Kingslayer Chronicles

These are the chronicles of the Four Heroes that would become known as the 'Kingslayers of Darkwater' Their tales are full of joy and sadness, mystery and illusion, darkness and light.

## Nollaig 301AU

### Day 1 - Déardaoin trí Nollaig

Three figures arrived at the Crossroads inn, a place in the middle of nowhere that leads to everywhere. This is never a destination, only an anonymous waypoint in the journey to bigger and better things.

The three strangers; Lukazra the half-orc fighter, Freya Hadeshaen the human war wizard and Baelfire Darkstar the tiefling bard, all had arrived with one purpose; to meet the adventurer by the name of Elsa. Elsa was selling a shard of the Shattered Crown of the Nevermore King, an artifact of great and terrible power. Their paths crossed by fate, they all met with Elsa with combined purpose.
The exchange was brief and shocking, for they were set upon by several figures with a likeness of living darkness; jet black skin, jet black eyes, robes of purest black. From their heads were sprouted with horns in a trifecta like a jester's cap. Set upon with blade and magic, the three shard seekers defended themselves, until they realised that the figures, these Dark Jesters, had set a fire in the storeroom of spirits. The would be heroes bested their attackers and escaped the explosion with a second to spare. Elsa gifted the shard that she was eager to sell, desperate to be free of the troublesome artifact.
Lukazra, Baelfire and Freya, in possession of a shard each and now one between them, decided that they were stronger together than acting apart, and so set off on their question to gather the shards of *The Shattered Crown of the Nevermore King.*

### Day 2 - hAoine trí Nollaig

On the road west from the smouldering wreck that used to be the Crossroads Inn to the nearby town of Bailelúibín, the newly formed party encountered the fell ritual of a murderous cult, a bound man tied to their sacrificial altar. Baelfire the bard attempted to use his natural skills of performance and deception to impersonate the demon that the cultists appeared to be summoning, but failed in a most spectacular fashion.
They slew all but one of the cultists, attempting to extract information from the survivor. The slavering maniac only mentioned one coherent piece of information, a moniker of their patron; The Murder King. They unbound the cultists captive, a man called Nathaniel from the nearby town of Bridgewater. Grateful for their helped, he thanked them and offered the hospitality of his home should they ever visit.
The party decided to press on to Bailelúibín where a contact by the name of Pinny the Great apparently had more information on the shards they sought.

### Day 3 - Sathairn trí Nollaig

The heroes arrived in Bailelúibín shortly after dawn to find a small, but bustling town. After making some minor purchases from the local general store, they visited the supposed shard expert wizard, Pinny the Great. The wizard informed them that a gnome collector by the name of Gonabald Trinklewick, who lives at the nearby Gael Manor, possessed a crown shard. Gonabald was currently exhibiting the shard as part of his collection of magical items. The party immediately made haste for the manor, arriving shortly before sunset.
Passing through the manor gates, they found the exhibition in full swing with several pieces on display. The party spoke with Gonabald, who said that there were two things he'd exchange for the shard; coin or the last piece of his elemental core collection. Gonabald explained that he had the cores of earth, water, air and fire elementals, but was adamant that the mythical arcane elemental not only existed, but it's core could be extracted.
He made a deal with the party; the shard in exchange for the core.
While socialising and schmoozing, Baelfire made quite an impression on several of the guests. He got into a conversation with the tiefling mage Desiré, who expressed an interest in the shards as she was a researched on the topic.
Although their conversation was purely cerebral, Baelfire was not to be deterred from his lascivious ways and managed to make a significant impression another guest by the name of Lucinda, after 'rescuing her from a rather tedious conversation with Gonabald. The night fared well for their engagement, for Lucinda and Baelfire secretly disappeared into one of the manor bedrooms were not seen for most of the evening.
The hospitality of Gael Manor was somewhat lacking for a band of three adventurers, so they were forced to sleep in the hay loft around the back of the estate.

### Day 4 - Domhnaigh trí Nollaig

Waking early, although not magnificently rested, the party set off back to Bailelúibín to speak with Pinny about arcane elementals, for their knowledge was somewhat lacking in the subject. On the road, they encountered a trader be attacked by a band of goblins. Seeing off the attackers, the trader identified herself as S'sha, a tailor from Bailelúibín who was on her way back from Caipiteal. She offered the party a ride back to Bailelúibín as small reward for saving her, and promised to aid them however she could in the future.
Arriving back in Bailelúibín ahead of schedule, thanks to S'sha, they spoke with Pinny about what he knew of arcane elementals. Although Pinny's knowledge was lacking, he knew that his protege Candice, a student mage currently studying in Caipiteal, would have access to much more information on the subject. He gave the party a sending stone, allowing them to contact him, and bid them good travels to the city.
Retiring to their accommodation for the night, Freya decided to buy a round of the local speciality; scumble. The potent beverage did not go down well for everyone.
These are the chronicles of the Four Heroes that would become known as the 'Kingslayers of Darkwater' Their tales are full of joy and sadness, mystery and illusion, darkness and light.

### Day 5 - Luain ceithre Nollaig

Waking up with a serious hangover, the party sought out the tailor S'sha in order to buy a cart. She wasn't willing to sell her waggon however, but did offer the group a ride to Caipitael. Along the way, the group was chased by three bandits and in their escape, crashed the waggon. As Freya blacked out, the last to hold onto consciousness, she saw that their attackers were a band of hobgoblins.

### Day 6 - Máirt ceithre Nollaig

Regaining consciousness no more than a day later, the party found themselves bound and hooded in somewhere cool and damp, the floor hard stone. But they were not alone for there was another victim bound with them; the firbolg monk Gráinne Ní Mhaoilchiaráin who had been kidnapped several days before, her unconsciousness much more prolonged. Unified in cause, they escaped with Gráinne's help and made their way through the ruins to which they'd been brought.
Fighting their way through the hobgoblin guards that patrolled the ruins, they discovered that they'd be brought to the site of a Dark Jester ritual involving a captured paladin. It a close and deadly fight, they managed to best the Dark Jesters and their shadow hounds and free the paladin, a dwarf by the name of Andros. He thanked them for their help and explained that he was captured while tracking the Dark Jesters, his quest being to discover the machinations of the cult. He gifted Lukazra a shield as a reward to help him on his knightly quest and led them to the exist of the ruins.
The sun was setting, so the party made camp within the shadow of the ruins, while Andros set off across the plains.

### Day 7 - Céadaoin trí Nollaig

Setting off from their camp at the ruins early, they made Caipiteal by dawn and set about restocking their supplies and seeing what equipment they could procure. Thanks to Baelfire's less than polite manner, the party of now four managed to get themselves barred from the Arcane Shop. But the morning wasn't a complete wash; the found some bargains and managed to track down Candice who was staying at a tavern by the name of 'The Book and Blessing'
Arriving at The Book and Blessing, a tavern run by a tiefling gentleman known only as 'Preacher', they found Candice studying in her room. She was more than happy to help a friend of Pinny and had just the potion in mind for the parties quest to obtain an elemental core. She warned them that the arcane elemental would likely shift in and out of the material plane, so they'd need to bind it to this world. For that, the potion recipe she gave them would help.
Deciding to unburden themselves before carrying on with the day, the party decided to find accommodation. Seeing as coin was short for her, Gráinne decided to stay at the frugally priced Book and Blessing with Candice. Freya, Baelfire and Lukazra decided they wanted somewhere a little more upmarket, so settled on an inn called 'The Jealous Goat', named for its foul tempered hooven mascot. Baelfire negotiated a deal by which if he performed each night, the three could get a rebate on the cost of their stay once they leave.
Setting down their heavy packs, Bael, Freya and Luk met up with Gráinne and found an auction of magical items. Deciding that they might be able to find some tools to deal with the elemental, they attended the auction and procured some interesting items; monastic Fistwraps of the Mountain, the rapier Needle and a Lantern of Revealing.
Deciding that the day was coming to an end, the party retired to their respective inns, following Baelfire's magnificent performance. Roused by the applause he received, Baelfire dragged Gráinne to experience Caipiteal's nightlife. After starting a bar fight, Baelfire and Gráinne became separated...

### Day 8 - Déardaoin ceithre Nollaig

...Gráinne waking up several gold better off, presumably from a successful nights gambling. Baelfire on the other hand woke up somewhere entirely unfamiliar; the bedchamber of one of the lecturers of the Concealed College, belonging to a woman by the name Aoife who seemed quite enamored with him.
Rendezvousing after their various exciting evenings, the party found a notice board detailing several maladies and problems afflicting the citizens of Aldernon. Although they had their potion to brew, the decided to head to Bailelúibín to deal with an ogre problem the townsfolk were suffering. Deciding to expedite their travels, Baelfire bought a cart and a horse by the name of Bellatrix.
Arriving back at Bailelúibín they found the town elders, the ones who posted the message for assistance, less than helpful, simply stating that something big and nasty was attacking people. Determined to collect some coin, the heroes went out and found not an ogre, but a troll! The fight was tough, but they managed to fell the beast and harvest its corpse for various organs for future use.
By then it was already late and the party tired and wounded, so they made camp in the valley where the troll attacked, making plans to travel come the morning.

### Day 9 - hAoine ceithre Nollaig

Returning to Bailelúibín, the party approached the village elders for their reward, presenting the remains of the troll they'd gathered. The elders were far from overflowing with gratitude and their reward was meagre, putting it kindly. Insulted and disenfranchised, the party made to leave the town, but were stopped by S'sha. The tailor had gone round gathering up what rewards the townsfolk could offer, making for a tidy sum. Touched by the kindness that the elders lacked, the party decided to throw a party! A good time was had by all...

### Day 10 - Sathairn ceithre Nollaig

...even if they were feeling somewhat worse for wear come the next morning. And Baelfire couldn't find the troll genitals he'd so deftly extracted! But the party, not unfamiliar with the aftereffects of drink, pressed on. Bael commissioned a design for his wagon from S'sha, which graced the cart come their return to Caipiteal.
The journey to the city was a far from uneventful one; a trio of griffons, presumably aiming to make a meal of Bellatrix, attacked the party. Baelfire was struck down, rendered unconscious by a vicious raking of claws that left scars both physical and mental. But before he was taken out of the fight, he sent one of the griffons fleeing in terror! The other two were quickly dispatched and Gráinne tended to Baelfire's wounds. She then gathered the corpse of one of the griffons, not only to drain its blood for the potion formula Candice had given them, but also with the intent of making a cloak from its hide.
The adventurers made the rest of the journey to Caipiteal with little event; on arrival they delivered some griffon feathers to Candice for the potion, then took the rest of the corpse to a tanners and butchers, getting the hide prepared and making a deal for the meat, Baelfire ever the businessman.
Not wanting to waste light, for they still had much of the day left, they went in search of the second potion component; carrion crawler blood. A brief conversation with the town gravedigger revealed that such a creature often bothered her, so the party captured a boar to use as bait and managed to lure a crawler into an open grave. The killed the hideous beast and drain several pints of blood for the potion.
Feeling tired, sore and filthy, the party made their return to within the city limits and bedded down for the night, with plans for the next day to travel in search of ankhegs.

### Day 11 - Domhnaigh ceithre Nollaig

Have read a flyer asking for help in the town of  Baileriasc, the party realised that they might be able to find the ankhegs that they needed to finish their potion, so the fasten Bellatrix to the cart and left the city. The journey started uneventfully enough, although Baelfire thought he spied the winged shadow of a griffon, fearing he was being stalked by the momma griffon of the two they slew.
As they pushed north, the weather fouled and a blizzard rolled in. The cold wind bit at their skin and cut their vision to scant feet. It was at this point that they spied a light shining through the snowstorm. The party readied themselves for trouble, the light belonged to a wizard of the Concordance Military Alliance, who was seeking out Freya. Without much warning, the wizard threw down a teleportation circle and whisked the party to a military encampment several miles away.
On arriving at the camp, Freya was split away from the party from her former senior officers, stating something regarding a debriefing of the Ish Sah Massacre incident. The rest of the party was given food and a warm bed for the night, with the promise that no harm would come to their comrade.

## Mhífuar 301AU

### Day 12 - Luain amháin Mhífuar

Awoken early by the traditional military reverie, the party was presented with Freya's possessions that the wizard had asked be entrusted to them. The officer, the same wizard who found them, offered to teleport them wherever they needed to go, so the party requested they be delivered to  Baileriasc.
On arriving at the village in a magical flash of light, they immediately sought out shelter in the church run by a dwarf called Tammy. She explained how in  Baileriasc every building was connected by underground tunnels, so the villagers could move around freely during the snowstorms. When the party explained they were here to deal with the ankhegs, Tammy was happy to point them in the direction of Gary, the goliath bartender who had more information.
After gathering information from Gary and doing some preparatory shopping, the party went out to investigate the tunnels and caves where the villages cows sheltered from the snow. They found the sleeping cows in a large chamber, with evidence of where the ankhegs had been taking their prey. Setting a trap, they lured the ankhegs into a side chamber and killed two of them, harvesting their eyes from the corpses.
On returning to the village, Tammy presented them with a small reward, which the party honorably refused, and a bed for the night, which they graciously accepted.

### Day 13 - Máirt amháin Mhífuar

The the last component of the potion gathered, the party bid farewell to Tammy and Gary and the other villagers and prepared to set up back to Caipiteal. They found that the son of the village carpenter, Liam, had outfitted their cart with snow gear and given Bellatrix winter barding to brace her against the freezing Fimbulwinter winds. The party waited a short while until the storm broke to grant them some time to make quick travel, but they were soon surprised by a second storm front. This one wasn't mundane in nature, but instead brought about by a frost giant crossing their path. The party held their breath to avoid a conflict with the giant, and they were fortunate; the frost giant failed to notice them and carried on. Shaken but unperturbed, the party pushed on through the snow and made it to Caipiteal before nightfall. Cold and shaken, they retired to the inns that they still had outstanding credit with.

### Day 14 - Céadaoin amháin Mhífuar

The party went to deliver the ankheg eyes to Candice, but found she was out at lectures. Deciding to make use of the time until she returned, the three set about completing errands. Gráinne collected her griffon pelt and delivered it to a tailor to have it sewn into a cape. Baelfire picked up some finery he'd commissioned, as well as his cut of griffon meat profits from the butcher.
Returning to the Book and Blessing, they found Candice had returned, so they presented her with the last ingredient and she immediately set about concocting the potion. Thanks to the quality of ingredients delivered, she was able to brew a strong potion which she gave to the party along with explicit instructions on how to use it.
Seeing this as their last chance to make preparations before facing the arcane elemental, the party visited a second auction, this one being held by the mysterious figure in black they'd encountered previously; Alphons Twilit. The auction went well for the party and they managed to obtain several useful pieces of equipment.
Returning to the Book and Blessing before nightfall, they spoke once more with Candice about what she knew of arcane elementals. She wasn't able to provide exhaustive information, but did warn the party of some hazards they may face.

### Day 15 - Déardaoin amháin Mhífuar

The party gathered their gear and loaded it onto the cart early in the morning, although they were unable to find Candice to thank her
before they left. Making their way through East Highgate, Gráinne collecting
her new griffon hide cloak on the way, they were met with Candice who was
waiting for them. She called Baelfire over and coyly enquired about Gráinne's
romantic attachments, asking Baelfire to pass on a sending stone to the monk,
to which he obliged.

The party arrived at the ruined druid circle where the
arcane elemental was believed to stalk and made their preparations. They daubed
the stones with the potion and closed the trap on the elemental. There was a
ferocious battle against the creature, but with a deadly blow, Gráinne managed
to pluck the core right out of elementals chest as it died. Jubilant and
overjoyed at obtaining their prize, they first returned to Caipiteal to allow
Candice to measure and record the details of the core, as they had once
promised.

Most of the party had retired to their bed chambers at the Jealous Goat when Candice invited Gráinne out to one of the bars that the
students of the college frequent. Gráinne agreed and, after Candice had a
chance to change, they went out for a night at the bar.

Gráinne wasn't the only one having a surprising evening, for Baelfire found Aoife sat on his bed within his inn room, wearing little more than a coquettish smile...

### Day 16 - hAoine amháin Mhífuar

Waking up the next morning Gráinne heard that Candice was in
an exceptionally good mood, presumably from the previous nights frivolities,
although she couldn't remember why.

Before the party set off to collect their reward from Gael Manor, Baelfire went to get a quote on some newfangled colour printing
services, but was unhappy with the price he was offered. The party made their
way through the bitter snow and arrived at Gael Manor, but found it vastly
different from how they'd left it. The manor estate was battle scarred; the
ornate gates destroyed, the walls pockmarked with blast damage and craters
littering the lawns.

Gonabald explained that only a few days previously, several Dark Jesters had attacked the manor and laid seige. Thanks to the quick
thinking of the head of security, all the staff had been saved. Gonabald had
attempted to get his security chief to safety as well, but the man's life was
lost in the battle, a fact that Gonabald was distraught over.

