Several brave souls answered the king’s summons. In a small office within the castle, they met Aardak Silverbarrel, a retainer for the king, and as it happens, a valley dwarf. He explained the king’s special need: uniting the kingdom will be facilitated if the king has his own dracon. Most of the summoned parties accepted their task (and the rewards): Lilian, a treasure hunter, Forex, a young sage, Vrutus, a member of the king’s paladins, and the Mistress, an envoy. However, Gile Wolfworth, the only trapper to appear, thought the quest too dangerous, and turned down the king.

While following a map to the dracon’s purported location, the party stopped at a village inn to rest and prepare for a trek along the highway. Within, they met Tyriel, a grey elf who seemed to be acquainted with Lilian, and Aster, a mountain dwarf looking for prestigious work. Forex seemed uncomfortable with an open discussion of their quest, and retired to his chamber. However, the Mistress later discovered strangers lurking about Forex’s room, and the the party went to investigate, they were set upon by cloaked men…