History of the Grim Embers

Search for Gundren Rockseeker

811 BCE

A dwarf has gone missing who has been said to have found a device that makes or imbues items with magical abilities. The group were selected to carry out the task to find him.

Cragmaw Hideout

Sep 11, 811

No sign of Gundren, found Sildar, bunch of Goblins and a Bugbear

Phandalin

Sep 12, 811

Small mining village under the threat of The Redbrands

Redbrand Hideout

Sep 13, 811

The nest of bandits helmed by a Wizard called Glasstaff. Guarded by a once twisted wizard creature called a Nothic.

The Road to the Banshee

Sep 14, 811

While camping a pack of Badgers and their master attacked the party. After their death you picked up a demonic tome, later you found it to be one of two books of Somnus.

Banshee / Wyvern Tor

Sep 15, 811

With a creepy encounter out of the way, you cleared the orcs and ogres waiting for you at Wyvern Tor, securing a tidy bounty.

Thundertree

Sep 16, 811

With news of a Dragon and a druid occupying this disaster site of ruins, the Embers hastily cleared out these ruins infested with all manner of giant spiders and ash zombies. Here you also slaughtered an unusual band of Dragon cultists, eccentric in their ways and very unprepared for the carnage they passively wrought.
The main threat came in package of a young green Dragon, who killed all of you and left one alive to bear the mark of its master - Somnus.

Old Owl Well

Sep 17, 811

Investigating these ancient ruins you found Hamun Kost, a Red Wizard of Thay with a throng of undead under his command. The exchange was short as neither party had decided that any exchange in services were necessary.

Cragmaw Castle

Sep 18, 811

You were lead here to find more information on the Black Spider as well as how to get to Wave Echo Cave, where you deduced Gundren may be. You found the information you needed, through means of violence, you also found many Bugbears, Goblins, Hobgoblins. Held captive was a family from Phandalin, the wife and children of a murdered woodcutter who's corpse you found within the Noctis' lair. The family was freed, and the devastating news of they lost one was given later.

Wave Echo Cave

Sep 19, 811

Tharrus, Dowsha, Arianne, Humpty, Nymeria and Hyijor explored this large underground system of tunnels cut outs searching for both Gundren and the Black Spider. Within moments of finding the Black Spider, Humpty killed him. Gundren was found, then Dowsha and Hyijor began to attack the somewhat befuddled Spectator creature and when slain opened up a way-gate to another world. In the process of the portal opening, it displaced both Dowsha and Hyijor's bodies, killing them instantly.

Place Between Worlds

Sep 20, 811

The party entered the portal assuming the other two had done as well. Those that survived the trans-dimensional evisceration experienced haunting visions and waking dreams afflicted by a god that claimed this realm as his own. A slinking voice that would be later known as Somnus.

Stormcrest Mountains, Tal'dorei, Exandria

Sep 21, 811

The remainder of the party were thrust onto the cliffs of the mountain into the blinding snow. They were greeted and escorted by a young initiate of The Dawnflower Temple, Kirbin.

The Dawnflower Temple

Sep 21, 811

Here you met the head of the temple, Paladin Costa as well as a Grave Cleric looking for answers, Bandon who would later join the group. Arianne and Nymeria parted ways at this point just as a new threat loomed on the horizon. A cart laden with supplies carried a young Wizard, Parry. He joined the group also, just as the sleep sickness began fester in the land.
After tracking down a type of root for a treatment, you met a specialist in sleep and the mind, Vita, who was a Blood Cleric.

Ochresh

Sep 22, 811

Before reaching the small village in the shadow of the mountain, you met a lone Minotaur warrior who assisted you in fighting off some bandits. Brutas decided to follow and help as the party had a mission of importance. Later in the Inn called The Flailing Goose the party recruits a changeling called Trayel. Some of the locals reveal that herilooms have gone missing, and that the evidence points to Rhian Melath.

Melath Manor, Ochresh

Sep 23, 811

Melath Manor is where you uncovered a long drawn out plan by a servant Willard Cabonte to resurrect his dead wife who was executed wrongly by the the village. She was tried as a witch who abducted children, but the true culprit was later to be found as Mabon one of the Hags in the coven long sought after. Rhian was enthralled to do Willard's bidding. The party executed Willard and fought off an attack by The Pink Rabbits, poaching a member - Lucky. Tharrus decided to stay behind.

