The night passes uneasily as you camp out near the road. Castle Dragonspear looms on the horizon, a brooding presence whose walls turn blood red as the setting sun shines against them. Or maybe that's just your own impression, after having narrowly escaped death inside its walls.

Still. You can feel their weight even after darkness falls and the castle is nothing more than a starless void.

Your watches pass without incident and you awaken with the dawn. The sun is peeking above Dragonspear's walls, washing them out in a blaze of color that both taunts you and makes it completely impossible to see if anyone is atop them.

Several of you are groaning from your wounds, which have been bandaged and tended to by Krackor to the best of his ability. The half-elven woman is still mostly out of it, though she appears somewhat more focused than the previous night. Her brother doesn't look any more worried, at least.

A quick morningfeast, a few spells, and you're ready to move out once more.

((ooc: Everyone wounded recovers 1 hp, except Karilla, who is entirely healed.

Karilla, you are still invisible and will remain so until roughly 2 PM today.

Spellcasters, please update your spells and let me know what you're casting.

Obar, Karilla has returned your ioun stone. You are once again at full PSP's.

Corym, you have 4 points left on your armor spell, unless you want to re-cast it.

I need a list of who is riding forward to the gates with Krackor and Obar, who is staying back with Corym and Karilla, and who is getting Invisibility cast on them. Kora is staying back with Karilla and Corym.))

In reply to DM (msg # 1):

Updated my spells:

1st (x4) Armor Magic Missile x2 Sleep
2nd (x2) Invisibility x2
3rd (x1) Fireball

I'm going to recast Armor in the morning and then pop and invisibility on myself.

Lexanna is torn and spends the morning with Adam and Bones.  Lexi would be down with invading the castle and murdering them all, but riding up to the gates and asking to talk seems like suicide.  It's all too likely that the answer will be, "No--loose arrows."

Sitting on her horse with Karilla, Lexanna, and Kora, Lexi laments, "When I told the priest I'd bury him, I assumed we were going to win."  Her eyes stare miles off.  "We didn't.  We just survived."

((ooc: Corym or Karilla, roll 1d100. You want to get below a 20.))

Harun helped Lorsan get his sister ready to move. He was glad the woman seemed to be doing some better or at least not any worse.  Afterwards he mounted his own horse and joined his companions.

"Sometimes surviving is a win," Harun said, leaning forward, tempting Adam with a strip of dried meat. He smiled at Lexanna. "Thanks for taking in the orphan here. I was concerned what might become of him with Vesna gone."

Even while invisible, Karilla could feel the young man's glaring at her pretty consistently. She thought that it would be a good idea to address this issue before it lead to a sword stabbed in her back.

"I take it the death glares you are shooting my way are due to me nearly killing your sister there. Since Corym has deemed you to be of a good nature, you have nothing to fear from me."

"A bit late to be saying that," Lorsan says, glaring at the empty space above your saddle that is currently hiding you. "You blew her up and shot her down."

Harun rode up and leaned close to Lorsan. "Might I suggest you attempt to be a bit more reasonable?  We were all trying to kill each other at the time.  Something that was as much the fault of your companions as mine.  If you or your sister had had the opportunity, you would have killed Karilla, or me, just as quickly.  It was battle.  Since then we've gone out of our way to attempt to help you.  Beyond what many other adventuring companies would have bothered to do.  Perhaps you should remember that before venting your spleen."

81

Krackor searches his thoughts, prays to The Bronze Mask as he holds his, the casts Cure Light Wounds on Harun, Lexi and himself, feeling that Corym is virtually fully healed already.

Cure Light Wounds-Harun x4 = 19hps
Cure Light Wounds-Lexi x2 = 9hps (+7hps as shown below)
Cure Light Wounds-Krackor x2 = 10hps
Did you add the healing before night fall? Lexi = 7hp, Corym = 8hp.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:03, Fri 06 July 2018.

When the sun has risen enough that stomachs are less vulnerable, Krackor gets on Greymount, waits for others, his shield proudly held on his arm, then sets off towards the foreboding walls of the castle.

Once an arrows distance away, Krackor stops, takes a good look around, lifts his free hand as though signalling any archers within that he comes in peace, then slowly moves forward.

Krackor and Harun

You ride toward the main gate of Dragonspear Castle. Up the slope, nudging your horses around holes in what had once been a well-tended grade. You don't see anyone on the walls, or in the limited slice of the outer ward visible through the open gates.

You stop again, twenty feet from the gate. You hear nothing, aside from the chirping of birds and the swirl of wind in the grass around your horses' legs.

In reply to DM (msg # 4):

08:41, Today: Karilla Silveroak rolled 86 using 1d100 ((86)).

"And that was really the worst thing that could have happened."

Harun keeps his eyes on the walls and towers but he speaks to Krackor softly. "I'm with you if you want to continue but I'd really rather they shot at me than do nothing. Are you sure about this?"

In reply to Harun As-Saif (msg # 15):

The priest looks arounds the grounds for the bodies of the previous days fighting.

Yes Harun, I have to try

Remaining on horseback, Krackor nudges his pony forward slowly and stops at the gap in the wall, reasserts his will, prays once more to the Ever Watchful Lord.

Krackor

You ride up to the Great Gate and pause again, just outside the tunnel through the walls. On the other side of the tunnel (now open to the sky) is where the blocking force tried to keep you pinned. You can see grass trampled by the fight and by the horses you left tethered, and dark red splotches of dried blood. You don't see any bodies.

((ooc: The map of Dragonspear is in Game Map slot 3. You are just on the map's left edge, standing on the road just outside the Great Gate.))

Harun followed Krackor. He kept a watchful eye over his companion.  He looked at the wall for arrow slits or places an enemy could hide. Once he could view the inside of the keep he sighed. "Well, what now?  Looks like they took the bodies.  Plenty of bodies too, which means either a small group spent a lot of effort to carry them off or there's still a large-ish number of bandits about. Not a comforting thought."

Obar, followed along with Krackor following his lead.  "No bodies. not good"

In reply to Obar (msg # 19):

Seeing the lack of bodies almost gave Krackor pause but not quite, he merely nodded and moved forward.

As he went under the arch of the great gate, he raised his voice.

I Krackor Steelfist ask those behind these walls to grant the return of the fallen, so that we may take them back to their kith for funeral.

Grant us this boon so we may leave in peace.

Krackor repeats this as he moves forward, axe arm out stretched, shield in front showing the sign of his God. He also searches for his net it would still have Weighty Chest spell on it so the enemy may not have moved it, hopefully

If any call out or are seen but net not where it should be, Krackor will add, please use the wire net you found to wrap the bodies, that way we can keep then together

Krackor

There is no response to your call. Are you advancing all the way to the main battle site? Into the kill box? Harun, are you following?

In reply to DM (msg # 21):

Yes. Remaining on horseback in case it gets nasty.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:38, Mon 09 July 2018.

Harun stayed close to Krackor and watched the towers carefully.  He wasn't liking the silence at all.  He looked for any doors or openings in the keep walls where bandits might have taken the bodies to be looted.

"Where are they going!?  They didn't say that they were going IN!"

"Suicide.  They announce their presence and then walk straight back into the kill box."

Harun turned back to face Corym and Lexanna.  He rolled his eyes and shrugged while mouthing the word, "Dwarves", as if that should explain everything.

Krackor and Harun

You ride deeper into the keep, your horses stepping gingerly on the uneven, rolling ground. The northwest tower has a door at its foot which had previously been blocked by seemingly-fallen masonry. It's now been cleared to the side, revealing a solid, closed, wooden door. The Inner Ward gates are also closed, and now that you have a bit more time to look at them seem to be much newer, and in better condition, than the rest of the keep. Still old and weathered, but not ancient, and presenting a real barrier to entry.

You ride further, keeping a wary eye up at the Inner Ward tower that had been the source for the greatest amount of arrow fire. Everything is still. Even the crickets seem subdued.

Turning the corner of the Inner Ward's walls, you find yourself back in the very place where you were confronted by the other group of adventurers. You know it's the place because you were there, and because there is trampled grass and splashes of dried blood in all the right spots.

The bodies, however, are gone.

In reply to DM (msg # 27):

Harun, one last call and if still no response, we must sadly turn about and leave empty handed.

The Priest of Grom repeats his earlier words and gives time to respond.

Silence.

As you turn to leave, a murder of crows leaps into the air from where they have been watching you from their perches on the outer wall, and fly east, cawing loudly.

In reply to DM (msg # 29):

Looking at the outer wall and seeing the walkway clear, the young Dwarf starts to allow his caution to bend.

That doesn't bode well but we will see.

Heading back out, as before, he speaks loudly to be heard by those in the walls. We came only for the bodies of our fallen, we now leave empty handed
This message was lightly edited by the player at 05:28, Tue 10 July 2018.

Krackor and Harun

The stillness of the ruined keep is a heavy presence around you. Watchful. You glance over your shoulder as you leave, almost expecting something to have changed.

Nothing.

You make it back to the party without further issue.

In reply to DM (msg # 31):

I think we may have hurt them more than we thought, nothing moving at all but ALL the bodies are gone, even my net which would have been really heavy for them is missing. If more than one tried to lift it, wouldn't make it lighter, just heavier. Means they've taken their time.

Your's is the next move Corym, you said to leave, I'm good with that. As you said, a lesson learnt.

"Bandits here are likely in league with fiends, which would have had any number of ways to circumvent or negate your magic." Corym looks on the castle ruin, "In the future we may return.  There are men here who have earned their deaths, great riches acquired by murder, and likely fiends that need banishing.  A great work and likely a great reward--but one currently beyond us."

The elf turns to regard his half-elven guest. "Lorsan if you can give us the names of your noble sponsor, we can send word to the nearest temple of Siamorphe and report their demise.  If they wish to effect either recovery or revenge, they may do so at their discretion. You and your sister are welcome to travel with us to the Way Inn."

