DnD campaign

Clunks information seems well received. Many of the poor around Grand Halen are eager for an opportunity to lift themselves up, despite the risks associated with adventuring. You get many requests for membership from every region.

When you return to Dragonroost, Daniel offers to train the apprentices who seem suited to lives as rangers or rogues. "Shoot, old buddy, I might not be the sharpest spine on the cactus, but I know animals, and I got fast hands, and I'd be happy to help these kids become part of the gang!" Daniel spins his crossbows as he speaks.

Asmundr takes Virginia Hudson on a fabulous date, although he notices that both Virginia and her father, Jordy, seemed hesitant to allow the date to happen, given the rumors about a sexually ravenous Asmundr impostor on the loose. He was eventually able to convince Virginia and her father that he was the genuine article, although he believes that this may be a continuous problem until he puts this situation to rest.

Asmundr manages to secure one of the most productive mines in Grand Halen, Cindersplinter Mine near Tolbrun, for 2000 gp. Asmundr estimates that between this mine and the one near Dragonsroost, the Fallen Star Company now controls 10% of Iron Production in Grand Halen.

Aisha is glad to hear that her father's plot was thwarted, but tells Asmundr to save his ceremony. She informs him that, through her research, she has discovered that a death knight will return time after time even after being destroyed, and that the only way to truly free them is for them to be redeemed. As her father has been dealt with for the time being, Aisha agrees to Asmundr's offer, knowing that the Starlit Legion may be important for when Shepard returns.

The Tournament at Wotan's Throne is a huge success, and there are no signs of gnoll activity for the duration of the event. Many knights and warriors from the Sea of Fallen stars region arrive to demonstrate their prowess. Delphinius and Sir Lawrenz participate in disguise, and put on an impressive display.

In the final Melee, many of the most notable warriors participate, including Thane Hammerhand, Lady Endergaard, and Lord Pendragon. It was an intense battle, with Aisha Shepard bringing down SM the Orc, and Lord Commander Anders being knocked out by Thane Hammerhand's famed uppercut. By the end of the melee, only Katja and Arthur remained standing. Though Lady Endergaard easily dealt with the less skilled Pendragon, but after he had been thrown to his back, he asked for the Lady's hand in marriage. To everyone's great surprise, she accepted.

Concurrent to this surprise engagement and joining of two campaigns, the Brightchest clan pledges their financial support to Lady Endergaard and her newly betrothed. With this, it becomes clear to most everyone that their victory is assured. Lady Rathbone brokers an agreement with Lady Endergaard to pledge her own support in exchange for a promise to construct an Arcane Academy. Before the third debate begins, Mayor Valentine withdraws from the race, leaving only Lady Endergaard and Thane Hammerhand.

As expected, Endergaard and Pendragon win a landslide victory, although till the end, Thane Hammerhand refuses to concede defeat. Surprisingly, Queen Endergaard decides to keep the capitol in Bardertown, seeing a permanent capitol as key to a strong nation. Her younger brother, Janne, becomes Lord of Wotan's Throne, and her younger sister, Andraste, becomes Lady of Dragon Falls.

Thane Hammerhand refuses to admit that he has been beaten, instead making a speech in Tolbrun blaming collusion, corruption, and racism for his being denied the crown.

As Professor Arscene and Ivana sprinted down the slick, muddy cobblestones that wind away from the spires of Ravenloft, lightning streaked across the dark sky, and the land trembled with great peals of thunder. Above the sounds of the raging storm, the slow, twisted laughter of Count Strahd von Zarovich pierces every corner of his domain. It was then that all of the people of Barovia, cowering in their broken homes, knew that the adventurers had failed, as had happened countless times before. Madame Eva, sat in her trembling tent, breathed a heavy sigh. She slowly shuffled the tarokka cards before her back into the deck, and folded the deck back into its silk wrapping. She had had high hopes for this group, she thought to herself, but it mattered not. There would be others, in time.

