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Post by godwin on Sept 20, 2014 16:56:24 GMT -5
Day 1:
It’s been a few days since Zyn and I exited a portal that brought us to a forest on the other side of Faerûn, known to the locals as The Witchwood. An ominous name to be sure. High Priestess Qilué Veladorn received a vision recently warning of a massing army of goblinoids in the far region of the Shaar known to locals as The Elsir Vale. My brother and I were tasked with bringing the warning to a small town called Drellin’s Ferry and aid them if possible. A task that will be daunting as the area has little history with our kind and none of it good.
Earlier this morning my orc head brother got the notion that he wanted to separate and see more of these woods but assure me he’d meet up with my at the edge of town. Before I could argue the value of sticking together, he vanished into the foliage of the woods as easily as any Drow would in the tunnels of the Underdark. I remained parallel to the road heading towards Drellin’s Ferry, moving through the shadows of the woods when but a few miles from the town, I heard the unmistakable sound of battle.
I enact a spell of flight upon me and soar just over the tree tops. In but a few heart beats I come to road and see a group of several Human males and a Halfling Female under attack by Hobgoblins from the edge of the foliage. I see the Hobgoblins have some sinister allies as two Hellhounds move to join the battle.
Scanning the field of battle, I see that the Halfling is pressed sorely. I fly straight and true, landing next to a Hobgoblin menacing the diminutive female. As my feet touch the ground, I draw Cûlac, my fine edged adamantine katana, and slice a clean cut through the fowl creature’s torso. I exclaim to the beset surface dwellers that I’m here to help, when a telepathic yet feminine voice speaks to me demanding that I behave. Smiling, I scan the battle field to see that the Humans seems to have begun to make a defensive line and that just down the road a Hobgoblin priest is casting a spell.
Seeing my next target, I soar over the heads of combatants straight towards the priest. I spin in the air as I land to add my momentum to my swing. My blade passes through the priest’s neck so swiftly and cleanly that only a small line of red is seen. The foul priest looks at me in disbelief for it knows that my blade hadn’t missed its target. I say to the creature that, “You’re dead”. As if finally realizing its fate, the priest’s head falls from its body to the ground only a breath before the body.
Turning around I see the battle is still raging and fly back towards my next foe, a Hellhound. My blade strikes true but doesn’t fell the beast though it surely won’t take another such hit. The Human archer finally begins to react and drops the remaining foes with his sure strikes. With the head of battle subsiding, the surface dwellers turn towards me. The tall male wearing owl feathers as armor thanks me for my assistance but still seems wary as most are when standing before a Drow Elf.
I introduce myself and explain my purpose. They seem to except my explanation. While I explain myself, the Archer heads off towards an old ruined house that I noticed as I soared over the trees. I recall that is where the priest and dual wielding Hobgoblins approached the road. As I finish my explanation smoke begins to rise from the ruins. The Archer has set a controlled fire that will burn itself out when it has consumed the ruined house. The group has allowed me to approach Drellin’s Ferry in their company in hopes that I may be allowed entry.
We search the bodies of the fallen and find a note detailing a large force to the north and west are massing, as High Priestess Qilué foresaw. We approach the town when my brother, Zyn, exits the woods and joins up with us. He is disappointed at missing the opportunity to slay the Hobgoblins as they are his most hated enemy. The guards stop us at the entrance to the town. I pull back my hooded cloak to reveal my heritage. The guards noticeably pale, but call for the Town Speaker to speak with us. When he arrives we give him the note we found on the road. After he reads it, he noticeably begins to perspire. The group is planning to head to a place called Vraath Keep which is to the north and west the direction of the massing force. I arrange for Zyn and I to accompany them as it is in the direction we need to go to scout out the threat. The Town’s Speaker, Norro Winston by name, allows us entry into his town. The guards seem wary but do not question his decision.
The group divides up to shop and explore for a while before meeting back up at the Old Bridge Inn. The presence of Zyn and I seems to have placed the common room into a state tension. Zyn sits at a table sipping an ale when, Irish the Halfling female I aided on the road, approaches me and suggests to help liven the place. We move to an open area where the bards are playing a somber tune. Irish whispers in the lead bard’s ear and as she returns they start playing a livelier tune that demands to be danced to with passion.
Irish and I begin to dance for the hushed crowd but the song is new to me and Irish’s dance style is different as well and my performance is mediocre at best. Taking a moment to return to Zyn’s table I have him hold my haversack and strip down to only my holy symbol and Cûlac and return to the dance floor. The act seems to have brought the room to a hush. I ask the bards if they know a song known as the Ballad of Selûne. They nod and begin to play the hauntingly beautiful melody. My performance is greatly enhanced as I dance to a song I know well and using the dancing lights spell to augment the sights seem to please the crowd as they begin to hoot and howler their approval. It seems men are all the same, no matter the race.
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Post by godwin on Sept 28, 2014 21:12:32 GMT -5
Day 2:
After an early morning visit with Town Speaker Norro Wiston and Captain Soranna Anitah to discuss our objectives, I return to my new companions to inform them that they shall be paid for their service though I did forget to mention that I had named their company. We set out along the Dawn way keeping our eyes out for an older human male with dogs, named Jorr, but do not expect to see him.
Just before we are preparing to set up for quick lunch break we come upon the Swift Creek Bridge that I was told about by the Town Speaker. As we approach we spot wreckage of a wagon about thirty feet or so from the causeway. Both Zyn and Hawk notice a reptilian head sitting on the mossy side of the wagon. Hawk recognizes the thing as a head of a hydra. Being of mercenary in thought, our priest of the Red Knight casts a hushed spell to detect magic. Sensing magic in the wagon, we cast a few preparation spells of fly on me and Zyn. When we are ready, we soar into combat with the foul creature. The battle is fierce, as the creature has certainly faced able bodied foes before, but with our tactics and swift strikes bring down the vile thing. My blade even manages to sever one the hydra’s six heads clean off and the fire crystal seals the neck’s wound to keep it from sprouting more heads.
