Ari continues her journey north to Secomber. She sees Lyle pacing in the window who invites her inside. Lyle shares that their dad is a wreck and the town is being assaulted by hobgoblins. Lyle brings Milo downstairs who is more stoic and reprimanding of Ari and her “theatrics.” Ari shares the contents of the letter she received from her mother that stated the bloodline is cursed by a Red Dragon. Milo doesn’t believe Ari at first, accusing her of making stories up. After reading the letter, Milo shares his concerns but is thankful that she is alive. The siblings decide to share their mother’s decision to keep Ari alive after giving birth to her and Ari decides to stay in town for a bit. Ari and her brothers speak about her father missing her while she was away adventuring, and the relatively cold atmosphere of their home when she returned. Milo, a fighter, has been fighting off the hobgoblins in the town, which is starting to wear on him. Day 2 passes without incident, but on Day 3 Ari and her siblings start to strategize next steps. A winged serpent flies through the window and drops off a note, which has the same symbol on it as the Zhentarim.
The notes reads:
“Ari, As a member of the Zehnatirum, you are now tasked to help prove your worth. Go to Nightstone. Meet your contact named Kella. Your job is to infiltrate the town and make it a base of operations for the Zhentairum. Use force if required to figure it out. Succeed, and you will be rewarded. -Z”
She spoke with her brother about the contents of the note. As Ari explains that she is about to leave, she states that she does not feel safe and does not feel as if she belongs here anymore. Nightstone is south of Waterdeep, and Ari makes it in just a few day’s time. The town itself is surrounded by a wooden walk, moat, and she sees the roofs of other buildings in the town. In the town, Ari heads over to a local Inn and introduces herself to Nestor. He states he is a farmer, growing tuberous vegetables.
In the center of town is a black Obelisk, which is how Ari feels the town got its name. It is about 20-30’ tall with glyphs carved into the base. Ari returns to the Inn for the rest of the night to look for her contact. She awkwardly makes contact with Kella who agrees to meet up later in the evening in her room, away from others. Kella shares that the goal was to rid the town of the Lion Shield Coster as she feels like they do not belong in the town. She also knows that the Seven Snakes are on their way and she believes Ari to be the first of the reinforcements. She recognizes that she is unfamiliar with many of these new activities and requirements being asked of her. She spends time getting to know the town and interviewing the town’s folk.
In the town, there’s some basic buildings with watch towers surrounding the perimeter, there is a drawbridge at the only entrance of the town as the town is in the shape of a cone. Over the course of a few weeks, Ari gets to know the town’s people and she also observes Lady Velrosa, a priestess(?) who worships Mielikki(sp?). During this time, Ari becomes very comfortable living in the town.
One night at the bar, Lady Velrosa handed out candy to the local children as Ari got a drink with Nestor. Ari heard a loud scream outside and she ran outside to investigate what was going on. From the sky, she sees large boulders falling from the sky, crushing a cottage in front of her.
As Ari sees the town being pummeled by boulders, she looks up towards the sky and sees boulders coming straight down onto the town. She warms the town people to run to The Keep as she chugs her portion of flying and flies towards the sky. Upon flying upwards she spots giants on a castle in the sky who are throwing rocks down on the town below. She speaks to one of the giants and asks what they are doing and in response one says, “Need nightstone!” Ari flies back towards the ground. On the ground, she spots the bridge to The Keep was ruined and villagers are now fleeing the town. Ari speaks briefly with Kella and decides to stand near the Nightstone in the center of town, trying to protect it. Ari ducks into the Inn trying to get a clear line of sight as to what is going on in the town. Over time, four (4) giants pull the Nightstone out of the ground and carry it back to their castle. In the Inn, Ari speaks with Kella and they decide this is the best time to take over the town now that it is destroyed and reinforcements are coming tomorrow.The next morning, Daddy Xolkin, and other reinforcements come to the town and Ari is introduced to him by Kella. She speaks with Xolkin and the others as they plan the takeover of the town. As the drawbridge opens a voice welcomes Ari
While on the ship to Baulder’s Gate, Brylwynn and Glittr work aboard the ship as it sails on the Sea of Swords, just 2-3 miles off the coast. A few days into the journey, Brylwynn gains her sea legs. The captain of her ship speaks with Brylwynn and Glittr. The captain shares that there have been reports of Frost Giants attacking ships as they sail north. There have been numerous sightings of Frost Giant sightings in recent days. The captain does not worry about a potential attack between here and Baldur’s Gate. While vomiting over the side of the ship, Brylwynn spots three creatures flying towards the ship. A fight with three Harpies ensures and they fight them off. Glittr and Brylwynn make their way to Glittr’s shop, Linen and Things. Upon entering the shop, Glittr notes a stack of mail and finds a letter scribed with his father’s penmanship on top.
