Our heroes were victorious in the Berserker caves and Dzaan was restored. He and Vellyne seemed to get along, and Dzaan’s stated purpose in the ancient city of Ythrn was to recover the Mythalar and end the endless night. He joined the expanding retinue as an ally.
Dzaan asked our heroes if they’d made headway on recovering his spellbook, to which Yrso sheepishly returned his book of romantic poetry that had for so long stirred the fires of her loins. When it came to light that Dzaan himself had written these verses, she felt slightly disgusted.
Dzaan had mathematically calculated the most likely point where the entrance to Ythrn would lie based on the trajectory and position of the fallen Ntherese spire he had been living in. Our heroes proceeded in that direction trusting his calculations.
days later, they were approached by members of the Elk Tribe, who they recognized as the individuals they assisted during Auril’s trial of endruance. Their chief, Grundar had sent his Shaman Mjenir into the ten towns to learn of our heroes, and Mjenir returned with tales of their heroics. Grundar hoped to assist our heroes in their journey and protect them from the Tiger Tribe.
Mjenir also returned with a doctor from the ten towns named Dr Nolkon – a name our heroes astutely recognized as an anagram for many other individuals whose presence always seemed a little too coincidental. Vellyne and Dzaan had both also had similar encounters to this Dr, under another assumed name. Yrso soon realized that this doctor was in fact a fiend.
Regardless, they allowed the doctor to follow them. He’d always at least been helpful.
Soon, they approached the Reghed glacier, where members of the tiger tribe burst from the snow to attack. A wall of flame and hypnotic pattern neutralized the majority of these attackers, while the elk tribe along with Dzaan and Vellyne cut down the remainder and their leader was put down Grundar and Yrso.
Largo then recited the Rime of the Frostmaiden at the pale blue section of the glacier and opened a passageway into the heart of it.
Grundar offered to remain encamped at the entrance to waylay further attacks by the Tiger tribe.
As our heroes descended into the glacier they realized the good Dr Noklon was following them. The Dr explained that now that our heroes had opened the way, they no longer needed the Codicile. And that it was far too risky for them to carry it into the ancient city where Avarice could acquire it.
Our heroes refused. Dr Noklon then offered to make a trade – his hat that allows him to change appearance. He shifted to many of the forms our heroes were familiar with and some new ones. Our heroes again rejected the offer.
Dr Noklon bid them farewell, and turned to return to the surface. Our heroes did not trust him and Yrso demanded he submit to questioning under the zone of truth. This seemed to please the Dr, and he answered their questions honestly.
He did not appear to have any murderous plans involving the elk tribe, and intended to assist them in protecting the entryway from interlopers. Our heroes reluctantly allowed him to leave before descending further into the glacier.
As they got deeper, the air became colder and thinner, it was a struggle to breathe. echoes of noises from the caves could be heard very faintly, including pops, laughter, and whispering.
When our heroes reached the bottom, they had entered a sprawling cave complex. in the center of the first chamber they found a destroyed skycoach, which the Professor was happy to describe as the primary means of transportation of the people of Ythrn, but regretted it was scuttled as he always wanted to ride one.
As our heroes rummaged through the wreckage, the noise attracted 4 flying flaming skulls from side passages…