Session 13 - Session 14 - Session 15 - Session 16 - Session 17 - Session 18 - Session 19 - Session 20 - Session 21 - Session 22 - Session 23 - Session 24 - Session 25
Session Start Date: Eleasis 1, 1489DR
Heroes started the next leg of their adventure with three weeks of downtime. Aluza spent time with the other druids at the Shrines of Nature to train his Nature proficiency. Mogilny went to the Silver Strings to work with Mattrim on his flute proficiency. Pavel spent his week researching the road that lies ahead. He was able to research the towns and terrain that they would be dealing with on the road, making it almost impossible for them to get lost. He also learned that news from Icewind Dale has been sparse as of late. No one has been seen entering or leaving the mountain pass that leads to the region. Rothin spent his time undercover at bars that the Zhentarim hang around. He was able to learn that big things are happening at Zhentil Keep. The Zhentarim have mobilized a majority of their forces to reinforce their mercenaries on the Sword Coast. Some even speculate that Zhentil Keep has been abandoned. Salem spent 2 weeks learning gnomish from Rishaal, and the last week carousing with Elvorth Crystalshot. Earning himself 2 favors with the Masked Lord. During the downtime they also collected the Adamantine Chain Shirt, the Staff of the Woodlands, 6 Greater Healing Potions, and completed wealthy renovations on the Floppy Hat. They also celebrated Pavels birthday on the 17th of Eleasis.
After downtime they hopped on their wagon and set off for the frigid north. Other then a few ruffians pretending to be Waterdeep guards, they ran into very little trouble on their first few days of travel. As they entered the foothills of the Sword Mountains they ran into a little trouble. A bunch of hyena like creatures attacked during the middle of the day. The fight went well, but the creatures almost killed Tiamat. They were able to dispatch them before any real harm came to her. On the 8th day they ran into a traveling merchant selling odd trinkets. He was being protected by a group of Zhentarim mercenaries. The group decided not to interfere and let them go on their way. On night 10 while Aluza was on watch, a few hungry bears approached their cart looking to make a meal of Tiamat. Aluza cast speak with animals and was able to convince them to take some goodberries instead. After eating the berries they seemed satisfied and walked away. After a few more days of travel they left the foothills of the Sword Mountains and entered the Mere of Dead Men. On the 16th day of travel, just as they were almost ready to stop for the night they spotted a tavern. There was a bit of a commotion going on outside so they approached quietly. Just as they rounded the corner of the road they saw that the tavern was under attack by a hoard of undead.
Session End Date: Eleint 18, 1489DR
1235xp per player
Staff of the Woodlands, Adamantine Armor, 6 Greater Healing Potions, wealthy renovations
Session Start Date: Eleint 18, 1489DR
The heroes started with the attack on the inn. After first dispatching a few specters and zombies, a wraith descended from the roof and raised another specter. With a few good placements of lightning bolt they made quick work of the undead that threatened the inn. After being let inside they were given free drinks and warm beds to sleep in. Taking a look around they noticed that not many people were staying here. Asking the bartender, they uncovered that the people here were sent from Leilon to help restore this inn so that they could use it as a halfway point between Waterdeep and Neverwinter. They also found out that Leilon is currently being repaired by a bunch of settlers from Neverwinter, as most of the city was destroyed in the Spell Plague. After a long rest and some free breakfast they were back on the road.
On the 19th day of travel, the Day of the Convergence, Salem was granted another vision. This first vision depicted the whipping winds of a blizzard and the splitting of a glacier. The second vision is of a pitch black room where the sound of chains can be heard jingling as two radiant eyes ignite in the darkness. The final vision depicts the same ever changing palace, but this time in more detail. The palace is made of a rose gold stone, and a man sits on a throne of swirling chaos. He has grey skin and his eyes appear vacant. When the vision closes in on him however, his eyes dart up as if he can see you. At the moment his eyes met yours the vision faded.
After a few more days of travel through pouring rain, they made their way to where the city of Leilon should be. Before they reached the city they ran into a small encampment of people that were in the middle of a heated debate when they arrived. Listening in, they could pick up that something happened in town and that the fishermen still haven't been found yet. A gold dragonborn was just about to leave when they interjected asking what they could do to help. The mayor of the town, Grizzelda, asked if they could go into town and see if they could find the missing fishermen and see what made everyone flee. They agreed and the dragonborn decided to tag along too. When they got to the makeshift palisades that bordered the town, Mogilny was struck by an arrow that no one could see. After waiting for another moment, a second shot came from the guard tower. The arrows were no normal arrow however, they were made out of water, blending in perfectly with the downpour. They made their approach but just as they got close to the gate, two warhorses made of water emerged from the flooded street. It was a close fight, but eventually the heroes prevailed. They ended the session with taking a short rest in one of the archers towers.
Session End Date: Eleint 22, 1489DR
1310xp per player
Session Start Date: Eleint 22, 1489DR
After taking a short rest and recovering some hit points, the hero's climbed down the tower and continued down the road towards the flooded town. They moved at a slow pace to avoid anything that might attack them in the water, which successfully helped them avoid the patrolling creatures. As they got towards the center of town, the rain poured so hard they could barely communicate. They snuck around the outskirts to get a good view of the town center. They see a woman in deep blue robes with squid-like appendages holding her arms aloft chanting words they couldn't hear over the wind. She's wearing an iron holy symbol around her neck, but from the great distance Pavel couldn't see what god it belonged to. After Rothin got to higher ground, they launched their attack. Aluza called down lightning from the storm, but as the bolt struck her she seemed unaffected. From out of the water, two dark tide berserkers swam to the surface and surrounded the party. Rothin engaged with the priestess and a dark tide archer on another roof. After a lengthy battle, the priestess fell and her remaining dark tide warriors fell back into the sea. The storm clouds subsided, and for the first time in weeks, sunshine shone through the parting clouds. Searching her body, Pavel was able to examine the holy symbol and determined it was an amulet of Talos, the greater deity of storms and destruction. After taking a look through the houses they returned to Grizzelda who thanked them profusely. She said that even though they have no money to spare, when they next return they shall be properly rewarded. With that they hopped back on their cart and continued down the road to Neverwinter.
