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In Pursuit of Levior
Overview
About a month later, in the month of Alturiak (February) in 1358 DR, the Ashaba Heroes are convoked to another meeting with Lord Mourngrym and Captain Thurbal in the Tower of Ashaba. Thurbal says that a few survivors from a band of adventurers have recently arrived in Shadowdale and thinks that their story might interest the Heroes. According to the survivors, their group was attacked by drows one night while they were camping near the ruins of Myth Drannor. The fight turned out bad for the adventurers and the few remaining survivors of the fight decided to flee into the woods. As they were fleeing, one of the drows yelled in common : "No one interferes with High Priestess Levior of House Vandree of Menzoberranzan without suffering the consequences!"
Mourngrym says : "Thurbal read your report that you gave him after your first expedition in the tunnels under the Tower and he recognized the name Levior. The ruins of Myth Drannor are pretty far away from Shadowdale so I don't really know if Levior is near there or not. Also, we're only taking the survivors words for it but why would they lie about something like this? You are, of course, entirely free of doing what you wish with the information I've just given you. However, please remember that drow hold very long grudges and she will eventually want to get back at you for foiling her plans of invasion. Why not go and explore the ruins to try and find some clues about her whereabouts? Also, I'm certain you've heard about the vast riches that can be found in the ruins. A warning though : the ruins of Myth Drannor are not to be underestimated. Very powerful extra-planar creatures roam the ruins and they are very dangerous. No matter what you decide, I wish you luck in your future adventures."
The Ashaba Heroes decide to go and investigate the ruins of Myth Drannor. Thurbal presents two new adventurers that wish to join the group for the expedition to the ruins : a priest of Lathander named Neldock and a young woman that has accepted to serve as guide for the Heroes, the ranger Sharantyr, member of the Knights of Myth Drannor.
En route towards the ruins, the Heroes make a short stop at the village of Ashabenford. They are welcomed by the Captain of the Riders of Mistledale, Nelyssa Shendean. She escorts the adventurers to an inn called The White Heart Inn. She admits to the adventurers that she's a member of the Harpers, a secret organization working for the good of the Realms. Nelyssa offers a mission to the adventurers. For the last few months, a group of bandits have attacked and pillaged the nearby farms around Ashabenford. According to the latest rumors, the bandits' base is located in an abandonned fort to the east of Ashabenford. Also, many groups of Zhentarim soldiers have attacked the village recently. The High Councilor of Ashabenford has ordered the Riders of Mistledale to protect the village. However, the Riders cannot leave the village unprotected. Nelyssa asks for the Ashaba Heroes help to erradicate the bandit menace. She offers them a generous reward and promises that their good deeds will not be forgotten by the Harpers. Sharantyr and Neldock agree to help Nelyssa and the Heroes accept.
The Heroes discover the bandits' lair in the old abandonned fort. They manage to slay all of the brigands and find the loot that they had stolen from the good folk of Ashabenford. When they return to the village with the loot, the Heroes are intercepted by the Riders of Mistledale. After unsuccessful attempts at identifying themselves properly to the Riders (the Heroes had forgotten the name of their current 'employer'), thinking that the Heroes are brigands themselves, the Riders arrest them and bring them to the local jail. Nelyssa arrives to solve the misunderstanding and apologizes for the lack of tact from her Riders. She thanks gratefully the adventurers for their precious aid and informs them that the Harpers are highly impressed with their recent exploits and that they will now be 'watched' very closely...
The Ashaba Heroes leave the village of Ashabenford and continue their trip towards the ruins of Myth Drannor. Arrived at the outskirts of the ruins, Sharantyr indicates to the Heroes that the survivors from the band of adventurers were attacked near the ruins of Dragondark Tower, to the north of the city. On the outskirts of the ruins of the Tower, they are attacked by a lesser creature from the Abyss. After the tough battle, the Heroes take refuge in the ruins and discover a trap door leading to an underground vault.
After having explored many of the tunnels and underground rooms, the Heroes discover what seems to be yet another drow complex. They manage to find their way to a large ceremony room and notice Levior standing behind a black altar. A four-armed drow golem is at her side and the magical creature attacks the adventurers. Levior, oddly, does not interfere in the battle. When the Heroes destroy the golem, they approach Levior and discover that she's only an illusion. A single scrap of paper rests on the altar. The following words were inscribed : "GOTCHA!". Levior had duped the Ashaba Heroes...
When they return to the surface, the adventurers are welcomed by yet another creature from the Abyss but this time, a much fiercer and stronger one. The fight turns out for the worst and when they are about to be slain at the hands of the pit fiend, a bright multicolored light appears. An old man with a long white beard, wearing a pointed hat and chewing on a pipe comes out of the light. The Ashaba Heroes finally meet the old sage of Shadowdale, Elminster. The old mage teleports the Heroes to safety in the Tower of Ashaba. Lord Mourngrym congratulates the adventurers for their bravery and promises them that one day, they will get their hands on Levior...
Sharantyr gives her fond farewells to the Ashaba Heroes, preferring to go back to the Knights of Myth Drannor but Neldock stays with them.
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