An NPC Adventure
An Added Bonus to the Blood and Water Campaign

Zephday, 10 Keenaxe 204

At dusk, Drasha heads to the rendezvous point to meet with Elias and the others. After several hours they do not return and Drasha fears the worst. She returns to the ship to discuss their options with Misgon and Lokan. They agree that Lokan should cast a sending spell and get a message to Elias. The sent message reads, “We fear for you. Respond if you live.” But there is no response.

Lokan is convinced that the spell worked. Even if they were on another plane they would have heard it. The spell cannot specifically tell whether Elias lives or not, but the most likely reason for their being no reply is that Elias is dead. Drasha cannot accept that. She instinctively believes that Elias is alive. Something has obviously happened to him and the others. Misgon agrees. Ravenna has survived worse than a city full of dragons. Given the reputation of the Chosen of Narramac, Lokan is forced to concur.

The question is, what do they do next? Whatever they decide to do, they must do alone, until Elias and the others return, which could be in days or in weeks. They cannot do anything about the situation in Jotan’s Point, but they can concentrate on helping Raith. They have to find a way to stop the Freedom Movement from destroying itself by leaving leaving the town. They are in particular danger if they try to leave through Ündrachis. Nosuch says that they must also find out who killed Mortimer. Drasha agrees.

Caladay, 11 Keenaxe 204

Drasha, Misgon and Lokan visit The Free Man and speak with Gelleston. They find him in the company of a man called Rufus Hoyle. Hoyle is a very handsome fellow, not of a noble family, but who claims noble blood. Drasha seems immune to his obvious charms, and they quickly settle down to business.

Hoyle and Gelleston are trying to figure out how to move three hundred people out of Raith. They both want to know more of the temple that Elias spoke of. Drasha tells them that Elias went to Jotan’s Point and has not returned as yet. They are investigating a magical means to contact them, but until then she begs Gelleston to wait until she can contact Elias before doing anything rash. Gelleston says that he wants to move within the week. Drasha fears for the future.

Sharday, 12 Keenaxe 204

The innkeeper, Bransook, discovers his daughter Clara’s dalliance with Gelleston and beats his daughter until he discovers everything she was up to. Bransook now knows of the plans of the The Freedom Movement and immediately reports them to Seneschal Lauren.

Drasha, Misgon, Lokan, Thorik and the Brute Squad head into town at the behest of Nosuch to talk to Clanlord Elias regarding the disappearance of Mortimer. Drasha tells the Clanlord that it seems increasingly likely that Alessandre was somehow involved. This makes the Clanlord explode in anger, as he said on the roof, if Mortimer was eaten then there is only one creature in the keep that regularly eats people, and that is Shalnazara. Clanlord Elias is angry and sends them all away.

Morday, 13 Keenaxe 204

Clanlord Elias visits Shalnazara and challenges the guardian over Mortimer’s death. Shalnazara doesn’t deny the act but neither does he brag about it, which is rather odd. Clanlord Elias feels that the guardian is keeping something from him, but is unable to discover what it is. He is distracted from his investigations by Alessandre. Her preganacy is making her increasingly ill.

Meanwhile, Bransook’s daughter, Clara, returns to The Free Man. She is now a spy for the Seneschal’s Alliance. She feels very guilty about this, but does not want to receive another beating. Bransook left the girl’s face unmarked, and it is not obvious that she has been brutalised.

Sunday, 14 Keenaxe 204

Lokan casts Sending again to Elias, Ravenna and to Jonus but to no avail. He says that he will continue casting it every few days in the hope of discovering something. Drasha and Misgon have not given up.

Nosuch has been interrogating Mortimer’s ex-familiar, Gus, but without success. Gus cannot say who murdered Mortimer. Drasha is convinced that it is Alessandre, but without a body how can they prove it? Much of the day is spent in fruitless discussion.

Meanwhile, Galachen Yine preaches in the streets. He says that a time of great change is coming to Raith. He says that the signs are at hand, and soon the world as they know it will be forever changed.

Vítday, 15 Keenaxe 204

With no sign of Elias or the others, Drasha, Misgon, Thorik and Lokan go to The Free Man to find out what the Freedom Alliance are up to. Only Gelleston and Clara are present. Drasha tells Gelleston that she hasn’t been able to get in contact with her Elias, but she begs him and his companions to wait before making their move.

Gelleston bluntly refuses. With Galachen Yine whipping the people up into a fervour, things are looking increasingly more dangerous in Raith. Yine claims that The Wyrm has told him that the time of deliverance is almost at hand and that great change will soon come to Raith. The Freedom Movement and its three-hundred followers will go in three days, and they are going through Ündrachis. Gelleston says that Drasha can either tell him how to work the portal to Norandor or they will figure it out for themselves.

