The group was dropped off in Cairona by Yash and, after resupplying, headed back eastward. They went through the underground Rigun Pass to the city of The-Bin, a bustling bazaar town on the western foothills of the mountains. The goal was to travel south to Mor-Mehr, the temple-city rumored to be the gateway to the Sacanno Mountains and the fabled lost city of Adanir.
While in Mor-Mehr, the group sought information about traveling through the desert, learning that Kaftar were attacking caravans as well as sandstorms sweeping away unsuspecting parties. Ardeshir befriended a dwarven blacksmith named Balshar, who said he was headed to Mor-Mehr for a routine job of resupplying and repairing the various needs of the town. The group offered to protect him on the road as they were all going south, and so they left The-Bin accompanying Balshar.
Along the way to Mor-Mehr the group was indeed met by a Kaftar group, who tried to lure them into a trap (pretending to be a false caravan). The Kaftar attacked and were later joined by dust mephits, those elemental imps of the sands. The group managed to protect Balshar (although were quite annoyed with the mephits), and continued on.
In Mor-Mehr, they were met by the Order of Annayur, who warned them at the Sacanno Mountains were a dangerous place, and that none were very welcome there. They had sealed the entrance up ages ago to protect ruins from grave-robbers and monsters, and were wary of letting even the adventurous party in. They claimed no knowledge of Adanir's existence.
Ardeshir Rouhani vouched for the party's good faith, and after deliberating with the Order's leader, Mateen, managed to get the Gate to the Golden Road opened. They were warned of slimes and harpies, as well as a stone giant named Gaddadhara who dwelled on the road to an ancient city of Abizad, a fallen trading post.
In the old temple ruins at the foot of the mountains, the group slinked through past some minor traps of the Order of Annayur's doing, and also encountered some oni and more dust mephits. Ichirou managed to bravely fend off a darkmantle, and the group uncovered the remains of a treasure store hidden away by bandits years ago.
They continued out from the old temple into the mountain passes, where they passed by great painted murals of the destruction of the forests that had now become the Astara Desert surrounding Majirah. Then they approached a massive stone citadel, whereupon they met Gaddadhara, the stone giant...
