Chilling Adventures in the North

Qinfaren listens as Shad explains what the cauldron does.

”Hey Captain, I think we should test this cauldron out before taking it inside. We only need to add water and stir. But to be safe we should do it here, away from most of the town.”

Captain Arlaggath raises an eyebrow at Qinfaren's suggestion before ordering one of the men to fetch some water from the lake.

"Okay, put the water into the cauldron, and let's stir it."

The captain grabs the spoon and begins to stir the water. Around and around, the water spins. Then after a minute, the water begins to change colour, and little bits start to form in the water.

"Well, I'll be," Imdra says. "I think that water just turned into a stew. This cauldron could be used to help feed all of the hungry in Ten-Towns."

Qinfaren eyes the stew a little warily, remembering the stew the witch was making back in the ice caves. But he takes a sniff and smiles.

"That might mean no more sacrifices?" Qinfaren suggests. 

Qinfaren looks over at Bjorn.

"What now, Bjorn?" Qinfaren asks. "They've food, and I supposed the cauldron is safe to leave with them now as long as they share the food with the other towns. Let's got get warmed up and get some food for ourselves. Oh and ale. I think we deserve some ale after that cave."

Qinfaren begins making his way into town.

"Would it make sense to head to the duergar fortress and see what they're really up to?" Qinfaren muses. "Though we might need help. Any of your family the adventuring type? If we help them solve their problems maybe a few would come with us?"

Captain Arlaggath interrupts, "I think first you should come with me to take the cauldron to the town hall. I still owe you for investigating those caves, and I'm sure Danneth will reward you greatly for retrieving the cauldron. It is a shame that your other friends decided to part ways with you already."

Bjorn shurgs his shoulders, "Sounds good to me."

You make your way over to the town hall, and upon arrival the cauldron is taken through the door to the south, whilst Imdra requests that you wait in the reception hall. She is keen on you not wondering around the hall this time. She then leaves the hall through the secret door to the north. Leaving you alone in the large reception hall.

"There's a lot we have been through since we first left Luskar," Bjorn says. "I don't blame the others for leaving, they were only interested in it for the money, mostly. However, my home is up here. Everything that is happening to Ten-Towns is happening to my people. I doubt that any of my people will join us, they will be too preoccupied with our rival clan.

There might be others that come with the Speakers of the other towns. They might also be interested in more than just coin. They might be willing to place their lives on the line. But we shall see."

It is at that moment, the secret door to the north is opened once more and Captain Arlaggath beckons you over.

Once in the Speaker's Office you find Danneth Waylen sitting behind the large table. Captain Arlaggath joins him behind the table sitting down to the right of him.

"You've done a lot for my people since arriving in Easthaven, some of it seems that was too much for your comrades. Or at least that's what Imdra tells me. Still I do appreciate your help.

As such, Imdra intends to rewards you with one of the items that she had taken into custody. Some are too dangerous, but it should be fine for you to take one of these items."

Captain Arlaggath gestures to the scroll that is currently rolled up on the table.

"This is a spell scroll of fireball"

She then gestures to a seemingly empty bag made from gray cloth.

"And this is a gray bag of tricks"

"As for the cauldron, I am interested in purchasing it from you."

He takes out a large bag and places it onto the table opening its strings.

"I think this should suffice. Five gemstones, each worth five-hundred gold pieces."

Qinfaren’s eyes grow big when he sees the gray bag of tricks. He picks it up and looks inside, and smiles at the sight of the fur.

”I would like this very much.” Qinfaren says.

He accepts the gemstones from the speaker on behalf of himself and Bjorn.”

”I guess it doesn’t hurt to see who shows up for the gathering” Qinfaren says to Bjorn then nods at the speaker. “For cult members they seem a decent sort. Might be some good people coming.”

And not being able to resist the bag any longer, he reaches in and pulls out a fur ball and tosses it a couple of feet away.

”When’s the gathering Speaker? Bjorn and I would like to attend.”

As he waits for an answer he watches the fur ball.

Roll to see which creature appears: 1  

Qinfaren claps his big hands together when the fur ball transforms into a weasel.

He calls to it and it runs quickly up his leg and perches itself on his shoulder.

"It looks like we're going to take the bag of tricks with us," Bjorn says, smiling at seeing how excited Qinfaren is.

Danneth nods, "Very well, and I take it the gemstones are enough?"

Bjorn thinks for a moment, "Well, we did risk our lives back there, and it looks like cauldron may save many more. I'm sure you can do better."

(Persuasion: 4)

"Very well," Danneth replies. "You've convinced me."

He takes out another bag and drops it onto the table.

"Another five gemstones worth five hundred gold pieces each.

