Quest of the Master Alchemist & Lady Alyth's Jewelry Box
Starring: Elrebrind Le’frent, Anders Tremanine, Elvawen Evriamyn, Elspeth Dhalvoon, Castyl Devillars, Caed Wynter-Rose, Tommy Mcstabstab.
Special Guests: DM Dreamcatcher, with extra secret additions by DM Spartacus.
Serendipity brought together the willing, and at campfire in the Eastern Farmlands, the New Adventures—though truly unnamed as a company—were formed.
The call of Caed Wynter-Rose, bolstered by the request by the Master Alchemist Nefzen, was the inspiration, the glue that bound them in this moment, and they took to complete a task, a quest…and adventure.
Their initial jaunt was to the Baldur’s Gate graveyard, where it was likely they could find some of the ingredients sought by the master alchemist. The group encountered many undead, the penultimate encounter being a cabal of necromancers that seemed to be active within a cave accessible from the graveyard.
Luck would have it that the necromancers had done experimentation using imps—for what reason and what result, none would learn—but it was Caed Wynter-Rose that made sure to acquire a few imp stingers from the bodies littered about.
It was also later that Caed found growing, within the graveyard, peculiar mushrooms…alas, he failed in skill to be able to cultivate any. Neither he nor Anders Tremaine—who seemed the most likely in profession to be able to harvest the wild mushrooms—could manage to acquire their potent flesh. It was remarked among the New Adventurers that, though they failed in this moment to do so, it would be worth the effort to return, in order to fulfill the quest of the alchemist.
Within time, the group returned to the Eastern Farmlands and the merchant circle camped there, in order to acquire further supplies for a greater task: to seek out the ruins on the hilltop, south of Baldur’s Gate.
As it so happens, the weapons merchant there offered the group a new quest, to seek and retrieve a stolen jewelry box, by bandits, that as well, were holding up within the ruins…or at least, that was the rumor. The group agreed to take this quest, as it aligned with the quest of the alchemist.
Once within the ruins of the hilltop, the group encountered many kobolds and rats, but dispatched them quickly. But soon, the bandits descended upon the Group with force, for it seemed that the first and early encounters gave up the Groups arrival to the bandits—a tactical error, one may say.
But at a certain point, it was decided upon within the group, to take a few steps of scouting and secrecy, in order to gain knowledge of just how great the forces against them, were. It was learned that, the bandits had retreated to a lower level, and were most likely planning to ambush the group, should they continue onward….
[Below is all text from other Players in the New Adventurers]
The adventurers bravely descended into the lower levels of the dungeon. After tracking the bandits to the lower level, Anders discovered a large group of tracks heading in one direction. Arriving there, the Group was beset upon by Bladelings-a cabal of bandit wizards were the source of this extraplanar incursion. Then, The group were slowly proceeding when they were attacked, and were beaten back to cover under an onslaught of walls of fire and spellfire, by bards and rogues first.
As they progressed they found a wizard of some sorts, together with magical acolytes. Again, the Group was attacked, and almost everyone got knocked out from a spell cast by the Cultist.
Elrebrind the Wizard was able to snatch a scroll of Shapechange in the melee, changing into a fearsome Cornugon, immune to fire and finish the battle and revive his comrades, easily thwarting the mages. In addition, fooling the New Adventurers' resident warlock into thinking he'd come to collect on her pact. When his deception was revealed, fortunately it was taken in good humour!
The illusion dispelled, the party found Lady Alyth's jewellery box, warded against attempts to open it. The bandits had other treasure too: a gem of seeing, a powerful wizard's robe, a staff infused with the power of a black dragon and an enchanted cold iron greatsword.
Deciding against exploring further into the ruins, the party returned to Baldur's Gate's outskirts where Lady Alyth was waiting for them. Presenting her with the stolen jewelry box, the party received five-thousand gold coins, and promises of free drinks at the Elfsong Tavern
The group didn't manage to get any of the ingredients…so it would seem, the New Adventures will have to return, if they wish to further fulfill the Quest of the Alchemist.[/i]