Corym addresses the group more generally, "I don't know how much farther the Way Inn lies, but it is more fortress than an Inn.  Recently rebuilt by noble families within the Lord's Alliance it is maintained at their pleasure and used as a southern outpost to keep an eye on the moors at Dragonspear.  We are likely to find many folk there, but let's not let our tongues wag on about what we have done and where we have been.  We leave powerful enemies behind us, and it is in part for that reason that we head North.  Let our former deeds lie asleep unless there is need.  But particularly we will inform only the necessary parties--Siamorphe's clergy and the Lord's Alliance--about our doings here.  The Lord's Alliance can make other travelers aware of the danger more effectively than we can, and we'll avoid becoming embroiled in local intrigues.  Moreover, the bandits must fence their plunder somewhere, and there will likely be some of their affiliates at the Inn for that purpose.  Best not to rouse their attention."

"What we do want word of are abandoned manors, ghost towns, fallen castles, and ruined cities.  We are now leaving a young country that had few of these, and are now entering an older country which has many.  Whether it has been previously picked over or not is of little concern.  We have skilled craftsmen among us, and while many adventurers will take coin, few will take the doors and columns!  The making of such ancient works are rare and valuable, and we wish to restore such to the sight of living men.  Moreover we can learn of the makings of these holds--their composition and methods of construction.  These are lessons that living men may take advantage of to strengthen their towns and cities to brace against storms of orcs and trolls as well as snow and sleet.  Most of all we seek the lost lore of the past which may solve many a riddle in the present and future. In the end we will hope to restore and make real the Dreams of the Ancients!"

With that Corym calls for the company to follow him back to the road, there he will call upon any that have knowledge of the area to counsel with him so that they can together make an estimate of how much farther a journey lies ahead of them.

((Any with trail craft, knowledge local, or the like--let's make some rolls for the DM))

The lanky young woman tossed a sharp glance at the ruins.

The business of the company made little matter to her.  Her main interest was in putting Hill's Edge behind her and uncovering the truth of her father's betrayal and murder.  She needed money to pay for deciphering her father's black book which she had left among the Binder's priests in Berdusk.  Here were true friends and profit, and a way to put old dangers behind her.

"I know little of orienteering or geography. I can only roughly tell you how long it took my father's trains to make the Trade Way. But we travel faster than a wagon train, and have already turned aside from the path so often as to make those estimates worthless. But Lorsan and his sister will need horses.  They can take mine.  I can run for many long miles without slowing the company."

"I think you can keep your horse, Lexanna," Harun said. "I'll give Vesna's mount to them. I don't think...  What is your sister's name, Lorsan?  It seems strange to just keep referring to her as 'her'.  Anyway, I don't think she can ride any distance unassisted at the moment."

He seemed happy to be putting Dragonspear behind him and content to follow the group on their agreed upon path.

Got a 7 on a knowledge local roll.   Let’s move!

Moving along with the company, Krackor thinks back to see if there was anything he missed, anything that would have worked, would have kept the others alive, anything that would have meant being able to do the right thing with the bodies and their belongings.  He could think of nothing.

The group mounts up, Lorsan still cradling his sister Keya in front of him. You ride for much of the day, and as Dragonspear and its hills disappear over the horizon, you feel as though a weight is lifted from your shoulders. Like you just stared in the face of Bhaal, and still breathe.

As the day goes by, Keya slowly recovers her senses, until a few bells after highsun her eyes clear completely and the lassitude leaves her limbs. She stiffens, then groans from the pain in her wounds. A few moments later she relaxes as her brother casts several healing spells and most of her wounds close. The burns likewise smooth away.

She looks around, seemingly only seeing her surroundings for the first time, and stiffens. "What?"

((ooc: I'm going to pause here, in case anyone has anything they'd like to say to her, or other questions to ask. I haven't been able to get my maps out over the past few days, so I owe you a "how long until the Way Inn." I also owe you the names of the two nobles.

There won't be any further encounters on the road, so once you're done with talking, I'll jump straight to the Way Inn.))

Corym notes Lorsan's use of healing and tries to ascertain whether he is a bard or a priest (Spellcraft passed [3]). His fine features were calm, casual even.  "I'm afraid this is going to be awkward.  I am Corym Ildroun and neither you nor your brother are our prisoners.  Neither did we kill any member of your party.  As terrifying as it may seem, our entire battle was a matter of semantic misunderstanding and mistaken identity--a situation exploited by a murderous third party.  We're on our way North now--hopefully to the Way Inn.  We're traveling together for mutual benefit, and once you feel safe enough to be on your own, you're welcome to leave. Your brother has watched over you faithfully for days now. You're lucky to have such attentive family."

"I... see," Keya says slowly. Her hand reaches down to touch her sheathed sword, and relaxes slightly when she feels it's still there.

She continues, her voice quiet and thoughtful. "We warned Aduin and Markalus that exploring the ruins was folly. Like walking into your grave. I didn't expect... this, exactly. Goad two sides into battle and pick off the survivors. An old tactic."

((ooc: Lorsan is a priest. From the way he was wording the healing spells, and the speed with which he was casting them, probably of Azuth.))

"Old but effective," Harun nodded. "Especially if you don't think you are capable of taking either of the other two sides in a stand up fight.  My name is Harun.  It is nice to meet you despite the circumstances.  Should you want to ride on your own, you can use my horse and I will walk for a while. Fair warning though. The beast is strong but dumber than a sack of hair and more stubborn than a rock."

"Previously I always felt like we were talking behind your back since you were unconscious.  Truth be told, your brother seemed to think so as well, and so kept his lips quite tight.  Loyalty is a fine virtue, and you may be sure of his!  Indeed it is only now that I see that I stand in the presence of the Magistrati.  I have only recently come from offering prayers at the House of the High Hand in Berdusk.  I am honored by your presence, and the more shamed for our previous conduct." Corym bows deeply and apologetically.

"Since you travel in the company of Waterdhavian nobility, I surmise that we are now returning to your homeland.  How fares matters to the North? Karilla and I both hail from Evereska, and we are only recently parted from her brother, a Chronologian of the Lifegiver.  Did you pass by him and his escort on your way to Dragonspear?"

The elf breaks into his pack for a skin of wine and some food.  He offers it freely to  the siblings.

Lexi engages with Karilla regarding Adam. “Vesna called Adam a familiar and had a queer way of speaking with him. I had heard that wizards were accompanied by animals, but neither you nor  Corym have such. What can you tell me about familiars?”

Keya and Lorsan exchange a glance. He shrugs slightly, and Keya nods. "You're the first people we've seen for more than two months. We've been struggling through the High Moor. Aduin had a map that he was certain would lead to an abandoned dwarf hold. We ate through all our food before he was finally willing to admit he'd been swindled. He and Markalus insisted on coming here instead of returning to Waterdeep with nothing to show for it."

She sighs. "Stupidly proud to the end. At least we can say they were consistent."

"So you've an interest in ruins?  I learned my trade as part of the Evereskan patrols that tried to keep grasping hunters out of abandoned settlements and tombs.  I came to learn that many of those tombs had powerful items and magics within them, and many settlements abandoned so suddenly that great treasures remained unclaimed--items and magic that might be better put to use in the defense of the Fortress Home.  Surely that is what our fallen ancestors would have preferred.  So now I lead our band into the North, a area full of shattered shattered kingdoms and fallen dreams.  We seek to restore the wisdom, power, and beauty of our forebears to those that continue the struggle in face of dark and destructive forces.  Already we are returning a lost batch of brew from fallen Citadel Felbarr to the survivors thereof, and we hope to learn of many more opportunities as we go North.  What will you be doing now that your band is undone?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:43, Sat 21 July 2018.

Obar said very little merely riding with the group and occasionally looking back in the general direction of the ruin.

Krackors usual constanance wasn't evident, even his ever present smile was lacking in appearance as they moved on up the road.

His thoughts were of his god, he prayed and asked if there was anything else he should have or could have done. He wasn't angry, nor was he upset, he was solid in his belief that this was the designed outcome but felt there should have been 'more'.

So the guardian priest thought as he rode, calculating the posibilities and occasionally calling his Gods names out in reverence. After a while, a few miles, his smile would return, gradually.

"You sound like Aduin," Keya says with a snort. "Only he was interested in how much they could be sold for, and how impressive they would be sitting in his parlor.

We are interested in eating. And finding enough books to further Lorsan's studies. Where we go and what we do doesn't much matter. If we can't find a group to hire on with at the Way Inn, there's sure to be someone in Waterdeep. The Adventurer's Quarter is always jumping in the summer."

“If one of us enters ruins for the betterment of the people and the other of us enters the ruins to better demonstrate our mastery over the people, I would say that’s a very large difference indeed. Only a dangerous generalization would cast we two in the same company.

So you are originally from  Waterdeep? You seem very familiar with how the passing seasons affect the wards there."
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:58, Wed 25 July 2018.

Keya shrugs. "Words. Ruin chasers, both of you. Poking amongst the dead and hoping the dead don't poke back. Or the carrion that watch over them don't peck out your eyes.

"My brother and I are from Baldur's Gate. But that's a little too close to the magic-fearing south, so we came north. Hasn't done us much good yet."

In reply to Lexanna Riggin (msg # 43):

Karilla thought carefully before answering.

"I've never had a familiar because I am terrible with pets of any kind, magical or not. In regards to Vesna's bird, from what I know, it should be slightly smarter than the average one you'll find in the wild and should be fairly easy to train. If you are looking for in depth conversations with the thing then you will be sorely disappointed. Other than that, its a bird, you know more about them then I do."

The conversations going on around him reminded the Guardian Priest of his role, the role given him by the Lord of the Bronze Mask. Calculated where in his daily routines he had got up to and started fresh; knowing he had only recently bestowed a Sacred Guardian on Corym and Obar, he searched and reregimented his thoughts.

Karilla, it is you who are to receive Gorms Blessings next. Krackor casts Sacred Guardian on Karilla.

Corym, in cast we get surprised on this day before camp, please take the Blessed Watchfulness of Gorm. Casts Blessed Watchfulness on Corym.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:48, Wed 25 July 2018.

i think i know now what i need to know--lets roll

“So a familiar is just a slightly smarter-than-average pet?  Why do so many wizards keep them then?”
This message was last updated by the player at 13:06, Wed 25 July 2018.

