Weekly Recaps

## The Story So Far...

### Introduction

**We begin on the continent of Iconia. For a few hundred years the continent of Iconia has been in a near constant state of war. This is because the humans arrived about 200 years ago in large numbers and wanted their own space. The elves who inhabited the region were less than thrilled by their increasing demands. Over the past few hundred years they’ve been able to establish many different kingdoms the closest to Mortara, where our story begins, being Orø the vast human Kingdom to the North. The elves were always the predominant race on Iconia but now that is being seriously contested. Since humans arrived the elves have mostly been attempting to leave them alone and just play defense but slowly some elves have been changing their minds as they’ve decided war with the human kingdoms may not be desirable but is necessary to keep from being destroyed. Technologically the humans have some major advantages, but nature and the powers of nature are also a very powerful force. Our story begins on September 22nd of the year 1023 AJ by the human calendar in the elven city of Panzano, one of the major cities in the wood elven country of Mortara. The city is under the rule of Lord Aelar Faerin, a very popular Lord mostly because for the most part he leaves everyone alone unless they ask for help, and he has been effective at keeping everyone safe. The city was built so as to not disrupt nature as much as possible so the forest is still very much present all around the city and the city has been permeated by powerful druidic magic causing the forest to grow strong and produce bountiful fruits and vegetables and flowers of all kinds. There are no roads here simply paths through the woods between one building and the next. There are “streets” of a sort but again it’s not rigid and developed like most human cities would be, it's buildings near each other, and often it’s not a straight line they simply made each building where the owner wanted it. The city is mostly wood elves, but there are some high elves, half elves, gnomes, halflings and others of all sorts within the city, even a few stray humans. You are all here for various reasons and are up to your own activities. So as you all awaken on this beautiful sunny morning, the fresh woodsy smell fills your nose, and you look up to see a perfectly blue sky, look around and see the incredible trees with leaves just starting to turn color.**

### Episode One

**To fully recap what happened last time you should go back and check it out on youtube and watch the whole thing! But otherwise here’s a quick recap. The human country of Orø broke their decade long peace with the elven kingdom of Mortara for some unknown reason. To defend from this attack Lord Faerin of Mortara ordered everyone of fighting age and ability to help defend however best they could. Our group of heroes were included in that after attempting and failing to get out of it. They were assigned to watch for spies or saboteurs sneaking past the elven lines and they found and defeated a human construct designed to spy. They then encountered and defeated a trio of human soldiers, one of whom pulled out a pistol and killed their commanding officer, a private by the name of Carlen. And that’s where we pick up our story.**

### Episode Two

**The nearby human country of Orø recently invaded seemingly unprovoked and to defend themselves the elves drafted everyone they could into service including our heroes. They were put in place as scouts where they stopped a few spies and one saboteur trying to explode the Pinchot Sycamore, a huge tree and landmark, and also home to an older elven woman named Lyrie. Lyrie gave them an emerald for their efforts and offered to hire them for future jobs. After some discussion they decided to take the job and were sent to the north to find out why numerous animals seemed to be attacking the travelers who came through. They passed a small elven village that was seemingly massacred by the invading humans. Shortly afterwards they were attacked by a crocodile, Anarsil dragged under the water, before they managed to kill it and Willow pulled its body to the surface.**

### Episode Three

**Last time on Stories from Iconia our group decided to take the job from Lyrie to figure out what’s been going on with the animals in the woods to the North of Panzano. They met up with a small village of Pixies and made friends with one named Sophie who invited them to a campfire and historical storytelling using the fire and song. They left the next day bringing their new friend Sophie with them. As they headed up they befriended a few birds before meeting and Anarsil started a fight with a Bear. They knocked the bear unconscious and afterwards with the use of a spell or two were able to befriend it and bring the bear with them too. They arrived to discover that the human army had destroyed an area of the forest cutting down hundreds of trees leaving the Dryad very upset. They were able to make peace with her but her companion a quickling proved less hospitable and attacked before they were able to stop him and the Dryad killed him. They afterwards headed back to the Pixie village which is where we pick up our story.**

### Episode Four

**Last time on Stories from Iconia, our group received a new mission from Lyrie to figure out a mysterious disappearance in a nearby town. Anarsil also got word from his sister that she and her friends were stuck behind enemy lines. He waited a day before telling everyone, perhaps costing time as they went in the wrong direction before turning back and heading into Orø territory. They were attacked one night by a displacer beast they were able to overcome. They found evidence of a fight and a few dead human soldiers, they followed them and discovered a group of 8 soldiers. Most hid by Nyci boldly went out and talked to them, they were suspicious but too busy and went to leave before she made a sound using minor illusion. This triggered a fight where the group was joined by 2 others who were hiding in the trees, one of whom seemed almost unable to hit anything. The guards were all killed except for 3 that Nyci was able to put to sleep, and one of whom surrendered.**

