The search for Mirna’s necklace continues, and while they’re searching, the adventurers discuss dragons — in particular the young green dragon that is said to dwell in the tower to the north. They agree that the dragon is one fight they are better off avoiding. Ajax mutters, “I could take him” under his breath as he opens the door to the next building. From the outside, it appears as if it might have been a smithy back in the day. He doesn’t notice that this door, unlike the other sound structures in town, isn’t swollen in its frame. It’s partly open. Suddenly he smells the rusty tang of blood. 

Inside, crouching over two mutilated bodies clad in dark blue robes, are four ash zombies. Their meal interrupted, their dead eyes turn towards the source of light, to Ajax. They all rise. Mystic rushes by and is the first one inside. She unleashes a thunderwave blast. Ajax moves into the building, next to Mystic, and attacks the undead with a breath of fire. Dare, Lilvari and Mercarri hurry towards the building to help their friends. As they do, Lilvari spots two figures in dark blue robes heading in their direction. Of course she’s wary of them, and instead of heading into the building, she goes to intercept them. They seem to know immediately that she means business. They raise their hands in surrender. When asked about their purpose there, they say they’re looking for their two friends and mean no harm. She decides to let them live… for now at least.

Dare, Mystic Ajax and Mercarri continue their assault on the zombies from inside the smithy. In the midst of battle, the two seemingly dead bodies rise. Dare and Ajax manage to cut one down. By this time one of the robed men has made his way inside, pushing past Lilvari. “Frank, no!” he shouts, brandishing his scimitar at his undead friend. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry to have to do this.” He slashes Frank across the neck. It isn’t long before the zombies are destroyed.

One of the men vomits. The other is a greenish color himself. It seems that the battle was a bit much for them, which makes what they say next that much more incredible. They tell the adventurers that they were brought here to kill the dragon. They’re a bit leery of saying more but tell the adventurers that their leader, Favric, can better explain. They ask the adventurers to follow them. With much hesitation, the adventurers do.

They’re brought to one of the more stable, more secure buildings of town. Inside are several cultists. One, the leader, is wearing a horned helm. He welcomes the adventurers and offers them bread and wine, which they accept but do not eat or drink. He’s too busy with his own diatribe to notice. He tells them that his name is Favric, and that he and his men are here to slay the dragon. He says he’s heard of the adventurers’ abilities first hand and would be honored to have their help. In addition to the glory they’d most definitely receive, he can also offer them a potion of flying and a cut of the dragon’s hoard. The adventures are reluctant to agree. As they’re discussing the proposition, they notice Favric holding onto his forearm, almost like it pains him.

“Pardon me, but I’m curious,” he says. “Do any of you happen to own any wands or staffs?” The adventurers turn to each other, not sure of how to respond. There’s an eagerness in Favric’s eyes that is hard to ignore. They have only one staff among them, the one they took from Glass Staff. The joke appears in Dare’s mind and slips from his mouth before he can stop it. “Just a glass dildo. We can give you that.”

Lilvari piles on another zinger. “But you have to turn around and bend over first.”

Favric looks at them, confused. Lilvari is very persuasive and he almost concedes. At the last moment one of Favric’s men looks him in the eye and fervently shakes his head. Favric turns back to the adventurers and repeats his question about wands and staffs. The joke, apparently, has gone over his head. This time the adventurers tell him no, they have neither wands nor staffs. Favric, in Draconic, mumbles to his followers, “The trace must be mistaken.”

Uncomfortable of the situation, the adventurers decide its best to continue the search for Mirna’s necklace and leave Thundertree as soon as possible. They wish the cultists the best of luck in slaying the dragon and hurry on their way. The cultists are disappointed but do not stop them.

The adventurers continue searching nearby buildings. It isn’t long before they head into ruin that, according to the wooden sign on the ground, used to be called ‘Dendrar Herbs and Remedies’. They’ve found the shop owned by Mirna’s parents. As promised, inside is a small case containing the gold necklace. Inscribed on the back of the emerald pendant is, “To Mirna. Happy Birthday, love Mom and Dad”.

Taking Reidoth’s advice, the adventurers hurry out of Thundertree, heading north to gather their horses. Only when they arrive, they find the animals butchered. A sharp laugh cuts through the air from behind them. “How do you like it? Huh? You kill my wolf. I kill your horses. That’s what you get.”

They slowly turn and atop the building to the east they see a familiar bugbear, Klarg. Next to him, three goblins are taking aim with shortbows. “And now,” says Klarg, “I’m gonna kill you.”

He raises his arm and slices it down in the adventurers’ direction. That’s when they hear the roar of goblins from behind the building. At least a half dozen come running towards them, scimitars raised…