Chapter 5 The Cursed Diamond

Upon returning to Westruun, the Shadow Hunters had a meeting with the Thaumaturge, the leaders of the League of Miracles currently overseeing the city in the Lord Mayor's absence. The Shadow Hunters laid out the urgent situation regarding Jorren village, stressing the need for swift action to prevent them from regaining strength. Garrick and Hygar presented a compelling argument that swayed the court, and they found common ground. The League of Miracles acknowledged the gravity of the situation and agreed with the group's assessment. They decided to mobilize multiple units of the Shields of the Plain to move towards Jorren village, aiming to reclaim it for the republic. The Shadow Hunters were not only welcomed but encouraged to join forces in this critical endeavor. The alliance was forged, and preparations for the impending mission began. Following the strategic meeting with the League of Miracles, the group dispersed for individual pursuits. Dark Shadow and Light Shadow ventured into the city to locate Spiraling Evelyn. After some searching, they found her and successfully retrieved the Viper's Sting Ring. Plans were made for a rendezvous in the tranquil Butterfly Garden scheduled for the following morning at 11. Later, the group reconvened at the Sunkissed Tavern, sharing the details of their individual endeavors and purchases made with the newfound gold. Garrick was then approached by an older gentleman who mentioned being a member of the Cobalt soul. “Good evening, Garrick. May I join you for a moment?” “I couldn't help but overhear some intriguing tales circulating about your recent exploits, particularly in Jorenn village. Silore of the Cobalt Soul, by the way. We have a keen interest in knowledge and the pursuit of truth.” “The Cobalt Soul holds the pursuit of knowledge above all else. Rumors spread like wildfire, and we seek to understand the truth behind them. Word has it you encountered trouble in Jorenn village, and we've heard whispers of a connection with The Clasp. Is there any truth to these rumors?” Garrick humored Archivist Silore and answered his many questions. After the interview was over Garrick noticed a pretty blonde high elven woman sitting across The Sunkissed Tavern reading a book. Garrick slowly made his way there with his hooves click clocking the whole way. Hygar walked over with him hoping to be Garricks wing-man but Garrick was confident that he could do well by himself and shooed him off. Garrick being quite the smooth talker was able to catch her fancy. He soon learned that her name was Circi Evershine and she worked in the records department at a storage facility. After a few drinks together the group headed to bed.
As Hygar fell asleep in his bead he began to dream "The Iron Maiden," the ship he once captained with pride. The wooden deck creaks beneath his boots as he surveys his crew, their faces filled with determination, yet tinged with fear. They're about to face a dire threat, but they're ready to follow their captain into the unknown. The Iron Maiden being part of the bastions Navy (the military of great city of Vasselheim) The air is thick with tension, and the salty sea breeze fills his senses. The ship's sails billow as they catch the wind, propelling them forward through the endless expanse of the sea. It's a scene that once brought him joy and exhilaration. But this time, a sense of foreboding hangs heavy in the air. Suddenly, ominous mist gathered on the horizon, casting a dark shadow over the ship. Thunder rumbled as a warning, and lightning streaks across the sky like jagged, white scars. The enemy ship emerges from the fog, its dark sails unfurled and a grotesque figurehead in the shape of a leviathan at the bow. They're armed to the teeth, cannons ready, and dark intent in their eyes. Hygar orders his crew into action, but it becomes clear that the enemy was prepared for this battle. Cannonballs slam into The Iron Maiden, ripping through the wooden hull. The deafening thunder of the cannons and the screams of his crewmates fill the air as chaos reigns. Desperately, Hygar fights alongside his crew, trying to protect his people, but the enemy's relentless assault is overwhelming. Smoke and fire envelop the ship, casting eerie, flickering shadows across the deck. Despite their valor, The Iron Maiden is gradually torn apart by the unrelenting enemy. Hygar watches in despair as his ship, once a symbol of strength and courage, splinters and sinks into the abyss, taking Hygar and his beloved crew down with it. As the ship is swallowed by the unforgiving sea,Hygar Steelhelm awakens, his heart pounding, drenched in sweat.
