Path to Essembra Part 2) Asbravn Extortion

The Darkhold-based Zhentarim have a scheme going with several farmers that come to Asbravn to sell their crops. The farmers are in debt beyond their means to pay with several years of harvest and the Zhents have begun to threaten property damage or worse (take children to sell for slavery) for the interest payments.

-----------------------------
On the Dusk Road

The adventure begins as the party was several miles from the outskirts of Asbravn, a small hamlet that serves as the market for farmers of the Shining Plains to the south.

We rescued a caravan bound Westward from Zhent scum. But one wagon remained, along with its last mercenary guard and owner, Jervis. Jervis Prefit was extremely grateful for the rescue and explained what has been happening in his town for the past 6 months:

“Times ‘a been hard in Asbravn. Chauntea didn’t bless our harvest last fall, an many of us ran into money trouble. Some folk been so desperate, they’d borrow from folk I’d never look in the eye, let alone owe coin to. Latha, Emra an myself decided to head fer Hill’s Edge about a ten-day ago. I have kin up there that woulda lent me some coin. Figured we’re too broke for any highway bandits to be worth a trouble, an too old to end up as Zhent slaves. But Beshaba’s brats, we were kidnapped just ‘a same, by beastfolk outta them woods. Turns my stomach the things they did to my friends, same as wouldda happen a me, but Ilmater heard my prayers and sent you fine folk. When we get back, my wife Dora is gonna fill your stomachs up with the heartiest beef this side of the Innersea she will. Oh yes, an corn an gravy an pumpkin pie. We also got ‘re hands on some sweet Saerloonian Glowfire* that we’da saved for special occaision, just wait tillit hits your lips. Umm-mm.”

*Saerloonian Glowfire: Pale charteuse wine, renowned for its faint luminescence, neither sweet nor very dry and has a taste reminiscent of pears.

We welcomed the caravan guard into our group, not much to say about him 'side from his being from "The Moonsea."

------

Not a few hours later, we spotted a wyvern or drake high in the sky, with what appeared to be a a rider. Then, in the distance, a messenger upon horseback rides towards the party. The horse stumbles and lets out a loud noise of pain as it crashes to the ground, the rider is thrown fast and hard.

As we approached, we saw a group of 3 men wearing the garb of soldiers around the fallen rider. Although the rider looks seriously injured, the men appear to be robbing him.

The man is Maxer Tolan, a hired hand of an Asbravn mill worker on assignment from the mayor. He carried a note addressed to Lady Rhesajan Ambermantle, ruler of Scornubel, requesting aid. The note explains that the town is being threatened by Zhentarim out of Darkhold to repay debts. The mayor uses the word extortion several times and warns the Lady and her merchant advisors that the price of Asbravn crops will have to be doubled this harvestide if something is not done about the situation.

Upon realizing these soldiers were Zhent, we eliminated them.

We past one last caravan before entering Asbravn, and inquired what they'd seen on the road. They described man that must have been possessed by demons. They speculate his caravan was attacked by troops, and they passed him hastely instead of offering help. They described the picture below.

-------------------------

Rumors & News

1) Zhentilar soldiers out of darkhold have been harassing farmers

2) Red Shield mercenaries have asked about the party

3) A stranger was in town a few days ago, asking about a party meeting the description of the characters. Neither Red Shield nor Zhent, this man gave everyone the creeps. Spiked armor as black as pitch, silver hair greased back with a widow’s peak and a long, jagged scar running down the right side of his face. His eyes were black and without pupils. Headed East toward Iriaebor.

While in town, we encountered Zhentilar soldiers are harassing a farmer and his daughter while in town. We overheard:

Farmer : “By all the watching gods, that is too much ! I cannot hope to pay that in 5 winters worth of sales!”

Zhent: “There are other methods of payment to be sure.” He eyes the daughter, who cowers behind her father.

Farmer: “I’ll see you in the 9 hells before you touch her scum !” the farmer shouts. Zhent backhands him

Zhent: “Watch your tongue pig-farmer lest I remove it. You have one day to figure it out or we’ll figure it for you.”

Some of the more brash members of the group decided to burst into the cottage and attack. During the battle, the mercenary turned on us and nearly slew Amiar from behind. We defeated him and the Zhents, and when it was finished, the merc put a dagger through his own heart rather than become our prisoner.

------------------------

We made our way to Asbravn's mayor, Turko Breem, who explained to us the Zhentilar representative, M’Laeral Ozamedye, was trying to get the town to pay a tax to Darkhold to cover the farmer’s debt. The tax will not only cover the debt interest payments, but also pay for protection against any outside aggressors.

He had learned both his messengers to Scornubel and Iriaebor were intercepted and either killed or captured. Now he was uncertain how much longer they could go without help.

Our conversation was interrupted by no other than M’Laeral herself, flanked by 4 Zhentilar soldiers.

“My, my….adventurers. I can think of no better an occupation to pay homage to the Black Bess. What say you hirespell? Kneel before me and proclaim Beshaba the one true goddess of fate, lest you seek the ire of the Maid of Misfortune!”

All of us kneeled and admitted Beshaba was indeed the goddess of ill luck:

“You are wise. Always remember who controls your destiny, less an unfortunate accident end your careers prematurely.”

Ovak however, refused to kneel, causing a toothy smile to slowly form on her face. “Watch well your backs fool, for accidents happen even to the well prepared.”

