A group was approached by a succubus in the ruins south of Baldur's Gate as they were leaving. The demon summoned an army of bladelings and imps that quickly filled the entry chamber and surrounded the adventurers. Exhausted from previously clearing out an undead horde that had plagued the ruins, the group defended themselves until they had thought they would surely perish. The group fled the ruins and ran to the Wyrm's Crossing to seek aid. The Flaming Fist stationed at the bridge, however, did not believe that demons had overrun the ruins. They returned to the ruins, hoping to find a way to banish the demons. When they arrived, the demons were relatively non-hostile, only occasionally shouting taunts and hissing at the adventurers. They slowly made their way back into the ruins. The bladeling and imp army cleared a path for the adventurers to approach the succubus.
The succubus offered them a deal: Kill those that bound her to the ruins and she would leave them in peace. They agreed, and as they pushed deeper into the ruins, the path behind them erupted in flame, effectively blocking their retreat. The adventurers hunted down the kobald mages hiding within the ruins. When they returned to the entrance, the demon kept her side of the deal. She commanded her minions into the lower levels of the ruins and teleported away. The party was left wondering if they had done the right thing.
While relaxing by the stream in Nashkel, a group of adventurers overheard a panicked guard alerting the others of a force of giants amassing beyond the gate leading to the Cloudpeak's foothills. The group ignored the shouting and guards running past at first, but as the sound of battle reached them, the decided they would offer their services to the townsfolk. They found the Nashkel forces scattered throughout the foothills, struggling to push the hill giants back. The adventurers rescued group after group of guards, telling them to return to the city and defend from there, that they would save Nashkel from the rabble that attacked. Wave after wave of hill giants fell on the group, and they died as fast as they came. It was not long before a frost giant entered the field, clearly coordinating the attack on the town. He challenged the adventurers, and after they dispatched him and his bodyguards, They found a map that had a location east of the Nashkel's southern gate marked.
The group of adventurers went to the "X" marked on the map only to find more giants preparing for another assault on the town while the guards were distracted throughout the foothills. They fought through dozens of giants, both hill giants and frost giants, until a frost giant several feet taller than the tallest they had seen so far had joined the battle with yet another force of giants. After the battle, the group found a letter. It commanded the frost giants to test the strength of the town before the main force came down from the mountains. The adventurers brought the letter to the town guard captain before returning to their relaxing by the stream once more.
Hours later, as the adventurers were preparing to leave, the guard captain approached them with an offer from the mayor. A scout had returned from the mountains with the location of a mysterious encampment. With the evidence of the letter, everyone believed that it was the frost giant forces. After the group decided that they would go see these giants, they followed the scout up the path to the camp. They were to hold the giants at bay while the guards prepared to march on the camp. It did not take them long to find the fort, and as they charged, the giants dropped their weapons. Confused, the group stopped the assault. The frost giant sentries invited the adventurers in for peace talks.
Knee deep in snow, the party listened to the frost giant commander's offer: Pay tribute to the Ice King or be eaten. Seeing that the adventurers were not going to give them tribute, the giants attacked. Giants, both hill and frost, swarmed the fort from every direction. They climbed over the walls and some seemed to fall from the sky as the jumped from a nearby cliff. The party fought their way to a clearing some distance from the fort, and as they killed the last of the giants that pursued them, they could hear the flapping of wings overhead. Suddenly, a colossal white dragon landed in the clearing. Without thinking, the mage in the group teleported them back to Nashkel.
Once in Nashkel, they decided to warn the guard captain what he will face in the mountain, but as they reached his tent, a guard informed them that he had already left for the giants' fort. The group was split between going to help and staying and not dying. Those that returned to the mountain battle field found only a field of corpses. While they searched for survivors, the great dragon descended on them. Not so eager to attack, they each pleaded to the dragon's pride, and after agreeing to perform a task for the dragon for their lives, the colossal beast took flight once more. As they began the long walk back to town, the guard captain's body fell from the sky, his sword still tight in his hand. The sword returned with the group.
While fighting the xvarts near their village southwest of Beregost, a group of adventurers were approached by a band of mercenaries. The questioned the group whether they have seen a demon in the region. A succubus to be more accurate. Most of the adventurers did not even know what a succubus looked like, but agreed to help them find it and destroy it. They were told that if they brought proof of its destruction to a certain merchant in Beregost that they would be paid handsomely as the creature had killed the man's son. Once the mercenaries left, they continued their fight with the xvarts, fearing that they were building an army to attack Beregost or perhaps even Nashkel.