### Episode Five

**Having rescued old friends of Anarsil the group questioned the humans they had kept prisoner discovering that his sister Evelyn had been taken up north for some kind of reason. They also discovered the cause of the war with Orø, namely that Good King Omund the former King of Orø had died recently reportedly assassinated by the elves of Mortara. They also healed Marek's shoulder after he had been injured by a mysterious man with a black cloak and a long black bow who was apparently able to take down the three of them alone with ease. They also learned his name was Irving. They headed north relying on various skills and going at a near running pace a total of nearly 40 miles into enemy territory. They then found where Evelyn was being held. Willow headed into the group and befriended their leader before creating a distraction using a rambunctious chipmunk to free the horses. She then led Nyci off to be attacked by one of the guards for sport before they turned on him and killed him. During that time a fight broke out before the group and Marek Pyrra and Evelyn were able to kill all of the guards still left in camp, with Evelyn having fallen unconscious briefly. There are still two guards who went to recover the horses who haven’t returned but they should prove no challenge for everyone. They have also all leveled up to level 3.**

### Episode Six

**Last time our group fled from Orø with a few new companions with them namely Anarsil’s sister Evelyn and Marek and Pyrra. They learned a bit more about a mysterious bowman named Irving who had captured the trio with ease but seems to have vanished for the time being. They encountered a few construct scouts but after defeating them they made it back into the country of Mortara with a Cart and two nice Riding Horses. Once they made it to Panzano they spoke some to Lyrie and she told them that she could have many different jobs for them in different parts of the country or even beyond if they were interested. She told them of a job in Sensaro the City of Rivers and the Capital of Mortara. Apparently there are some warring gangs and that’s starting to impact the populace. The group went back to the Dancing Fiend Tavern and spent the night there. During their evening perhaps most surprisingly our group began to open up to each other, with a bit of prodding from Evelyn and share some of their past. And that’s where we pick up on the morning of October 5th after a nice rest at the tavern.**

### Episode Seven

**Last time on Stories from Iconia, our heroes headed off on another job from Lyrie their Patron to go into Sensaro, the capital city of Mortara. Before leaving they said goodbye to Anarsil’s sister Evelynn and before she left he handed over their fathers bracers. On their mission they were told that there have been reports of rival gangs fighting, and to figure out what’s going on and to put a stop to it if they can. On their way there they came across a young boy crying and they realized his parents had been dragged off and they followed the tracks back to a phase spider’s den. As they fought the phase spider and a black spider and a few swarms of smaller spiders the fight began to turn south. Anarsil was webbed up from head to toe and was knocked unconscious as was Nyci. As things began to look desperate Willow let loose and grew huge icy wings and frightened some spiders and used the power of the ice to destroy the remaining spiders. This led to the realization that Willow is not human but an Aasimar. They also recovered 2 mysterious potions they have yet to identify. They continued on their journey and were just about to arrive in Sensaro on October 11th around noon as we continue our story.**

### Episode Eight

**Last time on Stories from Iconia our heroes arrived at the city of Sensaro, the city of Rivers and Capital of Mortara. They admired the natural beauty, and questioned the locals about the cities design on the river. Nyci then freaked out a bit over the presence of fish in the water almost getting them into trouble as she screamed for help. They then went about investigating the situation within the city by splitting up. They discovered that a group of 20 people had been poisoned to death in a nearby house, and a building had been burned to the ground. They managed to get into an argument with Halfhand, the guard in charge of investigation the disturbances, as he told them not to interfere with anything. That night they went to the Twisted Tit to hangout. Edward purchased some floater, a drug from Gerome and tried it with Willow. Willow flirted with and spent a night with Orphelia a dark skinned tiefling who runs some kind of organization with somewhat murky goals. And during that time Nyci and Anarsil snuck off on their own to investigate the house where everyone had been poisoned. After breaking in Anarsil inadvertently released a Barlgura, a powerful demon which attacked him and Nyci leaving them almost dead on the streets. Nyci had managed to recover and come to consciousness but Anarsil was only saved by the kindness of someone who lived nearby. It is the night of October 11th.**

