Chapter Seven: No River To Take Me Home

 Session was held at Casa De Grandiosa in 15th of March

There is no man who would head north with a light cause. Although the thousand stars shimmer on the night sky, and Aurora Borealis might illuminate the way, the northern darkness won't unbind it's shackles. And still as you go, the ever-gnawing cold reaches your core, despite all the efforts to keep warm.
To this very journey you will lose yourself. There is no fellow to walk that path alongside you, no comrade to comfort you. 
Alone must you stride, like descending into an open grave. Into vast emptiness.

Reghed Glacier

Cold northern winds slashed it's cold whip against the Expeditions men. Morale was plumetting as day's labor consisted of walking trough seemingly endless cold wastes the Reghed Glacier with no sign of destination. As they had journeyed on the glacial ice for three days already, following Enoch Crowgale's vague destination, old-man Crowgale was finally ready to announce their next waypoint. He had studied the rose-red gem pendant that they had taken from it's guardian back in Dol Aurmeth, and according to Crowgale it did indeed show them their next destination. Either or not it was of makings of Valgaerd the Whitefarer, they did not know, but it was the only reasonable clue they had at the moment.

Valgaerds Pendant

Enoch explained that the seven holes of the pendant matched to well-known constellation known as the Crown of the North or Cold Crown. This same seven-star celestial body was known by the northerners as the Eye of Evil and Hole That Leads To Darkness. Phrases of old northern language, sort of a proto-illuskan was ascribed to the center of the pendant. Crowgale had been translating it the last few days and he was ready to announce his findings

See the Cold Crown rise,

fourteen days in a row.

When you stand with

 the Goddess of Magic, 

Alagairtha will

lead your way.

Crowgale thus presumed that Expedition was to continue it's march northwards, taking bearings from the constellation that rose to the northern sky every night. And at the end of fourteenth day they would reach a location that would guide them further. As an waypoint this was somewhat indefinite, but the men continued nevertheless.

Crust of Ice
Days at the glacier came with a steep learning curve. Many near go situations showed them to watch their step as hidden crevasses lurked under the thin crusts of ice and snow. Sunlight made the snow into a bright blinding mirror, and sudden snowstorms came with much too brief notice.

On fifteenth of August,  seventh day of of their fourteen-day quest, a climb onto a snowy steppe drove the expedition face-to-face with a herd of woolly mammoths! As the herd made a defensive circle, young bull mammoth decided to make a show-off and charged towards the men and dog-sleds. Due Orgots abnormally quick wits, that charge was fended off as the half-orc cleric evoked a wall of fire on the front of the mammoth. No animals were harmed nor blood spilled that day.

But luck was not on their side the next day. Days journey was suddenly interrupted as someone spotted something big flying towards them. Quickly a fearful cry was heard aloud "DRAGON"! Our heroes organized everyone to spread out in fear for a devastating breath attack that everyone was familiar with. The white scaled creature landed to their front and started yapping with it's crude dragonic language. It was slightly bigger than the largest war horses, thus making it just an young adult dragon, but a dire threat nevertheless. Thelon who had studied draconian languages back in Evermeet translated it's will to the party.

Nidhogrym was it's name and it wanted "all the furry ones" meaning the dogs that pulled the sleds. Of course this was a no go, and our heroes demanded the drake to back off and fly away. Arrogant young wyrm took that as an insult and launched an attack. It's frozen breath freezed many capes as most of the expedition ran away due it's frightful presence. But our Thelon, Orgot, Bolwyn and Posco stayed, fighting off the dragon. So did Nespil Crowgale and his mercenary friend Artyom. Rest of the men who were not panicked did their best to handle the dogs. Even old man Konrad Haldurssen shot few bolts from his dog sled.

Young white dragon did not posses the power to usurp it's prize, and it retreated cursing and hauling insults. But it's last breath hit Thelon with cold-feet, and the elven warrior was blown down. He suffered partial nerve damage of permanent status, but everyone was happy to still have him.

Unexpected departure..
On the ninth night of their journey, a new struck of bad luck presented itself. The camp was alerted in hearth of the night as Abbie Bousson cried for help. Watchmen at the shift along with Posco rushed to Abbies tent, where her tent-mates Gorim and Enoch were leaning over fourth member of that tent, Konrad Haldurssen. Old man Lord Haldurssen was coughing badly, an it was evident that he was on his death-throes. For days Abbie had tended his health but his time had come.

