(Following: Darkest Evil )

Recorded by Vyerith of Menzoberranzan , on the eve of the new year 1492 since the Dale Reckoning .

Young Blood

This troupe of adventurers has been through a lot for those so young and inexperienced. My own situation has worn me thin at this point and without their assistance my last breath would have been taken days ago. Though they witnessed my shifting, and have correctly guessed my true nature, they do not seem aware of our ability to read thoughts, as they made no attempts to shield their minds. Even the one who should have. And perhaps that itself contributed to this change of heart I find in myself now having assisted in the Yungbluds' escape from the Underdark. 

Runi Taarnak: Legacy

The woman armoured in the color of eggshell proves a perfect metaphor for her own exterior. Her brave face holds up, but within her heart a deep sorrow is long overdue for an outlet. I have advised she next seek to return to the home she knew with the one she lost and once there, in her own place, to properly mourn, say goodbye, and finally move on. 

Runi carries herself with a conviction and confidence that will serve her well. Unlike the Drow, the surface world in many places remains a man’s world and she will remind the ones who so patronize that there is no so-called "gentler" sex. I’ll keep an eye out for this one and maybe lend a hand one day. Before all others, she offered me hospitality and kindness in joining the group. I doubt her companions who all have some acclimation to the darkness below understand the fears she was compelled to overcome and the trust she had to muster in strangers - alone of them all in her blindness in that dark.

Vaxz of Algarond: Growth

I have never found myself at ease among the surface-dwelling Tel’Quessir and even when I am not wearing the guise of a Drow, the Wood Elf race carries themselves with a self-important purpose to which they seem oblivious. It projects a presumptuous coercion and expectation in all others to simply defer to them as the wardens of the wild, as if the sole authorities on forests.

It is so with Vaxz of Algarond. His youth yet seeks his purpose in life and while at ease with the beasts and the wild, he struggles with social graces with humanoid companions. By my nature I learn and mimic others naturally, I pity his clumsiness with the same and hope he spends time in civilization to reflect and grow, so he is not stifled by living within the skin of the beasts whose forms he assumes and the plants that bend to his will.

Alyks Askaria: Seeker

The Tiefling wizard is not a librarian. She is the library itself. I have never encountered such a mind in all my travels. Not even among the archwizards of Menzoberranzen.  Though she does not know her parents, their fiery passion and power flow through her veins and in fueling such a majestic mind places her on a path of destiny. If she continues her studies with the Arcane Brotherhood, and survives to mastery, I am confident she is destined to become an archwizard figure of legend. Woe to any between her unquenchable thirst for knowledge and the sources of such lore.

On the other hand, this amplified passion for knowledge and experiences that Alyks Askaria dulls her social exchange with her companions. The singular and curious exception to this is the myconid sprout Stool. She has already worked out a plan to adopt him into the Host Tower in Luskan. If able to shield him from wilting in the sunlight en route, that path may offer mercy, as it is now clear the tot’s home has been corrupted by the demon queen of rot. Perhaps their relationship will offer an occasional personal refuge from the demanding training to which she has otherwise committed herself.

Dex Shadow: Magpie

Even the clever tiefling seer does not fully understand the true nature of her Hexblood friend. Despite the tremendous uncertainty, and fear he carries, the prejudice and vulnerabilities he endures, the temptations he is helpless to resist, there is a refreshing optimism and eagerness behind his morbid interests. Though no less innocent than his fondness for sweets, he will be judged while barely understanding why.  It is most fortunate for this wizard that the elvish druid's skills were timely and thorough in sparing him from the infection and infestation visited upon the dark elf.

Of this entire motley lot, Dex stands out as my favorite traveling companion, hands-down. Oh, what devious mischief he and I might loose upon the world should such a shared path present itself! So recently lost in his fondness for the infested Drow, he shows a facile ease in tempering such passions and shifting his perception to embrace what his necromantic training blurs into that grey area between life and death. What a world this might be if more held such perspective!