“And you Breem , I expect payment upon my return at highsun tomorrow or we will no longer be able to garuantee the safety of this village.” She and her accompanyment departed.

--------------------------

Our plan was to make a deal with the garrisoned soliders in the town. Seemed they really hated and feared this woman, so perhaps they'd stay out of the way when we took her down. Turns out we were right, only 2 soldiers were by her side when we invaded the windmill she had taken for a base.

She proved a terrible foe, and before the battle was over, the mill burned to the ground and the life-force of Ovak was snuffed out forever.

The funeral was brief, for we had to move on before the troops decided to alter our arrangement.

With Ozamedye out of the picture, the Zhents had no leadership for the time being, and we could warn Iriaebor of the troubles here before the Zhents could send a new captain.

With heavy hearts, we moved on toward Essembra.

The Path to Essembra Part 1) Through the Reaching Wood

“Kythorn”, 6^th month in the Year of Lightning Storms, 1374 DR.

The party learns that a group matching their description escaped from prison and is wanted by the Red Shields for questioning relating to an incident in which several monstrous-sized spiders are believed responsible for the deaths of 3 people. A 200 gp reward has been offered for information leading to their capture.

This situation has made travel via the River Chionthar and the Uldoon Trail unsafe. The ranger Evendur suggests a path through the Reaching Wood that is not well known. Once out of the wood, the group can pick up the Dusk Road and continue south to Asbravn. We estimated it would take us about 8 days to cross the wood.

It’s hot and humid, even in the forest shade (90^oF daytime/82 ^oF night).

By the middle of the 3^rd day of travel, the party spotted a dirty-looking man standing on the trail ahead of them. The man is in bad need of both a bath and a shave and wears tattered brown rags with many stains. As we approached he asked our business in the Reaching Woods. Though we explained our desire to pass in peace, he will explained that the woods belong to the People of the Black Blood and that all passage required a toll to guarantee safety…..all of our gold. When we refused, he issued a stern warning and walked into the woods.

Several hours later, we came across the body of a ravaged male human corpse. Appeared to have been a farmer or peasent in his early 30’s, his torso has been opened, ribcage cracked apart and most internal organs had been removed. Both hands have also been removed at the wrist. A look of wide-eyed terror remained on his face as well as a beast-claw shaped symbol painted in now-caked blood upon his forehead.

The morning of our 4th day, we heard the sounds of something rushing towards us through the forest. A young man in dirty, tattered clothes burst through the trees and continues running down the trail. Upon his forehead was the symbol of a beast-chaped claw painted in the man’s own blood. He was scared out of his wits and was beyond communication. We soone discovered what he was running from…….a Black Blood hunting pack intended to sacrifice him to Malar, and decided we would be more appealing to their god.

We slew several of the beasts, and then gave chase into the thickets to finish off the rest. Beshaba be cursed however, as we believe at least one escaped to warn the rest of his tribe.

We continued onward, and bedded down for the evening and among a small copse of shadowtops. After but a few hour, we were startled by a rather loud voice emitnating from the air itself. The voice was a deep baritone, spoke chondathan and wanted to know what we were doing in the Reaching Woods. The source of the voice, as we discovered, was what at first had appeared to be a shadowtop tree. The treant, which calls itself Deeproot, hadn’t spoken with humanoids in many years and was curious for news of the world beyond the wood. Deeproot knew of the Black Blood cultists but payed them little mind since they respected the trees. He gave us the location of their fortress and bid us well on our journey.

Realizing that we would be continually hounded by these cultists throughout the wood, we decided to strike at the heart of their forces. Though challenging, we destroyed the group leaders in their woodland fortress, chased away the cowards that remained, and continued our journey through the rest of the wood in peace.

Scornubel, the Caravan City. Part 3

We had been beaten bad in search of T’lainith but succeed in locating his body. It is not known what caused his death exactly, but on his body is a suit of elven chain and the sword, Aruteth Tell’Quesiir. It’s blue flames die down when M’ssema holds it.

When they reach the surface, Bronwyn announces to the party her decision to leave in pursuit of her destiny. Barrekh also departs however, he agrees to meet up with the party in 20 days.

Before we can leave the city, we were attacked by 2 giant spiders. A long-bearded man with spectacles rushed out shouting: “ Don’t hurt them!” This man was Ikenythosis or ‘Ike’, a sage and expert on arachnids. He pleaded for the adventurers to subdue the creatures only, and then requests their aid in rounding up his other escaped specimens. We agreed.....can't remember why exactly.

The spiders have been on the loose for barely 20 minutes and haven’t gotten very far. There are about 15 of them within a ½ mile radius, most have crawled into residential houses or storage barns. Many citizens started shouting and screaming for help

Red Shields. The Red Shields responded to the alarm and began to exterminate the spiders where they found them.

Chaszmyr the Arachnomancer. At the root of the problem, we found a drow elf in the basement of one establishment, along with 4 of the escaped spiders and 2 of his own. He was interested in keeping the specimens and tried to kill us.

Scornubel, the Caravan City. Part 2

The Seekers

Mirtul, 5^th month in the Year of Lightning Storms, 1374 DR.

M’ssema, Amiar, Ovak, Bronwyn, Barrek

We began our search for the horse merchant. The city was huge and shifting, without many permanent structures, and much time passed as we slowly narrowed down the suspects. Bronwyn returned to aid us, with her was a seedy warrior from the south. The two made an interesting pair.

We found a shopkeeper who seemed unusual. He invited us inside and when in private, explained who he is and why M’ssemas family was murdered. He suggested that they leave as a group on the morrow and head toward the Tower of Life.

