Into the Maelstrom Homepage | World Anvil | World Anvil

Into the Maelstrom

A Dungeons & Dragons 5e game In the world of Valoria
| Full
The eternal struggle between order and chaos once again threatens to overwhelm the civilized realms of Valoria. Signs and omens abound that a time of great strife is near. A ragtag band of heroes have been drawn together for reasons that they themselves cannot explain. Will they rise to the challenge and shape the future or fail and doom those that remain to years of strife?

This story is told by

Supporting Cast
  • Auriana Cobblebrook
    A stunning brunette with a melodic voice and a captivating smile. She is a member of Merry's Merry Minstrels bardic troupe in Little Ferry.
  • Bjorn Shattershield
    An tough, old, grizzled warrior living in Cold Hollow
  • Brad, Robert and Jesapear Members of the Riverguard
    Three members of the Riverguard of Little Ferry that the Fate Bound met traveling with the halfling bard Gilligan. They proved worthy combatants and accompanied the heroes back to Little Ferry.
  • Brett and Martha Jacoby
    Craftspeople in Little Ferry who own M & B Leatherworks. Their son Quinn disappeared in a hunting trip.
  • Colwyn Arnbyte
    A middle-aged wealthy merchant with curly, black, hair and a long nose. He wears expensive clothing and jewelry.
  • Commander Zander
    Commander Zander is the leader of the Riverguard of Little Ferry. At 6' 5" tall he strikes an imposing figure. He wears spotless silver plate mail and a long blue cloak. An impressive broadsword is strapped to his back.
  • Cory Arnbyte
    The young son of a wealthy merchant named Colwyn Arnbyte. His friend Quinn Jacoby disappeared when they were on a hunting trip together.
  • Goren Apfel
    Gorwin Apfel is a human wizard who has been in the service of the Amberhall family for the last 50 years. Even though he is seventy years old and walks with a bent back leaning heavily on his staff he is still quick-witted and clever. He tends to ask people to repeat themselves as he cannot hear very well.
  • Gregor
    Gregor is the burly owner of Bloody Bills in the Greyside section of Little Ferry. He took over the bar from the previous owner, who not surprisingly was named Bill.
  • Gregori Erwin
    A Knight of the Shining Circle who is now stationed in Little Ferry. Although he lost his arm in combat many years ago, he still looks like he can handle himself in a fight. His daughter Marlene is one of he missing children.
  • Jennifer Alstott
    The younger sister of Brad Alstott, she has suffered from a crippling limp since she was a small child. She lives in Dockside in the town of Little Ferry.
  • Jonathan Barnes
    The Dockmaster of Little Ferry is a short, bald man with a potbelly. He has a gift for with numbers which serves him well in his job.
  • Jonila Quillen
    A 16 year-old girl from Little Ferry who disappeared in Dockside after seeing her father off on a caravan.
  • Krugark
    Toned, muscular half-orc with a top knot and a green sash that he wears at his waist. Brutal and cunning, he is rumored to be a leader of the Green Blades.
  • Laren, Mistra, Becca and Brogan Smithwick
    A blacksmith and his family from Hilltown encountered on the road to Little Ferry who were saved from gnolls by the party. They are Laren and Mistra with their two children Becca 6 and Brogan 14.
  • Lars Balaran
    A 15 year-old boy from Little Ferry who used to work on the docks there. He is currently missing and believed kidnapped.
  • Lydia Acolyte of Morwen
    Lydia is an acolyte of Morwen serving in the temple in Little Ferry. She is a bit overweight with shoulder-length blonde hair, bright blue eyes and an infectious smile.
  • Malcolm
    A dark robed figure who was chased down by the Fate Bound after killing a dragonborn named Svegrin.
  • Marlene Erwin
    A 13 year-old girl from Little Ferry who disappeared on her way to religious services at the temple of Dalana.
  • Merry Trumblefoot
    A voluptuous halfling with blonde hair, hazel eyes and a killer smile. She is 3' 7" tall and is sometimes believed to be a gnome. She is the leader of Merry's Merry Minstrels bardic troupe.
  • Rebecca Thames
    A commoner from Little Ferry who went temporarily insane after seeing a three-headed dog in the street.
  • Rory Harfoot
    Rory Harfoot is the owner of the River's Rest in Little Ferry. He has curly brown hair on his head and on his feet. His smile is infectious and he is often seen smoking a pipe as he works.
  • Saranday Telendrae
    Saranday is a glib-tongued member of Merry's Merry Minstrel troupe. Know for his poetry and play writing he is also an excellent singer.
  • Sergeant Baldwin
    Sergeant Baldwin is the second in command of the Riverguard in Little Ferry. The Fate Bound will meet with him to discuss the disappearances in Little Ferry.
  • Silver Leaf
    A wood elf of the Galanor clan encounter in the outskirts of the southwest area of the Druthain Wood. He reluctantly agreed to help the heroes attack a gnoll camp.
  • Sister Amalia
    Sister Amalia is the exalted mother of the Temple of Morwen in Little Ferry. She is a thin middle-aged woman, with brown eyes and brown hair.
  • Sluggo
    Mute half-orc stagehand and bodyguard for Merry's Merry Minstrels. As Merry herself put is,"He has muscle on top of muscles and he is not afraid to use them."
  • Svegrin
    A down and out red Dragonborn drunkard who was killed in Little Ferry.
  • Tyrubeli
    A halflng seer with strange magical powers and the gift of foretelling. A self-described "force of nature". Also an excellent cook.
  • Warick Splintershield
    A cook in the temple of Dalana, he is one of the young people missing in Little Ferry.
  • Weldon Hand of Dalana
    A dwarven cleric in the service of the Temple of Dalana in Little Ferry.

