Wardens of Heroes Gate

A Clue and a Mystery

] You are in Tentowns for the annual Frozenfar Fray Games which start in just over two tendays (Uktar 20). You intentionally arrived in Bryn Shander early to give yourself some time to explore and hopefully discover something about your past, maybe even meet another person such as yourself for the first time. You got your first hint that there are others who look like you when you were in Myrtles Rest last night. She directed you to a Calishite merchant named Nim Bragos who travels along the Sword Coast and is usually in Bryn Shander this time of year. She suggested you can find him in the market – look for a large red tent with a bugbear standing outside it.

] As you arrived in Tentowns yesterday with your guide Shent, you came across a sled whose dwarven rider was dead – due to a knife made of enchanted ice. The dwarf was Hiln Trollbane – a close friend of Shent’s father Thaarnik. When you arrived at Thaarnik’s house, he was not home so Shent left you to go look for him, saying he would be back by Last Shadow. He did not arrive.

] You awake to the sun peering in thru a small window in Thaarniks round stone home. There is no sign of Shent or his father.

Dawndra] I go outside to find a spot in the sun to practice Heavens Orbit for a while.

] You practice in the space behind Thaarniks round stonehouse. Off to the side, the covered sled which hides the body of Hlin Trollbane remains untouched. The cold air and the bright morning sun combined with your breathing practice enlivens you [+2 Ki]

Dawndra] After my practices, I ready my pack and hide my valuables and head to the market to find Nim Bragos.

] You walk towards the market with the East Gate at your back. As you near, you can smell the product of many food merchants. The market is busy this forecrex. You notice a large number of adventuring parties – armed to the hilt and provisioning for extensive excursions into the surrounding areas. The large red tent of Nim Bragos, as Myrtle said, is hard to miss – even set back into the north-west corner of the market.

Dawndra] I feel a surge of excitement for what is about to happen… All these years thinking I would never discover who I was… and to meet someone who might know… I walk over to the red tent.

] Standing outside the tent is a large bugbear… larger and taller than yourself by a little. He stands behind a set of open shelves which have all sorts of cloth goods, robes and cloaks, shirts and shawls. Some are finely woven and some are crafted from furs with thick white hair.

] Bugbear “You buy?” he says, lifting up the corner of some garment. “Best pelts.” he half-heartedly boasts as he points to a stack of thick white cloaks.

Dawndra] “No, I just…”

] He looks like he suddenly recogizes you and does a little head bow. “You wait” he says and then ducks inside the low entrance of the scarlet red tent. Moments later he crouches back out. “You enter.” he says, holding the tent flap aside for you.

Dawndra] “Thank you.” I step into in the tent.

] You feel like you just walked into another part of the world as step into the dry heat inside the tent. There are silken shawls hanging everyone and the rich smell of exotic spices fills your senses. In the center of the tent there is a ring of large cushions around a low table. Sitting at the table with his back to you is a bronze-skinned halfling with thick black hair. He stands and reaches for a brass pot in the center of the table and you notice that he is nearly naked – with the exception of a silky white loincloth which is not long enough.

] Nim “Shavisala! You are just in time for some White Dragon Black Tea. I know you like it.” He says with just a glance backwards at you. “Your item has just arrived! But I thought we would be sending it to you by…” He turns fully towards you, mid-sentence, offering a cup of steaming white liquid. He stops short as he realizes you are not who he thought. “Oh! Why you are not… Oh my… Please please, sit with me.” He places the cup of tea on the table for you. “I am Nim Bragos – world tradesman and purveyor of fine and exotic soft things. How can I serve?”

Dawndra] “I am called Dawndra. I am here because I am looking for my kin and kind and was told you might know someone who looks like me. Is this Shavisala… is she like me?”

] Nim “Oh dear… I wish I had not her name fall from mouth… but yes. She is, as you say… like you. Except for your age, you look nearly identical. I was not aware she had kin, but looking at you, I would think it obvious.”

Dawndra] I place a stack of gold pieces on the table “I have spent my entire life without the truth… not knowing who or even what I am. Please tell me how I can find this Shavisala?”