Deciding that whatever these Dark Jesters were doing must be stopped, Gonabald decided that he would help the party in whatever way he
could, so no more innocents must die. He gave them his crown shard, along with
a generous reward of coins and gems, as well as a Ring of Spell Storing each.

While resting at the manor, Candice contacted Gráinne on her
sending stone, informing her that she had someone in Caipiteal that was in need
of the parties assistance, urgently. Wasting no time to help a friend, the
adventurers set off back to Caipiteal.

On their return to the city, they found Candice consoling a distraught, elderly woman by the name of Bethany, who informed the party that her grandson Edward had gone missing and the 'lights at the castle' were to blame. The party
offered to help the woman and set off to see the boys family; her mother Casandra Malar the blacksmith, and the boys brothers.

### Day 17 - Sathairn amháin Mhífuar

Edwards brother had told the party the previous night that
he'd been hanging around with some 'bad children who played under the bridge'. Arriving at the west bridge, the adventurers found a gang of street children,
all but two of which scattered; the half-elf girl Tameral, and her drow 'sister' Dol'rian, the leaders of the group. Tameral rather confrontation ally demanded payment for
information regarding Edward. The party begrudgingly obliged and the girl told
the party about the gangs foray into the ruins last full moon. They saw several figures in black cloaks and silver marks; but Edward tripped on a stone and the
gang was spotted. They fled, leaving Edward behind, and were chased by three
silver masked figures, one of which stumbled and dropped something, revealing
herself to be a silver haired tiefling with red skin.

The party ventured to where the gang had been chased and
found a silver mask amongst the rubbish in the alley. While investigating the
mask, Lukazra accidentally broke it, so Baelfire decided the best course of
action was to get it repaired as part of a disguise. They commissioned a jewelery
with whom they had past dealings, while also asking about the makers mark on
the mask. They did managed to identify a makers mark belonging to the silversmith Jorfan Chaffinch.

Visiting Jorfan's shop, the party managed to deceive him
into believing they were part of the mysterious silver masked group. They
elicited some useful information; there were thirteen masks commissioned
originally by a half-elf named Eltumil, a fourteenth mask request recently by the tiefling Lady Bellista Saryis. They also discovered the codeword for the group; The Kings Blessing and conned
him into handing over the replacement mask for Lady Saryis. Jorfan told the
group that Eltumil was often found at the Vulgar Warriors Hall, so they set off
to investigate the tavern and see if they could find more information.

Arriving at the Vulgar Warriors Hall, they entered the
decrepit tavern, but it was an ambush. Unseen assailants barred the door and
threw a molotov cocktail through the window. Using his prodigious strength,
Lukazra managed to open the door before they were all consumed by flames, although
the tavern was not as lucky. The burning building behind them, the party found
a trail in the snow leading to and ally and up the side of a building.
Ascending to the rooftops, they found a beautiful view but not much else; their
suspected attacker had covered their tracks well.

Deciding that they should follow up on the lead of Lady
Saryis, they returned to the Book and Blessing to ask Preacher what he knew. He was less than pleased to hear the name, for she had tried to have the tavern torn down for being an 'eyesore'. He gave them directions to her manor, gaudy by his own description. The party arrived at the manor, Baelfire claiming that Lady Saryis would want to see him and his 'help' should wait in the lobby. While Baelfire spoke with Bellista, Gráinne and Lukazra snuck off to explore the manor.

While Baelfire initially proportioned Bellista with business, he changed tact to a more romantic bent once she expressed her disgust about being deceived about his intent. While this was all happening, Lady Saryis' butler Hemsworth discovered that Lukazra and Gráinne were not where he'd left them; they had managed to locate the secret compartment under the stairs where Bellista kept her cultish attire. Thinking on his feet, Baelfire managed to distract Lady Saryis long enough for her to send Hemsworth away and Gráinne and Lukazra managed to sneak back out into the lobby.
Lady Saryis, disgusted with the impudence shown by Baelfire and his 'help', ejected them from her property. While discussing their next tact, Lukazra was struck in the shoulder by a crossbow bolt from an unseen assassin. The party gave chase and caught a halfling by the name of Temperance, who they bound and gagged and snuck back to the inn room via a bag of holding.
Interrogating Temperance, the party discovered that she was a conwoman who had fallen in deadly debt with some deadly people, the same people involved with the missing children. Claiming that she had no desire to kill any of the party, but simply wound them and make it look realistic, her pleas fell on deaf ears. Baelfire bound and gagged her once more and left her to think on her deeds while he slept in Freya's paid but vacant room.

### Day 18 - Domhnaigh amháin Mhífuar

Waking up the next day and checking in on Temperance, Baelfire found an upset and agitated halfling still bound in the room. Promising, while not her freedom, some degree of comfort should she provide information, Temperance explained that one of the individuals with whom she crossed paths with was a merchant dwarf named Dalron Bhelnir, who owned a warehouse in the southeastern quarter of the city.
The party now had three angles of attack; stake out Dalron, investigate the castle ruins and return to Saryis Manor to try and recover some of the cultish artifacts from her secret room. Starting with Dalron, the party observed the dwarf making ready for a meeting later that night, some affair taking place at midnight. Not wanting to be caught on unfamiliar ground, the party swiftly made their way to the castle ruins and reconed the area. A mausoleum to ages past, a mess of shattered stone and tumbled down pillars, the castle ruins have a path cleared through them, carefully and with thought. At the heart of the rubble the party find a large clearing with a blood stained altar at the center. The fate of those children brought here is made abundantly clear, the party sets off with haste to Saryis Manor to recover whatever they can before nightfall.
Arriving around the rear of the manor, Luk, Bael and Grá masqueraded as delivery people for the feast they'd heard Saryis threw at midnight after each of the meetings she went to. While Lukazra distracted the head chef, Gráinne and Baelfire snuck into the secret room and recovered several robes and some dark tomes. Following, they sneaked around the rest of the manor, Baelfire claiming to be needing Gráinne's help finding more clues, but ostensibly trying to steal a present for Aoife, for Aifreann Gheimhridh was drawing close and he had no gift for her. While searching, the duo was almost discovered by Hemsworth, Gráinne panicked and jumped him, knocking him unconscious. Deciding they needed to make a swift exit, the three left the manor, taking the out cold Hemsworth with them.
Interrogating Hemsworth, the group tried to convince him that his mistress was in deep trouble. Caring deeply for his duty to Lady Saryis, he told them that a half-elf had collected her to go to Master Bhelnir's warehouse. Leaving Hemsworth bound with Temperance in Baelfires room, the party decided to try and ambush Bellista, Dalron and Eltumil on their way to the ruins. Giving chase to the carriage as it passed, Baelfire used sleep on the driver, causing them to crash the carriage in the arch of the hall, a tunnel that runs through the Hall of the Caipiteal. Acting swiftly, Baelfire used a Molotov cocktail on the wrecked vehicle, setting light to it before Lukazra could investigate its occupants.
Moving onto the castle, believing Bellista and Dalron to be out of the picture, they found Eltumil and three drow making ready to 'prepare' the space for the meeting of 'The Order'. Dragging the limp body of Edward onto the improvised alter, one of the drow handed a dagger to Eltumil. At this point, the party decided to act and attacked Eltumil and the drow. Besting the shadow magic wielding dark elves and the Eltumil 'troubleshooter', the party whisked Edward to the safety of the shadows while Baelfire impersonated Eltumil. Discovering that Lady Saryis and Dalron Bhelnir had survived, the burned coach being a diversion, Baelfire was able to glean some useful information regarding the presence of several shards; one was believed to be somewhere in the Enlightened Peaks, while another within the ruins of Dum'Kazzarad. There was also talk of sending Dark Jesters to attack Gonabald Trinklewick for his shard, and a party being thrown by one of the member, where a fourth shard would be the center piece attraction.
Waiting for The Order to leave, the party quickly whisked the boy back to his mother, where he could recover fully. She was grateful beyond words, not having much to offer except her gratitude, and promise of her services as a blacksmith come the future. The party warned the mother that the city would not be safe for her and gave her coin for passage to Salannloch Cathair where her brother-in-law lived.
Riding high on their success in rescuing Edward, the party was shocked to find a trail of blood through their inn. The trail led them to the corpse Hemsworth, slumped over the terrified, and still bound, Temperance. Shaking with terror, her gag crusted with vomit and her clothes sweat stained and soiled. Comfort coming from the strangest places, Baelfire found out the events that had transpired; Hemsworth had escaped, then returned hours later, a gaping stab wound in his back. With his dying breath, he told Temperance he'd been betrayed by his mistress, stabbed and left to die.
The party cleaned Temperance up and Baelfire used sleep to give her some rest. Gráinne wrapped up the body of Hemsworth and took it to corpse hauler they had previous dealings with. Giving the gnome a proper burial, the party returned to their rooms, high spirits somewhat diminished.

### Day 19 - Luain dhá Mhífuar

Having left Temperance unbound, Baelfire expected her to have fled. Instead, Gráinne encountered her on the stairs of The Jealous Goat, bringing breakfast as a gesture of burying the hatchet. The con-woman conceded that yes, shooting someone hardly breeds confidence, so she was willing to meet the party halfway. She'd forgive them for the way they treated her and what she was put through, if they'd forgive her for shooting Lukazra in the shoulder. This proposition was met with varying degrees of success, Baelfire being his usual, unwavering, confident self. Lukazra, while willing to forgive, still felt that Temperance had to face the consequences of her actions. Gráinne was more open to forgiving the halfling, and as such was gifted two of Temperance's 'tools of the trade'; a pair of minute seeing glasses and a ring of forged seals. Temperance then decided that maybe her and group should go their separate ways, to which everyone agreed.
The party then split up, gathering information on what they'd overheard the previous night. Candice told Gráinne of the monks of the Enlightened Peaks and it's magnificent library of books and scrolls, although she attempted to conceal her disappointment that Gráinne would be travelling far to the Enlightened Peaks. Baelfire met with Aoife, not just to discuss his newly acquired Ring of Spell Storing and where to sell the valuable elemental core, but also to have some 'quality' time with her. During the conversation, the topic of 'the Prince' arose. Aoife warned him from crossing paths with 'The Crowned Prince of Chaos', a dangerous affiliate of the Dark Jesters not to get involved with. Deciding to diffuse a tense and serious situation, Baelfire presented her with the present he'd 'acquired', a gift she adored.
While all this was happening, Lukazra met once again with Andros the Paladin, who needed their help. He was tracking a dangerous Dark Jester known only as 'Broken Horn',
who was behind the kidnapping of holy men and women that the party had got involved with not long ago. Andros had learned of the location of Broken Horn's current hideout where a ritual was to be held, and had paid mercenaries to harry Broken Horn on his way there, buying time until the party could help. Rendevouzing back at The Jealous Goat to share their information, the party discovered that Kernun, Leshurn Winter King, had paid them a visit and left each of them a gift.

### Day 20 - Máirt dhá Mhífuar

Meeting with Andros come the morn, they made preparations to move on the Dark Jesters den, while the paladin sent word to his sell-swords to allow Broken Horn to proceed unmolested. The party traveled north-east, to the abandoned Knights Keep where they surveyed the ruins before making camp, planning to attack at dawn.

### Day 21 - Céadaoin dhá Mhífuar

Moving on the ruins, the party and Andros sneaked in via a dried up aqueduct. Moving quietly and quickly through the murk and muck, the heroes were ambushed by two horrible monsters of filth and stagnation. In a tough and grueling fight, the three bested the two creatures, while Andros dealt with a third that was attempting to catch the party unawares.

Proceeding deeper into the keep, Lukazra, Baelfire, Gráinne and Andros spied Broken Horn, plus several other Dark Jesters threatening a cleric, demanding she bless a pool of water. Only when they threatened a child captive did she comply. Then things took a bizarre twist; one of the Dark Jesters gutted themselves and poured their entrails into the now holy water. Their body tumbling into the thickening, boiling and bubbling black slime, Broken Horn pushed another captive screaming into the pool, following down the now dead Dark Jesters to the bottom of the dark pool.

Shocked by what they had seen, the party leaped, quite literally, into action, shocking Broken Horn and his retinue. The party engaged him and his lackeys in combat, Baelfire opening with a tactical sleep spell taking three of the six out of the fight. Broken Horns two hulking bodyguards set upon the heroes, but were bested in quick succession. One had their light snuffed out by a neck breaking blow from Gráinne, while the second was beheaded by Lukazra's magically enhanced Glaive. Baelfire laid down a barrage of spells at the leader of the group, Broken Horn himself, but the Dark Jesters was an adept spellcaster himself. Using spells of counter, invisibility and some kind of magical barrier, he was able to rebuff almost all assaults the party made upon him.

The fight raged on, with the young man previous thought dead, drowned in the black ichor, rising as a Dark Jesters and attacking in a rabid fury. With help from Andros, the party managed to slay the last of the minions, but Broken Horn fled through a portal to who knows where. Regrouping, Andros shared his fear; he had discovered the nature of the Dark Jesters activities. The evil worshippers of the Nevermore King used blessed water, desecrated by the flesh of their own, to forcibly convert others into more of their order. With the number of reported abductions of holy figures, the Dark Jesters surely must be trying to build some kind of army. With this information, Andros left, but not before presenting Lukazra with his might dwarven warhammer as acknowledgement of the fighters prowess and work to becoming an true knight.

The priestess used her holy magic to give the shaken child the rest of sleep and gathered him up in her arms, letting the party lead her from the ruins. Riding back with the party, the priestess said her farewells as she took the child back to her order so that they may tend to his needs and seek out his family. The party decided there was no time to waste with the rest of the evening and set out find information about a party being thrown by Duengar Kigir at the warehouse belonging to Dalron Bhelnir. Heading to the docks in the warehouse district dressed as a flamboyant captain and his rag tag crew, they didn't managed to find anything useful from the dock workers, except that the Duengar likes to frequent the Vulgar Warriors Hall. This wasn't good news to the party, as they remembered the last time they were there, resulting in another burned inn. Hoping to find clues nonetheless, they headed back to the inn of foul repute.

Finding exactly what they left, a burned wreck of a building, the adventurers decided to seek out the nearest alternative drinking establishment in hope of finding Duengar there. What they instead found was the business headquarters of Quill the master forger. Giving the wrong password, the party ended up at the unpleasant end of Quills crossbow, but the situation was quickly calmed by Lukazra's might grip, turning the crossbow to kindling. After a short discussion, Quill and the party realized that what at first appeared happenstance was actually providence, and they could be of use to each other. In exchange for taking a faked artifact to a nearby temple and swapping it for the real deal, Quill would use her contacts to set up a series of plans to get into the party and obtain the shard. The party accepted her terms, collected the fake artifact and returned to their inn to make ready for the journey to the temple ruins in the morning.

### Day 22 - Déardaoin dhá Mhífuar

Setting out in the early morning sun, the party had an uneventful journey taking them a little over halfway to the ruins.

### Day 23 - hAoine dhá Mhífuar

Waking early to a beautiful winter sunrise, the party arrived at the concealed entrance to the temple ruins. Descending into the earth, they began exploring the ruins, disarming traps and discovering secret doors. At the center they discovered a might vault door with a message scrawled across "Don't Open Demon Inside".

After further exploration, they discovered the origin of the ominous message and reason for the temple being abandoned and in ruins. Centuries ago, the order that dwelt within the temple accidentally summoned a demon and, unable to bind or banish it, trapped it within the vault. The same vault the party suspected contained the authentic artifact. Undeterred, the party roamed further through the complex and made a surprising discovery. Within one of the chambers they came across a skull enchanted with a Spirit of Air and Intellect. Identifying himself as 'Bob', he shared with the party how he was bound to answer the owner of the skull one question a day completely truthfully and accurately, for he is a being of pure knowledge. And for the low price of granting him his freedom, he would answer a second question.

Introductions were cut short when two flameskulls, failed attempts to create more like Bob, attack the party. They were quickly dispatched without much ado, and the party begun planning their attack on the vault. They had many assets at their disposal; a ring of spell storing, a scroll of Magic Circle, and the wisdom of Bob. Using Bob the Skull to identify the creature within the vault, they prepared Magic Circle within the ring of spell storing. Gráinne then used her prodigious speed to run down a secret tunnel and open a rear entrance to the vault. The demon, actually a bone devil, attacked instantly, chasing her down the tunnel. But the party was ready! They trapped the devil within magic circle as it emerged from the tunnel, where Baelfire placed a baleful curse on the devil, rendering it impotent against the parties attacks. Freya placed a burning sphere within the magic circle, making the devils doom inevitable; soon the creature was banished back to the realm from which it came.

The devil bested, the party swapped out the artifact with Quill's fake and then left the ruins, taking a short rest before heading off into the night.

