14th of Marpenoth 1366 Year of the Staff

How to Survive in the Port of Shadows

The Guardians of the Past invite the Huntresses to Corthen’s home in the North Ward. The group led by Corthen is eager to learn about Skullport. Zorneeda and Terleeza share that they have been to the port twice. Zorneeda explains that once their band was teleported to the the third level and they wandered through monster lair after lair until finally stumbling into the confines the pirate port. Terleeza says that they returned on ship a year later to retrieve an item stolen from a noble villa . Terleeza shares they were able to buy the item back from the fence in Skullport.

Corthen asks what Skullport is like. Zorneeda shares that it a crowded huge cavern containing a mixture of stone, and salvaged wood buildings some built on top of another. The female mage continues. She says that Skullport is neutral territory. All races and all creatures are welcome in Skullport as long as there is no bloodshed. Anyone caught disrupting the trade here with face the power of the Skulls.

Intrigued, Tellazar asks the Huntresses about the Skulls. Parthia speaks up and says that skulls are some ancient human skulls that when provoked come swarming offenders and blasting them with powerful magic. She says that one must not stir up trouble, lest they be blasted to dust by the power of the floating skulls. Zorneeda says that slavery, poison, and all other kinds of illegal activity are legal in Skullport.

Corthen asks if it is safe to sleep anywhere in Skullport. Flaseen speaks and says that the Burning Troll Inn is a good place, run by retired adventurers. The heroes run out of questions, so some of them decide to make a trip to the Riven Shield. Ayremyr is eager to see if Delborggan has any new magical weapons for sale. The elf is disappointed. The merchant states that a group keeps coming in and buying everything when it comes in. Intrigued, Corthen asks about the men. Delborggan says that he has no names, but two of the men have Moonshavian accents. Corthen thanks the owner and the group returns to the North Ward and waits for their trip to Skullport.

13th of Marpenoth 1366 Year of the Staff

The party armed with the information from Saedellas, returns to Undermountain. Traveling towards the area of the spider temple, the group comes across a dead drow elf. Samira speaks with the dead drow and learns that Eclavdra is based in Halaster’s Halls. She also learns that the temple of Lolth is located somewhere below the first level of the dungeon. Seeking a way to descend, the group uses a descending stairwell not far from the entry well to the Yawning Portal.

As Corthen and Ayremyr move down the steps, flames erupt in the stairwell. A flaming guardian is gated in and attacks the elven warriors. During the battle, Ayremyr Windywood is knocked down the flight of stairs and disappears. Corthen, Rehs, Tellazar, Erith and the others battle the Salamander with blades and spells. Erith uses his wand to hit the creature with magical cold. The heroes defeat the fire creature and complete their descent. The group finds that they are teleported when they reach the last few steps below.

The group finds themselves in a wide hall and they have found their missing comrade, Ayremyr. The bruised warrior is shaking off his plummet and tumble down the steep stairs. Looking about, the elf discovers that his magical scimitar that he lost a grip on is missing. It appears that when he tumbled through the teleport set on the stairs that his blade went through on its own, but did not travel to the same destination. Samira looks to the wounded elf before the party decides on a direction after Rehs does some scouting ahead.

The group travels through a myriad of hallways, seeking another set of stairs down. The party discovers a lost journal belonging to an adventurer of the halls. Tellazar peruses the book and finds little information of value. Pushing on, the party moves through many long and twisting passages of the dungeon before turning a corner and coming face to face with a tall male humanoid wearing ornate armor with glowing pupiless eyes!

Corthen cautiously holds his attack, waiting to see if the powerful looking figure acts hostile towards the group. The tall figure moves forward but moves past the group as if they are not even present. Rehs and Ayremyr mutter thanks to their gods that the creature ignored them and did not attack. Gathering their composure, the Guardians of the Past travel through several intersections and down a hall into chamber with black stone flagstones and a black arched ceiling. As Corthen slowly moves into the chamber a whispered voice calls out in elven. “Corthen.” The soft female voice calls again. Corthen Nightglade responds to the voice without a form, “Who calls?”

The elven voice calls, “A friend. Olaie of the Huntresses. I shall show myself, so hold arms.” The lithe form of the elven woman appears out of the shadows of the far side of the chamber. She sheathes a slim blade and slowly walks out into the light carried by the group. Corthen recognizes the female adventurer from the Elfstone Tavern and from the Yawning Portal. The Guardians greet Olaie. Corthen asks if this is a deeper level of Undermountain. The elven rogue confirms that they are on the second level, known to adventurers as the “Storeroom Level”. Ayremyr shares the story of guarded stairs and losing his scimitar when he fell through the teleport. He asks Olaie if she has any idea where it may have been transported to. Olaie says that teleports and gates sometimes have special magic that whisks away other objects. She says the missing blade could be about anywhere. Corthen asks Olaie if she knows anything about a Lolth Temple in Undermountain. Olaie shares that she knows nothing of a temple, but she knows Drow are known to be more frequent on below the “Storeroom Level”.

From the far archway, several armed females step forward. Seeing Olaie speaking to the party, they cautiously approach. The heroes meet the other members of the Huntresses; Terleeza, Zorneeda, Gerta, Warenia, Thalia, Flaseen, Ruma, Parthia, and Irum. The women are told that the party is seeking out the Drow to recover a missing staff taking from the druids of the Moonshaes. Corthen asks the Huntresses if they can aid them in their search. Zorneeda and her band discuss amongst themselves his request and offer to give the Guardians of the Past assistance for an equal share of treasure for the mission. The Guardians discuss the matter and agree to their terms.

Corthen asks if they can lead them to the stairs to next level below since that is known to hold Drow. Flaseen speaks up. A priestess in the vestments of Selune, Flaseen recommends that the group sail to Skullport instead of trying to use stairs to descend and wander through endless danger. Tellazar asks why they would sail to the mythical pirate port when they wish to find the Drow who have been terroring the Moonshaes. Terleeza pipes in and states emphatically that Skullport is a real place and that lies in caverns in Undermountain.

Flaseen says that shady ship captains know the secret route that connects the sea to Skullport. She says that the River Sargauth winds through that level of the dungeon and it is a quicker way to travel through the level. Terleeza says that rogues and traders in Skullport may have information about the Drow and she suggests the group leave the depths and seek out passage to Skullport to complete the quest.

The two groups agree to return to Waterdeep so that they can provision properly for a trip deep into Undermountain. Erith uses his horned ring to carry every adventurer one by one to the surface. The two bands split up, some to gather extra gear and food, while others seek out a ship captain willing to take them down to Skullport. Rehs, Corthen, and Erith walk to the Dock Ward. Rehs tries to use his thieves cant at one Dock Ward tavern and the barman looks at him strangely like he has three heads. The rogue next goes to a downtrodden tavern with a Serpent signboard. Inside the dimly lit taproom the thief strikes a conversation with the owner. Rehs slips the pale man some gold to learn of transport to Skullport. He is told to seek out the owner at Kilmen’s Foamy Jack.

Rejoining Corthen and Erith the trio avoid the narrow alleys and make for Slut Street. There they are joined by Terleeza. Kilmen’s front door is an ornate wood door that has been salvaged an age ago possibly from a shipwreck. Terleeza and Rehs go up to the old woman tending the bar. Rehs tells the gray haired woman they are looking for a ship for passage and that they were told to come to the Jack. The woman tells him that she knows many ships crews. Rehs finally catches on that he must pay her for her help. Once coins have crossed her palm, she tosses a coin to one of her regulars at the bar and tells him to get Captain Gigardos.

While they are waiting a brawny sailor enters and sits in a corner booth. He orders food and drink from the serving wench. Once he has been served, the old matron informs Rehs that the sailor in the corner is the man he seeks. Rehs crosses the floor and asks if he may join the sailor. The dark haired captain motions to the other bench. Rehs informs Gigardos that he and his friends seek passage on a ship. He reveals that the destination is Skullport. Captain Gigardos lets Rehs know that the cost is high, since the trip is not easy. He agrees to carry the two parties and their gear for 750 gold coins per passenger. He also requires that everyone remain in the hold during the entire trip with weapons sheathed. Gigardos demands half of the payment and Rehs returns after Corthen gives him a sack of gold and gems.

Gigardos informs the rogue to meet the Sea Maiden at the harbor on the 16th at 11 bells. He warns that if anyone is the late, the ship will set sail without them. Rehs thanks the shady shipmaster and leaves with his friends. Ayremyr finishes up purchases of food and canoes for passage on the Sargauth.

12th of Marpenoth 1366 Year of the Staff

The Guardians of the Past have spent the last two days healing and making an attempt to speak to the spirit of the dead Fire Giant killed in the their last battle. Samira tried but was unable to get him to communicate.

The group is gathered at Corthen’s manse for morningfeast, when there is a knock at the door. Corthen’s servant, Bared, informs him that he has a guest. Corthen walks to the foyer and sees a familiar face, his friend Saedellas Nightstar. The two elves greet one another and soon the entire party comes in to rejoice about his return to Waterdeep.

Corthen inquires as to his visit. Saedellas shares that he had completed his tour at Sunset Keep and he had desired to visit old friends once again in the City of Splendors. He states that when he arrived, he immediately discovered that his home in the South Ward was gone, destroyed by some unknown force. He says he looked around and could not find his friends, so he went into Undermountain seeking them out.

The elven priest goes on to relate while there he encountered a mixed band of haughty elves , half elves and halflings. He traveled with them for awhile for mutual benefit. Saedellas became concerned about their motives when each encounter with humans either nearly ended in violence or it did result in death. Saedellas was shocked when the group entered a chamber and basically executed a lone human in leathers. Saedellas goes on that he and one of the friendly halflings were able to remove the human and take him back to the city in and to the temple of his faith.

Corthen relates to the priest that his home was destroyed by creatures in the service of an unknown spellcaster, bent on pillaging their gathered magic. He then regales his friend with their recent exploits in the Moonshaes and against the giants. Saedellas then shares that while he and the evil elves were exploring Undermountain that they were able to spy a large number of drow and Fire Giants travel through several chambers before making a human sacrifice at the drow temple and opening a gate and traveling through it. Corthen is in shock! He comes to the realization that the drow who are allied with the Dark Druidess are the same drow also plaguing Undermountain.

The group moves into action. Samira takes out the Spear of Lochal and attempts to commune with the dead Fire Giant in drow tongue. She first asks, “how can we meet Eclavdra?” He responds, “One comes when one is summoned.” She asks, “Where do you get summoned to?” The giant answers, “To the spider temple.” Samira continues, “Where is this temple?” His repsonse is, “Near the river.”

Samira continues and inquires as to the name of the river. “The River Sargauth.” The priestess of Mystra asks, “Where is this river?” The Fire Giant answers. He tells her that it is underground in the caverns. Samira asks if the caverns he speaks of have a name. The giant says, “The elves call it Zaress Zauvazzah.” Samira translates the name to Dark Victory. She asks, “how does one reach the spider temple from Waterdeep?” “I don’t know”, he retorts. She asks, “how would one get there from the ice caverns of the Frost Giant Jarl.”
His response is through the gateway. Samira asks him about the full path all the way to the ice caverns. The Fire Giant answers, "it is six days travel across the glacier from the Jarl’s caverns to the cavern where the gateway is located. Traveling through the gateway, there are 15 days of travel to the 2nd gate. This leads to the drow temple area. Samira asks if Eclavdra has the druidic staff. The giant doesn’t know.

Erith informs the party that the River Sarguath is said to wind through deeper levels of Undermountain. The group discusses plans of action. Saedellas asks if Samira can help the human that the elven adventurers murdered. He shares he thinks he was a druid. The group discusses this and grants access to the rod of resurrection. Saedellas travels to the temple where the druid has been taken to. He uses the rod, and the man is made whole.

Saedellas apologizes to the human before anyone else speaks. He shares that he was not friends with the evil natured elves who killed him in Undermountain. The human speaks and accepts the elven priest’s story. He shares that his name is Gareth Wildwolf, a Guardian of the Neverwinter Wood. Saedellas asks him some questions and learns he is a ranger, not a druid and that he was teleported into some horrid maze. He shares that he had discovered several sets of stairs and kept moving up searching for an exit. Talking, the two discover that Gareth had survived from the deeper levels of Undermountain for 7 months.

Corthen is happy and wishes to celebrate Saedellas’ return in the grand style of “the false Corthen Nightglade”. He talks his friends into joining him at Mother Tathlorn’s House of Pleasure and Healing. Putting on their finery the group travels to Gem Street in the Castle Ward. Corthen is greeted by the staff as if they know him. Everyone realizes this is from the person who was able to impersonate Corthen for some time in the city before he uncovered the activity.

Parrin, one of the staff, introduces the party to a number of attractive hosts. The ladies, Vie, a human with flame red hair; Doryne, an attractive half-elf wearing a faerie costume; Shelog, a sea elf; Silvanna, a moon elf beauty with silver hair; Sunny, a tall blonde with green eyes; Berry, a lithe brunette; and Esta, an attractive blonde with dark eyes.

The group parties. They drink, dance, and gamble. Before long, some of the party departs the lounge. Erith departs first with Silvanna. Corthen tries to get Tellazar to find a companion to comfort him, but the mage refuses to do more than eat and sip some wine. Saedellas seeks the company of Vie. Rehs giggles as Doryne whispers to him. He soon departs up the stairs with her. Ayremyr leaves with Sunny. Rithil and Berry leave. Corthen says goodbye to Samira, Kiersan, and Tellazar and he wobbles upstairs with Esta and Shelog. Corthen spends 115 gold coins for drinks for the entire group. The pleasure lasses cost 490 gold for the night. Corthen is generous and tips each lass 100 gold coins for their time.

9th of Marpenoth 1366 Year of the Staff

A Bard's Tale

The group decides to try and negotiate with the Frost Giant leader. The plan is they will leave the giants alone if they agree to turn over the Staff of Chauntea that was taken from the grove in the Moonshaes.

The heroes use the mirror to open the magic gate into the lower level of the giants’ stronghold. Samira speaks a Tongues prayer and calls out for a parley in the giant language. The Frost Giants respond. Samira learns their leader is the Jarl. He demands that the group drop weapons if they wish to parley with him. Corthen and the others refuse to disarm, so the giants respond by attacking the party. The group kills one of the aggressors and hastily retreats from the Jarl’s icy lair. Samira casts several healings over the injured members of the group.

Kiersan suggests that the group search the unexplored areas of the Jarl’s lair for the staff and avoid the mass of giant’s at the throne room. The group agrees, and returns back through the mirror to the upper level carved in the ice. The group’s next encounter is with Fire Giants. there is a fierce battle with the three male giants, one of them swings his huge sword and his blade kills Erith with one blow. Ayremyr, Rehs, and the others hack at the legs and torsos of the dark skinned giants. Tellazar casts several spells and the group manages to defeat these three hulking foes. Rehs and Ayremyr remove one giant’s head, so they may question him through magic. The group retreats back to Waterdeep with the bard’s corpse. Once back in the city, Samira uses the staff to bring Erith back from the dead.

8th of Marpenoth 1366 Year of the Staff

The heroes stay in Waterdeep. They take turns scrying the Frost Giants. Rehs keeps an eye on the throne room since he was the only member of the party to have seen the room. He watches as the giants who seem to have gathered in that room for protection. The party cannot take on such a large number of foes and survive, so they just keep an eye on their enemies and hope that they disperse.

7th of Marpenoth 1366 Year of the Staff

The Battle of Big Big Horn

In the morning, the Guardians of the Past, don their armor and take up their arms. They proceed back to the Frost Giant fortress by way of the magic mirror. The group travels down a long hallway before Corthen steps on a tripwire which releases boulders down upon the front ranks of the party. Corthen manages to avoid being hit, but Rithil, Kiersan, and Ayremyr are struck and wounded.

After recovering and the binding wounds on the injured members, the group finds a sloping passage that descends down deeper into the frozen ice. They find themselves in a large stone cavern with impressive carvings showing Frost Giants battling dragons and all manner of creatures including humans.

Corthen, Rehs, Rithil, and Ayremyr search for and discover a hidden passage behind a huge boulder. Unable to move the massive stone, Erith uses his scroll of portals and creates a passage through the impediment. Passing through, Corthen and the other warriors discover a guard room with several watchful giants who use a huge horn that hangs suspended from the ceiling by chains. Fearing that they will surrounded and be outnumbered the group quickly retreats from the room and runs back to the chamber containing the unseen portal that allows them to pass back through the mirror.

Tellazar and his companions scry the giants at the watch horn. They watch the number of giants who go through the room searching for them but return an hour later empty handed. Samira, Tellazar, and Corthen plot an attack that will allow them to surprise the Frost Giants at the horn.

Several hours later, Tellazar scries the chamber again and the see that the giants are on watch keeping an eye on the boulder they use as a door. Tellazar creates a gate behind the giants and the party steps through. A silence spell on Corthen helps to negate the horn. The party attacks the two giants in the chamber and make short work of them. While the silence is still in effect, the group destroys the horn using spells.

Rehs scouts the cavern tunnel out of the chamber. His invisibility keeps him from being seen. He hides along the edge of the next chamber and observes that it must be the throne room of the Frost Giant ruler. He sees that the room is crowded. He counts 16 female giants, 4 ogres, and 21 male giants. Rehs retreats and shares what he had discovered.

Knowing that they cannot fight that many giants, the group decides to leave. Samira pins a note to one of th giant corpses. It reads, “Give us the staff with leaves that Eclavdra the drow took from the Druid’s grove.” The party steps back through the mirror and spend the night in Waterdeep, away from the wrath of the giants.

6th of Marpenoth 1366 Year of the Staff

The group spends another healing and taking care of errands. Tellazar re-applies his Stoneskin spells on himself and Ayremyr. Samira spends time at the Temple of Mystra.

5th of Marpenoth 1366 Year of the Staff

Better Late Than Never

It is midmorning before any of the heroes get up from bed. Tellazar heads of to the Tower of the Order. The wizard’s guild has been after the adventuring wizard for almost year to provide them with a wizard’s sigil that is required of any caster of real ability. Tellazar has been in out of the city and had ignored several reminders during his last visits. A note was given to him this morning by Corthen’s servant. It informed Tellazar that he could either comply with the requirement and provide his sigil or he could seek his research, components, and training outside of the guild.

Tellazar goes to Watchful Order and asks to speak to the guildmistress. The head of the Order meets with the young mage. Tellazar apologizes for his poor efforts and produces his sigil that he had already created. Mhair Szeltune accepts the sigil and lets him know that the restrictions have been lifted.

Meanwhile, Samira is busy performing healing rites for the others who suffered at the hands of the Frost Giants. After she has exhausted all of her powers for the day, Corthen and Rehs depart the manse on business.

Corthen strolls to Millomyr Harps and make contact with the owner, Jhandess Millomyr. He tells his Harper contact all that has transpired since his last report. She thanks him and promises to send word through her network.

Rehs takes some time looking for properties for sale. He looks at several shops and a house. Erith and Ayremyr take it easy since their wounds were the greatest.

4th of Marpenoth 1366 Year of the Staff

H is for ?

The group recovered from the previous two days, returns directly back to the ice cavern from the previous night. They walk through the mirror gate. The group with Rehs scouting out in the advance check down some other tunnels. In the next cavern, the thief finds crates stacked up in storage. The party joins Rehs. They discover that the crates bear the same “H” burned into the wood, that they had found several times in Undermountain storage rooms. These crates also seem to contain foodstuffs. The group is intrigued and Rehs, Corthen, and Samira discuss whether or not the “H” symbol stands for Halaster Blackcloak or not.

The adventurers push on and soon meet three frost giants. There is a melee and the giants are killed in the battle. Corthen leads the group further through the ice caves. Another cave is the sleeping quarters of a giant. Several of the elves and the thief sneak into the room and make sure he doesn’t wake up to cause them problems. After the Guardians have dispatched the giant, they find the next chamber adjoining is occupied by a large band of ogres. With blades and spells, the band battles the evil humanoids. Corthen checks the area for secret passages and recovers any treasure.

Hoping to find the missing staff, the group pushes deeper into the lair of the Frost Giants. Corthen leads the party to split passage, one returns back out to the deep crevasse in the ice and the other is a ice cavern occupied by giants. Samira has almost depleted her healing prayers for the day but the majority of the party wishes to tempt fate and charge into the cavern that is occupied.

The Guardians focus on the guard at the door and they are able to fell him, but another angry giant steps up to inflict damage on the adventurers. Battered and bleeding, the heroes dispatch him. Six more Frost Giants wielding huge clubs and axes push forward. Tellazar uses a number of his paralyzing and slow orb spells to keep the group alive. Rehs swings his sword at one of the enemy and nearly slips on the ice and he drops his blade. Corthen also has some ill luck when his sword Harrikas is released and it proceeds to hit a paralyzed target, releasing him back into the battle.

The party manages to eek out a win, but everyone is badly off with visible wounds and bruises. The group gathers its spoils and retreats back to the mirror gate and to Waterdeep.

3rd of Marpenoth 1366 Year of the Staff

Lair of the Frost Giants

The blizzard conditions ease and the party, half-frozen digs themselves out of their shelters and survey the area. Nothing can be seen but endless frozen waste to the north. Corthen speaks to his friends and suggests they try heading off south towards a dark spot far off.

Traveling for the day, the group finally reaches the stone face. It is dark and freezing cold. Corthen suddenly stumbles and falls down in a depression. Samira informs him that he has discovered the tracks of a giant. The group follows the tracks that lead to a crevasse in the icy ground near the stone cliff. Hoping for shelter and trusting their luck, the band descends down into the crevasse.

The heroes find that the trail splits into several options. Rehs suggests they take the left opening in to the ice since it looks less traveled. Entering, the Guardians of the Past come face to face with four Frost Giants. Corthen yells at the male giants in common tongue that they are only here for the drow. The blue-skinned behemoths do not seem to understand and they attack the heroes with boulders. The group battles back and manages to slay the giants without sustaining any deaths. Samira and Tellazar’s stoneskin spells keep the wizard and warriors from dying.

After the battle, Samira uses the Spear of Lochal and tries speaking with one of the giants. She asks him about Eclavdra, but the giant does not answer her. The group decides that they should leave the frozen land they are in and decide that Erith should use the Drow Teleport Chain to return back to the opening left by the magic mirror. The group waits for nearly an hour before Erith steps back through the mirror’s gate and into the ice room. Tellazar inquires why he was gone for so long. Erith shares that he could not find the invisible end of the open mirror gate back out on the glacier at night and during a storm. He tells them that he had to use his helm to teleport back to Waterdeep. The cold and injured heroes withdraw back through the mirror gate to Corthen’s manse for the night to heal and sleep in a warm bed.

2nd of Marpenoth 1366 Year of the Staff

Blizzard Conditions

The group spent the previous day resting, sharpening weapons, replacing worn equipment. Tellazar identified that two of the swords found in the giant’s fortress are enchanted flame swords that bear additional powers of sentience.

Now this morning, Samira has prayed to Mystra using her_ Augury_ prayer. She learns about the chain, that it will transport six persons to a destination already set. Since the group wishes to track down the Staff of Chauntea, this seems to be the next destination. Only Corthen and Rehs step into the figure eight of the magical chain. The two adventurers are teleported away.

Tellazar opens the mirror and scries for Corthen. He sees two men wading through deep snow in a heavy snowstorm. There is low visibility and it is very windy. The group quickly grabs winter gear including extra clothing for Rehs and Corthen and they rush through the mirror.

Rejoining their friends, the two freezing heroes don the furs and clothing their companions have brought. The group sees nothing but snow. Corthen chooses a direction which he believes is North and urges everyone to follow his path. the group travels all day and darkness settles in and the group digs down sheltering for a very cold night.

High Harvestide 1366 Year of the Staff

A Day of Feasting and Blessings

The adventuring group spends the day in Waterdeep. Corthen invites everyone to a holiday meal at his manor house. His cook prepares a feast that everyone enjoys. Corthen, Erith, and Rehs examine the treasure secured from the giant hold the previous night.

In addition to much gold, platinum, gems, and jewelry, the heroes also carry out several enchanted weapons. Tellazar takes up the items to prepare them for Identify magic. He also gathers up a long, heavy black chain loop made of weird metal. There is a drawing made on human skin showing that the chain is to be looped over itself creating two circles. Tellazar retreats to his spell room in the cellar to attune himself to the items.

Samira blesses Corthen’s pantries, food cellars, and wine cellar. The group spends the rest of the evening singing, eating, dancing, and drinking elven wine.

30th of Elient 1366 Year of the Staff

Mystra's Message

The party returns to Caer Callidyr in the afternoon. The city is busy with crews burning the dead corpses of the enemy and interring their dead in a newly hallowed graveyard on the western outskirts of the city.

The Guardians of the Past arrive at the city gates and are not granted access to the city. Corthen speaks to the watchmen and states that he needs to speak to the High Queen and her advisors. The watchmen state they do not have permission to let strangers into the capital. Corthen and Tellazar are insistent that they have information about the retreating enemy. The watch commander releases one of his men to retrieve someone for them to speak with.

Less than an hour later, three men show up at the gate. Their leader surveys the group and talks to them for several minutes before telling the watch commander to let the adventurers through. The group follows the men to a tavern, The Greenbriar Archer. There the men introduce themselves as Florin, Mareth, and Hulp.

Corthen discretely asks Florin if he has friends in the Dalelands and the man nods and confirms the elf’s suspicions that they are sharing an ale with Florin Falconhand, Harper and a Knight of Myth Drannor. The group tells Florin about the cavern where the drow army went to. Florin promises to get them to the High Queen’s Royal Historian, Ithar Deepwell.

Later, as promised, the group is escorted under heavy guard to the historian. Ithar greets the heroes and asks them their story they have for him. The sage consults several tomes to confirm the group’s information. Ithar shares that Thunderspur was once a dwarven settlement in a vale north of Caer Callidyr.

Ithar goes on to tell the group that it fell 750 years ago to the dark llewyrr and became known as Fellgate at that time. Ithar goes on that Fellgate has been generally forgotten because the dark llewyrr last used it some 235 years ago during The Black War. Corthen and his friends thank the sage and leave the city. At a secluded spot, Samira prays to Mystra for knowledge. Intoning prayers of divination, words fill Samira’s mind.

“Near flying nails lies the way. Only the cautious and dogged will find the true path to thy desire.”

