Draxos bemoans the loss of the displacer beast.

Quilro and DonBrapp confer about the magical options to use fabricate and frame portal to support mass transportation of enemy forces.

DonBrapp applies healing unguents while Phzarr looks over the magical scroll with interest.
Kailute’s Vision

In the middle of the night, Shuos is restless and whimpering.  Not awake, but making uncomfortable sounds and rolling from side to side.

The door to the north is secure; and the window to the south likewise unopened.  The candle remains snuffed as when you went to sleep.  As you peer around the room, your peripheral vision suggests something flickering;  a shadow just out of sight..  and when you turn to look, you see nothing.  But the peripheral flickering persists, as if preternaturally unable to view directly.

The barbarian closes his eyes to focus with his blind fighting ability, but is unable to pinpoint a corporal being.

Eventually you hear the same sibilant voice you heard before…  “excellent.  You are so close to springing the trap.  The others were waylaid…  but you are resting in the broken walls of the target.  When you see the signal…  take the fire headed wench and deliver her below.  The gray ones await the ceremony.  At the next full moon, we will call him…  and Zenghyi’s army will deliver this plane to its rightful eterneal heir!  THE MINES!  TAKE THE FLAME HARED HARLOT TO THE GRAY ONES IN THE MINES!  DO NOT FAIL ZENGHYI!”

Returning to sleep the half-orc calculates the next full moon to occur 15 Alturiak, more than two weeks time.

The elf fights his way through intoxication to continue his studies, continuing his years of self-abuse through his apprenticeship and late-night carousing.  Still cognizant through the cloud of ale and whiskey the elf hears a guard patrolling the streets but is otherwise powering through the night until morning.

Stirring from their violent coupling, DonBrapp continues to negotiate a discount on the delivery of the Gundar Vundark.  Phzarr provides the dwarf a smooth polished orange stone with which to contact the Red Wizardess telepathically during Eltabbar business hours, and demanding a 15% advance on any service contracts with Thay.  The dwarf skillfully talks her down to 2000gp with the understanding that the unmet balance will be paid in kind by the dwarf’s efforts upon their next meeting.

Phzarr also provides significant fire spell components including nearly a quart of Greek fire paste as the cleric counts out the due payment in the HoW jewels.

Accounts settled the dwarf retires back to his suite to prepare his equipment for augury and divination.

Kailute calls forth the Bloodstone lads and the conscripted henchmen to conduct military fighting exercises.  Many of the townsfolk turn out to observe, and nearly fifteen gather to participate as the barbarian works them through a series of sword, pike, and axe drills to ensure they have some ability to wield the weapons they may have.

Dark thoughts mull in DonBrapp’s mind as he considers the strategic situation, thinking of burning all of Bloodstone to the ground and relocating the entire population to Hillsafar Hall.

Quilro spends the morning after breakfast studying the defenses and terrain of the village, noting the wall and it’s need of repair as well as the geologic abnormality known to the locals as graveyard hill east of the Abbey.  Craggy steep sides allow paths on the west and northwest allowing single file movement to the top where low lying scrub dominates the feature.

Draxos makes his way to the northernmost shack, home of Jamison Fletcher.  The well built human is tending to his tools and craft as the elf approaches, and nods as he approaches.
“If you leave the bow I’ll be happy to string it, and give you four more strings.”  Declining the offer the ranger settles up and agrees to notch the strings himself.  He agrees to study the displacer beasts remains for useful items and will return to inn with any information he comes across.

Making his way back Quilro is bumped by Haldan who clearly is frisking him but appears to take nothing.  It is clear the human thief is not convinced Bloodstone will hold, but is holding out to pick over whatever remains.  Quilro offers a meal and regales the human with their recent exploits, attempting to buck up the negative perception of their chances for survival.

When the heroes return they discuss the availability of local forces, estimating no more than 100 local humans, augmented by several hundred dwarves and halflings in the immediate environs of the valley could be called to defend the hamlet.  Quilro proposes a series of traps and ambushes to lure attackers back into the town to hold them off.

Early evening the party leaves the inn to take their audience with Baron Tranth of Bloodstone.

