Vox Machina Origins Series II

Issue #1
Vox Machina was hired by Fendril Vas in Stilben to investigate the seemingly dubious and dangerous new business conglomerate called "the Myriad". Vox Machina eventually entered a chamber housing a planar rift that pulled the group into a room with Crysa-Thul. Fendril was actually a worshipper of the stillborn god and had intended to feed the party to this deity like many previous mercenary groups. Vox Machina destroyed Crysa-Thul and returned to slay Fendril for his treachery. Arriving at Westruun, Vox Machina continued their search for Grog. They discovered that he used to live with two gnomes and were pointed to their home. They knocked on the door and Pike opened the door and let them in. They exchanged stories and asked if the gnomes could help them. Pike performed a ritual to discover the location of Grog.

Issue #2
Pike discovered that Grog had been drawn to the local cursed mountain, and the party decided to go after him. After an encounter with a giant spider and a troop of roadside thieves, they arrived at the base of the mountain where they found an entrance. Inside the cave, they encountered an abandoned subterranean city and eventually a crypt housing a mind-controlled Grog, the reanimated corpse of his father Stonejaw, and a dying mage, Drath Mephruhn, attempting a ritual to lichdom. Under control of Drath Mephruhn, Grog, his father, and multiple skeletons attacked the party. Eventually Pike destroyed Drath Mephruhn and Grog was brought back to himself, but not before the mage had completed the ritual and embedded his phylactery into Grog's chest. After burying Stonejaw they returned to Westruun, Grog with an itchy scar.

Issue #3
The group discussed how to heal the scar on Grog's torso. They visited the magical curiosity shop Beyond the Veil, the Temple Ward, and the Greystone Tower but no one could or would help them. While discussing their next move they were approached by Drez Vina, who offered to get them access to Greystone Tower in exchange for stealing a magical item while they were there. They agreed, traversed the sewers of Westruun towards the underground entrance, and unlocked the door. While entering the tower, they set off a few traps before Pike got caught by servant Jekt Wince. Scanlan talked them into releasing her with the help of Burt Reynolds of the Tal'Dorei Customs Department and they continued on their search. They found the box but hadn't taken it when they heard the voice of archmage Realmseer Eskil Ryndarien and followed it. They told him what happened to Grog and he helped them understand the situation.

Issue #4
In order to save Grog, Vox Machina split up to find the rare ingredients that would stop the lich Drath Mephruhn from returning. Vex, Vax, Trinket, and Grog entered the wintery Frostweald in the search for a nymph heart. There, they found petrified human statues and two basilisks. While fighting the basilisks Vex was petrified but the group managed to restore her. Continuing on their search, they came upon a single unfrozen pool of water. Grog managed to coax a nymph out of it, and after talking with her, he followed her back through the portal. He returned shortly after, holding a beautiful jewel that she gave him: her heart.

Issue #5
Keyleth, Pike, and Scanlan journeyed to the Umbra Hills to find the skull of a nightmare. Grog's survival depended on their success, but the cult that had supposedly been conjuring the magical beast was nowhere to be found. Unless the mysterious stranger in the local jail is right, and the nightmare cult members were right under Vox Machina's nose.

Issue #6
Whether Grog returns to his cluelessly adorable self or transforms into the murderous lich Drath Mephrun is still a big fat question mark. Vox Machina is as prepared as they're going to be, armed with spell components, new allies, and a whole lot of loyalty. But will it be enough?

Vox Machina

 * Vax'ildan
 * Vex'ahlia
 * Tiberius Stormwind
 * Scanlan Shorthalt
 * Grog Strongjaw
 * Keyleth
 * Trinket
 * Pike Trickfoot
 * Percival de Rolo

New

 * Wilhand Trickfoot
 * Drath Mephruhn
 * Stonejaw Strongjaw
 * Noja
 * Eskil Ryndarien
 * Jekt Wince
 * Drez Vina
 * Burt Reynolds
 * Nahla
 * Crysa-Thul
 * Simar

Mentioned

 * Lady Kima of Vord
 * The Everlight
 * Kevdak
 * Fendril Vas (indirect mention only)
 * Anna Ripley (unnamed)
 * Quall (unnamed)