Party History, Part Two

For sessions 1-15, see here (From Beginning to The Festival of a Thousand wines. Act 1 of the main story)

## Events by Session

### Session 15 - The Festival of a Thousand Wines.

After arriving in Eastern Downs, the party made themselves comfortable in a small local Inn. Idril discussed how she had been talking with Agerth, a demon that the party had found trapped in a mirror back in Brannion (see session 9 above). The party agreed releasing him was a worthy risk to take.

Later at the inn they met with Members of X; Decon, Artur and Caution. They gave them a few helpful items (folding boat, and a pair of homing crystals), and some valuable intel on the guests at the party.

They spent the final week before the festival gathering a few more items, meeting together and strategizing. Drenn Carved a Hargrim statue of Wood, Arwyen connected more with her old gang the 45's, Idril underwent somewhat of a dramatic shift in appearance, dying her hair silver blond, to better appear a nobleborn high elf, and Valdis learnt some valuable tinkering skills.

Finally the night of the festival came. After failing to bluff their way in through the front gate. The party was taken off to the side where they met Pim, a human knight trained in the church of light - well trained is perhaps a strong word but they proved a valuable addition to the party, helping them to get in using their well placed connection with the head of security.

Drenn stayed outside of the Ball, Surveying the area through the eyes of a circling bird.

Inside, the party met with Steward Wit, of Oaktown. He was rather open in telling the party that they had made waves on the political scene and that people had - whether they knew it or not - begun taking sides in the inevitable war that many sensed was coming. He pointed to the likes of Rishi Annan, Prime Minister of Genji and William the Elder, King of Bacland as some people who were solidly in their corner.

Also at the ball, the party met with Reeve, Edward and Morradin Greyfield, the wards of Arron Greyfield. A Talented caster, cunning thinker and martial fighter respectively.

There were many other Guests at the Festival of a Thousand Wines.

Eventually Arron Greyfield came up and gave a speech, thinly veiled offers of political alliances and finding 'where true friends stand'. After this he came up to the party, accompanied by Goldmaker, Canis Jerako, The Lady Shesacarva, Finnian Underbough and Sir Valerie.

Filled with anger Idril attempted to read the transcription on Agerth's Mirror, attempting to free him. Arron Greyfield seemed to grab the mirror and destroy it. As he walked away - following a gnome claiming 'It's working' - It was revealed that it was only an illusion, and that the mirror was intact.

As the party went to leave they came across Cardinal Rishna - who seemed ignorant of the Aremenant pearls despite wearing one as a ring. Remarking only that it was a gift to his family from Salaman Greyfield.

After meeting back up with Drenn and bringing Pim along with them the party headed down into the tunnels.

There they fought their way through a number of rooms. A Lycanthropy laboratory, that had helped to give Canis his enhanced abilities. There was also a number of workshops and tinkerer's creations; some parts of which seemed to already be exported off to their destination. But others the party picked up; an immovable rod, an Eversmoking bottle, Bracers of archery , fragments of a shield of necrotic resistance (That Valdis used to create a folding shield of Necrotic resistance.), and +1 recalling Handaxe.

They observed a portal guarded by six ballistae (giant crossbows), and three cannons. All staffed with seven animated suits of armour, Who said they were instructed to attack anything that attempted to enter or exit the portal.

After taking swift care of the three academics guarding it they came through a great private library. At the end of which was a meeting room with a number of notes planning an expedition to The Northern Icecap. There were many books of old dwarven lore, speaking of the fall of Polaris, the First Dwarven Citadel, at the hands of the ancient white dragon Isvængür (He Who Flies on Frozen Winds). Arywen grabbed a number of notes, maps and documents relating to this, among witch was also a deal of information on the Six Dwarven Clan-families of the north, Skärgg, Molōn, Rovïre, Nünn, Frollöre, and Valyanĵart.

Finally the Party came out to the room Greyfield had been waiting in. A Huge hidden port. He was flanked by two of his personal guard and accompanied by Sir Valerie.

Arron Greyfield offered the party a few words of wisdom, encouraging them to question weather 'X' and particularly Xunnol could be trusted. He also revealed he did in fact have a mole working for him. Drenn asked him what his plan was, to which Lord Greyfield replied that he believed that he would unite the world under one, naturally being himself, and that he intended to start one final war to end all that could come after it.

As he began to offer the party a job Idril said the words needed to release Agerth from his prison. As he flew forward in a burst of flame forming as a figure 20ft high and illuminated the night with a yellow glow of hellfire. Staring down Arron Greyfield he called "Freedom!" as he incinerated the Lord of Eastern Downs.

As the demon escaped, Idril's headband, which had been her Holy Symbol, cracked down the middle.

Agerth reminded the party that he owed them each one favour, and to use them well, he flew off in the night over the water, circling back south fading out of sight.

The last of his fading light showed what the Greyfields had been building. An Army of Warforged, tens of thousands of them. Standing at the ready.

With a called order from Sir Valerie, a monstrously large Warforged smashed its way into the room, 6m tall with an axe for one hand and a flail in the other. A great battle began to rage out between the Party and the creation.

Validus and Drenn, along with a few well shot arrows of Arwyen in the shadows managed to weaken Sir Valerie. As the fight continued she managed to down Valdis, who was pulled away from danger by Pim. As Idril and Pim took down the now damaged Warforged, Drenn faced off Valerie.

Ripping her midnight longsword from her hand Drenn gained the upper hand. Sir Valerie made a run for the boats, but was fell by Drenn throwing an axe into her back, and for good measure stabbed her blade through her heart- avenging Hargrim.

As the fight came to an end, The ashes of Greyfiled stirred.

"How inconvenient. I Had quite enjoyed being Arron Greyfield." A chilling voice filled the air as the lights flickered low. A ghostly form, cloaked with four arms and a large hood rose above what little was left of Lord Greyfield. Strings of light still connected to his hand attacked to the corpse. Hastur had clearly been possessing Arron Greyfield.

Before Drenn - who was closest to the spectre - could react he was pulled in and glimpsed under the being's hood. Instantly dropping down, unconscious. Hastur, hands shaking slightly, flew up towards the party; seeking a new form. Who knows who may have been possessed.

As Arwyen ran over to heal Drenn, he awoke, eyes burning like coals, and realised he was blind. Eyes whitened out.

