Slaughter and Mystery in Arabel

Session 132

Characters: Julian, Balin, Grim, Anthony, Randal, Tulgar.

NPCs: Alusair Obarskyr: Regent of Cormyr, Caladnei: Royal Magician of Cormyr, Unseen Servants of the Library of Suzail, Keiran Stormspear: Captain of the Guard (Arabel), 100 Caravan Guardsman, 500 Orc raiders of Obold Manyarrows, Ratharg the Werewolf: Cheiftan of the Greywolf tribe, 50 Greywolf Uthgart barbarians, Obold's Eyerippers, Glendon: Dragoneye Dealing Coster caravan manager, Nichole la Normande: Truesheild Trading Triakos caravan manager, Aymel: Apprentice of Wellstar, Wellstar: Herald of Arabel, First Reader Norillmir of Oghma: the Keeper of the Tomes (Candlekeep), Lionar Daklbel: Warwizard of the Cleansing Flame,

L 11 Mirtul 1374 - E 13 Mirtul 1374

6075 XP

In the royal Gardens of Suzail the party quickly discussed their options as to what they would investigate next. Julian volunteered to return to Alaphondar's tower above the Library of Suzail. Perhaps the High Sage had left other clues in his tower during his hasty exit? The rest of the party made their way to the Obarskyr Castle to inform Alusair on what they had found and to determine what should be done next.

Julian made his way back to the Library of Suzail and Spiderclimbed up its shadowy stone walls, the bright moonlight striking its opposite side. He reached the same window as before and after a careful inspection saw that both the window and room were exactly as he had left them 24 hours ago. An inspection of Alaphondar's personal study revealed no more information and so Julian made his way out and into a dimly lit, but luxuriously furnished hallway. After passing a parlor, and four moderately sized bedrooms for Alaphondar's arcane apprentices, Julian made his way into a much larger study room. The walls were lined with books stretching nearly to the top of its vaulted ceiling. The texts seemed of no help and Julian searched for secret chambers. He found a number small magical vaults created by Alaphondar's apprentices but their contents were benign. Julian returned to the hallway in time to avoid an unseen servant's ghostly visage pass him by. His skills of hiding were quite sharp even when caught by surprise.

Meanwhile, the rest of the party appeared before the ivy covered gates of Obarskyr Castle. The Royal Guard immediately recognized the valorous heroes and opened the gates. Without even the slightest hesitation to check the party's weapons and armor the Royal Guards respectfully sent messengers to Alusair and Caladnei and led the party to the royal receiving chamber. Quite unlike the standard princess, Alusair appeared after not much time, alert, and disheveled. Tulgar started off with a bold account of the party's adventures in the Storm Horn Mountains that they had not had time to recall during their previous brief meeting 3 days prior on the 8th of Mirtul. Tulgar spoke of the parliamentarian Castle Crag, their battle with mighty mountain giants, his takeover of the Black Raven tribe as its new chieftain, and the outstretched dragon amulets they recovered from the tribe's Giant leaders. Alusair stood in amazement, thanking Tulgar and the party profusely for their bravery and intelligence.

At the end of the hall Julian found a great magical door which he passed through with the help of his Universal Key. Up a set of winding stairs Julian was now in the highest level of Alaphondar's tower, the personal chamber of the High Sage himself. Its opulent furnishings caught Julian's eyes nearly everywhere he looked, yet he maintained his determination on investigating the mysterious sage. In a hidden floor compartment, locked with an elaborate Arcane Lock, Julian discovered what he only hoped he had not found. Vials of poison, dragon fang daggers, and a number of amulets depicting a great dragon with outstretched wings. Could Alaphondar have been the source of these all along? Lastly, Julian examined the Sage's desk and found a book which had originally been wrapped in a red ribbon and sealed in wax. This old history book was titled The Year of the Screeching Vole. In the trash set aside the desk Julian read a message written on a small tag "My good friend, I hope that you and the library find this as enjoyable as I did. -Wellstar" Julian covered his tracks quickly, blinked out of the tower's wall, and ran as fast as he could to Obarskyr Castle.

Randal continued the tale, explaining the results of their recent investigation of Lord Filfar Woodbrand's death in Waymoot. He stated truly their findings in Woodbrand's home, that his corpse was found to be nothing more than a magically transformed troll, and that the dragon bone lodged behind his throat had led them to a terrible cave lair in the Storm Horn mountains filled with dracoliches. There Randal said, they had found Woodbrand's true corpse and magical sword. He explained their investigation of the sword, Endarthar's tower, and how the ghost of Orthaneus had helped them unlock the sword's scroll. Randal's speech slowed as he stated that the scroll had led them to the Knight's Refuge, an ancient tomb of the Knight's Draconis.