Baron’s Manse

The Baron’s modest manse is surrounded by 15’ walls.  A single guard, in serviceable and his chain skirt covered by a quality but weather worn tabard with a blood red pick and axe crossed on a deep hunter green field display the livery of Bloodstone;  village and barony mans a sturdy but worn gatehouse.

Within the walls nearly an acre half hold a respectable three story stone manse with tidy painted shutters.  The blood red and hunter green motif dominate the accessories, although the ravages of time and weather have dulled the colors.

All available land is cultivated, and a winter garden of succullents appears viable as the other areas appear covered with hay, canvas, and manure.  The overall space appears able to camp at least a thousand if required.

A single gate appears to be boarded as an approach to the lake.

Two 10’ duskwood doors open on the eastern side.  The barony’s pick and axe over the exploding sun of Lathander bisect the two doors in carvings.

Two gaunt and seasoned warriors in mail flank the door 8’ to either side, and when the party approaches do their best to render crisp and appropriate courtesies;  standing to attention when the group appears in eyesight, and then simultaneously turning inward, taking a knee and offering their blades upwards in salute as the group is welcomed through the door by the stunning vision of Lady Christine and the older repose of the steward Riordan.  “Please enter!” She states, gesturing the group within.

The entry space is cathedral ceilinged, with an oversized shield of the Baron’s crest hanging over the hallway, with a stairway leading up to the overhanging balcony. A luxurious giant bear rug centers the room beneath a giant elk head.  The walls above the balconies above are adorned further by stuffed mountain creatures.

All appears in early stages of decay, in need of cleaning on the edge of genteel decay.
The hallway leads west, 10’ wide and 50’ long with a pair of doors north and south at 10 and 30 feet before a wooden door ends on the right side of the hallway.  Velvet tapestries of paintings depicting the exploration of the frozen north, slaying giants and orcs and various mountain creatures are broken by the growing stacks of dried food.

“Forgive the preparations;  father insists we empty the cellars to feed the people.” Christine remarks.

The Steward bows deeply before declaring: “Welcome, Heroes of Wayment;  Liberators of Hillsfar and RESTORERS OF BAROVIAN FREEDOM!” Looking stiffly upon the group.

Lady Christine blushed, but courtsies and explains she has since had time to consult such messages and news as to better appreciate who has arrived.

All available space is full of wrapped bundles of dried food, apparently prepared in equal portions for ease of storage and transport.  The clearly once opulent halls have become a warehouse for stable foods ready for shipping.

The group is led into the dining hall to the south, where the Baron sits at the far end of the table.  A once fit man in chainmail covered with a tabard, his once fit body surrendering to age sits in a hewn wooden throne.

“You are announced, and I understand we owe you the liberation of Barovia.  In the name of the fourth of our line I bid you welcome and thanks.”  He gestures to his steward Riordan, and introduces Dundark the Captain of his Guard and Quillan his sage.  Both are seated at the far end of the table.

“Unfortunately Brother Aldric could not join us, as the situation befalling Damara consume the father of light’s attention.”  He bids the heroes to introduce themselves.

DonBrapp brings himself up to his full height, and delivers the honorifics and specific introductions of each as well as committing the group to the defense of Bloodstone Valley.  Everyone in the room seems to be unburdened at the dwarf’s message as a modest but delicious mountain feast is wheeled in to the table.

Quillan relates the events of the disintegration of Damara, abetted if not encouraged by Strahd who promised but never delivered military support as the feuding Baronies tore themselves apart.  The Citadel of Assassins is known generally, but none have directly interfered in Damara to their knowledge.  The differences between the human and dwarven mines are explained, as well as the superficial political affiliation.

“We make no claims on the sovereignty of Hillsafar Hall, but look forward to restoring the ties of comity and cooperation that once reigned now that the whatever evil has been vanquished there.”

The group is disheartened by the news of Zengyhi and the horde, and Kailute provides an overview of the last several weeks of activity.  Quillan agrees to see what knowledge the Abbey may hold, although all suspect he is an outcast from Thay.

The group peers over a map, noting the only way from the northwest into the valley for a large group is over the mountains through the road the party has traveled.