As the Party grabbed what they could and jumped on a boat. Riding off into the night, a final glance back on the dock, showing a number of Grey soldiers arriving on the scene. Cries of "Arron Greyfield is dead" filling the air.

### Session 16 - Opened Eyes.

After pulling into Smallton at around 1am the party made their way to the Mouldy Mimic to recoup their strength. Drenn tended to his blinded eyes, covering them in bandages. Arywen went through the Northern Expedition Papers that she found in Eastern Downs. Valdis reached out to his Patron, asking it to show him how to help Drenn; he was granted a vision of a witche's hut in a nearby woods. Pim checked the room for fleas.

That morning the party gathered themselves and their things. In the small common area of the Inn they met Fu of the Green Caverns, who was heading to the Ruins of Dresnill, to the South West. He agreed to wait for the party before heading over there, so that they could share in his adventure.

Valdis and Arwyen headed over to the towns Ravenry, a small place off to the side of Benford Manner. There they saw a torrent of ravens flying from Eastern Downs bringing news of Lord Arron Greyfield's Passing. There were also simple descriptions of the party, calling for their arrest. Valdis grabbed this note, keeping it from the local authorities of this town.

The Party then headed towards the woods, aiming to find this witch and cure Drenn's blindness. They had also heard rumours that the forrest was home to a large number of The Hoods. These rumours were confirmed after Drenn, Pim and Valdis were caught in a large net trap a-ways into the woods. There they met Little John and were greeted by an unknown number of hoods. Thanks to her cunning and diplomacy, Arywen managed to convince them to let the five of them pass.

After completing their walk the party found the witch, a Woodelf Named Arrabella The Green. She offered to heal the party or take them to a shine in the woods, that would allow Drenn to use the mark left by his injury on him to gain a deal of knowledge about Hastur. Drenn and the party decided to try this, heading out to the shine. After a short walk they came to a large lake with a small island, no larger than 5m radius. In the centre was a stone shine, very old and covered in lichen. Using the Folding boat that they had gotten from Decon, they travelled out to the shine.

#### **Drenn's meeting with Odin**

Drenn took seat in the large stone platform, and began to mediate. As he did his soul left his body and he was taken to a different plane. In this plane he was alone, with Odin - The Allfather. As he began to discuss with the Allfather back in the material plane the rest of the party became surrounded by an army of ghostly soldiers - far more than could be counted - marching out of the lake towards them. To Quote Odin, "All Knowledge comes at a cost" The Party began to pay that price as they were attacked, their best efforts to hold them off proving ineffective.

While talking with Odin Drenn learnt that Hastur could not be killed by any means available to mortals, however, Hastur's presence in this world could be stopped, if the figure that Drenn was blinded by, the Spirt of Hastur, was destroyed. To do this they would need to build a prophesised weapon of legend, the Deus Mori - a weapon to kill a god. The plans for which are buried in the abandoned dwarven city of Polaris, in which a White Dragon currently lives, after sacking the dwarfs Capital Citadel long ago.

Drenn also asked if the Aremnent Pearls could be turned back into children, Odin said that he believes they can, and that the party should seek out The Chronicler, as he "was watching when they were made, and may know how to undo them." To find him Drenn was told to seek out the two queens of the Feywild, Titania and Mab. One or both of those should be able to tell where the Chronicler currently resides.

As parting advice Odin told Drenn to count his friends well, and that it may be worth reading the prophecy that he and the party are all involved in. With that Drenn left the Allfather's plane returning to the material world. As he did the ghosts left, and Idril was able to heal the party. Drenn's vision had been restored, but his eyes now glowed yellow, like those of a wolf.

#### **Valdis meets a dragon without a name.**

Valdis also wished to try sitting on the shine, but first recommended the the rest of the party back up to a safe distance, to avoid another incident like the ghosts. Idril stayed with him on the island as he had been warned by Arabella that harm could come to Warlock's here.
As he took his seat on the shine the skies grew clouded and thunder could be heard. Bolts of lightning reached over his body as Valdis soul left his body. He was taken to a dark cave, ancient stones of sand and red desert tones. In the shadows lurked an enormous Legendary Blue Dragon, Its name long forgotten by even itself. It told Valdis that it was the one to give his people their power, many many years ago. It also told him how to find the Zibens Grimoire.
There was an ancient Storm Giant at the top of a tower in the Elemental Plane of Thunder. The King of Gaints, Esal Monir would be able to help Valdis get to this plane and the Tower.

This Dragon also told Valdis that there was once more of his kind alive. At the moment of them talking (The 22nd of the 2nd in the year 20,124) He was in a jail cell in Jhavil, the capital city of the country of Hixdale, to the far south. This other Vetra was described as wearing many faces, but having the mark of the dragon, in his clawed hands and scaled face. The Legendary Blue Dragon warned Valdis that his skill could not yet match this other Vetra.

Finally the Dragon told Valdis that should he find the Zibens Grimoire, he would be able to summon the dragon back to the Elemental Plane of Thunder, and he would be able to achieve a power far greater than what he holds now.

This dragon also recommended seeking out the Queens of the Feywild, Titania and Mab, as they are the most likely to know how to destroy the shards of the Crown of the Raven Queen. As a parting gift, the Dragon gifted Valdis a +1 to hit and damage for his spells. Imbued through Skuveklis, whose eyes now glow with a slight glint of blue lightning.

On returning to his body, Valdis discovered the cost of his knowledge had not been extracted on his friends, as Drenn's had, but on himself. Leaving him with a weakness and burnt scales on his arms that Idril could not heal.

#### **Idril's duel of fire and light.**

Idril came up to the shrine after Valdis, taking a seat and similarly being taken out to a strange place. To her left, Hellfire and the standing body of the demon she had freed Agerth, to her right was starlight and the moon and the glowing angelic figure of Huwl.

Idril questioned them both, Trying to find her sister. She was told by Agerth that she had been within feet of Aerith Malthen in the last two months. When asked if she could be saved Huwl said that just as some actions cannot be forgive, some injuries cannot be healed. Agerth on the other hand said that if she used all the power at her disposal she just may be able to.

As Idril went to leave the place she had been taken to, she was forced to leave through one door, either on the side of the angle or the devil. She chose Agerth's fiendish door. And as she left Huwl faded away from her side, leaving only hellfire.

