Notes:
Assuming Night infiltration
-Gather information?
Twisted Tower filled with 100's of Zentarim wizards, clerics and warriors - all lowlevel
Moungrym is on the 2nd floor held up in his room.
2 guards in all the towers on each floor
4 guards at the Grand Entrance (1)
Noteriety points: 15
Wereguld has invited them to the Alliance.
They've been noticed by the Zhentarim briefly - re: character assignation
Cleric has been kidnapped, during her bath. The servants while frightened, tell you it was clerics of Bane that took her. Some investigation will say that she is likely being held in Castle Krag.
Other information: one of you remembers that the Ghost of Sylune mentioned Castle Krag as well - There is a portal beneath Castle Krag where the Zhentarim can bring reinforcements quickly.
Tarsis: realizes that if you seal or destroy the portal - it would strike a bold counterstroke against the Zhentarim.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
The Pre-game
Pre-Game
Arabel
Inn: The Pride of Arabel is where the companions are staying
Meals: The Falcon’s Rest
Characters:
Oberion, human, rather small in build but carries a greatsword. Stands about 5’10 – 5’11. He is wearing very shiny platemail beneath a cloak that is not doing a good job of hiding it.
Caelynvas Durothil, mage, half of his face is very pretty, the other half seems to have been burned in a fire. When first seen, he is writing left handed in a journal. His attire is weathly but in the local Cormyrean fashion rather than elven. He has bronze skin and light color hair.
Rozehena, cleric, attractive young human woman with dark hair. She is wearing Mithral Full plate. One hand wears a glove; the other a gauntlet. (worships Torm)
Lorien, half-elf druid. With reddith brown hair. Wearing a traveling cloak and earth tones. She carries both a longsword and mace.
Tarsis the Quick (Grandberg) – a dark haired, half-elf with a “rogue”-ish gleam in his deep blue eyes. Worships Sune. Carries an elegant rapier and a number of smaller knives. When first seen he is balancing his wine glass on the tips of his fingers.
When the adventure begins….
Seating at the Inn, the Falcon’s rest, Oberion pulls out a dek of cards and begins to play Solitary Dragon. He is approached by Tarsis. “Are you looking for company?”
Oberion replies, “Honestly, I want a drink. And drinks are better with people.”
As the two sit, they overhear a conversation another group of adventurers is having. The adventurers are debating going to Shadowdale, which rumours state has been conquered by the Zhentarim or head to the Forest to join the Cormanthor War.
Their conversation soon expands to include the others in the inn. There is much debate over the worthier cause. Eventually, the other adventurers, Georgian, Paulus, Ringo and Jonas, retire to their beds. They leave the impression they are going to Cormanthyr in the morning.
After the others leave, the remaining (Oberion, Caelynvas, Rozehena, Lorien and Tarsis) introduce themselves to each other and are talking about forming a group to go to Shadowdale.
Suddently,. A hellhound bounds through the door of the inn, breathing fire across the room and injuring several of the characters.
Tarsis, in a move the exempliefed his talent, rolled away from the flames, leaped onto a chair, used it to tip onto a table and reaching with his rapier stabbed the hellhound. Rozehena attacks. Oberion attacks. The hellhound misses both with it AOO and its regular attack at Oberion. The druide casts a spell called splinterbolt and pieces of furniture shatter to fly at the hellhound. The mage begins casting. Tarsis attacks, his rapier causing deadly damage (ie…double critical) and the hellhound bleeds. Tarsis strikes a second blow. The hellhound misses Oberion a second time. Rozehena attacks the creaturs most vital spots doing more damage then her weapon would normally seem to. (Vital Strikes Feat: Double regular damage Dice). Two ice mephits appear in front of the mage, breathing on the hellhound.
Cael: “Go back to your master, beast. I no longer belong to you!”
Lorien casts Winterchill at the hound but the beast shrugs off the damage. Oberion attacks again, this time activating a shocking effect on his greatsword, and kills the beast.
Oberion and the Mephits drag the creature outside.
Inside, Tarsis – “What did you mean?”
Cael – I was once held prisoner by cultists of the Beast’s master.
