The majority of the city had now been taken by Captain Einar’s men with the aid of Her Arcane Highness, Mage-Lady Orphelia of the First Sphere, Scion of House Grimsbourne, Keldrin Bjornsson, and Elmeretilin Skysworn. At the palace doors preparations are made to seize the Lord Regent Dross and procure the safety of both the baroness as well as the baroness’s daughter.

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Meanwhile….

In the feasthall, Ripxian continues to hold Lord Regent Dross at blade point as Dross’s guards stand by unable to come to their lord’s aid. Catriona also waits with Ripxian in the hopes that their fellow adventurers along with Captain Einar will arrive shortly. Before that could happen, however, Sir Perregrine returns with his own retinue of personal guards and commands Ripxian and Catriona to surrender their weapons. Rip & Cat comply as their hostage now no longer had a purpose; Rip & Cat also learn from Peregrin about a ritual that is taking place involving someone named Bain. It is then Rip & Cat are taken away to the prison cells.

Rip & Cat escape from their cell along with a merchant whom they are well-acquainted with. They encounter Captain Einar and some of his men. Rip explained to the captain that he and Cat are on Einar’s side, but the captain remained unconvinced. He commands that they all together go to the feasthall to assess the validity of Rip’s story.
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Upon entering through the palace doors Mage-Lady Orphelia, Keldrin, Elmeretilin, Captain Einar and his men are all greeted with several guards and war dogs obviously intent on ending any further advance. Mage-Lady Orphelia attempted to persuade the guards to stand down and become her allies, but unfortunately the Lord Regent Dross’s men were too loyal. The battle that ensued was bloody and fatiguing, but victory was attained. The Mage-Lady Orphelia, in particular, suffered grievous wounds.

After the battle it was agreed upon that Captain Einar and some of his men would seek out the baroness in the tower while Mage-Lady Orphelia, Keldrin, and Elmeretilin would advance to the feast hall.

The door to the feasthall was guarded and the adventurers were told to surrender all weapons. Elmeretilin was able to successfully dissuade the guards from confiscating the weapons—no doubt due to overconfidence that their forces were greater & more numerous than the small party—and so the procession into the feast hall commenced.

Sir Perregrine and ten to twelve men were waiting in the feasthall. Mage-Lady Orphelia did her best to impose her will upon Sir Perregrine and reminded him that the city had practically been taken and to surrender. However, Sir Perregrine met Mage-Lady Orphelia’s speeches with sneers and arrogance; he also spoke of us already being “too late” and that we could have the Lord Regent Dross back if he would be allowed to leave. Mage-Lady Orphelia continued to negotiate, but Sir Peregrin soon tired of talking. It was then that Sir Perregrine drove a blade into the Lord Regent Dross’s kidney and pushed him forward, whereupon he bled to death from the wound.

Upon stabbing Dross, another battle ensued, this one much more bloody. The fight was going ill for the adventurers—especially Keldrin who suffered too many wounds and fell unconscious—until Catriona appeared and shortly later Captain Einar, a few of his men, and Rip [Note: The baroness had been procured but was suffering from an unnatural illness]. The tide of battle was then turned in favor of the adventurers. It was also in the feasthall battle that Catriona inadvertently killed a man for the first time; this left Cat extremely distraught and physically ill. Rip, in the meantime, ran to the kitchen where Sir Perregrine had fled.

Once the battle was over, most of the adventurers’ wounds were healed and the party set off to the kitchen. It was there in the kitchen a cellar door was discovered and down in the cellar a secret door. Elmeretilin found the lever to open the door and on the other side the party discovered a series of catacombs.

Down one particular corridor and beyond a crumbled wall a putrid, terrifying scene was revealed. A demon of gluttony was chewing the appendage of some unfortunate person and body parts of all kinds were suspending by chains & hooks about the room. There was also an unholy plague of rats swarming about the place. In addition, there was a man in robes, facing away from the adventurers, chanting. The robed man was facing the relic.

Keldrin reveals the nature of the demon to the party and strongly insists falling back to gather reinforcements (Elmeretilin had already run away in horror). However, Rip took matters into his own hands and shot an arrow into the back of the robed man’s head, who then crumples to the ground as rats begin to spill out from underneath the robe. The glutton demon advances and the party attempts to kill or otherwise quell the demon until Elmeretilin returns and deals a most deadly blow to the vile, abyssal creature. The demon then falls, vanquished.

The Mage-Lady Orphelia then approaches the relic and the party begins to discuss what will be the next course of action.

With the relic of Vali again “safely” in the hands of Mage Lady Orphelia—of the now Second Sphere—it was unanimously agreed that Her Arcane Highness, Keldrin, and Catriona would return to the surface and get some much needed rest. Elmeretillin and Ripxian, in the meantime, explored the opposite section of the tunnel which had led to the room with the relic.

On the way back out of the catacombs, Her Arcane Highness, Keldrin, and Catriona encountered the Berenger Cooke, steward of Aslov. The three explained to the steward that it was not safe to go further into the catacombs, but the steward insisted he check on the well-being of Rip and Elmeretillin. When Keldrin insisted the steward come with them the steward took flight deeper into the catacombs. Catriona, however, managed to grapple him while Keldrin tied the steward’s hands with rope.

Keldrin interrogated him and it was discovered that the steward was in league with those who were trying to impose Vali’s will upon Aslov by means of the relic. It was also revealed that the steward’s role was to make the baroness ill via an elixir given to the steward by Plaguebearer Bain. The interrogation soon dwindled when it was realized the steward had no further useful things to say, so the three led the steward to Einarwhereupon Einar ordered his immediate incarceration and impending questioning.

