Chapter 3.2 (Session 71, 8th January 2019)

In which our heroes explain themselves to the council   Book Two, Chapter 3.2 (session 71, 8 th January 2019) The Party: Naergon Harna, elven wizard (Diviner) Mads Rangle, human fighter/warlock (Fiend: Archdevil Zariel) Jamna Gleamsilver, gnome rogue (Arcane Trickster) Tomaz Stormwind, human ranger (Hunter) Druscilla Oakenrock, dwarven cleric (Trickery: Mask) Talis Wintercrest, half-elven cleric (War: Bane)   Part 1 - Breakfast at Xonthal's Tower Over breakfast in the village Mads looks up and says “ Druscilla, you’re the only person in our party who’s experienced coming in and out of this time shift effect before, right?” “What, err you mean because I did the flying out and waiting for you at the sundial that time, I thought you took several hours to make your way back, whilst you claimed it was but a handful of minutes. Is that what you mean?” “Yes, that’s it exactly. So, what I’m wondering is why does time seem to have moved quicker outside of the maze for all of us. Because three months have gone by for the rest of the world whilst we all spent but a day within the tower. However, for you when you left, time was slower for you not quicker.”   There’re a few minutes silence whilst the table wrestles with this problem, eventually Druscilla says “ I think I agree with you, it should have felt like only moments for me but you all should have been waiting for hours if a day within the tower reflects three months outside. The thing is Mads I wasn’t actually outside the maze, I tried to fly up and out but hit some kind of magical barrier when I attempted to teleport and ended up at the sundial and the sundial is within the maze. Whatever that time shift effect was it was within the maze. Maybe time passes at different rates in different parts of the maze, or maybe when you travel from one place within the maze to another, you’re actually shifting dimensions?” “that’s interesting” muses Mads “ maybe then the time shift we’re all experiencing didn’t have anything to do with the maze. Maybe it was when we entered the tower?” “For all we know, yes that might be so ” replies Druscilla. “ I tell you, it’s all relative ” mutters Tomaz from the other end of the table.   After a little while longer Mads asks Naergon “ can you check out the various items we collected form the maze, see if they’re magical?” “Absolutely, I can do that. You just lay the things out on the table and I’ll take a look for you” responds Naergon happily. Mads reaches into his bag of holding, and again and again. “ That’s odd” he says “ there was a maul, from that monk, several pearls from those plants and some bloodstones from the animated armour that I know I collected but I can’t retrieve any of them”. “Ah well, there you go Mads, they probably only existed within the dimensional shell game of the maze ” says Naergon haughtily as he packs his ritual items away. Meanwhile, under the table, Jamna surreptitiously unrolls the scroll she pocketed and takes a look, determining that it is another scroll of protection against earth elementals.   Mads sits back, pushes his plate away and says “right, when we get back to The Council, I have some questions I want answers to. I thought I’d run them past you all first to see if you want to add or change anything. Do you think it’s a good idea that we agree a list of questions in advance?” “Absolutely” says Naergon “let’s hear what you have come up with.”   “Right then” starts Mads “The first question is: who handed the mask over to the cultists in the tower in the first place?” No one” interrupts Tomaz “the cultists had it already, this Iskandar grabbed it and offered it to us, we found him, acquired the mask and then handed it over to the blue dragon” “I think you’re getting a bit too far ahead” replies Mads. “Someone sent the mask to the cultists in the tower for them to examine. I am wondering who that someone was?” “Yeah, it was other cultists” says Tomaz, “I don’t think we know that” says Druscilla “and that’s Mads’s point, we don’t know who gave the mask to these cultists”. “Yeah” continues Mads “why would cultists be sending the mask here, if it were me I’d want that mask at the Well of Dragons safe and sound ready for the Great Ritual!”   “I think you’ll find” interrupts Talis “ that the letter from Iskandar identified that the mask had been sent from the cult leaders to the wizards at the tower for examination. Now it seems clear from what we discovered and encountered within the tower that these wizards were part of the ‘old cult’ the cult interested in dracoliches and such. And believe me when I say that Severin’s rise to dominance within the cult and his decision to direct all the cults resources to the completion of this Great Ritual did not happen without opposition and bloodshed. There remain large elements of the cult who are ethically and fundamentally opposed to the idea and his leadership. It is not impossible they were sent a mask to examine as a means of convincing them of the reality or some such. Besides this Iskandar said he had stolen the mask and fled in fear of his life, no doubt there was some kind of power struggle within the tower, possibly between the old cult and new, this Iskandar seems to have seen betrayal as his best survival option.”   “ That’s helpful insight but it is speculative ” says Mads “and be that as it may, the second question I want to ask is: do any of the council have any information on the background of this Iskandar? The third is: how exactly did Iskandar contact this Rian Nightshade, all we know is she had a letter? Where did it come from, how did it come into her possession? Did Rian know Iskandar, that’s an important question I’d like an answer to? Also, many of you have sending devices, I don’t know how long the council thought we’d be gone but I bet it wasn’t three months. So why haven’t any of them tried to contact you? And finally, I think we should ask each member of the council who they would vouch for on the council”. There’s an intake of breath from Tomaz “ I can imagine what their response to that would be!” Mads looks around the table, “ anyway, that’s what I thought of, does anyone else have questions they’d like to throw in the pot?” “Not me” mumbles Druscilla, who seems rather distracted fiddling with her rings [makes contact via sending asking if there are any known dirty council members, her contact is surprised to hear from her: “ where the hell have you been? The councillors are ditherers but no, not dirty ”]. “ There’s one, well it’s not so much a question” stammers Naergon “ it’s more how we want to, err, well how we want to treat the blue mask? Because I don’t think it was genuine.” There are gasps around the table and several sharp glances, particularly in Jamna’s direction. “ What, exactly, do you mean Naergon?” asks Tomaz. “ Well, as I threw the mask to the dragon, I took the opportunity to cast a bit of an interrogatory spell on it and I can tell you that it did not feel right to me. I’ve had the opportunity to examine the green mask and in comparison, this mask was heavily ensorcelled with illusion and radiance spells. It’s difficult to explain to non-practitioners of the Art but in my opinion that blue mask was an elaborate fake not the real article.” After a moment’s silence Druscilla looks up “ Wow, so why did the dragon want it so badly then?” “Excellent question” replies Naergon “ maybe the dragon didn’t know, maybe it just wasn’t that smart. And the magic was powerful, very cool it just wasn’t right, not like the other masks. It was a mishmash of illusion and misdirection but