Others – that sucks.
They decide that early the next morning, they will leave for Shadowdale.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Arabel Inns
The Wild Goose
Bartender: Female half-orc, 7th-level sorcerer
Interesting Clientele: A wizard deep in his cups, a group of dicing rogues.
Rumors Overheard: The funeral for a good fighter was disrupted by enemies he made while alive. The statue in the town square was found to be a petrified paladin. War rages across Cormanthor and the Dalelands.
Accommodations: Good (a small private room with one bed, some amenities and a covered chamber pot) for 5 sp/day
Today's Menu:
Breakfast: Bacon, Hippogriff egg, Goose eggs, Blueberries, Marzipan (cost 6sp).
Lunch: Owlbear chop, Sharp cheese, Corn, Apple (cost 8sp).
Supper: Pork liver, Succotash, Green beans, Oatmeal, Walnut cake (cost 1gp).
Snack: Duck eggs, Breadfruit, Coarse rye bread (cost 4sp).
Bartender: Female half-orc, 7th-level sorcerer
Interesting Clientele: A wizard deep in his cups, a group of dicing rogues.
Rumors Overheard: The funeral for a good fighter was disrupted by enemies he made while alive. The statue in the town square was found to be a petrified paladin. War rages across Cormanthor and the Dalelands.
Accommodations: Good (a small private room with one bed, some amenities and a covered chamber pot) for 5 sp/day
Today's Menu:
Breakfast: Bacon, Hippogriff egg, Goose eggs, Blueberries, Marzipan (cost 6sp).
Lunch: Owlbear chop, Sharp cheese, Corn, Apple (cost 8sp).
Supper: Pork liver, Succotash, Green beans, Oatmeal, Walnut cake (cost 1gp).
Snack: Duck eggs, Breadfruit, Coarse rye bread (cost 4sp).
The Nine Fires Inn
Bartender: Male halfling, 4th-level ranger
Interesting Clientele: Dwarf buying rounds for the house, a group of dicing rogues.
Rumors Overheard: An ancient sword must be recovered to defeat a ravaging -monster. An evil tyrant has outlawed unsanctioned magic use. War rages across Cormanthor and the Dalelands.
Accommodations: Poor (a place on the floor near the hearth and a flea-ridden blanket amongst the riff-raff) for 1 sp/day
Today's Menu:
Breakfast: Blood pudding, Goose eggs, Chicken eggs, Blueberries, Rice (cost 1sp).
Lunch: Leg of mutton, Hippogriff egg, Potato, Currants (cost 2sp).
Supper: Lamb chop, Black beans, Succotash, Corn pone, Raisin pie (cost 2sp).
Snack: Sharp cheese, Dates, Corn pone (cost 1sp).
The Pride of Arabel
Bartender: Female halfling, 3rd-level barbarian
Interesting Clientele: Company of stalwart adventurers, cleric of Pelor preaching in corner.
Rumors Overheard: The tomb of a powerful wizard, filled with magic items, has sunk into the swamp. The black-clad legions of Zhentil Keep and the drow of the Elven Court are locked in a fierce war against the refounded elf realm of Myth Drannor and its allies in the dales.
Accommodations: Noble (a large private room with large bed, private bath with hot water on request, snacks on request, and private chamber pot in a separate chamber) for 1 gp/day
Today's Menu:
Breakfast: Beef steak, Sharp cheese, Hippogriff egg, Pear, Mush (cost 1gp).
Lunch: Chicken half, Duck eggs, Broccoli, Currants (cost 2gp).
Supper: Owlbear chop, Spinach, Corn, Oatmeal, Rhubarb pie (cost 2gp).
Snack: Sharp cheese, Strawberries, Coarse rye bread (cost 8sp).
Falcon's Rest
Bartender: Male dwarf, 6th-level bard
Interesting Clientele: A ranger looking for her wolf, soft-spoken traveling monks.
Rumors Overheard: A powerful army led by Scyllua Darkhope, High Captain of Zhentil Keep, occupies the western dales. Shadowdale, for so long a bastion against Zhentish ambitions, now groans under the yoke of the conqueror. A new noble seeks to clear a patch of wilderness of all monsters.