“It’s not as simple as that,” says Misgon, thinking on his feet. “Not anyone can use the portal. You need to be able to work arcane forces to open it. You need a wizard, without one you’re stuck here. Now, I’m willing to be your wizard, but you have to listen to Drasha, and work with her.”

Drasha gives Misgon an appreciating nod. Eventually, Gelleston asks Drasha to be a part of their council. He asks her to return tomorrow and speak with the Winites, himself and Hoyle. Meanwhile, Lokan notices something odd regarding Clara. Although she is trying to hide it, she walks as if she is in great pain. He doesn’t mention this to anyone.

Terday, 16 Keenaxe 204

Seneschal Lauren decides the time has come to act to preserve Pax Draco. He summons the wizard Jerren Ollren as well as Dominion Wallace, Esmelda MaGrissey and Merriweather DunBurton. He explains everything that Bransook told him.

DunBurton says that the Winites and their kind have picked a dangerous time to try and split the town. DunBurton says that Galachen Yine’s predictions are likely to be correct. The Freedom Movement needs to be delayed.

A debate begins as to how they can stop three hundred people. Ollren is a mage, but what good is he against such an enormous number? “Cut off the head and the body withers,” says Lauren. “We will simply have to act against Gelleston, Hoyle and the Winnites. And it is not true that we have no force of arms to rely upon.”

Lauren speaks of Clanlord Elias’s secret collection of archers led by Captain Alliston. Although Lauren doesn’t want to act without Clanlord Elias’s approval he will. Alliston and the archers know where their loyalties lie, and they will do what the sensechal bids if it necessary.

During the morning Lokan heads out on his own to do some investigating. He follows Clara back to the Pax Draco and concealing himself watches through her bedroom window. She begins to undress for a bath, and he is about to leave to protect her modesty when he sees the bruises that cover much of her body. Concerned, Lokan continues to watch the house.

Early in the afternoon Drasha, Misgon and Thorik head over to The Free Man to meet with Gelleston, the Winnites and Hoyle. They begin their discussions. The brute squad have gone with them are are left outside the tavern on guard-duty. They like being on guard-duty.

At the Pax Draco Clara gets ready to leave to join Gelleston and the others, but she is prevented from going by Bransook. He grabs his daughter by the wrist and drags her back into the tavern. Lokan is about to act when he begins to think. Why would Bransook stop his daughter from going today? He has all ready beaten her in the past, after all. Then it occurs to him that something bad is going to happen today at The Free Man. Something to detriment of the Freedom Movement as a whole. He races up the street to find Drasha.

Lokan arrives at The Free Man and tells Drasha what is going on, and his fears for what might soon happen. She leaves Misgon and Thorik to carry on the discussions and goes with Lokan to Bransook’s tavern. She will not have Clara harmed if she can act to prevent it.

Drasha bursts into the tavern and demands to know where Clara is. She doesn’t get a reply, but Lokan follows the gaze of the young girl to the stairs and the pair race to the first floor. They can hear shouting coming from one of the bedrooms. “The seneschal is all ready on his way to deal with your little rebellion!” they can hear Bransook shouting, followed by a heavy slap of flesh on flesh. Drasha kicks the door open.

Bransook is shocked at the arrival of Drasha and Lokan. Drasha looks from the beaten form of Clara to Bransook and draws her sword. “Step away from her,” she commnds. “Fancy yourself a swordswoman do you?” asks Bransook. Battle between Bransook, Lokan and Drasha is quickly engaged. It soon becomes clear that as skilled as Drasha and Lokan are, Bransook is a signficantly more accomplished than both of them. Despite Lokan’s spells Bransook defeats them both, and sends one of his other daughters to give word to the Seneschal.

When that word arrives Seneschal Lauren is conference with Clanlord Elias and Alessandre about the trouble at The Free Man. Elias wants to go and talk to Gelleston and the others, to make him see reason. He doubts that Misgon and Drasha are deliberately causing trouble.

But then the news comes that Drasha and Lokan have tried to kill Bransook! He has mastered them, but the event is enough to give Lauren arguments some significant weight. Elias summons his archers and leaves with Ollren, Galachen Yine, Alessandre and Lauren.

At Pax Draco Bransook has tied up the unconscious Drasha and Lokan, and hands them over to the Clanlords forces. Alessandre orders that they are taken to the Keep and locked up. Elias agrees for the time being, and leads his force to The Free Man.

The leaders of the Freedom Movement are soon trapped within the tavern. A stand-off quickly ensues between Ollren and the archers and Misgon and the Brute Squad. Elias tries to calm things down, but the discussion gets very heated. Then an arrow flies out from one of the bowmen and strikes Gelleston in the chest. All hell quickly breaks loose.

