The Dragon and the Truenamer

Khazzusdirth the Red

The dragon was startled to hear it’s truename for the first time in physical existance, the utterance had a familiarity to it. Unfettered sound across miles, forests and hills the syllables of naming were true and well spoken. Normally the Dragon loathed leaving the comforts Myth Drannor provided but Khazzusdirth the Red was unable to resist, unable to do anything but heel to the naming.

In short time Khazzusdirth passed countless green landscapes, bodies of blue water, and through two furious thunderstorms before finally appearing before the Truenamer on a hill in Daggerdale. The dragon could not have known this hill would be where it would perish this night. 

The Truenamer had a curt look to him, utilitarian but with a strong will capable of channeling a god. His speech was articulate, carefully enunciating each word and infinite syllable. Impeccable style for an individual of his race Khazzusdirth mused, one that wordlessly commanded respect. Khazzusdirth hated the man with such intensity the dragon would swear on a pile of golden treasure his draconic eyes burned with orange hellfire.

The Truenamer examined Khazzusdirth with a critical eye; the act of perusal was an insult on the highest order to the dragon. As far as Khazzusdirth new, red dragons were the pinnacle of form, ferocity; a perfect instrument of death.

A brisk southern wind raced up the green hill upon which the dragon and Truenamer stood tossing back the rusty hood of the Truenamer revealing a human of unknown age with a thin mustache and several burn scars. This pleased the dragon to see.

“To the north of here is a walled town of hucksters, hedonists, and heretics. And like so many cities before it too drunk on itself to survive- Kellet must fall.” The Truenamer paused for dramatic effect. “There you will find the Crypt of Heroes where you and I will focus our might.” The Truenamer said without further theatrics speaking fastidiously.

 

Malyk the Truenamer

“To what end?” Khazzusdirth asked with real curiosity hoping there was something in it for him in addition to his freedom from this lowly servitude.

“I believe the Crypt of Heroes in Kellet contains the bodily remains of Daggerdale’s iconic heroes. The Mage of Black Switch, Foildan the Prince of Thieves, Lathander’s First Templar… and Bardolf Brightblade, the dwarf crafter of legend. The crypt is protected however by the White Necromancer, a mantle and position passed down from generation to generation in Kellet.”

“And for me?” the greedy Khazzusdirth asked.

“You get to live.” Said the Truenamer also known as Malyk said with such coldness, the great red dragon shivered with a chill. “and should that fail, your bones will rise again to serve me. Either way,” Malyk smiled. “the life you once knew is over.” 

Zhents Session 15: Making Friends

This week’s session finds the Zhent characters completing an all-night top to bottom search of Castle Enneth finding various weapons, armor, cold weather and explorer’s gear, and a couple of scared dwarves as Eragyn, Red Morgan and the rest of the Zhents keep watch. Havaok also set a sentry skull to keep watch through the rainy night. The castle seemed to serve as a temporary abode for this resistance group.

Magical items were evaluated and distributed among the characters and Dylan inventories the equipment. Sometime during the early morning Ulric Estone alerts the characters the body of the dead giant is gone. The characters report to investigate but with the night rainy conditions it was not possible to tell if the giant body was carried, dragged, or if it just walked away.

Morning of the fourth day and while Eragyn, Red Morgan and the rest of the Zhents rested the characters set about caring for the livestock, Tiberius crafting swift runner shirt, and El Guapo studying two spell books and combining notes to make a third spell book. Red Morgan continues training Elric, Mornan, and Timrurko in the roguish ways while Mara devotes herself to Eragyn’s new church of Bane in Green Orb.

Later that night, as everyone planned to leave the next morning, the characters received visitors. Outside Castle Enneth was Foucher and five we armed tieflings who demanded the gates be opened for the Strifelord Sumel Ilzimmer. A quick inspection indicated a large group accompanying the Strifelord including a personal entourage as well as a small tribe of orcs, numerous skeletons, and two undead giants. The Strifelord himself, hidden in a covered litter, as the Servants of the Dark Sun were allowed in.

