Timeline

In the shadow of the Helfast Mountains, Helgond and Grezchek prepared to lead raiding parties against the forces of JanCastle, especially those led by Avery who guarded the mountains' edge. Meanwhile, the wizard Estemar of Ald Satha used a corrupted elven relic to teleport Tasha and Draldren to Cadence. His plan was to make them a connection between the people of Ald Satha and the scattered forces of JanCastle in the south.

As the first giant attack began, Storm sought solitude to plan his next move. He knew that JanCastle had many enemies and expected that this conflict would give them a chance to strike back. After the battle, the players met with Avery. In the aftermath, Avery explained that Storm had requested a meeting with them, and together they agreed to launch a counterattack on the giants before they could gather their strength.

During the fight, one of the giants shouted as he fell, “We will reclaim our lands from you wicked yellow ants!” At that moment, one of the magic users sensed a presence—the same cloaked figure who had been standing beside Eric JanCastle up on the walls of the city. Mephiston was at work among the giants.

The journey was dangerous. The players set out on a boat provided by Eidelon. Finally, they managed to summon a dozen storm giants amid crashing waves and lightning. At their head was Ilorian, King of the Storm Giants, who explained that the giants owed a debt only to one mortal: Clarise of Pettetonia, who had once healed a wound on his wife, Queen Isina. If Clarise came forward with a request, Ilorian was bound to help her.

The players then set out to find Clarise. They learned that they should use a mysterious stone and speak with Estemar, who revealed in a vision that Clarise had last been seen sailing east over the ocean toward the jungles of southern Kardronia. Clarise had fought alongside Loken and Lestat in a battle against the dragon Korakryd. Estemar offered to teleport the players to that continent using the power of the elven ruins—but warned that the magic would work only twice.

In a flash, they found themselves in the humid jungles of southern Kardronia. There, they fought off attacking apes until a group of dwarves appeared and declared that the players had trespassed into the lands of King Loken. The dwarves then escorted them to the king.

Before King Loken, the players asked after Clarise. They were led to a chamber where they found Lestat mourning over Clarise’s body. The wounds she had received from the dragon had festered over time, and she had only recently passed away. After much discussion, the players convinced Loken, Lestat, Illmen, and Valdeara to return with them to help save JanCastle. They also learned that Scar had left their company after Loken had taken power and begun ruling harshly.

Back with the Storm Giants, a debate arose among the titans over whether they still had to honor the debt to Clarise, even though she was dead and only her friends remained. Meanwhile, in Storm’s base at Riverhold, Cadence arrived, exhausted from defending against the full force of the hill giants. She reported that the mountain giants were advancing from the south.

Storm then turned to the players, urging them to head south and convince the mountain giants not to join the hill giants in their assault, for without their help JanCastle would surely fall. At that moment, Loken stepped forward and said, “Let me take care of the hill giants. My sword is eager.” With that, Loken led an attack to rescue Avery and his forces.

The players then journeyed south and encountered a band of hill giants led by their chief, Helgond, whom they fought until he fell. Soon after, they met an even larger company of mountain giants commanded by Grezchek. With clear signs of the Storm Giants’ arrival—a flash of lightning in the north—the mountain giants chose to withdraw, convinced that JanCastle now had a fighting chance.

Thus, amidst fierce battles and hard-won alliances, the fate of JanCastle hung in the balance as the forces of both man and giant moved to change the course of JanCastle.

Storm leads his host south to Riverhold between the mountains and is cutoff from the lands of JanCastle by the forces of the Krimkar at the keep of South Watch. Hungry after months of siege and war, and tired from the long march, the factions seek sources of food and places of rest for themselves. No news comes of Ald Satha or the other cities of the north. The people of JanCastle are few and scattered. Storm the king is not to be seen. Brom rules as he often has, but rules over a people fading.

Avery gathers a smaller portion of the people under his banner east of Riverhold at the foot hills of the Felhast mountains. He attempts to gain access to king Storm, but he has hidden himself away. The people have built a make shift camp in the woods at the foot hills of the Felhast mountains. Tayrigan JanCastle (Turk) is with Avery as an advisor. Ignis, Tempest, Geira, and Melody have stayed with him as well and finally met back up with Cadence who brought with him Elra Folen and others that escaped from the Warbelly Hideout. Tasha and Draldren went missing during the attack on the port, to the dismay of Cadence.

Brom attempts to rule from Riverhold but it was not designed to be very accessible and cannot hold a large population. Only a small portion of the people are at Riverhold. The judge of Riverhold Jaxon JanCastle, is terrified by the news that has been brought to him and also concerned about the ability of Riverhold to sustain the refugees.

The the largest portion of the people of JanCastle have gone with Riven JanCastle east of River hold near to the shores of the sea. There they begin building ships and docks and fish for food.

Another portion of the people of JanCastle stay with Lysander JanCastle and Milton Stravo along with most of the knights to defend against a potential Krimkar attack from the north.

Estemar, the enigmatic wizard of Ald Satha, arrived in Featherdell shrouded in a humble disguise, his presence unnoticed by the wary eyes of the town. He sought out Tasha and Draldren, guiding them into the foreboding depths of the Dead Kings Woods where ancient secrets lay buried. There, amid the twisted remnants of elven heritage, he unveiled the corrupted ruins, their dark magic pulsing with forbidden power. With a gesture, he activated the arcane energies, teleporting the trio to Cadence in the distant south, far from the encroaching threats.

