Heroes' Feast

30th of Uktar, Year 1489 (New Moon -21)

Dinner at Nimsy's

• The Crew returned to Lonelywood after defeating the orc hunting party to rest and re-provision and decided to stay for a few days of downtime. It was an uneventful week at Lonelywood#The Pick and Pint (formerly Ramshackle Inn) getting the place ship-shape to serve as tavern, library, and residence.
• On the night of the feast, the crew arrived at Nimsy Huddle's house and saw about two dozen people milling about in the fenced garden outside the kitchen, where a bonfire roared between tables.
• At the feast was a man in Reghed tribal garb who turned out to be Chief of the Wolf Tribe, Skynor Vokototh and his nine-year-old son Aerix.
• Garn the Hammer and Hlin Trollbane were both present at the feast. Hlin seemed cautious and mentioned seeing some unusual footprints outside. Garn drew a dagger to Bragnar's throat believing him to be some kind of shapeshifter appearing as Oobok, but was convinced there was no trouble. Garn warned of chatter from the Goblin Fortress and potential duergar action.
• Markham Southwell who brought thanks from Duvessa Shane and was accompanied by the pickpocket child from Bryn Shander, named Willie. Markham said he learned what happened with Eddie Southwell and admitted he had suspicions but still didn't believe Eddie would ally with Naerth Maxildannar.
• An unusually tall man wearning an ornate red robe worked the kitchen at the feast and turned out to be the Red Wizard of Thay, Dzaan.
• Danae Xotal introduced herself as an experienced tavernkeeper and suggested she would be a good fit for Lonelywood#The Pick and Pint (formerly Ramshackle Inn).
• The Crew later met Kadroth, Warden of the Castle at Caer Dineval, but were interrupted in getting to know him by Nimsy giving a toast welcoming the guests and praising the heroes (see below for text)
• The Crew ate with Dzaan who told them about the Arcane Brotherhood, an elite social club that is something like Harvard for Wizards. Headquarters is the Hosttower of the Arcane in Luskan. Every year, scores of wizards from across Faerûn flock to the Hosttower of the Arcane, hoping to gain admittance. He was trying to meet with Ravisin to ask her some questions but found her headless. He mentioned that two other wizards from the Brotherhood were in Icewind Dale, Vellynne Harpell and Avarice.
• Dzaantold the Crew about the history of the Netherese and his search for Netherese objects. The Empire of Netheril arose more than five thousand years ago. The Netherese legacy began with the discovery of the Nether Scrolls. These long, golden scrolls taught Netherese arcanists how to wield magic beyond their wildest fantasies. Much more powerful than any living Wizard. They became a wizard ruling class. Eventually the empire collapsed. Lots of different stories about why. But something tore the Weave and without great magic to keep them aloft, the flying cities of Netheril crashed to the ground. Today a lot of magic items are actually netherese objects, including the Ioun Stone of Awareness worn by Bragnar, made by the arcanist Ioun over two thousand years ago. He asks the Crew that if they learn anything about the Netherese artifacts to tell him. He'll make it worth their while. He warned Bragnar that people would happily kill himm for the Ring of Material Assessment.
• Merken attempted to pick the pocket of Willie the Pickpocket and failed. The boy attempted to run but Merken caught him. The boy explained he didn't do it for the money, but for other reasons. He explained that if he got caught again he would lose his allowance. Merken agreed to let him go.
• As the night rolled on, Sparky began to white at the darkness.
• When midnight came, an invisible Duergar used the distraction to try to poison Garn the Hammer. Bragnar noticed something amiss and a battle ensued. The Duergar enlarged and threatened that the Crew didn't even know how many invisible Duergar might be out there. Skynor Vokototh threw a plate like a frisbee and landed a critical hit on one of the Duergar. Unfortunately, despite brilliant use of magic and a bat familiar to spot the invisible menace, one Duergar escaped and none were captured.
• The Crew hired Danae Xotal as their tavernkeeper at Lonelywood#The Pick and Pint (formerly Ramshackle Inn), and Dzaan agreed to serve as a temporary librarian for a few weeks until they find someone for the permanent position. Dzaan was ordered to complete the prior week's research on Naerth Maxildannar and then turn to researching Auril the Frostmaiden.