The next five days were mostly uneventful. Besides passing by long lines of caravans that had been held up by the storm. They did notice that the weather had been changing. Although the storm had passed, a slight chill remained in the air. Summer had passed and the frigidity of the norther weather was beginning to set in. After the five days had passed, they soon found themselves on the windswept cliffs of Neverwinter, the City of Skilled Hands. Before they approached the city Mogilny and Rothin hid in the cart to avoid being seen, just in case a guard they had run-ins with before was posted at the gate. They had been correct, and working the gates were two guards that they remembered from their time in Neverwinter. Salem was able to convince them that they were just passing through to get farther north. The guards let them in without any problems. When they get in the city, they notice that everyone is setting up decorations for the Highharvestide and decide to stick around for a week of downtime to see the city and make their final preparations for Icewind Dale. They decide to stay in the Iron Flagon, as Rothin and Mogilny used to be good friends with Nazir, the bartender there. Getting to the Flagon, Rothin and Mogilny are given a warm reception from Nazir and the first round of drinks are free. Sitting down the group sees a bard playing in an empty table. Looking closer, they see he's wearing a Harper's pin. They both give each other a nod and after he finished playing his set he sits down with them. Briston tells them that news from his informant in Icewind Dale has been nonexistent the past few months. A few parties have traveled through the mountains, but none have yet returned. He answers their questions about the city and gives them advice about staying out of Luskan if they can. The city is run by pirates and backed up by the Arcane Brotherhood, the most powerful cabal of mages on the Sword Coast. After that, they break to do a week of downtime before the Highharvestide festival.
After taking a look through the stunning glades and gardens that Neverwinter has to offer, Aluza floats the idea of looking for property in the city. Everyone seems receptive and he starts looking for places to purchase or suitable locations to build an inn. Also in his downtime he puts out advertisements looking for anyone selling a Ring of Warmth, and luckily a merchant from Luskan was just passing through Neverwinter with one.
Mogilny spent his week playing at the local taverns and once the idea of purchasing an inn was tossed around, he conducted interviews for a potential innkeeper.
Pavel took no time in heading to the House of Knowledge to find the page from the Magna Athenaeum. When he got to the library, he asked one of the book keepers if she had heard of the page. After looking through her book, she paused and said that the page was purchased a few months back by a woman in the Arcane Brotherhood. He then asked if she had any history on the Netherese Empire. She said that she didn't have any official text from that long ago as most of it is kept locked away in Candlekeep, but she does have a book from the Chronicles of the Arcane book series. The name of the book is Karsus's Gambit. He thanked her and spent the rest of the week doing research on Icewind Dale.
During his week of downtime, Rothin planned to stage a robbery on Manycoins Moneylending. He did some scoping and rolled above 25 on his investigation check, so that counted towards one success. He was waiting to do the remainder of the heist until the Highharvestide festival so he could make a quick getaway if need be. With his remaining time he went to taverns he used to visit and see what the word around town is.
Salem spent his week carousing with the upper class to get questions he had answered. He confirmed that the Red Wizard threat on the Sword Coast was no more. He managed to pick up that the Zhentarim are moving lots of people south. He didn't find out specifically where they were going, but now there's only a small amount of hold outs here in Neverwinter. Lastly he found out that Raener Neverember is in Neverwinter too, he arrived just shortly before the party left Waterdeep.
Session End Date: Eleint 30, 1489DR
680xp per player
Ring of Warmth, 7 Potions of Greater Healing, Potion of Vitality
Session Start Date: Eleint 30, 1489DR
Starting the day before the Highharvestide festival, the heroes decide to do some last minute wrap up in Neverwinter. They took a look around to find an appropriate spot to build an inn. They settled on a plot in the Beggars District as it was only 100gp under the condition that within a year, something will be built there and be contributing to the city. They didn't have the funds to start construction on the inn yet, so they figured that they'd hopefully find the funds on their expedition up north and start construction on the return trip. As the day was winding down, when Salem happened to be alone, a raven few onto a nearby rooftop and waited for him to follow. Salem did, and the raven led him to the beggars district. The bird took him to a still somewhat intact house with a hole in the roof. Salem broke a window and entered the house, making sure to move cautiously through the building. After searching around he came to find the bird in a child's room, waiting for him to grab something underneath the bed. Right as Salem touched it, his mind was filled with a memory that was not his own. A child clutched the stuffed bear as the city of Neverwinter shook around him. The memory ends and a whisper echoes in his mind "burn this memory of terror." After finding a nearby fire and making friends with the locals, under direction from the raven, he tossed the bear into the fire. As the bear burned, he heard the voice of the Raven Queen just a bit louder now, say "more will come." As her voice faded from his mind, his pocket felt just a bit heavier now. Checking his ivory chess piece, the magic that now flowed inside it made it just a tad bit heavier.
On the day of the Highharvestide festival, Aluza tested the many food stands to see who had the best turkey legs. Mogilny and Briston played on the main stages to great success earning a fair amount of gold in tips. Pavel took the day to regale and educate the citizens of Neverwinter with stories of Bahamut and his teachings. For some of Pavels stories he earned himself some coin too. Rothin took the day to get ready to leave and do some final prep work for the heist tomorrow. At night, the city put on a majestic firework display on the Sleeping Dragon Bridge. Unlike Waterdeep, Neverwinter's fireworks were real, not magical illusions. Which admittedly made them less visually impressive, but nothing could compare to the physicality of real fireworks. The day after the festival, as everyone was just about to leave, he said that he forgot something and needed to be right back. He made his way to Manycoin Moneylending to pull off his heist. Due to his careful planning, he was able to snag one trade bar, netting him half the profit. But the teller was able to catch the second one, thinking he had just made a mistake, not suspecting Rothin of any wrongdoing. With his coins in tow, Rothin made his way back to the group and they said farewell to Neveriwnter.