#### **Arywen Faces Death.**

Finally Arywen decided to try her luck sitting on the shrine. She felt the same feeling she had once before when she was close to dying. Her body slumped to the ground and she was in a shadowed place.

Standing before her was a Tall, Pale looking Elf woman. Dressed in a large black cloak and hood, she carried with her a huge two handed scythe, like a farmers. Arywen asked only two question, the first why her parents abandoned her; Death could not answer. The second was how to find tham, which Death could help with. She said the nearest thing that could help is a scroll in the Ruins of Dresnill. The other way would be to find someone who deals in blood magic, or talk to a fiend.

With that Arywen rose back, weak and weary but with at least one answer.

#### **Back to Town.**

After collecting their things, thoughts and hearts. The party went back to the witches hut, and returned to Smallton.

There they met with Lady Benford, who told the party of murders happening in Laysfield, a mining city to the south of Smallton. As well as sharing a few anecdotes of life in Smallton.

Drenn came to grow tired of the noble talk, heading off to sleep in the gardens. Idril gave Boff a gold pocketwatch as a gift, and then headed off to the spare rooms with Valdis and Arywen. Pim had a night of roistering with Lady Benford who, given the tiny size of her town, welcomed this new distraction.

### Statues, Gold and Family

After a good night’s sleep at Lady Benford’s manor the party set out with Fu to the Dresnill ruins. They sailed South down the coast. Arwyen used the time to practice her skills in sailing and Drenn was woodcarving in a particularly secretive manner. Idril read the books from Ethel and the papers collected by Arwyen from Krellion and Eastern Downs.

As they approached the ruins they saw an iron door in the rocks. A scaled hand pulled it closed from within and when they got there it was locked. Arwyen picked the lock without difficulty and opened the door.

There were many doors and interconnecting passageways within. None of the locks posed any challenge to Arwyen! There was significant illusion magic within the passageways with both Pim and the Party coming across figures from their past. The party met Bishop Wrightingham, Maith, Sir Valerie and the guard from Krellion that was killed after surrendering.

Valdis used his tinkering skills to mend an old portcullis beyond which was a room of stone statues cloaked in magical darkness. The party saw one of the statues was Igni, the Aasimar that had helped Marvarkus escape Arrith Natel.

Unfortunately Valdis soon suffered the same fate, although as he was still able to control Skulveklis it was clear that he was alive and aware within his stone form.

The party took Valdis and Igni back through the tunnels and, having found a missing piece, opened a large door behind a mosaic wall.

As the mosaic rolled away a room was revealed: scrolls of genesis, familial location and a spinning purple orb that seemed to be creating the illusions within the ruins.

Fu reappeared at this point, having skulked away from the fighting. He sought to claim the orb and the creation scroll. The sob story of finding his lost family was simply a ruse to bring along some muscle.

After removing his weapons and taking the statues back to the boat for the journey North, Fu explained he was selling the two items. Arwyen kept the scroll of familial location.

The party took the statues back to Arabella, who turned them both back to their usual form. Valdis had been significantly wearied by the experience and Igni remained with Arabella for further healing.

After camping for a night a large male passer-by stopped and the party shared food with the stranger. As he departed the man left an indestructible, seven sided coin with 2 faces, one in Abyssal and the other in Celestial reading “A payment like no other”- Drenn kept this for safekeeping. Eventually Fu confessed that he was selling the items for 20,000 gold pieces. After some negotiation he agreed to give the party 75% of his earnings.

The party continued to the Twin Bridges and unearthed the first of Goldmaker’s hauls. They found 5 darkness pellets, 3 supreme healing potions, a magical silver ring in the form of a ram’s head and a small locket with a picture of Goldmaker and Laura within.

They continued on to meet with Fu’s buyers, a very rich high elven Lord, one of the eleven council members of Mathnhil. Fu keeps his end of the bargain by giving the party 3000GP each from his payment.

The Party returned to The Twin Bridges Inn for the night. Arwyen used the scroll of familial location, and in doing so discovers in addition to her father and mother, Arwyen also has an elder sister and a half-brother she knew nothing of and a grandfather.

She chose to find out the exact location of her grandfather. He is currently living in the higher levels of a tall white tower in the elven city of Mathnhil. He is missing his right eye. She sees his name is Laraden Galamin.

The party rests, planning to go to Laysfeild and investigate the murders there and then on to Mathnhil and the nearby Land of Giants.

### Session 18 - The Heist of all Heists

After a night’s sleep the party decided to scout out Laysfeild. Arwyen donned a disguise and headed into town and Drenn flew above the town viewing the town through the eyes of a falcon.

Laysfeild had 5 routes into town. The Northern routes were heavily guarded with Grey soldiers and roadblocks with further patrols of soldiers in the town. The guards had drawings of the Party and were checking all incoming travellers. Arwyen and Drenn felt that over 200 soldiers were in the town, an unusually large number for a place like this.

Arwyen checked the local notice board where she met a member of the 45s. The elf didn’t know much about the murders but it didn’t seem to be related to a gang or specific issue. They had heard of three gruesome murders but knew no details.

Arwyen was asked to help break out another 45 from Hawkin Davlin’s manor, where he was being held captive. She could take the contents of the safe but needed to make it look like the elf had escaped and stolen the safe, with no deaths if possible. The elf was held captive in the 3rd floor of the manor tower. Arwyen returned to the party and relayed all the information she had gained.

Pim remembered Hawkin from school; he was a bully. He volunteered to send Boff in with Arwyen to help serve as a distraction as no-one was looking for him and gave him a small club as a weapon. Arwyen persuaded a somewhat nervous Boff to help and equipped him with a healing potion and Idril gave him some manacles.

What happened next was a heist that has become somewhat legendary in the local area. The amazing escape of an elf from the manor is commonly sung about by local bards. The truthful account follows:

As evening fell Arwyen purchased a potion of invisibility as Valdis was too fatigued from his time as a statue to help and took a teleportation crystal to aid her escape in an emergency. Drenn carried the paired crystal.

Idril cast aid on Arwyen and Boff to give them some additional resilience and then blessed them as they set off on their mission.

The rest of the party planned to skirt to the South of Laysfeild to wait for Arwyen and Boff in the forests South of Laysfeild. Drenn planned an escape route with Arwyen and then made a single person path through the woods lined with coloured stones. Drenn made small pits with spikes alongside the path to slow any following guards. Drenn went hunting with Pim and shot a deer while Idril set a campfire and foraged for some roots and berries and apples for Valdis. Valdis ate a light dinner and slept by the fire, while Skulveklis sat on his shoulder.