We continue on for several more hours and arrive at Vraath Keep at twilight. We keep out of site of the place until well past sundown. After night has set in fully, the time of Drow, Zyn and I silently move towards the Keep. As we approach it’s obvious that the place has been in ruins for some time. The wall appears to have been hit hard by bounders and even collapsed in southern section. I tell Zyn to remain in the foliage out of sight while I conduct some recon on the place using flight and invisibility spells upon me. Knowing I’ve not long to explore, I waste no time in taking in the sights and seeing several enemies. Hobgoblin warriors mostly but a few worgs and a hobgoblin leader, spellcaster most likely, are all I see as I dare not remain long for my spells may fade or the worgs could pick up my scent. I return to where I left Zyn but do not see him. Knowing how males are, I wait for his return. Fortunately, for him, I didn’t have to wait long. He was scouting out the walls for sentries and if it was feasible to climb the walls silently. He can tell I’m not happy with him not listening to me by the swift gesture of the hand sign but he doesn’t seem to be bothered. We return to our companions and relay what we’ve observed and decided on a plan of attack.
Well after several minutes of discussion, it seems our priest of the Lady of Strategy decides on a frontal attack through the main gates. Though I do get them to concede for as much stealth as possible till we get into the Keep, we don’t get for into the court yard when the enemy hears the scraping of plate mail on the priest. Surface dwellers are so loud.
A group of hobgoblins, worgs, a minotaur, and a manticore come rushing at us. Zyn in his haste to get at the hobgoblins, his most hated foes, gets himself surrounded by the worgs, hobgoblins and manticore. The others rush to his aid, while I hold the minotaur at bay. It finds that I am no easy foe as a slice a deep wound across its torso. It flies into a blind rage trying to cleave me in two with his large two-handed ax. Zyn finally begins to work himself free of his tactical miscalculation, while with aid the minotaur is felled along with several hobgoblins and the minotaur. The spellcasting hobgoblin makes his self known as he launches a lightning bolt at me and Hawk. I see the spell coming to a conclusion and begin to move out of the spells aim but Hawk isn’t as quick, though nimble for a human, and takes a glancing blow. Seeing that Zyn is well in hand, I move towards the caster trapping him and wounding him. Seeing that he’s nowhere to run, the cowardly hobgoblin casts a spell blinding me and run by me towards the south out the wall. No novice of fighting blind, I use my sensitive elven ears to discern where the hobgoblin went and cover him in faerie fire. Though the flames are harmless he stands out as torch in lightless Underdark. I yell to Hawk to get the hobgoblin. I hear several arrows whistle through the air followed by the sound of the hobgoblin gurgle as it chokes on its own life blood. The combat effectively ended. The others secure the area and begin to search the Keep for any useful items and intel on the enemy while the priest sees to my blindness. He tells me that he shall pray for a spell that shall restore my vision at first light. I spend the evening listening to the others find the hidden vault and look over the goblin’s notes and maps.
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Post by godwin on Oct 5, 2014 13:22:08 GMT -5
Day 3:
My first sight the next morning was the smiling visage of our priest of the Red Knight, Conrad. I graciously thank him for restoring my sight. He says it the least he can do as it was my faerie fire spell that ensured the spellcaster wasn’t able to escape Hawk’s timely arrows.
We spend some time discussing the items found in the Keep and decided to continue north along the Dawn Way. Several hours later we come upon an odd effigy of a fifteen foot tall giant. A side trail branches off heading westward into the woods. Zyn recognizes the effigy as a Forest Giant. It seems that the forest giants that Lord Vraath had in his words, “Permanently solved the problem of the giants”. It seems Vraath grossly overestimated his foes and paid the price for it based on the condition of the Keep. Zyn says that forest giants are generally reasonable and if persuaded could be useful if our mutual enemies come into the forest. We decided to follow this lead and head down the forest trail.
Later, we come upon a giant sitting by his fire cooking a wild boar. He is very old and has several discolorations upon his skin. He is easily over 10 feet tall while sitting. Truly he must’ve been very imposing in his youth, as I’m sure Lord Vraath had come to learn. I also note that he is sitting within easy reach of a massive club and that his right eye is gone. We decide to approach openly, so as not to agitate the giant. Though he may be old and possibly sick, he still has the power to flatten any one of us with ease.
Seeing us approach, the giant reaches for his club saying that, “You won’t get me!” Quickly we calm the giant showing that we are not here for a fight but to speak with him. Though Irish nearly provoked the old giant, calling himself Old Warklegnaw, by proclaiming us the new owners of Vraath Keep, we assure him that we have no quarrel with him and offer the giant sized spiked gauntlet we found at Vraath Keep to help us harry the hobgoblin army with boulders that will soon be marching through the forest towards Drellin’s Ferry. He agrees and we pledge to meet him on the morrow at the effigy on the Dawn Way to cast a spell to cure him of his Red Ache. We leave our new friend and head towards the Skull Gorge Bridge and arrive as twilight vanishes and turns into the dark of night. Night, the time of the Drow.
We approach the bridge from the forest staying in the cover of the foliage and darkness. We send Zyn out to scout the bridge. He is given a spell of flight and invisibility before he soars off to scout as only a drow can in the dark of night. Several minutes go by before Zyn returns to inform us of his finding. He has scouted out an encampment on the northern side of the bridge and can see nearly a dozen hobgoblins, a pair of hell hounds, and most distressingly, a large green dragon sitting on the north western tower.
We discuss our plan of attack for several minutes deciding on Zyn and me flying invisibly over the bridge to surprise the dragon with a flanking swooping attack, while the rest of the group approaches stealth fully as possible and attack after we begin the assault on the dragon. I cast an added spell to see things that are invisible to aid me in seeing Zyn. I’ve instructed him to lead the charge and that I will follow half a heartbeat.
