Session Log

## Session 0 - Post Wave Echo Cave

The party travels to Waterdeep. Makes a friend and gets a ride for a potion. Ends up buying four horses. Fights a young Roc, doesn't kill, only one woman survived, who is left to fend for herself. We make it to Waterdeep with 3 horses.

## Session 1 - Waterdeep

The group met up with Falco Chubb upon entering Waterdeep. He tells of the party's heroic deeds and wins the crowd to their side. He recommended options in the city. Says he's working "deep cover" on "something big."

Winifred Rue at the Salty Nymph tavern (Trade Ward), recommended by Falco Chubb

Group learns lots of rumors and options.

* Castle ward – Griffon cavalry have been reformed by Lady Laeral Silverhand (Open Lord of Waterdeep)
* Merchant – just arrived from Beliard – It was wondrous – heard a singing tower outside of town
* I hear there’s troll problems in Calling Horns
* There’s a bridge in Loudwater where the fish fly up out of the water
* I once visited the Gem of the North, Silverymoon, and its great Stone Bridge – 2 miles long and 400 ft tall - arch
* A visit to Allfaiths Shrine in Red Larch can gain you boons from the gods
* Winifred asked us to investigate the Womford Bat. We're unsure of her affiliation.

Jhendor follows Zhentarim request, meets Ered Shenk Waterdeep Contact. There is a particular noble family (House Margaster) that has taken upon itself to oppose Zhentarim activity in the city. We need to destroy the documents within 48 hours. (Completed)

Party attends inaugural ceremony of reforming of Griffon Cavalry after over 100 years of absence. Was in operation for over roughly 500 years prior. Controlled by House Belabranta, who breeds griffons and trains them for riding into combat.

Party goes to follow heroes wanted poster. Meet Zemdi Currant who will provide a contract for 250g per giant head. Zemdi deputizes party and gives them provisional patent of judicial authority which states that city officials will provide support whenever they can and that party is acting on "official business" for the Lords' Alliance. This allows the party to carry weapons in the city. Gives the party the Code Legal for reference. Guy pays one year of taxes (120g) and becomes a citizen, allowing him to join the Lords' Alliance if invited/offered. Zemdi urges haste for responding to giant attacks around Goldenfield. Upon leaving Rykar is offered a chance to craft Venomfang’s skull into a magic item for 100g, Rykar declines citing too expensive of a cost.

Group decided to go to mausoleum of House Margaster that evening after watching the inaugural event of the Griffon Calvary. Travel to location based on the map. Rykar moves through multiple traps, the party fights 3 contstructs (2 hellhounds & helmed horror). Group opens two chests, one is a mimic. Find box of secret blackmail info – House Adarbrent (slavers), Patents of Nobility (Margaster), book of rites & a mysterious ring (likely owned by House Margaster, likely occult related, gods/etc.), Philter of Love. Destroyed Margaster patents of nobility in fire.

Group heads to a magic shop and determines ring is of the God Asmodeus. Turns out that is not a good thing to have on hand. Purchase various potions and sells treasure, realizes magic items are expensive.

Party decides to travel toward Goldenfields to see if they can learn anything about the giants, and may continue on to Womford. Along the way they rescue three bear cubs from a hole, and Rykar gains Melora's Blessing for 72 hours (re-roll one die). After two days on the road, they arrive in Goldenfields.

## Session 2 - Elminster's Training Facility

Outside Goldenfields the party comes across an old man who seems who stops them on the road asking for help. He introduces himself as Rube the Incompetent who speaks of a "dangerous dungeon", saying he will pay them handsomely to investigate. He offers them "Elminster's Sack" and a set of valuable potions. Rube then conjures a portal and the party travels through it. They emerge into a large stone room, with elvish script on the walls. They see a vision of the "cavern" in their heads and also hear a voice beckoning them forward. The cavern is shrouded in darkness except for some dimly lit torches as the party moves forward into the dungeon. As they move forward, they see a pillar on a bridge. Jhendor activates the pillar and more of the cavern is revealed by bright sunlight, and the party engages in combat with newly revealed enemies in the form of Shadows and Drow with bows on floating platforms.

After a hard fought battle with Shadows and Drow scouts during which the heroes were badly injured, the combat is interrupted and the cavern is filled with sunlight and they are healed and standing on the bridge. The old man reveals himself as Elminster Aumar, the Chosen of Mystra. He tells the party the "dungeon" was a test of the heroes' skills, prowess, and teamwork. He tells them he is always looking for talent worthy of his time and investment. He tells them he is not impressed though he remains hopeful of their potential.

The party is teleported by Elminster into a stone chamber and encounter Nezzot, an adult bronze dragon, and Evar a storm giant lord, playing a Wah-ree, an ancient tabletop strategy game. The dragon and giant notice the party. After helping them with a move, they allow the party to pass on to next room.