About an hour later the characters meet with Strifelord Sumel Ilzimmer and fully understand their intentions. They travel south to take the dark fight directly to Shadowdale and their temples. It would seem Sumel, Tephna, and Mirrormane are accustomed to assimilating others to their cause and therefore callously assume the characters will join them as well. Havaok countered and invited them to join THEIR team and help rebuild Daggerdale and wait for main Zhentarim force. Lucas interjected and invoked the Ministry’s name and that for the most part, everyone was on the same side. Neither side could come to an agreement so it was agreed among the characters they would leave at first light.

However not long after that Havoak found where the Black Pegasus accompanying the Strifelord was being stabled. Its name was Guetha-Niz an evil creation, made from unicorns infused with the blood of the underworld; he was coal-dark with a coarse black mane and burning red eyes, his horn long and spiraled and chased with silver. He was being held in place by five zombies with heavy silver chains.

After some careful experimentation, Tiberius even attempting to control the zombies, Havaok was able to free Guetha-Niz only to be suddenly and magically transported to the ruined temple to Bane in Green Orb. The remaining characters thought this would be a great time to leave Castle Enneth and the Servants of the Dark Sun and return to Green Orb.

A few hours later the characters reunite in Green Orb to rest at the Schnapps Queen where they would later decide their next course of action. Send Red Morgan and the caravan to Dagger Falls to resupply with the funds Eragyn has gathered. Make contact with any Dagger Falls Zhents and inform them to make contact with Green Orb, after that report to the Flaming Tower before returning to Dagger Falls the following day with hopefully more supplies before finally returning to Green Orb three or four days later. The characters would travel with the caravan as far as they can before breaking off to investigate Kellet. 

Black Switch

Around noon of the fifth day the characters find themselves on the trail to Black Switch, a mostly empty farming village, with a blacksmith, a millstream, mill and a small, newly remodeled former inn and brewery now an Aurora’s Emporium. Here the characters meet with Delbert Hiel who manages the emporium. While eager to do business and make contacts, he is either reluctant to share what he knows of the village or (being new to Daggerdale) does not know much to tell. Delbert does however know that while Black Switch does not have a formal constable, Tristarm and his band of road marshals come through Black Switch at least once every couple of days.

Next it was decided to visit the ruins of Kellet two hours away from Black Switch; that is where we begin next session, an hour away from Kellet.

Ruins of Kellet

Servants of the Dark Sun

Strifelord Sumel Ilzimmer

Necromonger Maksul Mirrormane

Tephna- The Dark Sirine

Foucher and the Gauntlet

Orcs!

THE Black Unicorn

Zombie Giants

Zhents Session 14: The Taking of Castle Enneth

Riders On The Storm

We begin this week’s session with the characters starting an early morning return to Green Orb on day three; 27 days until Guthbert is due to arrive at the Flaming Tower. The first hour saw the beginning drops of what was going to be showers and thunderstorms off and on all day. Eventually the characters draw nearer to Castle Enneth where they see two mounted sentries atop the tallest hill about an hour ride west from the Castle. The characters enter the area which causes one of the watchmen to ride east for Castle Ennith.

The characters split up leaving Rancor and Havaok behind. The others approach the Castle and are eventually confronted by six riders each wearing banded mail, shields, swords and spears, while two of them had lances. The characters speak with an individual named Mccray who puts the characters back on track after the characters give the riders a fabricated cover story.

Dylan, Lucas and El Guapo back track to rendezvous with the other characters after learning security around Castle Enneth has stepped up. Skirting south around Castle Enneth the characters arrive to Green Orb around 3 pm and to the Town Hall to find Heldarn Dernesch and Eragyn speaking with Ulric Estone one of the Zhentirim lead by Red Morgan and the cleric of Bane Mara Trollsblood. Dylan recognizes the man from the caravan.

