The party arrives at the dragon temple north of Kitheroc. There is a mural surrounding the entrance of a kobold, dwarf, aarakcra, lizardfolk, and a large catperson. One depicts the kobold instructing the other four, with another depicting the four students departing in different directions. Abernathy explains that they had only gotten through the first hallway, as the traps beyond reset after an hour or so. The first trap is a set of platforms some distance apart with a pit of spike beneath, slots in the walls where swinging blades would swing out. As they approach, the sconces on the walls burst into blue flame, which Abernathy says didn't happen last time he was there. Mira and Eck leap across the platforms while Vera flies alongside; on the other side, Eck finds a lever that activates a light platform that renders the hallway safe. At the end of the pathway, Abernathy finds and hits the switch to open the next stone door.

The lights in the next room also light to their presence. Murals on the walls depict the five individuals engaged in a great conflict. The first section on the north wall shows the five fighting an army of goblinoids led by a large dragonborn; there is also a dragon. Abernathy observes that this is likely Dragonlord Rathane, an entity who could take on several different forms, though the dragon in the back was likely one of his consorts, potentially a shadow dragon, the Blightwing, Varionyx. He suspects that this battle perhaps was the thing that turned the tide against Rathane's rule. The second mural shows a kite-shaped creature raining destruction around the aarakocra, assisted by the kobold. The dragon Hexavus, a force more than a being, did not have much interaction with Rathane as they were not contemporaries. Them being connected by the aarakokra and kobold intrigues Abernathy. The third mural depicts the kobold standing atop a felled red dragon, his back turned toward the viewer. He is facing down a large dragon of unknown type. The other four individuals are turned away from the kobold, their expressions not detailed enough to make out what exactly is happening. Abernathy observes that the dragon the kobold is facing down is Bahamut, likely the fifth Bahamut given the suggested timeframe. As they are contemplating the mural and its meaning, Eck touches it. The lines in the relief light up with that same blue light, and the mural becomes intangible.

The mural leads to a hallway, sconces continuing to light as they go. A phantasmal image of the aarakocra appears in the air next to Eck, unseen by the others, and gives them a warm smile. She expresses some surprise at Abernathy's return, then welcomes Eck. She says she is impressed and looks forward to seeing more, then vanishes. The group reaches a stone archway filled with a wall of force, blocking the way. Five glowing red spherical stones are set in the top of the arch. Eck executes a number of elemental punches, changing the colors of the orbs and barrier. After some experimentation, Eck, Dorean, and Vera inflict the five elements of the chromatic dragons. Beyond is a second archway with the colors in reverse. The aarakocra appears to Eck again, congratulating them on their success and that she is looking forward to meeting them. They reach another door, quickly finding the hidden switch to open it. Mira finds some edible slime mold, which she offers to Eck. Once prompted, Eck confusedly eats it.

The next room it a large circlar room, to one side is growing a large tree, growing toward the middle of the room and then upwards through the ceiling. There are further murals in this room, though exposure to the elements has not been kind to them. In the center of the room is a large raised arena with the ghostly form of the aarakocra sitting in the center. A large black panther is hanging near the top of the tree, but seems uninterested in interacting with anyone. The aarakocra welcomes Eck properly, introduces herself as Aina, the second disciple, and offers to get straight to business. The party backs up to watch as Eck and Aina begin trading blows. Eck performs a series of blows using the same elemental order as the first arch, magically becoming invigorated enough to perform the full series of attacks on their own. There is a burst of wind and a roar reminicent of Tiamat herself, dealing further damage to Aina. Aina congratulates them and, while such a move is beyond them to perform for now, but offers to teach them a technique to allow them to focus their energies on various elements, granting additional effects when they deal that damage, as well as a healing version when reversing them.

