The Scaled Halls

9th day of the 9th month 1372 

The elf, Potasias, arrived at Harrowhoff, and joined the heroes there in a delve beneath Tandis. In the Court of Chaos, they encountered a pair of vile harpies. One was slain and one was charmed by the sorcerer, Herionymous. The heroes made their way deeper into the dungeon and arrived once more on the 7th deep. They encountered a pool of ooze and a group of cultists bringing foul meat to some goblins. The heroes slew most of these cultists, and Sir Feek compelled one of them to his service. Disguised as cultists and bearing the massive litter of meat, the heroes entered an enormous hall filled with a hundred goblins eager to feed. With sword and spell the goblins were slain.

Beyond the goblins' room, the heroes found another chamber filled with recently summoned ogres. Past them was a massive portal of chaos. Heironymous conjured a wall of iron to block the portal and the heroes slew the ogres and cultists. Beyond the wall of iron, an unseen creature attempted to enter the fight, but the heroes did not linger. They gathered what treasure they could and made their way once more above, satisfied that they had dealt yet another blow to the cult and their operation. 

On the way back up, they encountered a terrible phasing spider of terrible aspect. This beast was charmed by the sorcerer Welborn. Both the harpy and the phase spider were taken back to the tower of Harrowhoff. 

Fidlthid tutored the elf in the ways of men and began to train him in the arts of battle. 

Wellborn began to research a way by which he might ride the ethereal plane on the back of the spider. Such a feat yet eluded him, but in the process, he learned much about the ethereal plane. It was said that this plane mirrored our own in many ways, and that it was populated by spirits, wraiths, ghosts, demons, and other strange creatures. Perhaps a talisman or charm made from such a creature may help him enter the plane on the back of the spider. 

Heironymous, inspired by the harpy, began to research a spell with which to charm multiple foes

The Bishop of Tandis communed with the gods

What powers do the Eye-Tyrants possess?

They possess terrible magics that issue from their many eyes

What lurks beyond the portal that Heironymous sealed?

Beyond the portal was a most terrible foe - a Shadow Dragon from the depths. She now haunts the dungeons, bound to her masters' will

From the first circular room in the 7th deep, in which direction is the altar where the Crusader's Helm is located?

Northeast

Beyond the Gates pt. II

 31st day in the 7th month 1372

The heroes entered the ziggurat and endured numerous hazards. Lyral claimed the ring she had long sought on the second level - the ring of three wishes. On the third level, the heroes met Ilnorus, a vampire lord who guarded the fane of Orcus. Thorne was killed, and Lyral Shadowhand claimed the wicked sword. The vampire charmed Lyral and turned her and the black blade against her erstwhile companions. The fight was terrible, and Lyral was struck down, but the vampire lord was driven away.

The heroes then claimed the ring and wished that the Hand of Vecna would appear before them - this it did, but connected to the arm of Ilnorus. Another battle ensued, and Ilnorus was once more defeated, and Fidlthid hacked the Hand from the vampire's arm. The heroes wasted no time pulling a magic leaf and returning to the Tower of Brieberus. 

Two more wishes were used: One to revive Lyral and one to destroy forever the hand of Vecna. 

Breiberus claimed that as long as one wish remained in the ring, it would serve as a deterrent to Vortigen, who no doubt would divine that the heroes had claimed such a power. 

Visefrin communed with the gods

What lies in the 8th deep of the dungeon?

It is the realm of the Eye Tyrants

How do we get to the 8th Deep?

It can be accessed from the level above

What weaknesses does the cult of Demogorgon have?

Their love of chaos is their weakness.

Beyond the Gates pt. I

 The 13th-30th days in the 8th month 1372

The heroes of Tandis set off at full strength into the east, seeking once more the portal to the Red World. Along the way, they ran afoul of a goblin lair and lost several henchmen, but they pressed forth and parleyed again with the Grey Princes. From there, they entered the portal and found themselves upon the Red World amid the stinging sand and demon winds. 