 

Ulric Estone

Ulric’s story was that the caravan wandered too close to the castle and were approached by riders lead by Gamel from Castle Enneth. When Mara was recognized as a cleric of Bane swords were drawn and we were ordered to surrender as enemies of the dale. When a fight broke out Red Morgan ordered Ulric to make haste for Green Orb and tell everyone of what occurred. 

Meanwhile, outside in the rainy streets of Green Orb, as this story was being told someone notices a leather clad halfling dropping eves outside the town hall building. A chase ensues around the back alley as well as the front streets where the characters trap Balbo Flambard in an alley and capture the resistance’s scout and spy.

Havaok uses the iron rope to restrain the halfling while the characters take poor Balbo back to Town Hall. For the next few hours the characters question Balbo and learn a few things about Castle Enneth and how he came to be in Green Orb. Balbo was deployed from Castle Enneth where Lint Delmiskyr commands a score of freedom riders and followed Ulric to Green Orb. The halfling proved to be a devout resistance member during the questioning until Rancor showed him a fate worse than death; that and the loss of a few digits and the characters believed they had enough information to try to take Castle Enneth. (Balbo: unidentified magic short sword, cloak, armor and bracers.)

RIP Balbo

Waiting for sundown the characters walk to Castle Enneth and wait for darkness before finding a door high up along the outer wall of the Castle. In the meantime Havaok speaks into the shadows and makes contact with Hess. The antipaladin spoke with the kenku about fighting a dragon. Later, as a caravan is being processed in the castle courtyard, the characters make their way into the high entrance leaving Eragyn the Dark and Ulric Estone hidden outside the castle.

After killing a hapless dwarf servant the characters find an unused secret passage with three access points that eventually ends at the inner courtyard where a single wagon is currently being offloaded. Backtracking the characters find the dungeons were Red Morgan, Mara Trollsblood as well as Zhents Mornan and Timrurko were being held, killing two dwarf guards in the process.

After freeing them the characters backtrack the way they came and ascend to the uppermost floor and the rooftop garden and aviary where they get the drop on Aldrich Gundwynd; they take his shit and throw his body off the plateau. Back down the stairs the characters discover the castle resistance occupants are finding the dwarf bodies left behind by their antics; then the giant attacked Castle Enneth shaking the very plateau. (Aldrich: unidentified cloak, bracers, headband, pearl. Wand of Magic Missiles, 2 CMW potions, masterwork swordcane, and a message *see below.)

In the end the characters defeated three dwarfs, ten freedom riders (two were leaders), they finish off a strange hill giant, and drive off who the characters confirm to be Lint Delmiskyr a huge silver dragon.

We pick up a few minutes after combat in Castle Enneth’s courtyard in the company of Eragyn the Dark and Red Morgan, Mara Trollsblood as well as Zhents Ulric Estone, Mornan, and Timrurko.

---

Castle Enneth

Create 154 Goods, 27 Influence, 142 Labor, 2 Magic (6,930 gp)

Rooms 1 Armory, 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bunks, 1 Cell, 1 Courtyard, 1 Crypt, 4 Defensive Walls, 1 Escape Route (Courtyard), 1 Garden, 1 Gatehouse, 1 Gauntlet, 1 Kitchen, 1 Lavatory, 1 Office, 1 Sitting Room, 2 Stalls, 2 Storages

Animals 10 Horses, 2 Draft Horses, 1 Donkey, 6 Chickens, 1 Cow, 1 Goat, 2 Ravens, 2 Dogs, 4 Oxen

---

"A. G.- Dark agents in the Dale again my friend. Zhentarim and or followers of Cyric, undead among them include a possible devil. -S.M."

Gamel and The Dragon

Gamel Emerson

Two Years Ago..

