The Castlemere Chronicles

Castlemere Chronicles Cover Art

Shadows Over Castlemere

In the walled city of Castlemere, ruled by the enigmatic Crimson Empress Narri Castlereagh, order is maintained by the elite Vermilion Guard. Within the tavern known as the Drunken Monk, three adventurers—Dumas, Fabian, and Lynx-O—are hired by Krozzu, a white Dragonborn and leader of the Fang Hunters, to hunt down a traitorous witch hiding within the city.

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Into the Cobalt Caverns

The witch’s cabin hides a secret entrance to the Cobalt Caverns, a dungeon beneath the city. Inside, the party overcomes deadly traps and defeats Primrose Blackwood, who summons a fiend before falling. Returning to the surface, the adventurers notice a blacked-out carriage drawn by skeletal horses—a dark omen of what’s to come.

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Sands and Sapphires

Hired by Alder Trading Company, the group sets out to recover a Sapphire Scepter stolen by minotaur's. Guided by Quil through the Calim Desert, they discover the minotaurs slain and a horde of sapphires. A battle with the blue dragon Yrrim ends in victory—and the party’s return to Castlemere with the recovered scepter.

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Deep Speech and Deeper Secrets

Upon returning, Quil is assassinated by Alder—now revealed to be a Raven Lord agent. The adventurers are rewarded with a cottage, but find it occupied by the Green Knuckle Gang. After removing them, they discover a cryptic note in Deep Speech:

“No witnesses in square, to be released at the darkest hour.”

Another tunnel beneath the cottage leads back to the Cobalt Caverns, where they defeat Lady Arronal, a former Raven Lord, and gain a powerful amulet.

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Smoke and Dreammist

With growing influence, the party establishes a mercenary guild above the Drunken Monk. Soon, Cassandra Adler arrives with warnings of Xanathar’s growing control over the Dreammist trade. Deep below the city, the party uncovers a disturbing scene—skeletal remains, a unicorn, and Mind Flayers siphoning Dreammist. Victorious again, they welcome Odo, a Dragonborn and old ally of Fabian.

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The Raven’s Secret

Investigating the Deep Speech clue leads the party to the city square—but no leads emerge. Delving deeper, they discover a hidden mausoleum where the Raven Seers guard Lou Ravencrest, heir to the deposed monarchy. The Seers are defeated, but on their return, Vermilion Guards appear.

Dumas, Toedd, and Fabian are arrested. Lynx-O escapes with Lou, only to be intercepted by Alder, who delivers them to the Empress. The Empress reveals her past as a Raven Lord who overthrew the Ravencrests—and now needs their help to quell unrest in the city.

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Fire in the Square

Chaos erupts as Drow summon a Chimera in the city square. After slaying the beast, the adventurers are ambushed by Cambions and a Chain Devil. The Lotus Knights intervene, seeking help to track Blackwing Assassins hiding within the Cindershield Pyramid.

Quinn, brother of the slain Quil, arrives. The party lies about Quil’s fate. Before departure, Dumas vanishes, prompting Fabian to stay behind.

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The Price of Shadows

At the pyramid, the group finds it looted and faces a Chardalyn Dragon. The battle is brutal—Toedd and Zorin fall. Odo and Lynx-O carry their bodies into a dark forest mist and find a hut larger on the inside, inhabited by three elven hags. They discover Dumas, alive but changed.

Meanwhile, Fabian is slain by Matilda, a lethal elven assassin. The hags offer Dumas and Lynx-O a way out—for a price. Odo sacrifices himself to save them.

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East of Castlemere

With danger closing in, Alder arranges passage east. Aboard ship, the party battles a Kraken and a massive shark, eventually landing in Elfharrow, a desolate land beyond the known world.

There, they meet Hoinn, a wizard who reveals that nomads are being forced to build a tower in the ruins of Eldermoor for a dark Warlord. The group infiltrates the tower, investigating teleportation circles and gathering intel.

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Kid Death and the Ultroloth

Quinn returns, this time with Kid Death, a massive armored enforcer. He hired Blackwing to avenge Quil. A brutal battle follows—but worse comes after: the Warlord Isaac Grimfang appears, offering riddles before attacking. In a climactic battle within a lava chamber, Isaac is revealed as an Ultroloth, a powerful fiend from Realmspace.

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New Orders

Victorious, the party rests in the tower—until an airship arrives. Aboard is Matilda, bearing royal proclamations:

“By order of Victoria Greycastle, Commander of the Vermilion Guard under the authority of the Crimson Empress:

You are hereby offered safe passage either back to Castlemere or to a destination of your choosing.”

“Sir Ulfhir, as agreed, your payment of 10,000 gp has been deposited with the Sword Coast Traders Bank. Lines of credit are extended to you by the Empress.”

“Hoinn, for liberating Eldermoor—birthplace of the Order of the Lotus—you are accepted as Field Marshal. You are to proceed north toward Zhentil Keep to expand the Order’s reach.”

“Lynx-O and Dumas, you are granted letters of introduction and credit by the Order of the Lotus, providing access to its keeps and towers throughout Faerûn.”

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A New Chapter

With Blackwing contracts terminated, Eldermoor liberated, and their names etched into history, the adventurers find themselves once more at a crossroads—free to choose their next path, with power, resources, and reputation at their backs.

Their saga is far from over.