Upon their arrival, Estemar imparted strict instructions: they were to conceal the true nature of their journey, claiming instead that they had wandered lost, trailing the scattered remnants of JanCastle's forces on foot. He entrusted them with a mysterious stone, imbued with latent magic, and warned that in moments of dire peril, they should reveal it to their companions and utter a plea for aid. This artifact, he explained, would bridge the veil between worlds, summoning his assistance when all else failed.

Tempest and Geira meet with Cadence Hyde, the person that they have put in charge of the Warbelly hideout. He explains that more and more people are coming into the area but they are trying to keep them out while also providing for themselves through fishing. Geira provides Cadence with a sword and the rest of them with 20 spears along with some money to start fortifying the open entries and to build gates. She also provides them with four boats and expects them to begin returning a profit from fishing.

The following day, Ignis speaks with Doleb regarding the ongoing issues in the dwarven district and learns that not only was one troll found (and sent to the pit) but another is still on the loose. In addition, there are hints and rumors of other creatures down in that newly excavated area. Doleb reminds Ignis that he still needs to know what happened, if it was a random occurrence or if there is some sort of group at work causing these issues, and evidence of what is going on.

Back at the Pit, Tempest and Melody talk up their grand quest to free Freyda, and how they are great heroes. After a bar fight that never was, with Tempest punching some naysayer in the face, the inn overall comes to enjoy their story and they live it up long into the night. Drod asked Tempest about fighting an ogre, but passes the question off to Ignis who recently showed up after his errand with Doleb. Ignis agrees to fight the ogre for 160 per party member. After a long night at the bar and watching a few lesser fellows try their luck against all sorts of creatures, villains, and prisoners in the pit, they finally retire to their balconied room.

Upon entering they see Tayrigan, aka "Turk", sitting on the rocking chair by the fireplace making himself at home. In the window stood a dark figure looking out past the balcony over the city. Turk explains that someone is here to see them and asks that they leave their weapons by the door. The dark figure turns around and they recognize the fire lit face of none other than the prince himself, Brom JanCastle. Turk bows low and motions for the others to do the same, which they do.

Brom thanks them for freeing Freyda and explains that when she is healthy, in a few weeks time, they will be presented along with her as those that saved Freyda. He simply asks that they do not do anything too stupid over the next few weeks, and not speak of Freyda until the time comes.

Refugees fleeing from the fallen village of Talion shared harrowing tales with the group, recounting how many of their kin had been plagued by vivid nightmares in the days leading up to their exodus. Undead horrors stalked the edges of these dreams, their decaying forms rising from misty graves to pursue the dreamers through endless, fog-shrouded landscapes. Disturbing thoughts invaded their minds, whispers of despair and inevitable doom that shattered any hope of peaceful slumber.

In these relentless visions, the tormented faces of four figures repeatedly emerged—Ignis the fiery human, Geira the enigmatic elf, Tempest the steadfast dwarf, and Melody the nimble halfling. Their expressions twisted in agony, as if enduring eternal suffering in some forsaken realm, their silent pleas echoing through the villagers' subconscious. The dreams left the refugees exhausted and fearful, wondering if these spectral visitations foretold a greater calamity tied to the adventurers' fates.

In the days prior, Tempest spoke with Avery regarding their upcoming plans to rescure Freyda. Speaking in private, Avery informs him of the JanCastle army's plan to transport a small army to the south of the lake in order to attack the Krimkar from the south. During that time, the village of Verdune where Freyda is being held will probably be emptied of Krimkar.

On the night before the JanCastle attack, Ignis, Geira, Melody, and Tempest decide to attempt to rescue Freyda. The go to the port district to see that Avery and his regiment have left the Black Swan, which has again returned to being a makeshift tavern. Regan the ship captain meets them and asks them to board his ship. Finally, they are ferried to shore.

They make two piles of wood and kindling so that when the time comes they can quickly make a fire and alert Regan that they need picked up. Then, Ignis goes scouting ahead, and see's the village where Freyda is being held, about thirty minutes walk from the shore. He is ambushed by two krimkar, who he kills. He see's the Krimkar, as expected, marching away from the village.

The group waits for an hour before moving from the shore. After a quick encounter with 4 Krimkar in the fields, they make their approach to town. Ignis sneaks up to the window of a house and see's 4 Krimkar eating at a table. They group splits in two and bursts in through both doors in a surprise attack, killing the krimkar. They find JanCastle women tied to beds in the back room, who they free. The women lose no time making their way to shore.

They decide to wait until night in the house before attempting to free Freyda. However this plan is cut short when a Krimkar knocks on the door. Before he got to the house Tempest locked the door. The Krimkar begins pounding on the door and yelling to be let in. Tempest, not knowing what else to do, opens the door and begins the fight. This conflict beings to spiral out of control, first four Krimkar engage in the fight and attack. Then half a dozen or more Krimkar can be seen down the road preparing to fight.

Geira hides in the barn while the others distract and draw the Krimkar into a fight. Eight krimkar charge down the dirt road and are suddenly hit by a powerful blizzard spell, just before Geira runs off to free Freyda.

She reaches Freyda and kills the one remaining Krimkar before freeing Freyda. By the time she returns to the barn and house, the rest of the group have killed nearly two dozen Krimkar.