Arwyen and Boff approached the manor. Boff provided a distraction by asking for employment, while Arwyen slipped past, invisible. Boff persuaded the guard to let him show his worth by cleaning the guard’s armour.

Arwyen slipped silently past the guards up to the top tower room. At the top she found an elf caged in a room with a single guard. She slit the guard’s throat with her dagger and he fell without ever seeing his attacker. The elf in the cage screams but quietens as Arwyen appears and picks the lock and releases him. The elf tells Arwyen that the key is in the study and the safe is in the bathroom by the kitchen

The elf then runs down the stairs and Arwyen dons the guard’s armour and chases him down the stairs shouting that he is escaping. As the elf flees Arwyen tells him to head for the door and as she memorises the room she throws down a darkness pellet to cover his escape. The remaining guards stumble around in the darkness while Arwyen heads towards the study.

The elf flies out the front of the manor as Boff leaps out of the way. Boff watched the guards chasing the elf down the street and carried the Helm into the manor looking for Arwyen. As she speeds past him to the study she asks him to keep watch and send any other guards after the fleeing elf, in the wrong direction.

Arwyen swipes the key and heads for the safe. A few guards stay behind to guard the safe. Arwyen uses minor illusion to demand the guards head upstairs on the orders of the master. She finds the safe with no difficulty and empties it into her smugglers bag of holding, not even waiting to see what loot she has received. A rapier is fixed in an anvil, “Only the worthy may pull the blade” Arwyen draws the blade and as the hilt gems glow and an elven voice whisper “You are worthy”.

As she heads back to collect Boff, Arwyen casts around the room she heads through finding an Arrow of Slaying and a Skullcrusher Great club bound in silver rings. They run back to the prisoner’s room and hold onto the guard and then crush the sfdgsfgsdfgsrystal, teleporting the three of them to the party campsite.

At the campsite Drenn and Idril burn the body and then Drenn suspends the body from a nearby tree, making it look like he had been a victim of the murderer.

Idril gives Boff 5 gold pieces and Drenn cuts him some roast venison to settle his stomach as the events had made him somewhat nauseous.

Drenn tries the rapier but cannot use it, neither can Valdis or Pim; Idril can use the blade without problem. It is made of Mithral and seems to only be wieldable by elves. It can extinguish any flame up to the size of a campfire as a bonus action.

The great club appears to have extra power against creatures of bone.

Arwyen opens her bag of holding to review her loot: 5000GP, a flying carpet, a cloak of the bat that allows the wearer to fly in the darkness, a wand of wonder and a golden orb with a crucifix on top etched with “The Hand of God” which deals 8d12 of radiant damage over a 50ft area when the crucifix is removed and thrown.

The party shut down camp and head towards a tiny village called Ader North. Pim had seen Alder North and South on a map and was intrigued! After a brief detour and a night in the Windy Worm where the party had a brief moment of concern that they’d been tracked but it was simply a search for a wingless arakokra, a silver dragonborn and 2 gnomes; whatever they might have done!

The party then headed down the river towards the high cloak inn. They found that their horses were well and Valdis had earned 10GP in rental. The party gave Nutmeg to Boff. The party headed to the UnderInn to talk to Xunnol who had received Valdis’s letter. Many of the other members of X; Artur, Leofrick, Redsand and Caution had left; Xunnol felt they didn’t like the feeling of being accused as a rat. Drenn had a long conversation with Xunnol after having smelt brimstone around him. However Drenn did not share with the party what this was about.

Xunnnol suggests that there are two other ways that Hastur could be stopped; persuading the King and possibly other nations leaders to intervene, or killing off House Greyfield by destroying the three heirs; Edward, Morradin and Reeve. They Party also knows that the spirit of Hastur likely possesses or resides within another host. Given the way it dispatched Drenn, this could be a tough fight without the Weapon of ledged; The Deus Mori.

The party shared most of what they had found out over the past few days. They didn’t choose to share information about the Deus Mori or the Mirror demon. Xunnol and Laura knew a little more about the house Gallamin. After some reserch Arywen found out that House Galamin is one of the 11 houses on the elven council. Her Grandfather Ladorian Galamin, is the brain behind the house and pulls the strings. However, it is his son (and therefore presumably Arwen's father) Penlador Galamin who sits on the council. As chairs on the council are intended to be occupied by different sexes consecutively, and Children have preference over spouses, that would make Arywen next in line for the council seat.

The party set off again in the direction of Mathnhil and the giant kingdom of Zephyr, with the aim to ultimately head to Oaktown to meet with King William the Elder and ask for aid against the growing groups of Greycloaks. Next week, we hope to discover Arwyen’s family.

### Session 19 - Entering Mathnhil

After arriving at Last-Stop-West and doing a decent bit of shopping at Gaddion's Magical Shop The party travelled through Frewind Forrest, learning it was infested by Goblins. They arrived at the Elven city of Mathnhil, and Arywen and Idril were permitted to the browse the Library. There they met Amity, the old librarian and Arywen discussed her relationship to Ladorian Galamin (The Goblin). Amity lead them up and Arywen met her grandfather for the first time.

Ladorian was surprised at Arywen's arrival, but after confirming the relationship with one of the scrolls that the party had bought from Gaddion, he belived them to be related. He spoke of his son's long standing infidelity and philandering, remarking that Arywen had the look of one of the women whom he use to know.

He lead Arywen also to meet her father, Penlador Galamin. He was entirely shocked at Arywen's presence, and said nothing about her mother. Ladorian rushed his granddaughter Arwyen out of the room after only a short time, and they seemed to need to confer amongst themselves.

Meanwhile; Arywen, Pim, Drenn and Valdis had entered a tournament, Arywen in the archery, Drenn in the Melee (no magic, enchantments or ranged weapons) and Pim and Valids in the Opens (anything goes). However, as Idril took her seat she noticed the familiar face of Edward Greyfield in the crowd, with a number of heavily armoured grey soldiers around him. Arywen took part in the archery tournament, taking second place - losing out by only 2 points. Winning 100g and 5 +1 Elven arrows.

