The group sat in on the secret meeting while Hervan took the lead. He discussed raiding the castle and imprisoning the King and Queen, and freeing Ulrich from the dungeon. He shares that when a creature was discovered attacking the miners, Ulrich had refused to return to work in the mines, stirring others to do the same. He was charged with treason and used as an example to the other miners.

Deil shared that at least 45% of the people in White Lake were behind the removal of the current royalty. When asked about the cause, he admitted they would charge the King with treason against the people. They then brought up the creature as the other possibility of garnering the favor of the people not yet behind the coup. If the creature could be killed and brought before the town, then they would see the dangers the King was forcing the miners to face.

The group decided on this plan of action. They would take out the creature for the miners. While those at the meeting drew up plans and maps, the group discussed the political ramifications. Fix and Forsythe decide to ask Lilianna if she would be willing to take on interim leadership until the people could trust and accept Hervan and Deil as capable leaders. Fix connects with Lilianna and after agreeing prepares to leave.

As the meeting comes to an end, it turns more into a social gathering. The guests seem interested in getting to know the group and watch Evangeline check in on Gavyn through her crystal ball. Once all the other guests leave, Forsythe reveals himself to Deil. They share the plans to bring in Lilianna to aid in the change of leadership.

The next morning, they go on a tour of the town with Gregory and Forsythe confirms that most of what he says is accurate although embellished. Afterwards, Forsythe leads the way to some discrete foliage and teleports the group to the edge of Ephremon. As they approach the center of town, they are met by Zybella and Lilianna.

Lilianna shares that she was once the King’s consort and mistress under the name of J’hara. As dinner finishes, Fix takes Zybella out. Lilianna lets them know of her plans when she arrives in White Lake. They all disperse to rest, except Evangeline. She finds the priestess, PenelopeWithAQ and learns she is often called upon to handle things outside of the Steadfast as she is more open to working with ab-humans.

Evangeline then asks Joyve to teleport her to the Durkhal where she goes through the portal to the Amber Pope, while the Jennifers make Joyve at home. Kilmoc welcomes Evangeline giving her the newly enchanted glamor cloak. She shares some of the events that have taken place in Yosh-ul and the dragons. She shows Kilmoc the picture of Gavyn and he confirms the scar on his arm and scratches across the leather could be dragon, but unsure about the scar on his face. He also encourages her to take the priestess Deena upon her return to Ephremon. She returns to the Trentson and realizes Philethis is not present. When inquiring with the Jennifers, they confirm they still see the statue there. When Evangeline returns to Ephremon, she takes Deena and sends her to PenelopeWithAQ for her mentorship.

The next morning, after breakfast and goodbyes, Forsythe takes them back to White Lake. Lilianna arrives dressed as J’hara and slips off into an ally. The rest head back to the Turtle Inn while Forsythe scouts out the mines. He finds the guards have now been posted there and takes a more authoritative approach. The miners appear tired and hopeless with little moral. He also sees that this is the only entrance to the mine. Upon return, he shares what he discovered.

While waiting for Forsythe, Fix, Evangeline and Kadath overhear some others speaking about J’hara. They share that she would share secrets of the courts helping the people to prevent some of those plans. In time, he learned of her deceit and threatened her life which is when she skipped town. 

The group rests until the time comes and then heads to the mines. When they arrive, they see a couple guards and two miners that seem to be on watch. Before they have a chance to discuss how to get into the mine, a large explosion from the north draws their attention. All four men go to investigate the explosion and the group takes advantage of the opening entering the mine.

​

On the way to White Lake via ferry, Forsythe shares that the town is controlled by Blenn and Urri Humi (the King and Queen), but they are more like crime bosses and rule with a heavy hand. Those on their payroll can get away with quite a bit, but as outsiders they will be watched. He changes his form to a Vadalken named Wilford Wildmount.

Deporting the ferry, they are stopped by a town guard and they introduce themselves stating they are there for a visit to gather knowledge about the town. Forsythe then leads them to the Turtle Inn where they secure rooms and have some food. As time progresses, they notice a guard at the bar watching them, as well as a man at a corner table.

