The group emerged from the mists in a forest. In the distance to the east was a large mountain range. After some wandering, they saw small whisps of smoke rising over the trees in the distance. Heading towards the smoke, the party came to a small destitute village. The villagers wanted little to do with the strangers in their small hamlet. The group discovered there was a nearby town called Harmonia, and headed towards it.
They came to Harmonia from the North gate, a magnificent sight as the minstrel river is spanned by a large bridge and guarded by the whirling bridge. There they encountered the guards who all asked them to sing the pledge of Harmonia to gain entrance. Wandering about town they befriended Nathan Sinclar, a local bard of some reknown who is in search of adventure, he asks to join the party.
That evening, an old man asks for help with wolfwere, who is trapped in his Jail. Some of the PCs end up getting trapped. Above ground in the streets they overhear a woman being assulted. Breaking out of the prison, they manage to talk to her after assailant leaves, she introduces herself as Akriel and explains her problem: A wandering woodsman has been seeking her hand in marrige but she loves another man named Dr. Dominani. The only way she can be free of the torment of the woodsman is to find the Crown of Soldiers. This heirloom of her family would make a dowry and seal her betrothal to the doctor. The party agrees to think about it, and meet her in Skald in two days hence. That night, they visit the Crystal Club and watch a few performances, things get a little 'hairy' when some of the patrons transform into wolves!!
The next morning they travel north to Skald, the capital city and try to meet Akriel in the old Kartakan Inn. They meet Akriel in a secret room where she tells them where she thinks the Crown of Soldiers lies. She provides them with a map, and says it's far to the southeast 'where the bones lie'. The group agrees to do this for her and set off to the south.
Valley of Bones
Heading southeast for many days the party ventures into a wasteland, with giant crows, and bodies staked to pillars. In the distance a booming sound is heard, they approach and enter the canyon. Guarding the entrance to the canyon is a large tree, which begins to assult the party. While the party is occupied, they are assulted by Goblyns - hideous creatures that have large gaping jaws and try to bite off a man's face. The evil tree and Goblyns are defeated, but Roy is slain in the battle. Exploring the rest of the canyon, they discover a ziggurat shrine and a bone cage containing emaciated prisoners. They set the prisoners free and head back to Harmonia to resupply.
In town they briefly meet up with an insane man named Joseph who raves about the mountains of Blutspur, although he gives them supplies and tips on mountaineering. They return to the canyon, and meet Balthazar, a strange tatooed man who claims to be a shepard from the mountains, he explains that he seeks knowledge, and may be able to help them. They explore the canyon and discover two holes that lead into caverns below. The caverns contain much undead, and strange mists that have stolen the parties magic items. It is discovered that a witch named Radaga Daglan is responsible for capturing the local villagers. The witch is confronted deep within her lair, she gives a rousing speech, but is slain in 6 seconds! The Crown of Soldiers is recovered!
The Ice Devil
Entering a stragnely cold cavern, there are two runed doors - one is a trap and falls on Elhana. Determined to get inside, the group reads the inscription on the doors and then opens them. Inside is a dark barren, cold cavern hewn from the rock - with only a small stream of light illuminating an altar in the distance - upon the altar lies their missing magical weapons. Out from the darkness comes a frightful devil blasting cold and trying to grab the Crown! Elhana sneaks around to recover their enchanted weapons while the group backs off. Once Elhana is free, Simon seals the cavern by collapsing the entrance, the group flees back to Harmonia, and then to Skald with the Crown of Souls.