The two of them wake up and Glittr reads the letter written from his father, Richster and it reads:
Dearest Glittr, Kythorn 19
I desire all is well in Bauld'r’s gate and thou art well. During mine own quest to find thy mother, I has’t adventured north along the Sword Coast, visiting towns and cities I has’t only hath heard of from adventurers. It has’t been quite a beautiful sight to see! I am writing to thee, howev'r, to share thee knowledge about a potential lead on the wh'reabouts of yur mother Krislynn. While visiting a pub in Silverymoon, I ov'rhead some dwarves who did see memb'rs of The Shining Crusade at a pub in Sundabar just a few days pri'r. One of the memb'rs of the crusade, a human woman, who did look rusty and weath'r'd, and was clearly in chargeth of the group. The dwarves couldst not rememb'r entirely their conv'rsation, but it involved int'rcepting a package of great importance. I am setting off tom'rrow to headeth to Sundabar in searcheth for thee woman. I shall writeth to thee again when I can. Godspeed. - Richster
Iza, Glittr’s best friend from home, shows up at the front door and barges inside. She hands Glittr fresh cut flowers as he introduces Brylwynn and Iza together. Glittr hands Brylwynn an extra key and they split up for the day to divide and conquer as they complete their tasks. Iza introduces Glittr to Reyna and Vanneak twins. They come from Hillsfar, across the sea, and are going to be inducted into the Church of Lliira.
Meanwhile, Brylwynn heads to a courtyard and city fairgrounds where the musicians are staying and rehearsing. As she approaches, Brylwynn notes that there are not nearly as many musicians in the area and she was led to believe that there would be. She visits a local bar and orders some ale, speaking to the barkeep. She shares that not many people want to play the festival this year as bards and other musicians have been fleeing Waterdeep, Baldur’s Gate, and the Sword Coast in general. He shares that some of them have made camp at the Way Inn, up north. As Brylwynn scans the bar, she bartender shares a rumor that the wife of the Lord of __ ran off in the middle of the night and he is the laughing stock of the sword coast.
She speaks with another woman in the bar with a Lute. She shares that musicians have been interrogated and asked to not play music anymore, silencing the city. They part ways and Brylwynn asks the bartender once more for a location to purchase healing potions. He directs her to Mirabel’s Shop and she purchases two potions of healing. She heads back to Linens and Things and then to Iza’s home. They spend the remaining two days getting ready for Lliira’s night.
Lliira’s night comes, and the small group of friends enjoy the festivities. Vanneak makes it a point to try and buddy up with Glittr during the festival. As the festival carries onward, Vanneak, propositions Glittr to go back to his place early for the night. Back in his shop, Krislynn appears out of the shadows and begins attacking Glittr and Vanneak. She brings them both down as Iza and Reyna come to the shop. UPon noticing that she is outnumbered, Krisylnn states “I see the packages have been delivered safely.” She turns to Glittr and comments “Lliira has made you weak. Only pain leads to power and the lady of pain has made me strong. The north is my Oyster and I shall conquer it all” and she dashes off into the night.