### Day 24 - Sathairn dhá Mhífuar

Making good time and stopping only for a short rest, the party crossed most of the distance from the ruins to Caipiteal, seeing the lights and smoke of the big city on the horizons.

### Day 25 - Domhnaigh dhá Mhífuar

Arriving at the city gates just before dawn, the party made their way to Quill's tavern to hand over the artifact and discuss the plans she'd concocted. She had three options; ambush the convoy to the party, sneak in and steal the shard covertly, or cause a disturbance and leave with the shard on the escape wagon. Deciding that no plan survives contact with the enemy, the heroes decided to ensure they had multiple options available.

While Freya, Lukazra and Baelfire were talking with Quill, Gráinne spoke with a couple who's son was believed to be missing. Having recently moved to Bridgewater with his girlfriend, the couple hadn't received any letters from him in weeks. The party recognized the name of the town, they had rescued a man by the name Nathaniel who claimed to hail from Bridgewater.

Electing to gather information, the adventurers set out to scope the warehouse where the shard was currently being stored and found it very heavily guarded. A frontal, or sideways, or rewards attack, would be out of the question. Speaking with Quill again, they asked her to acquire some invites should they decide to enter the party. They then return to The Jealous Goat to rest for the night.

### Day 26 - Luain trí Mhífuar

After a good nights rest, our four intrepid heroes set out looking to prepare for the heist. Baelfire inquired with Candice about spell scrolls, then they set out to visit the city alchemist. What they instead found was an empty lab and an angry landlord 500gp out of pocket. She told them that if they settled the debt on the basement, they could have it, she was done with property management.

The alchemist proving a dud, the party then set forth to scout the sewer access route Quill had given them. Exploring the rancid tunnels that make up Caipiteal's 'undercity', Baelfire was attacked by a hideous roper which lashed out at the group. They bested it in short order, before clashing with some ravenous gnolls. On their travels, they met a distressed flesh golem who attacked the group before being placated by Baelfire, who named the beast 'Igor'

Eventually reaching the warehouse exist, Bael scoped out where the party would be held, discerning the layout and setup. Afterwards they doubled back through the sewers, then back to The Jealous Goat where the loot from the sewers was divvied up, a small fortune of coins and gems each.

### Day 27 - Máirt trí Mhífuar

Waking up with five days until the party, but Quill still working on the fake invites, Baelfire and Lukazra set out to complete some contracts while Gráinne and Freya did some research work.

Arriving at the notice board, they found a series of jobs available, including one for the city watch Captain Riddick who needed a pair of hobgoblin attackers dealt with before they could bring reinforcements to attack the city. The duo of the half-orc and the tiefling ran down the two hobgoblins and slew them in brutal combat, before returning triumphantly to the city and collecting their reward. They even managed to turn in one of the hobgoblins for interrogation with the watch.

### Day 28 - Céadaoin trí Mhífuar

Using their combined wealth, the party returned to the woman selling her basement cum alchemy laboratory and handed over the 500 gold pieces needed to settle her debts. They now owned their first property! They then decided that they needed outfits for the party. After some browsing and haggling, the party ended up with the following outfits:

* Freya : A slinky black dress, sleeveless was elbow length black gloves, finished off with a silver and black lace mask that created the effect of glittering stars.

* Gráinne: A blouse and fitted pants with knee high brown leather boots. Her mask was carved into the likeness of an eagle from a single piece of teak which, when worn with her griffin cloak, created the illusion that the beasts head and the mask were one piece

* Lukazra : Wearing his usual smart attire, Lukazra purchased a gold plated mask of a lion roaring.

* Baelfire : In possession of an exceptional wardrobe already, he only needed a mask, so he crafted his own bespoke, bone white half mask.

Following the shopping spree, the party then ventured back down into the sewers by the cover of night and brought Igor to the alchemy lab, which went surprisingly well and the flesh golem settled as well as can be expected into his new abode. The party then retired for the night, ready for another day of heist preparation.

### Day 29 - Déardaoin trí Mhífuar

Still heady from entering the property market, the party made a brief look into purchasing a tavern by the name of The Grim Fandango but decided it best to complete their current mission first. After a fruitful visit to the arcane shop to purchase some scrolls, as well as acquiring a few more from Candice, the party returned to the Mouse and Locket to meet up with Quill and pick up the invites. Unfortunately, this meeting did not go smoothly.

Quill handed over the invites and debriefed the party on their preparations. She despaired when she discovered that adventurers had done no preparations for the ambush, yet were planning on using that as their main plan. She tried to convince them to go directly to the party, for which they were much better prepared for, but Baelfire brushed aside her concerns in his typical cocky fashion. Her temper rising at the worrying prospect of the heist going belly up, and Quill making an enemy of Duengar, asked the party to leave so she could compose herself. Baelfire refused, instead asking 'what she thought of his mask'. She reiterated her point that the party needed to leave, to which Baelfire responded the same. Taking this refusal to leave her tavern as a threat against her and a questioning of authority, she drew a hand crossbow from under the bar and leveled it squarely at Baelfire. He called her bluff and as his reward, received a bolt through the foot. The party took that as the best time to leave, although Baelfire did manage to get one quick quip off at the enraged and shaken Quill.

Returning to The Jealous Goat, the party charged their rings of spell storing and rested for the night; tomorrow they'd be going to a party.

### Day 30 - hAoine trí Mhífuar

Today was the day, the party this evening. Our adventurers spent the morning resting and preparing themselves, before heading down to the party fashionably late.

Getting in with no problem, they found the soiree in full swing, wine flowing and music permeating the air. Gráinne and Lukazra tried to dance inconspicuously up to the stage where the shard was being displayed, but unfortunately their ballroom skills were lacking and they drew attention to themselves. Fortunately for them, Bael and Freya had their back.

Freya identified a couple that appeared to be arguing on the sidelines of the dance floor and pointed them out Baelfire ; an emotive half-elf and his cold, stoic elven husband. Baelfire sauntered over and asked the half-elf for a dance, while Freya sidled up to the elf to fan the flames of jealousy. In a dance routine that would be described by spectators after the party as 'intense','sensational', 'erotic' and 'possibly illegal, I couldn't be sure, but I know I couldn't stop watching', Baelfire engaged in fully clothed dance floor coitus with the half-elf, leaving him flustered and obviously aroused. This elicited the desired response and his husband stormed across the floor and struck Baelfire to the ground with a single, passion driven punch.

While this furor was going on, Gráinne and Lukazra had managed to sneak onto the stage without being spotted, and arms reach from the shard. Taking advantage of the guards moving to break up the fight on the dance floor, Gráinne made her move for the shard, but was spotted at the very last second. Shard in hand, she ran and leaped through the massive stained glass window beyond the stage, Lukazra following on her heels. Freya saw the escape plan and dashed through the now fleeing crowd as the guards closed in. She too leaped out the window and into the night.

Never a follower, Baelfire ran for the main entrance, slipping between a pair of guards, and pursued the elf that had struck him. In a shocking subversion of expectation, rather than striking the elf back, he instead offered him his company for the night. The elf, flattered, thanked him for the offer, but was fiercely loyal to his husband. He also told Baelfire, as-matter-of-factly, that if he ever saw the tiefling bard near his husband, he'd slit Baelfire's throat and watch him drown in his blood.

Escaping under the cover of night, the party rendezvoused back at the alchemy lab to plan their next move, having acquired their third shard, bringing their total to six!

### Day 31 - Sathairn trí Mhífuar

After rendezvousing back at the alchemy lab, the party was shortly met by Quill. Eager to know if the job was a success (and if her life was on the line), she'd had the group followed. Relieved at their victory, she advised the four that it was best they made themselves scarce, for Duengar had put a price on their head within the city. Heeding he advice, and accepting her offer to have one of her people drive them out of the city under cover of darkness, they made ready to leave.

Quill approaching Baelfire with an apology; she had been rash and angry when she shot him in the foot, but explained how her life had led her to show little weakness and her tavern was the one place she felt safe and at home. His behaviour threatened her and she held no truck with threats. But she was wrong to have injured him, and so to make up for it, she revealed she had an apprentice alchemist who needed a place to work and stay. In exchange for letting her work in the lab the party owned, the apprentice would split some of the profits and excess potions with the group on their return to the city. Baelfire and the others agreed, with Quill offering to handle the money side of things.

Matters laid to rest, the party snuck into their wagon and were rode out of town under veil of darkness. The nights activities and the blanket of night claimed them, and they slept the sleep of victors.

### Day 32 - Domhmnaigh trí Mhífuar

Woke by their driver, he informed them that they were clear of the city and prying eyes, so he would be leaving them.

At the reigns once more, the adventurers set off to investigate a haunting of Candor Manor at Gaothfuar.

### Day 33 - Luain ceithre Mhífuar

The excitement (or perhaps the food) caught up with Freya, and she was rendered prone by a terrible case of food poisoning, taking her out of any action.

After their previous uneventful day of travelling across the snow central plains, the peace was shattered by a flock of cockatrice. One such beast, known for its petrifying bite, swooped at the party, spooking Baelfire. A fight ensued, but the three were victorious against the beasts.

### Day 34 - Máirt ceithre Mhífuar

Arriving at Gaothfuar a few hours after dawn, the group made a strong and sudden impression on Garry the town innkeeper. Patching up what was initially a rough introduction, they set off to the manor to meet Lord Liam Bernard Candor. At this point, Freya was feeling much more recovered from her sickness and rejoined the group, although she had experienced terrible dreams of blood, violence and haunting imagery that shook her to her core.

At Candor Manor, they spoke to the Lord who told them sincerely that a hideous spectre, taking on the form of his wife who had killed herself a few weeks previous, was haunting the upper floors and terrifying him night after night. The party set about investigating the spooky goings on, using the deceased womans beloved dresser in a ritual to summon the spirit.

Baelfire managed to draw the phantoms attention, but was almost toppled from a window by a ghostly illusion, were it not for the intervention of Gráinne. After further interactions with the ghost, the party was shown a tell-tale vision; Lord Candor in bed with another woman, and Lady Clara Candor throwing herself from the window in grief at the betrayal.

The party confronted Lord Candor with this truth, who confessed to its veracity. He tried to explain himself, stating that if it was known he was an adulterer, he'd forfeit the money that had passed from his wife to him, a large sum of inheritance she had received shortly before her death. The party were unsympathetic, and convinced Lord Candor through force to apologise to the spirit of his wife. It soon however became clear this is not what the spirit demand in order to rest, so Baelfire instead compelled Lord Candor to confess his transgressions before the village, unburdening himself (in detail) of his infidelities. Wanting spare him eight hours of confessional, Lukazra slipped Lord Candor a shot of scumble which promptly knocked him out cold.

The party returned to the manor and Lukazra was met by the peaceful spirit of Lady Candor, who presented him with a jewel encrusted ring that once belonged to her mother.

The group decided to bed down in one of the manors many bedrooms for the night, ready to see what the morning brought.

### Day 35 - Céadaoin ceithre Mhífuar

At dawn, the four took their leave of Candor Manor and Gaothfuar, but not before they found the sleeping Lord Candor face down in a puddle of his own drool. As punishment for violating the sanctity of marriage, something she held dear, Gráinne broke his nose, and Baelfire magically branded him a cheater.

Deciding to meet up with Pinny before heading on the investigate what was going on Bridgewater, the adventurers set of for Bailelúibín, making sure to skirt around Caipiteal as so not to draw any undue attention

### Day 36 - Déardaoin ceithre Mhífuar

While travelling, Lukazra decided to ask Bob the Skull, much to the group's surprise, about the fierce itching in his arm he'd been experiencing. Bob replied cryptically as ever:

*The Blessing of the King will see ye ill*

*For flesh ruled such has no will*

This message sent chills down the parties spines, and worried Lukazra to no end.

### Day 37 - hAoine ceithre Mhífuar

During another uneventful day of travel, Gráinne asked Bob the Skull a question in secret, hiding his response from the others.

### Day 38 - Sathairn ceithre Mhífuar

Baelfire took the opportunity to ask Bob of the 'Malevolent Machine' Lukazra had mentioned in passing. Bob informed Bael that such a machine resided at the heart of the Necrospire of the Dreadlich, driving the infernal palaces machinations and raising it's undead armies. This perplexed Lukazra, as this didn't sound anything like what he was thinking of.

### Day 39 - Domhnaigh ceithre Mhífuar

Troubled by Bob's earlier answer, and still several days ahead of them, Lukazra asked more about how to remove 'the blessing of the king'. Once again, Bob's answer was as cryptic as it was menacing

*To lift that which the king have given,*

*There are paths three.*

*A deal with three unbidden,*

*Or faith will set ye free.*

*Or if this alludes you,*

*You must cut the branch from the tree.*

## Eanáir 301AU

### Day 40 - Luain amháin Eanáir

The party once again made use of Bob's unending knowledge, asking him of the location of the shards:

*In a realm beyond,*

*A druid's woe.*

*Dwarven ruins,*

*Evil lurks below.*

*A town's dark mirror,*

*In cruelty wallows.*

*Capricious flames,*

*Within mountain hollow.*

*Beneath salty tomb,*

*An alien foe.*

*Above a mindless army,*

*Death doth sow*

### Day 41 - Máirt amháin Eanáir

Arriving at Bailelúibín, the party went straight to see Pinny and share with him all their shards and knowledge. He gave them many clues as to the locations of further shards; specifically the Fall of Dum'Kazarrad and secrets of the Monks of Fort Eolas. The party also asked him about 'the blessing of the king', hoping he'd be able to help with what bothered Lukazra.

As they left Bailelúibín, the group decided to ask one more question, this time about the fall of Dum'Kazarrad:

*The King below with the greedy soul,*

*Found that unchanging but changes all.*

*Devourer of minds took its toll,*

*And the city under did fall.*

### Day 42 - Céadaoin amháin Eanáir

At morning, Baelfire took Bob the Skull aside and asked about the Lute and Songbook of Friedrich Quicksilver:

*Search ye far or search ye near*

*You'll find no trace of the two.*

*Unless you follow instructions clear*

*For seek them you do.*

*North past forest, farm and furrow*

*You must go to the feathered mound.*

*Then down away from the sun you'll burrow*

*Forget life, forget light, forget sound.*

*To rescue one, you must do battle*

*With the Beast in the Boiling Bubble.*

*Crost cavern vast, where chain-links rattle*

*It lies past water-spouts double.*

*The other yet remains to be won*

*Underneath inverted ziggurat.*

*That garnered, think not that you're done*

*For now you'll find you are caught.*

*So seek the legacy of silver quick*

*Within the mountain plumed.*

*Choose your path with careful pick*

*Or you'll be surely doomed.*

*I care not, former owners brave*

*What heroes you seek to hire.*

*Though mighty, I'll make each one my slave*

*Or send him to the fire.*

The party travelled for most of the day, before approaching Bridgewater in the late afternoon, as they approached the village, they were greeted by a horrible sight; bonfires and hideous shadows dancing and cavorting. And in the air, the stomach turning stench of burning human flesh...
The party decided the best course of action was to head north to the riverbank and then move undetected to the west-most bridge of the village. This worked well for a few moments, until a shamble of zombies lurched out of the water and attacked. The heroes bested the undead, but decided to steer clear of the murky waters for now.
Reaching the bridge, they began to cross, passing the first house. Inside they heard a whispering plea for help, so decided to investigate. Entering the building, they were set upon by three shadowy forms. Fighting off the shades, the bodies of their assailants boiling away into black smoke, they four decided that caution would best exercised.
Approaching the second house, they found a crazed man with staff and dagger terrorising a family. Lukazra and Gráinne leapt through the window in dramatic fashion and set upon the man, who was some form of oceanic magic user. Summoning tentacles of black water, he broke Gráinne's grapple and almost bested her, but with the help of Freya and Baelfire, she was saved. Baelfire rushed the family outside before joining the fray and helping slay the kraken priest.
Baelfire entered the third house alone, finding the room covered in obnoxious yellow paint. While examining the room for secrets, he discovered that it was not in fact paint, but a Yochlol demon. The slimy, putrid demon seized control of Baelfires mind and dominated him into luring the party inside. Turning his magic against his friends, the other three had a touch fight; trying to slay the demon without harming Baelfire. Eventually their assault broke the beasts hold on Bael and he enacted swift revenge on the creature.
Battered and bruised, the party tended to their wounds as Baelfire spotted a hulking demon stride past. Trying to get a closer look through the window, he was almost spotted, but the creature carried on...

