23rd session

After getting out of the oubliette, the heroes went on to explore the temple of Baphomet, the Well of Demons. They found the missing book in an empty shrine. Now they had the 4 items the ghosts had said would be needed to open the doors to the inner sanctum. They decided to rest up before placing the 4 items in the 4 ritual circles, something which should summon the guardians.

Tirsday 17th Auktaubor, year 25
All pumped up and ready, the heroes spread out, each standing with an item, ready to put it in one of the ritual circles. The guardians were released, and it was, as the ghosts had said, skeletal dragons, breathing necrotic energy. The fight didn't last long, and the only one in any immediate danger seemed to be Truxas. The guardians dead, the heroes continued into the Inner Sanctum. Which was empty. There was a note (impaled into an altar with a sacrificial dagger), saying:

To the adventurers from the oubliette:
If you are reading this, it means that you somehow survived your time in there.
Know this. You have crossed me and my Lord, and interfered with our plans.
This will not be forgotten, nor forgiven. My Lord and Master has assured me that both you and your families,
all that you have dear, will suffer the consequences, sooner than later.
Your homes will burn, your females will be raped, and your children will be eaten
Yourselves will die a brutal and painful death on his altars.

For the glory of Yeenoghu
Maldrick Scarmaker.

Deciding that the gnolls must have left the place behind, the heroes zapped back to Drahar and the Church of Kord.

Once home again, they met with Trevor. He told them that there was still no word of Zeke. The Church had learned from books from the SPH that the tomb of Zorich did not contain the corpse of the Exarch, but instead it contained two artifacts. But when the Church of the Keeper returned from the Feywild, there was no artifacts in the tomb. Moreso, the casting of some rituals had provided a little more information: Zeke was indeed the one who removed those two artifacts from the tomb, and he is still in the Feywild. Not knowing what Zeke could be up to, this worries Trevor to no end, and he wishes for you to go after Zeke, "deal" with him, and return with the artifacts so that they can be examined by the Church of Kord. Naturally, everyone agree.

Then they met with the Council, to discuss some formalia, and with Clarence, the recently appointed Steward of Kegar Manor. He gave them a lot of information regarding things, and plans were made to stay in contact with him. The heroes even tried to find a cleric/mage that could be sent to Kegar Manor to help Clarence keeping in touch with his Lords.

Onsday 18th Auktaubor, year 25
They also made a round trip to the manor, to inspect the grounds and make a few plans. They found a portal in the cellar.

Torsday 19th Auktaubor, year 25
It was time to head to the Feywild. Problem is, where the hell do you access the Feywild from. Waiting for the Church to shift back in seemed like an idea, but several thought it would by silly to sit around and wait for something that might or might not happen in a month. It was decided to look for a more permanent portal, and who better than Gendar to provide some info about a portal?

Torn zapped the heroes to the Seven Pillared Hall, and 500 gp lighter, they had some information.

They were told to head to the forest directly south of the Thunderspire Mountains, follow the river to the west, and find the elves about a day's travel from the end of the river.

Torn's Phantom Steeds made the travel a short one. By evening they arrived at the end of the river, and made camp. Soon an Ettin and his pet dire bear just happened to walk past their campsite. A short but very bloody battle followed, with Carric and Gnoguh both escaping the cold grasp of the Raven Queen by just a hair's breath, but in the end, the heroes prevailed.