Her Arcane Highness, Keldrin, and Catriona then went to the west wing of the palace(now vacated of all nobles) where they slumbered for close to 12 hours. Upon awakening—the hour was now 6:00 in the evening, baths were drawn and everyone ate. Rip and Elmeretillin had arrived during the night some time and Elmeretillin discussed Rip’s and Elmeretillin’s findings. Apparently there were human tracks but some of them disappeared at one point down the tunnel. The tunnel also led back to the surface and to a cemetary beyond. However, the amount of time lapsed and near impossibility to track Sir Perregrine made the effort not worth it, so they had returned to the palace.

As the adventurers sat in the feast hall discussing the next plan of action, it was agreed that nothing remained to detain them any longer save for ensuring Aslov had a reliable and capable leader to restore order and mend the city’s siege wounds. Unfortunately with the baroness ill, the baroness’s daughter unaccounted for, the Lord Regent Dross’s recent demise, and the steward’s recent treason and capacity to lead greatly compromised the only capable candidate for the time being was Captain Einar. Her Arcane Highness agreed she would speak with Einar alone that night and see what could be done and at dawn on the morrow the journey to Crase would commence.

Try as Her Arcane Highness might, Captain Einar was steadfast in his disinterest in any administrative role; he was strictly a military leader. Additionally, Captain Einar made it known he did not know which nobles to trust. This gave Mage-Lady Orphelia an idea so she proposed to Einar that she weave a spell of ascertaining loyalty upon all the nobles…in return for five soldiers to assist in her and her companions’ upcoming journey to Crase. Captain Einar agreed with this plan and agreed the spell could be laid upon all the nobles at dawn the next day.

Upon awakening the next morning, the adventurers prepared themselves for the coming journey and Her Arcane Highness fulfilled her part of the agreement by casting the spell upon all the nobles to determine loyalty. Sadly, less than one-third of the nobles were found to be loyal to the Baroness; the remaining nobles were placed under arrest and incarcerated. Now with all loose ends tied up, the adventurers were then able to begin their journey to Crase.

Over the course of the next three days—on foot with Catriona riding Mage-Lady Orphelia’s steed—the adventurers had no small difficulty in obtaining food. Even more, Catriona’s prolonged exposure to the chilling elements degraded her already-existing sickness and a fever set upon her. A column of smoke was also noted on the evening of the second day, but the adventurers decided not to investigate.

On the morning of the third day the adventurers encountered a lone rider who was quickly identified as a Hearth Knight. The Hearth Knight revealed that he was on his way to Hellfrost Keep to deliver a message. He could not speak long, but he was able to give Catriona a warming draught that would last the rest of the day along with rations. The Hearth Knight also warned against traveling on the road a day’s journey from Crase and strongly suggested taking to the wilderness due to orcs and other ilk being seen in the vacinity. After that, the Hearth Knight wished the adventurers well and he continued on his way.

On the evening of the third day, Rip noticed the column of smoke had moved. The adventurers then discussed what should be done, with Keldrin giving warnings of caution but Ripxian speaking boldly. Keldrin finally conceded that the matter should be investigated so Rip said he would shoot one signal arrow for enemies and two signal arrows for allies. Rip then scouted ahead with Elmeretillin not far behind; the rest of the party stayed farther back.

A short time later a single whistle was sounded; Rip had discovered the column of smoke belonged to a band of 10 orcs and 2 wolves who had groups of humans hostage in pens. There was also an orc shaman of Thrym among them. The arrow landed purposefully near the two wolves; one took the distraction bait but the other one didn’t. That wolf and the rest of the orcs were alerted and began to attack Rip.

The battle that ensued left all the orcs dead—mostly due to the torrents of fire unleashed by the Fyr elementalist, Keldrin, but also with the aid of Her Arcane Highness and the rest of the companions—and the humans free from their captors. With the prisoners free, the adventurers then began to assess the situation and decide what to do next.

In the morning after the battle with the orcs and wolves the night before, the adventurers searched the orcish bodies for any valuables or other items of interest; mostly gold was found as well as some crude magical items and reagents on the orc shaman which were ignored completely. Ripalso managed to obtain seven portions of jerky from the wolf carcasses.

During all of this there was discussion of what should be done with the now-free human villagers. The Mage-Lady Orphelia, declared by the freed villagers as the hero of Mountain Glen, their home, was stalwart in her task to get to Crase (all of her reasons still yet unknown) as was Catriona, who very much wanted to see her Sigrid. Elmeretillinthen offered to escort the villagers back to their home and would catch up to the others as soon as he could. Her Arcane Highness warned Elmeretillin against the dangers of doing such a task alone, but Elmeretillin reassured her. To re-enforce his assurance of safety, the guard Bruni volunteered to assist Elmeretillin in escorting the villagers; the remaining four guards stayed with the rest of the companions.

With the decision made, Elmeretillin, Bruni, and the freed villagers set off. The rest of the companions, not wanting to delay any further, set off for Crase. The day was warmer than normal for winter, so the journey to Crase was quick and uneventful.

Upon reaching the outskirts of Crase, another decision had to be made: What were the companions to do now? It was established knowledge that Crase had been overrun by ice goblins and orcs as well as ogres and the gods only knew what else. With such a precarious situation before them, the companions set about to discuss how to assess the situation as safely as possible.

After deliberating at some length, it was decided that Catriona would go ahead alone and attempt to make contact with Sigrid. According to Catriona, Sigrid sometimes left special symbols behind to relay messages for Cat. It was this method that Cat would utilize to re-establish contact with Sigrid, so Cat set off at once while the remainder of the party stayed behind awaiting her return.

Cat was unsuccessful in finding any symbolic messages left by Sigrid, but she did happen across a battle between a frost dwarf and two soldiers fighting off ogres, orcs, and wolves. The frost dwarf, who was later identified as Hauld Austri Giantsbane, a noble dwarf and one of the Thirteen Warriors, seemed to be holding his own with impressive skill. The two men, also identified later as Ike and Pike, held their own but not nearly as impressively as the dwarf.