After being attacked Glittr and Vanneak are glad to see Brylwynn, Iza, and Reyna arrive at his shop. Upon speaking, Glittr realizes that Krislynn is now a paladin who worships Loviatar, who is Lliira's arch enemy. Her worshippers rejoice in the pain of themselves and others. The group heal themselves up and decide to enjoy the remainder of Lliira’s night as a group.
In his rest in the middle of the night, Glittr is visited by Lliira. She states that his mission is now two fold. She asks me to smite out the evil that is Lovitar. In addition, the Raven Queen and other evil deities are ramping up their power in the north and that Glittr should work to explore this area. Glittr asks about what other deities should be avoided and in addition to Loviatar, Shaba is never good news. Bid each other farewell, but instead of the dream normally ending, Glittr sees a LARGE thunderbolt striking down in the north. Waking with a startle, Glittr sews together a more discreet carrying case for Brylwynn’s Lute as they need to hear north
As Brylwynn sleeps after celebrating Lliira’s night, her dreams take her to an almost mirrored version of Glittr’s shop. She is visited by Lliira during a dream who states that she has been following their group on their most recent adventures. Lliira asks Brylwynn to continue to aid Glittr on his future journey and tasks defeating the worshippers of Lovitar. She keeps the dream to herself. Brylwynn places the Lute in her carrying bag to keep it hidden from the public eye. They say their goodbyes to Iza, who promises to speak to Glittr and Brylwynn using her magic. Reyna and Vanneak reveal that they were tasked by Lliira to head home to defend the area from Lovitar and her disciples.
In Waterdeep, Caulkin goes to explore the dock district to begin his search for Larisya Blathunen. He arrives at the Inn that he knows she works at. Caulkin visits a local bakery and inquires about Larisya, but the shop owner knows very little about her. She speaks with the man behind the bar when the Inn first opens as Larisya is still sleeping. He shares that many Bards and musicians have been fleeing Waterdeep. They also discuss one of their regular customers who works as an adventurer. He shares that Queen Neary of the Stormgiants did not report to her typical location. After sharing and visiting, around 6:00 pm a female wood elf performs a Ballard on the small stage located in the Inn. After her number is completed, Caulkin goes to speak with her and he shares that Sister Garaele are Harpers. In the evening, Caulkin heads toward the Yawning Portal.
This is an entrance to the Undermountain, which is a place with several riches. It costs 1 gold piece to enter the Undermountain and 1 piece to be raised out. The entrance is held within a Bar. Caulkin goes to the Yawning Portal Inn to have a drink. Upon walking in, Caulkin sees commotion occurring on the 3rd level of the Bar and heads up to investigate. Caulkin finds an elf in the bar, a rare find in this section of Waterdeep, and strikes up a conversation with them. The elf shares that they were part of the shadow thieves, an older brand of thieves in Waterdeep. Laeral Silverhand thwarted their attempts and the group remained in Ann, hiding. Laeral was able to shut their group down easily because she had spies in the group
Caulkin finds a place to stay in the Trade Ward of Waterdeep. He tries to think of a way to break into a high administrator’s office without luck and the city is heavily guarded. He asks other pickpockets on the city streets if they would like to help him break into Castle Waterdeep, and they laugh in his face. He visits a local brothel, where high officials are rumored to attend for services. He visits with Lady Velour, who offers 3,000 gold for the name of a client. Caulkin and Lady Velour speak that the number of giant attacks have been ramping up in number, which they suspect is what Laeral has been working on; recruiting new soldiers for the army. As Caulkin leaves the bar, he gets attacked and blacks out.
