Survivors of 1376 may recall the turbulence around Neverwinter in that year, stories of battles fought in the southern part of the city's territory and the growing shadow in the merelands. But the years have rolled on, and new troubles have displaced the old from many people's memories. Talk of Neverwinter now and the Spellplague and budding civil war may be more remembered than the threat posed by the King of Shadows. After all, who remembers defeated enemies?
This story is about a mission largely unmentioned in official records of the Shadow War, though still very much of consequence to its actors. Of those people, some names will be familiar to you from the histories and street ballads. Others have remained unknown, or sunk into undeserved obscurity. We hope that this account of a forgotten adventure awakes your interest, and lets the dead live again your imagination.
Dramatis Personae
On the road and roundabout
Knight Captain Lila Farlong. The latest hero of Neverwinter. A young woman unwilling to find out what happened to all the previous heroes.
Elanee. A beautiful elven druid. Claims to have lived many lives in the Mere of Dead Men; just starting to live one outside it.
Sergeant Katriona. Drill sergeant at Crossroad Keep. Respected, but not loved.
Chantler. Veteran Greycloak and part-time chef.
Luan. Greycloak recruit, seventeen years old, not a natural soldier.
Eyepatch. Older Greycloak volunteer. Uncertain history, uncertain name.
Seven other Greycloaks from the garrison of Crossroad Keep: Draygood, Brockle, Chowley, Olly, Ellis, Medir and Harfer.
Sir Casavir. Le chevalier parfait, a kind and brave man; perhaps too interested in famous last stands.
Sir Nevalle. Another knight, and candidate to succeed Lord Nasher. Less interested in famous last stands than trade agreements.
Keeping the home fires burning
Neeshka. The acting Captain of Crossroad Keep, a tiefling and somewhat-reformed thief.
Kana. The de facto leader of the Keep, its seneschal. A highly competent warrior and organiser.
Ammon Jerro. A warlock. Acts as if he were in charge, and few people dare argue back.
Sand and Aldanon. Residents of the Keep library, researching how to win the war.
Beating the bounds
The King of Shadows. A mortal made immortal by the foremost magicians of the Illefarn Empire many centuries ago. Corrupted through contact with the Shadow Weave. Master of an army of shadows and undead.