On the 12th Day of the 1st Month after the Autumn Equinox

On the 12th day of the 1st month after the autumn equinox (pt 4):

Beorn rejoined the party, and he, Zibreski, Arymere and Enoch continued on. They followed the western corridor until it opened into a large room with another door on the opposite wall. This room was another ancient tomb that held the remains of nobles from Netheril in the many niches that lined the walls. As the adventurers investigated the room, Beorn triggered a trap in front of the door. The floor fell away and the dwarf plunged into the dark, fetid water where he was attacked by a swarm of unseen assailants.

Before the party could react, several swarms of rats crawled out of the water and attacked! Beorn was able to pull himself out of the water, and the adventurers clustered together for protection. Surrounded by the rat swarms, the adventurers fought a grueling battle, smashing them all one by one. Eventually, they prevailed. After a short rest, they assessed the situation.

The far door was inaccessible since the 10 foot section of the floor in front of it was gone, replaced by dark water. However, there was a grate in a different section of the floor. After some effort, the adventurers were able to lift the grate and drag it towards the door. But before they could make it all the way, they were attacked!

More rat swarms came out of the water, and half a dozen dire rats attacked from the other door. The adventurers took a defensive position in the narrow corridor - rat swarms on one side and dire rats on the other. After a fierce battle, the adventurers prevailed, but not without casualties: both Beorn and Aramyre contracted Dire Rat Filth Fever.

After a short rest, the adventurers prepared to continue onward. Their plans were interrupted, however, by a group of human adventurers that entered the room. Wary of attack, the party studied them closely. However, they did not act threatening, and were quite willing to talk.

 

They arrived at the monastery this morning.  They are a band of adventurers, traveling around Faerun, looking for treasure.  They came from the west, and didn’t encounter any orcs along the way to Spellgard.  Today, though, they saw something strange as they were making their way through the ruins.  They saw a band of a dozen or more halflings, but they were unlike any haflings they’d ever seen.  They were dark-skinned and wore dark clothing and they had sharp, needle-like teeth.  They seemed to be headed toward the monastery, but they veered off a little when they saw the group of adventurers, though they didn’t seem to be scared of them.

They were in Loudwater a couple of months ago.  They didn’t stay very long.

They saw an elf and a pregnant woman who looked like a half-elf in Loudwater.  They talked to them briefly, and learned that they were from Waterdeep, but the next day they were gone.  They don’t know what happened to them.  They only spoke to them for a few minutes, just being sociable, so they didn’t bother to ask anyone else in Loudwater if they knew what had happened to them.

While they were in Loudwater, they saw a crusty old wizard who folks told them was called Curuvar.  He was pretty frosty and just looked at them when they spoke to him, then ignored them.  Four other old men wearing dark robes and pointy hats showed up in Loudwater over the course of a few days and went into Curuvar’s tower, but they never saw them come out.

Shane Quinn had an item in his shop that he tried to hide when they wandered in, but it looked like a gear or something from a clock.  They didn’t ask any questions about it.

There was another spiked gate on the door leading out of the room to the west.  The adventurers had placed the grate over the caved-in floor in front of the gate, but they were reluctant to touch the door, having identified that it, too, was trapped.  So, they tricked one of the new band of human adventurers into opening the door.  When they did, the trap sprang, and the door pinned the human to the wall, just as the other one had done to Arymere.  But, the adventurers worked together to rescue the trapped man.

Whether it was because they were now feeling a little worried about the adventurers, or simply didn't want to share any treasure they might find with them, the new band of adventurers took their leave and headed back for the surface, leaving the adventurers behind in the room where they had fought the rats.

On the 12th Day of the 1st Month after the Autumn Equinox

On the 12th day of the 1st month after the autumn equinox (pt 3):

Trying to ignore the malodorous odor coming from Enoch, the adventurers prepared to continue down the dark corridor. Before they could do so, however, they were hailed by familiar voices from whence they had come, and soon Eris, Cyrienne, Gabriel, and Kieri stepped into the light. Bored with hanging around the monastery and rebuilding parts of Saharelgard, they sought out the party in search of a little excitement. Kieri and Beorn had other business to attend to, so they stayed behind while the others continued onward.

The dark corridor spanned 600 feet or more but finally ended in a large room. The northern and southern walls of the room were covered with burial niches. A wide canal filled with dark, fetid water ran from the north wall to the south wall. An arched, iron bridge spanned the canal. Two doors were set in each of the west and east walls. The doors were made of metal bars with spikes on the inside. The ceiling was covered in strands of mold.