Then came the Melee. In the very first match, Drenn stepped into the ring. Armed with a fine elven blade and two hand axes. Across the stadium his opponent was revealed to be Morradin Greyfield, eldest son of Lord Arron Greyfield. The Two fought in mighty battle, Morradin armed with a spear and longsword. However, in the end Drenn's rage helped him see victory.

Next was Valdis' fight against a quick, colourfully coated, Tabaxi. However his speed was no match for Valdis' Pact magic.

Finally Pim was ready to step into the ring. He had sent out a letter to his father, from whom his only reply was "I will do as I can." As Pim stepped into the ring - wooing the watching crowd with his suave charms - He saw his opponent.

Armed with a Bull head Axe, a smug grin showing his golden tooth, stepped forward a bald headed Goliath. Goldmaker had entered the Ring.

### Session 20 - In the Name of Galamin.

Recap; Who is everyone?

* Goldmaker - Goliath who masterminded the fall of Vadis people
* Edward Greyfield - New Head of House Greyfield, adopted son of Lord Arron Greyfield (who was killed by the demon back at the festival of a thousand wines). Both Greyfields have been killed by the demon Agerth.
* Morradin Greyfield - The Other adopted son of Arron Greyfield. A Knight, and not very bright.
* Cardinal Rishna - One of Two Cardinals in Bacland, Working with the Greyfields in Eastern Downs. While he is the head of the church it is unclear how much he knows.
* Ladorian Galamin (AKA The Goblin) - The Brains of Galamin House. Arywen's Grandfather.
* Penlador Galamin - Arywen's biological father, and Sitting Councillor of Galamin House.
* Rhea Morin - Arywen's mother. Who sold her into the 45's (Elven criminal gang.)
* Torsol - Her (Rhea's) Husband. Arywen's child hood father.
* Finder - Rhea and Torsol's child. Arywen's half brother.
* Arywen's sister (Name Unknown) - Taken by Abbot Galad to Parnos as a babe.
* Abbot Galad - Idril's old mentor, distant relative of the Galamin house.
* Aerith Malthen - Idril's missing sister, had a birthmark of a golden star on her arm.

### Session 20 - The Events as they happened.

#### The Tournament.

In the stadium, as Goldmaker and Pim faced off across the ring. Pim cunningly convinced Goldmaker to make a show of the match, agreeing that he would win but this would give the crowd a better match to watch - bringing them more renown and glory. The Two clashed, with only their fists and wits as a weapon. Pim running around the edge of the ring and creating quite the show. Eventually, he gave Goldmaker the wink and he fell - beaten, but still very much admired by the crowd.

Next was Drenn in the second round of the Melee, facing of a black knight who was revealed to be a Bugbear. They fought well, as Drenn attempted to take on his foe without using his rage. Ultimately though, Drenn's skill and strength persisted - knocking the foe unconscious and taking victory.

Finally, it was Valdis' turn to fight Goldmaker. Drenn had given Valdis Sir Valerie's sword, and he took it as his pact weapon. Valdis prepared himself, and entered the ring. Using a summoned Gelatinous cube as a distraction and diversion against the Goliath, Valdis took a few shots at his enemy with words and spells. Goldmaker told Valdis that he still wanted to find the Zibbens Grimoire. Valdis told Goldmaker that he knows where it is. While Goldmaker was distracted with the cube, Valdis turned invisible, taunting Goldmaker by telling him what the sword he carried was. Realising he was against Sir Valerie's Pearl powered sword he backed down, calling that he yield. Valdis won the match.

However, Valdis sent his small dragon Skuveklis over to taunt Goldmaker.He crushed it in his fist. Enraged at loosing his dragon friend, Valdis plunged Sir Valerie's Sword into Goldmaker's chest. As he did the pearl disintegrated, and a blinding flash of white light filled the stadium. The blast turned sand to glass, and sent shocks up Valdis' arms. Goldmaker fell to the ground and clerics rushed over. Valdis was arrested.

The crowds began to hurry out of the stadium. Arywen slipped away to the council chambers, being allowed in with the other council members and foreign diplomats. She took aside her Grandfather and Father and discussed what the Greyfields have been planning. Ladorian (The Goblin/Grandfather) took charge of the conversation and sent Arywen's father Penlador to see that Valdis was freed.

Ladorian offered Arywen the opportunity to become a full member of House Galamin, and eventually take over her father's seat on the council. When asked, Arywen was honest about her older sister, Ladorian warned her never to lie to him. Ladorian asked Arywen if she still had a golden star birthmark on her shoulder, which she did not.

That afternoon a council was held, Mathnahil decided not to join the proposed Grey Alliance with Eastern Downs and Daswer. They also discussed that a green dragon wyrmling will need to be killed in the woods before it gets too much older. After the council meeting while everyone was mingling, Idril went to talk with Cardinal Rishna, who had been staying with Edward Greyfield. When She mentioned Hastur leaving the body of Arron Greyfield his entire manner changed from anxious and small, to a confident and tall standing man, he simply replied "Then he lives?" and walked away, presumably going to travel with the Greyfield convoy leaving the city that afternoon.

That night Arywen was asked to invite the rest of party to have dinner with the Galamin's; swapping war stories and telling tales. Afterwards, Valdis and Arywen snuck off on Valdis' Flying carpet and followed the roads out of the city until meeting the Greyfield's Convoy. Valdis called in his favour with the demon Agerth to kill Goldmaker, but settled for the death of Edward Greyfield when Agerth reported that Goldmaker was not there. The two returned back before the rest of the party awoke.

Valdis went to bed. Arywen, however headed to the infirmary, finding Goldmaker, injured grievously, but still alive.

The next day Arywen went through the process of being legitimised as a Galamin. She was given paperwork proving her lineage and a small crest to use as she saw fit. Ladorian also gave her the location of her mother, Rhea. In the nearby town of Crimsonvalle.

Arywen was also given a very powerful and ancient long-sword; The Galamin Moonblade. She was told to do with it whatever she desired, so long as it eventually come back to the family. The sword has the following traits.

* +2 weapon
* The Moonblade gains the finesse property
* The blade is indestructible, and ever shines clean
* The Moonblade scores a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20

As she took they blade she saw flashes of Ladorian, Penlador, her mother Rhea, her half brother and the aura of another trapped and pulled by grey strings.

She took the sword, and it attuned to her. As she took the blade she heard a small voice; "Who is your enemy?" A question she still needs to answer before the sword's abilities will be fully realised.

