Let it snow, let it snow, let it disappear

Five days travel south, with cold nights, and heavy snow, the four men approached Kelthalon Cathedral. Only to find it missing... in the mountains a mysterious cave led them to a simple conclusion, investigation! And though Rayne audibly suggested another route to be taken, the quartet progressed into the dark cavern. Chromwyn lights a torch and hands it to Andez to carry. They keep going as the round a bend in the wide cavern.

They soon came to an open chamber where the cave ceiling was lit like a bonfire. Soon they realized, that they had stumbled upon burning firey bats, and the sudden intrusion, was NOT welcome. Shrieking and screaming they were attacked by the horrible burning flying vermin. Launching lightning, and radiant light they fought off their attackers.

During all this Rayne noticed something amiss, and after pointing out that they were being attacked by a large bear, he let fly his arrows. Chromwyn charged in at the bear, and as his companions shot the bats out of the sky, he wrestled the bear down, toe to toe.

Losing his composure, Rayne's loosed arrows had difficulty finding purchase, and it took him awhile to calm down after the creatures were laid to rest. The party, settled down to catch their breath, and they had barely gotten ready to proceed downt he cave, before they heard shuffling approaching them. "I told you, someone had triggered the alarm!", "Well then perhaps we've caught them?", "Our master won't be pleased, they must die, or we'll be exposed!". Before them came three loathesome frogfaced men, their eyes bulging, wide mouths with rows of sharp teeth.

Masquerading Life

After Thei'lad'el (level 3 Eladrin Cleric), finished investigating the body of Lord Mathicus, using some tools given by the court alchemists, he was able to determine that Mathicus had been dead for longer than the two weeks it took them to reach Storm Garden.

Reuniting with Rayne (level 4 Elven Ranger), and Chromwyn (level 5 Dragonborn Fighter), they dress up for the Storm Garden Masquerade (except for Chromwyn who keeps their gear and waits nearby). Using the masks and their cleverness they overhear a few conversations in the somber, erotic, and intoxicating Masquerade. Between elven women and debauchery Rayne discovers that Lord Malvein, brother to their host Lord Mourgon, disappeared 4 weeks prior to the murder, and was only recently and scarcely seen.

Thei'lad'el, taking a more shadowed approach, discovered that Malvein and Mathicus have been seen having several arguments recently, and that Mathicus had actually disappeared 4 weeks ago.

Leaving the party, and changing in an alley, the three team mates share their knowledge and come to a decision, they must find out where Malvein is, and confront him about Mathicus's murder. They had back alone to Mourgon's Manor, and head over to the East Wing, on the 2nd floor, where Lord Malvein, is supposedly grieving for his lost friend.

After trying some doors, Rayne spots a secret passage which leads to a set of iron-wrought wall-mounted ladder leading down, into the bowels of the city. Following the tunnel they come upon, they soon find themselves in waist deep sewers, with a light at the end of the tunnel.

The three approach the light source, which is a set of open double doors that leads to a sort of alchemical laboratory. Spotting preserved body parts, including brains, eyes, hands and feet, they also see the dead body of Lord Mourgon laying on a metal slab.

Distracted by the atrocoties of the room, they almost aren't ready when a fifteen foot tall stictched together "man" starts attacking them.