Chapter Three: Day 19, Hour 0 (20 Mirtul, 1312) : Uncle Oswald thanked the gods more days than not after he recovered from his terrible crash in the Western Pass. As he moved his ship north towards Targos, he wished the adventurers well on their winding way east. Though he knew they had accomplished much already, he worried when someone - anyone - traveled between the passes on the south face of the Spine of the World. The Ice Lakes and the Black Raven River provide fresh water and fishing for all manner of creatures. In our own travels to the lakes in recent years, Iselore and I saw trolls, bears, ogres, nomadic dwarves, and barbarians all stretched across the broken shoreline of those lakes in the same day. By the following dawn, many of those creatures lay dead at the hands of the others. The Savage North is a cruel place. On the open tundra below the Spine of the World, far from the cities that promote law and civil accord, the wind may blow half as fierce, but man and beast show twice the malice and greed. Day 19, Hour 0 (20 Mirtul, 1312) : We encountered a cleric of Auril named Thvara Baelm. It seems that while we were doing battle in the Western Pass glacier, she was gathering barbarian recruits in the east. Our paths happened to cross as we made for the Eastern Pass and she was returning with a number of barbarians in tow. Needless to say, the situation degenerated rapidly. Day 19, Hour 1 (20 Mirtul, 1312) : We met a group of hunters while traveling towards the Eastern Pass. They asked us to stop at their village in the northeast and speak to a woman called Suoma the Elder. Day 19, Hour 1 (20 Mirtul, 1312) : One of our number composed a heroic song for Sordirsin the barrow wight... the spirit was grateful and left for Warrior's Rest, claiming that we could take whatever we liked from his now-vacant tomb. Day 19, Hour 2 (20 Mirtul, 1312) : We met a drow mechant named Nym in a small village. He was waiting there for the military expedition from Neverwinter - the same one destroyed by the Aurilites at the glacier in the Western Pass - to arrive. Day 19, Hour 2 (20 Mirtul, 1312) : The drow merchant Nym told us that the Eastern Pass was entirely blocked by troops of the Legion of the Chimera. However, he explained that there was another route over the Spine of the World: through the Underdark. We will follow the Black Raven River north to where it flows from the Spine of the World mountains. There should be a network of caves there that leads to a monastery high in the mountains. Beneath the monastery is an entrance to the Underdark. From there we'll enter the ancient dwarven ruins of Dorn's Deep from below. From there we can surface on the northern side of the Spine of the World. Day 19, Hour 2 (20 Mirtul, 1312) : Suoma, the elder of Wandering Village, has asked that we speak with and help Venla the Healer. She claims that if we aid the village, she will aid us in turn, telling us the way through the haunted Fell Wood to the east. Day 19, Hour 3 (20 Mirtul, 1312) : Venla the Healer asked that we try to find out what's happened to the village's vanishing children. Day 19, Hour 3 (20 Mirtul, 1312) : When we asked Venla if there were any clues about the village's missing children, she said that their best hunters have searched everywhere and found no trace of them. Some of the villagers feel that the children were lost in the Fell Wood to the east, having fallen prey to some "fey creature" like a dryad or nymph. Day 19, Hour 3 (20 Mirtul, 1312) : Venla the Healer told us about a rare herb called "frostrose" that grows around the Cold Marshes. She said that if we found some and returned it to her, she would give us some medicine that cures both poison and disease. Day 19, Hour 3 (20 Mirtul, 1312) : We met a young hunter named Jari who is in love with a woman named Anja. Jari is troubled as he doesn't have the skills to best Anja's other suitors in a hunting contest, and without her father's permission, he and Anja will have to flee the village to be together. Day 20, Hour 1 (21 Mirtul, 1312) : We met a spirit in the Fell Wood who warned us away, claiming that those who enter are doomed to wander its trails for eternity. According to this ghost, the woods are impassable until the "terrible