Our attack goes off perfectly. Zyn’s attack makes the dragon lurch its head in pain just like the hydra did at the bridge. Using that knowledge I have Cûlac swinging where the dragon’s serpentine neck will be when it reflexes from Zyn. As I soar in, I can feel an added pair of hands over mine seemingly guiding my strike, as if The Lady of Dance was guiding my strike herself. My strike was perfect. If the dragon had been any lesser my follow up strike to Zyn’s would’ve easily decapitated the beast but this wyrm was no mere young novice but a dragon that has seen battle before. A look of extreme hate comes my way as the dragon turns my way, mouth open to breathe its noxious breath. The cloud of acidic vapor is directed at me and me alone as I planned for Zyn is agile but not as agile as I am. The wind from diving attack catches up and gives me the advantage to evade the beast’s foul breath. The look upon the face of the wyrm goes from hate, to grudging respect, to fear all in the span of heat beat. I jovially respond to the dragon, “That foul breath won’t get you a mate. Perhaps you should freshen it?” The vile beast sneers at me and takes to wing, wanting no more of attacks from Zyn and me, though we get parting strikes upon the creature as it rockets east from the bridge. I realize the wyrm’s speed but place faerie fire upon it so the dragon won’t surprise us if it comes back. I fly back to the battle on the bridge to aid my friends as the hobgoblins have rallied and press the rest. We handle the battle quickly and I must note that the tactic that Irish and Conrad used to lasso two archers upon the tower and pulled them off to land head first onto the ground below was true genius.
I recast another invisibility spell and fly off after the dragon that is still glowing in the distance but I am unable to intercept and return to the bridge to find my friends having captured a hobgoblin. While trying to reengage the dragon, I see Cinder Hill in the distance and note that there are over thousand lights there. An army of thousands has gathered to destroy the Elsir Vale and all of the goodly people. Explaining what I’ve seen to Conrad, he would estimate nearly ten thousand are ready to march upon the Vale. The decision to destroy the bridge was made. We look for a way to destroy the bridge and with a few well-placed slashes from my blade and Zyn’s scimitar the bridge collapses into the gorge ensuring the army will have to take another longer way to march upon Drellin’s Ferry. I can only hope that the time we’ve bought them is enough.
Though we are weary from travel and battle we push on and return to Old Warklegnaw’s camp to rest but not before we interrogate our prisoner.
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Post by godwin on Oct 11, 2014 14:14:18 GMT -5
Day 4:
After the interrogation of the prisoner and execution, we head to back towards Drellin’s Ferry. Old Warklegnaw has left in the night heading west, presumably to get others of this clan to aid him in slowing the army. We stop at Vraath Keep for the evening. While on watch, Hawk notices a green dragon patrolling just south of the Skull Gorge. It would seem my opponent from the bridge is no worse for wear after our encounter. They enemy must have many healers or a powerful one to heal the green dragon so quickly.
Day 5:
We return to Drellin’s Ferry as the sun begins to set and send word for the Town Speaker to meet us at the Old Bridge Inn. We tell them of our adventures from clearing Vraath Keep, enlisting the aid of the Forest Giants, to our victory at the Skull Gorge Bridge and us destroying the bridge. The declaration of an army of thousands descending on Drellin’s Ferry is not taking well. The Town’s Speaker seems indecisive as one Council member calls to fight them, another Councilor wishes to parley with the enemy, and lastly Captain Soranna seems to believe we need to evacuate but doesn’t voice her opinion except to those that can read her body language. I do not envy the Town’s Speaker but a decision must be made quickly. My comrades and I may have slowed the armies advance, but they are coming and this town’s militia won’t stand a chance. Lastly, we are paid 500 gold pieces each for our service to the town.
With the Council adjured to confer in private. My friends make themselves comfortable in town. I take the time to cross the ferry and head to the Druid’s Grove, Malekai joins me after learning that he missed out on the grove our first visit. I purchase a potion to neutralize any poison and ask if I may use the grove this evening to dance under the moon and star light. The druid caretaker, Avarthel, gives me permission. Malekai gets permission to rest in the grove as well. That evening the moon was full in the sky and the stars seems to shine just a bit brighter. I dance naked in the grove while Malekai watched. I tried to get him to join in the dance but he seemed content to just view my performance. Males are all the same no matter the race.
Day 6:
I spend the day in town awaiting word from the Council on their plan of action. Irish and I get a bottle of wine and sit on the porch of the Old Bridge Inn listening to the town gossip. Irish does add her two coppers to the discussion and naturally the stories get exaggerated with each retelling. By evening Captain Soranna is angry with Irish fueling the rumor mill. We seem to calm her by suggesting we wait for their local tracker Jorr to return.
Day 7:
Jorr returns to town early in the morning hours and a Council meeting is called and we are invited. During the meeting a soldier from Brindol arrives and seems very worried when we explain the reason for the meeting and upon showing her the map we found at Vraath Keep. We give her a copy and she heads out of town on a fresh horse back to Brindol to warn them and all towns in between.
After a lengthy debate about what we should do, the Town’s Speaker comes the decision to evacuate the town. It seems my diplomacy skills have grown since my early days at the Promenade when I was a novice Knight debating the Lady of Dance’s ethos. Jorr heads out to scout out the area one final time to verify our claims of the army, though I grow concern of the time passing. The army will be here all too soon I fear.
Day 8:
While we wait for Jorr’s return, we begin to lay traps for the army when they come to Drellin’s Ferry. Perhaps this will give the town’s folk more time to get to Brindol. Traps are laid on the old dwarven bridge foundation in case the army uses that to make a bridge to cross the river. We also begin to set up stakes in the river to rip the bottom of any boats they will use to ford the river or for any giants that wade in too deep. Lastly plans to cut the ferry’s rope are made before we leave on the final day. No sense in giving the enemy any advantage.