Thanking her Goddess, Samira shares the cryptic words with her companions. The companions mull over the message until Rehs mentions the manticores the group killed at the hill giant lair. Deciding that this must be the meaning, they travel back through the waiting mirror gate. Tellazar scries the hill giant treasure room and the group steps through to the other side.

Once there, the group searches the former treasure room of the Chief Nosnra. Kiersan, the dwarf warrior, discovers a shifting stone block. Not being careful about noise, the group draws the attention of the hill giants above. The giants descend the secret staircase to attack the party. Erith and Tellazar cast several offensive spells killing four of the giants and wounding the others. The stunned giants retreat back up the stairs and leave the party to their devices.

Ayremyr and Corthen work together and are able use their strength to move the shifting stone block. An entire wall of the chamber grates down revealing a hidden chamber beyond. The two elves quickly pass through the passage connecting the rooms only to fall into a spiked pit. Rehs uses Samira’s magic hammer to break the locked pit lid and the group retrieves the two wounded warriors.

Carefully crossing the open pit, the heroes discover that secret chamber’s broken and moldy contents are actually illusions covering a weapon’s rack and several chests. Gathering their newly won treasures, the group retreats back to Waterdeep through the mirror.

29th of Elient 1366 Year of the Staff

Dead End

The adventurers pass the night without any trouble. The group gathers their gear and returns to the trail left by the giants, drow, and Cyricists. The party ascends into a narrow vale. Cautiously Rehs and the others slip forward fearing an ambush. The trail leads to a cliff face with an opening surrounded by broken pillars.

Rehs slips on his enchanted ring of invisibility and scouts the opening and the chamber beyond. The rogue discovers the chamber is empty except for an arcane dais of metal and a human corpse. Rehs returns and reports his findings. Corthen and the other companions investigate the chamber searching it for hidden passages.

Finding no other exits, the group investigates the dead man. Samira uses the Spear of Lochal and converses with the man’s spirit. she learns that he was Kelvis Banner, a soldier captured by the drow. He informs them that a dark llewyrr male sacrificed him to open some kind of magic portal atop the dais.

Knowing they cannot use the dais without a blood sacrifice, Tellazar grows frustrated. Erith and Aremyr gather Kelvis’ remains and give him a proper burial out in the vale. Searching for any other clues, Tellazar finds the faded word “Thunderspur” carved in the dwarven runes on one pillar outside of the cavern. With no other avenue to pursue the evil army, the group turns back for Caer Callidyr.

28th of Elient 1366 Year of the Staff

Background Check

After a night of rest in Waterdeep, the group gathers to learn about their new foe, Eclavdra. Tellazar attempts to scry her and the Staff of Chauntea, but no images appear on the magic mirror’s surface.

Failing the attempts to scry, the party attempts to gain any knowledge they can. They start going through the looted items from the hill giant steading. Tellazar opens the ornate scroll tubes found in the dead hill giant chieftain’s study. Inside, the mage discovers a map of the upper floor of the steading on a rough hide. The death’s head sealed tube is opened. Tellazar deciphers that the letter is to the dead giant chieftain and it was written by Eclavdra the drow.

In the message, the drow give detailed orders for the hill giants about a planned attack which uses the giant forces in the attack. Unsure if the scroll is a ploy or not, the group returns to the mirror and uses it to scry Caer Callidyr, the home of the High Queen.

The Guardians of the Past stare at the mirror in shock. War has come to the fair city. The city has been besieged. Smoke pours from some of the towers and walls of the city. Broken bodies of men and blue skinned giants lie scattered about, both inside and outside of the city. Much damage has been inflicted upon the forces of the High Queen. Fearing the worst, the heroes quickly gather weapons ans armor and use the mirror to gate to travel there in an instant.

Stepping through, the group led by Corthen is quickly met by an armed party of soldiers wearing the wolf’s head of the High Queen. Swearing allegiance to her majesty, the guardsmen share that the combined forces of the Dark Druidess, giants, and the Dark Llewyrr attacked the city. The guards say that some massive God of Rot was instrumental in the attack. The man shares that most of the Royal Wizards sacrificed themselves to push the enemy back from the city and the High Queen.

Angry at the turn of events, the band of Harper heroes decides to track the retreating enemy and kill or destroy as many as they can. The trail is so obvious that Rehs jokes a blind man could follow it. The group travels North on foot pursuing the drow and the Cyricists. At sundown, Ayremyr finds a good defensive place to make camp on a steep hilltop.

27th of Elient 1366 Year of the Staff

The party spends the day creating outfits that will pass as drow. Rehs uses his hat of disguise to create his drow appearance. They wait until it is late at night. Right before stepping through the mirror gate, Erith casts a vocalize spell on both Samira and Tellazar. Meanwhile Samira casts a Silence spell on Tellazar to help with the mission.

The party steps through the portal created by the scrying mirror to the quarters of Chief Nosnra. Samira casts a mind reading on to the sleeping chief. She is unsuccessful, so Ayremyr dispatches the hill giant chief. The party grabs anything of value. A search reveals a secret door. The party leaves through it and makes their way to the chief’s study.

Not much is found. A hide map on the wall shows the area as well as the lands to the south. Rehs locates a secret door. Passing through, the find a small room with a stack of firewood and steps descending into the darkness. Corthen searches the woodpile and finds two ornate scroll tubes, with one still sealed.

Rehs examines the stairs and the party makes their way into the lower chambers. The hall opens into a large chamber. Across the room Corthen catches a gleam and notices a spilled coffer. an invisible Rehs rushes over to inspect the treasure when he feels the sinking of a pressure plate in the floor. Suddenly two portcullises slam down effectively locking the party into the room. Then another portcullis raises and missiles begin flying from behind this gate at the party.

Several members are hit, but none seriously. The group realizes they are under attack by creatures that are likely manticores. The group uses arrows and spells to slay the creatures on the other side of the southern portcullis. Looking for a way out, Corthen opens a secret door and finds a series of levers. He eventually moves them as needed and the party searches the manticore lair.

In another chamber the party finds the treasure of Chief Nosnra. Corthen counts and catalogs the treasure, and then has it packed into the portable hole. Having finished, the party, still disguised as drow return upstairs, to scare the other giants and make them believe the drow executed Nosnra. The party goes back to the hall outside the chief’s chamber. Some of the group start yelling and creating a ruckus to draw any guards to their location. Once several giants and ogres make their way to them, the party runs into the chief’s chamber and exit the room through the mirror’s gate to Waterdeep.

26th of Elient 1366 Year of the Staff

Scrying Nosnra

Tellazar casts identify spells on the shield and other enchanted items plundered from the giants. Once the items’ powers are learned many of the choice magic items are distributed to the members of the adventuring group.

The party discusses plans to regain the staff. The majority agree that they must learn its whereabouts from Chief Nosnra himself. Samira shares that she can use some of her holy spells to attempt to read the thoughts of the giant. Corthen suggests that they really need to survey the chief’s location and learn when he is the most vulnerable. The party agrees to use the mirror to scry Nosnra and watch him for at least a day.

25th of Elient 1366 Year of the Staff

Axes and Allies

The party rested and re-equipped opens a gate into the prison cells under the giant fortress of Chief Nosnra. Upon leaving the prison, the adventurers encounter a large band of orcs, former slaves of the hill giants. Corthen and the party keep their guard up but they talk to the free orcs. Questioned the orc band leader tells the group that his band is out foraging for food. The orcs are not hostile, they actually offer to help the party battle their former captors. Corthen and Tellazar tell the others that they do not want orcish assistance. Samira and Rehs give the band some of their iron rations before the group departs down the south hallway.

Corthen leads his companions to the hellish-looking torture chamber that the group discovered on their last visit but did not get an opportunity to enter. The warriors charge the two fire giants while Tellazar unleashes several of his powerful spells helping to defeat the torturers. The enemy is looted and the room examined. Ayremyr and Corthen regroup the party and they discover empty slave pens, once occupied by the orcs.

Traveling east the party comes to hall filled halfway with broken rock and shattered stone. Preparing to climb the obstacle, the group is warned in orc to stop. The party soon learns that the have discovered the base of the freed orcs. Corthen tries to convince the sentries that they should be allowed to pass. The orcs dismiss his reasons and state that the party has rejected their offer of an alliance against the giants in the stockade above. They tell the party that they should go elsewhere since they are not allied.

Corthen speaks to Rehs and convinces the party rogue that he should use his enchanted to slip past the sentries and scout out their camp. Rehs uses his ring to slowly climb up and over the rock barricade while the party retreats to a nearby slave pen and await his return. The thief discovers a long hall where an ancient looking door has been blocked by many stone blocks. Rehs move invisibly past more orc guards and into a large cavern where orcs of both genders and several orc whelps cry. Rehs skirts the large groups and enters another passage. During his exploration, he runs into an unseen reptilian creature that he hadn’t seen. Startled, the thief runs away and does his best to slide past the sentries once again. Covered in sweat, Rehs reappears to the group shaken but unharmed.

The group decides not to engage the orcs. Corthen leads the party up another hallway. He discovers a cistern chamber. Corthen investigates the water and finally dives in to check the pool. He discovers an outlet on the bottom. Swimming through the passage he eventually emerges in a dark cavern of immense size with a small underground stream running through it. Assessing that the group can make the journey, the elven warrior returns to his waiting comrades and tells them of his find.

The Guardians each dive into the cold water and swim through the tunnel guided by a rope that Corthen led off with. On the other side, the party discovers that the floor of the cavern is littered with many bones, old ones, yellowed with age. Quickly the party discovers coins, gems, and some unbroken weapons, and shields in the muck of the soft floor of the wet cavern.

Suddenly a 9’ long pale monster with many legs and a mass of tentacles near its mouth climbs down a nearby rock formation and attacks the party. Ayremyr is paralyzed by the lashing tentacles. The party kills the monster. The elf regains mobility after several minutes. The party continues to search the immense underground graveyard. The party finds much wealth. The group discovers a large sinkhole along one wall of the chamber. While the band moves the splintered skulls of the deceased humans for ages past, two more monsters climb from the sinkhole and engage the group.

The heroes dispatch the skittering creatures. Ayremyr argues in favor of descending down into the deep sinkhole in search treasure. Finding few allies in his plan, he reluctantly gives up but not without grumbling about his belief that great treasure lies below. Erith quickly reminds the elf that two of the paralyzing beasts climbed from the deep shaft and that being paralyzed is not very conducive to climbing with ropes. Finishing up their search after nearly six hours, the group re-enters the water and travels back to the cistern.

The group discovers a storeroom with picks and other digging implements. Nearby the party breaks into a wine cellar belonging to the giants. They loot 13 wooden tuns placing these into their portable hole. The party leaves this area to explore passages north of the prison cells. There the party discovers several large rooms under excavation. The party remarks that these are likely the chambers that Ruddick Freeiron informed them that the giants had him engineering.

The next chamber turns out to be occupied. Three stone giants are quartered here. The elven warriors charge and the others begin throwing spells or enter melee to aid the warriors. The party kills one giant and the others are wounded. One giant speaks a thick common tongue and asks to parley. The party ceases their attacks while the giant speaks to the group. Tellazar asks the stone giant about a staff that the hill giants took from humans on a recent raid to the south. The giant tells the Guardians that he did see the item and that Chief Nosnra turned it over to the dark llewyr who left traveling back east. Corthen asks about the forces of the chief and learns that the stone giants number four and that they are here only to dig chambers for the hill giants. Asked why, the giant says that the dark llewyr directed Chief Nosnra to expand the chambers below the keep.

Corthen extracts a promise that the stone giants will not work against the party or attack them in the future. Searching the room, Rehs and Corthen discover a chest. Looking inside the elf sees that it is a large amount of gold coins. Conflicted, he finally closes the lid and walks away leaving the remaining giants with their pay for the mining they have done. Gathering the group, the party passes through gate created by the magic mirror. Back in Waterdeep, the mage detects the treasure haul for magic and prepares these objects for identification.

23rd of Elient 1366 Year of the Staff

Corthen and Rehs go to Essimuth’s Equipment. After visiting with the retired adventurer, Corthen purchases his stock of steel vials with the intention of replacing as many of the glass vials of magic potions carried by the party into the strong steel containers.

The duo travel to Millomyr Harps and talk with Jhandess. They pass along the most recent events from the Moonshae Isles to the Harper agent.

22nd of Elient 1366 Year of the Staff

Tellazar spends the day casting Identify on the recent group of enchanted items.

21st of Elient 1366 Year of the Staff

The heroes leave Ruddick and Garvis at the caves and return to the fortress of the hill giants. Erith once again uses his scroll of portals to open a passage into the keep at the pantry. Ayremyr discovers that the giants have repaired the broken door that Corthen broke the other day gaining entry to the lower level.

The party returns to the dungeons. Rehs scouts ahead and discovers a smithy and a torture chamber both occupied by fire giants. He returns and shares his findings with the group. Corthen leads to band to the smithy. The heroes attack the two fire giants. They are aided by one of the dwarf slaves who grabs a nearby weapon and he helps defeat the evil giants.

Rehs, Corthen, and Ayremyr work on freeing the chained dwarven prisoners. Erith and Samira speak to them and learn their names and where they hail from. Leshar, Kodal, Garedren, Mordan, Horgan, and Thorgrim were captured outside of Gnarlhelm and held in captivity for two years. The other dwarf, Kiersan Goldbeard, is a mercenary warrior and has been imprisoned for the last ten months.

The party decides they will help the dwarves by sending them home using their magical mirror. Corthen asks Erith to teleport to Waterdeep and open a gate to the smithy. The bard complies; everyone steps through the gate back to the City of Splendors. Tellazar has Kodal visualize the dwarves home and the six smiths thank the group and step through to Gnarlhelm. Kiersan offers to help the party fight the giants. He asks for an equal share of the treasure and the party quickly agrees.

Corthen opens a portal to the cave and sends Garvis back to Caer Callidyr. The elf offers the engineer Ruddick employment in Waterdeep. The grateful man agrees to terms and promises to aid in the repairs needed to Erith’s damaged home in the Castle Ward to start with. Several members go to the Riven Shield. Delborrgan sells Tellazar a dagger and a shield that are enchanted. The group takes the time to buy armor and equipment for Kiersan and Rithal.

20th of Elient 1366 Year of the Staff

In Search of the Staff

The party rested and ready to go, brings Rithal, the rescued elven warrior mage, with them to retrieve the staff of the druids. Approaching the hill giant fortress from the North, the party approaches the log walls. Erith uses his scroll of portals which opens a magical circle 10’ in diameter in the outer wall. The party quickly enter and discover that the room is occupied by giants.

One male hill giant and four unarmed female giantesses occupy the sleeping chamber. Corthen and Ayremyr swiftly move to engage the male giant. They make short work of the warrior. The females scream and move about the chamber in terror. Corthen directs the others to help him to dispatch the giantesses. Rehs, Tellazar, and Samira assist him. One female runs for a door left unguarded out into the worg courtyard and Ayremyr quickly slams the door shut to avoid an attack by the foul worgs. Soon a loud horn bellows from somewhere near the courtyard.

The heroes wait for a counter attack of giants but one does not come. Corthen decides that the party should push on, out another set of doors. He has Rehs scout the hallway beyond using his ring of invisibility. The hidden rogue stealthily checks out the area. He discovers a busy kitchen full of giantesses, ogres, and orc slaves being ordered around and he feels bad for them.

A closed door in the hall is locked and Rehs is unable to bypass the lock. There is another door that is unlocked but Rehs calls the others forward to help. Corthen opens the door and interrupts a game of knucklebones by a group of gambling ogres. The party charges the surprised ogres and makes short work of them. Corthen leads a search of the room for treasure and secret doors. Finding only some coins, the group leaves the room and crosses the hall to the locked door.

Corthen borrows Samira’s enchanted hammer which is designed to punch holes in doors and walls. The elven warrior breaches the bottom of the door and the others follow him inside. The room beyond appears to be a food storage pantry which the party gives a cursory examination before locating the descending stairs used the previous day while etheral.

Rehs checks several doors lining the chamber. At the south door the thief hears some muttered voices through the locked door. Working quietly, Rehs picks the lock; the Guardians of the Past open the door ready for combat. Inside the room are a dozen armed bugbears. The party rushes in and engage the enemy. Reinforcements arrive from another hallway and Ayremyr is seriously wounded and falls. Rithal acts quickly and drags the fallen elf through another door and shuts it while the remaining adventurers battle the remaining creatures.

After dispatching the bugbears Erith and Corthen make contact with Rithal and Samira tends to Ayremyr. Her prayers heal the the serious wound to his leg. Once the group is ready, Rehs scouts the hallway that the bugbears had come from. The rogue discovers that the remaining bugbears have fortified themselves in the end chamber with barricades of tables and other furniture.

Corthen parlays with the cornered bugbears. He asks them what their duties are for the giants. The leader informs the adventurers that they are paid to guard prisoners to attempt recapture of the escaped orc slaves that are in another part of the dungeon. Corthen asks about the giants, who their leader is how many soldiers does he have. The bugbear tells him that Chief Nosnra is the leader and that he has many warriors. Corthen offers to let the bugbears go with their treasury intact if they offer no resistance and if they turn over all their prisoners to him.

The bugbear, Gnarhk, agrees and sends a runner to his other troops to give word of the cease fire and to bring the remaining prisoners out. The party learns that the bugbears are of the Ulgdush or Glorious Pride in common tongue. The bugbears bring two men to Corthen and the others. Questioning the men Samira learns that one named Garvis has lost his mind and the other man, Ruddick Freeiron is an engineer.

Ruddick shares that the giants had him working with giants and orcs digging new chambers beneath the keep. Samira uses her powers and cures Garvis. Regaining his mind, they learn he is a merchant from Caer Callidyr. The party also learn from the Ulgdush bugbears that the giant known as the Keeper lairs in a chamber north of the prison cells and that he is rumored to have great treasure.

The party asks Rithal to guard the two freed prisoners while they engage the Keeper. Corthen and Ayremyr lead the others into the Keeper’s room. He is a hideous one-eyed hunchback hill giant. He and his two pet bears batter the invaders but they are no match for the martial skills of the attackers. The wounded heroes gather up his treasure hidden in the floor. They rejoin Rithal and the two men and retreat up the stairs. The bugbears join the party and flee out the opening Erith magically creates in the fortress wall. The Ulgdush run north towards the mountains while party makes their circuitous way back to the base camp in the cave. Corthen and Erith take turns playing the healing harp at the camp while Samira uses prayers to heal the most seriously wounded of the party.

19th of Elient 1366 Year of the Staff

The Fortress

The heroes break camp come morning. They follow the tracks left by the giants who attacked the North Grove. Near Highsun the Guardians of the Past reach the foothills of the mountains to the North. The giants tracks connect to an established trail. Following it it several hours the group spies a structure on the horizon. Tellazar casts Fly upon Rehs and he flies upward to scout the nearby terrain.

While the rogue is airborne, Erith discovers a small cave entrance in the scrub growing upon the hillside. Rehs returns from his flying and reports that structure is one large building and is likely the home of the giants. The party decides that the cave should be investigated since it is so well hidden.

Rehs scouts forward, checking the cavern for hidden dangers and tripwires. The party explores the passages and checks several descending shafts that are not passable. A large chamber is discovered at the rear of the main passage. The party agrees that this cavern could be used as a base if needed while they reconnoiter the giant’s base.

Near twilight the party moves towards the giant camp. Clearly visible hundreds of yards away, the heroes see that the structure is a wooden fortress over two stories tall made of huge logs. A stockade connects two smaller structures to the main keep. A tower is evident on the other side, guarding the main entrance.

Ayremyr is loaned Reh’s ring. He turns invisible and spider climbs the stockade wall looking for an easier way into the keep. When he reaches the top of the palisade, the elf is spooked by the snarling of dozens of creatures! The courtyard is home to a pack of large worgs. Quickly retreating, Ayremyr returns to inform the group that the courtyard is not safe.

The party discusses several options, before settling on using Samira’s prayer to become etheral and walk through one side of the fortress. The group enters etherally. They see a sleeping area where two human women in rags lie on pallets. They next cross a kitchen area. The party discovers several hallways and a set of descending stairs before Samira’s spell expires. The party retreats to the hidden cave to use a Nap spell.

Revived and with spells replenished, the Guardians return to the lair of the giants. Becoming etheral once more, the group scouts the stairs leading below. They pass through stone walls and several chambers before discovering a prison cell holding a male elf. Ending the spell, the party surprises the dazed elf. Corthen promises him that they will return to rescue him. Several others are unwilling to leave the wounded elf to the mistreatment of the evil giants. It is decided that the party and the elf, Rithal Yaltharion, will use Samira’s etheral prayer to escape and that Erith will sneak out of the keep using his Invisibility spell.

The group follows their plan and return to the cave with Erith rejoining them shortly. At the caves, the party starts a fire and Samira tends to the wounded Rithal. Corthen questions the male elf on his captors and how he came to be there. The grateful elf shares his story. He tells the group that he hails from the elven home of Evermeet and that he is the only survivor of a shipwreck that was driven ashore in the Northern reaches of Alaron. Rithal says that he was soon captured by a band of hill giants and bugbears and has been imprisoned for nearly eight months. He thanks the party for his rescue. In return, he pledges to serve Corthen for one year since he owes him his life. Corthen tries to shrug off Rithal’s offer, but the elf refuses and demands that he accept his service. The party lends the elf armor and weapons before setting watches for the night and discussing plans to return to fight the hill giants.

18th of Elient 1366 Year of the Staff

The party has left the forest and the grasslands to the north. They have reached the foothills south of the Hardangheight Mountains. The trail left by the giants is easy to follow. They have not attempted to cover their tracks so the heroes have a easy go of it and make good time. At dusk, Erith and the others make camp. The night is uneventful and everyone rests when not on watch.

16th of Elient 1366 Year of the Staff

Between dawn and Highsun the Guardians of the Past arrive at the despoiled North Grove of Chauntea. The tainted moonwell is covered with a dark mist like the fallen Great Grove of Gwynneth. The decaying remains of the fallen guardians lie scattered about the torn earth untouched by scavengers.

Corthen locates the point of attack and a broken path to the north likely made by the attackers. Samira uses the Spear of Lochal to converse with the spirit of an elderly woman whose broken corpse lies among the dead. The Mystran priestess learns that the woman was the Grand Druidess of Chauntea.

Samira speaks to the others and everyone agrees that they should use their staff of resurrection to bring her back. Samira uses the staff bring the druids back to life. The druids thank the party and introduce themselves. The Grand Druidess is Elanna Greensap. The other druidess is Hergela Snaptooth, her husband a druid as well is named Savin Snaptooth. The other druid is Garderin Mistmoor.

The druids tell the heroes that they were overwhelmed by an army of giants and the Cyricists who led the assault. Corthen offers to help them guard the other groves in danger. Elanna asks the adventurers if they will attempt to recover the staff that she had carried. It is the holy Staff of Chauntea. It is described as a bark covered ash staff crowned with branches and leaves. It is living without being physically connected to the earth.

Elanna Greensap promises that should the party recover the holy staff that she will be able to repair the moonwell and that she will allow each hero to place an enchanted item into the waters of the moonwell which will increase the number of times the item may be used.

Garderin speaks up and informs the party that the giants were being directed by a dark llewyrr. The party knows now that the drow are aiding the Dark Druidess in her campaign against Chauntea and the High Queen. After assisting in the burial of the fallen Harpers, Elanna informs the party that she wishes to aid the other druids in the guardianship of the remaining groves. She informs Samira that should they win back the staff, they can contact the Chauntean priest Elden in Caer Callidyr. The druids shapechange into great hawks and fly off leaving the party to champion the fight against the evil unleashed on the land. Corthen leads the party north following the trail left by the giants.

15th of Elient 1366 Year of the Staff

Having marched all night, the party leaves the mountains after dawn. After a short rest, the adventuring party regains their feet. They consult their map. They see the forest to their north and grasslands to the west.

Samira and her companions march from the base of the mountains until they arrive at the woodland. Feeling at home, Corthen finds a suitable site and the party makes camp in the forest. The party rests for eight hours before breaking camp and moving northward for the North Grove. The elves guide the party during the night as they march in the forest for the fallen druid’s grove.

14th of Elient 1366 Year of the Staff

After a quiet night, the heroes wake and continue their journey. Near Highsun Corthen sees the faint wisps of smoke through the treetops below.

Rehs scouts the area below using his invisibility ring. He finds a small village where he sees children playing outside. He notices that the structures are built in a different style that that of the ffolk of the Moonshaes. He realizes that the village is that of the fierce Northlander culture of the islands. Rehs scouts further moving invisibly through the village.

Halfway through, the rogue is startled by several dogs that begin growling and barking. Six large men come out of the wooden homes and they are grabbing weapons and yelling in their native tongue while the terrified children flee for the safety of their homes. Rehs can see that the Northlanders are angry and confused and very cautious due to the dogs being triggered by the unseen thief fleeing their village.

Rehs runs back to the others and urges them to avoid the path into the village and suggests that everyone make haste into the forest with him. Hearing close pursuit the party is set upon by two dogs from the village. The heroes quickly paralyze the war dogs and continue their flight. A short time later the group hears a horn sound behind them and they continue to move as fast as they can from the Northlanders as they can the rest of the day and on through the night after they regain the path many miles away from the village.

13th of Elient 1366 Year of the Staff

Farheight Mountains

The party breaks camp in the morning. They climb during the day. They leave the tree line, ascending up a trail until they reach the highest ridge near evening. Ayremyr leads the group to an area of crevices and he locates an area surrounded on three sides by cliffs. It is here the party sets up camp for the night.

12th of Elient 1366 Year of the Staff

White Rock

The heroes arrive at White Rock, a small village at the foothills of the Farheight Mountains. The walled village is not large. About three dozen buildings fill the interior of the walls. Erith locates the inn and the party enters the Whistling White Fish. Everyone takes a meal and a bath. Corthen advises the innkeeper, Varden, that the horses belong to the High Queen and that someone will retrieve them when they next come to the village.

The group departs White Rock on foot with about four hours of daylight left. The party marches up into the mountain range and makes camp before complete darkness falls. During the first watch, Samira notices movement in the evergreen trees and alerts Corthen before yelling to the others to wake. The camp is stormed by six ravenous trolls that attempt to kill the group. the battle ends and the trolls are defeated with Corthen using the flames of his sword to dispatch them to the afterlife.

