The Blue Dragon lies defeated in a pit of it's own creation as the party high five each other in celebration of their wonderous achievement. The mood soon turns to the important task of looting and after a few moments the Dragon lies in the dirt one head lighter than it was earlier. Looking to the village it appears that the fires have been brought under control but rather than celebrating our heroes they look rather angry, in fact it is almost as if they feel that the destruction they have suffered is because of the mere presence of them. Deciding that it might be a good idea to make haste and head back to Trollskull Manor, Lucian quickly conjures a teleportation circle on the ground and they grab the head of the Dragon and pop out of sight. Back in the familiar territory of Trollskull, the party are once again greeted by the multi-talented Ozen. Handing him the bloodied Dragon skull they give the poor barkeep instructions to get it prepared and mounted alongside the infamous Troll's Skull. Initial surprise gives way to an approving grin as the chef takes the skull and heads out of the tavern and down the street, an excited spring in his step despite the cumbersome nature of his cargo. The odd scream is heard through the doorway, getting ever fainter as he gets further and further from the tavern.
The party gather around an empty table; pulling themselves tankards of ale, and one water en route, and begin to discuss the next task of importance, dividing up the loot of their most recent success. Soon after, a rather out of breath and sweaty Ozen comes bursting back into the Manor and walks over to Lucian.
"Message for you sir"
The wizard unfolds the paper handed to him and reads the contents carefully. Sister Garaele has some recent intelligence information on the whereabouts of the White Dragon Mask. A White Dragon has been sighted by a Ranger by the name of Thorn Jorond who lives in the Town of Bremen in the far northern territories of Ten Towns. A group of fellow adventurers out of Candle's Keep have learned the importance of destroying as many of the dragon masks as possible to lessen the danger, should Tiamat return. They also learned that the masks themselves can only be destroyed in the Well of Dragons. The group ponder this information carefully and start making plans for their inevitable journey north. That is until they receive another message, this time from Phandalin; it appears that Gundren has got the spell forge up and running and offers to assist the party with any possible upgrades they may seek.
The promise of better tools of destruction captures the party's attention and they decide to make a slight amendment to their original plans, a decision that is made even easier when Lucian mentions that he can simply teleport everyone there instantly. Finishing their ales, and water the group head down to the teleportation circle in the basement of Trollskull Manor and Lucian activates the portal, there is an all too familiar pop and the circle is emptied of it's occupants.
Cut to Tresendar Manor, a puff of smoke reveals our gallant heroes. Stepping from the circle inscribed on the floor, they find themselves in a remarkably well kept manor. It seems that the locals have been rather busy since their last visit. The rubble has been removed, walls painted and all signs of the troubles that occurred in this place have been removed from sight. Leaving the manor the party head into Phandalin in search of Gundren and after a brief search manage to meet up with him outside of the town hall. He bids them welcome and the subject of improving weapons or armour is immediately discussed. Gundren explains that any enhancements to equipment will take a day to complete, a brief discussion ensues between party members as to what can be left behind and what is needed for their next encounter up in Ten Towns. After a brief while it is decided that the party will wait in Phandalin for the next two days, awaiting the return of Garrick's morning star and Farraine's sword from Gundren. The party will have to return later for the return of Lucian's bracers of defence, Finn's Rapier and Sigrid's armour.
Hanging around Phadalin for the next few days the party consume a number of tankards of ale....and water, and help out around the town where they can until Garrick and Farraine receive their improved weaponry. Fully tooled up it is time to return to Waterdeep and then onwards to Bremen to slay the White Dragon. Once more the group stand in the teleportation circle in Tresendar Manor, there's a puff of smoke and an audible pop and the manor is empty once more.
Cut to Trollskull Manor and the party immediately start to gather their things and prepare for the journey to Bremen. Warm cloaks and boots are stuffed into back packs and a fresh batch of meals from chef Ozen are gratefully accepted. Fully kitted out the group head to the city stables and retrieve their remaining two Wyverns, mount up and take flight. Heading north their journey passes without incident, with each passing mile they notice the temperature gradually begin to fall. After many miles the party approach the snow covered harbour town of Bremen. Landing a little way outside of the town the party dismount their steeds and trudge slowly through the deep snow towards small hamlet. As they enter they notice a sight filled with wonder, a mecca if you will, for the discerning connoisseur of fine ales. 5 Taverns stand before them, a thick layer of snow blanketing the roof tops, smoke rising from the chimneys like beacons calling them to drunkenness. The sign of one of the taverns catches their eye, that of the Grumpy Moose with no other reasoning, aside from the fact that they like the name , our band of adventurers head inside.
Walking into the tavern they are greeted by a wave of warm air from a large fire off to one side, idle chatter bubbles from all corners of the establishment.
"Greetings travellers, what'll it be?" bellows the burly barlord, as if there is any other choice for travellers venturing into the Icewind Dales. Sigrid steps up to the bar and asks for a glass of water, the barman winces but reaches for a glass and scoops it in the ice bucket behind the bar, handing it over with a look of mild disgust on his face as he does so. Sigrid then asks if there is anything on the menu that is suitable for a vegan, a face of utter confusion answers her question silently. Farraine orders 4 tankards of the finest Icewind Dale Ale and accompanying moose steaks with a side plate of vegetables for the druid of the party. Taking the tankards and seats at a nearby vacant table, the group settle in for a fine feast, the ale is like nothing they have ever tasted. Sure, they have had Icewind Dale Ale before but something about it being brewed locally makes it almost magical as it washes down their throats. All too soon the vessels sit empty and another round is ordered to replenish them to their former glory. Bellies full and livers working overtime, the party head out into the bitter cold once more and head off for the local Inn to find a room for the night.