Sarith Kzekarit: The Curious Case of the Decomposing Drow

My talents in thought-reading were truly tested in working through the mind of this dark elf with the odd skin condition. While slowed by the druid's treatments, the spore infestation had gnawed too far into his centre to afford a cure, and these were spores originating not in nature but in the rot of Zuggtmoy's boglands of Shedaklah in the Lower Planes. To a mind-reader, observing this process was terrifying - the remaining shreds of Sarith Kzekarit simply fading piece by piece as his mind and soul were consumed, becoming ever closer to unity with the demon queen - a mere extension of her consciousness, like a finger on a creature with a million hands. 

While surely private, the intimate conversations between drow and hexblood drew me in to a compelling and captivating tragedy. Even successfully finding the mind-healer Grazilaxx, an enlightened and benevolent Illithid disguised and living among the kuo-toa, there was no surgical remedy possible. All that could be done was to sever controls to assure that the spore-turned-drow would present no threat.  And so their conversations had turned to the choosing of a merciful end.

To purge the demonic influence, he would walk with Dex into the sunlight at the end of the journey, burning away the infestation but ending his own life as well. The mind flayer had given the necromancer a charm which he might then collect and keep the fleeting substance of the dark elf, which could be called again and again. Though his body and spirit corrupted, through those magics bridging life and unlife, this would not be the end of their story.  Adventures yet to come would be shared.

Jimjar of Blingdenstone: Trickster

Last, the one that led to a temporary sense of panic: the seemingly distracted, feckless, and gambling-addicted rogue Unknown. This was a mind like nothing I had ever touched. He thought and spoke solely in truths, while also expertly never revealing the truth. This creatures was truly a master in deeds, in words, and in influence, and the party still has not even the slightest suspicion of how his company has spared them so much difficulty and delivered to them (in what seemed to be poor judgment and luck on the part of the gnome) fortunate luck.

I have no idea just what he is, but his mind shifts and moves and reshapes itself even more than the druid and his wild shapes. This being may be a trickster spirit of the deep gnomes, an avatar of The Sly One, or some other force subtly opposing the threat imposed by the intrusion of the demon lords into Faerûn's Underdark. But I am certain he is far from the humble fool he seems. Certainly from the moment we encountered deep gnome patrols, our welcome among the Svirfneblin was immediate and thorough. The Yungbluds party aside, I too must thank this one for tipping the scales in our favor - perhaps even so far as surviving my fall. I shall surely honor onward from now.

Escape from Madness

Though I had not seen the hag myself, I know enough of their tricksy ways to have been fully on-board with a quick retreat from her lair. I had yet to work out just where we might be at this point. But the two guides, the web-surfing goblins Yuk Yuk and Spiderbait, faithfully delivered us across the great web-laced expanse of The Silken Path to the neutral crossroads of the Underdark I knew well - the Zhentarim's trading outpost of Mantol-Derith. That meant I was able to check in with a Duergar Viper of The Black Network for an assessment of the situation.

Already the party's minds had begun to defensively forget their encounter with the Prince of Demons, like a scab healing over a wound in their memories. But this was surely incomplete and I could easily tell there was no exaggeration in their account of Demogorgon's attack on the settlement of the fishfolk. Add to this Sarith's spores from Zuggtmoy out of Neverlight Grove, and something was surely afoot.

Still awaiting full assessment from the wizards at Darkhold, the current reports collected by the Zhentarim placed at least two additional dark powers from the Abyss in the region: Jubilex the Faceless (Lord of Oozes) the likely power behind a figure calling himself "The Pudding King" in Blingdenstone, City of the Deep Gnomes, and some foul and dread infernal beast within The Labyrinth to the southeast of the Darklake. The grey dwarf's thoughts betrayed that something here is working to corrupt and control the Zhentarim's leader - the powerful beholder Lorthuun.  I was unable to gain audience with the Dread Lord Lorthuun, but his "chief negotiator" - a human fop named Ghazrim DuLoc assured they were on alert (and I sensed no betrayal in him) and shared with me their certainty that this whole mess originated in an over-reach for power by the Drow Archwizards of Menzoberranzen.