Accommodations: Good (a small private room with one bed, some amenities and a covered chamber pot) for 5 sp/day
Today's Menu:
Breakfast: Smoked sausage, Gnomes’ yogurt, Duck eggs, Melon, Coarse rye bread (cost 6sp).
Lunch: Veal sweetbreads, Duck eggs, Cabbage, Blackberries (cost 8sp).
Supper: Monkey brain, Peas, Okra, Nut bread, Plum pudding (cost 1gp).
Snack: Duck eggs, Currants, Rice (cost 4sp).
The Weary Knight
Bartender: Female halfling, 6th-level bard
Interesting Clientele: A few anonymous drunks, soft-spoken traveling clerics.
Rumors Overheard:A paladin’s quest for atonement led her to a troll lair too well-defended for her to tackle alone. The black-clad legions of Zhentil Keep and the drow of the Elven Court are locked in a fierce war against the refounded elf realm of Myth Drannor and its allies in the dales.
Accommodations: Common (a placed on a raised, heated floor, blanket and pillow, amongst higher-class company) for 3 sp/day
Today's Menu:
Breakfast: Ham, Goose eggs, Chicken eggs, Assassin vine berries, Millet (cost 3sp).
Lunch: Lamb stew, Quail eggs, Succotash, Apple (cost 4sp).
Supper: Darkmantle, Broccoli, Succotash, Sea oats, Apple pie (cost 5sp).
Snack: Soft cheese, Dates, Corn pone (cost 2sp).
The High Moon Inn
Bartender: Male human, 10th-level rogue
Interesting Clientele: A wizard deep in his cups, a few anonymous drunks.
Rumors Overheard: Cultists are kidnapping potential sacrifices. Exceptionally heavy snowstorms have brought winter wolves into an otherwise peaceful area. A powerful army led by Scyllua Darkhope, High Captain of Zhentil Keep, occupies the western dales. Shadowdale, for so long a bastion against Zhentish ambitions, now groans under the yoke of the conqueror.
Accommodations: Good (a small private room with one bed, some amenities and a covered chamber pot) for 5 sp/day
Today's Menu:
Breakfast: Fried perch, Duck eggs, Deep dwarven blue cheese, Raisins, Millet (cost 6sp).
Lunch: Sausage, Chicken eggs, Leeks, Raspberries (cost 8sp).
Supper: Mixed grill, Carrots, Corn, Coarse rye bread, Plain cake (cost 1gp).
Snack: Duck eggs, Apple, Nut bread (cost 4sp).
The Night Wolf Inn
Tavern Name: Bright Shield
Interesting Clientele: A sorcerer selling spells, a group of dicing rogues.
Rumors Overheard: Colossal vermin are straying out of the desert to attack settlements. War rages across Cormanthor and the Dalelands.
Accommodations: Common (a placed on a raised, heated floor, blanket and pillow, amongst higher-class company) for 3 sp/day
Today's Menu:
Breakfast: Fried perch, Dragon turtle omelet, Curds, Blueberries, Oatmeal (cost 3sp).
Lunch: Lamb stew, Goose eggs, Broad beans, Raspberries (cost 4sp).
Supper: Broiled catfish, Green beans, Turnips, Oatmeal, Spice bread (cost 5sp).
Snack: Curds, Raisins, Mush (cost 2sp).
Bartender: Male halfling, 4th-level ranger
Interesting Clientele: Dwarf buying rounds for the house, a group of dicing rogues.
Rumors Overheard: An ancient sword must be recovered to defeat a ravaging -monster. An evil tyrant has outlawed unsanctioned magic use. War rages across Cormanthor and the Dalelands.
Accommodations: Poor (a place on the floor near the hearth and a flea-ridden blanket amongst the riff-raff) for 1 sp/day
Today's Menu:
Breakfast: Blood pudding, Goose eggs, Chicken eggs, Blueberries, Rice (cost 1sp).
Lunch: Leg of mutton, Hippogriff egg, Potato, Currants (cost 2sp).
