As the flow of time mysteriously resumes, we find the goblins preparing to attack our heroes. Unbeknownst to the goblins, however, Nightstone was a popular location for adventurers looking for a comfortable bed. The first of these weary adventurers is Amon, The Metal Man. Amon is a rarity in this world, a being known as a warforged. Said to be created by the mortal races but also possessing a soul like them; this warforged was a trained fighter, ready to take up arms at any time. The other adventurer was Vorzal, a shifter who had something else in common besides some beastial traits with a certain Kenku: Vorzal was a monk as well. Being seasoned adventurers, these two knew a group of goblins preparing for battle by an inn could be up to nothing good. Meanwhile, at the inn, the heroes luckily knew about the upcoming attack thanks to Mitsui, who just so happened to be sitting on the steps and noticed the goblins approaching. So with our heroes in the inn and these new adventurers coming into town, the goblins really had no chance of victory.
In the morning, our heroes were aroused by loud cries of “Kella Darkhope! Kella Darkhope! Kella Darkhope!” A half elf, named Xolkin Alassander, was crying out her name. He was leading a group of six warriors. When the party came out, they found Kella already outside, talking with the newcomers.This timid woman was now full of confidence as she told our heroes that she was part of the Zhentarim, and she had come to Nightstone to claim the town for the Zhentarim. She gave the adventurers two options: either they could work with her, or they could leave town. Atlas chose to leave the group; working with the Zhentarim was not something he could accept.
Our five remaining heroes agreed to search the rest of the town and see what was left. Another adventurer arrived at this time. This humanoid man practiced an ancient ritual known as blood magic, for he was a blood hunter. Varyn was his name, and he was happier to work with the Zhentarim than the others were. Our heroes explored the town while the Zhentarim fortified it, and soon, they found Nandar Keep. A moat separated the keep from the village. Under normal circumstances, the townsfolk could just cross the bridge with no issue. With the recent giant attack, however, the bridge was now destroyed. Our heroes though were determined to get across. Mitsui’s acrobatics allowed her to cross with style, but some of the others, unfortunately, took a tumble into the water below.
In the keep,they found four guards who had survived the attack. The guards were devastated to learn the village, which had been destroyed, was now being taken over by an outside party. Their leader, Lady Nandar, was dead, having been trapped by falling rubble and couldn’t escape. Her guards had eventually dug her out and had laid her body out on a table. They had no leadership and no one to follow. They turned to the adventurers for help. Mitsui tried communicating with the remaining guards. It took a while, but she eventually managed to make them understand she was asking where the townsfolk may have gone? The guards thought they may have hidden themselves in a cave about a mile north of town. Mitsui was adamant about bringing people home and keeping the village safe for them and not the Zhentarim. The guards asked for help, and Varyn suggested a plan to ambush the Zhentarim. They would tell them the keep was full of guards, and they were being attacked and needed help. They would also need to take a guard hostage to fool the Zhentarim. While hesitant, one of the guards agreed to it.
Swimming back across the moat and returning to the Zhentarim, Varyn presented the hostage to Kella.He explained that the others were still in the keep, fighting off numerous guards, and they needed backup. Kella scowled at Varyn, asking why he had kept the guard alive. He explained he thought they would appreciate a hostage. Kella ordered Varyn to kill the guard, which Varyn quickly did. He was the one who originally wanted to side with the Zhentarim in the beginning. They then proceeded to the moat and threw the dead guard into the water.
Our heroes all crossed the moat, preparing to ambush the Zhentarim, yet the world was not ready for this encounter. The mysterious darkness encroached once more as time yet again mysteriously slowed to a stand still.
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