secret within the Fell Wood" is laid bare. Day 20, Hour 1 (21 Mirtul, 1312) : The spirit in the Fell Wood couldn't tell us the forest's secret, but said that the answer was not within the woods themselves - that we have to search elsewhere. He also rendered a few words of advice: that within the Fell Wood, westwards always leads to safety, that the longer we wander the more lost we'll become, meaning that we should leave and return if we become too befuddled, and that if we die here, we'll join the "Restless Dead of Fell Wood" - the angry spirits of those lured to their deaths by ghost-lights. Day 20, Hour 6 (21 Mirtul, 1312) : Tahvo the Huntmaster suggested that, if we found ourselves lost and moving in circles in the woods east of the village, we try dropping stones or thrusting arrows into the earth to mark our progress. He also mentioned making notes on our map. Day 20, Hour 10 (21 Mirtul, 1312) : A dryad we met in the woods told us that she had seen Limha taking children into her home. We'd best go investigate. Day 20, Hour 10 (21 Mirtul, 1312) : A dryad we met in the woods told us of a path through one portion of the forest. She said that when we reach a pond to travel east, northeast, and then northwest. This will take us to a creek from where we should go northwest, northeast, and then southeast. The dryad said that this path leads into the heart of the forest. Day 20, Hour 11 (21 Mirtul, 1312) : We came to Limha after speaking to the dryad Carynara and asked her of the village's missing children. The witch tried to deny it, but a child suddenly burst out of a holding pen hidden in Limha's home and begged us to save him - a happy coincidence for all involved save Limha, no doubt. Day 20, Hour 11 (21 Mirtul, 1312) : Limha, a woman we met in the wild east of the Wandering Village, has been stealing the village's children and using their energy to prolong her power and beauty. The process drains the children of most of their souls, after which she turns them into minks and sets them free in the wild. Day 20, Hour 11 (21 Mirtul, 1312) : According to Limha, if we slay her, the children that she'd already transformed into animals will revert to their original shapes. We've often discussed the likelihood that her final thought was to regret telling us that. Day 20, Hour 16 (21 Mirtul, 1312) : We went to Venla the Healer after defeating the diabolical witch Limha and freeing the village's children from her wicked grasp. We should let Suoma the Elder know. Day 20, Hour 16 (21 Mirtul, 1312) : After defeating Limha and recovering the missing village children for Venla, Suoma the Elder has asked another favor of us: she wants us to speak with and aid Tahvo the Huntmaster. Day 20, Hour 16 (21 Mirtul, 1312) : Tahvo the Huntmaster told of us a "furious ghost" that has been terrorizing their hunting grounds to the west. Apparently they've slain it at least once, but it simply comes back every day. There must be some way to get rid of it for good. Day 20, Hour 16 (21 Mirtul, 1312) : We told Tahvo that we'd appeased the barrow wight. We should let Suoma the Elder know. Day 20, Hour 16 (21 Mirtul, 1312) : We put the barrow wight Tahvo spoke of to peace and returned to Suoma, who had yet another request. This time, she wanted us to speak with and help Kurttu. For the sake of this village and of Kuldahar, we can only hope this is the last task she has for us. Day 20, Hour 16 (21 Mirtul, 1312) : The drow merchant Nym left the village, but not before issuing a vague warning about the Legion of the Chimera knowing of our meddling and taking pains to stop us. He suggested that we not remain there long. Day 20, Hour 16 (21 Mirtul, 1312) : Kurttu has asked that we help uncover the mystery of the disappearance of Kyosti and his silent ghost. Kyosti vanished some time ago, but his spirit occasionally returns to haunt the area between the village and the Fell Wood to the east. Since it won't speak, the villagers don't know why the hunter's soul can't rest. Day 20, Hour 16 (21 Mirtul, 1312) : According to Kurttu, the recently vanished Kyosti was Carita's husband and one of the village's best hunters. Kurttu also claimed that Carita, his widow, said that when Kyosti disappeared, he had been going to the Fell