Retcon - It wasn’t just Larael who had the dream for Zariel, we all received it
Back in Larael’s chambers, the group talks with her briefly before beginning our trip back north. She turns to Caulkin and praises his bravery as he gulps and thanks her for her help. “I may have misjudged you,” he says reluctantly. He tries to make a deal with her. He asks that he can call Larael an ally if she will help find his mother to which Laral recounts stories that she and Caulkin’s mother used to work together. They shake hands and agree to these terms.
Larael states that she teleports us to Mirabar in the AM and she has a meeting with a foreign dignitary in the morning.
We make our way over to our house, which is a 2-story house. It is a 6-bedroom house with 4 bathrooms. Outside, we see that Heathrow is one of our neighbors. He helped us sneak Larael out of the city just days prior.
We see his teenage son, Kyron, a tiefling enter the house.
That night Pearl receives a dream from the Raven Queen and she wears the familiar cape. She is glad Pearl now knows the truth between her and The Raven Queen and the Prince of Frost. She senses that one of her “children”, Fey, has been taken to the Underworld. She also reveals that activating the Shadow Shards is working as Haephaestus’ power is convalescing. She also states that when the time is right, she will bring the group back to help stop
Pearl responds and The Raven Queen confirms that she too has been hurt by Beshaba in the past.
We do some shopping before going back to meet Larael. In her office, we see #2 aka Valyun. He was investing the lead out east we saw from atop the mountain. Sythryn, the old druid, sealed the portal, but this is likely how the twins got around. Valyun states that he followed some humans out of the portal, who traveled Northwest. He suspects they are in league with the twins, and they are heading toward Jalanthar (mentioned here and here). In good news, the Grandfather Tree is healing as he was able to seal away the open portal. The portal was not next to the Grandfather tree exactly, but in removing the portal, the general area is now healing.
He gently places his hand on Caulkin’s shoulder as the group prepares to leave. Before he leaves, Larael compliments his bravery and his willingness to acknowledge his past mistakes. “He is correct about our needing to go separate ways.” Valyun will return to the forest and I (Larael) will stay in Waterdeep to work on research.
Larael also states that Krowen has information on Grazet. Krowen discloses there is an ancient city called Sigil, a nexus of the planes. It was created at the dawn of the world. It is a challenge to get there and to use its boundary-crossing abilities. He discloses that there are dangers to opening portals, such as creatures trying to attack the one who opened the portal or escape onto another plane. We can talk to Krowen to get to Grazet to get the last Shadow Shard in the Abyss. He does advise us to break the Crown, the implement of Beshaba, before adventuring into Beshaba’s plane of existence.
He also mentions that our old acquaint Seefa has made amends with her old demon and is free to reign on her own desire. She is doing well under her new patron.
We visit our P.O. Box and there is only a letter from the Rockseeker brothers who give us no money.
We make our way north, heading to the Spine of the World, a day or two’s journey. One night, the Prince of Frost appears. He says, “We are certainly almost home, aren’t we Pearl?” The Prince of Frost reveals that the reason he held dominion over the Spine of the World is because of his soul. As we move further north, he feels the tether of his soul being stronger. He discloses that he is unsure how much he’ll be able to help Pearl (and Brylwynn) once we are back at the Spine.
He asks for understanding that all that has happened was under the behest of Beshaba. RC reassures him that when we traveled to the Feywild, we saw where his body lay and believed him. He reveals that while we are in the north and in the cave, his power will not be utilized when we are fighting his soul in an upcoming battle.
Meta: Anyone with any Prince of Frost Warlock abilities, will not have access to them.
The group helps Pearl and Brylwynn by giving them some of their magic items that they can use. One morning, we wake up as two figures make themselves visible before us. We are met with the faces of Brother and Sister.
Ending combat:
No brother or sister has used reactions
Glittr, Brylwynn
Brother is frightened by Baptiste until the end of his next turn
Caulkin is cloaked
Sister is hexblade cursed
RC’s bow is activated
Allies and Agreements:
The party spends time in Waterdeep before heading north. Caulkin secures Larael’s help in finding his mother, learning that Larael and his mother once worked together. Larael arranges for the group to be teleported to Mirabar in the morning.
The Raven Queen’s Warning:
Pearl receives a dream from the Raven Queen, confirming that Fey is now in the Underworld. She warns that activating the Shadow Shards is strengthening Haephaestus, and when the time is right, she will call upon the group to stop him.
Valyun’s Investigation & Krowen’s Information:
Valyun reports that he tracked humans allied with the twins heading toward Jalanthar. He also successfully sealed a portal near the Grandfather Tree, allowing the land to heal. Krowen shares knowledge of Sigil, an ancient planar nexus, and advises breaking Beshaba’s Crown before venturing into her domain.
The Prince of Frost’s Warning:
As the party nears the Spine of the World, the Prince of Frost appears, revealing that his soul is tethered to the region. He warns that once they reach the cave, his power will be inaccessible, leaving Pearl and Brylwynn without their Prince of Frost Warlock abilities during the coming battle.
An Unwelcome Encounter:
As the party prepares for the battle ahead, they wake up one morning to find Brother and Sister standing before them, ready to confront them once again.