A worried sister...

In a flurry of silky magical tendrils,  an image first blinked, then fully materialized. She was a beautiful sight to the startled onlookers at the gates of Evereska's Hall of the Ancients. Courtisans and commoners scattered as the noble Eladrin guards came to talk with the mesmerizing stranger.

" My name Lyrlia Zerfis, daughter Haldion Zerfis de Myth Drannor. The lady has been forwarned of my presence here. I very much desire to speak with her. " 

The guards, wise and well learned, could recognize a member of a noble family easily, and this bowed and retired. Only Mehlar Dawnblade, the Lady of Evereska's consort, stayed behind and directed Lyrlia past the gates and up stairs to the quarters of the Lady. They found her in front of the window, glancing down at the enchanted meadows and strange wonders of the feywild. Lyrlia heard the door close gently, and then the two women were alone.

" I feel worry in you, child. Please, drink and share with me ", the Lady spoke, gesturing at a small table surrounded with cushions, where a steamy flask of tea was set with two cups.

Lyrlia bowed her head gently and accepted the drink. She comfortably laid on the cushions and accepted the cup, served by invisible aerial servants. The tea was delicious, a fine selection of leaves only found on rare plants of the Feywild. She gave a thankfull smile at the warm welcome, then spoke:

" You have met with my brother, Fylikiel. We have thought him dead for over 150 years, so puzzling was his disappearance and fruitless our search for him. Yet he is back in the Realms and you found him well I hear, but he has not the heart to send word to us? ".

The lady nodded and replied:

" Your brother is indeed well, but maybe not for long. He has taken upon himself to solve a strange mistery along the Sword Coast. A mystery involving long forgotten elven lores and powerful elven magic. The likes your family is acquainted with I believe. "

" I presume you are referring to the legends concerning our family. ", Lyrlia inquired, to which the Lady simply nodded. Lyrlia continued,

" I see. So you have thought wise to warn us of his presence and interest. I thank you, Lady. Do you think Fylikiel knows of these legends, our potential destiny ? ", Lyrlia asked as humbly as she could.

" I know he does not possess the knowledge to read these lores. He carried with him the scars of the Spellplague and the taint of the Shadowfell was evident. I do not know of his intentions beyond his willingness to restore to us a scroll of lores we lost to a powerful undead creation. His desire to help was genuine, yet he surely has interests of his own. ".

Lyrlia had heard enough. Her brother was back, and was after old and powerful enemies. The sword coast, the Lady said. Her own knowledge of the coast was limited. She would have to find help. Lost in thought for several minutes, she finished her tea in silence. Then, slowly, she rose and spoke for a last time:

" Thank you Lady for your time. I will be on my way. Fylikiel will require assistance. ". The Lady bowed and smiled. 

Fylikiel's eldest and most beautiful sister, Lyrlia Zerfis, no longer a student of magic but a virtuose magician, left Everaska moments after to go after her foolish brother, along the Sword Coast.

In need of rest... or adventure?

For a little otherwordly taste or simply for a good pipe beside the hearth, travelers from the Realms will always be Welcomed in the Clockwork Inn! One adventurer might have seen one in Waterdeep, while another hid in its ruins in Thay, while yet another one could swear it was run by gnomes in an old Dwarven city. They are all right! Nobody really knows where the first Clockwork Inn was built (if it was built), but everybody agree on one thing: You find them everywhere.

At the very first glance, you know this is not just another inn. Trust the stories you hear; You will always be able to tell if it is a Clockwork Inn! Yet ths is nothing compared to what you will see inside, and once again, nobody agrees on what they have seen. But they all agree that it was incredible!

Known accross the multiverse, the Clockwork Inn will propose the most incredible recipes, share the most incredible tales, and if you stick your fingers where you should not, it can also throw you in the most incredible of Adventures!

Tired adventurers, don't look any further! Rest your tired bones at the Clockwork Inn and it will wind you right up!

Hear Ye Hear Ye, Adventurers of Baldur's Gate

The Flaming Fist is hiring sturdy adventurers for a Patrol fo the Sword Coast. For parties ready to make some gold and who are familiar with the dangers of the Sword Coast, here is a new challenge: Lizardfolks! These vaguely human like creatures strongly have the head of a lizard and their bodies are covered in green or black scales.

100 pieces of gold per person will be paid to the braves who will travel the coast and come back with any sightings of these lizard men. The Flaming Fist is most interested in their movements and numbers. Do not engage them in unecessary combat. Extra gold will be given if the information is especially accurate. There will be no gold given for trophies or any other proof of the death of a lizard man. 

Adventurers be careful, lizardmen live in tribes and provoking them could prove overwhelming.

Who could refuse 100 pieces of gold simply for scouting? Only a fool would! Contact Galarnok Partak, The Blood Raven, at the Flaming Fist headquarter of the Northern Gate.

Note: Any information concerning unusual sightings of undead creatures will be paid in extra.

On the trail of our Heroes

On the evening of the 24th of Flamerule, our heroes decided to explore a cave where they think the hobgoblins they are pursuing are hidden. They indeed found the Hobgoblins, along with the Cave Bear who killed and partially ate them. The fierce beast did not give them any choice but to kill it, which left the cave empty save for the remains of various meals (some unlucky adventurers).