Cat lended what aid she could to the beleagured dwarf and men in the outnumbered fight, but it left her very wounded. At that point it was all she could do to defend herself. However, in the end the few remaining orcs and two wolves fled. One of them shouted something to the effect of “we will be back” or “you just wait.” (The translation from the Orcish is unclear)

With the fight over, Cat and Austri got re-acquainted as both shared their stories. The dwarf explained to Cat that he and his men had been fighting off raiding parties from the orcs and other ilk for quite some time now and that they had had to change their base of operations three times so far. As of now the base of operations was in a cave just outside of Crase to the west. Cat recanted the journey with her companions, so she led Ike and Pike back to where her companions were waiting. After a quick exchange of events they all set off back to the cave where Austri was waiting.

After arriving at the cave, introductions were made and Austri filled the companions in on what all had been going on. Crase was very much so overrun with ice goblins, orcs, and the like while Sir Sedlang ap-Triath was the acting leader of Crase. Even more, it was discovered Sir Sedlang himself had perpetrated the takeover of Crase by allowing the goblins and orcs in. The discussion went on for a little while longer and just when it seemed to be winding down, Austri requested he speak with Her Arcane Highness privately, so they both walked deeper into the cave.

Austri led Mage-Lady Orphelia to a room with a stone slab. On that slab lay the body of Sigrid Lahrsdohttir, also known as “The Butcher” for those that knew what she had done. Austri explained that Sigrid had led an attack on the orcs and goblins who apparently were tunneling through the nearby mountain in an effort to circumvent the heavily fortified Hellfrost Keep and spill into the Hearthlands. In the attack Sigrid had slain the orc chieftain but she gave her life in doing so. The tunnel was collapsed, however, due to Sigrid’s efforts which halted any further advances by the minions of Thrym.

The Mage-Lady Orphelia, overcome to see Sigrid’s body and her final heroic actions, tried to process it all. To add to all of this, Austri proffered two items: a necklace of Sigel and an axe befittingly named Skullsplitter. Austri explained it was Sigrid’s wishes that these items be passed on. With the items in hand, the Mage-Lady Orphelia gathered her strength as she knew she would have to break the news to Catriona.

Catriona did not take the news or sight of Sigrid’s body well at all. So overcome with grief and denial, Catriona fainted once she tried to approach Sigrid. After some time she awoke and walked over to Sigrid where she fell asleep beside her on the slab. The Mage-Lady Orphelia prepared a makeshift fur bed in the room and soon fell asleep, too. As for Keldrin and Ripxian, word got to them of Sigrid’s death and feeling helpless they kept their distance.

In total, three days the companions spent in the mouth of the cave mourning and preparing for what to do next. Austri informed the companions that he believed the orcs were disorganized and distracted as they squabbled over who was to be the next chieftain. In the meantime, Austri believed he and his remaining Hearth Knights need only wait until spring when a much larger force of Hearth Knights would arrive and assault the orcs and goblins anew.

The companions considered the words of Austri, but the inactivity over three days made them restless and eager to take action in some way. Feeling stymied with the lack of any clear-cut plan, a certain man, named Hrapp, was mentioned. Hrapp had fought with some of the companions in their prior visit to Crase and he was close to Sigrid. Hrapp was also still among the resistance, as fate would have it(and nearby to boot), so Rip beckoned him.

Hrapp mentioned some old tunnels in severe disrepair but he warned against using them as cave ins were prone to happen. If that weren’t enough an entire ice goblin settlement teemed somewhere deeper into those tunnels. However, the companions still decided to venture into the tunnels—once again for some of the companions—and see what good could be done.

The day before the companions set out for the tunnels, it was decided that the necklace of Sigel and Skullsplitter be passed on to Catriona as it was deemed most appropriate. She also got an oath from Austri that Sigrid would get a proper burial. Keldrin also peformed a ritual of some kind that would aid in escaping the tunnels should the situation become dire.

At dawn on the following morning the adventurers set out, with Austri declaring what a terrible idea it was to go into the old mine tunnels and that certain doom was almost inevitable.

The trek to the tunnels was uneventful. Once the companions had arrived at the mouth of one of the tunnels, it was discussed and decided that Keldrin would lead. Lantern in hand—courtesy of Catriona—Keldrin stepped into the tunnel. Not even a minute later Keldrin nearly fell into a gaping hole, but he managed to somehow keep his balance. The companions then had to slowly and carefully skirt around the hole to the other side.

Once on the other side two tunnels were set before the companions, so they decided to take the tunnel which had been taken on the prior trip to Crase. At the end of the tunnel was a mine shaft whose platform was completely rotted away. As the companions were about to make plans to descend into the shaft a large spider appeared. Keldrin luckily managed to notice the spider in time and shouted warning to his companions.

Soon after the first spider appeared, five more came into view. Keldrin erected a fire barrier to halt the rest of the spiders from advancing and the Mage-Lady Orphelia unleashed spells of horror and shadow which tore into some of the spiders. Keldrin soon had to lower the barrier as it was preventing any of his companions from taking action.

The battle was swift and decisive as torrents of fire ripped into them and exploding two of the spiders. Unfortunately, one of the arachnids managed to deal a seemingly fatal bite to Hrapp’s head, but the spider was eradicated in short order. Whether or not Hrapp survives has yet to be determined.

Spider corpses all around and Hrapp’s lifeless body cradled in the arms of Catriona, it was soon declared that Hrapp had succumbed to the spider’s poison. However, due to the hostile environment and time constraints the companions agreed they would leave Hrapp’s body for now and retrieve it as soon as they could.