it was a very well-crafted item. Not a cheap replica.” “Well, I’ll agree that the dragon didn’t appear very smart” agrees Tomaz. “ That’s as maybe” muses Naergon “ whether the dragon was fooled it would seem that someone else wanted the mask back regardless”. Quietly Jamna, twists her bracelet and communicates with her contact [“I obtained the blue mask but it was fake” the reply comes “disappointing but we still have options on the green”.] “Up to this point ” says Druscilla, slowly “ we have always told the council the truth and as far as I know they have been upright with us. What, exactly, is it that is now making us question them, to think that they may be not what they seem to be?” There’s a pause before Naergon says “ I guess, from my perspective. It’s because we’ve been sent on a wild goose chase. The whole thing seems to be a ruse, the only impact of which has been to take us out of the picture for three months. It just feels suspicious to me.” “Yes, well I’m ready to be suspicious ” says Mads, slamming his fist on the table “ if we get back and find that things have happened, that we could have stopped, then it’s just too coincidental that we were side-lined!” “Indeed ” affirms Tomaz “we should demand to see the green mask on our return, just to be sure” “ Well I have no idea how we approach the council with an eye to finding any false agents” says Druscilla. “ I think we could do something along the lines of returning and claiming that we have the blue mask but its hidden somewhere, or maybe that it got destroyed. Use a bit of misdirection and see if anyone acts inconsistently ” says Naergon. “ I’m not sure what we gain Naergon ” says Mads, “ what do we lose by being absolutely truthful?” “well, err, err I think, err that we, err” stutters Naergon “ I think that what we lose, we’ve already lost. For me if the goal was to waste our time, this was the perfect place to send us. If we’d taken longer, then I don’t know we could be returning to find Tiamat has been summoned and the world turned to ash and horror. The whole thing feels odd to me.” “I agree it feels like that was the intent ” says Mads “ and it was Rian Nightshade that sent us here – or conveniently produced the letter that got us sent here and she seems to be working with or for Lord Neverember” “I accept that Mads ” says Naergon “ but we have to consider that she might be being played just like the rest of us.” Mads sits back down “ you’re right Naergon and to be fair the Lady SIlverhand did say that they feared that this may well be a red herring or a trap but that the council felt we couldn’t ignore the bait.” “We are where we are and it is what it is” mutters Naergon. “ It might have been a conspiracy within the council or it might have been a genuine blunder or a necessary risk that didn’t pay off. I think we have to accept that if it was a ruse to get rid of us for a time, then congratulations, it worked. It would be great if we could unmask someone on the council as a conspirator but I’m not even sure there is one, let alone whether we have evidence to unmask them. I don’t think we have anything to add to your list of questions Mads but I’m sure it will be an interesting meeting nevertheless.” “In that case ” Tomaz adds “ if it was a ruse, then we should admit that the mask wasn’t genuine but an elaborate fake and that’s why we were prepared to let the dragon take it. Otherwise we have to explain why we were willing to hand back a genuine mask – I’m sure there will be armchair warriors that will think we should have fought to keep it.” “But we should have fought it” splurts Mads “ it was cowardice not to, you may think you had no chance but I’m telling you I have fought dragons before. I’ve fought them in their lairs, with their minions. This was but a lone beast, we should have fought” “It had minions!” claims Tomaz. “What minions?” demands Mads. “ In the village, it was full of cultists.” “ What? Where? Point them out to me, right now, I see no cultists here just villagers” growls Mads. “Calm down, both of you!” Naergon shouts “ we can argue all day on what ifs, in my opinion it was sensible and prudent not to fight. You may feel different Mads, but it was not cowardice to avoid that fight. But in any case, that decision is behind us, arguing over it is worthless. Move on. All I want to know is what we are telling the council, do we tell them we handed it over or not?” “We should not hide anything ” says Mads, “ we should tell the council it was fake and a such we handed it over to save lives ” adds Druscilla “ it’s close enough to the truth. If we start lying to them, we’ll never have trust again. I see no evidence that the council has betrayed us – that’s not to say we don’t stay open to the possibility but if we start to assume that they are corrupt without evidence then we might as well just pack up and let Tiamat have her way!” “Tomaz” asks Mads “ at the moment that Naergon handed over the mask, did you believe it was real?” “Yes, of course I did but I trust Naergon, if he tells me that it was a fake, I for one believe him” Tomaz responds hotly. “ So, at that time all you knew was that our wizard was handing a mask to the dragon and you thought that was fine did you?” “Naergon had his reasons and I trust him, so yes it’s fine with me” growls Tomaz “ but I see no reason to have this discussion in front of the council, we simply tell them we handed over a fake”. “Really, just to make you look better?” Mads turns “Naergon, did you know it was a fake when you handed it over?” “Err, no, no not exactly ” admits Naergon “ but we had no option, I told you at the time. If it came down to a fight I was gone, I can’t fight a dragon with a pointy stick!” “Calm down, all of you” cries Druscilla “ we need to make a decision, what do we tell the council?” “You know what? ” snarls Mads “ I really don’t have any ties to this council. Whatever you want to say to them just say it.  I won’t interrupt.” Druscilla turns “ Naergon, as our spokesperson . . .” “I’m not our spokesperson ” cries Naergon in horror. “ Yes you are, you always have been ” continues Druscilla remorselessly “ as our spokesperson, how do you see we should approach them?” “I think the questions Mads proposed were pretty good, I think we should put them to the council and see what they say. And I think we should tell the truth with regards what actually happened at the tower ” replies Naergon. “ Do you think we should put the question in their minds, ask them to consider if they have been duped?” continues Druscilla. “Yes, I think that’s a genuine and reasonable question ” responds Naergon “ if we think that, then we should ask them to consider it as well” “In that case” says Druscilla, standing up and grabbing her bag “I think we’re ready to go?” Everyone else agrees and with a twist of one of the studs on her helmet Druscilla teleports them all back to the courtyard outside their lodgings in Waterdeep. They’re arrival causes a bit of a stir, with servants and such being surprised to see them but all is soon made ready and arrangements for them to attend the council the following day are quickly established. The party take the opportunity to get cleaned up, do some shopping and take a well-earned rest. The local inns are full of tales of armies marching to war led by dragons, of villages and towns far away to the east and south being destroyed, peoples enslaved or killed. There’s a general feeling that doom is approaching among the local population, mixed with a stoicism and determination that belies the fact that few of them have the first idea what is coming in reality.