The party cautiously entered the room. Zibreski inspected the remains within the niches. He identified the tattered clothing as from Low Netheril and determined that the room was an ancient burial chamber for the servant caste.

As the party explored the room, they were suddenly attacked as an animated skeleton crawled forth from one of the niches in the north-east corner of the room! As they turned to focus on the skeleton, the party was also attacked by a group of 5 bat-like creatures!

The adventurers surrounded the skeleton and hammered it with powerful blows. The bats swooped in, attacking several characters. The bats were elusive, attacking and then flying away near the ceiling. As a defensive measure, Zibreski cast Phantom Chasm around the party. When the bats next flew into the area, they were knocked prone. Having dispatched the skeleton, the other adventurers were able to engage the bats in melee. Zibreski immobilized the bats with another spell, preventing their escape, and the others dispatched the bats in short order.

The party searched the room. Arymere inspected the door to the west, and inadvertently set off a trap. As he fiddled with the door, it suddenly sprang open, pinning him against the wall. Enoch and Cyrienne responded quickly, but were unable to free the warlock from the trap. Unable to wriggle free, Arymere remained pinned until Eris managed to pull the door just enough for him to escape.

After a short rest, the party continued searching the room. Determined to find something of value, Gabriel summoned a floating disk and, atop it, searched all the niches in the room, floor to ceiling. As the search was under way, the party was suddenly attacked by a group of 6 wererats!

Zibreski was nearest to the creatures, but luckily acted first. Casting 2 spells in quick succession, he immobilized half of the wererats and set up a zone of concealment before teleporting to safety. The other adventurers charged the lycanthropes. After an intense, bloody battle, the wererats were defeated. Searching the bodies, Enoch found a +2 Blood Maul Mace.

The adventurers took a short rest, catching their breath after the fierce assault, and planning their next move.

Rewards: 300 XP each, Blood Maul Mace + 2

On the 12th Day of the 1st Month after the Autumn Equinox

On the 12th day of the 1st month after the autumn equinox (pt 2):

After a short rest, Enoch bravely flung open the doors to the west, where the adventurers discovered a short corridor ending in more doors. The adventurers moved down the hall cautiously, and Enoch bravely flung open those doors -- beyond which was a large room. The room was filled with rat creatures, their forms discernible in the dim light of the fire pit in the center of the room. But before the party had a chance to react, all of the rat creatures disappeared into the darkness.

Zibreski was the first to act, and he tossed his brilliant sunrod into the center of the room. Moving forward, he saw the room was filled with wererats. One in particular, at the far end of the room, deserved special attention. He was dressed in black robes and was identified by Enoch as the patriarch of the wererat clan, Ephram Darano.

The adventurers made short work of the minions guarding Ephram. Before they could eliminate the wererat leader, though, Ephram disappeared and fled through a hidden escape tunnel. Searching the room, the party found a chest containing 200 gp worth of copper trade bars, 350 gp in coins, a fine necklace worth 150 gp, and a magic orb. Enoch also claimed an ornate wooden chair, which he carried around on his back and on which he frequently sat.

Disappointed that the wererat leader had escaped, but not deterred, the group continued onward. They came upon a room with double doors on the opposite wall and a corridor leading south. Flanking the corridor, apparently guarding it, stood 4 winged, mechanical-looking humanoids. As the party engaged the guardians in combat, they triggered a trap and darts fired out of the walls, striking Enoch.

Soon after the start of battle with the defenders, the far door burst open and a goblin stepped through. The goblin appeared to have mystic powers and was using them to attack the party. The adventurers retaliated led by Beorn's charge, and after an intense combat, the party's enemies lay dead on the floor.

After a short rest, the party continued on, down the corridor to the south. This was a long corridor, with branches to the right and left. However, the party never wavered and continued down the main hallway. Cracks began to appear in the floor, filled with dark, fetid water. The cracks grew larger and larger, until there was an area of the floor 15 feet long filled with the dark water and only a small ledge along one wall.