] Nim “Please.” he says scooting the coin stack back towards you… “I am no greedy bar keep with a mouthful of rumor. I do know this… Shavisala has been searching for a daughter… many years now. You would not, by any chance, have a rather… special… hair pin? One made seemingly of ice?”

Dawndra] My heart leaps, and at the same time I feel a bit suspicious. “A hair pin?”

] Nim “Yes. Shavisala has had me searching for it… several years now and I’ve had no luck… Which is frustrating because usually… well nevermind me. Really, she has had me searching for the one wearing the hair pin. She has one herself – fantastic article really – I was amazed when she demonstrated. It is made of ice, but hard as adamantine. It never melts and with a whim, she can transform it into sword or spear. Her lost daughter would be carrying the same hair pin she told me. Now normally, I am no people finder. I hunt objects… special objects… and I’m reknown for being good at finding such artifacts. That is how Shavisala and I met. She is among my best customers. She is quite a collector of arcane artifacts and also among the most powerful druids to have ever stepped a foot in Icewind Dale.”

Dawndra] I pull my hair pin and let my hair fall. “Does this mean Shavisala is my mother?” I hold out the pin and transform it to sword length.

] Nim “My my… does it ever. Four years now I’ve been searching and here you just walk in. I would say that does indeed prove that you are the lost daughter. That… plus your striking resemblance.”

Dawndra] “Tell me… where is my mother? How can I find her?”

] Nim “She lives in the Spine, in a stronghold called Alzvar. I’ve not been there myself but I’ve had many deliveries sent there by messenger. In fact I have one to send even now – I’ve been looking to hire a messenger to deliver something to Alzvar. The Red Drakes, my usual messengers, have not yet returned from the last delivery.” He pauses dramtically… and then stands up quickly, his loincloth flapping “I’ve had an idea! You can deliver the item to Alzvar! If you are the adventurous type that is… ” He looks you up and down smiling. “Of course you are! And of course you will be wanted to go there anyway.” He turns towards the back of the tent and yells “Norli! We need you out here.” He throws a slipper against the curtains.

] From behind the wall of hanging silks steps a female halfling. Her long hair is a soft black which flows over her red silken robes. She smiles and nods as she makes eye contact with you.

] Nim “This is my sister Norli.” He throws his arms up in the sky “We found her Norli! May I introduce Dawndra – the lost daughter! We need to get her outfitted for a journey to Alzvar.”

] Norli remains silent as he begins to look you over. She tugs at your arm to indicate she would like you to stand up. Then she produces a long woven string with beads knotted into it. She has you hold one end as measures your legs and arms and torso. Then she tugs you back down to a sitting position on a cushion. She has to stand on your legs to get face to face close to you. She looks deep into your eyes as small hands softly hold your temples. Then she leaps down and makes a short series of hand motions to Nim.

] Nim “We can have you outfitted by tomorrow.”

] Norli stamps a foot and motions something again to Nim.

] Nim “Nhyx tomorrow. You can leave for Alzvar on Uktar 1 at first light.”

] Norli does more hand-talking.

] Nim “Norli says to bring your dwarf friend? He will need some outfitting too.”

Dawndra] “I am traveling with a hired guide.. He is in fact a dwarf. How would you know that Norli?”

] Norli just points to her eye. Then she turns and rushes back behind the silky wall.

] Nim “Norli has certain special abilities… she is able to measure not only your dimensions, but your needs. It’s not clear if she can actually see into the future, but she can anticipate dangers.”

] The desert-like heat inside the tent is becoming uncomfortable for you.

Dawndra] I shift my clothing “Whew it is abundantly warm in here. Myrtle said you were a Calashite?”

] Nim “Did she now? How is my friend Myrtle? I’ve not had the occasion to… er… visit… Myrtle yet this trip. Don’t let her Grandmotherly bit fool you… she likes some heat herself! But yes, I am from Calimshan… the Scarlet City will always be my first home. I can’t take the cold so Norli found a way to improve our tent walls. I did say she is rather gifted… did I not? You might have noticed the cloth displayed to the public is the finest quality of material and weave. We have other goods inside which are variously enchanted. We don’t really know how she does it… but Norli is specially gifted with the magic. She can take a spell scroll and weave it’s magic into a bolt of cloth and it somehow becomes available to its wearer. Say… if you happen to come across any spell scrolls on your way to Alzvar and can’t make use of them yourself, I will pay you good coin for them.”