They end up in a smaller room, Jhendor goes blind, Guy loses hearing, and Rykar loses ability to speak. There is a door with writing above it that is strange and rare which is identified as Abyssal. The party is forced to use their language proficiencies to form a chain of translations. The translated text reads:

"But the worst enemy you can meet will always be yourself"

Party enters an arena with Elminster seated in the stands. He waves his hands and the party is forced to fight clones of themselves

After defeating the clones, the party is teleported back to Goldenfields fully restored with no time elapsed, knowing themselves better and also knowing that they are being observed by powerful outside forces.

## Session 3 - Goldenfields, etc.

The group is searched upon entering Goldenfields. Goldenfields is a stronghold of the Emerald Enclave. The party asks guards about who is in charge:

* Abbot Ellardin Darovik, who is the spiritual leader of Goldenfields (Chantea, goddess of agriculture)
* Strog Thunderblade, half orc in charge of the military (reports to the Abbot)
* Hanatus Tarm, ceremonial position of Gatehouse Castellan (Waterdeep noble) year long post

Party travels to the Abby. Meet the Abbot after first meeting the bears protecting the Abby. Discuss issues, a scouting party is out and is due back tomorrow. Rykar introduces himself as a Springwarden of the Emerald Enclave. The Abbot recommends we meet Miros Xelbrin, owner of an inn, Northfurrows End who has had some art stolen recently.

The party travels to Northfurrows End, and meet Miros. Rykar introduces himself as a Springwarden, and asks if they can help. Turns out mugs that he makes in the kiln are being stolen frequently.

Rykar defeats a halfling in a drinking game, ends up hanging the halfling on the wall in a sack after he passes out. Meet Naxene Drathkala, who is here to ensure that Goldenfields is protected. Discussions turn to the defenses. At each guard tower, there is a mage and four acolytes. These magic users are affecting the weather patterns. She tells Jhendor to seek out the Arcane Brotherhood, based out of Luskan (Host Tower of the Arcane) to learn more about his psionics origin.

The party sets a watch to protect the inn. During the night an ogre, a hill giant, and 8 goblins attacked. The party successfully repels the attack killing all involved. They are then told that they must save the town by ringing the alarm bell 1 mile away at the Abby. Rykar (given flight by Naxene during the battle) flies ahead to ring the bell. He is surprised by two giants who are guarding the bell. After taking damage he waits out of range for Guy and Jhendor to arrive. The three encounter the giants and Jhendor casts a suggestion spell to lure the giants away to an orchard. They ring the bell and the Abbot discusses the issues with security in the town. They are asked to join a search for the two hill giants and dispatch them.

Lob and Og (hill giants) are found by eight guardsmen. A fight ensues with significant damage on each side. The hill giants surrender and the party is left with the dilemma of what to do with two injured giants and many questions.

## Session 4: High Forest temple dungeon and journey to Womford

The party arrests Strogg of Goldenfields for dereliction of duty in not securing the town against the Hill Giants. After interrogating the giants, the party is told that the giants were sent by Jorzak and Ogg (a "giant creature with wings") who reside somewhere around the High Forest to the northeast

The party travels to the High Forest and enter the woods. They arrive at a hillock in the woods and move up to investigate. They find a worn stone staircase that goes down into the hillock. They can feel heat coming from the entrance of the dungeon and the party enters to see what is down there...

After going down the stairs, the party enters an underground temple of some kind. Entering the temple, they spot a group of individuals who appear to conducting a ritual of some kind, with a bound prisoner in their midst. As the party approaches the ritual, Jhendor steps on an enchanted tile of some kind that sets off an alarm and alerts the enemies in the temple. The group of enemies is led by Jorzak the Mage and they move to engage the party in combat.

Rykar and Guy leap over the river of lava running down the middle of the temple and attack Jorzak's guards. They swiftly dispatch the guards while Jhendor exchanges deadly spells with Jorzak. Jorzak is mortally wounded by a fireball but manages to complete a ritual that summons a Balor fiend. However, before the Balor is fully formed, Guy charges Jorzak and hews him in two with his sword Talon. Upon Jorzak's death, the spell that summoned the Balor is broken and the Balor explodes in a huge fireball, incapacitating Rykar.

The party decides to travel to investigate the Womford Bat and set off to their destination. They make camp on the road and they are attacked at night by a group of veteran warriors who seem to focus their aggression toward Guy for some unknown reason. After a hard fight, the party kill all of the attackers and find a bounty note on one of their bodies containing the names of the party and orders to focus on killing Guy first. The attackers also had daggers that were covered in some kind of powerful poison that the party could not identify.

They continue their journey and arrive in the town of Womford.