Few moments later Konrad Haldurssen took his last breath. His last words were "I'm afraid". Enoch Crowgale spoke to the men on that bleak night, announcing Haldurssens death due poor health and old age. Crowgale said that it was Haldurssens dream to reach Ultima Thule, as he was sure that he would regain his health there and see many good years. This was not the case this time, but Enoch did his best to rise the men's morale. Still, many suspicious words were whispered.

On the eleventh day the expedition discovered old remains of a camp that had apparently been build
 by similar expedition. Nothing of value was discovered, but remains of a man were found from old wreck of a tent. Causes of death for this headless corpse were unknown, so no conclusions could been made.

They stayed it the same vale with the ruins for the night, making funeral pyres from the old camp for Konrad Haldurssen and the unidentified body. Memorial words were said.

.. And an unexpected arrival.
Day later the expedition was preparing the camp for the night as a blizzard was arriving from the north with haste. The preparations were put on hold two unidentified men were closing the camp from south. They announced to be friendly men seeking shelter. It quickly became apparent that the man speaking was none-the-less than Windmill Hágo, notorious swashbuckler from Luskan. He had been on a journey with his friend Agnor and two wizards of the Arcane Brotherhood Obiran and Feldolin. But northern harsh climate and rumors of frost giant kingdom Kongrike ov Hvítrfjell had been too much for the spellcasters, who had left with magic, leaving Hágo and Agnor alone to the glacier.
Hágo admitted that they had been following the expedition as a mission granted by the Brotherhood, but now that they were abandoned by it, they had no ill-thoughts about the expedition. Thus they wished to join in order to survive, as travelling alone in a glacier was quite suicidal.

After brief negotiations, the members of expedition decided to take Hágo and Agnor in, but many doubtful thoughts were shared between the heroes. Posco even did some eavesdropping on following night to learn Hágos motives, but no evidence of bluff or vile play was present, it seemed that their intentions were genuine.

Destination unkown
As the blizzard stormed for a day, the expedition reached their destination on the fifteenth day, instead of the fourteenth. It seemed that they had arrived to the upper parts of huge ice-fjord, a stream of ice that slowly drained over the years into a vast snowy plain that seemed to be an frozen sea. As night descended upon the glacier and the Cold Crown rose once a gain, Crowgale witnessed a distinct change in the pendant. It gleamed in the starlight, and a engraved picture of the same ice-fjord appeared into the pendant. In the middle of the engraving was a arrow, a clue for their next way point.

Valgaerds pendant with some obvious changes

Thus they slept the night at the top of the glacier and begun descending the ice stream in the morning. Icy slopes and ridges that served as their path were treacherous, and many close calls were witnessed. But luckily no one swerved down. Finally they reached the half-way of the fjord. Quickly an anomaly was discovered, as one bright blue icewall had steam coming from it. On a closer inspection it was revealed that finger thick stream of boiling hot water was pouring from a small crack in the ice.

General consensus was that this had to have something to do with pendants clue, and untrustworthy newcomer Hágo was ordered to use pick against the ice wall. Shielded with elemental protection spell, he began his work, hitting the wall few times hard. But that was few time more than enough. Something moved inside the ice, something that seemed to move in quite lively fashion. Suddenly the whole wall exploded, as it seemed that it had been somekind of a pocket of boiling water, washing Hágo almost off the edge of the cliff. As the fog and steam caused by the water had disappeared a bit, many covered in terror as two centipede-like monsters rattled their red fins.

These abominations were known as remorhaz, monsters of the cold north, with a heat so impressive in their insides that it could destroy even steel weapons that hit the creature. Everyone attacked these monsters with fury as it was apparent that it was either them or us. Their carapace was penetrable, but while everyone were smashing the hell out, Bolwyn and Nespil Crowgale were grappled into maws of these centipede beasts and eventually swallowed whole. This resulted into even more desperate fight, and thanks to newcomers Hágo and Angor, both mosters were struck down.


Bolwyn emerged from the gizzards with severe amnesia, bad burns and wounds alike, but Nepil never recovered from his horrendous wounds. Witnessing the horrible death of his one son, Enoch Crowgale fell to weep and cry his sons fate. Whole expedition was struck with grief as something like this was expected but not welcomed.