Dawndra] “Can I ask… how far is this Alzvar? I need to be back in Bryn Shander by Uktar 20. I am participating in the Frozenfar Fray… and while I will certainly be traveling to find this Shavisala, I may need to wait until after the games.”

] Nim “Oh, you will arrive at Alzvar in 2-3 days depending on conditions. Even if you stayed there a full tenday, you would be able to travel back in for the start of the games. Tronk is going to compete this year …” He leans towards the front of the tent and yells “Aren’t you Tronk!?!”

] Tronk poking his head in to the tent, “Yes Nim?”

] Nim “You will be competing in the Fray Games this year, won’t you?”

] Tronk grunts an affirmation and says “Tronk win” somewhat flatly before turning back.

] Nim “He is so excited about it! ”

Dawndra] “I can tell.” I drink down the milky white tea.

] As the hot liquid reaches your belly, you feel yourself energized (2d6+2 = 11 Temp HP)

] Nim “Now… Normally I pay a delivery service 22gp per day, and assume 6 days for this trip. However… as it seems you would be making the trip regardless… and if I know Norli, she is going to insist that we do not charge you for the outfitting… I will even throw in some enhanced tea to bolster you during the trip… perhaps we can call it even?”

Dawndra] “Of course. If anything, I feel I owe you some recompense for helping me find my kin… my own mother even. I am a little afraid that I still sleep and this encounter has been but a dream.”

] Nim “The reverse is true as well… Shavisala will certainly favor me for the events of this day… and the favor of Shavisala is worth much gold. Did I mention she was a powerful druid? Alzvar is the home of a clan of Frost Giants… was… actually… but I will allow her to tell you her stories. Just know that tentowns would not be here today were it not for your mother… and she insists that the towns people not know the fact.”

Dawndra] “Could I be any more excited to meet her?! I think not! You have my gratitude and, for whatever it is worth, my favor as well.” I stand to make an exit.

] Nim “We shall see each other again tomorrow. We close up before Last Shadow, but Tronk will keep a watch for you.”

] As you are standing up to leave, Tronk again pokes his head into the tent.

] Tronk “Hocus here.”

] Nim “Ah! What timing! Please show him in after our new friend Dawndra exits.”

] Tronk “Dawndra leave.” he says, holding the tent open.

] Nim “Don’t mind Tronk. He is not being rude… well… at least not as rude as he sounds. He may seem simple but he doesn’t miss a thing – especially once you put a battleaxe in his hands. See you Nhyx tomorrow Dawndra.”

] As you step out of the sweltering heat of the tent, the icy air of Bryn Shander feels like an assault. Standing there at the merchandise tables is a male elf dressed in full leathers which have been extravagantly dyed white as the surrounding snow. His shoulder-length hair is copper-blonde. He looks up at you and you see his eyes are similarly copper in color – almost like deep fire.

] Hocus “Greetings!” He says with a lavish bow. “We are unmet it seems. My name is Hocus.”

Dawndra] “I am called Dawndra. Well met Hocus. ”

] Hocus “Dawndra! What a beautiful name for a beautiful woman! Perhaps later we can share drink at the Northlook and get more fittedly acquainted?”

Dawndra] “I’m afraid I’ve already been banned from the Northlook.”

] Hocus “Beauty and trouble all together! I like it! We should find you another place to get banned from then. I was thinking of switching rooms to Kelvin’s Comfort anyway. It is just there.” He points to inn on the far corner of the market area. “Should you wish to share some time, and perhaps some Firebrandy, please ask after me there – Hocus the Custodian – as I am known. But now there is business and I wish you all the pleasant pleasantries dear Dawndra.” He bows once again but his eyes never leave your person until he steps into the scarlet tent of Nim Bragos.

Dawndra] I am suddenly hungry… I look for a merchant selling something hearty.

] Your keen smell leads you to a stand with a large simmering pot of something delicious.