Wood east of the village to hunt the huge white wolves that dwell there. However, it seems that his body was never found. Day 20, Hour 16 (21 Mirtul, 1312) : According to Kurttu, Kyosti's widow Carita always seems angry, even when she was with her husband. Kurttu also mentioned that after Kyosti's disappearance, Carita turned to a man named Leevi for comfort. Day 20, Hour 16 (21 Mirtul, 1312) : According to Kurttu, Leevi is one of the best hunters in the village. She also mentioned that he and Kyosti were perpetually competing friends and rivals. Day 20, Hour 16 (21 Mirtul, 1312) : After speaking with Kurttu about Kyosti's ghost, we tried to ask to Carita about her dead husband - however, she wouldn't talk with us. Day 20, Hour 20 (21 Mirtul, 1312) : We asked the spirit we met in the Fell Wood about the missing Kyosti. He told us that if we would extinguish the ghost-lights and thereby put the Restless Dead of Fell Wood at ease, he would tell us what he knows. Day 22, Hour 0 (23 Mirtul, 1312) : We came across a huge, gnarled tree deep within a forest, the lair of three will o'wisps. We destroyed the lot of them, thereby ensuring that no more travelers would be lured to their deaths by the ghost-lights of Fell Wood. Day 22, Hour 0 (23 Mirtul, 1312) : After we slew the will o'wisps, the hunter's ghost explained that we had given peace to the Restless Dead of Fell Wood. Many spirits, silent but grateful, appeared to give us thanks, and left their mortal remains in our care. Day 22, Hour 0 (23 Mirtul, 1312) : The spirit we met in the Fell Wood told us that Kyosti did not die there, but that he had seen a silent ghost floating over its shallow grave west of the woods - could it be Kyosti? The spirit said that if we went there, the ghost might appear to us - we'll have to search the area between the Wandering Village and the Fell Wood. Day 22, Hour 1 (23 Mirtul, 1312) : We found the corpse of Kyosti buried in a shallow grave east of the Wandering Village, where we encountered his silent ghost. It turns out that Kyosti was murdered by his own wife, Carita, who then forced Kyosti's old friend Leevi to hide the corpse. Leevi, fearful of Kyosti's return as a ghost, removed the corpse's tongue so that the spirit could not speak. It didn't work. Day 22, Hour 5 (23 Mirtul, 1312) : We explained to Kurttu that Kyosti was murdered by his wife Carita and that Leevi - her lover - had hidden the corpse, removing its tongue so that Kyosti's ghost could not speak to reveal their shame. Leevi and Carita have vanished themselves, presumably fleeing the village after somehow finding out that I had discovered their terrible secret. Day 22, Hour 5 (23 Mirtul, 1312) : We spoke with Kurttu and uncovered the mystery of Kyosti's silent ghost. This was the third and final task Suoma had given us; having aided the village to the best of our ability, she is now willing to tell us how to pass through the Fell Wood. Day 22, Hour 5 (23 Mirtul, 1312) : Suoma the Elder told us the way through the Fell Wood: apparently, there is a sort of creature called a "dark treant" whose evil power can twist and hide paths and confuse travelers, causing them to become hopelessly lost. If we destroy the dark treants of Fell Wood, we should be able to pass through it and to the Cold Marshes beyond. Day 22, Hour 5 (23 Mirtul, 1312) : Isair and Madae, twin commanders of the Legion of the Chimera, appeared before us in the Wandering Village. They claim to have found us with information purchased from Nym, the drow merchant who told us of the underdark passage beneath the Black Raven Monastery. Madae claimed that the Legion would still attack Kuldahar, and Isair warned us to stop our "meddling," claiming that Targos wasn't alone in having Luskan allies. To demonstrate his seriousness, Isair slew several villagers and raised them as zombies against us before vanishing along with his sister. Day 23, Hour 0 (24 Mirtul, 1312) : We brought the remains of the Fell Wood dead back to the Wandering Village and gave them to Suoma the Elder, who will inter them. Day 23, Hour 5 (24 Mirtul, 1312) : We found and slew the last of the Dark Treants in the Fell Wood, bringing to an end their warping influence upon the forest: the paths no longer twist and hide