Forsythe reads the man’s surface thoughts to hear him think that now is not the time for unpredictable elements. Fix takes a moment to see if any Jagged Dream members are in White Lake and comes up empty, then attempts to look friendly and approachable. Kadath detects magic and senses several people with very simple magic items.

Evangeline excuses herself and goes to her room. She takes a moment to look into her crystal ball to look into Forsythe’s past in White Lake. She watches as he avoids the guards and takes note of the two men who help him escape. She then calls forth any knowledge about the town from the book, learning that their main export is coal. Having some time on hand, she decides to draw another picture, this time drawing Gavyn. Though he does not appear much older, his leather is scratched and he now has two scars. One is smooth and runs from the corner of his left eye to his collarbone. The other is rough and runs from his elbow to his pinky finger. After showing it to Fix, they believe it could have been a dragon’s claws that ripped his arm.

Fix, having opened up for others to approach, does see a man come over from the corner table and sit at their table. He offers to be a guide for them through the town and would give them the historical significance of various locations they would visit. Through some bargaining, they decide on a lower price in return for the story of how Fix got dragon scales. They set the place to meet in the morning and the gentleman returns to the corner table seemingly a bit aggravated.

Forsythe sees a man he recognizes as Hervan come in and sit at the bar. After a bit of time, the guard leaves and Hervan follows. Forsythe takes this opportunity to follow as well. He watches as the guard makes it to a building and Hervan marks it with a symbol to let others know not to mess with this location. He then follows Hervan home. After a bit of confusion, Forsythe eventually reveals himself to Hervan and is invited to a secret meeting at the Water’s Edge Tavern that night. He also invites those who had come into town with Forsythe. He shares this information and walks about town visiting some of the old locations of his childhood.

Once everyone had returned to the Turtle Inn and taken a quick nap, they decided to visit the blacksmith. After some discussion, Fix gives him a bit of Obtainium and asks only if the time should come, he may be asked for a favor. He also gives direction to the White Lake Wizardry Emporium where they meet Mirtu and do some shopping. Evangeline is given a small paper to visit Dominic at the Shell’s General Store to pick up an item discreetly.

When the time comes, the group head to the Water’s Edge Tavern and recognize some of the patrons from the Turtle Inn. They scan the room and do not see Hervan, but they do see a man guarding a door. With the secret password, they are admitted and go to a back room. They enter a room where Hervan and Deil are present, as well as several others.

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The group spends some time asking the young woman questions. They learn her name is Anika Brightsun and she had been chosen to be the memorial for remembrance of times when the people had to sacrifice to the dragons, but the great dragon, Aurelius, had brought peace upon the lands. She also shared that she had been prepared for this by a mage named Laurenelle Bhalu. Evangeline recognized this surname as one that had been on the plaque in Philolio.

Kadath and Evangeline used their abilities to attempt to locate either the great dragon or his son, Klastun. They found a young man who was called Cormon who seemed to be working with Arias. Fix connected with his mother to learn that Cormon had been helpful against the attack of the dragons. They quickly made their way to Yosh-ul when Arias confirmed her location.

Once they arrive, they meet Cormon and learn he is indeed the dragon’s son. He shares that his father had brought him here and induced a magical rest. When he awoke, he found he had been bound to the city through magical means. The group manages to dispel the magic and introduce Anika to him.

Evangeline tries again to locate Aurelius and her visions are taken to the Orgorek. The monolith floats above what looked to be a graveyard. Checking a map, the group realizes the Orgorek and White Lake are nearly equidistant from Yosh-ul. After some discussion, they decide to head to White Lake first. In cloud form, they cross the distance quickly and arrive just outside of the city.

​

Fix decides to dig up whatever the glint of gold is. With Forsythe’s help, they uncover a large golden bell. After examining it, Fix rings it. While the group waits and listens, they hear two sounds. One is the crashing of trees from a great distance, the other is screeching in the treetops much closer. A few minutes later a hawk-like humanoid attacks Fix who stayed at the bell. They are able to kill the creature.

Taking a moment, Forsythe communes with nature to learn that the forest seems to guard a particular area at the edge of his spell. He also senses fey and celestial energies from that same area. Wanting to check it out, he takes flight and discovers ruins. He also manages to see the huge gorilla making a path through the forest.

