[Runequest] "The Company of the Dragon" (Session Nine)

In 'The Company of the Dragon' (Session Nine), the Company faces escalating threats as they return to their camp after a harrowing ordeal in Johnstown. The arrival of Orissa, a warrior guided by a divine rainbow and vision of the dragon star, introduces both hope and suspicion, particularly from Miro, still grappling with Finn’s departure. Tensions explode when a massive troll force attacks under cover of night, but Orissa’s Sunbright spell proves her worth and earns her a place among the Company. The group then learns of a far greater danger: the Black Horse Troop, led by the demonic Sir Ethelrist, who seeks to reclaim Lilia as his daughter. This revelation deepens the emotional stakes, forcing the Company to confront the weight of legacy and identity. They devise a daring ambush plan in the forest, setting the stage for a brutal and pivotal battle. Despite overwhelming odds, the Company fights valiantly—Solara delivers a critical kill with her bow, triggering a fiery dissolution of a rider’s horse, while Arisa is critically wounded and Solara is knocked unconscious after a devastating blow. With the team decimated and morale at rock bottom, they make the desperate decision to use a plot point to summon the dragon Shabashok. The dragon’s dramatic arrival terrifies the enemy into retreat, turning the tide and securing a hard-fought victory. The episode closes with a mix of triumph and sorrow, as the Company earns a significant reputation boost but bears the deep physical and emotional scars of battle, setting the stage for healing and recovery in the next session.