themselves, and their foul roots no longer grasp at unwary passersby. Day 23, Hour 7 (24 Mirtul, 1312) : We met a pack of barbarians whose leader ordered our heads severed and placed before their "cunning Gate-of-Stone" - probably some sort of crude wall or other obstacle designed to hold up caravans so that the barbarians can waylay them at their leisure. Day 24, Hour 7 (25 Mirtul, 1312) : Dargab, the duergar slave-master, explained that we'd eventually need mining tools to get past the collapsed passage in the eastern river caves. He told us to speak with Barud Barzam, the leader of the duergar complex. Day 24, Hour 7 (25 Mirtul, 1312) : Dargab, the duergar slave-master, warned us to stay away from the dungeons. Day 24, Hour 8 (25 Mirtul, 1312) : Barud Barzam, commander of the duergar complex in the river caves, told us that we could take the mining tools from the storage area there. He said that since the duergar had intended to clear the caved-in eastern passage themselves, they would be more than willing to give us the tools if we would perform the labor - a fair enough deal, it seems. Day 24, Hour 8 (25 Mirtul, 1312) : Barud Barzam offered us a deal - if we would clear the river caves of all monsters, he will reward us handsomely. In addition, he'll let us rest in the complex so long as we're helping him. Day 24, Hour 8 (25 Mirtul, 1312) : We accepted Barud's offer to clear the river caves of all monsters. We're to return to him for our reward when done. Day 24, Hour 8 (25 Mirtul, 1312) : Barud Barzam rewarded us for clearing the river caves with wealth and magical items. He then made another offer - if we kill all the monks of the Black Raven Monastery, he will reward us even further. Barud claims that the duergar lost both the outpost and the Underdark passage to the monks long ago; with the outpost secured, he now wants our help in recovering the passage beneath the monastery. Day 24, Hour 8 (25 Mirtul, 1312) : We accepted Barud's offer to kill all the monks in the Black Raven Monastery. We're to return to him for our reward when done. Day 24, Hour 8 (25 Mirtul, 1312) : According to Barud Barzam, the duergar complex in the river-caves was founded more than a century ago by a group of cleric-led duergar. The Black Raven Monastery was built some time later, and eventually came to blows with the duergar over control of the nearby Underdark passage. Barud told us that the monks butchered the small duergar garrison and sealed both the outpost and passage. He and his followers have come to the river caves to reclaim both. Day 24, Hour 8 (25 Mirtul, 1312) : According to Barud Barzam, all duergar possess the ability to become invisible at will. Day 24, Hour 8 (25 Mirtul, 1312) : Barud told us that he intends to make the duergar complex a base from which to assault the Black Raven Monastery in conjunction with a second body of duergar troops. Day 24, Hour 8 (25 Mirtul, 1312) : We lied to the duergar cleric Zama Rogadimne, convincing her the Barud Barzam had directed her to aid us. She gave us healing potions of great power, but threatened to kill us if she found out that we'd lied to her. Day 24, Hour 8 (25 Mirtul, 1312) : A duergar artisan showed us a sort of automated heavy crossbow known as a Hell Bolter. Its loading and firing mechanism was too complex to be understood by most. Day 24, Hour 8 (25 Mirtul, 1312) : We encountered a spectre in the torture chamber of the duergar outpost. It seemed to be the anguished remnants of someone who'd been abandoned by friends and tortured death by his captors - it mistook us for companions of old and attacked. Day 24, Hour 12 (25 Mirtul, 1312) : We encountered an eccentric but powerful mage called Harshom in the river caves near Black Raven Monastery. He'd been sent to kill us by the Hosttower of the Arcane Brotherhood in Luskan. They must be the allies that Isair and Madae spoke of in the Wandering Village. Day 24, Hour 12 (25 Mirtul, 1312) : It seems that Phaen of the Rags, who we met in Targos, was also an agent of the Hosttower of the Arcane Brotherhood. Day 24, Hour 12 (25 Mirtul, 1312) : Harshom claims to have found us through the aid of Carita and Leevi. The couple was slain and fed to the enchanter's beasts after they'd told him everything.