The next couple of days were uneventful, aside from the slight chill in the air. They passed by Port Llast, and after a nice stay at the Stonecutters Solace they made their way onwards to Luskan. After a few more days of travel, they ran into a cart that had been abandoned on the side of the road. Inside were discarded weapons and shields with the holy symbol of Lathander cast onto them. After taking a minute to investigate, they found small strands of spider silk leading into the woods and down into a cave. To get into the cave, they had to clear some spider webs which alerted the spiders in the cave. After fighting the spiders, they found a dead drow at the back of the cave. He had a magic cloak and a letter that appeared to be written in code; Letter 12. Mogilny recognized the code immediately as one that they teach at the spy academy in Danzanthan. He was able to translate it and relay what it said to the group. After a short rest they packed up and got back on the road.
Just one day later they found themselves outside the gates of Luskan, and after a minor altercation they were let into the city. They ran onto a Harper agent disguised as a town crier near the city gates, he handed them a free paper that told them to meet him at the stables at sundown. They met with him as the sun went down, he informed them that the last Harper agent the sent to Icewind Dale hasn't returned or messaged. He's pretty confident that teleportation magic and sending spells cant reach the Dale. Pavel asked about a woman in the Arcane Brotherhood and the Harper said that there was only one. She's a white tiefling named Avarice, and she left a few months ago, heading to Icewind Dale to find another page of the Magna Athenaeum. After a night at the Seven Sails Inn they made their was to the Host Tower of the Arcane. Walking in they were greeted by a featureless room, and a voice in their heads asked what they were doing there. Mogliny didn't have to make a save, but almost everyone else failed. Pavel was able to speak in mostly white lies and convinced the voice to let them up to speak to him in person. A staircase appeared at the end of the previously vacant room and they ascended for a minute or two and made their way to a similar room with a desk and the man behind the voice in their heads. Through some convincing they were able to get him to tell them the location of her scribe. Finding the scribe, they questioned him about her whereabouts and where she took the page. He confirmed that she took the page with her when she left, but when he rolled to ask what he was currently working on he got nervous and asked them to leave. They spent a few more house in Luskan doing some last minute shopping, which included parting with Tiamat and their cart as they figured it would be easier to travel without them. After they finished their preparations they left the City of Sails, last stop on the Trade Way, and started their trek through the chilly plains of the north.
Session End Date: Marpenoth 12, 1489DR
860xp per player
Ivory Chess Piece, Dissimulating Cloak
Session Start Date: Marpenoth 12, 1489DR
Our heroes pick up right as they leave the town of Luskan, the City of Sails. They decide between two paths, one which is following the Ten Trail that will lead them around the Spine of the World, and the other that Pavel researched which will take them through the mountain and potentially save them 11 days. They ended up choosing the shortcut, so for the next couple weeks they were trekking through the wilderness without a trail. Traversing the empty planes came easily as they were actually able to push for another hour or two each night.
On the fifth day, they came across a frozen river that stretched as far as the eye can see. After searching around a little they determined that they had come to the narrowest part of the river and made their way across. Rothin tied one end of their rope to a tree and made his way over the ice. He was able to look down and tell the rest of the group that near the middle the ice got pretty thin. After getting across he tied the other end to another tree, but this time the knot was tied very poorly. When Mogilny was trying to cross, the rope came undone when he tried to pull himself out. Although a few people fell in, everyone was smart about not wearing armor and loading up the bag of holding with the nonessentials. Whoever did get wet was able to be prestidigitated so they didn't freeze. As they were crossing the river, storm clouds started to settle in. Everyone was able to notice a small white dragon flying just in front of the clouds, but only Rothin noticed that hidden just beyond view was a second larger dragon. The dragons waited until the storm was in full swing, and then the smaller dragon attacked. Pavel tried to reason with the older dragon but all he got was intrigued looks. After the wyrmling took damage, the adult started attacking too. The adult used its icy breath to down Mogilny and severely injure Pavel. As it was distracted by Aluzas moonbeam and finishing off Pavel, Rothin was able to get a good shot and down the creature. Shortly after recovering Mogilny, Pavel salvaged a scale from the adult dragon.
On the sixth day they reached the foothills of the mountains and navigating became just a little more difficult, but they still made good time and gained a few hours. On the tenth day the finally reached the Spine of the World, and navigation from that point out was pretty rough. Even though they gained quite a few hours on the trek there, they lost a good amount trying to navigate through the icy spines in the days that followed. Only one incident happened on day thirteen, when they were navigating a particularly treacherous stretch of mountain, Pavel slipped and fell down the mountain seventy feet. His fall was cushioned by the snow so he was mostly fine, and because they all had the foresight to bring climbing gear, he was able to climb back up with little issue. On the fourteenth day, we ended the session in the middle of an ambush by some crag cats and orcs.
Session End Date: Marpenoth 26, 1489DR
850xp per player
Session Start Date: Marpenoth 26, 1489DR
Session started right where they left off. The blizzard made visibility low so most of the group was separated from each other. Aluza and Pavel scouted north and Salem, Rothin and Mogilny scouted west. Salem came upon a ladder that lead up into the blizzard. As he started to climb, orcs hiding in barrels and crates lunged at him. He was fast enough to get up the ladder before they could attack, but when Rothin and Mogilny caught up the had to deal with them. Pavel and Aluza faced similar troubles as they were exploring they were ambushed by a crag cat and an orc captain. As Salem climbed the ladder, two ballista bolts flew past him. When he got to the top, he saw the orc gruumsh knight and two other orcs loading another bolt. Salem cast darkness and engaged the knight. Mogilny attempted to climb the ladder and as he was just about to the top, an orc ran up and pushed the ladder over, taking Mogilny down to the ground. However he was able to lift the ladder back up by himself and start the climb again. Around the same time Aluza and Pavel finished off the captain and the crag cat and made their way back down to help the others. Up on top of the keep, Rothin had climbed his way up and picked off the remaining orcs. Salem had been battling the knight for a few turns and in the darkness dealt the final blow. After the battle settled down, they made their way inside. As they were looking around, they found two locked chests, a log of what the orcs had been doing for the past few years, and a door in the back that had been left open. The log described the orcs taking over the keep from its human occupants and then using it as way to rob the people coming to and from Icewind Dale. To which they had been pretty successful, because in the chests there was a small hoard of gold, silver and copper.
