In the Dragon's Lair

After making sure the floor was clear, the group evacuated the little girl and moved up to the next floor. Beyond the only door on the next level, they discovered Bella Belvorica. She was startled and initially fearful of the group's appearance, but quickly gave in to relief, describing the dragon Logrivich as mercurial and odd, as he insisted that she sing with her forehead touching his jaw. The group worked out that Logrivich was deaf, not surprising since he lives in a clock tower. Bella was directed to escape to Nadya and Ringierre across the street until the group was done with the dragon.

As they were deciding what course of action to follow against the dragon, the clock tower struck the hour. During the cacophony that followed, Logrivich could be heard screaming with the tolling of the bells. Pavo pulled out the spider climbing wand he had procured back in Nazhena's tower of ice and cast the spell on each person in the group. Though Kyezra's cat didn't take well to the spell, the rest of the group took advantage of it to be ready to enter the ice dragon's lair at the top of the tower.

Ash went through first and saw Logrivich about to take off, so he charged in to get the dragon to stay put. Pavo entered through the trap door from the ladder below to skulk over to a corner, ready to strike when Logrivich was vulnerable. Logrivich, though startled by Ash's attack, took off to get range and determine the nature of his attackers. Even at range, however, Kyezra's arrow followed, though she failed to strike her target. Inuksuk went out a window in the floor below, seeking to be able to strike at Logrivich without crowding into the clockworks with the rest of the group.

Logrivich flew back towards his tower and used his draconic sorcery to cause fog to engulf the top of the tower. The group took the time waiting for the dragon's next move to prepare for his approach, each using what magics they possessed to enhance their chances. Logrivich noted Ash standing just within the right limb of the clock tower wall and alighted on the edge of his ice shelf to unleash a torrent of frost and slush upon him and Kyezra. Though Ash avoided the brunt of the blast as he tucked behind the cornice, Kyezra managed to duck down and avoid it completely.

Ash struck blindly towards the dragon, managing to catch Logrivich with a solid blow to the chin. Pavo decided this was the opportunity he needed and came at the dragon's flank, driving a tendril of flame deep into the creature's heart. Logrivich scraped his claws against the ice as he died, sliding back off the edge of his ice shelf to lie on the roof of the building below.

The group fired off the signal firework and clambered down to the dragon, taking its head before leaving at Greta's urging. Nadya and Ringierre took the survivors of the clock tower back to the hidden shrine while the group headed to the marketplace to take possession of the dancing hut. At the entrance to the marketplace stood a trio of troll guards. The group decided to attempt to talk to the trolls, so Ash charged in to discuss the merits of greatswords. The trolls took exception and surrounded him, beating him rather badly before the group tore them apart.

They passed over the burning troll bodies into the forest grown around the dancing hut. Striking directly toward the center of the hut, they found their way blocked by a dark shimmering portal that warped and disintegrated all that tried to pass through it. The group was able to determine that it had something to do with the first world, but little more.

Exploring the nearest passage through the woods that wasn't blocked led them to a clearing with a large stone stage set in the center and several other stones floating in orbit. Upon the stone stood a legendary creature, a dawn piper, those beings that supposedly had created all emotions. Though he offered the travelers the opportunity to leave peacefully, the group refused...