The Fifth Eclipse: Session 8 - The Dwarven Encampment

Party: Wenceslas, Claudia De La Quinne, The Captain, Vholanthus Sumquaes, Daisy Dandeigh Deveraux

As the group unwinds from their journey through the darkness, they get a visit from the camp's quartermaster Snorri. Each in turn gets offered some bit of kit to assist on their journey. 
Better armour, a personalized upgrade to their weapon or even health potions, the older dwarf does not seem to mind parting with the supplies... almost suspiciously so. Miss Daisy ventures a few inquiries and discovers his daughter, 'Little Moon' Brimhilde, ventured out with a crew of 11 other scouts into the area closer to the Elfhame and has not returned yet. Daisy promises to look out for traces of Brimhilde when the Eclipse ventures there as well.

Afterwards, Claudia starts witling dragon statues as a way to offer her respect and prayers to Scorchwyn. The voice of the Lord of Vengeance comes to her, offering advise and comforting, before the conversation gets cut off by the Night Queen. Though the words of the Night Queen cause a ripple of worry, the thought that Scorchwyn does favour her current plans strengthens Claudia's resolve.

Wenceslas, on the other hand, finds himself alternatively chilled and warmed, the spike of ice that was removed through the power of the healing magic still leaving a hole in his self... which Emiel seeks to fill. Drawing on his internal unbalance, a small bit of Wenceslas's innate magic is stolen and woven into the blade's handguard, which now carries a beautiful purple chain of flowers ending in a sharp point.
Whispering to the elf, Emiel promises power in a time of need, if exchange for some blood...

Daisy takes some time trying to understand more by talking to the flowers, checking if the Shadows ever come into this area. The flowers are angry and not really informative, but it seems this area is safe. 
Hoping to get more information through another channel, Claudia tries to talk to the moss. It is not her forte.

The next morning, the party meets captain Bartuz over breakfast. Using the knowledge of the missing scouts, the group gets more information on the downward trek and renew their promise to report back with information on the scouts and rescue them if at all possible.

They set out and using their skills to advance through the dark maze that approaches the Elfhame. Wenceslas's compass, Daisy's tracking skills, Vholanthus's arcane knowledge, the Captain's guidance and Claudia's moxie lead the party to an ancient crypt filled with small treasures and through a spectral storm that was generated by arcane runes.
And thus they arrive at the outer wall of Dun Scaith. The ancient elven structure clearly breached, the petaled gate broken, the streets beyond littered with undead guardians.

Praying to Scorchwyn for guidance, Claudia hears the Fortress of Shadows will have four trials awaiting them: first swarms of odious serpents, then beaked toads, then a silver and a golden cauldron before the true test of their power: the Lord of Life, necromancer Nechtan. 
As though on cue the party hears a voice that welcomes them to their upcoming doom or into his army...

  

The Fifth Eclipse: Session 7 - White as Snow

Party: Wenceslas, Claudia De La Quinne, The Captain, Vholanthus Sumquaes, Daisy Dandeigh Deveraux

As the party reaches the end of the second layer of the Delve of Dun Scaith, they face off against a force of skeletal foes, led by a pair of ice-wielding monstrosities and a human necromancer, that seem to have broken off an assault on some sort of fortification.
Upon the walls, the party spy the glint of flame on steel but little time is afforded to them as the skeletons sense the approach of easier prey and turn about to rush at the party.

Making use of the initiative, Vholanthus manages to penetrate deep into the enemy force, but finds the backline beset by exploding spheres of bone and ice.
The Captain, doing his best to follow Vholanthus into breaking the enemy formation and drawing the aggression away from his friends, hears a cry behind him as Wenceslas suffers a near-fatal blow, being impaled on a jagged spike of ice. Claudia, near to her elven companion, wills the power of Scorchwyn to undo the injury and rescues Wenceslas from a cold grave.
Fury and indignation now grasping the former Elfhame inhabitant tight, sorcery crackles from his hands and rips through the enemies. Seeking to not suffer a similar icy fate, Vholanthus retreats and begins a series of attacks that leave him more protected, while the Captain and Daisy lay waste to the remaining skeletal foes and capture their leader.

Thus having defeated their foes, the group hails the guards of the fortification and are met by Captain Bartuz, a dwarven veteran who leads about 30 fighting men and 50 assorted followers (smiths, cooks, a few surgeons and a medic as well as the families of those who need to stay for a longer period of time). The group gets permission to stay the night at the encampment, noting the far side is a lot better guarded and fortified in comparison to the side they approached from.

Taking the chance to interrogate their prisoner, they learn his name is "Tim" and he was ordered to take this fortification for the Queen of Shadows. As Claudia asks him if he has any last words for his mother, Tim's right eye turns black and he replies in an unnatural voice, threatening the halfling. The group puts more pressure, but that only serves to activate a mimic, hidden behind the man's darkened eye and eliminating him in a gory manner. It is likely this entity would have sought to harm the halfling, but Wenceslas is vigilant and lances it through with Emiel.

A little disturbed by the encounter, Bartuz asks the party to join him for ale and explains how the dwarves are involved in the defense of the Elfhames under Vertange. The group also learns the name of the dwarven adventuring party that sometimes travels 'top-side' in order to claim bounties: "the Coin of Skulls".

Wenceslas

Loreborn Elf Sorcerer (Primal)

He grew up in an Elfhame. He left the Elfhame after the leader of his foraging group, Bravik, turned homicidal.

Wensceslas is not pacifist, but he greatly believes in balance. Taking a life is not something done lightly, yet this is what Bravik started to regall in. He survived his wandering days by helping locals in the country side. 

Claudia De La Quinne

Highborn Halfling Seraph (Divine Wielder)

Vholanthus Sumquaes

Loreborne Elf Druid (Warden of Renewal)

Daisy Dandeigh Deveraux

Highborn Elf Ranger (Beastbound)

The Daveraux family are elves of modern sensibilities and, through the generations, found great wealth in owning large farmsteads throughout Perlis. Despite their contemporary mindset, they are deeply devoted to their ancient hunting ways as a means to maintain their innate elven connection to nature, often going on big game hunts. 

Dasie has a natural gift to speak with the flora and fauna and is a skilled tracker and marksman. After her father's unexpected death at the hands of an unidentifiable beast while on a family hunt, she was made to flee her home, vowing to uncover more about her father's demise.

The Captain

Seaborne Human Guardian (Stalwart) 

He was born into a family of sailors, raised on discipline and hardship before leaving the sea to join the army, where he found purpose under a noble commander he came to respect. He served with distinction through the war, and when it ended, that same commander brought him into his household as a bodyguard for his young daughter. 

In peace, his vigilance faded and old habits took hold; drink dulled his edge until, on the night it mattered most, he failed to stand watch. The girl died, and with her his honor, rank, and sense of self.