The Keys of Telku / The Temple of the Apocalypse pt. 3 / 3592 CE / 12-1-19

Uli has just unlocked the iron band around the neck of a white dragon who the party learns is not in fact the legendary Normiliss but her off-spring. Normiliss lies dead, and her child, having finally escaped the freak show where she had been enslaved since she was stolen as a wyrmling, has been wreaking vengeance on the local populace. After tense negotiations, the party gets the dragon to agree to cease the attacks, inspiring her to take on her late mother's role as a local demi-god. When the Adventurers return to Artolan, they reinforce the deception, even as the new "Normiliss" ascends upon the town and demands a yearly tribute in exchange for her continued goodwill. The mayor of Artolan is unhappy with the deal, and with the white dragon's insistence that he pay what is owed to the party, but begins to see an upside when the party reassures him that having Normiliss's blessing upon the town may be a means to increase trade and profit. As the Adventurers return to the White Dragon Inn to rest before continuing on their journey, they are approached by a Pellish man named Bean, who has recently journeyed from Untala also seeking adventure. The party agrees to take him with them, reasoning an extra pair of hands couldn't hurt as they face the unknown lands beyond Artolan. Over the next seven days, the Adventurers make their way through the vast tundra of the Northern Wastes, before finally coming upon a forest. As they prepare to make camp, they are interrupted by a young boy crashing through the underbrush before being thrown from his mule. He tells the party that he is seeking aid for his uncle Gearald, who is trapped under a fallen tree. The party agrees to help, but before they can set off, the are set upon by sinister-looking orcs with death's head face paint. They are able to slay their brutal combatants, and then set off to help the boy Emory's uncle, leaving Coron to guard their camp. With the help of the Moss and Roisyll's woodland skills, they are able to quickly make their way to the site of the deadfall, and together remove the fallen tree from the trapped woodsman. But even as they do so, they hear the ominous sound of a drum, as moments later Emory declares "It's too late. They're here."