B1E2 Bryn Shander via Targos

B1E2 Bryn Shander via Targos

Donobis (Tiefling paladin, Bill), Mareshi (human Cleric, Tony), Draggo (Dragonborn Barbarian, Brian), Thokk (half-Orc Warlock, Duane), Knott (Firbolg Druid, Matt)

The wizard Vellynne accompanied us to Byrn Shander where she intends to research more about the missing wizard Nass Lantomir who supposedly stole something from the wizard tower. Last reported crossing the “Spine of the world.”

Along the way, she tells the story of the millennial old city of Netheril: an eminent human empire of powerful archimages, now lost, frozen somewhere in all this ice.

Targos (speaker Naerth Maxildanarr)- circled by a tall wooden wall that even extends into the lake thus protecting the fishing fleet that are now frozen in the ice. A city that sacrifices humans to appease Auril (the goddess of winter).

  • Come upon a dog that proves to be owned by Garett from Targos. His wife surprised when “Dog” returned: he left with Garett days ago on expedition to Kelvin’s Cairn. The two inseparable which is foreboding that Garett not returned.
  • The missing expedition was led by Mokingo (a goliath) in search of Oyaminartok (a goliath lycanthrope who can transform into a polar bear).
  • Janith Alowar (the ghostly voice haunting Knott) was a member of that expedition.

Bryn Shander (speaker Duvessa Shane)- capital and trading center of Ten-Towns. Another city that sacrifices humans to appease Auril.

  • North Look Tavern (barkeep Scramsak) with mounted/talking knucklehead trout (i.e. Billy Bass).
  • We find the suspected murderer Sephek Kaltro (icy piercing blue eyes) sitting at a table. Worshiper of Auril who rescued him from drowning. He admits being enforcer of fairness in the human sacrifice draft: how nobles and prominent citizens not on the lottery list.
  • He challenges us, “If you plan to stay the night, you too must register for the lottery drawing tomorrow night.”
  • Janith mentally tells Knott how Sephek is already dead: his rescue by Auril = undead servant.
  • Barfight against the undead spills outside as Sephek uses Misty Step. But he could not escape pursuit and is soon dispatched. While his head and body melt, enough possessions found to return to Hlyn (in Termalaine) as evidence for the bounty reward.
  • 3 dwarf members of the Battlehammer clan stagger into the tavern with obvious frostbite and other injuries. Survivors of attack by a Yeti as they drug a sled-full of iron ingot from their mining near Kelvin’s Cairn. Dwarf Haruna offers gemstone (50 gold) for the return of the sled. He joins us.

Termalaine- return for the bounty reward and closest approach to reach the lost sled.

  • A 5-hour blizzard forces us to hunker down.
  • Discover headless body with its appendages ripped off and strewn about. Haruna recognizes it as Oobok’s remains- Yetti disemboweled him.
  • Sled tracks- someone/something took it. We follow and soon come upon goblins pulling it behind a war-wagon pulled by polar bears.
  • We barely survive killing the goblins pulling the sled yet still have the war-wagon to deal with. “Parley” leads to each going their separate way as the remaining goblins claimed the abandoned sled as treasure. Willing to part with it as they want self-survival.

Bryn Shander- We use the lone captured goblin as a sled-dog along with us pulling it back to Bryn Shander where we are rewarded with the gemstone and the eternal gratitude of the dwarves. 20% discount if shopping at the Black-iron Blade Forge.

  • The goblin is released.
  • Since spending the night, must register for the monthly human-sacrifice lottery.

Highlights:

  • The millennial old city of Netheril: an eminent human empire of powerful archimages, now lost, frozen somewhere in all this ice.
  • The expedition from Targos proved to be a disaster: Garret dead. Janith Alowar (the ghostly voice haunting Knott) was a member of that expedition.
  • The suspected murderer Sephek Kaltro proved to be an undead servant of Auril.
  • Goblins claimed dwarf’s sled but gave it up after our attack.

Next Episode: https://wjrrofm.blogspot.com/2024/02/b1e3-to-caer-dineval.html

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