Woke up early today. Had to get help for the coming battles. Through my ranger training I had the knowledge to call upon the animals of the Icewind Dale for aid. It was in the wilderness that I met Orson, a mighty and loyal bear. He will fight alongside us as long as we treat him with respect, as all creatures deserve. After meeting up with the others, they all look forward to seeing what Orson could do.
Nothing happened on the road to Caer-Dineval, a small town on the shore of Lac Dinneshare. Grav’s investigation on Huarwar, the missing son of Cora, led us to the castle the speaker calls home. It was there that we met the Knights of the Black Sword, who posed as the staff of the castle. I do not trust them. It became clear to us that they took over the castle and the speaker was nowhere in sight.
There was no battle to be had. The so-called knights were interested in an alliance. They were especially eager to meet Thana. Turned out that she was a writer that exposed several of their enemies outside of the Icewind Dale. They invited us within the castle and played the role of the host to appease us. Even now, they do not suspect that we are their enemies. The element of surprise remains.
During the visit, we met a soothsayer named Hethyl. Unlike the others, she was no threat. She was dying as time slowly claimed her. Perhaps it was in her age that she saw the future. Hethyl told us that a duergar warlord by the name of Xardorok Sunblight would destroy the towns of Icewind Dale so that he could conquer it. She told us that it would be up to us to stop him. Then she died.
Before retiring to our chambers, we learned more from the servants held captive and put to work. The Knights of the Black Sword are led by Kadroth and serve Levistus, an archdemon. Huarwar had fallen in with the cult and served them. He even partook in the murder of the castle’s guards. We identified him but waited to speak. We knew that we needed to deal with the cult.
It was Grav who suggested waiting until the morning, which we agreed on. I write while I am on watch as we do not trust the cultists. Even with the battle tomorrow, my thoughts dwell on Icewind Dale’s future. Xardarok is not a name known to me yet I cannot shake the feeling that he is my enemy.
Icewind Dale may be a rough place but it is my home. Aside from Keeneye, the others are strangers to the region but they too know of what a home means. I will fight whoever threatens the land. If it means fighting cultists that hold this castle, so be it. If it means fighting Xardarok, so be it.
Chance The Podcaster 