Invitation to Castle Avernus
Hook
A crow delivered a red envelope containing secret shadow-dragon claw writing and an invitation for the party to come to Castle Avernus.
Evidence
- Ignatius recognized the hidden markings as Draconic writing scratched in the manner of a shadow dragon.
- The sender said the travelers had been noticed and requested their help in “everything we do.”
- The message directed them to Castle Avernus.
- The invitation brought the exploding fortress and red star from the shared vision back to all three characters’ minds.
- Carver knows Avernus as a place of overwhelming and dangerous magic.
- Garen Faulk reacted irritably when asked whether he had traveled near it.
- Black Lily later proposed a Kargatane assignment to travel to Castle Avernus and “fuck it up.”
- The party did not accept or reject the proposal.
- Erasmus showed Castle Avernus exploding and splitting apart as Azalin’s physical body dissolved into nothing; the castle then appeared frozen.
- Black Lily reported rumors of evil beneath the castle and claimed the structure is healing itself.
- The party accepted Black Lily’s expedition. He will provide transportation and supplied 40 gp toward explosives.
- The party purchased three Boom Sticks and departed Martira Bay in Black Lily’s coach.
- Black Lily remained behind, and his driver Vermoth betrayed the party outside the city.
- An envelope from Black Lily stated that “the phylactery must be hidden in the castle.” The party believes it refers to Azalin’s phylactery.
- The party followed the red star south but diverted through Rivalis as the Shroud advanced.
- A dwarven defender reported that Castle Avernus is breaking and repairing itself at the same time.
- Many unidentified red-robed figures have reportedly entered the castle.
- A corpse-like raven inspected the red invitation and ordered the drawbridge lowered.
- Darian received the party as invited guests and promised their safety under the castle’s hospitality.
Open questions
- Who sent the message?
- Is the sender a single shadow dragon or a group?
- What work do they want the party to assist with?
- Is the invitation a request, test, trap, or command?
- Is Castle Avernus the fortress from the shared vision?
- Is Black Lily’s assignment connected to the original invitation, or do the two groups have opposing goals at the castle?
- What does the Kargatane hope to damage, steal, or disrupt there?
- What is healing the castle, and what evil lies in the ground beneath it?
Resolution
The invitation was genuine enough to secure the party’s entry into Castle Avernus. Its sender and ultimate purpose remain unknown, but those questions now belong to the party’s investigation within the castle rather than the journey to answer the summons.