As grieving the decesed continued, someone explored a long cavernous tunnel that seemed to lead far into the the Underdark, that was now exposed from the wall. Only thirty feet from the entrance, there was a an ancient wooden board struck into the ice floor like a sign. Thelon managed to decipher the old runes used in it, but he did not known the language. But Enoch knew, and despite his sons demise, he came to the tunnel to see the sign. Tears already in his eyes he turned even more pale as he understood the signs meaning:

"það er engin Thule - There is no Thule"

Chapter Three: Wretches Who Stride Towards Their Doom - Part II

Session was held 25th of May at the Skyhouse of Slumber

Fifth of Flamerule. We're once again stationed at the Seven Sails Inn. I do not overstate that is truly a miracle that we're still here. Our operation for saving Captain Agmuind Saltskin from the bowels of Underkeel took a direct hit, as a group of scaly gate-guards assaulted our backs. Never have likes of those creatures walked on the golden sands of Evermeet, my gratitude for the Lords for that! Luckily our companionship proved to be more hard-woven than the scaly hides of those lurking swamp beasts. Nevertheless, we were blown out from fatigue and injuries, and pushing deeper into the rectory of evil seemed like a suicide. So we reverted, a decision that brought us shame.

"Yeah, we're alright!"

 Now as I am writing this from the warmth of my bed, I am confident that next morning will be ours, and Captain Saltskin will be freed. On the wider scale, I suspect that our leave for the Expedition will be near. Enoch Crowgale has pushed his preparations and he's almost done. As long as we have a proven captain to sail us to the shores of the Icewind Dale. I believe that the journey will be unforgettable. I also believe in Posco, but I must question Bolwyns motives, as I do question the orc, whose name I refuse to utter. My dear brother would never endorsed such a company. And what comes to my search.. I am still alone.
-Thelon

Return to the Source

As the dawn broke from the shackles of mother night, our adventurers ate a quick fix of nourishing breakfast, and headed back to the forgotten sewers of Luskan. As the chance to save Saltskins life grew weaker by every passing hour, the fellows proceeded with haste. Quick descend through the reeking tunnels of decay brought them back to the gates of Underkeel. The door that  was guarded by vicious lizardmen a day before, now supported new guardsmen. Three human scoundrels now manned the post and while doing so they were cleaning up the deceased scalykind, throwing the corpses to the same filthy current from where they launched their surprise assault on our braves. A goblin named Shadlarg was giving them orders, a queer choice to be a lieutenant in Hellmakers private army.

Shadlarg - Barghest

Our rescuers proceeded to storm the gate, again. This time Posco opened the fire with his keen crossbow, wounding the scoundrels with several volleys of sharp halfling-sized toothpicks that they call crossbow bolts. In the mean time, the rest charged on the gateguards, swords blazing. As suspected, the goblin had a reason to hold the rank of a lieutenant, as it shapeshifted into the form a giant wolf. It was a creature called Barghest. And it was quickly killed.

With Shadlargs key, the sturdy iron door into Hellmakers underground lair was easily opened. Our heroes raided few chambers, beating down Hellmakers bouncers and his another officer, Regortass Blackscale, a huge black scaled man-lizard. Finally they stroke down a door that lead into inner chambers. There, at the edge of a great chasm, a group of prisoners was held. To free them, our saviors had to battle with two entities of malevolent, god-hating evil. These gargoyle-like creatures are known as Kir-Lanan originating from some outer plane of existence, brought to the face of Toril by the Time of Troubles. Their powerful connection to negative energy proved challenging, but the steel of the blades didn't mind, it ate their flesh just as eagerly. With the monsters smit down, the heroes checked the condition of the prisoners. Most of them were dead or dying, but one persistent prick of a captain was still breathing. Although he was alive, he was clinging at the end. Happy to see familiar faces, Captain Saltskin thanked our heroes and swore that he would keep the fees for the upcoming voyage at minimum.

 - Hellmaker -
Artists impression from
Poscos vague remembrance

Saltskin was left to regain some of his vitality for the return through the tunnels as our braves decided to open the last and the most menacing door at the Underkeel. As the heavy iron door swung open, they saw a powerful looking "man" sitting by a table, back towards them. The man was painting some dark and devious painting on a canvas that might as well be one made of human skin. With a deep voice from the Abyss, the thing spoke:

”Do you, or do you not, wish to slay me? Well, will you, or will you not force me to lift my flail? Do you even know, WHO exactly calls me the Hellmaker? The Sinners, the sinners call me Hellmaker. And that is for I am an Angel of Retribution. And by the Right of my lord, Asmodeus, I will smite you down!

