Episode 6 - Easthaven

The pristine white snow covering the ground of the "Eastway" just outside the town limits of Easthaven now blood spattered from the encounter with Torrga Icevein and her murderous bodyguard Saphek Kaltro would be a sign to anyone who approached what had occurred. Taking a minute to catch their breath our victorious band of heroes dragged the bodies of the fallen towards Torgga's wagon. The bodies of the sled dogs piled up, the frozen ground to hard to dig graves to bury anyone. 

An investigation of the bodies resulted in a smooth non metallic ornate ring decorated with 3 snowflake motifs on one of Kaltro's fingers, cold to touch, along with 2 documents. The first a mariners contract to sail from Luskan to Icewindale and the second what appeared to be a love letter addressed to Saphek from "Emma". No weapons or coins about his person. A small key on a chain around Torgga's neck was found . Both of these items were pocketed and a thorough search of the wagon was undertaken. As well as the supplies of basic weapons, armour, adventuring gear and other typical trade goods the party found a locked box which was opened with the key found around Torgga's neck. Inside was a small trove of 7 gemstones (25GP each), 184 GP, 152 SP & 250CP. More surprisingly under the drivers seat of the wagon was found the frozen corpse of a half elf male with a bounty poster indicating he was wanted in Luskan. 

Our Party managed to find some rolls of canvas and used it to wrap the bodies of Torgga & Saphek so they could be loaded onto the wagon with plans to take their bodies and the supplies on the wagon back to Targos to collect the reward from Hiln Trollbane. Whilst taking the time to clean up the aftermath of their skirmish on the outskirts of town our party was alerted to the sound of a crowd leaving the town of Easthaven and heading towards the shore of Lac Dinneshere. As the procession headed towards the lake 2 members of the crowd peeled away and headed up the road towards our band of adventurers. They introduced themselves as Captain Imdra Arlaggath the commander of the towns militia and Town Speaker Danneth Waylen. Inquiring into what had happened Aldrick explained what had befallen them as they approached town and the ensuing confrontation with Torgga Icevein, and furthermore that Saphek Kaltro had confessed to the recent spate of murders and that he was acting on the instructions of Auril the Frost Maiden. They had also found the frozen corpse of another body on Torgga's wagon. It was their intention to return to Bryn Shander and Targos with the wagon and bodies as proof that the murderer had been dealt with following their initial involvement with interested parties there. 

Captain Imdra tossed our heroes a small purse containing 20Gp and said that they would take care of it from here. When asked about the crowd she went on to inform them that they were taking a convicted murder - A Thayan Red Wizard named Dzaan, who had been found guilty of murdering a party of adventurers. Having been found guilty he is to be burned at the steak, as a warning to others as much as anything. The party followed speaker Waylen and Captain Arlaggath over to the lake shore and watched on as the pyre was lit and Dazaan was engulfed in flames. The cheering and baying of the crowd somewhat dimmed in Aldrick's mind as he noticed that the Red Wizard made no sound, gave no cry as the flames licked about and set fire to his robes. The horrendous spectacle ended as it started with the crowd marching its way back into Easthaven. Before leaving Captain Imdra turned to the party and told them about a group of fishers who had gone missing out on Lac Dinneshere. Knowing of their involvement in the altercation outside of town asked if they would be interested in looking into this matter. The fishers have been missing for a tenday. At this point Grom interjects to state that being the case then they're probably dead. Captain Imdra agrees with them but that the families deserve to know one way or the other. Aldrick asks if any of Dzaan's property have been confiscated and if so they would be willing to help in exchange for access to his personal belongings as it could help them with their own investigations into the whereabouts and actions of possible members of the "Arcane Brotherhood". 

Our band of heroes made for the first Inn they could find, "The White Lady Inn". They secured rooms for the next couple of days and order food and drinks from the landlord Bartaban. As they enjoyed their meal a halfling bard called Rinaldo began to pluck his fiddle and recount the tale of the "White Lady", a ghost rumored to walk the Lac and a local legend after whom the inn is named. Engrossed by the story of the "White Lady" and her miserly husband Rinaldo invited the group to attend a seance he was planning later that evening around midnight in the back room of the Inn.  Finishing their meal our band of heroes retire o their rooms to rest and recover from their battle with Torgga and Saphek, Aldrick taking the time to inscribe another spell from Astrix's spellbook into his own and Shayde learning the properties of the ring that was taken from Saphek Kaltro - Ring of the Maiden's Servant.

