Counterstrike

Later in the day after the party had done some additional study on the Drakelands, rested, and planned for the trip to IvoryGlass they were again summoned to the conference chamber by Commander Pharamol.

Only Thronull was missing from the council as the party entered.

"Spurhorn may have resisted the Drakelands attack, but the enemy leader, the silver dragonkin General Malesinder, survived the battle. As long as she lives, Spurhorn faces the possibility of another siege," Commander Pharamol began.

"I propose a bold counterattack to smash the enemy leadership and break the invasion force for good. I will lead a large force of legionaries in a feint against the besiegers' main supply depot in the encampment northwest of Spurhorn, destroying as much as we can and drawing out forces from the other encampments," he continued.

"How can we help?" Casia inquired.

"At the same time, you will attack Malesinder's command post in the southeastern encampment and kill the enemy general, breaking the leadership of the army."

"How will we get to the encampment?" Fanara asked.

"Efrixes, with Bescaylie, Shatha and Nevra have volunteered to ferry you to the site and join in the battle."

"That would be of great help," Milos whispered.

"If you help us with this you have certainly earned the ownership of the eagle.  I will deliver him to you when you return," Commander Pharamol stated.

"Count us in. When do we leave?" Casia asked.

"Tomorrow before dawn."

Before turning in for the night Zilvazaraat returned bearing some of the items requested by Fanara and Santrel. He returned the Obsidian Raven to the party and indicated they could use him again as needed. He also reiterated that he only accepted cash and magical items as payment. After a few quick requests he headed off again to search for the items.

Arriving at the southeastern Drakelands encampment, the group foun Malesinder out in the open, attempting to reassert her authority and maintain her control over her troops, trying to rally them to make a final assault on Spurhorn.

The party landed out of site and prepared for combat.  Amadeo and Casia were enlarged.  The group was given resistance to cold damage and hasted. Then they moved slowly and stealthily toward the delineated path into the camp.

When the party was closer a barbarian or two noted them and began to advance or throw javelins at the heroes. The Efrixes, Shatha and Nevra flew over and began strafing with their breath weapons, although Malesinder took no damage.  More barbarians threw javelins at the dragonkin as the party moved to engage.  Malesinder and a few barbarians retreated slightly.

The battle continued and Santrel found that Malesinder seemed to be protected against all energies he tried. Malesinder flew toward the party and breathed a frigid cold blast which actually did some damage to the protected party. Barbarians came to attack though a few began to run away from the battle.

"They may be going to get reinforcements," Casia yelled, "Stop them."

The dragonkin entered in a chase after the retreating barbarians attacking with fly-by attacks. Malesinder landed next to Amadeo and attacked with a scimitar seemingly made of ice. With Malesinder taking no energy damage the battle devolved into other spells from Fanara and Santrel with physical melee with Amadeo.

Casia and Jorgen were engaged with barbarians while Milos was trying to keep everyone alive. More barbarians fell to the dragonkin but others also seemed to flee. Casia and Jorgen worked their way through the immediate barbarians.

Eventually the battle turned toward the heroes as they overwhelmed the barbarians and began to completely damage the General and when she fell the remaining barbarians fled but none survived. Healing began and then a search of the tents.  In several small tents cowering barbarians were found.  In the large tent the party found a cache of magic items. 

A through search of Malesinder's tent revealed solid evidence that the Drakelands force that attacked Spurhorn was only a small portion of an even larger barbarian army amassed by the dragon warlord Yrax. The siege of Spurhorn was only a precursor to a much larger invasion of the Skyfire Mandate and perhaps even the Allied Territories.

When the group was ready to return they had to march the remaining barbarians to Spurhorn where they were taken into custody. Commander Pharamol was grateful to the group but troubled by the information they uncovered. Although the threat to Spurhorn has been removed, the entire Skyfire Mandate faced an even greater danger. But there may yet be hope. Pharamol believed that much of Yrax's barbarian army only served the dragon out of fear. If the draconic warlord could be killed, the barbarian armies would likely flee back to the wilds and the border would remain secure. 

"You have already done much for t h e Dragon Legion by helping repel the assault on Spurhorn," Commander Pharamol stated, "but I ask for your help once more-this time to travel to Ivoryglass and kill Yrax himself!

"We are not sure that we could take that mission, but our own needs lead us toward Ivoryglass." Casia said, "Who knows what we may meet when we get there or what will be the result of our efforts."

"You may stay here in Spurhorn as long as you want before you leave," Commander Pharamol offered once more, "and you may leave the two-headed eagle with us until you return."

DM's Notes: The party is now ready to head for the Drakelands.