They entered Tamegor and quickly found refuge with Lyral Shadowhand, who was to accompany them through the caverns beneath the Flaming Wastes. The following day, they set off, not wishing to wander the city itself.

From an old undercroft, they entered the caverns and travelled north through the darkness for five days, battling the terrain, elementals, and finally a demon of shadow and flame, which they slew in a cavern of boiling pitch. They finally emerged into the red light of the overworld and spied their destination. Only the top tier of the ziggurat stood above the sands, which had long ago buried it. They planned to rest one more night before entering the wicked Temple of Orcus.

At the grim campsite, Visefrin attempted to commune with the gods

While on our expedition, has Tandis remained safe from attack?

Tandis is, thus far, as you left it

We passed through the Dunlands but did not stop. How has the winter storm affected them?

Almost all the Dunmen have fled east to the lands of the Astoradians. Their king still occupies his keep at Dunmorg.

Is Lyral able to be trusted?

She serves chiefly her own objectives, but will not stand in your way

Wanderers on the Red World

1st Day in the 8th month 1372

The heroes traveled east once more to seek the location of the Hand of Vecna. In order to compel the Grey Princes, Thorne, brother of Taran, claimed the Black Blade. The Blade bestowed terrible power upon him, and wickedness began to twist his mind. Nevertheless, the Grey Princes parleyed with the keeper of the sword and revealed that they had long ago ensconced the Hand in the Ziggurat of Orcus upon the Red World. After much hesitation, the group entered a portal of red stone high in the tower of the necropolis and found themselves on the wind-blasted Red World not far from the Iron Gates of Tamegor, the wicked city. 

In the city, they met Lyral Shadowhand, a former Zagran assassin, now inkeeper in the city. The heroes learned that she too sought a relic inside the ziggurat - a ring which could "right many wrongs".  To earn her trust, Lyral sent to recover a treasure stolen from her. On the way back from the task, the heroes were ambushed by Black Talon orcs. It seemed that Vortigen's forces already had a foothold upon the Red World, yet it was unclear if the evil wizard knew the location of the artifact he sought. 

Through a captive orc, the heroes learned that Voritgen's forces upon the Red World were led by a powerful creature called Bormal. Upon their return to the Goblin Skull Inn, Lyral promised to join the heroes if they were to seek the Ziggurat. The Ziggrat was located beyond the terrible Flaming Wastes, known to be impassable. Lyral knew another way - through great caverns that lie beneath the wastes, accessible from Tamegor. This route too would no doubt be fraught with danger. 

The heroes left the Red World and traveled to Verdengard. Brieberus was hesitant to allow the brother of Taran to stay in his tower while in possession the terrible blade. 

Upon his return to Tandis, the bishop communed with the gods.

Will the Black Blade make Thorne so evil that he will turn on us?

The wielder of the blade will serve his own purposes and those of the sword. If those purposes are misaligned with your own, he will oppose you. Trust him not.

Does Vortigen have more forces on the Red World?

The Red World is a realm of demons and chaos. Our omniscience does not extend to such a place. 

Are there measures that can be taken that could make my priestly spells effective beyond the Flaming Wastes?

Our powers do not govern the Red World. 

Beyond the Battle of Tandis

The 25th day of the 7th month to the 1st day of the 8th month 1372

The forces of Vortigen descended on Tandis. From land and air they came, and it was up to the heroes of Harrowhoff to drive them back. An army of orcs was magically tangled by plants and boldly met by Fidlthid and his riders as Welborn unleashed a creature of fire summoned from the brazier. Visefrin and Taran rode wyverns to meet Vortigen's airborne forces and clashed with a sorcerer upon a black dragon and two wyvern-riding wraiths. Heironymous struck down dozens of lizardmen who climbed the castle's battlements. 

