Session 32: Terrane, 6th Tanis

 Making their last preparations before battle, the Twilight Wings ensured to provide for their allies and get on their way to Dragon Keep as soon as the sun set on the horizon.

The hike there was mostly calm, although tensions among the group were high. With clear skies, as far as precipitation goes, the group felt reassured, until strong winds hit them, and they realized that their flying companions would have a hard time in this battle. 

As the group progressed on their way up the mountain pass, they came again upon the ice crevasse, and many among the group this time noticed the presence of frozen bodies inside the ice. As they got closer to the keep, they also noticed several partially frozen, partially eaten body parts. 

Once at the keep, the battle began, after the first group passed the main gate, and the stone dragon statues' eyes glowed and seemed to raise an army of undead dwarves. At first, the large battle on the main grounds of the hold was claimed many victims on both sides. The allies provided cover for the Twilight Wings to make it into the mine caverns where Ugoa's lair was most likely located.

Once there, another battle began, and the group now faces Ugoa the White.

Session 31: Demis, 5th Tanyth

 With the battle against the two drow now over, the party decided to take a short rest. The four monks took watch to allow the party to recollect themselves. Ariadne took a better look at the book she stole, and discovered it to be a sappy romance novel named “Soft Spring: A Classical Novel, Gold Edition”. It is a large book with a red cover, with a beautiful gold pressed spine, and a red gem inserted on the front cover, worth quite a bit of money, but perhaps not the most interesting writing style for Ariadne’s taste.

The party decided to do the dead drop just outside the Hopeful Dawn cave. The group (minus the 4 accompanying monks) went outside as stealthily as they could. Lennie noticed that same raven from a few days ago, sitting on the same tree branch just outside the cave. Kalim managed to hit the bird with a dart, and it again disappeared in a “poof”.

The group didn’t notice anyone else watching them, so Kalim proceeded as planned towards the dead drop. He disguised himself as Sarod and placed the note under the rock that had been described to him. Underneath the rock was a note already waiting. It said “Ga-Grosh For-Thaash”. Concerned that this could be code for something the group hadn’t been warned about, Lennie contacted Sarod to clarify the meaning of these words. Sarod told her that this is the name of his sister’s favourite song , so that means she’s still alive. Sarod sounded relieved and almost happy when he replied.

The group then contacted Olena to let her know they completed the dead drop and were about to do a bit of scouting to get an idea of what lies ahead.

As they approached the foot of the mountains leading to Dragon Hold, a chill went down their neck. They expected it to be a cold hike, but this somehow felt even colder. Or could it be their mind playing tricks? As they made their way up the non-existing trail, the snow got deeper, and the air hitting their lungs chillier. The exposed skin on their face felt like it was burning, almost as if cut by a thousand needles, and eventually just felt numb. The freezing air sometimes hit their lungs so hard, that it made them cough, and they had to remind themselves to take small breaths. The scarves and clothes they wrapped around their face in hopes to protect their skin became drenched in condensation, and between each breath there was just enough time to cause it to freeze into small crystals, which just reminded them with every breath that it was indeed not getting any warmer as they climbed up.

Kalim lead the hike for a while, in hopes of making the trail easier for those behind. There were no apparent trails or previous tracks ahead. Eventually Armando suggested they take turns leading the hike, just like birds do, so that everyone got a turn having a break from the hardest work. The group eventually reached the large icy crevasse. Some of the group members (Lennie and Kalim) saw humanoid bodies encased deep within the ice walls. Armando and Ariadne were unable to see them, and Kalim and Lennie decided not to disclose that information. At the end of the ice crevasse, the group felt they were close to the midpoint of the hike, so they decided to turn back, so as not to be too late getting into the cave.

On their way back, they tried their best to cover their tracks. They reached the Hopeful Dawn cave just after sunset. Upon arrival, they could smell food being prepared. The Bahamut Brigade Dragonborn and the Vampires had already arrived and were making the place a bit more comfortable for the day ahead. After about an hour, the remaining allies (Garth, the pterosaurs, and the remaining monks) arrived.

At this point, Kalim gave an inspiring speech to all of the gathered allies. The group also for the first time called themselves “Twilight Wings”. The troops were inspired by the speech.

Weapons were distributed among the vampires (19 crossbows, 7 poisoned short swords, and 11 regular short swords). The party discussed grouping arrangements for the allies to march into battle.

Ariadne decided to spend some time interacting with the pterosaurs waiting outside the cave. She fed them some fish, and they seemed to enjoy that.

Armando found 8 empty vials and containers with lids. With Lennie’s help, they collected 20 ants, which were carefully placed into a container that had its lid pierced with small holes to allow for air to get into it. Lennie helped her team mates, and also spent some time swooning over Garth.

Kalim took the time to help the monks, as well as arming the people that didn’t have weapons. Everyone took a long rest and started preparations for the march.

Session 30: Demis, 5th Tanyth

The party decided to lock up Sarod up and put two guards to keep an eye on him (2 of the thieves guild members). Sylvie continuously proceeded to irritate Sarod throughout the night.

They had Sarod write the letter for the dead drop, it says:

“They are headed towards the Seldarine. Expecting to arrive in 2 days. Ask Krea what her favourite fruit is.”

Armando was suspicious of Sarod, and Sarod angrily disclosed that his sister’s favourite fruit is honey pear.

Lennie also communicated with Hazel via “sending”, and Hazel responded with the following message:

"Arrest order rescinded, super suspicious, might get to meet your dad, just killed a drow getting into Aerie through sewers, being careful, you too".

The arrest order for the “Fang Crushers” has therefore been lifted, according to Hazel.

The next morning, the party visited the bookstore (Tome Raider) and spoke to Vinarth. They learned that the place where they are going was not always called Dragon Hold. It was once called Windcloak Castle. This was 500 years ago. It belonged to a very prominent dwarven family (the Windcloaks), who made their fortune mining Zafrine from the mountain.

But the dwarves got greedy and mined it excessively. It is believed that this infuriated the God Zafros, who cursed the dwarves to never be able to leave the mountain, even in death, and also removed the magical properties of the Zafrine in that mountain, turning it into ordinary quartz.

The Windcloaks built that castle very cleverly, so that it is well sheltered from the winds and the otherwise very cold weather of the mountains is not quite as severe in that area. However, since Ugoa the White took control of the castle, about 300 years ago, that may have changed drastically (i.e., it’s probably pretty damn cold out there). Sylvie managed to steal a book that looked valuable.

Kalim also purchased some herbs, and the party (+4 monks) then proceeded towards the Hopeful Dawn cave via a portal. They arrived in a dark secret chamber that they discovered to be hidden behind a shelf in Olena’s old room. Once they started making their way out of the room, they noticed there were two drow scouting the area. Sylvie was able to understand their language, and the group agreed to have her “look like a drow”, and try to talk to them.

The plan quickly went sideways, as the drow recognized her and began a battle. The party came to her aid, and lots of questions were raised. Sylvie torured the Drow in very disturbing ways to the rest of the party. It was revealed that Sylvie’s name is in fact Ariadne, and that she has a bounty for being considered a deserter and a traitor by the drow. She was once known as the “Executioner” in the drow army, and killed Seldarine as part of her duties. Shocked, and suspicious, the group, after a long conversation, decided to keep Ariadne at their side still, even though many questions remain unanswered, even for Ariadne. One thing they agreed on: Ariadne has to return the stolen book to Tome Raider.