19th day of Firewane, Thunderday
The group arrive late in the evening at Lord Gharl Kalinwoods house in
Neverwinter.
After meeting with the Steward of House Kalinwood, they are shown to
temporary quarters.
20th day of Firewane, Swordsday
Late in the morning the group are summoned to a room in the main
building to meet with Lord Kalinwood.
Uthal, Brutus and Adran are asked to go to move their gear to a new
location more suited for a longer stay. When they leave Lord Kalinwood
congratulates the group for removing a number of threats around Phandlain and
opening up the road to Triboar for trade. He stated he was stilled concerned
that Iarno had managed to get away and his links to the Black Spider.
He allows the group to remain here whilst they sort themselves out in
the pretence of being hired to escort the next convoy Lord Kalinwood sends out
from Neverwinter.
He excuses himself after briefing the group on some does, and mainly
don'ts about life in Neverwinter.
The group spend the remainder of the day healing and making plans how to
find the cultists who eluded them.
21st day of Firewane, Saintsday
The group well rested and recovered and with what they thought was a
sound plan left Kalinwoods House. Droops was given an important task by
Heimund as it was impossible for Droop to travel around Neverwinter. Droop was
given a gold coin and asked to guard the groups gear whilst they were gone. If
he did a good job he would get a 2nd coin.
They left together and headed for the House of Knowledge. On arrival it
turned out the House was a semi-destroyed temple to Oghma. Priests were camped
outside and were upset at their change in fortune as General Sabine had stopped
the rebuilding, which was being funded by the city, they were left to fend for
themselves, raising money by doing burials, minor prayers of healing and
begging if necessary. Fargrim took pity and offered 10 gold pieces as the group
bade their farewells, the priests offered prayers of good fortune.
It was here the group split into two parties, Fargrim would lead
Hagnulf, Uthal and Brutus to the Driftwood Tavern to see if they could find any
information from Madame Rosanne. Whilst Heimund would lead Adran, Lionel and
Bandur towards the Graveyard a dn Pauper section to the south west gate and
beyond.
Hagnulf thought he
had spotted someone watching them but try as he might, after hiding in a
doorway, he had lost sight of him. Warning Fargrim as they approached the
market, he told the others to keep an eye out and forged ahead and crossed the
Dolphin Bridge.
Fargrim led his group
over Dolphin Bridge and round the north side of Castle Never. On approaching
the main gate soldiers issued forth and blocked the road. A military looking
woman, mounted on a blak horse, with slight facial scarring and jet black hair
rode out of Castle Never with 6 other mounted men and crossed over Winged
Wyvern Bridge. Surely this was General Sabine, whom Lord Kalinwood had told
them of only yesterday. The way clear as the soldiers moved back into the castle
the group proceeded to the Driftwood Tavern.
Heimund and his group
looped around and headed for the same market near Dolphin Bridge. Adran noticed
someone watching Heimund and managed to warn him by using his telepathic
thought projection. Heimund led the group to a quiet area and Adran brought
forth his Owl. Using the owl Adran spotted the man and the plan was put into
action. Heimund slowly walked a long way round to where Adran brought forth the
owl. Lionel and Bandur went there directly, Adran followed the man and kept in
touch with Heimund to warn him of impending danger.
The plan went well.
in the ambush area the man closed fast, Heimund swung round bringing his shield
to bear and the man just about ran into it and fell back stunned. It turned out
that the man recognised Heimund from Phandalin and only wanted to thank him for
what he and the others had done freeing the town from the Redcloaks. Heimund
sent him on his way, asking him to tell no-one they were here as they were on a
secret mission. Heimund gave him a tooth necklace as reward.
Having left the area of the market Heimund, Adran, Lionel and Bandur
wound their way on a circuitous route towards the south west gate. Bandur
stopped. He had received a message via the sending stones both Fargrim and He
had in their possession.
"Information, going to investigate, southern end of Blacklake
District. Come if you can"
"We are coming now", Bandur replied.
Fargrim and the others in his group left the Driftwood Tavern and
journeyed back around Castle Never heading east. They moved past the House of a
Thousand Faces and came at last to an area of ruination. They had also noticed
the further they travelled east the fewer people there were. They found a large
building with a strange symbol drawn upon it. They scouted round the building
whilst waiting the others.
Heimunds group turned around and headed towards Fargrims location. As
the afternoon wore on towards dusk the groups re-united.
Fargrim ripped down
the nailed planks and after some pushing managed to open the doors. Fargrim,
Brutus, Bandur, Hagnulf and Uthal entered the darkened interior. Adran, Heimund
and Lionel explored the outside finding an overgrown graveyard surrounded by a
low interior wall.