Even this great force proved no match for the heroes. The flying beasts and their riders were slain as were many orcs. The survivors routed and fled into the wastes. During the battle, the gatehouse of the castle was destroyed by a powerful spell unleashed by the dragon-riding sorcerer. After the dust settled, Lord Fillip promised captaincy of the castle to Fidlthid upon his death. Heironymous recovered a black mask from the fallen sorcerer. When he donned the mask, he was shown a dark vision of Voritgen, and he nearly fell to chaos. 

The heroes had learned of the black blade capable of commanding the grey princes, and off they went to seek it beneath the necropolis. At grim castle Lichgate they found that Eligal, the necromancer, had been turned into a spectre, and that the Rama dagger was missing. From Lichgate, Wellborn recovered Eligal's staff and his grimoire. 

Into the necropolis, the heroes crept, bypassing the Princes themselves. They entered the foul crypts below and began their search. Taran fell to a cloud of poison gas that spewed forth from a sealed sarcophagus. Deeper and deeper they travelled until they found a secret tomb beyond a graven image of a sword-wielding warrior. They had found the tomb of the black sword. 

As they opened the tomb to reveal the sword, a horrible creature emerged from shadow. It was a great undead eye tyrant that spewed dire spells. A terrible fight began. Feek claimed the sword, but was taken by chaos and turned the powerful blade on his allies. Welborn too, turned on his fellow heroes, influenced by a powerful spell cast by the eye tyrant. Several retainers fell in the battle, but the heroes prevailed and managed to free Feek of the blade's influence. The heroes secured the sword and teleported back to Verdengard. Despite the bishop's prayers and blessings, Taran was gone.

Heironymous studied the mask to see if it could be unbound from Vortigen's malign influence. It seemed this artifact was forever tied to chaos, and like the black orb, it was a conduit of Vortigen's power.

The staff of Eligal proved to be a Staff of Withering, capable of maiming foes unlucky enough to be struck in battle.

Eligal's spellbook contained the following spells

Level 1: Ventriloquism

Level 2: Magic Mouth, Mirror Image, Invisibility, Detect Invisible

Level 3: Hold Person, Dispel Magic, Protection from Normal Missiles, Rope Trick

Level 4: Wall of Ice, Polymorph Other, Remove Curse, Wizard Eye

Level 5: Teleport, Hold Monster, Animate Dead, Passwall, Feeblemind

Visefrin again communed with the gods

Is there a worthy champion to claim the black sword in Tandis, or among our allies?

Any who would dare wield such an artifact will eventually become wholly corrupted. Even if a champion were to overcome the blade's influence temporarily, servitude to chaos awaits them. 

What are Vortigen's plans after his defeat?

His immediate plans are clouded by his inestimable power. Darkness alone emanates from the heart of his domain.

Did we pass the second artifact that Vortigen seeks while inside the Crypt of the Grey Princes?

The Grey Princes, as you call them, are bound to protect the artifact. They, like you, will do everything in their power to prevent the artifact from falling into the hands of Vortigen. As such, they have ensconced the artifact in an even more remote location beyond our ken. The black sword alone will compel them to reveal its location.

The Fall of Thrandur

 25th day in the 6th month - 18th day of the 7th month 1372

Having received two wyvern mounts from the eagle riders, the heroes set off to the East seeking the frozen lands cursed by Morcarat. They wished to end her tyranny, but first, they sought the council of Brieberus. The Green Wizard cautioned restraint and suggested that despite Morcarat's capriciousness, she may prove an essential ally against the forces Vortigen. He told them too that Thrandur, a servant of Vortigen, would make a more worthwhile foe in the Shadow Mountains. 

Into the frozen wastes they went and upon their wyverns they flew to meet Morcaract high on the mountain of Rilm. Morcaract told them of Thrandur and his forces in the castle Mafelond. She told them too that Vortigen had claimed an artifact of terrible power and sought yet another ensconced beneath the necropolis of the Grey Princes. The Ice Maiden claimed that Vortigen would soon strike. 

