Last we left our heroes, they were preparing for a night’s rest back at the Windwalker, one member less since Yevin had not returned with them. The next morning after collecting breakfast, the group gathers in the warroom to find Wander pouring over notes and documents, compiling a list of suspicious happenings, forgotten details, and unresolved threads. They discuss their next move; go to Winterstall or return to Hearthollow first. Reg informs them that there isn’t enough juice in the animus crystal to safely do both, they wouldn’t make it all the way to Winterstall and would have to walk the last hundred miles. After hearing Yevin speak about the Queen, Wander does not want to risk going to Hearthollow first, besides, they still don’t know why Rena was there, she was infiltrating the high court long before Skulldrinker was even involved, she taught Skulldrinker! On top of that there’s Mirik Merrelin who has ties to the Terizitch pools, which now have something to do with Crimson Eyes, and HE has access to Randar’s sanctum, which is where Kolekrete is imprisoned, and then there was something about a Chained Brotherhood of Therazdun in the Saltmarsh and, and, and…. Ryker and Havayla do their best to slow down the spiraling cleric of Knowledge and agree that going to Winterstall first would be the wisest choice.
Decision made, the group heads in to Riverband. Havayla and Ryker go to Octavius’ while Wander, Arunak, and Nathan head to the castle to get Nathan’s magical rope back. They’ll all meet up after to retrieve Zay.
At Octavius’, Havayla checks on their commissions and requests, purchases some gemstones, and sells her flame-tongue longsword. There’s some demonstration back and forth as she discovers that in Octavius and Ryker’s hands, the sword alights with its customary orange flame, but in her hands it turns purple. Curious… They complete their business and continue on to meet the rest of the party.
Nathan leads the way to the castle, where the doors open on their own into an empty hall. Continuing in to the throne room, it appears that an office has been set up in the middle of the grand space. A nervous servant informs them that Turder has take up residence and will see them shortly. Wander and Arunak reminisce about the first time they were in the throne room while they wait.
Turder seems surprised to see them, but not upset. He questions their entry to the castle, apparently the elementals have been letting anyone in. Because of that, it has been decided by the council that he shall move onto the premises, to act as secretary for council business and give use to the castle. That immediately triggers some raised eyebrows among the group as Turder continues commenting that the size of the castle is a bit more than he’s use to and how Zay would like to turn the throne room into a library (Wander agrees with that idea). He asks why they came by and Nathan explains about his rope. Turder walks over to his desk, “I imagined you’d be coming back for this” and pulls out the rope from a drawer. Business complete, they say they’re good-days and continue on to Zay’s.
The Derailers meet back together on the way to Zay’s. As they walk, they exchange information about Turder’s activity and Havayla passes some diamonds to Wander for spells. Soon enough they are in front of Zay’s shop, where Zay herself is dressed for travel and waiting for their escort. Arunak, Ryker, and Wander retrieve her bags and they make their way back to the Windwalker. Zay gives them a background on Winterstall on the way.
The city of Winterstall has been closed off for many years. Kolakretai, the uncrowned king, had a major impact on the city and they have been reluctant to open their doors ever since. It was a monarchy, but she is unsure if that is still the case. There are settlements outside the walled city. She hypothesizes that if they’re able to befriend those in the outer settlements, they might have a greater chance of gaining entrance to the gates of Winterstall. Wander remembers that her brother, Stump, was originally set to trade a herd of goats with a ranch outside of Winterstall. Maybe she can make a connection there. They reach the ship and get Zay settled, before taking off to head northward.
Havayla sends a message to the Queen, informing her of their trip to Winterstall for animus crystals (but avoids mentioning trade with Riverband). The queen seems perturbed at the delay, but made no demand for their immediate return. Havayla relays this and everyone goes about their business, with Ryker and Wander both taking some time to commune. Ryker comes out of his sanctuary to Sehanine and announces through the ship’s intercom that someone on the ship will be in danger in Winterstall, so be alert. He finds Wander in the halls and asks what she learned. She discovered that Rena was not involved with the Crimson Eyes, but that the Crimson Eyes do have a foothold in Winterstall. Ryker shares that, according to Sehanine, the queen does not have nefarious intentions toward Winterstall. He surmises that it must be Dorza or Arunak that will be in danger and goes to inform them, while Wander goes to find Zay. She had also sent Stump a message and found out that the rancher he worked with was named Gimrak and he told her where to find the ranch. Zay agrees that this is a good place to start, and Wander leaves for the warroom to do more research.