### Day 43 - Déardaoin amháin Eanáir

As midnight rolled around, the group finished tending to their wounds and patching their injuries. Baelfire, who was still keep vigilant watch by the window, overheard two fanatics discussing their horrid plans for some captives. Deciding that more information was needed, the group set a trap; Lukazra, Freya and Gráinne hid either side of the door while Baelfire stool opposite and used his minor illusion to bait the cultists into the room. Springing the trap with clockwork precision, the heroes captures a woman and a man who shared, with some encouragement, some information. Events in the village were being lead by Nathaniel, the vessel of 'The Murder King', a foe the party were already aware of. Additionally, and more pressingly, there was a barn filled with innocents that was set to be burned down, killing all inside.

Deciding to act quickly, Gráinne used her shadow monk training to hide the party from prying eyes and they made their way to the barn. Spotting two cards, Gráinne shadow walked to the top of the roof, while Baelfire snuck around the south side of the building. Using his prestidigitation to make a signal, Gráinne lept down and crushed the right guard while Baelfire silently slipped a blade between the ribs and into the heart of the other. Opening the barn doors, the party freed the villagers and guided them in the direction of a nearby copse. One of the villagers told the party that her wife and young boy had been taken to the church for Nathaniel's 'games' and could the party please save them?

Not willing to let another innocent perish, the party dashed to the eight sided building that once was a church, now a monument to the evil and profane. Spying through a window, they saw Nathaniel, naked and slick with blood, sat atop a throne of flesh. A group of his minions formed a circle around the taken woman and child, while Nathaniel explained his 'game'. Either the two would fight to the quick death, last one standing, or they both would die a slow, painful death and then be allowed to become 'the blessed'.

While Nathaniel was giving his speech, Baelfire reached inside his mind with one of his bardic spells and disrupted his concentration. But what the four didn't expect was that Nathaniel would recognise the voice in his head. This when it dawned on the group; Nate, aka Nathaniel aka The Murder King was man the party had saved all those months ago was behind everything going on! Ordering his minions out of the church to search for the party, Nathaniel strode towards the two villagers with the intent to snuff out their lives, but before he could, Gráinne shadow stepped into the church and grappled with him, pummeling him into oblivion. Baelfire and Lukazra, Bael unleashing another psychic assault, killing Nathaniel. But this seemed to be what the murderous ring leader wanted; as his corpse laughed, it's flesh ripped open and a hulking, ape like demon tore it's way into the material world!

Gráinne was thrown to the ground as the massive demon erupted into the world, so Freya unleashed a binding Slow spell as Lukazra and Baelfire sprung into action, attempting to save Gráinne from the beast bearing down on her, pinning her against the far wall. Seeing his friend in dire trouble, Lukazra unleashed the power of the Haste spell stored within his ring of spell storing. Lightning crackling over his armour, Lukrazra speed across the church and unleashed a massive flurry of blows faster than any eye could see, inflicting a barrage of wounds on the demon. Bloodied and struggling to maintain its physical form, Gráinne unleashed a single, glowing blow and dispelled the demon back to the nine hells. The oppressive air hanging over the village immediately lifted as day began to dawn over Bridgewater.

Seeking out the villages in the copse, the party informed them that it was now safe for them to return. The woman whose wife the party had saved thanked them profusely and explained how now would be a time of healing and rebuilding for the village. Deciding to help, the four adventurers made a donation of gold to help rebuild the church and Baelfire made a suggestion; to set behind them the dark legacy of recent events, the village should be renamed. His suggestion? 'Bridgewater'! The villagers loved the idea and so Bridgewater died and Bael water was born! The woman gave the party directions to nearest two towns where they could restock and rest properly, the party setting their sights on the town of Báile Caillte Harbour, travelling overnight.

### Day 44 - hAoine amháin Eanáir

Arriving at the quaint and beautiful harbour town, the party immediately made their way to the inn. But something was off, people seemed to be avoiding them and the moment they entered the inn, everyone left, fled even. As they briefly spoke with the seemingly terrified inn keeper, a voice boomed outside "Notice to those inside! Come out with your arms raised! We have you surrounded!" Deciding to comply, the group was met by the sight of half a dozen towns watch armed with crossbows and four times that number of angry and fearful looking townsfolk. The obvious commander of the watch, a tall and muscular goliath woman, stepped forward and explained that Gráinne was under town arrest for murder! The party was forced to watch as one of their number was carted off in the back of a watch wagon...

Having spoke to Captain Gaukia Keenworker Nugaligane, a goliath woman original from Dum’Dachaigh Ùr, she informs the party that while she can't discuss the case of the murders directly, if they returned with an order from the Head of the Guild of Merchants and Shipwrights, she might be able to help them. The party asks who this Guild Head is, to which Gaukia replies it's Ossian Portman at Portman Manor. This proves to be fortuitous news for the trio, as they know Portman is seeking help with a monster problem, and this may prove to be the leverage they need to help get Gráinne liberated.

Arriving at Portman Manor, Freya, Baelfire and Lukazra speak with the guild head, who explains that a hideous monster has moved into the old historians house up the coast. Ossian had planned to turn the house into a librarian for the townsfolk, but was turned back by the fiercesome beast. Gathering the details from Ossian, the party carefully make their way up the coast to the old historians house.

Arriving at the dilapidated house, they peer through the windows and see it is a terrible state of disrepair. They also spy a large shadow moving through the rooms of the manor, prompting the party to move cautiously. Deciding that stealth is the best plan, Baelfire robes himself in invisibility and sneaks into the house, while Freya and Lukazra waited outside. The moment Baelfire entered the property, the beast, which turned out to be a nothic, immediately began to sense him and cornered him in the hall. The trio chose to treat with the nothic, who offered them a deal; the nothic is an eater of secrets and will give them the secret of Ossian Portman in exchange for a secret each from them. Accepting to deal, the nothic plucked a secret from each of their minds, then gave them the following revelation;

*Many months prior, Ossian Portman came to the nothic, seeking a dark secret on his rival for control of the guild. In exchange for learning that the current guild head had embezzled large amounts of funds, Ossian offered up his deepest, darkest secret. As his mother lay dying, he refused to call for a cleric or doctor to ease her mighty pain, fearing to waste a single coin of his inheritance. Sharing this secret with the nothic burdens and worries Ossian, and has driven him to hire heroes to kill the nothic*

Having learned the truth their employer, the party retreat outside and try to formulate a plan. Knowing that if a nothic holds a secret of yours, it has power over you, the party decided to share with each other what the nothic plucked from you in hopes of weakening its hold over them.

*Baelfire tells the story of the love letter he carries with him day and night, from a love long lost. They loved each other fiercely as youths, but she knew not his need to wander the world. She begged him to stay in their home city, but Baelfire felt the call of the world and left behind his home city, and young love. But he thinks back to his first love to this day*

*Lukazra revealed a singular secret; he is not an only child. He had a twin sister Leiazra, who when their parents separated, went off with their orc father to learn the orcish ways, while Lukazra went with their human mother. To this day, Lukazra wonders, and worries, what happened to his twin.*

*Freya spoke in hushed words of the massacre of Ish Sah Valley, of her failing as a soldier, as a protector of innocents, and as a defender against evil. She spoke of witnessing the death of hundreds of dragonborn at the hand of a cruel and selfish general and her former commanding officer.*

Having shared this moment, the party decided to try their luck against the nothic and charged into battle. Freya set an explosive glyph of warding across the doorway as Lukazra strode into flanking positions. Lukazra rained blow after blow down on the nothic, and while Freya positioned her self and set ready the trap. With a mighty magical spell, she cast a gust of wind blowing the nothic straight out the door and over the glyph, which promptly exploded, killing the nothic. Unfortunately, Baelfire was also caught in the blast and badly wounded, but did not fall, not today.

The nothic dead, they collected their proof for Ossian and set back to his manor. The party also knew that in addition to their reward of coin and favour, they'd also had a secret of Ossian's which they can potentially leverage against Ossian. Arriving at Ossian's manor, they collected their reward, as well as a writ of evidentiary access, which would allow the group to effectively investigate the charges leveled against Gráinne. Collecting their coin and the writ, the party returned to the tavern and set down for the night.

### Day 45 - Sathairn amháin Eanáir

Waking the next day and decided that Gráinne has spent long enough in jail, the party set about freeing her of her (hopefully) false accusations. While Lukazra and Baelfire set out with the writ from Ossian, Freya hit the books, consulting the various legal tombs found in the town hall. Arriving at 'The Cave', the local name for the Baille Caillte watch house, the party spoke with Captain Nugaligane who, on seeing the writ from Ossian, gave them access to the evidence of the case, as well as releasing Gráinne into their custody. Nugaligane revealed to the party that she *knew* Gráinne was innocent of the crimes, but had to arrest her for the sake of keeping the public peace; she feared the crowd would have tried to take matters into their own hands.

Investigating the crime with the help of one of the watch officers, the party explored the details of the murder. A family; mother, father and daughter, we all killed around the mother's ship, the Fairweather Friend. The cause of death was familiar to Gráinne; the use of dark ki arts to kill or stun the victims. After speaking with the eye witnesses, and discovering a footprint at the scene, it became clear that while the murderer was a firbolg, it wasn't Gráinne. Getting the watch officer to sign of on this exonerating evidence, they approached Captain Nugaligane with their proof. TheCaptain Nugaligane concurred with the party, releasing Gráinne of all charges. She also provided the group with a writ of alibi for two months, giving Gráinne safe passage within the nearby towns who had also reported similar murders.

Their friend liberated and the trail leading both north and south, the party decided to set forth up the coast to Falsa City Isle.

### Day 46 - Domhnaigh amháin Eanáir

This day was, thankfully, filled with uneventful travel as the party drew upon the Adhmad Dorcha forest, and the ominous storm that swirled above it.

### Day 47 - Luain dhá Eanáir

After an initially calm days travelling, the party drew up upon the Adhmad Dorcha Forest, and the pass through the heart of the woods. Coming the other way they encountered a battered and beaten trade convoy. The wounded merchants spoke of the forest coming alive, corrupted by the terrible storm and purple lightning that swirls around the tower that has appeared in the forest. Looking in the direction the merchant pointed, the party saw an unnatural column of black-grey clouds swirling angrily, the treetops around it highlighted purple by bolts of unseen lightning.

Venturing into the forest, the party soon felt it close around them, both figuratively and literally. Suddenly a treant, covered in corrupt black vines and bleeding purple sap, attacked the party. Baelfire wreathed the animated tree in flame while the creature unleashed a savage barrage of attacks. The treant threw a massive boulder at Gráinne, but the monk stood her ground, striking back against the thrown rock and smashing it in midair. With a coordinated attack, soon the tree creature was defeated and the forest withdrew, revealing the path ahead and behind, as well as a third path leading to the strange tower at the heart of this mystery.

Entering the tower, they met with the wizard Cuthburt who was trapped within the towers library. He explained that he'd purchased the tower in a far away land of Bailwich and attempted to teleport it home to Ganglish, but something went wrong. The spell failed mid-way through and it triggered the towers security systems. Trapped for weeks, forced to use 'Create Food and Water' endlessly to survive, the claustrophobic Cuthburt offered a deal to the party; deactivate the towers security measures and free him, and he would give them the tower. Cuthburt wanted at this point nothing more than to go home.

The party accepted the offer and set off into the tower, heeding Cuthburt's warning that there'd be three passwords they'd need to find, each with a guardian. In the first room they were attacked by a pair of Gelatinous Cubes, which they bested before finding the first clue:

*“Kings desire me and peasants possess me. I fill a freshly dug hole to the brim. I was there before the beginning and will be there after the end”*

Deciphering the answer to be 'nothing', the party pushed on to the second floor, this time facing a Shield Guardian, who's armor was engraved with the second clue:

*“My first is in mark but not within make. My second and third and both real and fake. My fourth and fifth can both be found where love begins. My final is a question that’s lead many to sins”*

This clue proved more challenging, so the four adventurers decided to reach the third room and see if the third clue provided some context. On the third level the group fought a trio of Poltergeists and discovered the final clue:

*“Lay me down affront the threshold and walk all over me” and “Not His”*

Solving this clue to be 'matters', the four realized the password was 'Nothing really matters'. Confident in their ability to deactivate the security system, the ascended the stairs to the final room; the study of the former owner; Wyzard Wyrd.

Entering the study, they were greeted by the disembodied voice of A.L.M.A, or Almost Living Magical Assistant. She requested the password, which the party provided, and then briefed them on their ownership of the tower and the features within. Freeing Cuthburt, A.L.M.A. then asked the party if they wished for her to use the residual teleportation spell to move the tower to a more permanent position. The party agreed this was a good idea, so after collecting the magical legacy of Wyzard Wyrd, they left the tower so A.L.M.A. could complete the teleportation and relocate the tower to an empty lot in Caipiteal.

Now in possession of their own wizard tower, the group made the choice to take a rest before heading on to Falsa City Isle in the morning.

### Day 48 - Máirt dhá Eanáir

Hitting the road to Falsa City Isle, the party was attacked by a giant crocodile. A combination of Polymorph and an exceptionally powerful hammer strike ended the crocodiles existence, sparing future travelers any possible threat. Reaching the city, the party first collected their reward for killing the treant in the forest, before seeking a tavern to find information on what was happening in the city. Hearing word of 'The Shadow Killer', a murderer troubling the cities poorfolk, the party received a call from Pinny with what proved to ill news. Having completed his research on 'The Blessing of the King', with Lukazra revealing his affliction to the group, Pinny advised seeking help as soon as possible, for the infection would ultimately prove to be fatal if not treated.

Pinny gave them some information on the riddle provided by Bob the Skull; Lukazra's three options were grim at best. Firstly, he could have his arm amputated, a very permanent solution to the problem. The second was to find a cleric or holy person able to lift the affliction. The third was to seek out the Crones of the Coven of the Crooked Shack, a trio of foul and fearful hags that dwelt back within the Adhmad Dorcha forest. Deciding that the cleric was the best bet, they sought the holy man of the poorfolk, a Gregory Chateaux. While Gregory was unable to lift the curse himself, he did tell the players of another who might have the power to do so. The only problem was that this holy person lived on the other side of Aldernon.

Weighing their options to help save Lukazra, deciding that amputation was too harsh a solution and seeking out the Cleric Gregory mentioned would take too long. So they decided to pay a visit to the three Coven of the Crooked Shack deep within the forest.

Setting out across the Iron Bridge and trekking through the forest to the east, they left Bellatrix and wagon on the edge of the Crones bog. Entering the shack, they were met the three hideous Crones of the Coven of the Crooked Shack; Auntie Ethel Knucklebones, Granny Peggy Pigtooth and Rotten Sally Frogward. The three grotesque crones seemed to take delight in the heroes paying them a visit in their time of need and decided they would help Lukazra, but at a cost; Baelfire would have to give the most disgusting of the three, Rotten Sally, a deep and passionate kiss.

Baelfire braced himself and stepped up to the challenge, saving Lukazra from a terrible fate, and paid the price demanded by the crones. It was a foul and fearsome experience for the lothario tiefling, leaving him shaken with a foul taste in the mouth. Honouring their side of the deal, the hags drew out the corruption from Lukazra's arm, a black, tar-like pulsating mass, and cast it into their boiling pot. The party decided to leave promptly, not wanting to pay the price the coven was offering for more of their services.

Returning back to Falsa City, Baelfire immediately sought out strong drink and attractive women to try and rid his mind of the experience, but to little success. After attempting to secure the company of a man for Gráinne, he imbibed too much strong drink and instead ended up procuring the gentleman's service himself, while the rest of the group slept for the night.

### Day 49 - Céadaoin dhá Eanáir

Setting out shortly after dawn, as is the Kingslayers style, the party left the city as the sun glinted off the iron bridge. Although the day started out fair, there were heavy clouds of snow hanging in the distance.

After travelling for a while, they passed through the tiny village of Iaraan, not finding much ware or reason to stay. The party kept their pace, declaring to reach Oighear Cósta as soon as possible

### Day 50 - Déardaoin dhá Eanáir

Travelling through the night, the party expected the sun to rise, but instead were greeted by an impenetrable wall of swirling snow. They had rode directly into an unnaturally fierce snow storm and found themselves hideous lost. Trying to get their bearings, they got turned around more and more, fearing for their lives as the cold begun to take its toll on them and Bellatrix.

Suddenly, fate shone down on them; they spotted a light glowing out in the distance. Heading to the light, they found a beacon, with a second shining off another length away. Following the beacons, they were eventually led to a squat bunker of dwarven construction huddled into the snowy drifts. With the weather threatening to be their tomb, the party knocked on the door of the bunker and were greeted by a pair of dwarves. One of them, speaking a thick Francan accent, rushed to find shelter for Bellatrix, while the other pulled them inside into the warmth of the bunker.

Once inside and sheltered from the freezing winds, the party surveyed the inside of the bunker. The gaze of six slightly perplexed looking dwarves met them, with the one who opened the door introducing herself as Vorrotryd MacReady, commander of Outpost #31, one of the last remaining dwarven outposts still manned since the end of the Draconis Wars. She also introduced her second in command, Jagneac Shatterbelt, the outpost smith Tyshtin Gembreaker, the cook Brommyl Thulrum, and the married combat team Redwynn and Maergwynn Copperhook. Moments later, the Francan speak dwarf returned from stabling Bellatrix and introduced himself as Farmor Hjolman, although everyone knows him just as 'Pierre'.