After disposing of his foes, Strahd von Zarovich slowly made his way up the spiraling steps of Ravenloft’s central tower. The steps were slick with blood, blood which had rained from above when the knight Darien had landed his vicious blow, bursting the Heart of Sorrow which had always protected Strahd from harm. Strahd grimaced. This had never happened before. But it mattered not. He would construct it anew. And besides, he had what he wanted. At last, Tatyana would be his.

That night, after changing himself into fineries not soaked with the blood of adventurers, Strahd von Zarovich met Ireena— no, she was Tatyana, he was sure— under the domed ceiling of  Ravenloft’s chapel. There, in the exact spot where she was wed to Sergei so many years ago, Tatyana was finally married to her rightful lord and master. That night, after bedding his new bride, Strahd drained the life from her body. By dawn, she arose a spawn of the great vampire, and was sealed in a crypt in the heart of the pillar stone of Ravenloft, to be kept for all eternity.

Dalmatia D’Avenir had already completed her mission before the sounds of Strahd’s victory reached her. Her old friend and mentor, Rudolf van Richten, lay lifeless at her feet, her rapier stuck between his ribs, his blood pooling around her false leg. She tongued her newly grown fangs at the sight of the blood. It is finished, she thought. The ghosts of her past, van Richten and Rasec, whom she had spent a lifetime chasing, are dead and gone. It was time to make use of her Vistani blood once again and leave this wretched place. There were many more places to see in Faerun, after all, and now she had an eternity to see them.

The next day, the soft blue eyes of Lucien Cadogan sprang open, as he gasped his first breath since he had died. He arose a vampire spawn, to join Strahd’s entourage for all eternity, or at least until such time as his master tired of him and sealed the former adventurer into a crypt. Though he was bound in undeath to his new master, he had not forgotten what he had read in the Tome of Strahd. Lucien was the rightful heir to the throne of Ravenloft, and he soon set his newfound immortality to plotting, planning and waiting— waiting for the next group of adventurers that would seek to destroy Count Strahd von Zarovich, and make room for Count Lucien Cadogan to take his place.

The knight Darien Mazaev had proved a formidable opponent, more formidable than any Strahd had faced in his four centuries of undeath. Naturally, Strahd had destroyed him utterly. However, he then had Darien’s body washed and embalmed, his thick black plate repaired and polished, and the lifeless, armored knight laid to rest in one of Ravenloft’s many crypts with his great amber blade laid over his chest. Above the entrance to the crypt, he had inscribed “Sir Darien Mazaev, Heartbreaker”

Cesar Rasec’s lifeless body lay in a heap, nestled amongst the bones and stone coffins of the vault beneath the crypt of Stahbal Indi-Bhak, where he and his party had made their final stand. But not all was lifeless in that crypt. The shadows stirred, and a shade of the man that once was seeped from his corpse. Cesar’s Shadow now haunts the halls of Ravenloft and the darker corners of Barovia, seeking with deadly determination a way to be rid of his shadowy curse, or at least a suitable host for his black soul.

The thief known as No One, realizing that his friends were not going to be escaping from the castle with him, fled into the wilds of Barovia. From there, he began his long-awaited campaign of terror and hijinks, spreading the legend of the man who was both bear and pig, stealing whatever he could get his hands on, and leaving coins for good little girls and boys who ate their beets. Strahd was content to permit him to live, for now, as he found some small amusement in the distress this thief was causing amongst his miserable subjects.

After fleeing Ravenloft, Ivana and Arscene arrived in the Vistani camp just outside of Vallaki. Kasimir Velikov, father of Ivana’s as yet unborn child, was glad to see her alive, but painfully aware of with what wroth Strahd would now pursue her. As a final favor for the return of his own daughter, Arabelle, the Vistani chief, Luvash, was convinced to provide a Vistani escort to ferry Ivana, and Ivana alone, from Barovia. Kasimir followed the group to the very edges of the mist, and watched as Ivana and the future of the Dusk Elf race slowly disappeared to the land beyond, to which he would never be able to follow.