Day 12:
All is going well with the construction of the traps and the evacuation. All the women and children have already left for Brindol. Though midday we are attacked by three chimeras. Though several people are killed, the town is saved for the moment and the chimeras are killed. It seems the army is releasing early attacks to slow us down.
Day 14:
The traps all finished with a few minor details left. Only a handful of people remain. If Jorr doesn’t return by tomorrow, I shall convince my companions that we should get the remaining populace to leave. I fear our time is growing short.
Day 15:
Jorr returns early with his dogs, a mule, and his belonging strapped to the animal. If the remaining people thought they still had any chance, the sight of Jorr leaving told them without doubt that it was past time to leave. We’ve had the remaining people ready to leave in less than an hour and we were on the road out of town with the rear guard. I couldn’t help but laugh that Irish had procured the sign from out front of the Old Bridge Inn. It seems I have named the group well.
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Post by godwin on Oct 19, 2014 19:41:09 GMT -5
Day 15 continued:
We travel with the rear guard for a few miles and when we are certain Captain Soranna and Jorr can handle the rear, we speed on ahead towards Brindol. Though no more than half an hour after we have left the rear guard on of the rear guard’s messengers come riding by passing us. He’s only a score of feet ahead of us, when a spear flies from the foliage and takes the man in his chest. The messenger is dead before he hits the ground. Out of the brush comes a score of goblins. They are led by a bugbear, 2 dual wielding hobgoblins and a hobgoblin priest of Tiamat. The battle is fierce but short. The enemy obviously didn’t know who it was dealing with. The closest goblins fell quickly as Zyn and I moved into take care of the duel wielders and the bugbear. Zyn as usually is over zealous and finds himself surrounded on all sides. It seems he sees himself as the legendary ranger we’ve heard about in the Silver Marches that fights beside a dwarven king. I must admit for his rash actions in combat, Zyn, came out of the situation remarkably well. His blades in constant motion, the sound of steel on steel was constant, and way he dodged was exceptional. I’d never tell him though as his head is swollen enough of late. After the bugbear and dual wielders fall the remaining goblins begin to flee. I call out to them in their guttural language, “Don’t run! You’ll only die tired!” The look of terror on their faces was almost comical, but I know if the situation was turned they wouldn’t give us a swift death. The priest casts spells at the party, one notably at Zyn trying to dominate his mind but it fails utterly. Seeing his forces decimated the Priest of the Dragon Queen casts a spell of invisibility and attempts to escape. I cast a spell to see invisibility and easily spot the fleeing priest. The priest knows that I can see him. He stops to cast a spell of Flame Strike from a scroll upon me and Irish ending his spell of invisibility. Irish manages to evade but I slipped on some damp grass and was hit squarely though not finished. Seeing the priest in front of me after recovering from the unholy blast of fire, I charge the foul priest and with a leaping slash that cuts cleanly through the priest’s neck ending its life, sending it on to its loathsome Goddess. We search the bodies of the enemies to see if they have anything of use. I tend to the duty of giving the messenger a decent burial and take his message. The message intended for the Town’s Speaker Wiston that is in the caravan ahead of us. We should reach them by night fall if we keep a good pace.
An hour before we would catch up with the Town Speaker’s caravan we are assaulted by five manticores. Having experience with these creatures from Vraath Keep, we slay the beasts quickly and continue our journey with minimal wounds. We manage to catch up the Town Speaker Wiston and I turn over the note that details the rear guards report of having left Drellin’s Ferry and of a similar ambush that they fought off.
Day 17:
Twilight descends upon the gates of Brindol as we approach. We see a refugee camp set up outside the walls. It seems word from Teyani has reached Brindol in record time. The guards don’t seem to be overly alert as they don’t check many that enter the city. Figuring on helping them to see their error I pull back my hood to reveal my dark elven heritage. I can hear Zyn groan in protest as he knows how I love to stir up the surface dwellers. The guards immediately go for their weapons, wisely in the presence of a drow, but quickly realize that I am not making any threatening moves to end their lives. I ask if I may enter their fair city. They send word to speak to their superior. A grizzled veteran chewing on some pipeweed approaches a few moments later. I eagerly explain who we are and that we are the ones to have learned of the approaching horde. The stout man seems taken back for a moment then agrees to let the group in so long as Zyn and I report to the Watch Commander. We spend the early evening hours shopping at the fabled Adventure’s Vault owned by an eccentric gnomish wizard named Godwin. Afterwards we head to The Craven Raven for we heard that it is a high class tavern and I am in much need of good glass of chilled elven wine. No sooner do we have our orders taken, after the crowd calms from seeing two drow elves enter, when an old acquaintance asks to sit at our table, Iormel of Drellin’s Ferry.
Iormel was the wealth land owner in the Ferry. He was the first to suggest we stand and fight the horde and also the first out of town when the evacuation had begun. Having learned we held the deed to Vraath Keep he sought us out to purchase it from us. Seems he is a forward thinking entrepreneur. He desires to upgrade the old Vraath Keep into a safe haven for travelers on the last leg of the journey to Drellin’s Ferry from the north. He offers a paltry sum at first, though Malekai nearly jumps on his opening offer. After some dealing he agrees to the sum of ten thousand six hundred fifty gold and five silver. Evenly split among the group we each get one thousand five hundred twenty one gold and five silver. Though Irish, seemingly to have gotten Iormel’s ire, receives her portion in much smaller denominations. Having concluded that business, Irish pulls out the sign from the Old Bridge Inn and toasts to the memory of the inn we all shared our first drink.
