The village home of Ser Shadow is besieged by Polonians. The Djinn offers a solution: activate the two massive thunderbird statues by adding a real thunderbird feather to each. Two unexpected partners help Ser Shadow and Yornan find these feathers and easily remove the Polonian threat. Oh, except that Ser Shadow dies. . . |
As a result of the wish asking for the party to “go home”, Ser Shadow and Yornan arrive in the mountains just a few miles from Ser Shadow’s home village. They can see Polonians gathered on a plateau on far side of the bridge providing the only access to the village. The Polonians are camped in the shadow of two massive thunderbird statues that - according to village legend - were supposed to protect the village.
The village is besieged by a small Polonian army of 250.
Two other figures show up. Lonan is an elvish druid that has been tracking the Polonian army as they marched through the Black Forest. Kal is just kind of there because it looks interesting.
The Djinn explains that the party could activate the two massive thunderbird statues by adding a real thunderbird feather to each and remove the Polonian threat.
One large and two smaller thunderbirds can be seen circling a few miles away.
The party buys two goats from a goat herder as part of a plan.
The plan falls apart of the party quickly begins fighting the divebombing thunderbirds.
A most excellent tactic involves a combination of Kal and Ser Shadow clinging to the mother thunderbird hoping to weigh her down.
Despite Kal being knocked unconscious, the party if victorious, killing off one smaller, male thunderbird and wounding the others. A handful of feathers fall from each bird and Yornan recovers two slightly crispy ones from the dead male.
The party approaches a nest containing four babies and - before getting much closer - Yornan flame strikes them, burning them all to a crisp. But, he does reveal a secret entrance to a temple behind the nest.
Within the temple, the party interacts with some friendly talking cups, pours water on an altar, and collects a rusty dagger hidden within.
As they do this, a Storm Giant that heard the goings on arrives, is upset, and reaches into the tunnel trying to grab the party. A combination of fire and spectral guardians forces the giant to withdraw his arm, and then Ser Shadow throws the dagger, burying it directly in the giant’s eyeball as he peers within. Enraged, the giant takes off with the dagger.
Uncertain whether the two feathers is enough, the party follows the mother - with the help of Locate Animal - to another cave near the top of a nearly sheer, 200' cliff.
Ser Shadow freeballs a climb down to the cave, sees the mother within, and then as he is climbing back up, slips and falls 170' to his death. The party tries to reach him in time, but Ser Shadow fails all of his death saving throws.
Kal lowers himself on a rope and enters the cave and kills the injured mother.
Yornan pulls the Lamp of Al-Arakh out of Ser Shadow’s pack, summons the Djinn, and makes a deal. In return for bringing Ser Shadow back to life, Ser Shadow will finish his training as a Wind Walker in 30 days or the Djinn will kill Yornan and Ser Shadow.
Ser Shadow reappears - but due to some as yet undetermined reconning - seems to not quite be himself, although no one knows why.
The party heads back to the village, climbs the cliff, and puts the feathers in the thunderbird statues. The reactivated thunderbirds flap their wings, create gale force winds, and more or less blow the Polonians off the plateau. Some fall to their death, others flee as they can.