The party re-entered Phandalin in silence. What had once been a bustling town filled with laughter and life was now a ruin. The streets were littered with debris, houses collapsed into piles of rubble. The air was heavy, as if the town itself mourned its loss.
$\hspace{1cm}$[[Ellette|Ellette]]: *“Zargathax didn’t just destroy it... it’s like he erased the heart of this place.”*
$\hspace{1cm}$[[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]: “No one’s left. Not even a dog to bark at us.”
$\hspace{1cm}$[[Zara Blackwood|Zara]]: *“It’s like the world forgot Phandalin existed.”*
The group walked to the fountain in the town square or what was left of it. The pink crystal that had once been a beacon of protection was gone, replaced by jagged cracks and scorch marks. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] stopped, his hand tightening on his axe.
$\hspace{1cm}$[[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]: “We’ll make Zargathax pay for this. No one destroys a town under my watch!”
$\hspace{1cm}$[[Ellette|Ellette]]: *“We’ll get our chance, [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]. Look.”*
She pointed to the distance. Atop a mountain, a massive skull-shaped structure loomed, its hollow eyes glaring down as if daring them to come closer.
$\hspace{1cm}$[[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]: “Guessing that’s our destination.”
$\hspace{1cm}$[[Ellette|Ellette]]: *“It’s a big, scary skull on a mountain. Of course it’s where we’re headed.”*
$\hspace{1cm}$[[Zara Blackwood|Zara]]: *“I hate to point this out, but skulls don’t usually mean ‘friendly locals.’”*
With their destination clear, the party began their journey toward the ominous peak. The road was eerily quiet, the only sound the crunch of their boots against the dirt.
But soon, a faint cry broke the silence. It came from off the road, near a toppled cart surrounded by shambling undead. Without hesitation, the party sprang into action.
$\hspace{1cm}$[[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]: “Undead scum! Time to die again!”
The skeletons turned toward the group, but they were no match. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] and [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] tore through them like a storm, while [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]]’s spells sent them scattering. [[Ellette|Ellette]] danced around the battlefield, ensuring her companions weren’t overwhelmed.
As the last skeleton fell, the party approached the cart. A woman’s lifeless body lay beside it a fallen orc, her arms stretched as if she had tried to shield something. A soft whimper came from within the cart.
![[GugarFirsMeet.jpg]]
[[Ellette|Ellette]] crouched, speaking softly.
$\hspace{1cm}$[[Ellette|Ellette]]: *“It’s okay. We’re here to help. Are you hurt?”*
A small voice answered, trembling.
$\hspace{1cm}$Voice: “Mama said to hide. Are the skeletons gone?”
[[Ellette|Ellette]] carefully moved the debris, revealing a young orc girl huddled in fear.
$\hspace{1cm}$[[Ellette|Ellette]]: *“They’re gone now. You’re safe.”*
$\hspace{1cm}$Girl: “Mama... Mama tried to stop them...”
Her voice cracked as she pointed to the orc woman outside. [[Ellette|Ellette]]’s heart sank.
$\hspace{1cm}$[[Ellette|Ellette]]: *“I’m so sorry. What’s your name?”*
$\hspace{1cm}$Girl: “Gugar.”
[[Ellette|Ellette]] placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder.
$\hspace{1cm}$[[Ellette|Ellette]]: *“Where were you going, Gugar?”*
$\hspace{1cm}$Gugar: “To find my dad. Mama said we had to get away from the skeletons. She said Dad would help us.”
The party exchanged looks, each understanding the weight of the moment.
$\hspace{1cm}$[[Ellette|Ellette]]: *“We’ll help you find your dad. You can come with us, okay? We’ll keep you safe.”*
$\hspace{1cm}$[[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]: “Yeah, kid. Stick with us, and no skeletons will touch you.”
$\hspace{1cm}$[[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]: “I’ll smash anything that tries!”
$\hspace{1cm}$[[Zara Blackwood|Zara]]: *“And you’ll have a story to tell your dad when we find him.”*
Gugar hesitated, then nodded, her small hand gripping [[Ellette|Ellette]]’s tightly.
The group continued toward the skull shaped mountain, their pace a little slower now. Though the path ahead was dangerous, they had one more reason to keep moving: a scared little girl who needed them.
[[Chapter 23. A howl in the Night]]