All of Kellet was on fire. Flickering red and crimson shadows reflected off pale stone walls like dancing fairies with wings of flame. Gamel Emerson, a humble rancher who had come to Kellet to sell his brand, surprised himself with his heroics tonight and, quite frankly did not know he had it in him. Emerson did not run like most folk did when the fires began; but in his opinion the Zhentarim or anyone who collaborates with the Black Network are spineless lowfolk at any rate, power-hungry cowards.

When Emerson first saw the terrible red dragon it was perched on the southern stretch of wall that surrounded the small walled city while he was finishing up the days market business. The dragon beat its wings and flayed its tail ferociously. The dragon went for easy prey and plucked a bison from a nearby pen, obviously hungry. With its hunger immediately stated Emerson caught a mischievous look in the dragon’s eye and saw the dragon’s penchant for mayhem reflected in them. 

As men ran to and fro Emerson lost sight of the dragon behind Buxton’s Mercantile when an unexpected instinct came over him. Instead of running Emerson, clear of head and heart, saved four women and three children while the dragon rampaged unchecked on the south east side. Emerson gathered up who he could as he drove his wagon with all haste down Kellet’s main street. When Emerson exited through the south gate he saw something that lifted his spirits to soaring heights.

A silver rider on what seemed like a giant palomino war horse charged out of the night focused on the red dragon; both rider and steed were drenched in fiery colors as they entered the radiance of Kellet as it burned. As Emerson rode for safety, his past life literally going up in flames, he passed the silver hero Emerson would come to know as Lint Delmiskyr.

---

Today..

Gamel Emerson made his way through the stone walls of the castle where Captain Delmiskyr’s large parlor was to be found, the smooth stone halls reminded the former rancher of Kellet which brought thoughts of the dragon.

A short rise of stairs brought Gamel to the parlor door, a great behemoth of a door made from Shadowtop wood and banded with decorative ironworks. Opposite the great door was a painting that rivaled the door in proportions, a depiction of Sir Delhorn Enneth leading scores of followers under a banner of Torm against the vampires of Merrydale. The image was both horrifying and inspirational when Emerson considers the heroics one man is capable of.

Lint Delmiskyr

Before Gamel could knock a voice rose from the parlor, “Gamel Emerson, enter and speak.” The words were well spoken, clear but with a twinge of accent.

The door clicked open revealing a large great hall Lint used as his parlor. The room was draped in alternating purple and silver velvet curtains trimmed in black satin lattice work. Double stitched geometric patterns spiraled out adding a subtle extra dimension to the featured Cormyrean Noble family crest.

               

“Captain Delmiskyr.” Gamel said saluting as he greeted his commander. “Activity at the Dragon’s Skeleton was reported from the south watch post. Haunting sounds, black Green Orb horses, and as strange as it sounds, the tree looks have been felled at that site.” Gamel waited for a reply, but what happened next surprised him.

Lint closed his eyes and appeared to focus then suddenly opened them revealing silver eyes that, as far as Gamel knew, reflected the entire world like two perfect mirrors. Gamel could hardly behold him because at that moment Lint seemed larger than he was and brimmed with power. Gamel was overcome with joy.

“Thank you Gamel. Your words speak true.” Lint’s voice now had a resonance that was not an effect of the large parlor, his eyes had returned to their normal grey color of rain. “You are to take Rodolfo, Atticus, Jess Green, Burch, Cameron , and Mccray and search the area- return with anything you think is interesting or will be useful."

Zhents Session 13: Raiders of the Lost Tomb

Green Orb

We catch up with the Zhent Deputies this week as they re-enter the humble town of Green Orb. Eragyn asked to be taken to the Schnapps Queen to pray and recover her abilities. (It didn’t come out but she has a permanent room here.) She was taken in by Nella, to whom Eragyn has a sister-like relationship.

As Eragyn busied herself, the characters passed the time eating in the Schnapps Queen common room where towns folk came and went helping themselves to stew and apple beer. Some overheard talk of riders seen along neighboring hills heading north.