They decided to stay the night, and while everyone was resting Pavel decided to investigate something that he ran into during combat. A shimmering aurora that appeared to be holding back the gales of a snowstorm. He cast dispel magic on the barrier, and for a moment the lights disappeared and the blizzard consumed him. In the darkness he saw the piercing blue eyes of a winter owl. Then the blizzard stopped and the wall reappeared. In the morning he polled the group and they decided to ask the Golorr what it thought of the barrier and the blue eyes. When Aluza called on Golorr, he was waiting in the sea of inky black water. Golorr apologized for how he acted the last time they spoke and promised that he wouldn't try to invade his mind again. It was sure that what he described was a visage of Auril, the Frostmaiden. He wasn't sure how to dispel whatever magic was containing the blizzard, but asked him if they tried walking through it. Aluza thanked Golorr and shortly after packing up camp they walked through the aurora. Stepping beyond the barrier it immediately became dark. And on their next few days journey, the sun would not rise again. Every night was the same. As the sun would begin to rise, an aurora would cover the night sky, blocking the sun and keeping the mountains freezing cold. On the eighteenth day they made their way out of the mountains and into the foothills of the Spine of the World. On the twenty-third day they ran into a band of duergar transporting thirty-seven iron ingots and 3 chardalyn crystals. The one that seemed to be leading the expedition was a drow warrior that Mogiolny didn't recognize. They didn't have any orders or paperwork on them but it appeared they were heading back towards the Spine of the World. And on the twenty-sixth day they could finally see the pinpricks of light from Bryn Shander off in the distance. After all their effort, they arrived at Ten Towns a day ahead of schedule.
Session End Date: Uktar 8, 1489DR
1310xp per player
3 Chardalyn Crystals, Horn of Silent Alarm, Potion of Greater Healing, Spell Scrolls (Fireball, Purify Food and Drink, Shield of Faith), 9 10gp gems
400gp (Floppy Hat), 816gp, 929sp, 2717cp
Session Start Date: Uktar 8, 1489DR
Session started just outside of Bryn Shander. The guards called down to them asking what town they came from. They responded that they came from Waterdeep. The guards took a second, thinking that they responded with what town they were born in. After taking a second to confirm that they were indeed from outside of Ten Towns, they were promptly escorted to the Sheriff for questioning. The Sheriff got them up to speed on the current affairs of Ten Towns. For almost two years Icewind Dale has been locked in a perpetual night. As the seasons cannot pass, the cold weather has kept the towns in a perpetual stasis. All attempts to leave or cast communication spells have failed. All towns, except Bryn Shander have taken to sacrificing people to appease Auril, whom the people believe is the source of the everlasting winter. They asked the sheriff if he happened to have seen anyone in red robes pass through recently. The sheriff said that a couple of months ago a man matching that description made his way through Easthaven. Pavel also asked the sheriff about an all white tiefling that may have been around. Sheriff Southwell told them that she made her way to Caer-Dineval and hasn't been seen since. Before heading out for Easthaven they made their way to The Northlook inn and tavern for some well needed rest and recovery after their months long journey. On the way to the inn Pavel tried using the sending spell to contact Kayla the manager of Floppy Hat and the spell instantly failed. He tried again to send a message to the ancient gold dragon and that one failed as well. Trying a third time, he contacted Avarice and she responded. "Kidnapped under the Caer. The speaker is dead, cult is running the town. Look in cellar." After purchasing some rooms, Mogilny started to investigate where the source of the taverns music was coming from, as he could not find anyone playing. Asking the bartender, he revealed that the music comes from the stuffed fish named Ol' Bitey. After confirming that Ol' Bitey wouldn't get mad if he joined in, Mogilny performed songs along with the fish for hours. Near the end of their set, after making a spectacular performance. The music in the tavern stopped and Ol' Bitey turned to look at Mogily and spoke.
There's a place I like to go - Farther up the rivers flow - Where it is, I do not know - Must be under all that snow
Everyone in the tavern went quiet, and the bartender explained that Ol' Bitey usually never speaks to people, so he should take it as an honor. Other than that, their first night in a real bed went perfectly. The tavern was kept at a perfect temperature and filleted knucklehead trout was served fresh for breakfast. The weather was rough on the trail to Easthaven, but Pavel made a good navigation check so they were able to make it there without a hitch. Upon getting to the town, they saw that a wooden pyre was boing constructed just outside the town hall. Asking the crowd, they found out that a red wizard named Dazaan was capture in Caer-Konig and he is to be burned at the stake tonight. They managed to convince the guard to let them in the town hall to see the speaker and possibly speak with Dazaan before his execution. Mogilny convinced the speaker that Pavel could conduct a funeral rite to potentially increase the potency of the sacrifice. The captain of the guard was less receptive to the plan. She said that they could go and see him, under supervision, and he remains in the cell, bound and gagged. They agreed and were escorted down to the prison. There were led past a few other captives, but on the very end, just as promised lie a wizard in red robes bound and gagged. They cast detect thoughts on him, hoping to get a read as to where he's been and what he's done. But the spell instantly fails, and his eyes narrow on Pavel. Dazaan then telepathically links with the group and asks them for a favor in exchange for information. He could not tell them too many details, but he knows that he will die, and when he does he needs them to grab his ring from the his body. Once they have it, they need to go to Caer-Konig and hire a guide to take them to The Claw. Then, and only then will their questions be answered. They agreed and left to let the guards finish their preparations. As Dazaan burned he didn't not struggle or scream. The group deep down thought that this was a ruse and he was going to turn into an undead monstrosity, but he didn't. As the crowd gathered around to claim the warmth from his charred corpse, Rothin managed to sneak underfoot and use his invisible mage had to claim the ring unnoticed. After the execution they decided to stay the night in Easthaven before setting off for Caer-Dineval. After conversing with the locals, they became aware that most of the people in Ten Towns blame Bryn Shander for the everlasting night, as they're the only town that doesn't do human sacrifices. But after that they took a long rest and started their journey to Caer-Dineval to find Avarice.
