While searching for the Ghastkill’s missing child, the Troupe encountered the elven ranger, CuChoinneach, who claimed to know where it is being kept. Now the Troupe makes plans to travel to Lord Dearthmac’s castle to attempt a rescue.
19 Eleint 1368
Before we continue on our journey, Jet’Laya suggests that she remains in Nashkel in case there is any news. We say our goodbyes and she returns to the south on her own.
Jet’laya: Ah well, even the best things pass away. Your company was enjoyable while it lasted. Perhaps we shall meet again.
After she leaves, we take a look in our Bag of Holding for any equipment CuChoinneach could use. We give him a helmet, an enchanted longbow and one of the Shadow Druid’s Band of the Forest.
A little further up the road we find an orc kneeling down, picking something off the ground. It sees us and draws its sword right away. CuChoinneach whistles a command and Madadh n’Sgril, his shadow wolf, snarls as it rushes the orc. It locks its jaw onto the orc’s arm, pulling it down to the ground, defenseless.
Conchobhair follows the wolf’s attack and cuts the orc clean in half with his Dragonslayer. I almost pity the orc, it stood no chance against us.
The orc was only carrying its sword and wearing leather armour. It had a silver ring and a few coins in a pouch on its belt. What was more interesting was the treasure it found on the ground before we killed it. It looks like it might be the necklace Jules had lost.
We decide it’s worth travelling back to Nashkel to return the necklace while Jules is still easily found. The journey is several hours, but we are told the journey to Lord Dearthmac is several days. We can spare the time.
We find Jules waiting by the Nashkel Bridge. She is extremely grateful to get her necklace back.
Jules: Oh, thank you so much you are a dear!
She heads toward the inn while we discuss our next steps. Dearthmac’s fortress is several days away, but we have a mace waiting for us in Beregost. Otho should have finished crafting it by now. We decide it’s worth fetching the mace before we set out on our expedition. It could also give us a chance to better prepare for the long journey ahead.
We turn away from the bridge and make our way to the north.
20 Eleint 1368
We arrive at Beregost in the early morning and make our way straight to the Thunderhammer Smithy. We find Otho by one of the forges, and he is ready for us.
Otho Truehammer: Well, here it is! One of my finest if I do say so myself. Yes sir, I put a lot of care into that one. Take good care of it and it will serve you well! Does me proud to see a fine group of young adventurers like yerselves, wielding one of my weapons. Yes sir, proud indeed. Now get out there and bust some heads! Hehe!
The weapon he hands us is one of the most finely crafted maces I have ever seen. He tells us he used iron he had saved from before the crisis, so it shouldn’t break so easily as other weapons crafted on the Sword Coast.
We leave the smithy and find another familiar face waiting for us. The old mage Elminster has certainly taken an interest in his friend’s ward.
Elminster: Well my young friend, it wouldst seem that fate continues to bring us together.
Fate. Ha. It seems more like he’s following me.
Aegon: It would appear so. Though I don’t quite understand it all. Isn’t there anymore that you can tell me?
Elminster: You will find the answers to all of your questions in time, young Aegon. It is not for me to interfere nor guide you in the path that you must take on your own. However, as I say that, I would like to provide one thing for you. You received an expertly crafted weapon from the smith Otho. That weapon is a very important item for you to retain. You will need it’s strength in the very near future. If you will allow me this once I would like to place an enchantment on that item to further it’s strength and performance. But, after I do this, I suggest that you take this weapon and have a blessing placed upon it. The evil that you are about to face requires a little help from divine intervention. And I believe someone in a most holy position suggested that they would help you when you needed it. Maybe this is the time? But for now…I will perform this task and take my leave of you.
I hold up Otho’s Mace and the great sage begins to chant energy flows from the Weave and connects to the mace which raises from my hands. When it returns to me I can feel the energy flowing through it. A holy blue light glows from within, a light that will repel the undead.
He said we should seek out a blessing on the mace as well. We still need to inform Morninglord Jarent of our success with the Nashkel Dragon, so we seek him out in the Burning Wizard. He is pleased to hear of our success, but leaves before we can ask him about a blessing.
Morninglord Jarent of Lathander: In the name of Lathander, I thank you for slaying the dragon and returning the relic. I am in you debt as is the Temple. If you need anything of my services you can find me at the Song of the Morning Temple to the east of town. Thank you and many blessing on your journey.
We follow him to the Song of the Morning Temple and ask him about Otho’s Mace. He is surprised to see us so soon, but is pleased to talk to us.
Morninglord Jarent of Lathander: So we meet again my you my young friend. What can I do for you?
Aegon: Well sir, it was suggested to me from a very wise friend that I seek your help. He told me that I should have someone of divine influence place a blessing upon this weapon. Though I don’t completely understand why.
