Dungeon of the Mad Mage

Eoan slaps 40 platinum onto the desk and turns a beaming smile to Leowin for a job well done . “ sounds a good deal to me.” Looking to the others for approval.

With the deal done the items are swapped for cold hard cash and you’re able to return to the Portal for a night of drinking and relaxing while awaiting the return of Roznar in the morning. 

Eoan takes time before the team settle down for the night to drop off his cloak to Leowins room with a note written in Elvish “ consider this a thank you for the discount , and an opportunity to embrace your heritage” 

You all awaken the next day well rested, if slightly hung over, and attuned to any new items that need it. While having breakfast a messenger wearing the falcon signet of House Roznar approaches you. “Good morning sirs, I am sorry to interrupt your repast but I come bearing a missive for the Lady Esvelle. She apologises for being unable to meet you in person but bids you to make your way to the Palace of the Open Lord of Waterdeep. Odd happenings are occurring and Laeral Silverhand, the open Lord of Waterdeep is calling on the noble houses to attend. Esvelle would like your attendance at this meeting in a possible advisory position. 
The meeting will be in 2 hours so I shall leave you to your meal and shall await you at the steps of the Palace to usher you her Ladyships presence. Good day” He bows deeply and turns on his heel striding away as quickly as he appeared. 

Eoan with elbows planted on the table with one half of a roll in his hand the other stuffed in his mouth “ well, as polite as he was  that didn’t sound like we had much of a choice did it ?”

He sighs stuffing the other half of the roll into his pack for later and with thoughts still on food approaches the bar to stock up on rations and water for the group for the journey to come .

Durnan turns to Eoan “Mornin me old mucker what can I do for ya?”

”I’ll settle up our tab, rooms and a weeks ration for 5 if you would friend “ Eoan takes 20 gold from his earnings selling the steel bars and slides them over the bar . “This should cover it right ?”

“Perfect thanking you I’ll be right back with the supplies.” Durnan scoops the coins up and head to the cellar to get travelling rations 

Returning a short while later you’re all now set for another week of travelling if required. 

Jhee-Kharr asks Durnan for directions to the palace. 

Also, is there anything at the Palace we should be worried about or watch out for my good man? Or anyone? We're heading there now 

Durban looks you dead in the eyes. “Nobles and Politicians mate. Never trust them they are always playing an angle. Good luck dealing with them. Let us kno the goss when you get back eh?” He then turns to other customers and leaves you to it. 

Collecting your things you make your way up town. At the entrance to the Palace of the Open Lord you see a floating castle hovering near the tallest tower. Crowds have gathered in the plaza staring up at it. 
Caught out gawping yourself by the Roznar messenger you somewhat embarrassingly are led through the crowd and into the palace proper. Lady Esvelle is waiting for you outside of the auditorium “My friends! Thank you for coming that castle appeared above the palace last night and something strange is afoot. Come with me and let’s see was Lady Silverhand has to say about the matter.”

Seated within you spot a number of the masked lords of Waterdeep lurking in the shadows of the council seating area. The regular merchants, nobles and politicians create a background murmur with the collective gossiping and politicking that takes place in such a venue. 
That dies off the second Lady Silverhand appears, she is accompanied by a human Male in storm swept plate armour, his pale complexion making it seem like he has had better days and the massive form of a cloud giant, who takes two thundering steps into the auditorium, his massive footfalls echoing around the chamber silencing everyone. 

“Lords and ladies thank you for coming!” Silverhand begins. “Blagothkus here brings tidings from the north. The giant clans are in a conflux of rare events. Their gods have decreed that the Ordning, the caste system set up by the giant gods, has been shattered. Each type of giant clan is now out to prove their worth the the gods to improve or retain their standing in giant society. Blagothkus was travelling towards Waterdeep bringing this news to his allies here when he discovered the remnants of a frost giant attack on a whaling fleet in the great ice wastes. He was able to save one person, Brennan here, from an icy death. The giants in question are headed towards the Ten Towns of Icewind Dale and Brennan has volunteered to lead a group of sponsored volunteers to warn the towns while Blagothkus continues his journey home.” She pauses to take a breath and a sip from a goblet. “I asked you all here to seek recommendations for adventurer groups to send to each of the ten towns and to prepare for potential attacks from other giants.. I shall give you some time to speak to your advisors and we shall reconvene in an hour. Thank you!”