The following two days the Party left Mathnhil, traveling to the Crimsonvalle to find Arywen's mother. They talked; finding out that Arywen's older sister was taken from her mother's arms after she was born, and that Arywen was born out of an affair that her mother had with Penaldor.

The Family had to move and disappear when Rhea Morin realised she was pregnant again, fearing that the Galamin's would do the same to Arwyen as they did to her older sister. The Morin's escaped with their daughter Arywen, but having no connection and work soon found that they were starving. Arywen's young thieving was put to a little use - but generally got into more trouble then help. Rhea sold Arywen to the 45's for enough money for her husband and her to eat and eventually start a small shop.

Rhea asked that her daughter not talk to her husband, as she was trying to leave the mistakes of her life behind her.

Lastly the party travelled to Zephyr, Kingdom of Giants.

### Session 21 - Wandering in madness

The party met with the Giant king Easl Monir and found he had already foretold their arrival in the movements of the clouds. The party were shown to their quarters and Arwyen asked whether the Giants had any other prophecies that might be of use. She was told that the best chance of information of this type would be from the Storm Giant, Sel Sevir, the greatest seer of the giants. The journey, to Seeker’s Truth at the highest of the frozen peaks sounds dangerous but potentially valuable.

Pim spent the afternoon visiting the local settlement of Puddleside where he chatted to the Tieflilng barman and then to a local boat captain called Spikewell. Spikewell sails the waters beneath the mountain and travels the dangerous caves there. He told Pim that a vessel had gone missing and the Party might help him retrieve it for a share of the treasure that was supposed to be aboard. He asked that this be kept secret from the King but offered 32% of the gold for the party's help.

That evening the party joined the King at a feast and he told them a little of Giant history. He told the Party that the Giants were granted their own home world by the angels called Austeria. The Giants lived peacefully here but could travel between planes by way of the Nexus stone that sat upon the King's staff. Unfortunately there was a rebellion and eventually civil war, led by a Frost Giant Yesmir. He stole the Nexus stone and retreated with his allies to the Feywilde. As a result the Giants of Zephyr have been trapped in the material plane for 20,000 years and despite trying to communicate with Mab and Titania have been unable to retrieve the Nexus stone.

They explained that there was a man held prisoner in the dungeons who had been ejected from the Feywilde. They thought he might have information but unfortunately was quite insane and simply babbled in multiple languages. The Giant King's sorcerer offered to help the party enter the man's mind to seek information in order to try and find and return the Nexus stone to the King.

In the dungeon was a man bound completely in chains. His face was a blank space within his hood. Drenn found that although he made no sense he did seem to try to respond, particularly in Sylvan, and seemed afraid to talk. He then accused Arwyen of buying his face for a bag of silver.

The party elected to enter his mind and travelled within his memories, which were guarded. The party defended the memories against monsters rising from the deep while solving riddle to unlock the doors deep in the man's tormented mind.

They discovered that the man had been a jester. He was an early inhabitant of the land and thus amusing to the giants. Due to their heightened perception he was unable to trick or surprise them and so the stone giants carved him a mask to make him undetectable. The party recognised this as the one now worn by Lady Shesacava. The jester worked for Yesmir and moved with them to the Feywilde after the rebellion. He saw Yesmir praying to the shrine of The Raven Queen. He overheard Yesmir talking about the Nexus stone. They couldn't use it without the King. They decided to sell it but had concerns due to it's power. They decided to sell it to "her" as "her mother had helped them before". The jester watched, unnoticed as a lady in a red dress and hat took the Nexus stone on the promise of a future alliance. She came upon him, startled as she had not perceived his presence. Yesmir explained the function of his mask and the lady demanded it. The Giants said she could take it and she paid the jester with a bag of silver. She placed the mask upon her face. It was The Lady Shesacava.

The jester could no longer trick and surprise and was ejected from court. He wandered lost inthe Feywilde until coming upon a different place of shadows. There lay a ruined castle and from a window shone a light that he recognised as being of the nexus stone. He tried to reach it but instead fell and landed in Zephyr where he was imprisoned.

The place is the Forgotten Fortress in the Shadowfell. The party left the mind of the jester. Drenn told him that the party know who has his face and willl return it to him. The party settle for the rest of the night and plan to try and retrieve the missing ship tomorrow.

### Session 22 - Looking forward, or Burnport and the Magpie

When debriefing with the Esal Monir, The King of Gaints the party were told that he would be able to use the raven queens crown to send them to the Forgotten Fort, if they could gather one more peice of the crown. He warned that there must be something terrible planned if Shesacarva wanted a section of the crown.

After a night of drinking with the king and a few higher ranking giants, Arywen and Idril awoke in the early hours of the morning. Sneaking up to see the great profit Cel Ceveer, who Arywen had told Idril about in confidence. After battling a few giant goats on the mountains they reached a log cabin at Seeker’s Truth at the very top of the mountain Arwyen and Idril found the huge Frost Giant, Sel Sevir, the great answerer of questions.

Arwyen asked about prophecies relating to a child with a starburst birth mark.

Sel Sevir relates the prophecy of the Gold Star Child, “Born of someone long lost in time but destined to return in her lifetime. This child will be born and taken to a family that is not hers and then to another, which is not hers either. She will be raised amongst no friend or family, but amongst those she would call an enemy. She is destined to be key in either the arrival or the defeat of The Wraith that Never Dies.

He goes on to describe how Arwyen and Idril and their friends are destined to find her. He cautions Arwyen about “knowing” she is family as “knowing” is a strong term and often not true.

Sel Sevir continues, “There are many things we believe will happen in the future. One of them is the coming of a new age, a dark age; where many foes will return and many atrocities shall happen. The beginning of this age is marked by the physical appearance of Hastur in this realm. If he gains physical form I have no doubt many other things shall come to pass, not to mention the damage he alone can do.”

Arwyen tells Sel Sevir about the weapon at Polaris and he replies, “For the sake of the future you must find this weapon and use it. I believe the time of darkness will come if Hastur gains physical form. You are destined to be the only ones who can stop him. Even now a grey shadow expands over this world. The weapon you believe is in the North appears to be the clearest path, however there is another. You could unite the peoples of Randore under a single banner.”

Idril asks about the elven families and he responds to Arwyen, “I see in your heart you have accepted your place in one of their houses. I would suggest you look again at the signs for something you may have missed, something hiding in plain sight, escaping your eye. I do not know what this could be. We are not always privileged to know which path we walk, but we must walk it all the same.”

