The remainder of the journey went by fairly uneventful and the adventurers earned well deserved rest once in Westgate as the Galleon Chrysanthe still had several weeks before setting sail for Zhentil Keep. With the warm weather and a steady breeze the Blue Nixie and Chrysanthe both docked in Scardale to re-supply and give the Black Panthers a few days to handle some personal matters to the west in Blackfeather Bridge.
What normally would have been an uneventful and safe route between Scardale and Blackfeather bridge turned out to be quite safe, having only been bothered by a small band of wandering goblins, but turned out to be quite eventful with the appearance of Elminster.
Elminster appeared on a sacred quest to offer the favor of Mystra, a close ally with Corellin, to Belros Milner. Understanding the great honor this meant, Belros readily accepted the honor and was granted access to several of the arcane powers the weave has to offer. Elminster, once having been a thief himself rewarded Searos with a Figurine of Wondrous Power, a Dire Badger mount. Finally, he gave Elexan, being a huge fan of Elminster, his autograph; magically inscribed upon an item of his own choosing.
Upon arriving in Blackfeather Bridge it was not the small bustling trade town Elexan once remembered. All the doors and windows were shut, with no one on the streets. Finally Elexan was able to find a past acquaintance who informed them of the darkness that befell the town after Ambrogio's return near two summers ago. The city hall was recently over-run by ghouls and ghasts, but worse a dark mage took control of the bridge and allows none passage, save if they pay a steep toll. Those who cannot pay never return and Lord Ambrogio the always recluse but powerful peacekeeper has done nothing while the outside of hi manor falls to ruin.
The adventurers decided to first handle the undead infestation in town and in the process saved several villagers trapped in the town hall. Having earned great favor from the town, they were granted free room and board whenever they desire. But there great deeds did not end there, as at sunrise the next morning they went to confront this "dark mage" and were shocked to find that it was Netheral, but he was turned undead. In fact he was a sentient vampire controlling several other lesser spawns of hi own creation. A battle quickly ensued as Elexan and Belros began pummelign the lesser spawn with the positive energy or Lathander and Correlon. After destroying nearly all the lesser spawn Netheral pleaded they stop and let him leave peacefully, in return, he would get them safely into Ambrogio's Manor for he greatly desired to be free of his bondage to Ambrigio. Although he could not step inside the manor for Ambrogio's control over him would surely take hold.
True to their word Vempire Netheral showed them a safe way in, then Elexan and Belros allowed the foul corruption of life to leave.
