Gathered, with the disposal of the rod of Orcus and damnation to follow behind you, Orontor and the mages gathered circled and nodded.
Appreciative and with the Journal of Paldemar in hand, he went over the notes and his face was a grimace of concern throughout.
"I see. Well...this is concerning but recent words make sense suddenly. The Lord Warden, Faren Markelhay of Fallcrest, sent out a messenger some time ago wording concern and seeking help with what now seems to have a direct link to our rogue mage and traitor - and with extend beyond what was initially feared. With the link to pyramid, and the curse of the beasts associated with its presence, I urge you kill two flies with one stone and seek out the lord and aid him and the course, sooner than later. A word of caution. We have learned of many agents of the course and you will likely be watched and hunted. Pay heed. And make haste. It is due south of here, a days travel or so by foot."

Orontor remained, cautious and talked briefly to the gathered.
"We will scry and watch your doings, and aid if we can, but we are weakened and rebuilding so what we can offer is inconsistent. But we will do what we can. If you have nothing further, I urge you make haste, but ask if you have any doubts!"

A mage turned and tugged at Nezumi.
"A creature called Baaz asked for you. Said no rush, just wanted to check in on you."
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:59, Thu 21 Dec 2023.

"Ah, I should probably check in on my little servant. Make sure they're well taken care of in my absence and all. Would you at all mind guiding me to them? This place is a tad labyrinthine." Nezumi replies to the mage.

-- Recap of events up to now--

Through use of the Rod and the powers that it bestowed Paldemar, along with tainting his mind and actions, he sought to capture and create a rift to the shadowfell.
As the veil is thin between The Nether vale and the shadowfell, piercing it from within the Thunderspire Labyrinth and using the lore and abilities of the mighty mage Karavakos and his artifact allowing the capture and opening the the rift, allowing Orcus, his influence and minions to freely ascend on the lands and cause eternal darkness and anguish.
Failing the ritual to bind the rift and succeed in dragging a fortress of necrotic energy back to this plane, the fabled pyramid of shadows, forces have now sought to not only find other ways to bind and force it through, albeit from the other plane, but also seek vengeance and revenge on those who stand in the way and prevented it.

As a shadow and agents of Orcus and the pyramid begin to come through, albeit little at the time, and harassing the city of Fallcrest, the concern is that the mission to stop Paldemar and the veil in the sea of shadows, have been no more than a delay to something inevitable - and the heroes, the group, have every chance to gather, and prevent this by dealing a final blow to the plan and damnation of the lands.

The mages, instrumental in being caught and bound, know the above and parlays it to the group - and points to fallcrest as a key location to stop any agent of Orcus and their enemy.

Nezumi followed calmly the young mage.
Not to much surprise, the small room at the Inn, she offered and prepaided remained the base for the small creature, affectionately defined as friend Baaz, not forced but marely been shown affection and calm for the first time in it's existence and realizing the joy in freedom and opportunity.
Inside the room the small creature advanced, calmly and bowed its head.
"Master! A joy to see you! It has been most curious here. Calm, but also sense great concern and strange things at night. Was told this place is busy. Still. Lots happening. Saw a dark man, with curious ears. Sat alone. Wrote. Left behind a scroll. Can not read. Perhaps master can use it? Also made this small thing for you! Will keep you safe!"
Baaz hands a small frame with a curious almost fiery liquids inside, that is no larger than her hand.
The scroll is bund with string.

Elsewhere Orontor took note of the curiousity into Karavakos.
"The mage was powerful beyond words, and angered the gods many years ago and the pyramid you are to seek out..is his prison. He made a pact with infernal legions and sought and almost succeeded to take over the lands around, on many planes before meeting defeat in the feywild - but his power, anger and willingness to do everything to get what he wanted saw him trapped within. If he has any sway in Paldemars deroute or his influence will keep disturbing the lands and stability, seeking the god-taint Karavakos is instrumental. Be careful, granted."

"Well, if I can't read it I'm sure one of those bookish types can. While I take a look how about you tell me about this potion you made and how life here in the city has been treating you?" Nezumi stows the potion carefully in a potion slot in her belt before opening the scroll and attempting to read it or else identify the language it's written in.

(Known languages: Common, Draconic, Elven. INT check result of 16 to try to identify the language if it's not one of those.)
This message was last edited by the player at 23:21, Thu 28 Dec 2023.

Grock stood in the treasure chamber looking to claim his reward for disrupting the ritual in the sea of shadows. The half Orc saw something out of the corner of his eye. It was a set of blood-stained black leather gloves. He felt like he had seen them before. Checking the back of the hand, his eyes went wide as he recognized the emblem embossed on them, a tusked skull and crossed swords. It was the symbol on the pirate flag that had enslaved him most of his life. These…had belonged to his father, Captain Snaggletooth of the Iron Tusk pirates.

His father must have been defeated not long after his escape. Which means…Grock slipped on the gloves and held out his left hand like he had seen the Captain so many times in the past. A bow and quiver appeared. A mental command sent the bow and quiver back into the glove. The same motions were repeated with the right glove producing the infamous double sword, Blood Rain, named for the spray of blood produced when it’s victims’ heads are chopped off. Grock couldn’t believe his eyes and felt the bloodlust coming from the blade.

Wrapped around the handle was a piece of paper, the last will of the Captain written in his own blood:

“To whoever claims the Blood Rain,

These are my last words as the sea comes to claim what is hers. What you hold is the twin blades of freedom. Freedom for whoever wishes to grab life by the cannonballs and forge their own destiny! This blade freed me and my fellow sea dogs from the yoke of spoiled merchants living fat off the backs of others. I imprisoned the crew of the ships we sank so they may know what it is like to be chained and know what is means to truly be free and willing to fight for it be their spirit not broken. I submitted my own son to the whip to toughen his back and strengthen his body. His hate for me fuel to his will to live. That bastard even broke free and escaped. Just like his old man. I’m proud of him. Now my era has ended and yours is about to begin. Forge your own destiny in the name of freedom…or don’t. Nothing my rotten corpse can do to make you hahahaha!

-Captain Snaggletooth of the Iron Tusk Pirates

The letter fell to the floor as Grock finished reading. Stunned to silence, he stared into the blade and could swear he saw his father smiling back at him with his usual smug grin. The ex-slave could never forgive his father for the atrocities he had committed, but at least he now knew why. The hate melted away and was replaced by peace. The blade went back into the glove as he looked down at the remnants of chains that dangled from his forearms and ankles. Would he always be chained to the past? Would he always be running from something? No. The half Orc reached down and with much strain ripped the chains off tossing them to the side. He would make something of himself and charge towards his own destiny that he wished now that he was truly free.

Grock stood with renewed purpose and determination at the exit of the town in the direction of their next great journey. He looked back waiting for his companions to conclude their business in town and join them.