Part 2 Council Politics In the morning the party attend the Council of Waterdeep to brief the councillors on events today and hopefully receive information on the situation across the north – surely it can’t be as bad as the local peasantry imply. As they enter the council chamber, they see Lady Silverhand presiding in the Chair of Lordship at the top of the dais, to her left at the foot of the stage are the delegates of the various factions, Onthar from the Order of the Gauntlet, Remallia of the Harpers and Delaan from the Emerald Enclave. To her right and on the dais are the Alliance representatives for the dwarves, Conneard and elves King Melandrach. Below them are ranged the various human Alliance delegates, Lord Neverember (with his advisor Rian Nightshade), Marshall Ravengard, Taern Hornblade and standing slightly separately Sir Istavel, representative for Cormyr. Druscilla strides forward “ well what’s been happening whilst we’ve been away then, I see a lot of glum faces?” Lady Silverhand looks down on her “ we’ll come back to your unexpectedly long absence in a moment. As to what has been happening here, quite a bit really!” She continues to inform the meeting that there are cult armies spreading westwards, led by dragons, that many eastern towns and cities are already under siege, hundreds of village shaving been burnt and a gathering swell of refugees are heading west in front of the dragonstorm. Citadel Adbar, eastern most of the great northern dwarven halls, is under siege and Citadel Felbar and Silverymoon itself threatened if the cult can break through the mountains. In the hinterland Loudwater is perilously close to the advancing hordes as are Soubar, Triel and Scornubel further south. Whilst the threat remains at arm’s reach for now, the major cities of Neverwinter, Waterdeep and Baldurs Gate will not remain so forever and are already heavily impacted by a growing refugee crisis. Reports form the Moonsea and the Sea of Falling Stars likewise are similar. The cult is brazenly laying waste the land, capturing and enslaving the free population and displacing hundreds of thousands. Not just the free folk, the cult’s terror tactics play across the various wildling and uthgardt tribes as well as hundreds of tribes of humanoids. Those that do not bow to the yolk are forced west or enslaved for whatever dark purpose the cult may make of them. As if the villages of the hinterland didn’t have enough to worry about they are now prey to uprooted bands of savage humanoids. The armed forces of the Alliance are stretched thin, protecting that which they can but cannot be everywhere, nor can they mass strength against the dragonstorm armies if they are spread across the hinterland from Silverymoon to Eturiel protecting homesteaders from the ravages of savages. Lady Lareal continues “ we are discussing what we can do but as usual opinions are divided. We must protect our citizens and we must also halt these armies – and defeating dragon led armies is no small matter! Additionally, we have to accept that these are but the symptoms of the problem. As you yourselves have confirmed the real problem lies deep within the Well of Dragons where this Severin plans on summoning Tiamat into the Realms. Above all else we must not allow this but we cannot do everything. Your absence has been troubling and we’ve had to rely on lesser resources.” Remallia says in a clear undertone “ there have been too many failures, too much is already lost, we must protect what is left” . Onthar snorts “ we must march and march now! We defeat their armies in the field and their house will fold like a pack of cards. Justice demands action!”. Delaan protests “ we must do all in our power to avoid war, war is the greatest threat to nature’s balance. We must cut out the cancerous threat not flay the patient ”. Lord Dagult steps forward “ I will take the field, the armies of the northern cities will march, fight and die but we will require food and supplies from our richer neighbours in the south ”. Behind him Rian says “ we can supply arms, material and manpower . . . at a price, we’re in this together but business is business .” From the stage Conneard growls and rumbles “ we dwarves fight already, support us – or not. We will remember once we’ve done hammering dragons into flagons.” Besides him the melancholy King Melandrach murmurs “ all is lost, do what you will, my people head west, this land is lost, the dragons can have it for all I care.” Marshall Ravengard looks around “ Baldur’s Gate has its own battles to fight, its own peoples to feed. We cannot fight your battles or feed your people but do not doubt that we fight the same enemy and in that you have our undoubted support ”. The elderly Taern mumbles “ Cities and Armies! It is the free folk, the poor folk that pay the price. We cannot ignore their peril and hunker behind walls and wards .” Sir Istavel shuffles his feet and steps slightly further to the side to reinforce the separation “ Cormyr fights, do not doubt that, we stand alongside you but we cannot defeat Tiamat with armies and soldiers.” Lady Silverhand lets the rumbling and posturing die down and then turns to the party “ So you can see that we have our hands full and that things aren’t looking as positive as when we last spoke. Now perhaps you could let us know what you have all been doing for so long. We had really expected you back within days, a tenday at most and you haven’t been responding to any of our attempts to contact you. We had assumed the worst and that you had fallen, so happy as I am to see you all here, we would like an explanation. Do you at least have the blue mask?” Naergon steps up “ no one has attempted to contact any of us!” “Yes, we have” replies Laeral “ I am assured by Remi here that her associates have been attempting to contact both yourself and Tomaz daily without response. Well until recently in any case.” “Hrrmph, well, err that may very well be true” replies Naergon huffily “ but I assure you that we have not received any communication. I believe that is because Xonthal’s Tower is a strange inter-dimensional anomaly and that simple sendings and such minor spells simply cannot get through” Lady Silverhand sits back “ yes I suppose that could be possible, Xonthal he was always a strange one. Mind I only ever met him the once” she muses “ he was always interested in time and the inter-relation of time and dimensional travel, so that sort of makes sense. Mind that was over two thousand years ago and I don’t recall the details so I don’t know what he’s doing now?” “Err, well we didn’t see him milady ” says Naergon. “No, I wouldn’t imagine you would, not that I know where he went, not since . . . well never mind, I only met him briefly as I say but it doesn’t surprise me that this tower would be some kind of dimensional space. I wasn’t anticipating the time effect though ” murmurs Laeral, half to herself. “ Yes well ” continues Naergon “ that explains why we’ve been gone for so long and why you couldn’t contact us. For the record I will say that we entered the tower on the morning of 20 th Mirtul and exited it that same evening, to find that three months had passed, so we’re all a little bit disconcerted to say the least .”   “Anyway” continues Naergon “ you don’t seem to have accomplished very much in our absence. As far as I can see you’re all just fighting and bickering with one another. This isn’t the sort of leadership I was expecting to see ” Lady Silverhand sits rigidly and stares Naergon in the eye, coldly she says “ we are fighting on all fronts, men and women are dying in the thousands to protect and secure what they can against enemies they have no hope of defeating. We have been holding the Realms together waiting on our ‘heroes of the hour’ to return with good news” “I thought there was only one front” declares Naergon “ Severin’s Ritual!” “Absolutely, we must attack the head ” cries Delaan. “ Tell that to the refugees and victims flooding the streets Naergon. That is our dilemma ” declares Laeral. “ Their villages will be raised anyway ” says Naergon “ we cannot protect what is lost!” Remallia gasps and whispers “ no! ”, Taern frowns “ you wouldn’t say that if it were your families being ravaged”. “That’s as maybe but it’s the greater good we need to look to now, how much worse do you think it will be if Tiamat returns?” “Naergon,” says Remallia sternly “ I expected better from you, we need to do both, we cannot abandon the people out of convenience!” “Nonsense ” cries Delaan, “ we must avoid war and deprivation, why should the world pay the price of humanities failings? We need to strike at the heart of the cult, penetrate Severin’s headquarters and stop the ritual” Onthar turns on him “ and you think the dragons and armies will just disappear then do you? That thinks will just go back to how they were? We need to meet this threat head on, in the field and protect our peoples”. “I’m surprised ” cries Naergon “ to find myself in agreement with the Emerald Enclave but we must strike at the heart, that is our salvation” Tomaz speaks up “ has any information come to light on exactly where Severin is conducting this ritual? ” Silence falls as the various council members look at him, Laeral eventually replies “ no, you are our primary source of such information and you have been missing for three months” “No we haven’t, it’s been but a day ” interjects Naergon. Exasperated Laeral turns on him “ well you have been gone for three months as far as the rest of the world is concerned and I think the world’s opinion weighs rather more heavily than yours! I accept the plausibility of some kind of temporal side-effects of inter-dimensional shenanigans considering where you’ve been