As for Professor Arscene Lupin IV, though he could not secure an escape from Barovia along with Ivana, he remained unconcerned. He had a hunch that there were other means of escape, and that perhaps the Amber Temple, or that mad mage who had once dueled Strahd himself would hold the answers. With his knack for concealing himself from divination magic, Arscene quietly disappeared. Though Strahd had his minions scour the land, no trace of the good professor was ever found. Many Barovians whisper that he yet lives, communing with the secret magical places and beings of Barovia.

Only family members joining the apprentices at Dragon Roost are listed. Families are broken up by line break. Adventuring apprentices are bolded. Relationships are relative to apprentices. Any apprentices without families are not listed.

Aliker
Gardelia, Mother, 36
Henri, Brother, 15
Quentin, Brother, 14
Manon, Sister, 12
Eve, Sister, 10
Jean-Noel, 9
Lucas, Brother, 4

Bandeira
Duda, Mother, 38
Ze, 13
Davi, Twin Brother, 13

Blacktoe
Hercules Dixon, Guardian, 63
Bardin, 16

Blue
Abigail, Sister, 14
Forrest, 11

Botha
Marit Rook, Adoptive Sister, 17
Rylund, 8

Chubb
Eddie, Father, 46
Georgina, Sister, 14
Rudolph, 12
Myria, Sister, 11
Stacee, Sister, 10

Cousteau
Isaac, Brother, 16
Emeric, 13
Gabriel, Brother, 10
Eloise, Sister, 8

De Jager
Edith Kirk, 57, Grandmother
Honest, 13
Felicity Kirk, Cousin, 13
Judith Kirk, Cousin, 11
Phoebe Kirk, Cousin, 10

DeBoys
Dennis, 16
Liam, Brother, 11
Bjorn, Brother, 10

Hawkins
Cecil, 17
Nathaniel, Brother, 13

Hooley
Mose, Father, 39
Eshton, Brother, 14
Felix, 12

Hovland
Rune, Brother, 15
Lina, Sister, 11
Kurt, 10
Elsa, Sister, 9
Greta, Sister, 8
Vera, Sister, 6

Kellar
Sariel, Grandmother, 263
Peter Erydar, 12 (Adopted into family)
Eroan, 11
Althaea, Twin Sister, 11

Lion
Christopher, 14
Howard Wheat, 13 (Adopted Into Family)
Arnold, Brother, 13
Iris, Sister, 12
Percival, Brother, 11

Mullet
Mabel, Mother, 41
Markus, 17

Oatcake
Daria Gaster, Adoptive Sister, 19
Jamy, 15
Galila Gaster, Adoptive Sister, 15

Thunderbelly
Darbic, Father, 68
Garil, 13

Woodbrygge
Eleanor, Mother, 42
Garret, 17

Lady Endergaard seems taken aback by the words of Asmuralda, even slightly annoyed, and when the old woman attempts to hand her the elemental stone, Katja closes Asmuralda's hands around it and says, gently but firmly, "If Prince Asmundr seeks my friendship with this gift, you may tell him he already has it. If he seeks more," Katja crosses her arms and reclines slowly in her chair, "you may tell him that he will not get it by showering me with gifts. If he has a problem with this, he may come discuss it with me himself whenever he is able."

Lady Foxhall eyes Asmuralda with suspicion, while Agon Bronzefist stifles a laugh. Lady Endergaard stands from her seat and begins pacing behind the table. "As for Mayor Valentine," she says, staring off into the distance as she paces, "Asmundr must be more careful not to let himself be put into such situations. She is a dangerous woman, and soon we will be entering her lair. He may have been able to slip out of her grasp in his own Magnificent Mansion, but he might not be so fortunate in Tantras. It would be a great blow to all of us if such a woman were able to blackmail someone as influential as Prince Asmundr."