Battle of the Dawnflower

Sep 24, 811

Abaddlon later known to be the sister of Somnus led a charge against the temple in an attempt to retrieve one of the books of Somnus. At night frost giants, goblins and her personal guard launched a massive strike killing the majorit of the population of The Dawnflower Temple. Abaddlon's host was killed along with her army. The survivors prepared their dead and trekked down the mountain to seek refuge in Ochresh.

Captain's Lodgings, Ochresh

Sep 25, 811

Investigating a newly 'sleep sick' patient you come across the body of the Captain's wife then later a group of fey Redcaps. As your suspicions rise with the imposter playing the Captain's wife she transforms into a ragged wolf and scampers away. Deciding some sort of link between Somnus, the sleep plague and this creature you decide to track this creatrure. You employ a local trapper Marus Lentri to escort you to this creature's lair.

The Dividing Plains

Sep 26, 811

Miles of vast open space that links the north of the continent to the south. Marus leads you past odd creatures like phases beasts and even a vendor selling books teaching inane skulls.

The Ink Thicket

Sep 27, 811

Deep past the swamps and the Mired Woods lies a thick forest of black thorns and charred looking flora. The party encounters three creatures, alien or reptilian. Slaads. They put up a good fight until Lucky turns the tides by polymorphing into a mammoth. From here lays the Black Stone ruins under the helm of a giant dead oak. These ruins would later be known as The Temple of Tharizdun. A hard won battle leads to a winding maze of thorned plants and hazardous terrain.

Temple of the Undone

Sep 28, 811

This dark temple housed many walls of ancient black stone that take the party in twists and turns. The massive chains on the wall were found to be a key of some sort to the lower levels when configured in the pattern of a seven pointed star. This inner section was guarded by a monstrous force of an abyssal Minotaur, which was felled before a sightless descension into the darkness below.

Broken Star Coven, Temple of the Undone

Sep 29, 811

Here you witnessed the despicable act committed by three foul sisters in dark magics. Squeezing, grinding, extracting reagents from a shopping list aimed at Somnus himself. The intent was not known but the party decided to stop this at any cost. The forces more than you bargained with, with a coven's spellcasting and large Banderhobb's on the flank. Their offense was skillfully met, with some near losses and Parry who was ingested. Two prisoners were released. The woman with child, and one other

Broken Star Coven, Temple of the Undone

Sep 29, 811

The second prisoner released was one of immense power, a vessel to a god, Zile Qumar. This god was the sibling to Somnus, but not with the same intent as he. Sympathetic to your goal, they too wished to rid the land of this sickness, but in a means that would not erase Somnus for good. They summoned Destiny, the hooded gold robe wearing sibling who helped to channel power through Parry's mark like a conduit. Somnus was targeted and wiped out, setting a course for Dream to be reborn a new.

Stilben

Sep 30, 811

After dealing with both the hags and the Somnus (for now), the party decided to accompany Marus to Stilben as it was close by. This port town had grown in population, variety and wealth over the years due to trade both legal and illegal. Making it a good spot to spend some downtime by making new contacts, learning skills, relaxing or just making some coin. Friends were made like Odom Sazerac, Marquise Pueta, Glissade, Moordek. The party became members with the Stewards of K'Tawl.

Bayside, Stilben

Dec 31, 811

On New Years Eve, amongst the celebrations the party came across a group of brutes (Later revealed as Myriad) attempting to burgle Sazerac's store. All but one were killed by the Embers.

The Silk Ward, Stilben

Jan 7, 812

With disdain in his heart and a rebellious flair, Bandon with a fake journal provoked an attack on a known Myriad location. This spark ignited a massive street battle with a legion of Myriad who spilled out to attack Bandon and the Embers. The Wizard Shiloh lent a much needed hand and facilitated a defence and later an escape. Scores of Myriad were cut down, including a Capo at the hand of Humpty, who managed to steal her demonic looking black greatsword named 'Xezcal'

Shiloh's Atrium

Jan 8, 812

The Myriad were livid and out in force. Shiloh offered her residence with wards in place for The Ember's to lay low for a while. While sleeping Bandon & Brutus with connection to their deities were wrecked with dreams, a rare occurrence since Somnus had be snuffed out. The visions portrayed images of the Trammels being forged and images of The Temple of the Undone, something left unfinished. It was unsettling enough for the party to venture out of the city to tie up loose ends.

