With rumors growing with reports of ice demon and ice elf attacks in Medici, the host made their way North and into the city of Imbar. The city borders the Mistwood and the Lands of Ice and Snow where a massive weather event of a snow storm was happening and Imbar was in the eye of it. 

Things did not start off so well Friday night. Before anyone had a chance to protect their sleeping quarters with wards, a large contingent of ice demons and ice giants being led by ice elves showed up right outside of the main inn. Lady Thistle of Medici met them with Avalon right behind her. The elf that was seemingly in charge demanded to see Councilman Al’Dien, a high Noble gray elf of the Mistwood. They claimed that he was responsible for the death of their queen. This was a falsehood. They also demanded that Avalon hand over Queen Yana Na Fey of the Mistwood because she was a fugitive. Another falsehood. Lady Thistle explained that neither of them were in Medici and the elves did not like that answer even after it was confirmed by others. They stood firm in their convictions and said they would not leave until Avalon produced both the Queen and the Councilman. 

The High Inquisitor called an order to engage and the heroes did just that. It took a bit of time but they managed to defeat them and found out something intriguing. The ice giants were not there of their own volition and would disengage once the ice elves were dealt with. They were being used as slaves and tools by the ice elves. It was definitely something to keep in mind while they were dealing with these elves. 

As the night went on the heroes dealt with a variety of icey enemies as they had their sorcerers cast the protective wards on the sleeping quarters. It was a bit of a restless night and there was a new rumor floating around that a traitor to Avalon may be around. Not great news considering everything else that they had to deal with. 

Saturday morning was a bit more unsettling for some folks. Remember that Arctic Wind that blew through Avalon a couple of moons ago that was followed by an essence of Evil? Turns out that Evil is indeed an unseated Hierarch named Tev’Inarius, a very powerful Ice Demon. As a formless power he whispered in the ears of some heroes in an effort to plant seeds of doubt and then rushed through their bodies as an Arctic Wind. No one was going to let his words get to them. Avalon has definitely dealt with much worse.

The annoying whispering aside, their next course of action was to secure the walls and surrounding areas of Imbar. It was best to deal with the Ice Elves first since there was nothing they could do about the formless Hierarch. 

Throughout the day teams of up to eight adventurers explored and scouted the areas to find ways to deal with the enemy force. They dealt with everything from cleaning out cave systems of ice spiders, taking back a barracks that was overrun, cutting off  route of attack and other things. By sunset Medici scouts came in to report that due to the efforts of the Avalonians the wall and surrounding areas were now quiet and clear. Huzzah! They had succeeded in staving off the ice elves. Now they could enjoy feast in relative peace. 

As night fell a Medici guardsman came in with terrible news. The walls were being breached in two locations by ice demons and there were sounds of a ritual being performed but could not be located. This did not bode well. An evil ritual was never a good thing and need to be found and dealt with.

An order to muster rang through the inn from Warlord Dris. She split the force into two groups, one under Squire Dogfang and the other under Squire Wolfclaw. Each group went to a portion of the wall where demons were pouring in, but not as many as they had anticipated. Meanwhile Kenai, a high druid and Squire Illium set off in another direction to try and find the ritual site. The minutes ticked by and the demons slowly stopped breaching. Not a good or bad sign. 

A scout approached to report to the Warlord that there were more demons and sightings back towards the main inn area and up a hidden hill. It was an area that hadn’t been checked out yet. Could that be the ritual site? 

A rallying cry from the Warlord and the Squires had Avalon turn about face and head back towards the inn. Squire Dogfang took his group to go inspect the hill while the rest swept the field below. The Warlord ordered Squire Wolfclaw  to back up Dogfang while she took a small group to finish sweeping and manage any other breaches from the wall. As the Squire took her group up the hidden hill Dogfang was running back down the hill stating that there was a glow of a light towards the top. According to him it may be the ritual site. Picking up the pace, Squire Wolfclaw took her group up the hill. 

When the host was one force they marched forward towards the glow ahead. As they approached the clearing there were a few ice demons around the perimeter and in the center were four people surrounding a body. One in the center reciting something and three that repeated words and chanting. The one in the center was a gray elf that was recognized by only a few. His name was Luna and he was a traitor to Avalon. Years ago he aligned himself with the Hierarch of Lies, Ophedia.

Hesitant to approach the unknown danger, Squire Wolfclaw let loose her Injure song to discover there was a Circle of Protection surrounding Luna and his ritual. She called for Avalon to engage the ice demons that began pouring out of the woods. While the demons were engaged a small group consisting of those who knew the traitor approached the circle. 

