[Bungleau]

As Forest Lump left the gates of Ishad N'ha, he felt something strange, a feeling he hadn't had in a while. As he dodged tree branches, he realized what it was.

It was hope.

He hadn't seen his sister since she disappeared, and his family since shortly thereafter. Out in the world, nothing to do, and no real skills, either. There was only one thing he knew how to do, and it was time to do it again.

"Run, Forest, run," he muttered to himself as he picked up speed.

He ran down a river, then through the woods. He ran past giant fish with lots of teeth, and even saw a couple of green-skinned humanoids. He ran through a tunnel in a hillside, and soon found himself at the dragon-embossed gates of Ishad N'ha.

Trembling and catching his breath, he entered to search for more news of his sister.

Once again, the smith took pity on him and pointed him in the right direction, towards a town of Brimloch Roon. "But to get there, laddie," said Damosh, ye'll have to pass through the Dragon's Spire, the most dangerous area around here."

"I'll do my best, sir," said Forest. And he took off, relieved that he was now only days behind his sister.

He ran past giant dogs.... and left them behind. Run, Forest, run...

He surprised a group of ratlings, all dressed in black. He was pretty sure they meant him harm, but they couldn't catch him. Run, Forest, run...

He passed giant dragonflies, and flew beyond their reach... Run, Forest, run...

Finally, he found the deep cave of the Dragon's Spire. Pausing for a moment, he headed into its depths. Following tracks in the bare rock, he surmised which way his sister may have gone.

He stopped when he got to a waterfall. He could see an opening on the other side, but no bridge. There was a device of some sort next to him... if only he had some means to turn it. Alas, there was nothing... so taking a deep breath, he backed up... Run, Forest, run...

He leapt through the waterfall, scrambling to reach something on the other side. Something besides slippery moss-covered rocks, though... he was almost there, fighting to climb... when suddenly, he made it. He stood up, water dripping off his meager clothes, and bade good-day to a blind leprechaun. Or gnome... or elf. He was never good at social studies at the meager school he attended, and every so often, he suffered from it.

Finally he found his way to the giant dragon and tried to sneak past it. To no avail... it awoke, and bellowed out, wondering who was trying to bother it now. Run, Forest, run...

He reached the exit and ran down a narrow path carved into the side of the mountain. Run, Forest, run...

Eventually, he made his way to the gates of Brimloch Roon and headed inside. Inquiries about his sister got strange looks in return, and he was directed to the temple for more answers. No one would tell him more than that, though...

Swallowing hard, he pushed at the door of the temple and walked in....