Grim told Alusair many of the details concerning the Knights Draconis they had learned. Finally, Grim stated that he had discovered a surprising fact; that every High Mage in Cormyr's history had been a member of the Knight's Draconis Outer Sanctum. Caladnei entered the room weary asking how it was possibly for her to fulfill her duties if she was woken at all hours of the night. The awkward silence was broke by Julian bursting through chamber doors shouting Alaphondar! He threw an open box of trinkets, an old history book and a red ribbon upon the table and gasped for air. Grim returned to the issue of the Knights Draconis asking that Julian regain his composure before stating anything else. When Caladnei finally realized what she was being accused of he outwardly denied, laughing that they would take her to be such a great wizard. The party would not relent and pressured Alusair herself to examine Caladnei for the tattoo of an encircled dragon, the moonlight was still strong. After these proceedings Alusair returned stating that Caladnei was free of any such mark.

The party discussed the Knights Draconis more and agreed that if both the legends and evidence found in the tomb were true that it would not be wise to flush out the current members. They now turned to Julian whom told of Alaphondar, his tower, and the symbols which he had found. Grim was familiar with the history of the book and described it as an account of when The Crown of Winter was last reportedly used on Faerûn in 163 DR. The resulting effect was that a village and a Cormyrean lord's estates were destroyed in massive ice storm during high summer. While interesting it seemed in itself irrelevant to their investigation. The book itself however, Grim and Caladnei hypothesized may be a massive cipher used by the two academics for some secret correspondence.

While most of the party succumbed to the luxurious furnishings and odd hour, Julian, Grim, and Caladnei continued to furiously analyze the text and other reference sources. After hours of searching Caladnei found hidden numbers written in ink only visible under the illumination of Fairy Fire, scattered across the book's many pages. The team now set to arrange the numbers into a long sequence. Another couple of hours were spent toiling at this long code, when finally they realized the numbers were arranged to reference a chapter, paragraph, word, and letter. They arranged this second code and discovered Wellstar's message to the High Sage Alaphondar. "The 17th of Mirtul 5:23 am". The exhausted three woke the rest of the party in their excitement and agreed to pay a visit to the Herald of Arabel, Wellstar. The morning sun rose through a clear sky as Grim Teleported the party just inside Arabel's northern gate.

The party heard the unexpected yet not surprising sounds of men mustering and battle joined from outside the trade city's walls. They ran to the guard posts and announced their purpose, showing their Purple Dragon Rings as proof. Captain of the Guard Keiran Stormspear allowed them entrance to the tower, briefing the party as they rose to its observation deck. Captain Keiran explained that all day caravans from the Dragoneye Dealing Coster and the Trueshield Trading Triakos (a Sembian based company), had been leaving the city. The Trueshields had clogged the eastern gate and thus some of the remainder of the company chose to leave via the northern gate against the Captain's advice. Orcs had been seen moving in an organized fashion in the northwestern areas near Arabel. The Dragoneye Dealing Coster had been ordered to exclusively leave the city and head toward the Parliamentarian capital of Marsember. When both caravans left from the northern gate they had been set upon by a small horde of 500 orcs bearing the marks of Obold Manyarrows. In addition, the Truesheild caravan which had left just prior was being assaulted to the north east by a smaller band of tribal barbarians adorned in greywolf pelts and riding Dire Wolf mounts.

The party saw the vast damage and carnage that had already been done to the wagons and their guardsman whom had barely made it out of the gate before being swarmed by orcs and barbarians. Grim cast an intricately shaped Meteorswarm which weaved in and out of the battle, sparing the wounded guardsman. Julian cast a clever Horrid Wilting spell which showed little mercy for the orcish force. Randal and Constal Manton made their way efficiently to the ground and began to dispatch the remaining orcs.

Meanwhile, Balin had transformed himself into a great green and white Pegasus. Tulgar leapt onto his back and rode through the morning sky. Leaping off the great beast, Tulgar drew his bitter chain and challenged their leader Ratharg to an Uthgart duel of honor. Ratharg was well versed in these practices and accepted with a mighty howl drawing his great axe and charging forward. Tulgar's initial blow was weak and Ratharg returned with many more. However, through Tulgar's prowess in battle these were only glancing blows. Tulgar summoned the might from within his ancestral chain and wracked the Werewolf Chieftain with a series of incredible slashes. Ratharg's tough hide, fiery passion, and regenerative bloodline were not enough to sustain him for but one more round if by chance Tulgar were to strike again. Ratharg called for mercy and collapsed to the ground once more. Tulgar brought the Greywolf chieftain up from the ground not as an enemy, but re-born a brother, Ratharg's blood dripped into Tulgar's wounds as he relinquished his command over the tribe. Tulgar called for them to halt their attack, return to the woods to the west, and said that he would meet them later in the night for mead and feasting. The Greywolves rode back as fast as they had come leaving only the slaughtered caravan as a sign they had been present.

Later, Balin, Anthony, and Randal would tend to their wounded and bring the remaining wagon pieces and survivors back within Arabel's walls. Julian noticed at the edge of his vision 4 black orcs standing on a hill watching. Just before he could call out they backed down and were gone. The Eyerippers had seen it all, but why had they not acted? Captain Keiran quickly thanked the party for their incredible actions, then stormed away and unleashed a barrage of curses upon the surviving caravan manager. Afterwards, Julian spoke with the Dragoneye caravan manager Glendon whom stated that he had been ordered directly by the company’s owner Lord Illance to move the caravan south to Marsember. Glendon honestly could not be sure as to why a staunch royalist such as Lord Illance would want to move his company to the red city of Marsember. Nichole la Normande, manager of the Trueshield company, graciously thanked Julian for saving his life and offered to arrange a new trading alliance between Sembia and Porta Elvasious in return. Of course, Julian agreed.