Nimsy's Full Toast (prepared text)

"I want to start by welcoming a few dignitaries to our feast. Hello to my friend Garn the Hammer, one of the finest smiths in the land. And I see Hlin Trollbane at Garn's side. If you haven't shared a drink and a story with Hiln, you should. We welcome Sheriff Markham Southwell of Bryn Shander, appearing on behalf of Duvessa Shane to give thanks. We are honored to host Dzaan, the Red Wizard of Thay, who was kind enough to help with the preparations for our feast and frankly without whom we would have little more than Knucklehead Trout prepared five different ways. We are also joined tonight by a special guest, Chief Skynor Vokototh from the Tribe of the Wolf. As you may know, of the hunters lost in our forest last month, Timok, was a member of the Tribe of the Wolf. Last, but not least, our guests of honor--the heroes of this heroes' feast--Merken, Orion, and Bragnar.

Honored guests, friends, neighbors, and wanderers who’ve found yourselves under the boughs of Lonelywood—tonight, we feast! That is a word not uttered in this town for too long. Through these many cold months, we have gathered to mourn but never to celebrate. And we mourn still, but today that mourning is mixed with celebration. And why do we celebrate? Because in the dark corners of our world, there are monsters—real ones, not just the stories of gnoll vampires we frighten our children with to keep them from wandering too far. And not just those commonfolk who behaved monstrously and find themselves locked up at Revel's End. We gather tonight because one of those real monsters, the White Moose, will trouble our woods no longer.

Even as we celebrate, we must acknowledge that victory is never without cost. We also raise our cups tonight in honor of Bardley, a song not yet finished, a light snuffed too soon. He gave his last breath so that Lonelywood might breathe easier. Let us drink deep to his memory, and may the wind carry his melody to the stars.

And of course, let us raise a raucous cheer for Merken, at whose hand the beast was slain! A tiefling with fire in their blood, steel in their heart, and, I daresay, the patience of a saint for putting up with us humble folk of Lonelywood. Without you, the White Moose would still be lurking, still haunting our trees and turning our hunters into prey. You have given us safety, and in return, well... we've give you a crumbling old Lonelywood#The Pick and Pint (formerly Ramshackle Inn)! A fair trade, I hope.

Now, we already have a fine tavern in town, the Lonelywood#10-lonelywood The Lucky Liar Lucky Liar, and some might say we don’t need another. But I say, if Lonelywood can be home to both tall folk and small, to loggers and fishers, to dreamers and doers, then surely there’s room for a second place to warm our hands and wet our throats. I've never heard a logger complain about too much ale, except the next morning! . Cheers to the Pick and Pint—I do like the sound of that—may it stand as long as Lonelywood itself! And may its kegs never run dry."

I understand that my good friend Orion was also part of this grand feat. I can tell you from personal experience that there's no one I would rather have in my corner when facing the perils of the wilderness than Orion Dawnwarden. Please give it up for Orion! And while I have not yet had the pleasure of learning much of this Bragnar fellow, I can tell by the company he keeps and his defense of Orion and Merken in the aftermath of the White Moose that we will not regret honoring his name.

But as we fill our bellies with moose meat, ale, and trout, let us not grow too comfortable, my friends. Just as the great whale Angajuk glides through the Sea of Moving Ice, wise beyond reckoning, yet bound to help those brave enough to seek their fortune and wary of Auril's misfortunes, so too must we remain in motion, wise, and helpful, but ever-vigilant.

So tonight, let us drink to the courage that keeps evils at bay. To the heroes who fell, and to the heroes who remain. To new ventures and old comforts. To those who stand between the wilds and the warmth of home. Please open your shops and your hearts to these brave heroes. Together we will see our way through this terrible Winter to the Spring that is surely beyond. To Bardley. To Merken. To Orion. To Bragnar. And to Lonelywood!"

Please, eat and be merry my friends, we shall make springtime ourselves at least for a little while.

Loot

• 70gp each ~ taken from Orc hunting party
• Fancy warchief hat ~ taken from Orcish War Chief
• Fishing tackle ~ taken from Orc hunting party
• War Pick x2 ~ taken from Duergar assassins
• Chain mail x2 ~ taken from Duergar assassins