Morning broke, and some ran errands before the decision to hunt an Owlbear in the Bramblewoods just beyond Westruun. Their hunt proved successful, though not without cost—Hygar bore the brunt of the creature's fury. Returning to Westruun, they rendezvoused with Spiraling Evelyn in the serene Butterfly Garden. However, the tranquility shattered when they spotted their ally, The Diamond Curse, seemingly in distress. Horren, instinctively wary, started charging, but Light Shadow urged caution. Just as tension peaked, a rapier blade pierced Light Shadow, and the illusion of The Diamond Curse wavered. The true figure, cloaked in white, emerged as The Cursed Diamond. Demanding their magic items or their lives, she demonstrated her ruthlessness by piercing Light Shadow. Hygar grappled her, attempting reason, while the rest of the group launched an assault. As The Cursed Diamond conjured a radiant beam, Garrick summoned bears to carry Light Shadow to safety, and Spiraling Evelyn stabilized her. The battle raged until The Cursed Diamond was subdued, and they transported her to Gilmore's Glorious Goods. Onora, sympathetic to their predicament, granted them access to the back room. Inside, Hygar and Light Shadow delved into the suitcase realm. Amidst attempts to lift the curse, The Cursed Diamond lay unconscious in a cell. Horren stood guard, busy crafting a new item, while Garrick conversed with Onora.
The Cursed Diamond remained unconscious. Dark Shadow entrusted her necklace to Garrick for attunement, aiming to complicate The Cursed Diamond's potential escape. However, during the rest period, The Cursed Diamond managed to deceive the guards and Light Shadow. She absorbed the magic from her cell's ceiling, facilitating her escape to the first floor. Light Shadow, now accompanied by 20 guards under The Cursed Diamond's influence, pursued her. Garrick abandoned his attunement, transforming into a cheetah to chase after them. Meanwhile, Hygar, after his stretching routine, joined the pursuit. The Cursed Diamond, displaying agility, deftly navigated the maze, prompting Light Shadow to mimic Garrick's speed by transforming into a cheetah. Although Hygar followed suit, The Cursed Diamond successfully reached the exit and infiltrated Gilmore's office. She hurled the suitcase at Horren, positioned near the exit, but he withstood the impact. As she attempted to pass, Horren swiftly struck his ghostly blade through her torso, rendering her unconscious. Garrick, Dark Shadow, and the others emerged shortly afterward. Using a stabilizing spell, Garrick ensured The Cursed Diamond's unconscious state. The group deliberated on their next steps, with Horren breaking one of her legs to prevent further escape attempts. Additionally, some members engaged in transactions with Gilmore for various items.
The group then with Gilmores council brought The Diamond Curse to the Emon Prison where Light Shadow made sure the guards knew that no magic items should be near or on TDC. The guards nodded as they brought her into the prison. the party rendezvoused with Selvador Silver of the League of Miracles, who teleported them outside of Jorren village. Utilizing her recently attuned dragon eye ring, Daebanise spied on The Cursed Diamond and witnessed her berating the prison guards. The group then approached Jorren village and encountered a new face, Brick, a human hailing from the city of Whitestone. Claiming affiliation with an organization gathering intelligence on the Shadewatch, Brick found himself encircled by the Shadow Hunters. Despite initial disagreements, the group, intrigued by Brick's potential, opted to collaborate with him and even accepted his challenge to a duel. Although Hygar Steelhelm was eager, Brick chose to face Garrick. The duel unfolded within the arena concealed within Dark and Light Shadow's suitcase. Brick demonstrated considerable skill, but ultimately succumbed to Garrick's prowess and cunning.