That night, a pair of lamias attempted to assassinate the uncle, the merchant owner, Senma Quickfoot and several guards. They succeed in all save T’lainith, who escapes into the underground passageways. A third Lamia also attempts to assassinate M’ssema by disguising as a party member.

The Lamias then assumed the form of the Merchant and Senma and accused us of killing their guards. The Red Shields had arrived on the scene quickly arrested us. We were tossed in a local prison and were told in a few months, we would be put before a magistrate. We decided not to stay and escaped into the underground beneath the prison.

We returned to the ranch that night, and confronted the creatures still posing as the merchant owner and Senma the stable hand, they immediately attempted to flee. We eliminated them.

Following an entrance to the now familiar underground, we tracked T’lainith to where his mortally wounded body lay. He presented the sword and bid farewell. Getting out was another issue entirely, a nasty roper nearly made us into a light snack.

M’sema learns the person responsible for his family’s murder is Aravilar Starshadow, an elven mage who resides in the Eldreth Veluuthra base known as “The Tower of Life”. This base is reported to be in the woods of Cormanthor, and M’ssemas uncle draws them a map of the approximate location. They will need a scout of some kind to find the tower, as it is cloaked in magic.

With this knowledge, M’ssema decides he must travel to Essembra in the Cormanthor Forest. Bronwyn left the group to seek her destiny in the Old Empires. Only the gods can say if our paths will cross again one day. Barrek too had business elsewhere, but agreed to meet us in Sembia. We made preparations for an overland journey east.

Scornubel, the Caravan City. Part 1 "Ovak's Rescue"

Ovak’s Rescue

Alturiak, 2^nd month in the Year of Lightning Storms, 1374 DR.

M’ssema, Amiar & Ovak. Phoon (NPC).

Ovak learns he is in debt 250,000 gp + interest. A powerful merchant family in Westgate has put a bounty of 2,000 gp on his head. His captors wonder as to the possible punishment, for the family is said to have ties with the infamous Night Masks thieves guild.

Murroh scrys the location of Ovak. Within hours he confirms the location of a portal that will lead into the Nightshade Nightclub in Scornubel. A sister base, long abandoned, lies in the hills NorthEast of Goldenfields. A portal exists at the foot of a rocky outcropping. The Priest-Librarian has also found a reference in an adventurer’s journal that claims holding a lit candle in one’s left hand will allow access. This is not without danger, for portals are powerful wizardry. There are stories of portals leading into extremely inhospitible places and sometimes instantly fatal. There is but one way to be certain where this one leads.

Phoon Bel’Akash of Calimshan
LN Monk 6 of the Sunsoul Order. Air Genasai.

Guild of The Secondstory Men

Well hidden, this thieves guild and hideout is often used by bounty hunters in the employ of the Night Masks. The guild is an interesting organization of three semi-independent thieving groups. Each group is housed on one of the floors, with a master thief residing among his/her brethren. The Secondstory Men operate only in Scornubel and have no ambitions to expand beyond the city. Under the leadership of Redref, the guide has prospered for the past two winters, the guildsmen have had full purses and each branch operates in tolerance of the other. Redref coordinates with Pelindar to keep the Nightshade staffed with security and he also collects rent from the other two operations in the base, Kemen’s Bounty Hunters and the Yuan-Ti slavers.

The age of the complex is unknown, but is said to have been constructed by the Wondermen (see pg 107 of Volo’s Guide to the Sword Coast). It has been warded to prevent the spread of fire and contains many portals, not all of which are known.

The party appeared through a large rock that acted as a portal, much to the surprise of Kemen. This room also contained two other shackled prisoners, one human beaten to within an inch of his life and Phoon Bel’Akash, diplomatic prisoner and powerful monk.

Despite the surprise, the group barely survives the fight with their lives. A silver-tongued Ovak makes a deal with the Second Story thieves guild to let them pass unharmed.

Secomber part 2: The Color of Ambition

Hammer, 1^st month in the Year of Lightning Storms, 1374 DR.

Bronwyn, Amiar & M’ssema.

Pickpocket Peddlers – A gang of thieves masquerading as street peddlers picks the pockets of people who look over their wares in a street fair. A trinket shop owner provides the wares in return for a percentage of the stolen money. The group puts a stop to the gang, after discovering they are wererats.

Kizzaf, a minor wizard in Thayan Enclave, makes coin on the side by selling victims into slavery. She tries to do this to M'ssemma and Bronwyn. Fortune however, was with the group and they ended the Red Wizard's little enterprise.

True to his word, Murroh revealed our destiny. Bronwyn is to seek the council of her Step-father, Amiar will benefit from reading the tome Unique Mageries and M’ssema must find and speak with his uncle in the Caravan City. Bronwyn departed for Golden Fields and agreed to meet us in Scornubel in three Ten-days.

Before M’ssema or Amiar left Secomber, the Priest-Librarian informed us that Ovak is in danger. We were made aware of a Portal that will take us near Ovak’s location and make haste to use it.

