We decided to first finish clearing out the castle, so we would not have to cover two flanks once the fighting started. Fyinn deceived six remaining dragon cultists that we were their replacement and sent them “home”. They could not wait to leave, apparently, Icespire Peak is not the most popular assignment for a young aspiring dragon cultist. This would give us a little time window to defeat the dragon and escape, before the dragon cultists would see through our ruse and return in force through the teleportation circle.
Shan then went up to the roof to separate the drakes from the dragon, so we could deal with them separately. He did so by taking some bones of defeated undead and luring them into an elaborate ambush downstairs. They turned out to be squishier than we thought and we disposed of them in no time. The dragon, however, had a different idea than waiting upstairs for his turn to be dealt and landed on a ledge outside. Thoredim, who can spare no love for dragons, rushed in immediately. The fight continued to the top floor, which was slick with ice. The dragon’s mighty breath weapon took a toll on the group, Thoredim being taken out. The victory was finally delivered by the most unlikely creature imaginable: a halfling! Fynn Teabarrel took the dragon down with a sleep spell, the fall to the floor killing it.
The group looted the dragon for scales, teeth. Fynn found some platinum pieces and, more importantly, an old helmet with “ears” (Helm of comprehending languages), with which he seemed to be able to cast a spell. Kaiya found a “dagger of warning”.
Not wanting to linger longer than neccessary in this place, the group took the remaining horses from the stables and made their way down the mountain towards Phandalin.