Keldrin then told Rip he should be the first to descend into the mineshaft as he was the hardiest of them all. During his descent, however, he encountered thick spider webs which forced him to climb back up so Keldrin could burn them away. Once that was done, Rip climbed back down. The Mage Lady Orphelia was next but she ended up requiring assistance from Catriona. Cat then assisted Keldrin down and with all the companions at the bottom they began an assessment of their surroundings.

It was a modestly-sized room with dust, webs, and bones of various origins lieing about; the air also smelled of mold and must. Beyond that, though, nothing of note was discovered. A long hallway stretched out before them which ended in a “T” intersection with a signpost that seemed to warn of spiders. The companions decided to go left as it carried the faint smell of something cooking wafting through the air. The companions carefully walked down the hall following the not-so aromatic smell until they reached a pair of doors, one on each side of the hallway across from each other. The smell came from the door to the right.

Catriona was able to stealthily open the door and on the other side was a lone goblin stirring something in a large, black cauldron with his back away from the companions. Cat made a dash for the goblin in an attempt to throw him into the boiling cauldron, but the goblin inadvertently managed to evade Cat; this caused Cat to run straight into the cauldron which sloshed some of the foul liquid onto the ground. Wanting to quickly snuff out any crys for help the goblin was sure to make, Keldrin whispered an incantation that conjured a small but powerful fire projectile that effectively incinerated the goblin.

A door was off to the left which was opened to reveal a throne of ice with an orc sitting on it. To the right, two orcs stood. All three fixed their gaze upon the newcomers and with scowls, attacked.

Skullsplitter in hand, Catriona attempted some maneuever of stealth which ended up her being behind the assumedly orc chieftain. Unfortunately for Cat and the rest of the companions, the orc “chieftain” had quaffed a vial of liquid which caused him to instantly vanish. It was around this time that the chieftain dealt a most grievous gash across Cat’s midsection which nearly incapacitated her. In spite of her near-deadly wound, Cat still found the courage to shout out an intimidating remark but it seemed to have no effect. Cat’s wound then caused her to slump down onto the ice throne.

During all this, Keldrin, Rip, and the Mage Lady Orphelia made quick work of the other two orcs as well as five more orcs who came bursting through another door on the other side of the room. They then turned their attention to the still-invisible chieftain. Rip ran over to the fireplace and gathered ashes in an effort to ascertain the location of the orc. As fate would have it, Rip noticed a slight disturbance in the air so with that he flung the ashes towards it. Mage Lady Orphelia also cast a spell of detecting and shortly afterwards the companions were able to kill the chieftain.

Two vials of liquid were found on the chieftain which the Mage Lady Orphelia gave to Cat. Cat downed both foul-tasting vials of liquid and quickly became visibly less wounded. Looting the 120 scields found amongst the orcs, the companions then approached the door the five orcs came through and was greeted with a long hallway lined with sconces ablaze with coldfire.

Goblins and orcs were then spotted running past each other in opposite directions up ahead, so the companions tried not to be seen. The sound of metal smashing against metal could be heard from the room to the left, so Cat stealthily checked things out. She first opened the door to the right which revealed a storehouse full of food and general goods. The other door held revealed an orc clad in leather who was wielding a whip as he supervised two human slaves repairing spearheads. As for the orcs and goblins it was discovered that the orcs were fighting amongst themselves and the goblins stood far back cheering them on. Cat relayed this to the companions and they all advanced forward to the room with the forge.

Cat opened the door and Rip let loose an arrow which instantly and quietly ripped through the back of the orc’s head. The companions ducked inside and discovered the two humans’ names were Osburn and Perrin. Osburn relayed that they had been slaves for the orcs & goblins for an undetermined amount of time now and were obviously very desensitized. After some coaxing and reassuring, the two slaves reluctantly agreed to come with the companions. However, before setting off the companions and the two slaves ate their fill of the food in the storehouse and provisioned themselves.

It was soon discovered, minutes later during further dialogue with Osburn, that there were other slaves down here. He pointed the companions in the right direction which happened to be along a mine cart track. They soon came to a set of four cells with about five slaves in each one. Cat picked the locks on each cell and the companions and the slaves began discussing a safe way out. After some measure of time debating, Mage Lady Orphelia recalled a passageway Valbrandr had taken the last time some of the companions were here, so they set off for the passageway.
Along the way, Keldrin and the Mage Lady Orphelia had to dispatch seven goblins which proved little contest for their prowess. It’s also noteworthy that Rip, not so bravely, plunged an arrow into a sleeping goblin.

The rest of the way was uneventful. Upon exiting the mouth of the mines—it was now nighttime— it was decided the slaves would be brought back to the cave where Austri and his remaining men were camped out; the journey there was also uneventful.

The companions relayed all of their discoveries to Austri and Austri said he would get some men to recover Hrapp’s body. As for the food stores, Austri said he would be willing to make a recovery attempt but only if the companions presented a sound plan in doing so. In regard to the death of the chieftain, Austri believed the companions had killed one of the two “sub chieftains” and with only one left the orcs of Thrym’s Teeth Clan would surely unite once again.

The companions then took respite in the cave for the night with the promise of returning to the mines on the morrow.

Hrapp’s body was brought back some time during the night and placed next to Sigrid’s to await an occasion for proper burial. The morning after, though, greeted the companions and resistance forces with new problems.

Horns resounded throughout the area around Crase which awoke everyone. Keldrin asked Austri what it was and he said the entire Thrym’s Teeth Clan had united and were en route to Crase; their plans were obviously not in the interest of the Anari that still resided in the town. The companions talked with Austri on what the companions should be doing and Austri said they should go back to the mines and seek out the orc chieftain. The dwarf said his death would sow disorder amongst the orcs, as they would squabble amongst themselves to choose a new leader. Meanwhile, he and the rest of his men would harry the orcs as best as they might and save who they could.