Introductions aside, Vorrotryd inquired to the party's identity and their purpose in the freezing wastes of this part of the world. Satisfied with the reason they gave, she bade the party stay in the outpost until the storm blows over, explaining that ever since the Frost Giant begun ranging across the Frozen Coast, the ice storms have been deadly cold and, at the very least, Bellatrix would not survive the weather.

Brommyl provided the frozen adventurers with some hot and hearty stew, before they were provided with their choice of space in the common or a hard bunk in the cells. Everyone but Baelfire opted for the common room, while the bard made himself comfortable in one of the cells, sprucing it up with his usual flair.

### Day 51 - hAoine dhá Eanáir

Woken early by Vorrotryd for morning duties, the party was given the tour of the outpost, which was cut short by the sudden arrival of another traveler lost in the ice. The figure identified himself as bounty hunter James Edward Harding. But what was truly shocking for the party was the two charges he dragged chained and shackled behind him; a Dark Jesters, and the conwoman Temperance!

Harding humorlessly explained that he had been pursuing Temperance after a court sanctioned bounty was placed on her, and the Dark Jesters, whom he dismissed as just another strange being of the wild world, obstructed his pursuit, a punishable offence. As such, he was endeavoring to bring them to Caipiteal for justice. Much to the parties objection, Harding convinced Vorrotryd to incarcerate the Dark Jesters in one of the cells, while Temperance would be placed in the escape proof 'dead mans cage'; a collapsible cage suspended above a 150' drop into the hot spring river bellow, assembled in such a way that tampering would cause it to fall apart and plummet into the depths.

The party decided to split into two groups; Baelfire and Gráinne would talk to Temperance while Lukazra and Freya would guard the Dark Jesters. Speaking to Temperance, the air thick with tension from their last meeting, she explained that on discovering the party hadn't killed The Order, she decided that she would need some 'insurance' before fleeing Caipiteal. Breaking into the home of one of The Order, she stole two tomes; The Principles of Haemeomancy and The Initiate Treatise on Raising the Dead, both of which were now in possession of Harding. Temperance told how this prompted one of The Order to use their connections in the Caipiteal Courts to get bounty placed upon her. What she didn't realize was that the Dark Jesters would also come after her, instead with the intent of killing her, and anyone that got in their way in doing so. She was caught up by Harding at the exact same time the Dark Jesters reached her, and Harding arrested both of them.

While this was happening, Lukazra decided that it would be prudent to end the risk that the Dark Jesters posed, and attempted to kill it in its cell using his glaive. Ultimately he was unsuccessful, interrupted before he could finish the job. Baelfire managed to diffuse the situation by revealing that he possessed a crown shard, holding aloft a magically generated fake, and demanded to be able to place it in the safe with the evidence Harding had already locked away. Jagneac granted this request, allowing Baelfire to examine the books, as well as two other items; a strange dagger and a vial of black liquid.

The party approached Vorrotryd and demanded that the Dark Jesters be executed for the threat it posed, using the existence of the shards as proof of their insane followers. Vorrotryd hesitated, not willing to be judge, jury and executioner. Ultimately she asked the party to allow her to sleep on the decision, and she would answer them in the morning, to which they agreed.

After the intensity of the day, everyone was drained emotionally and physically, so decided to retire for the night. Baelfire managed to impress Tyshtin enough to allow him to'share' her bunk for the night.

### Day 52 - Sathairn dhá Eanáir

Waking shortly before dawn, the party was asked by Vorrotryd to assist in relighting one of the beacons, so Freya volunteered to go with Tyshtin and Maergwyn, heading to the store room to gather oil and flint for the job. This was when it was discovered that the safe was wide open and had been raided, the books, dagger and vial missing!

Searching the bunker in secret before the dwarves could discover the empty safe, Gráinne found an empty broken vial in the room of Brommyl, but the cook denied any knowledge of where it came from. The party was inclined to believe him and with sanction of Jagneac, searched the remaining rooms.

Speaking with Pierre about his holy water collection, a known ingredient of the substance required to make more Dark Jesters, the heroes implored him to not make any more for the time being. Pierre, although puzzled, agreed to this request, not completely dismissing the idea of Dark Jesters as Harding and Vorrotryd had.

The party returned to the common area and spoke once again to Temperance. Now out of earshot of Harding, she revealed that she believed she had seen the bounty hunter nicked by the strange danger possessed by the Dark Jesters, and that he could not be trusted. Annoyed that Temperance hadn't told them this sooner, they went in search of Harding, only to find his frozen corpse slumped against an out wall. His throat slit by his own hand, an unknown third party had seemingly drained a large amount of his blood.

Bringing this news to Vorrotryd and Jagneac, the party stressed the danger they were all in, especially that posed by the Dark Jesters, and demanded that it be killed immediately. The outpost commander refused, but the party rushed off to do what needed to be done regardless, only to discover the Dark Jesters was already dead, it's stomach sliced open and guts spilled over the cell floor! Just when it seemed it couldn't get any worse, Pierre came running round the corner. His holy water had been stolen!

The four heroes decided that investigating the hot springs river under the outpost would be a sound action, in case that was where the Dark Jesters were planning to launch their assault on the outpost. Baelfire used feather fall to descend the drop, with the intent to use his cloak of levitation to return. Exploring the humid, alkaline tunnel, he found only water and Bellatrix, the horse grateful to be out of the cold in the small cave at the end of the river, that opened into the hillside.

Returning to the outpost, Baelfire rejoined the party, where they decided to post a guard on the main corridor. Lukazra took the first, uneventful, watch, while Gráinne took the second, with Baelfire to take the third. While on her watch, Gráinne spoke with Redwynn as she left hers and Maergwynn's bunk, apparently the dwarfs snoring causing a problem for her wife. Grabbing a bottle of dwarven brandy, some of which she offered to Gráinne, Redwynn went to speak with her friend Tyshtin. Returning during Baelfire's watch, she left the bottle outside for him to enjoy.

### Day 53 - Domhnaigh dhá Eanáir

Waking up the next day, Vorrotryd informed the group that there was two vital tasks to be performed; the beacon had gone out again and needed to be re-lit, and the parties wagon needed to be dug out of the snow. The party decided the best course of action would be to split into two groups; Gráinne and Baelfire would go with Tyshtin, Pierre and Temperance to relight the beacon, while Freya and Lukazra would stay behind and help move the wagon.

While the beacon team headed off, Freya and Lukazra used magic to grow the half-orc fighter to enormous size and push the wagon, after the dwarves had helped cut it free. After moving the wagon to the hot spring cave with Bellatrix to thaw, they returned to the outpost and tried to keep an eye on the other dwarves, fearing a traitor among their midst.

Meanwhile at the beacon, the team arrived and went to relight it, only to be attacked by a trio of zombies. The party fended off the undead, Baelfire lighting up both the zombies and the beacon with a fireball spell. The flash of light revealed a horde of hundreds of zombies shambling across the ice fields. Throwing another fireball as they retreated, the group fled back to the outpost with the fearful news.

Arriving at the outpost, the beacon team shared what they had seen, rallying the outpost personnel to begin making preparations for the coming siege of undead. Vorrotryd confirmed that based on where the undead were seen, they'd have about eight hours to make ready their preparations. During this time, the party prepared spells, charged spell rings and moved barricades into place. Freya placed explosive glyphs of warding on all the external doors, and as the sun began to set, the zombies drew close.

The air already tense, suddenly Pierre came running out, frothing and raving madly, black foam flecking his lips. Attacking the party and the outpost personnel, Pierre suddenly fell down, his life fleeing his body, whispering the words "She did...she did...she.." to Gráinne, then passed away. As everyone reeled from the shock, the silence was broken by the thudding on the doors and windows. The dead had arrived!

The party, Temperance and the dwarves mounted a stoic defense, repelling the zombies as they tried to breach the outpost. As Brommyl and Vorrotryd pushed back the undead from a breached window in the common room, Brommyl suddenly turned and slashed at Vorrotryd, revealing his treacherous intent, being dragged through the window as a he cackled madly. Vorrotryd was left gravely wounded.

Vorrotryd called for everyone to fall back to the common room and mount a final defense. As the personnel and the party regrouped, Maergwyn was overjoyed to see her wife Redwyn was alive and well, embracing her her. Buy joy turned to shock as Redwyn stabbed her wife, letting her lifeless body slump to the floor and then attacking Lukazra, who was forced to subdue the infected dwarf. The party rallied from this fresh betrayal as Jagneac tended to his commanders wounds, only for the last traitor to reveal themselves. Tyshtin slit Jagneac's throat from behind, then tried to finish Vorrotryd. Baelfire leaped to the commanders rescue and managed to still Tyshtin, no longer acting under his own mind.

With only the party, Temperance and Vorrotryd surviving, the commander declared the outpost lost. They could use the dead mans cage to escape, but someone would have to stay behind to operate the winch, Vorrotryd volunteering due to her grave wounds. Hearing this, Temperance drew her hand crossbows and leveled them at the survivors. Thinking another traitor was revealing themselves, Temperance uncovered a wound Brommyl had inflicted on her with the corrupting dagger. She declared it would be her to stay behind as she would not lose herself to the influence of the Dark Jesters, much to the parties objections. But Temperance would not back down, and the party begrudgingly got into the cage as Temperance lowered them down the shaft to the hot spring, Baelfire firing up a fireball to help clear some of the zombies from attacking Temperance

Descending in the darkness of the shaft, the cage suddenly cage to a shuddering halt, then it was plunged into free fall. Crashing into the ground below, the group struggled along the tunnel to Bellatrix and the wagon, lashing up the horse and making their escape. As they fled across the ice, slipping in and out of consciousness, they saw the outpost burning in the distance.

### Day 54 - Luain trí Eanáir

The party and Vorrotryd traveled unconsciously through the snow, pulled by Bellatrix with unwavering dedication.

### Day 55 - Mairt trí Eanáir

The party awoke in a medical facility in Oighear Cósta, told they were found half frozen and barely alive when their horse collapsed at the city gate. Bellatrix had been taken to a nearby veterinary hospital while the party recovered. Freya had suffered the worst and was still unconscious.

### Day 56 - Céadaoin trí Eanáir

While Freya recovered, Baelfire, Lukazra and Gráinne decided they felt well enough leave the medical facility. Collecting their possessions, they bought some food, including some apples for Bellatrix, who they visited. Their horse was still in a bad shape and recovering.

While talking with a local former adventurer, 'old sam', about the frost giant roaming the lands, the party heard rumors about the the 'Shadow Murders'. They decided to speak with watch captain, who revealed that there had indeed been several strange and suspicious murders in the city, the description of the killer resembling the ones that party had already encounter; that of a male firbolg.

The three heroes decided that tomorrow would be the day they would slay the frost giant, so they settled down for the night.

### Day 57 - Déardaoin trí Eanáir

The party made use of the 'wisdom' of Bob before planning their assault on the frost giant and purchasing their supplies.

### Day 58 - hAoine trí Eanáir

The party set out at dawn with their spells prepared and a trap ready. Old Sam had told the party that the last time he fought a frost giant, the beast had shown an extreme loathing, and weakness to, fire. So the three would-be giant slayers had a wagon full of barrels of lamp oil which they would use for a three-fold trap. First they would light a small fire, the presence of which should incur the wrath of the giant. Next, they would light a ring of oil around the wagon to trap the interloper. Finally, they'd ignite the remaining barrels to inflict massive amounts of fire damage.

The party set the trap and waited, but did not have to wait long. The giant, a hideous, deformed beast, came striding in to extinguish the flame the three had set. Setting the trap and throwing fireballs and magic left and right, the party engaged in deadly combat with the giant, but were victorious! The slew the beast and dragged its head back the city. Placing the gruesome trophy atop a plinth in the town square, they were met with rapturous applause and praise, an impromptu parade breaking out.

The party decided to check on Freya and Bellatrix before setting down for the night. Their friend and their loyal steed still recovering, they decided that they'd likely have to make tracks in the morning. This would turn out to be truer than they could possibly know

### Day 59 - Sathairn trí Eanáir

Leaving a note for Freya explaining where they had gone. The party set out to explore the city and see what they could accomplish before leaving Lukazra managed to find a buyer for his magic sword, who would be in the city to make the exchange on Sathairn amháin Feabhra. Hearing about the 'Coast Liner' service running to Dum’Dachaigh Ùr, the party decided to catch the 'boat'. What they found was not a boat of any kind. Instead they found a magically powered train of carriages running on iron rails all the way along the coast to Dum’Dachaigh Ùr.

Purchasing a set of tickets and some food and drink for the journey, the party boarded the train, the last two of the six carriages set aside for passenger transport. The three settled down for the journey, Lukazra exceptionally uncomfortable with this magical form of transport.

About two-third into the journey, Lukazra noticed a series of booms and looked out the window. He discovered a pack of wyverns being ridden by githyanki, raiders from the astral sea. The raiders appeared to be teleporting along side the train, and it wasn't long before they set upon the carriages.

Lukazra, Baelfire and Gráinne quickly made their way to the roof of the train and engaged with the raiders. Things were going badly, when suddenly there was another booming sound. But instead of another raider, Freya teleported alongside the train, riding a horse at full gallop. She then used her sling ring to teleport atop the train.

The fight was brutal and bloody, but the leader, a githyanki knight, escaped and fled to the head of the train. This is when the group realized that a second wave was attacking the engine, so they made pursuit to the front, but not before Lukazra used his Frost Brand Zweihander to sever the back two carriages, putting the passengers out of harms way.

Sneaking up on the second wave, the three heroes attacked the wyverns who were trying to tear into the cabin, then set to work dispatching the last of the githyanki. Once the attackers had been repelled, the party discovered the driver was dead and slumped over the accelerator, causing the train to speed perilously towards the town at the end of the line. Baelfire used his magical pigment to enter the cabin, discovering the accelerator lever was broken and could not be fixed in time. While he was doing this, Lukazra severed the cargo carriages, two at a time, so they too could safely come to a halt.

Coming to the conclusion that the train would soon be plunging into the bay beyond the end of the tracks, all but Baelfire leapt from the train, the bard instead using polymorph to transform into an owl and fly to safety. Freya and Lukazra were rounded up by the local authorities after the train jumped the rails and plunged into the bay, its magical reactor hissing to its demise in the water.

Speaking with the head of the watch, Freya and Lukazra recounted the events, revealing to the watch captain that his brother, the driver, was dead. Believing the groups account of events, he let them go after getting their sending stone connected so he could contact them later. Realizing they were probably travelling to Dum’Dachaigh Ùr, he offered them a ride on the watch taxi wagon as a thank you for saving the town from a train disaster.

Regrouping with Baelfire and Gráinne, the four adventurers decided to get a nights rest at the The End of Line tavern.

### Day 60 - Domhnaigh trí Eanáir

Awoken early by the watch commander informing them the taxi was about to depart, the party made the three hour journey to Dum’Dachaigh Ùr, arriving at the dwarven capital shortly after dawn. The bustling city was a thrum with industrious life, its citizens going about their work and endeavors. Suspecting that The Shadow Killer might be opperating in the city, Gráinne decided to stay in a small homestead in with a sending stone, while the rest of the party explored the city.

Speaking with Watch Captain Nagala Gravelhammer about the murders, she informed them that yes indeed, there had been a murder that very night prior. Handing the party the case notes from the crime scene, she agreed to let them help in the investigation. The party made their way to the crime scene, finding a gruesome spectacle. Examining an inscription left by the killer, the party asked Bob who wrote it. The spirit of air and intellect gave them the name Tadgh Ní Mhaoilchiaráin. Seeing as the group suspected the killer to be a firbolg, Baelfire sent this name to Gráinne, and waited for her reply if she knew the name.

While waiting for a reply, the group sought out a buyer for the arcane elemental core. Unable to find a seller to purchase it outright, they instead were approached by Chloe Capashen, descendant of the Draconis War hero Gerrard Capashen. Speaking to the party, she explained that she had a business opportunity for the group; the chance to invest in the restoration of the Skyship Weatherlight and become its new owners. Presenting the three with a contract detailing the terms, the party took the document to think on the offer.

Returning to the small tavern where the party was currently residing, Baelfire sat down with Gráinne to discuss her husband. It was at this time that he broke the news to her, that Bob had given Tadhg's name as being the one who scratched the message into the safe. This, combined with the fact that the message was the first line of a lullaby Gráinne and Tadhg would sing to their children, seemed like irrefutable evidence that he was the Shadow Killer, but still she held hope that this wasn't true.