As they neared the xvarts' village, they could see flames from a nearby cliff. Demons accompanied by a giant earth elemental were fighting with the xvarts. After the slaughter of the xvarts, a succubus appeared before the group and immediately began a conversation with them. She offered to grant them a favor for a favor. A wizard in the group, having heard tales of this succubus before, warned the group against bargaining with her. They demanded that she give them her head and then they would do as she asks. With a sly smile, she tore her own head off. As it rolled across the ground and her body fell limp, a second demon identical to the first appeared and picked up the head and offered it to the group. She then told them they each owe her a favor, and after arguing that they would not accept a copy of her head, they wanted to real head, she merely laughed and claimed that she was the copy. She then told them that they could play with her minions, that she had some task to see too. As she teleported away, several demons and the giant earth elemental attacked.
Several succubi attacked several people the demon had interacted with, leaving a note behind reminding them that they each still owe her. When no one responds to her, she sends a message to one of the people that released her: one she knows as the Dark One. She sent one of her minions to him once he was in a secluded area to tell him that she would meet him in the ruins south of the human city. He immediately set off for Beregost, passing up Baldur's Gate and the Hilltop ruins that Lilliathyss was currently residing. Demons guarded the entrance to the ruins, blocking the passages with magical fire while they waited. A paladin of Mystra stumbled upon the secret meeting and demanded they leave this world before he destroys them. The demons attempted to toy with his mind, doubt his purpose, but he was relentless. When a young hin also found the meeting place, the paladin attacked the demons in an effort to protect the hin. Most of the demons fled while one stayed behind to entertain the paladin.
While the Dark One waited in the deserted ruins south of Beregost with his elven companion, a single succubus appeared. It quietly sealed all the exits with flames, leaving an uncomfortable feeling between the two. Then, other demons joined the ruined courtyard. They informed the two that Lilly was delayed and will be joining them soon. After a few moments, a beautiful winged moon elf appeared before them, captivating both with her appearance. She made a deal with the Dark One and his companion: Find the stone she seeks and she will grant him any favor within her power. Both agreed to help the moon elf. She told them that an old man will be able to help them find the map leading to the stone. He owes her still for a gift she had given him. Determined to find this stone, the Dark One set out for the Friendly Arm Inn to find the old man.
On the way through Beregost, the duo found a wizard matching the old man's description, and after speaking of the map to the stone, he immediately recognized that it was for the demoness. Discovering that the moon elf was in fact a demon, the Dark One's companion suddenly had a change of heart. With the old man's refusal of help, the elf pleaded with her friend to stop this quest. Instead, they should hide the map from the demon. Unrelenting and alone, the Dark One headed north to search the Cloakwood for clues. The elf and the old man quickly came to terms and decided they needed to stop her friend, if they could not, they needed to at least keep him from finding the path to the demon's stone.
Following the road north to the Friendly Arm, they found the Dark One's path, and before long, they found him. He had also found another companion, one he had apparently paid to help him get the map. Distraught, the elf pleaded once more. The old man still refused to help the Dark One. The Dark One then made a vague comment on the health of his elven companion, forcing the old man's hand. Having a slight knowledge of the location the Dark One seeked, the old man raced towards the Cloakwood, where he then attempted to scry the location of the map. The old man led the party to the Minotaur ruins beneath the forest, and then through it. The elf waited by the compounds gates, afraid of what may happen once they find the map. The old man led them through the compound and eventually lost them. He searched frantically for the map in hopes that he could get to it first. During his search, he back tracked and found the party. Suddenly, another mercenary found the group. The old man tried to recruit him to his side, hoping to turn the tables, but the Dark One had more gold. He then convinced the party that he was no longer needed to find the book, seeing as how the mercenary had magical talents. The old man then disappeared in the maze.
The party made their way through the maze until they found the destroyed library. A rune engraved chest shrouded in a magical light sat in the corner. One of the mercenaries attempted to open the chest, only to be covered in acid that burned away her wards. The other mercenary picked the lock and opened the chest. Only a book was inside, but before they could grab the book, a massive earth elemental clambered from the walls and attacked. They seemed to hack and smash it for hours before it finally collapsed into a pile of rubble. They then turned back to the book. The newest mercenary wanted to sell it at the Gate, but the Dark One knew its true worth as did his mercenary companion. He eventually handed over several thousand gold for the book and, once outside the ruins, split ways.