Evangeline pulls out her book and key, quietly asking Tamara to show them the way. The key moves to point in the same direction. Watching, Kadath asks to see the key card and realizes the picture is identical to the key. Evangeline lets them know the direction she believes their goal is and begins to head that way.

Fix rings the bell again, wanting to call the golden dragon, instead seeing another on the horizon. The crashing trees stop as the group sees a huge red dragon flying toward them. With a quick connection to his mother, Fix learns to avoid the red dragon’s fire. As battle ensues, the dragon tells them to let the gold sleep. Once the red dragon is dead, they attempt to ring the bell a third time without any response.

Evangeline continued to move in the direction the key pointed, eventually slowing down and allowing the group to catch up to her. Once they reach the ruins, and through their arcane knowledge, they find a half covered sphere of magic surrounding a platform. In the center is an altar where a fair skinned, golden haired young woman lays. After some deliberation, Kadath takes the key and uses levitation to go over the gap surrounding the platform.

Electric shock stings Kadath as he passes through the sphere and lands on the platform. When he takes his first step, the woman moves quickly into a defensive position. Kadath attempts to talk to her but realizes there is no sound, he also realizes that his gestures also go unnoticed. Forsythe joins him, also being shocked, and begins to speak with her telepathically. Eventually, Kadath is able to use the key to reveal the lock on her shackle and releases her.

Once they are able to remove her from the sphere, she grabs her ears in pain. Fix hands her cloth to muffle the sounds and identifies the jewelry she is wearing, all of them cursed to prevent removal. After covering her eyes, Forsythe removes the circlet cursed with blindness. He then heals her to aid in healing her eyes and ears.

Evangeline pulls out her pendant of the blue starburst and places it into her hands. The woman recognizes the symbol asking if she is a Brightsun. Needing rest, they begin to look for a place for the night.

​

When the group arrives at the estate, they find Jennifer, who was guarding Funae, coming up from the dungeon coughing. She shares that Funae attacked her attaching a message to the mark left behind. When shown to Fix, the message becomes audible for all to hear. Fix visits Renio, still in the cells, and confirms Funae’s escape, however, he did not know what her plans might be.

Kadath pauses a moment to look in on Castle Aventur. Spying on the throne room, it appears to have been tossed about in a whirlwind of anger. He watched for a few minutes as the servants began to clean up the room, getting everything back into place.

Learning of Funae’s escape, Forsythe takes to the skies to scout the area. Although he did not find her, he did spot a deal between two others in the lower portion of the city. He lands, changes shape, and expertly pick-pockets both parties walking away with 500 gold and a magical mirror.

Evangeline sits on the floor at the bottom of the stairs and begins to look into her crystal ball for Funae. She is taken to the past as she watched her at 13 years of age running about the house avoiding the servants who were attempting to catch her. The vision ended with a large shadow looming in the corner of the bedroom which resembled the shadow dragon. Evangeline then turns to her book and begins to draw. This image, unlike the others, shifted and changed as she drew. A woman seemingly made of nature itself created a ball of vines from which a child was born in a burst of blue light. The child was carried to just outside a city and handed to two young elves for her care. She shares this information with the group, then communes with Denier and Savaras for some confirmation.

Fix and Kadath, after leaving the dungeon, travel to the city’s jail to speak with Eshuto. He was forthcoming with any information he could provide. He shares that he served Gaera after saving her life about ten years prior, and that he did so as it gave him much pleasure to watch how nobles would squirm under her pressure. He did not know who Funae may be targeting, but did recall that she held King Humi of White Lake responsible for Gaera’s spiritual guidance. He also confirmed that Humi’s son is to marry a lower noble by the name of Brianne.

As the group reconvenes at the estate, Forsythe shares that Brianne is his sister and that his return to White Lake should remain unknown. They all head to the library and pull out maps to discuss where they are needing to go next. After much deliberation, they decide to try to focus on the gold dragon, Aurelius, and the city of Yosh-lin using the image of a golden bell that Evangeline pulled from her drawing. Soon, they find themselves standing in a thick forest with a hint of something gold peeking out of the ground nearby.