“Shame Aldric did not come to meet with us.  We have an item that will very likely attract his interest.”

The royal court is awed by the Mace of St. Markov, a patron saint of Brandiar responsible for the early settling of the Bloodstone Lands.

Lady Christine rises and agrees to summon the Abbot from his duties to join the group.
“Are you the king of the Oriothar!” Dundark exclaims as DonBrapp reveals his ability to divine the location of the horde, replacing the lost reconnaissance of the halflings.  Quillan also shares a warren of centaurs make their home in the valley, as well as an abundance of few creatures.

Lady Christine ushers in Brother Aldric, a human male in his early thirties as he introduces himself from under his worn yellow and pink robe.

Pushing forward the thigh bone, the cleric stumbles with awe into Kailute knocking the artifact from the barbarian’s hands.

“This could render us masters of Damara, Sire!”  Aldric exclaims.  “The dwarf who appears to be casting must know how powerful this relic could be!”

Kailute pulls a strap of cloth from his belt and pulls it into the cleric’s mouth and is surprised by the strength beneath the human’s robes as he grapples him into submission.
The royal court is in disarray as Draxos removes an ornate necklace, two rings and a large blood red ruby pendant beneath his robes.  As the ruby is removed Aldric almost crumples in Kailute’s arms.

“Monk A is an agent of Zenghyi, traitor to Bloodstone!” The dwarf shouts throwing the papers on the table.

“This is very grave indeed, sire.  We should review this evidence and determine what truth may lie here.”  Quillan remarks grimly.

Hissing and spitting, Aldric is withdrawing with as his strength dissipates.  He becomes more feral and seems to be writhing in pain.

“A priest of Lathander, indeed.  Some servant of light.” Sneers DonBrapp as Aldric’s form continues to resist and move away from the light of the windows.

“YOU KNOW NOT WHAT YOU SPEAK!  THE ETERNAL ONE WILL GRIND YOUR SOULS FOREVER!  HE COMES TO CONQUER!  HE COMES TO RULE!”  And continues to resist the control of Kailute, even as he grows more weak and frail.

“When the gate opens there will be nowhere to hide as darkness will consume you all!”  His voice is losing energy until Fyrnlocke approaches with the ruby, which draws him unerringly but the half-orc’s strength far overmatches the humans.

DonBrapp pledges the service of the heroes immediately, but must immediately interrogate the clearly suspect and likely charmed cleric.  The court concurs, but asks that the abbot be kept on the grounds of the manor, and to the degree possible the affair kept a secret from the villagers.

Quilro attempts to calm the cleric with his ring of influence, but the abbot hisses and spits upon the elf who notices no small amount of burning pain with the saliva.
“When the gate below opens all your souls will be harvest, and there will be no place to hide!”

Kailute signals to Fyrnlocke to grab the gem as he pulls the cleric away, and is amazed with the power the supposed human attempts to tear from the barbarian’s grasp to get closer to the gem in Fyrnlocke’s fist.

DonBrapp stoops to a knee and grabs the cleric by the hair as he utters the command “CONFESS.”

Aldric blathers in a weakened voice about the darkness infecting his soul.

Quillan shares what he knows of vampiric undead, pointing out where garlic can be found in the kitchen and if shackled in silver could be better contained, even though no such shackles are available in the manor.

“Certainly.”  The dwarf nods to the Baron’s court.  “Go not far…  should we need ye…  for questions.”  DonBrapp utters absent mindedly, his next spell being articulated to discern the loyalties of those in the room.  The light of Vergadain shows all of stout heart and lawful morals.

Quillan begins to relate a series of suspicious events that seem to accord with Aldric’s turn to evil that seems to have begun the previous autumn.

“Who knows what these amazing items may obscure..” Tomas remarks, enthralled.
“Kill me!  Quillan…  please kill me!” Sqeakss the writhing cleric.

As Kailute upends a chair and begins to rip a leg off the bottom, Dundark turns to DonBrapp  “Is it true the superdwarf can divine the future?  Can the gods of the dwarves sight the evil in the mines?”