At last, they flee over the fields, worried that Krimkar could be in pursuit. Reaching the shoreline they start the fires and are quickly picked up by some of Regan's men. On the lake they see dozens of large JanCastle ships ferrying soldiers to shore, making landing all along the shoreline in a large scale attack against the Krimkar.

Drod ups the offer to the group to fight in the pit to 75 coins per person, which they finally agree to. He then asks if they want to fight in the main event: a battle against a troll which had been captured by the dwarves in the inner district. This offer they turn down.

While readying themselves for their fight, they hear a massacre on the other side of the door, along with a few bodies flung against the door itself. They enter the pit to see a bloodbath of combat, along with clear markings of drug corpses, and one huge stain that clearly indicates the body of the troll.

The door opens for their fight, an in step 4 lizardmen. These they quickly dispatch, and the crowd cheers for Ignis, Geira, Melody, and Tempest.

Geira and Melody lead Ignis, Tempest, Eidelon and Stour in an attempt to capture Krimkar to sell for 100 coin each to Drod. They work out a deal with Avery, the captain of the army stationed at the port, and Regan, the Shipmaster of Tindale, a ship that has been patrolling the lake and rescuing refugee's from the shore.

They leave at the start of night. Within a few hours they encounter two smaller ships approaching. Once they get close, the Krimkar can be seen aboard. Arrow fire begins coming in. The JanCastle soldiers return fire. Hooks thrown by the Krimkar pull their ship in close where they begin to board the Tindale. Tempest leaps into the Krimkar ship to return the attack. He is followed by Ignis, who deflects arrow fire with his shield before landing upon the Krimkar soldier.

Not to be distracted, Geira takes the opportunity to deliver a sleeping potion to one Krimkar. Eidelon uses a fire whip spell to pull Krimkar into the dark waters. They are joined by Melody, who attempts to leap into the Krimkar ship but fails. While in the dark waters she delivers another sleep potion to the surprised Krimkar.

After the battle is over, Regan asks them to take the smaller boat back to the port along with the captured Krimkar. Along the way, one of the three Krimkar prisoners is slain by Eidelon, who is not convinced of their profit driven motives of capturing Krimkar, while the hero Freyda is captured and the siege is ongoing. Once at the dock, he departs the group. They continue on not wanting to be diverted from profiting off of the captured Krimkar.

Eidelon and Stour learn to sail on the lake of JanCastle, helping the army rescue the refugees of the war.

Avery JanCastle sends word to Tempest that he is looking for someone to travel out of the city to the village of Verdune. Freyda Folen has been taken captive there and has been terrible tortured. Avery wants the group to rescue Freyda, heal her and keep her alive. She is a great warrior and will aid in the war against the Krimkar, particularly since she was raised by the Krimkar.

Tempest speaks with Vane, a lieutenant under Avery's command. Vane explains that if needed, they can give Tempest and his religious order, or consulting company, or whatever it is, a ride up the lake if they agree to rescue Freyda.

Tempest returns to the Warbelly Hideout and finds that it is occupied by refugee's. He agrees to pay their apparent leader, Cadence Hyde, 30 coin in exchange for keeping an eye out on the place and keeping it in good order while they live there.

Drod asks Geira if she would be able to capture any Krimkar warriors. He knows that she has been entering and exiting the city. He will pay 100 coins for every Krimkar warrior she can bring him.

Geira goes to the lower district to find that it is extremly crowded with refugees from the kingdom. The streets are full, many people wait in lines for food, and the locals and business are unhappy with the situation. She arrives at the wall and speaks with a guard of the city, Podai Gerlin, who explains that people are still arriving at the gates of the city and being let in despite the Krimkar battle lines and siege fortifications that are being built. She see's siege towers under construction as well.

One of the locals at the Pit that Ignis has gotten to know is named Hanson. The man heard that in the deep parts of the inner district there is a dwarven mining company that was attacked. All the treasures that they mined out of the depths are laying unprotected.

Ignis goes to Doleb the dwarven lawyer to ask for more information. He learns that the Stonehammer Mining Company had some accident where multiple dwarves died. Doleb agree's to pay 200 coin to Ignis and his consulting company for more information about what happened. Was it a mining accident that the company could be liable for? Was it a monster that attacked?

The dwarves that died were Slavek, Humndo, Vilkal, and Doldin.

The Stonehammer Mining company has a headquarters in the inner district of the city. The owner of the company is named Kolem Godorn.

While at the Black Swan, a dwarven woman named Elodie Brembar explains that she sailed the rivers and entered JanCastle through the port. She explains that the police are looking for a group that murdered many dwarves, some of which were the children of refugees from Stonehold that left the city when they heard of the Krimkar coming into the south lands.

A man named Rowan Hyde bursts into the Pit. He explains that he was on a walk in the lower district when some of the refugees cam bursting out of an old part of town. A few of them were bloody, and they were all screaming. He stayed only long enough to see that they were using an old crypt as a place to live. He is convinced that the crypt was built by the Krimkar and is cursed and so the cursed inhabitants are coming alive again because the Krimkar have returned to the south lands.

While having drinks at the bar, a woman named Halshar Durn explains that she fled from Frey Wall all the way to JanCastle, avoiding the eyes of the Krimkar the whole way. She explains that the Krimkar have left Frey Wall intact and no longer control the day to day activities of the town. However, a powerful wizard has taken residence in the dungeon of Hakurro and has begun attacking the city of Frey Wall.