6th of Elient 1366 Year of the Staff

Back Through the Looking Glass

The heroes return to the Moonshae Isles through the enchanted mirror. Their destination is outside Caer Callidyr. Once through the portal, Rehs and the others seek out the temple of Chauntea. There they learn from Lorn, a lesser priest, that the North Grove was reportedly attacked by evil forces and that the Grand Druidess is said to have fallen in the battle.

The priest tells the party that the remaining groves on Snowdown and Moray are under heavy guard and safe. The party asks how they can locate the North Grove and Lorn suggests that High Queen Alicia’s mapmakers should be able to help. Corthen leads the group to see the High Queen. She greets the heroes once again. Corthen offers the assistance of the Guardians of the Past. Alicia confers with the group in private chambers. She does admit that North Grove has fallen and that the Dark Druidess has reportedly killed the Grand Druidess and a number of Harpers at the grove.

Alicia states that without the aid of the Grand Druidess of Chauntea that they will likely be defeated. She explains that the staff she carried was their best chance of restoring the Moonwells of the isles. High Queen Alicia asks if the party would seek out the staff and return it to Caer Callidyr where it can be placed into the hands of the Chaunteans. The group confers and agrees to seek out the staff. Samira asks what the staff looks like. She is told that the ash staff is six feet long and that it is living with leaves crowning the top. The Queen provides a map to North Grove as well as provisions and horses to help with the journey. the group is told that the horses can get them to White Rock. Once there, the journey will be on foot.

5th of Elient 1366 Year of the Staff

Death Comes Stalking

Corthen’s guards rouse him early from his reverie early just after dawn. A messenger from Lord Maskar Wands has left word that he can meet with the elf this morning. He wakes Samira and Rehs from their slumber and the trio make for the Wands villa.

Escorted into the noble residence the heroes are brought before the patriarch of the Wands clan. Maskar is an older human male dressed in dark grey wizard robes. He introduces himself and his daughter, Olanhar, a tall woman with long black tresses that reach her waist.

Corthen thanks the Wands family for meeting with him. He explains that he and his comrades are seeking an artificer of magic to craft robes to protect the party’s mage, Tellazar Hemzall. He asks Maskar if he is willing to accept such a commission. Maskar informs him that he does not usually accept such requests. Maskar does state that since the party is moderately skilled that he would consider their request in exchange for the tongue and eyes of a red dragon of old age. Corthen thanks the wizard and informs him should he encounter such a dragon that he shall harvest the needed organs and bring them back to the city for him.

Corthen suggests that all of the group minus Ayremyr visit Millomyr Harps today. The three return to Nightglade Manor to pull Tellazar away from his spellbooks. When the quartet arrive at the bard’s home in the Castle Ward they discover two members of the City Watch posted at his door and they refuse them entrance. One of the guards tells Samira that they may speak to the local Watch Civilar Helm Maddryn at the Castle Ward Civilar’s Tower.

The four heroes go to see the Watch Civilar with some trepidation, feeling a sense of dread as they approach. They inform the Amar at the door that they went to see their friend Erith Talvera and that they were sent here to speak to the their Civilar. The Amar, one Brund Thrice, questions the four about their whereabouts last night. They tell him they were all gathered at Nightglade Manor for the evening. Amar Thrice wants to know more about Erith. Corthen tells them that he is a skilled bard and an adventurer and a good and honorable man. They ask if they can speak to their friend.

The Ward Civilar enters the chamber and bluntly tells them that they cannot speak to him because Erith is dead. A look of shock passes between Tellazar and his other three friends. Corthen stammers and asks the commander how Erith died. Civilar Maddryn tells the group that he had his throat cut in his sleep and his six guards were all executed in a similar fashion, even the two on watch. Rehs asks how the killer got in and the officer says that no signs of entry were found at the residence.

Civilar Helm Maddryn asks the four adventurers to name enemies that they have that might wish to kill any of them. Corthen tells the watch that they have made some enemies from adventuring in Undermountain. He says that the worshippers of Gulkalath, Drow elves, slavers, Cyricists, and a necromancer named Trell Blackhorn are all possible factions wishing them dead.

The Watch Civilar asks if they have foes in the southern Lands of Intrigue. He looks at each member before showing them a wavy bladed kris dagger with dried blood. Samira sees the blade and is sure that the weapon is Calishite in origin. She speaks up and informs everyone that she believes that the weapon was forged in Calimshan. She also states that the party may have angered the Pasha of Calimport recently and this may be him seeking revenge against the party.

Corthen asks where Erith’s remains are. Civilar Maddryn informs him that his body was released to the temple of Oghma, since a holy item to him was found among his possessions during their investigation. The four are granted permission to leave. They make haste to the temple and ask to claim Erith’s body. A lay priest of Oghma escorts the party into a sanctuary where other Oghmites have finished cleaning and preparing his remains. Corthen asks for some privacy and it is granted. Using the Spear of Lochal, Samira asks Erith’s spirit if he wishes to be brought back from the afterlife. The bard tells her that he is not finished living and he had deeds yet undone.

Corthen asks the lay priest if the temple would consider resurrection for their friend. The priest speaks to their leader, Savant Sandrew the Wise. He returns and promises to aid them for a decent donation to the Font of Knowledge. The Guardians give to the Oghmites two huge faceted gemstones and await the bard’s return.

Erith does survive crossing over and rejoins his comrades to hugs and many questions. Erith informs them that he was sleeping and did not see any assassin. Corthen suggests that the party retrieve Ayremyr and inform their Harper contact of the day’s events. They walk back across the city in the midday sun through the crowded streets to Nightglade Manor. They grab weapons and protections before departing again for Millomyr Harps.

The six adventurers enter the shop. A finely dressed lady comes out from the counter and greets Corthen in his native tongue. “Fair be our Meeting. I am Kiieya.” Corthen bows slightly and replies, “May a star shine upon our meeting. I am known as Corthen Nightglade of Elven Court.” Kiieya smiles and offers to assist the elf and his friends who are milling about the business. Corthen tells the young woman that he wishes to speak directly to Jhandess Millomyr on a matter of some importance to them both.

Kiieya assures him that Jhandess will meet with him as soon as she is finished with another matter. A short time later an attractive human woman with brown hair and vivid green eyes comes out. she ushers the Harpers of the group to a private room. The party quickly shares the events of the last day with her. Jhandess suggests that the party might begin using aliases during Harper missions so as to avoid drawing enemies back to their homes between missions. Corthen asks her if their newest member might be granted admission into the ranks of the Harpers. The harpmaker informs him that it is possible, but he should prove himself before they can consider him worthy of a pendant. She asks to meet him. The group finds him still wandering the shop tinkering with the chimes and harps on display. Ayremyr meets the woman and they speak for several minutes. Corthen tells Jhandess that the party will be departing on the morn for the Moonshae Isles again.

1st of Elient 1366 Year of the Staff

The Talking Dead

Samira has questioned the Northlander Ulbert and another of Dirtan Blackstone’s officers using the Spear of Lochal. She learns that Ulbert was a mercenary and fought for Blackstone just for the money. He knew that Blackstone wanted to employ more Northlanders for his army in his fight against the the forces loyal to the High Queen.

The dead officer, Naven Gullsroost, answers questions. Samira learns that Dirtan Blackstone had learned of great treasure being stored at Aithe Keep and that he wanted it to help buy mercenary soldiers from Calimshan and Northlanders from the Moonshaes. The party realizes that the great treasure that Blackstone sought is their plunder from the pirates that they had stored at the keep with Lord Cauldyth before his death.

29th of Eleasias 1366 Year of the Staff

Sometimes The Dead Do Tell Tales

Samira has tried to question Dirtan Blackstone’s corpse for several weeks, but his spirit has resisted. He mocks her attempts and hurls insults at the party. Samira questioned the drow, but she also resisted questioning.

This morning Samira has brought forth the body of the Calishite killed during the siege of Aithelar. Samira asks the dead man why he served Dirtan Blackstone. The spirit informs her that he never served Blackstone. Samira and Corthen decide they should ask the man why he was in the tent with the Baron. The dead man tells her that he and his comrades were sent to recover fugitives who had fled his master.

The spirit is asked who his master is. The dead Calishite answers that he was a faithful servant of the Pasha of Calimport. Samira asks why he had dealings with Dirtan Blackstone. The Pasha’s man tells the priestess that divinations had revealed that the former servants turned thieves had fled Calimport and were hiding in Aithelar. Baron Blackstone had agreed to help the Pasha recover his treasures in exchange for the Pasha’s assistance with Calishite mercenaries.

11th of Eleasias 1366 Year of the Staff

Does It Come With A Pointy Hat?

After speaking to Tellazar, Corthen agrees to travel back to Nain’s and make a payment to the mage for a set of enchanted robes to be made.

Corthen travels to Nain’s tower along with Ayremyr. He tells Nain that they have a deal for the robes that he has agreed to craft. He gives the former adventurer a number of valuable gemstones as payment. Corthen asks when can he expect the robes to be completed and he is told in the middle of Ches 1367.

Back at Corthen’s manor, Samira has removed the remains of Lord Blackstone from the portable hole. She casts a Speak with Dead spell upon him and she tries to question him about the Dark Druidess. The spirit of the Baron laughs and throws very crude remarks back at the priestess of Mystra.

10th of Eleasias 1366 Year of the Staff

Mages for Hire

Corthen, Ayremyr, and Rehs pursue the list of names given to Tellazar. Ayremyr tells them that Kappiyan’s focus is on magical potions, so they strike him from their search. The trio sets off in the morning. The three adventurers travel to the Wands noble villa. The gate guards ask Corthen if he has an appointment and he admits that he does not but he would like to speak to Maskar Wands if he could. Eventually the elven warrior meets with Darevin Cullis, the scribe who handles appointments for the Lord Wands. He makes some notes about what the meeting is for and tells them that he will send a runner when Lord Wands can meet with the heroes.

Rehs leads them to Naingate, the tower of the wizard Nain Keenwhistler. The tower is surrounded by a walled garden with a single gate piercing the wall. Ringing the entry bell at the gate elicits a voice from the gate. Corthen gives his name and says he is seeking to have some enchantments cast for the right price. The disembodied voice is extremely friendly and tells Corthen to come in and that he is glad to hear from him again.

The elf looks to Ayremyr and Rehs but no one can figure out what is going on, so they slowly open the gate and walk up the flagstone walk to Nain’s tower. Once inside the middle-aged wizard greets Corthen like family. It soon becomes clear that Nain has met Corthen’s playboy alter ego, the “Other Corthen Nightglade”.

Nain jokes and teases Corthen and asks him why is trying to enchant robes when he spends most of his time in bed with the ladies of Waterdeep. The elven warrior tells Nain that they are for a wizard that he owes for past favors and he made a promise to get the robes. Nain discusses that the robes will be costly and take months to complete but if they can meet his price, he will gladly handle the crafting. Corthen tells him that they will check back with the wizard in question before they make the final transaction.

The three approach the dragon shaped tower of the wizard Maaril in the Sea Ward but they receive no responses to their knocks at his door. They find a note near the door that states that Maaril is engaged in studies and not to disturb him before the end of Eleasias. Rehs urges the two elves to leave immediately before their knocking results in them becoming frogs!

Corthen decides not to risk pissing off Savengriff since he and Nain are former comrades from their adventuring days. He suggests they wait to hear back from Lord Wands before making a decision to go with Nain’s offer or not.

9th of Eleasias 1366 Year of the Staff

Seeking Robes

Come morning, the gathered heroes rouse Ayremyr from his slumber for morningfeast. They discuss replacing the enchanted vestments of Cyric since the robes are tainted with evil and are adorned with his holy symbols spun of silver thread.

Samira suggests seeking robes at the temple of Mystra. Tellazar plans on speaking to Iriethana Waveharp at the tower of the Watchful Order. He plans to inquire about mages of power who are known to craft items for pay.

Rehs travels with Samira to the House of Wonder, the holy temple of the Goddess of Magic. She tithes and prays at the holy altar before approaching a priest of the temple. She inquires if she might speak to the High Priest and gives her name and a brief description of why she seeks assistance.

A short time later Samira and Rehs are taken to the study of Meleghost Starseer. The bald priest wears a ghoatee and wears long robes with many arcane symbols upon them. Samira asks if the Magister of the temple can aid them in creating the party robes that protect the wearer from harm. She relates that in recent fighting with priests of Cyric that the party recovered several of the black robes and wished to have similar protections.

Meleghost asks who serves the Lady of Mysteries as ordained clergy. Samira admits that she is the only party member who serves Mystra. The bald priest tells the two adventurers that such holy items created upon altars of the goddess are only for her servants and no other beings are worthy of her protections. Samira asks if she might ask for such vestments since she is a priestess who serves the Lady of Magic.

Meleghost Starseer tells Samira that if she can eventually gather enough wealth to pay for the materials and related items that he will have the robes created for her. Samira inquires and is told that the costs are 30,000 gold coins. Samira tells the Magister that she will have that money brought to the temple before Highsun on the following day.

Tellazar speaks to Iriethana during his studies of new spells. He asks her about the mages of power in Waterdeep who might enchant items in exchange for coin. He tells her that he has spoken to Khelben in recent days and he turned down him down since he was too busy.

Iriethana tells Tellazar that the mages of power that she knows of are Kappiyan Flurmastyr, Maaril, Savengriff once of the Company of Crazed Venturers, Maskar Wands, and Nain Keenwhistler; a former comrade of Savengriff.

8th of Eleasias 1366 Year of the Staff

A Visitor at Night

Corthen has been slowly recuperating from his wounds caused by the enchanted wounding longsword during his swordfight with the evil Baron Blackstone just over a month ago. This night Corthen is startled from his evening reverie by the sound of footsteps from inside his bedchamber. Reaching for his ready flametongue blade he grasps the hilt and turns to face his intruder.

He stares into the face of Khelben Arunsun, the archmage wizard of Waterdeep. Quickly removing the steel away from the area of the mage’s vital organs he hastily asks the Blackstaff why he has come in the dead of night. Khelben’s reply, “I expected that my agents would report back on recent events if they so happened to return to this fair city. I don’t suppose that I missed such documents from you and your friends, have I?”

Corthen quickly apologizes to the wizard. He offers to gather his comrades and give a full report directly to him, if he so wishes. The mage agrees and Corthen sends his guards to summon the others to his residence in the North Ward. A little over an hour passes before Erith arrives from his home in the Castle Ward.

Corthen brings the other Harpers into his study to meet with Khelben. Erith, Samira, Tellazar, Rehs, and Corthen brief the Master Harper on events since they left Waterdeep aboard the Mermaid Sword. They tell him about Aithe and the Dark Druidess and her plans to release the Seven Dead Gods to serve Cyric. When they are finished Corthen asks Khelben if he will examine the torc taken from the crypts beneath Darkhorn Castle. He warns him that it harms anyone touching it.

Khelben looks over the ancient torc. Tellazar asks him how they might use its powers against the evil powers. Khelben is unsure and suggests striking the demons and other planar creatures with the item to learn its true powers. The archmage returns the headpiece to the Guardians of the Past. He informs them that in the future they should relay their reports to Jhandess Millomyr, of Millomyr Harps. She will be the group’s contact in Waterdeep and they should keep her informed of their activities. Khelben bids everyone farewell before uttering his words of magic and teleporting away from the room.

11th of Flamerule 1366 Year of the Staff

Shopping in the City of Splendors

Ayremyr grows bored hanging out at the Elfstone Tavern and goes walking about the city. A chance encounter with the city watch and the elf ends up inquiring about buying potions. The watch commander informs him that if he is looking for draughts that he should seek Kappiyan Flurmastyr, a potion maker in the South Ward off Anchoret Court.

Meanwhile, Rehs begins searching Waterdeep for a shop or warehouse for sale in Waterdeep. His plans are to find a suitable property that he can use as a residence and a business.

Corthen, Erith, and Samira approach Stromquil Halazar to inquire about having some gems cut. The proprietor of Halazar’s Fine Gems examines the uncut rubies that the Guardians of the Past liberated from the wizard who served the Dark Druidess. Stromquil agrees to accept the assignment and he negotiates a price for his services from the trio.

Ayremyr locates the residence of Kappiyan in the South Ward. He initially bungles his intent with the wizard’s servitor creatures and his apprentice, Shalara Malarkkin. He leaves empty handed. Upon talking to his comrades, Erith agrees to accompany him and smooth everything over on his behalf.

Returning to Anchoret Court, Ayremyr is able to meet Kappiyan Flurmastyr, an elderly human mage who creates potions sporadically when it suits him and sells some to fund his researches. Kappiyan asks Ayremyr if he is an adventurer. The young elf warrior states that he is. The mage asks him if he faced the Blue Alley. Ayremyr admits he knows nothing of it but he asks the potion mage where it lies.

Kappiyan informs him that the Blue Alley lies in the city’s Sea Ward. He shares that it was created by a outlander mage who enjoyed watching others attempt to defeat his defenses and win his magic. The mage offers several potions to the elf who buys a Sweetwater draught and two potions of Vitality.

9th of Flamerule 1366 Year of the Staff

The party gathers at Corthen’s manor house to divvy up the treasure and enchanted items that they have gained during their adventures in the Moonshae Isles. Tellazar heads off to the Watchful Order to learn new spells from his guild.

8th of Flamerule 1366 Year of the Staff

The Guardians Return

The party leaves Aithelar in the morning via the mirror. Corthen has learned that Dirtan Blackstone’s sword has left him with wounds that cannot be healed with potions or prayers. His only recourse is to let the cuts heal naturally with time. He informs the others and the group has decided to return home and rest. Tellazar readily agrees because he wishes to take time to learn more spells from the Watchful Order.

The group divides all treasures and spoils from their time in the Moonshaes. Tellazar studies the enchanted items before casting a number of Identify spells to learn their powers.

7th of Flamerule 1366 Year of the Staff

Meeting the High Queen

At dawn, the adventuring party rises after a short mornfeast, they transport themselves to Caer Callidyr via their enchanted mirror set up in Waterdeep. The party makes their way to queen’s palace. They show the guards their letter from the High King for service in transporting the blades from Waterdeep.

The party is escorted inside the grand castle. The guards have them disarm before taking them before Alicia, High Queen of the Moonshaes. The party bows before the young queen. Corthen shares that he carries a letter from her father in whose service they have been in. He hands it over to one of the councilors who examines it before giving it to Alicia. The High Queen thanks the heroes for their service to the Moonshaes and she promises to make payment that her father had promised.

Corthen Nightglade speaks and states that he has another matter that her majesty might wish to discuss further. He quietly tells her councilor that he bears word from Alatar Magnus. The High Queen dismisses her court and she leaves the throne after being given the message by her female councilor.

Rehs and his companions are led from the throne room by the queen’s staff and into a grand conference room and asked to sit and wait. The High Queen enters the chamber along with a wizard, dressed in robes, much like those worn by Alatar Magnus. She asks everyone to sit back down and asks bluntly what word they have from her court mage.

Corthen quickly tells Alicia the story of how they were approached in Waterdeep and how they helped the ffolk of the Moonshaes fight the invading forces of Cyric. He then tells her how they met Tirran Bravesword and Alatar. Finally he states that they were taken before her father and asked to recover his sword and return it to Caer Callidyr and to her. He hands over the letter written by Alatar Magnus with Tristan’s seal.

Corthen tells her that they have recovered the Sword of Cymrych Hugh and they wish to give it to her. Alicia summons one of her handmaidens, Thyreene. The servant shows the heroes to their quarters after the High Queen thanks the party and promises they will be rewarded for their deeds.

Later in the day, Thyreene gathers the companions and takes them to another part of the palace. There they meet with the High Queen and a small retinue of knights and two court wizards. Alicia informs the party that the seven small chests are theirs and that from the other items upon the table that each hero may select one item from the royal treasury. Alicia states that each member may also select three potions from the rack across the chamber for their aid in the battle against the Dark Druidess.

The heroes examine their chests and each one contains gold and platinum coins. Everyone gathers their three potions, before deciding that they must decide who will select an item from the Queen’s magical items first. Quickly the party sorts in out and they each make their choice. Erith and the others thank her majesty before they inform the High Queen they wish to hurry back to Aithe and aid the Cauldyth’s in their fight against the enemy.

Once outside the city, the party travels to the open portal that the mirror created. Slipping back through, the party returns to Aithelar and observes that the last of army once led by Lord Dirtan Blackstone is fleeing north.

6th of Flamerule 1366 Year of the Staff III

Siege at Aithelar

The party returns to the forest camp and gather the dwarven priest. Samira uses divine magic to transport herself and Ayremyr to Corthen’s manse in Waterdeep. Samira uses the magic mirror to open a portal for the rest of the party to walk through to Nightglade Manor.

The heroes rush about the city to gather supplies that they need before returning to use the mirror again. Tellazar scries Aithelar. The mirror’s image shows that Aithe Keep is under siege from Lord Blackstone. His troops are dug in and his catapults are battering the Cauldyth keep.

Tellazar wishes to learn about the enemy so he uses the mirror to focus on the treacherous Lord Blackstone. The mage watches as three Calishite men are escorted into the enemy camp and into a large command tent. He attempts to scry more but soon learns that the tent is protected from magical scrying and he cannot see anything inside the protected radius.

Samira offers Mystra’s aid to rest and regain spells through a Nap prayer. The group takes their rest and they make plans after waking refreshed. The party scries once again and learns that the enemy has broken through the gates of Aithe Keep. Quickly Tellazar opens a doorway with the mirror inside the courtyard. Uldred and Tellazar quickly launch Fireballs at the invaders.

The party dispatches the last of Blackstone’s men from the keep before launching more spells and missiles at the retreating enemy. The Aithe defenders close the main gates and quickly attempt to brace and support them in case of another assault. A soldier approaches Samira and informs her that Lady Brwynella requests her healing. The Calishite priestess follows and is taken to the Lady Cauldyth. Two Chauntean priests are with her as they try and staunch the wounds of her younger sister, Rhiannon.

Samira examines the young girl and sees that she is badly wounded in the chest and will likely die without aid. She removes a scroll and recites a Heal prayer which saves her life. Tellazar hears a rumor that Caer Callidyr is under attack, so he returns to the mirror to scry. He soon learns that the High Queen’s seat of power remains unharmed at the moment.

The Guardians of the Past gather again to discuss their next step. They decide to destroy the catapults of Lord Blackstone. Using Invisibility and Flying magic, the party successfully sets the siege equipment on fire using flame oil during the night. Using the fire as a distraction, the group uses the mirror to get close to the command tent.

Corthen charges into the tent while the rest of the party battle with Blackstone troops outside the tent. Corthen lunges at the human warrior he believes to be Baron Blackstone and attempts to slay him. Ayremyr, Rehs, and Uldred enter the tent and attack the other occupants. Uldred is dazed by the magic cast by a drow female. Ayremyr attacks one of the Calishites attempting to flee. Erith and Samira engage a Northlander warrior inside the tent. Ayremyr kills his opponent but his two companions cut an opening and flee into the night. Rehs swings his sword and severs the left forearm of the drow mage. Erith kills the Northlander and Ayremyr finishes off the drow female. Corthen suffers at the hands of Baron Blackstone. His sword causes the elf’s many wounds to bleed more. The party manages to put down the treasonous Baron. The quickly toss the bodies of the dead into their Portable Hole before fleeing from Blackstone’s heavy footmen.

Returning through the mirror before opening it again at Aithe Keep, the party speaks to Rhiannon Cauldyth. They ask her some questions about the sword of the High King. The young bard tells them that the blade belonged to the first High King, Cymrych Hugh. she says that the blade is pure silver with exquisite workmanship and the symbol of the Earthmother worked into the guard. A short time later the party searches through the items from the tent that the plundered, and they discover the blade inside a fine wooden box that they plundered. The party takes several hours of well deserved rest at the keep until morning.

6th of Flamerule 1366 Year of the Staff II

Unexpected Visit

Samira is approached during the middle of the night by the wizard, Alatar Magnus. The Queen’s wizard tells her to wake her friends. Everyone is to leave their armor, weapons, and gear behind in the camp and follow him quietly and without question. The Calishite priestess slips over to her companions and arouses them from their slumbers. The party agrees to Alatar’s instructions, except for the dwarf Uldred. He refuses to disarm and remove his armor for anyone.

Leaving the stubborn dwarf behind under guard of the High Queen’s soldiers, the heroes follow the archmage. He leads the companions through many trails in the darkness of the deep wood before arriving before another camp site. A tent guarded by four fierce warriors dressed in surcoats of the wolf’s head. Alatar escorts the band into the tent. Lying inside the tent is a badly wounded man. Alatar announces his return and calls the wounded warrior majesty and bows. Corthen, Ayeremyr and the others bow as the figure struggles to sit up. The man’s wounds cover one side of his face and his right arm is withered and mostly useless.

The party quickly learns that the mysterious figure is High King Tristan Kendrick. He speaks to the heroes and thanks them for their service thus far. Samira offers the healing power of Mystra to aid the High King. Alatar speaks and informs her that no healing can aid the High King. His wounds were caused by Moander, God of Corruption.

Tristan speaks and tells the group that Lord Haembar Cauldyth saved him by sacrificing his own life when they were betrayed by Lord Blackstone and Moander attacked the King’s party. Saddened by the news, the party asks the High King why they have been summoned. Tristan asks them if they are willing to accept a mission for his young daughter, Alicia, the new High Queen. The heroes accept. Tristan asks that they recover the sword of Cymrych Hugh from Lord Blackstone. Alatar swears everyone present to secrecy and they promise not reveal that the High King yet lives. Tristan has the wizard write a message to his daughter promising gold and one enchanted item of choice from the Heroes’ treasury upon completion of their return of the sword. Alatar returns the party to camp before daylight.

5th of Flamerule 1366 Year of the Staff II

The heroes wounded and weary from their recent battles agree to seek cover in the nearby Dernall Forest. They leave the hilltop and make their way across the ruined farmlands of Cantrev Stagford.

The party encounters ffolk who warily watch them from behind hedges and from other vegetation. Rehs approaches a middle aged woman named Elsi, who questions him about which side they are on. Rehs assures her that they are in service to the new High Queen. Elsi asks if they can spare food and water for the survivors of her village. She shares that Baron Blackstone’s forces took their livestock, food stores, and that they pressed the able bodied men and boys into his army heading south including her son.