Freya started to pour over the case files and information they'd gathered, seeking some kind of pattern. She was successful; it appeared that the The Shadow Killer was targeting victims with a common thread of behavior and social standing. Using this information, while Baelfire consoled Gráinne, Lukazra set out into the Snow Market to stake out the hub of the city. Watching the people coming and going, the fighter could tell that The Shadow Killer might be still in the city, by the way the people moved and acted. Lukazra staked out the market long through the night, regrouping with the party in the morning.

### Day 61 - Luain ceithre Eanáir

Using the information that Lukazra and Baelfire had gathered, the Kingslayers decided on a plan; they would have Baelfire masquerade as the wealthy character 'Balthazar Aurelian' of the False City Aurelians. Using this carefully established, and completely fictional persona, they managed to build a reputation for 'Balthazar' very quickly. First the group had Balthazar open a patronage account with a tidy down payment, then engaged in some socialization and mingling. The ultimate goal was for Baelfire/Balthazar to register on The Shadow Killer's radar and him come to the party.

Later that evening, Gráinne spoke with Bob in private about the fate of her children. In rare moment of direct candidness, Bob confirmed that her children were indeed dead.

### Day 62 - Máirt ceithre Eanáir

Carrying on with the plan to pass Baelfire off as Balthazar, the group continued to help him flash his money around town. This was ultimately successful and it didn't take long before Balthazar was being invited to various soirees and parties.

Deciding to see if Bob was still feeling direct, the group inquired as to Tadhg's motivation. Returning to his usual, cryptic self, the skull seemed to suggest that Tadhg was on some kind of quest himself, to rid the world of 'a plague' called civilization.

### Day 63 - Céadaoin ceithre Eanáir

Having heard in the morning paper that a Duengar Kigri, Half-Orc Crime Lord had been slain in a gangland killing, and a new crime lord had allegedly taken over, Freya decided to use the sending stones to reach out to the parties contacts in Caipitael to see what she could find out. While the wizard was doing this, the others decided to concoct a new plan.

Lukazra, Baelfire and Gráinne would head to the Snow Market, where the city is busiest, and sing the lullaby that they had found scratched at the crime scene. With Baelfire's and Lukazra's help, Gráinne performed a deeply moving rendition of the lullaby. While it brought the market to a standstill, it failed to draw out Tadhg.

Not to be deterred from tracking down Tadhg, Baelfire used Polymorph to transform Lukazra (willingly) into a mastiff, so the fighter could use the enhanced senses of his new canine form to track any scent of Tadhg. Starting at the crime scene, with a lock of Gráinne's hair to help Lukazra identify firbolg scent, he set off on the trail. Unfortunately this was also unsuccessful; the trail led directly through the bustling Snow Market and directly into a spice stall. Lukazra's enhanced sense of smell was overwhelmed by the pungent spices and the trail was lost.

Having failed twice in one day to track down The Shadow Killer, the party regrouped at the homely inn and decided to rest for the night. They would come up with a new plan in the morning.

### Day 64 - Déardaoin ceithre Eanáir

Speaking with Bob about finding someone who could lead them to Tadgh, he gave them a clue involving a 'house of linen' and a 'golden needle'. Realizing this must refer to a tailor of some kind, they headed directly to the obvious choice; The Gilt and Needle, a high end tailors run by the flamboyant Black Dragonborn Dainty Karl

While Baelfire commissioned Karl for a new shirt, the two talked about the The Shadow Killer. This is when Karl revealed that he'd seen someone suspicious near the crime scene, who seemed to teleport from shadow to shadow. Following this figure, Karl discovered the figure had injured themselves and left some blood behind. Gathering this blood up in a handkerchief, for the purpose of making a ward against The Shadow Killer, Karl was more than happy to give the sample to the heroes if they were planning to track down The Shadow Killer. Finishing up the rough cut of Baelfire's shirt, Karl also improvised a quick sling for Lukazra's Frost Brand Zweihander, before the group set off on their way, blood sample in hand.

Seeking out a mage, they employed the wizard to use the blood sample to perform Scrying on Tadhg. The wizard told them it would take several hours to prepare, so they best return the next day. Heading back to the inn, Gráinne decided to open about her past, and recounted the harrowing tale of the day her village was attacked by the hobgoblin warband with the blood red crescents on their armor, and how the village and everyone in it was burned to the ground in front of her, before she was kidnapped.

### Day 65 - hAoine ceithre Eanáir

Starting the day with a visit to the Potion Store for essential supplies, the party then proceeded to the Arcane Supplies shop in order to complete the ritual of scrying. The wizard at the store reported a vision of a tunnel looking out north over the city in the direction of the coast. There was the sound of roaring water coming from the right and a creaking of metal. Piecing these clues together, the four heroes realized Tadhg was located in a tunnel running next to, and slightly below the water wheel. With this vital clue, they raced off in the direction of the water wheel.

Using no small amount of coercion, they convinced a clerk to give them blueprints of the water wheel, with which they found a tunnel that must be Tadhg's location. They climbed the access pipe up to the tunnel and found Tadhg's hideout. A brief but brutal fight followed, but Tadhg was subdued. Binding and interrogating him, they were unable to get any satisfactory answers, so Lukazra rendered him unconscious. An argument regarding what to do with their captive ensued, Gráinne and Freya electing to hand him over to the watch, prompting Baelfire to storm off in a dramatic sulk.

While the monk and wizard spoke with the watch, Baelfire met with Chloe and finalized the details of the restoration of the Weatherlight. Following this, he headed to the watch house, arriving just in time to overhear Gráinne and Freya telling the commander the details of what had transpired. Baelfire knew Gráinne would regret handing her husband over and denying him the help he needed, so he raced ahead of the watch patrol sent to apprehend The Shadow Killer

Beating them there through a judicial application of his cloak, he masked Lukazra and their captive in invisibility, using Disguise Self to render himself the appearance of a watch officer. When the real watch arrived, he convinced them that their suspect had escaped. Gráinne and Freya arrived moments after the watch left, Gráinne realizing what a mistake she had made, thanking Baelfire profusely for his quick thinking. Polymorphing Tadhg into a rat, they took him to Chloe's warehouse where they stowed the damaged monk in the brig of the Weatherlight, leaving Freya to guard their charge.

### Day 66 - Sathairn ceithre Eanáir

Getting a good nights rest, the three heroes not guarding Tadhg decided to follow up the lead they had on their next shard; the ruins of Dum'Kazzarad. Speaking first with the Master of Patrons with whom Baelfire had prior dealings, then with one of the Forge Elders, they discovered that access to the dwarven ruins would only be granted to those whom had restored the honor of another dwarf.

Seeking a dwarf in need of their honor restoring, they came across a woman by the name of Aranakos. Her brother had sold three precious weapons belonging to her family to a drow, bringing shame on their family and crippling their business. The party set off with Aranakos in search of the entrance to the underdark where her brother had dealt with this drow.

Meeting the drow Izznozz drunk at the entrance to the underdark, the party of four stepped over him and descended into the drow township after learning he had indeed bought they items, only to have them stolen by those he intended to use them on. There they found a cavalcade of cruelty and debauchery. Passing through the 'murder market' under the disguise of two drow and their captives, they encountered a slave auction. Gráinne purchased a trio of slaves to spare them from a cruel and painful life, before the group discovered that one of the weapons was being held by a drow called Urlryn in the tavern 'The Suffering Slave'. Speaking with Urlryn, they found she was willing to wager the spear against a two on two fight in the fighting pits, so Gráinne waged the victory of her 'slaves' Lukazra and Aranakos against the drow woman's.

The fight began and Baelfire used it as a distraction to sneak under the spell of invisibility closer to Urlryn. Lukazra and Aranakos tried to convince their opponents they had no desire to fight and instead intended to stage an uprising. The fight went on, unsatisfyingly to most, while Baelfire drew close to Urlryn and plunged his wrist dagger into the back of her skull, killing her instantly. Propping up the body, he cast the item they had waged, a spear, into the arena while Lukazra crashed into the gates holding back the other slaves. All hell broke loose and along with it, Ser Rad Broseph the Third! The dragonborn paladin had been enslaved and was waiting to fight, but now he would fight for freedom!

Slaves fleeing and drow dying, the party, now including a rearmed Lukazra and Aranakos and the new addition of Ser Rad set off to protect the slaves, when suddenly vials of acidic poison began to rain down. Spying the source, the discovered it was the keep of the second weapon; Drisinil Tanor'Thal. Cornering Drisinil, they killed her and took the helm that she possessed. Before she died, she revealed that the third weapon was being held by the priestess Rilylene Everhep, who had fled to the temple. The party took off to prevent the priestess from reaching the seat of her power where they were able to defeat the evil drow, in the midst of a slave rebellion. Departing the underdark with the lost artifacts, a band of freed slaves and Ser Rad Broseph the Third, they returned to the surface and back to Dum’Dachaigh Ùr, they returned the stolen relics and earned their right to access Dum'Kazzarad.

### Day 67 - Domhnaigh ceithre Eanáir

After making their preparations, the party plus Ser Rad ventured west to Dum'Kazzarad. Along the way, their guide told them of 'The Sorrow' of Dum'Kazzarad and how the city fell before it could truly reach its glory. After an uneventful days travel, the party made camp for the night.

## Feabhra 302AU

### Day 68 - Luain amháin Feabhra

Arriving at Dum'Kazzarad, the party of five met with the guards, who granted them access to the ruined city. Inside, the adventurers encountered a trio of basilisks, Baelfire almost getting petrified in the process. Turning the tables on the basilisks, the creatures fled into an adjacent room, the party in pursuit. But they were met with a shocking discovery; the basilisks themselves had been frozen, by a Beholder calling himself Erergalfri. The party managed to avoid disinteration by making a deal with Erergalfri, agreeing to kill the Beholder Xanathar, who currently is in control of Caipitael's organized crime.

Pushing deeper into the dungeon, the party encountered a terrible wraith that almost killed Freya, but Baelfire saved her by transforming her into a cloaker until the party could defeat the spectre. With the fiend felled, the party ventured back to a safer part of the dungeon to make camp for the night.

### Day 69 - Máirt amháin Feabhra

Ser Rad decided to return south to Caipitael, leaving the four to continue exploring the ruins of Dum'Kazzarad further, the Kingslayers encountered a shield guardian in a room with a booby trapped chandelier. Win the fight and overcoming the trap, they travelled further, until they were attacked by a mimic. The creature, imitating a chest, devoured their bag of holding, but in a twist of fate, didn't destroy it. Instead the mimic and the bag merged into a piece of sentient, living luggage that was homicidally loyal to Baelfire.

Reaching the heart of the ruins, they managed to unlock the main vault, using the pieces of the mechanism they'd found throughout. Inside they discovered the former king of Dum'Kazzarad, and his dark secret. The dwarven lord had been overcome by an illithid mind parasite and driven into a covetous obsession with the crown shard. The party fought, and killed, the mind flayer dwarf and recovered their next piece of the crown.

With the day coming to an end, they returned to the surface, ready to make their way back home.

### Day 70 - Céadaoin amháin Feabhra

After an uneventful journey back to Dum'Durchaigh Ur, the party decided to bed down for the night. But they were shocked to each discover a seemingly hand delivered invite to meet with none other than Xanathar!

### Day 71 - Déardaoin amháin Feabhra

Paying the last part of the Weatherlights restoration costs, the Kingslayers put on a most spectacular launch party, the skyship rising into the air amidst music and fireworks. Laying in their course, they set off for Caipitael in their newly finished vessel.

### Day 72 - hAoine amháin Feabhra

Soaring above the clouds, the crew of the Weatherlight were attacked by a flock of hippogryphs. Baelfire challenged the prime of the flock to a duel, which almost ended in his death. But he was victorious and not only took the mantle of hippogryph prime for himself, but also managed to convince one of the flock to follow the Weatherlight so he could begin training it.

### Day 73 - Sathairn amháin Feabhra

Mooring at the top of their tower in Caipitael, they visited Daisy, their potion brewer, and Igor at the alchemist lab, collection some profits and potions. Purchasing a pair of diamonds from the jewellry store Glitterhalm, Baelfire instilled a resurrection spell in one spell storing ring, in case of emergencies.

Making a teleportation trip to the Concordance headquarters, Freya and Lukazra were shocked to find that all information on aberrations, the species to which beholders belonged, had been purged from the library. Attempting to speak to her old squad-mate 'Can O Worms', her old friend claimed not to know her. Unnerved and questions unanswered, the pair returned to Caipitael.

Deciding to face uncertainty head on, the party decided to meet with the crime boss Xanathar, burning their invites as a signal to be collected. Shortly after a carriage with blacked out windows arrived and took them to a secret location. There, they met with Xanathar, a strangely amicable beholder who made them an offer 'they couldn't refuse'; investigate four strange locations on the beholders behalf and bring him the information. The party accepted the offer, deciding to begin their investigations at the Sunless Citadel.

Returning to the tower, they rested and prepared to make their way south-west to Oakhurst, a village not far from the supposed location of the Sunless Citadel.

### Day 74 - Domhnaigh amháin Feabhra

Travelling south-west, the party had a pleasantly uneventful day soaring above the clouds.

### Day 75 - Luain dhá Feabhra

Gráinne at the helm, the party made good time and settled down just outside of Oakhurst just before sunset. Staying in the Weatherlight overnight, each member of the Kingslayers decided to train up some of the crew in various disciplines.

### Day 76 - Máirt dhá Feabhra

Arriving in Oakhurst shortly after dawn, the party visited the Old Boar Inn, where's the sampled some of the local flavour. Gráinne and Freya spoke with the mayor about the activities going on in and around the Citadel. Meanwhile Baelfire and Lukazra visited the head of the merchant family, her told them that her son and daughter, adventurers, had ventured into the Sunless Citadel but had not returned. She offered a reward for the return of her children, or information of their fate.

Reuniting at the skyship, the party trained up the students before getting some rest for the next day.

### Day 77 - Céadaoin dhá Feabhra

Taking the Weatherlight closer to the ravine, at the bottom of which lies the Sunless Citadel, the Kingslayers set down near the edge of the precipice, they examined the depths. Casting Feather Fall, the party descended gently down.

Landing on a ledge far below, they found a flight of stairs leading down to the floor of the ravine, where the sunken fortress rose out of the dirt and rubble. Pushing inside, the party encounter skeletons and secret chambers. As they moved on, they encountered the kobold Meepo, keeper of the white dragon wyrmling Calcryx. Meepo agreed to assist the party in their venture through the citadel, in exchange for them helping the kobold find the missing wyrmling, having been stolen by the goblins deeper within ruins. Meepo took them to meet with the kobold ruler Yusdrayl. Speaking with the ruler, she granted the party passage through kobold territory to the boarder with goblin lands.

Betrayed by a goblin prisoner purchased from Yusdrayl, the Kingslayers were ambushed by goblins, some of whom were taken prisoner by the party. Using this leverage, the party spoke with the goblin leader, the hobgoblin Durnn. The party found out that Durnn had killed one of the two missing siblings, handing the other over to Belak, the druid in charge of the Citadel. A fight broke out between the party and Durnn, the hobgoblin being slain and the goblins freed of his tyranny. Speaking with the goblins, Baelfire managed to broker the idea of a truce between them and the kobolds. This truce would be cemented with the Pactkeepers Quill, a magical item found deeper within the Citadel. In addition, as a sign of good faith, the heroes had Calcryx returned to Meepo and the kobolds.

The party pushed on to the second level of the Citadel, where they found skeletons tending to strange gardens of wan plants and bioluminescent fungus. Within a rift cut through the ruins, the party found and fought a nest of firewyrms, collecting gems from their burrows.

### Day 78 - Déardaoin dhá Feabhra

Continuing their exploration of the Sunless Citadel, the party found the laboratory of the druid Belak, as well as another garden being tended to by hobgoblins and skeletons. Evading trouble, the party came across a dragon statue that hid two surprises; a secret word that imbued Freya with charismatic power, and a foul shadow spirit. Passing beyond the dragon room, they found the library of Belak, where the Pactkeepers Quill and the Horn of the Unicorn were discovered and added to the groups inventory.

Moving beyond the library, the party encounter goblins infected with a strange, black plant growth, driving them into a mad frenzy. This creatures were guarding the central grove, the Kingslayers moving stealthily through the overgrown ruins. There they found Belak, guarded by the missing paladin Ser Bradford and the other missing sibling Sharwyn. The Kingslayers attacked, besting all three. They then used their healing and ressurection magic to restore Ser Bradford and Sharwyn to health. After settling the peace between the goblins and kobolds, the party returned to the surface and made camp for the night, offering Ser Bradford and Sharwyn a place for the night.

### Day 79 - hAoine dhá Feabhra

Speaking with Ser Bradford in the morning, he declared cryptically that he could no longer 'hear' his sword. Mentioning that his knightly oath was until death, and that moment had come and gone, he gifted the sword to Lukazra and left. Sharwyn asked for a lift back to Oakhurst to see her mother again and bring the sad news of her brother.