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As the group discusses where to go next, Evangeline checks her book for information about Yosh-ul, finding only that it is listed as the newest old city. Realizing that Charmonde is not far, Forsythe changes them all into clouds and they travel via the wind to visit Strulduk. They land just outside the city and split up once inside.

Evangeline visits the small temple of the Order of Truth and meets High Priestess Alyah and asks to send a message to High Priest Rokdif. She later confirms the message is sent by looking through her crystal at Rokdif. Then she travels to the Marble Pillar Tavern to meet up with the rest of the party and learns about the quietness of Strulduk’s former activities.

Kadath follows Fix as he begins to search out the members of the Jagged Dream throughout the city. One seemingly within the palace, one at the Black Mountain Inn, and the third is an apprentice to the blacksmith, Broden. When approached, the apprentice provides a location and time to meet more privately. The apprentice shares about the attack of the ethereal creatures and that they have gone quiet, and also about Stulduk’s recent lack of activity. Fix then gives him a small piece of obtainium and tips on how to work with this metal then dismisses him. Kadath and Fix then leave to meet up with the rest of the group.

Fosythe takes to the air and scouts out the city. Seeing two major sections with bridges that cross the crevasse dividing them. He also studies the foliage outside the city for future use of travel. He lands on the Marble Pillar to meet up with the rest of the group and sees three people enter into the palace by a well concealed secret door. Deciding to look into the palace further, he finds a window and begins his search.

Inside the palace, he passes through a couple of barracks and eventually follows a servant. After snatching an aged wheel of cheese and a fine bottle of wine, he ends up finding a main dining hall where the Queen and Strulduk seem to be having a meal. Listening in on the conversation, he discovers the queen’s interest in romantic relations with Strulduk, however, he takes the first opportunity to leave. Forsythe then makes his way back out of the palace and meets up with the rest of the group.

The group decides to head to Strulduk’s before he would return. The guards and servants recognize the party and invite them to wait in the sitting room for his return. While waiting, Fix and Evangeline pull out the body of Gaera and remove her nanite spine and fine armor. When Strulduk does return, he confirms that the chalice had been taken during his last event and provides the invited guest list. When questioned about his visit to the palace, he informs them the Queen has taken a fancy to him and has called upon him for his company, much to his dismay.

When they investigate the vault and the stand where the chalice had been held, Forsythe and Evangeline see a mechanical trap that was intentionally messed with to malfunction. Strulduk informs the group that he did have a machinist from Qi, Kevin Thornberry, aid in the trap's construction. Fix recognizes the name as one who the Jagged Dream works with on occasion. 

With this information, they decide to head to Qi before continuing to the Great Slab. Evangeline messages Gavyn and learns he is currently at home and informs her that Arias headed Northeast to investigate the return of dragons. Forsythe uses the nearby foliage to transport the group straight to the Trentson estate.

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The group make their way to the City of Bones and discover shadow and smoke rising from the center and spreading out across the sky. Ethereal beings fly from this mass going in various directions to spread across the land. Ordeith sends out his raven to scout around the city and spots black and gold robes disappearing between buildings and he recognizes them as belonging to his former patron, the lich.

Prepared to face the lich, the group step up into the city and head toward the center tower. Almost there, they encounter the lich and his army of skeletal hands that grab at their ankles. They are able to kill the lich, with Ordeith dealing the final blow signifying his new allegiance to the Raven Queen. However, the victory is short lived as Fix recalls his knowledge of these creatures. Ordeith confirms that the lich will return in time and the phylactery must be destroyed to truly kill the lich.

Focus quickly turns to the pouring out of the shadowfell though as the more prominent issue and they continue to the tower. Once they arrive, they notice a pedestal in the center which has not been there before. They move in to investigate and discover an inscription that seemingly gives directions. Recognizing some of the symbols as matching their swords, Ordeith and Kadath begin to follow them.

     When Life and Death cross their paths
     Through Dark and Light the swords do pass
     Bring to Balance that whish is held
     Touch Light to Light and Dark to Dark
     Keep hold of Life, push Death to part

Each step they take to complete the steps, Fix, Evangeline, and Forsythe feel waves of energy wash over them, making them nauseous. Each of them fight against the relics of Velsharoon from being removed from their holdings. 