The Dark One and his faithful mercenary companion scoured the Cloudpeaks for the cave their map had led them too, but after hours of searching, found nothing that resembled their cave. They then came to the conclusion that the map's cryptic writing held clues as to how to find the cave. They made their way back to Beregost, asking those they passed if they could read the writing within the book. Once again thwarted in their endeavor, they sat and thought of their next step. The Dark One thought that they may be able to use a Comprehend Language spell to read the map, and at this point, he was ready to try anything. They immediately set out for Baldur's Gate in search of the needed scroll.
Once in Baldur's Gate, they quickly locate a scroll of Comprehend Languages at the Sorcerous Sundries. After reading the contents of the scroll, he gazes at the book's writing in amazement as the characters form words before his eyes. He skimmed a few passages as his companion barely contained her excitement. He told her that the book is a guide to combating demons and that the item in the cave is simply something precious. It does not say what is hidden, not so much as a single clue. After reading several passages, he finally studied the map. He told her that a sacrifice would be needed to reveal the entrance of the cave and a special dagger would need to be used. According to the map, the dagger could be found in a cave beneath the area that the Friendly Arm had been built. The Dark One slammed the book shut and looked over his companion, ready to piece together their next move.
Meanwhile, a group of adventurers stumbled upon the wreckage of what seemed to be a trade caravan. They searched the debris and dead for clues, but everything pointed to a simple bandit raid. As they battled the flames that engulfed a couple of the wagons, a badly injured elf crawled out from under a nearby bush. He told them that they had been ambushed by bandits on their way to Baldur's Gate. They asked him many questions while they tended to his wounds. He told them how they carefully picked through every belonging in the caravan before heading south. He had overheard them speak of their hideout in some old ruins by the river. While the group loaded the bodies into the sturdier of the remaining two wagons, another group of bandits attacked. One was overheard telling another how he was confused why they needed to raid a caravan they had already raided. After the quick engagement, a druid shifted into a beast of burden and pulled the wagon, now carrying the injured elf as well, towards the Friendly Arm Inn. Others headed south to find these bandits.
They first came to an old chapel, and after a quick investigation, determined that the bandits were most likely in the old mine. They hurried to the mine where they prepared for what they may encounter inside. The group faced several groups of bandits, always offering them safety if they threw down their weapons, but the bandits, having greater numbers, pressed the attack. They continued through the ruins adjoining the mines until they reached a storage room. A few of the bandits were fighting, possibly a betrayal when news of the adventurers spread through the ruins. The surviving bandit dropped his weapon in surrender and submitted to the group's questioning. He informed them how their boss has had them searching through the books of the ruins for days, and that they have been raiding caravans for the books they carried. His boss even planned to attack Candlekeep for its library.
Putting things together, the old man that helped the Dark One unwillingly acquire the demon's book, told the tale to those gathered. He told them how the demon was released from the Hilltop ruins south of Baldur's Gate and now it searched for a stone. The powers of this stone are still unknown, but Valiant currently has the map that the demon believes will guide him to the stone. Those gathered offered to help banish the demon when the time comes, and then they finish searching the ruins.
The group heard muffled talking from behind the last door in the ruins. When they burst in, a giant demon teleported away and the bandit boss turned to face the adventurers. Her skill with her blades were remarkable, almost felling two of the warriors in the group almost instantly. Together, they managed to defeat the swordswoman. After a quick investigation, they began the hike out of the ruins. Along the way, they found a woman standing over the corpse of the group's liberated bandit. She told them that she was merely getting rid of the competition before vanishing in a cloud of darkness.
While resting by the fire somewhere along the coast south of Candlekeep, a white haired woman heard a whisper in her ear, it told her to get ready. When she looked around, searching for the owner of the voice, a familiar woman stepped out of the shadows. Kylee, unarmed, approached the white haired woman with a smile. Kylee asked her if she would accompany her on a mission. Once accepted, Kylee told the Kat to get what she needs, who she needs, and meet her outside Baldur's Gate. Many questions rushed to Kat's mind, but before she could ask a single one, Kylee had vanished. She then headed north to gather her companions and what gear she may need.