Dragging their feet through the snow-covered path they head towards the Buried Treasure Inn. Eventually arriving at the front doors, they open them and walk inside. Once more they are greeted by a gust of warm air and the Lady owner of the establishment.
"Looking for some rooms for the night gentlemen and lady? I'm afraid we're rather full this evening, what with the fishing competition tomorrow, but I should be able to squeeze you in. Would you care for some food or drink before retiring to your rooms?"
The Party immediately order 4 more Ale's and 1 water and huddle around a vacant table. When the drinks arrive they ask about the fishing competition and are very pleased to hear that there is quite a sum of money available to those that place highly in the contest. Conversation soon turns to discussing various ways in which they may be able to cheat their way to victory (or at least second place). Sigrid has the genius idea of using her ability to conjure animals which seems to be the option of choice as the ales flow. The night draws on and the party gets more and more inebriated (well most of them anyway) and it is soon time for them to head off to bed. In the morning they have work to do, they must speak with Thorn and find out what he knows about this White Dragon he claims to have seen.
The sun is low on the horizon as the party rub the sleep from their eyes and nurse their pounding heads. Bellies rumbling as they walk downstairs and take their seats at a vacant table. A hearty breakfast is the perfect way to start the day. Conversation turns to the fishing competition and it seems that their earlier plans of cheating have hit the wall of potentially angering another village against them and given the hospitality and excellent ale they have been given so far, it would be unfair of them to use their magical talents to effect the result. With breakfast finished and moral integrity intact, they head off to meet Thorn Jorond.
Thorn, it turns out, is owner and proprietor of Jorond's Supply Store, where he sells everything an adventurer could need for their journey's in the harsh wintery conditions of Icewind Dale. Thorn, a bear of a man, greets the party with a firm handshake and asks what it is they are seeking. Lucian proceeds to ask him about the dragon he claims to have seen. Thorn tells of a huge dragon at least 80ft in length, soaring through the sky, heading toward Kelvin's Cairn. He followed a series of Kobold footprints that appeared to follow the direction of the Dragon and managed to see a number of them camping outside of a nearby cave. Lucian asks if he could draw them a map. Thorn warns the party of the danger they will face but they remain steadfast in their quest to prevent the rise of Tiamat. After purchasing a number of items (at full price due to Sigrid's poor negotiating skills) the group thank Thorn for his aid and head off in the direction of the local apothecary to stock up on potions.
With their backpack clinking with what they hope is a sufficient stockpile of health potions the party head over to the Fishing competition. It seems like the entire town is gathered here, a cocktail of odours fills the air with scents of ale and wonderous food being prepared at a number of stalls scattered around. Farraine, Lucian Finn and Garrick all enter the competition and accept the loan of some rather shoddy looking fishing rods from the organisers. Sigrid watches from the sidelines, tankard of water in one hand, a roasted carrot in the other as our heroes take their place on the banks of the waterway. A bell rings and the competition begins. Hours pass as the fishermen cast their lines into the water and snag their prey. With each successful catch there is a cheer from the crowd followed by further cheering or bellows of laughter depending on the size of the catch.
As the competition reaches the closing stages our heroes are still in with a chance to win. Garrick's rod bends heavily as he snags another fish, heaving with all his might he fights with his aquatic adversary and emerges victorious as the fish breaks the surface there are a series of gasps from the crowd as they see the size of his catch. Placing it on the scales a roar of cheers erupts as Garrick's name moves to the top of the leaderboard. Soon after, Finn's rod bends slightly as he has managed to hook another fish, as he pulls it from the water there are a series of chuckles, nonetheless he places it on the scales and wills the needle to move more than it does under the weight of the tiny fish. Lucian is next to heave on his pole and manages to land his catch. Placing it on the scales another cheer from the crowd tells him that it is a big one, just not as big as Garrick's who seems to have taken to fishing like a pro. The competition is nearing it's conclusion and Garrick is still top of the leaderboard followed by Lucian and Thorn. Finn and Farraine appear to be locked in their own private battle to catch the smallest fish possible. The bells rings for the final time and the final scores are totalled up. It seems that Garrick is as proficient with a rod as he is with a morning star and what Lucian may lack in athletic ability he more than makes up for in angling prowess, the two of them claiming first and second place with Thorn taking the final podium spot. Garrick is presented with the finest of fishing rods, imbued with fine gems and a magical aura, Lucian receives 500 gold pieces which he hands to Farraine to add to the group's treasure pack. A round of celebratory drinks are consumed and the crowd begins to disperse to the various taverns in the centre of the town.
The following morning, with the thrill of victory still running through their veins our heroes head out of the Buried Treasure Inn and head out of town to their waiting wyverns. Taking to the skies they begin their pursuit of the White Dragon and head toward Kelvin's Cairn. As they get nearer to their destination they notice there is an unnatural layer of fog covering the ground below. Through the mist they are able to make out the silhouette of what appears to be Kobolds. Ahead lies an entrance to a cave guarded by 2 lone Kobolds who point towards the group as they swoop down towards them. Finn takes careful aim with his crossbow and lands a deadly shot through the throat of one of the guards, Lucian quickly follows up with a firebolt aimed at the other kobold who fails to dodge the fateful blast.
With the way forward cleared, the party land and dismount their Wyverns, check their weapons one last time and head through the mouth of the cave.
No comments:
Post a Comment