Serpents in the City

The 24th day of the 2nd month - the 6th day of the 3rd month 1372

The heroes of Tandis made more inquiries into the murders of the Valkan clergymen. Although Potek, the high priest insisted that the governor's wife, Vaseela was responsible, the heroes thought it best to see for themselves. Governor Sava was a generous host, and the charming Vaseela proved a guileful seeress, but no wrongdoing could be proven. 

The heroes visited the house of Syral Mora, purchased a few of his prized blades, and learned of his interest in the Rama Dagger. They sought information about strange men prowling the docks, and Syral told them to investigate a derelict riverside warehouse. 

Within the warehouse were several serpent assassins who were swiftly dealt with. One, who was charmed revealed Syral Mora himself to be the architect of the murders. 

The heroes returned to Mora's house, battled several more assassins, and killed Syral himself. Evidence uncovered at the scene exposed Syral's dark deeds. He had been using the wicked Rama Dagger to slay innocent travelers, siphoning their life force. A young priest of Valka had begun to suspect Syral of evil deeds. Fearing exposure, Syral hired the serpent assassins to silence the priest and eliminate four others who posed a threat to his plans. He likely knew the priests of Valka would be quick to blame Vaseela.

This conclusion was eventually accepted by both Sava and Potek, though Potek refused to make peace with Sava and Vaseela. Upon Vaseela's insistence, both she and her husband were baptized to the gods of Law, and Visefrin christened their union. 

Spell Book of Syral Mora

Level 2 spells: Detect Invisible, Locate Object, Wizard Lock, Knock

The heroes did not linger long in Kronstadt, and traveled with the young elf, Naebros to the tree village of Nymora. There they met the elven lord, Elsalor, who told them of the spreading darkness in the ancient wood. From the darkness came spiders, no doubt the spawn of Lobab, the demon mother of spiders, who dwelt in a ruined temple forbidden to the elves of the Tanglewood. 

The brave heroes pledged to aid Elsalor's people and settled into Nymorian life. Sybael learned that some of these wood elves possessed magical hides that allowed them to transform into animals. This was a magic not seen among more civilized elves

Fidlthid and Visefrin sought Elvin lore that might aid them in fighting their venomous foes. They learned that little foraging could be done in the winter, but the elves had already distilled some protective potions that might aid against Lobab's venom. The Heroes were given 5 such draughts. 

Visefrin spoke to more ravens and awaited word from the West.  And finally, on the third day, a loyal raven arrived. With it came a message from Bishop Boraint. Winter in Tandis was thus far peaceful, and preparations were well underway for the arrival of The Court of Love. Boraint had shared the revelations of The Last Crusade with Lord Fillip and his retainers, and the bold Sir Jean of Manglian was preparing an expedition into the dungeons below. 

Taran too sought elven magic with which to battle Lobab, and Lord Elsalor, beguiled by her mortal beauty gave her a twisted Willow Wand of Missiles to use in the battle to come.  Taran also learned that a tribe of capricious centaurs dwelled a day's ride downstream from the Elven town. 

Welborn, during his stay, dedicated himself to the study of Syral's tomes. These ancient worm-eaten texts detailed artifacts great and terrible lost to men. One artifact of note was The Black Sword of Kas. This sword of incredible power was used by the chaos lord Kas to slay his terrible master. The name of Kas' master had been crudely redacted as though even its utterance might invite doom. This wicked sword was believed to be in the catacombs of a great necropolis in the Barrow Hills - the very same guarded by the Gray Princes.