The Tears of Thenglas - A Tale Told by Fudwick Turnipstew

Session 1 Part 1

Player Characters

Eswin - 4th level Tuathan Elf Thief

Kieran - 3rd level Human Druid

Talos Redwand - 3rd level Human Wizard (Conjurer)

NPCs

Sir Edgar Salisbury - 3rd level Human Fighter

Thurin - man-at-arms and innkeeper's son

Ungash - man-at-arms and local gravedigger

Surein ye heard o’ the cursed winter that befell the village o’ Brysgod not two years ago? Ye haven’t? Well then, gather round, gather round, and I shall tell ye the tale, for I was in Brysgod in the days that the curse was lifted. My name? Oh, it’s Fudwick Turnipstew. But that’s not important, for I play no part in the tale other than that o’ mere observer.

It was in the spring of 606 AT as the humans o' Inolba count the years. The village o’ Brysgod had suffered through an entire year o’ desolate winter; their crops had failed and what little aid that was sent from the capital was not nearly enough. I had come through Brysgod in search of a local potato soup recipe, for if you’re not aware, I’m a chef of some repute in the lands o’ the gnomish peoples. The Lord of the Westmarch had sent his son to investigate the cause o’ the curse, but he had failed to return. The folk were losing hope that they would ever see the buds o’ spring again.

One chilly night, some two weeks after the Lord of Westmarch’s son disappeared, three strangers walked into the tavern where I was enjoying the aforementioned potato soup. They made their intent known right away: they were bound for the ruins of Barrick’s Keep, where the cause o’ the curse was thought to be. They introduced themselves as Talos Redwand, a highborn wizard; Kieran, a druid with the dusky skin and long locks o’ the Godain peoples; and Eswin, a Tuathan Elf from the realm o’ Cin-Da-Bor. Before setting off to the ruins, they were joined by Sir Edgar Salisbury, a local madman in his twilight years who fancied himself a knight errant; Thurin, the innkeeper’s son; and Ungash, Brysgod’s gravedigger.

Now indulge me a while as I recount the history o’ old Barrick. Barrick was a human wizard who lived in these lands more than a century ago. He built his keep outside o’ the village o’ Brysgod thinking to quietly retire there and live out his remaining years. It was said though, that while he was there, he fell in love with a Faery who dwelt in the woods near his keep. Legend claims that when old Barrick died, his beloved Faery Thenglas continued to visit his home yearly to spend time with the shade of her paramour. Most o’ the folk in Brysgod thought tales of the romance between ghosts and faeries to be utter rubbish, however. But our story will prove that such tales are true.

As our heroes came upon the broken ruin of Barrick’s Keep, they discovered many unusual tracks in the snow, indicating that a number o’ strange creatures occupied the place. Leaving young Thurin to tend to the horses, they carefully entered the keep. In a small sitting room they came across the skull o’ old Barrick. When they lit the candle inside the skull, Barrick’s shade materialized, warning them that some foul creatures had overtaken his home. In a flash o’ fiery light, Barrick imparted some o’ his knowledge to Talos Redwand in the hopes of better preparing him for what lay ahead.

The party then headed to Barrick’s Library, hoping that they could gain some valuable knowledge by reading the tomes contained within. No sooner than they had set foot in the musty room however, they were beset by the room’s guardian - a clanking automaton of plate mail brandishing a rusty ax. The battle was swift and furious, but our party managed to easily out-maneuver the slow moving construct and it was not long before they sent it clanging to the floor, dispersing the magic that held it together. Unfortunately, most o’ the books within the library were ruined and useless, but our heroes did manage to find a green emerald leaf pendant, which – unbeknownst to them at the time – would aid them later in their exploration.

As they made their way eastward through the ruin, they came upon a crumbled outer tower. Strands o’ ice criss-crossed above them, making a haunting melody as the wind blew across it. Some o’ the party grew weak and their limbs sluggish as they listened to the wind’s music. Suddenly, a large spider dropped from the icy webbing thinking to make a quick meal out o’ them. It was white as the purest snow and radiated waves o’ cold air, further draining the strength from the sword arms of the group. Eswin and Kieran danced around the nimble bulk o’ the spider while Sir Salisbury charged it head on and Talos stood in the rear preparing to unleash his magic. Once, twice, thrice, the great spider’s frosty fangs sought purchase in the soft flesh o’ our heroes, but they were too quick. Once again, they surrounded their enemy and their blades sung as they slashed at the monster’s exposed flanks, until finally Kieran managed to bury his scimitar in the beast’s soft underbelly, pinning it to the wall in the process.

Twice our heroes had been challenged and twice they had answered, with nary a scratch against them. Yet there were greater challenges waiting ahead, deeper in the keep.

Forgive me, but my old throat grows dry. Abide here but a moment while I wet me whistle with some ale. When I be refreshed, I’ll come to the cause o' the village o' Brysgod's wintry woes, and how our heroes managed to lift the curse.