## Session 5: Search for Womford Bat and Graveyard ambush/melee

The party arrives at Bargewright Inn in the town of Womford. There they receive a cold welcome from the townsfolk and speak to the innkeep, Nilasker, about the "monster" that has been stalking the area. Jhendor speaks to him privately to get more information and he is told that the party should set out immediately and investigate a graveyard nearby.

Upon entering the graveyard, the party is suddenly ambushed by waves of skeletons and zombies rising from their graves. The warriors dispatch the skeletons and zombies before being attacked by a pack of dire wolves. Rykar manages to befriend some of the wolves and the battle begins to turn in the favor of the party before a shrieking horror emerges from the crypt. Rykar is able to identify the creature as some sort of vampire. Guy B. stands his ground against the remaining zombies while Rykar rushes to the aid of Jhendor who is in the grasp of the vampire creature. Rykar's wolf friends also turn and charge the vampire.

Facing the might of an angry Rykar, his dire wolf allies, and Jhendor..the vampire creature is overwhelmed and destroyed by Rykar's mace, Lightbringer.

Entering the crypt, the party finds:

* 1800 gold
* Cloak of the Bat

\*\*Party levels up to Level 6\*\*

Suddenly, a man appears and thanks them for killing the vampire creature. He introduces himself as Arik Stillmarsh and says the creature they slew was offspring of one of his rivals (a rival vampire).

Arik offers each of the characters the most valuable treasure: Knowledge

To Guy: "The enemies of Fate are watching - I see they have tried to kill you already. Do not worry yourself. Fate will find you, *she* is inevitable. Even I cannot resist her."

To Rykar: "Why do you linger here amongst men, brother wolf? Shadowtop calls you. Are you so asleep you cannot hear it?"

To Jhendor: "Young one - your journey is inward." He speaks at Jhendor but not to Jhendor: "Your son's mind is clouded indeed. Jhaamdath's doom has followed you - it will take *him* (Jhendor) as well."

After making these remarks and offering to not "feed" on the party for 30 days, Arik vanishes into the mist

The party heads back to Bargewright Inn to rest.

## Session 6: Guy's Dreams & Istus' Icon

As the party heads to sleep at the Bargewright Inn, Guy hears "Fate will find you, it is inevitable..." as he falls asleep. Guy sees a great scaly clawed hand reaching up out of the blackness to grasp a pair of stone tablets that are illuminated in golden light. The vision fades and you hear a resonate female voice: "It is time for you to awake Child of Istus." He has visions and finds a part of himself awakening, but is not sure of it. During these dreams and awakening it appears that he is brought to another plane along with Jhendor and Rykar. They have been transported to a location two half red dragon veterans speaking to a portal in draconic. The party steals around the map until Jhendor is noticed as he slides down some rocks. The half-red dragon Maka-Tul says "Our Lord thought you might show up - it is good that you brought your companions. I have always wanted to kill a Jhaamdathan. Rest assured the Icon of Fate is quite safe here." Combat ensues.

Upon defeat of the half dragon veterans and winged kobolds, Guy investigates an axe buried in stone at the top of an alter. He rips a magical haft of the axe of and realizes it is similar to the Baelor's axe head he has in his possession. Upon bringing the axe head near the haft, they have an attraction and fuse in a magic blast of energy. This new axe (unidentified) is very intriguing. Jhendor assists Guy to unlock his focus at which point, Guy is able to converse with Istus who helps him identify the axe as [\*Nameless\*].

The party finds some treasure and then ascends the stairs above the portal. Upon reaching the stairs, the party finds a stronghold manned by kobolds on the tower. Starting the fight, they quickly find multiple dragonshields and a fire elemental inside the stronghold. The party is able to defeat the creatures, utilizing the Decanter of Endless Water to eliminate the fire elemental threat. After the fight, the doors in the stronghold open with a small statuette of a barely recognizable female form. The female voice returns upon grabbing the statuette: "Travel to Everlund. Find the dwarven artificer Azan Khudun. Protect my Icon." Jhendor then hears the following garbled, distant message: "My son...hear...control...terrible danger...Hunger...coming...stop Heralds...Host...too late..."

The party wakes up after a long rest.