About an hour later Eragyn returns from her meditations obviously refreshed, determined. She spoke of a strongbox that was at the ruined church that will help rebuild, Tiberius adds a modest amount of funds to this endeavor as a tithe.

Without further delay the characters leave Green Orb for Shraevyn’s Tomb. Their westerly path of travel is devoid of a road or even a trail. A few hours and countless hills later, around midday the characters find a huge skeleton of a dragon laying across a low hill, a dark tree standing sentential waiting for curious victims. A dark cousin to the treant but feeds off the blood of its victims; an example of flora grown awry under the red ring in the sky. The dragon skeleton, a remnant from the godsfall, had a torn piece of horse barding that had the family crest emblazoned on it. 

Red Morgan and Mara Trollsblood

It was then the dark tree attacked instigating a tough fight but after it was over the characters investigated the surrounding area. It was possible the nostril opening in the dragon skull was a message drop where the horse barding was found. Not only did it have a Cormyrean family crest emblazoned upon it, on the back written in blood was the word dragon.

Turning once again west (and slightly north) the characters come within sight of Castle Enneth and a flag flying overhead that looks like the same as the barding found- a Cormyrean family crest. The characters decide not to investigate at this time. 

With Castle Enneth at their backs the characters eventually enter mountainous foothills and encounter a Zhentish caravan who had wandered off the path avoiding monsters. After Dylan made the initial contact, the rest of the characters introduced themselves to the roguish caravan master Red Morgan, a priest of Bane named Mara Trollsblood as well as seven drovers/guards and several oxen. They were road weary from a trip across the desert and ready to be relieved of their cargo: raw building supplies from the west.

The characters identified the need for these goods for rebuilding the church of Bane in Green Orb and Havaok redirected the caravan not to Dagger Falls as was their destination, but to Green Orb instead.

 

To Shraevyn's Tomb

As the sun disappeared behind the Desertmouth Mountains the characters find narrow stairs that lead up to a tomb built into the side of a mountain. The tomb had twenty foot tall statues, one a graceful woman who’s statue had been damaged in an avalanche and the other, a warrior male standing regal and vigilant. The opening to the tomb lie broken revealing a dark interior, there was obvious signs of recent passage.

Inside the characters find a mosaic of a piece of Daggerdale history, but without reference. Deeper in the tomb the characters encounter two cursts, unfortunate undead humanoids trapped under a curse that will not let them die. The encounter was not as challenging as the dark tree, but yielded some magic, the body of Ilthond and some information in a personal journal Ilthond kept.

While some of the information is in Ilthond’s code, the characters were able to discover the mage was hoping to find the soul of Shraevyn hoping that with the soul of the individual who enchanted the Sword of the Dales Ilthond could overcome the sword’s powerful defenses. Unfortunately Ilthond met his end with the undying cursts and Shraevyn’s body, as well as (according to Ilthond's notes) the known deceased Morn family linage has been moved to unknown locations.

The characters decide to rest, taking turns on watch and begin next week’s session on the third day with an overland return trip to Green Orb. 

Zhents Session 12: Castle Daggerdale

The Hills of Daggerdale

Our session in Daggerdale begins in front of Green Orb’s town hall where Heldarn Dernesch, Hieb Jenton and Danus Treagh had gathered seventeen of the town’s residents and farmers. Some came on horses while most walked answering the call of the town bell. In front of the gathered folk Heldarn swore the characters as deputies of Green Orb and announced that they will henceforth bring justice to those who burned down their church, and harried ‘the cause’ implicating heavily that the freedom riders and the Cavaliers of the Order of the Lammasu (referred to collectively as the resistance) to be the enemies.

The deputy characters set up a line where folk could testify to the crimes committed, but all seemed hesitant except a man who introduced himself as Gwayne, the big rancher. Meanwhile, Havaok searched for good souls in the crowd and came away with two: Cris and Regine Rolst, brother and sister who lived on a farm house on Gwayne’s property and who worked repairing farms and stables. 

