1. Journals

Session 032 Leaving Ulfshafen

January 27, 2026

Nolus 15

At the Homeward Sail the group notices that Faelon and Rhyna don't look well. They discuss options. Hjalgrimm recalls that Captain Tenali Halirien was able to Remove Curse on the Nithra Dante woman.


Nolus 16

Faelon collects his map. The party asks for a cleric, but one cannot be accessed.

The party boards the boat and sails north to the island.


Nolus 17

Travel to campsite near Shomos River.

Captain Tenali casts Remove Curse on Faelon and Rhyna. The effects of Sweldre's Scorn are removed.


Nolus 18

Travel to mid camp


Nolus 18

Travel to mouth of Shomos


Nolus 19

Arrive at burned inn

Kenryst bids the party listen well.

  • "You lot have found yourselves entangled in some interesting events. Some of us have been waiting for signs that major winds of change are blowing our way. With your arrival, and with Rook's recent assistance, some pebbles have been kicked and a scree is about to tumble into an avalanche. Now that I have mangled that metaphor into a bloody mess, let me tell you what is going on."
  • First, a history refresher. 
    • I know that you originated from Cherafir in Melderyn, that you've passed through Thay and now through Burzyn in Chybisa, and that you are headed for Tashal in Kaldor. There are six kingdoms of eastern Hârn - Melderyn, Chybisa, and Kaldor, which I just mentioned, plus Evael, Azadmere, and Orbaal. As you know, Evael is the Sindarin kingdom to our west, Azadmere is the mountain kingdom of the Khuzdul north and east of us, and Orbaal is essentially an expansion of the northmen of Ivinia into northeast Hârn. Evael and Azadmere stay mostly out of Human politics, although they both participate in trade. 
    • Melderyn controls most commerce into and out of Hârn, except for Ivinian trade with Orbaal, and the handful of black market traders that bypass Cherafir on the routes to Kanday and Rethem in the west. Melderyn works hard to keep eastern Hârn peaceful, including the suppression of magic and technology. Some argue that Melderyn will not be able to maintain that control for much longer, as more people are trained in arcane arts, more technology is developed and distributed in Lythia, and more commoners become inured to the presence of the arcane.
    • Melderyn and Kaldor both claim Chybisa. Chybisa has not existed as an independent kingdom for very long, but they are safe for now because of three factors. First, Melderyn wants this area to remain peaceful. Two, Caer Burzyn is one of the most defensible fortresses on Hârn. And three, Kaldor is on the edge of a civil war, a succession crisis, so is not keen to spend resources contesting these lands.


    So, the Kaldoran Succession Crisis. King Miginath was a sickly child, and third in line, so he spent much of his youth in studies. Some believe that he may have even studied in a Chantry of Arcane Lore, but that has never been publicly proven. By the time Torastra died, both of his older brothers had died. In the last few decades Miginath has proven himself to be a very skilled leader. The people love him. Kaldor is prosperous. The various clans are strong, and wisely they are widely dispersed. Miginath is very, very old for a Human, and everyone is expecting him to die any day now. So here's the problem. When Miginath was young and not expected to become a king, he married a commoner - an uncommon woman, to be sure, but not a noble. She died in childbirth, and their son did not survive to adulthood. Miginath took a lover, Lady Erila Kaphin, to cement peace with Chybisa. She was the daughter of an Earl in Chybisa. They have had three sons, all of them illegitimate, but all of them highly placed in the Kaldor power structure. There are at least half a dozen who have strong claim to the throne of Kaldor, and another half dozen with legitimate but weaker claims. Miginath has not named a successor. If he dies without naming a successor, a Succession Council will convene to debate and vote. No matter how the vote resolves, there is a good chance that some bruised egos will start a civil war to push their claim to the throne. That is going to messy for everyone, including Melderyn, Chybisa, Evael, Azadmere, and Orbaal, and even with trading partners in the Thardic Republic and the Kingdom of Kanday.