“Luna stop this!” “Luna you don’t have to do this!” “You don’t have to keep listening to her.” “Luna!!” All manner of heartfelt screams and demands were being shouted over Luna’s chanting. The gray elf paid them absolutely no attention as he kept his concentration while he stood over the body of an ice elf that was lying within a triangle at his feet. While the ritual and fighting continued the disembodied voice and touch of Ophedia traveled from person to person. “He’s mine, always and forever.” “I’ve had him for soo long and you can’t have him back.” “Hehe, why are you bothering? He can’t hear you.” Maniacal feminine laughter floated through the air. 

The chanting crescendoed and swelled until it was deafening. A rush of power swirled as flames exploded from the triangle to engulf the ice elf body, then it froze and in seconds became dust. Silence fell and could be said to be more deafening than the chanting but it didn’t last as another surge of power filled the air as ice and flames sprang from the ground in front of Luna. A body emerged where the ice elf once was. It was a man donned in ice encrusted armor and a horned helm. The Evil was palpable. This was Tev’Inarius, the unseated ice Hierarch. Luna had been successful in summoning and providing him a full physical form. Luna dropped the circle just long enough to let the Hierarch out of it who almost instantly Hellgated before anyone could react. 

As a Paladin the Warlord noted that Tev’Inarius was still on the Mortal Plain rather than returning to Hell. Avalon needed to remain vigilant as they gathered in close to keep eyes out. 

Meanwhile, Luna, while protected by his circle, was having it out with his old friends. He could Not be reasoned with while he screamed and shouted at Squire Dogfang. 

Lady Autumn, the Fae Lord of Fall, approached the circle very intrigued by this venomous monologue. After a moment of listening she called upon all the powers of Fae and destroyed the Circle of Protection. A barrage of attacks descended upon the traitor seconds before a Hell Gate opened behind him and he was pulled through. 

There had been no time to worry about the elf as the Hierarch popped in with more demons, forcing Avalon to engage and deal with them 

And that’s how the rest of the night went. Tev’Inarius spent his time appearing and disappearing with his minions. Every time the heroes felt like they were gaining the man would Hellgate. He was playing with the Avalonians. After a while the attacks stopped but the Warlord noted once again that he had not left the plain. Avalon remained ever vigilant through the night just in case. 

On Sunday morning a report came in mentioning a sighting of the Ice Elf Countess surrounded by ice demons at the main gate of Imbar. With a sense of urgency, Avalon mustered quickly and marched their way to the main gates and sure enough, there was a horde of demons surrounding four ice elves waiting for them. Once again the ice elves demanded that Councilman Al’ Dien be handed over. Appropriately, Avalon denied their request and engaged in battle.

Even with the advantage of a chokehold the fight was brutal. Avalon had to fight more conservatively than normal as they were light on mage power. Suddenly, in the heat of the fight a thick wall of solid ice jutted out of the ground and rose to a good thirty-forty feet right in-between the two forces. Completely impassable. It was but a moment of respite as the Baron approached the wall. The ice Countess offered a parley with him and the Councilman.  

Upon agreement the wall fell away and the two parties approached one another. Harsh words were thrown by the woman still claiming that Al’Dien was responsible for the Ice Queen’s death despite his pleas of innocence. Needless to say, the Countess didn’t like what he had to say and ended the parlay. 

The battle resumed with a fervor on both sides. Only moments went by when a cold front rushed in and a blizzard started to form. Before long Tev’Inarius appeared out a Hell gate behind the Countess and he didn’t look happy with her. He started pulling the demons back away from the fight to leave the Ice Elves to fend for themselves. The advantage to Avalon, they overpowered the remaining elves and Kenai managed to turn the Countess and her companion to stone. Once they were secured, the host went after the demons and the Heirach. The fight didn’t last too much longer before Tev’Inarius proclaimed “See you next time!” then fled through a Hell gate. Kenai confirmed that demon did in fact go back to Hell, finally. 

The blizzard evaporated and the temperature rose to a normal Spring feel which gave hope for the planting season. 

Now that Avalon has dealt with the Hierarch and his nasty demons it was time to move on to their next task. The Carthidians had reached out to the Nobles for help a couple moons back. They needed help with some mysterious old ruins that had been discovered recently. So out of the freezing cold to the scorching Gehennan heat to the city of Tenthetra. 

What will the heroes encounter next?