Raid of Markkud

Forces| D.W.A.* Delver Fudgeson
* Donovan Brisingr
* Brother James
* Henry Quetzel Martin
* Duergar Soldiers

Casualties| None | * Rythis' Daughter
* Many Duergar

The **Raid of Markkud** was a mission taken on by D.W.A. during the War Against Rythis. Though intended to be a scouting mission, it turned into the rescue of Aldrem and a key point in the war. It also helped Dwarf-Drow relations and helped establish the first part of the Alliance against Rythis.

## History

### Prelude

The Dwarves of Durnhold had been fighting with the Drow for a very long time, when suddenly, the Drow had started to attempt to reach the surface. This resulted in the capture of Talice, and interrogation, which revealed the Duergar threat advancing on the city of Falthrift in the Underdark. High Admiral Stonesail ordered D.W.A. to follow Talice back to her home where they would negotiate a truce with the Drow, as well as scout out the Duergar threat.

Once in the Falthrift, D.W.A. discovered that Talice's mother, along with other Drow, had been captured and taken to the Duergar capital of Markkud. They agreed to follow Talice to the city to attempt a rescue.

### Fight with Dragon

While scouting the city, the raiding party was discovered by Rythis' daughter, a young red dragon. Delver Fudgeson was able to convince her to allow Donovan Brisingr to face her Duergar companion in single combat so that they would have an easier time facing the dragon. She had attempted to trick them into thinking that she would let them go if Donovan was successful, but the party saw through the ruse and was prepared for the fight. With verbal assistance from Brother James, Donovan won his fight and Delver engaged the dragon. D.W.A. had beaten their opponent and forced her to flee, but James was able to catch her and kill her.

### Infiltrating the City

Henry Quetzel Martin was disguised as a Duergar and made his way into the city and found Talice's mother, Shi'nyra. Along with the Drow prisoners, Henry discovered a dragon chained down and being watched by guards. Henry was able to get Shi'nyra back to the group after deceiving the Duergar Guards. The party was told that the dragon's name is Aldrem, and that he is the protector of the sea. D.W.A. decided that they couldn't leave without Aldrem, and planned another rescue.

### Rescue Mission

While the others chose to sneak through back alleyways, James climbed the rooftops and began engaging the Duergar forces. This caused most of the guards to leave the cave Aldrem was being kept in and enabled the rest of the party to enter. With James engaging most of the forces outside from the rooftop, the rest battled the remaining guards inside. Delver, fluent in Draconic, managed to tell Aldrem their plan to free him. They broke his chains, and once James had run back in, army in tow, they mounted the dragon and were flown well over the city of Markkud and out of the Underdark.

### Aftermath

Aldrem thanked the party for their help and explained to them the details of his capture. Aldrem's father was the old protector of the sea, and had recently passed away. This enabled Rythis to challenge and capture Aldrem, and begin his conquest of the world. Though he would need time to recover, Aldrem promised to assist D.W.A. in their fight against Rythis.

The information learned from Aldrem and their scouting of the city allowed D.W.A. to return to Stonesail with information that would help them plan further moves against Rythis' Forces.