Zibreski was the first to cross. As he was edging along the wall, he lost his balance. Before he fell into the dark water, though, he teleported safely to the other side. He then conjured a disembodied hand, which carried a rope across the dark water. With the aid of the rope, Arymere and Beorn were able to cross the water without incident. Beorn attached the rope to the wall with a piton before crossing. Enoch tossed his chair across the water then stepped out onto the ledge. As he inched along the ledge, his foot slipped and he fell into the murky water. Crawling out of the muck, a stoic expression on his face, he said nothing as he sat, dripping foul water, in his chair. The other members of the party were somehow able to suppress their mirth, and Zibreski used his magical hand to untie and retrieve the rope without a word.

Rewards: 450 xp each, 175 gp each, magic orb +1 (Zibreski)

On the 12th Day of the 1st Month after the Autumn Equinox

On the 12th day of the 1st month after the autumn equinox:

The adventurers struck out for the ramparts, leaving the others to protect the monastery and the alabaster pillar. The journey to the ramparts was uneventful. As they entered the first tower, however, they were attacked by several fire beetles and a fire bat! The adventurers made short work of the monsters. Searching the room, they found Bracers of Mental Might, which were claimed by Beorn.

Moving deeper into the ramparts, the group entered the basement below the second tower. There, they found 6 hungry wolves chained to the wall. Beorn quickly moved to the doors in the far wall, attempting to avoid combat with the animals. The rest of the group made it to the corridor beyond the doors, all that is except Arymere. The warlock, surrounded by the wolves, transformed into a terrifying warrior and began destroying the animals. Enoch subdued one of the wolves, who was left chained to the wall.

The short hall beyond the doors opened into a large room. The room was filled with wererats, led by a goblin hexer named Jib. The goblin shot rays of darkness at Beorn, who ended up blind more often than not. He was also bitten by one of the wererats and contracted filth fever once again. After an extended battle, though, the heroes succeeded in defeating the creatures.

Searching the room, the group found a silver coffer that contained gold, platinum, a large garnet, and a potion of healing. Zibreski retrieved the sunrod he had thrown into the room, and the group took a short rest before continuing into the wererat nest.

Rewards: 600 xp each, 382 gp each, Bracers of Mental Might (Beorn), and a Potion of Healing

On the 11th Day of the 1st Month after the Autumn Equinox

On the 11th day of the 1st month after the autumn equinox (continued):

After some discussion and consideration, the adventurers decided to head back to the monastery. Before they could leave the ramparts, however, they were confronted by a large group of humans; three wielded halberds and nine wielded clubs. They affected a friendly demeanor, but Enoch saw through the ruse and could tell they meant trouble. As the group approached, the halberd-wielders suddenly drew crossbows and fired! Somehow surprised, even though they were fully alert and wary of the humans, the party regrouped behind the closed door of the tower.

Beorn came up with an ingenious plan - to retreat to the second floor of the tower and make the stairs seem impassable using illusion. He began casting the ritual while the others prepared to buy him time. The door did not last long under assault from the crossbows, but the adventurers were able to hold off the humans until Beorn's ritual was finished. Cloaked by illusion, Arymere, Enoch, and Beorn retreated to the second floor. Zibreski was able to take out all the humans wielding clubs with ranged spells. As he was preparing to teleport to the second level of the tower, he noticed their recently-rescued human ally had not made it up the stairs. Realizing that the soldier might betray their location if captured, Zibreski came up with a different plan. Stepping through the door, he called out in a commanding voice, "Flee now and I will spare your lives!" The 3 humans shot crossbow bolts at Zibreski, but they bounced off as if he was made of stone. About that time, Enoch came down the stairs holding the sunrod behind the wizard, giving Zibreski an aura of bright light. Unnerved by the slaughter of their comrades and the apparent invulnerability of the wizard at the end of the hall, the 3 humans fled. As they ran down the hall, Enock shouted after them, "That's what happens if you dare to cross Zibreski the Great and Mighty!"

Searching the bodies, the adventurers found 380 gold pieces.

After a short rest, the party set out for the monastery. Cloaked in an illusion of fog, they picked their way cautiously through the ruins. On the way, the adventurers came upon an alabaster pillar standing in a ruined courtyard. The pillar was apparently guarded by circling mechanical beasts: an iron cobra, an arbalester, and two iron war dogs. There was also a dead dark creeper at the base of the pillar. Beorn attempted to retrieve the pillar with an unseen servant, but the pillar proved too heavy. Unwilling to leave it, the adventurers attacked the constructs. After an intense battle, during which Arymere scored several debilitating blows, the constructs were defeated. The adventurers then lugged the pillar back to the monastery.