  • Next topic. Laranians are assholes. The are POWERFUL assholes. They hold a LOT of land and money. They are the preferred religion of all nobles of the eastern Human kingdoms. They train most of the knights in Melderyn, Chybissa, and Kaldor. But, they are schismed - the Laranians in Kanday are constantly fighting the Agrikans and Rethem, the Laranians in Tharda are held in check by Agrikans and the Thardic Legion through the republican government, and the Laranians in the east are engaged in a Solori genocide that is quite unprofitable. The Laranians hold many well-resource abbeys and fortified manors throughout Melderyn, Chybisa, and Kaldor, their highest seat of power is in Thay, and they've succeeded in keeping most other churches outlawed or insignificant, except for the Peonians, with whom they partner. Still, there are cracks. They hold little sway in Burzyn or Cherafir, and they're spending a lot of treasure chasing Solori in the delta and the heights.
  • So, back to history. Bear with me, this will all make sense in a moment. A kerfuffle called the Treasure War was kicked off in TR674 when someone stole the legendary sword of the king of Kaldor. So, a little less than fifty years ago. King Torastra was way beyond pissed. His spies convinced him that it was the work of Cybisan thieves, so he besieged Burzyn. During the siege, the Baron of Geda turned against his own king and helped deliver Burzyn to Torastra. He was handsomely rewarded. A little over a decade later, the exiled king of Chybisa returned with a Melderyni army at his back and took Burzyn back. The Baron of Geda tried to flee, but was caught, and he and his entire family and retinue were publicly executed.
  • So, what was this fabled sword? It is called the Sword of Calsten. It was crafted and enchanted by Khuzdul mastersmiths 600 years ago  as a reward to Sir Calsten, the king of a small kingdom called Serelind that helped the Khuzdul repel repeated and powerful attacks by swarms of Gargun after the defeat of Lothrim the Fowlspawner. The sword is said to project courage and battle fervor over an entire army when wielded by a righteous ruler. That small kingdom merged with three other kingdoms, under a king wielding that mighty sword, creating the Kingdom of Kaldor. Every king of Kaldor has wielded the Sword of Calsten, and every knight in Kaldor has been touched by that sword. It is easy to understand why Torastra was enraged at its theft."
  • Kenryst reaches behind him and pulls out a bundled wrapped in soft black leather. He unravels the leather to reveal a stunning longsword bearing the crest of Clan Elendsa. He lays the sword in its leather bed before him for the party to see.
  • "This, lads and lasses, is the Sword of Calsten." He pauses to let them look, while he observes each of them. "While you lot were hanging out in Burzyn, your friend Rook here asked me if I had any side jobs. I told him no. He persisted. Seems he really wanted to earn enough coin to buy some fancy boots. After a bit, I remembered that I did have a job. An impossible and very dangerous one. 
  • Late last year the previous very elderly Bishop of the Chybisa Temple of Larani undertook a journey to the nearby Ulmstaane Abbey with a small escort. Before they arrived at the abbey they were attacked by a group of Pagaelin warriors. The Bishop and two of his paladins escaped to the abbey, but without their luggage. The Bishop dies less than a tenday later.
  • When I heard about what happened, I decided we should investigate. We spend a lot of time in the nearby wilderness, so we need to know what the Pagaelin are up to. We found what remained of the looted luggage. The Pagaelin had taken the swords, shields, and armor, along with various supplies, but they had left the Bishop's journal, deeming it valueless. It was in terrible shape, but we pieced together some interesting information. It appears that the Bishop was retiring to Ulmstaane, having already called for a Succession Council, and was preparing to confess to a representative of the pope of the Lythian High Temple of Larani. Apparently he was somehow complicit, or had knowledge of, the fate of the Sword of Calsten. We think that a Burzyni nobleman bought the stolen sword, but then had it hidden when he was exiled. The Bishop wrote that the fable sword of the first King of Serelind rested, hidden, among the bones of the pious of the Lady of Red.
  • I figured that the Sword of Calsten was hidden in the Ossuary in the cellar of the Temple of Larani, here in Burzyn. Of course, there was no way I was going to risk my team to check that out. So, I sent Rood to try to find its location, or report back if it is not there. By Halea's left tit, he brought this shiny sword back to me. I am a man of my word, so I gave Rook those pretty boots.
  • Seems I recently added a new spell to my tome that lets me experience the last events that occurred with a particular item. I cast that spell and it confirmed that, in fact, the Baron of Geda had stowed this sword, wrapped in leather, in a hidden cache in the Ossuary under the Laranian Temple of Burzyn. Since Rook has shown us that it could be done, and how, I sent someone in to find and bring to me the skull of said Baron of Geda."
  • Kenryst produces another leather package, this one in the shape of a globe. He unwraps it to reveal a Human skull.
  • "Say hello to the Baron. The Baron confirmed the stories of the Bishop. He paid for the sword to be stolen, he hid the sword in the Ossuary under the Laranian Temple, he told a Laranian priest about it, and he died trying to escape Burzyn." He wraps the skull back up. "As far as I know, the Laranian priest went on to become the Bishop of Chybisa, and he died at Ulmstaane Abbey. He may have confessed what he knew to the Laranian pontiff, I don't know. In any case, no one retrieved the sword. Until now."
  • "So, what next? Well, this sword is a huge bargaining chip for us, and against the Laranians. We have proof that they knew where this sword was and kept it hidden. When the time is right, I can convince King Verlid VII that the Laranians tracked you and attacked you when you left because they thought you had the sword and were preparing to bring it to Kaldor. OK, the timing is off, but it is not entirely untrue. Lady Erila Kaphin, the Lord Privy Seal of Kaldor, a well-trained and respected Knight Errant, and mother of all three of King Miginath's bastard sons, could be a key player in the impending Kaldoran Succession Crisis. Lady Erila recently contact King Aranath of Evael about partnering to establish a trading site on Tuleme' island in the Kald River. This would take an immense amount of resources, but the return on investment could be just as immense, for both Kaldor and Evael, and even possibly for Chybisa."
  • Askelon interjects. "Indeed, I have spoken with my brothers Raelir Gelarhun and Eanalon Gelarhun about this possible trade agreement, and they are supportive. King Aranath is sending Eanalon to Tashal to establish a dialogue with Lady Erila there. We are to contact Eanalon once we reach Tashal."
  • Kenryst continues. "I would like for you lot to hide the sword and skull in your Bag of Holding and keep them secret. Once you are safely hidden in Tashal, contact me so that we can arrange the next step." He hands a scroll tube to Askelon. "This is a scroll with the Sending spell. Use it to contact me once you are safely settled in Tashal."
  • "We will need to time this carefully. Once the sword is delivered to Lady Erila, it is likely that the civil war will start soon after. You will want to be on your way out of Tashal, if Tashal is not your end destination."
  • Askelon confirms that they understand. "We will be on our way east to Garvin Bay as soon as possible." Kenryst looks at Askelon, then smiles and nods. "Indeed."
  • Kenryst hands a note from Dalon Ashawe, the Embalmer in Burzyn, to Rook.
  • Rook collects ashes and researches his spell. He succeeds.
  • Kenryst collects blood from all and hair from all but Rook.


