Realms S2E6 The Frigid Expanse

The party finds themselves bewildered in a strange and frigid land. Many questions lie unanswered and it's unclear whether the town ahead is a place of refuge or just another threat lurking in the darkness.

### Player Characters Present

Eclipse, Naphako, Keywynn, Kyrealle, Kerrick

### Synopsis

After scaling down the side of a cold harsh mountain the party continued to follow what seemed to be a road leading to a city named Trevak. They eventually came upon a gate that was guarded by strange creatures they hadn’t seen before. They were human and one of the guards spoke to the group. Surprisingly both Keywynn and Naphako understood what the creature was saying. Gaining a tad bit of information they entered the city to get away from the frigid cold. Finding the local tavern, the Frosty Tankard, they were able to finally gain some warmth and much needed rest. They spoke to the tavern owner, Cedric, an elder goblin man who gave the group food, drink and information about the town.

After a short rest in the tavern the group set out to explore the town and gather some winter gear. They arrived at the leather goods shop called Sew and Tell. Inside they met the owner, a tall grayish skin goliath woman by the name of Thaylin. The group began to search the wares of the store when Eclipse noticed what looked to be a tabaxi skin hanging on the wall. The shopkeeper confirmed they stocked not only tabaxi furs but other humanoid skins as well. Part of the group understood these are extreme survival situations while the rest did not like the idea. Thaylin continued to cater to the group and explain how very dire the situation was. Explaining their god Pyriel has placed a curse on the lands creating a forever winter. It has been many years since the region has seen a summer, let alone the sun. After a good deal of time the group did purchase a number of furs to help handle the frigid environment.

Later the group ventured to the arcane shop by the name of the Second Wand. There they met a beautiful and intelligent elf woman by the name of Jelel Apha Owens. Jelel explained the rime on the land and they obtained a few needed magical items. Once they completed their transactions then went back to the tavern to call it a night. As they ate their evening meal Kerrick, ecstatic to be so far from the people he was running from, disclosed to the group how he had set Eclipse free from their mutual former employer, Vrigka.

Once everyone retired to their rooms the party had time to connect to their own mysteries. Eclipse and Naphako had a private heart to heart about their mysterious shared connection to Eclipse’s sister, Light in the Shadows. Keywynn accidentally casted the sending spell to speak to her brother and, surprisingly, she was successful. After two sending spells she was able to discover that he was alive and trapped somewhere dark and cold. Meanwhile Kyrealle also casted the sending spell on her friend Samonji. Thankfully Samonji was safe with other survivors north of the city that was attacked.

The next morning they met in the common room in the inn to discuss next steps when a loud bang fell against their door. It was about 12 of the town militia demanding that the party drop their weapons and come with them to meet Lady Godfrey. The group questioned the reason for this request and received a quick reply. There were three murders that night and this group were the only unknowns in the town. Quickly complying to the request they followed the militia to speak with Lady Godfrey. Lady Godfrey questioned the group while they stood in a zone of truth about the killings and their reasons for being in her town. Naphako had some questions of her own and casted zone of truth on Lady Godfrey. The group began to learn about the region they are in, the struggles they will endure, and the questions they need answered if they wish to find their way home.