The Castlemere Chronicles
The Fang Hunter’s Deal
This tale begins in the walled city of Castlemere, nestled on the edge of the Dominion Forest where the Calim River meets the Shining Sea. The city is ruled and protected by the Crimson Empress Narri Castlereagh, a powerful archmage who commands from her citadel atop a central hill. She is guarded by her personal legion, the Vermilion Guard, who keep strict order within the city.
At the Drunken Monk, a bustling local tavern, three adventurers—Dumas, Fabian, and Lynx-O—are recruited by Krozzu, a white Dragonborn and leader of the Fang Hunters. He hires them to hunt down a witch who betrayed his group. Krozzu provides the location of her cabin within the city walls.
Upon reaching the cabin, the party discovers a hidden passage leading into the Cobalt Caverns, a dungeon beneath the city. They navigate through dangerous traps and confront Primrose Blackwood, the witch in question. Before her defeat, she summons a Barlgura fiend, which the party slays. After the battle, they return to the Drunken Monk and settle their debt with Krozzu. As they leave, they encounter a blacked-out carriage drawn by skeletal horses.
The Sapphire Heist
The party is then hired by Adler Trading to recover a stolen Sapphire Scepter from a band of minotaur's. The night before their journey, they thwart a robbery at the tavern. The next morning, they meet their guide, Quil, who leads them into the Calim Desert. At an outpost, they find the minotaur's slain and a horde of sapphires. A battle with Yrrim, a blue dragon, ensues. After victory, they recover the scepter and return to Castlemere.
Whispers in the Walls
Quil is assassinated by Alder, who is revealed to be a Raven Lord agent. As thanks, the party receives a cottage within the city walls. Upon arrival, they find it occupied by the Green Knuckle Gang. After “evicting” them, they find a note in Deep Speech:
“No witnesses in square, to be released at the darkest hour.”
While exploring their new home, they uncover another passage to the Cobalt Caverns, where they discover Lady Arronal, a weakened warlock and former Raven Lord. Defeating her grants them an amulet granting deeper access into the dungeon.
They begin forming a mercenary guild, renting the Drunken Monk’s second floor and staffing the cottage. Soon after, Cassandra Adler arrives, warning that Xanathar is trying to take over the Dreammist trade. She asks the party to investigate a Dreammist den in the caverns.
They discover a macabre party scene with skeletons and a unicorn, and two Mind Flayers extracting Dreammist from captives. After defeating them, the party welcomes Odo, a Dragonborn and old friend of Fabian.
Secrets Beneath the City
Investigating the Deep Speech message, the party performs in the city square but finds no clues. They instead delve further into the caverns and discover a hidden mausoleum where the Raven Seers hide Lou Ravencrest, last of the royal line. The party defeats the Seers and escorts Lou toward the city gates, encountering Vermilion Guards outside their home.
Dumas, Toedd, and Fabian are arrested; Lynx-O and Lou fly to the gates where Alder, revealed to be working for the Empress, brings them to the citadel. All are summoned before Empress Castlereagh, who reveals herself as a former Raven Lord who deposed the Ravencrest monarchy. She tasks the party with investigating the chaos in the city.
Chimera in the Square
Following leads, they witness Drow summoning a Chimera in the city square. After the battle, they are ambushed by Cambions and a Chain Devil. The Lotus Knights arrive and ask for aid in investigating Blackwing Assassins, believed to be hiding in the Cindershield Pyramid.
While preparing to depart, they meet Quinn, searching for his brother Quil. They claim ignorance of his fate. Before leaving, Dumas disappears, prompting Fabian to stay and search while the rest investigate the Pyramid.
The Pyramid of Ashes
At the Cindershield, the party finds it looted but faces a Chardalyn Dragon. In the brutal battle, Toedd and Zorin fall. Odo and Lynx-O carry their bodies through a growing dark mist in the forest. They find a hut that is much larger on the inside, where three elven hags care for Dumas.
Meanwhile, Fabian is killed by Matilda, a deadly elven assassin. The hags claim they saved Dumas and offer escape—but for a price. Odo, realizing the truth, sacrifices himself to let Dumas and Lynx-O escape.
East of the Sword Coast
Back at the Drunken Monk, Alder warns the group that Blackwing is hunting them. She offers passage east, away from the Sword Coast. On the voyage, they are joined by Ulfhir, a blood hunter hired for protection. At sea, they are attacked by a Kraken, and later, a great shark, becoming lost until landing on Elfharrow, a desolate land east of Castlemere.
They encounter a band of marauders who serve a mysterious "Warlord". In the settlement of Lu-Syria, they meet a wizard named Hoinn and learn the nomads are being forced to build a tower in the ruins of Eldermoor.
The Warlord’s Game
The party heads to the tower, disguising themselves among the laborers. Hoinn and Dumas investigate a teleportation circle; Ulfhir gathers intel on the Warlord’s operations. Strange demonic symbols abound. Suddenly, Quinn and a massive man in black armor—"Kid Death"—arrive, revealing they’ve hired Blackwing to avenge Quil.
After defeating them, the party is ambushed again—Isaac Grimfang, the Warlord, appears. Initially offering a duel of wits, he attacks after failing a simple riddle. The battle crashes into a lava-filled chamber where Isaac is revealed to be an Ultroloth, a powerful outsider from Realmspace.
Letters and Legacies
Triumphant, the party rests in the tower before an airship descends. Onboard is Matilda, who reads royal proclamations:
“Ordered by Victoria Greycastle Commander of the Vermillion Guard at the command of the Crimson Empress. We are charged with to either bring you back to Castlemere and/or any destination which you find satisfactory”
“Sir Ulfir as agreed your payment has been deposited into a trust with the Sword Coast Traders Bank at the sum of 10,000gp, and lines of credit have been extended to you by the Crimson Empress in Castlemere”
“Hoinn for having liberated Eldermoor, our Orders birthplace, you are hereby accepted into the Order of the Lotus with the rank of Field Marshal, with standing orders to head north toward Zhentil Keep and expand the Order in that region.”
“Lynx-O and Dumas you have been given these letters of introduction and lines of credit by the Order of the Lotus, these letters will grant you access to any of our keeps and towers throughout Faerun.”
With Blackwing contracts terminated, Eldermoor liberated, and their futures secured, the adventurers stand at the edge of a new chapter—free to shape their destinies once more.