Rehs informs the others and they break out their food and water to share with the dozen women, children, and an elderly man. The party offers their protection and suggests that they travel with them to the forest where they can camp.

Near the forest, the group is surprised by a young teen girl who sprints up to them asking for food. She tells Corthen that her family is camped in the Dernall near a fresh water stream. Hyrra offers to lead them to the camp in exchange for rations. Several members quietly discuss the chance that the camp is an ambush, but they feel that they can overcome any attack should it come.

Hyrra leads the party to her campsite. The gurgling of the stream can be heard nearby and a campfire burns in the clearing. Corthen asks where her family is. She quickly suggests that they have taken the trail for water and she darts off down another path. Tellazar looks to the others and whispers, “I knew this was a trap.”

Suddenly a shout comes from the boulders surrounding the party. “Death to the Dark Robes!” This cry is repeated by many voices and the party and their entourage finds themselves completely surrounded by a huge ring of angry armed men. With swords drawn the men move forward with death in their eyes. Tellazar tries to talk to the ring of men. Their leader in white plate armor accuses Tellazar of being a priest of Cyric. Tellazar and his friends deny the charge while the Stagford villagers scream in terror.

The white armored knight informs Tellazar that he can feel his evil and that their wizard can see his true form, that of a dark robed Cyricist traveling with Blackstone troops. Tellazar tells the man that he wears the robes, but he has claimed them as a battle trophy. The knight spits and says that no honest man would wear such garb. Ayremyr recognizes some of the heraldric devices of the opposing force. Some of the men are soldiers of Lord Cauldyth of Cantrev Aithe while others are in service to the royal family in Caer Callidyr. The others bear shields of a stag leaping a silver waterfall.

The ring of soldiers moves to do battle with the Guardians of the Past, when a man runs up to the white knight and urgently gets his attention. Erith recognizes the man as Douglar, a Harper they had met in the Wild Wood during their exploits in Aithe. Douglar speaks loudly and tells the assembled knights and soldiers that he can vouch for the adventuring party and that they are friends of Aithe and the High Queen. Douglar introduces the party to Sir Tirran Bravesword, paladin of the High Queen and to a grey-bearded wizard who has appeared nearby as Alatar Magnus, Court Wizard. Ayremyr speaks up and asks Alatar who rules as High Queen since the death of High King Tristan. The mage states that his eldest daughter, Alicia, rules the islands since the battle of Blackstone. Sir Tirran tells the party to rest and stay in the camp until they are needed.

5th of Flamerule 1366 Year of the Staff

The Cloven Stone

The Harper party led by the warrior Swiftsword leads the heroes across the fen even after sunrise. By midmorning, the tired men and women reach dry ground.

Owain points to a clearing in a thicket ahead and directs the group to an ancient standing stone that has broken over time in two from top to bottom. The druid speaks, “The Cloven Stone is your quickest way to Alaron. This will take you to a bald hill near Stagford, north of Aithe. From there, you’re on your own. Beware- they will doubtless be waiting for you.”

A bard steps forward. “Between the stones all of you. Touch another until all are linked together”, he orders. Once everyone is in place, the Harper stands facing the Guardians of the Past, Darga, and Volo. He removes a harp from his pack and begins playing a haunting tune, and then releases the instrument as it plays on its own. The Harper bard reaches his hands out and touches each half of the Cloven Stone.

The bard looks at Corthen and his companions and says, “You must fight on for us, Harpers.” Blue-white flames begin to envelop his body. Looking into his eyes, the party is horrified to watch as flames rise and begin to blacken his flesh. White mists rise up from around the stones and blot out their view of the dying man. His last words come as a deathly rattle, “Do not fail us!”, he gasps.

White mists cover everything the party can see. They are briefly disoriented; someone shouts, then a hail of arrows fly out seeking their lives. The party shakes off their stupor to see themselves ringed by an armed band of twenty human archers. The bowmen have some success as several arrows strike Volo Geddarm. He is sorely wounded and soon he disappears from view.

Corthen, Erith, Ayremyr, and Darga charge out to put swords to the archers. They engage several of them and kill a handful but the remaining bowmen are persistent. Uldred grows tired of them and uses his helm to release a Wall of Fire spell. Most of the archers are either caught in the flaming circle or on the outside of the roaring wall of flames. Three bowmen are trapped inside with the heroes. They quickly drop their bows and shortswords and beg for mercy. Darga is rather unlucky. He was caught in the dwarf’s flames and dies.

Corthen accepts the surrender of the men. He questions them about the Dark Druidess. The men profess they are soldiers of Lord Blackstone and it was he who left them here to guard the hill from meddlers on Gwynneth. Corthen asks if Lord Blackstone is in league with the Dark Druidess to which the men claim no knowledge of. The elf asks if Lord Blackstone is in Blackstone and they inform Corthen that their Lord has ridden south to siege Aithe Keep.

Corthen asks Volo how many days travel it is to Caer Callidyr from their current location. The geographer tells him it is nine days to the capital by horse along the north coast road that travels near Blackstone along the way. He tells Corthen that the trip south to Aithelar and through the Dernall Forest is equally as long by horse. The party begins discussing what to do. Corthen urges that the group travel to Aithe to aid Lord Cauldyth and his family against Blackstone. Tellazar disagrees and urges traveling north past Blackstone and on to Caer Callidyr. The archers agree to serve the party wherever they go and swear by Chauntea to do so with honor.

4th of Flamerule 1366 Year of the Staff

The Great Grove

The heroes arise at dawn leaving the campsite traveling west. Rehs and Tellazar travel invisibly with the others. Three hours into their journey the party discovers a trail heading west that enters a large fen. The trail is raised above the marshy grasslands to either side.

The Guardians of the Past walk onward into the fens for most of the day. Before sunset the heroes can make out raised land ahead near the horizon. A short time later the group is surprised by four large black green snakes. The creatures exit the waters and attack.

The serpents strike at Volo, Samira, and Ayremyr. Only Volo is stricken. Samira and Uldred act quickly to aid him. Samira applies a potential antidote while the dwarf slows the poison in his system. Ayremyr quickly takes several fangs and snake scales for the Mystran priestess.

The heroes march on pushing to reach the Grove of Chauntea. Several hours after dark the Guardians are confronted by a force of eight ugly and deformed giants. The hideous creatures are close to 14’ tall with misshapen limbs and twisted faces. The giants move forward to engage the party drawn to their light sources. Two of the giants strike Ayremyr and nearly kill him. In retaliation Erith unleashes two blasts of ice from his wand while Uldred releases a deadly blast of Prismatic Spray from his helm killing two of the foes. Ayremyr disengages from battle and drinks several draughts to heal his wounds.

The giants’ swords continue to batter the party. Rehs sneaks up invisibly and critically wounds another behemoth when he severs an artery in his enemy’s leg causing his to bleed out within two minutes. Darga, the charmed enforcer of Cyric, does not engage the giants as there is little room for him to wade into the melee. Corthen’s shouts for him to move into the fen to fight fall on deaf ears.

During the battle the party can hear human screams, animal cries, and drumming. The warriors charge forward to face the last two giants guarding entrance into the holy site. Tellazar has cast Haste upon Corthen, Ayremyr, Uldred, and Darga. From outside the lush grove the party hears a shout of voices call Tyranthraxus. The furious blades strike the brutal giants. Rehs finishes off the last one by severing the creature’s leg off at the thigh.

Charging blindly into the Great Grove the party is shocked to see dark robed figures surrounding a befouled pool of water. The water has a growing dark mist spreading across the surface. Standing in the air above the water is a proud looking woman who laughs coldly and suddenly vanishes.

Suddenly a column of fire erupts from the water, taking on a vague humanoid form. Flames shoot out from the creatures to unlit torches of the priests. The Cyricists proceed to use the flames to ignite the foliage of the grove. Corthen, Uldred, Erith, Darga, and Rehs attack the dark robed Cyricists. Samira casts a Charm Person upon one priest in the hopes of taking him out of the battle.

Tellazar casts a Magic Missile spell at the flaming figure but the spell snuffs out without harming him. Volo shouts that the name Tyranthraxus is that of a dead God. The flaming God rises up and begins flying away. Ayremyr and Samira attempt to use items upon the deity, but they fail in their attempts.

Harpers arrive at the grove and urge the party to dispatch the priests and aid them with the fires. They begin beating the flames with cloaks and blankets to put out the burning fires. The party defeats all but one priest. Erith finally uses his gauntlet to paralyze the evil priest. He is bound.

The heroes join the fire fighting. After an hour of frenzied activity the Harpers and the party have quenched the flames. Corthen questions their leader and learns he is Swiftsword, an ally of Sharantyr. Owain, a Chauntean druid, mournfully notes that greater powers will be needed to restore the waters of the Moonwell. Swiftsword suggests the party question their prisoner to see what can be learned.

Early questioning of Loalander reveals much. Samira tells the group that she charmed him. The party learns that the fire being was indeed Tyranthraxus, the Flaming One. He was once a servant of Bane. Loalander explains that Tyranthraxus was dead, but the Dark Druidess has called him forth into the Realms to serve Cyric.

Corthen asks what coming plans the Dark Druidess has. The charmed priests reveals that her forces prepare to strike at Caer Callidyr and the new Queen soon. Samira asks if he knows of any names of the Druidess. He informs the party that her name is Gauntathra, True Servant of the Dark Sun and that Cyric favors her. He says that she has been a loyal priestess of Cyric and that she banished the Baneson from the Realms several years ago in a hidden temple.

Samira asks about the purpose of despoiling the groves. Loalander tells her that each ruined grove weakens Chauntea’s defenses of the islands and increases Cyric’s powers. He also states it allows each of the Lost Gods to enter back into the Realms. Samira learns that four additonal groves will be attacked, but Loalander knows not which ones. She learns that besides the Great Grove that the Dark Druidess has despoiled the Groves of Blackstone and LeShay. Corthen and Samira share what they have learned with Swiftsword the Harper leader. He states he will share the information with his superior, Florin. The warrior asks if the heroes have learned all that is needed from their prisoner. Corthen quickly tells him that they have exhausted all questions.

The elven leader of Guardians walks quickly over to the charmed Loalander and runs his sword into his neck, dispatching him in moments. Volo quietly asks Tellazar if anyone learned what was called forth at the other groves. Realizing the elf has been hasty, he speaks to him. Corthen rubs his eyes and sighs. He pulls forth the Spear of Lochal and asks the departed man more questions.

The Speak With Dead works. Loalander reveals in death that the God Moander was freed at Blackstone Grove. Additionally, Camnod the Unseen was released at the Grove of LeShay. Someone suggests finding out the other gods who will be released to serve Cyric. Loalander’s spirit informs them that Maram of the Great Spear; Haask, Voice of Hargut; Borem of the Lake of Boiling Mud; and Valigan Thirdborn, a God of Anarchy shall join Cyric’s other freed Gods.

Corthen and Uldred put Loalander’s body into the portable hole in case other questions occur. Swiftsword asks if the party is willing to travel to Caer Callidyr to warn the Queen. The heroes agree to undertake the task. The party follows the Harpers deeper into the fen while it is still night.

3rd of Flamerule 1366 Year of the Staff (Part II)

The party exits the Harper tunnel onto the western slope of the Cambro Mountains. Having traveled for many hours the adventurers are ready for a break. Before the sun sets on this wilderness, Rhes, Corthen, and Samira gather firewood and create a campsite.

Corthen speaks to his companions and suggests they discuss strategies in facing a powerful foe in the Dark Druidess. Erith and Rehs are given what the group believes are Netherese blast scepters to carry into battle. Samira is given the scroll with two Raise Dead spells, another with three Fly spells, and an Invisibility spell. Rehs accepts a potion of invisibility and another of flying, Corthen takes potions of extra healing.

Tellazar takes time to Identify the rod to learn a little about one set of Cyric priestly vestments. The mage says the rod ressurects the dead. It is given to Samira.

Corthen attempts to persuade Volo into keeping quiet on the party’s members who are Harpers. The author asks several questions of the elf, the strongest commitment he gets from Volo is that he would possibly consider using aliases of their real names should he pursue a Volo’s Guide to the Harpers, or a Volo’s Guide to the Moonshaes.

Late at night Tellazar and Rehs both have Invisibility cast upon them in preparation of the next day’s journey and potential clash.

3rd of Flamerule 1366 Year of the Staff

Break On Through to the Other Side

After traveling through the tunnel opened by the Harpers, the party has been traveling for over a day. The group finally reaches a dead end. The stone wall is covered by glyphs. Deciding that it must be safe, Corthen gambles that he will tempt fate and he touches the glyphs. They begin glowing brighter and brighter and when the party is able to see they see before them the surface world of trees and grass and rocky tors descending down into a valley. The sun is setting and only two hours of daylight still are left when the Guardians of the Past exit the passage under the mountain into Myrloch Vale.

2nd of Flamerule 1366 Year of the Staff

Lady Shaleen

The large Harper party breaks camp before dawn. Ayremyr is healed and is able to use his leg again. After several hours of marching the group stops. The heroes meet a woman who has appeared at their resting place. Avras introduces the adventurers to Lady Shaleen, a raven-haired woman of striking beauty. She smiles at the party and asks them to follow her.

She leads them to a hillock topped with very old looking standing stones and a glowing ring of magical radiance. Lady Shaleen waves one hand, a gap appears in the ring. She motions for the band to enter, smiles, then turns into an iridescent silver and blue dragon and flies off.

Corthen, Samira and the others enter the ring of glowing light. laying on a bed of thick moss are a number of steel vials, a metal rod, and a leather case. The party gathers up the items after a Magic Mouth appears on a nearby stone. It says, “These are for your needs, heroes, as you answer our needs in this dark time. We look for your help now in the Great Grove.” Uldred speaks up and tells the others that the voice belongs to the wizard, Flamsterd, who brought him to the isles from Waterdeep.

After gathering the items, the group discusses whether or not to share the mysterious object taken from the tomb with the other Harpers. The group decides to ask them if they know anything of the object. They retrieve the item from the portable hole with Corthen being wounded from handling the black item. Tyrigan, a bard, examines the item and asks the heroes questions about the tomb. Finally Tyrigan tells the Guardians that he suspects that it is the Obsidian Torc, once worn by Queen Celeese, nearly 700 winters ago. He states that the party must have found her tomb, lost to time. Corthen asks what is known of the torc. Tyrigan tells him that legends say that the item had powers to banish demons. He suggests the heroes keep the torc safe.

Sharantyr tells the heroes it is time to go. She says that they will use a passage under the mountains to reach the Great Grove. The allied Harpers take off marching quickly for the mountains. In the afternoon they reach a stone cliff. Two of the elves begin singing when the group comes to a stop. Soon the stone begins to glow and within minutes an opening into the cliff comes into being through the magic of the elves. Sharantyr leads the group into the tunnel. ten minutes into the underground passage, Avras stops the Harpers. He tells Sharantyr that Swiftdagger reports a very large force of Cyricists is reportedly closing in behind them and closing in on the tunnel.

Sharantyr orders the Guardians on. She tells them that they will close the eastern end of the tunnel to prevent the forces of the Dark Sun from using the path. Her force will harass them and delay them as they try to cross over the mountains above. Sharantyr’s band quickly say their goodbyes and take off running back out of the mountain.

Alone, the heroes, Volo Geddarm, and the charmed prisoner move forward. Samira casts an Unfailing Endurance to aid the party’s march. The group sees no living threats, only the dried husks of giant spiders with their legs curled up in death.

1st of Flamerule 1366 Year of the Staff

Night Attack

Shortly after midnight, the members on watch hear movement in the darkness. They quickly and quietly wake up the others. Suddenly with a throaty roar, armored men charge into view of the campfire light. The humans wield longswords and they hack at the heroes and Volo with much ferocity.

The Guardians fight back with swords and spells. They soon learn that armored priests of Cyric are in the back, behind a swarm of warriors. The fighting is bitter, the heroes are sorely pressed to repel the attacks of this group of enforcers working for the Dark Druidess. Uldred calls for reinforcements using his Dwarven Horn of Valhalla. Seven armored dwarves appear and join the battle helping the party. One of the Cyricist warriors is turned to their side with the use of a charm spell. The warrior cuts down several of his comrades in aiding the party.

The party emerges victorious, but Ayremyr suffers a serious wound to his right leg. Samira binds the wounded members of the party and she and Uldred exhaust their healing prayers. Before dawn the party hears the sound of a boots moving through the tall grass and the creaks of leather. Preparing for a second wave of the enemy, the adventurers are hailed before a group of twenty humans and elves come to the heroes’ camp.

The new group identifies themselves as Harpers. They ask if the may assist the group, since they have shared their allegiance as well. The leader of the Harper band is a woman named Sharantyr. She has her healers aid the party while she speaks with them. Corthen divulges that the Dark Druidess is on her way to the Great Grove. Alarmed at this news, the Harpers use magic to convey a message to another band led by Swiftsword. Corthen asks Sharantyr if she has heard news of the High King. The woman shakes her head no. Corthen tells her that he has word that the King is dead, fallen in battle. The Harper leader asks where the party came by such news and Ayremyr tells her Volo. The gathered Harpers give the heroes many black looks. They are unhappy that a rumormonger and loose-lipped writer is present and that the party has a charmed Cyricist in their midst hearing every word.

The Harpers suggest that the party travel with them to the Great Grove to stop the enemy. The young heroes agree, but state Ayremyr cannot walk with his wound. Sharantyr tasks her men to fashion a litter to carry the wounded elf on. The combined group of Harpers moves quickly to the West. They travel for most of the day, finally making camp at nightfall.

30th of Kythorn 1366 Year of the Staff

The Undertomb

Rehs and Corthen finish searching the well chamber for treasure. Rehs discovers a letter to Anphrantul from Tirostar. It states that the Dark Druidess will soon be traveling near Darkhorn Castle and Anphrantul is to be ready to assist her. Corthen speaks to the two captives, Jute and Kirian. He asks them about the dead priests. Corthen learns they were Anphrantul and Oishannan.

Corthen asks the two bandits if any more of their comrades are still about. Jute says that three others fled out the escape tunnel after leaving the keep. He says that Oishannan became enraged at their cowardice and that he was unable to flee as well. Samira asks the prisoners where the shaft leads to. Neither man knows, but Kirian says that Anphrantul did not allow anyone near the loose flagstones. Asked about the Dark Druidess, Kirian tells the party that she is headed to the Great Grove.

Corthen turns the duo loose with warnings to them that if they take up banditry again, their lives with be forfeit. Jute and Kirian flee the room. The group descends down the shaft cut from solid rock. The air is chill, but the air is breathable. The shaft descends into a tomb lined with twenty eight coffins and an arched stone door. It is lit by magical amber light cast upon the ceiling. Erith’s handharp begins to play louder on its own in the tomb. The party cautiously inspects each stone coffin finding nothing more than a few bones, rusting bits of metal, dust, and a few moldering scraps of cloth.

Finding nothing of value in the tomb, Rehs moves forward to inspect the stone door. He finds that the door is locked and it is trapped. Rehs takes his time and he cuts a wire connected to the portal and then he picks the lock. Uldred opens the door; the sound of metal striking metal and the sound of breaking items falling reverberate in the chamber beyond.

As the group is focused on the door trap, a coffin near the shaft suddenly pivots and a weird looking man emerges from under the coffin. It is soon clear the man is not living; his features are twisted and his body is warped in undeath. Corthen quickly casts a web spell from his cloak. The elf plans to burn the webs, but before he can act the wight uses magic of his own and blasts a 20’ tunnel through the webs and knocks Ayremyr down. A spell battle erupts between the combatants with the heroes emerging victorious. Corthen recovers a metal rod from the wight which he believes to be a Netherese Blast Scepter.

The party enters the inner chamber. The handharp grows even louder inside the room. The tomb contains a raised dais and a stone coffin atop it. The lid is worked with a carving of an armored woman wearing a crown with light spilling out from within the stone box. After Rehs examines the sarcophagus, four members of the party lift the stone lid from the coffin. Immediately all magical light ceases from inside the coffin, the party’s magic lights, and the harp ceases playing.

The scared heroes light a torch. Gazing into the coffin Corthen and Rehs see dust and a black object 7 inches across. Picking up the half circle Corthen is wounded by electrical energy emanating from the object. The party members all try to touch the item with similar results before placing it into the portable hole.

The Guardians of the Past leave the undertomb and climb back up the shaft. As Corthen reaches the top of the shaft a figure darts from the room and runs down the hallway for the surface. The elf yells to the others that someone is fleeing and then he runs after the figure. Reaching the surface, he doesn’t find the runner, but he discovers a large leather tube lying in the ward between the keep and the wall. Corthen stops and waits for the others to catch up. Rehs examines the dropped item and declares it safe to handle. Corthen opens the end discovers a vellum map of Amn.

The party is insistent on finding out who the mysterious stranger is. They catch a glimpse of him in the far distance crossing a ridge. The heroes pursue. For hours the group follows after the figure. Eventually Samira begins scrying him using his map as a foci. The party closes in on him after a day long pusuit. As Tellazar and Corthen use the Dimension Door to come beside him, the cloaked man reaches to his belt and tosses his loosed coin purse into the air spilling coins across the ground. He yells, “Take it! I have nothing else, highwaymen!” Ayremyr moves with swords ready to strike the man with raised hands in surrender. The elf yells, “Who are you and why are you running?” The angry man tersely tells the seven figures that he had seen enough and he ran to get away from losing his life. He refuses to give his name or what he was doing at Blackhorn Castle. The hot-tempered elf threatens the man if he does not answer their questions.

The man hesistates before giving his name, Volothamp Geddarm, and he says he was traveling to a village to the south. Corthen asks why he was at the castle. Volothamp states that he saw ravens gathering in the air above the ruined fortress and he grew curious as to what had occurred. He says that he saw the scattered dead stripped of armor and the ravens working on the corpses. Volothamp says he stumbled onto the dungeon beneath the hill and saw the other bodies stripped and that he ran when he saw someone climbing from the pit.

Corthen asks the man if he is sometimes known as Volo. The man nods and several of the heroes relax. Corthen explains to some in his party who have never heard the name Volo. He tells Rehs and Ayremyr that Volo is an author who writes books about locations and knowledge of the Realms. Corthen sheathes his longswords and picks up the coins and hands them back to the famous man.

Volo soon learns that the party are a group adventurers working against the Dark Druidess. Corthen reveals that most of the Guardians are Harpers. Volo shares some dark news. He tells the party that a battle took place at a sacred grove of Chauntea near Blackstone and that the Dark Druidess was victorious. He says that High King Tristan was led into a trap and fell in the battle. Volo says that he learned that the forces of the Dark Druidess were planning to gather near Dultann, so he came to Corvu and has been traveling for several days to learn more. The party saddened at the news of the High King, decide to make camp nearby and travel back to Dultann in the morning.

29th of Kythorn 1366 Year of the Staff

Darkhorn Castle

At midday, the party comes into view of Darkhorn Castle. It rises above the surrounding landscape on a stone rise. The lands around the stone edifice are high moor grasses and a few scattered shrubs and stunted trees. Ayremyr leads the party up to a mountain stream that runs swiftly down to the east. Tellazar spots a narrow stone slab footbridge that crosses the water.

The party crosses the bridge and trudges up the ridge to the crumbling castle. Several towers have collapsed and the group can see several breaches in the outer wall of the abandoned castle. The group reaches the open archway of the main gate of Darkhorn Castle. No sound can be heard but the whistling of wind through openings in the stone structures. Rehs cautiously approaches the gateway and examines the area for waiting traps and finds none.

Corthen leads the party into the ward of the desolate stronghold. He leads the group up towards the main keep, a ruined shell of stone. Suddenly a cry comes from above and the air is pierced by dozens of bolts! The party has walked into an ambush. Crossbowmen fire on the adventurers from nearby towers on the outer walls, from the ramparts of the wall, and from the top of the main keep. Several members are struck by bolts, the luckier heroes’ armor turn them aside.

Realizing that they must move or perish, the group reacts swiftly. Tellazar grabs ahold of Corthen and uses the Dimension Door magic of his robes to reappear atop a nearby tower. Erith, Rehs, and Ayremyr charge a set of stairs to the inner curtain wall to rush their attackers. Uldred growls and pulls his enchanted crossbow out to return fire from the ward. Samira wounded by several of the bolts, runs for the cover of the main keep and says a prayer to Mystra that no attackers await her just inside the breached opening.

Corthen and Tellazar attack the three human crossbowmen atop of the tower. Erith and the others reach the top of the curtain wall. Four men led by a large warrior in field plate armor rush out from a nearby tower and charge the heroes. The leader is wielding a broadsword and he tries grabbing Ayremyr and Erith with a dark gauntlet but he misses.

Uldred has used his crossbow of speed to strike several of the archers atop a wall. Samira has disappeared inside the ruins of the main keep. Tellazar and Corthen have dispatched the three archers atop the tower they jumped to from the mage’s cloak. Tellazar uses Feather Fall to drop down inside the tower. Once there he unleashes a Lightning Bolt to slay five archers atop of the west wall.

Corthen uses his bow and picks off two archers atop of the main keep. Ayremyr, Erith, and Rehs slay two of the attackers including the leader. Erith kocks out three of the attackers with a Sleep spell. Uldred uses his helm to Fireball and eliminates the bowmen atop of the gatehouse. Uldred then moves up the stairs and says healing prayers on Rehs. The remaining crossbowmen flee from the roof of the main keep.

In the darkness of the interior of the main keep, Samira can hear shouts above her and soon she hears the sound of men running away inside the dark confines but she sees no one. Outside the party regroups, with Samira coming out last to rejoin the others. Uldred tends to her wounds before Corthen and Erith speak to his bound prisoners.

The three men are questioned. They tell the party they followed Gordeirn Mathchan, a bandit leader of Northern Gwynneth. The most helpful prisoner reveals that Gordeirn worshipped Cyric and he had the men attack the party to protect the Cyricists. Corthen offers freedom to the three men if they tell him where he can find these servants of Dark Sun. The prisoners tell the party that a stairwell behind the keep leads down into the catacombs and priests are quartered there.

