Sitting at the end of the main tavern table their old companion Tethren looks over the group saying ‘I guess we have a lot to talk about’. Taking seats around the table except for EKIM and Belgwyn at the bar pleasantries are exchanged. Eventually Sylla and Rhogar return from outside. Sylla takes seat on the opposite side of Sariel from Tethren, while Rhogar gets a reprimanding from Meramin (standing on her chair next to Tethren to reach his height) reminding him that ‘we don’t eat our allies!’ A short apology later he takes a spot on the other end of the bar from Belgwyn and broods in his ale mug.
The questions then begin to fly. Sylla and Tethren give short or obtuse answers. The general story is that they have connections to the Lord’s Alliance through Sildar and are aware of the plot to release Tiamat from the Nine Hells. While not directly involved they have an interest in making sure this doesn’t become a problem for other people. Looking over the features of Rhogar and Meramin, the group cannot pin down certain aspects to anything they are familiar with or studied. Different from the minor aging seen in the features of Tethren and Sylla. Specifics on Sylla’s fall in Phandalin are met with poor memory. Tethren tries to pass off the current status of his magic as unknown and complicated. Throughout the conversation the party notices regular glances by all three at the table towards Rhogar.
With an abrupt declaration, Rhogar tries to wrap up the visit. As the Dark Walkers make their way one by one towards the door, Tethren stops and focuses on Rhogar. As Tethren turns and offers a hand to Sariel, Rhogar speaks out in draconic (understood only by EKIM) to ‘ don’t ‘. With the smallest hesitation in thought, Sariel takes Tethren’s hand. An immediate flash of bright light encompasses the whole room. As the light fades, all that remains where Tethren and Sariel had stood as the fading wisps of ethereal like flames in a whirlwind pattern. Both have seemingly vanished without any further trace. Meramin slumps back into her seat and angrily flicks the empty ale glass in front of her. Rhogar snorts in frustration and turns to the bar for another ale. Sylla, shoulders dropping in defeat, takes a seat next to Meramin. With an arm around her she speaks a dialect of draconic that EKIM cannot fully grasp, understanding only ‘It will be…’. Questions about where they went and why are completely lost on the other three members of the Dark Walkers. They only acknowledge that occasionally he disappears but to where they do not know.
Roughly 40 minutes later, Rhogar watching the street outside the tavern door announces that ‘he’ is back. First out the door, Meramin collides with an entering Sariel. Meramin, for all a Halfling towards an Eladrin, purposefully shoulders her way past Sariel with head down and not a single syllable of acknowledgement. Belgwyn, not really satisfied with the situation, follows out the tavern moments after them. All she sees is the same fading whirlwind of flames in the darkness of the alley’s market square. Sariel pauses as she stares seemingly beyond the walls, says that she needs some time, and makes her way upstairs to her room. As the rest of the party attempts to make sense of what had just happened, Dennis notices a quarter staff lying on the table. Picking it up he can sense the arcane energy within it. One by one, some much later than others, the party finally made their way to bed.
The next morning the members of Tobin’s Revenge are slow to gather for breakfast. Sariel remains in her room, the faint sounds of writing occasionally heard from within as others pass by the door. Dennis, having attuned to the quarter staff, finds it has the power to cast spider climb and web. Members of the party that fought the Black Spider now recognize it as the staff the wizard wielded in that battle. Throughout the morning citizens of the ward come and go for breakfast including a hurried Volo. He ‘forgot’ that he had a letter for the group that arrived about a week earlier. The letter is from Brughor, written in Kaylein’s hand, giving an update from Phandalin. He writes that the manor’s construction has been completed and is ready for the return. He also informs the group that the proceeds from the mining operations have started to become sizable, asking if he should retain them or send them to Waterdeep.
