There were no further encounters as they made their way through Spellhold’s halls. The commotion of Cassie’s transformation seemed to attract no attention whatsoever, and it was not long before they puzzled out why. They made their way to the upmost level of the asylum, the main floor, and passed each room with increasing confusion….

The svirfneblin had led the two humans back to their village, and given them a surprisingly warm welcome considering the circumstances of the encounter. Imoen’s tongues spell had eased the meeting quite a bit, since even the most fluent of the gnomes spoke only halting, awkward, and heavily-accented Common. The two had been granted beds…

“Cassandra of Bhaal,” the dragon rumbled slowly, drawing out the sibilant ‘ss’ into a hiss. “And Imoen of Candlekeep. I have watched your progress with great interest.” So, my reputation precedes me. Cassie felt her lips twitch in amusement, despite the gravity of the situation. “I must be grand indeed, to have attracted the attention…

“Chazhecha leureucha ajeli!” Anomen ducked and raised his shield as a swarm of small, bright-red spheres of energy flew forth from the mage’s hands and zinged towards him like angry bees. They struck home regardless, darting around his shield, looping and twisting through the air to find his most unprotected spots. The armor protected him…

If the inn had a name, no one knew it. It had existed as long as Ust Natha itself, tucked away in the corner of the city, attracting clients with the promise of pleasures of every possible description. If asked on the street, any drow would say that the heart of Ust Natha was the…