Once outside Baldur's Gate's eastern gate, Kat and her companions were once again approached by Kylee. She asked the group if they were ready, but before they could respond, had already headed into the city. Shocked, the group tried to keep up. They ran down several streets, stopping when their shady friend stepped out of a back alley. Motioning them to follow and telling them to keep up, she ran to the sewers. Unsure if they wanted to follow, the group slowly took up the chase once again.
As they entered the sewers below Baldur's Gate's East District, demons appeared all around them. Working as a team, they quickly dispatched the foul creatures. Before they could continue, a second group appeared around them, but as quick as they came, Kylee struck them down again. She told them to keep up and keep quiet, more demons will come if they are detected. Following the mystery woman through the sewers, they came to an open chamber where they were confronted by thugs and muggers. After easily dispatching the crooks, Kylee told them to look for a way down. After reading a phrase from a map she was given by a mage friend, a giant hole opened up before them. After smiling at Kat, she dove head first into the hole. Kat and Ehildan followed immediately while the others were hesitant.
They slid down the long rock slide for several hundred feet before being deposited on a large mound of dirt, showering them all with dust and dirt. Kylee was nowhere to be seen. They followed the single corridor through several bends until they were attacked by demons. Once the demons were dealt with, they rushed to the sound of a battle up ahead. Surrounded by fire, Kylee was crossing blades with two balors. The group jumped in to help, barely overcoming the demons. Afterwards, they were told by Kylee that they had just fought the Twins, as they were called, and that someone named Izoabar was trying to stop them. Deeper they went.
Thinking they were lost, and Kylee's cluelessness as they pushed forward not helping much, they found themselves in what appeared to be some kind of dwarven home. They quickly searched the small room before moving into a much larger chamber, reeking of decay and mold. Books filled several shelves, hundreds of books at least. Smiling, Kylee began to search the shelves. Not sure what to look for, the others began browsing the collection of books. Just as someone went to touch a book, a spirit appeared and warned them not to touch the books, that they were fragile as they have been ravaged by time and moisture in the air. They then inquired about a book, with the help from Kylee, that her employer was searching for. Once they had the book, she opened it and appeared to skim the pages. Suddenly, the spirit began shouting that they would never be able to leave, having read from the forbidden book, and collapsed the exit.
Finished with the book, Kylee handed it off to Terri at her request. While the others worked through cryptic answers from the spirit as they asked many questions, Terri skimmed the book written in the dead language of the Netherese Empire. She told the others what it had contained, how it was one of a series on how to combat demons. The spirit informed them that it was the work of Azukyl, Destroyer of Demons, and he was even now looking for a way to combat the demoness Lilliathyss. As Terri finished explaining all that the book contained, the walls began to shake. Something was exploding on the other side of the cave in. They pleaded with the spirit to let them free, but it would not budge. As the walls cracked under the stress of the explosions, the ceiling began to collapse above them. Large stones fell, crushing Kylee in the process. Kat ran to the collapsed ceiling, and thinking she was trying to leave, the spirit turned on them, unleashing several spells. After a long, hard battle, the spirit was defeated. A door opened nearby, and while they formulated a plan, Ehlidan explored the next chamber.
The elf returned shortly, letting them know that Kylee lay unconscious inside, along with various treasures. As they ran into the vault, the ceiling above the library collapsed, and the one above them now did not appear to be much better. A wizard appeared. He quickly introduced himself as he grabbed Kylee and teleported away. The group was swept up in the spell as well, depositing them along the road outside the Friendly Arm Inn.
While sitting in a field north of Baldur's Gate, Kylee slid from the shadows offered by the city's walls to speak with Terri Lalani and her companions as she barked orders to those of the Phoenix Company in Kat's absence. She apologized for nearly getting everyone killed in their recent adventure below the Gate. Suspicious of the rogue's intent, Terri began to interrogate Kylee, who offered vague responses that satisfied her new friends' questions. She even offered a book of Azukyl that she had stolen from Vullen's chambers as a gift of their new found friendship. As a scholar of the Netherese skimmed the book, Kylee, after telling the group to seek out one called Warren, as he has been working against Lilliathyss longer than any other, melted into the shadows once more and vanished.