Return to the Broken Star, Temple of the Undone

Jan 9, 812

On the return to the temple to quash suspicions the party finds it more active than it should be. A number of grey cloaked cultists with facial disfigurements are seen entering a hatch in the drained blood pool. The hatch leads down into an ruined Ascension Chamber.

Church of the Ebon One

Jan 9, 812

Beneath the temple through the Ascension Chamber to the Archives of Ash the party fights off packs of undead and a risen Beholder before coming across a tortured Gold Dragon, corrupted by Tharizdun's Followers. The Embers fail their first attempt, nearly being burnt to cinder before narrowly escaping to rest and call for the back up of Shiloh. A tight tactic and Greater Restoration and you have found a new ally, Valamarand from the order of Bahamut.
Inspecting this huge hall finds a portal.

Azure Ward, Pelor's Sanctuary

Jan 9, 812

With the trail leading to the portal the Grim Embers hopped through, lead by Lucky. Through the otherside was the Azure Ward deep beneath the soil and part of a shrine to Pelor. A chatoic fight between the Tharizdun and Pelor devout was in full motion, joined by spawned demons. Clearing and following the carnage, the party found some higher demons attempting to pass through a way-gate protecting a narrow and periled path into the darkness.

Solaire's Trial

Jan 9, 812

Dealing with the demon's the party pushed forward into the dark, the pulsing and sickening evil thickening with every step. The thin path lead to a flat island in the middle of this huge cavern, a giant statue depicting a holy warrior of Pelor stood guarding the space. Through many puzzles, riddles and trials the statue animated and finally stalled when the trial was complete. The door to the inner sanctum was opened leading to a small crypt and a dead High Cleric.

The Divine Trammel

Jan 9, 812

This chamber's high ceiling was covered wall to wall in runic symbols inked with the blood of the withered creature suspended high above the solid shell of anchored trammel. With little response Bandon impulsively shot a guiding bolt which instantly killed the shrunken form of what you found out to be Hamun Kost. Kost's intentions were not clear, but the enchantment in ritual casting had been broken which lead to a chain reaction resulting in the Azure Ward trammel's tether to be lost.

Clasp Competition, Dividing Plains

Jan 25, 812

With the revived and captured Hamun cost taken by Shiloh for questioning, the Embers decided to continue on to the Dividing Plains to follow up on a Clasp task given to them to assure a seat at the table. The party followed the trail of highway robbers by way of emptied wagons, and signs of hijacking. Along the way you found a Dwarf Clasp member from up north, Obby the Rat, who wished to remain with the group to find his stolen horse.

Archmage's Bane

Jan 26, 812

Parry had a large orb in his possession since the scrim with the Myriad back in Stilben, but until now it had only really been of interesting ornamental value. A few investigative turns and tinkers opened a magnetic portal, siphoning the entire resting party in the tent into an unknown and near infinite collection of inter-planar pocket dimensions. This bait, which Parry and Finn had fallen for had landed the party into The Folding Halls of Halas.

The Folding Halls of Halas

Jan 27, 812

The party scrambled after berating Parry, attempting to find out where they were and how to get out. Crypitc puzzles arose suggesting multiple paths. The Embers choosing quickly the one of least resistance. They talked with constructs in a bakery with enchanted sweets, solving a second puzzle while learning about the history of another continent. Soon after realising there was a time dilation in play the panic to find an exit became paramount.

Bargaining, The Folding Halls of Halas

Jan 29, 812

Finding a passage to one of Halas' inner sanctums allowed a glance at the others. The party put together that Halas was a wizard and was experimenting in all manner of ways. Entry was given to a recuperation area, where you found an unsavoury human sorceror, Gucius Falmoy. This creature was known to Parry, and not known to be nice. Bandon used Geas to magically black mail him into being a guide to the Ember's escape.

The Tragedy of Gruude / Brood Queen, The Folding Halls of Halas

Feb 6, 812

Petulant and pompous Falmoy leads the Embers through the Bovine Construct guarded Carving Farm where Parry triggers a trap that attempts to extract his blood. From here a way-gate transports the group to an infested hive consisting of human carcasses for rare honeycomb, a parley is struck with the Queen and the final eight souls fall into a chamber with an abomination of green dragon scale and a one great wizard. A mage hunter golem closes the gap, just as the party barely makes their escape.

The Horse Thieves, Foramere Basin

Feb 9, 812

Horse thieves, suspected of being the target of the intial Clasp task stole The Ember's belongings along with the sphere. The party exited from the sphere and landed inside their prey's camp. Some short battle later, the party made off with the collected horses and some collected loot. Only on exiting, after a barrage of messages did they realise that they had lost two weeks of time, stolen by the Heirloom Sphere.

