Hurst as approached with a proposition from an unlikely alliance. The Church of Prios had organised a small party to travel to and fight the Creeping Darkness (which had now taken hold of a large area around the Malgomar river, following the exploits in SY06. Tomb of Dying Dreams, Part II). The church's party had managed to get the witch, Barrvalg on board (whom they had previously returned a cauldron to). Such an unholy alliance was required to defeat an evil such as this. Hurst was approached as the church had heard rumours of the party's involvement in unleashing the Creeping Darkness in the first place, and hoped they would want to atone, joining the mission for no fee. Wulf was happy to agree for this, feeling the most responsibility for the evil that had been unleashed on the Davokar.
They were given provisions for the journey, and were told to meet their old friend Wesley at Kurun. He had already been paid by the church for a journey up the Malgomar. They were told to look for Theurg Boyden at the Sea Shanty Tavern, who the church had sent for the mission, along with a group of four Templars. Hurst divulged that Boyden was a fellow Returner, and actually a cleric from Korth. he was known for his merry and cheerful disposition, his love of drink, and his reputation as a fearsome warrior. They were then to proceed up the river, to pick up Barrvalg at Jakaar (who had come down from Karvosti).
After an uneventful journey, they found the tavern and entered. Inside was a lively scene, with a strange mix of Ambrians, Barbarians, and Goblins--due to the nature of the town (being a port near Davokar). However, the biggest noise was coming from an animated character, dressed in the churches livery along with some scale mail. He had a warhammer at his side, and a booming deep laugh, he was engaged in a heavy session of dice and drinking. Based on the description they'd been given, it was clearly Boyden. He was surrounded by four uncomfortable looking Templars.
Maddox was first to introduce himself, though for a while Boyden thought he was called Paddocks. At first Boyden thought him a bit wimpy, but was impressed when Maddox downed a beer with no problems. He was less impressed with Wulf, who struggled to keep a single drink down. He liked the look of Lanky, imagining him to be handy in a battle. Boyden invited them all to a game of 'Skull Crusher', a barbarian dice game involving gambling and drinking, the aim being to get to 21 but not past it. Maddox and Lanky decided to play, and after a couple of games were even money with Boyden and two of the barbarians who were playing. They both successfully held their drink after a couple of barbarian whiskeys. Boyden gave them a hearty slap on the back and declared it bedtime; they would leave at first light. He bid farewell with a loud "Prios be praised!"
It was a quiet trip onto Jakaar, where Barrvalg boarded. She was a quirky character, stereotypically old, with a cheeky glint in her eye. She warmed the party, thankful that they got her cauldron back for her, but was more wary of the others, stating that she was only part of this mission for the good of the forest. The group then discussed tactics for fighting the creeping dark. Little was known, and one expedition had already failed to return, but it was said that the best approache was to surround it and stay far apart, in order to avoid it's wide spreading cold attacks. There was also rumours of the dead rising where the darkness was strongest.
No-on else was heading up the Malgomar due to the darkness. As they got further along, it got foggier and foggier. There was also a chill in the air, getting worse all the time. Barrvalg mentioned that she'd got some serum from a mutual friend, Xanatha the spider, and offered to apply it to all, meaning some of the cold damage could be mitigated. Everyone agreed, and she cut their arms, rubbing the liquid in. They all felt an instant connection to the spider, and it stated that it knew there was a reason it let them live, and that it wished them luck--they would be needing it.
Wesley dropped them off a way off where they had previously got to, and he would go no further. The fog was thick now, it had got noticeably darker, and the trees and plants here were dead and blackened. They proceeded on foot, the witch leading the way into the darkness. No sooner was the ship out of sight, Wulf's keen eyesight was the only thing that saved them from a stealthy attacked from a huge reptilian like creature with the ability to blend to it's surroundings. There were two in fact, and they setup on the group, along with a number of large lobster-like creatures. Lanky identified the large creatures as marlits and the lobster like ones as Nippers. Marlits were known to be able to dodge physical attacks, and the nippers had tough skin, making them harder to hurt.
The party took on one marlit and two nippers, whilst the others dealt with the rest. It was an extremely tough fight, with a lot of swinging and missing these touch enemies. Lanky and Wulv II (Wulv's replacement) the wolf both fell unconscious, and just when things were looking desperate, Barrvalg intervened, having finished off the creatures that she was fighting. Two of the four templars had been slain during the battle; Boyden said a prayer for them, and they continued on. Lanky then heard a whimpering sound, and discovered three young marlits. Barrvalg said they wouldn't survive without their parents, so Lanky took pity, taking one into his pack, the head poking out--Barrvalg said they might be able to find one of her Brethren who may know of other adult marlits to pass the infant onto. Meanwhile, Wulf slew the other two, giving the reason that it was a kinder fate than starving to death.
They ventured further into the dark, down into what was previously a lush a verdant valley, but now had the stench of decay. Barrvalg, Boyden, and the Templars were all showing signs of corruption, having used more magic they they had intended at this point. The air was getting colder still, and Maddox had to use his magic lights so that the party could see. Moaning was heard ahead and eight corpses came at them. One of the Templars identified them as his fallen comrades, come back from the grave, and promised to end their lives for good this time. Another tough battle ensued. The dragouls had rusty swords and followed up their swipes with bites. Another Templar was slain, and so was Wulv II (another Wulv bites the dust). This time it was Wulf's turn to be knocked out and he was poisoned as well. Luckily, the party had bought healing potions; one was needed to prevent Wulf from dying.
Lanky and Maddox sliced and burned the Templar and Wolf corpse in order to prevent them coming back as undead. Boyden and the Templar were willing the cast a handful of healing spells before the final battle, as they were getting highly corrupted, having weird twinkling eyes and a foul smell. Suddenly, the cold and dark got worse. They almost felt like they were no longer in the forest and there was an eerie quiet. What can only be described as a creature made of a black hole, the very absence of light appeared, and the fight began. Boyden ordered everyone to spread out.
The initial onslaught was horrific. Lanky took one for the team tanking well again, taking the brunt of the sheer coldness and a terrible black spike attack, barely managing to stay on his feet. Due to the formation of the party, no-one else got hit initially. They then threw everything they had at the Creeping Dark. The Templars spell, 'Inflict Wound' had no affect at all, the darkness negating it. It was somehow reflected back on those nearby with corruption. Boyden unleashed the same spell, doing some damage this time, and Barrvalg let rip with Blight, a very powerful spell, hurting the Darkness well.
Maddox then had a clever idea, using his magical lindworm skin cloak to cause whisper to the Darkness, causing it to not act for a moment, allowing the party to pummel it further. Boyden was now laying into it with his warhamer, utilising corruption to increase the ferocity of his attack. He was bellowing for the party to redouble their efforts before they were overwhelmed. Barrvalg continued to use the blight spell to great effect, and Lanky and Wulf scored some crucial hits. After a frantic few seconds with Boyden and the Templar taking some serious damage, the Creeping Dark was finally defeated by Maddox's flaming sphere. They did it with no more casualties. The great evil had been defeated.
On the way back, Barrvallg took the baby marlit from Lanky, and gave it to another witch, who would take it to a new family gratefully. They said their goodbyes, having found new friends in Boyden and Barrvalg. When they finally got back to Thistle Hold, there was a great celebration across the town. They were truly considered as heroes now. Nobody had expected them to even return, let alone return triumphant. The party were starting to get widespread recognition; perhaps even the Queen would hear of their latest exploits.