The companions prepared themselves and set out. Upon arriving at the tunnel which they had taken the day before, they discovered a small contingent of goblins and a few orcs. They had the entry way mostly caved in, as the goblins were ripping the support beams out. As soon as the minions of Thrym caught sight of the companions they immediately set upon their foe.

The battle left Keldrin pretty wounded as well as Cat. One orc in particular was difficult to bring down, but finally one of Mage-Lady Orphelia’s newly-acquired followers—a shady fellow—dealt a killing blow that ripped down the orc’s back.

The companions then discussed their options. After some time debating it was agreed Rip and Cat would scout ahead to see what the situation was at the main entrance to the mines. When they returned they reported a fairly robust force of orcs, goblins, wolves, and at least one ogre. Keldrin suggested setting the wolf pens on fire and have them attempt to sneak behind and into the mines. The companions then deliberated on the specifics of what to do and once done they set out.

On the way to the main entrance, Keldrin lost his footing which caused a small rock slide which alerted the orcs and goblins. With no option but to fight, the companions readied themselves for a second round of combat. This one was more formidable.

A bloodied Keldrin slung fire and defended himself as best as he could, but his wounds (and a minor Siphoning setback) forced him to take respite on a nearby boulder. The Mage-Lady Orphelia impressively leeched the life force of two ogres in one fell swoop which visibly gave the Heahwisard a more healthy countenance.

As for Rip… around the beginning of the fight, had let loose a signaling arrow which brought five soldiers from the resistance to aid the beleaguered companions. After that, Rip plunged a series of arrows into the orcs and goblins; unfortunately, a few well-placed arrows from the goblins in the guard towers left Rip heavily wounded which forced the summoned soldiers to take him out of the battlefield.

Cat remained stealthy most of the time as she was trying to make her way to the tower to set it on fire. Alas, by the time she arrived the battle was nearly over and the companions the victors.

With the orcs, goblins, ogres, and wolves dead the companions peered into the cave. A force of about fifteen goblins stood with spears ready, obviously scared but also defiant. Keldrin conjured oppressive heat upon the goblins, leaving many of them languishing. The Mage-Lady Orphelia conjured a a cloud of pitch darkness that exuded nightmarish horror; this sent more than half the goblins screaming and retreating deeper in the mines. The rest were dealt with quickly.

With Cat, Rip, and Keldrin wounded—as well as a few of the followers—it was decided everyone would enter the mines and follow their previous escape route – an unoccupied corridor – where wounds could be tended. However, before arriving to a safe place the companions encountered a lone goblin sitting on the ground, snacking on mushrooms and singing to himself.

Since Keldrin was the only one that could speak Frost Tongue, it was agreed among the companions that Keldrin and Mage-Lady Orphelia (through her Heahwisardry) would create as intimidating presence as possible to glean information from the goblin. Unfortunately, the goblin was only able to give generalized information to the whereabouts of the Orc chieftain, but he did mention a shiny object that, based on the description, sounded similar to the glass charm Cat had found on the Orc sub-chieftan. Afterwards, Keldrin felt pity on the creature and was mustering his will to kill it when one of Mage-Lady Orphelia’s followers stepped forward and dispatched it with a thrust of her sword. The goblin’s body was then tossed into a nearby pit.

Having found a safe place to have wounds attended to, a man in Mage-Lady Orphelia’s entourage, who had a little skill in healing, approached each companion with wounds. He bound all their wounds as best he could, explaining if they could find the proper components, healing salves might be made to speed their recovery.

It was only Mid-morning and the companions were bloodsoaked (save a seemingly smug and unharmed Mage-Lady Orphelia). Hopefully the rest of the day would be more favorable.

Bloodied and weary from the morning’s battles, the adventurers took respite in a corridor. Keldrin, with his back against the wall waiting for everyone to recuperate, was approached by Mage-Lady Orphelia. The Heahwisard apologized for the misunderstandings between them and inquired if the elementalist would be agreeable to working together on a plan she had concocted. Keldrin decided to let bygones be bygones and said that he would assist in any way he could. Before moving forward, Her Arcane Highness declared that she would persuade the Orc chieftain to assist her in defeating Sir Sedlang.

All of the companions and followers of Her Arcane Highness followed the tunnels back to the T-intersection which had the sign warning of spiders. This time, however, they decided to take the passageway that was not taken before. The path led to a flight of stairs which descended into what looked like a much older series of passageways. After traversing the corridors for some time—with cold fire torches decorating the hallways—the companions happened upon a room with a large ice sculpture of Thrym, with a robed Goblin in front of it, hands raised, and chanting. There were also two other leather-clad Goblins in the room. Soon after sighting them, combat commenced.

All three goblins proved to be no match for the experienced companions; they were dispatched with ease. Catriona recovered a staff and several alchemical devices, while Keldrin melted the idol as it was an affront to Kenaz.

The adventurers then headed down a side passageway and through a door. On the other side of that door were two goblins with spears. The companions demanded to see whomever was in charge at once, so the Goblins—both defiant and brave—pushed them out and led them down the hall to the room where the three Goblins had just been killed. Upon seeing their brethren dead, both Goblins attacked. The Goblins did their best, but still proved no match as they soon fell dead as well.

Another passageway soon revealed what appeared to be a very crude and most foul lavatory. With nothing to see there the companions ventured onwards and quickly encountered two Orcs guarding a door. The Orcs, seeing them, readied their weapons and positioned themselves for combat. However, Her Arcane Highness had Keldrin translate that she demanded to see the Orc chieftain. The Orcs replied stating the “Boss” was talking to the “Giant Lord” beyond the door and none were allowed entry. It was then that combat broke out leaving both Orc guards and Grimr, one of Mage-Lady Orphelia’s followers, dead.