Misgon relies on his new reptoire of spells he learned from the book stolen from Barakar Santuro. He casts haste followed by a fear spell that sends half the archers and most of the nobles – including Lauren – running for cover. Ollren tries to charm Misgon but the spell fails. Before the remaining archers can fire, Misgon casts obscuring mist and then commands the brute squad into mêlée combat.

The Brute Squad take down the remaining archers in very little time. They work seemlessly as a team making good use of their cleaving skills. By the time Alessandre blows the mist away only the brute squad and Misgon are standing.

It is Misgon and the brute squad versus Alessandre, Elias and Galachen Yine. The Brute Squad are confused that Elias is now their enemy, when he is actually their boss. There is much scratching of heads. Some carefully placed hold person spells remove the threat of the brute squad and Misgon is snared by one of Alessandre’s enchantments.

The day ends with Drasha, Lokan, Misgon, the Brute Squad and the leaders of the Freedom Movement captured and encarcerated in Raith Keep. But Thorik managed to escape the trouble and arrives back at the ship and tells the others what happened. Simian Black wants to leave immediately, but Captain Montague is not prepared to abandon Drasha and the others just yet. Nosuch is all for storming the castle, but Thorik convinces them to wait until a better opportunity arises.

Zephday, 17 Keenaxe 204

Clanlord Elias talks to Drasha and she tells him the truth of what she and Lokan were doing. Elias believes her, but the attack on Bransook is a serious offence and she will have to stand trial. Drasha says that she understands, but tells Elias that Alessandre killed Mortimer. She says that he is being played for a fool by her, just as he always has been.

Caladay, 18 Keenaxe 204

There is unrest in Raith. The people who were planning on leaving with Gelleston are on the verge of rising up, and nothing that Elias or Galachen says seems to be able to calm them down. Clanlord Elias speaks to Lauren and the members of the council. He says that he is willing just to let them go. He has spoken at length with Gelleston and the others, but has got nowhere in coming up with a compromise.

The discussions are interrupted by Thorik. Thorik says that he has wants to plead for the release of his companions. Elias repeats that they must stand trial, but given the current problems in the town, he does not know when that will be.

Sharday, 19 Keenaxe 204

A group of seventy barbarians arrives from the north and sets up camp within Raith. This quite throws off everyone’s day. When questioned they claim that they are following the star (Dementer) and that they have come for a religious revelation. It seems that the words of the kobold priests are coming true.

Elias speaks with their cheiftain, Wrath, but doesn’t seem to be able to make him understand the niceties of village life. The barbarians cause many problems about Raith, but no-one has the strength to kick them out.

Morday, 20 Keenaxe 204

A juvenile copper dragon lands in town. It has arrived for the same reason as the barbarians. Clanlord Elias is getting rather jumpy over what might turn up next in his town.

Sunday, 21 Keenaxe - Sharday, 33 Keenaxe 204

During this period Drasha and the others remain prisoners in Raith Keep. They are treated well, although Lokan and Misgon are bound to prevent them from casting spells. Clanlord Elias tries to visit Drasha on a regular basis, but he is prevented by his duties as scores of other pilgrims arrive in Raith. These pilgrims are of many different races. Disagreements and fights break out over space and food. All of them have been following the star. Galachen Yine is having a wonderful time, but Clanlord Elias is not sure how to respond.

The three hundred who were planning to leave Raith take the fact that people can now enter as a sign that it is possible to leave. A few begin drifting away over these days. Those that leave do not come back. Whether they escape or are killed is unknown.

Clanlord Elias’s time is also taken up looking after his wife. Alessandre’s pregnacny is becoming very difficult. She begins to fall ill, which makes Elias sick with worry for her safety and that of his unborn son.

Morday, 34 Keenaxe 204

Using Thorik’s alchemical knowledge and the thieving skills of Bode and Elayne, a device designed to aid the escape of Drasha and the others have been created. At the insistance of their magic pixie, Bode and Elayne enter the keep and go to the dungeons. They say that they are carrying freshly baked bread for the prisoners.

The guards break the bread to see if there is anything inside it. They suspect a file or some physical means to escape, but instead they release a noxious gas. Bode and Elayne have already taken an antidote and are unaffected, but the guards are rendered unconscious. Stealing the keys, Bode and Elayne rescue Drasha, Misgon, Lokan, The Brute Squad, Gelleston, Hoyle and the Winnites.

With the help of Little Bobby Proudfoot they are led to a quiet area where Lokan is able to dimension door everyone apart from Bode and Elayne back down to the ship. Montague immediately weighs anchor and leaves port heading west. She skirts the tip of the Buttress Penninsular and heads north along the coast looking for a harbour.

Sunday, 35 Keenaxe 204

The Lady comes to rest at a natural harbour about twenty miles north of Raith. They anchor some way out into the bay as they fear what might be patrolling the land. They have rescued everyone, but Drasha still feels a responsibility for Raith, tempting as it is to leave them to it.