As Tiberus, Havaok and El Guapo talked with the big rancher, Lucas and Dylan followed Cris and Regine to their farmhouse and staked them out until the other characters caught up with them a while later retrieving horses from Gwayne. While they were being watched Regine busied herself on the porch while after a few minutes Cris grabbed a horse and rode north. Back at the town hall Gwayne was doing all he could to speak for the town because as far as Gwayne knew Heldarn was the man everyone reported to as constable.

After the purchasing of black horses, stark mounts that would surely spook if taken into combat, from Gwayne and the gift of excess potions from the characters- the deputies rode east for Castle Daggerdale in hopes of finding Iceheart the half white dragon of Daggerhills. Along the way the characters take in the rolling landscape of Daggerdale, appreciating both the cover the hills provide as well as the danger that may lurk behind every hill.

Iceheart- Half Drow White Dragon

After a few hours of travel the characters come to the Ashaba River and a mated pair of owlbears enjoying a refreshing drink from the running waters. The characters attack and defeat the owlbears and encounter tall half-elf wildings. The wildings were odd in appearance; tall in stature they dusted their hair and skin with bone dust giving them a ghostly appearance while also disguising their half drow heritage. They asked the characters what they were going to discard the owlbear carcasses, if they were going to just leave them behind. That turned out to be the case as the characters continued for Castle Daggerdale leaving the dead owlbears for the wildings.

An hour later, on a well-traveled path up to the castle, the deputies encountered more drow wildings who said their queen-mother was under a dream-curse. The characters decided to aid the wildings and see to Iceheart and over the next twenty-one hours learned what transpired here, the price that was exacted, and discovered they held Eragyn as their prisoner.

Three days ago, the night the meteor fell, Ilthond came to Castle Daggerdale looking for information on the Morn family. He held audience with the queen-mother who demanded a carnal price from the Zhent wizard. While this was going on Eragyn mistakenly thought Ilthond sought Iceheart for explicit reasons and jealously fought the two after finding them together. In the end Eragyn was captured and Ilthond put Iceheart in a sleep-curse to be woken only by a kiss from a man after he found what he was looking for: The burial mound for Delgar Morn, Randall’s great-great-great-great grandfather and the identity of the mage who enchanted the Sword of the Dales, Shraevyn. The characters notice a ‘Shraevyn's Tomb’ on the map Guthbert gave them. 

In other information: Eragyn, while weakened and dispirited was not forsaken and was still a cleric capable of seeing to rebuilding the church in Green Orb. The Ice ‘queen’ has been in Castle Daggerdale since the time of troubles, the half-drow wildings came as her servants after. That night the characters feasted on owlbear meat and rested.

Midmorning the next day the deputies traveled back to Greeb Orb with Eragyn the Dark and discuss heading to Shraevyn's Tomb after Green Orb by way of Castle Ennith. 

Castle Enneth

Meeting Resistance

Some dwarves were known for their stone or metal working, some are known for their divine magical abilities, no Kharva Stonefist was famous, albiet locally so, for her biscuits. Kharva worked at The Hall for decades, and breakfast was her specialty. The Hall is a feasthouse that served the local community in many capacities ranging from stage plays to weddings and of course meals at anytime of the day. The dwarf woman had watched generations of local boys and girls grow up to become farmers, craftsmen, and housewives; then there were the other children who took up the sword and shield whose lives were cut short by the encroachment of evil. Cut short by the Zhentlar.

Kharva worked this early morning to make all her guests as comfortable as possible; resistance members summoned in secret to hear the motivating words of Randall Morn and to exchange information and this morning The Hall was today’s venue.

---

As Kharva swept the planked wooden boardwalk the first of the dalesman came just before dawn, a devotee of the Benevolence, Melfar of Lathander. Dressed in the new gold dragon motif, the field chaplain worshiped the sun openly singing in draconic to the sun as it crested the Dagger Hills.

