Article: S03 - A Fiend and a Gryphon

Adventure the Log: A Fiend and a Gryphon

With the fiend "Sandy Claws" destroyed, the magic that upheld the dome of night and ice covering the lake dissipated. As midday dawned and the igloos disappeared, the ice also started to crack. The party had to gather what loot they could before running for their lives.

Amidst the chaos of the cracking ice, the party managed to secure various treasures including enchanted armors and mystical items.
Archibald acquired two magical scrolls and a gold-embroidered silk robe, while Pyrgos swapped items for a carved goat skull with intriguing powers.
Ildur decided to drop the coins he was gathering to save Pyrgos and Archibald.
The breaking ice caused Fjadla to panic, but Pyrgo's magic commanded her to be calm.
Loot distribution:
- Archibald: Scroll of Fireball, Scroll of Find Familiar, an exquisite silk robe with gold embroideries.
- Gorfin: Adamantine Scale Mail, a magical miniature wooden rowing boat, and a Cloak of Elvenkind.
- Ildur: Because of his selflessness, he gathered no loot.
- Pyrgos: One looming gem-encrusted skull of a goat.
- Roulph: One silver necklace with amethysts.

Ildur conjured mead from his magical tankard, while Pyrgos mischievously dumps water over Roulph.
Roulph and Gorfin crafted warm undergarments using leather scraps and moss.
Pyrgos felt a profound connection with the goat skull, which spoke to him in a familiar voice, urging him to venture into the woods at night.
During a secret encounter in the woods, Pyrgos released a fiend trapped within the skull, which attacked him. However, a more powerful force originating from Pyrgos himself stopped the attack, commanding the fiend before the skull was destroyed. Pyrgos was found on the brink of death outside the camp the next morning.
Another discovery after the night was that a birch sapling had sprouted where Ildur had shat the evening before. A magical bean he had eaten had reacted with the fertile matter and grown to a small tree. It was very talkative and referred to Ildur as its father. Ildur left it there as the party continued on their journey.

As they neared Vilamond, a fierce battle ensued with a hungry gryphon attempting to snatch Fjaddla. The party worked together to slay the beast, with Ildur delivering the final blow.
The battle took place under the gaze of a new ally, Aliana, an elf who later tended to the wounds of the party and joined them on their journey to Vilamond.

Upon reaching Vilamond, the party was suspicious of a group of urchins. Ildur chased one that ran away, while the others attempted to intimidate the group for information, resulting in a shameful display. Gorfin briefly threw one urchin into Sandy Claw's bag of holding but released him immediately. Aliana was taken aback by the display and decided to go her own way, leaving the group.
The party navigated through city bureaucracy to meet with an intern master who appreciated their deeds, offering them a promissory note worth 1000gp, signed with the king's seal.
The party withdrew the 1000gp from the treasurer Erindur Rockbeard.

The retrieval of the city's lost goods culminated in a festival where the adventurers were hailed as heroes. High Priest Desmond organized the celebration, which attracted a joyous crowd and even the king, who joined in the festivities.
King Vizirond Tarnhem III expressed his gratitude by commending the adventurers under his banner, emphasizing their role in the city's prosperity.
The party was celebrated by the local townsfolk and the king, with Ildur performing a magical display and Gorfin presenting a magical snow globe to the king. They were asked to emphasize that their deeds were conducted under the king's flag.

This session highlighted the group's resourcefulness in the face of dire circumstances, from escaping a collapsing icy grave to dealing with supernatural threats and engaging in epic battles. Their journey not only brought them closer together but also cemented their reputation in Vilamond, setting the stage for future adventures under the royal banner.