and I’m not accusing you of absconding for three months but you have been gone for three months and that’s an end to that argument” Naergon takes a breath “ OK, it’s been three months and things have got a bit worse but it doesn’t seem that bad. And what exactly have you been doing whilst we’ve been sequestered? Presumably you eventually decided that we were dead and not coming back, so what’s the backup plan? In short what have you actually done since we’ve been gone?” Laeral glowers at him “ we have pursued different options and made use of other agents, alas with little success. No other agents have managed to penetrate the borders of the cult and get close to the Well of Dragons – or at least none have returned with any information. Our resources have been depleted and overburdened dealing with armies of fanatics led by dragons. Do you think we can just raise some local militia and that’ll suffice? We need specialists such as yourselves to spearhead our defences against these armies. We need specialists such as yourselves to penetrate the cult defences. Many have tried. But we have not had much success, our hopes rested on your shoulders, we had hoped you would return with another mask. Denying the masks to Severin still seems a sensible tactic to prevent his ritual whilst we deal with his armies. We are still pursuing leads to other masks but we have lost too many agents attempting to get at Severin, I will not send more until we know more or have a better chance of success.” “ Well, if we’re your principle information gathers, I’m pleased to say we have some good news ” says Naergon, adding “ and some bad .” Laeral leans back “ well let’s have the good news, it’ll make a change and I’m sure it’ll be shorter.” “Well, the good news is that there was a blue mask but it was a fake, so we were sent to Xonthal’s under false pretences. ” “ That seems very strange” says Laeral “ you think it was a ruse to trap you there then?” “Pretty sure of that yes ” agrees Naergon. “ Hmm, the letter appeared genuine enough ” muses Laeral, glancing across to Dagult and Rian. “ The letter may well be genuine but the mask was not ” confirms Naergon. “ So, the mask was a fake? Do you have it with you, it would be useful to examine it? The construction of it as compared to the green mask in our possession may be very informative.” “Ahhm, that’s the bad news ” admits Naergon. “ when we came out of our three-month sojourn in the tower, exhausted and severely depleted in resources. We were met by a blue dragon.” “Yes, a common enough tale these days and one you didn’t put much store in a moment ago, but continue ” interrupts Laeral. “ Hrrmph, yes well, the dragon demanded the mask, there was no way we could defeat it in the state we were in” replies Naergon huffily “so handed it over, even though at the time we did not know it was a fake.” There’s a bit of a gasp from the councillors at that admission. “ Nevertheless” continues Naergon “ being the resourceful types that we are I managed to cast some divination magics on the mask in the handover and can verify without doubt or hesitation that it was a fake. A very well crafted, heavily ensorcelled fake but a fake.” “You are very certain it was a fake?” asks Laeral. “ When I say it was a fake I am utterly convinced of the forgery ” replies Naergon. “ So, no chance it was merely masked by a Nystal’s Magic Aura, or similar. And you performed lengthy and rigorous research and divination on the item before you handed it meekly to the cult?” “To tell you the truth, because I am always truthful in such things ” replies Naergon “ the investigation had to be undertaken promptly, decisively and efficiently using every ounce of my experience and knowledge. That expertise that you, yourself have already indicated makes us your number one resource in the fight against Severin!” Laeral half smiles and shakes her head “ I did not mean to undermine your expertise but it would have been far preferable to have been able to examine it here under more rigorous circumstances, so you’ll forgive my disappointment.” “ Given that the mask was a fake and the entire exercise seems suspiciously like a trap designed to deny you of our services” says Druscilla “ would it not be prudent to examine, in detail how that letter came into your hands?” “Well the letter appeared genuine, we knew it was from the cult and we knew there was a chance it was bait for a trap. We all accepted that possibility but decided that it was worth the risk – what we hadn’t anticipated was that it would be a time trap. ” Replies Laeral. “ How do you know it was genuine, where did it come from?” demands Druscilla pushing her point. “ As far as we could ascertain it had all the hallmarks of a genuine letter. We accepted it might be an elaborate trap and as such there really was no way to verify the authenticity of the letter without following up on it. If you recall we had this discussion before you left. Honestly, I can remember and it was three months ago for me, apparently for you it was just yesterday, so you ought to remember better than I. We decided that it was worth the gamble if there was even the slightest chance there was a mask at the end of it. The cult dangled a blue mask as bait, we took the bait, knowing full well it might be a trap. Unfortunately, it would appear they were a step or two ahead of us. Would you have had us do anything different?” “Right, you’re probably right, so where are we now? What’s the latest news. What rumours are circulating, we’ve been out of the loop for three months what are the deliberations of the council now?” asks Druscilla. “ Well the current deliberation is essentially three fold, do we commit to military action in the field (as Onthar here would have us do), or do we commit our armed forces to police actions to protect and escort the thousands of refugees descending on the Sword Coast (as Remellia would have us do)? Alongside that are the fact that the dwarves and soon several other northern cities will be under siege – do we support them directly or indirectly? Whether we take the field for either purpose, as my Lord of Neverember and his mercantile advisor have pointed out we need to fund and feed the armies but as Taern and Remallia would remind me our food reserves will be needed for the refuges, which do we prioritise? And of course, as Delaan keeps reminding me none of that actually defeats Severin or prevents Tiamat being summoned, for that we need specialists like yourselves. Of course, as I keep reminding Sir Winterhound that option is not actually in opposition to either of the other two but until your return the chance of success has been minimal. Hopefully that clears the picture for you?” “Yes, thank you but that’s not what I meant” says Druscilla “I was only speaking with reference to our mission, the central one to eliminate Severin and stop the ritual. The other matters are for you politicians to solve, but trust me if you’d just open your coffers, I’m sure there are those willing to self you what you need to survive.” Tomaz steps up “ I think we should direct an all-out attack on the Well of Dragons. If our combined military concentrate on an attack at the heartland whilst we (and perhaps other specialist teams) attempt to penetrate the Well itself, we should be able to overwhelm their defences and prevent this ritual” “That’s what I’m talking about ” growls Onthar, “ hit them hard and keep hitting them until Justice is served.” “Oh, for heaven’s sake” cries Laeral “ we’re discussing whether we have the strength and resource to halt their armies. We do not have the wherewithal to commit to an all-out assault, we’d strip our defences bare and end up with our combined army facing their combined army in the open. We’d be overwhelmed in hours. And how does that help the specialist teams?” “What we need is a way to get into the Well” says Tomaz. Mads leans over and asks “ Tomaz, if I told you right now how to get into the Well, would you go?” “Well if we could get in, it gives us the best chance to disrupt the ritual, so I think so yes” replies Tomaz puzzled. “You know that it would be much more difficult than fighting a lone blue dragon, right?” continues Mads “ and you weren’t up for that, what makes you think you’d be up for this?” Tomaz scowls and stares at the floor, grinding his teeth. Druscilla stares at Mads, turns and says “ I still think we’re after denying them masks, or stealing their masks. Diving in to prevent the ritual is the final act, as it stands, we have one mask, they have three we believe and as far as I know the white is still missing, correct?” Mads replies “ I’m not so sure, I think we’ve missed them all – the only one we haven’t had sight of is the red one and I’m fairly certain Severin has that.” “Are you certain” says Druscilla, “ we’ve chased after the white mask but never found it, do we know the cult has it?” At this point Lord Neverember steps forward “ actually, on that very subject I might have some pertinent information. I am reliably informed that Maccath the Crimson from the Hosttower, I’m sure you all remember her, yes? Well she has asked to speak to the council on that very matter – the white mask. She believes she has made a discovery. I suggest, at Lady Silverhand’s discretion that we adjourn whilst I send word for her to attend. We could perhaps reconvene after lunch to hear what she has to say?” “Very well my lord ” says Lady Laeral “ I think we could all do with a break. I assume it will not take long for Lady Maccath to make the journey? So, shall we reconvene in say an hour, that gives us time for a light lunch and to gather our arguments. With luck we might be able to reach some form of consensus before nightfall ”. 