Eventually everyone ends up in the warroom, this time seeing Wander with all the stones from Kane’s machine laid out on the table. She explains that the stones were created by Kane, distilled down from a large brain. They influence and enhance the attached emotion, but don’t seem to have any further effect. Experimentation begins as everyone takes turns picking up some of the more innocuous stones, like experience and reward. Then, Ryker grabs both the stone of confusion and the stone of organization. He is put in immediate mental distress as things begin to make so much sense…almost. Parts are missing and it’s all so tangled. Wander gets him to drop the confusion stone and suddenly he is full of solutions for better efficiency on the ship, which he rattles off over the intercom to Reg.
Havayla, curious about the effects after reading Kane’s notes again, reaches for the passion stone, but confuses it with the similarly colored stone of rage. She is struck with sudden anger at someone she hasn’t considered a target before; Sehanine. Ryker, coming out of his organizational fugue, notices the change in her demeanor and wrests the stone from her hand, which causes him to come in contact with it. Rage building in him, he turns to Wander and begins berating her for the actions that caused Nahtan’s death. Knowing that he is holding the stone, Wander casts command, demanding he drop it. Ryker’s rage vanishes as soon as it came and Wander moves to carefully bottle the stones back up.
Meanwhile, Arunak, observing everything among his friends, begins to consider the possibilities. These could be weaponized, harnessed. He carefully picks up the confusion stone, using his sleeve and not touching it to bare skin. Wander notices this and protests, but he shows that he isn’t affected, and passes it to Ryker, instructing him to hold it similarly. They discuss options and situations where these stones could be used. Havayla cautions that if they use them, then other’s could as well, should they get ahold of them. It is filed away as a discussion for another time and everyone once again splits off for the remaining hours of their trip.
Time passes and the the Windwalker has reached the outskirts Winterstall. The city is surrounded by forest and has a massive wall encircling it. A large tower in the middle of the city is broken off, a casualty of the Uncrowned King’s attack. Wander points out a ranch aways out from the walls that matches what her brother described. Reg brings the ship down and informs Ryker that they need more animus crystals if they’re to leave safely. The Derailers and Zay disembark and head toward the ranch, which they soon find is called Mighttale.
They are greeted by a sturdy dwarf, who introduces himself as Gimrak. Wander uses the connection with her brother to start conversation and he reacts favorably, welcoming them into his home for discussion and tankards of fresh milk. Zay lays out her mission: She has come in peace from Riverband with the hope of establishing trade. Upon hearing this, Gimrak sits back and gives a rundown on the state of Winterstall.
Winterstall is indeed closed off. Governor Stoutbrig has kept the city secluded and reserved for the dwarves, and dwarves only. Outsiders are rarely allowed in. More often than not, any non-dwarf that even comes close to the city is captured and never seen again. They may have a chance if they can get in contact with his friend Gluzzer Steelstone. Steelstone is a friend to the Governor, but does what he can to help the common folk, and he is sympathetic to outside causes. But Gimrak hasn’t heard from him in awhile.
With this information revealed, discussion turns to how they might gain entry. Ryker suggests espionage, Zay wants to try the direct route first. Eventually they decide to go with Zay’s plan, but have preparations for invisibility and quick escapes prepared, should things become unfavorable. They thank Gimrak for his time and head toward the city.
As the Derailers travel through the forest towards Winterstall, there is evidence of battles fought long ago. Remains of wagons, ballistas, and other war machines are mixed in the undergrowth, rotting where they were left. They begin to hear voices as the forest thins and the path opens up to the great wall and gate of Winterstall. A cloaked figure is shouting from the ground up to figures on the wall. The figure turns as the sentries question the appearance of the group, wondering if they’re all together. As the cloaked individual shouts back that they are not together, the Derailers take in an odd visage.
A rather short, yet spindly frame with green tinged yellow skin. White cloth wrappings around hands and feet, a diamond-shaped brooch hold a grey cloak around his shoulders. His face is narrow with a tall forehead and receded hairline of long grey and white hair. Small, dark eyes and a flat, skull-like nose are framed by thinly braided mutton chops and a goatee that hang down to his chest. A long staff capped by a yellow egg shaped stone floats next to him, the stone’s glow gently pulsing.
While the group takes in the appearance of this strange individual, Zay steps forward and announces herself and her intentions. A smaller door at the base of the wall opens up and a squad of dwarves file out, surrounding the whole group. A commanding looking dwarf steps forward, introduces himself as Gluzzer Steelstone, and informs them all that they will be coming with him. And that is where we left off.
What will the Derailers find inside Winterstall? Will they be allowed to leave? Who and what is this new individual? We’ll find out next time…