Something is happening there connected with Elias’s unborn child. When that child is born something bad is going to happen. But they do not know what it as, and even if they did she is at a loss as to what they can do about it. Sergenté comments that in less than a month Dementer will have arrived. It is all connected in some way.

Vítday, 36 Keenaxe 204

Lokan, Drasha, Nosuch and Misgon go scouting around the area the ship landed. They want to make sure that is safe from any incredibly nasty creatures. Nosuch is also glad to stretch his legs. They encounter a coven of harpies that have been ripped apart by some powerful creature they really don’t want to meet.

On the way back to the ship Lokan says that they are being followed. Suddenly, they are attacked by a creature that Lokan recognises to be Alhanna Tannesh! He is stunned. The demonic creature that was Alhanna seems all teeth and claws, but it does not attack them. Instead it grabs Misgon and runs off into the wilderness.

Lokan, Nosuch and Drasha give chase but are quickly out-distanced. Lokan casts a sending message back to the ship to tell them what has happened, and the he, Nosuch and Drasha continue on the trail of Misgon.

Terday, 37 Keenaxe - Morday, 41 Keenaxe 204

Lokan, Nosuch and Drasha track Alhanna and Misgon north across the Tibrai wilderlands. The going is very dangerous and often it is Lokan’s skills as a ranger and a water cleric that save their lives. Misgon is still alive. He has spent this time utterly terrified but at least in one piece as Alhanna moves at a staggering pace to a certain destination.

Sunday, 42 Keenaxe 204

Alhanna arrives at a collection of strange ruins that Misgon doesn’t recognise. They are extremely ancient and, if Misgon had his wits about him, he would have said they may once have been a temple of some kind. As it is, Alhanna is completely beastial and Misgon’s fears that he will be eaten rather drive thoughts of architecture from his mind.

Misgon is dropped in a chamber that contains nothing of any note save for a single gold-edged mirror. Looking into the mirror Misgon sees himself a broken and dishevelled character, but in this mirror Alhanna’s reflection is not that of the beast, but how she was before the change.

Where the beast is an evil, unstoppable force that could evidently survive an attack by Vargus itself, the reflection has all the traits and personality of the real Alhanna. Misgon is shocked when the reflection speaks to him. It says, “The existence of this mirror was recorded in several scrolls that were held on Varosh. It was deemed too difficult to retrieve it. When I changed into that evil creature something of me must have remembered, and I came here. The Evil inside me desires blood and I must satiate its needs. But for a little while I can communicate. Your name is Misgon. I remember my daughter talking about you. Her scent is all over you. Where is she?”

Seeing very little option, Misgon tells Alhanna the truth. He says that Ravenna went to Jotan’s Point and never returned. He begins to tell her of the counterfeit Elias and the dragons, but the bloolust overcomes Alhanna and she says that she must leave to feed. At first Misgon thinks she is going to eat him, but instead she flees from from the ruins, leaving Misgon quite alone.

Vítday, 43 Keenaxe 204

Alhanna returns to the ruins. She is full, and carries raw meat for Misgon that he begins to cook. The reflection of Alhanna and Misgon then resume their conversation. Misgon tells Alhanna of all that has transpired since they left Varosh. The part of Alhanna that can be seen in the mirror understands him.

“So it is likely that Ravenna and Elias have met their deaths,” Alhanna says. “Were it any one else I would say yes,” says Misgon, “but we are talking about Ravenna Tannesh and Elias Raithbourne! They are, were, Chosen of Narramac! If anyone can find a way to survive then they can.”

Terday, 44 Keenaxe 204

While Alhanna is foraging for food, Drasha, Nosuch and Lokan arrive at the ruins. They find Misgon and prepare to flee, but suddenly Alhanna returns! The beast has overcome her, and Alhanna battles Drasha, Nosuch and Lokan. She quickly overpowers, and prepares to devour them.

With great effort, Misgon wrenches the mirror off the wall and leaps in front of the beast showing Alhanna her the reflection. “Listen to me!” yells Misgon. “We all want to help Ravenna! All of us! And if we work together we might be able to do just that. Ravenna went to Jotan’s Point, you know where that is? You have the power to go there, you can try and find her!”

The reflection of Alhanna speaks, “Yes, I will go there, but you must follow me. And you must take the mirror, for it is the only way I can communicate with you and – I fear – the only thing that is keeping me from devouring you.”

Then Alhanna runs from the ruins before she eats the three of them. Misgon uses Dralcaranus’s healing potion to revive his companions. Lokan comments to Drasha that the two of them should stop getting their arses kicked by people.

Lokan sends a Sending message to Thorik to explain what has happened. Thorik kicks himself for not being there. Lokan says that the four of them are returning to the boat with the mirror. They will now have to decide what to do with it.