Part 3 Lunch and an Unexpected Offer With that the council breaks up, the various councillors heading off to their chambers. The party head off for lunch as well, on his way out Naergon stops by Leosin at the entrance door “ well met, hope you’ve been keeping well, just a quick question. Whilst I’ve been away, has there been any noticeable absentees from the council. Anyone left for a while or been unexpectedly unavailable at all?” “Ah Nnnn Naergon [hic] err, nnnno everyone has ccccome and ggone around the palace to some extent but nno nno one has been absent as such ” replies Leosin, as usual sounding a little worse the wear for wine. “ I see and any rumours about the councillors, any strange visitors or unusual activity, what rumours are there at court?” continues Naergon “ oh nnno nnnothing like that. I mmean they’re always rumours and such but nothing cccconected to this. . . or you, I assure you Nnnnn Naergon, nnno nnnothing at all [hic]” Over lunch Naergon states “ I’m really rather frustrated by all this, I fear we are to be sent on another mission. Judging by Dagult’s comments I think they are still looking to grab all the masks which will just make the situation drag out even longer, rather than go to the Well and try and end things now.” Tomaz adds “ well, they don’t have the green mask, we know that”. “That’s the one we have here ” confirms Naergon “ plus we know they do have the black mask, that’s with Rezmir. And I suspect that they also have the real blue mask, and that one we found at the tower was just a ruse, bait to catch us.” “I agree ” says Druscilla. Naergon nods “ the red mask we can safely assume is either with the Red Wizards or Severin himself, that latter probably. That leaves the white mask which as far as I know is unaccounted for. That’s probably what Maccath is going to present us with, white dragons were her area of expertise after all. Now I don’t have a problem with grabbing masks and if that’s what the council wants us to do then I’m fine with it but I do worry that it is just dragging the whole affair out. Sooner or later we need to deal with Severin at the heart of things.” Tomaz, Jamna and Druscilla all quietly agree. Naergon changes the subject “ what I have been able to do is have a bit of a natter with some of my contacts here at court. And according to them, it appears that none of the council have been absent or off doing unexplained things .” “ My contacts agree with that, I asked the same ques tion” confirms Druscilla. “ Also, as far as I can tell there are no rumours or strange behaviour from the council members my associates felt worthy of note ” concludes Naergon. “I’ve nothing to add to that” says Druscilla. “Anyone else got anything to say?” asks Naergon, “ Mads?” “ What? No, they’re your council they have nothing to do with me, and I wouldn’t let them speak to me like that either.” “So, you’ve not heard anything from your puppet master then?” asks Druscilla. “ I doubt it” muses Naergon “ She doesn’t seem to be of much help!”. “I told you all of the help that is offered by my, err ‘sponsor’ and that is an army that can fight when it comes time to assault Tiamat’s lair. Other than that, we’re relying on your masters. Now excuse me I have some personal matters to attend to .” With that Mads pushes his drink aside, gets up and leaves “ I’ll see you in the council”. “Well that’s that ” says Druscilla “ I guess we head back and see what her ladyship has to offer?” The others nod and agree. “ Where’s Talis?” asks Tomaz. As they are getting up, they see Rian Nightshade approaching them, a slightly mischievous grin on her half-elven face. “I just wanted to have a bit of a chat with you. Currently I’m in negotiation with the Lords’ Alliance for the possibility of our purchasing Xonthal’s Tower, it sounds an incredibly interesting place. Now obviously ownership is a bit questionable at the moment and the Alliance is a little hesitant, no matter that they are in dire need of the capital my sponsors could inject into their coffers. Now it occurs to me that you have quite an unequivocal claim of right of possession by virtue of conquest and there is precedence for such claims that I believe the Alliance would feel more comfortable yielding to. A salve for the conscious if you will.” “I don’t think we do” says Naergon, puzzled. “ Do you not?” continues Rian “ I think you do, I think I could make that argument stand up under scrutiny. Do you not?” “Nope” confirms Naergon. “Really? You went there, you killed the current occupants, on the orders of the Alliance (or the council at least) sure sounds like conquest to me” continues Rian. “ I don’t think we killed everyone who was in there” says Naergon brusquely. “ Mere details, I’m sure such things can be brushed aside. It is a claim of conquest nevertheless.” “There’s an efreeti in there that might have different opinions ” says Jamna. “ Ah, yes the efreeti, I read the report. Well as a prisoner in the Tower I think it counts as chattel, I doubt if its opinion will count in court but I concede that its presence adds to my sponsors’ interest ” responds Rian. “Anyway ” Rian continues “ if you don’t think you have a claim, that’s OK, no problem. The important thing is that I do think you have a claim that I can work with. So, what I would like to do is purchase that claim from you” “What with?” asks Jama keenly. “ Money, what else?” replies Rian. “ How much?” demands Jamna. “Actually” interrupts Naergon, stepping in front of the gnome “ I don’t think the tower is ours to sell.” “yes, yes but you see I’m not asking you to sell it. I’m asking to purchase your claim to it, regardless of whether you believe it is valid. For 50,000 gold dragons.” There’s a moments silence before Naergon stutters “ I wasn’t planning on making a claim, and even if I did there’s too many interesting things in there to want to sell it to you.” “Well that seems harsh and a touch judgemental don’t you think” responds Rian. “ Not harsh, just negotiati on” says Naergon, “besides if we were to sell it, we might offer it up to the highest bidder, I’m sure others will be interested.” “Ah so it is a negotiation, very well. I’m sure others are interested but have any approached you at all?” replies Rian. “ No, but we can approach them now that you have put the idea in my mind ” says Naergon haughtily. “ Well you do that but my offer is on the table, 50,000 dragons for the claim alone.” “Whilst you are here Rian” asks Jamna “ did you know this Iskandar?” Rian takes a half step back, her demeanour changing slightly “ no, not personally.” “So, Iskandar didn’t give you that letter?” “No! That letter came through our field agents, from assets we have placed within the cult itself. It was sent to me, by my superiors, for me to present to the council. It passed through many hands, most of them employees of our mercantile enterprises and eminently trustworthy.” “I imagine you get a lot of information from these assets then?” “We do, and we’ve been feeding that to the council.” “Do you chase it all up?” continues Jamna. “ Much of it, some things are not worth the profit margin.” “Right and what would you say your success rate is?” enquires Jamna. “ That’s a hard question to answer but I’d say we win more than we lose. We make more money than we lose, otherwise we wouldn’t be very good businessmen, would we?” Turning and preparing to leave Rian says “Anyway, you take that offer, you think about it and get back to me if you decide you are interested. Oh, one last thing, just a curiosity from the account you presented about this maze and what have you. It seems to me a very awkward