Harun broke into Lexanna's conversation, "Didn't mean to be eavesdropping. Vesna seemed to have far more of a connection to the bird than a simple pet.  It's as if she could feel what the bird was doing and maybe even see what it was seeing.  I'm not a magi so I don't know the details but there was a bit more to the relationship than just owner and pet."

Karilla nodded to Harun's comment.

"You are right, from what I know at least. I've never had one. I've been told that if the familiar dies, there are some terrible side effects. They are, in a way, an extension of yourself and if killed, a part of you is also lost forever. That scared me enough to never try the spell. They can be useful if you know what you are doing with them. Sadly, besides for giving you basic information about them I can't do much more than that. If I ever end up being the stereotypical mage in a tower, then I might get a familiar to make sure I don't go completely insane."

That makes more sense. So if wizards suffer at the loss of a familiar, wouldn’t a familiar suffer at the loss of an owner?  Adam seems fine, so we could take this as a sign that Vesna still lives. ... and might be watching us through his eyes. That’s odd.

nithing of substance here--feel free to advance us down the road

Elient 15-23

The clouds roll in and the weather cools as you ride north. It would normally be a pleasant journey of just under a tenday, but the ghosts of Dragonspear Castle and the bandit ambush are riding just behind your shoulders, causing you to jump at every time the wind rustles the grass or small animals are startled from your path. The jumpiness fades slowly.

Lorsan and Keya make for quiet travel companions. They continue to ride doubled on Vesna's horse, and while they occasionally exchange a quiet word with each other, they try to avoid speaking with the rest of you.

It quickly becomes clear that the area around Dragonspear Castle is a dead zone for caravans. It takes you more than a day to overtake the caravan you had previously traveled with, and once you pass them it's another two days before you encounter anyone else.

That caravan is a massive affair: more than two dozen wagons and a heavy escort, including several outriders who intercept you well before you reach them. Corym is able to convince them that you're simple adventurers and not interested in banditry, and they allow you to ride around outside of bowshot.

From then on caravans become more frequent. It rains for several days, a steady if not particularly hard precipitation that leeches all of the heat from your bodies and reminds you forcefully that it won't be much longer before it's snow and not rain coming down.

Lexanna sees signs of trolls more than once in the first few days; several packs of the creatures seem to have come down from the High Moor at various times. Tymora smiles on you, however; none of them find you. The troll sign disappears once the moor is replaced by the Misty Forest to your east.

Finally, as your ninth day of traveling begins to draw to a close the Way Inn comes into view in the distance. It is the first sign of civilization in almost a month. As you near, you start to make out features of the inn. It's surrounded by a wooden palisade, and while the wall blocks much of interior, you can see a fortified manor house, built of grey stone, peeking above the wall.

A wide field of grass, more used if not necessarily more tended, stretches out in front of the Inn's southern gate. Four caravans are camped out in the field, and you can see people on the wall and in the courtyard on the other side of the open gate. Some of the caravaneers look in your direction as you ride up, but you apparently don't make for a very interesting sight; no one approaches you.

((ooc: Everyone is back to full hp and spells.

Welcome to the Way Inn.))

I'm making an Ancient History: The North check to see what I know about the Way Inn and it's surrounding environs.  I was hoping I had Knowledge Local here, but I don't.

05:42, Today: Corym Ildroun rolled 2 using 1d20.  Ancient History: The North. Success!

Additionally--while we were passing by the forests, there was a spell component that you said would be easy to obtain that we talked about in private.  Was I able to acquire it?

Finally, I'd like to make an Architecture check first to see how recent the construction here is, and second to try to learn something of the design.  05:53, Today: Corym Ildroun rolled 2 using 1d20.  Architecture . Success!



Corym turns to Keya and Lorsan, "My friends, we are safely arrived, and so I bid you farewell.  I don't know how long we'll be here--long enough to find if there is whiff of a ruin to be 'poked' I imagine--but I've enjoyed your company, and should we meet again I hope that our company will be happily rejoined."

The road worn elf's eyes sparkle to be back in civilization.  It's truly odd for those that think elves creatures naturally inclined to wild lands. "Harun, I'll remind you that as a man of the Company your room and board is provided at our expense.  We've had little enough work yet, so let this provision help to ease your lack of earnings as yet."

Turning to the group more broadly, "For partners of the Company we need to make a decision--would you prefer that our stay here be provided at the Company expense or shall we see it paid privately?"

Harun stopped next to Lorsan and Keya.  He removed the saddle bags that contained Vesna's belonging and transferred them to his own horse.  However, he indicated that Lorsan should keep the reins to the animal.  "You two lost enough at Dragonspear. You shouldn't be without a decent horse as well.  Keep it if you need it.  Gallant is a fine animal but I can only put my arse on one saddle at a time."

He turned at Corym's words and smile, "Thanks. I appreciate it.  I think I'm going to go find me a room, a bath, and a meal... in that order."


DM - In my room I'm going to look through Vesna's belongings to see what I might send to any family she had.  Do I know where her family lived and whether they were on good terms?

Lexanna feels her dual nature at work once more within her.  According to her raising she would be quick to hand off the reins of her horse to the nearest stableman with a condescending word.  Now?  She felt the need to see to the horses herself, to make sure they were well cared for--in case they needed to leave in a hurry.  She also needed to have roosts for her Adam and Bones.  She had no cages yet, and preferred to leave them uncaged in any case.

The conflict played out across her fair face.  It deepened when she considered asking Kora to come with her to the stables.  She had changed, but Kora hasn't.  Except she seemed to want to change.

"I vote to let the company absorb the cost.  We'll move the faster knowing how small our joint coffers are.  I can see to our horses. Kora, would you like to come?"

Harun

Vesna didn't talk very much about her family or her past. She spoke with a strong Waterdhavian accent, so she was almost certainly from Waterdeep. There was tension between her and her family; from what little she let drop while you traveled, you suspect that they were also wizards and that there was some kind of accident. Possibly one of her spells went wild in a very wrong way.

Corym

The Way Inn is what you might consider a stereotypical Western Heartlands human fortified manor that has grown beyond the initial family's use. The central building is a three-story manor house, built of a mix of field stone and granite from a different source. Its roof is steeply sloped and clad in slate. It has clearly been built for defense, with narrow windows (narrowest on the ground floor) and pseudo-bastions at each corner to provide flanking arrow fire.

Nor were the original builders simply paranoid; the building has clearly been attacked more than once. Though well-maintained, you can see where the original stone was broken and has been replaced, and one upper floor room has an artful window that you're sure was originally made by a hurled boulder.

Age is difficult to determine; it's been well-weathered, but this is the north. Even stone weathers quickly. But you guess that it's at least a century old. A more precise guess would require closer inspection. Though now that you look at it, the manor has more than a passing resemblance to the ruined manor where your first quest took you. That manor had been made of softer stone, however, which might help explain why it had been broken down to the foundation, while the Way Inn still stands.

All of the outbuildings are much newer. They're made of wood likely cut from the nearby Misty Forest, and are anywhere from five to thirty years old. Also very human in construction, they're what you might call "Frontier Spartan." No real external decoration, simple design, and painted red; the cheapest and easiest paint to make that will still help ward off the weather. The wooden wall is of a similar age.

((ooc: I'll answer the Ancient History check once I get back to my books.))

"Sure!" Kora swings down from her horse with relief. "Anything to get blood flowing in my legs again."

Once you're in the stables cleaning the road dust from the horses, she leans over. "So what do you think of the half-elves? The girl's pretty cute, don't you think?"

In reply to Corym Ildroun (msg # 59):

He was glad of his magical cloak clasp, it made his cloak able to withstand the rain, he slept well, healed those he travelled with and kept he spells up to date, Kora being yesterdays recipient of Sacred Guardian, today it's Lexanna's turn.

Corym, if need be, I shall pay to a couple of days for us all, it's my debt to you all.

Krackor's smile flashed away momentarily then returned with spirit.

I'm sure I speak for everyone here when I say, a nice comfy bed and fancy hot meal would go down well

"Your constant care, watchfulness, and healing has saved more than a few of our lives.  No need to live in perpetual debt! But if you wouldn't mind negotiating the terms on our behalf, I should like to make some sketches to help us identify targets of interest.  When you speak to the inn keeper, see if there are any older folks around town, or else herdsman that range far and know the country well.  Additionally a map might be helpful--particularly older ones."

Assuming we're staying within canon on the ancient history check, we're entering areas formerly occupied by the southern stretches of elven state of Illefarn, and its successor kingdom Ardeep, as well as the southern reaches of the dwarf state of Amarindar and it's successor kingdom Hunnabar.  The former human Kingdom of Delimbyran would reach this far south, though its duchies now have almost completely devolved, and only Daggerford maintains any prominence.  Delimbyran, Hunnabar, and Ardeep combined with the gnomes from Dolblunde and the halflings from Mieritin in the twilight of their power as a failed last-stand again an orcish tide in a confederacy called Phalorm.

What I'd like to do is--using my Ancient History check and my architectural knowledge to create some sketches of building types and close ups of decorative motifs for each of these.  A sort of visual dossier for each.  That way we can have people we're questioning visually identify things that they've seen that they might not otherwise know the significance of.

Lexi smiled impishly, "My nurse told me that such notions were a phase to be forgotten after 'blossoming into womanhood.'  I guess we haven't blossomed yet!  Looking for a new 'wrestling' partner?"

The young woman let the jibe pass and continued, "Corym seemed very interested in them until he found out they came from the South rather than the North.  The quietness they kept makes me think that not all is forgiven.  I'd be wary. It might be best just to part ways."

In reply to Corym Ildroun (msg # 66):

Nodding appreciatively at Coryms kind words, Krackor moves to secure accommodation and sustenance for them all and the mounts, trying to negotiate as much as can be done, even offering his services if it helps.

"You always did get the dried prunes for nurses," Kora laughs. Then she sighs. "It's her arms. She has an archer's arms. Short sleeved against the heat and with those bracers..." She gave the horse she was working on several slow, sensuous strokes.

"Can you blame them? Karilla blew up Keya, and then made her look like an apprentice archer. I'd be holding a grudge as well." She shrugged. "That might make it more interesting."