As he is speaking Kailute drives one of the chair legs through the chest of the vampire, who expels a grey cloud of ash before shriveling into a dessicated corpse, however
“Well, you’ve killed our abbot.  You make known a gathering horde of evil, and possibly greater threats gathering below the halls and mines.  Do I have that right?”  Baron Tranth asks, dejectedly.

“About.”  Retorts the dwarf.

“Say the abbot died defeating a powerful vampire.”  Kailute offers the baron.
DonBrapp steps to the side to magically withdraw.

Dundark and Quillan stand to assist with moving the abbots corpse toward the root closet of the kitchen.

4:30 23 Hammer

The Lady Christine lets out a loud sob and excuses herself to her chambers.

Quilro cocks his head at Draxos.  “Sir, please protect the lady.”  He hisses in elven.
Tomas is amazed at the jewels apparent ability to obscure an undead creature’s connection to the negative material plane.

Riordan follows the baron out of the feasthall.  Fyrnlocke scoops up the magical thighbone as Quilro dives into what remains of the feast, mostly untouched.

Draxos follows the princess up the stairs where she is sobbing uncontrollably on her bed.
She allows the ranger to enter after composing herself, eyes still red with tears.

Draxos unhoods the snowy owl, and Christine immediately smiles taking the bird from his wrist.  The ranger shares a story of his own woodlands until he notices the lady snoring softly, and departs the room back down to the festhall.

DonBrapp withdraws to the root annex adjacent the kitchen. Once rested, the dwarf makes a connection to the fallen Aldric now resting in his afterlife in Elysium.

“Tell me the whereabout of Zengyhi!”  The dwarf calls across the planes.  The soul of the departed shares his collusion with the evil wizard, how upon his undeath he became enthralled.  Lady Christine is to be used in conjunction with the opening of a dread portal in the mines.  As the commune with dead continues, DonBrapp can feel tendrils of dark magic writhing up his arms to the corps.  The jewel begins to be pulled as if a magnet toward the dwarf, and Kailute blocks it with his axe but the gem scurries around the weapon toward the dwarf.

Quilro fabricates a cage of stone around the brooch with his newfound spell.  The abbot relates his job was to deliver to the mouth of the mines to play her role in the ceremony.
DonBrapp appears to be locked in a death grip with the corpse, and Kailute launches into the dwarf.

Aldric’s last shouts are “We all serve Klavikus!  WE ALL SERVE KLAVIKUS!” as the dwarf is ripped from his connection and suffers a searing cold blast of negative energy.

Simultaneously the stone cage explodes as the jewel makes a straight line for the head of the corpse before becoming completely inert. The entire room fills with a feeling of dread.  DonBrapp instinctually feels the imminent arrival of some sort of planar traveler.

“Get back!” DonBrapp shouts before hoisting his symbol and hammer toward the gathering utter coldness.

Kailute takes a position behind the dwarf as Quilro conjures a cold based shield.  The entire room is enveloped in magical darkness as Draxos re-enters the room and immediately draws his bow.

The ripping sound and noxious odor of the arrival of a demon assaults the nerves of the party as a 12’ tall humanoid with six arms and horned head breaks through the portal, enormous magical swords swinging and cutting Fyrnlocke deeply in his chest.

Quilro is frozen in awe of this demon, and even the usually stalwart barbarian are terrified to their core at the sight of the abyssal monster.
After loosing two arrows the now common noise of Draxos bow breaking is muffled by the supernatural awe of this beast.

Infuriated DonBrapp gathers the fury of Vergadain to tap the negative material plane and thrusts his flattened palm into the thigh of the demon.  The power is so overwhelming the demon reels, staggering back from a garish bruise and falling.

Stepping forward Petra releases a volley of magic missiles that leave the demons corpse convulsing in pain before it expires.

Whatever moment of victory is pierced by the scream of a human female.

“I guess the MAGICAL SUPERDWARF HAS TO DO EVERYTHING!” the cleric shouts before speeding up the stairs to the lady’s bedchamber, where everything points at an infernal abduction.
After the party regroups, the cleric provides magical healing.  Dundark promises 15 pikemen from the Barons forces, as well as mounts.

