After a long two-day journey through the wildlands, the party arrived at Astra, the Temple of the Astral Mountain. Darigaaz, Eria, Calintz, and Ridak headed to the Dragonstrider Stables to entrust their horses and vardo to Kaelen Windstrider, an elf. Soon after, they retired to the Dragon’s Breath Inn for a room and some refreshing drinks.
Here, they learned that the bakery Chromatic Crumbles was facing financial difficulties. There was infighting among the clergymen of the Order of Bahamut, Brassfire Brews Brewery was struggling to meet demand, and Goldgrove Greens Farm was having troubles with sand goblins. While Darigaaz and Ridak stayed at the inn to enjoy its offerings, Eria and Calintz visited the Mad Hatter’s Antiquities and met Magpie Winterspell from Umbrashore, where they received Darigaaz’s bear skin cloak.
After returning to the Dragon’s Breath Inn, they retired for the evening. The next morning, Darigaaz looked into the financial troubles of Chromatic Crumbles bakery and discovered that Zephyra Frostscale had taken a loan from Vorenthas Blackscale, the owner of Platinum Dragon Jewelry.
Meanwhile, Eria found out that Airia from The Chromatic Cauldron was selling black powder by the barrel and purchased two sacks of it. The party spent the remainder of the afternoon shopping before heading to the Temple, where they learned from Vortarion Flameheart that the Temple had been infiltrated by the Sable Serpents, a known cult of Tiamat. High Cleric Vortarion Flameheart requested the party’s help in investigating the matter.
The party then returned to The Dragon’s Breath Inn and attended Tales Night. Ridak told an enchanting story of friendship and family, earning cheers and congratulations from the crowd. However, their celebration was cut short by a piercing scream. They discovered that a cobalt kobold had been slain outside by the Astral Well, lying on a symbol of Tiamat made from the kobold’s own blood. Warden Cyrus Flamesong was already at the scene, investigating the murder.