### Episode Nine

**Last time on Stories from Iconia, our heroes began with two of them nearly dead, Nyci and Anarsil were quickly arrested by a guard leading the investigation into the recent disturbances named Halfhand. Willow after sleeping with the leader of an organization, a tiefling named Orphelia, discussed working with her for a possible job opportunity for the group in either a short term or long term arrangement. And Leaflock and Edward noticed a pickpocket stealing from Orphelia’s guards. They tracked him down and stole back the letter he had taken for one of them, before letting him go. They eventually reunited and Willow did a lot of shouting at guards before they discovered someone had forged a confession from Nyci in order to avoid a trial. They talked to the Guard Captain Rolen who acknowledged the forgery, apologized, and promised to get to the bottom of what happened. Afterwards you all had a conversation with Orphelia. She told you of Lucifer’s Blade that she believes that Halfhand and whoever he’s working with is hunting. She also told you of the possible job and much to your delight she asked you to look into this Halfhand fellow and search his house for anything you can find. You were just heading out of the Twisted Tit as we ended off.**

### Episode Ten

**Last time on Stories from Iconia, our band of heroes went on a shopping mission and met some interesting shopkeepers. Anarsil also revealed to the group about a woman named Hara who had been taken by the human kingdom of Orø and they asked both Lyrie, and Orphelia for help finding out some information about where she may have been taken. They also heard that Halfhand and 4 of his men have been arrested. That night they went on their mission to search Halfhand’s house which revealed another address to go to. They swam over to the island it was on and went up the tower there. Quickly looking over the first few floors which included a sitting room, a kitchen, a library, and bedrooms before getting to the 5th floor where they encountered a man mid ritual reading from a dark book waving a rod of some kind. With a still beating heart on the table. They attacked, knocking him unconscious after he summoned some abyssal chickens and defeating for good the Barlgura that had nearly killed Anarsil and Nyci.**

### Episode Eleven

**Last time on Stories from Iconia, our heroes finished exploring the house that belonged to Halfhand and the Demons and warlocks in his service. They discovered the family that had lived there murdered in the library turned to Zombies and fought them. After that they found a nice spellbook and some letters from a mysterious Xonag to Halfhand they left with the warlock. They brought him back to Orphelia and presented her with what they found. After a few tense moments about the demons referring to her as a devil worshiper which got smoothed over they handed over everything and got paid. She explained to Willow that she had made a mistake to take a pact with a devil long ago. They were informed about a trial for Halfhand that was happening and were invited to attend but decided it was too dangerous. They then went and questioned the man who they found out was named Rassel. They shot him with arrows torturing him and left him for a day, before Willow went in alone. She summoned her wings and pulled on her icy powers to scare him into giving her the information they needed. They found out about a few specific demons and where they are hidden. Orphelia sent someone to confirm all the details and get a detailed lay of the land. It’s the morning of October 14th.**

### Episode Twelve

**Last time on stories from Iconia. The group was approached by two adventurers a half elf and a full elf by the name of Mara and Raela. They had been tasked by Rolen the head of the guards to investigate an explosion that destroyed the jail and much of the surrounding area and resulted in Halfhand’s escape. They told Mara and Raela very little but informed them of what they’d found in his house, though not about the tower. They went to investigate the explosion to discover most of the area had been destroyed. They also spoke with a Cleric of Corellon, an interesting Drow named Jivzen, about the curse placed on Nyci’s friend. They weren’t able to find much without being able to see her and really investigate it. Anarsil ordered some armor for Mel. Orphelia also informed Anarsil about a man with no name called simply Nameless who is an information gatherer for her, and he gave Anarsil a mission to find a spy within the Palace and break into his room and swap a scroll used to communicate back to his contact with another. The group except for Willow then went out for a fancy dinner at a new place the Wry Octopus, where Leaflock had some disappointing sex with the owner a Triton woman named Farna. As the rest of the group came back from that night they also would’ve seen Willow coming home shortly after with Orphelia, both a little tipsy and Orphelia dressed in a beautiful very low-cut red dress with a beautiful sapphire necklace on and Willow wearing, if you’d like to describe it? The following day you did whatever downtime activities you’d have been working on. You do notice neither Orphelia nor Willow make it down for breakfast that day or well you don’t see them at all that day actually. But we will begin again on the following morning, this is 3 days after the explosion and you had all gotten the information. And is the morning of October 18th. You do still have another 3 days of downtime until Orphelia had estimated the surveillance would be done on the Demonic House she had sent someone to infiltrate. If you had other things you want to do we can play that out of course or any conversations but we also don’t have to play out every minute.**