Absolem's

Feb 10, 812

With the day of the heist closing in, the Embers scramble to tie up loose ends. One of them being the capture of a close ally - Marus. With the specialists in toe, and disguises fixed, the group with Kirbin band together and barrel into the house of pleasure. Deep in the gambling rooms Brutus opens a dialogue with an interesting new character, Mr Gideon. A lupine humanoid who seems hold some status here. Battle breaks out with devils, and Marus is saved.

Commerce & Terror

Feb 10, 812

After a tense exchange with Leonis, the wagon was taken outside the city gates into the K'Tawl Swamplands where it was blended in with the terrain. On the way back, the party was ambushed by a pair of terrifying undead Bodaks. Parry was knocked out several times, with Bandon too succumbing. Very nearly were they defeated. But managed to fight through and find their way back to Stilben.

Keelboat & Amendments

Feb 10, 812

Humpty, Brutus and Lucky purchase a Keelboat and crew for the heist. Scouting by Emir reveals a location passed over that is very suspicious. Captain of the Waterwatch allies with the Embers for goals of order in Stilben. The Clasp specialists run errands for the group. News of Marus being held prisoner at local debaucher den - Absolem's. The embers adjust their plans to include a visit to Absolem's and the final goal to be the Vas Estate.

Reunion, Absolem's

Feb 10, 812

With freedom to Marus given, instead of heading for the exit he breaks for a hall of pleasure with intention of finding Aleese. The Ember's follow and free slaves on the way. The Madamocks herself in office. The remainder of the prisoners are freed. Aleese included as well as the long lost uncle to Kirbin, Rowan Dalton. He reveals that Kirbin is of Darrington blood and hails from the Dwendalin Empire. Humpty goes on a killing spree until he finds a five pillar monk that almost kills him.

Phase 2, Distractions & Spawn of the Cinder King

Feb 10, 812

Rowan gives word that an egg of Thordak the Cinder King has fallen into smuggler's hands and that it may be kept here in Stilben. The point of no return arises, and goodbyes are given to Marus, Aleese, Rowan and Kirbin. Later with Ortega, a plan is struck with Lucky to distract the Myriad forces in the Silk Ward with firebombs carried by Lucky in eagle form and Parry's Magic. This was hoped to draw attention away from the main strike at the Vas Estate.

Cloak, Dagger & Silk, Stilben

Feb 10, 812

A quick horse ride over the Dividing Plains land the group back in Stilben which is prepping for civil war. Hamun Kost has overpowered Shiloh, sprung by Merriweather and risen a small army of undead in and outside of the K'tawl Swamp. Aleese is missing, as is Marus. The Clasp have plans to unseat the Myriad's grasp on Eastern Tal'dorei and Spireling Harrock has called for aid from The Grim Embers.

Operation: Looking Glass, Phase 1

Feb 10, 812

There is news that Spirelink Harrock was assassinated just miles from the Silvercut Crossroads. The plan continues as normal as the outcome would be the same. The plan: steal the Myriad's mirror artefact, their main source of reinforcement. A 3rd party then makes a deal for the Myriad to withdraw from Stilben on return of the artefact. Parry, Bandon and Finn find a wagon for transport and cart the stolen Pride Silk to the Mercer Society. An inquisitive Leonis Zeth nearly sees their ruse.

Phase 3: The Heist, The Vas Estate

Feb 11, 812

The distraction went off without a hitch, Lucky dropped fire and dazzling displays of colour into the Silk Ward, while Parry and some Clasp operatives rained down more death from above. The full group met up and stalked into the overgrown estate. Some traps were set off, and Bandon carved a shortcut through the upper level floor. The battle begun and was long and draining. Mr. Gideon was killed with a joint effort and finally impaled and finished by Finn (?). Leonis was cooked alive by Parry.

Messy Exits

Feb 11, 812

Through the exhaustive battle, Lucky utilised a long waited plan to animate projectiles, using them on The Black Knight, Humpty took the final blow killing her again using with her own sword, Xezcal. The bottom floor revealed a box protected by Power Word: Kill. Inside was the dragon egg, coaxing differing opinions leading to Bandon storming off from the party. The Embers arrive at the Keelboat and sail until they reached their path within the Northern swamp. A handover followed shortly after.