Arriving at the monastery, Allendi agreed to keep the alabaster pillar safe. Enoch immediately retired to his chambers for some well-deserved rest. The others slaked their thirst in the common room and spoke with the other patrons there. They heard a rumor that orcs were on the march, determined to seize Spellgard within the month.

After an extended rest, the adventurers dealt with the effects of filth fever. Employing his skill at healing, Enoch was able to help Beorn fully recover. Beorn, attempting to return the favor, was unfortunately unsuccessful, and Enoch's condition worsened. Zibreski, thinking back to his study of diseases at the Academy of Magic in Evereska, was somehow able to help Arymere fully recover from the malady.

Worried that the monastery might become a target of the shadovar Thoran, since it held an alabaster pillar, Cyrienne, Kieri, Gabriel, and Eris agreed to protect the monastery. The others prepared their return to the wererat den.

Rewards: 375 xp each, 95 gp each

On the 11th Day of the 1st Month after the Autumn Equinox

On the 11th day of the 1st month after the autumn equinox (continued):
After a short rest, the adventurers continued their exploration of the ramparts. They followed a long, dark corridor for 300 feet that ended in double doors, dim light seeping through. Peering through the chinks in the door, Beorn saw three humans carrying halberds, standing at the ready. In an attempt to unnerve the guards and possibly cause infighting, Beorn conjured the spectral image of a ghostly female similar to Lady Saharel. Two of the guards were taken in by the ruse, but the third dismissed the image with a swing of his halberd. Beorn then cast a spell of fear on the unbeliever, who ran into the far corner.

Tossing open the doors, the adventurers engaged the enemy in combat. Bright light flooded the room as Cyrienne tossed a sunrod through the door. An extended battle ensued with the human guards, a shadow hunter bat, two acid-spitting drakes, two undead wolves, and Borlum and Kalmo Darano (wererats). As the battle turned against them, the wererats fled up the stairs of the tower. One of the human guards surrendered and agreed to fight with the adventurers against the wererats. The adventurers quickly followed the wererats upstairs but were unable to prevent their escape.

The human was willing to speak yet eager to leave. The guards had been forced into the service of the wererats with the threat of lycanthropy. Before departing, the human told the group that the tower basement held 5 chained wolves. He knew nothing of the compound beyond, other than there were more young wererats led by the Darano patriarch.

Conflicted about whether to push further into the wererat den or return to the monastery to recuperate, the adventurers took a short rest and evaluated their options.

Rewards: 450 xp

On the 11th Day of the 1st Month after the Autumn Equinox

On the 11th day of the 1st month after the autumn equinox (continued):
After recovering from the kobold ambush, the adventurers continued on their way to the northern ramparts. They found the partially rebuilt wall flanked by two towers, one of which had a double-door. Approaching cautiously, Zibreski used his mage hand to open the door, which caused a loud ruckus, alerting whomever was inside.

As their eyes adjusted to the light, they saw a room beyond the door with a burly halfling seated at a table. The halfling acted friendly, but Beorn easily saw through the ruse. As the adventurers moved further into the room, the halfling suddenly transformed into a giant rat and attacked! As he attacked, he called for reinforcements from the basement below. Beorn quickly blocked the top of the stairs, preventing wererats from flooding the room. The original wererat, identified as Malcolm Darano, quickly fell to the mighty blows of the party - especially from Arymere, who landed some devastating blows. The other wererats took a bit longer to dispatch, but fared no better in the end. However, the wererats took their toll, as all but the mage contracted a disease from their infectious bites.

Descending to the basement, the adventurers discovered a chest with some gold and a crudely-etched ivory scrimshaw depicting Lady Saharel. After a short rest, the adventurers ascended the steps to the 2nd level of the tower, where they were attacked by a group of fire beetles and another wererat, identified as Franco Darano. After an extended battle, the party persevered and dispatched the foes. Gathering their strength with a short rest, the adventurers decided to push forward into the nest of the wererats.

Rewards: 350 xp each, 3 gp each, ivory scrimshaw of Lady Saharel (worth 25gp)

Also, we have had 3 encounters since our last extended rest, so we each get 1 additional action point (correct me if I am wrong on that, James).

-Shannon

On the 10th Day of the 1st Month after the Autumn Equinox

On the 10th day of the 1st month after the autumn equinox:
The party returned to Loudwater around noon, the freed children and captives in tow. The guards took the captives to the town jail, and the townsfolk took in the children with the promise of trying to return them to their homes.