### Episode Thirteen

**Orphelia gave everyone some small gifts as a token of her esteem that were magical in different small ways. She then pulled Leaflock aside and confronted him about his real name. He at first denied it, and then told her the truth that he had gone by a different name before he changed it to avoid trouble with his past. He asked her to look into it for him, and she promised to keep his secret. Willow asked Orphelia for a job to do in their last few days off, she was given a position as a guard for the spies in the Demon house. Before she made it there though she realized she was being followed and confronted the elf who she realized was Halfhand in a disguise. She attempted to hold him but was frustrated when nothing worked before he was able to blast fire at her to knock her unconscious. She woke up in a cellar tied and manacled with Halfhand, but a demonic looking halfhand standing over her. He was a cambion, a fiend. He left and the others, once Orphelia realized Willow was missing, managed to track Willow down, releasing her before Halfhand came back and attacked. They fought him and with Willow nearly unconscious anyway, it was a tough fight. She was knocked unconscious again by him. And Halfhand managed to charm Anarsil into attacking his friends. After a few back and forth rounds of combat, and Trell, Orphelia’s Imp showed up to help stabilize Willow. Anarsil eventually managed to take him down with an eldritch blast to the face.**

### Episode Fourteen

**Last time on Stories from Iconia, our heroes started out by taking some much needed rest and relaxation by going to take a nice soothing bath. While there Willow thanked everyone for rescuing her before she shifted to confronting Nyci about her drug habit. After some back and forth and a one on one with Nyci and Anarsil, Nyci agreed to stop using drugs altogether. Trell then joined them in the bath for some shenanigans to ensue. Anarsil then broke off from the group to get a tattoo on his face. And the group went back to the Twisted Tit inn. Orphelia laid out the basics of their plan or tomorrow and attacking the Demon house, and everyone settled down for a good night's rest. However they were woken up suddenly at 4am as one of Orphelia’s spies reported the Demons on the move coming to them. After some hastey preparation and barricading of the Twisted Tit, and some spells designed to slow them down they fought. Orphelia took on Xonag the leader of the group a Glabrezu, with the help of Trell and a summoned Devil, and some hits from Willow. The rest of the group helped by some of Orphelia’s followers took on the cultists who were mostly cut apart by spells before they could even get to the group. The group also took on an Armanite and a Bulezau. The Armanite had a powerful lightning blast, and the ability to flow granted by Xonag. After a very close battle they emerged victorious against their enemies with Willow slashing apart the Armanite with her spiritual weapon, and Orphelia getting the finishing blow on the Glabrezu. In the calm the group heard Nyci calling out that Anarsil was down, they then realized that he had died. Due to some excellent preparation on the groups part Leaflock had the diamond ready to save him before death set in and bring him back.**

### Episode Fifteen

**Last time on stories from Iconia the group fresh off of their victory with the demons headed to the demon house and searched it before anyone could escape. They found a hideout, a sculpture of Orcus with large rubies for eyes, Nyci hastened up to them and tried to pull them out triggering a trap that nearly killed her. They then received their well earned rewards from both Orphelia and Lyrie. Lyrie also had some limited information for Anarsil that her disappearance was connected to Irving the mysterious archer they had heard about. They went to Nameless and he said he had more information to give them, but they grew suspicious when he seemed to not notice or care that the letter they handed him was upside down. They decided to finish this nasty business with the demons and take a job for Orphelia to find the Sword of Lucifer once and for all. They worked from the demon’s notes picking up where they left off. They searched for a bit before encountering a strangely confident child who seemed to have some good information. They threatened him before they came to an agreement to pay him an impressive sum for the information. The information proved true and led them to an interesting shack with a portal inside behind an illusion. Through the portal led to the Ethereal Plane where they were promptly attacked by a banshee who lived there. They made their way through the ethereal plane and due to a good insight by Willow found a huge Tree that exists only in this plane. They got in and fought and talked their way through the first 4 levels of this tree. Through mushrooms, vicious plants, interesting animals where they picked up a few friends, and a rock elemental. They were considering taking a nice long rest at this point although it is still dangerous up here. It is the evening of October 20th.**

### Episode Sixteen

**Last time on Stories from Iconia, the group after resting up heard a noise from above and realized that there was someone on the floor above them. They tried to snoop but were overheard, and a fight broke out between them and a ghost and two yugoloths. A devastating cloud of poison gas nearly decimated the party. Willow was able to turn the ghost before he could do much of anything, before she fell unconscious herself. They were able to destroy the two yugoloths, but didn’t see the ghost. They then took a long rest and during Leaflocks watch he was possessed by the ghost, forced to rise and recover the Sword of Lucifer, glistening with blood, he attuned to the cursed blade before heading downstairs and being forced to watch as his body drove the blade through Anarsils chest, nearly killing him before he attacked Edward too nearly bringing him down before Leaflock was knocked unconscious and the ghost of Pel was forced out of him and then destroyed. The group then finished their long rest after many of them had nearly died. Although they did pick up an Almiraj they named Percy. Afterwards they went to leave the Ethereal plane, but before they left Willow went to spy on High Lord Kendle Thena, they witnessed a brief terse interaction with Hagas Leowynn and Raela. Before Hagas went to the High Lord’s war room and they saw the array of troops spread out and a number of spies spread through Orø. They also heard Hagas was more concerned about espionage and assassins than the armies that the High Lord was worried about. They then left and debated what to do about the portal and decided in the end it was too risky to allow it to stay and destroyed it blasting it into pieces. They then returned with the sword to Orphelia and gave their report. She was very upset that they destroyed this extremely powerful portal without even consulting her. Although she did pay them their two magic items for the sword. Afterwards the group relaxed, and the next morning discovered that Anarsil and Mel had fled, leaving a note for them explaining why he needed to go his own way. After a very emotional breakfast the group took the day to drink and recover emotionally from the aftermath. As they did this they saw an impressive woman who goes by the name of Six. And there we pick up on the night of October 22nd.**