Having brought Sharwyn home and collected a small reward, the party set off back to Caipitael.

### Day 80 - Sathairn dhá Feabhra

Soaring above the clouds, the Kingslayers of Darkwater, now also the Peacebringers of the Sunless Citadel, found the journey smooth and uneventful.

### Day 81 - Domhnaigh dhá Feabhra

Arriving in Caipitael and docking at the tower, only to find another four invites from Xanathar waiting for them in their study. Knowing what was in store, they went to meet with the Beholder again. Arriving at his secret lair, he was pleased to hear of the news the party brought, gifting them some small trinkets from his collection. He then offered them further work, the Peacebringers opting to investigate the mysteries of Whiteplume Mountain.

Wanting to waste no time, they returned to the tower, unmoored the Weatherlight and set off for the nearest settlement to Whiteplume Mountain; False Isle City.

### Day 82 - Luain trí Feabhra

A day of clear skies and gentle winds made for a fair journey, taking in the horizon above the clouds. They took the time to ask Bob a question about the nature of the the relics found within the Whiteplume Mountain.

### Day 83 - Máirt trí Feabhra

The crew of the Weatherlight had an encounter with a Long-finned Skywhale, Baelfire using his magic to speak with the majestic beast. Asking Bob another question, they enquired as to what beasts they may fight within the 'Feathered Mound'.

### Day 84 - Céadaoin trí Feabhra

Taking the day to spend some time with his hippogryph, whom he'd named Glamourhook, Baelfire managed to form a bond not just of obedience, but also trust with the beast. Dipping its wing, Glamourhook allowed Baelfire to mount her and take to the skies. For Bob's third question, they asked who was reponsible for the original poem about Whiteplume Mountain. Bob was unusually forthcoming, giving them the name Keraptis, Disciple of Acererak

### Day 85 - Déardaoin trí Feabhra

After a quiet days travel, the party spied False Isle City on the horizon, closing in on the city overnight.

### Day 86 - hAoine trí Feabhra

Reaching the city around noon, the Kingslayers set the Weatherlight down in the bay just on the edge of the city, much to the amazement of the onlookers. Travelling on foot to the city proper, they reached the main area by mid-afternoon, spying out the shops and wares. Baelfire bought a selection of spell scrolls, while Lukazra attempted to locate some genuine adventurers to press for information on Whiteplume Mountain. Unfortunately he was only able to find posers and noble wannabes.

At the arcane store, Lukazra handed over his newly acquired sword for identification, hoping to find out the secrets it held. Secrets that Ser Bradford had failed to reveal. With most of the day and evening gone, the pair collected some jobs from the notice board, then went out carousing while the rest of the party, plus the ships crew, remained on the Weatherlight

### Day 87 - Sathairn trí Feabhra

Waking up early, Baelfire rushed to city hall to register for the Battle of the Bards, which was starting in a little over a week. Readying themselves to empty their coin purses, they remained at the city hall in order to bid in the upcoming auction, Baelfire using Suggestion to gain some insider knowledge on the items to be sold. This knowledge proved useful as it allowed the group to make some smart purchases.

Following the auction, Baelfire did some research on sphinxes in order to prepare for the creature that apparently dwelled at the peak of White Plume Mountain. While this was happening, Freya scribed a few spell scrolls and Lukazra trained his students, before the group returned to The Weatherlight to set off for White Plume Mountain, electing to travel through the night.

### Day 88 - Domhnaigh trí Feabhra

Launching the The Weatherlight just after midnight, the Kingslayers set off in the direction of White Plume Mountain. Just before dawn they came across the small town of Friechton. Speaking with the town elder Tawny, they discovered Friechton made most of their money from tourism up and down the White Plume Mountain. Speaking with Tawny, she agreed to arrange for the party to have a guide up the mountain for a small fee, in the mean time a room would be prepared for them. Taking advantage of the towns hospitality, the group settled down for the night.

### Day 89 - Luain ceithre Feabhra

The party were woken around midnight by the strangely close boom of thunder. Looking out their tavern window, they saw that a drow raiding party had teleported into the village. Using strange humanoids, they were stealing away with the villagers and using a beholder to teleport them away.

Leaping into the night, the party attacked the drow raiders in a desperate attempt to save as many villagers as they could, striking at the drow and their mutant beholder. It was at this moment that a shadow appeared over the moon, the winged silhouette of a mighty beast. But a glint of copper and silver revealed it to be none other that Ser Rad Broseph the Third. Landing in the middle of the fight and throwing a net over the creature he revealed to be a mind witness, the dragonborn paladin explained the mind witness would allow them to teleport down to the drow lair and rescue the slaves. Taking a Rod of Telepathy from the drow leading the raid, the party commanded the mind witness to send them into the drow lair in the Underdark.

Arriving in inky darkness, the group set about liberating the slaves they found, Gráinne and Baelfire using disguise self to take on the appearance of drow. Pushing deeper into the complex, encountering dozens more slaves, they came across another detachment of drow and spider creatures, this time accompanied by a different beholder. While the other four freed the Baelfire used is disguise to gain access to the far chamber, intent on finding out the drows master plan.

Entering a massive chamber with a portal, Baelfire discovered the drow priestess and her lieutenant speaking with Broken Horn through the portal, before throwing three supposedly 'weak blooded' slaves through to the dark jester for whatever purpose he had in mind. It was after witnessing this that Baelfire attempted to use his newly acquired Rod of Rulership to take control of the situation, but all but one of the drow shook off the attempting at charming. Perceiving his actions as those of an usurper, the drow priestess ordered Baelfire's death. Ordering his only loyal drow to defend him, the tiefling bard vanished into invisibility.

Drawn by the sound of a fight starting, the rest of the party rushed in to assist Baelfire, catching a glimpse of Broken Horn through the now flickering portal. The fight raged on, Ser Rad becoming ensnared by the Death Kiss beholder, seeking aid from Lukazra, while Gráinne and Freya went after the staff they believed the priestess was using to control the portal. But they were too late, the portal collapsed and their path to Broken Horn was lost with it.

Defeating the remaining drow and their death kiss, the party used the tomb of faces to extract the visage of the defeated drider for future use, then began the work of sending the slaves home. Freya opened a teleportation circle from the drow base to Concordance HQ, which they used to get the slaves to freedom. Now out of the drow Underdark base, Ser Rad used the last charge on his helm of teleportation to take the Kingslayers back to Friechton and their skyship.

Assuring the villagers their loved ones were safe with the Concordance and would be home soon, Ser Rad leapt onto his steed and took off into the night, scattering some platinum pieces to the villagers below as a gift. Bruised, bloodied and tired, the party decided to spend the day resting and training, before heading up the mountain the next day.

### Day 90 - Máirt ceithre Feabhra

Woken at the crack of dawn by their guide, the Kingslayers of Darkwater were escorted up White Plume Mountain by a stoic and reserved dwarven guide who took them to the hermit’s cave, an opening into the side of the Feathered Mound. After a gruelling four hour climb, the Kingslayers reached the cave that leads deep into the White Plume mountain. Venturing into the heart of the mountain, the party faced a gynosphinx who posed them a riddle. The Kingslayers solved the riddle and were allowed to enter deeper into the mountain complex. Securing each room one by one it was Baelfire’s quick thinking in turning on Freya into a shark that allowed them to save the day when fighting a pack of kelpies.

Having defeated kelpies, the party found themselves in a corridor with a spinning tunnel trap. Avoiding the trap, they were shot at by Beckett the veteran and attacked by his werewolf partner Snarla. Slaying Snarla for, Baelfire are use the promise of her resurrection as leverage to bring Burket onto the team. Burket agreed to Baelfire’s terms and gave the party all the information he had on the dungeon. Belfast resurrected Snarla who, along with Burket, left White Plume Mountain for The Weatherlight. Doubling back on themselves, the foursome en counter the giant crab of the “boiling bubble” which was bested with the polymorph spell. Exploring the rest of the dungeon, they solved the riddle of the flesh golems, and then traversed the geyser room, Gráinne and Lukazra almost perishing as they fell into the boiling mud. The party then decided to take a long rest before exploring the next room, which proved to be a wise decision as the which proved to be a wise decision as the room contained the vampire Ctenmiir.

Ctenmiir used his magical powers to charm Baelfire, turning him into a faithful servant who was then set upon the part rest of the party. They managed to slay the vampire, Freya landing the mortal blow, returning Baelfire to his normal self. Searching the crypt, Baelfire discovered the legendary songbook of Friedrich Quicksilver, the artefact he was searching for. Seeing that the vampire was beginning to reform, they pushed him and his coffin into the boiling mud. Escaping the boiling lake a second time, the group began exploring once more, discovering a room full of magical glass orbs suspended by chains. Identifying the schools of magic around the spheres, Baelfire and Freya ventured inside becoming trapped. They began to investigate the spheres, while Gráinne and Lukazra went to consult with the sphinx seeking advice. The sphinx was gracious enough to provide information that would help Freya and Baelfire escape, but on their return to the chamber they encountered an ogre. They managed to lure the ogre in to charging the door, freeing Freya and Baelfire. While all this has been happening, Baelfire and Freya had shattered all of the orbs, unleashing their contents. While most were traps, a few contained trinkets of magical treasure. Pressing on deeper into the mountain, the Kingslayers reached a trap consisting of a frictionless corridor. Using a crafty application of a rope, they managed to safely navigate the trap.

### Day 91 - Ceádaoin ceithre Feabhra

On the other side of this frictionless trap they discovered a strange tiered menagerie of captured creatures at the bottom of which lay locked vault. Beyond the menagerie was the sleeping chambers of a trapped oni, served as a guardian for the wizard who created the White Plume Mountain. Once again cleverly using the polymorph spell, they managed to defeat the oni by transforming him and throwing him down into the pit of the menagerie, leaving him at the mercy of the starving manticores. Exploring the onis chamber and the vault in the bottom of the menagerie, Baelire discovered the last two artefacts he sought. Their mission complete, the Kingslayer is ventured back out of White Plume Mountain and made their way down to the town Friechton. Arriving back at the town, having received a message from that wizard friend Pinny, stating he had more information for them, the Kingslayer is decided to settle their affairs Fasla Isle City. Arriving in the city before sunset, the party decided to take a long rest

### Day 92 - Deádaoin ceithre Feabhra

Waking up early, the party began making the preparations for the next few days in the city. Both Baelfire and Freya had spells to transcribe, while Gráinne and Lukazra wanted to search for information and sell magical items. Gráinne also wish to find a potion that might help calm Tadhg, and possible information on curing Snarla’s lycanthropy.

### Day 93 - hAoine ceithre Feabhra

With Freya’s help, Baelfire spent the day transcribing spells, while Gráinne and Lukazra when looking for information

### Day 94 - Sathairn ceithre Feabhra

Another day spent transcribing spells, the wizard and the bard both hunched over a desk. Gráinne decided to seek out possible cures is for lycanthropy, while Lukazra when looking for fellow heroes.

### Day 95 - Domhnaigh ceithre Feabhra

It was now Baelfire’s turn to help Freya transcribe spells, with Lukazra and Gráinne take me a day off from searching the city.

## Márta 302AU

### Day 96 - Luain amháin Márta

Baelfire and Freya spent another day cooped up in a dimly lit tavern room studying spells and writing down sigils, Gráinne and Lukazra on the other hand went out searching for items to purchase.

### Day 97 - Mairt amháin Márta

All their spells transcribed, Baelfire and Freya felt accomplished happening to learnt some new magics. Gráinne and Lukazra were less successful, finding little information on curing lycanthropy, but they did manage to procure a potion to sedate Tadhg. Tomorrow was the day of the first round of the Battle of the Bards and Baelfire, although not appearing it, was a bit nervous about his first round of competition.

### Day 98 - Ceádaoin amháin Márta

Baelfire proceed ahead, the party in tow, to a nearby tavern where a round of the Battle of the Bards was being held. Blowing the judges away with a moving poem, he went through to the second round. The party then returned to The Weatherlight and set off, sailing into an oncoming storm that raged in the skies.

### Day 99 - Deádaoin amháin Márta

Sailing through the skies, the storm began to worsen around The Weatherlight.

### Day 100 - hAoine amháin Márta

Approaching the town of Bailelúibín, the storm reaching its apex. The harsh winds and lightning brought the ship crashing down into town. The damage to The Weatherlight minor, the party sat off to speak with Pinny who was waiting to give them information about their quests. Pinny gave them some good news, bad news, and some very bad news. The good news was that Pinny had found another shard location, but the bad was that the shard was located within the Necrospire.

The very bad news was that the Fellstorm would continue to close in on the island until the convergence came, at which point the Nevermore King would arrive. Whichever group that possessed the most shards and stood in the presence of a Nevermore King would be presented with his offer of a wish. Only by rebuffing that offer, and refusing the wish, can the Nevermore King be be banished once again. Pinny had discovered another interpretation of the translations; that by possessing all 13 shards a group could use that wish to unmake the Shattered Crown and the Nevermore King once and for all.

The Kingslayers now had a new objective; not just acquire the majority of the shards and keep them from being taken before the Nevermore King, but to acquire all the shards and use the power to wish to dispel him once and for all. In passing, Pinny also mentions how a band of heroes have died recently trying to prevent a weapon intended to destroy the Necrospire from being stolen by mysterious black figures. He advises the party to be extra careful when venturing to the Necrospire, as other factions may be moving towards it as well. With this new information in hand, the party decided to rest for the night in a familiar tavern in the town.

### Day 101 - Sathairn amháin Márta

Patching up the cosmetic damage to the weather like, the Kingslayers set off towards the Golden Sands where the Necrospire drifts menacingly.

### Day 102 - Domhnaigh amháin Márta

The party decides to use the time travelling south towards the desert region to engage in some training and research.

### Day 103 - Luain dhá Márta

As the party began approaching the Golden Sands, a massive sandstorm enveloped The Weatherlight. Losing control, Freya brought the ship crashing down the sand dunes. A few hours later, a caravan of dragonborn approached, having seen the ship crash through the storm. Treating with the dragonborn Priquin over ‘meat and water’, the deal was struck. The dragonborn would provide a ‘storm singer’ who would guide The Weatherlight through the sandstorm to the Necrospire. In return the party agreed to help the dragonborn take out a hobgoblin camp.

### Day 104 - Mairt dhá Márta

Following the directions given to them by the dragonborn Sephara, the party began making their way towards the hobgoblin encampment.

### Day 105 - Ceádaoin dhá Márta

Sephara informed the party that they would be making a short stop on the way to the camp.

### Day 106 - Deádaoin dhá Márta

The party soon realised that ‘short stop’ would be at the hidden dragonborn city of Sandspire. The party met with the second in command of the Sephara conclave, Nysfyre. The conclave answered some of the party’s questions, but when pushed for weapons, Nysfyre stated the party would need to meet with “the first”. The party was granted an audience with “the first”, who turned out to be the ancient golden dragon Aureliax. Aureliax used his mighty magical power to interrogate the parties intentions; Gráinne revealed her desire to avenge her children, Lukazra revealed his desire to say Aldernon, and Baelfire revealed his desire to have people think of him as a hero. After almost dying to a psychic onslaught from the dragon, Freya finally relented and revealed that she wanted to make up for the dragonborn who died at the Ish Sah Valley many years ago. Aureliax agreed to provide the party with some dragonfire weapons and six grenades, finding their desires worthy.

### Day 107 - hAoine dhá Márta

Taking a night’s rest, Baelfire realise the only had scant few days to complete in the Battle of the Bards. Baelfire managed to convince the dragonborn to give him the sigils for a teleportation circle so he might return to Sandspire. Baelfire then somehow provided Freya with a sigil sequence for a location in Falsa Isle City. Not getting an explanation from Baelfire as to how he knew the sequence, Freya opened the portal to the city and Baelfire stepped through to compete.

### Day 108 - Sathairn dhá Márta

Baelfire return the next day, cagey about his performance in the Battle of the Bards/ The party once again whole, they made ready to assault the camp.

### Day 109 - Domhnaigh dhá Márta

Setting off shortly after dawn, the party reached the camp just before sunset. The party split into two teams; Baelfire and Lukazra made a frontal approach, challenging the clan leader Xiyue Shengshang, to an honour duel. Freya and Gráinne snuck in, taking out guard towers and setting explosive grenades. Lukazra defeated Shengshang in a deadly one on one duel. Meanwhile, as the duel finished, Freya and Gráinne detonated the explosives and set fire to the camp. The party regrouped after Baelfire captured a wyvern and stole a ballista, while Lukazra liberated some enslaved goblins. The burning camp behind them, the party made their way back to Sandspire, travelling overnight.

