Our time in Candlekeep has taken us far beyond the quiet halls we first imagined. We came seeking refuge — and in Nefnem’s case, also a chance to study — yet Amorth, Elaria, and Nefnem have already been drawn into two curious adventures. First came The Joy of Extradimensional Spaces, where our search for a missing sage led us into a pocket dimension filled with animated furniture, mischievous homunculi, and the secrets of the eccentric mage Fistandia. Then we were pulled into Mazfroth’s Mighty Digressions, a volume that turned violently against its reader. Tracing its origins uncovered a dark trade in false tomes powered by stolen souls — a mystery we put to rest, though not without cost. Now, back at Candlekeep, as we begin to recover from our trials, Anil Zasperdes approaches us with yet another strange volume — The Book of the Raven, bound in black feathers and humming with strange energy. Whatever lies within its pages, we can already sense that Candlekeep’s mysteries are far from over.
The adventurers of Candlekeep found themselves once again drawn into mystery. Tempted by The Book of the Raven and the strange treasure map within its black-feathered pages, they decided — somewhat hesitantly — to follow its trail toward an abandoned hamlet in the Fields of the Dead. None of them were entirely sure why. Perhaps curiosity, perhaps fate, or perhaps just the thrill of doing something that felt important. After all, they were still novice adventurers, and their confidence sometimes ran ahead of their experience.
They set out well-prepared, burdened with rations and supplies, and chose the most direct route: straight through the Wood of Sharp Teeth. It sounded dangerous, of course — and turned out to be exactly that. Who would have guessed that a forest named like that would be full of wolves? Still, they faced the beasts with more courage than skill, and lived to tell the tale — albeit a little wiser, and a little more wary of shortcuts.
But their troubles had begun even before leaving Candlekeep. The night before their departure, three banshees appeared from thin air, each one confronting a different adventurer. They did not speak, but screamed — not aloud, but inside their minds — piercing cries that felt more like memories than sound. And then, as quickly as they had come, they vanished, leaving behind only the echo of that psychic wail and the sense that something had taken notice of them. Whether these apparitions were omens, warnings, or echoes from the Book itself remains uncertain. Yet one thing is clear: The Book of the Raven has begun to tighten its hold on them, and whatever lies ahead in the Fields of the Dead is unlikely to be just treasure.
OK - So the adventurers pressed onward, nevertheless, into the depths of the dark forest, the twisted branches closing overhead. Every step felt watched. It wasn’t long before the shadows around them came alive with low growls, and a ring of red eyes emerged from the gloom, circling with hungry intent.
But before too late, the party had an unexpected moment of ingenuity! Spotting a tall, sturdy tree, they scrambled up into its branches and made their stand above the forest floor. In impatient fear, the group engage the hostility but the wolves could only leapt and snapped below but not reach them, while arrows and spells rained down from the safety of the heights. When the direwolves fell, the rest of the pack scattered into the night, yelping in defeat.
Even so, the forest remained uneasy. The alpha wolf still prowled somewhere out of sight, and at least once during the restless hours, the adventurers heard the chilling, psychic scream of a banshee echoing through their minds. Whether spirit or stalker, something was following them. And as they press on toward the abandoned hamlet in the Fields of the Dead, the feeling only grew stronger.
The adventurers, still following the strange trail left by The Book of the Raven, stumbled into danger far greater than anything they had expected. While seeking a safe place to rest, they unknowingly settled near the hidden gloomy lair of none other than Nezznar the Black Spider — a name whispered with caution from Neverwinter to the Sword Coast. As they slept, the infamous drow mastermind crept upon them, hoping to rob them… and perhaps quietly eliminate a few troublesome newcomers before dawn.
But things did not unfold as the Black Spider had planned. Elaria sensed the danger first and alerted the others before the ambush could fully spring. Nephnem, well versed in drow culture, realised immediately that Nezznar would not be acting alone — and indeed, two giant spiders were already skittering in from the darkness to attack from the rear. Even so, the battle swiftly turned against their would-be assassin. Despite his cunning, his venomous allies, and the advantage of surprise, the Black Spider found himself overwhelmed by a band of novice adventurers who simply refused to die quietly.
By blade & arrow they struck him down first; the spiders that rushed in to finish the job fell moments later by a particularly devastating catapult spell. His schemes ended not in triumph or shadow, but in the dirt of his own lair, undone by the very travellers he thought easy prey. The stone statue he so prized will now rest alone in the cavern — a silent reminder of a fear that has passed.
It was an unexpected victory, to say the least. And while the adventurers still face banshees, wolves, an unknown alpha predator, and a mysterious book pulling them toward the Fields of the Dead… at least one great villain will trouble them — and the wider world — no more.
They might be getting out of this forest alive, after all!