### Episode Seventeen

**Last time on Stories from Iconia, the party began the night with a series of bad dreams, Willow dreaming of Ephmera warning her of the war ahead and threatening her to join up with the forces of Winter coming from the North, or be punished and watch her friends die. Leaflock had a nightmare about using the Sword of Lucifer to murder his friends. He then went to the Church of Corellon seeking solace in prayer. Afterwards, the group headed to Orphelia’s fighting pits, underneath the Crescent Falls. They met various members of her group including an elf Solaren who runs the pits. Willow secured a fight with Six one of the fight champions as her companion. Willow then completed a training montage, while Nyci and Leaflock made a banner to support her. That night they showed up to participate and observe the fights. Willow and Six faced off with a drow sorcerer and a hulking minotaur. Six quickly dispatched of the sorcerer, before turning her attention to the minotaur. The minotaur took a barrage of hits and spells before knocking Six unconscious. The minotaur then stepped over to charge at willow but before he could get a chance to willow was able to dispatch him with use of her spells. After winning the bout, the group went and talked to Orphelia. She formally offered them membership into her organization, known as the Moonlit Rapids. Afterwards they considered this, and Nyci took the opportunity to interrogate Six with a barrage of questions, answering few herself. After some consideration the group accepted on the condition that Six join their group and Orphelia offered them a suite of rooms to stay in. Willow also took the opportunity to talk with Orphelia about their personal relationship. After a number of awkward moments, the two of them made up and see how things played out into the future. Willow also expressed some interest in getting to know her better. So that’s where we pick up on the morning of October 24th.**

### Episode Eighteen

**Last time on Stories from Iconia, Willow began the morning by getting to know Orphelia a bit better and she did the same. Across town, Nyci awoke with the desire to show her good friend Willow how much she cared and found a bakery, and ordered a custom chocolate cake to celebrate the reunion of Willow and Orphelia. Upon presenting the cake neither Willow nor Orphelia were quite as enthusiastic as Nyci had hoped but the cake was still quite good for Leaflock who enjoyed some. Afterwards the group was given a job to accompany a caravan delivering Iron obtained from Orø and very valuable in Mortara where they don’t have any. During their travels, they talked their way past a few bandits, by giving them only some of their bad stuff not their good stuff. They met up with the caravan and after some conflicts with a pigheaded hafling named Kel, they found themselves ambushed in the night. The assassin killed Kel and nearly killed Leaflock who was on guard duty. He had brought 3 rust monsters with him to destroy the Iron, but thanks to the group the monsters only destroyed a small ingot. They then discovered a note on the assassin telling him to be back by the 27th and a mysterious 6 pointed snowflake tattoo, similar to the one Willow has. Once they arrived back, bringing the two bodies with them, Orphelia told them of an urgent mission. One of her clients had been kidnapped by a large and powerful Pirate Gang known as Riptide. She bid them to find him and bring him back if possible, but to not start a war with Riptide. Trell accompanied them for this mission. They were able to discover the house he was being kept in. However, moments later an airship dropped below the clouds armed with cannons and two ballista firing upon the city. And from behind the airship a dragon of sorts but gleaming in metal, perhaps a construct of some sort flew down upon the city blasting it with fire. And that's where we left off, at 11pm the night of October 27th.**

### Episode Nineteen

**Last time on Stories from Iconia, we began with the city under attack from a clockwork dragon, and an airship armed with cannons. The group and Trell charged into danger, talking their way past a group of soldiers coming down as they headed up to the airship. Once on the airship they continued talking, insulting wizards slightly to bond with the soldiers, before they attacked, surprising the enemies. They fought back though, and after a moment or two a huge construct of a scorpion climbed out from below decks and attacked as well. Willow was able to stop a barrel of gunpowder from being used to explode part of the ship as the crew got desperate. However, things got dicey when Six went down after taking numerous hits. She was patched up by Trell and then healed, and then went down again. The construct then stepped over her body towards Nyci and knocked her unconscious. Turning to face down Willow the construct attacked and narrowly missed before Willow blasted it to pieces with a guiding bolt. Afterwards they went and aided in the fight against the clockwork dragon. They attempted to simply knock unconscious the last of the soldiers, however, he had a dark ring that killed him. They did manage to land the airship. And handed it over to Hagas Leowynn, the High Lord’s chief advisor. They then were invited the next day to have lunch with High Lord Kendel Thena. He attempted to recruit them and they decided to take his offer. Nyci also received word that her friend Adalie isn’t doing well and is beginning to lose hope. They had plans to leave Sensaro the following day and head for Orø. This is the afternoon of October 29th, although we can skip to the next day unless you all had anything you wanted to get done.**