Esvelle turns to you “well that’s quite the pronouncement. If this is something you would be interested in investigating I can sponsor you with Lady Silverhand. Should I make the introduction?”

Leo nods in agreement M’Lady, I would be willing to accept this quest, as I’m sure my companions would also be willing to help he says as he looks around the group

Esvelle leads you across the auditorium to where Lady Silverhand stands with Brennan, the massive legs of Blagothkus slowly receding as he returns to his floating castle. “Lady Silverhand, House Roznar would like to sponsor this fine group of adventurers, official group name pending, to assist in heading to Icewind Dale. They recently have returned from the undermountain having sought the fate of my sadly deceased brother.” Lady Silverhand turns to each of you in turn. “My thanks for volunteering to help, I will see how many others we get before I will let you know which of the Ten Towns you’ll be asked to warn.”

She wanders off to speak to other sponsors but you get a nod of approval from Brennan before he turns to follow. 

 About an hour later Silverhand has 10 groups of adventurers gathered, including yourselves, "Ladies, Gentlemen and humanoids of indeterminate background, thank you for your patience. Each group will be assigned a town to warn and potentially defend against this frost giant raid if at all possible. You will be informed of your town by Brennan shortly but before you leave I want you all to know that I shall be supplying you with enough rations to reach your intended destination AND due to the imperative that we get there as swiftly as possible I have purchased you all teleportation to Neverwinter to cut the journey down by over a month. Good luck to you all and may the gods look favourably upon this endeavour "

Brennan speaks to each group as Silverhand leaves, approaching you last. "Gentlemen, being the first to volunteer I am assigning you to Bryn Shandar, Ten Towns largest settlement and the gateway to the south. Due to the size of the place I shall accompany you while we deal with the frost giants, as long as you have no objections?"

Leo responds to Brennan Thankyou Ser. We welcome all the help we can get. Can you tell us any information about our destination such as defences and the townsfolk?

“Aye I know a fair bit. Bryn Shander is the largest of ten settlements known collectively as Ten-Towns, located in the frigid heart of Icewind Dale. Here, caravans from the south converge with traders from across Icewind Dale to swap goods and rumors. Fishers, trappers, furriers, and sellswords rub elbows in the town’s taprooms, and gruff dwarves, wide-eyed travelers, and skulking ne’er-do-wells wander its streets. Merchants from the south trade dyes, hardwood, dried herbs and spices, textiles, fruits, wines, and other commodities for scrimshaw and other items made from the bones of the knucklehead trout that populate the region’s rivers and lakes.” He pauses for a breath 

“The town is situated atop a hill south of the mountain known as Kelvin’s Cairn, a major landmark in Icewind Dale. From its windswept perch, Bryn Shander has a commanding view of the surrounding tundra, and an attacking force must climb the barren hillside under fire from archers before it can assault the outer wall. The circular wall that surrounds Bryn Shander stands 30 feet high and is made of tight-fitting stone blocks. Defenders stand atop a planked walkway that hugs interior of the wall. Spaced along the wall are stone watchtowers, wherein guards can take shelter during blizzards and warm their hands and feet by iron stoves.

The buildings of Bryn Shander are plain wooden structures with pitched rooftops to keep snow from settling on them. Clouds of white smoke issue forth day and night from stone chimneys and holes in rooftops.“

He spits the slightly glazed look on your face. “Heh sorry got a bit carried away. Do you need to get anything or are we good to go?”

Leo checks his gear and responds ready to go

I too am good to go