And after a ponderous monologue, the demon-spawn launched a devastating attack upon our braves. It swung its heavy flail, crushing the bone and sinew of everything that tried to make a stand against it. The Hellmaker proved to be worth of its name. Crushing Thelon, mangling Bolwyn and decimating Orgot, only Posco managed to escape from sure doom. Wounded captain Saltskin by his side, they ascended back to Luskans streets, grieving for the terrible outcome of the supposed-to-be triumph.

At the Seven Sails Inn, Posco wept for his fallen comrades, as did Agmuind Saltskin, although he was still glad to be among the living. The small halfling drowned his sorrow into a jug of beer, as fell into nightmare infested slumber. Hours later, Posco woke up as he heard screams from the streets. He followed the innkeeper and several patrons to the streets to investigate the source of this cry that was filled with terror. There, hanging head down from a top beams of a nearby house, was the rest of the adventurers. As they

were lowered, the rescuers saw that Bolwyn and Thelon were both grievously injured , but Orgot had sustained an injury with far more serious consequences. His will had been shattered. As the rest regained their strength and vigor back in a week or two, Orgot never became the same wretch of an orc again. To top this, they all had a text "Hellmaker" carved to their chests.

There was no apparent reason why Hellmaker had spared their lives, except to show his power over life and death. And also now he had three walking signs of his victory.

Preparations

Next week was full of errands for the upcoming expedition. Dwarven merchant Jando Karakas was the one to deliver all the items and equipment, rations and supplies for the voyage, and a long hours were spent planning for the delivery lists. By the initiative of Enoch Crowgale, the expedition members also met each other for the first time. And here is the full list of men who boarded Saltskins ship and headed to north to search for glory:

• Enoch Crowgale - The Expedition Leader, scribe and mastermind.
• Konrad Haldurssen - the financer, according to his own words, wishes to experience adventure one more time.
• Nespil Crowgale - Head of Security
• Artyom - Mercenary muscle from the Red Dogs
• Gorim - Haldurssens personal bodyguard
• Onarr - Also Haldurssens man, able smith too.
• Thyngall Pedersen - Tracker/ranger, head of navigation
• Hornbori - Paid muscle
• Faerhar Bogomoloff - Beast of burden and a workman
• Abigail Bousson - Priestess of Valkur that Haldurssen personally requested to take part.

And of course our heroes, Bolwyn, Thelon, Orgot and Posco who were hired by Crowgale to provide muscle, security, dirty jobs and general adventuring. This group of fourteen was to defy the dangers of the uncharted north. 

Few days later our laborers paid a visit to the office of merchant Jando. Final arrangements for the delivery were agreed upon and while they were idle, Karakas offered a small task at the wharves. His warehouse number four had been apparently overrun by "ghosts" or so the dockers and teamsters say. As they had nothing better in their hands, the adventurers promised to investigate this dilemma. Jando hinted that the dockworkers had been spending awful a lot of time at the Cutlass recently.  

Above mentioned group of slackers were at the Cutlass as Karakas had foretold. They were reluctant to come with the heroes but one of them finally gave up and agreed to show them the fourth warehouse. The wharves were a gloomy place even during a day, and the perimeter around the warehouse in question was exceptionally bad. The dockworker refused to go nearer so the lads had to continue alone for the door. But an eerie and ghastly sound interrupted them. This wailing seemed to originate from a nearby crate, and inside this wooden hideout, a small wretch of a man was found. The little thug sobbed that his boss, Mantor had forced him to mimic ghosts and spooks to scare off unwanted visitors.

Encouraged by this earthly explanation for ghostly sounds, they stormed in and found out that gang of

Artists careful demonstration how two bears, uniting their strenght
could easily best a damsel (who now on is in serious distress) 

criminals had turned the building into a animal cage fight center. At the time being, there were two ferocious bears battling against each other, with two dozen men cheering and placing bets outside the cage. Mantor, the organizer and kingpin behind the show tried his best to fend off the intruders, but ended up being eaten alive by his own pet-ursidae, and boy did those two battle bears feast on his meat. The warehouse was quickly purified from gamblers and hostile animals, although those two bears were dangerous to calm.

Jando Karakas was glad that the issue with the warehouse was solved once and for all, and promised a small surprise bonus among the goods he was to deliver for Saltskins ship later during the passing week. And so the time passed and finally the day of departure arrived. Luskan bathed in the light of dawn as last crates, barrels and sacks of supplies were hauled into the cargo hold of the Virgin Ingrid, Captain Saltskins trusty ship.

