Editing Menace Under Otari (section)

=== The Green Dragon ===

Our heroes track Zolgran through the depths of the cave until it opens into a large chamber dimly illuminated by the glow of colossal mushrooms. The air is heavy with the scent of fish, and scattered broken barrels and crates seem to indicate a clue as to the fate of the town's fish. At the center of the cavern, Zolgran frantically pleads with a green dragon for its aid. The dragon measures the size of a large horse and is likely an infant. The atmosphere is tense as the dragon reluctantly rises, and Zolgran, with a mix of desperation and glee, announces the inevitable demise of our heroes.

Zolgran launches a Magic Missile at Jerrick, who takes a direct hit to the chest. Ruby Dew, tapping into the plane of wood, summons a Hail of Splinters. The spell bounces off the dragon, but painful splinters embed themselves into Zolgran's scales. Zolgran turns and disappears into the shadows. The dragon begins rearing its head back, sharply inhaling. Rhus, sensing danger, in one fluid motion steps in front of Ruby and picks up Spike and tosses them onto one of the Mushrooms. The dragon unleashes a blast of poison breath at our heroes. Unable to withstand the attack, Rhus falls unconscious, his body having shielded Ruby and Jerrick. Jerrick rushes over and hands a potion to Ruby who helps the unconscious Rhus swallow the potion. Not slowing down, Jerrick draws the attention of the dragon away from Ruby and Rhus, raising his shield. Jerrick keeps the dragon busy while Ruby helps the waking Rhus back to his feet and returns to the fray. Ruby fires more needle darts at the dragon, and this time they pierce its scales. The Dragon roars in pain and Jerrick uses this opening to call upon the blessing of the Earth sticking the dragon squarely in the chest, embedding his axe into the creature. Rhus calls upon the blessing of the wind to lift him into the air above the dragon, and lets gravity dives his sword into the skull of the dragon. The dragon thrashes in agony before succumbing to death.

Rhus, wounded, holds his side as he withdraws his sword from the dragon's skull. The party looks around, but there is no sign of Zolgran or Spike in the cave illuminated only by the glow of mushrooms.

Zolgran was limping away, laughing at the thought of how the heroes would fall to her pet. She was so sure of her victory, she never expected what happened next and finds herself abruptly falling to the ground. As her vision fades, the last thing she sees is Spike's raised hands, calling her crochet needles back. A haunting image marking her final moments. 

Spike rejoins the party and checks on her friends. Rhus asks Jerrick's help to chop off the dragon's head as proof of the hazard pay they are owed. Before they can though, two distraught cries catch our heroes off guard. The half-orc and elf lady lovers that were charged to investigate a monster rumored to live in the cave have arrived at the scene of a dead dragon and injured warriors. They check on the injured heroes trying to hide their disappointment at their case already being solved. Feeling sorry for them, Spike reanimates the dragon and has it lumber towards them. Spike uses ventriloquism to roar and then cries for help. The Orc uses produce flame, while the monk elf punches the dragon in the face, felling the undead dragon. Spike expresses her gratitude for being saved from the scary monster. 

Looking over the treasure in the cave, a large pile of gold can be seen, some fine silk cloth, and a beautifully detailed painting of some dude on a horse.