“I understand there is one travelling with you who seeks a book. Be careful; ones who wield such power often pay the price.”

Idril asks about accessing the Shadowfell. Sel Sevir responds, “There exist gates, abandoned graves, ruins. You find shadows. It is sometimes possible to fall into these shadows. The danger of accessing the Shadowfell this way is that it is a vast wasteland of ash and death. Arriving in the wrong place would be a death sentence.”

She then asks about The Chronicler. Sel Sevir answers, “I am aware of him. We have met. He lives on an Island in a lake. His task is recording everything that ever happens. He communes with the animals of the World. They travel to the Feywilde to speak with him. He is occasionally known to speak with the souls of the dead. The Fey are tricky. If you hope to find information from him it will come at a price. He does nothing for free.”

When asked his price he simply replies, "I ask that you do not give up hope and remember the value of an enemy turned friend."

After the party concluded their business with the giants, they travelled for two days to arrive at Burnport on the 21st. Thanks to Arywens criminal contacts they found that the person they would know how to find the magpie was a Tabaxi Crookedman known as White Whiskers. He had a job for them at the docks. There they met Captain Bess, and were able to peacefully resolve the issue. W. Whiskers gave them the location of the magpie.

However, when the party arrived they saw that Finnian Underbough had also come to find the magpie, however it seems that he was intending to kill them.

A Battle ensued, during which Drenn killed the Halfling, slicing him in half.

The Magpie was also had a Minotaur guard who ran off.

### Session 23 - Enter Riona

After a quick discussion with the gnome it was realised that they were not the Magpie, but just a diversion. The really Magpie accountant was in fact the Minotaur who had been posing as their body guard. After a chase through a crowded market, and Drenn ripping the nose ring out of his face, The Magpie - named Orig, agreed to talk.

It was here that the party also met a new member, a fairy named Riona Orla. She had just finished a bunty hunter job. It was also here that Pim ran into an old friend, who he went off and had a great time with.

Orig informed the party of a few things, with a little cohesion;

* House Greyfield are planning war, against everyone.
* The Edward Greyfield that visited Mathnhil, and was thought to be dead, was only a body double. One of many around Randore currently. The Real Edward Greyfield is still very much alive.
* There is a compound in Oaktown where the children were taken. It's hidden and can be accessed by going down a set of stairs in the Smoakdale crypt.

After this The party continued off to Mathnhil, stopping by and sabotaging some of the Greyfield's carriages and burning up a number of their documents.

In Mathnhil Arywen found out that her Grandfather thought her to be her sister, the child of prophecy. Finding out that Arywen was not this child, he informed her that she would not sit on the council. But, "as a show of respect" he allowed Arywen to remain a Galamin, and still offered her to stay in Mathnhil whenever she liked.

He also revealed that the Galamin line is directly descended from one of the daughters of the Raven Queen. He warned that Arywen should not try and interfere with the prophecy that her older sister is involved in. However, he would not stop her if that is the path she chose to take.

As this conversation was taking place, Valdis went to see goldmaker. The Goliath asked for mercy in return to give information about Hastur. He was telling the truth when he was saying that there is a way to get into his inner sanctum. However, He double crossed Valdis at the last minute and slipped into the night.

The session finished as the party headed off to fight a dragon. Thanks to some quick thinking and skilled draconic by Valdis the party was lead into the dragons cave. When suddenly, Pim appeared, after attempting to roister the wrong wizard in Burnport and being hit with a teleport spell.

### Session 24 - Green Dragon Defeated

As Pim appeared from nowhere the party began to attack the remaining Kobalds and the dragon they served.

Valdis managed to convince the guards that he was a more powerful dragon and after a demonstration of power they agreed and switched their allegiance, for the short remainder of their lives!

Drenn jumped across the water and the dragon tried to escape into the water but it made little difference to it's life expectancy! Pim smited with his crossbow bolts into the submerged dragon with ferocious and deadly accuracy.

Idril, chanting in Infernal, used her channel divinity to curse the dragon, making it vulnerable to the next attack. The dragon emerged, cursed from the water to make it's last attack. It shot poison gas on all those on the shore; killing the kobalds and seriously injuring all but Drenn.

Arwyen threw down a potion before knocking an explosive arrow in her bow and shooting the dragon. The cursed dragon fell as the explosion ripped through its head.

With the dragon dead The Party picked over the treasure pile finding both gold and some useful items:

15,000 Gold Pieces - Divided equally between The Party

4 art objects worth 250 GP each

Wristband of Fireballs (9 throwable beads - Level 3 fireball - Dex Save DC15) - Drenn took this

Necklace of Healing (Gain 1d10 health at start of turn when bloodied) - Valdis took this

Quiver of Infinite Bolts (+2 to hit & damage) - Taken by Pim

Wand of Dispell Magic (4 remaining charges - Dispell up to 3rd level; 120ft range; DC 16 save) - Idril has this

A metal eyepatch - if missing eye gives truesight to 120ft - Drenn has this in his bag of holding

Drenn dismantled the dragon - 25 teeth to become arrow tips. (-2 to hit but +2d6 poison)

Valdis uses a dragon scale to embed into the hilt of his sword.

As The Party left the lair Valdis announced the fall of the Green Dragon by Valdis Lietus Dragonslayer and drew the Lietus crest on the wall. As Valdis was speaking in Draconic Pim told relayed to the Party, Valdis's creative depicition of events!

The party returned to Mathnahil with the dragon's tail as evidence of their success. Drenn dropped the tail at Ladorian Gallamin's feet and said, "Thank your granddaughter". Drenn seemed to be increasingly angry and aggressive and spent a lot of time scratching his left shoulder.

The Party were knighted for their service to Mathnahil. Arwyen found out that her father was due to wed his fiancee but was notably not invited to attend the wedding.

Idril discovered an unhealing animal bite on Drenn's shoulder but was unable to identify it's cause.

Drenn and Valdis went to the wedding anyway, while Idril and Arwyen searched Ladorian's office, finding the 4th book of prophecy.