Bronwyn

Bronwyn (Iset) 5^th lvl Paladin of Tyr

LG Aasimar Female Western Heartlands Tyr (Isis)

HP 53

Fort +8 Ref +4 Will +4

AC 19

STR 14 DEX 13 CON 14 INT 14 WIS 13 CHA 14

Languages Common, Chondathan

Items Mace +2 Undead Bane (+3, x2 dmg), breastplate, potion of healing x2, shield +1, holywater, neutralize poison, cloak or resistance +1, longsword +1

The young paladin returned to Goldenfields in the waning days of summer in the Year of Wild Magic, 1372 DR. Armed with the knowledge that her mother lives, Bronwyn was determined to extract the truth from the man who raised her, Darvin Trueseed. Darvin was a simple farmer who believed in the value of a hard days work. To his credit, he raised a fine daughter and instilled in her strong values and the will to stand up for those who could not do so for themselves.

This uncomplicated man however, had preferred to live a lie for so long that he believed it truth. When his adopted daughter returned home with the experiences of the road in her eyes and the passion to know who she was, Darvin Trueseed could lie to her no further. Although Bronwyn had been raised to remember her mother as Lhondrah, this was not a true name. The name ‘Bronwyn’ as well, was not the one given to her from birth. These names were masks to hide the mother & daughter from a violent and dangerous past. The true name of her mother is Sefris and the paladin’s true name is ….. Iset.

Here is the surmised history as closely as you can interpret from the understandings of Darvin:

(dates in parenthesis refer to the Mulhorandi calender, origin circa -2135 DR)

1330 DR (3463 MR) Birth of Sefris Hecate - Skuld, Capital City of the Mulhorandi Empire

Sefris is born in the City of Gods to aristocratic parents in the service of the god-kings. She is the great grandaughter of Isis, goddess of weather, good magic and love, and becomes a priestess dedicated to her.

1354 DR (3488 MR) Sefris Weds

Sekhemmet, a Paladin of Horus-Re, takes Sefris as his wife.

1357 DR (3490 MR) Birth of Iset (Bronwyn) - Unthalass, Capital City of Unther

Bronwyn born as Iset (meaning “Isis is beautiful” in the Mulhorandi tongue). Her parents lead an underground resistance against the Tyrant-King Gilgeam, supreme ruler and god of the lands of Unther.

1358 DR (3493 MR) The Time of Troubles

Gilgeam slain by Tiamat, chaos reigns in Unther as the country falls into civil war. Sekhemmet is slain by the personal assasin of Gilgeam, Sherrupak “The Reaver.” Sefris & Iset flee far to the west and take new names.

1359 DR (3494 MR) A new life in Goldenfields – Western Heartlands

Goldenfields is founded by Tolgar Anuvien, former member of the Company of Crazed Venturers. Attracted by stories of a walled compound devoted to the harvest, Lhondrah and Bronwyn join Goldenfields by years’ end. Lhondrah takes comfort in the arms of Darvin Trueseed, who welcomes the pair into his home.

1361 DR (3496 MR) Call of the Goddess

Sefris receives a vision from Isis which demands return to her war-torn homeland. She decides to leave her child in the care of Darvin and writes a letter to be opened upon Bronwyn’s 18^th birthday. Making no promise to return, Sefris leaves for the Old Empires. Darvin, never able to understand the decision, tells Bronwyn that her mother has passed away.

1371 DR (3506 MR)

Mulhorand invades Unther.

1372 DR (3507 MR) The Year of Wild Magic

Midsummer….campaign started. Bronwyn leaves Goldenfields. Age 17.

My beautiful daughter,

So long as the most dangerous servant of Gilgeam draws breath, your survival must be one of secrecy. Forgive me child, my love for you is boundless as the bounty at High Harvestide. Yours will be a life without war. My dearest Iset, take this not for granted.

My fate is the will of the Goddess.

With love eternal,

Sefris

Barrehk

Barrehkr 3^rd Lvl Rogue/ 4^th lvl Fighter

CG Calishite Human Male Calimshan Selune

HP 65

Fort +9 Ref +11 Will +5

AC 19

STR 17 DEX 18 CON 14 INT 16 WIS 12 CHA 10

Spot +8 Listen +9 Sense Motive +10

Languages Common, Ignan, Draconic, Alzhedo, Tashlan

Items Spiked chain, Mithril shirt, Dagger x2, Belt pouch x2, Caltrops, Flint and steel, Wand of magic missiles, Smoke stick x2, Everburning torch, Masterwork composit shotbow, Arrows x20, Masterwork manicle, Silk rope 50 ft, Grappling hook, Potion of cure light wounds(1d8+1) x2, Potion of invisibility, cloak of resistance +2

Barrehk was young when he picked up the rogue skills from surviving the streets, cheating, lying, and hiding to save his life from the others. One day, he was caught stealing again and got cornered by the pursuer. He was quickly beaten unconscious; when he woke up, he found out that he was saved by an older man, maybe in his 50s. The old man let him stay at his place till he's healed. During this time, he began to look at this man as a father figure as no one in his life has been this nice to him. Apparently the old man, Tharian, was an exotic weapons master in his younger age and explained to him why a spiked chain would give him an advantage to his survival. Barrehk begged Tharian to teach him the techniques of the exotic weapon: the spiked chain. During this few years of training with Tharian, Barrehk’s natured shifted towards good thanx to tharian (neutral good) so Barrehk is now considered chaotic good. He does only care about outcome, not how to obtain it. Seeing tharian with this unbelievable skill but living a poor live made him realize that in Calimport, Having only Skill will only make more enemies and constantly live on the line of battle. Money is the only power in Calimport. Eventually he was kicked out by Tharian who told him to adventure thru faerun and live a better life than a street rat in Calimport. With that, he left calimport in search for adventures to make money and fame.