After the battle the party exited the suitcase only to find that Horren and Bloodshed had hunted down a Remorhaz and was currently getting beat pretty bad. As the towering creature loomed, its maw snapping and claws raking the ground, Daebanise’s healing words became a lifeline. With a voice imbued with divine energy, she pulled Horren and then Dark Shadow back from the brink of death, saving them from the creature’s crushing jaws. Their survival bolstered the party’s morale, but the battle was far from over. In the heat of combat,Zena Morthos, desperate to tip the scales, summoned a demon from the abyss. But as the dark entity clawed its way into the material plane, her control slipped like sand through her fingers. The summoned monstrosity lashed out indiscriminately, forcing the party to fend off an ally-turned-threat as they continued their assault on the Remorhaz. Garrick, always resourceful and fearless, executed an ingenious move. He turned his staff into a massive, sprawling tree after Hygar helped him shove it into the creatures neck its roots tangling and constricting the creature’s movements. The great beast roared in fury as it was ensnared, its advantage of mobility suddenly stripped away. It thrashed and fought, but Brick was able to finish it off with precise shots from his pistols. As the party gathered around the fallen beast, both compliments and criticism flew. Some hailed Garrick’s brilliant strategy, while others questioned Zena’s reckless summoning, which nearly cost them their lives. Emotions were raw, tension high, but the group had no time to dwell on their disagreements.
Light Shadow’s spell, meant to scout ahead, may have alerted nearby threats. Uneasy and wary of potential consequences, the Shadow Hunters decided to approach the nearby Jorren Village with caution. Splitting into two groups to minimize risk, Horren took the lead, accompanied by Garrick and Dark Shadow. They moved stealthily through the forest, blending into the shadows like whispers on the wind.
But even the shadows can betray. As the party pressed forward, the fate of Dark Shadow’s stealthy maneuver remained uncertain. Whether she had slipped unseen past watchful eyes or found herself exposed to unseen dangers hung in the air like the silence before a storm. The group soon learned that the guards had spotted Dark Shadow but she was able to blend back into the shadows. But many guards spotted the rest of the party and a fight ensued. The Shadow Hunters found themselves at a critical turning point, their decisions splitting them apart as fate wove an intricate web of chaos and danger. After deciding to retreat from Jorren Village to regroup and await reinforcements, the group began their cautious withdrawal. Yet, Horren, ever unpredictable and steadfast in his determination, had other plans. Disguised as a Shadewatch guard, he infiltrated deeper into the village, setting his sights on a bold and dangerous goal: assassinating the Shademaster.
Meanwhile, the rest of the group made their way to a safe distance to set up camp. But unease lingered in the air. Hygar, following closely behind Garrick, began to hear faint, familiar voices carried on the wind—voices that beckoned and whispered. The tension snapped when Hygar felt a sharp prick on his arm. Spinning around, he was met with the furious gaze of an angry Tabaxi who demanded he release the “bunny girl” he held. Without hesitation, Hygar complied, confusion clouding his mind as he watched the Tabaxi’s stern figure disappear into the shadows.
Back in Jorren Village, the Shademaster summoned the townsfolk for a grim gathering. Standing tall before the people, he revealed a terrible truth: the Shadewatch had been secretly feeding fey creatures to demons to forge an army. Yet, their dark ritual had been halted by the fey themselves. The Shademaster declared that those responsible for this monstrous act would face justice. He brought forth the remaining culprits—five prisoners—and decreed they would fight him for their freedom. If they succeeded, they would walk free; if not, they would face life in prison. A warning hung over the meeting: anyone caught using weapons would meet swift and certain death.
As the challenge was set, the Shademaster shed his armor, revealing himself to be none other than Jerry, a figure from Horren's past. Horren recognized him immediately but chose to keep his discovery private, his mind racing with questions. The fight began, and Jerry moved like a force of nature. With brutal efficiency, he defeated the five prisoners, their desperate attempts at freedom crumbling under his skill. One prisoner, in a moment of hopeless rebellion, hurled a dagger at Jerry’s throat. With unnerving precision, Jerry caught the blade midair and sent it flying back, striking true and ending the man’s life. The crowd was silent, their fear palpable.
