Danger Everywhere

The party made haste in retreating to the exit as more Drow warriors pursued them.  The did notice a change in the room with an illusion of realmspace on the ceiling. It looked like a giant moon ripping through the night sky.  The party is wondering if this is some kind of sign or warning. 

They also found a secret room that had an ancient Githyanki Sword named Curoch.

 

Once safely out of the School of Magic, the group managed to find a lost entry shaft to the crypt of the Thelaene Order.  Exiting the crypt entry (which had the benefit of a permanent Feather Fall spell) they were immediately attacked by a Stone Golem.  The fight was difficult as the golem was very strong. 

Once the Golem was defeated they moved through several more rooms where the notable encounters were with Gargoyles and a swarm of Rot Grubs.  Treasure found thus far included a scroll of protection from Aberrations and 20 platinum pieces.

Entry to Myth Drannor

The party had camped outside of Myth Drannor and somehow evaded any encounters on their trip from Shadowdale.  As they crossed the river to gain entry to the ruins, Morganna and Papi were swept a bit downstream, but were able to make it across.

Almost as soon as they entered the fabled city, Morganna heard someone speaking Undercommon.  They seemed to be looking for the group. It was revealed that the other group were a drow scouting party.  Using stealth the party hid in the ruins of a magic school.  When gobby decided to go further north, he abruptly disappeared.  The rest of the team recklessly followed and were gated into the entry of the magic school.

The old school is full of interesting curiosities, the the hall of hats.  Hats float magically along the walls as if on an invisible hat hook.  The group encounters a Giant Spider that when killed, spawns 2 more spiders. The also encounter a Mimic while searching through some treasure chests.  

The spoils of this excursion were many:a ring of free action, a ring of mind shielding, a ring of feather falling, a +2 suit of full plate armor(that magically adjusts to the correct size for its wearer) and a wand of secrets.

The Drow scouts have followed the party into the school and are encountered.  The Drow knight is the only one to escape, having Misty Stepped away.

They discover the exit, another gate, while Ash a few others do one last sweep looking for the Drow.

The town that wasn't there (or was it)

 We started this session with the aftermath of the battle with The Xanathars henchmen.  Items of note on the would-be assassins: A +1 Silver Dagger and Bracers of Defense. 

The group then started their trek back to Phandalin.  The had stops in Thornhold, Carnath Roadhouse and Shadowhaven.

While drinking with the Dwarves in Thornhold, a rider burst into town with an important message from Durnan at the Yawning portal. He says that the Xanathar is fully aware of what the party is up to and not at all happy with them dispatching his minions.  There is apparently another, larger group that is now in pursuit.  The unnamed messenger then offers to take a decoy wagon and some pieces of Mithral to lead their pursuers in the wrong direction.

Ash has a bad feeling about this person and Cothana uses detect thoughts to discover that while the man will truly use the wagon as a decoy, he intends to keep the Mithral, instead of use it to fool Xanathars men.

Ash decides to give him more Mithral than he needs, so he may keep some while still using it as an effective decoy.  This makes everyone happy and the unnamed stranger heads off towards the Mere of Dead Men.

The next day the group arrived at Carnath Roadhouse.  There they heard a rumor that Shadowhaven had "returned"  When Gobby heard Shadowhaven mentioned, he began to incessantly talk about getting more wine.  

The party decides to stop at Shadohaven again and see if the town still exists.  They see nothing when they arrive and set up camp at the edge of where they assumed the entrance to the town used to be.  Seemingly out of nowhere, one of the towns people appear and ask why they are encamped just outside the town, when they are more than welcome to come in.  This confuses the party and they ask him if he can actually see the town.  He can.  Most of the group enters the town and those wearing their rings can also see the town.  There is clearly some powerful magic at work, but a detect magic is inconclusive.

We also learn that all of the city watch and several residents, ventured into the forest to investigate and never returned.  The party convinces the remaining residents to evacuate to Phandalin.

 Upon arriving in Phandalin, the group recounts the tale to Grimstead and the rest of the Guardians.  This worries Grimstead, but he cannot worry about the Xanathar now , due to the larger threat of Mind Flayers. He tells the group to return for dinner and a ceremony.

They make their way to Barthens Provisions and retrieve their Mithral Chain Mail that was commissioned for them.

Upon returning to the manor, they find all the current Guardians in line with Tarvic leading the ceremony.  The Party is welcomed into the GoTSC and all take the Oath of the Guardians. After an evening of food and drink, the Old Mage Elminster once again arrives in Phandalin.

He has heard that they have attracted the attention of Xanathar and warns them not to take this lightly.  He also agrees to help the part get most of the way to Myth Drannor buy means of Teleportation.  They arrive in Shadowdale in the Dalelands at Elminsters Tower.  

Once in town, they meet Storm Silverhand (Lady Silverhand of Waterdeeps sister).  They rent some horses from the stable and head towards the fabled Myth Drannor.

Gobby

 Here is the infamous Gobby (Vregroqai)