Everyone except Lexi and Kora

Inside the Way Inn's wall the scope, and pace, of activity becomes clear. This is the last rush of the caravan season before snows begin, and it seems half the North is on the move and camped either outside the wall or inside it. The size of the place is larger than you expected as well; the wooden wall encompassing several acres of grassland, which is used both for crops and a sizable herd of goats.

Inside, the Inn is just as busy. Most of the initial manor house has been opened up into a single, huge, dining area. Long trestle tables fill the center, and more isolated nooks have been built around the edges. The far end is dominated by a long bar with massive kegs lined up behind it, and three men are busy filling mugs.

An attractive half-elven woman greets you as you step inside, and at your request finds you a table off to one side. It's enclosed on three sides, with the rear being solid field stone of the Inn's outer wall, and the other two solid wooden partitions. There is a drape that you can close across the entrance, if you wish.

Not long after two humans arrive with your food and drinks. There's stew and a flank of venison, and a variety of beer and ale that is tasty without being overly strong. Exactly the meal you've been wanting after your long trek north.

Keya and Lorsan with you, sitting next to each other at the edge of the table closest to the exit. They're quiet, but that has more to do with the speed that they're eating than any particular resentment.

Krackor moves to ask the servers about whom to speak with for a large room. Once he is so informed, the priest finds the person he was directed to and enquires about accommodation. He then asks after a local history buff, an old wisen person and tales of old from the local area, maybe a bard.

Harun headed off to see to a hot bath. Enough days on the road had him smelling like a goblin in a midden heap. After that, he deposited his belongings in his room (either one he acquires or one procured by Krackor).  Once he was unencumbered and less malodorous, he joined the company at their table.  He nodded to Keya and Lorsan with a smile.  It was good to see that they willing to share a meal with his company.

"How long are we planning on resting here?" he asked Corym. "I'm not hurrying you, mind.  Beds, baths, and hot meals are always a welcome thing."

"Long enough to rest and resupply.  Perhaps to find some word of what lies ahead of us on the road.  There's little enough lore in this place.  No one is 'from' The Way Inn per se.  It's a place that people pass through.  The best way to find news of what we're looking for here would be to consult the guides of various caravans.  Taeghen used to perform that function for us, having guided many a wagon train through the North himself.

"Many guides may know of paths and trails 'best avoided' or 'good camps' that are, in reality the foundations of fallen fortresses and palaces.  Our very first expedition was to such a site.  It was dangerous, profitable, and much was learned.

"Lexanna needs to develop her understanding of The North, and so should probably speak to them as well.  Harun, it seems that you have an easy way about you and easily fall in with all sorts of company.  Perhaps you and Lexi and Krackor can approach a few of these fellows tomorrow?  I am working on a visual dossier that might help identify the sites from the hearsay and practical experience of the caravaners.

"We'll stay tonight and tomorrow--leaving the next day if we fail to find anything of use."

"A grudge would make it more interesting?" Lexanna asked incredulously.

In reply to Corym Ildroun (msg # 73):

I found that there is a certain way to speak with Caravan Masters and Guides, I found it most interesting when finding out what exciting things had been encountered by being enthused about the route and goods.  More so, the antics that the crew got up to.

I shall see if there is a priest here a bouts too, they tend to aid those wishing to offer aid to others.

"I'll gladly accompany Krackor," Harun said.  He clapped the dwarf on the shoulder. "I've not much experience speaking with caravan masters.  I shall be happy to learn from my betters."

Harun looked around the room. "It's a busy place. Is it always like this?"

First time I've been here but when end of seasons are almost upon the caravan routes, my understanding is that yes, like this and more so, to get the final load of goods across then back in time to miss the bad weather.

Krackor and Harun

Inquiring at the bar, you're pointed in the direction of one of the central tables where two dozen men and women, mostly humans, are busy eating. Closest toward you is a whip-thin man with a scraggly beard, his face bronzed and weathered from a life on the road. The bartender tells you that his name is Halazar, and he looks up as you approach. "Aye? Can I help you? Or are you here to buy us a round?"

"Sure!" Kora says brightly. "Like those spices we'd get from Calimshan. Burns but tastes so good."

She winks at you. "Remember Alessa?" The name is instantly familiar; a scion of one of Hill's Edge's other major merchant families. Your age, moved in the same social circles, and had made it her job to make both of you miserable since the age of six.

Corym

You've been working on your series of sketches for the past tenday, pulling out pencil and paper whenever the group stops for a rest and around the campfire. By now you've got it as close to complete as you're able.

The problem is that you haven't actually seen examples of many of the styles in person. You're familiar with Evereskan architectural styles for seven thousand years, but Evereska has remained isolated from both the world in general and architectural innovation in particular. In a lot of ways a modern Evereskan building is much like post-Crown Wars "silver age" Evereskan building.

And while you did some tromping through ruins of both Eaerlanni and Siluvanaeden ruins, those realms are about as far north as you can get, and had their own peculiarities.

For most of your exemplars you're forced to either rely on illustrations you saw in Evereska's libraries (and whose accuracy you're unsure of), or extrapolate from near scratch. You're pretty confident in your Illefarn-era (they traded with Evereska) work, somewhat less for Ardeep. For Delimbyran, Hunnabar, and the rest of non-elven Phalorm, well, it might be accurate. Or it might just be some very pretty pictures.

Either way, the book is ready.

"I'm up for a round or two."  Obar slaps some money on the table.

"What?!? I can understand wanting to pull her hair, but not--"  a look of realization dawns on Lexanna "--oh. OH!"  Lexanna's young eyes get reflective.  "Have you ever pondered how my family made a living from flouting laws and upholding strict social conventions while yours seems to have been somewhat the opposite? Father wanted me to wed Sememnon, the Lord of Darkhold.  He was convinced that he was just 'sowing wild oats' with his 'elven tart.'"  A look of horror dawns on Lexanna's face.  "You don't think that's why... It doesn't matter. It happened and its not my fault."  She banishes those thoughts.  "That's why I never had a coming out party.  Suitors weren't going to be accepted.  I was being 'reserved' like one of Krackor's casques of ale."  She looks at herself in hunting leathers, axes, falcons, boots and laughs bitterly.  She tries to punctuate the laugh with something wry, but chokes on it, and laughs a little more authentically.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:08, Fri 10 Aug 2018.

Since the company is parting ways to see about their respective tasks, Corym first tries his portfolio on Keya and Lorsan.  "I don't know if you ever made it to any real ruins, but if you did, or if you've passed some, I'd like you to see if you can identify any similarities herein.  Such knowledge may prove useful.  Are you up for it?"

Walking up to the bar, Krackor puts on his best impression of a Caravan Master and Trader (it isn't very good but ...)
Good man, I'm sure you can help us and I shall indeed buy you a drink Halazar, and your friends too.  I hear you are the group to talk with regarding any ruins here about, we have a member of our party that finds them and their architecture fascinating.  If I have arrived at the wrong place, I will gladly leave you be..once the drinking has finished that is!

Krackor and Harun

Halazar raises his mug to Obar in appreciation as two bar lads refill mugs and pitchers. "Adventurers, are you? Looking to find some un-looted tomb? Well, it feeds the monsters and keeps them away from the Trade Way, so I'm all for it. Sure, I can share some clack with you."

He leans back in his chair and takes a thoughtful pull of his beer. "Well, there's the Company of the Gray Unicorn. They set out to explore the ruins of Tavaray, in the Lizard Marsh, when the snows melted. They only expected to be gone a moon, but when we came through Daggerford there wasn't any word of them. So they must have found something interesting."

"There was them rumors of drow in the Misty Forest, don't forget," a man halfway down the table put in.

Halazar shook his head. "That was just a logging coster wanting adventurers to kill elves for them so they'll stop putting arrows into the loggers. There's ruins in those woods, I know, but I wouldn't want to tangle with green elves on their own turf." He takes another sip. "But a few years ago I did hear word that someone scouting the approaches to Dragonspear stumbled onto the entrance to a dwarven ruin. They got chased out of it quickly by something that went unmentioned."

He grins at you. "Anything sound interesting?"

Corym

Lorsan leans forward, taking the book and thumbing through it. "You have a good eye for detail," he says, almost grudgingly. He taps a few pages of Delimbiyran buildings. "But you haven't seen an exemplar of this, have you? It doesn't have the layers of the elven pieces earlier."

He shakes his head. "You really are interested in this for the art of it, aren't you? I suppose as an Azuthan I should do what I can to encourage it." He turns the book to Keya and points to one of the illustrations. "What do you think, sister?"

Keya takes the book and looks. Slowly, she nods. "That looks familiar. A little. There was a ruined tower out in the moor. Leaning, poor condition. Some trolls were using it as a lair. Aduin wasn't interested in it, so we didn't explore. Not really much there, though."

"I'm so sorry," Kora says immediately, moving from the horse she was grooming to stand with you. "We all... I mean, I heard my uncle and father saying they thought your father was fishing for something big, but I never thought he'd be thinking... that." She shuddered. "Better on the road with us, don't you think? Even with the occasional ambush."

"What are the ruins of Tavaray?" Harun asked. He grinned at Halazar. "I'm not overly familiar with the local places of legend. And who're the Company of the Gray Unicorn? Were they notable adventurers?  Should their disappearance give us pause?"

Harun looked at Krackor sheepishly, "Sorry. Supposed to be letting you talk not running off at the mouth."

Halazar shrugs. "Tavaray was a city in the plains. Now it's a ruin in a swamp. You want to know more, find a sage, not a merchant. The Grey Unicorn had made a bit of a name for themselves, aye. Enough that I've heard of them." He chuckles. "They weren't the Crazed Venturers, but they weren't swordlings, either. They wouldn't have fallen to a couple of goblins."

In reply to Harun As-Saif (msg # 87):

Listening, Krackor waited for the others to finish before he spoke again, just in case.

I'm sure your knowledge is as good as any sage for the now, they just fill in the histories. Now a Bard if you know one!

We are members of the Dreams of the Ancients Exploration Company, looking more for bringing things back into the time from the past, images, knowledge of glory days and if treasures be found, to take to where they should be, reconnecting kin to kin and protecting those who we encounter.

