Session 36

Tirsday 7th Aphryyl

Talking to Hannibal the Sage, the Godsends learn some more:

The Shadowfell, while a mirror of the mortal world just like the Feywild, is nothing like it. It's dark, evil and the dead go there before the lucky ones of them pass on to the Dominions of the Gods. In the Shadowfell, only one rule, the enigmatic Raven Queen. Which is why there are no permanent portals. They were destroyed many years ago, in order to preserve your world. What you need to do is find someone powerful, yet dark. Someone who lives on the fringe of goodness, a shade, a warlock, a witch. And the negotiate terms.

As it is, you are in luck. I know of a ... guy that knows a lot about the Shadowfell, and afaik, he happens to be in Hestavar. His name is Master Lava, and he normally hangs out over by the Golden Dragon. 

Heading over to the Golden Dragon, they meet with Master Lava, a human wizard who is very skinny and pale. He doesn't get much out, according to himself. He agrees to help them get to their destination in Shadowfell, against an equal share of the spoils. He warns them that it will be very dangerous.

Onsday 8th Aphryyl
 The next morning, the Godsends, Hwygar and Master Lava meet up at the Golden Dragon, and then head down to the docks and jump aboard the recently renamed Black Zug; then sail towards the Mortal World.

Mansday 13th Aphryyl
Arriving to the Mortal World near Drahar, it quickly becomes apparent that either the Emperor changed his mind and didn't (willingly) hand over the piece of the Divine Engine, or Orcus decided to wreck a little havoc anyway. Drahar is a smoking ruin, and so is just about every other village or town nearby.

A couple of hours heading east towards the Swamp of Death as directed by Master Lava, the ship is following by a big winged demon. They set down ship and fight the demon, who summons a small horde of carnage demons.

With the demons dead, the Godsends & co. continue towards the Swamp, where Master Lava introduces them to Mara, a young(?), beautiful tiefling. She tells them to go kill a shadowhydra that has crossed over nearby, if they wish to gain passage to the Shadowfell.

Easy said and done, and a a couple of hours later, they are back at her cabin, with a couple of hydra heads.

She then lead them back to the mound and opened a rift to the Shadowfell. Before parting ways, she did offer to "read the bones" of one of the Godsends. Hwygar and Calos both volunteered, so she did Calos. The message was about as clear as usual:

You will die within this year. You have already met your killer.

Once in the darkness of the 'fell, Lava led them out of the mound, only to run in an old friend of theirs...

I thought you were coming this way. You really ought to understand by now that you are meddling with forces beyond what you can imagine. Leave now, and I will let you live. For now.

Yes, it was the lich they last saw when he ported out of the Draharian palace with One-eyed Draco's beating heart in his hand. A long and hard battle followed, until the lich once again ported away, with a parting comment:

I must admit I may have underestimated you slightly. I am sure we will meet again soon.. really soon.