As winter cloaked the land, the party arrived at the gates of Rosenhall City, each bearing their own reasons for entering the capital.
Mayla, drawn by odd jobs from the Ocean’s Oath guild, sought an audience with its Guildmaster.
Zahkir had been hired as the personal bodyguard to the noble Lady Alison Havenflower.
Saratuc, ever the wanderer, followed a strange invitation found on the corpse of a slain aberration, an omen, or perhaps fate?
At the city’s gates, the scene was somber. Refugees crowded outside, their faces pressed against iron bars, staring longingly at the warmth and color of Havenfest, the city’s annual winter celebration taking place in Downtown Sterling.
The party pushed through and gained entry, immersing themselves in the joyful chaos of the festival. They enjoyed lighthearted games and popcorn tasting before encountering some of the city’s most influential figures:
Lily Wyvernblood, the quriky yet charismatic Guildmaster of Ocean’s Oath.
Lady Alison Havenflower, the elegant organizer of Havenfest.
Eran Serederias, a famed and flamboyant best-selling author with no shortage of fans.
Each party member received a mysterious magical trinket:
Zahkir was gifted an hourglass shaped pendant.
Mayla received a small red gem sealed in a glass jar.
Saratuc was handed a strange compass whose needle spun wildly, refusing to settle.
But joy was short-lived.
Suddenly, the skies darkened as a massive dragon made of Chardalyn descended upon the festival, reducing the market to rubble in a devastating attack. The party leapt into action, fighting to protect civilians and push back the threat. Through their efforts, the dragon’s heavy, armored helmet was knocked off, revealing the creature beneath: a clockwork construct, not a living beast.
Before they could bring it down, the mechanical dragon took to the skies and vanished into the horizon, its purpose, creators, and destination unknown.
The cold festival fire still smoldered as the dust settled, and the party was left with more questions than answers.