Captain Keiran asked why the party had come to Arabel to begin with and they explained their desire to speak with Herald Wellstar. Captain Keiran sent two horsemen to lead the heroes directly to Wellstar's tower on the western wall of Arabel. Herald Wellstar's tower looked of old traditional wizardly design. However it was adorned on the outside by many strange and delicate mechanical contraptions, which moved with every blow of the wind. Its roof was a great metal dome open to one end, and looked to be of recent and continuing construction. Answering the door was Wellstar's apprentice Aymer, soaking wet. After some brief, rude dialogue, Aymer reluctantly agreed to contact the absent Wellstar and arrange for a meeting and tour of the tower. not more than 5 minutes later Aymer returned to the door in dry clothes and said that Wellstar had returned.

The party met Wellstar in the foyer, whose old and dusty decor implied he was a quite busy man, and not particularly fond of the arts. Wellstar, although only 30 years old, appeared far older. The party told Wellstar why they had come and Wellstar agreed to give them a tour and assist them in their investigation in any manner he could. On the second level Julian noticed Wellstar's chamber was greatly cluttered with papers. His initial quick attempts to find something which would link Wellstar official to the book were fruitless. Moreover, Wellstar's quick and detail filled testimonies were occupying most of everyone's attention. The third level contained many laboratories, careful experiments currently being done, mathematics and mechanics were all around them. Grim and Balin realized Wellstar was quite the astronomer and were impressed by his knowledge. The 4th and final level was Wellstar's observatory. Balin and Julian noted he had been tracking a particular constellation in the night sky the past weeks. Wellstar described it as the "Loke" elven for dragon. The party learned that on the date written in the Alaphondar's book the Loke would be at its highest point in the night sky, a time that the old elves of Cormynthor often referred to as the "Faenloke" or awakened dragon.

Wellstar outwardly denied being involved in the Knights Draconis and stated he had never written the code they described in the book. Facts that Anthony and Randal could not detect a lie within. However, he did admit that he had sent the book to Alaphondar, for its references to Cormyrian history, weather, and arcana. Three things the two academics shared closely. Randal and Anthony pushed Wellstar to confess something he may have been hiding but Wellstar refused. On their way down the winding stairs Randal again pressured Wellstar, and during his distraction Julian slipped back into Wellstar's chamber and discovered a couple small books of poetry amongst the chaotic papers. Perhaps Wellstar was an appreciator of the arts after all? Within one of the books was an intricate poem written in Alaphondar's own handwriting, Julian quickly copied it down and returned to the party. They left and Wellstar promised to help them more at a later point if he thought of anything more.

Julian showed the poem to the party and before discussing it any further they decided to return to the Gardens of Suzail, a more familiar place if not safer. The poem read.

Glory Undo
With Aleron’s Ivy
Sees bold bet

Myth bore a Lance
I heed, turn, went very raw in
Last Cry!

The wrong,

What was the intention of the writer? Did Alaphondar actually write it or was it copied by him from another source? Furthermore, what did the first King of Cormyr, ivy, myth, a lance, and betrayal have to do with one another? The party knew they could not go back to the Library of Suzail for the background information concerning these references. It had already been picked over and censored so carefully by Alaphondar. Julian, Balin, and Grim offered to travel to Candlekeep, the greatest and most unbiased source of knowledge and history on Ferun. They knew however, that entrance to the keep and service from the monks of Ogmha would come at a high and rare cost. The rest of the party decided to return to Calantar Keep and see if battle had broken out yet between the Royalists and Parliamentarians.

Grim once again Teleported Julian and Balin to the windswept dirt path in front of Candlekeep. The fortress was built along high crags overlooking the Sword Coast and despite its great tactical location it still communicated a purpose of peace and knowledge. Along the battlements were two monks clothed in simple brown robes, the party asked that they gain entrance and speak with the Abbot about helping them with a great riddle and poem. They entered the castle and met with. First Reader Norillmir of Oghma, the Keeper of the Tomes Ulraunt was busy and proud. After explaining their desire to learn all about Cormyr's history the poem referenced and a possible solution to the riddle, Balin offered copies of his detailed ecological field notes that he had collected over his years of adventuring as payment. Norillmir agreed that they would have it done in two days given that the party stay and help and also that Balin return every 50 years for the rest of his life to update these impressive catalogues of nature. A deal was struck, and without one second further First Reader Norillmir had every monk and book in Candlekeep flying about searching for answers.

Meanwhile, Calantar Keep was in further trouble as Constal Manton was briefed by Lionar Daklbel that the Parliamentarians had grown in size yet again and that they were currently stripping the woods and riverside of logs, constructing light fortifications and rallying for battle. It seemed as though the great purple flag of Cormyr was finally stretched too thin.