Zephday, 45 Keenaxe - Vítday, 1 Chillbone 204

Over these days Misgon, Nosuch, Drasha and Lokan hurry back to The Lady. The going is difficult and dangerous over the countryside and they battle several monsters, although fortunately there are no fatalities. On the last day of Keenaxe, Drasha breaks down to Misgon. It is Elias’s birthday, and she fears that she will never see him again. Misgon does his best to comfort her, but he is feeling much the same thing.

Terday, 2 Chillbone 204

Misgon, Drasha, Nosuch and Lokan arrive back at the ship and must decide what to do next. Gelleston wants to return to Raith and find Clara. The Winites and Hoyle also want to return so they can help the people who want to leave Raith to get to safety.

Lokan agrees to cast sending, and contacts Clara. He learns that many scores of other pilgrims have begun arriving in Raith. Yine is claiming that his prophecy is almost complete. If that is correct that very soon Shalnazara will be freed from Ündrachis. That cannot be allowed to happen. Drasha says that they must return and do what they can to salvage this situation.

Caladay, 4 Chillbone 204

In the dead of night and in a dangerous fog, The Lady returns to Raith. The natural harbour at the foot of the cliff is now filled with boats and there is nowhere to moor. “I say we take the ship to Jotan’s Point,” says Misgon. Misgon believes that the status quo is over. The host of dragons came to Jotan’s Point on a pilgrimage. Now the pilgrims are in Raith, so it should be safe. Besides they have to get to Jotan’s Point if they are going to meet with Alhanna Tannesh.

Drasha says that it is too dangerous to take that risk, although a good part of her wants to follow Elias to Jotan’s Point and find out what happened to him. Lokan then has the idea of asking the dragon Kia. He thinks he knows of her well enough to casta sending spell and does so. Kia responds to the message and flies to the ship.

She hovers above the ship as it bobs in the rough water off Raith. She tells them that Jonus is very distant, but he is not dead. This gives Drasha and Misgon hope that Elias and Ravenna are still alive. Kia also says that Jotan’s Point is safe to approach now. The Lady sails on to Jotan’s Point.

Sharday, 5 Chillbone 204

At dawn The Lady docks near to the lighthouse at Jotan’s Point. Thorik says that he wants to go out and look for his wife. Misgon volunteers to go with him. Drasha and Lokan also go. The Brute Squad remain to guard the ship. They bristle a bit against this as they are very keen to hit something with their big clubs.

Drasha and the others do not approach the temple and try to avoid the dozens of dragons that are still in the area. They meet a group of worshippers that Misgon recognises as troglodytes. These priests tell the group of the situation, and that most of the Called are leaving Jotan’s Point for Raith as “The Holy Child” will soon be born. Drasha and the others return to the ship without discovering Alhanna, Elias or Quenqurial. Morday, 6 to Sunday, 7 Chillbone 204

Morday, 6 Chillbone - Sunday, 7 Chillbone 204

During these two days, the ship remains in Jotan’s Point while Drasha and the others criss-cross the city looking for Alhanna or any sign of Elias. They explore the lighthouse, and discover an undead creature which Drasha slays. There is no sign of Mathias Raithbourne although Misgon is fascinated by the symbols found on the uppermost floor of the lighthouse.

Vítday, 8 Chillbone 204

In the morning, the group come to a decision. Assuming that Alhanna has come to this palce, there is only place to look for her, and that is the temple where The Wyrm dwells. They realise the danger involved, but Drasha, Misgon, Thorik, Nosuch and Lokan master that fear and head to the temple.

Their entrance is barred by none other than Kia. She will not allow them to go any further, and she says that to do so means death for the faithless. They retreat to the boat and try to decide what they have to do. If the birth of the child is something to do with the prophecy and if that is connected with the release of Shalnazara and this Wyrm then they have to stop it.

Drasha is convinced that Alessandre is a terrible evil and that there must be a way to prove this to Clanlord Elias (whom she has come to trust). Yet how can they prove such a thing? Then Misgon hits upon it! The Heart of Llysallian! It can read minds. With it, they can learn the truth. But to get to Ashardon they have to go to Ündrachis.That will be an adventure in and of itself.

Terday, 9 Chillbone 204

Leaving only Thorik, the captain and her crew behind, everyone sneaks back into Raith to find it bursting with people and dragons. There are now many thousands of people here and the presence of our unlikely heroes can easily go unnoticed.

The Winnites and Hoyle head to make contact with their allies, while Gelleston goes to seek out Clara. Nosuch, Drasha, the Brute Squad, Lokan and Nosuch head as close as they can to Raith Keep. They have agreed to go their separate ways. Drasha doesn’t see what she can do for the Freedom Movement now. They are free to leave whenever they choose if that is what they desire.