Geira, Melody, Ignis, and Tempest prepare fight in their next event at the Pit. A large bugbear becomes quite the crowd pleaser as a few members of the party are wounded but ultimately overtake the beast.

Tempest owes Drod 40 coins for help purchasing some equipment.

Geira, Melody, Ignis, and Tempest gather together at the Blackswan before returning to the warbelly hideout. The attack the four remaining warbellies, who felt like they were being hunted down and were prepared for the attack. Leaving Kreefdin as the sole survivor, they take all of the warbellies loot before working out a deal with Kreefdin to go to the sunken boat coast where lost treasure was supposedly left for the taking.

On the way through the lake side marshes and a few night time encounters with gator pigs, they come to the coast line. Kreefdin searches the shoreline for the sunken boat and is pulled under by lizardmen who attack from the shoreline. The lizardmen are eventually defeated, and Kreefdin clings to a treasure chest as he barely escapes being drug to the bottom of the lake.

After looting the chest they return to the warbelly hideout before sun rise. There they rest up and at last return Kreefdin to his uncle Doleb. Offering 20 more coins each if no warbellies give him trouble for the next few weeks, the dwarf sends them on their way. They finally return to the Pit in time for their next scheduled fight.

By the time the sun rose, Freyda had already finished a small breakfast and begun patrolling the edge of the town of Verdune. Before the town was even awake, the banners of the Krimkar could be seen arrayed across the newly tilled, fog laden field. She let out a yell down the road to raise the alarm but received no response. Leaping over the old moss covered fence, she came to the edge of the village commons just as the leading ranks of the Krimkar also arrived. She slew the first two with two well aimed slices of her blade. More stepped up to fill their place.

By now the town was alive with terror. Most the women, children, and elderly had already made it to the shoreline and boarded ships destined for the city. Those that remained were fathers, brothers, and sons. The battle swept up the residents as quickly as the sun's beams sweep over a valley. Men of the kingdom were slain by the superior strength and grit of the Krimkar. Freyda stood as a rock around which the waves of the Krimkar could only splash against, but not overtake.

Infuriated by her defiance, the Krimkar turned all their attention to her even as their bodies piled around her deft blade. The bravest of the JanCastle men sought to make an assault to free her from the tide. Alas she gave a knowing look through the midst of spears and swords. "Flee to the city" she said. The words were quick, but spoken forcefully enough even in the midst of the melee that the men dared not disobey. Soon, Freyda stood alone in the midst of the northerners. None now dared to meet here upon the bloody field of combat.

Gathering her breath, she turned to see a gap form in the lines. A tall man stepped forward, embodying the very essence of the Krimkar. She knew the name of her new opponent. Her former master. The one to whom she swore allegiance the first time she picked up a spear at a young age. Kram.

"What skills have you acquired since you abandoned your own?" His voice demanded attention.

For one who had just slain so many opponents, her voice yet stuttered to speak.

"Show me, if you can't tell me" he added.

This was to her liking, her hand with spear being more steady than her tongue in speech. She leapt forward, expecting her first thrust of spear to be deflected by his own. He refused to retaliate. Again she thrust, but the spear point never found a home in anything but the cool morning air. The dance was now a twosome, as Kram forced her back with a swipe of his own spear handle.

The onlooking Krimkar were engaged in the back and forth, but their expectations were fulfilled. One small mistake, an over step as Freyda was too aggressive with a thrust of her spear, spelled doom. Kram used his spear as a stave and it arrived at the base of her neck. The shock blinded Freyda for a moment but her instinctual reactions were well trained. But Kram knew this, and placed the point of his spear to her shoulder, pinning her to the ground. With a foot on her wrist he pulled his spear out of it's bloody new found home, threating another attack.

"You should have remained loyal" Kram said as Freyda clutched her shoulder with her one free hand.

"Your shamans poison your mind" Freyda replied. "Your allegiance with Eric will end before this war does. You have chosen your allies poorly."

"Bind her, an hang her upon a post" Kram finished the conversation as the Krimkar warriors descended upon her to bind her hands and feet.

Just as they get the feed into the pig sty Stour and Eidelon see smoke rising on the borders of the village of Verdune. Within moments the streets are crowded with people fleeing to the lake. They race back into their homes to find weapons and gather with their friends to aid in the defense of the village. They meet the slaves of Krimkar, who are being forced forward by the trained soldiers behind them. A battle ensues, but quickly turns against the defenders. They defeat the first wave but see that the village is being overrun. As they turn to join in the rout, they hear the Krimkar shouting. "Freyda" they hear shouted over the screams and bloodshed. Stopping for just long enough to see Freyda lifted up and tied to a pole, they turn to make their escape. Leaving the village behind they flee across the newly tilled fields. In all directions smoke rises as the Krimkar army covers the lands. The Jeweled City of JanCastle stands above the mud and blood of the war. Yet the though enters into their heads, a shadow of doubt that cannot be dismissed. Where is Storm? Where is the King?

With the Krimkar now in the southlands raiding villages, Avery JanCastle and his regiment ended up in a skirmish with one of the Krimkar raiding parties. They fought the Krimkar off long enough to get the villagers onto a boat, and then fought their way up the coastline of the lake until another JanCastle ship could come to them.

They returned to the Port of JanCastle and unloaded their wounded soldiers and setup operations at the black swan. Avery was thankful to Tempest, who assisted his soldiers and even healed his own wounds.