Arriving in Caer-Dineval, unlike Bryn Shander and Easthaven, the town appears mostly run down. The Caer that Avarice described sat atop a snowy prominence overlooking the lake and the town. Leading up to the Caer was the Uphill Climb, a tavern that didn't have any rooms. They decided to stay in a dilapidated general goods store for the night. Aluza detected some footsteps leaving the back room during his watch. Aluza decided not to intervene and let the creatures leave. Other than that their night went uninterrupted. During the "day" they made their way to the Caer to talk with speaker. Servants in dark robes answered and turned them away. Casting suggestion on the gatekeeper allowed them to enter the caer where they were then asked to leave by the other cloaked figures in the courtyard. Very shortly after a battle erupted in the courtyard and in the mannor itself. After whittling away their forces, they managed to kill all but one that had locked himself in the gatehouse. After Rothin successfully picked the lock they finished him off. Checking inside the Caer they found a blood stained bed upstairs and a pudgy tiefling in a study downstairs. The tiefling introduced himself as Kadroth, and he claimed to be the leader of the Cult of the Black Sword. Kardoth said that the Speaker was in dispose and would not see guests. They tied him up and led him down to the frozen cellar. In the cold storage room they found the old speaker under a cloth sheet. After exploring a little further they found Avarice locked in a room. She said that she was kept down there by the cult because they thought she could release Levistus, Archdevil of Stygia from his frozen prison. They helped get all the survivors out of the basement and left Kadroth there for the town to deal with.
Session End Date: Uktar 10, 1489DR
1080xp per player
Dazaan's Ring of Mind Shielding
150gp
Session Start Date: Uktar 10, 1489DR
Session started in the Uphill Climb tavern after freeing the prisoners from the Caer. Avarice filled them in on what she overheard during her time in captivity. She said she didn't know anything about the Netherese. She knows that the last page of the Magna Athenaeum is on the Island of Solstice, an island located in the Sea of Moving Ice. She believes that Auril is the one behind the everlasting night, as whenever the towns make sacrifices the weather abates for a day. She also knows that the cult that was holding her captive was searching for Chardalyn just like the Duergar, but she doesn't think they're working together. While they were having this conversation with her, the townsfolk went to the Caer and hauled Kadroth out of the cellar. They stripped him and bound him to a wooden pillar out on the lake. They then took a long rest.
Starting the next morning, they were greeted by calm weather which made for an easy day of travel to Caer-Konig. Before they left, seeing as there was no longer a speaker to occupy the Caer, he offered them the opportunity to stay there whenever they were in town. Seeing as the Counsel of Speakers wouldn't be meeting anytime soon to elect a new town Speaker. They set off, and as they made their way out of town they passed by the lifeless body of Kadroth, now slumped onto the ice of the lake. After a uneventful two hour trek around Lac Dinneshere they found themselves in Caer-Konig. Upon getting to town they were interrupted by a drunk silver dragonborn "guarding" the path out of town. While initially he accused them of being thieves, they convinced him they had just come from Caer-Dinneval. He apologized and introduced himself as Trovus, the Town Speaker. They asked him about finding The Claw and he said that he would be willing to take them, on the condition that they assisted him first. The town had been dealing with thieves for the past week or so and he could never see them come or go, despite his ever so vigilant watch. The most important things that had been stolen were a color changing lamp, and the only goat in town. He said that if they could find out who was responsible and deal with them, he would take them to The Claw. They agreed and said started investigating immediately. The first place they searched was around the inn and found some suspicious footprints that lead from town towards the direction of Kelvins Cairn, a nearby mountain. But following them a little ways outside of town, the winds had erased them. They decided that staying the night and seeing if there were any fresh tracks the next morning was the best option.
They awoke in the morning to an unpleasant surprise. A blizzard was raging outside and the tracks were barely visible. Regardless, they attempted to follow them. After about an hour they realized they were lost and exhausted, but they managed to navigate their way back to town before anything bad happened. They called it for they day and stayed in the inn as the blizzard blustered outside.
They woke the next morning to much more favorable weather and a fresh set of tracks. Avarice said that she would stay in town to continue researching the pages and gather information about The Claw. After following the tracks for an hour, they appear to vanish and a new set of much larger footprints continue to Kelvins Cairn. After another two and a half hours they found themselves outside a very crude stronghold carved out of the mountain. After some sneaking and recon they were able to get the drawbridge down and assault the fortress. After a long battle they discovered that Duergar were behind the theft and their leader, Nildar Sunblight was willing to give the items back if they left the Chardalyn. At first they took the deal, but after they got the goat outside they resumed their attack. Nildar released his army of mycanoid infected creatures and after another close battle, Nildar lie dead in his study. Searching around they found three large pieces of Chardalyn and a letter; Letter 13. They ended the session the a successful short rest.
Session End Date: Uktar 14, 1489DR
2025xp per player
3 Chardalyn Crystals
Session Start Date: Uktar 14, 1489DR
Session started in the Duergar stronghold, after collecting the missing town loot they shoved off for another four hour trek back to town. Upon arriving back at town they returned the lantern and goat to Allie the innkeeper. She thanked them for their heroism and vowed that as long as they were in town they would get free goats milk. After that they took a long rest. In the morning they talked with Avarice and they decided that it would be best if she came with them to The Claw. She agreed and after they regrouped with the mayor they set off. He was nursing a bad headache so his navigation wasn't the best but with Pavel's help he kept him on track and they made good time for they next two days.
Near the end of the first night Rothin felt as if they were being followed, but as much as they searched they couldn't find anything trailing them. As they stopped marching to set up camp, a frost giant with multiple stab wounds and a slit throat appeared with a flurry of snow and attacked. He teleported around to avoid damage but after whittling down its stamina Mogilny dealt the final blow and he disappeared into another gust of snow. The rest of the trip to the claw was uneventful.