A worthy course and with the prospect of protecting caravans we travel with and making merchants more profit with what we sell them.

What's at Daggerford? Someone there may be able to update us more.

Raising his tankard To Health, Wealth and an Interesting Life

"Daggerford's a town, biggest place between here and Waterdeep," Halazar says. "There're a few villages with terrible food and barely a crossroad to their name along the road, but they're not worth much. Daggerford has proper facilities, the prettiest festhalls south of Waterdeep, and plenty of grazing. It also has a duke, but you can't have everything. It's a good place to do research if you're one for books rather than walking and seeing for yourselves."

In reply to DM (msg # 90):

Thank you, most helpful. Lets drink to new friends

Halazar laughs. "I can always drink to that!" He wave at the bar, and soon the two bartenders are back with more pitchers of beer.

((ooc: Anything else that anyone wants to do in the taproom? You can get rooms for the night easily, and the food is good.))

"Indeed I have not, a deficiency I hope will soon be rectified."



"Less for the art and more for the craft.  There are many things that were well known to the ancients that are lost now to us.  While our minds--you and I--my first go to the consideration of Art, my training as engineer, stone mason, and architect broadens my perspective somewhat.  The secrets of such craftsmen are seldom written down, but passed orally from master to apprentice.  But the works wrought by their hands may yet tell us much, and if the lessons are adequately learned, then the people of the present will be the beneficiaries."



"When you say not much, what do you mean?"


What style is she pointing at?

"I just think that I haven't had time to dream yet.  I still remember my old dreams, you see. But now my feet are on a different path.  What am I to become?  I still feel as if I am becoming--not yet what I should be. If life is a ledger, what will my balance be? What do you want to be?"  Lexi asks with deep interest.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:30, Sun 26 Aug 2018.

Keya shrugs. "I mean it was a leaning tower, a few pieces of fortified wall, and some lumpy areas in the moor that could have been buildings. Or maybe they were just mounds of earth. Like I said, we didn't stay long."

((ooc: She's pointing at the human section of the book. Delimbiyran/Phalorm.))
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:48, Tue 28 Aug 2018.

In reply to DM (msg # 92):

Krackor appreciated what he perceived as 'Good Food', made a mental note for next time they visited the Way Inn and after finishing his drink, excused himself to head back over to Corym.

“Thank you so much!”

Corym excuses himself to rendezvous with his companions who hopefully have information to share.

After dinner, you see about getting a room. Though it's a crowded evening, the staff is able to provide a small suite. It's up on the third floor toward the back, but it has two bedrooms with enough beds for all of you and a small stateroom linking them in which you can gather and discuss your plans.

Lexi and Kora arrive not long after, having gotten a quick supper in the common room downstairs.

((ooc: Now's the time for plotting and planning, and deciding where you want to go next.))

No Keys or Lorsan in this room?

((ooc: Not unless you invite them. They got a room of their own.))

Harun followed Krackor back to the rooms and was happy to lay into a meal. Once that was completed he grabbed a tankard of ale and joined the party in their quarters. He waited for one of the company members who had been around longer to start the discussion.  It wasn't his place to do so.

In reply to Harun As-Saif (msg # 101):

Having a hearty meal and something to wash it down with, gave the priest of Gorm time to think before going with Harun to check out where they will be staying.

Krackor was pleasantly surprised by the suite of rooms, especially the gathering area with table and chairs. He nodded We can plan here he said out loud, to no one in particular, even though he knew Harun was there.

He put his gear in one room then returned and sat, awaiting the arrival of the others.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:39, Sun 02 Sept 2018.

((ooc: Everyone is in the room, and we can assume that everyone has updated the rest of the group on everything you've learned individually.

Where do you want to go?))

Available Options:

Ruins of Tavaray
Description: Ruathym ruins in a swamp.
Upside: Used to be a city, so lots to explore.
Downside: Ate a capable adventuring party, and the Ruathym don't stand out as a particularly powerful, influential, wealthy, or significant people.  Prospects for wealth seem low.

Delimbyran Tower

Description: Bad condition, unknown history, in the high moor, formerly occupied by trolls.
Upside: Might already be cleared of big threats.  As we well know, trolls have profitable nests.  High moor can give us solid enemies to gain XP.
Downside: Next to nothing is known about the site.  Right in the middle of troll country.

Daggerford
Description: Bustling city. On the way to Waterdeep.
Upside: Further research on prospective sites is possible. Supplies may be acquired or traded.
Downside: Money will be spent rather than made here.

Unnamed Dwarven Ruin
Description: ????
Upside: High interest for Obar and Krackor.  Dwarves are rich and have cool stuff.
Downside:  Completely underground, no idea where it is.

Drow in the Misty Forest
Description: Logging rumor?
Upside:  Not seeing one.
Downside:  Ummm--Drow elves.

"Before we get started," Corym interjects, "we need to update the Company inventory."

From the depths of his bag of holding, Corym produces a number of objects.   A tiny vial of liquid in a belt pouch, a pair of gloves  that are embossed with an image of a leaping black cat, a wand, and a dagger.

"When I subdued the gnome archer, I did not want to kill him, but did not want him to regain consciousness and trouble us again.  I'm familiar with his sort, and an unseen blow could have been immediately lethal to any of us.  So I stripped him of his items of Art.  I have not made note of them until now because in my opinion I seized them while we were yet enemies.  The archers killed him in his sleep before we could engage in rapprochement.  Keya and Lorsan in particular were quite mistrustful of us and I didn't think that parading spoils in front of them would make the situation more comfortable.  I apologize, though, for having had to deceive you  until now.  They aren't yet identified so I have no sense of their function or value."

"Of the paths laid before us, I am most inclined to carry on to Daggerford.  We've learned a good deal, but I think more knowledge might better guide our paths.  Our coin is still sufficient to bear the burden of more research, and we could hire out as guards on the way up if we wanted to make some quick coin on the way.  If, however, we are committed to seeking a site immediately, I advocate for the lone Delimbyran Tower to see if there is an easy score to be made."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:59, Mon 03 Sept 2018.

In reply to Corym Ildroun (msg # 106):

I'd like to get the Ale to the Dwarven Stronghold but if this hidden one is the one we are looking for, I'd like us to find it and I believe that more information is required and could possibly be gained in Daggerford.

"This all seems fairly hazy--if you think we can find out more in Daggerford, I'm alright with that.  I haven't gotten any new maps yet by the way." Mental note--stop bantering with Kora and get to work.

Obar is his usual quiet self, looking over the options, "Don't much care which one, as long as we can make some money"

"You folks are the bosses," Harun smiled. "My job is just to make sure your smart people don't get poked by sharp, pointy objects.  That's a lot easier in Daggerford than in some ruins somewhere.  It's also a lot easier if we have at least some reliable information about our target.  It's your hides though, so I'll go where you point."

Obar, my friend, we may not be able to make money in Daggerford but it appears to be a nice stepping stone to doing so.  We could make a bit of money on the way there though hiring on as caravan guards, I'm sure our reputation has preceded us with the last caravan surely having come through here not more than a day before we arrived.

"Sounds like we're roughly agreed on Daggerford.  Once there we'll find a productive direction given a tenday of research, canvasing for rumor, and corroborating the two.  Lexi--maps might be cheaper in the city than here, so hold off on that for now. We know where the road is and where it leads for now.  Let's resupply tomorrow and head off as soon as we're able."

In reply to Corym Ildroun (msg # 112):

Krackor enjoys the rest of the evening and enjoys a comfy bed even more.

The next day at the group table over breakfast, I'll sort provisions for how ever long it'll take to get us to Daggerford, will check if any caravans are needing guards for that leg too

Heads to caravans and enquires if any ned hired guards

Kora claps her hands. "Wonderful! I've always wanted to go to Daggerford. It's got such a great name. And it's so close to Waterdeep!"

Harun grins at Kora's reaction. "And I feel like getting some sparring in since we'll be in these lovely accommodations!  How about it?  Feel like beating me up for a little bit?"

Kora looks around at the small room, with everyone packed inside. "Sure, if you want to practice knife fighting. How about we go out behind the inn, where we can whip out the big stuff?"

Krackor

Three caravans came in from the south yesterday and are looking to move north today. One of them is moving fast, with everyone mounted on horses, and claims they have all the guards they need. The other two, both using slow ox wagons, have decided to join together on the way north. They're willing to have more guards join, but they're barely paying anything.

In reply to DM (msg # 117):

In the morning afterchecking with caravans, Krackor returns with provisions and news for the Captain.

Corym, we may have a caravan to protect, moving slow and not paying much, but it's either that or go it alone.
Also, can I have some coin for these provisions please, I'm running short now.

"If Daggerford is to be the destination, and caravans heading that way are paying little, why don't we just go.  We can get there much fast"

The good thing about ruins is that they aren't going anywhere--but if we're not conscious of our coin, it'll walk right out from under us.  If we guard a caravan along the way, we eat their provisions and acquire coin.  We lose time, but we have time to spare.  It's not just what we're earning, but also what we're not spending.

Speed or efficiency? How do you vote, company?

((remembering that 2E rangers have little use for coin))

I don't see any need to scrape coppers.  Let's just get there!

In reply to Lexanna Riggin (msg # 121):

We already have provisions, a little coin over many days can be made up at the town before that caravan arrives. They may know the area but we could always ask them when they arrive, it is two caravans merged to one, unsure if that is for safety or company, another travell fast all on horseback this morning.

We have a store of coins, is anyone other than me starting to get that short of personal coin?

The priest of the Bronze Mask didn't need for much coin and could forgo food and drink for a while whilst still being fully alert, it would mean the others could have their fill and rest well.

I shall ensure all are provisioned and watched over, as is my role.

I saw we thank you caravan masters for their offer and express not wishing to take their funds as they seem to need them, then get on our way in our own time.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:43, Wed 12 Sept 2018.

((After new free policy))

Let us make haste to Daggerford!

You ride north through a cool, early autumn day. The sun is hidden behind clouds more often than not, and a cool breeze stirs your hair.