] Merchant Cook “Good waking friend. You look hungry. A bowl of Sapidi Elk Stew is only 5 silver. I’ve got some fresh Bloodhawk Eggs too – rare in these parts. 1gp each while they last.”

Dawndra] “Your stew smells good. Just what I was hungry for I would say.” I put a gold down. “The spare is yours.”

] The merchant thanks you kindly as he fills a deep iron-cast bowl with the stew and hands it to you. There are three small standing tables which are a bit short for you, but functional. As you are just finishing the last few chunks of meat and vegetables, you hear a familiar voice behind you call your name.

] Samsam “There she is! Dawndra! Hey Dawndra!”

] You turn to see Samsam hurrying towards you, her bright red hair flying wildly in the breeze and her clothes hanging loosely from her oversized body. She is dragging Shent by the arm. He looks tired and embarrassed but smiles when he sees you.

Dawndra] “Shent! How glad I am to see you safe. I feared the storm took you last night.”

] Shent “It would take more than a storm… but we did stay the night in Targos rather than travel. I have learned some things about Hlin which we need to discuss.”

Dawndra] “I have learned some things too! My mother is here! Well not here in town… but she lives in the Spine, in a place called Alzvar!”

] Shent “The frost giants stronghold? That Alzvar?”

Dawndra] “Yes, though apparently the giants no longer call it theirs, or are not there to call it theirs… whichever… we will find out soon. We travel there Uktar 1. ”

] Shent “Ok, we can do that. That gives us some time to deal with another matter.”

] Samsam “Shent’s going to get the Ice Rune Killer! Aren’t you Shent!?! What are you eating Dawndra? That smells good. Can I have some?”

Dawndra] “Good to see you again Samsam.” I dig out another gp and give it her. “Have some Sapidi Elk Stew… on me. Want some too Shent?”

] Shent “Why not? Stew for me too Samsam.”

Dawndra] “What is this about the Ice Rune Killer. Did you find out who killed your fathers friend?”

] Shent “Not exactly. But I did learn there have been four other murders. All of them found dead with the same ice dagger in their heart. Hlin had told my father she was investigating the murders and had put a bounty out – 100 gold for anyone who discovered and stopped the killer. She didn’t live another day after that. This part should interest you though… two of the victims were to be judges in the Frozenfar Fray. Hlin was on her way to Dougans Hole to warn another judge that his life might be in danger… she did not get far beyond the South Gate as we know.”

Dawndra] “So she thought someone was killing the judges of the games? Why I wonder… maybe they will be replaced with bought judges?”

] Shent “There is surely a lot of gold in stakes. But cheating in the games will get you killed faster than competing in them drunk off your whiskers. It might be just the opposite of what you say… perhaps these judges got caught taking bribes – that could get one cut into bite-sized pieces too. There is something else. I just found it in Hlin’s pocket… it’s a list of towns and dates. Look – it matches up with the four of murders. And here… in the corner she wrote ‘Merchant Caravan?'”

Dawndra] “What does that mean?”

] Samsam “Oh! I know!” She says, setting Shents bowl of stew in front of him. “There is a group of merchants which all travel together from town to town! Maybe the killer is traveling with the merchants?”

] Shent “Right. Its not safe to travel alone – and as a group they can afford to share the cost of wardens.”

Dawndra] “Then we need to discover the schedule of this merchants caravan and see if it matches up with the killings… then, if it does, find out who in the caravan is the killer. Easy.”

] Shent “We know Hlin was killed early yesterday… so let’s ask around the market to see if any of the merchants are with the caravan and can confirm it was here yesterday.”

Dawndra] “You guys finish up that Elk Stew. I will get started asking around. Meet back here.”

] You visit several merchants, being generous and offering 1gp for some information. You discover that there are actually two groups which generally caravan around Tentowns together. One of them has been in Bremen and Targos for nearly a tenday. The other left Bryn Shandor for Easthaven yesterday – not long before the storm swept in.  More than one merchant mentioned they were going to join the caravan to Easthaven but saw the skies had whispers from Auril and decided to stay behind. They are worried the caravan may not have made it safely to Easthaven.

] Meeting back with Shent and Samsam, you share what you learned.