Arriving at The Claw, Trovus sat his pack down outside and said that he would not enter, but that he would wait here for a day for them to return. Avarice said that she wanted to go in and see what The Claw had to offer. She said that the stone the building was made from seemed to be similar to the Host Tower of the Arcane back in Luskan. The first thing that seemed off about the building was the windows, they appeared to be upside down. That and there was no front door that they could see. After ascending to one of the broken windows, their suspicions were confirmed as when they entered, the rooms contents were strewn across the floor as if the building had been uprooted and flipped upside down. On the first floor they found the room illuminated by wall sconces with upside down illusory flames flickering in each one. Two identical statues clinging to the celling like stalactites, both depicted a mage holding an open book. Books scattered across the floor, most had disintegrated due to time and the horrible conditions in the room. Pavel searched for a while and was able to find three books that were still legible. However, the books were all written in the same language as the Nether Scrolls. The last thing of note was a chest that had been bolted to the celling. Rothin picked the lock and everyone watched as the potions inside came spilling out. They managed to save two, but the rest shattered and froze almost instantly. A spiral staircase led them further down into the spire.
The next floor appeared to be some kind of study. They noticed quickly that there was a permanent silence spell cast on this floor. On one half of the floor were a couple of cages. In one of the cages, a thri-kreen lie dead and decomposed. In the other half of the room, more books and what remains of desks lie scattered on the ground. Pavel found two more books that appeared mostly intact. After looking around for a while they took the spiral staircase down to the next floor.
On the third floor, they were greeted by a man in red robes and an undead humanoid standing next to him. He introduced himself as Dazaan. He asked if them if they had the ring and if the Dazaan they knew was dead. They confirmed he was and asked what he wanted with the ring and how he was alive. Dazaan said that this version of him is a simulacrum, he contained all the same memories and abilities as the previous but he wasn't alive. The group was skeptical about giving him the ring, but said they would under the condition that he answers their questions. Dazaan agreed, but only after they finish the last part of his plan. They needed to get to the bottom floor and disable whatever trap or illusion that was preventing him from entering. He handed them a key, explaining that he believed this should be what unlocks the final door. They begrudgingly agreed and went down the last staircase.
They entered onto an open field surrounded by feywild like trees, an ornate door, and a statue. Sitting just at the edge of the tree line was a massive statue depicting a entity made of golden gears and two ruby eyes. The door was inlaid with gold and silver, but other than that it appeared to be a normal door with a keyhole on its right side. They attempted to use the key Dazaan gave them. Despite looking like the key should fit perfectly, an invisible barrier prevented the key from sliding into the lock. They started to take ten minutes to cast detect magic, but after a minute the statue animated and attacked them. Despite knowing they hit the animated statue, it never appeared to take any damage. They took turns taking the statues aggression so they could try and problem solve the lock. They passed the key around a few times and tried many times to open the door. But the door opened when Rothin used minor illusion to create a copy of the key and used that in the lock. The illusion of the field was dispelled and they were free to enter the rune chamber.
In the final chamber, an illusory figure of the mage they saw depicted in the statues on the first floor appeared. He spoke in a language they didn't understand, and listening to the message gave them splitting headaches. In the center of the room, on both the floor and celling, two large crystal disks sit fixed in place, undamaged. They went back up the stairs and got Dazaan and his bodyguard. They pondered again if they should let Dazaan go through with his plan, but they decided it was worth the risk to get their questions answered. Dazaan stepped onto the center of the crystal disk and the runes that lined the floor and walls started to pulse. Just as quickly as it started, the room quieted down and Dazaan stood before them as a flesh and blood human. He breathed a sigh of relief, thanked them, and told them to ask away.
The first thing they asked was why he had to be so vague. He explained that he used to be a sage from Candlekeep, the largest library in the realm. He became very invested in history that was being hidden from him and the other researchers. Snooping around the restricted section he found books about the Netherese, and the great magics they once wielded. He became obsessed with learning all he could about the fallen empire. He learned they all lived on cities that flew above the clouds, harnessed magics that ended world hunger and disease. He also learned that once the empire fell, Mystra banned anyone from learning such magics again. So he left Candlekeep in search of a way to circumvent those restrictions. After years of travel and study he made his way to Thay, as the Red Wizards held the secrets to litchdom, a potential way around the restriction. He quickly realized his mistake as only Szas Tam and his most devout followers were allowed to become litches. However now he couldn't leave, as every Red Wizard is cursed by Szas Tam so that they may never actively work against him or the Red Wizards. That is why he had to be very particular with what he said and how he worded things. So he kept his head down and obeyed, in the hopes that someday an opportunity would present itself to free him of the curse. Around a year ago he was trusted with the mission to scout Icewind Dale for Netherese ruins. He discovered this spire, and also the city that it fell from. He believes that the city was sealed away by the Netherese or another group of powerful mages before the fall of the empire. It now lies deep beneath the Reghed Glacier, and the only way to get to it is with a tome called the Codicil of White. The city is named Ythryn, and that's where he believes the Nether Scroll is. They then asked him who he thinks is behind the perpetual winter. He said he didn't believe that Auril was behind it, just that something is using her visage to do this. He said that after an event called the Second Sundering, gods no longer interfere with the affairs of mortals this directly. He ended with saying that he would understand if they no longer with to work with him, but this new form was able to get around the restriction Mystra put in place. He can now translate Nethrin for them, which he could use to help them and the people of Ten Towns. Still holding some reservations, they agreed and left their stock of undamaged books with him to translate. He said he would reach out when one was complete. The session ended with them ascending the staircase to leave the spire.
Session End Date: Uktar 17, 1489DR
1380xp per player
Potion of Cold Resistance, Potion of Force Resistance, 5 untranslated netherese books
Session Start Date: Uktar 17, 1489DR
Session started in The Spire, during their long rest they decided it was best to track down the Codicil of White on the Island of Solstice. Which meant they'd need a way to get out onto the Sea of Moving Ice. Trovus suggested they track down Captain Stormsword in Bryn Shander. She supposedly has the only ship that can get them in and out of Icewind Dale. The next morning they set out, leaving Dazaan to translate the Netherese text they had gathered.
