Chapter Six: Farewell to Summer

Session might have been held 30th of November 

As the expedition proceed with great haste, part of the journal for the timeline of this chapter was written quite poorly, and the other half was destroyed by a winter wolfs freezing breath. Thus it might seem bit shorter recitation than usually.

On third of August the expedition launched onward from Bryn Shanders closed walls. According to Crowgales plan the expedition headed northwards towards Caer Konig, a village along the shore of lake Lac Dinneshere. Passing the Kelvins Cairn, they would then head further 20 miles north towards old burial grounds known as the Dol Aurmeth,  as it was the most viable location to match with Valgaerd Whitefarers log and it's clues for their next destination.

"The frozen tree of Ice Wind Pass, where men hand like apples in the ice-carved branches. The apple rosy-cheeked, the Captain alas, he guides your way."

Northern Ice Wind Dale

First the expedition followed the way towards Easthaven, but soon turned on a smaller trail towards Caer Dineval, Caer Konigs competive big brother. They stumbled upon a herd of deers, only to be ambushed by two ferocious winter wolves on the hunt. Battle was cold at least, but no losses were taken that day!

Upon arriving to Caer Dineval, our heroes learned that the town was on warpath with it's northern cousin, Caer Konig. The latter was overrun by barbariansa few decades ago when a mad wizard Akar Kessel tried to take over the world, and the council of the Ten Towns prescribed the town to barbarian claim.

While resting at Holfi's Homestead inn, Captain of the Townguard Thuor Styrmo advised the expedition to proceed with heightened awareness, as Caer Dinevals governor Dráinn Brent had gone missing on peace-negotiations with the Caer Konig Uthgardts.

Later on the expedition withdrew from Caer Dineval. They arrived to Sarhlid, old meeting place of the nordic tribes, where the presumed peace-meet was rumored to take place. Quick investigation revealed signs of murder and mischief, which lead to eventual conflict. But it was no man that opposed our adventurers, hidden into the carnage that took place at Sarhild, group of red and blue Slaadi attacked our party. These beasts of pure chaos had slaughtered both the men of Caer Dineval but also the Uthgardt barbarians of Caer Konig. But now they met their victors, as our heroes struggled those vile creatures back to the planes they came from.

One survivor was found from that cursed place of mayhem, and he was none the less than Governor Brent himself. Poor fellow had endured much, but the was thankful for saving his life. He told to the heroes that "Grey Wanderer" had stormed into the meeting hall and somehow summoned the Slaadi, but he could not provide any further details as the mental strain had overcame his will.

Days passed and the expedition pushed slowly to the open lands above Kelvins Cairn. Day after the day a faint white glimmer in the horizon expanded until it was clear that they journeyed towards a wall of ice known as the Reghed Glacier. In front of the glacier a great hill rose from the frozen tundra, like a last bastion of the known world, and that was Dol Aurmeth, their destination.

Exploring the hill took some time, especially as it was slightly unclear what they were looking for. No trees grew up here, only some old ceremonial branches of ages old graves of tribesmen reached towards the cold sky. But eventually a spot of interest was found as the glacier descended upon the hill from it's northside where a single old tree was trapped into a crack of ice. There in the light of setting sun, a new view was generated. The sunrays illuminated a part of glacial ice that had apparently entombed several corpses. And one of them seemed to shine faint red light, just like Valgaerds poem had predicted.

Turns were taken as a tunnel was mined trough the ice towards the reddish corpse. But upon reaching it, hell broke lose, or atleast the corpse as it turned out to be animate, undead beign of terrible power. A red amulet was gleaming on it's neck as it hacked trough the men of the expedition that were trying to defend themselves against it. Luckily, still there were no need for graves as the expedition managed to overcome this threat.

Crowgale took the amulet to his possession, as it needed careful study. Meanwhile the expedition continued to heading predicted by Crowgale, penetrating the glacier wall and ascending upon the world of eternal ice.

But none of the expedition knew that the Grey Wanderer was studying their progress from afar.