Cyrienne and Beorn were holed up in Curuvar's tower, intent on their scribing of the mage's rituals. Kieri took the documents retrieved from the slavers back to his room at the Green Tankard, searching them desperately for any clue to finding his lost son. The others interrogated the captured slavers, attempting to learn the fate of the missing slaves, but learned little.

Later that evening, Curuvar invited the adventurers back to his tower. He told them what he knew of the slavers, that the slaves were sold to the Yuan-ti of Najara, a dangerous realm to the south. He also translated the document found on the yuan-ti mystic, which was a contract offering 5 gold pieces per slave delivered to their caravan. Knowing many unanswered questions remained, Curuvar told the group of the oracular powers of Lady Saharel of Spellgard and offered to transport them to the site. The party agreed, then retired to the Green Tankard for the night.

On the 11th day of the 1st month after the autumn equinox:

The adventurers arrived at Curuvar's tower on a crisp autumn morning, just before sunrise. The wizard, brusque as always, ushered the group in and soon got down to business. Arranging them in a loose group in the center of the room, Curuvar began the ritual of teleportation. As he invoked the arcane powers inherent in the magical node upon which his tower resided, a thrum of arcane power enveloped the adventurers. A bit uneasy, shifting from foot to foot, the group eyed one another warily as the ritual neared completion. Suddenly, the party found themselves flailing in a sea of blackness. Just as suddenly, the blackness was gone, and they found themselves on a ridge overlooking the ruins of Spellgard.

The adventurers approached the nearest building, the Monastery of the Precipice. There, they met Brother Allendi, monk and master of the Monastery, who gave them a tour of the grounds. He offered them each a room for 1 gp/day, which the party readily accepted. The group had breakfast in the common room, mingling with other seekers. They met:

• Thur Gargengrim, a dwarf that runs a trade caravan, selling the whisky produced by the monastery
• Sister Cherra, a human that came searching for her missing brother, and now oversees operations of the distillery
• Brother Turnagall, a red-haired human that handles the upkeep of the monastery and assists seekers in their rebuilding attempts
• Yannic Johastra, a minor noble seeking advice on how to quell the feud among his sons
• Ralio Derour, a tiefling searching for a means to lift the curse of his diabolical pact
• Millic the Thrush, a halfling female, a free-spirited rogue seeking treasure, any way she can get it

Allendi also told them of the Analects of Kurion, written by the founder of the monastery, and available for perusal in the library. He also told them of a shadar-kai adept named Thoran that had taken residence in the Scepter Tower and who planned to bind the Lady Saharel to his malevolent will. The fiend's minions, dark creepers, were searching the ruins for 8 alabaster pillars to use in the sinister ritual. To date, it is believed they found 6. He was very concerned by this, and was emphatic that something should be done soon. He told them that the tower was well fortified against a direct assault, but that there were tunnels underground that provided access to the tower from below. He said the entrance to these tunnels could be found in an intact section of a parapet wall, controlled by a group of wererats, and that undead haunted the deeper catacombs.

After a brief discussion, the adventurers decided to head out to the wererat tunnels in search of an entrance to the Scepter Tower. On the way, they were ambushed by kobolds amid the ruins. After a tenacious battle, the kobolds were either killed or forced to flee back into their underground lair. After a short rest, the party continued in search of the parapet wall and the wererats.

Rewards: 450 xp each

-Shannon

On the 9th Day of the 1st Month after the Autumn Equinox

On the 9th day of the 1st month after the autumn equinox:
The adventurers gathered around a table in the common room of the Green Tankard, surrounded by the usual morning hustle and bustle. The aromas of fried venison sausage and spiced potatoes wafted enticingly across the room. However, the group was uncharacteristically subdued, the usual idle small talk and jests almost non-existent. Perhaps they were still unsettled by the events of the previous night.

Beorn and Kieri soon joined the group, a bit tired and exasperated from their fruitless efforts to uncover leads related to the Lady of Shadow's slave trade. The two settled in at the table and ordered cold beverages to slake their thirst. In a rather dry tone, Arymere related to them the events of the previous night. Kieri seemed unconcerned, mumbling a distracted "Oh" now and again, his mind obviously occupied by other thoughts. Beorn was a bit more concerned, and wanted to follow up on the situation by visiting the wizard's tower.

