After having successfully foiling the plot crafted by Naerth Maxildinarr of Targos to try and sow political discord among the residents of Termalaine, the heroes decided that they'd best be off to their next destination: Easthaven. They had heard reports of fisherman having vanished and thought it prudent to investigate one of the largest of the Ten Towns. However, given the length of the journey to Easthaven, it seemed like it would be a multi-day journey, stopping in Bryn Shander for a night, but the party had recently earned a reasonable amount of gold from their quest in Termalaine, and saw fit to equip themselves with new forms of travel: Axe Beaks.
These avian creatures had webbed feet that expertly navigated the sloping and icy hills that adorn the otherwise barren landscape of the dale faster than any humanoid feet. With these creatures in tow, the heroes set off on their journey once more, now determined to make it; however, the weather was not on their side. Their journey began treacherously, it was snowing heavily, and they made very little progress as they could barely find their way. Once they did though, they were finally on their way, but it was then when they noticed a rather strange sight–an igloo.
An Axe Beak ready for travel across the tundra
Upon noticing this strange structure, they quickly investigated only to find the owner: an old tethyrian woman with an eye patch and white hair. She introduced herself as Vellynne and offered to let the adventurers use her hut, which she explained, was conjured by magic as a way of protecting herself from the cold. The interior of the igloo was incredibly warm, much more so than the outside area, and the adventurers took this opportunity to get warm while they could.
Talking to Vellynne, they learned that she was a wizard and a member of the Arcane Brotherhood – a group of wizards normally based in Luskan – but that she was searching for something to do with lost civilizations. Malaggar queried as to whether this had anything to do with the Ancient Empire of Netheril, and Vellynne nodded, looking surprised as to how Malaggar knew this. Malaggar than discussed how he had met with an albino tiefling – Vicarae – and how she, similarly, was searching for information regarding Netheril. However, Vellynne informed Malaggar that "Vicarae" was, in fact, a fake name, and the tiefling's real identity was that of "Avarice."
Apparently, Avarice, a red wizard named Dzaan and Vellynne had, at one point, been allies in this search, but friction grew between the three members of the Arcane Brotherhood and they inevitably parted ways. The heroes also quickly realized that perhaps Vellynne could help them, as several of them had been suffering terrible dreams that would not let them sleep. Vellynne agreed, as long as the heroes did something for her. She noted that she found it easier to help heroes and request their help in return than to end up on the wrong side of their blade. Vellynne subsequently informed them that an orb of hers, which she called "Professor Skant." Had been stolen by yet another member of the Arcane Brotherhood, Nass Lantomir. Vellynne has been searching the Ten Towns for it, but she has not found anything as of yet.
The heroes accepted Vellynne's request for help and, after she assisted them herself, removing them of the curse that prevented them from resting, set off to continue their journey, while she continued to wait out the storm. However, things only got worse, as a full-on blizzard set in, making them realize that they would practically have to wait things out in Targos. That was not all though, as when the heroes arrived at the Targosian gates, a sled dog bounded up to them. It quickly tackled Shimo and tried to drag him into the city. After dealing with the gate guards it didn't take long for the dog to guide them towards a small Targosian home.
The walled settlement of Targos, the second-largest of the Ten Towns
After arriving at the home, they were greeted by an Illuskan man, who initially seemed overjoyed to see the dog, but his mood considerably darkened when he saw the characters. Regardless, he invited them in and, after introducing himself as Keegan Velryn, explained the situation to them. This dog, Boy, was his husband, Garret's, dog; he raised him since he was a pup, and if Boy was present without Garret... needless to say, Keegan feared the worst. Recently, a group of adventurers had journeyed into Targos - a goliath, a tiefling, and a halfling. They were apparently on some kind of quest to find a creature named Oyamintak or something like that. Garret was from Neverwinter, but he was an excellent wilderness and survivalist. They apparently were planning to head to Kelvin's Cairn through Caer-Konig, meeting with some of Garret's survivalist buddies at Frozenfar Expeditions. He asked if the adventurers would be willing to help him by traveling to Caer-Konig and seeing what happened, they accepted, noting that it was a bit of a detour from Easthaven, but there was someone in danger!
After recovering themselves after the storm they continued their journey, now heading northward on the Eastway instead of Easthaven. However, by the time they arrived in Caer-Dineval (on the road to Caer-Konig), it was time to rest for the night. Alas! Upon investigating at the local tavern, the Uphill Climb, the tavernkeep, Roark, reported that the single inn that was once present in the small town has shut down and is boarded-up. Apparently much of the trade had slowed since the Rime started, especially regarding the Easthaven ferry system. Uncertain regarding the inn, they confirmed it abandoned, finding it... well, abandoned. Although, upon peeking past the boards they did notice some bedrolls – squatters perhaps?
Caer-Dineval, the small town overshadowed by the imposing Caer
Regardless, seeing as that was fruitless, they returned to the Uphill Climb, who recommended the caer, the Speaker's residence. Apparently he was quite sick, rarely coming out except to make important declarations, not that Roark or any of the few tavern patrons cared. It seems the speaker was not well-regarded in Caer-Dineval. This recommendation was followed subsequently by Thrax, who decided to attempt to raid the Caer, believing it to be the source of evil! This did not prove fruitful, as the Caer was... quite well-defended, having high and thick walls; however, when the rest of the party joined with Thrax, the guardkeeps, having rather... unsettling smiles on their faces, decided to let them in for some strange reason, so long as Thrax ended his attempts at destroying their Caer.
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