Quickly finding an enclosed copse close to the Dragon Barrow the party laid out their tents and rested, hoping a good night's sleep would ease the aches the Barrow had left on them. While their rest was uninterrupted they arose to find that Idris's weakness had persisted. It seemed whatever the shadow creature had done to sap his strength was not temporary. Pine attempted to heal him using his divine powers but to no avail. Seeking to find a solution the party considered going to Zatharius at Thundertree but Zenari informed them that wizards generally cannot heal the living, a power that is reserved to practitioners of the divine arts. That she could perform such healing was an extreme exception and she did not know why that was the case.
Eventually the party decided to head to Neverwinter as a large city such as it would be sure to have high ranking priests that could help. The journey was uneventful and fast, the high road making it go smoothly. They encountered no travelers on this journey barring a single peddler which they did not speak to. Arriving in Neverwinter they found the city sealed. By order of the Lord Protector, no one was to leave or enter as a plague was ravaging the city. Speaking to one of the clerics through an opening in the wall they found out that a plague called the "Wailing Death" was claiming hundreds and making the sufferers act violent before death. Idris offered to enter the city and help to heal people but was dissuased by the cleric reminding that that would mean they would stasy in the city for months, until the plague cleared.
Deciding to head back south to Phandalin, the group took a detour by aproaching the coastline, looking for signs of the Dragon's landing. After some hours of searching the cliffs of the Sword Coast they noticed a ship jutting out from a small cave, at the base of the cliff. Pine climbed down and soon noticed that while the ship looked like a personal craft it was more than twenty feet long. Stories of giants filled his mind and considering Idris's still weakened state he decided to retreat. At least they knew where it was. The trip to Phandalin from there happened with no incident.
Seeking out Sildar Hallwinter the party informed him of what happened in the Loggers’ Camp. Praising their work, Sildar rewarded them with 100 gold. While the day passed the party was able to go around town, selling gemstones at Phandalin Miner's Exchange where Sharna Quirstiron offered them gold in exchange for gems. When she saw the amulet that they had retrieved from the Dwarven Expedition she was enthused and offered gold. She also offered that instead of gold they could get a weapon or a quiver of ammuniation silvered something that typically costed more than the fifty gold that the reward consisted of. The wizarding hat was sold to the Mayor, Harbin Wester and using his new nest egg of gold Pine was able to visit the Lionshield Coster and purchase heavy armour from Linene Graywind. After testing his strength she found him a suit of splint that would serve him well but as his gold was not enough she instead sold him a functional suit of chain mail. It was bulky and fur would get caught in the links but it should stop a sword blow. Finally, they donated the flare wand to Sildar Hallwinter.
Alas, Brother Gartok and Sister Sandren were not able to help Idris and the party settled in to sleep outside in tents, as the overcrowded town was bursting at the seams. While sleeping however, Idris felt a calling. Zenari watched him get up, walk to the town green and slowly, torturously raise the dragonslayer sword as high as he could. It was the night was dispelled by a burst of light, leaving a towering humanoid figure, It’s skin almost bronze, framed by feathered wings akin to a swans. It did not seem to be visible to any but Zenari. Idris knew this presense - it had been watching him since his birth. She spoke to him.
I am Lumalia, known as Mystra's vengeance. Savras serves the mistress and through him you do also. Idris, I have watched over you since you began your existence. Your passion does you credit - it shows a spirit that is able to stand strong against the terrors that roam this world. But are you worthy?
As Idris confirmed that he believed to be worthy, the angel, for that was what this creature was, made him swear oaths.
- You are the shield against the endless terrors that lie beyond the stars. Your blade must be forever sharp and your mind keen to survive what lies beyond. Swear to Discipline.
- The threats you face are cunning, powerful, and subversive. Be ever alert for their corruption. Swear to Vigilance.
- Never accept gifts or favors from fiends or those who truck with them. Stay true to your order, your comrades, and your duty. Swear to Loyalty.
The light then departed leaving Idris completely restored. He had been blessed by a Deva and could feel power coursing through his body as he held the gleaming sword above his head.
The day after the party decided on their next move. They tracked down Don-Jon Raskin who was staying in the Stonehill Inn and accepted his job. They were to accompany him top the Mountain's Toe Gold Mine and ensure that the mine was good to be used, slaying any monsters inside.
On the way there they saw some slain orcs, likely the handiwork of Cryovain but encountered little trouble. At the mine however they found that it was occupied by a clan of folk wearing ragged clothing and were clearly not the miners. Meeting their leader, a mousy woman named Zeleen Varmaster. They claimed they used to live in a ruin close to the old town of Conyberry but had been evicted by roving orcs. They had claimed the mine as theirs and refused to leave. Checking on the miners they found that from the original crew of twenty only six of the dwarves were left and were in a sorry state, having wounds from the invaders giant rat pets and not having any food to subside on for days.
An arguement brewed between Zeleen and Don-Jon Raskin with Idris attempting to reconcile them to little effect. Idris accepted Zeleen's solution of the party clearing out their original home but @Don-Jon seemed to think she was lying.
Ignoring the argument they instead went to investigate a noise that came from the north of the mine, strong enough that it made the mine walls shake, dust falling off them. Exploring onwards, finding the supervisors office and various equipment caches the mine seemed empty. Suddenly Zenari felt faint and Factoré froze up. Something unseen was attacking them. Again.
Reacting quickly Pine summoned a dark wind, which spread out and struck everything in the vicinity. The camouflaged Carrion Crawler roared in pain and dropped on the ground charging forward. Recently empowered, Idris unsheathed his blade and charged forward. Within six seconds the creature lay dead. Smiles exchanged as Factoré was healed but before they could gather themselves they heard the unmistakable noises of a fight breaking out between the miners and the roaming folk as the sound of a fist on a face rung out.