Session 15: Through the Portal

The Fate Bound fought there way to a strange portal at the center of a ruined tower in the ruins of an elven city. They feel themselves falling but they know not what awaits them


Scheduled Sessions

Mon 13th June 2022 18:00

Session 14: The Passage to Dolendai Part IV

Our heroes have explored the ancient library in the ruins of Sindrallen and unlocked a mysterious vault. After fighting off Githyanki raiders, they recovered many treasures as well as a periapt that gave Iados a vision. A vision that pointed them once again to a mysterious tower at the center of the ruined city.


Wed 1st June 2022 18:30

Session 13: The Passage to Dolendai Part III

After completing the trials in the ancient elven halls beneath the ruins deep within the Blighted Waste, the Fate Bound prepare to travel to the tower at the center of the ruins. They know from their visions that it is there that they will find the passage to the ancient city of Dolendai.


Thu 21st April 2022 18:30

Session 12: The Passage to Dolendai Part II

Within the Blighted Waste the Fatebound continue their journey to find the lost city of Dolendai. After touching a magical runestone they experienced a vision of what could only be the final days of Dolendai when it was once part of the now fallen elven empire of Syndrallen. They glimpsed a tower in their visions. They know that it is to the ruin of that tower that they must now go to find a passage to Dolendai.


Thu 10th June 2021 18:00

Session 11: The Passage to Dolendai

In the ruined village of Cold Hollow after fighting through a band of lightning-touched zombies, the Fate Bound encounter Bjorn Shattershield and elderly man who claimed to be waiting for them. They learned from him that they were all the sons and daughters of a group that he knew in the past. He urged them to stop their enemies from opening a portal to the lost city of Dolendai; the heroes lives and the lives of the people of Valoria may depend on it!


Thu 20th May 2021 18:00

Session 10: Cold Hollow

A new enemy has been revealed to the Fate Bound, nimble warriors wielding runic two-handed swords with the innate ability to use misty step in combat. Cold Hollow lies ahead and a rendezvous with cultist of Thydos they have been following from Little Ferry and the mysterious "K".


Thu 5th November 2020 18:00

Session 9: The Blighted Waste

Our heroes find themselves on the edge of The Blighted Wastes as they continue on their way to the ruined town of Cold Hollow to find the cultist of Thydos who had fled Little Ferry. The half-burned letter they found in Arnbyte Manor mentioned a meeting with someone referred to only as "K". Having crossed the troll bridge into the Wastes, the Fate Bound boldly continued forward determined to find the cultist.


Thu 22nd October 2020 18:00

Session 8: Leaving Little Ferry

After spending two weeks in Little Ferry recovering form the ordeal with the cultists, the Fate Bound said their goodbyes and left the town they had called home for almost a month. They were headed toward The Blighted Waste and the town of Cold Hollow to find the cultist who had fled.