The ruckus alerted the Orcs inside as the door opened to reveal four armed and angry Orc guards. Through the door, both the Orc chieftain and a sizable item covered by a drape were immediately visable. Upon entering the room, she spoke with a strong commanding voice declaring that she had carved a path of death throughout the mines; she also stated that Sir Sedlang had sent her but that she thought the man weak and inept, and that the Orc chieftain was much more befitting to lead. She offered her servitude and encouraged him to attack Sedlang. Just when the Orc chieftain seemed to not be persuaded he finally agreed on the condition that the Elf, Ripxian, be handed over. Without pause for consideration, Her Arcane Highness agreed.

Keldrin quickly, verbally objected to Ripxian going anywhere in his wounded condition. Catriona voiced the same objection which began an open argument in the presence of the chieftain. When the Orcs attempted to apprehend Rip, he fought back. It was at that point a battle commenced. One by one the Orcs fell until only the chieftain remained. After some time the companions were able to bring the chieftain down; at that point Catriona hefted Skullsplitter and decapitated him.

Open arguments of whether Her Arcane Highness had Rip’s best interests in mind ensued and continued until a loud bellow could be heard. All eyes turned to where the mirror was to see the face of Frost Giant Jarl; apparently, Catriona had removed the drape. The Jarl demanded to know what was going on, so Mage-Lady Orphelia explained that she had removed the Orc chieftain and would be taking his place. The Jarl then demanded to speak to Sir Sedlang immediately.

After uncovering a cask of gems and gold as well as various vials of liquid(a few of which were healing draughts which Cat and Rip downed) the companions set out for Crase to see Sir Sedlang.

On the way out the companions nearly bumped into a contingent of patrolling goblins. Fortunately, they were able to act first. Keldrin unleashed three waves of heat with incredible intensity which caused several of the goblins to pass out from heat exhaustion. The rest were dealt with easily enough, but unfortunately another one of Mage-Lady Orphelia’s followers, Morra, fell in the skirmish. Two of the guards from Aslov, who had come to the aid of the group earlier, Joonas and Daeg, agreed to carry Morra’s body.

The rest of the journey out of the mines was uneventful until the adventurers reached the mouth of the main entrance to the mines. A considerable force of Goblins and Orcs were rebuilding the tower that the companions had burned down earlier that day. Once the companions were in sight a lone Orc approached Mage-Lady Orphelia who was carrying the severed head of the Orc chieftain. She declared that she was on her way back to see Sir Sedlang with a message from the Frost Giant Jarl. The Orc, not completely sure he should believe her, lifted up the drape of the mirror and, flinching, quickly pulled it back over. He motioned to let them through so the companions continued on to Crase.

The journey back to Crase was uneventful, but the scene in the village was one of carnage. Mounds of burning corpses dotted the streets; body parts and bones were strewn about haphazardly. Blood could be seen everywhere and the people that were still alive ran to and fro. For some in the party, the sight was almost too much.

The Orcs standing guard outside the Baron’s mansion attempted to halt the companion’s advance, but as soon as Her Arcane Highness informed them she had been sent by the Frost Giant Jarl they let them through.

The inside of the mansion was unkempt. Mud was tracked all throughout. Bones of various origins, debris, and refuse lay scattered about. A general state of disrepair were all too evident. Before the party could explore further, however, a man’s voice called out from a balcony: It was Sir Sedlang. He wished to know what the meaning of all this was, so Mage-Lady Orphelia said The Jarl had sent her, and that he wished to speak with him. Sir Sedlang assumed Catriona was a gift, so he had his Orcs take her to a room where she was locked up. Mage-Lady Orphelia then attempted to work out a personal arrangement between she and Sir Sedlang in an attempt to retrieve information from him. He then slipped his arrangement with The Jarl before ordering the mirror to be brought up for his private audience with The Jarl.

While the companions were waiting on Sir Sedlang’s return, Mage-Lady Orphelia and her follower, Talan, followed Catriona down to the Baron’s room where two Orcs guarded the door. She asked Keldrin if he could do something to divert the Orcs into leaving the door in order to allow them to reclaim her. Keldrin tried bribing the Orcs but to no effect. Soon the sounds of what seemed to be chopping and smashing could be heard from inside the room, so the Orcs turned to open the door. Keldrin tried to feign an incredible stomach pain, but the Orcs refused to be distracted.

Keldrin ran and tackled one of the Orcs just as they entered the room, but was thrown off. The other Orc was attempting to get Catriona away from one of the boarded up windows, but it was around this time that Sir Sedlang returned and was furious at what was going on. Mage-Lady Orphelia, who had not engaged the Orcs, explained that they had been attempting to harm “his gift” and that “her servants” were only trying to stop them. Sir Sedlang then angrily ordered everyone but “the girl” to leave the room and to shut the door. However, Rip stayed behind stealthily and nocked an arrow which he released.

The arrow went cleanly through the back of Sir Sedlang’s head and exited one of his eyes. He turned around slowly and said, “That was not very polite”, before muttering, “I did not wish to involve you, father.” It was at that point that his eyes retreated back into the sockets as if his body was shriveling up and then his skin became very tight like the skin of something undead. At that point, Sir Sedlang became his Father, the Baron.

The battle that ensued was difficult. Keldrin’s barrage of fireballs, Rip’s melee attacks, and Catriona’s attempts to fight back was having little effect on the undead creature. At one point Rip sustained a blow that caused partial paralysis. At another point the Baron let out a howl that could only be birthed from the damned which sent Catriona screaming and fleeing in terror. The Baron also significantly dampened Keldrin’s ability to weave Fyr.

Mage-Lady Orphelia began dismantling the boards that had been placed across the windows, and it did have some effect as the Baron was doing his best to keep out of the sunlight.

The battle went on for some time longer. Cat had shaken her fear and returned, only to suffer some type of life leeching attack. At last, one of Mage-Lady Orphelia’s stone bodyguards placed a well-aimed and well-timed attack with it’s blade. The blow proved to be lethal as far as lethal is concerned with an undead creature and the Baron crumbled into ash leaving only his armor.