Later in the morning, Leosin and an unknown companion enter the tavern. Leosin looks happy to see the group all together, but quickly turns to pertinent business. He introduces Dala Silmerhelve, an older female human and Waterdalvian noble, as one that knows much about the Draakhorn. She begins to weave a picture of a lost member of the Arcane Brotherhood, Maccath the Crimson, who is the true expert on the Draakhorn. Maccath has been missing for several years after traveling into the Sea of Moving Ice in search of the dragon and the Draakhorn. The tiefling stopped reporting her progress via sending spells and all attempts to scry on her only revealed her wrecked vessel adrift in the sea. She ends by stating that the Brotherhood would be ever grateful to have Maccath or her findings returned to the Hosttower in Luskan.
Leosin lets the party digest this information before asking Dala to leave. Once alone with the party in the tavern he divulges the information gathered by the Harpers regarding the white wyrmspeaker Varrum. The harpers believe he is located in the area around Boarekyr Bridge east of Balder’s Gate. The harpers also are led to believe that Varrum is not on good terms with the cult leaders at the moment and attempts to turn her into the council may be beneficial. Finishing his report he lets the party know that the council is retaining a iceship for an expedition north should they wish to tackle the mystery of the Draakhorn. The party asks about traveling south to Balder’s Gate by sea. He feels something could be put together but would need several days to make arrangements. The party sends him off to begin preparations while they decide on their course of action.
The second night from then finds Trollskull Tavern to be a busy with business. Towards the end of the night a voice calls from outside, demanding Tobin’s Revenge show themselves. Oogway and EKIM make their way out to see if they can diffuse the situation. They are met by three members of the cult of dragons in full regalia, dragon wing like capes and ornate masks, standing at the alley entrance to the north. Two of the cultists are dressed in more subtle attire with the speaking member wearing a slightly more flourished mask and longer, purposely tattered looking cloak. Not giving into any parlay the cultists strike the minute Oogway attempts to make an offensive move.
The ensuing battle in Trollskull Alley quickly builds to 10 cultists including 3 variations to the clothing and a barechested fighter. The party discovers that the cultist have been imbued with lighting powers and protection. Overcoming a perhaps ill-used spell that incapacitated most of the party at first Tobin’s Revenge began to gain the upperhand. The determination of the cultist to press the fight materializes with the appearance of a young blue dragon from within the east side of the alley shops. Felling several of the party members quickly after arriving the tide had turned drastically. Dennis, watching the life leaving Lucius, tries a last ditch effort and succeeds in banishing the dragon momentarily. A cry from Fionne at also seeing the lifeforce leave her traveling companion cries out. From the window, Sariel looks down in horror at the scene and quickly disappears from sight. Moments later the alley is lit beyond the brightness of the day, and as the night darkness returns the 4 members of the Dark Walkers stand at the ready. Meramin immediately rushes to Lucius’ lifeless body and begins to mutter under her breath, her right hand pressed to the symbols lining the breastplate of her armor. The cultists, seeing the arrival of more adversaries, take flight yelling ‘the dragons rise, we will not be stopped’.
As Meramin continues her spell, Dennis warns the rest of the Dark Walkers that the dragon is going to return shortly. Oogway, stabilized by Fionne, heals the rest of the unconscious members and ushers them into the tavern out of harm’s way. Rhogar joins Belgwyn at her side, starting to take in the same breath that she herself saw at the end of their scuffle a few days back. Sylla takes up a position at a distance, manifesting a glowing red arrow in her bow as she pulls the string back. Tethren, taking Dennis’ lead, begins to hold a chaotic mass of arcane energy at the ready. When the dragon reappears from its banishment it has no more time to give this reality. All chaos is unleashed as the standing members of both Tobin’s Revenge and the Dark Walkers immediately and without hesitation bring its existence to an absolute end.
As energy dies down all turn their focus on the continual mutter of Meramin barely heard over the crackling embers left behind by two simultaneous fireball spells. Her breastplate now aglow with white light goes dark as she ceases the incantation. Seconds pass, and then with a gasp of breath, Lucius’ eye open wide in astonishment.
Session Date – 20 September 2025
Roster
- Belgwyn
- Oogway
- Fionne ‘The Ankle Biter’
- Lucius
- EKIM
- Faris
- Dennis Johnson
- Sir Reverend Father Divad
- Reldor