Nolus 20


Nolus 21

  • The party continues toward Oselbridge. They stop to check out the ruined church at Orthasa. Askelon and Weyliri tell the party the story of the massacre at Orthasa. Rook takes some water, mixes it into some of the ash he collected from the burned Laranians, and paints a symbol of Naveh on the memorial plaque.
  • Farther down the road the party sees the path coming in from the pass in the west. Rook notices that the horse hoof prints are smaller than the standard Laranian charger or draft horse. They conclude that these are Pagaelin horses.
  • Near sundown the party arrives at Oselbridge. Askelon tells the party what he knows - when it was built, by whom, how it is contested by Kaldor, Chybisa, and the Pagaelin, how the Mercantylers' Guild has the best claim and angle, and how the Baron of Kobing wants to build a keep here but King Miginath won't grant his Right of Crenelation.

Faelon's Journal

Got a huge load of info fr0m Kenryst Gelarhun.  Couldn't really understand much of the names or references, but I followed along like a young child in a story circle.  The West is still so very new to me and hearing all these stories about kingdoms and rulers keeps me thirsty for more knowledge of the West.  I find myself thinking of that Pagaelin with the blue lips from the fungus.  What was happening there?  It had to have been a ritual....  A bundle was presented to us; a sword?  Gekko's Sword.. Crest of Clan Alenza?  Whatever that means.  Rook did a side job for Kenryst Gelarhun... Another bundle.. human skull!  The Baron... Take the sword to Lady Arilla for leverage against the Church of Larani.  Lay low in Tashal, until we are contacted.  Possibly contact Lady Arilla.  DO NOT TOUCH SWORD! Give hair, blood, and other items for Kenryst Gelarhun to elude the Church of Larani.


Sword/Skull is in the bag of holding. Wrapped, of course.


We wake up and head north, to Oselbridge .  we see an old building, with no roof.  Orthasa?  basically looks like a type of church.  ( The Pagaelin's took advantage of Orthasa).. nothing of interest in the building, we tread on.





January 28th, 2026

Kyle's Notes

15 NOLUS (June) SUMMER, 721 TR

Nolus 15 evening 
We finish the tour, askelon stays at the caer, we head back to the inn. We discuss with Faelon the process of getting his curse removed. 

Nolus 16 Travel to the dip in the river about 1/3 of the way through

We collect the map the Faelon dropped off. Head to the boat to leave Ulfshafen. We meet Tenali the ranger who casts remove curse on the two party members who are afflicted from the fountain. We start heading back to the genin trail with the Nithra Dante. As we get about a third of the way we see the pagalin on the other side of the river. We don't end up running into them again. 

Nolus 17 Travel to mid way 

Nolus 18 Travel to mouth of river 


Nolus 19 Travel to the burnt inn. 

When we arrive at the inn we see one of kenrysts assistance and he waves us over to a bonfire. He tells us that we have found ourselves in a predicament. He explains to us that there seems to be a war brewing for the throne of Kaldor. He then goes on to explain the treasure war. He brings out the Sword of Calsten and shows the party. He tells us that the Baron of Geda commissioned the stealing of the sword and that he shared this secret with a young laranian priest. He tells us that he wants this sword to reach lady Miginath. He says that we wants Lady caffen to have more sway in an upcoming war for the throne of kaldor. 

Kenryst tells me that he was instructed by Dalon the embalmer to read a message and eat it so it cannot be found again. 

Kenryst gives Askelon a scoll of sending for him to learn it at a later date. 

Once we finish talking to Kenryst, Rook heads over to where the burned Laranian bodies are and grabs a pouch full of ashes/soot. He spends 4 hours before bed learning the Gloom cantrip and he finally casts it on the fire decreasing the light level around the fire. 

Long rest Nolus 20
Kenryst grabs some of our blood and hair before we leave. We head north towards Oselbridge. Nothing interesting in the first day of travel. 

Long rest Nolus 21 

about midday off to the west we see a semi ruined building off the road. We find a plaque remembering laranians. Rook mixes the dead laranian ashes and some water and paints a Naven symbol on the plaque. We run into the Osel river and across it is Oselbridge. We arrive at sunset. 



January 28th, 2026 January 28th, 2026