Travelling through the Marketplace together, the adventurers see that the people of Stormreach are still terrified by the Storm Hammer threat. There are few people at the markets, and the stall-keepers seem frightened to the point of illness. Soon they split up, and Kaddik, Ash and Sláine continue through the city towards the Temple District.
Caleb, Rufus and Spark stop at Splendours of the South to ask Valexa Von Ruthvek about the prophecy of the Impure Prince. Unfortunately, she knows little of such things, and is instantly suspicious on seeing the Aurum’s symbol on Caleb’s armour. The discussion is going poorly when it is interrupted by members of the Shrouds, who demand something called the helm of seven deaths. When Valexa demurs, the Shrouds attack, and the adventurers battle not just an elf assassin but a pair of zombies and a wight wielding necrotic magic. After they defeat the Shrouds, Valexa asks them to take the helm for safekeeping, and tells Spark to meet her the following night at the Candlelight, a restaurant in Oldgate, as she may be able to provide him some information on the Prophecy after all.
Kaddik, Ash and Slaine make their way through the Temple District (Stormreach’s entertainment quarter) to the run-down Keep of the Silver Flame, a much smaller and shabbier temple than those found in Khorvaire. While Ash’s appearance causes disquiet, temple guardian Guin Silverblood takes them to meet Minister Jirian Zayne, who is just wrapping up a service for a small group of worshippers. Jirian knows little of prophecy and nothing of the Impure Prince, but Slaine notices Guin react to the phrase. Before she can question him, though, the Keep is attacked by Emerald Claw troopers, backed up by a half-tame krenshar. The adventurers defeat the Claw, and Jirian is grateful, but still cannot help them – especially as her attention is taken up by a sudden outbreak of a mysterious ailment that is afflicting people across the city with blindness, sickness and delirium. She agrees to take in Master Áedan for treatment, and as they leave, Guin pulls Slaine aside, asking her to meet him the following night at the Wavecrest Tavern to discuss the Prophecy in private.
Armed with a little more information and a mysterious artifact, the adventurers return to the Refinery – only to find its inhabitants struck down with the same sickness that afflicts the Silver Flame’s congregation!
Comments