Having been supplied with new equipment, horses and armour, our adventurers set forth from Red Larch, their spirits bolstered by recent events that had seen them align with the shadowy Zhentarim. Their journey would take them through the rugged Sumber Hills, along the winding path toward Beliard, a journey marked by the unknown and the promise of discovery.

Bizarre Snowstorm

The tranquility of their travel was soon disrupted by a bizarre and abrupt snowstorm, an anomaly that seemed out of place amidst the landscape’s usual clime. The snow, thick and fast, was quickly replaced by a warm, tropical rain, drenching the adventurers to the bone and chilling them to their core. After passing through the storm, and the weather returned to normal, they encountered a shepherd, who spoke of the weather’s strange fickleness and of odd, unfamiliar travelers haunting the hills. The Shepard said, many were camping back where the storm currently is.

Driven by curiosity and concern, the party ventured back toward the storm to investigate the shepherd’s tales, only to be repelled by the severe weather. They made the prudent decision to seek shelter, building a fire to fend off the cold that had seeped into their bones.

Their respite was shattered in the dead of night by the menacing figure of a Bugbear, emerging from the shadows with malice in its eyes. The battle that ensued was fierce, but through the valor and quick thinking of Gulunda, the adventurers emerged victorious, the threat vanquished beneath the starlit sky.

With the dawn came a renewed determination to press onward. Their journey through the Sumber Hills brought them to a homestead, where the warmth of human connection momentarily eased the burdens of their quest. The kindness of children and the melodies of Kiertan’s songs created a brief interlude of peace amidst the looming threat of the unknown.

Continuing north, the adventurers were greeted by the awe-inspiring sight of the Great Stone Bridge. This ancient edifice, a testament to Dwarven engineering, spanned the landscape with majesty and might, its surface home to a vibrant community of Gnomes. The explorers marveled at the bridge’s grandeur, its history whispering tales of ages long past.

At last, they arrived in Beliard, weary yet undeterred. Kiertan’s talents secured them lodging and respite, a night of music and camaraderie providing a much-needed reprieve from their travels. Yet, as they settled in, their thoughts were already turning toward the morrow, and the foreboding adventure that lay ahead. The missing delegation called to them, a mystery shrouded in the shadows of the Sumber Hills, waiting to be unveiled.

Thus, our adventurers stood on the cusp of a new chapter, their bonds forged in the fires of battle and solidified by the shared experiences that had brought them this far. Ahead of them lay the unknown, the fabric of their story yet to be woven into the rich tapestry of Faerûn’s history.