Mizzen

Mizzen 7^th lvl Ranger of Gwaeron Windstrom/3rd lvl Rogue

NG Half-moon Elven Male Dalelands Gwaeron Windstrom

HP 97

Fort +11 Ref +14 Will +7

AC 21

STR 18 DEX 18 CON 16 INT 18 WIS 15 CHA 14

Spot +13 Listen +13 Search +13 Track +8

Languages Common, Chondathan, Elven.

Items Longsword+1, Mstk Rapier, Whip of Disarming, Elven Chain Shirt, Cloak of Resistance +2, Ring of Prot +2,

Mizzen of Semberhome, the son of a Moon elven scout from Semberhome and Human ranger of Deepingdale, was actually born in the village of Bristar during the Elven Retreat and jointly raised in the Cormanthor forest and neighboring Dales. He took the epithet “of Semberhome” in honor of his mother’s heritage and vowed to one day reclaim the ancient Elven home from the Drow who are currently reported to inhabit it.

During his early years, Mizzen was raised by his mother in Bristar, where at times he felt the burden of being a half-elf amongst the mostly pureblood elven and human villagers. At 11 winters of age, Mizzen’s father, Frax Amble-----, convinced his mother the safety of their child depended on learning the ways of the ranger. Though Mizzen had rarely seen his father and was afraid to leave his mother and home, the child adapted quickly to his new life in the forest of Cormanthor.

Frax was part of The Stalkers of the Silent Path, followers of Gwaeron Windstrom who patrolled the forest of Cormanthor for Zhentarim, Malarites, Dragon Cultists, Drow, Trolls and other vile creatures. It was in this company that Mizzen became a skilled woodland tracker. A part of Mizzen felt remorse for the beasts slaughtered by the Stalkers and he never shared the hatred his companions felt for these creatures. He did however, share their enmity for the men hunted by the group, Zhent poachers, spies and Cultists. Nothing felt more rewarding to him than the capture of these corrupt, selfish and cowardly humans whose organized groups sought to make profit for themselves and bring misery to the peaceful folk of the Dalelands.

Zhents that eluded the group would often slip through Tilver’s Gap and disappear in the streets of Tilverton, while Cultists would reach their hideouts in Scardale or Ordulin and vanish. The Stalkers of the Silent Way would not pursue these criminals into the cities with the exception of Nivet Amblebrick, younger brother of Frax and uncle to Mizzen.

Nivet was as much at home in the city as he was in the forest, an intriguing concept to Mizzen, and the young ranger often followed his uncle into the cities of Sembia and Cormyr, learning whenever he could. Nivet was as much a rogue as he was a ranger and taught Mizzen the basic skills of manhunting in an urban environment

It was on a pursuit into Ordulin that would lead Mizzen to journey far from the Dalelands. Maldraedior, a mid-ranking officer in the Cult of the Dragon, had been chased from his hideout near Battledale to the very streets of the Sembian capital. The pair of manhunters quickly tracked their quarry to The Stranded Fish tavern. They found Maldraedior at a table with five others and before it could be avoided, the tavern erupted into violence. Mizzen barely escaped with his life but his uncle was not as fortunate. The officer had run a blade through the heart of Nivet and there was nothing the young ranger could have done to stop it. Slumping from exhaustion and grief in a a garbage-filled alley many blocks away from the tavern, Mizzen swore he would bring his uncle’s killer to justice. As if a sign from the gods, a barrel of trash fell upon the rangers lap that included a half-starved mongrel pup that Mizzen named Cane.

Together the pair would track Maldraedior west across the heartlands, to the savage frontier. Despite the trail going cold countless times, Mizzen and Cane caught up with the Cult officer in Luskan, the City of Sails. Never in his life had the tracker been filled with such single-mindedness of purpose. The long pursuit had honed his skills and devotion to Gwaeron and when Mizzen found the body of his quarry impaled on the knife-edge of a chambermaid who’d been the man’s lover for the evening, the ranger was beside himself. This was not how he had envisioned their meeting while tracking through the waist-high snowdrifts of the Coldwood or picking over the refuse for clues in Scornubel. Mizzen had dreamed a thousand ways to disarm the officer and wished many times that Maldraedior would fight back…..and leave Mizzen no choice but to slay him as he had slain Nivet. Tymora, it seemed, had other plans.

His story as it relates to the campaign begins in the Sword Coast North. Mizzen had become an accomplished bounty hunter and by 1373 DR had developed a reputation after apprehending the Dread Pirate Miltaides in Luskan and also bringing Burkham Zoolth, a.k.a “The River Street Strangler” to justice in Waterdeep. Mizzen spent a winter in the City of Splendors enjoying his success before deciding to continue his career. In the summer 1373, he became interested in a potentially lucrative bounty.

An offer of 2,000 in Sembian Nobles for the delivery of a shield dwarf on the run from Fireshear was posted by the City Watch of Waterdeep. According to the Watch, the dwarf had destroyed mining equipment and other property and was wanted by the Noble House Vsstani of Westgate. A description of the dwarf, named Ovak, was provided along with instructions that the fee could be collected upon delivery of the dwarf to the family villa in Westgate, contact Baron Dester Valendezzar of House Vsstani.

Mizzen picked up the trail by the beginning of fall and suspected Ovak to be in Waterdeep. He estimated he was a but a few days away from capturing the dwarf when he was beaten to the punch. A group led by Kemen of Baazelphon, rumored to be sponsored by the Night Masks of Westgate, had the dwarf bound and shipped east via caravan.