As for the meeting, the other speakers should arrive by late tomorrow. We shall promptly have the meeting after that. If you intend to attend, then I hope to see you here before hand.

For now, go and rest up."

Bjorn and Qinfaren retire to the White Lady Inn for the night. The night is quiet, and after an eventful couple of days, sleep soon embraces them.

The following day Bjorn and Qinfaren spend their time in Easthaven. They reflect on the events that have happened since they first met each other in front of Parcelmaster Lennart Bassk. They had a simple task of gathering some parcels from the people of Luskan. For this part, they were joined by Muharg, Shadow, Rianath, and Rahk. Together, they received the packages from Rool, Nezznar, and Fel'rekt Lafeen. However, Rianath and Rahk decided not to board the Icebreaker and headed in another direction.

Whilst sailing on the Icebreaker, they met with other members of the Luskar Deliverers, including Arogna. Arogna had been sent to get another package. A package from Vanifer, a tiefling and former leader of the Cult of Eternal Flame. She decided to join the group. However, they did not trust Captain Silvermane and devised a plan to investigate the half-orc. After Qinfaren changed into a spider and sneaked into the captain's cabin, he found nothing that suggested anything nefarious.

The first package was delivered to Griggle Duskloch in Fireshear. He had been investigating new methods of smelting raw adamantine into adamantine bars. Unfortunately, his elemental furnace had caused mephits to appear and destroy much of Fireshear. After delivering a new formula, Griggle's future experiments would prove to be less troublesome. Then to Arogna's disappointment, they allowed Griggle to accompany them back to the Icebreaker whilst he was invisible. Of course, Griggle was only the first duergar for them to encounter and far less of a problem.

Then, whilst travelling to Aurilssbarg, in the middle of the night, Muharg saw something going overboard. He immediately jumped into the freezing water but failed to recover whatever landed in the Sea of Moving Ice. The following night, after arriving at Aurilssbarg they encountered a wererat who escaped before the fight was over. The wererat reappeared when they attempted to deliver a bottle of brandy to Glarth. The whole incident with the wererat was because she wanted to sabotage Rool's attempt at rekindling a relationship with Glarth. However, when Fangar was taken into custody, Glarth rewarded them with a luckstone.

It was then Aurilssbard that they left Griggle and where the adamantine armour was crafted. Then it was time to return to Fireshear on the Icebreaker. Yet, on this trip, they encountered a giant shark skeleton. The fight was difficult, but the crew helped in it, and together, they defeated the undead creature. Although, it was not without damage to the Icebreaker, or the loss of life of some of its crew. Yet the origins of the skeleton shark remained a mystery.

In Fireshear, they parted ways with Captain Silvermane and Parcelmaster Bassk. Although, not before acquiring a couple of dogs and a sledge for the parcels. Then they headed north towards Ten-Towns. On the way, they spotted a man, Alvan Shorthelm, in a battle with a yeti. The group were quick to aid the man in defeating the yeti. As a reward, they were granted shelter from a blizzard in Alvan's cabin. Then in the morning, Alvan escorted them to Hundelstone, where they met the rest of the Shorthelm family. The group then continued up the Ten Trail to Bryn Shander.

When they finally reached Bryn Shander, one of the packages led them to Kelvin's Comfort. There they delivered a package from Maccath to Raggamel. Inside was a dragon's skull which came alive when Raggamel took a tooth from his necklace and inserted it in its mouth. However, the group, especially Muharg, were not too pleased to see this undead dragon skull reanimated. So they left it behind.

They delivered to Arus Cimber at the top of Kelvin's Cairn, after travelling to Caer-Konig and leaving the dogs and remaining packages. Arus was in the middle of a battle, and a corpse slayer dagger was just what he needed to slay Skarde Draugsson, the frost giant lich. In return, Artus gave the party the dagger before they spent the night in the cave just outside. Unfortunately, Artus succumbed to the Ring of Winter during the night. After defeating the possessed Artus, they threw the Ring of Winter from the cave onto the mountain's side, leaving Artus to try and recover the ring.

The dagger was the last parcel they successfully delivered. Upon returning to Caer-Konig they were sent on a mission to follow some footprints to recover a magic lantern, a pair of goats, and a sack of pearls. After following the trail, they discovered a duergar outpost. They managed to break into the outpost and killed several duergar and an ogre zombie. Then they defeated Nildar Sunblight. However, Nildar tricked them and escaped the outpost on the sledge pulled by their dogs, taking the parcels with him. However, a clue led them to Easthaven.