Fargrim and the
others searched around. Empty rooms and a dark area with bars and a gate of
bars. Uthal pushed the gate made of bars open. Fargrim noticed the floor covered
in a thick layer of dust so asked Brutus and Bandur to help him clear some
away. Uthal, not seeing anything decided to light a torch. As the torch
burst into flame it blinded, temporarily the others. The main doors slammed
shut and when their eyesight returned a pentagram could be seen on the floor
with the symbol of ASMODEUS carved into the centre. Creatures started appearing
around the room. Fargrim sprang into action as did the others. Uthal was
surprised but dispatched one with ease, as did Fargrim. Hagnulf killed the one
blocking him moving out of the room he had searched.
Hagnulf dispatched
the creature facing Bandur, Bandur moved and killed the one facing Brutus.
Heimund, Adran and Lionel hearing the doors slam shut ran towards them.
Hagnulf moved to
assist Bandur as a pile of bones started to appear through the floor and grow
bigger.
As Heimund and the
two others approached the door, they heard snarling from across the road. As
they turned seven Hell Hounds rushed to attack. Lionel was hit hard. Fargrim
managed to get the doors open, as Heimund grabbed Lionel, spinning round he
threw Lionel into the building and safety. Heimund narrowly escaped a Hell
Hound as he moved to Fargrims side. Adran adroitly disengaged and moved behind
Fargrim.
TBC
Uthal quickly finished off the fiend he was facing. Two hell hounds let
their fiery breath weapons loose on the door defenders causing damage. They
then pounced on Heimund and Fargrim. Adran moved to the pentagram and started
to scratch it out using his dagger. Bandur and Brutus moved to the door and
assisted Heimund and Fargrim. Hagnulf supported them with his deadly archery,
Lionel cast his Bardic inspiration as Uthal charged into a gap between Bandur
and Brutus. Time after time Hell hounds blasted the door defenders with fiery
breath then pounced in to attack. Time after time the 5 defenders defeated the
hell hounds, each time a hell hound was killed it seemed to burn from within
until it was only ashes faoting in a hidden breeze. With wild swinging of
greatsword and battleaxe at times friend hot friend not foe. Hagnulf was
attacked by the bone monster as another black skinned monster with wings
appeared in the pentagram. Fargrim swung round to attack this newly arrived
monster as a hell hound attacked him from behind. Again, hell hounds were slain
as fire erupted amongst those defending the doors. Fargrim swung mighty blows
at the winged monster, Hagnulf was sorely wounded as the bones engulfed him
then he was thrown clear against a wall. The winged creature flew up, the doors
leading into this room all slammed shut and attacked by Lionel, Hagnulf,
Fargrim and Heimund the bone monster collapsed into a heap of bones in the
centre of the pentagram as the last hell hound. The group battered, sorely
wounded took stock. As they did so a boom, boom, boom came from the now closed
double doors. Fargrim sheathed his sword and bade others do the same. He opened
the door to be greeted by an armed and armoured warrior.
“I am Corbin, Captain Corbin commander of the Blacklake District
Wintershield Watch. You will surrender your arms and come with us.”
Fargrim noticed at least 12 armed men outside as the rear and side doors
opened and more armed men entered the room. There were more than 50 armed men.
Fargrim surrendered his sword and bow and was led outside. Adran managed to
hide his spell book behind an alter in the room with the bars he was hiding in
before coming out and surrendering too. One by one the group surrendered their
weapons and were taken outside. Surrounded by the men of the Winterwatch they
were marched through the darkened streets back the way they had come some time
earlier. They approached Castle Never but the crossed the Winged Wyvern Bridge
toward the Halls of Justice. Here they were met with more guards, dressed
differently and carrying themselves with more expert ease, the ease of seasoned
warriors. They were then led into the Halls of Justice and down some stairs.
Here they were searched, all their belongings removed including their armour.
Individually they were locked in cells to await the dawn and a meeting with
General Sabine, so they were told.
The next morning the group were taken before the Judicial Council. The
Ciuncil comprised the following, General Sabine (Head), Lord Gharl Kalinwood,
Lord Arlon Bladeshaper, Mayor Galt Soman, Azalar Falconhand, Ragon Lenz,
Shalazar Dent and Pyrman Yzen. The group were asked to introduce themselves.
They did so one by one. The charges were simple, the Murder of Hamun Lost, a
wizard under orders from Neverwinter, the murder of Favric Boneshaper (Lord
Arlons son), the desecration of Lady Alagondar’s tomb and the desecration of an
old temple in the southern Blacklake District. The group explained their
actions, Adran blaming Fargrim for some of the crimes, and Fargrim denying any
wrong doing and tried to justify his actions.
In the end the group were sentenced as follows.
Fargrim – Death for the murder 2 citizens of Neverwinter
Uthal – Death for poisoning a city well, by his own admission.
