They await the dragon, watching the city shuddering under its aerial bombardment. People are screaming and panicking, running for their lives. Everyone seems to be trying to get out as fast as they possibly can. So the party is a little surprised when a band of humans runs into the street they are on, and abruptly stops. The humans take one look at Kriv and Kava, and a desperate look comes over them. They charge the party, accusing them of being traitors and murderers. Rougi impassively cuts one down, but everyone else intimates these rabble into stopping their attack. The humans tell of 'other' Dragonborns in the city, and seem deathly afraid of them.
At that moment, the dragon swoops overhead, and blasts the group with its fire. The surviving humans run for their lives, while the buildings around the party burst into flame. Yet they are ready - Kriv casts Command, and orders the dragon to the ground. It falls out of the sky like a rock, shattering several buildings beneath it. They brace themselves for battle, but the dragon actually has other plans. He regards Kriv and Kava with interest, then says "Impressive, but I've much bigger fish to fry" and flies back into the air, speeding away from them.
The party is powerless to follow him. They decide to head up to Vondal's estate; they saw one of the dragon's attacks hit close to there earlier, and are worried about Dayman and Artin. They start up the streets that lead up to the richer part of town, closer to the top of the mountain. The streams of humans, Eladrin, and dwarves trying to leave the city have thinned, but the air is still thick with their screams, embers and smoke. Kriv uses her ice breath to put out fires where she can.
As they are making their way, they suddenly encounter two Dragonborns dressed in elaborate, ritualistic armor, their swords dripping with blood. They immediately attack, throwing themselves at the party. The battle is fierce, but short. As the party deals their death blows against these strange intruders, they gurgle with their dying breaths, "For the glory of Tiamat!"
The party reaches a spot where they should be able to see Vondal's estate, and to their horror see that it is completely gone. One wall still stands, but the grand building and its grounds have been burned to ash. A huge pall of black smoke rises over the devastation. It is instantly clear that Dayman, Vondal, and everyone else who might have been there, are very, very dead.The party turns and surveys the city. For this vantage point they can see that the city of Zaimier is almost completely gone. Almost no structures still stand. Fires rage out of control - the smoke and ash are so thick in the air that even though it is approaching noon, the sky is as dark as midnight. The moans of the dead and dying swirl about them like ghosts. And despite all this, the dragon is still ravaging what is left of the city in its southeastern-most end.
The party resolves to fight. Kriv conjures up four phantom steeds, great winged black horses. They jump astride them and charge after the dragon. They reach him quickly and a fierce battle ensues. The dragon is powerful and swift, scorching them with fire, and gouging them deeply with his claws, teeth, and tail. Berekhan and Kava are both knocked off their steeds and plunge to the ground; both are knocked unconscious by their falls, though both are healed and begin to use their ranged attacks. Rougi and Kriv swarm around the dragon, attempting to flank it. Spells, arrows, and axes hurl through the air, trying to find a target. The dragon is not immune to their assault, and they are wearing him down. But the fight is beginning to drain them much faster, and the dragon looks like he can go on for hours.
Their heroic struggle continues, as the ashes of Zaimier scatter like snowflakes around them...
Rewards
XP: 375 (Rougi), 300 (Kriv, Kava, Rougi)
* I know this seems low, but this doesn't include the dragon battle, since it's still ongoing.
Money: none
Treasure: Guardian Shield (p. 245 Player's Handbook)