] Shent “I heard the same about the Easthaven bound group. I learned there are one or two other merchant companies which don’t join the caravan but have full-time muscle of their own.  One of these is a shady bunch… other merchants have been victim of their lazy extortion threats… ‘We will protect you if you pay.’ they tell them… ‘we will protect you… from us!’ Can you believe the gall. I say we put them on our list even if they do not harbor Hlin’s killer. What say you?”

Dawndra] “Are you worried they will pull this on your father? It is a reasonable worry… I say yes. However we have a schedule to work within. Tomorrow we will receive some outfitting and wil leave early the next morning for Alzvar. We should be back inside a tenday, leaving another completely open before the Fray Games.”

] Shent “We should tell the Speaker Duvessa what we know. Then we travel to Easthaven to investigate the caravan.”

] Samsam “I’ll get us some Axebeaks!”

Dawndra] “I think you want to talk with your Grandmother Myrtle first Samsam.”

] Samsam shrugs “Ok… Then I will get us some Axebeaks!”

] Samsam hugs you bruskly and then hugs Shent… with a prolonged and somewhat awkward hug, and then skips through the market towards East Gate.

Dawndra] “I’m afraid to ask but…”

] Shent “I’d rather you didn’t. She has taken a liking to me it is true… but do not get any ideas about what that means. She is still a child… and twice my size. I’m not that kind of dwarf.”

Dawndra] “Oh, well I was going to ask how are we going to ditch her behind. I cannot see trying to keep her safe from whatever peril we find beyond the gates.”

] Shent “Absolutely we are going to ditch her! You were tactful with the recommendation to speak with Myrtle – I would have choosen something more… well… sneaky I suppose. But absolutely she would not be safe and I don’t want to find ourselves on Myrtle’s bad side… no one ever wants that.”

] You go to the Town Hall just south of the market. It is still well before the Crex midday. Entering the large one-story building you are directed to the office of the Speaker, Duvessa Shane. She is a young human female with long brown hair and a hardened face. She recognizes Shent as you approach.”

] Duvessa “Greetings. How can I help you Shent? ”

] Shent “We are here about the recent killings… the Ice Rune Killings.”

] Duvessa “I see. Let us sit. Can I get you a hot cupper?”

Dawndra] “I am fine thank you. We think there might be a connection between the killings and the Frozenfar Fray Games.”

] Duvessa “Oh? I heard one of the victims was a judge for the games. But why do you think they are connected?”

] Shent “Two of the victims were judges. I’m not yet sure how the other two are related but Hlin was also killed yesterday – just after putting out a bounty.”

] Duvessa “Hlin is gone!? I did not know. I am so sorry for you father, I know they were close friends. So how do you know she was killed by the Ice Rune Killer?”

Dawndra] “We found her at the bottom of the hill outside the South Gate. The ice dagger was still in her chest. It is an enchanted thing… no mere spike of ice.”

] Shent hands her the paper notes from Hlin’s body. “She had this on her. She was investigating the possibility that the killer travels with a merchant caravan between towns. We are heading to Easthaven after this to see if we can track the killer down.”

] Duvessa “I don’t know if Bryn Shander can match what Hlin was offering, but you will be rewarded if you can solve this mystery and stop the killings. If it keeps up, all of Tentowns may see panic. The Fray Games may be not bring the crowds or their gold to the towns.”

Dawndra] “A reward would be appreciated, but that is not our concern. We think it too much of a coincidence that two judges have been killed. Either someone is trying to replace these judges, or… possibly…. Punish them. We will try to learn the motive of the killer if possible but perhaps some caution is warranted in selecting their replacements.”

] Duvessa “Yes, I think I understand. Speaker Danneth would be one selecting replacements. If you are heading to Easthaven, please share your news with him as well? Let him know someone may be trying to fix the games. We don’t have another council meet until just before the games start up here in Bryn Shander. Now I’m sure the two of you are quite capable… but you are only two. I’m sure we could arrange to have a few members of the town militia join you.”

] Shent looks to you “She is not wrong… some extra blades could improve the odds of success.”

Dawndra] I look to Speaker Duvessa “Thank you, we will accept the offer if it can be arranged quickly. We would like to be underway before Crex.”