Geira, Melody, Ignis, and Tempest continue investigating the warbellies at the black swan. While debating on what to do in order to find Kreefdin, Tempest suddenly bashes ones skull open. Blood and brain matter cover the other two dwarves. At the same time, the JanCastle military begins shuffling in wounded and dieing soldiers, demanding everyone leave the tavern or help. As they try to make a quiet escape, Ignis slices the throat of another warbelly, leaving one horrified and alone.

Geira, Melody, and Ignis escape the inn with the dwarf tied up below his cloak. Tempest stays back to help heal the wounded soldiers and meets Avery JanCastle, the captain in command, who just returned from a battle with the Krimkar.

The warbelly leads Geira, Melody, and Ignis to their hideout, where there is no sound despite the claim of the dwarf that his friends are inside. They take him to a back alley where Ignis bashes his knee while demanding the truth. The cries of pain bring JanCastle guards to the area. The guards demand everyone follow them. The first guard throws the now dead dwarf on his shoulder while the other stays in the back to make sure everyone follows.

Geira uses a powerful magic missile to silently kill the guard in the back. They make their escape. After much discussion, they go to the gate to the city to find a crowd still gathered demanding to be let in, and also discover a guard with a dead dwarf passed through the gate not too long ago.

Finally, they find a place to hide out for the night. In the morning, Tempest talks to Avery and gets a pass into and out of the city. Fearing that the guards will likely recognize a halfling with a wolf, Ignis stays in the port while the other three pass back into the city and go to the Pit.

Ignis goes to the warbelly hideout and eavesdrops on their conversation. He hears that Kreefdin is among them, and that they have been making money by sneaking people into the city through the sewers and that they had a plan to recover lost treasure that is "up the coastline", but are now worried that someone is hunting them down and killing them one by one.

Ignis, Vorn, Melody Hillsong, and Geira watch from the balcony of their room at The Pit as the Krimkar come into the south lands. While they watch the Krimkar, Terk, the janitor, identifies himself as Tayrigan JanCastle, the real target of Mephiston when he came into the city disguised as Varson.

Drod comes into the room to let them know that it is time for their fight in the Pit. They fight a single captured Krimkar warrior and defeat him easily. The crowd cheers for more action and Ignis asks for a tougher challenge. Two more Krimkar are let into the pit. In the match, Vorn is killed.

Drod recommends that Geira, Melody, and Ignis speak with Doleb Godorn, a laywer in the city, regarding some work he may have for them.

They go to Godorn & Associates, the business that Doleb owns, and speak with him regarding his nephew Kreefdin who fell into the wrong crowd and went missing. He was last seen by a client of Doleb's, Talern JanCastle, in the Port district with the gang known as the Warbellies.

They go to the Port to investigate, although the gate to the Port is closed off ever sense the Krimkar were seen in the south lands. While Melody distracts the guards at the gate Ignis sneaks through. Eventually Melody and Geira pay some money to be let through as well.

They eventually find some members of the Warbellies in the Black Swan Tavern which is built on the docks. After provoking a fight, Geira forces one of the gang members to flee in embarassment while Ignis stops the other three at the door so that they can speak further. While speaking at the inn they find Tempest, the identical twin of Vorn, and inform him of his brothers death.

After the Krimkar overtake the North Pass, their fully gathered army descends into the south lands of JanCastle, the original home of the Krimkar. The north road is clouded in the kicked up dust created by the Krimkar. Refugees poor into the city of JanCastle or flee further south. The army can be seen from the heights of the walls of the city of JanCastle as smoke rises from the now destroyed city of North Pass.

Jorell, Blank, Amira, and Nessie engaged in battle along with the legion of JanCastle to defend the North Pass. The armies of the Krimkar waste no time in their attack. The front ranks charge forward as if to guide the arrows that whirl through the icy air. The cloud of glinting shafts pepper the tall stone walls of the pass. Some however, find their mark. Screams of pain can be heard along the wall, mostly from those new conscripts that are not adorned in the iron armor that is normal for the JanCastle soldiers.

A return volley sends many Krimkar to lay silent along the cold waste. Many more however, continue the charge, even ignoring an arrow wound when they receive it. Just as the Krimkar lines nearly impact the gate, a swirling fire forms in the hands of Eric. Within moments a fireball is sent hurling through the air, blasting open the gate just as the Krimkar arrive. They are met on the inside of the gate by a charge of JanCastle Knights. The battle rages on.

Along the wall, Amira creates a whirlwind of cold air and ice within the Krimkar lines. They fight through the pain as sharp ice cuts and impacts them. However, they manage to lift their ladders into position. All along the wall the Krimkar begin climbing the ladders. Some fall to their death as the JanCastle Arrows pepper their flanks. Others step up in their stead.

Blank eyes the wizard, Eric. He raises the point of the arrow as he pulls back on the string. The reverberation of the string is drowned out by the hum of the battle that surrounds him as the arrow flys through the air. It lands harmlessly to the side of Eric, who returns the arrow with a look of his own. But, not to be distracted by his present task, he sends a second fire ball hurling over the battle to impact the second gate, wherein the Krimkar descend.

The battle begins to turn for JanCastle. The knights are overwhelmed at one gate, the second gate had Krimkar pouring through. Jorell, Blank, Amira, and Nessie hold their position, fighting off one northman at a time as they climb the ladder. But with wounds taking their toll, they flee their positions. The route is in full.