Corthen keeps his promise and releases the men. He tells them should they continue to rob the honest Fflolk, he will track them down and give no quarter. The trio stumble out a wall breach and run across the open heath way from Darkhorn Castle as they can get. The Guardians of the Past locate the stairs down and descend into darkness.

The stairs lead into a large room with crates and wickerwork baskets stacked along one wall. Corthen investigates the containers, ever in pursuit of coins and brooches. He misses the signs of danger and trips a wire and most of the stack falls forward onto the elf. The rotting crates spill large stones out and Corthen is down and unmoving. The party pulls the warrior free of the trap and he comes around from unconsciousness.

The heroes move down a hall off of the entry chamber. Stone doors line the sides. Rehs checks each portal before Corthen opens doors to reveal room being used as a kitchen, a treasure room, and sleeping quarters. The next door opened by the elf reveals two Ettin skeletons that immediately attack the party. The party engages the undead and defeat the two of them.

Rehs moves down the hall to check the door at the end when he is hit by a soundless blast of energy. It knocks Corthen and Ayremyr over as well. Several party members are pretty sure it is a Netherese blast scepter. Samira takes Corthen, Rehs, Ayremyr, and Tellazar ethereal and they attack the men inside the room from behind once they return to solid form. They kill two bandits and two robed Cyricists and take two bandit prisoners. Rehs unspikes the door that connects to the outer hall. Erith aand Uldred enter the well chamber. Samira questions the surviving bandits and learn that three of their companions crawled out the escape tunnel. Erith’s handharp begins playing by itself when he enters the room. The harp plays louder in the northwest corner of the chamber. Uldred searches the area and finds loose flagstones that lift aside to reveal a dark shaft descending into solid rock.

28th of Kythorn 1366 Year of the Staff

Having seen two riders the day before who rode into a forest as the party approached on foot, the group has been on guard all day. Corthen leads the group through the thick forest of their Shee encounter during the day. The group makes it through, and they continue on for the last few hours of remaining daylight before stopping and making a campfire and settling in for the night.

26th of Kythorn 1366 Year of the Staff

The party departs Dultann again, this time bound for the haunted ruins of Darkhorn Castle.

25th of Kythorn 1366 Year of the Staff

Erith has the enchanted mirror removed from the vaults of Mirt the Moneylender. He has it taken to Corthen Nightglade’s stone manse in the North Ward. Once it is set up, Erith scries an area close to the village of Dultann and he and Uldred and Rehs use the power of the mirror to step through the portal that is created. The trio close the gate and walk back to Dultann’s Beard to await the others.

The other four companions return to the village after dark. There they are reunited at the tavern. Erith shares that he has learned that the party faced a Shee at the Horns, a dangerous elven spirit who comes out during times of great upheaval in the islands. He also imparts that she was not killed, only driven away. They share some drinks and stay in Griffonmane’s barn once again for the night.

24th of Kythorn 1366 Year of the Staff

While Tellazar, Samira, Ayremyr, and Corthen make a journey back to Dultann, Erith takes Rehs and Uldred’s bodies to the Temple of Tymora in Waterdeep. There he pays the priests of the Luck Goddess many gems to bring the two back from the dead.

23rd of Kythorn 1366 Year of the Staff

The Horns

Two days out of Dultann the members of the Guardians of the Past arrive at the Horns, traveling through forest in the fog and rain. Ravens have been croaking in the forest of thick trees. The party searches the area look for secret compartments and writings upon the stone altar. Ayremyr chops a fallen tree off of the top of the grey stone altar. Corthen uses his wand of metal detection and searches for gold without success. He tries searching for steel; the wand points to the base of altar. Uldred, Ayremyr, Corthen and Rehs muscle the altar block from the base to find a niche underneath. In the 3’ deep pit Ayremyr recovers a longsword and a bone tube with two Raise Dead spells.

The heroes inspect the area around altar for other treasure and it turns to night when a translucent elf riding a spirit horse charges Samira, her lance misses, but she is trampled by the horse. The dead elf swings around to charge the others in the group when Tellazar casts a lightning bolt spell striking her. She releases a horrid sound which causes Uldred and Rehs to die in terror just from her scream. The survivors gather up their fallen comrades and pull back from the Horns and the dead elf before making a camp several miles away in this cursed forest. With such loss, the decision is made to place the dead in the portable hole and risk Erith taking them back to Waterdeep for Ressurection via his Helm of Teleportation.

22nd of Kythorn 1366 Year of the Staff

The adventurers leave Dulith Griffonmane’s homestead and travel northwest in the morning. Passing the sheep grazing lands the heroes journey into wilder country of steep hillsides and broken bedrock with scattered pines. The party travels the entire day before making camp near a small brook. The night is peaceful in the wilderness.

21st of Kythorn 1366 Year of the Staff

With the peddler leading the party, the group travels west and north uphill most of the day. The countryside is rugged and wild with grasslands and scattered copses of trees. Towards evening, Dorgan leads them down a well used path into a rolling valley. Eventually as darkness falls their escort points to lanterns burning off in the distance.

The adventurers are tired and ready for some food. The tinker leads the party into the village. Passing several stone cottages surrounded by sheds and barns the curly haired man exalts. “At last! Dultann’s Beard! I am ready for a pint.” Dorgan passes into the noisy taproom filled with the scent of food and pipe smoke.

As soon as Ayremyr and Corthen step through the door the room grows quiet. Men with weathered faces look at the gathered heroes eyeing them with worried expressions. The tavernmaster steps forward and introduces himself as Paedrac Rollstone. He leads the group over to a table in the corner and asks if they are looking for a bite, a mug, or both.

Uldred speaks up and tells the tall human that they are seeking both food and drink and he places several gold coins down on the table for Paedrac. The tavernmaster calls over his plump daughter to bring these travelers some hot soup, bread, and roast lamb. He apologizes to Corthen for not carrying any wine. Corthen speaks and tells him that ale is fine.

After dinner, Rehs asks Paedrac’s daughter if the establishment has any available rooms to rent. The girl tells him that the Beard is a tavern and that there are no inns in the village. Dorgan comes over to the table with a broad-shouldered man and introduces the party to Dulith Griffonmane.

The silver haired man looks over the elves, dwarf, and humans and asks what brings them to Dultann. Corthen looks at the large man and informs him that the group left Waterdeep to aid the good people loyal to the High King. Several other locals turn and listen to the conversation. A fearful looking man steps forward and asks the party why anyone should trust any llewyrr and their outlander companions. Erith speaks up and informs the man that he is a bard studied in his craft from revered master bards in Silverymoon, Neverwinter, and Waterdeep. He goes on to tell the distrustful man that he and his companions rescued several Chauntean priests from captivity of evil priests in Aithe just days ago and were honored guests in the home of Lord Cauldyth of Aithe. This quiets the man named Tarm and he slinks away and returns to his seat.

Dulith asks Erith if he might play or sing for the taproom. The bard pulls out his harp and takes a seat near the middle of the room. He performs several jaunty songs and the spirits of the tavern rise. Corthen puts down a handful of coins on the bar and tells Paedrac that drinks are on him for the whole taproom. Soon the party has made several new friends besides Dulith. Storn and Anarsk join the heroes for more drinks at their table.

Rehs and Corthen ask the men what places might be of interest to the party since they wish to explore and fight any local evils. Storn tells them that dark robed men who serve “The One We Never Name” are rumored to travel the land spreading death and chaos. Dulith notes that Dultann is too remote to be of value to evil men in service to the Dark Druidess. He says that the party may wish to visit the haunted ruins of Darkhorn Castle, visit the unholy altar known as The Horns, or investigate the old watchtower to the south. The group absorbs the directions to each place from the locals. When Tellazar mentions setting up camp outside of the village for the night, Dulith Griffonmane tells them that they may stay in his barn where it is warm and dry. The party rouses Ayremyr from his ale soaked reverie and they sleep amongst the fragrant hay of Dulith’s barn.

20th of Kythorn 1366 Year of the Staff

The party has been on board the Catahara for three days. Captain Muham has been nothing but charming to the adventurers. He has given up trying to speak to Samira. She has no use for Calishite men due to her horrible childhood.

During the previous evening, after speaking to one of his lookouts, Muham turned his ship sharply to starboard and noted that a trailing vessel followed suit. Now at dawn, lookouts report that the Catahara is being trailed by three vessels.

Corthen and Tellazar approach the Calishite Captain and ask him what is going on. He tells the duo that he suspects pirates and he is trying to outrun their ships. Knowing they are approaching their destination, the elven warrior asks Muham how this impacts their dropoff. The Calishite tells them that he is willing to give them one skiff and he will race off again as soon as their small boat is in the water. Tellazar promises to assist the ship with some his magic.

Three hours later, the Catahara a mile from the coast of Gwynneth rounds a point and drops a skiff into the waters. The heroes jump aboard the rowboat. Tellazar casts a Mist Magic spell that begins to spread across the surface of the water. The merchant vessel pulls away and engages full sails. The heroes pull hard on the oars and before they have landed they see three ships further out to sea moving past their location and after the Calishite vessel.

Erith, Ayremyr, and Uldred pull the small boat up onto the pebble beach. Samira keeps an eye out for returning ships in case the three ships were actually seeking out the party. She has Call Lightning ready to recite should she need it.

The party moves inland after hiding the rowboat above the high tide mark in some scraggly shrubs and thorns. The party marches inland and up the steep coast of the region. Rehs finds a trail that weaves its way up to rugged terrain. Above them Corthen spots a stone cottage. He decides to approach the simple home by himself and knocks on the door. An ancient voice yells, “Go away!” Corthen tries again and tells the resident he is trying to find Dultann. The elderly woman once again yells, “Llewyrr, go away! I’ll not fall for your tricks!” Realizing he is not going to learn anything he walks away to rejoin the others.

The group continues inland seeking some sort of village to get their bearing but find only wild, rugged highlands. As dark settles, the party makes camp and begins to cook an evening meal. As they begin to dig in, a voice calls out from the darkness. “Well met, travelers! Might I come forward in peace and share some of my food in exchange for a spot near your fire?” Corthen tells the man to come forth so that they might see him. A middle-aged human with curly hair comes forward with his hands out, palms visible. He states, “My name is Dorgan the Tinker. I am traveling and I come with peace in my heart.” The group introduces themselves and Dorgan is happy to share his fresh sausages and hen eggs with the group. Samira asks the tinker where he is headed and he informs her he is bound for Dultann and Corvu after that.

Corthen asks Dorgan if he will lead them to Dultann as that is where they are heading. The man agrees to help. The conversation later turns to his wares which he shows them his pewterware. Most of the party purchase a single set of his work for when they are in the wilds. The party sets watches and nothing disturbs the party during the night.

17th of Kythorn 1366 Year of the Staff

The heroes arrive back at Aithe Keep. They meet with Brwynella Cauldyth who informs them that her father and sister rode north before dawn with a body of troops. She says that Zyla and Jessandra have been reunited and left the fortress earlier to purchase some new clothes in town.

Corthen informs the young Lady Cauldyth that he and his friends must depart for the island of Gwynneth. He asks her if she can recommend a ship to transport them there. Brwynella thinks for a moment and says that she does not know what boats lie in the harbor but several of the fishermen may consider the trip for the right price. Corthen changes the subject and asks Brwynella if the party may leave their sea chests down in the dungeons of the keep. She smiles and assures him that they will be safe until they return to claim them. The group gives her their thanks and goodbyes when she sees the heroes off.

At the docks, Corthen and Rehs look at the vessels in the harbor. The largest ship is loading crates aboard and the crew is preparing the ship for departure. Seeking permission to meet with the Captain, Corthen, Rehs, and Samira walk up the plank and onto the main deck. A richly dressed Calishite greets them. Corthen gives the Captain their names and informs him that he and his friends are seeking passage to Gwynneth.

Captain Muham gives them his name and asks how many passengers and Rehs tells him there are seven in their party. The Captain smiles with a gold tooth prominent in his mouth. Muham asks what port that they wish to dock at. Corthen tells him they are going to Dultann. Taken aback, Captain Muham tells him that Dultann has no port as it is some small village several days inland. Corthen is insistent, so the Captain names his price for ferrying the group. Corthen disagrees and gives a much lower offer. Giving the elf a shocked look, Muham informs Corthen that he might as well sell his wife and children into slavery to cover the ship’s expenses with such an offer. Corthen makes another offer in which the ship captain replies, “You wound me, sir!” The two men haggle a bit longer before agreeing to a price closest to Captain Muham’s asking price.

The others board the merchant vessel and are shown to the quarters below deck. The ship, ‘Catahara’ sets sail leaving Aithe and the island of Alaron behind.

16th of Kythorn 1366 Year of the Staff

The party rides all day in an effort to make it out of the forest before nightfall. The riders do manage to leave the Wild Wood before night fully comes. In the distance the heroes can make out fires burning in one of the villages near the edge of the forest. Leaving several horses for Lord Cauldyth’s party the heroes depart.

The heroes ride into the small farming village to find it sacked with dead lying around the road and near some of the burning barns and cottages. Coming through the smoke the party sees a group of humans. Realizing something is wrong, they observe the stiff gait of the humans and realize they are no more than reanimated dead. The party puts down the zombies and moves out of the village.

Several miles from the zombie encounter the party hears ragged screams and ride their tired horses forward to those needing aid. The Guardians of the Past crest a hill and see three figures running towards them being pursued by snapping wolves. The man, woman, and boy look exhausted as they try to outrun the worgs chasing them. Suddenly the boy is snatched by a worg by the neck and killed. The angry heroes attack the creatures and kill the lot of the worgs, saving the remaining farm folk.

Speaking to the man and woman and binding their wounds, Corthen apologizes for their loss. Staring blankly at the elf, he asks what he speaks of. Corthen tells him that he is sorry that he was unable to save his son from the beasts. Velis informs the group that they are mistaken. He says that Talen was the son of Randran Oakshalt. The woman, Charina, says that she was neighbors to Talen and saw his father killed by several worgs being frenzied by dead flying bats.

Samira asks where the attack took place. Velis points to the north and says that the village is Sparwood. Uldred and Erith give up their mounts and tell the two survivors to ride to Aithelar for safety. The group marches north towards Sparwood. The party reaches the village to find only the remains of twenty dead villagers scattered among the dead livestock, all killed by worgs. The group sets to interring the dead in the cemetery when a familiar figure steps out of the darkness near the burial plot. It is the Harper wizard, Mairae Ulzander o’ the Winters.

She informs the party that her companions are seeing Rhiannon Cauldyth, Zyla, and the Chauntean priests back to Aithe safely. She says that a messenger arrived in Aithelar yesterday morning from the High King asking for aid from the Lord of Aithe to move north with half his troops. Mairae said that she informed the Lord of Aithe and rode off immediately for Aithe Keep. Corthen tells Mairae that they defeated the priests of the Dark Grove in the Wild Wood, although one of the Cyricists did escape. Corthen suggests that the group should join Lord Cauldyth if they are needed. The harper shakes her head no and tells him that she and her friends recently learned that something important to the Dark Druidess is getting ready to happen near Dultann on Gwynneth. Corthen asks her if she wants the party to travel across the water to Dultann and the woman says that is what is needed. The party thanks her and say their goodbyes as they make their way to Aithelar.

15th of Kythorn 1366 Year of the Staff

Early before breaking camp, Tellazar speaks to the group and shares the powers of the dark gauntlet and the Cyricist robes. Rehs and Tellazar each take a robe and Erith is awarded the left handed gauntlet which grants immunity against spells of lower power and the ability to paralyze anyone that is touched.

The party breaks camp and rides hard this day. Their goal is get back with the Chauntean priests and Zyla as quickly as possible. The group finally rests after dark knowing they are close to leaving the forest behind in the next day.

14th of Kythorn 1366 Year of the Staff

The party badly wounded from the struggle with the trolls moves their camp several miles away from the burnt troll corpses and make camp again. Samira and Uldred recite every healing prayer at their disposal, but the group is still in bad shape. Tellazar crushes pearls and mixes it with wine to learn powers of the items that radiate magic.

Afterwards, the spellcasters use the spell Nap to regain used spells. Samira heals the party and the High Harvestmaster cures Lord Cauldyth. Only Corthen remains badly wounded and near death. Late at night, Uldred casts every healing prayer onto the wounded warrior closing the gashes left by the troll and making him healthy once more.

13th of Kythorn 1366 Year of the Staff

The party battered by the fight against the black robed priests of Cyric receive healing from the two priests within the party. Zyla rides with Erith and does not speak much. The party rides all day until dusk before making camp.

Tellazar discusses taking some Identify spells for the morning so he can learn of the powers of the items plundered from the dark priests while Corthen examines the gems and valuables to establish their value.

During the second watch of the night of Tellazar, Uldred and Samira hear snapping branches and Uldred attempts to wake everyone before the party is swarmed. He recognizes the sounds of trolls. The dwarf wakes Ayremyr and Erith, but Corthen is still in reverie. Twelve trolls attack the camp and one of the hungry creatures leaps beside Corthen’s bedroll and claws and bites the prostrate elf.

The elven warrior lies unmoving as the creature descends again to tear his flesh from his bones when Zyla Blossom snatches up his flametongue longsword and stab the offender with the burning sword. Hacking and burning the trolls, the party manages to slay most of the foul giants. Samira finally is able to rush to Corthen’s aid and revive him. Lord Cauldyth, Ayremyr, Rehs, and Zyla dispatch the remaining trolls and put them afire to combat their regenerative powers.

A pale and weak Corthen looks to the angry and defiant Zyla standing with his sword still burning and asks for his blade. The girl looks at elven hero and states he may have his enchanted blade when the party rightfully returns her moonstones seized at the grove. The elf seeing no way out of this but giving the raven-haired female the twenty gems that they had claimed while she was deceased. He has Rehs bring her the stones which she accepts before extinguishing the flametongue sword and placing it back into its sheath and tossing it to him before walking away.

12th of Kythorn 1366 Year of the Staff

Leaving the ruined wayhouse in the morning, the party follows a trail exiting the rocky clearing heading southeast. Several hours after leaving the wayhouse, Lord Cauldyth is wounded and his horse is killed by a deadfall tree trap. Corthen inspects the tree and finds it had been chopped through more than halfway through by an axe. He also discovers wires that the dead horse tripped setting off the killing trap. Lord Cauldyth allows Samira to tend some of his wounds before he doubles up with his daughter on her mount.

In the afternoon, Corthen wanders into a hang noose trap and strangles until he manages to cut the invisible wire choking him to death. The trail leads to an ominous open grove in the forest, the trees ringing the clearing grow almost in a palisade wall. Rehs is turned invisible by Erith and he slips off to scout. The party enters the grove and sees undead bats flying towards them and several black robed men standing behind an ominous black stone altar carved like a flaming skull Behind the evil Cyricists are three bronze and wood cages holding three immobile Chauntean priests.

A spell battle erupts and a red lashing spell destroys Ayremyr’s longsword, vaporizing it. Corthen charges into battle after learning no spells are having an affect on one of the priests. The others fight off a swarm of undead bats of large size. Corthen attacks the unholy man and he attacks the elf with a black-purple gauntlet. Corthen’s blade cleaves the priest’s leg at the thigh and he falls. Moments later, the priest reaches up and touches the off guard elf, paralyzing him with his touch!

During the chaos, one of the priests falls and the other drinks a potion and vanishes. Amidst the tumult, the wounded priest also vanishes. Lord Cauldyth and Rhiannon set to freeing the unconscious Chaunteans from captivity. With Samira’s aid, the pull the men free from the cages. Eventually waking up, the priest learn of the recent events. High Harvestmaster Haern inquires about the poor woman who was repeatedly befouled on the black stone altar of Cyric. He is informed that no woman was found. Rehs finally reappears. He tells the party that he was frozen by the touch of a priest who touched him after he snuck up and stabbed another priest in the flank during the opening of the battle.

Corthen uses his wand to search for hidden loot and is directed to the ground behind the cages. He and Rehs soon discover a hidden trapdoor beneath the sod. Lifting the door the party discovers a small warren of tunnels and when they approach, they hear a woman scream and then silence. They are told to leave, or the woman will die. The party tries to rush the cell but the priest kills the paralyzed woman before he is pierced by the blades of half of the party. Only after the Cyric priest is dead and the party looks over him and the woman does Samira realize the dead woman is Zyla Blossom, the missing young woman from the Mermaid Sword!

A search of other chambers reveals sleeping quarters and a dining area. A chest reveals some coins and a haul of moonstones. Samira uses the rod of resurrection to bring Zyla back to life after she has cleaned and dressed the naked woman. The party retreats back into the woods away from the dark grove of Cyric before Uldred and Samira recite prayers of healing for the worst of the wounded, including Rhiannon and Lord Haembar Cauldyth.

10th of Kythorn 1366 Year of the Staff

In the morning the party discovers a large cave off of one of the trails. The large cave is empty but for a firepit filled with ashes and a few old boot prints left in the mud. Lord Cauldyth examines the prints and says that the prints are smaller than those seen previously and that they are about four days old.

In the afternoon the group comes to a intersection of trails. Checking the earth, the Lord of Aithe believes the southern trail has been recently traveled but someone has obscured the trail except for some boar prints that are fresh. The group travels the south trail until dusk.

The party comes to a barren, rocky hill rising up among the trees. The hilltop is covered with sparse clumps of grass, banks of moss, wildflowers; and a few saplings. sitting atop the rocky rise is an old, half-ruined cabin. Lord Cauldyth looks at the structure and declares that it is an old wayhouse. He says that during his youth, rangers still protected the Dernall Forest and that they built cabins in the woods for travelers to rest at when needed.

Corthen and his friends discuss checking out the building and the lord and his daughter agree that a campsite is needed. Rehs approaches the wooden hut and checks the old door for traps. Finding none, the Harper rogue enters and inspects the inside for hidden dangers with Uldred and Corthen waiting nearby. Rehs calls the party inside. He points to the hearth where old bloodstains, human bones, and rusted weapons lie. In a corner of the hut, someone has dug a pit into the earth and stones. A human skeleton lies in it, atop a wooden crate. The crate is mostly buried under loose earth but the adventurers can see coins and several large, gleaming gems.

Rehs checks the pit, before climbing down and unearthing the buried treasure. Rehs collects the gems and coins before moving the crate. Further down, he discovers a jumble of recently buried human bones, armor, belts, several bright daggers, and a silver horn. Recognizing his horn, Uldred claims his dwarven horn and closer examination reveals that Erith’s enchanted dagger was buried in the pit as well. Having recovered some of the missing wererat loot, the party is happy but wishing they had found it all.

The group eats, cleans up the wayhouse to put down their bedrolls and the first watch. Later in the night, Ayremyr is on watch with Uldred and Erith when he hears someone calling his name quietly from outside the hut. Saying he checking on the horses, the elven warrior steps out and looks for the night caller. Near the edge of the hill, Ayremyr spots Lord Cauldyth’s eldest daughter, Brwynella dressed in a white gown. She whispers that someone in his party is betraying the group to the enemy and motions him to follow her and he complies. Finally away from the other heroes, Ayremyr asks the young wizardress who it is that she spoke of. The young woman whirls and attacks him. Caught off guard the elven warrior finally pulls his blades and tries to defend himself. He screams for help as he realizes he has walked into a trap.

Hearing his shouts, Erith and Uldred wake the others. As the group prepares to rush to their comrade, a smashing tentacle erupts from the hearth and from one of the cabin walls. Unprepared and unarmored, the group battles back against the attacks best they can. At one point, Uldred is hit and stuck fast to the hearth. It dawns on the heroes that they are under attack by a group of mimics masquerading as parts of the wooden hut. The group stabs and blasts at the creatures finally defeating them in battle.

By the time the party reaches Ayremyr they find him in battle with another Ayremyr. Both figures beg for aid against the other Ayremyr. The party tries speaking to the two elves but both answer questions and Corthen is stymied. Rehs thinking fast pulls out Muragh and asks the skull what he can see. The former priest of Lathander informs the party that one creature is a gray skinned creature with large eyes. The heroes charge forth and with several blows kill the doppleganger that had lured Ayremyr almost to his doom. On its corpse the party find Rehs elven cloak which he takes back.

9th of Kythorn 1366 Year of the Staff

The group returns to traveling the trails in the thick and wild forest around them. Lord Cauldyth discovers a newer trail that has seen the passage of men in recent days. The group agrees to pursue this trail hoping to find either the wererats or evil priests of the dark god Cyric.

After midday the party is surprised by an ambush from the thickets and the overhanging tree branches above. The attackers hurl spears at the adventurers before they swarm forward and battle the party with broadswords. Lord Cauldyth tries to wheel about to charge these bandits but his mount is tripped by thin cords stretched across the trail and he and his horse go down.

Ayremyr, Corthen, Rehs, Uldred, and Rhiannon engage these leather clad bandits steel to steel while Tellazar, Samira and Erith use their spells to take out opponents. The heroes are battered and their attackers still have the upper hand due to their numbers and their ambush. Lord Cauldyth regains his feet and charges the enemy roaring, “For the Goddess!” He swings his two handed sword and he is able to push back bandits trying to overwhelm Rhiannon and Samira.

Erith casts his last magic, a Sleep spell taking out three of the bandits. Pushing back against the highwaymen, Corthen kills the bandit leader and another, when a trio of cloaked figures come running up to the skirmish. Corthen is preparing to cleave these new threats when they shout “For the High King!” and draw weapons. Realizing they must be allies, the leader of Guardians of the Past turns and kicks at a bandit before striking him with one of his longswords.

Now outnumbered, the remaining bandits are put down. Binding their wounds and securing the unconscious prisoner, the party turns to speak to their new allies. The three humans are two rugged males carrying longswords and red-headed female dressed in green robes. They introduce themselves as Elryn Tharr, Douglar Hyuukhaun, and Mairae Ulzander o’ the Winters. They ask the party if any of them are known as Rehs Wrenwinter or Erith Talvera. Both men acknowledge they are present.

Mairae comes forward to speak to both men and she says that Khelben has sent them to make contact with the group since they successfully delivered the shipment of swords to aid the High King. Mairae and her companions tell the heroes that they have earned their pins and that they have come to perform the ceremony since they missed them in Aithe. Repeating the watchwords taught to them by Hadanna during their training, Erith, Corthen, Rehs, Tellazar, and Samira complete the ceremony with the trio of Harpers presenting them with their pins.

