DnD campaign

-Long time no post-

Since leaving the Eye of the All Father and witnessing Harshnag's sacrifice for the party against some ancient blue dragon, the Red Dragon Cultists of Klauth greeted the party with tidings from Great Snarl. The cultists said they would happily assist the party in vanquishing the Giant threat - from which they would all benefit. Klauth has promised to reward the party personally for their help, once the giant threat is quashed.

After some preparation and scouting, the party selected to go to Ironslag and face the Fire Giant threat head-on. Obtaining the Fire Blanket from Edward in Shimmerglade, Asmundr made sure to relish in his new fine appearance and safety. Meeting for their final evening at the Monastery of the Yellow Rose, the monks explained how Ironslag is an ancient forge, that had in recent times been relit. The fire giants were there - led by Duke Zalto, the point where the Vonindod, the Great Dragon Slayer would be assembled.

Diving into the Yakfolk Village covering Ironslag, the party parlayed with the leader Kartha-Kaya for some information and trading a few magical items for three moon-elf slaves. Halani the leader of them, a princess of a nearby Woodland tribe. Feigning some ignorance regarding the knowledge of the Fire Giant forge beneath them, it was later clear that the Yakfolk were complicit with the Fire Giants, a large river wheel turing a large elevator descending deep deep into the mines.

After an extraction on the airship, Halani revealed that she overheard some Yakfolk discussing how they planned to overthrow the King of Citadel Adbar, a nearby dwarven stronghold. Through what means, it was not very clear. Discussing their carefully laid plans, the team deep struck via watery sphere into the mountainside terraced farm, quickly popped some disappearance dust and grey-oozed their way into the elevator shaft room.

Preferring stealth, the party took the path through the mines. Defeating some Salamander taskmasters and freeing 14 slaves, the party continued down until they encountered the complex proper. Killing off some more task masters, riding a bucket chain through the main hall, glimpsing the massive titan of the Vonindod, 1v1ing a Fire Giant, gaining some orc allies, defeating enemies near the wheel of woe, saving some slaves, charging out against the giants, retreating, charging again, and encountering Duke Zalto in discussion with some drow, the party was eventually captured.

Before being captured, Asmundr appealed to The Collector, who was on a mission of his own in the City of Brass, on the Elemental Plane of Fire. Duke Zalto and the drow discussed some interesting points, how he was now the true ruler of Gauntlgrymm and unleashed Maegera the Dawn Titan in a crucible into the center of the room. This, he claimed, would complete his mission of securing the blessings of Anam the All Father by claiming the top spot of the giant ordning.

Unlocking the cage door and the collector appearing before them, the party turned invisible, grabbed the Forge Stone Edward had requested, grabbed their gear and teleported back to the Monastery of the Yellow Rose. All the while The Collector mentioned how the Fire Giants operation had been severed hindered, and the Vonindod would take many weeks to complete. He saw some Fire Giants and goblins leave the complex - perhaps looking for new slaves to continue their work and rebuild.

Inside the Monastery, the party rested as The Collector said goodbye, before promising that he would invoice The FSC soon. Being reunited with Peppercorn and no longer covered in blood and only somewhat battered, the party spent some time recovering on the airship while flying to Shimmerglade.

In Shimmerglade, the party purchased some potions and met with Edward and Alphonse once again. Edward, impressed with the Forge Stone promised to make a magic item for the party - his specialty being mechanics and weapons.

Deciding to head-off to Lyrabar next and meet with the Queen as well as hopefully some Cloud Giants, the party passed through the series of portals, arriving in what appeared to be a walled cemetery inside a raised crypt. The topmost level of the crypt has a stone sarcophagus watched over by a shield guardian. The name MYRNA is inscribed above the entrance. On the floor below is a small room which is magically lit and occupied by a small girl who identifies herself as Thestryl Melladrin, a Harper wizard.

Heading back to the palace, the party arrives outside, shows their letter obtained by the Queen several months ago and is shown at once to the throne room. Queen Oswynn greets the party: "Ahhh the Fallen Star Company, it is truly a good sight. I am relieved to know you still fight for the people of Impiltur. The Lord's Alliance has been suffering dire losses at cities around the nation as well as our allies nearby. Some members of the Emerald Enclave have made a move in the West to counter some of the Stone Giant's aggression. While our friends to the North East along the rivers have stopped communications all-together. We fear for the worst..." she finishes as she looks out the window, up at the floating Cloud Giant city casting a shadow down upon the palace.

"Have you located Harshnag? Or do you have other news?"

Noticing the script etched onto the mossy blocks Lucien walks over then and with his hand he attempts to touch and tracks the word.  (and I'll make arcana lore check(9(d20)+1(int)=10)and cultural lore(bavoria 14(d20)+1(int)=15))

At the mention of how old the Gatehouse is, Arscene immediately begins examining it in greater detail. "It must have been constructed by some arcane means then. Most mages creating such a work must have left their mark on the stone somewhere!"

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Stanimir turns towards you with a look of astonishment, and then says, out loud, "There is no need for secrecy, my friend. Our master is Count Strahd von Zarovich, lord of Barovia. I am sure you will be meeting him soon enough."


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Arscene, you would guess that these walls are quite possibly half a millennia old, plus or minus a hundred years or so, and Lucien's knowledge of the ancient tales of the ruins like this wall scattered around Erlkazar would corroborate this theory.

Stanimir frowns at Arscene as he puts these pieces together, and says in a mournful tone, "Yes, it is true, our master has been cursed since the days of our ancestors. You are not the first outsiders who have hoped to free him and this land from the darkness, but Madame Eva has foreseen that you may be the last."