On their second day of travel back to Caer-Konig they were attacked just before setting up camp for the night. The attackers were clearly members of the Knights of the Black Sword, but one wielded a longsword made of Chardalyn and his amulet was carved into a more intricate design than the others. The two Knights were dealt with quickly, but the Inquisitor went invisible and teleported around so he could pick them off one by one. Aluza eventually bumped into him and cast faerie fire and heat metal on his longsword. He was badly beaten so he was forced to drop his sword. He swore that more would come for them and then teleported away. The rest of the trip to Bryn Shander was uneventful.
In Bryn Shander they found Captain Stormsword at The Northlook, the same tavern with the mounted knucklehead trout. Moilny played again and for the second time Ol' Bitey recited his poem.
There's a place I like to go - Farther up the rivers flow - Where it is, I do not know - Must be under all that snow
Captain Stormsword agreed to take them to the island, but she asked a steep fee. Either 1000gp or 40% of the treasure they find. Even though it was most of their money, they agreed to pay the 1000gp. She asked that they give her around a week to gather her crew, but when she returned she'd be ready to make the trek to Revels End. During their week of downtime, Pavel trained with the longsword with the blacksmith of Blackiron Blades. Mogilny worked on cooking utensil proficiency with the bartender of The Northlook. Aluza meditated at the house of the Morninglord for nature proficiency. Salem found a gnome at the Northlook and paid him in alcohol to teach him in gnomish. Rothin made his way around town and gained a contact in both the sheriff and the bartender. As promised, at the end of the week Captain Stormsword returned with a 25 man crew and they all set off for Revels End. Unfortunately they did lose one crew member while dealing with some yeti, but other than that they made to Revels End. After one last long rest they boarded the Ravager and set off for the Island of Solstice.
Session End Date: Nightal 6, 1489DR
1580xp per player
Chardalyn Longsword
500gp (Floppy Hat)
Session Start Date: Nightal 6, 1489DR
Session started on the Ravager after departing from Revels End. The first days were uneventful. Rothin gambled 100gp and lost it, but was able to recover half by pickpocketing the crew he lost it too. On the third day, they were attacked by aquatically adapted remorhaz. They lost some crew members, but ultimately they were able to fight them off. On the fourth day, the Stone of Golorr initiated contact with Aluza to warn him about the water surrounding the island. Golorr claimed that the waters are claimed by an extremely powerful aboleth named The Deep. It gave up this information for free so that Aluza didn't end up in the water, under the control of another aboleth. The rest of the journey was uneventful.
Approaching the island, they saw multiple shipwrecks on the coast. The only dock on the whole island appeared to be made for giants. While docking captain Stormsword said that they can only wait here for a week, so if they aren't back by that time she'll assume they're dead and take her crew home. They agreed and set off to find Auril. They went right to the center of the island to investigate the fortress. The fortress appeared to also be made for giant as all the doors and living spaces we too big for humans. They first made their way down into a crypt, and past a door made of ice to get to a large spiral staircase heading back up. The stairs led them to a large snowflake shaped room with four hallways and a closed door. Above each hallway there was a plaque written in dwarvish. They read; isolation, endurance, cruelty, and the last one was scratched out and the hallway beneath it was caved in. They couldn't find a way to open the door so they went back to the entrance and started looking around the other rooms in the grand hall. They found a giant dining hall, and also what appeared to be royal bedchambers. Inside, perched on the massive bed, they found Auril. She appeared at first as a giant hunched winter owl, but glided down from the bed and changed forms to appear as a large human. She complimented them on getting this far, and asked on what they planned to do next. Pavel asked for the Codicil of White, but she laughed and refused. Saying she needed it for what she had planned. Mogilny got her talking more and she revealed that Icewind Dale was just the start of her plans. She wanted all of Faerun to be covered in blankets of snow during her everlasting winter. He pushed for more info, and she said that the only way she would tell him is if he attempted to court death. She then held out her hand, and he took it. Mogilny was then turned to ice and Auril said that if they wished to try again she would meet them past the hall of four winds. She then disappeared in a flurry of snow. The group decided it was best to head back to the boat and figure out what to do there. About halfway to the boat, Mogilny unthawed and they decided to head back in for another go at the frostmaiden.
They made their way back to the hall of four winds and came to the conclusion that each hall was a test that needed to be completed for the door to open. The first one they chose was the hall of isolation. They were transported back to Icewind Dale, just outside a large collection of yurts on the empty plains. They were greeted by the tribesmen as emissaries of Auril and escorted to the village leader. The village leader explained to them that she and her tribe were preparing to leave in the morning to attack the elk tribe and steal their provisions. She asked them to stay behind and watch their camp while they were away. They agreed, and she told them that they would only be gone two days at most. Days one and two are mostly normal, but at the end of day three something is wrong. Everyone realizes that Rothin is missing. They spend the night looking for him but he never turns up. In the morning its hard to remember why they were even looking in the first place. Over the next few days, the tribe never returns and people slowly start to go missing, but Mogilny cant remember who they were, and why he needed to find them. He tried to keep himself busy by writing a song for when they returned, but as the days went on it was clear that they weren't coming back. The song he wrote started to torment him as he slept and as he searched in vain for his missing friends. After twelve days of isolation, he failed a wisdom save and gained an indefinite madness trait. In an instant everyone was returned to the hall of four winds, realizing that two days passed, but Mogilny remembers spending much longer by himself.
Session End Date: Nightal 13, 1489DR
1440xp per player
Session Start Date: Nightal 13, 1489DR
Session started right after the trial of isolation. They decided to take a short rest and they weren't interrupted. After the rest they chose to undertake the trial of cruelty. Upon entering the portal they heard Auril say "Compassion makes you vulnerable. Let cruelty be the sickle that keeps your enemies at bay." They found themselves outside of large encampment occupied by the bear tribe. Just like last time they were welcomed as heralds of Auril. The village elder what they should do about their current predicament, There has been a blizzard raging for the past week and their hunters have not come back with food. People are starting to get too tired to move, let alone work. He suggests that he sacrifice some of the elder members of the tribe to keep them fed until the hunters return. Whenever the group chastised him or suggested a more passive approach to solving the problem they were promptly returned to the hall of four winds. It was Salem at last that he said that he didn't care about what fate would do to them, he said that with the way they were acting they could starve and die for all he cared. Saying that was deemed cruel and passed the test.