Few numbered group of family and relatives were waving their goodbyes to the sailors and expedition members, sobbing farewells as everyone knew that death was waiting for some, if not everyone, and the hope for loved ones safe return was thin at best. It was 12th of Flamerule, when Virgin Ingrid departed from the relative safety of Luskans harbor. All the necessary preparations were done, and the men let their lives in the hands of their faith or fate. As the seagulls sung their farewells, the ship float to the open.

Even captain Saltskin doubted on what he had agreed upon
There was not a single soul that didn't have a seed of doubt in it, because from now on, they all would be on a collision course with the unknown, whatever it would be. 

Their destinies were out there, where even the gods wouldn't serve as witnesses. 

Chapter Two: Fearmonger and the Red Dog

Session was held 29th of December at the Penthouse of Pain

"Hot steaming sulphurous depths under the frozen dome. And I tell you, there was fertile green!"
- Mordgóin Gemgrinder, expedition leader

Nespil Crowgale

They had just laid their feet upon the Luskanese soil when a brawl broke out between our brave mercenaries and a band of thugs known as the Amazing Luskan Lads. These lads were easy to defeat but their leader, Windmill Hágo, knocked the wind out of Thelon. After gathering their earthly belongings and reviving Thelon, our party stepped forth towards the Luskanese streets.

Old man Crowgale asked our hired blades to escort him to his apartment, where he would ensue furious study of Valgaerd Whitefarers logbook. But something was not right as they arrived to the house. A unknown man of familiar stature had taken the initiative to make himself comfortable at Enochs place. Our bloodhounds readied themselves for fight but the situation came to nothing as Enoch slapped the man into order. An exact copy of his more book-oriented father, the man was Nespil Crowgale. He had finished his current campaign among the ranks of a mercenary company and was enjoying well deserved downtime.

Brothel grappling at its finest, our heroes had nothing to do with it.

Elder Crowgale was left to his ponderous books as Nespil and the gang agreed to go for few pints. He recommended the lads to visit his company, the Red Dog Mercenary Company, as he finds the service for Commander Klemens Greybeard a suitable way for our heroes to gain renown, wealth and power. Our braves agreed to pay a visit to companys garrison at some point, but for now they focused on booze. One led to dozen, and suddenly they were following Nespil to some shady alleys under the Reavers Run, a street that separates the bad parts of Luskan from the really horrific part. Nespils pace introduced them to a brothel where fleshly delights were for grabs. Many of our hunks turned down the offers, but master Posco chose a pretty halfling lass to his side for the night, as did Nespil. The rest of the group was quickly thrown out from the brothel, as such virtuous homosexuals possess no benefit to a enterprise of that trade.

Red Dog Mercenary Company herald

Oh the dew and the first rays of the sun, morning came with a hangover. After few breathers the four were on the move again, this time for the mercenary company. It was located near the South Gate and officer called Remyl Tiberin received them. Few soldiers were practicing at the closed courtyard as our heroes waited for commander Greybeard to attend their business. With the commanders side arrived a huge red dog that had more in common with wolves than ordinary canines, and at some point Bolwyn was sure the dog was whispering to Klemens Greybeard. Nevertheless, it was quickly agreed that our four men would perform few missions for the company, for a good pay of course. Half-elf crossbowman Artyom was ordered to gather a recon party for the Great Ice Lakes in the north, and our mercenary heroes would be part of them. Artyom emphasizes the importance of a light package for the reconnaissance mission.

Rest of the day was spared for general armament, as the team had few coins put aside from the Icepeak adventure. Red Dragon Trading Company at the Mirabar district in the northern Luskan offered good selection of mundane arms and equipment, but for something little bit special our heroes had to follow a different route. A mage of the Arcane Brotherhood sold a mercantile permit for them to use at the Arcane Host tower, if they would like to purchase magical equipment. This was one of the few not so subtle signs that the Arcane Brotherhood controlled the city with an iron fist.

The Horde

Time flew and the new dawn came. Everybody was ready at the Red Dog company. Artyom introduced the helping hands of their mission, half-orc ranger Greenbeard and his two blades and "Chest" Lundolph von Yegor, rich lesser noble in his platemail. As the gates opened, the small band headed north with great haste. Reports from the northern rangers indicated that something was happening at the Ice Lakes, and few small villages had already been sacked with their denizens nowhere to be seen. Artyom had planned their way to the village of Claysheaf where they could obtain more information about the current situation.