After the congratulations have died down, Uldred and Samira begin the task of healing the party. Lord Cauldyth shrugs off the offer but he makes sure that his youngest daughter is tended to by Samira. Elryn offers several draughts of healing to the party to aid in their health. Mairae then offers the party a small harp that she says will aid them on their task of rooting out the forces of Cyric gathering on the islands. The Guardians thank the Harpers and watch as they depart.

Corthen, Rehs, and Tellazar set about to interrogate the bandit prisoner. They learn the bandit’s leader was a warrior named Halardas Murr and that their previous camp lies four days travel to the east across the Swanmay River. The bandit also shares that some nights ago a man in black robes approached their forest encampment with an offer. The priest offered one gold coin for each man to travel and engage the heroes when they came into the forest. He offered one hundred gold coins to each man for each hero slain in battle. Corthen makes the man agree to leave the forest and to put an end to his banditry. Corthen states that if he does not, and is met again, he will be cut down without mercy. The freed man runs off into the darkening forest as quick as his feet with take him.

8th of Kythorn 1366 Year of the Staff

The party led by Lord Cauldyth move along the trails in the forest. They pass several small ponds full of frogs and spend most of the day riding. Lord Cauldyth is the member who has skills to track. He states that there has been foot traffic but it is close to a week old.

In the afternoon the group comes upon several piles of stones placed along the trail. Rehs and Erith recognize the arrangements as markers denoting it as a path used by Harpers. Lord Cauldyth states that the fork in the trail splits with one branch traveling north and the other east eventually towards the river and Caer Callidyr. He states that the eastern trail is more heavily traveled and some signs indicate that men have passed here in the last three days by the prints left.

The group travels the trail until the coming of twilight. Lord Cauldyth and Ayremyr locate a spring and the group makes camp here. At night wolves howl nearby; keeping the horses uneasy but no sign of the creatures is seen.

7th of Kythorn 1366 Year of the Staff

Lord Haembar ‘Hawkenhound’ Cauldyth, his daughter Rhiannon Cauldyth, and the heroic Guardians of the Past ride forth from Aithelar east through the cantrev. Farmers wave happily at their Lord as he passes them to seek out the evil men who have been plaguing the surrounding lands. The party makes camp at the edge of the Wild Wood for the night without any issues.

6th of Kythorn 1366 Year of the Staff

The party has finished weapons training, prayers to their patron gods, and spell studies. The party speaks to Lord Cauldyth and inform him they plan to travel forth from Aithe to help fight the evil plaguing the island. They ask where he thinks they should go. He tells them that bandits and the dark robed priests who they serve must have a base in the Wild wood to the East of Aithelar.

Corthen and others agree to pursue this plan. The treasure hunter is still smarting over the wererats and their theft of some of the party’s magical equipment and he hopes to find them in the forest as well and regain the missing items. Lord Cauldyth speaks. “My sword will ride you, if you will have me, and that of my youngest daughter; my eldest must remain to hold and rule Aithe in my absence. The three of us were not enough to bear arms into the forest, but now that you’ve come, all of us together may prevail-if we can strike at the heart of this evil before its many arms can reach out and drag us down.”

27th of Mirtul 1366 Year of the Staff

Uldred and Ayremyr walk to the White Bull Tavern after another day spent in training. They share a meal and several mugs of ale when smoke begins to waft in the chamber. The locals rush out of the burning building to find the cause of the fire. Sixteen toughs have deliberately set the White Bull Tavern ablaze and wait in the street with weapons drawn to take out the dwarf and elf.

Acting quickly, Uldred dons his helmet and activates on the gems upon it. The gem shoots a Prismatic Spray out in a multicolored blast of lights. As the rays find their targets the hired goons are turned to stone, blasted by fire and acid, turned insane, and banished to another plane of existence. Only one of the toughs escapes unscathed, and he flees as fast as he can.

The tavern is a total loss. It is consumed by the flames as the local Ffolk fight to keep the fire from spreading to other structures nearby. Ayremyr and Uldred assist the people of Aithelar battle the fires before they are stamped out. The duo return to Aithe Keep and inform their friends of the events of the evening.

18th of Mirtul 1366 Year of the Staff

In the middle of the night, Uldred wakes to intruders in the room. He bellows an alarm awaking his three friends sharing the room and some of the others next door. When Corthen charges into the room from next door his flaming sword illuminates several giant ratmen fleeing the room to the privy.

The party engages the wererats who begin running. Several of the lycanthropes escape down the privy shaft with some of the party’s small items of magic and wealth. The party alerts the keep’s forces who search for the wererats. Finding them long gone, the party descends into the sewers in an attempt to find the thieves and the missing goods.

The party wanders beneath the streets of Aithe for hours without success. Turned around and wandering the maze of tunnels the group is surprised by a band of undead shadows. Surviving the encounter, the party believes the wererats have fled out an exit into a nearby stream. Several members wish to pursue the wererats for stealing enchanted daggers, cloaks, and wands. The group finally narrowly decides to complete their training before looking for the lycanthropes.

8th of Mirtul 1366 Year of the Staff

The party begins training with weapons. Rehs set about to improving his rogue skills and Tellazar learns that Brwynella is a mage with her deceased master’s spellbooks.

7th of Mirtul 1366 Year of the Staff

Lord Haembar Cauldyth holds a feast in honor of the Guardians of the Past for successfully delivering a much needed shipment of blades during a time of war. He thanks them for destroying the evil men who assaulted them on the very streets of Aithelar.

6th of Mirtul 1366 Year of the Staff

Some members of the party, Erith, Corthen, and Rehs go hunting boar with Lord Cauldyth and his daughter, Rhiannon. Lord Cauldyth and Erith each take a boar and Corthen kills two wild boar in the Lord’s Wood.

5th of Mirtul 1366 Year of the Staff

The party recovers their treasure from the Mermaid Sword and stores it in the depths of Aithe Keep. Several members buy hunting leathers to go boar hunting with Lord Cauldyth.

4th of Mirtul 1366 Year of the Staff

The Mermaid Sword docks in Aithelar. The crates of swords are unloaded by dockworkers and placed on ten carts pulled by oxen and driven by drovers. The party separates and rides different carts. Corthen rides the lead cart with a bound and hooded Thazstar seated along side him. Erith rides the third wagon. Rehs rides the fifth cart with Tellazar on the sixth wagon. Samira rides on the ninth and Ayremyr brings up the rear on the last cart.

Halfway through Aithelar a large wagon loaded with logs comes out of a side street in front of Corthen’s wagon. Realizing it has stopped and the wagon drover is unhitching his team of horses, Corthen yells back to the others that they are getting boxed in. He pulls his bow and shoots dead one of the two wagon drovers but the other runs off with the horse team. Suddenly a hail of arrows rain down on the lead wagons trying to slay anyone or anything exposed.
Thazstar, the two oxen, and the lead drover are killed. Erith dives for cover under his wagon yelling to Corthen asking him what the plan is. The elf states the plan is to attack.

Samira and Ayremyr in the rear note that a wagon has blocked the path behind the group. Arrows fly from rooftops and some windows of upper floor buildings. Several party members are badly wounded by the archers. The party is completely surrounded and they are caught in a crossfire. An armored priest leads a band of armed thugs at the front of street in an attempt to swarm Erith and Corthen. The bard uses his wand of frost and an Ice Storm pummels the enemy slaying everyone but the priest. He tries to cast magic but Corthen braves the arrows and charges the spellcaster.

Samira keeps the enemy at bay at the back of the street. She casts a Wall of Fire that prevents anyone from crossing her flames. Rehs grows angry at all the archers. He is happy when Tellazar casts Sleep on several of the bowmen atop the roof a building above and one of the archers falls to the cobblestones to a bone-breaking death. Tellazar also stops another group of these thieves from running out to the carts and running off with any of the crates. He casts several deadly spells and the handful of bandits still alive on the street run away from the mage.

At this point, the tide has shifted towards the party. Corthen and Erith rush several of the buildings containing archers. Corthen kills four archers in one shop. Erith returns to the street later with two prisoners. Samira and Ayremyr kill several more of the bandits before the priest doffs a draught and flies off by magic. The duo assist Rehs in killing two fleeing archers and capturing one.

The heroes bind wounds and receive some healing from the Mystran priestess. The group is greeted by an armed group of soldiers arriving from the keep. The soldiers assist the party in moving the blocking wagon and deliver the swords to the keep.

Meanwhile in Waterdeep, a retired Uldred is approached by a mage named Flamsterd who states that his former companions are in danger and he offers to transport him to Aithelar from Waterdeep by magic. The dwarf grabs his armor and equipment and informs his friend, Felzoun, that he is leaving the city for an unknown period of time.

The dwarf returns to meet with the old mage. Flamsterd tells Uldred that he should end up near his companions. The wizard casts his magic, and Uldred is teleported from his residence to outside a warehouse facing a harbor with several ships docked along the quay. Uldred looks about for his friends but he does not see any of them. Suddenly burning arrows fly overhead and strike a handsome ship docked and unloading wares. A group of scurvy men rush out of an alley towards the ship. The ship’s crew quickly grabs arms and rushes onto the quay to clash with the attackers. Realizing that the ship is likely the vessel carrying his companions, the dwarf pulls his mace and charges forward.

The dwarf is surprised by the first blast of fire. The ship’s crew rushes into the blast zone and hacks and smashes at the scurvy men. Uldred smacks one of the humans with his mace and he screams in pain. Fire arrows continue to rain down on the wooden ship. Uldred sees the female Captain pull something from her necklace and hurl at the warehouse where the archers have perched upon the roof. The resulting Fireball ends the burning missiles being fired upon the ship. Her crew is winning the skirmish. Uldred ducks several attacks and swings his enchanted mace several more times felling another bandit. Several minutes later the scurvy bandits are fleeing with about half their numbers laying on the stone dock dying or dead. The majority of the vessel’s crew snaps to the orders shouted to them and they rush to the harbor to throw water onto their burning ship.

Uldred assists the dying and wounded crew of the ship. Having delivered the swords to keep, the Guardians are given mounts and the six heroes rush to the harbor to aid the Mermaid Sword. When they arrive at the ship the crew is putting out the worst of the fires, The vessel is badly damaged by fire arrows, but she does not sink.

Corthen makes contact with Captain Veldyrina. She is wounded as is many of her crew but only a few of her crew died in the assault and the fire. Samira sees Jessandra Blossom on the quay acting frantic. The Mystran priestess learns that her sisters were not so lucky; Zyla Blossom is missing and Erienne is dead. Samira learns that Erienne died in the fire and that Zyla jumped into the harbor to avoid the same fate. Corthen and Erith jump into the waters searching for the eldest sister. Only a floating shoe is found floating on the water; no other sign of the woman can be found.

Ayremyr’s consort, Jessandra, is unscathed. Samira learned that she is without coins or further transport, since the Mermaid Sword is so badly damaged. The girl relates that Zyla carried the family wealth since she was the eldest and she is now missing and possibly drowned. Samira urges Ayremyr to give comfort to his lover but he callously brushes her off. He finally breaks down to give her some coins for food after realizing that his friends are staring at him with distain. Ayremyr discovers that someone has taken his coins and replaced them with smooth river stones and brass tokens from a Calishite festhall. He tries to blame Jessandra, but his friends tell him that the frantic girl is too distraught over her sisters to have stolen his money right in front everyone. Corthen speaks to Captain Veldyrina and she tells him to return tomorrow afternoon to get his sea chests that are in the damaged ship’s hold. Samira approaches the Captain and hands her a valuable necklace worth several thousand pieces of gold. The Calishite adventurer tells the woman it is to help pay for repairs to the Mermaid Sword. Veldyrina hugs Samira and thanks her for her generosity.

The party brings Jessandra with them to Aithe Keep. Here the adventurers meet Lord Haembar ‘Hawkenhound’ Cauldyth, ruler of Cantrev Aithe. He gladly accepts the assistance of the Guardiaans of the Past. He explains that the Moonshae Isles are under attack by thieves, brigands, monsters, undead, and dark robed priests in the service of the Dark Druidess. The lord offers rooms at his keep for his guests and the heroes turn in for the night.

3rd of Mirtul 1366 Year of the Staff

Corthen speaks to Captain Veldyrina. He convinces her to allow the party to question the seed collector. The group makes plans to question him while Samira uses spells to read some of his thoughts. During the interrogation Hessalo maintains his innocence. Corthen threatens Hessalo with bodily harm and tries to intimidate him. At one point, he angrily roars, “you won’t walk out of here walking!” The elf’s companions do their best to maintain their composure but Rehs and Tellazar are soon laughing despite the dark glares from the elven warrior.

With Samira’s probings of his mind she learns that his name is not Hessalo, but Thazstar, a wizard in the employment of the Dark Druidess. A more thorough search of his sea chest discovers seventeen uncut rubies but they are not unguarded. Ayremyr is attacked by a crawling claw hand which leaps at him and manages to choke him before Tellazar destroys the animated hand.

Thazstar tells the party they will be sorry for interfering with the Dark Druidess. Corthen scoffs at the prisoner and tells him he is not worried. The party informs the Captain that Thazstar was responsible for the ghoul attack the other night and is working against the High King. Veldyrina agrees to hold the mage prisoner and allow him to turned over to local lord once they dock in Aithelar.

The party debates what to do with their pirate treasure. Several members consider burying the wealth in a remote location before sailing to Aithe. The idea is discarded by a majority of the group who only wish to focus on transporting the swords safely and the matter is dropped.

2nd of Mirtul 1366 Year of the Staff

Ayremyr goes to make sure Jessandra is all right after the lacedon attack from before dawn. She is unharmed and is happy that he is as well. He promises to spend time with her during the day. After dinner Erith shares that Zyla Blossom could not sleep the night before and that she thought she heard strange mumbling coming from one of the other cabins. Samira remarks that the only other passengers are Dyrrien, the Amnian merchant, and Hessalo, a collector of seeds.

Corthen suggests that Samira use her crystal ball to see if she can learn anything more about the two passengers. Uldred reminds Erith and Ayremyr that Hessalo was on the main deck about an hour before the sea ghoul attack. Corthen suggests they check out the rarely seen Hessalo. The group gathers in one of their cabins and Samira sets out her magic crystal ball. She focuses on the seed collector and watches him in his room lying in his bunk and putting some items in his trunk. The group makes plans for Rehs to slip into his cabin if he leaves it to look over his gear. The group finally comes up with a plan to slip to sneak an invisible thief into his room. While Corthen and Samira take watch on deck, Ayremyr knocks on Hessalo’s cabin door. Pretending to be intoxicated, he demands the unattractive seed collector let him see his beloved Jessandra. Hessalo tries to push the warrior away but Ayremyr slurs that he knows she is in his cabin. Hessalo finally relents and allows the annoying elf to see for himself that he is alone. With the door open wide enough, an invisible Rehs Wrenwinter slips into the cabin and puts himself in a corner while Hessalo escorts the elven warrior out.

Rehs watches as Hessalo paces the small chamber for several minutes before grabbing some items from his sea chest and leaving the room and locking the door. Rehs quietly moves over and inspects the chest. Finding no obvious signs of a trap he picks the lock and slowly lifts the lid. Suddenly, a severed hand leaps from inside the open box and grapples the scared thief. Grabbing his throat and neck, Rehs is lucky and manages to pull the undead claw off and he hacks it in half.

Rehs freaks out and tries to put the dead hand back into the box but he realizes that Hessalo will know someone has tampered with his chest when he returns to his cabin. The thief looks over the rest of the chest. He finds nothing interesting other than several changes of clothing, many seeds packed in damp cloth, and a box full of rich soil. Rehs does find a parchment in the lid that he takes before securing the chest and unlocking the door before using his picks and relocking it and slipping back to his cabin where the others await.

Rehs shows Tellazar the parchment. The mage reads it and tells the group it is a letter from the King of Snowdown identifying Hessalo as his personal agent seeking rare plants for his gardens. Finding nothing to incriminate him, the group is unsure what to do next. The party decides to have Samira scry the seed collector again to see how he reacts to finding his guardian hand destroyed. When the priestess of Mystra attempts to scry on the man she is unable to do so. Corthen knocks on Hessalo’s door but there is no answer. Rehs and Ayremyr scout out the main areas of the ship but cannot find Hessalo. The group decides to inform to the captain that one of her passengers has gone missing and that they suspect he was behind the sea ghoul attack.

Corthen speaks to Arenthor at the helm and informs he has something important to discuss with Captain Veldyrina. The brutish sailor silently nods and calls over a sailor to take the helm while he wakes the mistress of the Mermaid Sword. Minutes later Corthen and Tellazar are escorted into the Captain’s state room. Here the duo explains that their investigation of the undead attack the night before seems to link the Moonshavian seed harvester. They inform Captain Veldyrina that the man is now missing and even Samira cannot find him using magic. They ask permission to search the vessel for Hessalo and are granted it.

The party splits up and Rehs uses the powers of Muragh to see illusions and invisible items. A thorough search finds the man hiding in a storage hold below decks hidden by invisibility. Samira dispels magic upon Hessalo and Uldred and Ayremyr drag the man out before the Captain. Hessalo protests their holding him. He states he is an agent of the King of Snowdown and he tells the woman that the party broke into his room in an attempt to steal his valuable seeds and murder him. He states he hid when he learned of their intentions. The Captain states that she will sort matters out in the morning and Hessalo will be placed in his quarters under armed guard of her crew until then.

1st of Mirtul 1366 Year of the Staff

Several uneventful days of sailing have gone by. The previous day was Greengrass a day of Celebration, ushering in the coming Spring. The crew and passengers observed a simple feast held by Captain. The party’s priests spent much of the day in meditation and reflection.

_ _
The Mermaid Sword is nearing the island of Alaron according to Captain Veldyrina. She expects to enter the channel of South Great Head in the morning. In their down time, the ship’s crew shows the adventurers some very basic sailing skills and explains setting a sail and other nautical terms. After another evening dinner with the Captain, the party goes their separate ways with Corthen and Rehs setting up for the first night watch over the main hold’s hatch. Ayremyr sneaks off for a tryst with Jessandra Blossom. During the last watch, Jolen, one of the crew, goes to check the aft deck night fishing lines like every night. Erith, Uldred, and Ayremyr suddenly see the sailor fall back to the main deck with a loud thud. Arenthor, manning the helm, roars “Ho! To arms! We’re under attack!” Ayremyr and Uldred charge the aft deck while Erith rouses his sleeping companions. On the aft deck, a fierce battle is under way as Arenthor and six crew members fight off a contingent of sea ghouls! The dwarf and the elf rush up the ladder to aid the ship’s crew. Erith awakens Rehs, Corthen, Samira, and Tellazar. Rehs grabs his bracers and blades and dashes out the door. Corthen and Tellazar grab weapons and equipment soon followed by Samira. By the time Corthen arrives on deck the ghouls have paralyzed Arenthor and two of the crew. The Guardians of the Past thrust their way forward in the bloody battle and engage the sea ghouls. Blades and spells destroy most of the sixteen sea lacedons before three of the undead retreat by rolling over the rails and plunge into the sea once again.

Two of the crew are dead from the ghouls, and another three, including Arenthor, are badly wounded. Corthen, Ayremyr and Erith are wounded as well and the priests tend to all of the wounded before saying a few words over the deceased. Corthen and Samira speak to Captain Veldyrina. She thanks the heroes for their aid and she offers them future free passage anywhere on the Sword Coast. Corthen asks her if the ship has ever been attacked by undead before. Veldyrina tells the adventurers that she has never been attacked by the dead before. She says that the only stories she has ever heard of involved ships in becalmed waters or those anchored over a shipwreck. Corthen tells her that he believes that the attack was somehow linked to the ship’s cargo and unknown enemies wishing to take the cargo.

27th of Tarsakh 1366 Year of the Staff

Samira prays for healing on Ayremyr’s broken leg. Mystra grants her the power to repair the break and heal the other wounds of the party. Tellazar is busy poring over the items looted from the dead Calishite wizardress who led the pirates aboard the Ghost Ship. He focuses his attention on a small ivory carved chest that the mage carried around her neck. He learns the command word and large chest suddenly appears from thin air. The mage carefully opens the large ivory box and discovers the Calishite mage’s spellbooks, a number of spell scrolls, and a large number of healing draughts.

Corthen and Captain Veldyrina examine the pirate treasure confiscated from the dead cutthroats. The both come to the conclusion that the haul is valued above 130,000 pieces of gold. Corthen speaks to his companions and they agree to give Veldyrina the coins from the hoard. They will keep the art objects, gems, and other various items to sell at a later date.

Veldyrina gives her crew each a share of the treasure that she got from the party. An impromptu party breaks out as the crew celebrates and thanks the Captain. Food and drink are brought out onto the main deck. The crew of humans and half-elves begin singing and dancing and soon Erith joins in with his harp. Samira attempts to play her instrument, but once again she can only play an ancient funeral dirge. She proceeds to cast a Remove Curse upon herself, and then she is able play other music. Ayremyr begins flirting with Jessandra Blossom, the youngest sister of the three siblings aboard. He is soon dancing with her and having a good time.

26th of Tarsakh 1366 Year of the Staff

Rough waters have Tellazar and Samira seasick again. Corthen speaks to Darrien Mollos and pays the merchant for his seasickness medicinal draught. It helps the two spellcasters and they improve within the hour. The party eats morningfeast with Arenthor. By midmorning the Mermaid Sword is sailing in smoother waters. The ship has left the coastal shipping lanes of the Sword Coast and making good weather traveling west to Alaron.

During the evening the heroes dine again with the captain in her quarters. She inquires a little about the party’s past which Corthen gives a brief history and a few exploits from adventuring in Undermountain. After dinner Captain Veldyrina and her dinner guests gather on the aft deck to watch the sun beginning to set on the horizon. Suddenly a lookout above cries out, “Sail!” Soon the dark, tattered sails of a single ship can be seen drawing nearer to the Mermaid Sword.

The ship’s crew all come up on deck as well as several of the passengers. Arenthor approaches Veldyrina at the helm and he stares hard at the tattered sails of the swiftly moving vessel. He asks, “Pirates?” One of the male crew halfway up the ropes speaks. “It looks like the Ghost Ship!” Arenthor snorts at the comment and looks to his captain at the helm. At her nod, he orders the crew break out weapons from storage and to rig the ship for battle. The passengers are directed to their quarters, but the Guardians of the Past remain near Veldyrina. Ayremyr slips over to one of the sailors and quietly asks what the Ghost Ship means. The woman looks at the elf and tells him the ship is a legendary vessel that sails without a crew. Stories say the crew was taken by sea monsters. She says it is an ill omen to see the cursed vessel. She then moves off to help set up one of the ship’s two ballistae.

As the ship’s crew scurries about a mist begins to rise from the black vessel moving rapidly towards Veldyrina’s ship. Soon the ship is lost in the growing fog bank. Everyone topside stares at the mist, several crew mutter near silent prayers and others listen for any sound from the mysterious ship, including Captain Veldyrina. Suddenly, she curses and moves the ship’s wheel so hard that the ship heels and rocks sharply. Out of the mist the large black galleon appears, the two ships scrape and come to a sudden stop. Veldyrina has saved her ship from being rammed by the larger ship.

No lights or sounds come from the black-sailed ship. Before Veldyrina orders her crew to try and free her ship from the other vessel, Corthen asks her if the party may board the Ghost Ship and check it out. She informs him that they may but they only have one hour before she leaves them to their fate if they do not return. The heroes climb a plank the Mermaid Sword crew provides them while they hold several grappling lines to hold the two ships together.

The Ghost Ship looks deserted. The sails are tattered with loose lines hang down. The deck is obscured by the enveloping fog and the party begins to search above decks before they climb below. As the party moves forward towards the bow a ghostly looking hand comes out of the fog and tries to touch Rehs, but he quickly dodges the semi-transparent extremity. Suddenly the air filled with the twang of crossbows and bolts fly out of the mist. Several members of the party are struck, but only Corthen collapses unmoving onto the deck. In a few more seconds, Rehs is attacked in the fog by several armed attackers. He tries to fight back, but he only manages to lose his broadsword in the melee and his blade strikes Ayremyr as he is moving forward. The elf warrior screams in pain as the sword breaks his tibia and he falls down clutching his right leg in agony.

Without either warrior in the fight, things look poor for the group. The four remaining members; Erith, Tellazar, Samira, and Rehs see a scurvy looking band of thugs advancing on them from the mist. They can also hear chanting coming from somewhere in front of the them. Tellazar casts a Fireball spell, Erith uses his wand to unleash an Icestorm, and Samira calls down lightning from the sky. Several of the pirates attack the heroes with blades and hit Erith, Rehs, and Samira. Chanting can still be heard in the mist, so Erith produces another pelting of ice and the hostile spellcaster is silenced. One the battle is over, Samira checks on Corthen and Ayremyr. Corthen is sleep poisoned by a crossbow bolt that struck him. The party helps carry Ayremyr back to the Mermaid Sword. She tells him that she will heal the break as soon as she can seek aid from Mystra.

The Captain informs the party that several pirates manages to sneak aboard the ship and several of her crew were killed or wounded. An awake Corthen asks permission to return to the ship to secure any valuables. Veldyrina agrees, but she informs him that she will look over the spoils and make sure it is safe to carry and that she and her crew receive a portion of the Ghost Ship’s valuables.

Below decks the party finds the pirates’ strongboxes. An immense hoard of gems, coins, art objects, and documents are found. The heroes bring Veldyrina on board to view the treasure. She agrees to allow the boxes to be placed on the Mermaid Sword for 5% of the hoard. Corthen reluctantly agrees to the deal since he cannot place the treasure on her ship without her permission. The captain notes that the black galleon is not very seaworthy. She states it is a danger to other ships at sea. Corthen and Rehs suggest burning the Ghost Ship to sink it. They set about liberally dowsing the vessel’s interior with fire oil. They toss a torch and flee the black ship. The Mermaid Sword sets sail away from the burning ship and her dead crew and they soon are gone beneath the dark waters.

25th of Tarsakh 1366 Year of the Staff

The party has spent the past two days moving their stored magic items to the vaults of Mirt the Moneylender. The party also stores the new items taken from the deceased pirate, Captain Nybod.

