Real Date: August 26, 2022
Wondering how Monterey and Clyde are doing, Boone, Oliver and Hansel journey in search of the peculiar treasure hunters. They eventually find a small inn named Monterey and Clyde’s. The party figures this is the establishment previously acquired by the pair and decide to enter the building. They soon find Monterey, polishing a table. He seems surprised, but invites them to stay in the inn, warning that it might be haunted by multiple spirits. Clyde, too, soon meets with the group and thanks them for their patronage. A drunken dwarf stumbles into the inn covered in dirt and grime, before collapsing on the floor. After a brief moment, Boone, Oliver and Hansel recognize the figure as Thrunk. It would seem he had somehow lost all of his money participating in drunken gambling. He cleans himself off in the bath, though he is cut off from drinking. Everyone soon makes their way to bed after eating a mainly cheese-based dinner. Hansel soon drops his disguise once in his room, praying to the strange forces worshipped by the mysterious organization known only as The Order. He spots something strange out of the corner of his eye and upon inspection is staring directly at a spectral figure. This doesn’t frighten him even slightly, as he calmly states his intentions within the building and calmly asks the spirit to leave. Without a word, the figure vanishes.
The group awakens in the morning, eating another cheese based meal before heading out of the inn. Wondering where the cult has gone, the group decide to journey to the Dark Tunnel once more. Peering down the tunnel, they see six men travelling towards them. They manage to overhear something about Alton Grain arriving in town, before they are spotted by the cultists. The two sides clash, fiercely battling in the empty street. Thanks to clever tactics and combat expertise, the cultists are soon defeated. Not wasting any time, the party rushes to the town square before it is too late.
An ornate black carriage, drawn by two black horses, arrives in the town square. The doors open and a man dressed in black armour emerges. He introduces himself as chaplain Alton Grain. Alton reveals that cultists were behind Woods the troll going berserk, sacrificing themselves to tempt his bloodlust. Alton grabs a jet black book, before engaging the party in combat. Townsfolk scream as battle erupts throughout the town square. Boone, Thrunk and Oliver engage Alton directly, while Hansel shoots his bow from afar. Using vile unholy magic, Alton paralyses Thrunk on the ground, though he is healed by Oliver soon after. The two sides fight for a while, with Alton and his minions eventually slain by the party. The festivities are soon cut short, as Alton’s black book begins rising off the ground, its pages turning in an unnatural wind. The book seeps darkness across the ground and rising from the shadowy pool is a massive demonic entity with black, leathery wings and huge fangs. Alton’s body is filled with darkness, transforming him into a demonic monstrosity, while the demon flies high into the air. A dark beam pierces the sky, blacking out the sun itself and coating Black Hollow in darkness.
The party tries to fight monstrous Alton, but are unable to fend off his onslaught of claws and teeth. As if at once, each party member knows what they should do. Boone, Oliver, Hansel and Thrunk split up, each running in a different direction. The monster decides to chase after Boone and begins to gain on him, thinking fast he bursts into Silver Horseshoe stables and climbs onto the axe beak, sprinting down the streets at high speeds. Hansel heads to the Loose Wheel, Oliver to the Raven’s Perch, though their intent is the same. The two purchase bottles of alcohol and create cloth stoppers. Thrunk heads to the Loose Wheel with a different plan in mind. He purchases as much squash wine as he possibly can and begins drinking, feeling a sense of power rushing through his body.
The group reconvines by some abandoned warehouses, following the sounds of panicked screaming to lead them to the monster. They lure the creature into a small alleyway and light fires at either end, trapping the monster in the middle. The group fights as hard as they can, forcing the beast into a wall of flames, where it turns to ash. Looking upwards, the sky continues to darken and hope grows ever fainter. Thrunk stands in the street and lifts his mighty shield into their air, calling upon the great green one, Fryr. A minute passes, then five, and the group grows holpless. Nobody is coming to help them, all is lost. It was then that they heard a noise.
A mighty roar echoes through the black sky as a second massive, winged creature is seen overheard. The figures collide in the air and the demon comes toppling back down to the ground, followed by a mighty green dragon. The green one has arrived. Boone, Oliver, Hansel and Thrunk charge the demon, attacking it with glaive, lance, arrow and axe. The combined efforts of the party and dragon force the demon back into its vile tome, sealing it away. The book vanishes and so too does the darkness as the sky returns to normal. Without saying much more, the dragon takes off and soars away. The party returns to the town square, where they collect valuables from the black carriage. Boone, Oliver, Hansel and Thrunk are celebrated as heroes and a great festival is held in their name. Following the festival, the group decides to part ways. Each member working to achieve a personal goal. Perhaps their paths will cross again someday.