Just when you thought it was over…BAM! More books. Currently standing at a healthy twenty books, the series will continue to expand. R.A. Salvatore has just signed a six-book deal with Wizards to write even more Drizzt adventures which will cap it off at a twenty six book series, if indeed that will be the series’s final tally.

I am still trudging through the earlier volumes myself and have yet to reach the more recent publications and have to say that the early stuff is amazing and I would recommend it to any reader looking for a swell time. However, as I have been told, and have somewhat experienced, the series begins to run a bit dry through the middle and towards the current end. Which leaves me wondering, how long can this lone dark elf’s story go and will it be an interesting read?

I am anxious to see what Salvatore has in store for Drizzt in these next six books, but I am also worried that the immensity of the character’s run will dampen what makes him great and make him into an overdone facsimile of what he used to be, a caricature, if you will. Alas, I suppose we shall have to wait and see. The first book in the next six-volume sequence is set to release in 2011, to much anticipation.

Thus the party’s journey began to the Dragon’s Crown and the village of Mistmarsh. After a four day train ride, the party finally exits the lightning train in the Breland military blockade known as Sterngate. The military stronghold Sterngate sits on the borders of Breland and Darguun, and for more than six hundred years has protected the nation’s border from marauding goblinoids and other threats from the Seawall mountains. The party makes only a quick stop in Sterngate, and only long enough to gather last minute supplies, horses and a wagon before venturing on foot. The paladin, Cord, stays behind in Sterngate to attempt to gather further info. Perhaps speak to the local captains and lieutenants inquiring of any recent Emerald Claw activity in the area or anyone that matched the description of Garrow, the man who bought the Cannith research findings from Rorsh Oblo.

After an uneventful five day trek by horseback, the party arrives in the former mining town of Mistmarsh. It is here where the party begins to investigate around the town asking for Lady Elaydren d’Cannith’s uncle, Geldom d’Cannith. Few in the town can recall seeing a man matching our adventurers’ description. The barkeep at the Drunken Miner Alehouse however, accurately recalls the older gent asking around town for a guide to take him to the Dragon’s Crown. Corzen is unable to find any information on Emerald Claw activity around the town, thankful that by the looks of it, this poor village hasn’t been plagued by the likes. He does find some information regarding a abandoned military fortress not too far from town known as Brightstone Keep. After the Last War, the military abandoned the mountainside fortress and returned to Sterngate. Some of the soldiers stationed there, deciding to retire in the quiet little mining town of Mistmarsh.

Feeling they’ve gathered all the info needed, our heroes make their way north, for the Dragon’s Crown in search of Geldom d’Cannith and any traces of the Emerald Claw. Later that day during their travel the group is jump by a brigand of gnoll marauders. Surprising the brigade of gnolls seem well prepared and trained. The fight is beginning to look direly interesting when off in the distance a lone figure galloping across the hills towards the party. Cord the paladin of Dol ‘Arrah swoops in on horseback to join the party in the fight, helping to quickly dispatch the gnoll gang.

Cord informs the party that he has reinforcements traveling behind him, and tells them that he rode ahead. The party decides to break for spell and search the gnolls corpses. Strangely, the party finds several precious uncut gems on the gnoll bodies, along with a map of the road they are travelling upon. On the map are X’s drawn at certain points of the road, which the group discerns may be ambush points, seeing as there is an X drawn approximately where they are standing. Also on the map, a fortress is marked out to the west of the road, this one marked with a red X and a circle around it. In checking out the rest of the loot the gnoll gang was carrying, on the adventurers spot something very peculiar. One of the gnolls was wearing a House Cannith signet ring. Questions are beginning to rise when the cleric spots tracks in the ground where it appears something was dragged from the road. Following the deep ruts in the ground, and not far from the roadside, a horse drawn wagon sits in ruins. It’s remains have been burned along with what appears to be one of it’s passengers. The burned wagon remains and it’s victim appear to have been stripped of anything of value. The party speculates that this may have been another victim to the gnoll ambushers, or worse, the victim may have been Geldom d’Cannith and his guide.

Cord’s backup arrives on horseback. The stout and swaggering human announces himself as Krajen Berrleti, ex-soldier of the Breland military. He met up with Cord back in Sterngate and accepted his offer at a chance to earn some extra gold and crack some skulls. Grateful for any help they can get the group makes there acquaintances. The party is then able to discern that the fortress marked out on the map must be Brightstone Keep. Speculating that perhaps the gnolls may have taken up a new residence in the abandoned keep and that they may have taken Geldom d’Cannith there, the group decides to investigate it. A few hours later the party can see the stone former military compound in the distance. The keep was built in a well selected place. The mountain backdrop behind the fortress and the river running along the south of it would have kept it well protected from invasion. Wary of what they may find ahead, our adventurers tie off the horses and wagon, choosing to advance in stealth. Helkhad’s protective bubble of darkness surrounds the party, keeping them hidden from the night.