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As for the rest of you...
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*I'm skipping around a bit so that we have all the information we need to play on monday*

After you depart Hightower Hold (and then arrive at Tolbrun, the Dwarven stronghold), you are greeted by a courier holding three letters. Two of them appear to be bills of sale addressed to the spice merchant Edward, although in actuality Geoffrey's trained eyes detects the marks and signs of the Phantom Thieves. The other is signed to Clunk from the Mountain Blades. The first letter reads:

Fox—

Found myself a cozy spot in town. Meet me at the Belafonte. Try the crab legs.

—Vigil

And the second:

Imports: Steel (Tantras), Glass (Guild), Silver (Denerim)
Prices to be negotiated.

Your trained eye tells you that this is a code, to let you know that some enforcer types from Tantras, some spies from the Guild of the Golden Dragon, and some of the Silver Hoods, Denerim's resistance force, have all arrived in Bardertown, though their purpose their hasn't yet been discerned.

As for the message to Clunk:

Master Clunk—

We are honored to have been so selected. We will meet you in Calaunt the day before the auction to go through what we have collected. We won't let you down.

—The Mountain Blades


The courier also informs you that the Brightchest, Hammerhand, and Bronzefist clans have been awaiting your arrival, and are prepared to host you in their clan halls for an inspection of your products whenever you are ready.

After hearing Clunk’s explanation, Lady Endergaard leans back in her chair, resting her chin on her fist.

“I can only imagine,” she says, “Who that could have been, based on who lingered at the end of the party. I thank you for your trust, Master Clunk, and I will vouch on my honor that every member of my party at this table could be afforded that same trust. I have trusted each of them with my own life, and they have never let me down. Now tell us, what has become of Prince Asmundr?”


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With Asmundr safely aboard the Hang 'em High, his simulacrum taking his place in Ruby Valentine's bed, Francisco takes the helm of the mighty flying vessel, setting a course for Hightower Hold in the Black Bay.

The air is crisp and the sun warm as you leave the slumbering masses to nurse their hangovers in the Thunderdome Plaza. The waters of the bay heave lazily, and you can spy many fishing vessels rolling calmly over the slow swells. Though you can't see it right now, you're sure that Ellie Swift's ship is among them, her and her crew finally able to get back to fishing now that they are no longer needed aboard the Hang 'em High. Some of these vessels have attracted the interest of starback sharks, glinting and glimmering as they swirl about the baited fish.

The Hang 'em High soars above the waves with remarkable speed, and in less than half an hour, you come upon the island of Tyvo. Hightower Hold clings tightly to the cliffs on the western edge of the island, the beacon atop its tower unlit on this clear spring day. Sparse pine groves creep down the sloping island to the eastern shore, where a small fishing village has sprung up along the wide, stony beaches. You can see Lady Endergaard's ship anchored a ways out in the shallow waters, her banner fluttering in the gentle breeze. With the benefit of your flying capabilities, you set your craft down just outside of the village, much to the amazement of many of the villagers, and make your way up a well-worn dirt trail to the castle above.

As you make your way out of the sloping pine groves, Hightower Hold comes into view. The dark stone curtain walls are streaked with salt and pockmarked by algae and lichen, but they have clearly weathered many a storm.The eponymous high tower rises out of a squat stone keep behind the walls, and two guards in sealskin jackets and caps snap their spears to their sides in attention as you pass through the open gates. Within the yard of the castle, you see several knights of Lady Endergaard's retinue milling about, among them Lady Quinley Foxhall and Sir Agon Bronzefist. Agon immediately makes his way to your group and extends his bronze hand to you, grinning toothily through the bramble of his dark brown beard. Lady Foxhall eyes you keenly behind folded arms.

"Ah, the Fallen Star company!" The dwarf's voice is thick and gravelly, and his lively blue eyes meet each of you as he greets your party. As his eyes fall upon Asmundr, disguised as an elderly woman in the service of Pelor, he says, "And who is this bonny lass you've brought with you? My name is Sir Agon Bronzefist, ma'am. A pleasure to meet you!" Agon furrows his brows and scans the rest of your group, leaning his head from side to side in order to see around Clunk's hulking metal frame. "Is good Prince Asmundr not with you? He still hung over or something? He weren't around this morning when we came by your inn."