Balbo Flambard

Also eager to worship that morning was Realgar Runeguard of the Brightblade dwarves who arrived soon after; however his devotions, Kharva lamented, involved copious amounts of the local brew. 

Kharva started breakfast and soon The Hall was filled with the smells of eggs, biscuits and sausage. She soon heard the sound of approaching horses and before Kharva knew it Balbo Flambard was there, the halfling scout was true to his name and arrived undetected using the sound of Lint Delmiskyr and Vacek Kordova’s arrival; the two handsome riders greeted everyone cheerily. 

Finally, as was usual, Aldrich Gundwynd arrived an hour in advance of Randall. The wizened man entered The Hall and immediately began casting protective and divination spells after which Aldrich sent his falcon to signal the leader of the Freedom Riders and the rightful ruler of Daggerdale that all was well.

Lint Delmiskyr

As morning began in earnest Kharva could detect a faint gallop along the pasture, the approach of the seventh guest was nigh. The men prepared themselves finishing their breakfast and washing it down with the last of the coffee while Kharva started brewing a fresh kettle.

Kharva heard the dales hero dismount and step up the boardwalk, Randall entered The Hall and pleasantly greeted each individual. As he did this each attendee touched the blade of the Sword of the Dales in fealty. This excited even Kharva as she cleaned up, it was no wonder the folk of the dale looked to Randall as their protector and leader.

He looked to the assemblage, “Thank you all for coming.” Randal Morn began, his voice clear and sure. “I will hear any news you have brought me.” As he said this he handed his sword’s scabbard to Melfar as a speaking token conveying to everyone that the cleric of Lathander had the floor.

At this act Melfar spoke up, “The safehouses in Sunstone are secure I'm glad to report, those who wish shelter from the oppression will find food and shelter there.” Melfar handed the scabbard to the dwarf.

Realgar had less than good news to report to the resistance, “Dwarf scouts report orcs have began to settle in Galders and goblins have returned to Stonehome."

Aldrich Gyndwynd

“Dwarf scouts..” Balbo harrumphed deftly swiping the scabbard from Realgar. “.. my rump. Anyway, some interesting news out of Black Switch; a newcomer, from another dale, is looking to buy the old Mage’s Ruse building. If he’s a true dalesman then I’m sure he can be an ally.” 

It was Lint’s turn with the scabbard, “A mage has decided to settle the old Shadowtop Estate at Serpents Bridge and like Balbo’s new friend, not much is known about this one at this time.”

As the morning sunlight illuminated the east wall of the feasthall the scabbard changed hands again, this time to Vacek the Rider of Mistledale.

“As you know both Kellet and Teshmere were destroyed by at least one dragon during the godsfall, while initially assessed as total losses one merchant was overheard at Fulgath’s there were efforts to stage Zhentlar there since there is no reason to go there as both towns are in ruins.”

Finally it was Aldrich who took the scabbard and briefed everyone on what he and Randall discussed before the meeting. Gentlemen, every farm and settlement is important; however, Nettle is more so because it produces much of our food. Any threats against it or its people should be reported at the next meeting.”

Randall Morn

Randall took the scabbard and sheathed the Sword of the Dales and regarded the attendees- his friends, “We have come a long way since the Zhentarim overran Daggerdale and held us under its aegis; we must stay vigilant else our victory will be short lived. I estimate we have four weeks before we see an increase in hostilities.”

“Against more stinking Zhents?” Kharva asked in a rare moment of incredulity.

“Aye, good lady spring fast approaches which is when the Zhentairm reinforcements arrive and I believe if we can thwart them, and if we can keep them from taking Daggerdale this summer- we will have dealt them such a loss they cannot hope to recover from.”

Randall looked to his friends, “Lint, I want you to find out who this new individual is at Shadowtop Manor by tonight’s meeting, we need assets in the dale. Balbo you too, find out who the new merchant is in Black Switch.  The rest of you, my friends keep your ears to the wind and I’ll see you at tonight’s meeting at the arranged location.”