Cult armies have gathered at the ancient volcano known as the Well of Dragons, hardening it against any frontal assault. Chromatic dragons from across the land, hordes of cultists, and rebel Red Wizards fill the volcanic caves and tunnels beneath the caldera, and a massive temple to Tiamat has been summoned from the hellish realms. The final ritual to summon the goddess herself cannot be far behind! The Council Lords have gathered their armies to engage the cultists and dragons as best they can, together with their allies - giants, the Thayan red wizards, and metallic dragons. After a night to recover from their trip to Thay, the adventurers join them in the field and meet to discuss strategy. The giants and metallic dragons report that the chromatic dragons are too many for a frontal assault. Likewise, on the ground the cult armies are too numerous for the Council armies to defeat. Worse, all the Cult forces are bolstered by the sound of the Draakhorn , driving them into a frenzy! The wizards have tried various magical means to enter the volcano, but the Cult's Red Wizard allies have erected a magical barrier that prevents such efforts. With time, perhaps all of these barriers could be overcome, but time is in short supply - the ritual to summon Tiamat may already be underway! Since an assault in force is not viable, the adventurers volunteer to infiltrate the Cult stronghold stealthily. They have three goals: stop the Draakhorn from sounding, improving the odds for their allies; shut down the magical barrier, allowing the Thayan wizards to use their magics against the Cult; and stop the ritual to summon Tiamat! Meanwhile, the armies of the Council and their allies will attack, drawing out as many Cult forces as possible to clear the party's path. The Council provides what intelligence they can about the terrain, though it is many years out of date. One old paladin mentions a temple to Bahamut that may be buried deep in the volcano, a relic of a time before the Cult took over the Well - perhaps some help can be found there. Plans made, the leaders return to their armies and the adventurers prepare to set out. All of the countryside surrounding the Well of Dragons has been destroyed, every settlement burned by rampaging dragons and cultist hordes. The armies of the Council advance, and the Cult forces come forth from the Well to meet them. As battle is joined, the adventurers ride on Skyreach Castle. Using the chaos of battle as cover, they slip quietly off and use the wizard's flying broom to descend safely toward the volcano. A young blue dragon spots the party and comes near to investigate, but a mighty roar from Lariat, amplified by magic, frightens it away. Before any other Cult forces see them, they approach one of the obvious tunnel entrances on the southwest side of the volcano. Here they find several cult guards, but Malkior summons an icy blast as they descend, and the guards are frozen in place! Now safely on the ground, they proceed into the tunnels. Cautious exploration leads the adventurers first to a room full of beds and travel chests, clearly a barracks of some kind. Lariat investigates one chest, only to be burned by an acid trap spell! The chest turns out to contain Red Wizard robes and various magical implements, including some notes on the details of the ritual to summon Tiamat. The wizards themselves are nowhere to be seen, though - they may already be casting the ritual! Leaving the rest of the chests untouched, they press onwards. After a very brief skirmish with a Cult patrol, who are unable to even let out a shout of alarm, the party finds a dirty chamber filled with prisoners! They were captured from the surrounding area and have been kept here for many days, with barely enough food and water to stay alive. Other prisoners have already been taken by cultists for some mysterious purpose - the adventurers suspect as sacrifices for the ritual. Ulrik provides food and water for the prisoners, but cautions them to stay put for now, as they would likely not survive the battle outside if they tried to flee. Resuming their explorations, the party quickly finds another Cult patrol, and this one is much sturdier! Wave after wave of cultists and small guard drakes emerge from the surrounding rooms and tunnels, lead by a strong warrior whose attacks leech the life from their target. But the adventurers have fought many cult warriors before - there is no panic as they set to work. Malkior and Lariat destroy many with spells and sword, and Ulrik's healing keeps them in the fight. When the dust settles, three dozen cultists and drakes lie dead! After this exertion, some rest is required. The party retreats to a empty room, and Malkior maintains an illusion to hide his companions as they spend an hour to recuperate. Events elsewhere in the volcano are continuing, though, and now they must make haste if they are to be in time...