Up in Flames, Part 2

The party returns to Dusttown, to the surprise of Ricardo, the fish-faced mayor.  Keeping true to his promise, he allows the party to peruse his junk heap for functioning goods.  Most leave after finding several useful items; Nyridius finds a kiddie pool.  With their heads buried in refuse piles, they barely notice as a commotion grows in the town behind them.  Only after Ricardo runs back to get aid does the group realize the cause - Dusttown is on fire!

As the party rushes to save what civilians they can, they find the arsonists responsible for the blaze - Grinner and a fellow thug.  A foul smile spreads from ear to ear as Grinner ignites house after house with his napalm super-soaker.  Most of the party rushes into the flaming buildings to save stranded children, but Duke is seeing red and engages Grinner.  Grinner taunts Duke, laughing with every blow he gives and receives.  Nyridius assists Duke, but they are barely able to hold their ground against a powerful assault.  Duke falls in combat after receiving a putrid, poisonous belch from Grinner.

Meanwhile, Defendomax and Vagabot successfully save some helpless children from the burning buildings.  Professor Cuddlepunch attempts to do the same, although she is overwhelmed by smoke and has to be saved  herself by Defendomax.  With the flames growing and the poorly-built homes crumbling, a hard truth becomes apparent: not all of the children will be saved.  Cuddlepunch and Defendomax pick up the battle with Nyridius, but Vagabot pushes on and rushes into another burning house.  However, she doesn't make it out in time, and the shanty collapses around her.

The battle comes to a swift end as Nyridius immolates the thug into a fine powder and Cuddlepunch disembowels Grinner with her heavy claws, leaving him dead in the dirt.  Ricardo, with tears in his eyes for the children that couldn't be saved, again approaches the group.  He thanks them for their selfless deeds, and shares with them his troubles.  He relates how Reaper has controlled water shipments to Dusttown, and forced Ricardo to make heavy payments.  When Ricardo missed a payment, he was told by Reaper's agent, Grinner, that things were "about to get very dry."  He again begs for the group's assistance.  He explains a plan for increasing rainfall around Dusttown, which would rob Reaper of his extortion tactics.  He asks the group to visit the Archive and retrieve a moisture-filled crystal, which they could then attach to a local broadcast tower.

Each member of the party looks inward and finds that this is in their best interest; Cuddlepunch loves to help, Defendomax and Vagabot want to learn more about their past, Nyridius is eager to explore the Archive, and Duke desires revenge against Reaper.  They agree to Ricardo's plan and start their journey toward the Archive.