way to get in and out, are you sure there was no other way in and out from inside the tower? Surely the cult doesn’t go through that maze every time?” “If there was, we didn’t find it” says Tomaz aggressively. “ Very well” says Rian, “ it just seems to me a very convoluted way for all those cultists to get in and out every day” “ Maybe the leader we killed knew of a way” says Naergon “ but we found nothing, besides who cares?” “Well I care, after all if we are to own it, it would be nice to have direct access besides if there was a backdoor leading directly into the cult headquarters it would be nice to know would it not? Anyway, I just thought I’d ask, if you don’t know, you don’t know, that’s fine. Ok then, enjoy your wine and lunch and think on my offer .” As the half elf walks away Naergon turns to the others “ well that was interesting. Just out of interest as this is an equal opportunities venture, who would like to sell?” “Well it’s money for nothing ” says Tomaz. “ I like money and the claim’s worthless to me, so I say sell it to her. What’s the worst that can happen? Maybe they search it in detail and find a route we missed, that could help us in the long run ” says Jamna. “ Hmm, well I’m not so sure ” muses Naergon “ I worry that they are so quick to express an interest. It seems odd to me that they are more worried about ownership of the tower than the impending doom of Tiamat’s return”. “To be fair Naergon” says Tomaz “ that tower may well be the safest place if Tiamat comes to pass.” Naergon looks down his nose “ Indeed, maybe you can suggest that to the council Tomaz”. “I’d be happy to do so Naergon” responds Tomaz, rather missing the elf’s sarcasm “I think it would make an excellent refuge of last resort!”   “Anyway, I’m not sure we have a claim to sell” says Naergon “ and I’m certainly not doing so without first putting it to the council. We are their agents, if anyone has a claim then it is the council as a body. I’m not sure who exactly Rian represents but it all seems a bit shady and underhand to me. ” With that said they head back to the council chamber. Mads joins them on the way just in time to see Talis arriving on the arm of Lord Neverember, he is also accompanied by the tiefling Maccath the Crimson and a servant carrying some kind of brazier. With a smile and a tip of her hat Talis detaches herself and comes and stands with the rest of the party, leaning ever so slightly against Mads as Lady Silverhand stands and brings the council to order. As Maccath arranges her brazier on the floor in front of the dais, Dagult steps forward “ My Lady SIlverhand, lords and ladies of the council, I’m sure you all remember Maccath the Crimson of the Hosttower the preeminent sage on matters draconic. I have asked her to attend as she has discovered something of interest. Maccath?” Macaath turns and bows “ my lords and ladies. Naergon you will recall that when you rescued me from Arauthator ‘Old White Death’?” “Indeed” interrupts Mads “ I remember killing it!” “So, and so ” continues Maccath “ and that we believed at the time that the white mask was in his possession?” “I’ve read those reports and you said that the white mask had been given to his mate, something to do with some dead mage rider or some such nonsense?” says Tomaz. “Yes, that’s right, at the time we thought that was the case. Now whilst you’ve been gallivanting around the world doing this and that, I’ve been conducting some serious research. And having regained my position within the Hosttower I’ve had chance to interro . . . err, interview some of the Hosttower’s mages on the matter. Now in err discussion with one Nilraun Dhaerlost he was able to confirm that indeed, yes Old White Death did have the mask but rather than present it to his mate he actually traded it for services to a mated pair of white dragons. Now this pair, Cryovain and Isendraug make their lair in a long-abandoned frost giant whaling station and they received the mask in return for the supply of several frost giant trophies. No doubt you’ll remember Arauthator’s galleries? So, this whaling station, Svardborg is now just a ruin and nothing more than an ice entombed berg afloat in the Sea of Moving Ice.” “Yes, you’re following me yes? Good, good. Now I’ve spent several months, whilst you’ve been away, searching rigorously for this settlement and finally I have found it. If you would like my lords and ladies, I can perform a ritual here and now so that all may view the icy tomb that is Svardborg today? For I believe that this is the true resting place of the white mask” Tomaz interrupts again “ What did White Death trade the mask for?” “Ah, it would seem he traded it for frost giant corpses to display in his galleries – you recall his galleries? No, no of course you weren’t there were you? No, no you weren’t! Now Cryovain and isendraug make their lair in a frost giant whaling station, no doubt they had giant bodies to spare.” “Quite so,” continues Tomaz “ if they traded for this mask once, it seems likely they might be open to trading for it again.” With that Maccath begins performing her scrying ritual, gathering around Naergon, the party view the icebound whaling station. From their viewpoint they can see at least three large wooden lodges buried under the ice. “Right ” says Druscilla after a few moments “ I can get us there”. “We’ll need cold weather gear” says Tomaz.   Tomaz turns to Naergon “ if we are to negotiate with dragons for a mask, we’re going to need gold. Maybe we should reconsider Rian’s offer?” “I don’t think so, I don’t believe we have any right to sell any claim to the tower ” replies Naergon.   “Well ” says Mads “ I think offering gold is a good plan, it’s that or fight two dragons and I have no qualms about selling my claim.” “Me neither ” says Druscilla “ having gold seems like a good bargaining tool to me”. “To be honest” says Jamna “ I’d just like the gold”. “Hold on, hold on ” cries Naergon “ if we are to do this, I think we need to clarify it with the council first. I don’t think we have the right to sell the tower” “We’re not selling the tower Naergon ” says Jamna “just some spurious claim, that you think is worthless anyway.” “ Regardless, I don’t want to be caught selling a claim we don’t have a right to.” “Hang on ” says Mads “ I wasn’t there but as I understand it the deal is, if she gives us this money, then we’ll never ask for the tower or pursue our claim, correct?” “Exactly ” confirms Druscilla. “ Right, so you know what, I was never going to ask for the tower anyway. So, lets just take the gold! ” says Mads. “ Well no doubt we’ll have to sign something waiving our right of claim” says Tomaz “ let me go talk to her?” “I can’t stop you Tomaz ” says Naergon “ but remember you have no authority to sign in my name or the group’s name.” Tomaz approaches Rian and re-opens negotiations, successfully getting her to raise her price to 75,000 gold dragons. However, she refuses to pay up front, demanding a signed agreement from all before handing over any coin. Lord Neverember watches this discussion with interest, the rest of the council appear more interested in Maccath’s demonstration. Tomaz returns to the group “ We all need to sign the agreement Naergon.”  “And as I’ve said before I am not prepared to do so unless and until we acquire the council’s approval. If they say yes, then fine but I’m not signing anything behind their backs.” “I have no problem with that” says Druscilla “ let’s ask.” Naergon approaches Lady Silverhand and asks whether the council has any issue with such a sale of claim. Laeral looks somewhat nonplussed by the question “ I’m not going to validate whether or not you have such a claim. However, if as you say this interested party is asking only that you sign a document ceding any claim that you might have then I see no problem. It will need to be clear that you are ceding any hypothetical claim and that the document does not represent any right of claim on your behalf then I see no difficulty with it. I will say that I am not certain whether you or the council or Alliance does in fact have any such claim. However, I will admit that I have indeed received overtures from certain mercantile interests. I freely admit that Xonthal’s Tower is an interesting place but we have no evidence that Xonthal is in fact dead and whilst there is no evidence of legal ownership by the cult it can’t be ruled out. It’s a long, long time since anyone has seen Xonthal but given his particular interests I feel it would be premature to announce him dead. In short, I have no problem with you ceding or selling any claim, valid or otherwise to a third party provided that it is clear it is a right of claim you are transferring not a right of ownership. I would also advise that you scrutinise the document with care but go ahead, I’m not sure you need my permission in any case. It might become my business to decide who has ownership of the tower but to be frank I’m not even sure that we have jurisdiction over it – it’s a long way from Waterdeep and not really in the purview of the Alliance either. I can’t see that buying your nebulous claim gives them any better claim so go ahead. It’s disappointing that such an organisation can find the funds for this rather than donate to the war effort but such is life.” Returning to the group Naergon informs them that they have permission to sell the claim but he will need to examine the document in detail. Tomaz returns to Rian and asks for a formal written transfer of claim. Rian says “ I’m afraid I have no such document pre-drafted and it will take some time to do so. I’m sure I can have a suitable contract in place for your signatures by the time you return from Svardborg. I’m sure you won’t take three months this time.” “Well that won’t help with the dragons will it, we need the money before we go!” explains Tomaz. “ OK, I’m sure I can scribble something out quickly on this napkin” says Rian, pulling a quill out of her pouch, “ will that suffice?” “Err, no. I don’t think it will. Naergon will never sign under those circumstances ’ mutters Tomaz, looking back at the group still huddled behind Maccath. Laeral asks “ are you willing to go and attempt to retrieve this mask Naergon?” Naergon turns, “ yes milady, we will. We can teleport there in an instant but first we need to collect our cold weather gear and other apparel. If you would excuse us, we’ll be about that business. Rest assured we will be in Svardborg this afternoon.”  “Thank you, thank you all, that you includes you, Maccath and you, my Lord Neverember. Naergon stay in touch this time please. This meeting is adjourned. Thank you for your time, we will reconvene when Naergon returns, with the white mask.”

Part 4 Svardborg and a frosty surprise Mid-afternoon, the party assembles in their chambers, resplendent in heavy cold weather gear and fully equipped. Druscilla uses her helmet and in a blink of twisted dimensions they emerge on the edge of the entombed whaling village. The wind howls of the frozen sea, leaving trails of ice and snow plumes from the ridges. To their right the frozen walls and doors of a giant lodge emerge from the ice. Tomaz says “ this way, lets’ get under shelter at least.” Tomaz approaches the large doors of the lodge, shrouded in ice and standing some twenty-five feet tall, the large ring pull handles some five feet above his head. The ridge of the two-story lodge is nearly eighty feet above, icicles hanging several feet long from the frozen eaves. Looking around he sees that the ice and snow around the entrance has been flattened and compressed. Calling back to the party, shouting over the wind “So, shall I just knock on the door or what?” Druscilla shouts back “ Jamna, you should scout around, see if there’s another way in.” “What? You want me to examine those doors?” shouts Jamna. “ There’s no way I can reach them. Well I guess I could misty step up there, grab hold and tie a rope, then you lot can pull the doors open?” “That sounds like a plan” shouts Druscilla as the rest of the party gather around Tomaz on the frozen doorstop. “No need for that Jamna ” says Mads, “ Ringo can tie the rope around the handle for us” and so saying, he hands a coil of rope to his imp which flies up and knots the rope to the ring pull. Mads, Tomaz, Talis and Druscilla grab hold and pull, with a crack of ice the massive door grinds slowly open, revealing the glimmer of blue light from the vast chamber beyond. As the party peer inside they can see a vast wooden floored chamber with stairs to the left leading to a second storey balcony forty feet above. A lot of snow and ice has been tracked into the lodge, clearly showing the imprint of large boots. Torch sconces, mounted on the half dozen massive wooden pillars, shed a cold blue light, beyond the walls are covered in hunting trophies – the heads of polar bears, giant walruses, remorhazes and even young white dragons leer down across a long wooden table and four smaller round tables at which sit three frost giants, arguing with each other over great flagons of ale. Several empty flagons, barrels and crates are strewn across the floor. “Oh great, the frost giants are still here” cries Druscilla “I guess Maccath got it wrong!”. Slowly, the three somewhat drunken giants turn their heads and stare with open hostility at the intruders standing in the doorway. “ Greetings!” shouts Tomaz, in return the giants bellow incoherently or at least unintelligibly. Druscilla raises her crossbow and shoots, her bolt flying wide and slamming into one of the pillars. Mads steps forward and casts Eldritch Bolt, hitting the giant several times and knocking it back against the pillar, the chair sliding across the icy floor. Jamna casts Major Image and a white dragon appears in the area just beyond the doors, out of sight of the giants. Ringo turns invisible and flies to the top of the door. Talis steps back and prepares herself [dodge]. The first frost giant hurls its mug at Druscilla, it misses and the barrel sized container shatters against the doors, beer flying everywhere. The giant then grabs an axe and stumbles forward. The next giant also hurls its mugs, this time the barrel of beer shatters across the dwarf, drenching her before it stumbles to its feet and moves forward. “W hat a waste” cries Druscilla as the third giant also throws a mug from the table as it stumbles forward. The giant flagon also shatters across the dwarf, beer soaking into her heavy furs. Tomaz points behind him and shouts “ DRAGON!” before running to take cover behind the doors [dodge]. Naergon casts Mirror Image and then runs for cover behind the doors. Druscilla flicks her wrist and a duplicate of herself appears in front of the doors [channel divinity: invoke duplicity] whilst the real Druscilla takes cover behind the doors. Mads moves forward, reaches a hand out and rips a hole in reality behind the furthest giant, out of which a barbed devil drops [Summon Lesser Devil] and shouting “ attack the giant ” before stepping behind Druscilla. Jamna moves the dragon image so that it flies into the lodge and roars, then ducks back in cover [dodge]. Ringo flies into the lodge and up to the balcony whilst Talis stands her ground [dodge]. The first