After the wedding The Party head to Oaktown via Last Stop West. They camp on the edge of the moors on the outskirts of Last Stop West on the 1st Day of the 4th Month. Drenn is sitting apart while camp is set, he was noticeably not his usual self, to the point that even Valdis noticed! As the full moon rose Drenn began to shudder and convulse. He rolled a bottle of Wolfsbane as he transformed into a 7ft tall werewolf before the Party's eyes and ran towards Idril. The bite was from Cannis in the battle at Krellion mine.

The party subdued Drenn with Wolfsbane, temporarily reverting him to his usual form. Idril healed Drenn from his crossbow bolt injuries but the Wolfsbane potion only lasts for a few hours. Idril consults the Omnium Codex to try and find a solution to the problem, but other than killing them in non-werewolf form there were no easy options.

The party tie Drenn up to a tree with a never-ending rope, Arwyen running round and round the tree until Drenn was almost completely covered. Idril placed her broken Holy Symbol of light on his head and Arwyen bound her silver dagger to his skin. There was nothing helpful in the Codex about how to gain control of the transformation, etc. Drenn regained consciousness, confused and bound to a tree, coming to realise that he had been bitten by Cannis. The Party hoped the binding would be strong enough to hold the werewolf form and Valdis used his scroll of suggestion to suggest that Drenn should not move.

Arwyen meditated and then watched Drenn from the safety of the flying carpet. She watched as Drenn transformed as the Wolfsbane potion wore off, with the dagger and holy symbol burning against his skin. the scroll continued to work and despite shifting he stayed still against the tree. As the spell wore off Drenn woke up and struggled against the ropes but he was unable to escape. As the sun rose on the 2nd day Drenn transformed, fatigued, to his usual form.

Arwyen unbound him and retrieved her dagger. Idrils holy symbol was placed with the rope. The Party know that the next full moon will be on the 1st day of the 5th month so planned to gain some silver chains and plans before then.

The Party resupplied in Last stop West with Drenn having a suicide potion made from Nightshade, Wolfsbane and liquid silver which he gave to Idril to use if necessary. He also purchased a silver chain that Arwyen carries. The Party then set out to travel to Oaktown, where Pim's family live.

Oaktown is an immense city. Drenn and Idril went to visit the university but were unable to learn much more about werewoves. Professor Armond, the professor of lycanthropy has vanished and all here research has gone too. The party think she went to work at Eastern Downs. Her room at the University is essentially empty, she had borrowed money from The Crooked Men but all the research has gone.

Arwyen goes shopping and gets Idril 4 diamonds among her many purchases.

At Pim's large family estate the Party meet Count Callous de Mimsy, Pim's father. He is welcoming and seems quite impressed with Pim's progress, although advises him to stay away from the Church. Pim's brother Conspirus De Mimsy is the recently appointed Dean of the Church of Heller, which is worrying to The Party, although not to Pim. They share stories over a lavish dinner and plan to visit Con's Church and The Smoakdale crypt the following day.

### Session 25 - Pim's brother picked the wrong side

Having spent an evening in Oaktown getting to know Pim's father Count Callous de Mimsy the party (as yet to find a catchy name) headed off to the church headed up by Pim's brother Conspirus De Mimsy.

The church was a small branch of The Church of Light with an interesting graveyard. Con seemed keen to get their father out the way and not so happy to be reunited with his brother.

The party found the mausoleum of the Smoakdales and entered by way of a secret button. The Abyssal symbol was etched on the wall and Arwyen identified a trip wire at the top of the stairs.

The crypt was in deep darkness and magic suppressed communication. The party edged through the shadowy rooms uncovering kitchens and cages and a classroom or chapel decorated with a picture of Aaron Greyfield in front of a huge army.

It appeared to be the storage crypt for children that Marvarkus had described, but the children were long gone and the place was being dismantled and evidence destroyed.

In one room the party discovered a priest, the Bishop - who called himself Elcraft - described by Pim's brother, communicating with Hastur via a portal. It seemed to be similar to the Waystone from The Wellhouse, enabling one-way communication with Hastur's physical presence. He reported that things were advancing and progressing as planned. It seems he was disposing of evidence at the crypt.

When confronted the priest's appearance dropped and revealed him to be an Abomination of some kind. The being dealt powerful psionic damage and teleported away from trouble, while spawning creatures from its tentacles.

Valdis had gone his own way through the crypt and was shot in the back by Pim's brother.

The Party fought in the dim light, until Valdis unstoppered the eversmoking bottle, when they then fought in complete blackness! Nearly defeated, Drenn fumbled and the "priest" teleported away.

Idril seized a collection of papers and scrolls from a desk and The Party dismantled a machine of magic and cages that they recognised as the equipment necessary to convert children to pearls. As the party made to leave the crypt, Valdis went over to dismantle the Waystone as the only one with the necessary knowledge.

### Session 26 - King Side Castel

The part went to see the king, Fought Shesacarva and got her mask. They also found out she looked shockingly like Arywen.

They then convicted the new king, William the Younger, to go to war against Eastern Downs and the Greenfields.

Using a Babylon Candle to travel, they gathered allies from the giants and the elves.

### Session 27/28 - The Battle of Arrith Natel

After intense planning with Mayor Elizabeth Lunrune, Captain Helouis Drake, Gideon / Gaddeon, (Mayor) Nannah H, Mayor Hannish and the Elven and Giant Generals Thaddious and Mirral. The party defended the town. In the process Drenn killed Canis, who threated to send his daughter to drenns home of the white woods.

When the kings army finally arrived, in a stroke of strategic genius Pim preposed an alliance with the Dwarves of Katos, stating that Clan Skep should be propositioned into an alliance on the grounds of being given the city of Eastern Downs after it is taken from House Greyfield.

### Session 29/30 - Smalltime Wedding Crashes

The party heads to Katos. In an attempt to secure an alliance with Family-Clan of Skep they travel to Silverhearth, aiming to break apart the Silverearth Union by stopping a marrage. On the way they are waylaid by a gang of mercenaries lead by a human named Wallace, but they prove no match for our intrepid heros! After arriving at Silverhearth the party uses Wallace's contract to gain work acting as guards for heir at the wedding. As they are briefed for this job they meet a pretentious firbolg; Bonnard Quatermain.

Using Pim's Expert marksmanship and a cunning plan they are able to sabotage the wedding, killing the uncel of the bride, Felix Sinvlar-Earthturner. Not only this, by the were able to implicate Quartermain and by extension the grey alliance, securing the dwarven clan Earthturner to the growing resistant force against the Grey alliance.