Our Heroes met in the fishing town of Bremen.
Running low on funds they decided to investigate rumors of activity at the docks, and maybe earn some money fishing.
Grynsk, a grumpy dwarven dockmaster demanded fish and offered a boat damaged by some kind of bite. After a brief argument, he found another available boat and allowed them to begin their trip onto the dark lake.
They were approached by Tali, a half elven scholar who warned them about a lake monster and asked for notes on the creature. She was persuaded to join them and take her own notes.
The lake monster twice appeared and was twice rebuked by Largo’s songs of insult. Eventually the lake monster was calmed, revealed that it had been awaken by Ravisin, that Ravisin instructed the monster to terrorize the people of Bremen, and that other animals across the north had been awakened.
Ravisin was once a Druid in Lynaea’s circle, but had dissappeared some time ago.
Returning to the docks with their haul of fish, Grinsk offered a paltry sum of 5cp per head, then suggested they sell the fish to Torga’s caravan instead
Torga offered a far better price, and offered an escort from town (for another price) through the snow-covered route to Targos.
They met the caravan guard Sephek, a human male unfazed by the cold, claiming to be blessed by Auril after being born on midwinter day. Yrso detected that Sephek was in fact, undead.
After an evening of responsible drinks, our heores tipped the lone innkeeper 3 gold. She revealed that her son Huarwar once assisted in running the inn, but after returning from a search party with a black crystal on his neck, his demeanor changed. Days later 2 Tieflings with similar crystals escorted Huarwar from town. He informed his mother that he would never return.
The Tieflings mentioned a castle
During the journey to Targos the caravan was attacked by an awakened rhino, the rhino appeared to hate all life and revelled in violence and bloodshed, but in the end was subdued by Largo’s insult lullabye, then slain. After some negotiations, our heroes were offered compensation for their role in defeating the beast.
Outside of Targos, there was evidence of human sacrifice. Humanoids were stripped and locked in suspended cages near the walls of the city. Sephek informed our heroes that these people are chosen by lottery in the larger cities in the north (Targos, Brynn Shander, and Easthaven) and that they are sacrificed to placate Auril’s wrath.
Investigating rumours of murders in ten towns, the last of which occured days ago in Targos. Yrso is convinced a follower of Auril is committing these, after an ice dagger has been found in the heart of each victim.
They visited the town Speaker, Naerth, on the top floor of the Luskan arms, a public house in shameful state overriden by rats and over-populated with humanoids.
Naerth revealed the last victim was still lying where she was found. A fishmonger named Gerbo.