Heimund, Hagnulf, Brutus, Bandur and Adran – fined 610 gold pieces and
30 days in prison for desecrating a Royal tomb and Temple.
Lionel – fined 35 gold pieces and 10 days in prison for his part in
desecrating a temple.
The group were locked up for their sentences. Lionel was released after
10 days and stayed at Lord Gharl Kalinwoods. After 30 days he presented himself
at the Halls of justice to witness the execution of Fargrim and Uthal with the
rest of the group.
6 condemned prisoners were beheaded before Fargrim and Uthal were led to
the block. The charges were again read out before General Sabine nodded to the
two executioners to continue. As the axes were drawn back time seemed to stand
still and a dark veil descended for a few seconds it seemed. When the veil
lifted the axes had thudded down and the two severed heads were held aloft to
cries of behold the head of a murderer and traitor.
The group were led back to the cells as a precaution. In the morning
they were let out to find Fargrim and Uthal standing amongst them, alive.
Pyrman Yzen had staged a mock execution and somehow had hoodwinked everyone
into believing the execution had taken place,
Lord Neverember himself entered the room and told them they could
expunge their debt, those that still owed money and a pardon for Fargrim and
Uthal if they completed a task, a task which all had to agree to completing.
Lord Neverember did start to explain that should Fargrims execution be found to
be false then Lord Arlon Bladeshaper would spare no expense in hunting him down
and after much pain eventually kill him.
Uthal started to challenge Lord Neverember, who’s patience began to wear
thin. Eventually shutting up, Lord Neverember continued. Sometime in the last
few days an item of vital importance had ben stolen from Castle Never, from a
very secure room. A room which only 3 living people new about and it’s content.
Now that room had been breached and the item stolen. The item was the old crown
of Neverwinter, a crown that had been used to bring about a rebellion years
ago, a crown that had been cursed and a danger to anyone trying to wear it.
The group agreed to the task given by Lord Neverember. A covered wagon
arrived and the group were hidden out of sight inside. From the Halls of
Justice the group were transported to Castle Never.
Spending another night in the cells, all be it open cells, the night was long and cold. In the morning after a hasty breakfast the group sat and waited. Mid morning saw General Sabine enter the lower cell area with a group of soldiers. Heimund, Adran and Lionel had their own weapons having paid their fines and not being charged with serious offences. For the others a motley assortment of bland weapons were cast at their feet. Hagnulf took a long, thin bladed weapon as close to a rapier as it could be, Fargrim, Uthal, Bandur and Brutus took long swords. Ill fitting leather was cobbled together into protective strips, hardly armour at all, Fargrim picked up a shield.
Once armed the group were ushered to a grate covering a dark stairwell. Sabine indicated it was the way into the sewer system of Neverwinter. The group descended with Uthal leading the way. The smell was nearly overpowering, the main course was 10ft wide with a 5ft walkway either side. Fargrim and a few others turned right as those in front turned left. Uthal led his group onwards and ended up overlooking the harbour some 50ft below a cliff. They turned round and caught up with Fargrims group.
Many turns were made until eventually the group headed right as the flow headed that way. It wasn't long before an armoured behemoth erupted from the water with lashing tail and snacking jaw full of razor sharp teeth. Hagnulf was seized in its jaws before being flung to the far side of the sewer. Uthal leapt onto its back as the others, dodging bite and lashing tail struck where they could. Eventually the behemoth lay still, dead.
Proceeding down the sewer the group exited the dark tunnel into the gloom of early morning. On the river bank they moved westward towards the 3 bridges. A plan was quickly devised on finding a damaged cart. Fix the wheel , hide the majority of the group as Heimund pulled the cart and Lionel walked alongside. Soon they were on their way and arrived at the rear of the Driftwood Tavern
Madame Rosene wasn't pleased to find them on her doorstep but agreed to help. Food was provided whilst the waited the arrival of a person Madame Rosene had sent for. It wasn't long before a hooded figure entered by the rear door. It was non other than Azalar. Listening to their tales he told them of the Nashers and the Rats and the potential of Lord Arlon Bladeshapers involvement with them. He also thought, but could not prove that Arlons son, Favric, was in fact a cult leader in the Cult of the Dragon. With the possible implications of his involvement with the Green Dragon in Thundertree and the White Dragon near Phandalin with unconfirmed sightings of Red, Black and Blue dragons to the south and east of the Sword mountains bode for bad omens for the future. Azalar explained his involvement in the Harpers Guild and their alleigance to the Order of the Gauntlet and the Lords Alliance. He suggested that Neverwinter was a death sentence, no pun intended, to the group to get further involved in the internal politics of Neverwinter. Azalar said he would bring a wagon to the rear of the tavern and get the group out of Neverwinter and back to Phandalin.
25th Day of Lowsun, Wineday.
3 days later the group arrived back in Phandalin and Edermaths Orchard.
