HH: Session 1: A dusty beginning

General Summary

The Prologue

In the grand land of Cormyr, where tales of heroism and tragedy intermingle, we begin our story. It unfolds with a granddaughter’s earnest wish—a Firbolg Monk named Feirah, who sought to make her grandmother, Elphariel, the most renowned person in all the land. Together, they journeyed across the realms, and along the way, they found two unlikely companions to join their cause.   First was Argus, a weathered Half-Orc Artificer, battle-scarred from countless wars, including the legendary conflict against Tiamat. Second was Beppy, a senile Kobold with arthritis, whose mind was as fragile as her bones. Together, they formed a band, yet their dreams were quickly met with harsh reality. For only Elphariel had the talent to perform, and their debut was nothing short of a disaster. The audience, unimpressed, turned hostile, pelting them with food and jeers. In the chaos, Argus incited a bar fight, and the group was unceremoniously thrown out into the cold night.   As the others slept, Feirah wandered the silent streets, her heart heavy with despair. She found herself in a darkened alley, where she finally succumbed to her tears. The smell of ash and sulfur filled the air, heralding the arrival of a Satyr named Vilus. With a voice as smooth as silk, he offered Feirah a deal she could scarcely refuse—fame, opportunity, and an extra hand for her grandmother’s band. All she had to do was perform some services for him. Driven by desperation, Feirah agreed. As Vilus departed, leaving a lingering scent of sulfur, he promised that a new face would join them in the morning.  

The Formation

As dawn broke, the decrepit band slowly stirred from their slumber and gathered for breakfast. The familiar smell of ash and sulfur wafted through the inn as Vilus appeared once more, accompanied by a new ally. This newcomer was a Tiefling with a broken horn, who introduced himself as Kai. Vilus explained that Kai would aid them in their musical endeavors, and with a touch of his Infernal magic, he granted each member of the band a newfound skill in playing their chosen instrument. Before departing, Vilus informed them of a gig he had secured in the city of Arabel, and that a caravan awaited their arrival.   Excited by their newfound abilities, the band members introduced themselves to Kai and tested their skills. Satisfied with the results, they set out to join the caravan at the city gates. Along the way, a Shadar-kai named Stevan approached them, offering his talents on the saxophone. Welcoming him into their ranks, the band continued their journey to Arabel, where they met Gorstag Ironfist, the grizzled head guard of the caravan.   The road to Arabel, however, was fraught with danger. As they traveled, the caravan was ambushed by undead creatures, devils, and a sinister cultist. The battle was fierce, but the band fought valiantly, ultimately driving back the forces of darkness. Yet, in the chaos, an Imp managed to draw blood from Kai. After the skirmish, Gorstag pleaded with the band to investigate the origin of the attack, as the Purple Dragons who once protected the land were now all but gone. Reluctantly, they agreed, following the tracks to a decrepit temple.   Within the temple’s shadowy confines, they attempted to sneak through, but their efforts were clumsy, and they soon found themselves face-to-face with a dark ritual. A stage loomed at one end, where cultists chanted in a tongue only Kai could understand—Infernal.  

"From The Abyss of eternal fire,
To the peaks where shadows coil,
I summon thee, Nalavara,
By the infernal flame and darkened star.
  Through the veil of smoke and ash,
Let your dreadful presence rise,
In this cursed place, I call to thee,
Nalavara, heed my cries!"

  The band launched into battle against the infernal followers, but the tide soon turned against them. Just as they were on the brink of defeat, a strange phenomenon occurred—the cultists began to vibrate, their physical forms dissolving into ash before vanishing entirely. Perplexed but relieved, the band left the eerie temple and returned to the caravan. To hone their skills, they performed a makeshift concert, earning both coin and confidence for the challenges that lay ahead.  

Thus, the tragedy unfolds, with a band of misfits bound by desperation, dark deals, and a quest for fame. Yet, as with all tales, what begins in shadow may not end in light.