The Way Inn is the southern border of the more civilized land south of Waterdeep, though that "civilization" can at times be dubious. You spend your first night in the tiny village of Bowshot. It has only one inn, and while the beds are indifferent, the kitchen serves by far the worst stew you've ever encountered. It's squirrel with a hint of turnip by way of the glue factory. You're still trying to get your mouths working again the next morning.

Fortunately, the next evening finds you in the hamlet of Liam's Hold, and its inn is much more suited to the name. The service is excellent, the beer is unwatered, and the food is tasty. It's night and day compared to its neighbor to the south.

Inquiring at the inn the next morning, you discover that Daggerford is just one more day's ride, and that the village of Gillian's Hill is halfway between there and here. You encounter nothing more than a few caravans during your third day's journey, all of them heading north.

You ride through a drizzling rain that begins to clear up right around the time you reach Gillian's Hill. It's a pretty little hamlet, all clustered on one side of the road, and seems utterly unremarkable. But there's a baker that is happy to sell you fresh bread and meat pies for your noontime meal, and there's a green where your horses can graze.

As you stretch your legs, you notice a massive barn-like building that has a worn sign over the door: Torleth's Treasures. It's the only building that seems a little out of place in this sleepy farming hamlet buttoning itself up for winter.

I want to stop in there! This fellow may have items for exchange, or be a good outlet for what we find.

Corym turns his feet towards Torleth’s Treasures.

May also know of places to 'visit' too.  With a name like that and here, does it smack of either being completely out of place or they know a lot about what goes on in these parts?

You enter Torieth's Treasures, and find yourselves in a massive barn of a place; literally and figuratively. It's a large space packed to the rafters, with badly-fitting extensions jutting off the original barn in all directions.

And everywhere, everywhere is stuff. Your initial thought is junk; mis-matched chairs piled together, thirty cloaks hanging from studs set into one of the tree trunks holding up the roof, a variety of decaying stuffed monster heads, dozens of glass bottles (some broken, others not), glinting in a dusty ray of light, little chipped ceramic figures in blue and red, rusty hammers and wash basins.

Then you take a closer look and realize that some of the bottles are still sealed and full. Some of the clothing is intact, and may even have gold thread or skillful embroidery. That cloth mask along the wall looks quite nice. Of course, you can't see how to get there, through the narrow isles, but it gives that piece of wall a rather serene expression.

So maybe there are a few treasures here. Maybe. What there aren't, in immediate view, are any people.

In reply to DM (msg # 127):

Following feom thw Captains lead, Krackor triwa to sneak a peek through the planking too.

What you say Corym, be prepared to let some money go from the coffers? Maybe we could sell a few thinhs too if we stillhave thinhs on our rides collected from the fights ooc:edited to reflect DM clarification
This message was last edited by the player at 00:51, Sat 22 Sept 2018.

((ooc: No, you don't have a wagon. You've been riding your horses north. You left the caravan at Dragonspear, and never had a wagon of your own.))

Corym will activate his magic-vision to see if anything stands out at a glance.  He calls out, "Hello? Mr. Torleth?"

"Yes?" You see the top of a bald head floating above a pile of old banners, and a moment later an ancient man steps out of the maze and smiles at you. "Ah! Customers! Adventurers! My favorite people. Welcome, welcome. How does this fine fall day with you! Can I interest you in some old wagon wheels? Keystone of an arch from a dwarf hold? The gowns of yesteryere?"

((ooc: Corym, your magical vision is acting up. At first it shows nothing as magical. Then everything has a soft glow. Then only everything made of cloth. Then some other grouping. It's a bit distracting.))

Awed at the display, Kora wanders off into the stacks, running her hand over a pile of faded velvet doublets, grinning like a loon.

"I would particularly like to see the keystone! We are explorers and you seem to have been purchasing the funds of explorers. Perhaps in addition to the keystone we could talk about some likely sites to help uncover the remnants of our fathers?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:39, Tue 25 Sept 2018.

Harun leaned up against the door post of the shop and watched the others look around.  He didn't have much of a proper education and his personal needs were fairly small.  The shop was interesting, sure, but not something he was inclined to indulge in.  Still, it was enlightening to watch the smarter members of his company go about their business.

"Of course, of course," Torleth smiles cheerfully and turns to plunge back into the stacks. You hurry to keep up before losing him completely. "I buy from adventurers who've been everywhere. This one... hmm... Brotherhood of the Black Carpet? No. The Aerie Conflux. One of the two."

He leads you past a heap of chipped and broken ceramics, then ducks under a fifteen foot stuffed shark hanging perilously low from the ceiling. "Thirty years ago, it must have been. Hmm. Aye, thirty years. They got it from somewhere up north and kept it around as a keepsake. They didn't say why. Or they said too much." He giggles, which turns into a hacking cough. "I hear a lot of lies. But very entertaining lies. Ah, here we are."

By this time you've left the first building entirely and entered another one with a lower roof, and an awkward step down in the join between buildings. It's just as packed, and with just as little order.

Torleth is pointing at a massive block of stone, a wedge with its blunt point planted on the floor. It's five feet tall, three feet wide at the base and almost five at the top, and at least seven feet thick. Several wooden crates and boxes are piled on top of it, and cloth and furniture surround it. There do seem to be some markings on it, but they're mostly obscured by other things.

In reply to DM (msg # 135):

As when they approached, the Dwarven Priest followed close by Corym. His interest was also piqued with the mention of the Dwarven Keystone.

I want to evaluate four things: 1. Authenticity, 2. Age, 3. Status (used or unused), 4. Craft (by hand or magic)

"This is exactly where our key potential is, my fellows.  A keystone of this size was quite common among our ancestors, but almost entirely unknown now.  The size of the portal this would have anchored..."  Corym sets his hand on the stone, "And to the right buyer--nearly priceless.  There are few in the world that could create such a thing, but many who could use one already made.  An item need not glitter to be gold!  The remnants we claim and sell or donate to worthy heirs.  The skills and tools that allowed the making of such--those are the true treasures!"

((ooc: You'd need to un-bury it to properly assess it. And you do realize you're calling something priceless in front of the guy who would be selling it to you, yes?))

OOC: Hahahaha

In reply to Corym and quietly just for his ear...
This may be from the entrance to a kingdom rather than a Portal as you may see it. If it does transpire to be as it may be implied, it could protect Oakhaven or a kingdom set to be reborn.

He’s genuinely excited and not in the market for one right now. Better to leave it on this fellows inventory.

If we see someone building a wall later, we can play match-maker and charge a commission.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:24, Thu 27 Sept 2018.

Torleth chuckles, coughs. "Priceless, eh?" He recovers and chuckles again. "Wouldn't be the first time. How much?"

In reply to DM (msg # 141):

At this point, Krackor can't help himself. How would we transport it? How much do you want for it assuming it can be moved?

Krackor hears Harun call out from the other room, "I'm not carrying it!"

“Oh, we don’t need this. Not now. But it represents what we’re about. Mr Torleth you seem to acquire antiquities, and I believe that we could help supply your fine establishment. Could we talk about where the keystone came from? Or perhaps you’re aware of other nearby sites that have not yet been adequately explored?”
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:29, Thu 27 Sept 2018.

In reply to Corym Ildroun (msg # 144):

Plodding off towards Harun, not quite in a sulk but his youthfulness was starting to show and he didn't like not having that self control, not with all the training he had gone through to be a Guardian Priest, the days and nights stood outside the tombs and official halls, to let it slip like that...He caught himself from reverie.

Ahem, did you find anything of interest over there Harun? how about you Kora?

He continues on to stand between these two.

I meant to quote torleth, not Krackor. #iphone

I assumed as much

"Just each other's company," Harun grinned at the dwarf. "My education is lacking. Mostly I look around here and see... stuff.  Lots of stuff.  If you don't hit, stab, or cut someone with it, I likely don't have much knowledge on the subject.  It's one of the reasons I like this group.  Perhaps I'll learn something of importance that doesn't have to do with making someone else dead."

"I'm always happy to buy," Torleth says. "Adventurers are some of my best customers, and sources. This one..." he runs his fingers over one of the few visible runes. "I don't know much. That company brought it from the north. Been dragging it a long way in a heavy wagon, and didn't say why. I was happy to have it."

Perhaps we all will learn something!
The priest had a feeling he was missing something, so got his Bronze Mask onand prayed for a sign.

A clanking from deep in the twisting corridors of stuff heralds Kora's return. She's carrying an entire armor stand, upon which is a suit of plate mail. Thick rust covers its surface, giving it a bloody appearance. She sets it down with a groan and stretches her back. "Isn't it magnificent? Master Torleth! How much do you want for this?"

"Eh?" Torleth pokes his head into the building. "Ah, yes. Plate mail found by the Moonlit Ratcatchers in a fallen dwarf hold in the Fallen Lands. Thirty gold."

"Done!" Kora says immediately. She pulls coins from her purse and slaps them on the table. "I need to get some armor polish. Be right back." She darts out the door.

“Krackor? Obar? Do you know the making of dwarf runes?  Can you make out what this is?”

Corym directs comments to Harun. “Among my people, it is important to always be engaged in the acquisition or perfecting of some skill or other. It helps stave off the madness of endless centuries of life, and gives the passing of time meaning. If you are open to learning there are skills I could teach, but more importantly there are skills our company needs. Once you’ve settled into our company a bit more, it might make financial sense to sponsor your education in something needful.  Death is something that comes naturally to each of us, and warriors in particular suffer as their years grow longer if they have only studied the hastening of that which was already inevitable.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:32, Wed 03 Oct 2018.

“I know a lot of woodscraft and birdcraft, but we really need the trailcraft of our former ranger. I’m working on getting it, but it takes time. What else do we need?”

In reply to Corym Ildroun (msg # 152):

I'm not well versed in it, I spent most of my time on guard rather than with my head in books, I really should take more note.

Kora, that looks like it could do with a bit of elbow grease to sort out, it'll be good for your arms, both polishing it and carrying it.  Can you show me where you found it, there may be something I could be interested in, but my the looks of things, useful stuff could be anywhere.