Lokan can dimension door Misgon and Drasha with him into the top of Ündrachis and then they can head down. He doesn’t really want to go back but he sees that this could be the best way to help Elias.

Nosuch and the Brute Squad need to stay and keep an eye on things. Especially Alessandre. Nosuch agrees. Because of the time it takes to travel to Norandor Drash and the others will be gone at least two days.

The three dimension door to the top of Ündrachis and head down quickly into its depths. There they reach the portal, and there they meet Shalnazara. Shalnazara sees the intruders as little more than a light snack. Drasha tells Shalnazara that she is the wife of “His Elias” and that she will bear him sons. Shalnazara sees the lie in this and moves to kill her.

Then Misgon engages Shalnazara in conversation. He asks what Shalnazara thinks of Galachen Yine, and how Yine has taken the Order of the Wyrm away from worshipping Shalnazara and toward the worship of something else. Misgon tells Shalnazara that “His Elias” is in terrible danger, and that there may be a means to save him. Doesn’t Shalnazara want that? He has to let them go to Ashardon.

Shalnazara tortures them until he is sure that they have the truth and then he says, “If you can persuade the Guardian of Ashardon to lend you the bauble then do so. The truth could be interesting, yes. But try to use it on me and I will flay you in a second.” Lokan, Drasha and Misgon pass through the portal.

Zephday, 10 Chillbone 204

Nosuch and the Brute Squad make the acquaintance of Wrath, the barbarian war leader with more muscle than brain who was the first of the pilgrims to arrive. Their fighting prowess impresses Wrath and he allows them to stay with his clan. Wrath tells them that he has come for the birth of the Holy Child.

Nosuch notices most of the original villagers are now living inside the Keep and have abandoned their town to the pilgrims. The pilgrims do not enter Raith Keep out of respect, but how long will that last is not something the gnome can say.

In Jotan’s Point, Alhanna returns to The Lady and meets with Thorik. Using the Mirror they are able to talk. It is an emotional moment for Thorik. Alhanna says that she no longer loves Thorik, and Thorik says that he suspected this for some time. Eventually they get down to business. Alhanna says that the evil stain on her soul is pressing in on her. She must go away, but before she does that she wants to see Ravenna one last time. The Beast Alhanna has searched Jotan’s Point. She has found no sign of Ravenna but is convinced that she went into the Temple. “Then that is where we must go,” says Thorik.

Caladay, 11 Chillbone 204

Drasha, Misgon and Lokan arrive in Ashardon and find Dralcarnus. Drasha quickly tells Dralcarnus their plan, but he refuses point blank to lend them the heart. He will not do it, he says.

In Raith, Nosuch talks to Lestus a barbarian shaman. The shaman has powers to communicate with the dead. Nosuch asks if it would be possible to summon up Mortimer’s spirit and find out how he died. Lestus says that it would be, if they had something of Mortimer. Nosuch mentions the familiar, and Lestus agrees that such a thing would ideal. Nosuch leaves the Brute Squad and heads back to Jotan’s Point to get Gus the hamster.

Nosuch arrives to find Thorik and Alhanna leaving the vessel. He challenges them and Alhanna almost tears him apart. Thorik is carrying the mirror with him and talks the beast down. He explains that they are heading into the Temple and that Nosuch can go with them if he wishes. Nosuch is torn, but he will not leave Thorik to face the danger alone. The three go to the temple of the Wyrm. Their way to the temple is barred by a ferocious dragon. Alhanna clays it easily and they enter.

Sharday, 12 Chillbone 204

Drasha and Misgon continue to work on Dralcarnus, but he seems unmovable. Nothing belonging to his mother must ever leave Ashardon again, he says. “Why do you seek to persuade Dralcarnus of this?” asks Deerkor. Drasha tells her old companion the story. She actually seems to get on with him much better now that he is a lich. Deerkor is politely interested, but indifferent to what is going on.

Meanwhile Alhanna, Misgon and Nosuch enter the Temple and find a bizarra and terrible place. It is here that they encounter Mathias Raithbourne. He is wandering around aimlessly being quite, quite mad and talking to a small cairn of pebbles. “She thinks I am a kindred spirit! I am nothing like her.” They go and try to talk to him.

Thorik can get no sense out of him. Alhanna gets increasingly impatient and eventually she attacks Mathias. Mathias and Alhanna battle in the Temple while Nosuch and Thorik take cover. Alhanna seems too strong for Mathias. Mathias flees. Thorik realises that Mathias is the key to finding Ravenna. They must pursue him.

Morday, 13 Chillbone 204

This is the day that Elias and the others awaken on Dementer. Unfortunately, Lokan has long given up casting sending spells in their general direction, so their revival is a complete mystery to their Iourn-bound companions.