Day 18:
We leave Brindol along the Rhest Trail to investigate about a roadblock on the Rhest Trail north of Brindol that we learned about from Teyani Sura back in Drellin’s Ferry. If Brindol is to get any help it would be from the north. About an hour north of the city a group of 4 ettins attack us. This is where Zyn realized that he may have taken on more than he can handle. An ettin that must have fought agile warriors before knows Zyn’s moves before he even begins them. The two head behemoth has its clubs in line with Zyn nearly felling him low. Zyn manages to back away and quaff a potion of healing. I’m sure he needed it after I heard ribs crack under the blows of the giant. Even with Zyn’s injury we manage to slay the brutes quickly. At this point Hawk, seeing that these creatures are this close the city, declares that he is turning back to Brindol to lead patrols to keep these forward scouts away from the city. Though we will miss his company and sure shot, we bid him well with assurances to see him again when next we return to Brindol. As he begins his trek, I hurriedly stop him and hand him a pendant. The pendant is a duplicate of my holy symbol. I tell him if he needs to find us, have Godwin use this to help find us magically. Nodding he turns back towards the south as our road leads north.
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Post by godwin on Nov 1, 2014 18:28:02 GMT -5
Day 18
Sundown
Witchcross
We arrive at Witchcross, a small town not unlike Drellin’s Ferry in size. We have our usual stares and glares upon entering town but no scenes are caused, thank Eilistraee. We take a table at the local inn and toast to the Old Bridge Inn, placing the sign upon the table for all to see. While sipping on my glass of what the locals call wine, I see a pair of wood elves sitting at another table glaring at me. Seeing this as a perfect opportunity to visit with my surface cousins, I walk over and introduce myself to them. Though they are standoffish at first, they seem to warm up when I show the map we got at Vraath Keep. Irish, meanwhile, has gotten herself a young lad, a local curtpurse by the look of him, to gather information for her. It seems a local guard was killed recently while assaulting a woman in a back alley. Her arm was broken in the scuffle but she was able to distract him by casting spell bolts at him and finally finishing him by stabbing her dagger into his heart. We learn that the woman is a traveler that came in with a caravan from the north and her name is Miha. We contemplate the information and decide to investigate further. Conrad, being a church inquisitor, will prepare spells to aid in learning more in the morning.
Day 19
In the morning only a few people are in the common room, one is the local leader, a druid of some power known as Adranna The Young, Eth Speaker of the Keepers of Eth. She sits at the counter speaking to the inn keeper while having her morning meal.
Not long after we take our seats, Miha comes down and takes a seat in the back corner of the common room. Conrad, being an Inquisitor, has a spell ability to detect for evil and finds that Miha has a faint level of evil about her. Conrad then tries to read Miha’s surface thoughts but seems to resist his attempts with little effort. Conrad detects her magics and determines that she has several magical items about her and a strange aura of transmutation that he’s not seen before. Conrad attempts to cast a dispelling effect upon her but nothing apparent happens. Regardless, Conrad points at her and says “She’s evil!” The look of confusion and realization upon Miha is obvious she knows she is the target of the statement. Without a second’s hesitation, I tumble across the table drawing my blade and bring it down upon Miha’s shoulder with the blunt side as we do not wish to kill her. Irish is half a step behind me and as Miha’s bends over from my strike putting her head in perfect alignment for Irish’s sap to knock her out.
The crowd turns to see what is going on just in time to see Miha hit the floor unconscious and change to a man sized spider. Adranna demands to know what is going on and calls for the town watch. Seeing what Miha’s true form is sparks my memory of a vile creature called an Aranea. These creature, legend has it, were created by Lolth to spy on the surface world. When the guard arrives Miha’s room and personal effects are searched. In her haversack, we find a journal that she is keeping. It details information that she is collecting for the Red Hand, the horde that is approaching Brindol. The guards ask why we didn’t kill the abomination. I ask if that is a request and after receiving a nod, I sever Miha’s head.
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Post by godwin on Nov 9, 2014 20:48:29 GMT -5
Day 19:
After wrapping up the details with the now dead spy, Miha, we head towards the north along the Rhest Trail from Witchcross. Our day’s travel is uneventful but Zyn and I remark that this night will be stormy as dark clouds begin to roll in from the west. Zyn and I get our reverie early so that we may scout out the area we chosen as our campsite for the night, an old deserted barn next to a burned down farmhouse, even though the night shall prove rough with the thunderstorm raging.
Day 20:
Just after the midnight hour, Zyn and I find tracks of a group of hobgoblins and large quadrupedal creatures, wolf like paw prints, though one set of paw prints are much larger than the others. We begin to head back towards the barn when we hear a howling upon the wind between claps of thunder. We get back in sight of the barn, looking from inside the edge of a forest, when we see hobgobins and strange wolfish creatures attacking the barn. Our friends seem to be holding them off well enough, but before I can dash off to aid them, Zyn places his hand on my shoulder and signs to me to look towards the east. In the forest as well, hidden the brush is a hulking half wolf and half goblin creature. It seems to be taking great pleasure in watching the attack upon our friends. I sign back to Zyn that the creature is a Barghest, one that appears to be only a single meal from becoming a Greater of its foul kind. We’re certain that it hasn’t seen us yet and decided to ensure it does not get that meal.
We manage to sneak through the brush, moving between the flashes of lightning, till we are only a few strides from the creature. Zyn decides to lead the attack, big surprise, catching the vile thing off guard. Zyn manages to get a good solid strike in and manages to dodge the barghest’s answering bite and claw swipes. Zyn having fully gotten the denizen of Gehenna’s attention, I move in and slice into the beast’s hind legs. It howls in pain rearing hits head back placing its neck in perfect line for Zyn to perform a double bladed cross taking the Shapechangers head from its neck.
We turn to see if we can still be of aid to our friends but see they have all well in hand as they slay the last of the lesser barghests and sole hobgoblin still on its feet. With only minor wounds we return to our friends to learn they had only minor wounds as well. It seems the Horde is sending out patrols to look for would be heroes that can thwart their plans of conquest. The rest of the night goes on without incident, though I mention to Conrad that we should pick up a restful crystal for him, in case we’re assaulted in the night again, the next time we are in Brindol.
