Session Two
The party awoke, disturbed by disquieting dreams in the Blisterfoot Inn. In the morning, the group discovered that the small town was resident to an unusually large number of Purple Dragons and War Wizards. Careful questioning of the inn's owner Eltragir uncovered the reason for the military presence. The nearby hill was the location of Crownpoint, a former military base of the kingdom, that was blown to pieces by a freak thunderstorm nearly twenty five years ago. The destruction of Crownpoint revealed a heretofore unknown set of iron, rune encrusted doors that seemed to go... somewhere else. Ever since that night, the former stronghold has been a focal point of activity on behalf of the War Wizards, investigating what seems to be the only known wild magic zone in Cormyr. Their curiosity peaked, but with the pressing matter of their journey to Arabel to acquire a charter still fresh on the party's mind, they set about their business, selling their goods and buying supplies.
Rohan and Elwrynn were tasked with selling the salvaged brigand arms and armor. They sought out Kheldroun Stonehammer, a dwarven master crafter of armor for many of the nobles of Cormyr. He identified the armor and swords as being produced originally in the forges of Mulmaster. After a small amount of haggling, the dwarf was persuaded to purchase the goods for a fair price. He also offered the two warriors a chance to purchase a fantastic looking masterwork chain shirt that appeared to be made of a grey-green steel-like metal in links so fine as to be almost invisible for the staggering price of 120 tricrowns. Needless to say, the two were intrigued, but did not have the funds to make such a purchase. Ka'mil and Briar Rose set about selling the onyx stone and purchasing spell components for an identification spell to be cast upon the silver circlet acquired from the bandit captain. Their purpose caused them to seek out Perratus the Blacknose, a strange sort of gnome who runs a jewelry shop near the Blisterfoot Inn. His gemcrafting and crystal work was outstanding, and there were many intriguing baubles and fancies, including a wyvern carved entirely of some sort of clear crystal. They bartered the onyx for a lessening of the price on a hundred weight of pearl dust, the component for the identification ritual. Briar Rose also purchased a pendant of a small sapphire set into a blue dragon scale, strung upon a golden chain. Ka'mil was also able to discover the location of someone who could perhaps tell him more about the dragons of Cormyr, a naturalist who runs the Falcon's Rest inn in the old town of Arabel. The two went on to convince the shop owner that the other 29 scales may in fact be cursed, allowing them to take the rest of the unworked scales off of his hands for only 1 silver falcon a piece. Arellon found himself wandering the small bazaar outside of the Blisterfoot as his eye was drawn to a strange, prismatic mist hanging low over the shattered battlements of Crownpoint. He learned a good deal of local lore from an old pastry vendor, with tales of exploding livestock and rains of toads. The prismatic mist seemed to indicate that ominous events were on the horizon, which would prove all too true. John Smith was strangely occupied in his room for most all of the day.The nightfall brought with it strange and dark events. Rohan's sleep appeared to be interrupted by a strange, dream-like experience. Fortunately, that allowed him to spot the wyrdlight that seemed to be emanating from the top of Crownpoint and to intercept the advance of hideous flying skull-like abominations Elwrynn would later identify as vargouille. It appeared as if Arellon's ominous premonitions were coming true. A fierce battle with a quartet of the creatures spared any of the townsfolk from succumbing to their brutal curse. In the aftermath of the party's victory, the group was debriefed by the War Wizard Blaskin, who appeared to be in charge of the "Wizard's Pit" excavation, who informed them that the creatures had broken through the Crown's cordon around the ruins. He instructed them to hasten on the morrow to Arabel to acquire their adventuring charter, and once arriving at the gates to meet with War Wizard Melander, who would instruct them further. The party retired for the evening.
Kythorn 22nd, The Year of the Spur, 1351 DRThe party gathered together for a warm breakfast in the Blisterfoot Inn before setting out early for the caravan city of Arabel. They encountered little of note on Calanter's Way aside from drenching summer rain. The onset of evening finally brought them within sight of the towering walls of Arabel.
The party's progress was impeded at the city gates by a particularly aggressive Purple Dragon, and an incident over their lack of a charter was only narrowly averted by the arrival of the spoken of War Wizard Melander. He brought them into a private discussion in his office, to inform them that should seek out lodgings at the Dancing Dragon Inn and, if at all possible, to avoid the attention of the city watch and the High Lord of Arabel Jaster Imbruin. They should keep a low profile and report to the Citadel after noonday to receive their charter from the hand of his Grace, the Duke of the Eastern Marches, Thomdor Obarskyr. Taking his warnings seriously, the party made their way into the heart of the city, swollen to overflowing with the caravan's passing through from the Sword Coast to the Moonsea.
The group found the Dancing Dragon easily enough and were able to secure a suite of rooms for the night at the significant cost of 20 golden lions for an evening's rest. Retiring to the balcony of the inn, the party began to dine when their attention was diverted by the conversations of the surrounding tables. One in particular, a whispered discussion between a cloaked woman and man, caught the eye of Elwrynn, who, upon the departure of the man, introduced himself to the woman. She turned out to be called Mariam, hailing from distant Myratma, a Calishite much like Rohan. She was warmly welcomed (in some cases enthusiastically so) by the onlooking party, who eagerly questioned her about her travels and occupation. This discussion was sourly interrupted by the arrival of the gate guard from earlier, now in the company of a dozen men of the city watch. He imperiously demanded that the (unarmed) party travel with to the Palace of Arabel upon the summons of none other than the High Lord of Arabel. Sparing no mercy for the protestations of the group, Mariam was hauled along with them into the wet night, to meet with the one man in all Arabel the War Wizards had told them avoid...