The companions, having vanquished their foe, began to converse among themselves, check wounds, and recover from the ordeal. Rip, however, managed to find yet another container filled with gold and various other valuables within the chimney of the Baron’s room. Also, on the Baron’s desk, Mage-Lady Orphelia found pages of notes and a journal. Inside the room, with the door still closed, with the Baron, Sir Sedlang, and the Orc chieftain dead, the companions decide what they should do now with their unique position of power.

We last left our adventurers in Crase, where they had set up a command post and waited out the Winter. When Spring came:

• Hearth Knight reinforcements arrived in Crase, conscripting Ripxian as a scout and allowing the travelers to depart.

• The party stopped at the stead of Thane Coenwold Jorganson. There, he promised to have farmers care of her farmland in exchange for the money she’d acquired in Crase and declared himself friend to them all.

• In the center of the small village of Fairhedge Downs they came upon a firebrand Priest of Kenaz who had the townspeople frenzied and prepared to burn a Frostborn girl. Mage-Lady Orphelia and Keldrin diffused the situation and, after some investigation, Her Arcane Highness hired the girl into her entourage.

• In Nara, the adventurers settled into the Golden Crossroads Inn where Mage-Lady Orphelia met the wealthy merchant Bernard Hardwick, who offered to be her guide and familiarized the explorers with local politics and noble persons.

• Keldrin met with his long-time friend, Osbern Cochraane, a Lorekeeper, who pointed him in the direction of the man who’s approval they would need to enter the House of Lore.

• After failing to get an appointment with Count Froech the Learned, Catroina stole his appointment book along with another book of indecipherable runic text. Upon return, the appointment book was quickly burned, and the other’s cover was switched for another.

• Her Arcane Highness used her knowledge of the location of the Lost Library of Paranax of the Hegelei as a lure, and Count Froech the Learned summoned the party to the House of Lore where, after negotiation, he gave them a poem called “Heart of Winter” which housed clues regarding the possible whereabouts of the pieces of Thrym’s heart.

Following the visit with Count Froech the Learned, Mage-Lady Orphelia, Keldrin, and Catriona left the House of Lore. On the way back to, presumably The Golden Crossroads, they encountered Ripxian conducting business with a blacksmith. Stories were swapped and they all proceeded to the hotel.

Ripxian and Keldrin share a room together and Keldrin provided more detail as to why they were in Nara which was to research Thrym’s Heart and it’s whereabouts. Catriona asks Rip if he could read the runes from the book Catriona procured but he could not.

Soon Her Arcane Highness Mage-Lady Orphelia returned and everyone gathered in the dormitories to discuss the Cult of Niht which was just recently discovered to be working in Nara in an apparent attempt to more aggressively breach the defenses of the House of Lore. In addition, it seemed that a female was spearheading the Cult’s operations in Nara.

Over the course of the next few days the companions were involved in various endeavors:

Mage-Lady Orphelia continued to meet with the Count and was shown his secret passageway to the manor as well as all the security measures in place to keep out the Cult of Niht. She also discovered a translation difference in the poem “Heart of Winter” the Count had given her.

Catriona, in the meantime, had been staking out the Count’s manor in hopes of discovering the true nature of the Count’s secretary. Cat followed him one day to an alley in which he knocked thrice and entered. Cat overheard a tense discussion of the lost book, which Cat had procured, and then after the secretary had left a hooded man approached, knocked thrice, and entered. That conversation held information about something seemingly big occurring in one day’s time. It was after the hooded man had left Catriona also left to return to The Golden Crossroads.

Keldrin and Rip toured the city, Keldrin bought a dagger from a weaponsmith, and Rip sparred with Keldrin.

On another day Keldrin went to speak to his good friend Osbern again to glean information about the Count’s secretary whose name was discovered to be Davith Crabb; Mr. Crabb had been in the service of the Count for 20 years and was considered to be the Count’s most trusted servant and right hand man. Rip & Daeg, meanwhile, went to The Lucky Coin—a gambling establishment— to see if they could encounter the Count’s secretary or get information about him since it was in the seedier part of Nara.

Keldrin then joined them later during which time Rip bribed a barmaid to get information on people who knew Mr. Crabb. The barmaid pointed to a fellow at the end of the bar so Rip went over to talk to him. Rip learned that Mr. Crabb owed the man a sizeable amount of gold but Rip’s continued interrogation ended in him being tossed out of the establishment by the man’s bodyguards. Keldrin & Daeg left right after and all three headed back to the hotel.

On the eve of the fourth night at The Golden Crossroads, Rip had left to procure the secretary for more “personal interrogation.” Catriona and Talan left also. The only ones who remained in the dormitories were Keldrin, Mage-Lady Orphelia, and the rest of her entourage. Some time later sounds began to be heard from Mage-Lady Orphelia’s room so the Mage-Lady and Keldrin went to investigate.

Upon opening the door to Mage-Lady’s personal chambers, the window was discovered to be open and four darkly-garbed figures ambushed them from opposite ends of the door. Their attacks, though surprising, were for the most-part ineffectual; once Keldrin felled one and her Arcane Highness called for her guards, the remaining three jumped through the window. Daeg ran after; the assailants had gotten away, alas.

Mage-Lady Orphelia then began a tirade of epic proportions to the hotel’s clerk downstairs. She feigned outrage at the lack of security and at the end of the spectacle she was given one night’s stay free of charge as well as a bottle of their finest spirits. Keldrin, however, was embarassed and flustered at her behavior which ended in Keldrin retiring for the night; however, not before he gave her a symbol he retrieved off of the assailant he felled: A symbol of the Cult of Niht.