### Episode Twenty

**Last time on Stories from Iconia, the group, having signed on to work as spies for High Lord Thena, and specifically Hagas Leowynn, prepared to travel. Orphelia let them know that she would serve as their go-between to Hagas, and that she would regularly contact Willow through her dreams. She warned them to keep an eye out for each other and that what they were doing was dangerous and to not be excessively stupid. She also gave them a scroll of Teleportation Circle to allow them to attempt to escape if needed. Six also purchased from her a magical Katana sword from the Dragonborn Samurais in Yamagata, a far off land. They headed north and encountered a familiar group of bandits. Six challenged their leader to a fight, and after defeating their Ogre, the rest of the group attacked, but proved no great challenge for the party. They recovered some gold and moved on. They encountered numerous people on the road fleeing Panzano as the city was about to be under siege from an impending Orø army. They also encountered Nyci’s mother who was herself fleeing Panzano. She got to meet Six and all of Nyci’s zombies. She wished them well and to be safe in their travels. They also met an Orø scouting party and were able to talk their way past them. They last met a woman named Katherine who was seemingly a deserter from the Orø army. They stopped briefly in Ramshorn and met up with Elrana, an old friend of Leaflocks. After spending the night there they continued north to Dybe. One night taking some time for a game of Truth or Dare. The next morning they awoke to a harsh blizzard starting and realized travel was impossible for the day. This is the morning of November 25th, they were supposed to arrive tomorrow, but given the day of lost travel will probably do so on November 27th.**

### Episode Twenty-One

**Last time on Stories from Iconia, during the blizzard the group hunkered down with Willow staying in their cart away from the others. She was also plagued with a nightmare that night, showing her a possible future with her as a General leading an invasion of Mortara, and then being shown her friends murdered afterwards, with Ephmera pointing the blame at Willow should she side against her Goddess. The group then made their way into Dybe, talking their way past a few guards and were told that should an emergency situation happen they could get involved, but that they shouldn’t seek out such things. Nyci headed off to visit her friend Adalie. The rest of the group found a place to stay, a tavern called the Felonious Seb. Six experienced alcohol for the first time, and Leaflock hired a prostitute, a friendly girl named Pia, who may have overcharged him a smidge. They also saw a member of the Obsidian Order come in, and everyone became worried and nervous as he went to the back to play some cards. They then went out a bit late to visit an old friend of Six's, a dwarf named Tharon. He promised to keep them in mind for future work helping slaves or working against the Obsidian Order. They then made their way back and most went to bed, but Six went to speak with the man from the Obsidian Order, named Maritza. Maritza recognized Six as one of Broadners Experiments and threatened her to stay out of his terf without approval. They then went out the next day, and experimenting with some spells were able to dispel something in Six that they suspected to be a lingering effect of the drugs he was on. They then discovered a man in the stocks who Six recognized as Seven, a fellow slave. They attempted to dispel whatever had also affected Six. And they seemingly succeeded. Which caused Seven to grow angry, he flew into a rage and busted out of the stocks, a feat of incredible strength, he then killed the two guards nearby in rapid succession, and summoned dark skeletal wings. The group attacked him, and while Six was almost knocked unconscious the group was able to knock him unconscious before the guards manacled him and took him away, thanking the group for their help.**

### Episode Twenty-Two

**Last time on Stories from Iconia, Nyci went to visit her friend Adalie and visit with her and share some of their adventures. The Clerics had agreed that they had tried everything they could and she was just still declining. As she visited her familiar Herbie spotted a strange man entering her room invisibly and he jumped on him spotting him and Nyci charged after him and managed to pin him down and disrupt his invisibility. She then made it back to see Adalie being kidnapped by a mysterious older man. The other group went in to free Seven and after questioning him for a bit were interrupted by the Obsidian Order coming to pick up Seven. They then decided to dive in balls deep and convince the members of the Order that they were also part of the order and of a higher rank. They successfully got Seven and brought him to Tharon and snuck him outside of the city gathering Nyci. The group then joined by Bram, and the man named Aki who had been forced to aid with the more sinister warlock Ivar, went to track down Ivar and save Adalie. They made their way to the Labyrinth, a place he calls home. And in springing one of the early traps Six unfortunately lost her middle finger. They made their way downstairs into the Labyrinth. It’s the evening of December 1st.**