They escape into the castle, running through rooms, encountering Krimkar along the way. Jorell falls to one of the Krimkar. With no time and little hope, the remaining three press on. As they make their way south to safety, they are encountered by another group of Krimkar in the streets. An arrow from atop the wall slays Amira where she stood. Soon thereafter, Nessie, unthinkably, falls to the amassed wounds of the battle. Blank flees back through the castle, looking for some glint of hope in the midst of the carnage.

He appears out from another door, just as Eric is passing by, reveling in his victory. The Krimkar that are with him move to attack the halfling, but Eric raises his hand. "This one is mine" he says. Blank, not wasting a moment, uses the power of a scroll, surprising the powerful wizard with roots that trap his feet. Blank runs, seeing a small hope of escape. Angrily, Eric pursues this defiant one. Launching a missile of blazing magic down the road, Blank is cut down to his death.

And with the death of the halfling, the Battle of the North Pass comes to an end.

Jorell, Blank, Amira, and Nessie spend two days stationed as conscripts at the North Pass along with the rest of the legion that has been assigned the defense of the pass while the main army marches east. They do manual work of cooking, fetching water, and other tasks as well as occasionally being stationed on the wall.

The cold air of the North Pass whips around the top of the wall. Anyone stationed atop the wall covers there face while trying to do their duty of keeping watch against any approach from the north. Suddenly, red and black banners can be seen in the north. Within minutes, the armies of the Krimkar appear. Not at Stonehold but directly at the North Pass. Hilkar, the JanCastle captain turns to Jorell with his eyes wide and his mouth dropped open. “You said the Krimkar armies were in the east!” He stutters to find his words as he looks around at the few men left to defend the north pass. “There is no army in the east! What have you done?”

With the red and black banners flying in the wind, the Krimkar army continues to approach. Atop the wall and in the city there is a flurry of activity to fetch hot oil, arrows, and to board up the gate. The Krimkar, wearing thick hides and animal pelts as clothes, brandish axes and spears in defiance of the defenders. The column of the north men extends beyond eyesight. A man in JanCastle clothes walks out from among the Krimkar and speaks. “Greetings from Kram” the man says as he turns toward the Krimkar on either side of him and lets out a laugh. His words seem to carry along the cold air further than they should. “I am Eric JanCastle and I see…” his words trail off as he again turns toward the Krimkar, “I see that Mephiston's little diversion has been quite successful. It should be an easy day today.” He turns back to the walls of the North Pass. His gloating smile turns cruel and bitter as he continues talking, “It has been thirteen years since I have stepped foot beyond that gate. I have returned to avenge my father. This storm shall end.”

Jorell, Blank, Amira, Nessie, and Hayden quickly left the village of Tallion and headed west back to the North Pass. They arrived to find almost the entire JanCastle army encamped. Hayden immediately turned south to return to the city and check on his house, which had been abandoned for some days. They were met by Hilkar Stravo, a relation of Hayden who had been serving in the military and had been promoted to command a regiment at the North Pass. Hilkar relayed the information about the tunnel and the Krimkar to Milton, the general of the legions, who took council with Lysander JanCastle, the Lord of the North Pass.

Taking into consideration the news of the withdrawal of the Krimkar army from the siege of Morfell and the news of the tunnels, Lysander decided to send the army east to surprise the Krimkar while they were still readying themselves in the southlands. Meanwhile, half a legion and new conscripts were stationed at the North Pass. Jorell, Blank, Amira, and Nessie were placed under the command of Hilkar.

The dwarven gang called the Warbellies use the confusion of the war to harass local businesses in the Port District. They are even bold enough to come into the city proper. They recruit some other dwarves of the city such as Kreefdin Godorn.

After resting for four more days in Tallion, Jorell, Blank, Amira, and Nessie returned once again to the Sunken Castle, finding it the way they had left it, except that all of the building materials were gone and had clearly been drug deeper into the castle. After a quick fight with skeletons and ghosts in which Blank nearly died, they found that at the back of the castle a tunnel had been dug.

Before entering the tunnel, the Skeleton Lord appeared. Fear overcame everyone, and they could hear the unsettling voice of the undead king in their heads speak the following words: "Offer me a sacrifice, or be the sacrifice". They all quickly denied the request to give a sacrifice and prepared for combat. However, the Skeleton Lord disappeared as the words, "then you have chosen to be the sacrifice" echoed through their heads.

After this strange encounter, Blank scouted ahead and found none other than Hayden Stravo, shivering in the dark. He had clearly been hiding in the shadows of the tunnel for some days. After realizing that Blank was supposed to be watching his house back in JanCastle, Hayden conveyed that an elf named Mephiston has brought him and others here. After sacrificing some of the workers to the Skeleton Lord, he forced them to dig a tunnel through the mountain. Upon the other side of the mountain Hayden could make out the banners of the Krimkar, but not much else. He also heard rumor of other tunnels.

They returned to Tallion to find that farmers and herdsman had come down from the higher slopes of the mountains with news that they saw long columns of Krimkar marching eastward toward the city of Stonehold.

Jorell, Blank, Amira, and Nessie return to Tallion after nearly being killed by the undead horde of the Sunken Castle. While the others recover and reequipped with scrolls, Amira returned to the Sunken Castle at night to witness five men felling tree's and dragging planks of wood into the Sunken Castle.

After everyone was recovered, they returned in the evening to the Sunken Castle and encountered the five men again working in the woods. They were simultaneously attacked by zombies that had been placed into the graves.