Tulgar signaled for a Great Black Raven and hours later, the Purple Dragon Guard of Calantar Keep saw the black silhouette of a Great Raven flying in from the north, behind it the setting sun of a long and tiring day. Tulgar was not done yet however. He flew into the northern wild woods and found the campsite of the Greywolf tribe. Ratharg and the tribe greeted him heartily, offering their new Cheiftan bloodmead and the last of the Cormyrian stag meat they had left. Tulgar spoke to the tribe from his heart, challenging their fears of starvation and offering them instead a mission of great honor. To hunt down Obold's rapid black tribes and destroy them with the cunning tactics and bravery that only the great grey wolves possessed. With the ever watchful eyes of their Uthgart allies the Black Ravens flying high in the skies, the Greywolves would always know the weakest point in Obold's support lines to attack. Drunk and bloodthirsty the Greywolves celebrated, the night air was filled with the cheers and howls of re-born wolf warriors.

The Knight's Refuge

Session 131

Characters: Julian, Balin, Samael, Grim, Anthony, Cael, Randal.

NPCs: Alaphondar Emmarsk: High Sage of Cormyr, Draconic Ruin Swarm.

L 10 Mirtul 1374 - L 11 Mirtul 1374

6500 XP

The party was teleported from the fading starlight of the Wyvernwater Lake to a small room somewhere underground. Its elegant stone carved relief was illuminated by the adventurer's magical auras. Cael read the walls and found them to be funeral references to Cormyrian Knights, among them, some of Cormyr's greatest Purple Dragon generals. Julian and Samael examined the only exit from the room, a silver-gilded double door with handles shaped into two curling dragons. Julian found the door to be protected with powerful transmutation, abjuration, and universal schools of magic. In addition, a familiar magical aura still lingered upon the door, Alaphondar. Without any time to waste Julian used his Universal Key, the doors lurched open.

Beyond the silver doorway was a yet smaller squared room, its carvings significantly simpler, depicting dragons and constellations with Star Metal inset into the stone walls. Balin took notice that despite the carvings old age, these constellations not only depicted the night sky above Cormyr correctly, but for this exact year and week. Randal focused upon the room's central feature, a glorious stone altar whose grandeur far exceeded the cramped space it was built in. He noted it had been built there with the same stone and craft work, and that the old knights may have used for reverent purposes by the half-kneelers built into its front. The room lacked a second door and thus Samael began to search for signs of Teleportation in the room. In doing so he noted the altar was slightly off keel, angling by a small degree toward an awkward direction. Balin determined it to be true north using the Big Dipper and found that when he focused his eyes upon the constellations the room's square lines disappeared and became an expansive dome reminiscent of the night sky.

The adventurers shifted the stone altar about its radius counter-clockwise until it suddenly locked into place directly parallel to the room's lines. Samael's keen sense of balance allowed him to perceive that the entire tomb had just shifted to a new arbitrary alignment. Balin, Julian, and Grim made numerous attempts to shift the stone into the correctly alignment again but to no avail. Their troubles in deciphering this problem were allowing Alaphondar more time to escape. Julian and Samael combined together to disable the magical altar, setting off a guardian trap within the Star-metal runes. The party was Teleported into a much larger room as they were simultaneously hit with starry light which Dispelled nearly all of their magical equipment.

They found themselves standing atop a large pile of glittering pieces which filled a great pool. Around the edges of the pool there were hundred of precious scrolls, art pieces, and offerings which delicately walled them in due to their sense of caution. Suddenly the pile came to life. The party was quickly being consumed with a flurry of gold, silver, and copper which obscured their vision and cut them deeply. It was then they realized these were not precious metal coins, but dragon scales. The party rushed toward the edge finding the pool was quickly deepening as more of the scales whirled to life in the air. Locked in, Grim cast powerful fireballs into the swarm, shaping the effects to not harm his fellow adventurers. Julian mimicked this spell and doubled the fiery damage. Cael summoned a storm of his own, an icy cold smashed into the storm shattering scales and slowing their flurry. Randal and Samael defended themselves smashing and dodging scales. The swarm continued to draw from its depth, pulling the party deeper into the pool's basin and growing in strength. Anthony Manton healed the party as Balin Firestormed the swarm around him. After what seemed like an endless tornado of scales, blood, and magic the great Draconic Ruin Swarm dissipated in millions of shattered pieces.

The party carefully crawled out of the deep pool making sure not to crush any precious offerings. Around them was a vast tomb, with hundreds of sarcophagi and relics of old Cormyrian patriots. After much searching through the tomb the party found it to be filled with the greatest knights, wizards, healers, politicians, poets, and engineers Cormyr had ever known, all Knights Draconis. Their tombs and the relics within told great forgotten tales of a Cormyr which few had known, buy many had speculated. What they had found would fill in many of the absent gaps which seemed to have been so carefully censored from the Library of Suzail. The party had confirmed what only poets, dreamers, and patriots would believe in Cormyr, the existence of the Knights Draconis.