We had, quite frankly, become exhausted by the bleakness of the corruption all around us. Even now in familiar territory, all my instincts turned my mind to seek the surface. Every path we had considered - now including the City of Spiders itself - might walk straight into the bloody maw of some demonic power. Jimjar convinced us to at least head toward Blingdenstone - and it was along the way there we found our escape.

Mercenaries of Mercy

They were around us all at once, drow warriors and rogues with stealth and a cunning ambush crafted of deep experience in this terrain. Just as I was tempted to betray the group to save myself, I picked up thoughts from the horned wizards.  They voiced relief upon noting a red feather in the cap of a lieutenant, who then quickly called for a change in posture - and the confrontation relaxed. These were a company of the Bregan D'aerthe.  Apparently contracted with (or allied with?) the Arcane Brotherhood, they had been tasked with rescuing a pair of wayward student wizards and returning them safely to Luskan.

With such force, encounters became trivial there on - and in the outskirts of Blingdenstone, Jimjar parted with the group - confident the rest were now in good hands. He thanked all for their patience with him, their generosity, their courage, their endurance, and their insights into helping shed light upon the dark doings underway in the subterranean world the Svirfneblin Deep Gnomes call home. He and his people would do their part in defending against if not purging the threats. And he wished all well as we continued northward and westward.

Recorded in the logs of the factions and their storytellers' lore.

Parting Ways

The first scents of the upper world came as rough tunnels became more shaped and orderly in an approach to what Alyks later called Selksartur, as read in carvings on walls in the language of The Netheril. If anything still inhabited those ruins, the presence of the drow mercenary force deterred making itself known. The final stretch toward the surface led out to the eastern edge of the Lurkwood. Here, the Bregan D'aerthe parted from the group, giving directions eastward to the town of Rivermoot, part of the territory of Silverymoon. From there, travel to the varied homes could be assured.

Vyerith politely wished the party well, thanking them for her rescue and noting only intent to travel to the larger coastal cities and put some distance between herself and the nastiness below.  She could be reached through the Zhentarim should the party wish to contact her.

Even the natives of the surface found the shining light to blind and sting at first. Preparations had already been made for Stool to be kept within a leather pack sewn together by one of the mercenaries who had taken a fondness to the little fellow. Dex conversed one last time with the withering remnants of Sarith of House Kzekarit, bribable cartographer, nearly wholly assimilated by the Queen of Rot. Then, the five joined hands and walked into the light. Runi to Vaxz to Sarith to Dex to Alyks. The bright rays scorching and burning away the corrupted body until the single finger prepared and protected by necromantic enchantments remained.

Arcane Brotherhood

On return to the Host Tower, Alyks and Dex were first greeted by a relieved Nass Lantomir, then thoroughly questioned by Overwizard Zelenn the White and Master Idroxius Black. They then conferred with the High Masters, who set in motion their own countermeasures and plans. These schemes were not fully shared with the young students, but for several tendays to follow studies were suspended as attentions turned to the crises in the depths.

As best worked out through rumors and overheard conversations, there had been an attempt to gather and direct the Faerzress energies throughout the Underdark to do something of great power, but this went all wrong and instead flowed the other way, pulling in these powerful Demon Lords while at the same time corrupting the deposits of the strange radiation. The world did not end, and studies did resume and all was normal until Nass took off for Icewind Dale leading to the events of the Everlasting Winter and the Rime of the Frostmaiden.