Some days later, as Gasten Kelteel was meeting with Warren under orders from Kat, a thug approached them in the courtyard of the Friendly Arm Inn. He told the wizard to meet with his boss on the second floor to discuss a temporary alliance of sorts. Curious, the old wizard and Gasten rushed up to the second floor. They were met with a barrier at the door of the second floor and two more thugs standing guard. They waved them inside, and as they breached the barrier, they stood before several demons. Suddenly, a large Hezrou appeared at the opposite end of the hall and greeted them. He introduced himself as Izoabar the Beast, and extended an offer of peace with Warren and the Phoenix Company as long as they had a common enemy.
As they spoke, two others, intending to discuss business in private, pushed past the guards and through the barrier into the meeting. They froze instantly at the site of those gathered, and Izoabar, worried that he had been betrayed, prepared to attack. Warren quickly introduced Talisen as an ally, and thus, was permitted to remain by the demon. Kat also joined the meeting, having received a sending from Gasten before the meeting started, and the talk of an alliance, along with questions about Izoabar and Lilliathyss commenced. Even Azukyl was brought up, and those gathered were warned to avoid the demon hunter. When the meeting began to wrap up, a friend of Talisen was stopped by the guards. She told them that she was to meet with the man and was allowed to pass. Kat, worried that so many were present, tried to hurry the meeting along. At the end, no promise of an alliance was made, but everyone present agreed that they would accept any help the demon would provide against the Seductress.
Downstairs, some time after the meeting had adjourned, Both parties, Warren and his allies on one side, and Kat and her allies on the other side of the bar, discussed what they had gathered and linked facts with one another. A sudden chill filled the room, and a purring filled Kat's mind. Something was calling her back to the second floor, something she had difficulties resisting. She gave Gasten some quick orders to wait for others of the Company, and headed upstairs to investigate. A door creaked open to her right. The room was empty, but she entered anyway. The door slammed shut behind her and the lock clicked. A moon elf more beautiful than any she had ever seen appeared before her in a flash of brilliant light. Her black wings shimmered in the nearby candlelight.
Lilliathyss smiled warmly at Kat and offered her sweet words. They spoke at length, Lilliathyss offering Kat many promises between the girl's questions. The demon attempted to seduce Kat, and as she stroked her hair, Lilliathyss left behind a beautiful strand of shimmering hair. She spun the white haired youth a tale of how she was wronged, how she merely wishes to give those of the Coast their deepest desires, dreams they may not be able to attain on their own. Worried about Kat, Terri and Sani rush upstairs at the call of Gasten. The group began looking through the rooms of the inn, and as they reached Kat's room, they were repelled by an unseen force. Gasten attempted to bash through the barrier with his weapon, but his efforts were unsuccessful. Distressed, Sani launched off a powerful Mordenkainen Disjunction spell at the barrier. The magic, having touched Lilliathyss, broke the demon's concentration. Startled, the demoness teleported away.
Gasten, Saman, Terri, and Sani rushed into the room ready for battle, only to find a dazed Kat. They asked Kat many questions, mostly asking if she made any deals with the Seductress or if she is charmed. Kat, not quite herself, informed them of what she had learned from the demon, and when the group noticed the shimmering strand of hair, they immediately began attempting to dispel it. Every attempt merely ended with the demon touched hair shining brighter and more beautiful than before. Even a Disjunction ended with the hair returning to normal for a few moments before shining again. They tried cutting it, only to have it regrow. Sani examined the hair with her magic and concluded that it was under the effects of a powerful Eagle's Splendor spell and no evil existed within, at least not that she could tell. Belladonna even said she found the strand beautiful, almost charming.
Kat, Terri, and other members of Phoenix Company were resting near the road south of Baldur's Gate when a familiar voice whispered in Kat's ear, "Hilltop ruins, meet me. I found another book." She looked around, realizing no one else heard or had seen Kylee. She told the others that she knew where they should go, and together, headed for the ruins south of Baldur's Gate. Kylee was waiting inside where she explained more in detail that Vullen had scryed the whereabouts of another book on Azukyl and his stone.
