In the frosty morning light of Glacier’s Rest, the air was crisp, and the tension palpable as the party gathered their resolve for a daring infiltration of General Ordulf Blade Caller. With merchants preparing to leave at dawn, they meticulously checked their inventory, revealing three keys: two generic single-use keys and one special key, rumored to unlock a door of great importance. The day took a lively turn when Gunther Icebreaker, the innkeeper, showcased his might by smashing blocks of ice, while Kaida Arashi dazzled onlookers with a kinesis trick that shattered ice, earning the group a night’s free lodging.
Eager for intelligence, the adventurers made their way to Massive Arms, the local smithy run by Thole the Thrice Burned. There, they learned of the area’s lack of quality gear; Kaznail Fancy Pants acquired a basic greatsword, and Aguta the Dreadice picked up a tarnished iron beetle sculpture. Thole’s unsettling tales of General Ordulf’s brutal conquest of Crownhold sparked discussions of the adlet lore, entwining their fate with the legends of winter. Their next stop was Sensible Science, where they met Einn Snowspeaker, an alchemist who engaged Aguta in a profound conversation about elemental heritage. With their preparations complete, the group chose stealth over teleportation to conserve resources and set off towards Crownhold. Kaida conjured a veil of snow to obscure their approach, while Aguta dispatched a bird-like scout to enhance their reconnaissance.
As they neared Crownhold, the party marveled at its imposing design, fortified with iron doors and vigilant guards. After confirming the doors were locked, Aguta employed Clairaudience, revealing the unsettling sounds of two intermittent roars within. Kaznail used a Brass Ear on an alternate door, detecting silence, and with guidance from Prince Bernard the Third, he deftly picked the lock, granting them access to a cramped Entry Room. Inside, they discovered a barracks filled with bunks and weapon racks; Aguta found some personal effects but opted to leave them untouched to maintain their stealth. Ascending further into the fortress, they entered a storeroom stocked with supplies and a massive Furnace Room. However, their intrusion triggered a confrontation with two Magma Elementals. Aguta attempted to shut the Furnace Room doors to contain the threat, while Prince Bernard summoned Thralls to aid in the struggle.
The battle escalated as one elemental engulfed Aguta and Prince Bernard, but Kaznail’s precise strikes began to turn the tide. The party coordinated their efforts, unleashing cold spells to solidify the elemental’s form, leading to its destruction. In the chaos, Kaida also found himself engulfed, but through teamwork and strategic assaults, they managed to defeat the second elemental and free him from its grasp. After the clash, the group quickly disposed of the elemental remains in the Furnace Room using Kaida’s Spacious Pouch, noting a decrease in heat output that necessitated a cover story. They devised a plan to simulate a heating failure by breaking the copper pipes. Additionally, they extracted two magical gemstones from a nearby door, ensuring their safety with protective gear. Using their special Vault Room key, they accessed a secured room adorned with a mural and a greatsword embedded in the wall.
Sealing themselves inside the Vault Room, the party prepared to rest, identify the gemstones, and strategize their next moves within the depths of Crownhold.
Threads to Watch:
- The significance of the special key and the door it unlocks.
- The implications of General Ordulf’s violent past on the current mission.
- The potential power of the magical gemstones extracted from the door.
- The fate of the adlet population and their connection to the party’s quest.
- The challenges posed by the Magma Elementals and their link to the fortress’s defenses.
- The strategic importance of maintaining stealth as they delve deeper into Crownhold.