Abernathy—and Aina, though he cannot hear her—relays that the murals display more intimate moments within the group. The kobold biting a comically large shank of meat over the campfire as the lizardfolk tries to remove him. Aina pulling a knight out of a lake of fire reminiscent of the Hexavus mural—she brushes over their relationship, but he seems important to her. The kobold, an expression of pain on his face, surrounded protectively by the four students. As Aina tells her story, providing the names of the other students, Eck realizes that the red dragon from the outside mural was likely Schvargosa, a lieutenant of the fourth Tiamat, one of her potential consorts, and one of the most dangerous red dragons in history until Atoraxia. Aina explains that he was one of their greatest enemies, but they had to leave one of their own behind, citing anger and fury being difficult topics. Abernathy observes abscently that there was no treasure, but the history itself was a trove. Aina offers Eck the bronze sash wrapped around her robe; because she is a ghost, it falls through their hands and the floor below. The arena begins to transform into a flight of stairs leading down, which Aina explains is her tomb. Downstairs is a raised shrine, Aina's body sitting upright on it, surrounded by ancient withered flowers. Kneeling before her is a skeletal figure in armor. Aina approaches the figure. The blue energy comprising Aina flows, creating the figures of the Aina on the shrine and the knight. Aina is telling the knight, Emoen, that they must ensure that the Cruel Heart does not rise again. Emoen declares that if that must be so, she will stand watch. The memory of Aina does not seem to realize how literal she means as she sits on the shrine. Eck retrieves the sash and asks about the Cruel Heart. Aina says that they will have to learn that at the other temples, but it was a great force that they failed to defeat.

The temple begins to rumble, and the party attempts to flee. Abernathy requests that he be left behind to study the temple for the rest of his life, unwilling to be evicted from his home and in disgrace in the academic community. Ward says that reasoning for dying down there wasn't good enough and instructs the party to leave. The panther leaps down from the tree and transforms back into Thorn, who then touches the tree and creates a portal. The party runs through, appearing in a small park in Kitheroc, but missing Ward.

Ward, a fey, does not enjoy the pleasure of traveling along leylines instantaneously. The others with him appear frozen in time as they travel the distance between the temple and their destination. He will arrive at his destination soon enough, but it will be several minutes of walking through an atmosphere like warm soup. As he walks, he is tackled by a large furry form and pulled off the path. The form is a large, smelly feywild badger person wearing leather armor. A second badger person approaches, saying that the first had had a good idea to attempt to ambush him in the leylines. They intend to turn him over to the duke, but they realize that they are in a deep blue glade. A large twisting tree with blue leaves and bright fuchsia cherry blossoms. A moon similar to Yumia hangs in the night sky. The bounty on Ward's head comes with the reward of being in charge of Cailleamhan, should it be recovered. Ward mocks their potential ability to rule, then attempts to Misty Step away. An iron bracelet has been placed on his wrist, keeping him from casting magic. The most unreasonably beautiful person ever, tall with pale white hair, wolf-like features, and a sword on his hip, emerges from beneath the tree. He requests the release of Ward, then makes them release him, the larger badger exploding in blood due to the swift attack of the man. The man beckons Ward closer, which he does, and the two go on a walk to discuss matters. When questioned, Ward explains that he is attempting to restore Cailleamhan, though does not have any strong leads. Ward observes that the man is the Warden of the Fang; he then introduces himself as Garm Idanra. Idanra observes that Ward is unconventional, caring about his subjects. He further observes that he helped his sister slay their father for love of his people, and for love of his sister and her paranoia, he was self-exiled. Idanra explains that his father's remains were spread and assigned to wardens to prevent him, a powerful archfey, from reforming. The duke fears that Ward is not like his father, and is thus an unknown. Idanra, on the other hand, finds it intriguing. He returns Ward to his friends.

Ward emerges to find the party about to fight Thorn, who has summoned a plant T-rex and is declaring that they have no idea where Ward went. He assures them that he's fine, and Thorn wordlessly escapes through their summon. Ward explains that teleports through trees are longer for him, and that he got pulled off it by some potential assassins. He escaped and suggests they be careful about their means of transportation in the future. They then discuss what to do with Abernathy, as getting enough money to postpone his eviction is likely impossible. Because there are other dragon temples out there, he would like to potentially get back into field work, though it did take a lot out of him. The party promises to attempt to talk to their people about helping him, drop him off at home, then head back to the airship themselves.

Introduced

• Aina, second disciple
• Two badgerfolk fey bounty hunters
• Garm Idanra - Warden of the Fang

Returning

• Professor Abernathy
• Thorn

Mentioned

• Varionyx
• Dragonlord Rathane
• Hexavus
• The Fifth Bahamut
• Schvarogk- kobold teacher
• Kothin - dwarf student
• Sfen - lizardfolk student
• Gadran - tigerfolk student
• Schvargosa - red dragon

• Slow (Ward)
• Haste (Ward)
• Sending (Ward)
• Absorb Elements (Ward)
• 2100gp of diamonds (Vera)
• 10,000gp (Luna, from Icanthimus)
• Studded leather +1 (Luna)