Entering Ironpeak: Report

Wine tasting

 

14th of Irami’el 1245 AE

  After the battle the adventurers were invited to meet with the count of Averton together with Hesione Valrin. Once they were cleaned up they went to the castle gates where the count’s chamberlain was waiting for them. Umeko started acting very aggresive towards him and she was forced to be left outside and even tied down because of her violent nature.   Count Doran Teresis himself was a pleasant man and offered them one of his finest wines, a Varenan wine from the year 1230 AE which was greatly appreciated by Luanda Keenkeeper who did know her fair share of wine from her years in Pavanor. After enjoying some smalltalk and wine they told him of their discoveries. The count and Hesione had an idea where to look next, the Dwarven city of Ironpeak. Although they did not know about the Shadow Fangs, the existence of another criminal faction there was publicily known called the Crystal Vipers. After the exchange of information he asked them if they could look into it while the Vanguard secured the region and gave them a reward for their help in defending the town.   Once they were outside however they noticed that the chamberlain had a forked tongue. Further inquiries into this matter were met with threats. Afterwards Hesione Valrin asked if they learned anything new. When the group told her about the chamberlain she said she would look into it. After a good nights rest the group departed to Ironpeak.  

Entering Ironpeak

 

15th of Irami’el 1245 AE

  The adventurers were stopped at the entrance to the underground city of Ironpeak by a few guards. The city was currently in lockdown after a large explosion killed several Dwarves. Until everything was sorted out they could not let anybody in or out of the city. Lucky for them the guards were not hard to bribe which allowed the group to enter regardless.   After entering the city of Ironpeak the group decided to find more information concerning the recent attack in the city. They went to see the leading officer to offer their help. Luckily for the adventurers the captain had heard of their recent exploits in Averton and gladly accepted their help. Once they received directions to the crime scene they went towards the slums of Ironpeak.  

Crime Scene

  The entirety of the slums was under martial law and several houses near the crime scene were being searched by soldiers. When the group arrived they were quickly informed of the situation by the captain. A cart was placed in the early morning by an unkown individual. After several hours some other person was seen messing with the cart after which it exploded. This person that investigated the cart was one of the victims of the explosion. The investigation of the soldiers revealed that the victim was wearing clothes identifying him as one of the Shadow Fangs. Close examination of the crime scene revealed that the cause of the explosion was a fire sigil on the cart which was accidently triggered by the victim. In addition a small key was found with number 27 written on it. While they were examining one of the group saw a hooded figure in the shadows who quickly disappeared after letting something drop.   When they investigated what was dropped they found a small letter. It claimed to be from a friend who could give the adventurers more information. After a quick chase in the streets of the slums they located the hooded figure in a tavern. Janos Dorivas was there offering them a drink once more. He was there for business with the Crystal Vipers. He told them that the Crystal Vipers were being set up by the Shadow Fangs. If they wanted more information he could set up a meeting for them.   The group decided to keep the offer open until later once they had more information. Janos however did give them the directions to several possible tenements from where the key could originate.  

The investigation

  After a short search they arrived at an apartment in the slums that could be opened with the key. Inside they found a woman Dwarf bound to a chair. Once they were inside they were ambushed by several Dwarves dressed in black. The adventurers managed to capture one of them and were able to extract some information from him. They learned that the victim of the explosion was possibly the husband of the woman. Apparently he was given Shadow Fangs clothes and ordered to go to the cart some hours earlier.   Following the information of the captured Dwarf they went to the Leaky Mug tavern, a Shadow Fang owned tavern. While ordering a drink the adventurers quickly noticed that a room in the back was used quite often. Thanks to their rather bold questions and remarks they couldn’t stay very long as to not arouse any more suspicion.   Afterwards they decided to visit the local mages guild in Ironpeak to learn more about the possible leader of the Shadow Fangs. They learned that Urdur Blackbender was once a member of the mages guild but was banished after being exposed as a demon summoner. What happenend afterwards was unkown to the mages. While searching the library in the mages guild Dimble Cloak found some information about ancient Gnome outposts in Terios.  

Behind the Kegs

 

16th of Irami’el 1245 AE

  After a rest at the barrack of Ironpeak the adventurers set out again. This time they went to a local delicacies shop that was the hideout of the Crystal Vipers. After introducing themselves, the shopowner showed them the cellar where he openend one of the kegs to reveal a hidden doorway. They quickly saw that the Crystal Vipers were not to be underestimated. Once they arrived in a large chamber many Dwarves could be seen pointing their bows towards them from the balcony. Several moments later the leader of the criminals appeared, Arkud Bloodgrip, a cleric to the evil god Athos.   After some talking he agreed to help them since Arkud also wanted the Shadow Fangs gone, especially after blaming his organization for the terror attack. The Crystal Fangs would create a diversion while the adventurers would infiltrate the Shadow Fang tavern. They agreed to this without fully knowing the benefit that Arkud Bloodgrip would get from this. During the night they received a message urging them to go to the tavern as fast as possible.