Gathered around the table is Corzen d’Deneith-the sorcerer/warlock of House Deneith and the Defender’s Guild, Cord Fenwood- the humble and noble paladin of Dol Arrah, Helkhad Devilbrood- the once human hellbred binder shrouded in mystery and his warforged servant and telepath, Thought. Whilst discussing their business in Sharn, a small courier boy approaches the table they are gathered around. The lad delivers an envelope to the group, and waits expectantly. Cord and Thought both hand the boy a single gold piece, who eyes grow as wide as saucers before running from the tavern proclaiming his riches. Cord opens the letter, which is addressed to no one specifically. Four platinum coins fall onto the table along with a letter that reads;

These coins have many friends that wish to meet you. Come to the Brass Ale Inn at the northeast part of town at dusk. Bring your wits and those you trust. Also bring your sense of urgency and knack for discretion.

The party, intrigued by this person that seems to know them and the prospect of earning some extra money, follow the letter’s instructions and travel to an inconspicuous middle-class section of Sharn close to nightfall. At the Inn, a small halfling bartender leads them to a table in a back corner where an elegantly dressed and beautiful noblewoman sits beside an older gentleman who is dressed in scholar robes. Thought and Helkhad immediately notice the House Cannith signet ring on the noblewoman’s left ring finger. She bids the party to sit, and introduces herself as Elaydren d’Cannith. She motions to the man sitting next to her and introduces him as her uncle Geldom d’Cannith.

She thanks everyone for coming and gets straight to business. The noblewoman tells the party that they are researchers for House Cannith, working out of Morgrave University here in Sharn. They’ve recently returned from a research expedition to a place known as ‘the Dragon’s Crown’. They’ve hit rough times recently in getting the funds needed for the expedition. In their desperate need for funding, they struck up a deal with an entrepreneur named Rorsh Oblo. Corzen instantly remembers hearing this name in the taverns and in the Sharn papers. The man is a notorious gangster and thug, running a mafia-esque ring in the black markets and scandals. The House Cannith researchers tells the group they knew well that Rorsh Oblo was a bad crowd to get mixed in with, but their desperation for funding in their research won out in the end. A few weeks after their expedition, Rorsh Oblo came to them expecting a higher return on investment than they had originally agreed to. Being unable to pay the ridiculous amount he was asking for, Rorsh Oblo confiscated their findings and research. Lady Elaydren goes on to tell the group that after a few days they’ve managed to obtain the funds Rorsh was asking for, but they’ve been unable to track him down since.

The warforged is not buying the entire story these researchers are telling them. “It sounds to me that since this Rorsh Oblo funded the expedition he is entitled to it’s findings? What is so important about what you found at the Dragon’s Crown?” Thought inquires to them.

“That is where things turn for the worse I’m afraid.” Lady E tells them. She goes on and explains to the group that she and her uncle Geldom were researching the dark forces behind the Dragon’s Crown, and the cultist activities that go on there. They believe that contained within their research, they may have the clues necessary to decipher ancient texts written there as well as  unravel the mysteries behind the reason why so many dark forces and cults are drawn to the place. The two fear that information such as this in the hands of a man like Rorsh Oblo can lead to very dangerous things. “This is where you come in,” she continues to tell them. “Lemark d’Cannith has told me of your recent exploits. I need you to find Rorsh Oblo, and return to us what he has stolen. Of course no deed is done without well placed compensation.”

After some rough negotiations, Lady E agrees to compensate each of them with eight hundred gold pieces each if they are able to find Rorsh Oblo and return their findings. The group devises a plan and decides that where else would you go to find hidden information about shady characters other than, the Sharn Underground Market.

Returning to a familiar acquaintance they’ve encountered before, the party decides to search out their contact Skokan the goblin. Although a nasty, greedy little peddler, the goblin has come through for the group before when they required information (though at a steep price!). The party treks through the lower levels of Sharn and into the sewers below. Eventually, one tunnel opens up onto a large chamber, where a mix of goblins, humans, shifters and a slew of other races walk from merchant stand to stand wheeling and dealing their cheap junk and goods. Rough and dirty people crowd the narrow corridors, and the smell of sweat and sewage permeates the stale air.

Standing beside a pile of garbage spread across three rotting blankets, the party sees Skokan up to his usual antics, as he tries to hustle his mildew junk onto passer-by’s and slum people. Upon seeing the familiar faces of the party, Skokan immediately pushes aside the grungy orc he is bargaining with and rushes to them. His beady little eyes are practically lit up with dollar-signs.

“Friends! Friends! So good to see you again at Skokan’s Bazaar! Tell me, what is it that interests you to come down into my neck of the sewers this fine evening? Perhaps I can interest you in some boiled rat’s meat? Only five silver. Or-or-or perhaps you could use this fine woolen blanket with only a hint of mildew. For you? Only thirty-nine copper. Or perhaps it is more knowledge you seek? But Skokan wonders what it’s worth to fine explorers such as yourselves?”