## Session 7: Shadowtop Cathedral & Auroxas

On the journey to Shadowtop Cathedral, the party meets Turlong, a treant, who immediately takes affront to Rykar for carrying Hew (battleaxe). After a long negotiation and the party trying Turlong's patience, Rykar hands over the axe to the treant. Turlong shatters the axe into dust and allows the party to pass along to Shadowtop Cathedral. Upon arriving at Shadowtop, the party meets the druid Allanon. Allanon requires Rykar to take the Akis (The Akis - ceremonial fermented beverage with herbal complement - induces intense spiritual awakening) at which point Allanon becomes a stag to Rykar. He notes that Rykar must now survive a trial by combat. The party finds themselves in a hidden grove of sorts and a stone totem of a goat, dragon, and lion. Rykar can perceive this as a chimera, while the rest of the party sees on the totem while fighting. After destroying the creature/totem, Rykar is transported to the shore of a lake of blood. Across the lake walks Vanagandr (Giant wolf - guardian spirit of the Tribe of the Wolf - AKA "He who walks upon the blood marshes"). Vanagandr tells Rykar, "You have proved you are worthy of a great quest. Seek out and destroy the offspring of Tiamat. Take their heads as trophies. You have already claimed 'The Green' with your sword arm. Do this and you will draw nearer to your true destiny and in doing so gain the attention of more powerful progeny. With their heads you will craft the trappings of your birth right. Your first task is with the black spawn of Wulzour. Descend the cliffs and enter the underbelly of Shadowtop. Destroy the corruption that lies there. When you have completed this task imbibe the Akis once more and your next task shall be revealed to you."

Wulzour - The Black Death - History/Lore Check - It is said that in the heart of the Mere of Dead Men, the vast saltwater swamp that lies along the Sword Coast between Leilon and Waterdeep, dwells the savage black dragon Voaraghamanthar, the "Black Death." Also known as Wulzour, this wyrm is said to have strange powers and avoids other dragons who intrude into the swamp or claim it as part of their domain. Most tales say the Black Death can burst from beneath long-placid swamp waters, read and reason intelligently, and be in two places at once. In the past centuries Wulzour is said to have had dealings with both intruders and allies, the latter of which includes a Cult of the Dragon cell based in Leilon. Upon reaching the lair of the dragon, the party finds 3 black wyrmlings. During the fight, Auroxas (a young black dragon) appears and manages to kill Rykar. As Rykar sank below the water he was reawakened by a set of three spirit wolves. Upon reviving, Rykar and the wolves attack Auroxas.

The party kills Auroxas and the wyrmlings. A giant sword materializes before Rykar. A crimson blade with 5 runes upon it - two glow faintly - green and black - Eldenser -  the Wyrms Who Hide in the Blade - Dragon Slayer. The party travels back up to Shadowtop and takes a long rest.

## Session 8: Luskan

The party heads to Luskan to visit the Host Tower of the Arcane. Luskan is built upon the ruins of an ancient city, Ellas. In its current form it is a dirty, pirate infested place, controlled by pirate lords and megalomaniac mages. Life is cheap and adventure comes quickly.

Upon entering the Host Tower, Jhendor begins a dialogue with an attendant of the tower, "First Among Equals" Princeps Thayasan. The Princeps makes an inquiry as to the nature of Jhendor's amulet. After agreeing to let him study the amulet, the party learns that members of the Arcane Brotherhood control a network of informants but they also have the capability to make observations far and wide via spells and powerful magical devices of Psionic nature. Thayasan assists Jhendor with attunement of the crystal amulet via a psionic resonance chamber. Once attuned, Jhendor receives a psionic message from his father, Jendak.

"This sliver of my consciousness is all that remains. I was a psionicist. In long days past our ancestors were gifted in this way but over the centuries the ability has faded and only reappears in rare circumstances. I believe your traumatic experience with the death of your companions was the catalyst for the awakening in you. Perhaps this is why my consciousness came to you in the form of this crystal. It is still unclear to me. We don’t have much time. I will have to explain the details of our shared story later. Suffice to say, Toril is in grave danger. A group known only as The Heralds is attempting to unleash an ancient enemy upon the world. They must be stopped. The Heralds have powerful allies and are powerful in their own right. You must find a ship quickly. Once on the ship use your crystal – it will act as a homing device. You must retrieve the Eye of Naarkolyth. It resides at the bottom of Vilhon Reach, beneath the waves, amidst the sunken city of Jhaamdath – our ancestral home."

After Jhendor's experience, Thayasan states that the Lineage of Jhaamdath has been missing for an age and tasks him with further investigation to be reported back to the Arcane Brotherhood. The party purchases a ship and proceeds to follow the crystal. Along the journey the party is attacked by a squadron of heavily armored Peryton Charger riding foes. A Herald Khawarji casts the ship alight with a Fireball spell while Herald Harbingers swoop in to attack in a diving charge.

The party puts out the flames and fights off the aerial attack only for three other ships to appear as if from nowhere and surrounding them. Jhendor fights off a psionic mind probe turning it back on it's instigator and finding that the psionic assault was attempted by a Mindflayer, Cephalossk.

After a lengthy combat, before teleporting away, Cephalossk mind blasts Guy, causing a near fatal injury. As the party begins to recover from the adrenaline of combat the anchor previously submerged with the crystal returns to the boat. Upon it is the Eye of Naarkolyth. A crystal orb with a hole through the center. Peering through the Eye, one can see a physical layout of Faerun with a bright point of light marking a specific place.