Going through the bodies, they discovered a mark on one of the Hobgoblin's arm. The same symbol they had seen on lizardfolks attacking their ship near Baldur's Gate. Aishar also triggered a strange magical effect that left them puzzled: Something magical left a blade he found, displaying the alarming image of a dragon in a flurry of greenish light. The image them seemed to strike at Aishar and vanished. Closer arcane inspection revealed that Aishar's own blade seemed to be the host of the same magical presence, but its nature is so foreign and obscure that not even Fylikiel could provide any explanation on what it is. Our Heroes know nothing of what inhabits the blade, aside from its apparent interest in storerytelling! During their rest in the cave, Fylikiel took that opportunity to send words to Bunyan of how they were faring.

The next day, the road led them along the Trollbark Forest, in search of tracks to follow, which Fylikiel found: Week old horses and cart tracks in the earth. Our heroes followed them southward until they met with a patrol of hobgoblins and bugbears. An easy skirmish it would seem, but which very soon turned into total chaos after Fylikiel's sudden display of power. Crazed by his spellscar (according to him), Fylikiel unleashed a furious explosion that struck at everything around him. Friends and foes alike were scattered around, and what could have been display of cunning and strategy was turned into a desperate brawl, from which they nonetheless emerged victorious, yet a little smoky.

Pursuing a retreating bugbear, Aishar met with a band of elf. They presented themselves as scouts from a tribe of Wood Elves living in the TrollBark forest, and allies of Bunyan Trollaxe. Their discussion with the players was short, but proved to be invaluable: They learned of a ruined keep to the south, further out of the forest than the elves usually go. In exchange for their help in scouting the keep, the elves would warn their clan, and try to provide some help against the hobgoblins. But only if they can have a good idea of what they are up against.

Using the darkening sky as cover that evening, the heroes closed with the keep, and soon, it was visible. Yet they remained hidden, and Acane set forth with Fylikiel to scout the walls. From the bushes, they could see the repaired walls and keep, with bugbears and goblins all around. A considerable force indeed remained at the keep. They also noticed a group of cloaked humanoids discussing with the hobgoblin leaders just outside of the keep. These humanoids then left toward the coast, and the Heroes decided to ambush them!

This time the fight was much more organized, but their situation was no less dire as they faced the cloaked figures: Shadar-Kai!!! They proved to be fierce opponents and they raged a difficult battle. When they seemed to have lost, the remaining dark-skinned men stopped fighting and offered discussion. A few words were exchanged before Aishar's movement pushed them into renewed violence. But the fight was over and only one Shadar-Kai remained. This one did not let himself be killed or captured and vanished in the night, his very nature leaving no hope to track him. 

Yet, they got some information. Just like the hobgoblins, these beings of shadow were serving a master. And the power of that master was so that it made them laugh at the adventurer's effort. 

One thing would be sure from then on: Not only are our Heroes aware of someone spreading his influence accross the Sword Coast; This elusive Eladrin will now know that adventurers are after him.

Acane - Untold stories

Old Wise men would say that at 21 your life has just begone. And in most, they would be right. But in Acane's mind float more years of memories than her body has seen.

The Spellplague has brought many wonders and disasters. It has been the end of many things, but to herself, Acane bless the day it broke out in the Realms. Because in ages past, she did not have the chance she now has...

Very few are familiar with the Hellgate Keep as it was before the world changed. Sealed inside by powerful rituals, demons called the bastion home for a long time. The Tanar'ri reveled in death and devastation; this stronghold was their home on this material plane, and although they were held in check by heroes of this world, their evil influence spread far and deep. Thus was the fate of a clan of elves who bred with the demons, and Acane was one such child born more demon than elf. Twisted in heart and mind, she lived a life of mischief, madness and sadism. For centuries...

Until the Spellplague. Striking deep and ripping through the planes, it had a mystifying effect on Acane and the remaining half-bread of her clan. Most were killed, others were not so lucky and were turned into monstruosities. Only a few were affected at first, but as the plague progessed, none escaped the wild magic.

Fate had chosen a special path for Acane. Her very nature was torn asunder, severing her dual origin and creating the being of exceptional beautfy she is now, but also creating an even more perverted demon to match. Uncomprehending, both entities had to relearn existence in their respective new shell.

No longer immortal, but no longer evil, Acane had a second chance, for reasons unknown, if reason there is.

She was then 14.

Acane - A tragic story

Life with my latest companions could hardly be better. Long have I waited to see such peaceful days. The inebriating rush of adrenaline I get during our many fights against various dangers calm down my inner turmoils. Ironic how facing death could bring me peace in place of worries. 

But little do they know about me. And it is just as well. As courageous and open minded as they are, I fear they would not understand my pass. For now, I am content with them relying on my fighting skills, and amused at their discomfort around my beauty and love of physical pleasures. Only Selune, and maybe some mischievous gods, know what they would think or do if they only knew I was not always an attractive woman, but that in thruth I am the demonic reincarnation of a well known Prince of Darkness.

I can only hope they never figure it out!