Session 53 (3,000 xp)

Heroes: Storm, Machteld, Malik, Niobhe

Year 649 MR (4th quarter)

The Heroes reach the lair of the Siren, where several merfolk are in chains, enslaved to the will of the awnshegh; after a short exchange of threats, the fight is on. The Heroes defeat the Siren, and Machteld stabs her through the heart. But as the Siren's power flows into Machteld, she feels an evil influence seeping in... she fear she may have inherited more than she expected. The Heroes free the merfolk, and enlist them to recover all the accumulated treasure of the Siren, and bring it ashore. They also retrieve the sielshegh stone, encased inside a huge green pearl.

The Heroes return to the Siren's Realm, where Machteld realizes she's been chosen by the Land as regent. She decides to honour the deal they had with Halskapa, giving them the two northern regions, and renews her oaths of vassalage to the Jotunulf dinasty.

Year 650 MR (1st quarter)

Machteld and Malik remain in the Siren's realm, to strengthen their position there, while the others travel back home. Sigurd pays a visit to Storm, who had absconded with the green pearl, and needs to pay a hefty price to gain the gem. He then receives a vision, showing him that the next and final gem is in the possession of the Hunter, a mysterious ershegh of the north. Sigurd will spend the next month researching the whereabouts of the mythical figure.

Malik concludes his affairs in the Siren's realm, by setting up a vassal for the Jentilak traders, then he leaves to return to Jentilak.

Year 650 MR (2nd quarter)

Having expanded her magial influence into the cursed forests of Dhoesone, Niobhe finds out that Daeric Dhoesone is ready to invade the forest, with an army of humanoids summoned by Realm magic. Fearing the shadows' influence in the forest, she first tries to persuade him to abandon the quest, but then decides to accompany him to better investigate the matter.

When they enter the forest, at night they experience terrible nightmares, so horrendous has to kill with fear. After the first few nights, more than half the army is gone, killed by the nightmares. Niobhe convinces Daeric to return home, but he does not survive long. As he's about to give in to the horror of the dreams, Niobhe grants him the mercy of a knife through the heart. When she returns to Dhoesone, she realizes she's inherited the wizards lands and magical sources.

All the Heroes travel to Havewood, where Sigurd has summoned them to discuss about his latest vision. When they reach the ice castle of Rowena, they find that the queen is changed. She seems cold and distant, more and more lost in her icy spells.