The party decided to split up. Beorn, Zibreski, Eris, Cyrienne, and Enoch headed to Curavar's tower. Gabriel, Kieri, and Arymere visited the docks looking to turn up any leads related to the slave trade.

When the group arrived at Curavar's tower, they were met with great belligerence by the mage. He was apparently annoyed that the adventurers "brought devils with them" into his tower. He soon ran them out, but not before promising some answers if they were successful in dealing with the slavers. As the others departed, Beorn and Cyrienne remained, convincing Curavar to allow them access to his rituals (not very difficult with a pouch full of gold).

The other group went to the docks, where they found evidence that slaves were being smuggled into town on a ship owned by Zark, Garwan's nephew (of Garwan's Curios). The adventurers, with the aid of the town guard, freed the slaves. Zark was arrested and sentenced to death. They searched Zark's home for clues to the slavers whereabouts, but found none (although they did find 400gp). Arymere convinced Lady Moonfire to reduce Zark's sentence to banishment in exchange for his leading the adventurers to the slavers' base of operations. She also bestowed upon them ownership of Zark's river barge.

Soon thereafter, Kieri, Gabriel, Zibreski, and Arymere set off in search of the slavers, Zark their securely bound and reluctant guide. After several hours travel, just before the sun disappeared behind the horizon, the group came upon old, abandoned stone ruins. Zark attempted to mislead the group, but his intentions were easily read. As he yelled out to alert the bandits, he was quickly silenced with a blow to the back of the head, rendering him unconscious.

The adventurers soon ferreted out the bandits and engaged them in a fierce battle. The bandits fought ruthlessly, including Zark who was released and revived by one of the bandits. They were led by a strange creature that seemed to be a hybrid between a serpent and a fish. The adventurers eventually prevailed, taking the human bandit leader and the strange creature captive. They quickly searched the bandit's camp, finding gold and other treasures, and releasing several captive children.

Among the bandits' possessions, they also found a box full of manifests for the shipment of the slaves. Each manifest had the name of a ship and the description of each slave.

They also found a document written in a strange, undecipherable language on the serpent creature.

They also found a suit of finely worked chain mail and a long sword, both engraved with impressive but unidentifiable markings.

The adventurers decided to escort the children back to Loudwater, bringing along their captives and the corpse of Zark.

Rewards: 400 xp each, 150 gp each, 50 sp each, Gauntlets of Ogre Power, river barge (worth 200gp)

Were the Gauntlets of Ogre Power on anyone's wish list? If so, speak up :)

On the 8th Day of the 1st Month after the Autumn Equinox

On the 8th day of the 1st month after the autumn equinox (continued):As the adventurers were retiring to their rooms in the Green Tankard for a night of well-deserved rest, Zibreski had a sudden flash of mystical insight. Curavar, the missing mage, had returned to his tower and wanted to meet with them. Zibreski immediately roused his companions and they set off to the wizard's tower.

When they arrived and knocked on the door, the wizard's voice beckoned them to enter. The entry chamber was empty and mysteriously dark. The adventurers called out, and Curavar's voice urged them to ascend the stairs. Zibreski conjured magical light, and as the adventurers approached the stairs to the second floor, they were suddenly attacked by fiendish creatures that materialized out of the walls. The creatures were a motley assortment of nightmarish creations, reeking of acid and brimstone. At first, the adventurers thought Curavar's minions were attacking. Before long, it was apparent that the devilish creatures had lured the adventurers here for their own nefarious purpose. One creature in particular drew their attention, an 8 foot tall devil -- identified by the bard as an Aspect of Dispater, arch-devil and ruler of the 2nd layer of the Nine Hells!

The fiends spoke to Zibreski, tempting him with promises of power and the fulfillment of his desires. Shaken at first by this unwanted attention, Zibreski eventually gathered himself and did not succumb to the temptation. Instead, he demanded of the devils: "Why have you brought us here?" and "What have you done with Loranna?!" After an intense battle, the devilish minions were defeated, and the Aspect disappeared into a nearby wall. Obviously, the 'appearance' of Curavar had been a ruse by the devil to lure the party here, as Curavar was nowhere to be found.

After a short rest, the adventurers returned to the Green Tankard, but before they could enter, they were accosted once again by the Aspect of Dispater. This time he spoke aloud, complementing Zibreski on his loyalty to his companions, and attempting to cajole him and the rest of the party into serving the lords of Hell. They refused, and more devils appeared and attacked. After a fierce skirmish, the adventurers vanquished the devils. Toward the end of the battle, Zibreski stared intently at the arch-devil for long moments, as if weighing his choices, and finally exclaimed, "I will not serve you!" and disappeared (he fey stepped inside the tavern).

