Greed

The Serpentine Fire failed in their final mission against the giants. Their task was to warn the cities of the impending attack led by the fire giant king himself. Sadly, the party doesn't fail in storming the castle but rather in a chance encounter with a gorgon.

At the time of the quest, the party is over confident. Having enlisted the support of a freed titan they continue to dominate all enemies in their path. The drow, ogre mage, undead, and giants are no match for the Serpentine Fire as the clear out each room in the castle dungeon. In fact, the dungeon leads into the Underdark so the party remains reckless as they blindly rush forward. They take no heed from a very close encounter with deadly rakshastas that claims the life of Glaive who is consumed in magical fire.

In their final battle, the party's greed consumes wisdom as they realize their path has taken them into the lair of a dragon. Upon closer inspection, they find it is an Ancient Red Dragon gleefully asleep on its hoarde of treasure. Providence would have lent some caution to the experienced members but lining their pockets seemed to be more important.

The party (everyone) moves into the room after a succesful search for traps is made. They carefully plan the destruction of the giant beast and soon begin to launch a surprised attack gaining all the benefits thereof. As each blow and every magical effect is made, the dragon simply turns and continues to sleep.

Suddenly, the room fills with gas causing a more concerted effort on the hapless monster. The attacks do nothing but soon party members are seen writhing in pain. One by one, they begin a slow, painful transformation into stone replicas of themselves. Some fall to the ground shattering into pieces while others remain in lifeless poses. This first of these are the two cohorts and the evil Duergar mercenary.

Now, where once stood the victorious party of nine there was chaos. Remaining members press on. Some search for an escape route. Others continue the battle, still believing the dragon to be the threat.

Hoping to find refuge, Dorian Grey (the Illusionist) and Tirion Storm (Divine Ranger) move deeper into the lair. They pass the dragon and head for the corner wall where they believe an exit exists. But they too are overwhelmed by the effects and fall.

Dorian is first. Stopping just short of the wall his momentum causes a hard fall collapsing his body into pieces. Storm is much more fortunate as he falls against the wall before the transformation completes using part of Dorian's body to keep him elevated. Seeing the bad turn of events unfolding too quickly, Yngwie panics and struggles for a spell to cast.

The titan realizes the dragon is a clever illusion but can do nothing for the party. He grabs what little he can before leaving the area in search of an escape route out of the Underdark. Nilz sends his scout owl to find an exit but before it can return he too succumbs to the gases magical effects. As Nilz turns to stone he positions himself against the entrance to the lair cursing the arrogance and foolhardiness of the party. He knows they were too greedy and it cost them.

Yngwie is left with a devastating decision. Knowing the cost of wildly teleporting within the Underdark he calls upon the arcane power and immediately appears above ground but somewhere to the north. The elements are severe and he struggles to find shelter from the storm. He is depleted of spells but remains hopeful that he will survive the night and return to Waterdeep where he vows to plan a rescue mission for his fallen comrades.