After the fight, Horren—still in disguise—approached Jerry, intending to speak, but their conversation was cut short by the blaring of alarm bells echoing through the village. Back at camp, the group also heard the bells. They sprang into action, with Garrick transforming into a garden snake and Charles, Dark Shadow’s enchanted ring snake, sneaking into town to gather information. While Garrick managed to slip through unnoticed, Charles wasn’t as fortunate. A startled guard swung his blade in panic, severing the snake in half and reverting it to its ring form. Bewildered, the guard picked up the ring, only to drop it with a shout as Garrick, in snake form, bit his finger and recovered Charles. Watching through Charles’s eyes, Dark Shadow quickly alerted the group. Everyone except Hygar and Zena moved toward the town, leaving their camp behind.
Inside Jorren Village, Jerry stood at the northern wall, receiving dire news: a horde of Ash Walkers, a type of relentless undead, was approaching. Their numbers were overwhelming. Horren seized the moment to drop his disguise and reveal himself to Jerry. With a genuine apology, he acknowledged their troubled past and offered his help in the impending battle. Jerry, though surprised, accepted the olive branch but made it clear they would need to talk when the dust settled. Not long after, Garrick revealed himself as well. With grudging mutual respect, they agreed to fight side by side, holding the line until reinforcements could arrive.
The battle began in earnest. Garrick was the first to spot the shambling horde, their forms like twisted silhouettes against the pale light of the moon. Jerry and Horren leaped down from the wall, taking the fight directly to the Ash Walkers. Garrick, ever the pragmatist, disapproved of their reckless bravery but focused on his own devastating attacks. Harnessing the power of his druidic magic, he conjured lightning in one hand and fire in the other, unleashing deadly strikes that took out clusters of undead with each blast.
Above the wall, Light Shadow soared into the fray, her hands crackling with arcane energy. A fireball erupted from her fingertips, incinerating a massive group of Ash Walkers, leaving nothing but smoldering ash in her wake. Brick took his position on the wall, his pistols barking with precise fury as he picked off undead one by one, their bodies collapsing into the dirt before they could reach the defenses.
Farther out, Hygar, unable to cut directly through the village, found another way to join the fray. Calling upon the power of his Pendant of the Stormlord, he summoned bolts of divine lightning to strike down the remaining undead, his strikes a testament to his unyielding strength. The group’s combined efforts turned the tide of battle, and for a brief moment, they stood victorious.
The group knew more threats loomed on the horizon, and reinforcements from Westruun were still on their way. As the dust settled, Jerry, now revealed as the Shademaster, sought to rebuild bridges of trust with the Shadow Hunters. He requested a private conversation with Horren, Garrick, and Hygar, while his second-in-command, Taniyah, called Brick and Dark Shadow to her office for a separate discussion.
In their meeting, Jerry expressed his lingering disappointment in the group for breaking his trust but acknowledged their efforts in aiding Jorren. Hoping to rekindle a sense of loyalty, he offered them an opportunity to prove themselves. To Hygar, he entrusted a mysterious compass, said to point the way to the remaining Feyeater demons—the vile creatures responsible for so much suffering. This task, Jerry claimed, was their chance to set things right and earn his trust once more.
Meanwhile, in Taniyah's office, tensions ran high. Her questions about Brick's undead status offended him at first, but when she clarified her concerns about potential vampire infiltrators, Brick softened and began to cooperate. Taniyah then turned her attention to Dark Shadow, quickly discerning that she was being possessed—though not unwillingly—by Light Shadow. The odd circumstances were troubling to Taniyah, but for the moment, she deemed them trustworthy enough to remain in Jorren.
