Episode II: The Cliche Title of Darkness

Episode II: The Cliche Title of Darkness
 * DM: Drew
 * Players: Kyle, Wes, Branden, Jason, Paul, Brenton
 * System: 4e
 * Setting: Forgotten Realms
 * Year: 1482 DR

Backstory
The Riders are now a well established group in Faerun, famous for their daring exploits, and for recruiting only the most talented and incredible adventurers.

King Haedrak III of Tethyr has sent out messengers to reach the Riders. He is desperate for help, as his lands are under the effect of intense magics, the likes of which he has never seen before. His messengers know only what has been told to them to tell the Riders: he fears the Duergar are the cause, and that they are planning something in the Marching Mountains. He wants specialists that are well versed in Duergar magic, evil deities, and the Marching Mountains themselves to aid his lands - with a hefty rewards on the line, of course.

Our adventurers respond to this call and head out. In addition, Thotham Landshark, a powerful and well-known Warden of Tethyr, has offered his services to lead the Riders into the mountains. What sort of evil are the Dark Dwarves planning?

Game Information

 * Players begin at Level 14.
 * Starting Loot: One Lv14 (or less) item; 10,000 Gold.
 * Other Information: No class or race restrictions. One background, preferably from the Forgotten Realms or General categories.
 * All players must have a background involving the Duergar, the Marching Mountains, or evil deities. What this background is can vary (experience fighting duergar, historic knowledge of the mountains, research done on some of their deities, etc). Any background you can justify to the DM will be accepted, even if it does not directly associate you with one of the listed things. This background will give you a bonus of some sort, based on the background. The bonus is innate and will stack with any other bonus.