Star Peak Observatory
Avalanche
Dragon of Thubana
Hov the Kobold (dead) Other hunter (missing)
Courier Group, Researchers, and group of 30 in the south
Magic Mouth keyed to the tattoo on Adric's arm. “Fellow member of the Foundation; turn back until the lone pine; take the game trail until a gorge with Irian lightmoss. When the dawn rises, -”
Adric lead the company toward the game path while Asryn looked for traps and Barricade mapped the area. Adric got lost, however, and lead the company to a different gorge. Three figures, one taller and broader than the rest coming from the other direction, approach the company. As Krazz firebolted the ground infront of one, it dove into the ice and became hostile. Gryson separated Barricade from the two behind the company with a wall of fire instantly killing one of the figures. The success did not last, however, as Asryn, Julia, and Krazz were all downed by a cone of cold that hit the entire party. Adric was able to aid the three of them, and they were further healed by Gryson. After coming to, Julia was able to finish off the second figure, who had teleported to the top of the western ridge. Seeing that the witch was casting a devastating spell, Krazz attempted to counter the spell, but was unable to. Gryson then attempted the same with no success, but Barricade having a flash of genius was able to aid Gryson in his counter. The witch lashed out, but Adric was able to cover himself in a shield, and as Asryn dodged the attack he magically shifted the one aimed for Gryson's heart, pushing it off target. Barricade dashed at the witch, landing a terrible blow before Adric cursed the witch and killed it with a precise eldritch blast.
Barricade learned that they are in a Rizzian manifest zone, and the three figures were constructs from that plane. Thinking that more may manifest, the company immediately left the area. After a time, Adric found the trail again and led the party to the correct gorge. There, Asryn summoned his hut and the company camped for the night just outside gorge waiting for the dawn and whatever it might bring.
In the morning, Adric realized that the last sentence fragment was likely the first half of a passphrase. When Asryn's familiar went out to scout, it found a snowy owl perched nearby carefully watching the hut. Barricade thinking it was a familiar, destroyed it to find that he was correct.
Going along the wall of the gorge, Barricade collected some of the moss. Krazz felt the wall until his hand abruptly fell through. Asryn under the safety of invisibility poked his head through the wall to find two people pointing crossbows at the entrance, and a woman with a wand in the back.
Kobold tribe of 30 or so were meandering around the star peaks. Violet was sent to identify and investigate them. Upon inspection, she surmised they were Emerald Claw (Bone Knight, light provisions), and tracked them to their camp. She claimed to be part of the Dragonhawk Foundation, but had no knowledge of Hershem, Hodren, or the events in Fairhaven. Upon further questioning, she admitted to dealing with Hershem on multiple occassions - running errands, communicating, etc.
Violet summoned a holographic memory of a bone knight leading a horde of undead in the Star Peaks. Asryn showed her the blast disc that the company found on the road. Violet knew it was from the courier group. She handed Asryn a Karnathi dog tag from a killed undead.
The company walked in the direction specified by the Violet's map. Gryson and Asryn noticed that something was happening, so ASryn cast detect magic finding that while there were no spell effects occurring, they were on a Mabaran manifest zone. Gryson flew ahead to scout. While inspecting a passage, Gryson found a bone knight, undead, and an undead bear. The bone knight was carying a kobold. Everyone hid - Adric as a white rabbit.
“You got one - only one though? Wouldn't want to be the one to tell the boss I only got one kobold,” said the lookout. Gryson, Adric, and Asryn all followed the group. They were lead to a cave guarded by about 10 undead with many animal caracasses including an undead dragon.
The company went back north to set a trap for the next group to pass through. Asryn sent his animal messenger owl to Violet to tell her of the plan, and Adric was messaged in response. Violet sent him, “We are several miles to the west of the northern edge of the mountains. Have found a potential passage into the valley investigating it this morning.” In the meantime, Barricade sent Wall a message and received a reply. Wall informed Barricade that there was an attack in Redleaf.
When the patrol party showed up, they perished.
Walking back down the path, the company saw two watchmen and an owl. They perished.
The company then stumbled upon a group of vampires and wights. They perished.
Adric heard “Mister Lief, I fear I might not be of much further help. My body gaurds are no more. We discovered a pylon in the valley and something happened. I'm not in great shape, but better than my companions. I'm currently hiding in the passage coming into and out of the valley.”
Sir Malcom of the Emerald Claw was the Bone Knight who rode his undead dragon in to ambush the company.