We follow Rave back to the bakery and to a meeting room upstairs. On the way to the bakery, Ari requests that Rave keep it a secret that Ari is a member of the Zhentarim as Caulkin is a member of The Harpers. Rave reveals that the Zhentarim and Harpers have shared interest on occasion and this may be one of those times. Caulkin reveals that his mother was a priestess of the template of Beshaba. Beshaba is the goddess of misfortune. Glittr recognizes the symbols of Beshaba from Hyuth’s house. He finds it interesting that his mother, Krislynn, is working on behalf of Beshaba (chaos and trickery), a paladin of Lovitar (pain), both of which are evil-aligned deities. He was told when he was born she left to go worship at one of Beshaba’s temples. Glittr knows that Caulkin is telling the truth and is not an agent of evil.
Rave discloses that we have completed tasks for some of his comrades in the past. He discusses that giants are bad for business and he has a task for us. He reveals that he has been tracking a paladin who has been causing issues along the sword coast. Ari reveals that she is part of the Zhentarim. They are a more “take from the rich” type group.
Rave states they were on their way to the Evermore and hear rumors of the Hand of Yartar. While looking into giants, they have been guarding an ancient giant relic north of here. It is not the nightstone. The relic has been taken by some of the Uthgar. The relic is about a day’s and a half journey north of here at Flint Rock. We empty the bag of yeet so we can bring the relic back to Rave. We hang a hard right at the river on the way towards Mornbryn’s Shield and this will bring us to Flint Rock.
Matbann finds out that a warehouse on the East side of town is using his name as a password. He decides to stay behind and do some recon as to what this password is.
We begin our journey to Flint Rock which is uneventful. During our first night, Brylwynn sees a bright light in the sky above but she cannot make out what it is. Nothing else happens for the remainder of the night. The next day, we draw closer to Flint Rock. As we do, we notice the trees thin out and the presence of wildlife dissipate. There is an altar spread out amongst rolling hills spread out in front of us. The relic appears to be a large sundial and while we are exploring it, we hear a large roar from behind one of the dips.
We battle two chimeras successfully in a grueling battle. Brylwynn identifies it successfully and the black dragon head spews black acid breath, the goats head rams you, and the lions head bites. It also flies.
We see a black smokiness begin to obscure the black dragon head. We recognize this smoke as an out-of-plane experience when we visited the shadow fell. It has the same magical feeling we once noticed. As the smoke dissipates, the black dragon’s head turns red and begins to reanimate. Ari says, “Mom?”
The red dragon speaks to her and says that she remembers how Ari’s mother begged for her life. “Your gifts are mine. You are mine. Power. Free me!!” Ari’s scales begin to light up and radiate as they have before in the past when exposed to draconic magic. A flock of ravens suddenly appear and begin pecking at the red dragon and the animating force behind it. The dragon shrieks in roaring pain and agony, as the animating force disappears within it, the smoke reappears, returning the dragon’s head back to black scales.
One red, orange, and yellow-colored raven stays behind. Glittr gets the sense that this raven is an instrument of the Raven Queen. Its colors have been transformed into that of Lliira’s that he finds interesting. A fear of pit enters his stomach he realizes the Lovitar and Beshaba connection. Glittr feels reassured to know that a positive message has been sent from Lliira for the first time in a while.
The Raven caws away and we begin to hear clapping. Rave approaches from the rear. Ari uses a spell to tear away the stone feature surrounding the relic. In the center, we discovered a large 5’ mythical spear that weighed 75 lbs. Pearl identifies the spear as giving off a faint spell of divination magic that is very old.
The next time we come in contact with Zhentarim agents, we can drop Rave’s name to gain access to magic weapons and items.
Rave discloses that Ari is being gifted the ability to move up in the Zhentarim and go on a mission with Rave.
Ari gifts all of her items and possessions to us for safekeeping while she is on an adventure.
Rave mentions that Krowen is an old acquaintance of his and Caulkin will be running into him very shortly. If we keep heading east of Yartar along the Everlund way we will find our way there.
Ari's Break Begins