### Episode Twenty-Three

**Last time on Stories from Iconia, our heroes made their way through the Labyrinth, a maze of tunnels filled with traps and monsters. They were accompanied by Bram, husband of Adalie who they were going to rescue, and Aki, a former slave of Ivar the warlock who kidnapped Adalie. As they made their way through Ivar kept butting in and trying to get a rise out of the group, succeeding mostly with Bram. Nyci was able to talk him down. They made their way through the tunnels discovering that Adalie is a descendant of the ancient wizard Otiluke, who had invented many spells, and had originally defeated an entity known as Gatathoa. After numerous battles the group was forced to take a long rest, before heading out and fighting one last battle before they arrived at this door, that they had checked for traps, and Six had picked the lock. They are mostly well rested and ready, it’s about 10:30am on the morning of December 2nd.**

### Episode Twenty-Four

**Last time on Stories from Iconia, our heroes found themselves facing down Ivar, the warlock who had kidnapped Adalie, a friend of Nyci’s, and cursed her. They fought him and were betrayed by Aki, a former follower of Ivar who they thought they had on their side. But as the battle raged on, just when they had defeated Ivar, he completed his goal of bringing back Gatathoa, an ancient being trapped for centuries. This being attacked them, and they fought, and although it was nearly lethal, the group persevered and defeated Gatathoa. They brought back Adalie from death, and brought a few of their allies back from the brink of death. They then took some time to rest, and headed back to Dybe. They decided to take Aki with them, because they realized he had been corrupted by Ivar, and with him gone perhaps they could help him form a new life for himself. Willow also had a dream message from Orphelia, who warned them that the war with Orø wasn’t going well, in large part due to the powerful constructs from the Obsidian Order. Orphelia requested they do what they could to disrupt this supply or at least find out more information about them. As they arrived on the evening of December 4th they saw a new structure within the city. A giant ice building, with the holy symbol of Auril on the side of it. Willow was shaken by this but they continued on into the city and found their former lodgings at the Felonious Seb. The owner, a dwarven woman named Guntha, told them the Obsidian Order had come searching for them, and after a brief discussion she agreed to lie for them if the Order should come back. Then they had discussed going with Aki to the Church of Mishakal to find a cleric who could perhaps heal his tongue and allow him to talk again. And that’s where we pick up on the evening of December 4th.**

### Episode Twenty-Five

**Last time on Stories from Iconia, our heroes got a job from the temple of Mishakal in exchange for a very powerful spell being used to help Aki get his tongue back. They then began discussing next steps and things got a bit heated. Willow expressed her feeling that she hadn’t been listened to or treated well as a friend, specifically from Nyci. Nyci was surprised and they left things very tense that night. The following morning Willow was not there. The group headed to the church to start their quest of finding a few items stolen from the church. They found out these things had been stolen by a rat apparently. After that Nyci returned to her old magic school to get a spell from one of her old professors. Six went to go visit Tharon, and discovered that his house had been entirely burned to the ground, with him nowhere to be found. They went back to the Felonious Seb, and were joined by Daena, a cleric of the church of Mishakal coming to assist them in this job. They accepted her help and set off following up on a few leads. They found a warehouse that the ratfolk apparently lived in. And after avoiding the heavily trapped front door, they entered in the side entrance and met Reepicheep the Mouse King. He was surprised that any of his followers may have been involved in stealing from somewhere as noble as the Church of Mishakal, Goddess of Healing. They found the culprit was Rusty, and the goods were returned. The group then headed to the church to deliver the materials, and were still deciding what to do next now that Aki has recovered his tongue. This is the afternoon of December 6th.**

### Episode Twenty-Six

**Last time on Stories from Iconia, Willow received another dream message from Ephmera, interrupting a nice pirate adventure with Orphelia to do so. Ephmera urged her to come and visit the temple. The rest of the group was then surprised when Willow returned that night. She said she had forgotten to leave a note as to her whereabouts. Nyci was seemingly upset by this but invited her friends Adalie and Bram to join them for dinner. Adalie encouraged Nyci to overlook Willow's actions and try to work on the friendship if she wanted it to continue. They had a pleasant dinner which was interrupted when members of the Obsidian Order came to kill them and exploded the Felonious Seb tavern. Many patrons died but they were joined by a young half elven woman who told them Tharon had sent them. She helped them escape using a fog cloud to cover their retreat as they ran. She then led them off to a hideout. The group consisted of her, Varna, a halfling woman, Iris, a half orc woman Ushug, and a human man, the leader, Mikko. They found out Tharon had been taken by the Obsidian Order. Rather than give him up for dead the group began to plan an attack on the tower to free their friend, despite warnings of its danger. Nyci spent the next day gathering some spells, and perhaps oversharing with an old teacher of hers. Willow went to the Ice Spire, known affectionately by the group as the Ice Dick. She met the head priest, a woman named Aurora who took an immediate dislike to Willow, and knew her name. Willow inquired about the possibility of outranking this woman and learned she would join as Aurora’s equal, but could be promoted above her. Leaflock went and dug the group a secret exit tunnel to get out after a bit of running away from the guards got it dug and an illusion spell over the area to cover it up. This is the morning of December 8th.**