Supper: Lamb chop, Black beans, Succotash, Corn pone, Raisin pie (cost 2sp).
Snack: Sharp cheese, Dates, Corn pone (cost 1sp).
The Pride of Arabel
Bartender: Female halfling, 3rd-level barbarian
Interesting Clientele: Company of stalwart adventurers, cleric of Pelor preaching in corner.
Rumors Overheard: The tomb of a powerful wizard, filled with magic items, has sunk into the swamp. The black-clad legions of Zhentil Keep and the drow of the Elven Court are locked in a fierce war against the refounded elf realm of Myth Drannor and its allies in the dales.
Accommodations: Noble (a large private room with large bed, private bath with hot water on request, snacks on request, and private chamber pot in a separate chamber) for 1 gp/day
Today's Menu:
Breakfast: Beef steak, Sharp cheese, Hippogriff egg, Pear, Mush (cost 1gp).
Lunch: Chicken half, Duck eggs, Broccoli, Currants (cost 2gp).
Supper: Owlbear chop, Spinach, Corn, Oatmeal, Rhubarb pie (cost 2gp).
Snack: Sharp cheese, Strawberries, Coarse rye bread (cost 8sp).
Falcon's Rest
Bartender: Male dwarf, 6th-level bard
Interesting Clientele: A ranger looking for her wolf, soft-spoken traveling monks.
Rumors Overheard: A powerful army led by Scyllua Darkhope, High Captain of Zhentil Keep, occupies the western dales. Shadowdale, for so long a bastion against Zhentish ambitions, now groans under the yoke of the conqueror. A new noble seeks to clear a patch of wilderness of all monsters.
Accommodations: Good (a small private room with one bed, some amenities and a covered chamber pot) for 5 sp/day
Today's Menu:
Breakfast: Smoked sausage, Gnomes’ yogurt, Duck eggs, Melon, Coarse rye bread (cost 6sp).
Lunch: Veal sweetbreads, Duck eggs, Cabbage, Blackberries (cost 8sp).
Supper: Monkey brain, Peas, Okra, Nut bread, Plum pudding (cost 1gp).
Snack: Duck eggs, Currants, Rice (cost 4sp).
The Weary Knight
Bartender: Female halfling, 6th-level bard
Interesting Clientele: A few anonymous drunks, soft-spoken traveling clerics.
Rumors Overheard:A paladin’s quest for atonement led her to a troll lair too well-defended for her to tackle alone. The black-clad legions of Zhentil Keep and the drow of the Elven Court are locked in a fierce war against the refounded elf realm of Myth Drannor and its allies in the dales.
Accommodations: Common (a placed on a raised, heated floor, blanket and pillow, amongst higher-class company) for 3 sp/day
Today's Menu:
Breakfast: Ham, Goose eggs, Chicken eggs, Assassin vine berries, Millet (cost 3sp).
Lunch: Lamb stew, Quail eggs, Succotash, Apple (cost 4sp).
Supper: Darkmantle, Broccoli, Succotash, Sea oats, Apple pie (cost 5sp).
Snack: Soft cheese, Dates, Corn pone (cost 2sp).
The High Moon Inn
Bartender: Male human, 10th-level rogue
Interesting Clientele: A wizard deep in his cups, a few anonymous drunks.
Rumors Overheard: Cultists are kidnapping potential sacrifices. Exceptionally heavy snowstorms have brought winter wolves into an otherwise peaceful area. A powerful army led by Scyllua Darkhope, High Captain of Zhentil Keep, occupies the western dales. Shadowdale, for so long a bastion against Zhentish ambitions, now groans under the yoke of the conqueror.
Accommodations: Good (a small private room with one bed, some amenities and a covered chamber pot) for 5 sp/day
Today's Menu:
Breakfast: Fried perch, Duck eggs, Deep dwarven blue cheese, Raisins, Millet (cost 6sp).
Lunch: Sausage, Chicken eggs, Leeks, Raspberries (cost 8sp).
Supper: Mixed grill, Carrots, Corn, Coarse rye bread, Plain cake (cost 1gp).
Snack: Duck eggs, Apple, Nut bread (cost 4sp).