With a final push of his sword, Ordeith triggers the smoke and shadow mass to reverse. As it does, the ethereal beings pass through him and form ranks, awaiting his orders. His raven informs him quietly that they “await his command.” As the realization of his new army sinks in, the pedestal sinks into the floor and is replaced by a portal to the shadowfell.

After calling back the creatures attacking the cities, Ordeith shares his goodbyes and takes his army through the portal. Once all have passed, the portal shrinks leaving behind an onyx. Kadath recognizes the faint magic as an anchor to the plane and Forsythe places it into his bag.

Now that the threat of the shadowfell is contained, the group leave the city, noticing the buildings slowly being transformed back into crystals. They watch the city move onward and a glint of a golden key catches their attention.

​

The fight quickly turns in the group's favor as Davakri flees, leaving behind another Carcerian Ranger in his place, which Kadath entraps mentally. Gaera is finally killed and Eshuto surrenders. As the final blows are being dealt, Kosha arrives to inform the group of a shadow that flies toward the Trentson estate. Kosha is left to guard Eshuto while the rest of the group head home.

Fix and Kadath head directly to the dungeon to find Funae weakened. She confirms that the manacles have cut her connection to her energy, the shadow dragon now above the home. Fix removes the manacles, but secures a daylight spell to prevent her from shifting into the shadows. He then charges one of the servants to guard her before he and Kadath head back up to join the fighting.

Forsythe goes straight to the shadow and realizes there is another creature within it. After a few hits, the rider drops down to the ward where a few good hits causes it to break. This creature causes Forsythe to fall unconscious and sets his sight to finish him. However, Fix gets in the way and takes a few blows for doing so. Eventually, Ordeith deals the final hit causing the creature to dissipate into nothing.

Forsythe and Ordeith remain on the roof shooting lightning and eldritch blasts at the remaining ghosts still fighting around and just outside of the estate. They make it a game and Forsythe is soon declared the winner.

Fix and Kadath return to the dungeon to speak with Funae. She agrees to send off her dragon and is willing to try to break her connection with Velsharoon. Forsythe is called down for healing in case it goes poorly.

Seeing the major threat taken down, Evangeline announces she is going to the Durkhal to check on the Amber Pope. Gavyn refuses to allow her to travel alone and follows her out of the estate. On the way there, she receives some information of Funae’s connection to the shadow dragon and pauses to look into her crystal ball.

​

While Fix held the banishment, Shallow prepared an antimagic field to contain Funae for when she returned to the material plane. Once she appeared, Forsythe and Fix could see the fluctuation in her form as she was held within the field and beneath a spell spilling out daylight. When questioned, she confides that she does what is asked of her and refuses to tell which god she serves. Ordeith comes closer and intimidates her with a variation of his dreadful form upon his face and a command to tell them. She is clearly intimidated by him, but moves closer to ask in a hushed tone if he also served Velsharoon.

Fix informs Gaera of Funae’s capture through the sending stone. Gaera threatens to unleash the Shadowfell if her sister is not returned. Meanwhile, Kadath gathers the blood from his sword into a vial and Shallow provides magical manacles for Funae’s transportation to the Trentson estate. Once they arrive back home, they place Funae into a cell then go to the library to discuss their plans.

After settling on the Crown’s Tavern, messages are sent out to the Jagged Dream and the Order of Truth to aid in clearing the area of all citizens. Forsythe also sends out a message for Kosha to join them, which she does so quickly. Kadath takes the vial of blood to the Order of Truth and asks Ralet to research protection from a specific person or relations to those of this blood. Ralet informs him this will take much time as no known knowledge exists for this endeavor. Once all seems in place, Fix contacts Gaera once more through the ear to meet them at the tavern. 

At the tavern, Kosha takes up a spot outside to signal when she spots Gaera approaching. Inside, Fix sets a table with two mugs of dwarven ale while the others take up various positions. When Gaera arrives, she is accompanied by Eshuto and Davakri. An offer is made by Fix which Gaera refuses and the fight begins. Gaera is quickly joined by one Cacerian Ranger and three shadows. Blows are exchanged and Davakri looks rough. During this time, noises begin to increase outside the tavern.

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