It was here in Easthaven, where things took a turn for the worse. Shortly after arriving in Easthaven, they witnessed the execution of Dzaan by fire. Then there was the séance to communicate with the White Lady with Rinaldo the bard. There was the ferry where they encountered Durth Sunblight, brother of Nildar. Durth escaped, but they did manage to capture a couple of duergar. Upon interrogating the duergar they discovered Xardorok's plans which is the reason for the Council of Speakers meeting. Then there was the ghost in the town hall, the water serpent, the witch and the frost giant skeleton in the caves nearby. Plus, the news that Easthaven has been sacrificing people in the name of Auril has led to suspicion regarding if the people of Easthaven are in a cult.

It was all becoming too much for Shad, Arogna and Muharg, so they left. However, Bjorn's home is in the north, and Qinfaren is still concerned about the dogs, which might be at the fortress.

When it was time, Bjorn and Qinafren headed to the town hall, where Captain Arlaggath greeted them. They were then asked to wait in the administrative office.

Whilst there, Bjorn turned to Qinfaren, "Are we truly ready to head Xardoro'ks fortress? We barely made it out of the caves alive."

Then before they know it, Captain Arlaggath arrives to collect them and lead them to the speaker's office. They find Danneth sitting behind the table with a small crowd of people in front of him. Whilst Captain Arlaggath sits next to him, she leaves Bjorn and Qinfaren to stand by the door. It can only be assumed that the crowd consists of the Speakers from the other towns and whomever they have chosen to be in attendance.

"I'm afraid," Danneth begins. "It is terrible news. We have revealed a plot that will lead to the destruction of Ten-Towns. A fortress lies somewhere to the south in the Spine of the World, it is here that our enemies are gathering in power. We believe that a duergar named Xardorok is building a dragon out of chardalyn. We do not know the exact methods behind building such a creature, but we hear that in Xardorok's possession is a forge powered by the still-beating heart of a red dragon. Such a creature will surely be the destruction of Ten Towns. We also hear that the construction of the dragon is near completion. How much time we have left, we don't know.

That is why I have called this Council of Speakers."

Qinfaren shifts awkwardly next to Bjorn, unsure what to do with all the dignitaries in the council hall. He hope he and Bjorn aren't called on to answer too many questions. All he knows is that the Sunblight family are all very unpleasant.

He leans over closer to Bjorn.

"Maybe we'll find some help here," Qinfaren says. "Even if they're all cult members, I don't think they like the sounds of what the duergar are up to. We can get in a bit more seasoning on our way to the fortress too."

He scans the room, looking for anyone who looks more adventurer-like than politician.

The speakers look between each other and Danneth, and then finally one breaks the silence.

"I take it that this what you have discovered since we last met?"  Speaker Trovus says looking over at Bjorn and Qinfaren. He looks a lot less drunk, at least for now. "Although, it seems that you are without your allies."

Bjorns nods, "Yes, and indeed we have. We will be in need of new allies to join us."

"Well, in that case, I would like to volunteer, Rayburn here," says a man with short brown hair and a well-kept beard. "Rayburn is a bit of a celebrity in Targos, and has recently survived a trip up Kelvin's Cairn."

A halfling woman clears her throat, "Bán here is also pretty handy. He helped track down a white moose we were having trouble with in Lonelywood."

     "Wait... what?" Bán asks, confused. "A moose and a dragon..."  Bán pauses to look over at Speaker Nimsy Huddle, the Halfling who had volunteered him and who is currently poking him in the ribs and urging him to stand.  

     "They're very different animals!" Bán says, completing his thought even as he stands up.  He runs a hand though a messy, unkempt flop of hair and looks around the rest of the room.  He stands at only about five foot eight inches and is scrawny for his height.  He wears scale mail and has a shield resting besides his seat which would lead one to think he was a fighter or soldier of some kind but he also wears a robe and a scarf which have vaguely religious iconography upon them - The garments mostly a dark, sharp blue reminiscent of ancient ice and then decorated with light blue and white icons of snowflakes and unknown runes.  He rests his hand upon a handle, once he's finally no longer being prodded by the Halfling, and those paying attention note he is carrying a whip instead of a sword or other deadly weapon.

     "I know little of dragons, 'cepting we don't need one around here.  I know less of duergar or what life south of the Spine," he says almost bashfully.  "But I live in Ten-Towns just like the rest of you so..." Bán pauses to give Speaker Huddle one more look, and to sigh.  "So I'll lend a hand as I can...."

A halfling near the back walks straight up the center of the room and eyes Bán with an appraising eye. His voice has a transatlantic accent. "You don't need to know about those things. You just need to know how to use those fists, and the way I hear it... You're alright." 

Ricky turns towards the captain. "Ricky the Kettle, of Good Mead. You need fighters. You need me."