Just before midnight our heroes returned to the common room where they were met by the eagerly waiting Rinaldo who lead them through to the back room along with a 4 or 5 other locals. Smoke from candles and burning incense filled the small room where the guests sat uncomfortably around the table as Rinaldo proceeds to invoke the spirit of the "White Lady". The lights flickered and the room began to take on a cold icy feel as a thick layer of frost covers the rooms windows. Sensing that the "White Lady" is present Rinaldo invites the gusts to ask her questions. Our adventurers start with a question about Duergar. All of a sudden writing starts to appear on the frosted window with the words BAD............CAER DINEVAL...............CAER KONG......................EAST HAVEN FERRY. Next they ask about the missing fishers and if they are still alive, on a second window the follow words appear NO............CAVE.............HAG..............STEW. Lastly Aldrick asks if there is anything that they can do to help the lady maybe find peace or rest. At this point the writing stopped, the air turned colder and all the lights went dark. The room became filled with an invisible malevolent force which attacked. This sent the local townsfolk and Rinaldo fleeing from the room as our heroes rolled initiative and prepared to do battle with this angry ghost or poltergeist as it turned out to be.

With no ability to see in the Dark Aldrick turned to the spell "See Invisibility". Guided only by sound and Aldrick's direction our heroes swung wildly (rolling at disadvantage) as they tried to land hits on this invisible foe. Tor launched Faerie Fire but the poltergeist easily avoided her aim. Shayde with her assassin's instinct did manage to land a few hits but the poltergeist using its telekinetic thrust to slam Aldrick into the far wall. The following turn it launched the table across the room o do further damage. Luckily a couple of rounds later and the combination of lucky rolls and magic missile spells put an end to the spirit and it vanished as suddenly as it had appeared. The candles flickered back into life and the temperature slowly started to return to normal.

Aldrick, Shayde, Grom and Tor made their way through to the main common room where they found a nervous looking Rinaldo and a worried but angry Bartaban. Allaying their fears that the Ghost of the White Lady had been dealt with and that Rinaldo should maybe compensate Bartaban for any damage to the Inn interior and furniture, albeit with a wry smile, Aldrick questioned the Barkeep about the Easthaven Ferry and any potential Duergar sightings. Bartaban was able to tell them that the Ferry was almost opposite the Inn at the end of a long wooden pier but it had been stuck in the frozen waters of Lac Dinneshere for some time. The Ferrymaster and owner, one Scython - spent his days mostly drinking at the Wet Trout tavern on the far side of town. With some quick healing from Tor the four decided to head out into the cold night to investigate the pier and the ice stuck ferry. 

Making their way along the timber pier towards the ferry, our heroes were able to discern a number of Dwarven sized boot prints going back and forth from the ferry. With no lights or other signs of life the party made their way as quietly as possible towards the gerry. Shayde lead the way to the cabin at the rear ov the ferry. Cautiously opening the door the small cabin at first appears empty but for 5 sleeping bags and some bags against the back wall and a small desk. As Aldrick approached behind Shayde still able to see invisible creatures he was able to notice a Duergar hiding behind the door. Calling for the others to join a quick flourish of attacks and the Duergar was rendered unconscious. A rummage through the desk lead to the finding of some papers and a map of Icewindale indicating 2 locations. The first an "outpost" near Kelvin's Cairn, the second named "Sunblight" in the spine of the world mountains to the south. 

Before they could rouse the unconscious captive and interrogate him a small band of Duergar arrived back at the ferry, their arrival alerted by Lookout from the edge of the ferry. Seeing the party onboard the ferry the Duergar magically enlarged and rushed forward to engage our heroes. The skirmish latest a number of closely fought rounds where victory was never certain, but with some lucky rolls and well placed spells our band of adventurers prevailed and the Duergar were defeated. 

Waking the unconscious Duergar who had been tied up prior to his comrades arrival, Grom set about his interrogation. The Duergar revealed his name was Durth, son of Xardorook Sunblight. They were sent on a mission by his father to collect "Dark Crystals" that are being used by Xardorook to build a machine of horrible destruction. Lastly Durth, seemingly oblivious to his own impending demise let it be known that his brother Nildar commanded a further band of Duergar at the outpost near Kelvin's Cairn. Knowing that Durth would only return to his father and continue on this mission to bring destruction to the ten towns Shayde slid one of her sharp blades through the back of his neck ending his cruel sadistic life. 

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