Rise of the Runelords

While spending a few days in High Madreth selling some items, purchasing others, and identifying still others, several of the group learned some information about the Brothers of the Seven. All of it bad. Malloric learned that this group was likely based on Ordellia, the semi-autonomous area of High Mardreth south of the river. Pirozzi learned that this is a group known (or at least that's what they want people to know) to be cut-throats and murderers. He was advised to let go of whatever concern he and his companions had with the Brothers. Ishan found that no one wanted to talk about the Brothers, save one individual - a Robert Stront. Robert was unwilling to discuss anything in the gambling hall where Ishan met him and agreed to meet later that evening at a warehouse where he worked.

Thr group headed out to meet Robert, short a couple of low level spells. Cautiously entering the warehouse, they found Robert sitting in the back with a few candles near him shedding more shadows than light. "Come on back." he called. As the party got closer someone commented on Robert's posture - more slumped than normal. Ishan noticed a wide, bloody 'smile' under Robert's chin. Robert, or more likely a voice from darkness behind him, but sounding like him said, "You should not have come. No one seeks to know about the Brothers!" 'Robert' stepped out from the shadows and moved to attack. (Dead) Robert also got clumsily to his feet and shuffled forward as well. Sound of spell casting from the darkness ahead filled the room and several other office doors were opened by roguish fellows with short swords. Battle ensued.

The group took a defensive stance and cast a few more protection-type spells. 'Robert' was quick on his feet and closed with Ishan. The sounds of casting stopped only to result in a large dire bat which further split the group. Party members spread out to deal with the rogues and were able to create enough space between them that the lightning bolt from a previously hidden wizard only hit a few people.

Ishan was struggling against the "Roberts" and cleric. Bach and Henrick heaved into the bat, Golian and Malloric went after the wizard, Pirozzi took spell shots as he could to assist, and Edwin was kept busy tending to wounds. Ishan's solution to his troubles was a bead of force. However, due to a miscalculation, Ishan was a bit too close. He fell against the Roberts, but the battle seemed to be going the party's way. The cleric of Nerull was hurt but challenged Henrik nonetheless. The wizard had lost his roguish guards and had some spell casting attempts interrupted. That changed when he was able to cast a powerful sleep spell, dropping Malloric and Golian. That was followed by a magical darkness.

Some of the party managed to get to Ishan but it was too late. As Henrik charged the cleric, she dropped her guard and allowed him to land a solid blow. At the edge of the darkness, one of the rogues was able to locate Golian and carefully slide his blade deep into his chest. Taking advantage of the party's concern for their downed comrades, the wizard worked his way to the exit and fled. He was followed and eventually dropped in the streets.

The next couple of days were spent selling more items to secure funding for raise dead spells. Henrik and Malloric called in some favors and the party was able to gain access to two raise dead spells. Golian willingly came back, but Ishan apparently had other plans. Only one spell was needed.

This time was also spent digging up more information on the Brothers from more reputable sources. Malloric was able to learn that the Severin Sawmill on Kyver's Islt was thought to be a base of operation. He was further told (or warned) that if they decided to do something that the group should expect that there would be no help or even acknowledgment. Malloric also learned that Lyrie, the wizardess captured at Thistletop, had been released by Justice Ironbriar. There is an unproved connection between the Justice and the Brothers.

At some evening meals, some of the group noticed a dwarf that had been paying particularly close attention. The group approached him to find that his name was D'Agro Duerthen, a lone traveling dwarf from the Copperwood of Eastmarch. Turns out he was in High Mardreth as a result of following some leads about some unresolved crimes in which he was implicated but innocent of. One piece of evidence, some black flower petals, had led him to the city. He heard some rumors of a group active in town and that some of them might be from the east of the County. He was looking for companions. The group invited him in.

Based on some bits of information, some more cryptic than others, the group went to check out the saw mill. Some exploring under water yielded nothing except drawing a little attention. The group decided to head in to find out what was going on.

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