At dawn the party walks to the docks to find the ship that will carry them to the Moonshae Isles. The heroes locate the two masted caravel in the light mist. Dockworkers are finishing loading cargo on board as the ship’s crew prepares lines and sails and assisting with storing of equipment.

The party is granted permission to board the ship. While Corthen goes to ensure the sword crates are aboard and accounted for the others have a look around the decks. Several paying passengers are on deck. A young redhead speaks with Tellazar. She introduces herself as Erienne Blossom. He learns she is traveling with her two sisters from a small village, Hardfrost, that lies East of Tethyr. Erith, Samira, and Rehs meet Erienne’s sisters, Jessandra and Zyla.

Corthen meets the ship’s Captain, Veldyrina Flaenitarr, a muscular blonde woman and her second, Arenthor. She informs the elven adventurer that his passage has been paid in full by his employer and that the cargo is already in the hold if he wishes to inspect it before setting sail. Corthen and Rehs follow Arenthor to the hold and count and inspect the sealed wooden crates. Each crate has a half-sun with a horizon line and rays burned into the wood.

Erith meets back with the group and informs the others that he has learned that the ship has five paying passengers, the Blossom sisters, a merchant, and a seed collector. The ship sets off from Waterdeep. Corthen tells the group that the hold is sealed and the party can keep guard above on the main deck in shifts of two. Samira notes that the main sail is the snarling wolf’s head with red eyes on a white field, the same symbol as the High King’s letter. Inquiries to the crew by the party informs them that the ship sails under the banner of the High King Tristan Kendrick of the Moonshae Isles.

As the ship moves out to sea the motion of the water makes Corthen, Samira, and Tellazar seasick. Each of them spend some time at the ship’s rails. On deck, Tellazar and Corthen meet Dyrrien Mollos, a fat Amnian merchant who is accompanying his wares of carved ivory, scents, and liquers. He gives the two seasick heroes each a draught that he claims will help with sickness. Corthen meets Zyla Blossom and her younger sister Jessandra. The two brunette sisters tell Corthen that they are traveling to Gwynneth to visit family with their sister Erienne.

The party has meanwhile stowed their gear in three aft cabins. A young female crew member knocks upon their doors and informs them the Captain has invited them to dine with her in her quarters. The group has a a fine dinner with Veldyrina, except for Tellazar. He picks at his food since his stomach is still rolling with the waves under the ship. The group sets up night watches on deck to guard the sixty crates of swords inside the ship’s sealed hold.

23rd of Tarsakh 1366 Year of the Staff

Rehs, Samira, Tellazar, and Ayremyr had recovered most of their belongings left behind at Saedellas Nightstar’s house in the South Ward. A few of their items were smashed or broken in the collapse of the house.

Once back at Corthen’s manor house in the North Ward, they are greeted by Meria, the Amnian woman they had rescued from Gathgaer the Slaver. She had been living with Tellazar and the others at Nightstar House. She is happy to see the party and they to see her. The young woman informs the party that the house was indeed attacked by some large walking statue and a good number of ugly gargoyles. Meria tells the group that the creatures had tried to reach rooms that Tellazar kept the enchanted mirror as well as other items that he had the guards protect. Meria tells Tellazar that the guards tried to protect the house but were outmatched by the monsters that walked through a hole in the wall. She says several of the guards were killed before the creatures breached the mirror room. Finding it empty, the creatures moved around and suddenly the floor cracked and the whole house shook before the walking statue plunged through the floor. Meria and the few surviving guards fled the house before it collapsed onto the thrashing statue.

Meria states that she heard that another such attack occurred the next night at Erith’s home in the Castle Ward. She says that she heard that the City Watch along with allied wizards killed a few of the gargoyles and the monsters retreated through a big glowing circle which vanished. Samira asks Meria where she has been staying and the young woman tells them that she had found a kind woman named Madame Garah who had a rooming house near the Beer Golem Tavern. Samira asks Corthen if it would be ok for Meria to stay at his home until the party finds new accommodations. Corthen agrees to help her and she thanks him for his generosity.

In the evening, Corthen and Ayremyr travel to the Yawning Portal for a few glasses of wine and to see what they can hear about Undermountain. After his second glass of wine a short, fat, richly dressed merchant approaches Corthen and Ayremyr. “Your pardon, sirs,” he says in a quiet but determined voice. “Could your services be had for hire? I am Panthras, of Panthras Procuring, and I’d like to do business with you.” Corthen looks at the weather-beaten face of the man and sees no malice in his eyes. The elf asks, “Why are you approaching me? I’m just another diner enjoying a glass of wine.”

Panthras looks at the elves and states, “You are Corthen Nightglade, unless my eyes fail me. I recognize you from the Field of Triumph. I am looking for seasoned adventurers and I was told that you and your friends had expressed interest in work in the past. Might I speak to you and your companions about a guard mission?” Corthen nods and sends Ayremyr back to the house for the others. During Ayremyr’s absence Panthras pays Durnan’s wife for a private room in the back.

When the assembled party gathers at the Yawning Portal they enter the room to meet with Panthras. He introduces himself to the others and thanks them for coming to the meeting. He tells them that he needs seasoned guards with experience and who can command magic. Panthras informs the group that the pay is 3,000 gold coins to each member as well as four healing potions per person who accepts the mission. Panthras informs the group that he needs a party to guard a shipboard cargo safely to its destination.

Corthen asks where the cargo is going. Panthras informs him the Moonshae Isles. Samira asks the merchant what the cargo is. Panthras reluctantly informs her that it is sixty sealed crates containing swords. Corthen speaks and says that it is a lot of money to guard swords. Panthras looks at the group and says to hire experienced men and women to keep the cargo safe you pay high prices. Corthen tells Panthras that the party needs to discuss his offer before giving him an answer. The merchant steps out of the room. Corthen asks everyone their opinion. Samira wants to take the mission. Rehs, Ayremyr and Erith are intrigued by the offer but are not completely sure what they want to do. Tellazar is completely opposed. He states that he doesn’t wish to travel on a boat nor does he trust Panthras. The mage says he doesn’t even know where the swords are really going to or why. He states he is completely against the mission and has no plan of changing his mind.

Corthen brings Panthras back to the room. He asks Panthras who the swords are intended for. He informs the party that they are bound for the Lord of Cantrev Aithe, on the island Alaron in the Moonshaes. Tellazar tells Panthras that he wants no part in this job and that he has been too evasive and not laying out the details of the guard mission. The man looks at the young mage and simply says other details would be revealed if they accept the job, but since they have not, he is not at liberty to discuss the details, only to lay out the mission and find a band of heroes willing to accept such an assignment.

The group holds a vote on whether or not accept Pathras’s proposal. Only Tellazar votes no, the others vote yes to accept the mission. Tellazar looks at his friends and says, “I’m not going, he hasn’t convinced me that I should. I don’t trust him.” The weathered merchant walks over in front of Tellazar and looks hard at the wizard for a few seconds before he reaches up and pulls out a necklace from under his red tunic. He presses on the side of the amulet on the chain and the front pops open to reveal a silver harp and cresent moon pin inside, the symbol of the harpers.

Tellazar has a dumbfounded look on his face for several long seconds as he stares at Panthras’s harper pin. Finally, he speaks. “Well, I… uhh… I apologize. Why didn’t you just say so? I am good now, I accept the mission.” Panthras looks at Tellazar and simply states, “We don’t run around advertising our allegiances to everyone we just meet. We have enemies, and not all of them are completely stupid. Now, if we are ready to get down to business we can get to the contract.”

Panthras pulls out a parchment for the heroes to sign. He says it simply states that they are to deliver 1,200 swords to Lord Cauldyth of Aithe, or his successor in the lordship. He states it is a standard contract to keep guards honest and prevent them from selling the cargo elsewhere. After everyone has signed the document and he has paid them and given everyone their potions he again speaks. “There is more. Read this, please.” Panthras produces a portable hole and draws out a sealed parchment before slipping the hole back into his breast pocket. He adds, “I must warn you: once you’ve unsealed this document, I cannot allow you to withdraw from this mission and live; this is a matter of state security. Consider your actions carefully, then. Upon my honor, the document contains no alteration in your agreed task.”

The heroes look at each other for a minute and everyone slowly nods in agreement. Erith takes the paper from the harper and breaks open the red wax seal. He reads it aloud.
To those who accept the bond of Panthras and with the swordguard mission to Aithe:
My thanks and my debt. Dark days have come to the Moonshae Isles again, and we are in need of the strong and the valiant. Be it known that I personally shall award four thousand pieces of gold, above and beyond your pay, to each adventurer in your band who comes to Caer Callidyrr and asks for it, assuming the blades arrive safely in the hands of the Lord of Aithe. I will offer more, at that time, to those among you who will give us substantial aid against the foes that beset us in the Moonshaes – dark men skulking behind witless pawns who may try to seize that which you guard.
Bring this letter to me in Caer Callidyr, and accept the thanks, welcome, and hospitality of:
Tristan Kendrick
High King of the Ffolk

The excited group thanks Panthras and is given instructions of the ship that will carry them and the cargo and the day it is leaving. The group leaves the Yawning Portal and makes plans to pack for the upcoming voyage.

20th of Tarsakh 1366 Year of the Staff

The heroes return to Waterdeep after a journey to Lielon and Neverwinter. In the weeks since they left they can see some changes upon their return. They notice an increased presence of the City Watch at the gates and on patrol of the city as well as armed contingents of the City Guard manning posts on the city streets. Tellazar, a native of Waterdeep, says that he has not seen anything like this since the God Myrkul unleashed his fiend army on the city during the Godswar.

The party also sees some families exiting the city with carts laden with furniture and possessions. Samira stops one man and asks him why he is leaving. The frightened man tells her that some evil power has been loosed in the dungeons below and their leader has control of twelve undead dragons which he is preparing to turn upon anyone who is ignorant enough to stay in the city.

The group travels to Corthen’s mansion to unload Nybod’s possessions from the wagon before cleaning up and meeting with the Open Lord. The others all return back at Corthen’s home a short time later. Tellazar informs the elf that Saedellas’s home in the South Ward where he, Ayremyr, Samira, and Rehs were staying is now a collapsed pile of rubble guarded by eight members of the City Guard! Erith also shows up looking ashen and distracted. He informs the others that his home is greatly damaged with interior walls broken down and his staircase shattered into splinters! He says that he showed his deed to the City Guard and was allowed inside to see all of the extensive damage. He says that a guardsmen informed him that his home was invaded on the 25th of Ches, one night after a similar attack took place in the South Ward.

Corthen offers the others use of his home and suggest everyone clean up so that they may visit Piergeiron as soon as possible. The party travels to the Palace and requests to speak to the Open Lord. They are brought before the paladin and two of the Hidden Lords. Lord Piergeiron asks the party if they know why their homes were attacked. Corthen speaks and tells the Lords that he believes whoever is responsible is trying to steal enchanted items from adventurers, much like the incident with the Deep Delvers.

Samira asks the Lords about rumors of Undermountain and something getting ready to destroy the city. One of the Hidden Lords answers her. The Lord tells her that not much is known, but from surviving adventurers out of the depths of Undermountain were questioned and spoke of hundreds of undead minions, including a large number of wraiths on the first level moving out from an area rumored to be the lair of Blagazuul the Black.

Corthen asks if the undead have attempted to enter the city. Lord Piergeiron tells the party that no undead have currently attempted to leave the dungeon, but the city is on heightened alert should the they try. Tellazar asks if they may be allowed to search their home for possessions buried in the rubble. The Open Lord quickly scrawls a message before he presses his ring into the wax seal. He tells the party to show the pass to the guardsmen present, before digging at the site.

The party remembers their mission to Lielon and presents the paladin with the scroll from Urloch the Clever. Corthen tells the Lords that although they did not learn how to destroy the Jester Mucklejon, they did learn that he had a pact with a sorcerer to achieve his undeath. He informs the Lords that the party will still search out and dispatch the evil little fool in the days ahead.

11th of Tarsakh 1366 Year of the Staff

In the morning the Guardians of the Past say goodbye to Nolia Fallas, former member of their adventuring group and set out on the road for Waterdeep. In the evening as the party makes camp near a large caravan; several of the merchants come over to their fire to try and sell their goods to them. A wine merchant named Darvos Jungeer asks where they are heading. Ayremyr tells him the group is returning to Waterdeep.

Darvos comments that the city has seen some troubles in the last two weeks with all the attacks at night and with some demigod loose beneath the city with his horde of undead minions killing anyone entering the tunnels below.

A concerned Corthen questions the wine merchant but Davros cannot answer the elf warrior’s questions telling him that he heard of Waterdeep’s troubles three days ago in Lielon from a ship captain who had just come north from the city.

The group discusses the rumors and decides to move with some haste back to the city and decide to speak to Lord Piergeiron to find out what is going on upon their return.

10th of Tarsakh 1366 Year of the Staff

The party has traveled the four days from Lielon to Neverwinter to visit Nolia. Corthen inquires about the house that the heroes found a deed for during their adventures in Undermountain. Nolia informs Corthen Nightglade that the home in question is occupied by Hunzar Bronzekettle and his family. The deed the party found in the dungeon beneath Waterdeep had been missing since his grandfather had lived in the home. Nolia tells her friends that she turned the deed over to Hunzar and told him to keep it safe.

Nolia shows her friends around the small embassy of the Ellar Protectorate. She shares that her job is mostly involving diplomacy, dinner parties, trade negotiations, meetings, and writing messages for the ruling council. Everyone can see that she is doing well although it is apparent that she misses her paramour Pelordan.

Corthen fills Nolia in on all of the exploits and events she has missed. The group has a nice dinner at the embassy before retiring for the night. Corthen tells Nolia that they will be leaving in the morning traveling back to Waterdeep to inform Lord Piergeiron of the findings regarding Mucklejon the Jester.

6th of Tarsakh 1366 Year of the Staff

The party travels to the tower of the Sage Urloch the Clever. Escorted inside the party meets with the historian. Corthen asks him if he was able to complete the research on the Jester of the Maiden King. Urloch answers, “Of course. I need the remainder of my payment and then I impart my findings to you.” The party pays Urloch and he pulls out a scroll and hands it over. The party returns to the Flask and Flute before Tellazar pulls out the sage’s scroll and reads it aloud.

“In the Year 733, King Clarbern Bloodhand and the Princes Forrio and Vergaer were killed. This left Bloodhand Keep to the surviving offspring of King Clarbern, his daughter Raulbeara. Faced with continued war with Felgrim and now orcs under the Blacktongue Banner the newly crowned Raulbaera, the Maiden King, a descendant of Ulbaerag Bloodhand, claimed the lands near present-day Amphail and established a settlement there, which she named Rowan Hold.

During my research I uncovered a scroll that detailed the death of the Maiden King’s father and brothers. The unknown writer says that two princes died after eating a poisoned meal and that King Clarbern Bloodhand died in his tent during a campaign against the Kingdom of Felgrim less than a month after his sons were murdered.

I also have in my collection a portion of diary from Eghnal the Ravenheart, Castellan of Rowan Hold. In it, Eghnal revealed that the fool in service to both King Clarbern and the Maiden King, one Mucklejon, was hanged for murdering the old king and his two sons. Eghnal wrote that the fool confessed to Raulbaera the Maiden King when he declared his love for her. He confessed to strangling her father and to poisoning her brothers so that she could rule the throne and that they could be together. The shocked Maiden King told him that she had never loved him and that she was shocked at betrayal to her family and had him arrested. The fool Mucklejon told the hangman that they could kill him but his pact with the black sorcerer of Felgrim would be a brief pause and he would be back to claim his love from Rowan Hold. Tragically, the Maiden King fell in battle less than a year later and her kingdom fell less than two years after that to its enemies."

3rd of Tarsakh 1366 Year of the Staff

The party spent the previous day healing and Tellazar identified several magical items from the harpy cave as well as from Nybod’s treasure cave. The party is present to ask Captain Nybod’s spirit questions from the powers of the Spear of Lochal.

Corthen asks the dead pirate the command word to open the sea chest portal. He tells them it name of his last ship, Conundrum. The elf asks him the command of the wardrobe and is told it is Grindstaff. Corthen asks the Captain in what city or town does the Sea Nymph occupy. His answer is that is in Roaringshore. He asks Nybod why did the tub stop working properly as a magic portal to the sea cave. Nybod answers that he doesn’t know. The elf warrior asks if he is actually haunting the Flask and Flute Lodge. Captain Nybod tells Corthen that his spirit is trapped there since Brinnea followed him through the tub gate and murdered him in his room moments after he hid the dagger in his desk. Corthen asks his final question; he asks if Nybod will be at peace if his body is laid to rest. Nybod tells the group that he would like to be buried.

The party along with Kaylin hold a ceremony and bury Captain Nybod’s remains in a sandy dune overlooking the lagoon. Kaylin thanks the party for finding his friend’s bones and giving him a proper burial and letting him pass on to his final rest. Kaylin tells the party that since they have been so kind he will tell them his given name, Jacobin. The party says their goodbyes to Jacobin the lone occupant of the island. The group spend the majority of the day marching back across the jungle to arrive back at their log markers left behind to mark the gate. Samira speaks the command word and the portal opens and the rope ladder falls down to allow the group to climb up.

The party arrives back at the Flask and Flute. Javius is startled to see the party. He says that he had food brought to their rooms but no one answered. Corthen informs the innkeeper that they were not in the inn, but had been transported far away by the magic of Nybod’s furnishings. He informs the innkeeper that Captain is deceased and that his spirit is now at rest since the party buried him. Samira warns Javius that Nybod’s furnishings could bring dangerous creatures into the inn or transport guests away by accident. Corthen asks Javius if he would like to part with these enchanted pieces. The tall innkeeper tells the adventurers that he needs proof of the Captain’s death.

The heroes produce the Leviathan Dagger, Nybod’s cutlass, his diamond earring, and his gold key to the sea chest. Javius nods and acknowledges the items belong to the pirate. Corthen offers the innkeeper 2,200 pieces of gold for the items in the room. Javius smiles and shakes hands with the elven warrior. Corthen tells him as soon as they meet with Urloch the Clever they will take the items with them. Javius Noll pulls out his best ale and serves it for free for the rest of the evening in celebration.

1st of Tarsakh 1366 Year of the Staff

In the morning the party eats a mix of rations and food from the island. Samira asks Kaylin if the party can borrow his outrigger to search the cliffs across the lagoon. Kaylin tells them they may but shares that the craft will only hold five people. Corthen shares that the party does have magic items that can aid some of the party. Kaylin sees him holding the Leviathan Dagger and asks how the elf came to possess it. Corthen informs the old islander that the dagger was taken from an evil priest who was pretending to haunt Nybod’s room in Lielon. Kaylin tells the party that Captain Nybod owned the Leviathan Dagger and he was carrying it the day he went overboard two years ago.

The heroes prepare for a trip across the lagoon. Kaylin warns the group that the Singing Cliffs sometimes is occupied by harpies who lair in caves high up in the cliffs. The party thanks him for his warning. Corthen uses the powers of the dagger and swims in the water. The others paddle the craft across the atoll’s shallows. As the party nears the cliffs a flight of harpies take to the air and begins singing trying to charm the party. Erith pulls out his harp and begins singing a counter song to negate the harpies powers. The bard is successful and the bird women screech in anger at his song.

The party is set upon by the nine harpies who fly down and try to kill and maim the heroes. The group uses missile weapons and spells and a few swords to dispatch the ugly creatures. The last one attempts to escape but arrows from Ayremyr and Erith put her down and she splashes into the waters below.

The party pulls the canoe along the rocks of the cliff. They spot three caves in the high cliffs above and two fissures close to the water’s edge. Corthen dives down and discovers that a cave lies below the water nearly hidden by seaweed. He swims back and informs the group of his discovery. Everyone jumps into the water and swims down to the watery cave. As they enter the cavern seaweed grabs and tangles the party but everyone manages to get through it. The party emerges in a large vaulted cavern with a ceiling eight feet above the waterline. Before the party has a chance to swim around and check out the cave they are ambushed underwater by a gang of green scaled creatures with long thick necks led by a hideously ugly sea witch.

Ayremyr, Rehs, and the others fight the aquatic creatures in the cavern’s waters. The ugly witch attacks Corthen and tries to pry the Leviathan Dagger from his grip. She stares at him and he manages to stab her several times with his flaming sword. The group is battered but they triumph over the creatures that Samira calls sea trolls.

Deciding to find their lair Erith casts Invisibility on Rehs so he can scout out the sea troll lair. The rogue swims down using the Leviathan Dagger and explores a short underwater tunnel. The invisible thief surfaces in a short roofed cavern with many crabs crawling on the exposed rock walls of the chamber. Rehs searches the chamber and finds a hidden cache of pearls under a rock underwater.

While Rehs is gone Erith and Corthen search the large cave. They discover a sandy beach above the water between two boulders. On the sand sits an iron-bound chest. The lid is open and Corthen is attracted to the glittering coins and gems. Erith spots a badly decayed human head with a wispy beard and flowing gray hair. Using the Spear of Lochal the group speaks with the remains and learn that he is Captain Nybod. They learn that he was killed by Brinnea the Sea Hag who was after his dagger. Corthen asks where the magical wardrobe transports a person to. The dead pirate tells him that it is linked to the Sea Nymph. He asks what power does the enchanted bathtub have. Nybod’s spirit says that it was his normal link to the sea cave but it had become unreliable before he died. Corthen asks how can the party return to Lielon. Nybod tells him through the sea chest.

The party gathers Nybod’s treasure and his bones. Among his remains Rehs finds a gold key. Returning to the lagoon, Corthen flies up to the harpy caves. He inspects each lair and removes the valuables before flying down. The party returns to Moon Island and inform Kaylin of their finding Nybod’s bones. The inform his that they have spoken to the Captain’s spirit and he informed them that Brinnea the Sea Hag took his life. Corthen shares that they need to question Nybod again before they inter his remains.

30th of Ches 1366 Year of the Staff

The party rests in Nybod’s room and waits for any potential attacks from the cultists. During Ayremyr’s watch, he hears the cry of gulls coming from the sea chest. The elven warrior rouses the others and they open the pirate’s chest. The bottom of the chest is gone, replaced by a glowing green gate. Through the portal the party can see a sandy beach with waves lapping the shore.

Corthen lowers the rope ladder from inside the chest’s lid and climbs down to the beach. The others follow. The group finds themselves on a tropical shore where the warmth and the thick jungle are clear indications that this gate has taken them far from Lielon and the Flask and Flute Lodge.

Corthen uses his enchanted shield to fly up and scout the area. During his flight he learns that the party is on a large island and that further down the beach are a number of outrigger canoes. Corthen returns and informs the group of the canoes further down the beach. While they are discussing exploring the canoes the portal suddenly winks out of existence. Trapped on an unknown island the party has no choice but to find out where they are.

The party looks over the nine wooden outrigger canoes. They and the paddles are fairly unremarkable. The party does discover a nearby trail that plunges into dark jungle. Corthen and Ayremyr lead the way along the footpath. The party pushes forward through the rough terrain amidst the chattering of monkeys, calls of hundreds of birds, and the rare roar of a large cat. After dark, the party finally emerges from the jungle to the far side of the island. Before them a large bonfire burns before a still lagoon. The smell of roasting boar greets them along with the rhythmic pounding of drums and a number of natives dancing to the drum.

The heroes watch the old man beat on the drum and the dancers not wishing to interrupt the ceremony they seem to be performing. Suddenly the still waters of the lagoon bubble and froth and many large tentacles grab at the dancers. Two of the dancers are drug into the waters screaming. Most of the tribal men flee in terror but three young natives remain at the shore brandishing spears trying to battle the tentacle horror.

The party rushes forward to aid the three warriors. Corthen, Ayremyr, and Samira battle with melee weapons while Erith and Rehs launch missile weapons at the flailing tentacles. Tellazar casts Magic Missiles and Chromatic Orb spells at the lurking beast. One more native succumbs to the grasping beast before it decides to flee from the blades and spells of the adventurers. The two remaining warriors speaking an unknown tongue say a few words and bow low in respect to the party before running off into the jungle after the others who had already retreated at the beginning of the fray.

The party is confused by the natives actions. Corthen questions why they fled the beach here. A voice from the darkness answers him. “They are returning to their home.” A solitary figure steps out into the moonlight. It is the old drummer. Corthen says, “You speak our language. What is your name?” The thin old man tells him, “The natives have called me Kaylin for many years, and you may call me that for now.”

The party asks the man if the natives live in the jungle. Kaylin informs the group that they came from another island on their small boats. He tells them that they had come here to hold a coming of age ceremony for their youngest fledgling warriors. Kaylin says that the chieftains believe that his drumming holds powerful magic and they usually come to the island for important ceremonies. Tellazar asks him about the creature that attacked during the dance. The old man says that its name translates to the common tongue as “The Lurker of the Shallows”. Kaylin says the crafty creature lives in the lagoon and is a gigantic octopus. He says that the monster is rarely seen and usually only attacks small groups it can overpower and eat.

Kaylin offers the heroes some of the roast boar and tropical fruits that the natives had given to him as payment for his “magical drumming”. The party feasts on exotic fruits, coconuts, and boar meat. Samira asks Kaylin about himself and how he came to be here. The old man tells her that he was shipwrecked on Moon Island 38 years ago. He says that during his sailing days the ship he was on, “Solaris”, was captured by pirates. He tells the group he was given a choice to join the pirates or die. He says for three years he lived as a pirate committing atrocities until a storm drove the Solaris far west and onto a reef one night.

Kaylin says that the shipwrecked survivors made their way ashore to Moon Island. He says that the Lurker in the Shallows and dangerous animals killed a handful of the pirates. Finally, the pirates made several outriggers to sail east. Kaylin says that he slipped away into the jungle and hid until his former shipmates sailed away. He says that he had no desire to continue his life as a pirate and would rather live on the island than murder and pillage as a pirate.

Corthen asks Kaylin if any of the pirates were named Nybod. The former sailor looks a the elf with a knowing look and tells him that Captain Nybod was not a crew member of “Solaris”. He asks Corthen how he knows of the Captain. The elf tells him that the Guardians of the Past came to the island through a magical chest belonging to him. Kaylin asks about the health of the Captain. Corthen tells him that he has been missing for two years. The old man sadly smiles and says he had feared the worst. He shares that Nybod had come to him two years ago asking Kaylin to take him to the Singing Cliffs across the lagoon. He says his friend wished to recover something he had left there during his sailing days. During the passage across the shallows the boat was struck by something powerful and Nybod was thrown into the waters. Kaylin says that Captain Nybod never surfaced and he never found a trace of him. He says that he had hoped that Nybod had returned home through one of his magical escape routes.