Next they undertook the test of endurance. Entering the portal Auril said "Exist as long as you can, by whatever means you can. Only enduring can you outlast your enemies." They were then placed on the outskirts of what remained of the elk tribe. Initially King Jarrund shooed them off, claiming that his tribe would not just lie down and die for the Frostmaidens pleasure. Mogilny eventually talked him into a calmer state. The king and his tribe were in the middle of packing up camp to move after a brutal attack just a few days ago. He asked them to help his tribe move across the tundra. They agreed to help and for the next 14 hours trudged through snow without a break. They made many constitution saves but the highest was only 2 levels. At the end of the day, the elk tribe settled down and started to unpack. Just as King Jarrund was about to thank them, they were whisked off back to the hall of four winds.
After that test they took a long rest what thankfully was also uninterrupted. However the door to the spire was still closed, so they got to work digging out the collapsed hallway. After 4 hours of excavating they were able to get into the room and start the test. When this test started they heard a different voice call to them. A much calmer and soothing voice. She said "Every flake of snow is unique, and that which is unique must be preserved." When they appear, a completely ransacked village lay before them. Vultures flew off as they approached, leaving their meals for later. After looking around, they went to the largest yert in the center of the encampment and found one person that was still alive. Bjorn is the only son of the chieftain and tells that group that he cant find his mother and sister. They look around for a little bit but cant find them around the village. They convince him that it's probably a good thing. He said that they were told to go to the foot of the mountains if they ever get separated or lost, but he couldn't make the journey on his own. They agree to take him, but half way through the journey they are set upon by a man Bjorn calls the Wolf King, leader of the wolf tribe. After defeating the Wolf King they get him safely to the foot of the mountain. There he sees a small yert, and when he checks inside his mother and sister are there waiting for him. Just as he comes rushing out to thank them, they vanish is a gust of snow. Back in the hall of four winds, they can see that the door to the spire is now open.
Clibing the spiral steps to the crowned roof of Grimskalle, a think mist rolls down the stairs. Standing overlooking her frozen kingdom is Auril. No longer in a playful mood, she turns her head to Mogilny and asks how he managed to free himself from her ice. He brushes it off and they ask her again for the Codicil of White and to release Icewind Dale from her permanent winter. She laughs and and tells them that they'll have to take it from her. The fight is long and grueling, as they go down and come back up, just to go down again. They fight her through her first form; a large human woman with white silk robes. The second form is the one they recognize, a huge humanoid winter owl. This form took significantly more effort to destroy, but eventually they whittled her down. Her last form was different however. It appeared thin and ghostly, pale white skin with jet black eyes. They were certain then that this was not Auril. Very shortly after this form was revealed she called her dragon that had been waiting in the clouds to come down and swoop her up. The dragon made a passing breath attack that took some of the adventurers down, and she kept taking pot shots at them even while retreating. They did the same as they healed their wounded comrades. They took a second to look around the roof. In the center of the roof was a large nest with a white dragon egg, an ornate harp, and various other treasures. Sitting on a clawed alter, overlooking the whole Island of Solstice was the Codicil of White. They decided not to open the book for now as they gathered their treasure and perpared to head back to the ship.
Session End Date: Nightal 19, 1489DR
3520xp per player
Codicil of White, White Dragon Egg, Black Pearl Ring
exotic harp 750gp, bloodstone pendant 250gp
322gp
Session Start Date: Nightal 19, 1489DR
Session started with them about to head back to the ship, but before they did they decided to open the Codicil of White and a letter fell out. See Letter 14. Inside the letter was another page of the Magna Atheneum. Other than a poem written in the front of the book, the Codicil of White appeared to be written entirely in Netherese. See Book 2. After searching the castle, they found a large sled that they were able to strap Aluza up to so they could haul all of their treasure back to the boat. When they got back, they risked a conversation with Golorr to try and find the location of the Dark Duchess. He guessed that it was somewhere around the north point of the island. They convinced Captain Stormsword to take them near the wreck so they could look for treasure. They pulled around the island and dropped the rowboats so that they could attempt to board the wreck. The ship hung precariously above jet black water, kept in place by a massive rock skewered through its hull. They boarded and heard some noises coming from below deck. Sneaking below they came face to face with frost trolls that had been feasting on the remains of the crew. After one of their hardest faught fights they managed to put the trolls down for good. Searching the ship they found a bunch of gold and magic items and the captains journal. See Book 3. After almost falling in the ocean, they managed to get back to the boat safely and set back out to Revels End.
Halfway through the journey back, they received a sending from Dazaan. He had finished translating the first book they left with him. It was an illusion textbook that appeared to be standard issue as he had found other covers of books in much worse condition. He asked which one they wanted translated next. The options were; a book with the title of Wizards in the Hallow, a book with pictures of giant magical spheres, a book with pictures of large funnel shaped creatures, and a book that shoed illustrations of brains in jars. They decided to have him start work on the one depicting giant magical spheres.
Although the journey was long and cold, they got back to Revels End without incident. The trek back to Bremen was equally as quiet. Upon their return to town they started to plan their trip to deliver the Codicil of White to Dazann for translation. That's when they realized that they hadn't been seen Avarice around town. Pavel sent her a sending message asking where she was. She said "Bound. Cant cast spells. Grabbed when sleeping. Took out of Ten Towns. In Spine of the World. Come soon, Drow are building a monster." With that revelation they packed their bags and started the march for Easthaven, which was the last known location of the Duergar hiding in Ten Towns.
Session End Date: Nightal 28, 1489DR
1560xp per player
Blackice Wine, Mage Figurine, Driftglobe, Wand of Secrets, Quiver of Ehlonna
silver dragon statue 1500gp, ceremonial bowl 1000gp, black pearl 500gp, peridot 300gp, gold griffon statuette 250gp, gold bracelet 250gp, aquamarine 250gp, 7 garnets 700gp, 2 pearls 200gp, 3 quartz 150gp, 9 royal fabrics 225gp
443gp, 701sp, 352cp