Session 2: March 9, 2008

When one riddle is solved, another deeper mystery is revealed. If Everyn ir'Lorn wasn't commanding at the Cyran border, and she wasn't onboard the downed Lyrandar airship with her bodyguard... Where is she? Not one changeling but two? And one dead at that with no answers to give.

The group led by Connal ir'Lorn to Vathirond found the young master with his faithful warforged Jasper, the changeling bard named "Switchback," and the venerable Sir Aaron of Cyre bartering for a boon from House Orien -- thanks to the efforts of the ambassador to Breland. The Cyran ambassador, one Oargev ir'Wynarn, knew the Cyran party of old and had made emergency travel arrangements on their behalf, including the majority of the teleport fee from House Orien.

Once safely to their destination, traversing dozens of miles in one gut-wrenching heartbeat, the real work began for the party. Running afoul of both the dolgrim tribe native to the caverns and the hostile orc mercenaries hired to dispose of the airship, the troupe prevailed. Not only did they manage to secure the ship, but they fought to hold off the mercenaries long enough for Captain Aerdane d'Lyrandar to make the final repairs (with Jasper's help, of course) to the badly damaged airship so they could make their escape.

This delaying action was not without its cost, however. Sir Aaron bravely fell on the field while making contact with the survivors of the Cloud Ant, shot dead by the orc mercenaries, but his death was not in vain. The ferocious bodyguard Armus Hawkwind lept from the ship with little thought to his own safety to protect those who would have paid the dearest cost. While his soul stayed but a little way above their heads, the young Connal nearly joined him on his journey to the afterlife. Also shot from behind by the cowardly orc mercenaries, it was only Jasper's quick actions and Armus deadly sword that kept the orcs from boarding the ship and inflicting the same fate on all those aboard. Who can dismiss the thought that it was his mentor Sir Aaron who guided the young cleric safely back to this world, and it was through his elder guidance one last time that the young master lived the day through?

Of the others in the ruins near the Star Peaks: Rizzenil, Garen, Elladan and Aremis had just about pushed their luck as far as it would go. Outnumbered and outgunned, they were trapped with their backs against a literal hard place and nearly surrounded. Two days of exploring the ruins in search of a mysterious artifact had left them battered and exhausted, pushed to the extremes of their endurance. But even in this desperate situation, when the moment mattered most, the brave warriors were not found wanting for courage. Through a selfless attempt to protect one they thought weaker than themselves, the explorers have found their salvation.

The petite elven girl in tattered silver robes became a colossal Silver Great Wyrm, and with one great breath of cold and ice, vanquished the now paltry force of bugbears that would have taken the lives of the intrepid (if foolhardy) explorers. Nymbrixion, as the Great Dragon is called, tested them in their moment of peril, and they came through with flying colors. With the odds stacked heavily against them, they were willing to put their lives on the line to protect one who asked for sanctuary... And it was sanctuary that they received in return.

Now set upon a mighty quest to retrieve a crown of silver and ice, the orb of black and pitch, and the scepter of might and gold, their trek first takes them far south of even the dark continent of Xen'drik, to the frost-bitten continent of EverIce, where few who venture ever return. Their travels and adventures will make mighty tales that even the lowliest bard will come to know as legends, and perhaps one day as myth.