As he awakens, he is faced by Naleade, his grandmother, who asks “what name are you going by now a days?” Caulkin admits to not completing the assignment he was tasked to complete by Naleade. He admits to not completing his task and being afraid to admit to his grandmother that he failed, fearing abuse similar to that she inflicted on him when he was younger. She reveals that she knows Caulkin is a Harper and spoke to an elf recently, an old member of the Shadow Thieves. Naleade would like Caulkin to complete his mission and kill Laeral. She reveals that her son’s, Caulkin’s father's, body was found at the base of operation for the Esmeltaran, in the region of Amm. The man with the necessary information is on a mission in the south in the ___ woods, but will not be back for several months. Naleade reminds Caulkin to complete his mission and kill Lareal, no matter how long that it takes. She says, “I missed you Xanross, but we will soon meet again” as he places a bag over his head to lead him out of their hiding spot.
He heads to the Castle District in the morning. He writes to Sister Garele and tells her that he has been able to connect with the people she asked of him. She relays the information he received about this father’s body being present in Esmeltaran. He returns to the Inn for the night and upon returning to his room, he sees a small coin with the Harper’s Icon inscribed on it. A small note reads, “Return when you are free.”He leaves the Inn and goes to visit Larisya at the bar he previously found her at. She asks Caulkin if he has gone to the yarming portal to which he says yes. They share additional information and he asks Larisya about Esmeltaran. She shares that the city is very large but much further south. He asks about a half-ing farmer who was killed a few years ago, named Fargus, who is Caulkin’s father. Caulkin shares that he would like to avenge his father’s death, but this mission intertwines with his task per the harpers of finding out where Laeral Silverhand had been during her absence. He also hears that bards have been doing missing in town.
On their way to the Misty Forest, Pearl and Fae travel pass a few small towns, including Daggerford. During their travels Pearl decides to discuss with Fae the changes in her attitude and demeanor. Fae shares that she became with The Prince of Frost and shares her disgust for the Raven Queen, a “vile wicked bitch.” Fae discloses her new use of up close magic and encourages Pearl to adopt the same style of fighting. As they enter the Misty Forest Pearl is engulfed in a sense of strong, magic as a thick mist drowns the forest. While walking through the woods, Fae turns invisible and scurries into the woods and disappears for an hour. During this time, ominous whispers are heard from behind the shrubs and bushes. After a week of searching, they come across humanoid footprints on a stream bed. Pearl conjures Thava to fly ahead and scope out the path and search for the creature who created the footsteps. About 10’ away from the footprints, they realize the prints disappear and the trail no longer continues. They come across and encampment where a small fire burns, but no one is present. The sisters choose to enter a home and as they open the door, Pearl feels a sword at her back as a voice asks who they are and what is their business here. Pearl turns around and sees a group of Wood Elves. The sisters turn and leave the small encampment. One of the elves says that they have not seen their friend, but they have seen some dark beings present in the area, about a day’s journey east of here.
They move forward and discover the entrance to a cave. As they stand near the entrance, they are attacked by 4 creatures in chains. A battle ensues (F,C,T,P) and Pearl and Fae fall to the creatures. As Pearl falls unconscious the creatures state they are going to take her to their “little friend.”
Pearl awakens in the pitch black, seeing a light far off in the distance and Fae chained up nearby. Pearl conjures Thava into the room to act as her sight in the dark. A voice speaks out to Pearl, asking who summoned the owl and after receiving no response, Thava is hit with chains, Pearl is hit with chains, and she goes unconscious again. Upon regaining consciousness again, Pearl speaks with men holding her captive in the cave. After asking Fae as to why they know her name, Fae reveals that the Raven Queen has a message. She is tired of their efforts to thwart her and the Prince of Frost gathering minions to battle her. The Raven Queen is investigating things, and they made this cave their base. Fae asks Pearl to leave, which she agrees to. Fae says that it has been quite clear that the Prince of Frost can give up, or lose to the Raven Queen. The barbarians chime in that the planes between the real world and the shadow realm are weak there, so accessing the Shadow Fey is relatively easy to do. The Barbarians untie the sisters and they exit the cave. Upon exiting the cave, there is a ruckus in the cave. Fae exclaims that she is there to do the Prince of Frost’s bidding, shooting an Eldritch blast at two of the barbarians. Fae says that Pearl’s mission is to deliver the message to the Prince and that Fae is going to speak with the Shadow Fey. Fae is dragged out of the cage by the elves.