Jorell, Blank, Amira, and Nessie find a map of the sunken castle that Varson is supposedly using. They discover that all of the bodies in a cemetery have been dug up at the entrance and have been drug into the sunken castle. Entering the dungeon, they find skeletons, magical traps, and zombies are waiting for them, almost placed as guards to prevent them from entering. They also find pallets full of building materials, wood planks, shovels, and other equipment. At one point a ring of fire suddenly incircles them. When the fire goes away, a horde of zombies is waiting for them. They start to make their escape and in the end kill all of the zombies but not before more skeletons show up, along with a skeleton lord in a chair, which Blank smashes to pieces.

Jorell, Blank, Amira, and Nessie arrive at tallion and find that Varson has led a crew into and old abandoned settlement a few hours walk north into the mountains. The go north and are attacked by what seems to be a lookout.

Jorell, Blank, Amira, and Nessie continue the search for Varson in the north. After hearing word at Hekel's Roadhouse of someone of similar appearance, they follow the clues to the North Pass, which has become more of a military defensive station protecting the mountain pass from a potential attack of the Krimkar from the north lands. They learn that the city of Morfell is under siege, and that Varson came to this area but was turned away, and went to the village of Tallion in the east and was again looking to recruit people for a building project.

Jorell, Blank, Amira, and Nessie returned to the sewers where Varson was last seen to pick up the hunt. After searching through the sewers they find they are connected to a warehouse of some sort. Focused on following Varson's muddy tracks, they encountered groups of lizardmen living in the sewers, along with signs of a fight between the lizardmen and skeletons. Suspecting that Varson summoned skeletons in order to fight his way past the lizardmen, they follow the signs.

After following miles of sewers they finally come to a cavern that the sewers dump the city waste into, which is hidden behind a waterfall coming down of the mountainous city that rises above the outlying lands. Here they found the clear tracks of a wagon leading north. Continuing the hunt they follow the wagon tracks to the north road, and come to Highwater Inn along the well paved north road and speak with the innkeeper who met Varson a day before who had a band of ten people with him and was looking to recruit others for a building project.

Jorell, Nesse, Amira, and Blank have spent a week recovering and preparing for their next fight in the Pit. When they get ready to fight, some magic wind rushes through the arena and puts out all of the lanterns and torches. A grotesque zombified wolf creature clambers into the arena to the shock and horror of the organizers, and to the excitement of some in the crowd. After the battle the party is understandable upset with Drod, who organized the fight with some person who goes by "Varson".

Blank befriends the not-a-hobo Hayden Stravo, who saw Varson enter the sewers twice.

After following the leads, the party fights some skeletons in the sewer and recover the body of Dezeren JanCastle. After informing the city police, Talern JanCastle, the chief of police, sends the party on a mission to search for Eric, who seems to be fleeing north to the mountains.

Jorell, Nesse, Abdin, and Blank fought in the Pit in the city of JanCastle. Afterwards the inn was attacked by skeletons. They talked to Turk and Drod and discovered that a JanCastle was killed on the first level by the skeletons and a necromancer sent the skeletons in. The bodies were taken away before anyone arrived at the scene. They traced the bodies to the inner city.

Rumor comes to the south lands that the city of Morfell is under siege.

The group spent a week recovering in Frey Wall before descending again in to Hakurro. After making a truce with the kobolds of level 3, they descended into level 5. After a short fight with a group of lizardmen the encounter another lizardman reading at a table, named Gorgargarok. After a short conversation where they each ask one another what the other is up to, Dorian sparks a battle. After slaying the lizardmans pet crocodile, the lizardman retreated, goading the group into a trap. Down from another hall, a minotaur charged. Mephiston worked out a truce mid battle, and the group retreated back to the first room of the fifth level, promising to stay out of the lizardmans realm.

The group returns to Hakurro on a mission from Gram Stravo. They enter through the cave entrance and battle with goblins. Dorian gets shot in the face at point blank range, but later finds his revenge. They fight with kobolds and find themselves in the midst of a battle between kobolds and goblins in the third level of the dungeon. Eventually, an overwhelming force of kobolds confronts them and they are forced to withdraw. They leave to go to Fray wall for rest.

After resting up in Morfell Mephiston, Yohdels, Dorian, and Murdane return the North Watch to find the JanCastle army assembled to fight the Krimkar. They talk with Gram Stravo about Hakurro and are sent on a mission to take out the threats that lie within Hakurro. Garet and Larmairo, two JanCastle soldiers, are sent with them. Skyra of Fray Wall is to be their healer and the one that reports to Gram for them.

Mephiston, Yohdels, and Dorian head south to return the women that they freed from the goblins. They are escorted by 10 JanCastle soldiers. Upon arriving at Morfell they rest at the Lodalin farm. Mephiston rents a room from Lola in the city while the others stay at the Lodalin farm. They stay for a few weeks, resting, and warning the Lodalin's of the dangers of the Krimkar. During this time Murdane joins their ranks. The women that rent rooms in Lola's house spread rumors of the wizard staying in the attic (Mephiston).

The following morning they awake before the sun rises. The eight of them head down the steps only to see two Krimkar seated at the bar. Brebin understands the situation and distracts the Krimkar as they escape. On the south road they meet with a contingent of JanCastle soldiers headed by Captain Gram Stravo. They explain the situation to Stravo and what they found at Hakurro along with what they found on the west side of the Dark Woods. Stravo gives them 10 soldiers to help return the women to Morfell. At last they reach the North Watch and give Fangdoyle a hard time about his potions.