In Norandor, Drasha demands that Dralcarnus open a portal to the Maw of Io. If he won’t help them then perhaps the Teeth of Io will. Dralcarnus grudingly agrees and Misgon, Drasha and Lokan return to the Maw of Io. They head to the skull and try to summon the Teeth of Io, but they will not come for Drasha and the others.

Utterly frustrated that they are being stopped at every turn, the three turn to go home. Unfortunately they are waylaid by a dying black dragon that is lashing out in its rage at being dead, and they are forced to flee. When they return to the portal, it has closed!

Although Dralcarnus opened it after just over half an hour, eleven days have passed for Drasha, Lokan and Nosuch. Drasha and Nosuch are unconscious from lack of food and water and are perilously close to death. Lokan has just enough wit to force himself and his companions back through the portal to Ashardon where he collapses.

Meanwhile Nosuch, Thorik and Alhanna try trace Mathias but he has moved magically and they have lost the scent. They are not sure what their next move should be.

Sunday, 14 Chillbone 204

The reflection of Alhanna tells the others to return to the lighthouse, as she is certain that Mathias will return there. Thorik and Nosuch begin to stake out the lighthouse, but Alhanna’s beastial side gets the best of her and she runs off for blood.

Vítday, 15 Chillbone - Caladay, 18 Chillbone 204

Nosuch deseparately wants to take the hamster to Lestus, but he will not leave Thorik alone in this Jotan’s Point. He will have to wait a little bit longer. The pair continue to stake out the lighthouse, but there is no sign of Mathias. They are both very worried now about Drasha, Misgon and Lokan. Alhanna does not return during these days.

Sharday, 19 Chillbone 204

Mathias returns to the lighthouse at last. Thorik talks with him for hours and eventually the mad mage reveals that he sent Elias and Ravenna to safety. It takes a long time to appreciate whether this happened recently or seventeen seasons ago, Matthias babbles so much. Although this is good news, Thorik cannot find out where Matthias sent them. The sorcerer doesn’t seem to know.

Morday, 20 Chillbone 204

Thorik and Nosuch head to Raith to see if they can find Drasha. They know that Elias is alive now, so perhaps another sending spell will be helpful, although they will have to find Lokan for that. Captain Montague has pulled the ship out into the harbour, but this place is not safe. She wants to leave, but still feels a responsibility to Elias. Sergenté is amazed by Dementer. It is now so close, one can almost taste it! He wants to stay to observe this celestial event.

Nosuch takes Thorik back to Wrath’s barbarian clan. The Brute Squad have been adopted by the clan and made ‘honourary barbarians’. Thorik doesn’t like to think of how they earned such a title. He notices that Bronsk and the others are now wearing a large number of bracelets, necklaces and ear-rings that they did not sport before.

Nosuch shows Lestus the familiar. Lestus says that he will prepare the spell, once he has gathered the necessary components. He will also need permission from Wrath, but the chieftain readily agrees.

Sunday, 21 Chillbone 204

The shaman Lestus casts the spell that conjures Mortimer’s spirit. The spirit speaks to Nosuch and tells him that he was indeed killed by Alessandre. Nosuch and the shaman relive Mortimer’s final moments. They see Mortimer enter Alessandre’s bed chamber and start talking with Alessandre. It becomes apparent that Alessandre knows who Mortimer is, but does not remember any of the events that Mortimer is talking about. Mortimer becomes distressed. Alessandre reaches out to as if to caress him and snaps his neck.

Gus said that Mortimer was subsequently devoured. But how amd when did this happen? Did Alessandre then feed Mortimer to Shalnazara? Nosuch delcares he must go and kill Alessandre. Unfortunately, this is blasphemy to Wrath and his barbarians. Alessandre is the future mother of the Messiah after all. Nosuch and Thorik are imprisoned by the barbarian clan, although the Brute Squad still have their freedom.

Bronsk talks to Wrath on Nosuch and Thorik’s behalf. Wrath is torn between his friendship with good men (Nosuch and Bronsk) and what his faith calls for him to do. He says that he will not harm Thorik and Bronsk, nor will he hand them over to Galachen Yine. Wrath and Lestus go into conference to discuss this turn of events. Lestus tells Wrath the truth of what he saw.

Vítday, 22 Chillbone 204

Alhanna returns to Jotan’s Point and confronts Mathias Raithbourne. Without the mirror she is brutal and mercilous in extracting information from him. Fortunately for Mathias has a lucid moment in his pain and points to growing star in the sky (Dementer). That is where he sent Ravenna. Mathias uses what power he has left to drive off Alhanna. She hurries to Raith.

Terday, 23 Chillbone 204

Wrath and Lestus decide they must receive outside wisdom on the matter of Nosuch and Thorik. They send word that they must speak with Galachen Yine. But Yine is busy and it is Marris Gowenbourne that comes in his stead.