No sooner had Tymora taken this opportunity away from Mizzen then a new one presented itself. A dangerous sounding figure had appeared in the city and was responsible for murdering several priests of Selune as well as a librarian in the Temple of Oghma. The individual was described as a human male, with silver hair slicked back in a widow’s peak, a large scar running down the right side of his face and wore the trappings of a servant of the Dark Goddess. The man was also said to be protected by obsidian armor with helm, and wielded an enormous greatsword used to cleave the poor librarian in two were reported by witnesses. The City Watch took to calling this man “The Stranger”, and placed a bounty of 25 Harbor Moons for his capture. The House of the Moon raised the reward by 1,000 dragons and were whispered to be looking for him on their own.

By the second month of the new year, 1374, Mizzen and Cane had picked up the trail of the Stranger and tracked him to the small town of Secomber, due east of Waterdeep. There locals informed him that a man fitting the description of the Stranger had indeed passed through the town over a ten-day before. The local Priest-Librarian of Deneir had been tortured by the Stranger and was very forthcoming with Mizzen about the event. The Loremaster, named Murroh, was attacked from behind while walking to his home and awoke gagged and bound by thick rope to his office chair, next to his apprentice who was similarly bound.

The Stranger first slit the throat of the apprentice and stared into the boy’s eyes while his life faded. He next explained to Murroh that he was looking for a group of four adventurers out of Waterdeep and that he was most interested in the wizard among them. By the time it was over, the Priest-Librarian was barely alive and the Stranger was headed to Scornubel in pursuit of his quarry. Murroh gifted Mizzen with an enchanted whip and blessed the ranger in his quest. The Priest-Librarian also gifted Mizzen with a gem of information: among the group of adventurers being pursued by The Stranger was Ovak. Murroh went on to explain how the actions of this group saved his life and those of the townsfolk from an infestation of ghouls beneath the cemetary.

Hunter and hound made haste to the Caravan City and immediately sent out feelers for their marks. He found the adventuring band as they were being arrested but lost them upon their escape from prison. With no sign of The Stranger and Ovak being aggressively sought by The Red Shields, the odds weren’t looking good. As is customary in the bounty business however, luck changes quickly, and Mizzen picked up a solid lead that The Stranger had headed to Berdusk and decided to pursue. Home to the Harpers, Berdusk was a haven for bards, rangers and worshippers of Selune, and Mizzen expected The Stranger to keep a low profile while in town. Almost a ten-day had passed since Mizzen’s arrival in the city without a trace of The Stranger when word reached his ears that a Moonmaiden had been murdered. Though the authorities were tight-lipped about the incident, rumor had it that the victim had been cleaved nearly in two by a single, massive stroke. When investigating further, Mizzen was nearly knifed in the throat by an undercover Knight of the Blue Moon (servant of Selune) who also seeks The Stranger. Mizzen was able to smooth things over by explaining he was responding to the bounty posted by the House of the Moon in Waterdeep and learned that this Stranger had quite a few organizations hunting him.

Cane picked up the scent and lead his master east to the farming community of Asbravn, perhaps a ten-day or so behind The Stranger. And once again, Tymora smiled. The adventuring band that had disappeared in Scornubel was in this very town, complete with the fugitive dwarf. But how had they managed to get behind The Stranger ? Had they discovered the man’s identity and decided to follow him or was it simply an accident ? While Mizzen pondered the possibilities he watched as the adventuring band battled with Zhentarim agents.

Doubt began to creep into the ranger’s mind. To Mizzen, deeds spoke louder than words and this band had risked their own skins to challenge evil at every opportunity, while the Stranger had dealt nothing but misery and death wherever he treaded. Mizzen had also wondered if his own skills were enough to apprehend the man. Perhaps he would forget about the bounty on the dwarf if only to have the adventurer’s help in catching The Stranger?

M'Semma

M’essema Mazrin-Taime 8^th lvl Cleric of Hoar/2^nd lvl Divine Disciple of Hoar

N Wood Elf Male The High Forest Hoar

HP 63

Fort +9 Ref +7 Will +12

AC 23

STR 20 DEX 16 CON 12 INT 10 WIS 18 CHA 12

Spot +6 Listen +6 Sense Motive +4

Languages Common, Elven

Items Masterwork Longsword, Longsword +1, shortspear, dagger, composite longbow & arrows

Elven chain, shield +2, Bracers of AC +1, Cloak of resistance +2, Gloves of acid resistance 5, Scroll prot vs. undead, 2 potions of healing, potion of antidote, Aruteth Tel’Quessir, amulet vs. detection & location,

The Mazrin-Taime family was relatively wealthy and influential in their community. Specifically, your father Lheryn and his brother T’lainith were well respected elves who served as ambassadors to the nearby human settlements as well as to The Lords Alliance (Free cities of the Sword Coast: Waterdeep, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter, etc) and to the Silver Marches (Free cities of the North, lead by Silverymoon). Your marriage to the moon elven princess Alisandré Athan'Miere of Evereska would have solidified ties between the two elven kingdoms. (Evereska, translates “Fortress-Home” in elvish, is the last great kingdom of elves remaining since the Retreat. It is said that mighty magic and wise elders protect this city, the largest population of the Fair Folk left on the continent)

These ambassadors had long considered the nearby human settlements, and the loggers which sheltered there. The humans had begun to cut living trees and destroy large areas of forest without the elves’ consent. Some in the elven communities demanded retribution, but Lheryn had faith he could negotiate a compromise without bloodshed. During this period, many stern warnings were issued to Lheryn, that he should not allow humans any right to the forest, but the wood-elf did not agree. Instead he ignored the warnings until they became threats and proceeded still to make peace with the human settlers. At length, the humans agreed only to take wood from dead trees, and use elven guidance to live in harmony with the High Forest. Many in the elven community rejoiced, but some had grown tired of being ignored, and were determined to end the influence of the Mazrin-Taime family.