The Night Wolf Inn
Tavern Name: Bright Shield
Interesting Clientele: A sorcerer selling spells, a group of dicing rogues.
Rumors Overheard: Colossal vermin are straying out of the desert to attack settlements. War rages across Cormanthor and the Dalelands.
Accommodations: Common (a placed on a raised, heated floor, blanket and pillow, amongst higher-class company) for 3 sp/day
Today's Menu:
Breakfast: Fried perch, Dragon turtle omelet, Curds, Blueberries, Oatmeal (cost 3sp).
Lunch: Lamb stew, Goose eggs, Broad beans, Raspberries (cost 4sp).
Supper: Broiled catfish, Green beans, Turnips, Oatmeal, Spice bread (cost 5sp).
Snack: Curds, Raisins, Mush (cost 2sp).
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Winter Notes/Weather/Travel Notes
DeepWinter
1
2
3
4
5 – Campaign Starts, Characters Arrive Oaken Wood ~6 in snow on the ground, cold clear
6 – cold, clear, snow melts
7 – cold, clear, snow melts
8 – cold, clear, snow melts
9 – around mid afternoon (2p), begins to snow, cold, consistant, visibility -4 spot/search, lasts until about 8p, leaves 4in of snow on the ground
10 –around midnight, snow picks up again, visibility -4 spot/search, lasts until about 6a, leaves another 5’ of snow on the ground, movement now 2 squares
11 – cold, clear, snow melts, 2 squares mvt
12– cold, clear, snow melts, 2 squares mvt
13– cold, clear, snow melts
14– cold, clear, snow melts
15– cold, clear, snow melts
16– cold, clear, snow melts (about 2in’s of snow remain on the ground)
17 – starting around late afternoon (4p), begins to snow heavily, no visibilty beyond 5’, leaves 3ft of snow on the ground, ends 10p, 4 squares mvt, 3ft snow on ground
18 – cold, clear, total mvt block, DC 5 STR/BAL to travel, 4squares mvt
19 - cold, clear, total mvt block, DC 5 STR/BAL to travel, 4squares mvt, snow melts
20 - cold, clear, total mvt block, DC 5 STR/BAL to travel, 4squares mvt, snow melts
21 - cold, clear, total mvt block, DC 5 STR/BAL to travel, 4squares mvt, snow melts
22 - cold, clear, total mvt block, DC 5 STR/BAL to travel, 4squares mvt, snow melts
23 – around 3pm snow starts again, -4 spot/ search, 4 squares mvt, ends 9pm, 30in snow on ground
24 – around 11pm, snows heavily, snowstorm – whiteout conditions, -2 AC, no dex bonus to AC, mvt half speed, -4 dex checks, spot, search, other vision checks, visibility 5 ft, mvt 4 squares, DC 5 end 1am
25 - cold, clear, 4squares mvt, snow melts, 32 in snow on ground
26 - cold, clear, 4squares mvt, snow melts
27 - cold, clear, 4squares mvt, snow melts
28 - cold, clear, 4squares mvt, snow melts
29 - cold, clear, 4squares mvt, snow melts, 23 in snow on ground
30 – Midwinter Eve, begins to snow 9pm, until 3am, leaves 3in more, 4squares movement
31 – Midwinter, about 3am, turns to heavy snow, +4ft to ground, DC5, no visibility beyond 5ft, 4squares mvtment, ends about 9am, total 71’ snow
Friday, June 17, 2011
Adventure Background
Shadowdale: The Scouring of the Land is set in the winter of the Year of Risen Elfkin, 1375 DR. It takes place about five months after the events described in the Last Mythal trilogy.
In the spring of 1374 DR, Lord Seiveril Miritar of Evermeet mustered a great crusade to meet the threat of the daemonfey legion of Sarya Dlardrageth. Seiveril's Crusade drove the daemonfey out of the High Forest, and then pursued the demonspawned sun elves to their secret stronghold in Myth Drannor. Armies from Hillsfar, Sembia, Zhentil Keep, the drow of Cormanthor, and the various dales took the field, some allying with the daemonfey, others fighting against Sarya Dlardrageth and her hellish hordes. Ultimately the elf army prevailed, retaking Myth Drannor. Although Seiveril Miritar fell in the final battle within the ancient city, his daughter Ilsevele became ruler in his place.