The group explored the ruins, searching every corner, until they knocked out a kobald for questioning. Once it was awake once more, they bribed it for one "shiney" to show them the book. Confused, the creature led them to a locked door and explained that some strange tall folk locked the door and left in a hurry. Delighted, Kat gave the kobald two gold coins. "Two shinies!" the creature shrieked and scurried down the passage. Inside, they found a room filled with a purple glow. Creatures, both undead and demonic, materialized within the room. When the creatures had been put down, Vullen teleported into the room. He informed Kylee that scouts had seen a group leaving the ruins and heading south. Orlaan was moving to intercept. He then removed the light and its connection with another plane using a spell none had seen before. Sani did her best to replicate what appeared to be a multi school spell much stronger than Mordenkainen's Disjunction, but the shear complexity left her wanting.
Vullen teleported away and Kylee led them out of the ruins. Together, they all headed south along the Trade Way until they found a sea of corpses within some ruins not far from the road. Kylee immediately recognized it as Orlaan's handiwork. A quick search revealed a beautiful blue book. The writing inside went into great detail of the ritual used to enter Azukyl's lair. A willing sacrifice of elven blood was needed to break the seal. Every drop of the creature's life blood was needed. As they finished with the book, Kylee announced that she was going back to Orlaan's camp and vanished without as much as a foot print left behind in the soft ground. Terri then went to inform the Fist of the massacre south of the city.
Activities around the Friendly Arm were weird. The area had been plagued by aggressive wildlife that would transform into demons, orcs and goblins, along with the occasional gnoll, attacking travelers outside the inn's walls. Guards from atop the walls would rain down arrows once people were clear from the raiders, but the demons were another matter. As a group discussed these events outside the gates to the inn, now heavily guarded, a cat stalked up to the group. Most ignored the feline, but when Saman gazed at the cat, still under the influence of a True Sight spell he had cast earlier, he realized that the cat was actually an imp. After dispelling the illusion, the little imp pleaded for its life. In return for living, he promised to lead Kat and Saman to an artifact they had been persuing. Most present demanded that the imp be killed on the spot, but those of Pheonix Company knew it was needed.
Those left in the dark about Kat's recent dealings with demons, unsure of what to think of the mercy of the imp, refused to let it live. They chose to follow Kat and the imp, and once it was no longer useful, would dispose of the creature. The imp led them to the cave north of the Friendly Arm Inn. Inside, they were ambushed by several waves of demons. After the hunting party dispatched the demons, the group stumbled upon a large balor fighting several lesser demons. Once it had finished, it turned to the group in silence and spoke. It told them that Izoabar had others within that would help clear the path. They spoke shortly, but it often referred to Kat as "Angel." After the balor stomped off, those not of Pheonix Company let Kat and her companions trail ahead while they held a brief secret meeting. Deeply disturbed over Kat's relationship with these demons, they decided they would follow her and try to uncover some truths.
Down below, the imp led them to a small island deep underground. Lilly's horde was waiting, however, and ambushed them. After a long battle with several powerful demons, the party prevailed, and the imp uncovered the dagger for Kat. Job finished, several present prepared to kill the imp. As the killing blow was about to be delivered, drow attacked. In the confusion, the imp had vanished. Disgruntled, the hunting party began the long walk back to the surface.
After traveling many long tunnels that slowly led up to the surface, a sudden cave-in left the group trapped. Laughter echoed off the walls as the demoness Lilliathyss appeared and taunted the group. They attempted to attack her, but every effort was in vain. Blades passed through her, spells bounced off. She sent wave after wave of earth elementals after the group, laughing and cheering the entire time. When the group grew tired and had exhausted their magic, she told them not to underestimate her before vanishing. Saman waited a moment to make sure she was gone before teleporting everyone away.
The vampire Velika Sarade made a visit to the orcs of the Wood of Sharp Teeth. Her undead presences was nearly immediately noticed by the guards and patrons of the Friendly Arm Inn as a small army of zombies and orcs lined the perimeter of the woods. Not long afterwards, adventurers came to investigate. As they battled their way through the undead and orcs, black clouds began to circle overhead. The adventurers pushed through the mass, and as each orc fell, it immediately stood to fight again a second time. When they reached the cave from which the zombies appeared to march from, several large lumbering creatures made up of what appeared to be corpses and graves arose from the nearby hill and attacked. When the way was clear, everyone ran for the cave before they were once more waylaid by zombies. They were met by more zombies and orcs in the tunnels. Down and down they went, until they were faced against the beautiful Velika Sarade and her undead elementals on each side of her.