On the eve of the wedding, T’lainith received a letter urging him to meet his business partner, the craft merchant Efinaeral Longtresses, at his establishment by sunrise. T’lainith kissed his wife and made haste to the home of his partner. It was there that T’lainith learned of the Eldreth Veluuthra and their involvement. He pleaded with Efinaeral to arrange a meeting, so that an arrangement could be made, but was informed that one already had been. Realizing this, he made for the door but was held by the magics of his partner.

“What treachery is this my friend?” T’lainith shouted.

“The kind that saves your life. If you exit that door, they will slay you as well,” explained Efinaeral.

“This cannot be their fate, I must warn them. Release me!” With tears in his eyes, his partner shook his head.

“I am sorry my friend, their fate is beyond our help. My spirit aches with this atrocity, but it is within my power to save your life at the risk of my own, so I shall not let you leave.” The spell of Efinaeral could not hold the distraught elf forever and as the sun approached its mid-point in the sky T’lainith broke free. He ran to the grove where the wedding was scheduled to take place and saw the aftermath. As he knelt there weeping, he was attacked from behind. By the grace of Corellon he survived and fled to the Caravan city, Scornubel, assumed a new identity as a human shopkeeper and prayed the Elven gods would not deem him a coward.

With the sigil as evidence, M’ssema discovered that the Eldreth Veluuthra “Victorious Blade of the People” in elven (a.k.a. Uluuth Phlarenn or “Cleansing Blade” in an ancient elvin tongue) were responsible for his tragedy. He arrived in Scornubel along with his adventuring companions in the winter of 1374 and at length found his uncle. Although this meeting ended unfortunately for T’lainith, it resulted in two things. M’semma is now the last to posses the blade of his family, “Aruteth Tel’Quessir” and he learned enough to exact his revenge.

1) The name of the elf who gave the order: Aravilar Starshadow.

2) Where he can be found: Tiru Tel’Quessir, “Tower of the People” in the southeastern forest of Cormanthor.

Reverie

Unbeknownst to most, elves do not sleep in the typical sense. Instead, they enter a trance-like state similar to a day-dream. This state is called Reverie by the Fair Folk and they do it nearly as often as humans require sleep. Although elves are able to sleep like humans, and when doing so may dream as humans do, it is by choice alone. During Reverie, elves relive past memories both painful and pleasant. The specific memories are not up to the elf’s decision, but come much as dreams due to humans. In this manner, elves maintain their strong sense of memory and personal identity, as they recall the events that have shaped their long lives.

The evening following the death of T’lainith, M’ssemma entered a reverie he would not soon forget. In it he could see the bright and cloudy image of his father, mother and sister sitting around a large dining table that had been the setting of many fond and youthful memories. A conversation, more serious than an evening would normally see, was taking place as M’ssema pulled up a seat. They seemed to be speaking of terrible things, pain and sorrow and anguish….they seemed to be speaking of him.

“We are deeply troubled my son,” spoke Lheryn as all eyes turned toward you. “You have suffered a great wrong and mourned all that you once knew. Too long has this pain inside of you remained. We fear it has soured and is poisoning your soul. Saddened were we to watch your back turn away from the Seldarine, the gods of your people. The path you now follow is a dangerous one. Take care not to become that which you seek.” Lheryn reaches beneath the table and brings forth Aruteth Tel’Quessir, the sword of Mazrin-Taime family. He slides it across the table to rest in front of you.

“Yours is a great heritage. Honor our memory and we shall again be a family in the forests of Arvandor.”

The Great Beyond

It was hard enough to parry the mighty blows of the Stranger, but the library in which the battle ensued was cramped and difficult to maneuver around. This was not the ideal situation in which to face this monster. By Hoar that was close ! Another swing like that and….

Blinding whiteness, all around. No longer was M’ssema in the library of Selune’s temple in Iriaebor, but where was he? The ground was white and featureless, no walls, no horizon, no sky. Everywhere one could look was filled with the plain color of bleached white cotton. His gear was all here, Aruteth still in his hand. Had some foul witchcraft delivered M’ssema to some foreign land ?

“Morninglord, hear our cries !” shouted a voice behind the elf. He turned to see a group of humans gathered in a circle around an evangelist. “It is I, Derivar of Daggerdale, devoted disciple of the God of Dawn, calling to his Majestic Resplendance ! Here also is Persedan Threebows, slayer of the Black Beast of Shar, and Olmeredeigh of Golden Spires of the Morning, claim our souls oh Bringer of the Sun ! Send forth your chariot that we may join your side !” M’ssema heard other voices as he walked without direction. Similar groups of humans called out to their god, proclaiming great deeds in the name of their faith so that their souls would be worthy of heaven. By the Lord of the Three Thunders, M’ssema realized, this was the afterlife.