With the rival city-state of Hillsfar firmly under his thumb, Fzoul Chembryl, Tyrant of Zhentil Keep, determined to prevent Myth Drannor from rising again. At the same time, the Vhaeraun-worshiping drow of House Jaelre and the Auzkovyn clan read their own doom in Ilsevele Miritar's ascension to the throne of ancient Cormanthyr. Zhents and drow conspired to attack Myth Drannor before Ilsevele Miritar's fledgling realm grew any stronger.
As Fzoul searched for a master stroke to overthrow his new enemy, he was approached by Esvele Graycastle, a priestess of Shar. The servant of Shar cared little for Fzoul Chembryl's troubles with Myth Drannor, but she greatly desired to strike a blow against the servants of Mystra in Shadowdale -- in particular, the great mage Elminster. Esvele offered to remove Elminster (and the other Chosen of Mystra) from Shadowdale by creating a dead magic zone over the entire area; its effects would deter the Chosen of Mystra from returning. The Sharran priestess also offered an alliance with the Lolth-worshiping drow of House Dhuurniv. By depriving Shadowdale's defenders of their potent magical powers, Esvele would make it possible for the Zhentarim and their drow allies to finally conquer the dale. In turn, the subjugation of the dale by the Zhentish armies would make it possible for the servants of Shar to carry out their goddess's vendetta against Mystra. Fzoul assented to Esvele's offer -- allowing the priestess of Shar to rip a hole in the Weave seemed a reasonable price for the defeat of Shadowdale.
In the dark hours of 15 Nightal 1374 DR, a small company of Sharran assassins and shadow adepts slipped into the dale. In Elminster's vaults a powerful Sharran artifact -- the Ebon Diadem -- lay quiescent, one of many such evil items that the Sage of Shadowdale kept hidden safely within the wards of his tower. But the Diadem harbored a deadly secret. Breaching the defenses of his tower, the Sharrans succeeded in activating the Ebon Diadem and unleashing its powers. Feeding on the very strength of the wards Elminster had raised over the years, the Ebon Diadem greatly strengthened the Sharran assassins. Although Elminster destroyed most of the intruders who had entered his tower, the Sharrans defeated him. Gravely wounded, he was whisked away by his contingency spells -- and his tower itself was blasted into ruin and hurled into some far plane.
Within hours of Elminster's defeat, Scyllua Darkhope led a Zhentish army into the northern verge of the dale, while the drow of House Dhuurniv overran the defenders of the Twisted Tower from below. When the Castellan of Zhentil Keep attacked Shadowdale in the summer of 1374 DR, Seiveril Miritar had quickly marched the Crusade to Shadowdale's defense. This time, however, the elves were unable to help -- they were heavily engaged against both a Zhent army attacking out of Hillsfar and a great raid of drow. The folk of Shadowdale simply could not overcome the Zhent advantages in monsters and numbers without resorting to magic, and the damage the Sharrans had done to the local Weave made magic weak and unreliable. Despite a valiant defense, the dale fell. To the astonishment of the local populace, Lord Mourngrym Amcathra subsequently announced an alliance with Zhentil Keep and welcomed the Zhentarim into Shadowdale as allies.
Establishing a powerful garrison to occupy the dale, Scyllua Darkhope led her army south and east, striking toward Mistledale and the Moonsea Ride to complete Myth Drannor's encirclement. While the armies continue to maneuver in the forests to the east, and the priests of Shar seek to complete the destruction of the Weave in this part of the Dalelands, Shadowdale lies under the Zhentish fist. The people of the dale seethe with anger and murmur against their oppressors, but they dare not rise up -- not yet, anyway.
