Session Logs

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On the road home from the ruined temple you encounter Sir Gareth’s lackey returning with supplies and a group of five mounted warriors. They escort you back to Shiran and you are not harassed along the way. While camping on the second night they talk of several outbreaks of violence in the streets of the city. The rumor around town is that some locals have decided to root out the local thieves’ guild, known as the Street Shadows. The constable and Baron had not done anything substantial about them for some time. It’s unclear if the Baron and City Guard were involved. 

As you approach Shiran you are met by Echerhart’s lieutenant, Brom, who directs you all to a house in the town outside the walls. Here he bids you wait until after nightfall. Then he returns and takes you to another house where you pass through a deep wet tunnel under the moat and into the basement of Echerhart’s house. He explains to you that the City Guard are not to be trusted and have orders from the constable to intercept you, place you under arrest, and seize all of your possessions. The city constable is somehow involved with the thieves’ guild and an underground temple of an unknown evil god. The Baron, a person friend of Echerhart’s is due back from campaign any time now and with his backing they hope to oust the constable. 

Echerhart takes you to the temple of Pelor where the high priest gratefully accepts the Evil Gem ™. He asks you of your adventures and examines some of the items. He has some of the priests assist you in identifying several of them. They tell you of the puzzle box and reveal to you that the ruined temple was a special place wherein the church sought to contain evil items. They examine the journal found in the mausoleum and explain that it is written in an ancient Suloise. It tells the tale of Sir Amren Martell, A Knight who pledged his service to Pelor and fought against many evil foes. He died around 200 years ago. His signet ring bears the symbol of his house. He was fairly closely related by to the royal house of Keoland at the time. The crown encircled heart symbol represented the house of Garen and the interlocked torcs represented the house of Morwyn. The priests explain that the house of Morwyn is still alive today, several of them living in Shiran in fact. 

Of much interest is the magical parchment and ink found hidden amongst common supplies. The priests explain that the Church of Pelor has often used this process for concealing secret documents. By coating the paper and ink, and then exposing it to flames built of special (secret) materials they are able to reveal the contents of the parchment. It is titled The Last confession of Gaerdies Mulinex, who was the high priest at the ruined temple when it fell. The text follows: 

May blessed Pelor’s eternal light fall upon me and may he have mercy upon my spirit despite all my many sins.  I was foolish to have thought to safely conceal the Heart of Frost here. I have no doubt that my choice has brought this ruin upon all of us. For months now our temple has been cursed with horror and insanity, but I would not listen, not even to my own cousin. We shall soon fall but perhaps the gem shall remain hidden here. I will seek to collapse the ways into the catacombs in hopes that it may be sealed within forever. I hope this sacred place will help to contain and slow its influence. If you find this, seek the gem in the halls of containment below. It must be carried forth and destroyed. Do not seek to hide it, for it’s malevolence grows and warps all around it.  

There is another thing I must confess here. In my youth I adventured far and wide a group of friends. They were dear to me, but in the end I betrayed them terribly through my weakness. We had found what we thought to be an abandoned holdfast high in the Barrier Peaks and within slain many creatures that had come to live there. Soon we discovered the horrors that lurked within it’s many halls and catacombs. At their moment of greatest need I chose to flee with what treasures I had and left them there to die alone. I am sure my aid could have saved some of them, but fear and greed kept me from doing what I should. I have lived with this shame for all my long years and learned nothing from it. My greed and hubris have caused terrible things to come to pass. My dreams have been haunted by my friends calls for help and call for vengeance. 

I beg you who read this, to seek out that hidden place in the Barrier Peaks. Find my four friends bones, and give them the proper burial they deserve. I have included a map from memory, hopefully it will guide you truly. If ever I shall rest peacefully it will only be because someone has done this task. When I fled I carried too much to make the trek down the mountains and buried some of my ill-got gains not far from the trail. I am marking this on the map, though it has been many years. Some of this treasure was undoubtedly magical and you can use spells to divine it’s location. Take this as reward for your tasks. May Pelor bless and guide you with his eternal light. 

After visiting with the priests and there sages and wizards you spend two days laying low until the Baron returns. Echerhart had sent a rider to bring news of the happenings in Shiran to him, and a day after his return with his troops and the returning crusaders from the temple of Pelor, the constable is arrested and imprisoned. You are free to once again move about the city and complete your training and business. 

Rumors of other adventure 

1. You run into several acquaintances from Solomon’s merchant crew at the Moon and Flagon who tell you that one of his caravans, returning from the Principality of Ulek is long overdue. The caravan master, Parven was someone you previously traveled with. He is one of Solomon’s most trusted people.  

2. Returning crusaders bring news of  renewed humanoids and other dangers in the Lortmil Mountains. Pitched battles were fought this year south of Courwood as raiding humanoids came out of the Suss Forrest. Some force seems to be at work in the forest organizing and driving the evil creatures within. Rumors of the lost Suloise city in the Suss forest are often associated with these increasing troubles.  

3. Caravan’s crossing the Lortmils from Celene report men and humanoids harassing the tradeway demanding tribute and tolls. Strong caravans report that they were able to repulse attacks, but others were not so lucky. It is rumored that a local wizard is directing these attacks. He supposedly has a small tower fortress high in the mountains not too far from the tradeway pass.  

4. One of you is approached in the street by a boy bearing a message. It speaks of your growing reputation  for recovering lost items. This person wishes to meet with you to discuss hiring you for just such a job.  

5. Far to the south, across the Azure Sea, trade caravan’s are being lost in the jungles. Survivors report strange creatures and a city of snake people filled with riches. Many adventurers have sought this place and not returned.  

6. Gaerdies quest.