Pearl, not knowing where she is going, walks out of the cave and into the forest. Pearl conjures up Thava as a raven who will fly ahead of Pearl as they move through the forest together. A few days pass and Pearl and Thava continue to wander through the woods, eventually stumbling upon an elf in the woods who points them in the correct direction. They eventually find their way out of the Misty Forest, and off into the distance, she seeds the faint outline of a civilization. As she walks forward she feels the familiar chill of the Prince of Frost as he appears behind her. Pearl shares with the Prince the newest information about the Raven Queen and how Fae is no longer working for the Prince of Frost. She tells the Prince that Fae was dragged off to the Shadow Fey. They speak and Pearl suggests that she may be more useful to the Prince than Fae is currently, and she can sneak on the inside for the Prince. The Prince reassures Pearl that Fae should likely be okay, but he is willing to consider this double agent plan she is proposing. The Prince disappears in a flash and Pearl continues her journey onward. She sees the familiar faces of Glittr and Brylwynn.
As she adventures south, Yrdlyn felt a sense of peace and tranquillity as she entered the forest. She continues her search for the temple of Dimir. A small group of elves approach her in the woods. She explains that she is searching for her family, possibly her mother’s elven clan or her father if he is still alive. They state that there is an elder elf that may interest her and they lead her an hour away. The clan casts a spell over her. As she opens her eyes, she is suddenly in the middle of an Elven town, inhabited with a mixture of high moon and wood elves. They lead Yrdlyn to a more decadent home where she can meet their leader, Ishelmira. Yrdlyn and Ishelmira as she shares that she did in fact know Yrdlyn’s mother. A dark cloud always appears to have a dark cloud following her and feels haunted by something. Her mother went mad as Yrdlyn was aware. Her mother was tasked to have a child who would worship Dimir, but Yrdlyn remains confused why her mother abandoned her if it was her destiny to have a child. Ishelmira shares that her mother was tasked to abandon Yrdlyn after giving birth to her. She abandoned Yrdlyn under the grandfather tree. After this went mad and exclaimed that her task was completed and took off, never to be seen again. Yrdlyn was offered a home here in the trees.
In the city in the trees, Yrdlyn talks with Kalista, her mother’s best friend, about her family. Yrdlyn talks about how her mother went “mad” and asks about what that means, but Ishelmira does not know. Kalista offers to teach Yrdlyn to be a better and stronger druid, changing into panthers together. Kalista tells a story of how they once saved Ishelmira’s life from a drow assassin who was following her in the woods one day. Yrdlyn and Kalista flirt with each other over the next few weeks, becoming very close. In a nearby Glade, Yrdlyn and Kalisa plant an apple seed together that will grow into an apple tree one day. One day, Yrdlyn finds Kalisa having relations with another druid, angering Yrdlyn. Yrdlyn thinks that it is time for her to leave the Glade and begins packing her things. As she packs, she is visited by Ishelmira who offers to escort her on the next stage of her adventure. She is greeted by Rond, an elven druid who is going to escort Yrdlyn through the Ardeep forest on her way to Nightstone, the nearest human settlement.
She Yrdlyn and Rond speak as they make their way to Nightstone. He mentions he has been tasked to keep her safe from roaming orcs. Rond speaks with Yrdlyn being a half-elf and her perception. They continue walking and break through the tree line. They look down and about a mile away, they see a small encampment, Nightstone. Yrldyn knows that Nighstone is about a mile southwest of the Ardeep forest, but off to the other side she sees the orc encampment. Rond asks to go with Yrdlyn to the city. They approach the gate and as they do, seven horsemen leave the gates of Nightstone. They enter the town and find it completely empty but see boulders scattered everywhere. She sees Ari far off the distance.