Thu 8th October 2020 18:00

Session 7: Something is Rotten in Little Ferry Final Act: Looking for Answers

In the crypts and caverns deep beneath Arnbyte Manor the Fate Bound have thwarted the plans of the Cultists of Thydos and saved four of the missing children, but questions still remain. What happened to the children that entered the portal in the Druthain Wood? What was that thing that appeared after the cult leader Colwyn Arnbyte was slain? What happened to the people gathered in the Temple Square for the Harvest Festival after the purple "comet" reappeared? What of the two chambers left unexplored in the complex? Join us to find out!


Thu 24th September 2020 18:00

Session 6: Something is Rotten in Little Ferry Act IV

On the eve of the harvest festival, the Fate Bound continue to search for the missing children. The loss of Brad of the Riverguard hit them hard, but thwarting the plan of the cultist of Thanos saved hundreds of innocent people. After speaking with Colwyn Arnbyte they suspect he may be involved, but have only circumstantial evidence. Interrogation of the assassin named Malcolm revealed a cryptic reference to someplace he referred to as "the halls of his father's." Will they find the children in time to save them and stop the plans of the cult for good?


Thu 10th September 2020 18:00

Session 5: Something is Rotten in Little Ferry - Act III

With the powers of the Empath the Fate Bound now have a prisoner who may be able to lead them to the kidnappers in Little Ferry. Will they be able to get to the missing children in time?


Fri 28th August 2020 18:00

Session 4: Something is Rotten in Little Ferry - Act II

Having safely arrived in Little Ferry, the Fate Bound have been hired by the Riverguard to discover who or what is behind the mysterious disappearances. With the Harvest Festival looming, will the Fate Bound be able to uncover the villains, before they can strike again?


Thu 6th August 2020 18:00

Session 3: Something is Rotten in Little Ferry Act I

The Fate Bound travel to Little Ferry having dealt with the gnolls. On the way they wonder about the strange omen they saw in the sky and about the children they were unable to save.


Thu 23rd July 2020 18:00

Session 2: Against the Gnoll Kidnappers

With the help of their reluctant allies, the Galanor tribe of wood elves, the Fate Bound plan to put a stop to the depredations of a viscous band of gnolls and free the prisoners the gnolls have taken.


Fri 10th July 2020 6:00

Fate draws us Together

You are all headed to Garrison, Shield of the North, for your own reasons. Some for vengeance, some to find lost loved ones others to follow a tantalizing dream. Unknowingly, you are being drawn together by fate and your actions shall influence the lives of many.   The Fate Bound have been traveling together for almost a week now. This is how they met. Arveer traveled to Hilltown in search of his sister. While there he discovered a new lead that pointed toward Garrison. He met his sister's friend Iados there. Iados was sent to Hilltown on an errand for his professor at the magical college in Garrison. They both headed out on the Ferry Road toward Garrison. Tenzin and Markuen headed south out of the Druthain Wood after their encounter with the owlbear. Leonardo was also on the Ferry Road and there he met Shayne and they decided to travel together.   They all met on the road and decided that since they were all headed to Garrison that it would be safer to travel together. For the past week, they have been traveling companions and are now about two days out from Little Ferry.


Sessions Archive

27th Nov 2023

Session 19: Journey to Darwin

The Fate Bound continue their journey to Darwin after defeating the shadows and the sister of Iados. On the way they will discover that things have changed in Darwin....



Read the Report

The Protagonists

Leonardo Gallois

Level 6 Human Lawful good Paladin
(Folk Hero)
61 / 61 HP

Lt. in the King"s army Druss the Destroyer

Level 1 human lawfull good Fighter
(Soldier)
10 / 12 HP

Gilligan Trottle

Level 6 Halfling Neutral Bard
(Entertainer)
42 / 42 HP

Cleric of life Tenzin Lurong

Level 6 Human lawful Good Cleric
(Acolyte )
0 / 42 HP

Iados Mahari

Level 6 Tiefling Chaotic Good Wizard
(Sage)
38 / 38 HP

Arveer Bloodbane

Level 6 Dragonborn Chaotic Good Fighter
(Folk Hero)
0 / 61 HP

Gon Harsh

Shayne Karth

Level 6 Drow Chaotic Good Rouge
(Criminal)
46 / 47 HP

Fox of the Willow Markuen

Level 2 Wood Elf Neutral Good Ranger
(Outlander)
23 / 23 HP