Corzen quickly grows furious with Skokan’s antics, but Thought promptly thrusts a fistful of gold into Skokan’s hand to shut him up. The party asks where they can find Rorsh Oblo’s hangout. Skokan, who reveals to the party that he has ill will towards Rorsh and his goons, tells them that Rorsh has a hideout here at the market, and points them in the direction they can find them. Skokan urges the party not to tell anyone that he told them, as Rorsh’s goons and muscle has no problem with kicking over his stand and chasing away his customers.

The group approaches the supposed hideout and decides the best course of action is to bust in guns-a-blazing. Helkhad punctually spits forth a line of burning hot magma from his mouth, blowing the door clear off it’s hinges and into the shanty shack. The group quickly pours in and surveys the inhabitants of the room. The thugs they find inside (terrified by the party and their extravagant entrance) promptly tell them that Rorsh Oblo isn’t there, that he was arrested by the Sharn Watch two nights ago while at the Dark Griphin Taproom, and is most likely now rotting away in Ironclaw Prison. The party’s further interrogation leads them to deduce that whatever research that Rorsh had taken from the Cannith’s, he must have had on him when he was arrested.The party decides to regroup and contemplate their next move back above ground, but not before Helkhad tells Rorsh’s old gang that they will follow Skokan the goblin from now on. Helkhad goes on and tells them, “You will all follow Skokan’s orders from here out. Otherwise you’ll receive another visit and have to answer to me…” Dumbfounded and scared the thugs nod their agreement, and the party leaves.

Helkhad devises a plan to do the unthinkable. He says he plans to get himself arrested by the Watch, sent into Ironclaw prison, find Rorsh Oblo and what he did with the Dragon’s Crown research, and still break out of the maximum security prison. Going against the others’ warnings Helkhad strolls into the Eastern precinct of the Sharn Watch to turn himself in for evading arrest on several accounts. Sergent Dolom sends Helkhad away to Ironclaw, to be kept in a holding cell until they are able to identify him.

Meanwhile, Corzen, Thought and Cord have met up with some of their previous allies. The half-minotaur cleric of the Sovereign Host, Cimak, and the evasive swashbuckler pirate Redbeard. The reinforced group has decided to head over to the Dark Griphin Taproom, where Rorsh’s men said Rorsh was at last before he got picked up by the city Watch. The newly formed group searches the area for any kind of clue or someplace where Rorsh might have stashed whatever he had on him before being arrested, but turn up empty handed. One of the tavern regulars tells them that he saw Rorsh Oblo at the taproom the night he was arrested, and that it looked like he was making an exchange with another shady-looking character, but doesn’t know much more than that. The party soon comes to realize that they are not warmly welcomed in this taproom. Corzen, the House Deneith mage, show that he has no patience for the tavern’s patron or their ill-manners, and promptly shatters all the bottles and windows in the bar with a quick burst of his invocation. A classic bar fight brawl erupts, and our PC’s of course come out nearly unscathed.

Once in Ironclaw Prison, Helkhad is surprisingly able to bypass most of the security by summoning the power of his vestiges to use for stealth and scout. His vestige powers go by unnoticed to the arcane magick & psionics detection systems and spells. He manages to find Rorsh Oblo, and gets him to talk using various ‘persuading’ techniques. Rorsh tells the scarred, demonic looking inmate that he sold the research to some man that had interest in the Dragon’s Crown. He said that he offered quite a bit of coin for anything and everything he had on the place. Rorsh says he only got a first name, Garrow, but remembers a tattoo he bore on his neck. Helkhad recognizes the symbol Rorsh Oblo begins to describe to him. It is the symbol of the Emerald Claw.

Helkhad retires from Rorsh’s cell, leaving Rorsh behind with two broken legs, several missing teeth and covered in blood screaming for the guards. Helkhad further beseeches the powers of his vestiges to manage in evading capture, and escapes through the teleportation circle, back into the city.

After a quick regrouping and a rundown of what everyone has discovered, the party has decided to seek out the Emerald Claw to find the man that made a trade with Rorsh. Cord decides to return to Morgrave University and give Lady E an update to the situation. Upon finding her, Cord sees that she is grief stricken and terrified. The scholars had gotten word that the group had been arrested and her Uncle Geldom rushed off to The Dragon’s Crown to try and retrieve the research himself. Lady E pleads to Cord to find her uncle before he is killed or worse.

The group rationalizes that the best course of action from here would be to take the lightning rail, which Corzen manages to pull in a House favor to harbor them free passage, to the military blockade and border town Sterngate, and from there travel to the Dragon’s Crown. There is a town along the path from Sterngate to the Dragon’s Crown, known as Mistmarsh. Lady E advises that Mistmarsh would be an excellent place to regroup and inquire about recent activities and familiar faces.

With that the party gathers supplies to leave on board the lightning rail, for the military blockade of Sterngate.