Erith asks Kaylin how he and Nybod became friends. The former sailor says that about 20 years ago a large ship anchored off the reef and eventually a rowboat came ashore not far from Kaylin’s hut. He says that he met the ship Captain who despite his fearsome reputation was not an evil man. Nybod and Kaylin talked and soon became close friends. Nybod offered to take Kaylin back to his home in Mintar, but the shipwrecked man told the Captain of the “Conundrum” that he belonged on the island. Kaylin tells the party that Nybod would periodically stop at Moon Island to visit his friend and bring him a few barrels of ale in exchange for fresh water and food. Kaylin informs the party that he is tired and is retiring for the night. He tells them may make camp near his hut if they wish. The group thanks Kaylin and set watches before turning in.

29th of Ches 1366 Year of the Staff

During the wee hours of the night, Ayremyr wakes up and sees a shadowy figure in Nybod’s room. The figure resembles the painting in the room of the Captain. He is dressed is dark robes and has a bushy dark beard that hangs long and he wields a curved glowing dagger in his hand. The elven warrior calls out to the shade. The figure moves quickly to the wardrobe and throws its doors open before running through the glowing green portal hidden inside the wooden wardrobe.

Ayremyr quickly wakens Corthen and the two gather their companions from their chambers. The group quickly dons armor and weapons before walking into the magical wardrobe. The adventuring party finds themselves in a dark low ceilinged room. A large pool of water dominates the center of the room. A cage holding a human recently stripped of flesh dangles over the water. As the group attempts to bypass the pool, a muscular figure charges out of the darkness and attempts to batter Rehs and throw him into the pool. The heroes attack the shirtless man and make quick work of the armorless warrior.

The far wall contains eleven doors. All have locks except the center door. The party can hear chanting on the other side of the door. Rehs inspects the door and gives the all clear. The Guardians of the Past rush into some sort of temple. Statues of fish-like creatures stand along the walls. Behind an altar a black robed human stands holding a glowing dagger while a group of robed men band their heads against the floor in a frenzied chant. The dark priest speaks aloud a prayer and Erith suddenly stops and begins running for the exit. The others engage the dark cultists and during the melee Ayremyr’s sword errantly strikes the bard during his flight causing him to collapse with a serious wound to the chest. The party battles the evil men of the shrine. The fight is over after Corthen, Rehs, and Tellazar slay the bald priest with a shark tattoo on his scalp.

Samira tends to Erith and she is able to staunch the bleeding and heal most of his wounds. Corthen loots the room and finds a fake beard on the dead priest. He guesses that the dead man is the one who Ayremyr saw in Nybod’s room less than an hour ago. Ayremyr, Samira, and Corthen go up a staircase and through a door and find themselves in a seedy tavern full of rough looking sailors. Not feeling safe with only half of the group present, they retreat back to the underground temple. Erith informs the party that the dagger the priest held is called the “Leviathan Dagger”. He says he had heard old tales telling of the blade and its magical powers tied to sea. He says that the bearer is to be feared by denizens of the deep.

The party retreats back through the glowing portal and to Nybod’s room. Corthen is sad because he desired to learn what city the cult temple was located in. Shortly after the group returns, the portal closes. The party decides to rest in the room with watches, in case more cultists return to attack from the other side of the portal.

28th of Ches 1366 Year of the Staff

After morning feast at the inn the party walks across town to see Urloch the Clever. After being escorted in to see the sage by an old female servant the heroes meet the learned man. Urloch is a mostly bald and heavy man who impatiently asks them what they have come to ask him.

Corthen answers the sage and informs him that they are seeking knowledge about the court jester to the Maiden King of Amphail. The sage agrees to the research and requires half of the payment now, 500 gold coins. He informs the party to return in one week.

When the party returns to the Flask and Flute Lodge they are contacted by two of the customers who are sitting at the bar. In low whispers they inform the party that Captain Nybod haunts his room upstairs. Corthen asks why they are whispering. The old red-bearded man who the other calls Regar states that Javius is trying to keep it a secret. Noticing that Javius is not present, the elf begins asking the two men questions. He learns that Nybod just vanished one day from his room with door and window still locked. He says that eventually Javius opened the door after nearly a week had passed and the old ship captain had not touched any of the food left outside his door. Regar adds that the room was empty with no sign of the pirate anywhere.

Begress and Regar say that strange noises can be heard in the Captain’s room at times and the few guests who stay in the room don’t sleep well and Javius tries to keep word of his haunted room from travelers. Regar says that Captain Nybod was a wealthy pirate who was rumored to have a treasure map to his hidden wealth but none of it was ever found after his disappearance. Begress tells Corthen and Samira that the fish on the bar is Captain Nybod reincarnated. He whispers that Mola the maid found the fish one day in the Captain’s room supposedly swimming around in a bathtub full of water, that should have been empty.

Javius returns to the taproom from the cellars with a keg and the two old men clam up. He looks at everyone suspiciously for a second. Corthen quickly informs the innkeeper that he and his friends will be staying another seven days and wishes to pay up front. A happy smile crosses Javius’ face and he gladly accepts the coins from the elven adventurer. On his way out of the room, Corthen slips Regar and Begress 20 gold coins each for their information.

Samira and Corthen gather the others upstairs in Nybod’s room and the elf shares what they have learned. The group searches around the room for hidden treasure. Tellazar informs the others that the copper bathtub, wooden armoire, and the seachest in the room are all radiating magic. Rehs inspects each of the items and picks the lock on the chest. Nothing is found in any of the magic furniture.

Corthen takes the portrait of the missing captain down to check the wall. The wall is unremarkable, but he does discover a folded cloth tucked into the back of the frame. He becomes greatly excited when the cloth unfolds and a magical hole appears in the center of the fabric, creating an extra-dimensional space. The treasure hunter quickly inspects the contents and finds a bronze sextant, two torches, a shovel, and a small box filled with weird little balls of soft wax. The group is excited by the find and feels they may be onto something to either finding the missing pirate or his treasure.

Samira decides to go off near the docks of Lielon and see what she can learn in the taverns. She finds a watering hole named The Bass and Stag. Inside she strikes up a conversation with some of the local men. Playing naïve she asks the mixed group of fishermen and dockworkers about Captain Nybod. One young dockworker tells the priestess that the old pirate was involved with a bloody cult that must have kidnapped and sacrificed him to some evil god. Samira asks the others if they think Nybod is dead. One of men tells her that most folks in Lielon have heard that his room is haunted by his restless spirit. He says that one girl who works at the lodge got trapped in the room and Javius had to free her but the door was not even locked! One old fisherman says that moans, the screams of animals and birds, and chanting can sometimes be heard from outside the room. He says that Nybod’s ghost has even been seen wandering around the upper floors of the inn late at night. Samira thanks the men and declines the several offers to stay for drinks and company. She rushes back to her friends to tell them of what she had learned.

27th of Ches 1366 Year of the Staff

Having ridden without sleep for the past two days to get past the Mere of Dead Men, the adventuring group is fairly exhausted as are the mounts. The gate guards of Lielon charge each person entering a silver coin to enter the town. Corthen asks them about inns and stabling. The guardsman informs them that the Flask and Flute Lodge and the Fearless Flounder are both close by.

Corthen leads the group through the gates and finds the Flask and Flute Lodge a few blocks away. After seeing the horses to the inn’s stables, the party enters the old wooden inn and inquire about rooms. Erith speaks to the tall innkeeper with thinning ash-colored hair. He introduces himself as Javius Noll. He informs the party that rooms and meals are two gold per day and one gold for stabling of horses. He tells the party he has three rooms available. Erith pays the innkeeper for two days for the group’s stay.

Mola, a young petite blonde girl about 16 or 17 years of age, shows the party to their rooms. Corthen learns that she is the maid. Samira and Tellazar take a room on the second floor and Rehs and Erith share one next door. Mola shows Corthen and Ayremyr to their secluded third floor room. Corthen notices that she looks nervous standing outside the door. He asks her if she is all right and she tells him that she is fine but she needs to finish laundry.

After cleaning up, Corthen returns downstairs to the common room. He notices a blue and gold fish swimming in a bowl at the bar. He asks about the fish and Javius informs him that it belongs to Mola. An old man seated at the end of the bar says that the fish is named Esmerelda. Corthen asks the innkeeper about his room and its fancy and exotic furnishings including the painting of a bearded man on a ship.

Javius informs the elf that the room’s furnishings belong to Captain Nybod. He says that he has not stayed in the room for two years so he rents it out from time to time. Corthen notices that the innkeeper is giving the old man at the bar a fierce glare, but he isn’t sure why. Corthen asks Javius for directions to Urloch the Clever’s residence. Javius informs Corthen that the sage resides in a white tower on the north side of town.

24th of Ches 1366 Year of the Staff

The group travels north. A large caravan passes moving south towards Waterdeep. The heroes stop at the Baying Hound Inn near dusk. Only two rooms are available, so Samira and Tellazar share a bed with Erith on his bedroll in one room, and Rehs and Corthen sharing another bed and Ayremyr sleeping on his roll in the second room.

After dinner Erith plays his harp and sings for the entertainment of those in the common room. When Corthen tries to join him on his harp he starts playing a completely different tune. Erith recognizes the tune as an old funeral dirge that was heard in recent months during their adventures in Undermountain.

In the sleeping chambers, Rehs and Samira attempt to play music to see what the result is. It turns out they too can only play the same funeral dirge. Samira speculates that a minor curse has affected them.

23rd of Ches 1366 Year of the Staff

In the morning, the party goes to Hemmerem’s Stables on Slop Street in the South Ward for horses for Ayremyr and a pack horse. Everyone gathers any stored magic items at their residences and move them to Mirt’s storage vaults.

The group rides the coastal road north towards Lielon. The adventurers ride until the coming of night before choosing a camp site.

22nd of Ches 1366 Year of the Staff

The six members of the Guardians of the Past enter the Dripping Dagger Inn together. They are greeted warmly the retired warrior Filiare. He informs the party that the Deep Delvers have already arrived and are waiting in one of the private dining rooms.

The heroes enter the room and see that eight of the nine members of the Deep Delvers have shown up. Bleys Crommor, Regnet Amcathra, Corinna Dezlentyr, Dundald Gost, Shauban Zulpair, Myrnd Gundwynd, Morgunn Lathkule, and Jandar Ilzimmer greet the members of the Guardians of the Past and offer them zzar.

Corthen asks the other party about their seriously wounded friend, Horth Hunabar. Jandar tells the elven warrior that Horth is mending well and should be able to up-armor in a day or two. Tellazar asks for details on the attack. Corinna, the half-elf daughter of Lord Arlos Dezlentyr, shares that the residence was assaulted by someone with arcane powers. They stole some of the enchanted items that were to be sold yesterday. The mysterious attacker sent a giant statue and an army of gargoyles into their abode. She says that Horth saw the creatures go straight to the location of the Halaster’s personal effects only pausing when they were confronted by him and the guardsmen. She says that the guards were no match for the invaders and soon Horth was alone trying to fight them all off. Corinna tells the heroes that she awoke to the sound of the battle and was fortunate to do so. She says she was able to save a dying and disemboweled Horth before he died and the flames began to spread.

Corinna tells the group that she believes the creature that Horth described was possibly a golem. If so, she states whoever attacked the Deep Delvers is a mage of some repute and has a mastery of spells and magic. Corinna points out that when she came downstairs, the one wall was pierced by a passwall spell and she saw the last two gargoyles fly into a glowing blue oval gate of magic outside on the street and then it just winked out of existence. She then found Horth and took him to the temple. She feels that whomever attacked the house had been scrying the Deep Delvers for some time and decided to strike before the sale could go forward.

Corthen speaks and suggests that perhaps Halaster took back his property that the Deep Delvers found. Several of the Delvers shake their heads no in reply and Corinna and Bleys tell the Guardians that the items came directly from the wizard’s corpse right after his death. Corthen looks around at his friends and the assembled noble adventurers before speaking. He asks, “I’m not calling anyone here a liar, but from stories I have heard, Halaster could blast a dozen seasoned groups to dust without sneezing. How is it that you were able to defeat such a powerful spellcaster?”

Regnet looks at his friends before speaking. He tells the Guardians that he and his friends had a chance encounter with a wizard who walked out of wall into their midst deep in the lower levels of the Underhalls. He says that they struck at the ominous looking old man with swords and he tried to cast spells but their swords disrupted his arcane gestures. Regnet says that when they were done, they looked him over and noticed that he had open lesions that indicated a wasting disease. The Delvers stripped the corpse and burned the body. Regnet says that all of the items were purified before they even attempted to examine the items.

Corthen asks Regnet and his friends why they didn’t keep any of the items. He tells the elf that his party did and they still possess it. He says that Halaster would not have left it behind, if he had been behind the attack. In suspense, Corthen and the others look to the Deep Delvers for an answer. Corinna speaks up and says Tellazar once carried an iron ring that allowed him to teleport about Undermountain and break magical barriers but in recent months the ring had come into the possession of Erith who is currently wearing it on his left hand.

Tellazar, Erith, and the others are shocked at Corinna’s knowledge of the Ring of Undermountain. They look at her to see if she is probing their thoughts, but the wizardress merely raises her right hand and displays a black iron ring with two horns, a twin to the ring on Erith’s hand. She says that this is the Ring of Halaster Blackcloak and she can even tell the others that Erith’s ring once belonged to Jhesiyra Kestellharp, one of Halaster’s apprentices. Corinna tells the Guardians of the Past that she can tell who is wearing the ring and where they are at just by concentration. Corthen quickly asks her if she can sense other rings and she states that she can. He asks and she informs him that two apprentices of the Mad Mage, Trobriand and Arcturia are alive and living in Undermountain.

Tellazar asks what items were stolen by the unknown wizard. Regnet says that a spellbook bearing the sigil of Halaster, an alabaster staff, a black cloak, a pair of leather boots, a dagger, a belt pouch, and two wands, one of iron and the other of electrum and platinum. The two parties eventually part ways and the heroes decide to walk over to the Yawning Portal for a drink and tavern gossip.

Shortly after the party arrives at the inn, a detachment of the City Watch enters and asks the party to step out to the street. The party warily agrees and goes peacefully. Once outside, the Watch Amar informs the group that Lord Piergeiron has requested their presence forthwith. The eight members of the City Watch escort the Guardians of the Past to the Palace where they are disarmed and taken before the Open Lord. Once before the paladin and two masked Lords they are questioned about what they know of the “Seven Blazing Swords”. Corthen looks to his companions to see if anyone else knows of who the Lords speak of. He tells them that he and his friends appear to know nothing. One of the masked Lords asks if the party knows of the Deep Delvers. Corthen answers that yes, everyone present knows the noble adventurers. Lord Piergeiron asks if anyone present had anything to do with the attack of the Deep Delvers.

Corthen answers the Open Lord and tells him that no one in his circle of friends had anything to do with the theft, assault, or arson that occurred. Lord Piergeiron asks Corthen if there has been bad blood between himself and the Deep Delvers. Corthen states, “I foolishly insulted those nobles before I truly knew the facts. I fought three champions on the Field of Triumph in the past month because of my temper. Now, there is peace between those same nobles and our party.”

The paladin nods. He accepts the elf’s answer and informs him that other thefts have occurred including the one he mentioned earlier. He says that the “Seven Blazing Swords” rode into Waterdeep a month ago from a successful adventure east of Baldur’s Gate and a week later they were dead and their goods stolen in what was likely a similar attack to the Deep Delvers. The paladin switches gears and informs the party that he wants them to seek out the sage, Urloch the Clever.

The Open Lord states that he is concerned about the evil fool the party released from the Tomb of the Maiden King. He states that Urloch may have useful information on the Jester and he wishes the party to see the sage. Corthen asks about Urloch and where he resides. A masked Lord speaks and tells him that Urloch the Clever is a sage of History and Humankind and he resides in Lielon. The party informs the Lords present that they will learn what they can from the sage and use the information to defeat the Jester. The heroes are excused and they leave the Palace and make plans to ride to Lielon in the morning.

21st of Ches 1366 Year of the Staff

The sounds of guard horns blowing in the city wakes Erith from his night of dreams. As he rubs his eyes and gain awareness of his surroundings he notices that dawn is breaking over the city. More horns blow and several bells from the city’s temples peal as well.

Looking out a window from Saedellas’ house Rehs and Tellazar can see black smoke rising from the Castle Ward, North of Castle Waterdeep. Several griffon riders suddenly fly overhead above them and the rooftops nearby, they quickly move towards the black smoke and are lost from view.

Gathering their gear, the party members reach the paving stones of the city street in front of Erith’s residence. Some neighbors are looking out from their upper windows trying to figure out what has created the stir. Corthen can hear people making comments like, “It’s a fire burning below the Market.” “Gods, protect us. I’d rather drown than burn to ashes I tell you.” And “I can see three buildings burning… One of those is a large home… those Delvers stay there.”

Realizing that the fire burning is connected to the Deep Delvers, Corthen urges the party up the street towards the blaze. When the adventurers get within two blocks of the fire’s location the streets are clogged with citizens trying to watch the inferno. They slowly make their way through the throngs of people. When they get within a block of the burning buildings Samira spots Regnet Amcathra glumly staring as the City Watch and the Watch Wizards put water to the fires that are burning. Regnet is standing beside four other members of the Deep Delvers. Each of them looks upset and shocked by the ongoing events.

Samira asks the noble adventurers what has happened. Regnet Amcathra tells her that the Villa where they resided was attacked and their companion Horth was nearly slain. Bleys Crommor speaks up and says that all of their guards were slain and all of their items for auction that were once owned by Halaster were taken in the attack. Samira asks if Horth is in need of healing and she is informed that Corinna and Jandar have taken him to the temple of Gond for his much needed healing.

Corthen asks Regnet who attacked the house. The young noble says that a giant statue and a horde of gargoyles were responsible for the deaths and the subsequent fire that has spread to to other buildings nearby. Regnet says that Corinna saw the statue and the last of the gargoyles vanish through a glowing blue portal that blinked out when the last creature had walked through the glowing gate. Corthen offers his assistance and the other Guardians join him in an offer of aid. Regnet asks the heroes if they will meet the Deep Delvers at the Dripping Dagger at Highsun. The party agrees to the meeting and they leave the smoke filled streets for Erith’s to discuss matters further.

20th of Ches 1366 Year of the Staff

Tellazar gathers all the loot taken from Undermountain to inspect items for enchantments. Using his identify spells he learns the dweomers of each piece that radiates under his spells. The scimitar taken from the water creature is a quick striking blade. It is awarded to Ayremyr since he carries few magical weapons into combat.

Corthen, Samira, and Tellazar make plans to pull out a large number of their gemstones from Mirt’s secure vaults for the auction set for tomorrow. They plan for Rehs to carry the gems while he is invisible with several guardian spells placed upon his person to protect him and the gemstones he will carry.

Corthen and Samira take Ayremyr to the Riven Shield. Corthen asks about the armor and weapons that he might have for sale. Delborggan shows off his treasures and informs Corthen that a fine suit of plate is for sale. He tells the elf that the armor was crafted for Borvon the Bold, King of Castgrar over three hundred winters ago. Corthen balks at the asking price and the trio leave the store empty-handed.

19th of Ches 1366 Year of the Staff

After a night of rest the Guardians of the Past return to the halls north of the wereboar lair. The group discovers a room filled with rubble. The group decides to bypass this chamber since they are unsure of the stability of the room.

Traveling west, Rehs claims to hear a soft metallic snap and convinces the others to proceed in the direction of his noise. The group enters an empty chamber with a stone portal exiting through the north wall. Corthen discovers a secret door in the west wall. Rehs listens and motions to his companions that the room beyond is occupied by talking creatures.

The group prepares weapons and Erith opens the secret door. Ayremyr and Corthen charge into the chamber beyond to find themselves facing down a group of armed orcs. The heroes battle the scimitar wielding orcs. During the battle Ayremyr decides to move several levers on the wall. He manages to open firing ports through which a green mist begins filling the room. Samira manages to close the firing ports and the gas begins to dissipate. Ayremyr is struck by a scimitar and realizes that he has been poisoned. Three orcs manage to slip out another secret door and run away. Samira tends to the young elf warrior before he recovers from the black paste the orcs used on their blades.

The group decides to follow the surviving orcs to see if they can capture or kill them if they can be found. The group does not find the missing orcs, but they find two dark pools of placid water. One of the pools is above the other in the ceiling. The party begins to examine the bottom pool when a serpentine column of living water attacks them from the upside down pool in the ceiling.

The heroes finally manages to smash the water creature before Corthen strips down to dive into the waters of the other pool. He is quickly surprised by the water creature that has reformed. It thrusts him down into the pool and throws him about in an attempt to drown him. His comrades attack the living water and manage to destroy the creature and pull out their friend from the pool. He tells the others that he saw a glow coming from the water below and intends to retrieve the item.

The water creature reforms and the party has to fight it once again. Finally Erith suggests using the magic of his teleport ring to escape from the water elemental kin. The group lets the bard dive into the pool. He reappears dripping wet in the hallway clutching a glowing green scimitar. He tells his friends that there may be more below. He says that the bones a unlucky adventurer lie at the bottom as well.

The group destroys the creature this time with spells and the bard dives back into the dark pool. He returns from the depths using the ring’s magic clutching a torn leather sack. He pours out a stream of gold coins onto the floor which the group scoops up. The group weakened from battling the water monster more than once decides to return to the surface.

Arriving back in the Yawning Portal the group hears excited stories amongst the customers drinking in the taproom. Corthen learns that an adventuring group called the “Black Swords of the North” have discovered a huge anvil made of pure gold in a chamber in Undermountain. Their unsuccessful attempts in the last day to break off pieces of the anvil have resulted in the loud bells that could be heard in Undermountain as well as in parts of the city. Corthen bites his tongue and says nothing, lest the general public somehow learn of the gem hoard the party removed from that hidden dwarven temple two years ago.

Tellazar hears that the Deep Delvers will be auctioning off some of their enchanted items that they have acquired from Undermountain including the personal wands and staff of Halaster Blackcloak! He informs his companions of the news and the party and informs them that the auction is only two days away. The group retires to Corthen’s home to discuss their plans to purchase as many of the magical items as they can from the noble adventurers.

18th of Ches 1366 Year of the Staff

Samira spent the two previous days casting Cure Disease spells. Today the party gathers at the Yawning Portal with their new warrior eagerly awaiting his first exploration into the greatest dungeon in Faerun.

The party heads north from the well seeking out passages near the wereboar lair. Here the Guardians of the Past encounter two wraiths moving down a passage towards them. The heroes triumph over the undying. Corthen leads his friends down the hall from whence the two wraith beings came. In a cross hall the party discovers a chasm 5’ wide and descending over 25’ down in broken pinnacles of jagged rock.

Ayremyr spots the broken remains of a skeleton lying down deep in the opening below. He can see some type of pendant lying atop the skull. Samira tries to use her ring of telekinesis to remove it but the pendant is on a chain around the neck of the deceased occupant of the pit. Rehs clears his throat and asks for room to be allowed to room to climb down. The thief scrambles down the rocks to bottom of the fissure in the stone. He retrieves the brass pendant. Rehs spots a skeletal hand clutching a wand and moves to pick up the treasure. He freaks out when the bony hand fights back after he grabs the item. The thief is in worse shape when over a dozen animated hands swarm him and his friends above. During the battle, the rogue is disemboweled by the attacking bony hands. The party fights back and finally destroys the crawling claws. Samira is lowered by rope and uses a Repair Injury prayer on the dying thief. She casts several healing spells before Rehs is well again.

The party searches a nearby room only discover it is being used as a makeshift latrine. The party quickly moves to another chamber that is full of refuse. Corthen, always the curious one to poke around in the nasty and smelliest rooms, lives up to past exploits by digging into the dungeon garbage. He is rewarded for his efforts by being grabbed by several tentacles that choke him before one of the spellcasters uses a dominating mind spell to free the elf from the Neo-otyugh. After the others question the spell-bound creature and learn that it was only defending its territory, the treasure hunter executes the trash monster with his blades while it is still disabled. His hours long dig through the dead beast’s smelly lair of broken pottery, piles of dung, broken armor, rusted chains, and rotting pieces of wood finds only a usable flail and nothing else.

The party urges Corthen to wash and recuperate from his wounds from the Neo-otyugh. The group marches across the dungeon only encountering a group of rats who flee at their approach. The party sets up camp at the Fountain of Wisdom. During the first watch the party hears the tolling of a loud bell from below and the shaking of the room that follows. Nothing else occurs during the rest of the night.

15th of Ches 1366 Year of the Staff

The heroes realize that the bloody fight in Undermountain with the evil wereboars has the potential of giving the party lycanthropy. Samira casts Cure Disease on herself and Tellazar, She informs Rehs and Corthen that she will pray in the morning for their cures and for Erith the day after.

The group discusses the need for help. They agree that the party needs to seek out experienced adventurers. So they travel to several of taverns before speaking to Filiare at the Dripping Dagger Inn. The retired fighter introduces the group to an elven warrior named Ayremyr. The group joins the elf for a drink. Corthen learns that Ayremyr hails from Evereska and that he has traveled to Waterdeep to seek out and find his missing brother. He tells the group that his brother is rumored to have died while adventuring in Undermountain and he would like seek out his sibling’s remains and give him a proper burial.

The group takes a liking to the young elven warrior. He is curious of the group’s experiences and asks if they will tell him of the Underhalls and their other adventures. Corthen suggests that Ayremyr join him in some sparring so that everyone can gage his combat skills. The lone elf accepts his offer and the group retires to Corthen’s fine manor house in the North Ward.

The heroes sit as the two elves spar with swords. The two battle with swords for an hour before stopping. Corthen and his companions are impressed with the Evereskan’s sword work. The group agrees to add the young elf to their roster. Erith dryly remarks that he hopes that Ayremyr sticks because he is tired of changing his songs every time there is a roster change in the group. Tellazar jokes that the group could just start calling him Vilnullas to save time and effort of learning his name.
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