In the spring of 1374 DR, Lord Seiveril Miritar of Evermeet mustered a great crusade to meet the threat of the daemonfey legion of Sarya Dlardrageth. Seiveril's Crusade drove the daemonfey out of the High Forest, and then pursued the demonspawned sun elves to their secret stronghold in Myth Drannor. Armies from Hillsfar, Sembia, Zhentil Keep, the drow of Cormanthor, and the various dales took the field, some allying with the daemonfey, others fighting against Sarya Dlardrageth and her hellish hordes. Ultimately the elf army prevailed, retaking Myth Drannor. Although Seiveril Miritar fell in the final battle within the ancient city, his daughter Ilsevele became ruler in his place.
With the rival city-state of Hillsfar firmly under his thumb, Fzoul Chembryl, Tyrant of Zhentil Keep, determined to prevent Myth Drannor from rising again. At the same time, the Vhaeraun-worshiping drow of House Jaelre and the Auzkovyn clan read their own doom in Ilsevele Miritar's ascension to the throne of ancient Cormanthyr. Zhents and drow conspired to attack Myth Drannor before Ilsevele Miritar's fledgling realm grew any stronger.
As Fzoul searched for a master stroke to overthrow his new enemy, he was approached by Esvele Graycastle, a priestess of Shar. The servant of Shar cared little for Fzoul Chembryl's troubles with Myth Drannor, but she greatly desired to strike a blow against the servants of Mystra in Shadowdale -- in particular, the great mage Elminster. Esvele offered to remove Elminster (and the other Chosen of Mystra) from Shadowdale by creating a dead magic zone over the entire area; its effects would deter the Chosen of Mystra from returning. The Sharran priestess also offered an alliance with the Lolth-worshiping drow of House Dhuurniv. By depriving Shadowdale's defenders of their potent magical powers, Esvele would make it possible for the Zhentarim and their drow allies to finally conquer the dale. In turn, the subjugation of the dale by the Zhentish armies would make it possible for the servants of Shar to carry out their goddess's vendetta against Mystra. Fzoul assented to Esvele's offer -- allowing the priestess of Shar to rip a hole in the Weave seemed a reasonable price for the defeat of Shadowdale.
In the dark hours of 15 Nightal 1374 DR, a small company of Sharran assassins and shadow adepts slipped into the dale. In Elminster's vaults a powerful Sharran artifact -- the Ebon Diadem -- lay quiescent, one of many such evil items that the Sage of Shadowdale kept hidden safely within the wards of his tower. But the Diadem harbored a deadly secret. Breaching the defenses of his tower, the Sharrans succeeded in activating the Ebon Diadem and unleashing its powers. Feeding on the very strength of the wards Elminster had raised over the years, the Ebon Diadem greatly strengthened the Sharran assassins. Although Elminster destroyed most of the intruders who had entered his tower, the Sharrans defeated him. Gravely wounded, he was whisked away by his contingency spells -- and his tower itself was blasted into ruin and hurled into some far plane.
Within hours of Elminster's defeat, Scyllua Darkhope led a Zhentish army into the northern verge of the dale, while the drow of House Dhuurniv overran the defenders of the Twisted Tower from below. When the Castellan of Zhentil Keep attacked Shadowdale in the summer of 1374 DR, Seiveril Miritar had quickly marched the Crusade to Shadowdale's defense. This time, however, the elves were unable to help -- they were heavily engaged against both a Zhent army attacking out of Hillsfar and a great raid of drow. The folk of Shadowdale simply could not overcome the Zhent advantages in monsters and numbers without resorting to magic, and the damage the Sharrans had done to the local Weave made magic weak and unreliable. Despite a valiant defense, the dale fell. To the astonishment of the local populace, Lord Mourngrym Amcathra subsequently announced an alliance with Zhentil Keep and welcomed the Zhentarim into Shadowdale as allies.
Establishing a powerful garrison to occupy the dale, Scyllua Darkhope led her army south and east, striking toward Mistledale and the Moonsea Ride to complete Myth Drannor's encirclement. While the armies continue to maneuver in the forests to the east, and the priests of Shar seek to complete the destruction of the Weave in this part of the Dalelands, Shadowdale lies under the Zhentish fist. The people of the dale seethe with anger and murmur against their oppressors, but they dare not rise up -- not yet, anyway.
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