Between Kailute and DonBrapp they figure “a horde” is at best 5,000 monsters; and acknowledge it is already significantly unusual the types and breadth of giantkin and goblinoids working together.  Both agree a large force would be channelized moving over the mountains into the valley.

Quilro observes that there are nearly 200 able bodied folks remaining in the village.  Discussing with Fyrnlocke, the elf devises a plan to channel and trap the approaches to the village and the Baron’s manor with pits and traps and reinforcing the moat surrounding the village.  The fighter thief agrees to remain behind and assist in the defensive preparations.

The baron expresses his deep thanks to the heroes for their assistance; DonBrapp advises to have all the coin accounted for, packed in chests if possible, and hidden deep from any advancing monsters.  Dundark explains there are two routes to the mines; the road directly into the canyon or over the mountains from the south.

Riordan provides a hand drawn map, generally illustrating the early lodes in the upper mountain and the deeper tunnels.  Quillan would not be surprised to learn the Bloodstone Mines are connected to Hillsafar Hall through the underdark.

Tomas protests mildly at returning underground, earning a dismissive look from Quilro.  The elf changes into an invisible sparrow and takes wing to reconnoiter the way ahead as the party takes horse with the Bloodstone contingent.

As the elf soars above there is a strong evil presence lurking above in the clouds.  As he scans the entrance to the mines, a pair of towers sits astride a palisade wall blocking a box canyon that surrounds three mine openings and a mixed camp of goblins and orcs as well as militarily armed stone giants.  The giants keep their eyes fixed outward, but there are no indications of patrols and no apparent movement in or out of the mines.

The elf returns to the group headed north and fills them in on the situation, declaring his intent to soar to the clouds and kill what he suspects is a dragon patrolling the sky.
The party begins to advance up a snow covered rise leading into the mountains.  As they advance an unknown terror freezes Quilro and Kailute as the rippling serpentine forms of two enormous white flying dragons flit in and out of the clouds shielding the moon and stars.
Still invisible Quilro loops back to inform the party of the looming sky guardians.  After a quick discussion, the Heroes of Waymeet agree the most effective plan is to have the elf drop upon the back of a dragon with his blade while the party lures the monsters out of the sky.

Midnight 24 Hammer

As they continue up the path, barbarian and ranger immediately notice a location advantageous to an ambush while catching the scent of something monster like…
Changing form into a harpy, Quilro pulls his moonblade from his hip and grasps it with two hands.  Closing to 30’ above the smaller of the two white dragons, both dragons shriek with infernal volume.  The easternmost pulls its wings into a dive while the larger one to the west begins beating its wings to gain altitude.

Kailute takes a defensive position on the western side of the trail his eyes attentive for movement or indications of ambush.  From the shadows a ‘click’ as spear sized projectiles are launched from either side of the trail, catching Kailute and one of the horses with enormous piercing force.  The grey armored shapes of giant-sized humanoids emerge from hiding positions.

Draxos pivots and looses arrows landing one arrow in the should of one of the giants.
“Surrender now!” the ranger shouts as DonBrapp invokes a spell to make it easier for all to catch their footing on the snow, affording all better standing in the mountainous terrain.
Harpy Quilro folds its wings into a dive and swoops below, nudging the neck but missing the attack against the diving worm.  The contact sends the polymorphed elf into a spinning dive as the western dragon continues to gain altitude.

The diving dragon snatches Tomas from his mount, causing a weak scream from the cleric-mage before he his thrust into the sky within the dragon’s maw, his bones cracking from the enormous pressure.  From a height of sixty feet the flying wyrm flips the human out of his mouth and the broken form falls to the mountain lifeless.

DonBrapp sprints up toward a giant and with a powerful windup plant his hammer into the leg of one of the stone giants.  The leviathan yells in pain before bringing his enormous blade over his head and slipping in front of the cleric.

The one next to the wounded giant connects with the dwarf, knocking DonBrapp back slightly with the blow.

Quilro casts a volley of magical missiles at the hovering dragon, who shakes off the pain and focuses on the now visible harpy that appears to be an armed spellcaster.
Kailute sprints forward to the right of the dwarf and lands a slicing blow on the legs of the wounded giant.

