The beginning of a tale

The Realms Below

The Caravan

Then it has come for Lyam´s caravan into the Underdark. He has arranged for making the dangerous trip to Mantol Derrith, the trading outpost of Menzoberranzan. He is also planning on gaining some information about what happens in the Underdark.
When they arrive in Arabel, they meet Garthim the Black, a local Harper. He tells Lyam that he has gained information about an assassination attempt on Lyam, and that he wants to catch the assassin and thus to travel with Lyam. Lyam tries to make Garthim change his mind, but the Harper is determined and welcomed (albeit weakly) into the group.
They travel west, with Drawn Swords as their rendevouz with the caravan that leaves from Baldur´s Gate. They pass through Cormyr and follows the High Road on the western side of the Stormhorn Mts. They manages to stop two luckseekers from capturing asperii and gains (quite unwanted) the care of two very young griffons in Greatgaunt. The journey is uneventful until they reaches Drawn Swords north of Sunset Vale. There they learn of the hill giant tribe that lairs a few hours walk north of the Hill of Lost Souls, where the entrance to the Underdark and the trail to Mantol Derrith is. They agree to scout the giant camp before they venture into the Underdark.
When they reaches the Hill of Lost Souls, they discover that raiding band of orcs seems to have made camp at the top of the Hill. The four adventurers ambushes the orc-guards and manages to kill all orcs with magic and steel.
Then they seeks out the giant-lair, but after two days of spying they all agree that the giants seem to be content with raiding orcs and zhentarim caravans. They leave the giants and returns to the Hill. There they meet the caravan and goes into the Realms Below.
The journey to Mantol Derrith is dangerous, but they make it to the outpost and manages to trade off the goods. Lyam purchases some goods back, as well as some magical items. He learns that it is quiet in Menzoberranzan at the moment, but that plots are being weaved at all times.
On the trip back, he is attacked by his guard captain. He defends himself well, and the captain disappears. He manages to identify the man as Taorth. Garthim accompanies Lyam to Baldur´s Gate, while Richard and Callista travels back east, arriving in Shadowdale at the end of Tarsakh. Lyam joins them there by his Moontravel spell.