Storm King’s Thunder. Session 28: The Road to Mithral Hall

22^nd Alturiak- 8^rd Ches 1458DR

They resolved to hike back to Mirabar. The weather remained bitterly cold in the mountains, with the thick snow and strong winds making every step a struggle. After 2 days of hiking they approached a small pass and Fenris sensed something was wrong and they were being watched. He crept forward and saw the forms of two yetis preparing for ambush. He signalled back to the rest of the group, who prepared their weapons. Amadeous climbed onto a nearby rocky promontory with his Slippers of Spider Climbing and as he approached the two yetis burst out of the ground, baring their fangs and claws. Slightly further away the two huge forms of 2 frost giants also erupted from the snow. A short but bloody battle ensued that left Maganose and Fenris injured but the yetis and giants lay dead.

The climate became less cold as they approached Mirabar and after another 6 days they reached the city. Not wanting to tarry for too long in Mirabar, they rested overnight in the Sign of the Forgehammer Inn. Having travelled for nearly 2 tendays in the harsh Spine of the World, they bought drinks for the dwarves in the taproom and stayed in the finest suite. This lead to a late night for many of the Griffons. Korrak however, had an early night and was left frustrated when he expected everyone to meet him downstairs at 06:00 sharp and they came downstairs bleary-eyed at 11:00. Taking their breakfast to go, they headed to the stable with the teleportation circle.

They found the Harper agent Zazspar Bronzefire mucking out the stable and he greeted them. They head upstairs and teleported to Everlund. Finding themselves in the basement of Moongleam Tower, they made to leave but were caught by senior Harper wizard Krowen Valharrow, who asked for an update on what they had found at the Eye of the Allfather. They informed him that the Oracle had told them that King Hekaton of the Storm Giants had gone missing and they needed to find their way to his court to find out more. He asked about the location of the Eye of the All father and they told him that regrettably it had collapsed as Harshnag sacrificed himself. To this he was shocked and they told him they were on their way to Mithral Hall to free Zephyra so that they may travel using her tower to find the next clues to the way to the Storm King’s Court.

They purchased horses (in Amadeous’ case a mule and for Korrak a camel) and they left to travel north up the Rauvin Road towards Mithral Hall. After a couple of days travelling they reached Silverymoon and went to the Golden Oak Inn. Fenris again insisted upon the finest rooms and noticed a group of young people sitting at a table watching them intently and whispering to each other. He approached and introduced himself and the rest of the Griffons, to which they were delighted. They introduced themselves as Caspian (Paladin of Helm), Hieronymous (Sorceror) Valia (Barbarian of the Reaches) and Thomdrin (Druid of the Woodland Realm) and they had heard tales of the noble Gilded Griffons from the songs that were being sung in the taverns. Caspian was very surprised to see Darius was so tall, for in the songs he was a hunchback (with a lot of backbone) and said Maganose was looking very well for a lich: an undead wizard who adventured to right the wrongs of his past. When Carlan interjected he asked if she was still talking to weed (he’d heard that she spoke to her psychadelic plants to help them grow), they realised that somehow that Talyra Swiftscale the bard had taken some “artistic licence” with what they’d told her and now strange songs were being sung about them in the taverns up and down the Sword Coast.

Caspian said that he and his friends were also a fellowship of brave and noble adventurers (since about 11:00 this morning when they agreed it over brunch) and asked for the Griffon’s advice. Slaying rats in a basement was suggested as a good starting point and with a bit coaxing they took on a quest to slay some rats in the basement of the Golden Oak. Several of the Griffons followed to cheer them on. Caspian, Valia and Hieronymous acquitted themselves bravely but Thomdrin was down and nearly killed. Emerging victorious, they were paid the handsome sum of 10 gold and 70 silver.

Pleased with watching the birth of a new band of heroes, the Griffons headed off to bed. After breakfast they headed north again and after 2 days travel they reached Zymorven Hall. This muddy and slightly bleak keep had a small Inn named the Flaming Flagon and had recently suffered a fire. Fenris booked rooms, noting the poor condition of the Inn and had a small spat with the Innkeeper. After Korrak threatened to intervene the Innkeeper gave them their room keys and they went off to bed, with Maganose electing to sleep in Daern’s Instant Fortress just outside the keep. Somehow the inside still appeared messy from the partying Dwarves many nights before, despite the tower’s magical nature.

The next morning they set off again and reached the small fishing village of Rivermoot on the banks of the Surbin River. From here, they chartered a boat to take them 25 miles upriver and they finally reached the gates of Mithral Hall. On the way they gossiped with the ferryman, who said that Queen Dagnabbet had been ambushed recently during a visit to a local new mining prospect.

As they approached the gates to Mithral Hall, they saw Zephyra’s tower was visible from the ground, seemingly peacefully floating a thousand feet in the air. Speaking to the Gate guards, they confirmed the rumour of a recent Hill Giant attack on Dagnabbet, which had left her injured and grumpier than than usual. After gaining admittance, they passed through the bustling market square and head towards the throne room. They were informed that Dagnabbet had ceased holding court for today, but she would be available again tomorrow. Not perturbed, they asked if any of her advisors were free, to which they were told that Hewen Firehammer was in his office at the moment and planning out a solution to an engineering problem they were experiencing. They were pleased to hear this, as they had met Hewen previously. It was Hewen who had led the Dwarven strike force who boarded the tower in order to destroy it, yet had been persuaded to detain her at Mithral Hall.

Finding their way to Hewen’s office, they found the dwarf studying sewage drainage plans in his office. He was pleased to see them and they briefly caught up. They explained that they needed to speak to Dagnabbet on a matter of urgency and he promised to put in a good word and see what he could do.