### Episode Twenty-Seven

**Last time on Stories from Iconia, Willow began with a dream from Ephmera and she explained that there were 3 people like Willow that Auril had chosen, and that they would each be given a mission for Auril, and whoever succeeded would rule Auril’s empire. Willow was also surprised to find out she could potentially stop the war if she was in command. The group then finished their final plans and began their entrance into the Obsidian Order tower. They talked their way past the guards using Six’s body to get in. They were then taken to meet with Dr. Broadner, the man who had taken Six as a child and brainwashed her and others and branded her with the number. They learned that Dr. Broadner isn’t entirely supportive of the Church of Auril. They were about to be shown out when they attacked. They discovered Dr. Broadner to be an illusion, and fought their way past the guards, summoning wolves to cover their attack, and covering the stairs with grease to slow any attackers. The distraction went off with an explosion outside to further pull guards away. After getting to the 3rd floor the group discovered the guards protecting Tharon, and found him in a very weakened state. They fought the guards but before they could finish them off a large construct appeared. A large ball of metal with swords sticking out of it in a swirling spray of metal. The group fought with the help of another prisoner, a Kobold named Jeff, and Nyci destroyed it with a lightning bolt. They then used stoneshape to make their way out of the prison and make their escape. Willow used Plant growth to cover their retreat and slow down the guards as they ran expertly moving stealthily and quickly out of the city before being spotted by a few guards as they retreated and hit with a few stray crossbow bolts and made their way out of the city of Dybe capital of Orø. This is mid morning on December 8th.**

### Episode Twenty-Eight

**The group fled the capital city after completing their jailbreak of Tharon. They made their way outside the city to a safehouse to rest and recover. The group took some time to have some different conversations between them. They questioned Jeff and discovered that he had been a thief who was caught with Tharon and brought to the Obsidian Order despite his lack of involvement with the group. Though he did seem interested in joining the group afterwards. They then headed south back to Ramshorn which was a few weeks' travel. Leaflock picked up his Breastplate. They headed back North, and on the evening of the Winter Solstice Willow got a dream from Ephmera explaining the mission she was instructed to go on from Auril. She needs to find an item known as the Frost Spear and drive it into the ground at the North Pole. This will enable her to rework the seasons and increase the length of winter. She needs to do this before the end of this Winter, and before Aurora or Brutus manages to do it. The group then exchanged some presents and continued North. They collected 2 dog sleds and some climbing gear from Adalie. She also researched the Frost Spear and found it was in the North Western part of the Whispering Slopes. Adalie also expressed some concern about what they were doing with this evil item, and Nyci told her she would talk to Willow about it. But it’s January 2nd and the group having collected their gear is heading East to the Whispering Slopes.**

### Episode Twenty-Nine

**Last time on Stories from Iconia, the group continued their mission to find the Frost Spear for Auril. At Nyci’s urging Six talked with Willow about her plans and assured Willow that Six trusted her to do the right thing. They also discussed how Six always liked to have someone else be in charge and that she liked to follow. Willow encouraged her to find her own path sometimes. They then decided to head out on their dog sleds over the frozen bay. When they had almost made it back to land they found a White Dragon that was looking forward to a good hunt. They attempted diplomacy but white dragons don’t make very good diplomats and they fought. They managed to split up so as to not all be caught in breath weapons, and their dogs fled out of range, and they were successful in slaying the dragon! They then made it to shore and discovered the dragon's lair, and found a few nice treasures! They continued on and saw the Northern Lights. They were given directions from a Giant Elk, and found their way through the mountains. They then met Zet, a strange man with numerous Ice statues around. He told them that Aurora had come 3 weeks earlier, before she was supposed to know the details of the mission, and gotten information from him about a magical compass that pointed to the true North Pole that they would need to find. He was able to help them with some information he didn’t give Aurora that he had heard a rumor that the Frost Spear was kept in a small village called White Hollow. It is the evening of January 10th with a few days' travel to go to get to White Hollow.**