Order of the Gauntlet

In Silverymoon, Runi checks in with the Order of the Gauntlet, the faction her father served, as did her lineage for generations. Her detailed accounts and acts of bravery and grit grant her promotion to  the level of Marcheon in the order. The order has already been on alert, which is then raised further at the enormity of the crisis. But already they have other threats to be countered on the surface, including Against the Dragon Queen, as Cult of the Dragon is working to call Tiamat into the world. The Cult of Talos is active along the Sword Coast, with unknown plans. The Church of Myrkul has become active with the rise of the Uthtower in response to astrological factors. (These leading to the Divine Contention). And to the north, the Frozenfar will once more await the arrival of spring, hoping the darkness and winter that has gripped so tightly the seasons have seemingly stopped.

Much to do in the world, but Runi must first tend to herself and her family, and joins a caravan heading east, across the Anauroch desert an on toward the Moonsea.

Emerald Enclave

The defenders of the natural order know well of the imbalance the events below have brought to the world.  Vaxz meets with the archdruid of the Moonwood, and shares what he learned and experienced in the Underdark. First bolstering the surface defenses, preparations are then made to understand how to restore balance below. There is talk of pitting evil against itself, as these demon lords act with selfish madness themselves, lacking the focus and coordination of the devils. Perhaps they can weaken each other to a tipping point?

Vaxz is raised in stature from a Springwarden to Summerstrider in the Emerald Enclave. He then elects to travel for a while rather than taking a localized assignment, feeling a sense of seeking himself and an identity. 

It is sometime later that paths begin to cross between these heroes once more...

(Next: Jumping forward in time...)

With the needed lore and ingredients to open the Reghed Glacier, the party descends through ice caves in search of Ythryn, lost floating enclave-city of The Netheril.

The goal is to find in this ancient source of tremendous power to counter the Everlasting Winter.

https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Silverymoon

Runi Taarnak, daughter of Thielicris (thee-YELL-eh-kris), is a human warrior serving the role of her bloodline in the Order of the Gauntlet.  The Taarakians descend from the legendary heroine Taarak in the Golden Age of the now-ruined elven city of Myth Drannor in the Cormanthor forest of the Dalelands to the east.  Taarak came to defense of the elves as the Trio Nefarious invaded, starting the Weeping War. The elves imbued in her blood powers to defend. This honorable lineage upholds the creed of the Order of the Gauntlet, and their own specific motto:

To defend: this is the pact. But when life loses its meaning and is taken for naught, then the pact is to avenge!

Members of the bloodline carry a birthmark on their neck, which is also a source of power. Once inscribed as a tattoo upon Taarak by a powerful archimage, the mark is reborn generation after generation with one gaining the mantle and obligation to use it at the passing of the prior generation.

Myths and Legends

Faerûn god of the dead, also called Lord of Bones, Lord of the Dead, and The Reaper.

• Once powerful necromancer named Myrkul Bey al-Kursi from Murghôm (far to the east - ruled by Dragon Princes - like actual dragons!)
  
• The necromancer ascended to godhood alongside hero-villains Bhaal(violence and murder) and Bane (tyrrany, terror and hate)
• The Uthtower, sunken beneath the Mere of Dead Men is said to rise from the swamp when a star appears in the sky called the Eye of Myrkul, bringing with it a growth in power of its priests and legions of undead from the sunken kingdom.

Church of Myrkul

• Led by a powerful and ancient necromancer / high priest called Ularan Mortus.
• Ularan is said to have become an undead creature as part of the sacrifices in the creation of the dracolich Ebondeath.
• Ularan has emerged, even after thought to have been destroyed, several times over the centuries in the attacks emerging from the Mere and the Uthtower.
• The dread forces have included a gigantic warship created from the dead and bound with the soul of a powerful Death Knight named Emberlost.
• After destroying much of the town of Leilon in 1490 DR, undead minions have continued to harass all in the region - including an escalating rivalry against the Cult of Talos the storm god, who has recently taken from Ularan the Emberlost in a sea battle near the Tower of Storms.

(Also: https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Church_of_Myrkul)