A part of him expected to be in Arvandor, the forest realm of his people and resting place of his family and lost love Alisandré, but this place was far from it. As the elf drifted through the masses of petitioners, he witnessed angels lifting souls to elsewhere in shafts of light and demons rounding up screaming humans in nets of jagged wire like captured fish and hauling them through gates of smoke and flame. A shaft of purple light descended upon M’ssema from above. He felt himself become heavy, as if weighted down by some great force. Within seconds M’ssema was bent over backwards from the weight and his eyes rolled over into blackness….nothing but blackness.

Some time passed, he could not say how much, but he could now feel the sensation of cool liquid against his skin. M’ssema opened his eyes and found himself upon a marble bowl, filled with milky liquid and surrounded by priestesses of Selune. He had returned to Faerun.

Keitar

Keitar grew up in the Shou Town in Telflamm, born to hardworking working-class merchants. He had something of a troubled childhood, since the entire Town was under the collective thumb of the Nine Golden Swords. He began spending time with a rough crowd, but was taken under the wing of an older ninja expatriate (one of the few in the region), who saw his potential. He trained in arts of stealth with this master until he passed away, and dabbled in some work for the Nine Golden Swords.

The crime organization recognized his talents, and he would have eventually joined them, but he met a half-elf adventurer from the west, a cleric of Selune named Iraeidan. He fell in love with the cleric, and adventured with him and his companions for a while, spending much of their time in Thesk and Rashemen. Keitar was of decidedly chaotic neutral alignment, shading toward evil, before he met the cleric, but under the Iraeidan’s influence, gradually began shading toward good alignment.

Eventually, he and his lover they ran afoul of the Shadowmasters of Telflamm and decided to flee Thesk for their own safety. They were traveling through Sembia when the Shadowmaster-sponsored assassins who were tracking them attacked. Keitar and his lover slaughtered their pursuers, but sadly, Iraeidan died after the battle of his wounds. Afterwards, the Shadowmasters seemed to consider their mission accomplished and stopped harassing him.

Traumatized by the death of his lover, and knowing that the Shadowmasters would not coutnenance his return to his homeland, Keitar decided to stay in Sembia for the time being. He is currently making ends meet by selling his services to various merchants who want to spy on other merchants. He deals regularly with the Sembian criminal underworld, but he makes an effort not to take jobs that he feels will harm others. His employers know him as taciturn and secretive about his past, but efficient in delivery of his targets.

Keitar retains his faith in the Moonmaiden as much in memory of his former companion as out of genuine devotion. He makes fairly regular visits to local Selunite shrines, goes somewhat out of his way to aid devotees of the faith, and is known in the church, if not entirely trusted. They know nothing of his history, and thus know nothing of his motivation for helping them.

Keitar’s personality is somewhat embittered, partly because of his rough upbringing, and more recently because of Iraeidan’s death. He is fairly handsome in appearance, with long, straight black hair and even features, but his looks are marred by a scar that travels from his left temple down to the middle of his cheek. In addition, he tends to be withdrawn and silent in groups, and does not open himself to others willingly. Others perceive him as standoffish, and he tends to wrap himself in that perception like armor.

Ovak

Ovak (a.k.a. Ovar) 7^th lvl Rogue -deceased-

CG Shield Dwarf Male Shield Dwarf Vergadain

HP 46

Fort +5 Ref +9 Will +2

AC 19

STR 14 DEX 18 CON 16 INT 14 WIS 10 CHA 11

Spot +6 Listen +2 Sense Motive +2

Languages Dwarven, Common, Goblin, Damaran

Items Boots of Elvenkind, haste potion, shortsword, rapier +1, lightcrossbow

Ovak

Where the river Shaengarne flows into the Sea of Moving Ice in the far north, stands an isolated stone towered city of dwarves carved into the rocky walls known as Fireshear. From these mining halls fled Ovak, blamed for the destruction of an entire mining complex, including valuable inventory. Although Ovak doesn’t quite remember doing this, his mind had been clouded by drink that night and the damage, so to speak, had been done.

When representitives of the owners came to investigate the incident, Ovak promised to have answers for them on the morrow. That night, he stowed away on a ship which left before daylight and made haste down the coast to Seawell. In this small shipping community, the dwarf found work as a sell-sword and earned some good coin in a brush with Lizardfolk tribes.

Waterdeep was his next destination and barely a ten-day had passed in the cosmopolitan city before Ovak was discovered. Representatives once again came to Ovaks door, only this time no discussion had been planned. Instead these visitors bashed in the door with a single kick and attacked the dummy body lying in the bed. Although the wiley dwarf was hiding beneath, his assailants instantly assumed he had leaped from the window and gave chase. Ovak’s companions were heading to a small town called Secomber that week and he felt the timing was right to move on. The dwarf never made it out of the city.

A silent strike to the back of the head sent Ovak spiralling into unconsciousness. He awoke gagged and bound inside a covered wagon heading south on the Trade Way. Laying helpless, he overheard a bounty of nearly 2,000 gold pieces had been put on his head by a powerful merchant family of Westgate. If his luck doesn’t change soon, Ovak’s future may be grim indeed.

As it is said, Vergadain helps those who help themselves and if this dwarf knew nothing else, it was how to help himself. With a mental prayer, Ovak asked the Laughing Dwarf for a favor. He begged the god to deliver a message to his companions, wherever they may be, and Vergadain did so.

The party surprised his captors and saved him from the bounty hunters of Scornubel.

Ovak finally met his demise at the hands of a priestess of ill fortune, Beshaba. The irony was not lost on Ovak as he passed from this world.