As the group prepared to rest, Brick sought Dark Shadow’s assistance in finding a room, while Hygar, unable to sleep, sat by the fire with his drake companion Frevnur curled around his arm. Shadows of the past weighed heavily on Hygar's mind, his thoughts haunted by ghosts and regrets he couldn’t shake. Meanwhile, Garrick slipped out of his room under the cover of night, retreating to a tree outside. There, he pulled out an emerald shard from his pack, its magic swirling around the tree as he sat deep in thought.
Horren, meditating in his trance, received a sharp reminder from Godwin about Oberath—the mindflayer responsible for Godwin’s death. The ghost urged Horren to make haste to Kraghammer to put an end to the illithid’s reign of terror. When Horren awoke, his focus turned to tracking down information about the Feyeater demons and the portal that seemingly controlled them. Sneaking back into the destroyed prison with Godwin's aid, Horren uncovered a trove of notes that could hold the key to their future battles.
Returning from his covert mission, Horren had a heartfelt conversation with Hygar by the fire. Sensing Hygar’s unrest, Horren encouraged him to let go of his burdens and allow himself to rest. Hygar reluctantly agreed, but his sleep was far from peaceful. His dreams twisted into dark visions of his ship under attack—not by the creatures he remembered, but by masked figures with glowing green eyes. He witnessed his first mate fall to one of the assailants before a massive, glowing entity with antlers loomed above the chaos. Hygar awoke exhausted, his mind racing with questions and dread.
As the group gathered the next morning, Horren urged them to travel immediately to Kraghammer to confront the mindflayer and its growing threat. However, before they could decide, Zena appeared, relaying orders from the League of Miracles: the Shadow Hunters were to return to Westruun to report the events of Jorren Village. Though torn, the group ultimately agreed, and Horren’s spirits lifted slightly at the prospect of reuniting with Bloodshed, his trusted dire wolf companion.
With the decision made, Light Shadow took the enchanted scroll and activated the teleportation spell, whisking the group away from Jorren and into the next chapter of their journey. What awaited them in Westruun was uncertain, but one thing was clear—the Shadow Hunters’ mission was far from over. The threads of fate were tightening, and every step forward brought them closer to the heart of the looming darkness.
The Shadow Hunters found themselves back in Westruun, the bustling city offering a brief respite from the chaos of Jorren Village. Their first stop was the familiar and lively Sunkissed Tavern. Inside, the ever-charismatic Daebanise immediately took to the stage, crafting an impromptu ballad about the group’s heroic deeds. Her song painted a vivid picture of their valor, thrilling the tavern patrons. Garrick couldn’t resist joining in, weaving his own flair into the performance, which left the crowd cheering. Their efforts earned them not just applause but also two gold pieces—an unexpected reward for a well-deserved celebration.
After the tavern’s excitement died down, the group decided to split up to tackle their pressing tasks. Garrick and Brick made their way toward the Lord Mayor's residence to report to the League of Miracles about the success of their mission in Jorren Village. Meanwhile, Horren headed to the gates of Westruun in search of his loyal dire wolf companion, Bloodshed, while the rest of the party, including Hygar, Dark and Light Shadow, the Preserver, and Daebanise, set off for Gilmore’s Glorious Goods. Their destination: Emon, where they hoped to lift the lingering curse of the Diamond Plague.
At the gates, Horren reunited with Bloodshed, the dire wolf bounding forward with uncontainable joy. Bloodshed’s tail wagged furiously, and the bond between the two was as strong as ever, their reunion a brief but heartfelt moment of solace in their turbulent journey. Satisfied, Horren led Bloodshed back into the city, eventually arriving at Gilmore’s Glorious Goods to rejoin his companions.
As the group continued their preparations, Brick took a surprising turn. Stopping Garrick in a shadowed alleyway, he confessed his curiosity about the Diamond Curse. The topic had piqued his interest, and he considered meeting this mysterious figure for himself. Before their conversation could go further, however, Brick received an urgent message from his superiors. Duty called him back home, forcing him to part ways with the Shadow Hunters, at least for now. With a reluctant farewell, Brick left the alley, leaving Garrick to continue alone toward the Lord Mayor's residence.