My Dearest Tabitha,
I’m writing this to you as I await my turn at running THE GAUNTLET, which may prove to be a life-or-death affair…
But first, Happy Birthday! I sincerely hope you found your sisters and are celebrating in whatever way you all celebrate…which probably has something to do with torturing frogs or bats or some other creatures and binding their souls. But how ever you celebrate, I hope it is amazing for you!
I know it’s only been thirty-six hours or so since we parted, but I really have missed your company. I thought I would pass on this quick note to let you know what we’ve been up to.
As we made our way uneventfully from Erky’s to Nightstone, we took a few moments to look more closely at the wizard’s tome we found. We discovered a few more symbols, one of which we think might have to do with a very old deity and one that is of a tree. Neither seem to be taken from the nightstone rubbings and were added later.
Arriving at Nightstone we took care of a few items, including retrieving our trolls’ skulls (which look amazing!), retrieving our cart (it still smells vaguely of troll) and talking with Lady Nadar. When we spoke to her, we discovered that her late husband was actually “in to” a lot of things, one of which might have been the history of the nightstone. She’s going to go through his library of items and do some spring cleaning; if she comes across anything at all of interest, she’s going to send it to us at TrollSkull. She seemed very sad, so on a whim we invited her to the Benefit and told her Mirt would probably attend. That seemed to cheer her up considerably.
We also visited the nightstone, so see if the shard would fit into the crack in the stone. Luckily, we took precautions because as the shard got close to the crack, Z felt an attraction between them and we all heard a hum, but he dexterously resisted them connecting. No doubt about where the shard came from any longer!
We headed back to the location of the troll attack. After Z and I mended the carriage we decided, due to the fading light, to return home and leave the troll’s den for another day. We pulled into Waterdeep at around 10pm, directing Tren to drop us off at Mirt’s, then deliver the skulls to TS for us.
Mirt’s house was dark and locked up tight. We decided that a man like him was probably out partying, so we backtracked to a pub that I saw him at the first night we met him. He was there, the center of attention, but was fairly into his cups so we didn’t have a long or meaningful discussion.
We returned to TS and caught Renaer locking up for the night. He gave me a note from Chips and said that due to the festival, there wouldn’t be any work tomorrow, but that we are on schedule to “soft open” on the 24th. He’s really been doing an outstanding job for us, because the place is simply amazing. The tavern is ready for opening, and there’s just a little bit left to do on the upper floors. Chip’s work was also above and beyond our expectations – but I dare not write anything more about that topic right now. The chapel is particularly charming. All in all, it feels like home.
After a full night’s rest, a visit from our urchins, Elyana starting her first batch of moonshine and a visit to the Genesai for Z’s rings, we talked to Trench. Long story short, he’s found Bran and given us two locations where we might find him: his house (where we stole his diary) and a supposedly-abandoned fishery called Carnock, located down by the docks.
We then made our way to the Brightswords festival. Elyana and Rascal had some hijinks at the “shoot the goblin” booth. I tried a little shopping from Arouras Shop of Wonders cart, but was intimidated by the very old, unidentifiable woman running the cart and left without purchasing anything.
We found Mirt and talked with him a bit more. There’s lots to cover here, but the punchlines are: a) he’s received word that Ander is awake! b) we have his permission to do what is necessary about Bran, c) he thinks a city guard named Elminster might know something about the nightstone, and d) he is super excited so see Lady Nadar and will be sending her an invitation to the Benefit immediately.
Dhann and Z went to talk with an old dwarf named Dorin who took a look at the wizard’s tome. He confirmed that there are “beginning of time” stories and imagery here, but then said that additional things had been added and referenced a school of magic that he’s never heard of before. He mentioned the Spellplague in his description, which I lived through about a hundred years ago. Those were some crazy times, let me tell you! Anyway, he also thinks that the tree glyph is related to the planar tree which describes our known universe. It sorta’ looks like the tree birthmark on Ander’s neck, now that I think about it… But I’m sure that Dhann and Z can fill you in on the details of the tome when you speak with them next.
Which brings us to THE GAUNTLET. It is some sort of festival obstacle course which Elyana, Z and I paid 5gp each to run, along with a bunch of other people. The winner gets a prize, and it should be an entertaining diversion. (I tried to get Z drunk so that I could win easier, but he saw right through my scheme. I never have been a very good liar.)
Well, it looks like they are about to start the event. Again, I hope this letter finds you soon and in the best of spirits (no pun intended) on your birthday!
I remain your humble servant and friend,
Barrett Thunderwood
P.S. We all awoke this morning feeling amazing! Many of us, who had been practicing new spells or skills, seemed to have mastered them overnight. I think a night at Trollskull has taken us to the next level!
(wink, wink…)