### Day 110 - Luain trí Márta

Back at Sandspire, the party was awarded with a brace of grenades, matching pistols, a rifle, and a golden suit of armour. Taking these gifts, the party made ready to head to the Necrospire. Boarding The Weatherlight with Sephara the Stormsinger, the Kingslayers launched for the Necrospire

### Day 111 - Mairt trí Márta

Sephara holding the sandstorms a bay, the Kingslayers made their way towards the Necrospire.

### Day 112 - Ceádaoin trí Márta

The Weatherlight reached the Necrospire, a floating fortress drifting above fields of undead, pulled by a massive zombified task impaled with rusted chains. Floating the weather light above the main courtyard, the party used featherfall, making magical descent into the complex. The Dreadlich noticed their arrival and sent a ‘Destroyer’, a mutant, and that snail. Seeing off the Destroyer and evading the skeleton arches, the Kingslayers made their way up the Dreadliches tower to face against the necromancer himself. A fight broke out but was ended swiftly when Gráinne stunned him and Lukazra threw him from the tower. Basking momentarily in their victory, it was short lived when they realised the Dreadlich was melting into the flagstones, the skeleton is crumbling, and the liches laughter ringing around them. They realise that he would soon resurrect, as the Necrospire with his very own phylactery.

Exploring the courtyard, Baelfire used his magical paints to create a door into a side tunnel. The tunnel lead to a flight of stairs leading down into the bowels of the Necrospire, the first level of which being the palace level. The group fought a medusa surrounded by petrified ‘friends’, who turned out to be a young lonely gorgon girl, captured and an enslaved by the Dreadlich. Terrified of the party, she attempted to surrender but was killed by a cursed necromantic enchantment on her golden crown.

Disturbed by what they’d seen, the party swiftly moved on, finding themselves inside a massive, golden ballroom. A strange waltz began to play, enchanting the party into dancing. As the waltz ended, menacing clapping filled ballroom. It was that Dreadlich, once again resurrected and using magic to charm the party into a macabre dance. The heroes fought the lich once again, Gráinne taking brutal damage from a finger of death spell. Realising that they need to destroy the Necrospire as quickly as possible, they redoubled their efforts against Lich and killed him once more. Pushing on through the first basement level of the Necrospire, for heroes reached another flight of stairs leading down to second, the smell of death overwhelming. Following the discovery of a map of the level, they began exploring and found a sickly flail snail. They quickly realised that this was some kind of undead menagerie. Evading the undead Tyrannosaurus, rotting giant crabs, formians and mechanical butchery devices, as well as a plethora of traps, they found the next flight of stairs down before taking a short rest.

Tending to wounds amongst the fetid stench of death, the group pushed on down to the depths of the Necrospire. Within the laboratory level they began exploring once again. The group discovered research notes belonging to the Dreachlich but were attacked by Death Tyrant.

### Day 113 - Deádaoin trí Márta

Taking grievous wounds from the battle with the Death Tyrant, the party decided to take a long rest with Gráinne standing watch. She heard sounds in the darkness, a death knight patrolling the corridors. Evading the death night with darkness magic, the party had an otherwise uneventful night. Rising rested and refreshed, the group began exploring once more, their wonderings leading them through a series of traps, but none of them quite as deadly as they encounter previously. Using Freya’s gust of wind spell, they managed to drive back an acid fog that had enveloped large areas of the laboratory level.

The Kingslayers discovered an altar with five skulls that stood in the middle of a spell circle. Disrupting the circle, the skulls burst into flame and came to life. In the ensuing fight, Freya went down. Defeating the flame skulls, the party were met by the lich lying in wait once again. After a quick fight, the party broke ring no corner and not taking any chances, they defeated the lich a third time. Pushing on through an alchemy lab, Baelfire ran afoul of a madness trap. His mind addled by dark magic, he was forced to turn against friends, but the party managed to break the hold back the trap had on him and return him to his senses.

Not wishing to waste any more time the party pushed on one floor lower and discovered the reactor core. There, while exploring and discovering the control consoles for the reactor, they met Alisandra, a necromancer apprentice. Speaking with young girl, they managed to convince her to join forces with them and sent her through portal back to the tower in Caipitael. Discovering the other three consoles, they managed to decipher how to deactivate the main reactor, so they could access the artefacts. Before they could claim their prize, the lich appeared for what would be the last time.

Using domination on the Lukazra, the fighter was turned against his closest friends. Lukazra broke free and enraged by the spell placed upon him struck out at the Dreadlich, inflicting brutal wounds. The lich defeated once again, they deactivated the reactor and took from it to the shard and the evil relic that powered one half to the reaction, leaving behind the healing artefact to trigger a radiant, healing explosion. As the Necrospire bar exploded around them they fled through the tunnels finding themselves dangling on a precipice above the desert below. Using skywrite and wall of, they signaled The Weatherlight to approach. Baelfire teleported himself and Lukazra aboard, while Freya took flight with magic, but it was too late for Gráinne and she was forced to jump. Baelfire leaped on his hippogryph Glamourhook and took flight to try and save the firbolg as she fell.

There was a fleeting moment of hope, their fingertips inches apart and Glamourhook dove after Gráinne, but the hippogryph was forced to pull up to avoid a massive piece of debris and Gráinne plummeted away, slamming into the ground. Fortunately, her monastic training gave her a small window to avoid certain death and although she slammed into the ground, she survived. The Weatherlight landed moments later and recovered Gráinne, badly wounded but alive.

### Day 114 - hAoine trí Márta

Most of the party rested, Gráinne still badly wounded and needing recovery, Lukazra left, along with Battalion and Donation, saying there was something he needed to pursue, some quest that he needed to fulfil away from the party. Disturbed by the dark powers of the relic, Freya elected to return to Concordance Headquarters to have it safely stored away. Arriving at CHQ, Freya was greeted by dramatic changes since her last visit. The Concordance had taken on an ever more authoritarian air and, not wanting to stick any longer than necessary, she checked in the Talisman and headed off to the tower where she knew she could meet with the party.

### Day 115 - Sathairn trí Márta

Making flight for Falsa Isle City, hoping to catch the last round of the Battle of the Bards, Baelfire regaled Gráinne and the crew with tales of how he fared in round two. Meanwhile Freya, back at the tower, checked in with Alice and Daisy, collecting some profits and potions from their endeavours. She also visited Candice who, although brisk with the wizard, did hand over the custom staff ready to be enchanted.

### Day 116 - Domhnaigh trí Márta

Arriving at False Isle City just-in-time, Baelfire prepared himself to compete in the third round of the Battle of the Bards. Much to his surprise it was a ’Dance Battle’, a one-on-one duel between bards. Although Baelfire’s duel wasn’t exciting, it was tough, but he won in the end, going through to round four. Following the duel, Gráinne revealed that she had received a letter from Xanathar saying he had the location of Brokenhorn. Eager to find out more, but not wanting to leave in The Weatherlight and risk missing Freya, they decided to take the teleportation circle Baelfire had used previously. Arriving at the ostentatious Aurelian Manor, Gráinne made a surprising discovery; Baelfire’s real name was Balthazar Aurelian and he was in fact the middle child of the richest family in Aldernon. Gráinne joined the Aurelian family for dinner before bed, at which point she made an even more startling discovery about Baelfire/Balthasar’s past.

### Day 117 - Luain ceithre Márta

Freya decided to use the circle sigil Baelfire had shown her previously, knowing that it lead somewhere Falsa Isla City. She was somewhat shocked to find herself arriving in a stunning mansion. Much like Gráinne the night before, Freya discovered this was Baelfire’s family home. Not wanting to dwell on the facts of his lineage, Baelfire took everyone to compete in the final round of the Battle of the Bards; the Grand Melee. Entering the Melee under the team name “the Radiant Spire Breakers”, they knew that they would have to face five rounds of illusionary monsters. First round consisted of a battle against four dinosaurs, while the second was against a xorn and a wyvern. The third round was in a watery arena against a hydra, and the fourth was against a poisonous venom troll. It was the fifth and final round that was most shocking; a fight against an adult black dragon. But the party was victorious and was the only one to succeed in all five rounds, taking home the entire price pot of 1000 platinum pieces. Victorious and jubilant, the party celebrated before settling down for a night’s rest well earned.

### Day 118 - Máirt ceithre Márta

Well rested following the melee, the party decided to follow up on the letter from Xanathar. Sailing through the clouds, the Kingslayers encountered a skywhale under attack from githyanki raiders. Seeing off two of the ships and causing the third to flee, the heroes rescued the whale from its attackers.

### Day 119 - Céadaoin ceithre Márta

Flying on for another day, the Kinglsayers began closing in on Caipitael. Shortly after arriving at the tower, the party set off to meet with Xanathar. Not sending his usual concealed carriage, the party were privy to learning location of Xanathar’s hideout, although that information seemed moot as it appeared the beholder crime lord was packing up his operation in Caipitael. Xanathar presented the party with information on a meeting would be taking place soon between Brokenhorn and hobgoblin mercenaries. Freya, having remained at the tower, Baelfire and Gráinne decided what to do with this information. Time currently being of the essence, they decide to plot a route over the location where the meeting will take place, where the three of them will jump on The Weatherlight, the sky ship carrying on to its destination. Not wanting to waste any time the party set off immediately.

### Day 120 - Déardaoin ceithre Márta

Following the directions given to them by Xanathar, they realised the meeting would be taking place near the ruins of the Crossroads Inn, whether party had first met all those months ago.

### Day 121 - hAoine ceithre Márta

Using the polymorph spell Baelfire transformed Gráinne into an eagle and gave his cloak of levitation to Freya, while he flew down on the back of Glamourhook. Deciding to ambush the hobgoblin party, the heroes took a long rest to prepare.

### Day 122 - Sathairn ceithre Márta

Advancing up the road around midnight, the party set an ambush for the approaching convoy. Using a wand of entangle, and a destructive wave spell, they were able to defeat the hobgoblins and secure the wagon containing clerics and priests. Using the Tomb of Faces they took the identity of the hobgoblin warlord.

### Day 123 - Domhnaigh amháin Márta

Freya donning the warlords face from the Tomb of Faces, and Gráinne and Baelfire using the disguise self spell to appear as hobgoblins, they began to approach the meeting place with the Dark Jesters. Leaving the wagon at a safe distance, Gráinne and Baelfire approached the large group of Dark Jesters, while Freya remained with the wagon to provide cover. Securing the handover of the captives in exchange for a large bag of platinum and an ancient dwarven axe, Baelfire waited for the right moment to attack. As half the Dark Jesters approached the wagon, he unleashed a devastating spell. Freya and Gráinne finishing off the rest of the Dark Jesters. Only the warlock was left alive, whom Baelfire and Gráinne interrogated into handing over the information on Brokenhorn’s Base. Gráinne was disturbed to realise she recognised the directions being given, they lead to her ruined village of Cloondoolough. Consulting the map, they decided to head off to the town of Baelwater that they visited previously to gather horses to speed up their journey

## Aibreán 302AU

### Day 124 - Luain amháin Aibreán

Arriving at Baelwaterr just before sunset, they were given a warm welcome. They aquired three horses for the next day before bedding down for a rest.

### Day 125 - Máirt amháin Aibreán

Pushing horses hard at a fast, force march, they arrived at Boford within the day. Exhausted they bedded down once again for the night ready to assault the Dark Jesters stronghold in the morning

### Day 126 - Céadaoin amháin Aibreán

The Kingslayers hired a pair of guides off the docks of Boford; a snobish Aarakocra called Penselton, and a hyperactive and somewhat incomprehensible Kenku that the party referred to as 'Russel' after the sound the feathered humanoid made when asked their name. Taken 'under the wing' of these two very different guides, they made their way from the town to the edge of the Scath Jungle.

### Day 127 - Déardaoin amháin Aibreán

Under the watchful, albeit judgemental, eye of their guide, the party made their way through the dense jungle. Little did they know they had drifted off their desired heading.

### Day 128 - hAoine amháin Aibreán

Another day of travel through the sweltering jungle brought the group to more sandy earth, hitning they had travelled too far south. They corrected their course and resumed travel west.

### Day 129 - Sathairn amháin Aibreán

Concluding that they should've reached the village by now, the party sent Penselton flying up into the sky in order to investigate. He discovered the village lay less than a days travel west of their current locaiton, so the party decided to get a nights rest before assaulting Broken Horn's stronghold.

### Day 130 - Domhnaigh amháin Aibreán

Approaching the stronghold at dawn, they found the burned ruins of Gráinne's village. But instead of pure desolation, the wreckage had been pilled up into an obscene structure, a pyramid of sorts ringed at its apex with a crude crown.

Baelfire used polymorph to transform into an owl and surveil the structure, landing by a small opening. There he saw the unmistakable form of Broken Horn about to sacrifice a Dark Jester into a small well, presumably to create more of the 'kings blessing'. Not willing to waste any time, nor the element of surprise, he dropped down and transformed back, unleashing a fireball, followed by a destructive wave. Broken Horn was killed in the assault, impaled on a piece of wood, but something strange happened. The corpse of Broken Horn immediately transformed into a strange, smooth featured Dark Jester unlike anything the party had seen before. Gráinne and Freya rushed in to support Baelfire, but were stunned when an illusionary image of Broken Horn's head appeared above the structure. Gloating, he revealed that the whole endeavour had been an ambush set with help from Xanathar. That's when more Dark Jesters appeared, these ones more heavily armed and amoured and clearly prepared for an ambush.

Holding off against the first wave, Freya unleashing a lightning bolt, things seemed quite dire. They only got worse when a second wave of firbolg Dark Jesters appeared. Decided that retreat was the best strategy, Baelfire used dimension door to teleport himself and Freya to safety, while Gráinne used her exceptional speed to flee.

Running through the forest, pursued by Dark Jester firbolg monks, Gráinne managed to evade them, getting turned around in the process. Regaining her bearings, she came across the remains of her villages druid shaman, Marja. This brought memories of her childhood rushing back to Gráinne, memories of a friend who was suffering from emotional pain and trauma being helped by the shaman through a magic known as a *dreamwalk*.

Rousing from this waking dream of memories, Gráinne was soon reunited with Baelfire and Freya, and they decided to push on through the jungle and make their way back to Boford. Pushing on into the evening and through the night, they encountered a band of goblins who Freya managed to scare off with fire magic.

### Day 131 - Luain dhá Aibreán

After pushing on through the night, the Kingslayers carried on through the day, wanting to make it to Boford before nightfall. Arriving at the seaside town just before sunset, they found an inn that served scumble to help them find some form of rest. Rest was shortcoming for Gráinne, who was bothered by more nightmares of her childhood, of Marja and the stranger Nala, of Saoirse and Tadhg and her children and family.

### Day 132 - Máirt dhá Aibreán

Finding Gráinne meditating early the following morning, Baelfire spoke briefly with her, trying to comfort her after their harrowing few days. Meeting with Freya, who had begun scribing some spells, they set out formulating a plan. Calling Burket and Snarla, they discovered Tadhg had been collected by a mysterious figure, a mage of the Crystal Library, who claimed to know the party. Disturbed by this news, they request Snarla head to the nearest Crystal Library school and try and locate a teleportation circle, sending the details of the sigils to Freya as soon as she could.

A few hours later the party received a call, but not from Snarla. Instead it was from Pinny, who was calling them to congratulate them...on acquiring *two* crown shards. He informed the party that he'd been monitoring the fellstorm and noticed two contractions, one shortly after the party destroyed the Necrospire and another two days later. Knowing the fellstorm would contract each time a shard was acquired, he assumed the party had gathered two more pieces. This disturbed the Kingslayers, for it meant someone else had got their hands on a shard. Pinny was upset with this news, and decided to return to his studies to help provide the party with more information.

A few hours later, the heroes impatiently waiting for Snarla to call, the sending stone began to thrum. But once again, it wasn't the werewolf mage. Instead it was a distraught Candice, sobbing as she informed the party that her girlfriend Lui-Lee had gone missing. Begging the party to come help find her, they agreed and used teleportation circle to reach Caipitael

Arriving at the tower, they met Candice at the Book and Blessing, where she told the group everything. The Arcane Academy was claiming Lui-Lee had gone home, citing poor grades. But Candice knew this couldn't be true; Lui-Lee's grades were excellent, she hated her family and would never want to go home, plus couldn't if she wanted to as she lived in Mulan and the fellstorm was still preventing all travel. Finally, Candice professed that Lui-Lee would never leave without saying something, as they had plans together. Offering up a locket that Lui-Lee had given her, Candice asked Freya to find her lost love using scrying. The wizard hero obliged and sent out an arcane sensor looking for the missing student. What she saw disturbed her; a pile of grey and pallid bodies hidden away in a drain by the river, looking out to the dockyards. Trying to temper Candice's expectations, Freya warned her that Lui-Lee may be dead. Not wanting to accept this answer, Candice begged the Kingslayers to go investigate