Cael read from the journals of the earliest Knights Draconis and learned that they were in fact an organization founded by Aleron Obarskyr himself. The Knights were dedicated to protect Cormyr's three most vital assets, the Crystal Grot (a legendary cave filled with precious gems and metals), the True Obarskyr Bloodline, and the Purple Dragon. The Inner Sanctum knight journals discussed the Purple Dragon, and spoke of Her in familiar terms. They would attend to Her and the Crystal Grot directly. The Outer sanctum Knights may have never been within the grot but included many of Cormyr's greatest defenders, innovators, and leaders. Interestingly, the most highly held Inner Sanctum Knights, lacked sarcophagi or any other chamber to hold remains. Their greatest honor was to be consumed by the great dragon Herself. The party also learned that the four most important Outer Sanctum members, the High Knights were each given a single scale from the great Purple Dragon, a fifth Knight, leader of the entire outer sanctum never received such a piece.

The party cursed that they have more time to study this massive chamber, however many hours had passed and Balin told that night was again falling on the surface above. Balin and Samael tracked Alaphondars path through the tomb and found it to stop near a set of completed, but un-marked or adorned burial chambers. This particular one, built for a great warrior and lord, Woodbrand perhaps? Alaphondar would have stopped and picked something from the tombs back surface. Could Woodbrand have been a High Knight Draconis of the outer sanctum? And worse could Alaphondar now possess Woodbrand's purple scale? The party Teleported to the Gardens of Suzail. The night sky was growing increasingly familiar.

Folklore Becomes Fact

Session 130

Characters: Julian, Balin, Samael, Grim, Anthony, Davvin, Lord Thond.

NPCs: Woodbrand's Longsword, Starmetal Golem, Orthaneus: Deathless Wizard, Librarians of Suzail, Alaphondar Emmarsk: High Sage of Cormyr.

L 9 Mirtul 1374 - L 10 Mirtul 1374

3900 XP

After the brief fray between the party, they further discussed possibilities of investigation and decided to call the remaining adventurers from Calantar Keep to help. Lord Thond suggested that they seek out a reclusive wizard whom lived in a tower just north of Waymoot named Endarthar. If he would not have an answer, then they would reluctantly allow Julian to break the mighty sword. Before they left for Waymoot again, Davvin gave Lord Woodbrand's body a last blessing and sealed him in a magical stone sarcophagus. The party returned to Waymoot and presented Woodbrand's coffin to the local Purple Dragon guards. A small ceremony was held and the party explained their findings to the people of Waymoot. After that they headed off into the large and open King's Forest and found Endarthar's tower without incident.

His tower was seated in a small valley and was surrounded by a wild garden that looked neglected for some time. Balin discovered orc tracks and signs of an encampment around the tower, the front door looked to have been smashed down. The party prepared for combat with protective spells and moved in. The first three floors were trapped with minor evocations and looked to have been looted considerably. As the party searched they found 4 dead orcs; two had been killed by the magical traps, the other two however, had been killed by something all together different. Julian and Samael rushed ahead of the party and Anthony followed close behind. On the fifth floor they found a complex magical trap and set to disabling it. Meanwhile, the rest of the party searched through the 4th floor, and were surprised when they found no signs of looting at all. A large room at the south end of the building had a massive metal sculpture of a iron golem at one end and it glowed with a magical aura. Carefully the party approached the suit of armor, but as they drew close Grim noticed that the magical aura was a Nystal's Magic Aura. Suddenly, the party was attacked from behind by a great dust covered metal warrior and began to choke on toxic gas.

Thond, Davvin, and Balin began to attack the golem with their weapons but found penetrating its armor extremely difficult. Grim became the focus of the golem's attacks and soon attempted to flee for his life finding that he had hit a Wall of Force, they were trapped! Grim Recalled back to his magical demiplane away from the battle and the golem and toxic gases were quickly taking a heavy toll on the rest of the party. Davvin called upon the dead god Kelemvor and a great Angel of Death appeared before the golem battling against it. Julian and Samael had just finished disabling the traps when they were set upon by a ghostly figure dressed in the robes of a noble Cormyrian war wizard. The figure demanded they explain what they were doing in his tower and they began to tell of their adventuring charter, Woodbrand's sword, and their search for the great wizard Endarthar. The ghostly figure called Endarthar a cheater, coward and a weak wizard and introduced himself as Orthaneus, the true master of this tower. After more brief conversation Julian, Samael, and Anthony went back to the 4th floor to find Woodbrand's sword and saw instead the desperate combat unfolding inside a Cube of Force. Orthaneus immediately called off his mighty Starmetal Golem, halting the combat.