As we head north, Zyn and I agree to scout out parallel to the trail to keep an eye out for other roving bands that may wish to ambush the party. Though we go too far off the trail and do not see the group come upon the Horde’s Road Blockade. However our friends, like the previous night, are resourceful and come up with a plan to assault the fortified structure. Irish and Malekai use stealth and flight to scout out the fort to learn of a pair of unwary hobgoblin guards on top of the watch tower and two sleeping ogres in the two side court yards. The snores they described could be heard by Zyn and I nearly a mile off. Irish and Malekai manage to slay the two guards, though not before Malekai wood shapes the northern door shut, but their deaths cause a loud enough thud on the roof to have one of the lead hobgoblins send several of his men up the ladders to roof to see what the sound was. Irish and Malekai deal with the guards as they stick their heads up the roof hatch, only to fall dead down the ladder. Malekai even casts a flame strike spell down the ladder hatch to catch several guards by surprise. The distraction gives Conrad and Victor the chance to come from their cover and approach the fort’s door. The ogres are slow to respond but do enter the main structure and open the door to see if they can see what is happening on the roof. They find a ready Conrad and Victor. The remaining hobgoblins and ogres fall leaving only a single hobgoblin sergeant alive. Irish knocked him out after he realized the north door was seal shut.
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Post by godwin on Nov 30, 2014 19:11:59 GMT -5
Day 20 Continued:
The fight concluded, Zyn and I arrive to find our friends with a captive hobgoblin. They say his belongs were better than most, so they assume he was a leader of some kind. We go about taking stock of the toll house and decide to give the hobgoblin the Elixir of Truth, which we had saved from earlier, and gave it to the hobgoblin before waking him. As our bound captive wakes he glares at all of us with a hateful stare. We learn that these guards were sent here, most likely as some punishment, to stop any travelers from the north bringing in goods to the Elsir Vale or any from the south that may be seeking help for the soon to be sieged Brindol. We are able to confirm another road block on the opposite side of the Blackfens that is similarly garrisoned. The hobgoblin isn’t very forth coming with any other answers other than threats and assurances of our mutual impeding demise. Having heard enough, the hobgoblin is sent to its vile Goddess in a manner far more merciful than it would have given to any it met on the road. We decided to head along the road north around the Blackfens the next day after we rest at the captured road block.
Day 21
Tarsakh 10
1372, The Year of Wild Magic:
We set a controlled fired upon the road block so as it won’t spread to the surrounding brush and begin our travel north. A couple of hour after we departed the destroyed road block, we are attacked by two Greenspawn Razorfiends. These vicious creatures are new to the Realms, believed to be sent here by Tiamat herself. Though they are large as a horse and have dragon blood flowing through their veins, we slay them easily.
No sooner have we dealt with the Razorfiends, when a quintet of wood elves comes upon the scene. Knowing that seeing a drow elf could be bad with my surface cousins Zyn and I vanish into the brush. Though I’m unsure why, Irish does as well, leaving Conrad, Victor, and Malekai to deal with the elves. Zyn and I follow the Razorfiend’s trail back to find a partially devoured riding owl and wood elf. An old barn can be seen not far off, we decide to check out the area. A small bit of treasure is found, including a jade band big enough to go around the owl’s leg, “Liokio” is engraved upon it. After a quick search, Zyn and I make our way back and see that our friends have calmed the elves with their story of being those that destroyed the road block earlier. At this time, I decide to make myself know, though Zyn performs a proverbial face palm as I walk from the shadows. The elves are so surprised that they take a moment to even ready their bows and by then my words of finding another elf’s copse just off the road register. I assure them the creatures that took their comrade’s life are not more, pointing towards the dead Razorfiends. They cut open the Razorfiends and find something that appears important to them in the bowels of one of foul creatures. Their leader introduces himself as, Killiar Arrowswift, after some assurances that I am the drow elf that was in Witchcross that supplied the Redhand’s map. He says he is willing to give us a ride to the elves base camp, Starsong Hill. However we decline as we would have to leave our horses. They give us directions to Starsong Hill instead and expect us around nightfall.
As the crescent moon rises, we arrive at Starsong Hill. A hauntingly beautiful melody sings upon the wind as we approach. Though I know many eyes are upon us, I feel at ease. We are greeted by Killiar at the edge of the encampment. He urges us to speak to Sellyria Starsinger, their clan Speaker. We are introduced to Speaker Starsinger. I must say I’ve not met an elf of her age before that actually showed it. Her time on Toril is short, for her skin verily glows with her inner soulfire. She greets us with a large reptile, called a crocodile. She appears to be a druid of some power. She greets us and looks upon Zyn and myself for a moment before mentioning that we are the first drow to set foot in her camp without being prisoners. We take this as a complement to our characters and thank her for her hospitality. We explain we are helping the Elsir Vale with the Redhand problem. We speak of forging an alliance with Brindol as that is the last place that has a chance to hold the horde. The elves seem to have some problems with the Redhand of their own in the Blackfens as well. We agree to help solve the elves in exchange for their alliance with Brindol. They agree to stable our horses and will give us a ride to the other road block so that we may deal with it. After that we shall head to the ruins of Rhest. Their scouts report trouble in that area. Looking at our map we got at Vraath Keep, the ruins have the name “Saarvith” near it. Possibly the next “Wyrmlord” the hobgoblin prisoner mentioned at the first road block. We turn over the jade band we found at the Razorfiends lair. Speaker Starsinger seems pleased at seeing the band returned. She invites us to attend the funeral of the fallen elf we found by the Razorfiends lair. We accept the gracious invitation.