The heroes returned to the pass and found that their horsemen had been ambushed by Thrandur's forces. Into the treacherous crags they climbed seeking the castle Mafelond. They encountered and destroyed a garrison of orcs and later arrived at the mighty fortress. 

Invisibly they flew onto a bridge between two keeps and entered secretly the hall of Thrandur. In a firelit hall, the heroes found Thrandur and his companions. A wicked fight took place and eventually, the heroes were victorious. They left the Thrandur and his companions dead and the garrison leaderless and freezing upon the mountainside. Fidlthid was struck down during the fight but was restored by the mighty power of Visefrin. 

The heroes hurried home to Tandis to begin mustering their defenses if indeed Vortigen Blacktalon was to strike at the heart of them.

Visefrin communed again with the mighty gods.

When will Vortigen Strike?

He will strike soon. His forces are already poised to pour from the foul swamp. 

What forces will he use to strike?

His foul army will attack from land and sky. Beware the winged beasts that match your own, and beware the sorcerers who ride them. 

How can the Grey Princes be defeated?

The power wielded by the princes is terrible indeed. A fight with them would no doubt result in the breaking of some of your companions. The princes will bend the knee only to the wielder of the black sword lost in their crypts beneath the necropolis. However, any mortal who touches this sword risks utter corruption.  

The Mountain Queen

6th - 18th day in the 6th month 13372

The heroes set off to the east seeking the Lost Canticles. A day's journey brought them before a great camp of Northmen. These men, led by the warlord Sven, were on their way Southwest to make war against the people of Stilfrot. Sven had learned that his wife, the shieldmaiden Sigrid, had been made queen of these barbarians living in the foothills of the Cloudfall Mountains. Sven had long sought his runaway bride and wished to take her back to the lands of the Jun. 

The heroes departed and after some time arrived in the Wyrmswood Forest. They discovered a ruined temple within the forest and began to explore. There they battled a massive Purple Worm who swalled the diminutive Welborn whole. The gnome managed to free himself with a mighty barrage of magic missiles. 

Visefrin recovered the relics of two forgotten saints, and the heroes proceeded into the teetering tower to seek the ancient text. From the base of the tower, another great worm emerged. The heroes battled it bravely, but the elf, Sybael, was stung by its tail and perished. 

Atop the tower, Visefrin placed the relics and with a blinding flash, the book appeared. With these canticles, Visefrin would learn the powers of the ancient clerics. 

On the heroes traveled further south into the land of the barbarians. They arrived at the stout steading of Stilfrot nestled in the fertile foothills of the Cloudfalls. Visefrin had earlier sent ravens with bits of the Jun garments. This warning had worked as Sigrid was already preparing to evacuate her people to their mountain fortress. 

The heroes accompanied this long procession into the peaks and waited for Sven's forces to arrive. On the second night, they came and Sven issued a challenge to his errant wife to face him in combat. This she did and on the perilous causeway above the cliff they met in battle; Sigrid was equipped with a magic mace and mail by the heroes. The queen defeated her husband and cast him down the cliff to his doom. Sven's warriors then pledged fealty to the Mountain Queen.

Sigrid was impressed with the power of Visefrin's gods and 1,000 barbarians & Jun warriors were baptised by the bishop in the days that followed. The heroes had made a powerful new ally in the South.

Once the great sacrament was done, Visefrin communed with the gods.

How has Brieberus been affected by the eternal winter storm?

The eastern reaches of the wood are covered in frost and snow. His tower grows cold and shadows in the forest grow long. Creatures heretofore unknown to the wood have come.

Has the Rama Dagger claimed hold of the necromancer? 

No. But powers terrible and ancient surround him seeking to claim the dagger for themselves

What troubles the people who live in the ruined city to the east?

Shade-loving creatures of chaos have taken root in the dark places of the city. The men there are kept from the knowledge their ancestors once wielded.