She welcomed them and even thanked them for helping her add more to her army of walking dead. When the group tried to turn on her, she turned to a bat and flew through the door. Her elemental creations lumbered forward against her attackers. After the brief fight, they attempted to pursue her through the caves. Countless undead slowed them down, but they eventually found the vampire once more. They stumbled upon her argueing with an orc chieftain before she attempted to dominate him. When she turned towards her annoying adventurers, she slit her wrist with her silver blade, and when the blood touched the ground, two identical vampires materialized before them. With a wicked fanged grin, the orcs and the three Sarades attacked.
After a long exhausting battle, the vampire appeared to be slain, and only a single orc survived, though barely. Breathing through mortal wounds, he cursed the vampire for offering them false promises in return for their services. Despite attempts by the adventurers to heal him, the orc succumbed to his wounds and the party returned to the inn wondering if they did indeed defeat the vampire.
At the recent appearance of a certain red dragon, Kory gathered his companions together to ask for their help in a personal matter. He showed them an old book from his past, allowing each to skim the illegible pages of some unknown language. He explained that he needed to find a translation or a translator. The group suggested taking it to the local bookstore. A solid lead, it seemed. It was only a short distance, but they found out that it was closed. A second thought was the old wizard Ragefast. Decided, they headed to his home. The old wizard asked what brought them to his humble dwelling, where Kory handed him the book. He too skimmed the pages, attempted a few spells on the book, but his efforts were in vain. He explained how the book was under a protection ward to prevent unwanted eyes from reading the contents.
Fearing that he would not be able to get the book translated, he pressed the wizard for more information. Candlekeep and Waterdeep were too choices Ragefast threw out, but due to the popularity of his companions, neither was a good choice. Then, the old wizard tossed out a third idea. He explained that deep under the city dwelled a soul that could help, but getting to him would not be easy. The path had recently collapsed, but undead have moved in and cleared the way. He gave them directions to the entrance and the cantrip to open the door. Down into the sewers they went.
As they came across the entrance, by accident, Terri explained to Kory how she had been down below once before, but under different circumstances. The one they were going to see may not be too thrilled to see her. Regardless, Kory pushed on, sliding down the worked stone slide until he landed on his feet in the wet cave below. One by one, the others of the group joined him. After some brief preparations, they continued down the tunnel. Zombies moved to attack when they noticed the adventurers, but they quickly fell to the ground, lifeless. It appeared as if the creatures were moving the rocks, opening passages and blocking others.
The party worked their way through the tunnels, destroying any undead they found, until they came across a fork in the road. One path, a dormant portal the mages wanted to attempt to activate and follow, the other, a cave leading deeper underground. They came to the conclusion that the undead came through the portal, so the cave was the logical choice. The cave led to an ancient chamber, possibly dwarven in origin. Most of it was blocked off by a cave in, items destroyed, books unreadable. The spirit appeared suddenly, putting everyone on guard. It said hello to Terri and Sani, despite being temporarily destroyed. It then explained how the magic of the vault sustains him and prevents him from leaving.
Kory asked if the spirit could translate the book, but the spirit simply shook its ethereal head. It explained how the wards placed upon the pages prevented all but Kory's bloodline from reading and offered to open the man's eyes. Kory's body tingled as the magic fell over him, and when the magic faded, he noticed the words were clear and made sense, as if written in common the entire time. He skimmed the pages, then informed the others that the path they seek to find the dragon started in an old dwarfhold at the base of the Star Mounts. In return for helping them, the spirit asked if they could deliver a message to a friend in the High Forest, as he can't do it himself: Find the old tower in the High Forest and tell the owner to return his copy of The Devastation of Waterdeep VII.
The group agreed, and as they were about to leave, they noticed an odd black box on a nearby shelf. They asked what was inside, and the spirit told them it was a silver shard, enchanted with powerful magic that would kill any living soul that touched it. He was also holding it for someone, Velika the vampire. The spirit then turned into a portal. The group discussed taking the box, and as Eleanor moved between the group and the box, the portal exploded and returned to the spirit form as the door slammed shut."Do not take what is not yours. It's impolite." The spirit shrieked. Promising not to touch anything else, the party was ready to depart. The spirit once more transformed its essence into a portal. One by one, the group stepped through.
One by one, the adventurers were deposited at the bottom of the old well outside Baldur's Gate. Kory led the group up above to discuss his next plan of action.