Krackor follows Kora's directions should she give him any and if not, will search for anything useful, at those prices, it may be worth picking anything up that could be of use.
Obar, any ideas?
This message was lightly edited by the player at 17:28, Sun 30 Sept 2018.

"Sure! It's right over here," Kora says, leading you in a completely different direction than where Corym is.

Kora leads you into yet another distinct building. It's more of the same, though fewer stuffed animals hanging from the ceiling. In their place are chairs and tables, most of which have all of their legs. Kora points to a spot in the center isle. You can tell exactly where the stand was; there's a clean circle completely lacking in dust on the floor. It stands out as blatantly as if someone had come along with bright red paint.

You glance around. This building has lots of ceramics, jugs of all sizes up to large enough for Harun to stand in (if he could fit through the mouth). There's a pile of bronze things to the left of where the armor used to be, and what looks like a dummy covered in cloth to its right.

((ooc: Torleth's is like a flea market had an incestuous relationship with a junk shop. Anyone looking for something in particular, roll an Int check to see what you find. If you just go looking for something interesting, also roll and Int check. Or you can talk with the strange old man some more.))

In reply to DM (msg # 156):

Before having a good rummage, Krackor is intrigued by the cloth hiding something or is it the cloth itself! He is unsure so checks it out.

If only I knew what I was looking for and had a detect magic spell available.
If it was something specific for my quest, Gorm would send a sign if I couldn't find what I need, we'll see.

Lifts the removes the cloth carefully.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:06, Thu 04 Oct 2018.

Corym makes a mental note of the keystone on a list entitled, "Things to go back to."

"Do you have any maps?"

Krackor

The cloth turns out to be three different sets of horse caparisons. They were quite magnificent, once, with bright colors and elaborate heraldic devices you don't recognize. They're a bit moth-eaten and faded now, but not too bad.

Under them is the torso and upper legs of a statue of a life-size human male, done in white marble. You're hardly an expert in statuary, but it's clear that the sculptor was of some skill.

Corym

"Of course! They're over here." Torleth leads you into a different building. "Well, and over there as well," he mutters, waving a hand vaguely towards the front building.

Ahead of you is a massive roll-top desk, stained dark brown and badly battered. The top is rolled up, revealing a pile of papers two feet thick. Banks of drawers on either side of the foot well are also partially open, revealing themselves to be stuffed with paper as well.

Glancing at the top of the stack, you see a map of caravan waypoints through the Shaar.

((ooc: Just for transparency's sake, for people who are rolling, the better you succeed your roll, the better your find will be. So roll low, folks. :) ))

3 on roll!

Krackor peruses the Heraldric patterns and wonders if they would be ok for his horse, thinks better of it but makes a not to make some for Greymount.

Then checked for a makers mark on the statue, he was sure it wasn't a real person turned to stone as they tend to not be marble in his view.

The prieat continues looking.
Yay, also rolled a 3

((ooc: Krackor, are you looking for a particular kind of object, or just whatever strikes your fancy?))

In reply to DM (msg # 162):

ooc: The latter.

Harun shrugged, "I'm good with learning new things. I've never really considered what I'd do if I lived past my ability to be a warrior.  It wasn't a realistic concern before."  He continued to watch his companions shopping.  Shopping was a bit of a new thing for him and it rather fascinated him.

In reply to Harun As-Saif (msg # 164):

Harun,when we manage to get back to Oakhaven, I'll teach you how to brew. I'm sure you'll enjoy the fruits of your labour.

Calling out, Corym, if you draw the runes, we can work on their meaning as ee go, we use runes in out writings but sometimes it's more than that.

As soon as he has found something of interest, Krackor will go back to the Key Stone and try to read the runes.

Krackor

You spend some time wandering through the main building. It's a mix of the cast offs of more caravans than you can guess, and what you think the house of an old human woman would look like. Lots of things that look nice at first glance, but on closer examination are chipped, poorly made, or just plain tacky.

Like, for instance, the jar you take off a shelf at head height. It's maybe a hand wide and three hands deep, and you guess it was once used for pickling. The potter used a pretty glaze, however, making it pleasing to the eye. Unfortunately, when you turn it around, it had a large crack that runs almost the entire length of the jar. And it's not like you're going to be pickling on your way to Waterdeep.

You move to put it back, and something inside it clinks against the ceramic. Looking inside, you see a flat, diamond shaped stone. Torleth's is well-supplied with lanterns, so you can easily see the dwarven runes cut into its face.

You pull it out for a closer look. It's a dwarven runestone, written by a dwarf named Nain, of a clan whose insignia you don't recognize. The text is a treasure riddle. It is as incomprehensible at first glance as they all are.

((ooc: Here's what the runestone looks like. The central image and the four letter name above it are the same. The circular text is different, and reproduced in the second image, along with a translation into English.

Corym, I'm still working on yours.))

In reply to DM (msg # 166):

Examining the stone and translating it, the priest knows he has found what the company are looking for.

Keeping hold of the stone, Krackor carefully looks for more, excitement again starting to rise, he steels himself. Obar, take a look at this. Once you've had a look, would you be so kind as to hand this to Corym before it slips from my hand! Be very careful with it please.

Once Obar has taken the stone, the priest will relax and search for other snippets and clues.

Corym looks the stone over and reads the dwarf runes. "Oh my." He recovers quickly, "How common. Well, I suppose every dwarf should have one of these."  He regards Torleth, "Would you mind holding this, we'll be getting this for my young friend, at least."

Corym

The maps are like the rest of the store. Most of them are damaged, faded, moldy, or so vague as to only mean something to the one who drew it. But you do find a few interesting maps.

The first is on parchment, about three hands wide by two tall. It's a national map, with the name Athalantar in bold letters across the top. It shows the locations of several cities and towns clustered around a river. There are several forests making up most of the realm's borders, but you don't recognize the names the humans are using for them.

The second map you initially set aside. It's one of the many hastily-scribbled maps whose meaning is difficulty to decode. But something about the features on it rings a bell, and you take a closer look. It's actually two maps in one; the first shows a northern branch of the Sunset Mountains, and there's markings showing an entrance underground. The other map is more a set of directions, bearings and times heading down, east, and south. The directions end in a symbol that you vaguely remember reading on some very old Calishite maps back in Evereska. It means "city."

And then there are the treasure maps. Oh, the treasure maps. Those that aren't vague seem to have all been written by those who have listened to bards too many times (you lose track of the number of variations on "here be treasure"). Many are near illegible, most are impossible to even tell the general area they're located in. But they're there. ((ooc: If you want to take a treasure map, roll 1d100.))

The priest continued to look for 'stuff' until it was time to go, picking up things, putting them down again, putting with similar things 'neatening up'.

Harun waits for his companions to get done shopping.

Corym grabs the two maps that first drew his attention and calls to Torleth--"I believe we're finished Master Torleth! What do we owe you?"

Lexanna grabs one more of the treasure maps and tosses it on to Corym's pile.

The map Lexanna grabs is one of the loveliest of the maps. It's been drawn by someone with both a knowledge of cartography and an artistic flair. There are mountains and forests and a swamp, all depicted in multiple color ink and loving detail. A marked trail leads through them, ending in a heraldic crest you don't recognize. None of the landmarks seem immediately familiar, but anything with such detail must have some basis behind it.

Torleth looks over your purchases. "Eh? Oh, maps. Maps are promises, promises you can hold in a hand. So five gold each. You, master dwarf, are kin to stone, so I give you a kin price. Three gold."

((ooc: Each map is 5 gp. The runestone is 3 gp. Kora already paid for her armor.))

Rested and re-engergized from wandering through Torleth's you all mount up and continue on. Though the rain never really materializes again, the day remains cold and windy. All around you the trees are turning colors.

Aside from the usual caravans, the only people of interest you pass is a mounted patrol out of Daggerford, eight human  men and women in a variety of armor, one of whom is carrying a shield with Daggerford's device on it: a dagger dripping red on a blue field. When asked, they assure you that you can make the town before nightfall, and that they haven't seen any danger between there and here.

And so it proves. With the sun hanging just below the horizon to your left, you ride up to the walled town on Daggerford. The first part you see is Daggerford Castle, sitting on a hill over the rest of the town. A wooden wall hides the rest of it from sight until you pass through the gates.

Daggerford is a town of sturdy wooden buildings with thatch roofs. You've arrived through the south gate tower. To your left is the town itself, and you can see several dozen people walking through the early evening. To your right is a large open pasture, with cows, sheep, and horses clustered in herds and flocks scattered about. Even further to your right is the castle.

There is a guard at the gate, but she didn't challenge you when you rode in. Nor does there appear to be any gate fee. Welcome to Daggerford.

In reply to DM (msg # 175):

After thanking Torleth, paying the cost of the runestone and the journey, Krackor appreciates being back out in the open, but when the Daggerford patrol assures them all that they will reach the town before night fall, his thoughtful expression returns to joy as he envisages a comfy bed again.

Turning to the guard as the group enters the gate "Greetings, if you would, which inn and stables do you recommend for a comfy and pleasant stay for a day or two and what local rules must one abide by here?

"And a lore house--we'll have need of that."

Lexanna whispers to Harun, so we're here to do 'research' to know where to go next.  I get the feeling that 'we' is actually 'him.'  So what are we going to do until he finds what he's looking for.  Elves aren't known for their haste."

"Not really sure," Harun whispers back. "Daggerford isn't a big place. I'm sure there's a tavern about given the traffic through here."  He pauses for a second as he notices the cows. "A caravan guard once told me about this thing called 'cow tipping'. It seemed like a strange pastime... but now I'm oddly curious."

Well, this company depends on me to guide them, but I know next to nothing of the lay of this land. Nor do I have any maps other than the relics we just picked up. In many ways, if Corym is right, we’ll be going to places not often frequented by folks and may have to learn to make our own maps. I plan on heading out and learning the ways of the wilds around here, and a companion would be helpful. Maybe you could learn to make the maps while I learn to walk the trails. New skills, right?

Dwarvess and Elves don't always mix well, the aloof and the sturdy, yet Krackor was young, had learnt from many days standing guard in a single spot, that patience can help, however he had also learnt that when people focus too much, they can get lost in their task and miss important things, like friendship and family.

