Session 1

Introduction

The party consists of 5 characters currently who each hail from the Region of the ShadowFey Vale. This area is home to five small villages that work together for protection from the wild as well as trading. The largest of the villages, called Fallcrest, serves as host for the Spring and Fall Solstice Celebrations. The simple folk of the surrounding villages come together for merriment, competitions and trade. These festivals also served as the meeting place for the party members, who continually crossed paths over the years of their youth.

1. Quinn- The Human Cleric of The Raven Queen. Committed to stamping out the minions of Orcus and anything that is an abomination or warped by the powers of necromancy.
   
2. Varsuvious- The Eladrin Wizard. As a follower of Corellon, he has started out into the world in an effort to seek out prized magical items and forgotten rituals. He knows that the ShadowFey Vale was originally home to his ancestors but some strange power forced the death of countless thousands and he fears history will repeat itself on this home that many races now plant their roots.
3. Dakani- The Human Paladin of Bahamut. He is honorable and continually promotes the upholding of justice and the protection of the weak.
4. Nardinn- The Dragonborn fighter who has trained physically and mentally to never fear the chaos of battle. Always rushing into battle, this child of Kord is strong and brave, scorning cowardice.
5. Zanne- The Human Warlock who just wants to find his father. This resident of Winterhaven offered to join and assist the party with their quest to find the death cult if they help him find his missing father.

It was Quinn and Dakani that started this group onto their path of adventure. They had heard talks amongst the elders of their churches about an evil influence to the west. The group was called to the Raven Queens local sanctuary where they were addressed by a cleric of Pelor by the name of Malandar. Malandar told them that they were looking for proof of the existence of a death cult within the region of Winterhaven. Malandar reports witnesses saw a small group of death cultists traveling toward Winterhaven about a year ago. He has since learned that the head of this dangerous group is a twisted priest by the name of Kalarel. Malandar is afraid that Kalarel has set up a secret cult in the area and may be conducting unholy ceremonies. He asks the PC's to travel to Winterhaven, determine if there is any cult activity in the area, and, if so, stamp it out. He says the Church will pay the group 250 GP for their service but in order to get the gold they much provide proof that the cult has been destroyed and any plans it has were disrupted.


Chapter 1

The party started out in the morning hours heading west toward to Village of Winterhaven along the Kings Road. With about 2 more hours to go in the 20 mile trip, the party was ambushed by a group of Kobolds. With little difficulty the party dispatched the Kobolds, gaining some loot and a clay token that appeared to have a charcoal impression of a head or a skull. Varsuvious quickly recognized the relation of this symbol to something followers of Orcus might keep. The party made the last of their way into Winterhaven.

Winterhaven is a good-sized stone walled village with a dozen or so farms in the surrounding area. It looked like people were hustling and bustling in and out of the village and the PC's learned that one of the larger monthly markets were going to be held tomorrow.

The PC's first order of business was to go somewhere to sell some of the loot they had acquired from the Kobolds. They found a Dwarven Smithy run by Thair Coalstriker. A deal was struck and the PC's were on their way. Much to their surprise, this dwarf came running after them in the square a short time after leaving. Huffing and puffing, he asked them about the Kobold gear they had sold him. He asked some more questions and realized the PC's had been ambushed by the same group of Kobolds that have been getting more and more brazen lately in their attempts to raid caravans of travelers coming to Winterhaven. He reported the Kobolds attacks have increased over the last year. He also talked about Valthrun ranting and raving about the Death Cults here more frequently and directed the PC's to his tower on the other side of the square.

As all good adventurers do, they bypassed the next step of the adventure to spend some time in the Local tavern. After being served by a wench, visited by Lord Padraig, and watched by a mysterious elf, they headed out toward the tower that Valthrun the Prescient made his residence. They spoke to Valthrun about the Kobolds and the death cult activity recently but nothing lit up his face more than seeing the token from the Kobolds that the PC's had found. He instantly grabbed his cloak and staff telling the PC's to follow him immediately to Lord Padriag's stead. As the PC's were getting ready to head into the gate, they noticed the Elf stranger that had been watching them in the Tavern. Varsuvious approached him and asked him some question regarding the Kobolds and the death cult. The elf, named Ninaran, told the young wizard that he did not want to get involved with this trouble with the Kobolds and join the party to speak to Lord Padraig. He did offer to meet the PC's later in the room he rents at the Tavern so as to avoid prying eyes.

Varsuvious rejoined the party just as they were entering the fortified area of the Lord of Winterhaven.

Loot was already dispersed. Those people present receive 125 experience points.