The funeral takes place in a small glade near the Temple of Corellon. The body has been made presentable with some healing magics and has been placed upon a pyre. A beautiful woman, whom I am told is Lanikar’s sister named Trellara Nightshadow, sings a mournful song to the Seldarine. Her voice is magnificent. Clearly she is a well-trained bard, as she has put her whole heart and soul into the performance. Though I did not know her brother, I find myself weeping for her loss. As the song comes to a climax the stars seem to shine brighter and the moon light seems shed its radiance upon the pyre. The whole gathering goes silent as the form of Lanikar appears in the flames. He turns towards his sister, smiles, and waves before fading into the light of the moon. Not a dry eye can be found in the glade.
After the ashes are gathered and placed into an urn with his ring, the item the elves found in the Razorfiend, the gathering moves into the Temple of Corellon for an evening of feasting, storytelling, and dancing. During the course of the evening, I approach Trellara. She thanks me for find the body of her brother and aiding in slaying the foul creatures that took his life. I tell her it’s the least I could do. I ask her if she would allow me to honor her brother by singing his favorite song while I perform a dance in the style of a Darksong Knight. Trellara having heard the stories of the Knights of the Lady of Dance accepts. She says that her brother would have enjoyed seeing it himself as he was quite the ladies’ man. Trellara tells the gathered that one of those that slew the creatures that killed her brother has requested to dance in his honor in the tradition of her people. Upon hearing my queue, I walk in from a side chamber where I had disrobed with only my blade. I notice as I walk in I have the full attention of all gathered save Zyn. Seems he has learned to anticipate me and has made himself scarce.
The temple’s worship hall is open to the air and the moon shines brightly into the hall. A statue of Corellon stands in the center. I move to just in front of the statue. Trellara’s voice begins sing a hymn to Sehanine Moonbow, Lanikar’s patron deity. Smiling at the irony of Lanikar’s favorite song is to the moon goddess of the surface elves, I begin to dance. The song goes on for what seems like forever but I am invigorated at being the first drow elf to entertain these elves and at honoring a new friend’s brother’s soul. As the song ends and finish with a flourish, I hear genuine applause from those gathered. Even Speaker Starsinger had come to see the performance and smiles approvingly. Trellara comes over with a robe and after placing it upon me, embraces me warmly. She tells me that my performance was enchanting. I assure her it was because she had put her heart into the song. With a promise to Trellara to teach her to dance, we turn in for the night.
Day 22:
With the assistance of the elves we’re flown the other road block. With our usual efficiency, we slay the hobgoblins, ogres, and ettin that garrison the road block. We return to the elves with the riding owls to return to Starsong Hill.
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Post by godwin on Dec 14, 2014 15:32:41 GMT -5
Day 23:
With the aid of the elves we reach the ruins of Rhest and begin our surveillance. We note that the lizardfolk have rafts they use to sail out to the ruins. Apparently the group that went out angered something big for we heard a roar followed by the lizardmen minus one fleeing for their raft. Later we spot a large black dragon leaving the ruins. It returns several hours later holding dead prey in its talons. Irish and I return to report our findings. We decided to scout out the lizard folk village the next day. We move several miles away to set up camp.
Day 24:
Irish and I set out and see two lizardmen sentries. They die before they even know we are there. We try to set up one of corpses near the boundary of the two closest lizardfolk camps. The other sentries find the corpse and laugh at it. Irish and I return to detail the numbers we’ve seen at the camps and decide to assault both camps, as we see the dragon and goblin leave the area, before moving out on to the lake. The camps have several warriors and a chief. We move in swiftly to both camps and kill all the warriors taking the non-combatant females and children captive. I told Conrad all we’re doing is sowing hatred for us that may come back to haunt us but he claims they are innocent. Not wanting to start an argument at this time, I nod my acceptance.
After both camps are defeated, we take one of the rafts and try to disguise ourselves as lizardfolk. With the cover of night, we set out across the lake and nearly make it to the ruins dock when we are spotted by ogre sentries. Having prepared for this, those of us that can fly do so and hold the guards while Conrad and Victor bring the raft in to the dock. We scout out the side building and find two Razorfiends inside. We handily slay them and find eggs in the water. Spending some time finding and smashing the eggs we move on deciding we can look for any other eggs after we finish. We venture into the main building and I am greeted by an ettin. I am able to slay the brute quickly but not before it makes a ruckus. While in the ruins we move deeper to find the dragon’s horde. Just as we discover a vile item, a hobgoblin is seen flying away from the ruins towards shore. Without a moment’s hesitation, I fly off after him. I light him with faerie fire and make myself invisible. Right before my spells would wear off the hobgoblin lands. Before he can move from where he has landed, I swoop in taking the ugly thing’s head from its body. I scoop up the corpse in a bag of holding to sort through its gear and head back towards the ruins. While I am gone my companions continue to search the place and find a letter detailing a tenuous alliance between the Redhand and the Ghostlord. Seems the Redhand is forcing the Ghostlord into an alliance for they have his Phylactery which we now have acquired. We spot in the distance the dragon returning with his goblin mount. We set up a trap to bring the dragon down as it flies over the ruins. We all wait, invisible, as the dragon does a fly by when Conrad cast a spell the makes the dragon crash on the roof in front of us. The goblin rider loses his grip and tumbles off the dragon as they crash landing face down on the roof. Irish begins by flinging her sling stones at the dragon, followed swiftly by Victor with a massive strike on the dragon’s flank. Seeing my chance, I charge with a leaping strike that cuts deep into the dragon. The wyrm’s eyes lock upon me for it has heard of Zyn’s and I attack on its green companion at the bridge. Damn that idiot brother of mine for wandering off at Starsong Hill. The dragon hearing of my agility decides to save its breath weapon and swipes at me with claw and wing before taking a powerful bite on my side. I begin to black out but not before I hear Conrad cast a hasty spell of healing upon me. He then charges the dragon calling upon the Red Knight smite the evil creature. His timing is close to perfect for he nearly takes the dragon’s head off. The goblin begins to regain its feet and attacks Victor to no avail. Victor manages to finish off the staggering beast as we move in to finish off the goblin without mercy.
