic to the cult. However, Skalnaedyr has spent many years ruling over human lands and is loath to give up his position even for the dragon goddess, so as of yet he has not openly supported the cult. The other princes, Domborcojh and the emerald dragon Astanalan, are thus far neutral on the subject. He will continue to try to convince them to take action against the cult. In thanks for the rescue of Jardeth, Chelnadatilar grants each party member a magical armor item of their choice (+1 bonus) and 200 gold. After an evening's rest, he uses his magic to continue their interrupted portal journey. The adventurers emerge from the portal in a forested, mountainous area. Several large standing stones are in the area, and a large wood and stone building stands nearby. The door is ajar, so the party walks right in. This proves to be a hunting lodge, seemingly deserted at first glance. But as they explore, a magical ward is triggered and several guardians awake: gargoyles and animated armor. These prove no match for the party, but the noise of the battle certainly alerts anyone within earshot. A search of the first floor finds a strange glowing tapestry and several servants in a kitchen. Leaving the tapestry for later, the party captures and ties up the kitchen servants. Before they can be questioned, a huge roar comes from the kitchen door, and it is ripped apart as a huge troll tears through the wall! Immediately behind is a second troll, even more fearsome given that he has four arms. The trolls fight ferociously and inflict several wounds, but are eventually subdued, and Varcus ensures that they cannot regenerate with fiery finality. The kitchen servants are stubborn and refuse to reveal anything but the name of the owner: Lady Talis. A quick search reveals a storage basement where three prisoners are chained: Craggnor the dwarf, a human woman named Miresella, and the human priest Brother Caemon. Induris and the monk are moved by Miresella's pleas for assistance and release her and the priest, sending them safely on their way. But they heed her warning and do not immediately release the dwarf. Craggnor is a cultist who follows Varram the White, and in return for his freedom he reveals that Talis and Varram are rivals, both coveting the White Dragon Mask and the position of leadership it confers. The adventurers go back to the mysterious tapestry, but are interrupted by the sound of movement in the main hall. They see Talis and her guard descending the stairs, heading for the kitchen to investigate the disturbance. Deciding that diplomacy is for the weak, the party attacks with no warning and all in Talis' party are slain without mercy. Searching the rest of the lodge finds little else, although there is a paper mentioning a Skyreach Castle and a five-color banner matching the five colors of Tiamat. Finally returning to the tapestry, the mage discovers that items can pass through it to parts unknown. He encourages the rest to enter it with him, and they do (with reservations on the part of Induris). They find themselves in the middle of a forest, in parts unknown. Finding a nearby stream, they follow it until it intersects a trail. This they follow, but soon darkness falls. Still they press on, not knowing whether this area is safe. And indeed it is not, as a pack of wolves leaps on the party without warning! Both Induris and the monk are overwhelmed, but the others are able to take down the great white-furred leaders of the pack and the rest flee. Though injured, they press on, hoping to find safety ahead. And this is rewarded, as town guards investigating the sounds of battle find the adventurers and bring them into the town of Parnast. Though the guards seem less than friendly, they do allow the party to take rooms at the Golden Tankard Inn for the night.