After solving the mystery of Tellemon’s murder, the party is given free lodging at the Wandering Anakore in Altaruk. The governor, Arisphistaneles tells them he will be in touch with details about their first initiation test to join the Veiled Alliance.

The adventurers head to the market to see if they can find anything to spend their reward on. They look around and find nothing but do hear that a sandstorm is headed toward the town. Many merchants begin packing up earlier than usual and they see people closing up their houses.

Feeling like they should heed the warnings the party heads to the Wandering Anakore. Once there they are welcomed and brought to a large suite. Servants feverishly work to prepare the establishment for coming storm.

The night is loud as wind and sand beat against the inn. In the morning the adventurers are awoken by a loud knock at the door. Kitano answers it. Selonius stands there and asks to enter. He tells the party that a wagon carrying important goods and people was lost the sandstorm last night. The people are members of the Veiled Alliance and the goods would be helpful to the governor.

Arisphistaneles sent Selonuis to tell the party this will be their first initiation test for entrance into the Veiled Alliance. He hands a roughly sketched map of the wagon’s route to the city. Kitano says great and everyone begins making preparations for the journey ahead.

Once ready the party heads into the heat of the day. As they walk through town they see many people digging their way out of the sand and unboarding windows. They study the map and head into the hot dune-filled wastelands.

Eventually they come across wagon tracks that appear and disappear in the sand as they follow them. Walking toward a stony outcropping, Ittik notices movement ahead. Darting in and between the rocks are some small reptilian creatures.

Unfortunately one notices the party as well. It lets out a high-pitched hissing and five of them creatures jump from the surrounding rocks. Three run quickly across the sand toward the party while the other two put blowguns to their mouths.

Ittik runs forward charging at his foe but misses. The party is not surprised but reacts a bit more slowly to the ambushing reptiles. The two reptiles with blowguns miss aiming at Meldrick and Ittik.

Two of the larger charging reptiles head toward Ittik both thrust their spears at him. Both hit him hard. He slumps to the sand and shows no signs of life. The last charging reptile lunges at Meldrick and stabs him.

Otiril slices one of the larger beasts and as Arannis slides it around he cuts it again. Meldrick steps up to the one that hit him and hits it twice. Kitano joins in and also hits twice.

The reptiles are taken aback with the fierce resistance and miss their attacks. Meanwhile Otiril and Arannis both drop a reptile. Kitano teleports one of the ranged combatants into the air, he falls with a thud.

Otiril charges to the top of the outcropping and knocks over one of the small reptiles. As he rises to his feet he sees Kitano kill the last of the larger reptiles. He runs as Otiril slashes at him.

The party pursues the fleeing creatures and overcome them easily. They check on Ittik but he is dead.

DM Notes:
I think this was a reminder to all (including me) just how deadly Dark Sun is. Even though I rolled high damage I was still a bit shocked Ittik was dead. Good fight and I like the way the campaign is moving.