On February 2, 2025, my group kicked off act 3 of our campaign in Cormyr. You can see recaps for acts 1 and 2 if you want.
Only two characters from act 2 remained: Hjalmar the Red from the Earthfast Mountains, a cleric of Clangeddin; and Faelivrin, a half-elf servant (Castles & Crusades pacer class) of House Huntcrown that goes by the name of Stardust.
We also had three new characters. First is Feek Bolb, from Saerb, a reformed follower of Loviatar that was an in-house priest for Ilmater at the College of Shaping Magics during the reign of Proster Obarskyr. When the college fell, he went into stasis and awoke at the present age with a king's tear stuck in his forehead. There is also Piper, a bard/warlock. He somehow found a patron with a much reduced in power Myrkul. His origins are not clear. Lastly, we have Whitehead Rallyhorn Joyner, a skald from Hultail and a bastard child of House Rallyhorn.
At the end of Act 2, the survivors from Vast Swamp made their way to Hector Crestfallen's camp in the Thunder Peaks. This camp is just north of Hidden Vale, a gnome village in the High Dale. The winter lasts longer at higher climes and the party waited out the rest of Mirtul waiting for the passes to be more accesible. Feek wandered into camp, and even though he is a Sembian, he was recruited to aid in the cause of the Goblin War. Whitehead and Piper were recruited for camp bards. Hector misses Magnus Trumpettower, who is busy down in Dawngleam, and so has been looking for a suitable replacement musician. He hired these two and wishes to see which proves the better, so maybe one will get fired.
Hector sent out three scouts when the weather started turning brighter, Kythorn approaching. One went to the northern passes, one in the middle north of Thunder Gap, and the last south of Thunder Gap to the borders of the High Dale and Archendale. Only the one from the north has returned, though he retrieved minor reports from the other valleys and peaks on his return. Another setback is this: Hector's forces were reassigned elsewhere. While quite a force had been recruited, the same that moved against the Norgath in Vast Swamp, Oversword Wolfwinter ordered them stationed to Thunderstone to guard the secret way through the High Dale and to Thundarlun to ward Thunder Gap. Only the player's party will be on missions in the mountains proper, to root out oppurtunists and threats to Cormyr's sovereignty during this crisis.
The biggest rumors surround giants in the vales and dragons on the ridges and peaks. These latter are with the Cult of the Dragon and the name Sibilant Shade, that mysterious figure, is still being whispered. The party eats from the mess tent and then meets with Hector in his tent.
He confirms the rumors, introduces the two prospective bards, and gives more information. He also introduces a local gnome, Gnomo, from Hidden Vale. He wants the group to show him the ropes, and to protect him.
There is a brief encounter of Hjalmar attempting to remove Feek's gem from his head, but even though he gets a great grip on it, he does not succeed. Instead, he sees a dark scene of twisting shadows and otherworldly stares. The party then heads north to Volkumburgh, with plans to stop at the College of Shaping Magics on the way. After acquiring provisions, they hit the road.
After some hours, they reach a bridge, only about 15 feet across, spanning a stream that runs into the Thunder River west of the reaches. At this bridge is a bent-with-age halfling woman berating three kobolds. These scaly fellows are pressing her for a toll to cross. The party, led by Feek, rush in to assist. As they are dispatching the three kobolds, a score more appear over the ridge across the bridge, and Whitehead is the first to meet them while Piper sings a constitution increasing song.
But behind these kobolds comes a figure in black robes, masked to the point where it looks like the figure has no neck. He immediately casts Cloudkill. The kobolds gasp out there last while Gnomo, not knowing what is happening succombs as well. While the haze continues, choking the party, an explosion comes from in their midst. The bridge is gone!
A voice sounds in everyone's head, the mage calls himself Khalgixer, Scion of Aurgloroasa.
Hjalmar is able to make it over to Whitehead as another fireball rocks them, pushing Piper to the brink of death. A weakened Myrkul sends him back with a spell and a scolding. Stardust and Feek have avoided the explosion by teleporting with Stardust's magical sword, Maltanecel, to the ridge where the mage lies. Feek is able to stagger him with two blows of his fists before the figure teleports to another ridge and sends a personal fireball at the two brave Purple Dragons. Stardust is brought low, but stays conscious, as a voice speaks once more: "The Sibilant Shade controls these passes, this is your warning. You are beneath me."
The party camps for the night, Hjalmar providing healing and everyone licking their wounds and mourning Gnomo.
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