Silver-tongued Thorik talks long and loud to Marris about what has happened, and what he fears is going to happen. Marris reveals that she is unhappy with this turn of events, and has never really seen eye-to-eye with Galachen Yine. She would not have admitted such a thing before, but now matters seem to be coming to a head. She says that Alessandre is on the verge of a very premature pregancy.

Marris tells Nosuch that he must bide his time in his quest for vengeance. She promises to find out more of what is going on inside the Keep. She tells Wrath to free Nosuch and Thorik, but to keep them under his wing. Marris says that the coming of Dementer will be a sign, but she isn’t sure what sort of sign it will be. She suspects that it won’t be good.

Zephday, 24 Chillbone 204

After many days convalescence at the hands of a guilty Dralcarnus, Drasha, Misgon and Lokan are finally up and able to function like normal human beings. Dralcarnus feels a profound respect for Drasha's actions. He realises how much she is risking for Elias and he knows that if this truth is so important she would sacrifice her life, then Llysallian too would approve of it. Dralcarnus decides to lend Drasha the Heart of Llysallian after all. Drasha, Lokan and Misgon return through the portal to Ündrachis.

Caladay, 25 Chillbone 204

Thorik hears of several deaths in Raith that can only be attributed to Alhanna. He goes out to find her but does not succeed in finding anything other than a few filletted members of the faithful. There is no law in Raith at the moment, and no means to try and track Alhanna down. He hopes that nothing happens to injure his wife, and then chuckles at the ludicrous idea that anything ever could. Thorik also finds that a rumour of Ündrachis and the presence of Shalnazara pervades in the town. This could be a damaging rumour to the Order of the Wyrm.

Sharday, 26 Chillbone 204

Lokan, Drasha and Misgon finally arrive back in Ündrachis. They see a very odd change has overtaken Shalnazara. It is almost as though he is in a state of torpor. He wants nothing to do with them then they set foot in his temple. Drasha considers that this can only be a good thing.

Now that they are in the keep, Drasha wants Misgon and Lokan to go and find the others while she tries to track down Alessandre and scan her mind with The Heart of Llysallian. Misgon disagrees vehemently with her plan. He is not going to abandon her in this place. If they assume that Alessandre killed Mortimer, then surely she could do the same to Drasha. But Drasha is immovable on this. “I owe it to Elias to clear this up,” she says. “I have to do this alone.” Bending to the inevitable, Misgon hugs Drasha and wishes her good luck. Then he and Lokan dimension door out of Raith Keep and into the throng of pilgrims that now press against its walls.

Using the sending spell Lokan is soon able to meet up with Nosuch, Lokan and the Brute Squad. He also learns from Captain Montague that Mathias Raithbourne has returned to his lighthouse.

The Keep is now crowded and Drasha’s presence soon discovered by the inhabitants. She meets Bransook and is forced to fight him once more. This time she doesn’t try to win in a fair fight, and takes the first opportunity to escape. Eventually, Drasha finds her way to the bed-chamber of Alessandre and Elias. Hearing voices within she waits until Clanlord Elias leaves, and then sneaks into the room.

Alessandre is sleeping in the bed. She is very heavily pregnant and clearly on the verge of labour. Odd seeing the pregnancy cannot be any more than twenty-five weeks old. She takes the Heart of Llysallian in her hands and concentrates in the manner that Dralcarnus told her. In an instant the mind of Alessandre is open to her, and Drasha learns the terrible truth!

Suddenly Alessandre snaps awake. She seems too weak to move, but not too weak to snare Drasha in an enchantment before the swordswoman can reach the door. Alessandre, the effort of holding Drasha obviously telling on her, summons Galachen Yine. She orders Yine to dispose of Drasha, and do it without Clanlord Elias’s knowledge. Yine takes Drasah away and gives the Heart of Llysallian into the hands of Alessandre.

Yine seems confused by over how to “dispose” of Drasha, and quite what Alessandre meant. He takes her down to the dungeons and has her locked up. Drasha demands to see Elias, and reveals to Yine everything she learned through the Heart of Llysallian. Yine believes none of it, and calls Drasha a liar. Drasha is imprisoned.

Morday, 27 Chillbone 204

But now our heroes have returned to Iourn. Dementer arrives over Raith, and hovers in the sky above the keep. Elias, Jonus, Ravenna, Torr and Ravenna are reunited with Misgon and the others and learn all that has happened. They hear that Alessandre has finally gone into labour, they speak with Mathias Raithboure and they journey to the Maw of Io. Finally, they formulate a plan with Shalnazara to destroy the faith of the pilgrims before the Teeth of Io take matters into their own hands. But Drasha is still a prisoner, the origins of the second Elias are still unknown as is the terrible secret of Alessandre that only Drasha is aware of.

The end of An NPC Adventure
The Blood and Water Campaign concludes in
Unto Us a Child is Born

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