Our heroes:

Serj, Human Fighter - formerly a thug working for a crime lord, but was falsely accused of betraying the gang and fled.
Amordon, Tiefling Warlock of the Old One - a scholar fascinated by dark powers.
O'Fa, Halfling Rogue - a profit-motivated thief.
Brodig, Half-Orc Paladin - a wise old brute who joined the party after having a shared prophetic dream.
Monk, Human Monk - a traveller of the world who hunts the dreaded spirit naga.

The story so far:

The party has just defeated the don of The Grove, a powerful treant mafia. They arranged for leadership of the syndicate to fall to Jack, the consigliere. Jack promises to be less openly-violent against humankind. After the adventure, the party returns to Port Redwater.

---

[Interior of the Mermaid's Folly tavern. Serj, O'Fa, Monk, and Amordon are huddled around a table. Serj has a flagon in front of him, while O'Fa has a martini glass. Monk and Amordon have glasses of milk. Brodig is up at the bar waiting for his specialty drink]

Serj (happily clutching his flagon): That Grove business is finally behind us! No more worrying that every tree might be waiting to shank me!

O'Fa (disinterestedly stirring his drink): Cheers to that.

Serj (palms on the table, looking around): So ... what now? I could use a little R&R myself. Been on the road a long time.

Monk (shrugging, studying his nails): I'm sure wherever we go, trouble is soon to follow. I've got nothing specific in mind unless we get a new lead on the spirit naga.

Amordon (opening his journal and readying a quill): Let's think about the current state of affairs. The biggest issue, obviously, is the Lich. He's still amassing power in Goblin Valley. We're not strong enough to deal with him alone, so we need allies.

O'Fa (between dainty sips): Jack'll be helping along with his treants once things are settled.

Serj (nodding thoughtfully, arms crossed): And we can't forget the dragon in the southern wastes. It's probably the only creature alive that remembers the lich's last rise to power. We should pay it a visit once the artificers are done magicking up our airship.

Monk (holding a silver trinket between his index finger and thumb): I bet the elves would help. We need to visit them anyway to return this charm we found.

Amordon (scratching his horns): Remember those spies we met from Doas'yan? I wonder if we could convince them to lend a hand.

Serj (shaking his head): I doubt we'd be able to find them. A better bet would be to sail to their capital and seek an audience with the king.

O'Fa (grimacing): Just as long as we don't run into any more snake people.

Amordon (counting on his fingers): Alright, we have a few good options here. We could visit the elven enclave and return that charm, we could seek the help of the dragon in the southern wastes, or we could travel across the sea to Doas'yan. My personal preference would be -

Brodig (slapping hands down on the table, startling O'Fa and Serj): We should climb a mountain! We might find something cool at the top!

[The others react simultaneously]:

O'Fa (confused): What? No.

Serj (blankly): Why?

Amordon (frowning): I don't see a point.

Monk (massaging his temples): That has to be the dumbest thing you've ever said.


[CUT TO: the party in climbing gear, hiking up the lower slopes of Mt. Suffering]

O'Fa: Damn it.