Candidate Entourages
All of the candidates are bringing trusted advisers, bodyguards, and friends with them on the campaign trail. This is a list of some of the more notable individuals from each candidate's entourage.

Goodsong:

Jordy Hudson: A prominent and successful cattle rancher from Reata Ranch outside of Calaunt. Supports Mayor Goodsong's campaign with significant sums of capital.

Valriel Vancal: A Dragonborn apothecary from Alma's Orchard, ostensibly kept around for tinctures which make the mayor feel "spry as a spring chicken." Suspected mistress.

Valentine:

Smiling Sam Cosmo: A popular crooning bard in Tantras, Sam often appears publicly with Mayor Valentine, supporting an image of a decadent, jet-set lifestyle. Suspected alcoholic.

Tony "Daggertooth" Menza: Mayor Valentine's top bodyguard. Lives in a lavish penthouse in Tantras, courtesy of the mayor. Name comes from a dagger point in place of his upper left canine.

Fullerstar:

Bors Kennard: Lord Fullerstar's hunstman, and the huntsman for his father before him. Uncouth in appearance but understands noble etiquette well enough. Highly valued for his counsel.

Sir Albert Greenwood: A young knight who has taken command of Greenwood Watch since Gilbert Fullerstar's "execution". Very eager to impress and filled with knightly ideals.

Pendragon:

Rila Thatcher: Orphaned maiden from Riverwood Watch, currently residing at Dragonroost. Presumably being brought along to describe the plight of the peasants.

Sir Giles Rowley: Current lord of Riverwood Watch following his father's death during the zombie apocalypse. One of the few nobles who supports Lord Pendragon's emergency fund tax.

Endergaard:

Sir Agon Bronzefist: A dwarf who was knighted by Lady Endergaard during the Impilturian Civil War. A competent field commander and current commander of the garrison at Last Hearth, on the border with Thar. One of the few dwarves from the reach who supports Lady Endergaard over Thane Hammerhand.

Lady Quinley Foxhall, "The Mountain Fox": Lady Endergaard's top strategist, and a formidable fighter. Friends with Lady Endergaard since childhood. Persistent gossip that the two may be lovers.

Hammerhand:

Grammil Firegut: A dwarven foreman who is the current head of the Earthspur Guard, an unofficial militia of Thane Hammerhand's most fervent supporters. Not afraid of being aggressive and even violent with opponents and law enforcement.

Towin Coghouse: A gnomish economist who Thane Hammerhand has taken quite a liking too since he suggested that Grand Halen's economy was endangered by being so open to foreign markets. Very meek compared to the rest of the Hammerhand campaign.

Rathbone

Priscilla & Benjamin: Lady Rathbone's personal bodyguards. Very little is known about them, but they have already received great attention for their striking good looks and statuesque physiques. Thoroughly stoic and disciplined in all interactions.

Cycros Bleeding-Eye: Lady Rathbone's court wizard. His name stems from the blood that pools in his irises, causing them to appear mottled and red. Likely related to his upbringing in the Purple Wastes. Learned magic at the Grand College of the Heavens in High Imaskar.

A 3-story mansion on 3 acres of land just outside of Lyrabar in Impiltur

AC: 19
HP: 58
Speed: 40ft

STR 12
DEX 18
CON 12
INT 4
WIS 12
CHA 6

Skills: Perception +5, Stealth +8, Acrobatics +8, Survival +5
Passive Perception: 15

Advantage on perception checks that rely on hearing and smell
Advantage if ally within 5 feet

You've certainly never heard the word Stregonnono before, but you would guess that it's a name or title of some sort. To whom it refers, you can only guess, and though the inhabitants of this "Barovia" might know more, you don't have great hope for that, as even your own scholars know little of the creators of the various ruins around Erlkazar.