2/7/2004

Beginning of Silver Marches II Campaign

Players: Kathi, JC, Davy, Chris

Characters: DM & Salaisee, Elendil, Nathan (Nate), Billimiah (Billi)

Elendil introduces himself to Nate, Billi and Salaisee as he joins them for lunch. Salaisee (who is probably the most beautiful woman Elendil has ever seen) tells us that she has discoverred a reference to a fire opal called "The Flame" in a history book. It is large (8" x 5") and has a flame spell cast permanently upon it. It was owned by a group of monks known as "The Brotherhood of the Flaming Fist". The Brotherhood was destroyed by a rival group and the gem is believed to be in the ruins of the monestary in the Nether Mountains. This is the "profitable quest" Salaisee refered to in her letter.

We all agree to participate (Elendil is pleased that Salaisee will also be making the journey) and she tells us we are to meet Yri Tibor (the person who has agreed to sell her the map that leads to the ruins of the monestary) at The Dreaming Dragon Tavern in Everlund. She also explains that her temple wants The Flame returned and has offered supplies, provisions and transportation for all her companions. We can either go by river barge (a 12 day journey) or by horseback (a 3 day journey).

Elendil votes for horseback as it will give him a chance to get his horse Sander out of the rented stable and back on the road. Nate votes for horseback as well and since Salaisee and Billi are agreeable it's settled. We will depart on the south side of the river (as that's the side that the Dreaming Dragon is on in Everliund) and will leave the day after tomorrow, or perhaps even tomorrow if all supplies can be aquired by then. This evening however we all agree to meet at 7 bells at Billi grandparents tavern, The Dragonfly Cave. Salaisee pays the bill and the group splits up for the afternoon.

After lunch Elendil goes to make sure that his land lady is settled with for the next month and then goes to spend a couple hours with his father. Arondar smiles at hearing that one of Elendil's new companions is the grandson of Bethalon, his Dragon Chess partner. "You be careful son and take care of those young folks." He says in his rough voice. "I'll be here when you get back and you can take me out for a nice dinner with your draw."

Elendil hugs his dad and silently thanks Tymora that he and his father have grown closer over the past several years. "I'll be back soon papa for that dinner. In fact... why don't you come to dinner tonight with me. You can meet the others. We're meeting tonight at the Dragonfly Cave."

That decision made Elendil and Arondar head off to the Dragonfly Cave early so Arondar can introduce Elendil to his friend Bethalon before Elendil introduces him to his new companions. They get a large table for eight (fortunately so as the place later completely fills up) and a short time after they get there a trio of elven musicians from Erlund begin setting up in preparations for the evening entertainment. When they start the music the crowd grows quite sizable quite quickly. They are playing old elvish heritage music that is both haunting and beautiful. Just after they start Salaisee comes in and makes a big deal out of Billi's missing hair. It seems the halfling had an encounter with a fireball at the Invokatorium where he went to watch Fireball practice.

As the music continues Nate and Salaisee make quite a statement on the dance floor and the elven trio changes the music subtly to accomodate them. Billi and Muriel (a young halfling that seems to be Billi's date) also join Nate and Salaisee on the dance floor but Billi's efforts to copy Nate are quite humorous and leave those still at the table nearly doubled over with laughter. Their second dance is much more graceful and the talk at the table floats from subject to subject as the evening wears on.  Salaisee makes sure she dances with everyone, including Elendil and Arondar, and afterward we learn that the supplies were all gathered so we agree to leave tomorrow at about ten morning bells after meeting at the stables before the Blacklar Gate.

As the evening winds down Elendil walks his father home then heads back home himself. When he gets there his across the hall neighbor Lassara has locked herself out of her apartment (go figure) in yet another attempt to get close, something Elendil wants no part of despite the young clerics advances.  He gets the key from their landlady, lets Lassara in, politely declines the offer to join her for a nightcap and returns the key before turning in.

The next morning Elendil wakes about 8 bells, has breakfast and then spends an hour in communion before picking up Sander and heading off to the stables near the Blacklar Gate. Salaisee comes a bit late and is followed by four acolytes laden with the goods requested. She was able to find a spyglass and hands it to Elendil who examines it carefully and then returns it to its leather case as they set out.

The morning is uneventful as we pass merchants and other travelers on the road and then stop for lunch. Afterward we resume traveling and, for the most part, get out of the nearby city traffic. About sundown we find a good campsite, have dinner and then set watch schedules.  Elendil has first watch which passes uneventfully. He wakes up Nate for second watch and then fixes his bedroll under Salaisee's wide tent covering. The evening passes uneventfully and in the morning we break camp and resume our journey.

The morning is again uneventful and lunch is beef sandwiches on hardroll, part of the supplies provided. We then continue on for most of the afternoon before Nate informs us that there is something hidden in the woods that seems to be following us. Elendil peers into the forest and does see something dark moving and catches a glimpse of red eyes. He points it out and Nate takes a shot at it.  After another moment Nate spots it and takes another shop. There is a dog-like yip of pain and we hear the creature moving away.

We pick up our pace for perhaps another hour or so and come to Striding Giant Rapids which means we're only six miles or so from Everlund. Billi tells us that it is a petrified giant and that there is a terrible curse that will be laid on anyone that frees the giant. Elendil does not wish to camp anywhere nearby so the group continues for another half hour before stopping to camp.  There's a nice beef stew for dinner. Billi makes up a song about the night he and Nate first met Salaisee. It is actually quite good so Elendil loans the halfling a sheet of paper and his ink pen so he can write it down for posterity.

The night passes uneventfully and the following morning the group sets out again. We come to Everlund after only a couple hours and find the Dreaming Dragon tavern near the Downriver Gate. Billi casts Prestidigitation on the sign and it "wakes up" and watches those in the street below much to the surprise and amazement of those assembled. The inkeeper comes out and tells it to go back to sleep, which it infact does, much to Billi's amazement. It is a pleasure to enter (leaving the dust of a caravan we'd been following behind) and Elendil comments that he is glad to see that the sign is well under control. Breda, the inkeeper, welcomes us in for lunch. There are only two other patrons, not seated together. Salaisee asks for Yri (which gets a chuckle out of Breda) and she goes up to see if he's awake.

A few moments later there is the clomp of heavy boots coming downstairs. Yri is a BIG barbarian, a woman (which is TOTALLY unexpected) and she is homely, very loud and covered in tatoos. But she does have the letter and map at Salaisee query and goes clomping back upstairs to get it. After reading the letter Salasisee passes the parchment to the rest of us for examining. It is dated roughly 20 years ago and speaks of the monestary as being betrayed by an enemy within with the help of a gnoll army.

We decide not to set out immediately after lunch and stay at the Phantom Knight Inn which is just insight the city walls near the Bridge Gate before setting out towards the Monestary in the morning. According to the map the sanctuary is actually in the Nether Mountains near the village of Hilltop.

The rate at the Phantom Knight is 5 GP per night.  Salaisee and Billi and take rooms on the third floor, Elendil takes the one on the second floor and Nate the one on the first floor. After an hour or so of cleanup and a short catnap we meet downstairs at 6 bells for dinner. During dinner Nate and Elendil see the ghost standing behind Salaisee. As it focuses on her it makes a gesture that Elendil takes to mean "speak" and he asks her if she can speak with the dead. When Salaisee replies she can not the apparition fades with a sort of sad look.

After dinner we linger in the common room for a bit and then Elendil heads up for communion and then a good nights sleep.

End of session.

Next Session 3/6/2004