Then the party was invited to the 5th floor where Orthaneus explained he was killed by Endarthar in a mage duel to assume control over the rival's tower. Since the war had broken out in Cormyr Endarthar had packed up all the tower's valuables and returned to his homeland of Tethyr. Orthaneus advised the party that it would probably be best to Disjoin the sword and then break the hilt. During the conversation Julian became enthralled by the sword once again, grabbed it and Blinked out of the tower. Samael and Grim followed in pursuit slowing him down. Then Orthaneus hesitated no longer and Disjoined the sword while it lay unattended on the ground. The sword's magic was now gone and Anthony slowly set to work dismantling the hilt to gain access to the scroll. While that was proceeding Davvin questioned Orthaneus on the reasons for his not leaving for the afterlife. Orthaneus explained the great necessity of revenge upon Endarthar and Grim sympathized as a fellow wizard. Davvin managed to convince Orthaneus to leave with the promise from Grim that Endarthar would be killed in his name and that Orthaneus' tower would be re-built and maintained in its former beauty by Grim. Anthony had finished removing the scroll and found that it contained a code written in an indecipherable alphabet. The letters resembled elven, draconic, and arcane scripts at times and were clearly in some sort of substituted code. The party consulted with Orthaneus who explained he knew nothing of this language, although his response seemed suspicious. He told the party he may have seen it in the Library of Suzail earlier in his life however, that too seemed rushed.

The party could not solve the code and with no other leads decided to go to the Library of Suzail and speak again with the High Sage Alaphondar. After not too much time waiting they received a council with the High Sage and began collecting books concerning the Knights Draconis. The party studied with Alaphondar for several hours through mostly fiction and poetry which only speculated upon the organization. Clearly, this was not the historical evidence they were hoping for. Alaphondar promised that in the morning his librarians would have collected more material which may have a translation of the coded message they discovered. Alaphondar returned up the winding staircase to his personal quarters and Julian again sensed a suspicious element to the High Sage's behavior. The party returned to sleep after a very one day in Lord Thond's manor. After a couple hours, Julian and Samael decided to sneak back out into the library of Suzail and may a personal visit to Alaphondar's tower. The full moon made hiding difficult along the grounds of the Court gardens however Julian and Samael managed to gain access to a high window in the tower and dismantled a magical alarm.

In the tower they found a table which had many of its items pushed to one side. On the opposite side lay a circular cipher, and two copies of the exact coded message they had found in Woodbrand's sword. "Full moon on Hullack touches thee, Proud warrior conquering benches three, Where the smaller steel points a way, Stand where the lonely warrior may." They had little time to search more, however Julian managed to copy down the solved message, a poem, onto parchment and the pair of thieves escaped into the night. They quickly returned to Lord Thond's manor and woke up the remaining party members. tonight was a full moon and it was rapidly approaching dawn, there was little time to spare. After analyzing the poem, Anthony recalled the legend of Warrior-King Dhalmass I whom conquered the western Dalelands in the name of Cormyr. A statue which honors his memory stands on the edge of the Wyvernwater Lake near the Hullack Forest. The party Teleported to the statue and now stood in the misty presence of the Wyvernwater Lake. Close examination of the statue, and Woodbrand's poem allowed the party to activate a portal near where King Dhalmass' squire would stand. Samael acted first, sacrificing blood on the statue before entering. Anthony noticed that fresh blood had already been spilled this night upon the statue, Alaphondar perhaps? Each party member did the same blood sacrifice and appeared in a much different place soon after.

A Patriot's Sword

Session 129

Characters: Julian, Grim, Anthony, Samael.

NPCs: Woodbrand's Longsword, Hrathdorr the Giant-Slayer Great Spear.

E 9 Mirtul 1374 - L 9 Mirtul 1374

5100 XP

The silence after the battle was broken as the ice Cael had formed to block the waterfall began to split and shatter. Soon the waterfall was once again flowing hard, the passage blocked. Through Balin's magic they returned briefly to Calantar Keep which had been continuing to make preparations for war under the guidance of Constal Manton. Since the party had split of the 5th of Mirtul, Wyvernspur's army had been receiving reinforcements and volunteers on a daily basis. To the south a large ground force had arrived from the new Parliamentarian capitol Marsember. It was estimated that more than 30 War Wizards could be present, with twice as many divine casters in the ranks. The Red Raven company also was growing in strength as reserve members from adventuring parties began showing up for the upcoming battle as well. Wyvernspur's force retained many of the traditional qualities of a Cormyrian army, however it differed in that he had removed much of the unit heraldry and identification. This combined with the mixed numbers of militiamen, Purple Dragon Knights, War Wizards, Priests, and Red Ravens, was making the scouting of his force's full strength difficult.

Anthony resurrected both Cael and Julian and then the party made a quick return to the necromancer's cave. Grim used a Wall of Force to angle the flow of water away from the entrance and the party moved in. They traveled through a winding, cramped tunnel and Julian disabled a number of hastily set magical traps. The tunnel opened up into a circular-shaped cave that was filled with luxurious black and purple furnishings. In the center of the room was a pit filled with manacles and bones, resting on the top was the dried up corpse of Lord Filfar Woodbrand. Samael carefully searched the room and found that the necromancer's book collection was filled with information concerning the Cult of the Dragon. Under the bed and hidden by a magical illusion, Samael found a large chest that he dared not touch. Julian meanwhile examined the body of Woodbrand and found that he had been chained here for at least the past day, and tortured; his death was most likely recent and due to an Energy Drain. With a bit of luck and some experience in searching, Julian found an eerie message that looked to have been carved with a bone into the forehead of a skull near Woodbrand's body. The message read "Hilt", and the party immediately began a search for Woodbrand's old sword.