Morninglord Jarent of Lathander: Well Aegon, we don’t always understand the twists and turns our paths take. But eventually you will get your bearings and all will become clear. Now let me see your weapon, it’s the least I can do for what you have done for us. I would be happy to provide the most holy blessings of Lathander upon your mace.
This time it isn’t energy from the Weave that touches the mace, but a divine blessing from the Morninglord himself. When I get Otho’s Mace back it is near unrecognisable. But I can feel its power, and its purpose. It wants to destroy all those that still walk after their life is over. It is the perfect weapon to destroy the undead.
If Lord Dearthmac is indeed a creature of undeath, we have the perfect weapon to destroy him. This weapon needs to be held by a devout follower. Conchobhair suggests he carry it, since he will be the first into close combat with the monsters we will face. To help him in this role I give him my Ring of Accurate Striking so he can wield his melee weapons more effectively.
I also give him my Heart of the Dragon so he can be better protected when he wields the Mace. I replace it with an enchanted medium shield from our Bag of Holding.
Finally I give him my Boots of Avoidance so he can get in close even when the enemy uses ranged weapons.
We ask Kelddath if he has anything that might help us fight against undead. He tells us he has an Amulet Against Undead, an item that will help a warrior fight against such creatures. We have the gold for it, so we purchase it for Conchobhair.
After this we go to visit the Thunderhammer Smithy to see if Taerom has anything we might be able to use.
Taerom Fuiruim: Hello there. Is there anything I can do for you on this fair day?
Aegon: Could you show us what you have for sale?
He doesn’t have much to help us fight the undead, so we stock up on sling bullets and leave him to his craft. While we are browsing Shar-Teel decides to get physical with me.
She envelops me into a bear hug, nigh lifting me off the ground. Embracement factor aside, it feels surprisingly safe being encircled with her strong arms. She puts me back down as the others look on in amazement. I shake it off and walk out of the smithy. There are no more weapons in Beregost, but perhaps we can find some magic to help us nearby.
It takes us several hours to get to High Hedge. Dawn breaks as we walk and the sun warms us nicely as it rises. When we get to High Hedge we find a small group of gnolls patrolling its walls. I still have some Minute Meteors left, so I hurl them at the gnolls while the others launch arrow and stone.
There was a time when these creatures would feel like a threat. But we are dragonslayers now, more than a match for a small group of foul-mouthed dogheads.
After the slaughter we go into High Hedge and talk with Thalantyr. Aside from some new spells, I want to know more about the spider’s egg we have been carrying.
Thalantyr the Conjurer: I sincerely hope you have some reason for bothering me. I’ve already stated that I wish you to eave
Aegon: I’m not concerned for my own sake, but If I can’t defeat the spider that hatches from this egg, it will survive to harm others, and I don’t want that on my conscience.
He sighs.
Thalantyr the Conjurer: Alright will destroy that egg for you, if you want me to. I say destroy, and I mean it. No fancy magic item will remain. I will take the egg, destroy it and that’s it.
Wait. Could there be another use for this egg?
Aegon: You are saying it as if it would be possible to keep the egg, if treated differently?
Thalantyr the Conjurer: Someone could if you’d find that’someone.
Thalantyr the Conjurer: So, what will it be?
Aegon: No, I will keep on looking whether I’ll find someone who tries to preserve the magic of that egg.
Thalantyr the Conjurer: I am sure you’ll succeed in finding a mage foolish enough to be willing to earn money with this.
With that over, we move on to the usual bartering.
Aegon: Can you make magic items or alter them?
Thalantyr the Conjurer: I would be a bad magician if I weren’t adept at it. However, not each item can be altered or improved.
Aegon: Do I have anything you could alter?
Thalantyr the Conjurer: Show me what you have, and I’Il tell you if it can be altered.
Aegon: I have a Dagger +1. Certainly yoff can make something from it.
Thalantyr the Conjurer: I can make an excellent throwing-dagger with it. The dagger will return instantly to your hand after an attack is made. Except for my talent and my magic only an Oil of Speed, white, is requiged. As payment, I’ll take only 500 gold. Should I make this item for you?
Aegon: Yes, make it for me.
He spends little time casting his enchantment. The dagger morphs into a shape more suited for throwing and before we know it, the enchantment is complete.
We ask to see what other magical items he has to sell, and he allows us to look through some of his less dangerous items. We purchase a Brooch of Shielding for CuChoinneach. This will make him immune to any Magic Missiles launched by enemy mages. A useful protection to have.
I ask Thalantyr if he can teach me any spells to help fight the undead. He offers to teach me a spell that can Halt Undead creatures in their place.
Unfortunately I am not a good study and I fail to copy the spell. I am left with a sense of unease. Do we really have enough to fight the undead once we get to Lord Dearthmac’s fortress?
Only time will tell. For now, we have a long journey ahead of us.
