Update

Our heroes ride on the old empire road east from St. Astybi toward the settlement of Howling Wolf Moon. Each day along the old road they find the old Empire sentry outposts. They are relics deserted long ago from a time when the great Empire of Hannovia held sway over the Golden Hills. On the closing of the third day Cameron spotted activity within one such outpost. A green coruscating light could be seen flickering from within one of the crumbling towers connected to the worn curtain wall surrounding the ruin.

The heroes moved in to investigate the extraordinary lights within. They are confronted at the barbican entry by a group of eyeless reptilian creatures and their unnatural spider pets. The battle is pitched as the heroes find their foes most dangerous attacks come in their death throes. As each creature fell to the arcane might of Ragnar, and Tr’auln, an explosion of acid and entrails bursts from their lifeless carcasses. Lowen’s savage rage overtakes him as he charged headlong into the fray. Sil blinks in and out of sight with the power of his magical ring. All the while these evil outsiders cover their retreat into the scintillating green glow that emanates from within a ruined tower. With care the heroes advance on the remaining fiends firm in their knowledge that they have them cornered within.

Sil advanced on the tower first and stepped into the green flame. It is the night fire. Sil sees tracks leading into the center of the tower where a ring of large hewn stones protrude from the bare earth of the shattered structure. Where he expected to find more fiends there are only the stones. A search of the tower reveals an inscription on the center obelisk of a winged scroll. Ragnar, Lowen, and Randell recognize the marking as the seal of Hermod, messenger of Asgard. Tr’auln and Sil investigate press on into the strange manifestation of the night fire around the stones and are infected with the curse of the Mage Moon. Though they do not suffer any immediate effect they know it is only a matter of time now before the arcane sickness takes them.

Further investigation of the stone ring reveals a friend that the heroes have only ever known in their dreams. The silent apparition of Geoffry the Bolde (special thanks to David Dinney for providing the inspiration for Mr. 'the Bolde' two years ago. Your character lives on man!) is revealed to them in the flickering light of the heatless arcane fire. Geoffry can hear the heroes, and respond to their questions in the affirmative, or in the negative. He reveals much to the players, and is able to confirm with them that the true Prince Magdar yet lives somewhere in New Indra. They learn that the false Prince is a fiend who has impersonated the young prince for over a decade. As they speak to Geoffry the nightfire subsides and Geoffry fades back into oblivion.

Meanwhile outside the ruined fort an old friend to Lowen is drawn toward the glistering light of the nightfire in the tower. It is none other than Ro-Noc, follower of Forsetti and great consigliere to the leaders of the Golden Hills. Upon seeing Lowen, Ro-Noc reveals himself and rejoices at seeing one of the sons of the Lionborne Clan returned to the Golden Hills.

Ro-Noc carries many tales of bad news and ill omen for the clans. The annual tribute the Empire pays to the clans is late. Lowen’s brother, Barenherz is unwilling to release the warriors from service for the winter and makes preparations for war with the Empire. Lowen’s father, Bob, has been stricken with the ‘falling sickness’ and can not be healed of it. The once vast herds of Caribou have dwindled making famine for the tribes likely this winter. Barenherz has been estranged from his wife for this entire autumn, and now Bob will not grant Barenherz the ancestral sword of the Lionborne, the mighty blade Hrannund.

Grim is the news that Ro-Noc carries. Dire are the thoughts that turn in the heroes minds. Lowen struggles to know what he can do to help his people, and why now would Barenherz disobey the customs of the Golden Hills and demand Hrannund. Sil looks upon the heatless flame that wreathes his body, and cries out “why me!” in despair. Sooo with Ro-Noc the heroes turn to the old Empire road and make for Howling Wolf Moon where Lowen can discharge his oath.