Julian, Grim, and Anthony spent a considerable amount of time, and spells disarming the well protected chest that Samael had found. Inside was a number of Woodbrand's old adventuring effects including a beautiful longsword which glowed with a dull purple light. It's blade and hilt seemed to be forged of one metal upon Anthony Manton's inspection and the hilt pictured a curling dragon. Grim sat with the sword, and meditated on its magical aura. He saw flashes of great battles, feasts, victories, weddings, and funerals all from the hilt's perspective. Grim concentrated further and pushed back the sword's memories to the time it was first forged and could only see a small scroll being scribed by an unrecognizable figure. The party soon believed that Woodbrand's sword contained a scroll vital to their quest. Julian began to examine the inspiring weapon as well, showing it the dead Lord Woodbrand, the message he had scribed, their adventuring charter, and described their quest to defend the Crown Prince Azoun V. After a moment of silence, Julian was struck with a powerful surge from the sword and heard the words, "then destroy me" in his mind. Magically compelled by the powerful weapon, Julian raised the sword in his hand and the rest of the party knew what he was about to do.

Anthony rushed at Julian but his attempt to parry missed, and Julian was able to lock himself within a Cube of Force. Grim Teleported in and sent a blast of force and Julian however, it was Spell Turned and Grim was instantly killed by his own spell. Anthony Dimension Doored into the Cube as well, Revivifying Grim from his death. Julian evaded once more and created a new Cube of Force than was blasted away by a powerful Disintigrate from Grim. Samael summond the mighty Great Spear Hrathdorr and knocked Woodbrand's sword from Julian's grasp. The blade clanged as it hit the stone, surged once more before fading back to its former dull purple hue. After the fray Julian explained that although e was compelled magically he still believed it was in Cormyr's best interest to shatter the blade and retrieve the scroll inside. Anthony and Grim warned of the possible magical explosion that could destroy the scroll or worse. Furthermore, what if it was a trick to ensure the blade's true power didn't fall into the wrong hands? The party argued intensely as Woodbrand's blade sat silent on the stone floor.

The Dracolich Master

Session 128

Characters: Julian, Tulgar, Balin, Cael.

NPCs: Blue Ancient Wyrm Dracolich, Green Ancient Wyrm Dracolich, Red Ancient Wyrm Dracolich, Wearer of Purple Necromancer, Greater Devourer, Greater Dread Wraith, 2 Red Proto-Dracoliches, White Proto-Dracolich.

E 8 Mirtul 1374 - E 9 Mirtul 1374

9000 XP

Now standing in the darkened Storm Horn Mountains, the party made haste into a large cavern entrance which looked for have been hollowed from a great waterfall ages ago. Inside however, they found few signs of life, except for a small stream running under their feet. Moving in further Julian carefully searched the opening cavern room with his arcane vision and found a large magical signature hiding in a watery pool. Suddenly, an Ancient Blue Dracolich rose from the stagnant pool and blasted the party with a crackling bolt of electricity. The smell of its rotting bones and burning flesh choked the adventurers as they struggled to fight back. Julian and Tulgar moved forth to attack while Balin and Cael prepared an onslaught of spells. The stench however, suddenly grew even worse and the party turned to the opening of the great cave only to see a pair of Ancient Dracoliches crouched to the ground in the darkness. The small cavern exploded with fire, and corrosive gas, and lightning once more and both Cael and Balin were killed. Julian wasted no time in Teleporting the party away from the combat to the only place he new could be capable of resurrecting such grievous losses of life, the Fortress of the Faithful.

The party found the Fortress to be well-underway with the reconstruction process, the acolytes in good spirits. They were greeted heartily and taken into the healing presences of the temple's priests. Cael and Balin were resurrected the 8 hours later after the morning prayers to the Triad gods. Then they ate with the priests there, described their battle with the dracoliches, and each adventurer was bestowed with a great spell, immunity to acid. The adventurers said their goodbyes and returned to the mountain pass during the early morning as the sun was just rising over the Storm Horns.

Entering the cave they found its walls to be in perpetual darkness and began to search keenly through the tunnels. They found a number of divination traps which may have altered their presence to the undead monsters, and Julian felt there was something suspicious concerning the waterfall. Cael froze the upper portion in ice and just as the water stopped its torrential flow, the party was set upon again by the elemental blasts of the dracoliches. More well-prepared for combat, Cael charged towards one and nearly disabled it with an incredible blast from his mageblade. Julian struck another for little damage, and Balin's choice of a Moonbeam was ineffective at best against the rotting dragons. Julian was then struck multiple times by the one and paralyzed by its fearsome presence. Tulgar charged in and destroyed a dracolich after being severely wounded himself. Then, just as it seemed the battle was turning it their favor, a shadowy black figure levitated from the waterfall's opening and pointed its terrible fingers at Cael, draining his life significantly. Cael destroyed another dracolich, however rising from the watery pool in the cave's center was another rotting dragon, and then another. Tulgar and Balin focused their attacks on the Proto-Dracoliches and Cael was finally struck dead by the necromantic energy of the shadowy figure. Cael's fate was far worse however, when his withered corpse rose in his amour as a terrible undead Devourer. Tulgar quickly dispatched the undead Devourer before it could drain any more life and bean to battle the Dracoliches once more. Balin had Shapechanged into an Huge Bronze Dragon and was also being drained of his life by the shadow.