Danneth nods his head looking at Bán, "There is a great deal of difference between a moose and a dragon. However, the hope is that you don't have to fight the dragon. The hope is that you can stop Xardorok before he can finish creating the dragon."

"Actually," Bjorn replies. "I don't think Qinfaren is from around here, right?" He turns to his good friend.

Danneth frowns looking at Ricky, "From Good Mead, you say? What happened to Speaker Rielsbarrow? I don't seem him in this room, and he would be hard to miss."

Captain Arlaggath adds, "Although it is good to see someone enthusiastic about joining the mission."

The halfing looks up at Bán, "See, hopefully you won't have to fight a dragon. What they really need is someone to track down this fortress, and I think you can handle that."

     "I'm not really one for the fisticuf..." Bán starts to reply but the conversation has already moved on.

     "I'm afraid it was Owl who is the better tracker," Bán says and upon hearing their name Owl, a small white owl indeed, flies down and lands upon Bán's shoulder.  "We will do what we can to help, though..."

Qinfaren's eyes go wide when the owl appears and flies down to land on Bán's shoulder.

"Can you talk to him?" Qinfaren asks quite loudly. "How did you become friends? What's his name? I talk to plants and animals all the time but they usually don't answer."

He watches the owl a few moments. He then reaches up and strokes the weasel who appeared when he used the Gray Bag of Tricks before answering Bjorn.

"Right, no, I'm just a visitor to Ten Towns." Qinfaren says before looking around at the others who have stepped forward. "But what happens here will spread south if we don't stop it. We need to get to that fortress and put a stop to it. And if we find the dogs as well that would be a plus."

He looks back at the Owl while he keeps talking.

"Not much to know about duergars. They're strong. They'll turn invisible as soon as they see trouble. And you can't trust what this family of them says. They're all really tricky."

Quote from TheBritGeek >>

Danneth frowns looking at Ricky, "From Good Mead, you say? What happened to Speaker Rielsbarrow? I don't seem him in this room, and he would be hard to miss."

Captain Arlaggath adds, "Although it is good to see someone enthusiastic about joining the mission."

 Ricky shakes his head. "Ol' Rielsbarrow died. Verbeeg came to town. I was runnin' for Speaker when your message arrived. This needs taken care of before I can get back to business. So let's get to it, yeah?" 

Bjorn watches as Owl flies down to land on Bán's shoulder, "I have Blue, my drake companion. However, I won't bother summoning him right now."

"That's dreadful," Danneth says in regards to Speaker Rielsbarrow's fate. "However, I think that highlights the desperate times that we currently find ourselves in."

Speaker Trovus nods, and steps forward, "Then I think we all know what must be done. I think we need to come together despite, our differences, and work together for a common purpose."

The other speakers nod in agreement.

"I don't think Easthaven is the best place for us to be based, but we are here now," says the halfling woman next to Bán.

"Well, Speaker Huddle," Danneth replies. "You might be right. We are rather close to Spine of the World, but at least we should see anything flying down from the mountains from here."

In case the Easthaven speaker hasn't let those from the other towns know, Qinfaren makes sure everyone hears about the magic cauldron that produces food if you just stir water inside of it, suggesting that it's power be shared with all of the Ten Towns.

"So what now? Get our gear and just start heading south?" Qinfaren asks. "That was the best directions we had, wasn't it Bjorn? You had a general idea of the direction."

Danneth nods,  "The cauldron is something I plan on discussing with the rest of the Speaker shortly. It will take a considerable amount of logistics for this to work. It is currently under my possession, and I have paid you for finding it."

The speakers all look like they are about to start an argument when Bjorn interrupts by fetching the map out of his pocket and placing it on the table.

"Yes, Shad gave me the map we found on the ferry before he left," he points at the map. "We are here in Easthaven."

He then traces his finger across the map to a western mountain section in the Spine of the World.

"This is where the fortress is here. If we follow the road west from here, we will reach Good Mead."

Bjorn turns his head to Ricky.

"It should only take a little over fours to get Good Mead? I believe. From there, we can head to Dougan's Hole. That is another four hours. Afterwards, we will head southeast from Dougan's Hole towards the Spine of the World.

Failing that, we can head straight south, passing Redwaters on the eastern side. However, that will leave us exposed to the elements longer, and it will take us nearly three days of travelling.

My people are in this eastern part of the Spine of the World. From here, it will take about four days to get to Skytower Shelter. I would not recommend cutting across the mountains to the fortress from there, though.

Which way do you think we should travel?"

Qinfaren looks at the road and remembers all the trouble he and Bjorn had run into every time they went cross-country.

"My vote's to stay on the road as much as possible, all the way to Dougan's Hole." Qinfaren says before looking around at the others who seem willing to make the journey.