Ajax, feeling better, follows the trail of carnage and burning bodies to what used to be the Brown Horse Tavern. There, he finds the adventurers taking a short rest.

After they are rested up, the adventurers emerge from the abandoned tavern. A quick look around reveals something interesting to the East at the base of the tower — two dead giant spiders. Questions abound — why are they there? Is it by accident? What creature is tough enough to take on two giant spiders? They hope to find their answers as they head South. 

The path winds downward through Thundertree, and its not long before Lilvari, who’s in the lead, sees a house that isn’t in ruins. In fact, the house has been fortified with iron bands across the door and extra thick shutters covering the windows. She takes an approach not often seen with our ragtag group — she uses civility… and knocks on the door. 

“Who is it?” a tired, withered voice answers from within.

“We’re looking for Reidoth. Qelline Alderleaf told us that we may find him here.”

She hears the click and clank of locks being undone and the door opens. Before her stands an old man with a long beard. There’s a lovely bird on his shoulder that stands very still. He introduces himself as Reidoth and invites the adventurers inside.

A lantern burns from atop a table adorned with food. There are several comfortable looking chairs, a bedroll and blankets. It’s a very cozy atmosphere for such a dangerous, wasteland of a town. The adventurers cut to the chase. “We heard that you might know where to find Cragmaw Castle,” Lilvari asks.

“I know of Cragmaw Castle. Dangerous place. Overrun with goblins it is. Why would you be looking for such a place?”

“We think that our friend is being held there.”

Reidoth strokes his long beard as he considers. Mystic notices that he pays no attention to the bird perched on his shoulder. It’s as if the man doesn’t realize it’s even there. “Yes,” he says, “I know where it is.”

Mystic hands him their map, and he (very neatly) writes in the location of Cragmaw Castle. It appears to be in the southern part of Neverwinter Wood. The adventurers stay and share in some food an ale. While they’re eating Reidoth asks them if they’ve seen his sign to the north of town, the one that tells of the dangerous within. “There are giant spiders and plant monsters and zombies here. And since my last visit it seems that a young green dragon has nested in the tower up north. Also, I’ve seen several men in dark blue cloaks on the eastern side of town. You should leave this place. Its full of nothing but dangers.”

The adventurers inquire about the dead spiders. At that, Reidoth nods. He suspects the dragon had some part in that. “They were the previous residents of the tower.”

Their meal finished, the adventurers head out. Lilvari asks Reidoth if he knows where they can find an old shop owned by the Dendrars. He says he knew the father, that the family left in a hurry as did everyone else when the zombies came. He says the Dendrars owned an Herbalist shop on the east side of town. As the adventurers start down the path to the east, Reidoth shouts out one last warning from his doorway: “Don’t tangle with the dragon. It may be young, but it’s very powerful.”

The adventurers continue their search for Mirna’s necklace but find something else first. Lilvari, before she can search out an abandoned building nearby, spots several twig blights hiding in the brush. The adventurers get the drop on them. Though they are vastly outnumbered, they manage to slay all the twig blights. At one point, Dare uses his head for something besides a battering ram. He lights a torch and brandishes it at the twig blights. The twig blights, terrified of the flame, attempt to run away, which gives Dare and Lilvari an opportunity to cut more of them down. 

Once the battle is won, Mystic heads towards the rear entrance of the next building. She gets no farther than the doorway when she hears a THHWWPPP sound. Suddenly she’s covered in webs, unable to move. Inside the building, scurrying in her direction is a giant spider. Her quick thinking saves her. She transforms into a constrictor snake, breaking the webbing. The rest of the party hurries over to do battle with the giant spider. It’s proves no easy feat, and only a few moments go by before another spider climbs from out of the building to join in battle. It lunges at Mystic and kills her snake form. By then Lilvari is near and unleashes a vicious attack, sending the spider reeling. Ajax uses the opportunity to slash down with his long sword, severing the spider’s head from its body. Dare throws his spear at the remaining spider only to have the spear bounce off the stone wall instead. The spear breaks.

As the rest of party continues its onslaught on the remaining giant spider, Ajax summons his Giant Might. Everyone is suddenly cast in shade. It’s Mercarri who looks over and sees Ajax towering above them. She happens to glance over just as he swings down his giant blade at the remaining spider. Perhaps not quite adjusted to his large form, the attack misses. His blade of his sword clanks harmlessly against the cobblestone.  Mystic, who is right behind him,  has a sudden, fleeting thought. She prays that his dysentery is truly gone.

At last the spider is brought to an inch of its life, and Ajax is the one to finally put it to rest.  The battle won, the adventurers take a moment to collect themselves. They have yet to find the necklace, and there’s already talk about seeking out the dragon.