Episode 14 - Lonelywood: The Hunt for the White Moose

With the mines given the all clear by speaker Masthew our band of adventurers packed up their belongings and readied the sleds. Halfdan and Nemeia agreed to accompany them on the short trek to Lonelywood. Our foursome had become six. On the journey Aldrick and Halfdan conversed and Aldrick imparted everything that had happened since his arrival in the Ten Towns along with what they learnt about the Neverending Rime that was keeping Icewindale in a perpetual winter.

As our heroes arrived in town they made for the lake shore and the docks. Tor caught herself staring out at the frozen waters of Maer Dualdon, remembering their first encounter with an awakened beast. She couldn't help but think these rumours of a deadly white moose attacking loggers and trappers in the forest were somehow related. 

The sleds and dogs were stabled nearby and the gold was handed over. Grom paid extra to make sure the dogs were well fed and looked after. They had become an important part of the group and so we're well deserving of it. Heading towards the "Lucky Liar Tavern" they passed by a small shop by the name of "The Happy Scrimshander". Grom popped in and agreed a good price for the 4 carvings that had been recovered from the Yeti Cave high on "Kelvin's Cairn".

At the "Lucky Liar" our party was greeted by the tavern’s raven-haired barkeep, Danae Xotal. The common room was busy for this time of day. Halfdan stepped into the middle of the room and proclaimed "A gold for any tales about this deadly moose"! Many in the room looked up from their tables and clammered to tell their story. Many of the tavern's patrons where sporting injuries. Broken bones and missing digits. After a number of similar tales regarding the moose Halfdan handed the barkeep 10 gold and told her to keep the ale flowing for the townsfolk and that any evil in the area would soon be vanquished! 

Asking about accomodation for the evening Danae told our heroes that unfortunately the Lucky Liar was merely a tavern and the towns only inn the Ramshackle had been closed for some time. But if they were seeking the town speaker"Nimsy Huddle" then she rented out rooms to travellers. And so our party departed the Lucky Liar on route to the Speaker's house. Speaker Huddle was a cheerful halfling who greeted our heroes with freshly baked cookies. They discussed at some length the recent attacks on the locals aswell as the supposed infiltration of ten towns by elements based in Targos. Aldrick made comment that despite having visited Targos they had not met the town speaker. Nimsy informed them that the Targos town speaker was a human named Naerth Maxildanarr. A recent new comer to the region. 

On the business of the white moose that had been terrorising the locals she offered a reward of 250gp for it's head. Speaker Huddle also told the story of how the only inn in town closed after its last owner had hung himself two years ago. Some locals believe that the hanging was staged to conceal his murder at the hands of some old “friends” of his. The building is currently being used for storing timber but anyone interested in an investment would be welcome to purchase it. And idea that seemed to tickle Halfdan's fancy.

And so our heroes made for the woods. Picking up various tracks a good survival roll from Halfdan set the path. After about an hour the group noticed that they were being stalked themselves by a pack of hungry wolves.

Using her Druidic ability to communicate with nature Tor cast speak with animals and managed to convince the hungry wolf pack that no harm would come to them if they were allowed to pass through their territory in return for some of their dried meat rations. 

Moving further into the forest the party were able to continue to follow what they believed to be moose tracks in the snow. Soon the forest turned dark and the already frozen temperature seemed to drop even further. The air was still, the forest became deathly silent and even the trees appeared twisted and decayed. Halfdan invoked his Paladin ability to detect undead spirits and it appeared that some foul spirit was indeed close. As the party came upon a disturbed barrow they were set upon by the vengeful spirits of a banshee.

The banshee emerged letting out a terrifying blood curdling wail that chilled some of our heroes to their bones. Halfdan and Nemeia looked at each other, gave a nod, drew their weapons and charged! "Foul being, prepare to return to whence you came!" 

The Banshee's wail affected Grom as he failed his saving roll. Undeterred the rest of the group unleashed a sustained assault against the undead spirit and despite not having any magical weapons were able to successfully vanquish it.

A short while later and the party were hot on the trail of the moose. Picking up it's tracks Tor cast "Pass Without Trace" and the group made their way deeper into the forest until they found their quarry near some ancient ruins deep in the forest. Our heroes decided to set an ambush for the moose. They took up positions near the ruins and would lure it over.

Unbeknownst to our heroes the moose was not alone! As they went to take up positions, a shadow moved within the ruins and suddenly it became apparent that whoever was controlling the moose was also present. A Frost Druid emerged and ordered our heroes to leave or suffer the wrath of Auriel. An exchange between Tor and the frost druid Ravasin ended with initiative being rolled and violence erupted. Ravasin unleashed her powerful magic and conjured not one but two powerful polar bears. 

Confined within the ruins these large beasts found it difficult to both get into melee with Halfdan and so one of them tried to circle around to get to Aldrick who was supporting with his ranged spell attacks from behind the ruins. Shayde darted in and out of combat landing deadly hits with added sneak attack damage. Meanwhile Tor and Grom engaged with the moose that had advanced through the trees to join. 

Ravasin unleashed a deadly ice storm on Shayde and Grom casing heavy damage. 

With both sides taking heavy damage and Halfdan having to be healed by Nemeia Tor took the opportunity to invoke her combat wild shape, transforming into a brown bear and scrambling forward to attack Ravasin who was having to concentrate on her conjured animals.

Grom switched up his crossbow for his trusty double blades great axe but was felled by the giant moose. 

Once one of Ravasin's conjured polar bears had fallen she gave up her concentration on the spell in order to unleash another but it was too late as Halfdan and Tor surrounded her and the druid was overcome. 

Alerted by Grom's scream the rest of the group rushed over to finish of the giant moose. With their enemies defeated and Grom restored to Health it was time to take stock of x hard fought victory. Our adventurers would be able to return to Lonelywood and claim their reward. 

And so another epic session of our campaign closes and our heroes have taken another step on the path of freeing the ten towns from the Tyranny of the Frost Maiden. Tor especially happy having defeated those who would taint the natural order.

To be continued..................