King of Waterdeep

But no feet travel the speed of a hoof, so our scouts had to set for a night in a roadside inn called Heaven of Wilderness. The innkeeper Grikoris welcomed them to his quiet inn, where few patrons were changing yesterdays news. The stale air of the inn was soon disrupted by a man known as the Raven. He sat, drank and answered to an old man who asked about his inquires, and then left. Dazed geezer replied the mans sentence "The northwind shall harvest the yield, the rest are left for death". Many were shocked and the patrons left the inn quietly, and Grikoris explained that the Raven was notorious for speaking with few words, but those few predicted always what was upcoming, and thus the patrons were scared away by this ill divination.

New day and new adventures awaited. After half days travel on the old mercantile road, a group of dwarven merchants came upon our adventurers. One of the stunties was lying badly wounded inside their wagon, and the rest explained that poor bastard had taken a hit from the lance of the King of Waterdeep. Artyom identifies the name as a mad man who has been ravaging the northern countrysides for years now. The dwarves were given a promise that the lunatic would be slain if met. Well, it didn't take long before our heroes had to live up to their words. A knight in tattered outfit charged the party with mount and lance, striking with devastating force. He had a withered old man as a follower, who shouted "kneel before the king" as they plunged against our mercenaries blades. And thus they plunged to their deaths.

Rest of the days journey went without further encounters and the party rested well. Artyoms swift feet guided them towards the village of Claysheaf and by the mid-day they reached it. But the village was already ravaged and its denizens were gone. Nothing was burned nor looted but six corpses lied at the village central. They were strong men but there they lied beheaded in the mud. After quick search and investigation, a reason for villages ill-fate was found, and some barbaric slavers were the main suspect. Fortunately, a strong set of tracks led towards north and our scouting party engaged a pursuit in hopes for rescuing the rest of the villagers.

Fourth day of their adventure to the Ice Lakes begun with sad news. The corpses of a woman and her child were found on the trail, a grim remainder of the distress that the villagers were in. Greenbeard the ranger guided our pursuiters to a willow thicket, that camouflaged their advancement. Soon they reached a covered hilltop, from where they saw to a narrow pass, with a opening of a chasm in the other end of it. Three men clad in red&black military garments were guarding the chasm, with their apparent officer currently paying a visit to their position. Closer examination revealed that these men were actually hobgoblins, cruel humanoids of military breed. Our braves overheard their discussion where the officer reminded the guards that commander was on his way to take the prisoners to the enclave. As the officer and its men left the guards, our scouts decided to make their move. Arrows and bolts were shot, and a quick charge struck the surviving guardsmen down. Then our mercenaries decided to charge the chasm, and they reached a safe opening to one of the ice lakes. The open cove had some makeshift prisoncages in it where the villagers were held. Bunch of hobgoblins that were to guard the prisoners were soon struck down and the prisoners were freed.

Chest Lundolph taking a hit to abdomen

The mercenaries decided to leave the cove as soon as possible and as they proceed with caution, a trap was set against them as they tried to leave through the rift. This entity known as the Commander had arrived with its troops, and they scorched the chasms opening with firebombs. Our braves had no choice than charge through the fires and face the horde of more than a dozen hobgoblins and their bugbear Commander. The bloodlusting bastards shouted "Kongrike ov Hvítrfjell", a  menacing motto that caught Bolwyns ear. Luck was on our heroes side as Thelons sword found a opening in Commanders guard, and he struck down the beast with a single hit. Rest of the hobgoblins were slain and driven away with ease, as their ranks broke.

The heading was set to the village as our scouts escorted the surviving villagers back home. As they later arrived to Claysheaf, the village elder Isólf expressed their gratitude for saving them. Our scouts set their destination back to Luskan as Artyom felt that it was rather urgent to report from their findings. He was quite sure that a horde of some sort was gathering at the Ice Lakes and they were amassing slaves to this Enclave that the officer had mentioned. Quick march back was a strenuous one, but they made it in record time.

Lord Konrad Haldurssen

Back at the Red Dog Mercenary Company, Greybeard was intrigued by their intelligence and he was sure that they would launch a campaign of some sort to take down the enclave, in not so distant future. Before retiring for pints and good sleep, our brave lads decided to pay a visit to Enoch to see if he had discovered something. As they arrived to Crowgales apartment, old rich looking man and he's bodyguard left the building. Crowgale waved them inside and explained that old man to be Lord Konrad Haldurssen, the patron of their upcoming expedition. And yes, Enoch revealed that he had discovered yet even more than he ever dared to hope for...