Captain Gram Stravo's unit arrived at Fray Wall to find the gate locked by the two Krimkar who had been in the Green Shadow Inn. As they demanded that the gate be opened, Krimkar raiders swept over the fields and began their attack. A battle ensued, both sides took casualties, but Gram’s unit took the worst of it. They finally got the gate open and entered Morfell but were cut off by the Krimkar raiders. The soldiers that were outside Morfell were lucky to be able to escape southward and arrived at the North Watch late in the night. Any of the soldiers down in the inn can give these details of what happened.

Mephiston, Dorian, Yohdels, Yohdela, Lola, and the other three women reach Mephiston's cabin as the sun sets only to find a wooden walled fort of some sort constructed. They choose to turn around and head towards Fray Wall. After hours of traveling through the Dark Woods at night, Mephiston succumbs to the exhaustion. They lay in the cold damp woods. The next morning, happy to still be alive, they head south to find their bearings on the edge of the woods. They came to the Warren farm, spoke with Omar, and then continued towards Fray Wall proper.

Arriving at the Green Shadow Inn they purchase three rooms for the night and give their money to Dorian who retrieves healing potions for the group. Mephiston talks with the innkeeper, a dwarf by the name of Brebin Brembar, if the JanCastle guard are in town.

After an encounter with the goblins, Mephiston, Yohdels, Gargarash, and Dorian hightailed it out of the dungeon of Hakurro along with 5 women. One of which was Yohdela Lodalin, Yohdels' mom. Another was Lola Meflar, a pleasant to look upon women, yet with a strong jaw line and thick arms. After deciding to head towards the Mephiston's cabin, the group entered into a clearing in the woods that a stream meandered through. On the other side of the clearing was four Krimkar.

One of the Krimkar charged forward and met Gargarash's sword. His head went flying the gush of blood fed into the stream. Arrow fire from two of the other Krimkar missed Yohdels and Dorian but found a home in Mephiston's chest, who was knocked unconscious from the pain. The fight now being three on three, each engages with their opponent. Wounds were exchanged on either side, but at last Yohdels fell, alive but bleeding out. Soon after, Gargarash slew his opponent and met Yohdel's opponent head on. Then Dorian fell, leaving his opponent all but dead.

Two against one, Gargarash ducked multiple strikes and backed himself into a notch in the stream in order to keep his opponents head on. He struck one dead, acquiring three slain Krimkar to his name, but was then skewered by the sword of the last remaining Krimkar. The Krimkar pull his sword free and raised it for a final blow to the neck of the half orc. His sword descended just as Yohdela's spear was thrust threw his back. Gargarash and the last Krimkar both fell dead into the now red stream.

Lola, having pulled Mephiston's body out of harm's way, called the other women to herself. Mephiston awoke to find one of his companions dead and the other dying. He quickly administered the last of the healing potions to revive them.

After being told of a secondary cave entrance into Hakurro you return to the dungeon in search of treasure. Before leaving Doleb says that if you are ever in 'the city', to stop by his place. It takes a day and a half of travel to get to Hakurro. You find the secondary entrance.

Upon entering you see a massive scaled underground creature move through a 30 ft in diameter tunnel. Unnerved, you continue on and fight some lizard men that took up residence in this section of Hakurro. You also find pillars carved in the shape of elf lords with the names Elnam and Elrak. In the scene, each elf lord is in a battle with orcs and has arrows piercing him. In both scenes, the same elf women sits in tears at each elf lords feet.

Upon meeting with Captain Gram Stravo, you realize that this is one of your wife's family members. You avoid causing a scene and hope that he does not recognize you, which he does not.

You are taken to the North Watch by the Jake Folen and the other Castilian knights. You meet with Captain Gram Stravo and Doleb. Doleb thanks you for rescuing his nephew Kreefdin and pays you well. Later that evening you and Doleb discuss the Krimkar, the goblin activity, and the lack of support from JanCastle.

On your way back to Hakurro under the escort of Drak and the other Krimkar raiders, a group of forty or so Castilian knights approach. They demand answers from the Krimkar. Mephiston attacks Drak with a spell and a skirmish begins. The knights quickly help dispatch the Krimkar. The leader of the knights introduces himself as Jake Folen and says he was sent by Doleb to find his nephew and a group that he sent north to investigate for goblin activity. The knights take you to the North Watch.

Mephiston, Gargarash, Yohdels, and Dorian Hyde were sent by the Krimkar to help the Olub goblins clear out a lower level of Hakurro. Kreefdin was sent with them, as the Krimkar did not know if Kreefdin was apart of their group or not. Drak and a group of Krimkar raiders went with them as an escort to Hakurro and back.

Through conversation with the Krimkar you learn that this place is named the Black Spire. You overheard some Krimkar warriors excitedly talk about an attack against the North Watch. You know the North Watch, it’s the JanCastle fortress north of Morfell that offers protection to those lands.

Gain +2 in the Krimkar language

As Elbob cleaned the blood from the Krimkar weapons, he discovered a sack of coins abandoned by one of the warriors. Estimating it contained at least one hundred coins, he contemplated seizing it and concealing it within his tunic. The temptation weighed heavily on him, knowing such wealth could alter his circumstances amid the oppression.