Our time in Candlekeep has taken us far beyond the quiet halls we first imagined. We came seeking refuge — and in Nefnem’s case, also a chance to study — yet Amorth, Elaria, and Nefnem have already been drawn into two curious adventures. First came The Joy of Extradimensional Spaces, where our search for a missing sage led us into a pocket dimension filled with animated furniture, mischievous homunculi, and the secrets of the eccentric mage Fistandia. Then we were pulled into Mazfroth’s Mighty Digressions, a volume that turned violently against its reader. Tracing its origins uncovered a dark trade in false tomes powered by stolen souls — a mystery we put to rest, though not without cost. Now, back at Candlekeep, as we begin to recover from our trials, Anil Zasperdes approaches us with yet another strange volume — The Book of the Raven, bound in black feathers and humming with strange energy. Whatever lies within its pages, we can already sense that Candlekeep’s mysteries are far from over.
I can see the topic but can I reply?
Récrit donc dans le forum voir?
The adventurers of Candlekeep found themselves once again drawn into mystery. Tempted by The Book of the Raven and the strange treasure map within its black-feathered pages, they decided — somewhat hesitantly — to follow its trail toward an abandoned hamlet in the Fields of the Dead. None of them were entirely sure why. Perhaps curiosity, perhaps fate, or perhaps just the thrill of doing something that felt important. After all, they were still novice adventurers, and their confidence sometimes ran ahead of their experience.
They set out well-prepared, burdened with rations and supplies, and chose the most direct route: straight through the Wood of Sharp Teeth. It sounded dangerous, of course — and turned out to be exactly that. Who would have guessed that a forest named like that would be full of wolves? Still, they faced the beasts with more courage than skill, and lived to tell the tale — albeit a little wiser, and a little more wary of shortcuts.
But their troubles had begun even before leaving Candlekeep. The night before their departure, three banshees appeared from thin air, each one confronting a different adventurer. They did not speak, but screamed — not aloud, but inside their minds — piercing cries that felt more like memories than sound. And then, as quickly as they had come, they vanished, leaving behind only the echo of that psychic wail and the sense that something had taken notice of them. Whether these apparitions were omens, warnings, or echoes from the Book itself remains uncertain. Yet one thing is clear: The Book of the Raven has begun to tighten its hold on them, and whatever lies ahead in the Fields of the Dead is unlikely to be just treasure.
p.s. Oh boy I struggled to find the thread...!
Maybe the struggle was real, but I did get the mail this time! :-D
"Still novice adventurer..." Heille! J'ai pas fait 25 ans de D&D pour me faire dire ça!!
Peut-être un des meilleurs reply que je n'ai jamais vu !
OK - So the adventurers pressed onward, nevertheless, into the depths of the dark forest, the twisted branches closing overhead. Every step felt watched. It wasn’t long before the shadows around them came alive with low growls, and a ring of red eyes emerged from the gloom, circling with hungry intent.
But before too late, the party had an unexpected moment of ingenuity! Spotting a tall, sturdy tree, they scrambled up into its branches and made their stand above the forest floor. In impatient fear, the group engage the hostility but the wolves could only leapt and snapped below but not reach them, while arrows and spells rained down from the safety of the heights. When the direwolves fell, the rest of the pack scattered into the night, yelping in defeat.
Even so, the forest remained uneasy. The alpha wolf still prowled somewhere out of sight, and at least once during the restless hours, the adventurers heard the chilling, psychic scream of a banshee echoing through their minds. Whether spirit or stalker, something was following them. And as they press on toward the abandoned hamlet in the Fields of the Dead, the feeling only grew stronger.
The adventurers, still following the strange trail left by The Book of the Raven, stumbled into danger far greater than anything they had expected. While seeking a safe place to rest, they unknowingly settled near the hidden gloomy lair of none other than Nezznar the Black Spider — a name whispered with caution from Neverwinter to the Sword Coast. As they slept, the infamous drow mastermind crept upon them, hoping to rob them… and perhaps quietly eliminate a few troublesome newcomers before dawn.
But things did not unfold as the Black Spider had planned. Elaria sensed the danger first and alerted the others before the ambush could fully spring. Nephnem, well versed in drow culture, realised immediately that Nezznar would not be acting alone — and indeed, two giant spiders were already skittering in from the darkness to attack from the rear. Even so, the battle swiftly turned against their would-be assassin. Despite his cunning, his venomous allies, and the advantage of surprise, the Black Spider found himself overwhelmed by a band of novice adventurers who simply refused to die quietly.
By blade & arrow they struck him down first; the spiders that rushed in to finish the job fell moments later by a particularly devastating catapult spell. His schemes ended not in triumph or shadow, but in the dirt of his own lair, undone by the very travellers he thought easy prey. The stone statue he so prized will now rest alone in the cavern — a silent reminder of a fear that has passed.
It was an unexpected victory, to say the least. And while the adventurers still face banshees, wolves, an unknown alpha predator, and a mysterious book pulling them toward the Fields of the Dead… at least one great villain will trouble them — and the wider world — no more.
They might be getting out of this forest alive, after all!
Behold! Nefnem the (new) Black Spider
😈