Two of the Bloodstone warriors scramble to present their bows but cannot land a shot.
The giants move to engage directly with dwarf and half-orc as one of the dragons delivers a shrieking exhale of snow and ice at the harpy.  Tumbling in the force of the breath weapon the polymorphed elf struggles to remain upright in flight before coming out of the area of effect.

Draxos delivers a series of arrow strikes that pierce the giants armor, causing it to gurgle purple blood.

Turning back toward the dragon Quilro releases a magic lightning bolt back toward the flying wyrm. Catching the beast in the crotch of its shoulder and wing the mage observes the creature in significant pain as a result of the strike.

DonBrapp pulls his hammer in defensively while calling for the healing power of Vergadain as Kailute cuts deep into the abdomen and throat of his opponent who falls to his knees as his lifeblood pours from his wounds.

One of the dragons passes low and launches magical missiles toward the elf, surprised and confused when the magic bounces back from the creature and causes it damage.

The other dragon swoops in a rage toward the harpy, catching it with one claw before both collapse onto the ground, nearly crushing the polymorphed elf with its enormous girth.

Rolling out from under the wrym the elf releases its own volley of magic missiles that convulse into the scaled beast which recoils and screams in fury.

DonBrapp swings another crushing blow against the giant causing a large cracking sound to come from its femur.

Draxos misses all his bow shots, but the barbarian delivers a pair of deep wounds to one of the giants who turns to flee.

The dwarf launches his hammer at the fleeing giant, catching it in the back of the neck sending the monster face down in the snow.

The ranger finally lands an arrow felling another of the giants, while one of the far side ambushers launches a spear sized missile at him.

Kailute leaps forward screaming taunts, only to slip and miss his attack.

Quilro skitters in front of an enormous angry dragon who rolls in the snow to face the elf.  Turning to seek out the farther dragon flying away the mage attempts to feeble its mind but the creature shrugs off the magical attack.

DonBrapp pivots again and charges the opposite side, releasing his hammer in a throw that cracks the giant aside its temple, drawing blood and a scream of pain.

Another line of arrows crosses the chest of a giant, now grievously wounded but continuing to attempt to lift his blade.

As the dragon turns to take flight away from the elf the harpy-elf sneaks forward with his blade sinking his blade into the tail of the best as it attempts to leap into the sky.  Cleaving off the tail the dragon attempts to pump its wings into the sky until it bleeds out and collapses in a heap off the ledge of the road leading into the mountains.

DonBrapp recovers his hammer and delivers a reversing blow to the wounded giant.

“Your sister!  Your sister lover!  She’s dead!  ABANDON HER!”  Kailute screams as he tears through another the armor and chest of another giant.

Two wounded giants and a fleeing dragon remain until the ranger cuts down another of the stone skinned monsters.

DonBrapp sprints toward the fleeing dragon as a blur to release a lightning bolt from directly below as Quilro leaps into the sky and casts another volley of magical energy at the beast.

Kailute fells the final giant and turns to observe the remaining dragon spin in the air and release a frigid cloud of ice, hail and fog back toward the party.

DonBrapp stands in the billowing breath weapon, his hammer held high as he ignores the biting cold with the magical protection afforded by the ruff.

“Ho!  Grab me, ilf!” The dwarf shouts, and the harpy gives a sidelong look before winging over to sink his claws in the shoulder pauldrons of the dwarf, lifting him into the sky and flapping his wings with exertion to attempt to close the distance between them and the fleeing wrym.

The dwarf extends the hammer and releases a lightning bolt that appears to be somewhat resisted by the white dragon’s scales.

Kailute dresses what he can on the crumpled form of Tomas.

A second lightning bolt pierces the wing of the dragon in a wound of red blood and open sky through the leather skin.

With a grunt the dwarf side arms his hammer and it spins through the air before just missing the beast.

DonBrapp shifts as Quilro-harpy pulls a wand from his magical body and shoots his own lightning bolt.  The dragon wheels to claw at the harpy and catches him with his razor-sharp claws, nearly causing the mage to drop the dwarf.

As it passed below both of them the elf electrifies the wyrm and it falls to the snow below.