Meanwhile, the Proto-Dracolich near Julian was having trouble with a Coup De Grace because of his illusionary defenses. The remaining Red Dracolich returned to its aid and blasted the paralyzed Julian with fire, killing him. The necromancer had raised Cael's corpse once more, and this time he became a Dread Wraith and set upon Balin. Tulgar leapt upon Balin's back and attacked the shadow with the rage of his ancestors. The necromancer fell to the ground dead, and his shadowy aura began to diminish. Unfortunately, Tulgar and Balin were now surrounded by Cael's Dread Wraith, a Red Ancient Dracolich, and two Proto-Dracoliches. With only one option in sight of ending the battle quickly, Balin crashed himself as a Huge Bronze Dragon down 50 feet into the stone floor, smashing the necromancer's body. The three precious phylateries he had used to control the Dracoliches were instantly crushed under the massive force and a series of magical explosions from beneath Balin nearly killed him. Tulgar once again dispatched of the Dread Wraith and the battle was won.

Assassination of the Trollkiller

Session 127

Characters: Julian, Tulgar, Balin, Cael.

NPCs: Purple Dragon Guards (Waymoot).

L 7 Mirtul 1374 - E 8 Mirtul 1374

8500 XP

The party now stood before the closed wooden door of Woodbrand's joyful moothouse where they had stayed just two nights prior. Luckily for Waymoot, there were no signs of attack on the town as in the recent attack on its sister town Dhedluk. Finding no signs of forced entry upon the door or frame the party moved inside. The long room with wood furnishings was torn to pieces as if like in Thiombur's home, the assassin had come for something more than murder. The party spoke with the local Purple Dragons whom were also investigating the scene and were shown the locations where Woodbrand and his wife had been found. Julian searched the room precariously while Balin tracked and Cael looked for magical signatures. After their investigation the party concluded the following. First, that the assailant was more similar to the thief whom tore Thiombur's home apart than the style of senseless destruction created by the Eye Rippers. Second, the assailant probably entered through magical means and attacked Woodbrand's wife first in the kitchen. Third, the assailant moved quickly down the moothouse and encountered Woodbrand. None of the Trollkiller's former magical items were found, however a sword gash was found in a joist indicating Woodbrand may have made a brief attempt to fight back and raise alarm. Fourth, no townsfolk reported any unusual noises, or lights from the moothouse so magical silence and darkness spells may have additionally been employed. The party was shown the rope that Woodbrand's body was found hanging by in the rafters of his moothouse ceiling. Julian found that the majority of the searching done by the thief occurred in his large poetry and literature collection. Like his good friend Thiombur, Woodbrand was often considered one of Cormyr's greatest Warrior-Poets and patriots. What information the thief could have found or been looking for was unknown.

Julian did however, manage to find that there were faint markings and indentations that glinted in the firelight off the surface of a large book. The book had most likely been thrown to the floor from his desk and upon a charcoal rub, Julian discovered that these were the old pressure points of Woodbrand's original message to Thiombur. The missing sections Woodbrand had "trouble remembering" were now clear. The most suprising thing however was that the message was already complete. The missing segments eluded to an alternate word arrangement, and the charcoal marks further revealed the encoded first draft! Woodbrand's original intended message. It was coded in opposite word meaning and the words linked both Woodbrand and Thiombur to the involvements in the Knights Draconis organization. The message warned that the upcoming meeting must be canceled for security reasons. If this hidden script was genuine, it would give legitimacy to hundreds of years of un-believed draconic folklore.

The party also was allowed to examine the bodies of Woodbrand and his wife. Cael's close examination of the wife revealed that a powerful evocation spell had destroyed her head, she was obviously of no informative use for the assailant. Woodbrand's body however, was wrought with torturous wounds. Unlike the evidence found in his moothouse, this would indicate a long torture and much time being spent inside the house. Balin found a black porous rock lodged deep in Woodbrand's throat, the final cause of death. This piece upon further analysis however, was in fact charred dragon bone. Woodbrand's eyes remained within his skull, further evidence that the Eye Rippers were not involved. Julian stared at the body in sadness, however after a number of minutes he noticed the faint glow of magic within the body. Cael immediately casted a Greater Dispel Magic upon Woodbrand's corpse and before their eyes, the Transmutation ended revealing the corpse of a dried up Troll! The reason Woodbrand's soul was not present for resurrection was now even clearer... he was still alive.

Balin immediately went to work further analyzing the dragon bone, unfortunately it served as the only possible link to the killer they had. After some very difficult scrying Balin thought he had found the location of a cave in the Storm Horn Mountains that seemed to posses the remainder of the very same skeleton. Night had fallen fast and with little starlight shining through the thick cloud cover the party Teleported to the western Storm Horn Mountains.