Prelude

Ches 21 1373, DR Year of Rogue Dragons

Up in the skies that encompassed the region known as the Dalelands, hovered a large seven-story tower made up of smoothly shaped black stone. No banners were on the outside of the structure; else the peoples of Faeurn who had the chance to actually spot the tower, would have some sort of speculation as to whom it belonged to. Yet they had their own theories.

One dwarven baker in Mistledale wondered if the citadel belonged to a powerful shade wizard in Anarouch.

A young father who was taking his children to school guessed that one of the damned wizards of Waterdeep-most likely Malchor Harpell of the Blackstaff-was playing with some sort of wild magic.

Others merely took the sight of a floating tower be an illusion.

On the fourth floor, in the tower's throne room, a muscular human with thick black hair stroked his grizzled hair as he stood near a window, staring into the distance. Over his muscular form he wore dark blue vestments and shimmering yellow cape. His hands were covered with gauntlets made of silver. Lightning bolts were inscribed all over the folds of the gauntlets seams.

"I take it we are still on course for Silverymoon Hothgar my friend," said Naymar the sea-elf, pushing back the hood of his dark blue cloak, revealing his clean shaven head. Throwing aside the cloak, he tightened the straps of his leather armor then grabbed the silver harpoon that leaned against the wall.

Hothgar Talos turned the sea elf, his dark brown eyes filled with excitement. "Naymar my friend; champion of Umberlee," he spoke in a powerful and proud voice. "Our destiny lies in Silverymoon. With their protector away, they will need a ruler who can look after them in times of dark perils.

"And what would be our course of action if the citizens of Silverymoon tried to resist you?" the sea-elf asked, hoping the situation might come to this.

Talos closed his eyes, feeling the surges of power and electricity generating from the gauntlets he wore.

"Then I will simply take Silverymoon by force."