After the battle, the other members of the party were confused and suspicious, and pressed Zibreski for an explanation. "Who is Loranna? And why is this devil interested in you?" His initial response was "It is personal - I do not wish to speak of it!" Not letting it go that easy, they eventually were able to pry the story from him over a cold glass of sweet elven wine in a dark corner of the Green Tankard...

As they settle into their seats, Eris gives his brother a warning glance, then looks around nervously, making sure no one is near enough to overhear. Slowly twirling the wine glass in his hand, staring through it into the past, Zibreski reluctantly begins to speak, his voice low.

"When I was a student at the Academy of Magic in Evereska, I met a fellow apprentice. Her name was Loranna. We were close, and spent a lot of time together." He takes a sip of wine, then continues. "I soon discovered that she was consorting with a group of decadent noble scions. Looking for some form of entertainment with which to occupy themselves, they had come up with the idea of a 'cult' and claimed to supplicate devils for the sake of their own jests and hedonistic acts. I thought little of it, and even accompanied her to a few of these events. It all seemed harmless. That is, until one day, I arrived late to one of these meetings and found the 'ritual' chamber covered in blood. It appeared that the group had been slaughtered as if by a storm of ravaging claws and fangs. I searched the wreckage, but there was no sign of Loranna." Zibreski pauses for a moment, his eyes unfocused, as if reliving the scene inside his head.

After a long moment, he begins to speak again. "I searched the length and breadth of Evereska, but found none of the members of the group. Determined to discover Loranna's fate, I convinced my brother Eris to accompany me to Loudwater, the last place outside Evereska she visited before her disappearance."

Zibreski takes a long pull on the wine, draining it, and looks up with a concerned expression on his face. "It appears that their false religious rites attracted the attention of some devilish power." He pauses for a moment, staring at the companions intently. "And now that power seems to have taken an interest in me."

After a long moment of silence, Zibreski rises. Taking the half-empty bottle of wine with him, and without another word, he heads for his room, Eris close behind.

Placated but disconcerted, the companions retire for the night.

Rewards: 225 xp each, 102 gp each (combination of gems and coins), potion of healing (claimed by Zibreski)

On the 7th Day of the 1st Month after the Autumn Equinox

On the 7th day of the 1st month after the autumn equinox:The adventurers returned to Loudwater after their foray into the Barrow of the Ogre King. They delivered Shane Quinn's body to the temple, where he was laid to rest. Beorn was bequeathed ownership of Quinn's jewelry store, a modest establishment down the road from Garwan's Curiosities. That evening, they attended the masked ball at Lady Moonfire's estate. It was a lavish affair, culminating with a reenactment of the battle at the wall. The adventurers enjoyed the respite. During the event, the adventurers were approached by Calla Maran, owner of the general store. She asked for their help to stop a protection racket, which was extorting the local storekeepers. Calla and one other, the apothecary Brocia Manks, had resisted. After the festivities, the adventurers retired to their rooms at the Green Tankard. All, that is, except Enoch, who escorted the blacksmith home, and Arymyre, who spent the night in the company of Lady Moonfire.


On the 8th day of the 1st month after the autumn equinox:

After a warm breakfast at the Green Tankard, the adventurers set out to uncover who was behind the protection ring. They spoke with the apothecary, Brocia, who told them to speak with Kyos. Kyos was a shady character that frequented the Fisher's Friend Pub. He had only one eye and one hand. He told them that the tiefling that was demanding protection money worked for a mysterious figure known as the Lady of Shadows. The adventurers decided to follow the tiefling extortioner on his rounds to collect money from the shopkeepers. They eventually followed him to an abandoned tenement in the Narrows. They followed him to an underground hideout where they confronted the Lady of Shadows and defeated her band. They also discovered that the Lady of Shadows was selling slaves to the Zelbross bandits, a clan of snake men. The adventurers found a book with the names and descriptions of the slaves sold, who were mostly children. When they returned to the surface, the townsfolk were very appreciative of their heroics and bestowed upon them a magical gouge as a token of their appreciation.

Rewards: 325 xp each, 22 gp each, 53 sp each, vanguard gouge + 1 (claimed by Eris)