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Post by godwin on Dec 21, 2014 21:07:26 GMT -5
Recalling the sound of a gong coming from the bell tower as the assault began, we decide to take to the raft and row steadily towards the enemy. At this time Zyn, which has been absent for the assault, joins us having persuaded a local crocodile to give him a lift to our position. Not long after we put out arrows begin to rain down upon us. Fortune smiles upon us as the archers can’t see us clearly in dark of night and only a small glancing wound hits me. Vowing to pay them back, we cast a few preparatory spells or quaff potions as best suits our individual styles. I use an invisibility spell, while Zyn takes a flying potion. Irish downs a fly potion and an invisibility potion. Conrad, Victor and I continue to row while the others head towards the archers on the roof of the tower, twenty feet above the water. Zyn and Irish seem to divide the attention of the archers while we finish bringing the raft to the docking area of the tower. Victor sizes up the tower and with a nod, sprints at the wall. With a mighty leap, the likes of which I’ve not seen before, Victor jumps up the twenty feet to the roof to engage the archers. I put my oar down and move silently and invisible towards the entrance to the tower. Conrad seeing that he is the last on the raft disembarks and follows slowly behind me hoping he doesn’t attract any attention or bump into me. Just before I open the door, all is silent from the roof when Zyn says, “All clear.” With the signal that all is clear we enter the tower to search it and take the fallen hobgoblin’s gear that may be of use.
As we identify the spoils of war, we decide to head back to the dragon’s lair and use it to rest for the remainder of the night.
Day 25:
In the morning we decide to scout out the remaining lizardfolk camps. I cast a fly spell and an invisibility spell and soar over the lake shore locating several camps. We spend the day taking out the camps’ warriors while releasing the females and children. I still say this decision by priest of the Red Knight is foolish but we’ve no time to debate it. As the sun sets we arrive back at Starsong Hill. Zyn spends the evening with Trellara. He seems to feel sympathy for her recent loss. I must admit that it’s good to see Zyn interacting with the surface elves. He was so withdrawn on our last visit. Who knows, perhaps I’ll have a wood elf as a sister-in-law before long. We meet with Sellyria Starsinger to tell of our deeds at the ruins and we gift them the Horn of Fog we found as it would aid elven forces in the coming war.
Day 26:
As we head to the stables to claim our mounts, Sellyria and Trellara are there to meet us. They shall take care of our mounts and will lend us the use of their giant owls to speed our quest to save the Elsir Vale. Trellara will be joining us on the journey to Brindol. I do take notice that Zyn blushes when he learns that Trellara shall be joining us. I do not believe anyone else even realized that Zyn blushed for not many surface dwellers could even tell when a drow blushes. I doubt any even took the time to ponder if a drow could blush. We spend the day soaring over the road towards Brindol. The wind in my hair is exhilarating. The spell to fly has been known to me for many months but to soar like this all day instead of a few fleeting minutes is a joy that words fail to describe. We land and camp a few hours flight from Brindol as the night falls upon the land. The owls are tired and need rest. The evening passes with stories from Trellara of her people followed by her singing. I can’t help myself but to dance to her lovely voice. I’m sure I’m not the only one that noticed that Zyn’s eyes never left Trellara’s visage and they he set up his sleeping area next to her’s.
Day 27:
After a couple hours flight we land at the gates of Brindol. I can’t help but smirk as the guards standing watch are the same ones when we first entered the city. The looks upon their faces is priceless as they see the owls land, Zyn and I dismount in the company of a wood elf. We are allowed entry to the city. We go about selling our surplus supplies and making purchases, while Zyn stays with Trellara as she goes to meet with the city council. How I wish I could’ve seen their faces as a wood elf and a drow elf request an audience! The city seems to have taken on a dark air about it. More refugees are coming in from the west as the Red Hand moves towards Brindol. After we make our purchases we take rooms at the Nymph’s Hair to spend a night in relaxation, I fear it will the last for some time. I hope Zyn makes the most of it for Trellara will not be continuing on with us.
Day 28:
After several hours of travel we spot a two horse wagon that been dragged off the road into a small clearing that is being looted as the guards lay dead just off the road. We swoop down to attack the 4 ettins and a Greater Barghest that see us coming in to attack. These ettins are no strangers to battle and give us a good fight especially with the assistance of the barghest’s magic. Victor has to use the belt he acquired from the dragon to grow to the size of the ettins to help end the battle before any of our company falls. With some injuries but nothing permanent we slay the foul creatures and find that all the guards are dead and were from Brindol for they wore the tabard of the city. We find 3 locked chests, a key and a note. The note states that the money in the chests are for a dwarven mercenary company in the Hammerfist Holds for services in sending two hundred dwarven warriors help defend Brindol against the coming horde.
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Post by godwin on Jan 18, 2015 16:35:56 GMT -5
Day 29:
We land our owls at the Northern Hold. Conrad and I approach. Though the dwarves are on guard at the approach of a dark elf but being in the company of a Priest of the Red Night, the encounter is productive as we turn over the gold from Brindol and a copy of the Redhand Map.
Day 30:
We reach the area of the lair but decide to rest before heading in the morning of the next day.
Day 31:
Upon entering the Ghost Lord’s Lair, we are greeted by a fiendish behir. Like season veterans we move into attack positions to flank the fiend. I cast a haste spell on my comrades. Poor Victor is singled out by the huge fiend and it bites him taking him up into it’s mouth in hopes of making a meal of poor Victor. Irish takes advantage of the party’s movements and gets three solid hits upon the vile beast felling it. Moving further in, we come upon a fog filled room. I move in, find, and slay a ghostly lion. Suddenly a supernatural roar chills me to my core and I feel an unnatural fear that causes me to fly out of the lair. My friends have finished the remaining ghost cats when we open a door to find six well-armed hobgoblins. They fall quickly. An interesting item we discover is a Ballad of Tiamat.
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