two giants roar, pull out great axes and swing at the dragon image, both axes cut straight through the image and slam into the floorboards, surprising the drunken giants somewhat. Nevertheless, both haul their axes out and attack again, at which point they stare at the dragon mystified. The third giant swings it axe at the devil that appeared near it, missing it twice as it stumbles around roaring incoherently. Tomaz casts Lightning Arrow and shoots the closest giant, lightning arcing around and striking the adjacent one as well, both giants bellow as the lightning burns through their furs. The many images of Naergon step around the door and cast Fire Bolt, burning the nearest giant badly before stepping back under cover. The barbed devil claws and stabs at the giant with its tail, gouging great wounds across the giant’s body [critical], it remains under Mads control [CHA save 10]. Druscilla raises her crossbow and shoots the closest giant, the bolt slamming home, the giant barely registers the hit. Mads steps out and casts Eldritch Blast at the closest giant, slamming it again and again shouting “you devil, keep fighting the giants” before stepping under cover. Jamna steps around and shoots at the giant fighting the devil [sneak attack], causing it to belch and spit before she takes cover again [dodge]. Ringo stays on the balcony railing and Talis remains on guard at the door [dodge]. The giant attacks the devil managing to hit it twice, despite its drunken state. One of the other giants stumbles forward to the door, roaring and flailing with its axe. The third giant turns and begins a lumbering run towards the stairs leading to the balcony. “Oh dear” says Naergon “ that can’t be good ”. Tomaz shoots the giant heading towards the door, hitting it twice, the arrows disappearing into its chest, the giant roars and staggers as Tomaz steps back under cover. One of the Naergons casts Fire Bolt at the staggering giant in the doorway, the bolt scorching into its face. The giant falls on one knee, propping itself on its axe and roaring as its beard is burnt away before turning and spitting a huge and bloody tooth in Naergon’s direction. The barbed devil, again claws and stabs at the giant, barely scratching it as Mads loses control of it [CHA save 25]. Druscilla casts Flame Strike on the kneeling giant, the flames engulfing it [DEX save 8] as the giant falls forward in a heap of charred leather, horn and bone, clouds of ash billowing out as it hits the ground. Mads ceases to concentrate on the devil summoning [remains for 4 more rounds] and moves forward and casts Eldritch Blast at the giant heading for the stairs, hitting several times and knocking it sideways into one of the hall pillars. Jamna advances and shoots at the giant fighting the devil [sneak attack] before retiring under cover of the door [dodge]. Ringo stays on the balcony and Talis remains at the ready outside [dodge]. The giant facing the devil swings twice, missing twice in its drunken anger. The other giant stumbles up the stairs, weaving from side-to-side. Tomaz advances behind Mads and shoots the giant fighting the devil, both arrows hit, sinking into the giant’s back. The giant breathes heavily and leans on its axe. The many Naergons clamber over the burnt giant and cast Fire Bolt at the same giant, which falls to the ground, jacket and furs ablaze at the feet of the barbed devil. The barbed devil, looks around, sees the image of the dragon and charges it, flailing with claws and tail to no effect. Druscilla loads her crossbow and takes station at the doorway [ready action]. Mads turns and casts Eldritch Blast at the barbed devil, hitting it multiple times and blasting back against the far wall and shouting “ kill the devil. Not me, the other one, the spiky one!”. Jamna moves forward taking cover behind the charred giant corpse [dodge] and shoots at the devil but misses, the arrow slamming into the table. Ringo and Talis remain in position [dodge]. The frost giant lumbers up the stairs and on to the balcony. Tomaz moves forward and shoots the devil twice. The many Naergons move forward into the hall until he can see the giant on the balcony but it is too far away for his Fire Bolt. The barbed devil charges forward towards the many Naergons, slavering and drooling. Druscilla casts healing word on herself and moves her duplicate forward towards the devil. Mads moves up towards the devil and swings his glaive, slicing the devil badly before casting Eldritch Blast [Action Surge] multiple times, killing it [critical]. Jamna drops her concentration on the Major Image, stalks in to the hall and shoots at the giant on the balcony, hitting it in the upper thigh. Ringo flies across the balcony. Talis walks in to the doorway and stays on guard [dodge]. The frost giant staggers across the balcony, getting to the far corner. Tomaz advances past the dead giants and shoots at the one on the balcony but misses. The many Naergons race forward across the hall towards the stairs. Druscilla steps forward and shoots at the giant, her bolt slamming into the balustrade as her duplicate moves ahead. Mads dashes across the hall to the stairs alongside Naergon. Jamna also dashes forward and takes cover [dodge]. Ringo flies across the balcony to the stairs. Talis races across the hall, following Mads. The giant lumbers past the balcony and out of sight. Tomaz dashes towards the stairs as well. The Naergons clambers to the stairs and can see the giant reaching for a colossal horn, possibly an immense red dragon horn engraved in runes that is wedged into a window on the second floor. Naergon then casts Sunburst [CON save 1 forced by portent], the giant roars as it is engulfed in radiant damage, blinding it. Druscilla advances her duplicate and then casts Silence against the underside of the balcony, engulfing the horn and giant. Mads races to the stairs to be faced by massive three-foot-tall steps, he clambers up onto the first one and casts Misty Step to the top of the stairwell. Jamna moves to the side wall and pushes through a curtain of seal skins and peers down a long corridor towards two huge doors. Ringo flies across the balcony towards the giant. Talis moves to the bottom of the stairs. The giant drops its axe and grabs the horn and attempts to blow it in its blindness but there is no sound. Tomaz moves across the hall but can’t get a shot at the giant. The Naergons move across the hall until he can see the giant and casts Fire Bolt, the flame scorching into the back of the giant, as it screams in silence. Druscilla moves the duplicate up and casts Fire Storm into the general area of the horn and window. The ensuing conflagration consuming the giant which burns, screaming in silent agony. The wooden walls of the ice bound hall char and smoulder but fail to burst into open flame, a plume of thick smoke curls languidly up and out of the remains of the window space. &nbsp; Next time: things get frosty &nbsp; No levels were gained this session: &nbsp; Naergon 15 th level Mads 14 th level Jamna 14 th level Tomaz 14 th level Druscilla 14 th level Talis 11 th level &nbsp; &nbsp; XP earnt is now irrelevant as the rest of TOD is based on milestone XP &nbsp; In-Game the session ended at 15:00 on 22 nd Elesias 1485 DR (The last Long Rest was completed at 06:00 by all. No short rest has been taken since) &nbsp; Next session Tuesday 22 nd January at 19:15 &nbsp; This update is also online at <a href="https://app.roll20.net/campaigns/details/2734723/tyranny-of-dragons-rise-of-tiamat" rel="nofollow">https://app.roll20.net/campaigns/details/2734723/tyranny-of-dragons-rise-of-tiamat</a>