The next morning everyone paid their bills and made plans to leave as the cost of room & board had become costly. Indeed, Keldrin himself became indebted to Ripxian and was forced to move in with his friend Osbern until their time in Nara was finished. Mage-Lady Orphelia & Catriona then moved into the Count’s manor in an effort to provide additional security for himself and the library; as for the rest of Mage-Lady’s entourage, they were to be relocated somewhere else less conspicuous. Ripxian was left to make his own lodging arrangements.

Mage-Lady Orphelia and the companions meet outside of Nara on a grassy hillock to picnic on cheese & wine while discussing what to do next. After discussing several ideas, it was finally agreed upon that the Mage-Lady would speak to the Count about their plan.

The Mage-Lady is successful in convincing Count Froeche that creating a more tempting deadline for the Cult’s “event” is best. He chose to have the library’s greatest works sent off under full paladin guard to provide the decoy for the Cult of Niht. However, the Count adamantly decides to speak to his secretary, Mr. Crabb, to make the arrangements. The caravan’s departure, in two days’ time, also fell upon the Cult’s most sacred time: the Dark of the Moon.

Mage-Lady Orphelia discovers a piece of parchment in the fireplace at the Count’s manor, but it was too badly burned to reveal anything of note. She then goes to the House of Lore to detect any magical illusions or doors, but finds nothing. She then attempts, via her heahwisardry, to determine any signs of disloyalty. The only thing she discovered was that Mr. Crabb was disloyal to Count Froeche in some way.

The Count and the Mage-Lady agree on the morning of the second day that it would be best to have everyone, including the Count for his own protection, as he was suspected to be a target, to be inside the House of Lore the night before the Cult of Niht’s suspected “event” takes place.

The following night, with everyone in his/her respective position, someone began to bang on the other side of the door of the Count’s private entrance. It was Davith Crabb and he had forgotten his key. Soon a new, unfamiliar voice spoke demanding the door be opened or the secretary would die. The companions looked to the Count for his decision and he consented to have the door unbarricaded and opened.

Upon opening the door it revealed a very frightened Mr. Crabb being held at blade point by a fellow clad in black, along with four accomplices. Battle soon ensued which ended with the man holding Mr. Crabb at blade-point being felled by a well-placed arrow by Rip. Free of his captor, Mr. Crabb ran frantically back down the private entrance and was soon beyond any chance of restraint. Two other black-clad men were killed and two took flight which Keldrin halted with an earthen wall.

Right along this time tremors began to be felt throughout the House of Lore. Soon one of the upper levels began to give way which caused the Count to fall and Helene & Elowen tumbled, down with the balcony, to the first floor. Talan assisted both the Count and Mage-Lady Orphelia down a rope to safety. It was quickly apparent that someone or something was bringing down the House of Lore, so everyone agreed evacuation was the only option.

Keldrin beckoned the two remaining men in black and told them if they wanted to live to come with him. Mage-Lady Orphelia and Catriona each snagged up the closest book and began, along with everyone else, to run towards the House of Lore’s main exit. During all of this, walls began to cave in towards the center of the House of Lore.

All of the companions made it out alive, including Keldrin who stopped to pick up a severely injured Armas. Once outside it was noticed that a sizeable amount of townsfolk were there looking on in awe: The House of Lore had completely collapsed in upon itself and down into a smoldering pit that had once been the center of the library. The Count fell to his knees a shattered man.

The suspected event had now come to fruition: The Cult of Niht had achieved a great victory and the companions had failed to stop it in time. The future of the companions was now fraught with uncertainty and unanswered questions.

To Be Continued…

• Count Froeche the Learned is taken back to his manor, during which in an attempt is made to create the illusion he was still in control of his faculties.

• The only member of the Cult of Niht in custody was interrogated, and after it was determined he knew nothing, the group agreed he would be “locked up” but then purposefully allowed to leave so he could be followed.

• The prisoner escapes as expected and is followed by Catriona.

• Mage-Lady Orphelia stays up all night drafting a document to officially, temporarily transfer all of the Count’s powers to her until the Count was able to resume his position, which Count Froech the Learned signs making her Chancellor of the County of Nara.

• Keldrin returns in the morning from The Golden Compass with Bernard Hardwick. Mr. Hardwick and Mage-Lady Orphelia then retreat to a private room to discuss the particulars of the ten (10) council members of Nara.

• On the way to the Council Chambers, Mage-Lady Orphelia, Keldrin, and Talan stopped by the House of Lore ruins to ask Rip to go look for Catriona as she had not returned for some time now.

• The council meeting to win support did not appear to go well.

• Back at Count Froech’s manor, Keldrin found a note with a map from Ripxian.

• Mage-Lady Orphelia, Keldrin, and Talan, following the directions Rip gave them, and arrows he’d planted as markers, met up with him outside the city after only a minor altercation with the city guard.

• At this point, they were certain they had found the Cult’s main base within the Count’s old goldmines.

• Entering into the mine pitted the companions with an earth elementalist and several cultists. His name turned out to be Vectamarus the Worldbreaker, and he bragged outright about having destroyed the House of Lore.

• Vectamarus became wounded seriously, and disappeared into the ground, but not before pledging to see the party again. The other Cult of Niht members, as well as a shadow elemental, were summarily snuffed out.

• Mage-Lady Orphelia, having cast a detecting spell, made her way forward in search of Catroina, but came upon an ambush. Greeting her was supernatural darkness, four powerful spellcasters, two more shadow elementals, and an array of other Cult of Niht members.

*The Mage-Lady, Keldrin, and Talan all suffered very grievous wounds. A freed Catriona managed to keep her captors at bay and was walking along the wall-line. Rip and Talan also threw torches into the darkness. One-third of the room illuminated, as one of the spellcasters suffered The Siphoning.

• At the moment, all of the companions have turned to retreat as the onslaught of dark magic and other attacks were too much to sustain.