This was now a kind of family to the young Dwarf, he was finding out what their nuances were, Corym loved to Study, Harun wanted to see something different, Obar watches and takes his time before makeng the right choices, Kora tries to make it bigger, what ever 'bigger' was, Lexanna wanted to be out, out in the wilds.

He thought about himself then, wanting to see, to learn, to experience, to honour Gorm the best he could by following his tenants. Krackor had been shown this group, led to them specifically, mostly to help Obar, was he helped already? In part, maybe. The rest of his 'family'... They are just as important now.

How about we find this tavern that the helpful gate guard is about to tell us of, settle in then find out whats happening around hear whilst Corym searches for clues and maps? Between us we should be able to get something!

Wise beyond his years, he saw that in a town, the group could find somethings on their own, widen the net so to speak, to catch more information.

The gate guard smiles widely. "Aye, you've come to the right city. The Lady Luck tavern is what you want. You could go to the River Shining if you've got gold burning holes in your pouches, but Lady Luck is the one for people like you or me. Just don't drink from the goblet on the bar and you'll be fine.

"Lore-wise, well, you're not exactly spoiling for choice. Maybe Yellowknife has something, but he's more interested in training magelings. Kryptgarden Scrolls is the town library; if it's in town, it'll be there. You'll need to hire the scribes to do the research, though. They don't let just anyone read the books."

In reply to DM (msg # 182):

Many thanks and may the ever Vigilant Host see the good work you do.  My friend here will be very interested in the town library.

If you are allowed a gift of food, may this coin help you gain it  Krackor offers a couple of silver pieces to the Guard, just in case.

Once he has relayed the information to the group, the Guardian Priest exclaims I hear the pot calling along with the tankard, remember, don't touch the Goblet, I'm sure we'll see it when we go in.

"Excellent!" Corym exclaims.  "Though I'd rather do my own research.  Elorfindar probably could've gotten in as a friend of knowledge or what have you."

As they walk through the gate Corym rattles on, "I've heard of Kryptgarden.  They'll undoubtedly have what we need.  Everyone knows that Secomber was built atop the ruins of Hastarl, but the villages of Athalantar are largely undiscovered, and this map shows where they are.  What we need to find is some lore that will indicate which of them will present the richest target.  Athalantar was ruled by Mage Lords, and their secrets may prove both to he of great value for the present age.  A map for the present, an ancient travelogue, and we can be on our way."

"The Secomber area then? How long do you think it will take you?"
This message was last updated by the player at 22:09, Sat 20 Oct 2018.

The guard catches your coins and pockets them with a smile. "Glad to be of service. Welcome to Daggerford."

No telling.  We'll have to see how fluid Kryptgarden is.  Let's hurry on to the Inn.

On entering the tavern, Krackor moves to arrange food, drink and rooms for the company.

You walk into the Lady Luck tavern and instantly know that his place was made for you and your kind. Adventurers. Men and women who gamble on the blade's edge.

It's a converted warehouse, the tap room spreading out wide and far, only broken by the bar at the back and the wall separating the kitchen. Tables are scattered everywhere without any apparent pattern, more than half of them occupied by well-armed men and women. Most have some manner of weapon at their side, those who don't are fairly obviously magic users.

In the center of the taproom a single, massive, stone column reaches from the floor to the ceiling. It's studded with iron hooks and pegs, from which hang battered shields and blazons. More shields and weapons, along with severed monster heads, line the walls. The north wall, to your left and to the right of the bar, has been painted with a massive map of Faerun almost twenty feet tall. Around the circumference of the room on the second level are studded a series of small balconies, each large enough to fit a table for six or seven, with a narrow wooden stair leading to the ground floor.

Some heads turn when you enter; you're marked but no one seems to find you particularly of interest. There's a healthy hum of conversation throughout the tavern; it's still too early for the serious drinking to have gotten much under way. You take a seat at a table just large enough for you, and a barmaid comes by relatively quickly and takes orders for drink and food. When Krackor inquires, she says that the tavern doesn't have any rooms for rent. She suggests either the Daggerford Inn (dirty but warm) or Dragonback Inn (more rustic).

Lady, a large jug of Ale and enough goblets for one each please.
If you had to stay in one of those two inns, which would you choose?

"The Dragonback. I don't like dirt in my bed."

Thank you.

Once they were alone again "I'm sure rumours abound in here, we really should check out this Dragonback place though before rooms become full, I can go with one or two of you if preferred, procure sleeping space then return."

Once drinks had been emptied, Krackor vacates the tavern with whomever was going with him.

Harun quaffs down the first drink with Krackor then takes a seat next to Lexi. "When do you plan to head out and get a lay of the land?  I'll gladly accompany you.  Two are better than one if you're traveling."

He looks around the large room, "This is a comfortable place.  Not bad."

Harun, Lexanna, are you two going out of town?  If it's tomorrow, I wouldn't mind joining you although there may be some things I need to do here first.

It's nice enough in here but no beds

The Dragonback it is!

Corym keeps his eye out for interesting shops along the way.

"Well, let's see how long it takes us to lose Corym in his library. But soon.  My boys need wing-time, and the preparations we make now will save time later."
This message was last updated by the player at 12:16, Sat 27 Oct 2018.

Certainly!

Heading to the Dragonback, the young Dwarf takes in his surroundings, adjusting his gait to show more confidence, to stop any would-be assailant from trying their hand at Dwarf Smashing.

Once at the Inn, Krackor makes himself known to the bar staff and asks for a set of rooms or enough for Seven people, 3 females and 4 males if that makes a difference.

The Dragonback Inn turns out to be just two buildings down the street, across the street from the city's northern wall. That road is paved and well-maintained, and there are frequent lanterns that keep it well-lit. The inn itself is, well, it's as rustic as Daggerford keeps saying it isn't. It's a three story half-timber building, with tall, open-beamed ceilings and plaster in dire need of replacement both outside and inside.

But the roast on the spit smells good, speaking to tasty meals in the future. And the rooms, when you're led to them, are snug and warm with comfortable beds. As an inn, you could do far, far worse.

The next morning, over a dawnfry of oatmeal, bacon, sausage, and assorted garden greens, you plot strategy and the day's activities.

((ooc: With caravan season winding down the Dragonback has rooms for as long as you need them.

Corym, I know you're heading to the library. You'll need to give the scribes a list of questions or research topics. What do you want them to focus on, and how long do you want to give them?

Everyone else, what do you want to do in Daggerford or the environs?))

I'd like to know about settlements in Athalantar other than Hastarl.  Hastarl is underneath Secomber, and was shattered by an orc horde.

Presumably, according to the feudal order of Athalantar some of these Magelords would have maintained their bases of power in villages where their influence would not be so hotly contested.  Country houses, dacha, private chateaus, things like that.  If I can *hear* about them, this map will let me locate them.

I'd really like to help research--one to make contacts, and two to defray costs.  I know that they don't do that, but I know (OOC:) that they have a free association with the Thinker's Fraternity down the road, and that members of the fraternity get to research for free and get all access.  Seems like it would be a decent place for Corym to associate with, and he might find some similarly minded folks, or at least others interested in his ideas.  I don't have Knowledge Local: The North, though, and this won't show up in the Ancient History of the North proficiency that I have.

Speaking of--I DO have the Ancient History: The North proficiency.  Can I make a check to see if I can focus my questions to be more productive for the scholars?  Maybe demonstrate my worthiness as a fellow scholar?
This message was last edited by the player at 14:13, Wed 31 Oct 2018.

My PC sheet is in disarray,  and I'm re-doing it (hopefully for the last time).  I think I may have an extra NWP, and I'd like to use it to build my trail-lore of the North.  To that end I want to lead a private expedition into the wilderness.  I want to familiarize myself with the Flora and Fauna of the area and walk the way to Secomber and back because that seems like where we're going.  Find the good camps, know where to escape to and the like.  I can also work my falcons out in the open area.

Before leaving I'd like to talk to other hunters, caravan guides, and foresters to get a mental lay of the land.  A non-ancient map would also be a keen find.

We can do some hunting/trapping so that it is also a money making venture.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:08, Wed 31 Oct 2018.

I also need to identify the gnome's stuff, and run the analysis on Krackor's beers with my new spell before he goes.

I'm going where Lexi goes and being her personal brute squad. :-)

((ooc: Lexi, it's 175 miles to Secomber. That's seven day's ride each way, assuming no trouble. Do you want to take half a month for your trip?))

That seems extreme maybe just a hunting trip then to learn the Flora/Fauna of the North; and talk to hunters, guides, and trails men about the surroundings
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 12:54, Sun 04 Nov 2018.

Krackor enjoys the nights sleep and in the morning adresses Lexi and Harun.

My friends, the spells I can on each of you over the weeks allow me to know when you are in danger, they will last 2 & 3 days respectively. If you are gone longer, I would not know, I will not renew today so I know you will be back by 3 days. I shall worry as I still do for Elorfinder, Bran and Taeghen.

You have my blessings though. I feel I need to say some words at a shrine for Vesna or I would join you.

Krackors thoughts betrayed his caring side more than he would say. He is their Gardian and when the party splits, he doesn't so much worry as has concerns of if he is doing his job right by staying with some and not others. Obar remains and he is the reason the Dwarf Priest joined, by Gorms Devine Blessing.

Lexi, Harun, I would join you but this is your thing this day, I will be here and find you if sonething goes a miss. Lexi, your birds can find us can they not if needs be?

He the finds Corym and Obar.  Corym, with whom ever stays behind, I will see what can be found out from the locals. Obar, we need to discuss your head aches Krackor hoped his friend knew what he meant by that last comment.

Corym

Bright and early you present yourself at the doors of Kryptgarden Scrolls. Inside is a medium-sized room, with a large desk opposite the door and several smaller tables to the side. An elegant tapestry depicting the interwoven sigils of Oghma and Deneir hangs on the wall to your left.

The room is empty save for a middle-aged woman sitting behind the desk. She rises as you enter and extends an ink-stained hand. "Welcome to Kryptgarden Scrolls. My name is Estel. How may I help you today?"

You fill her in on your research interests, which she jots down on a sheet of paper. "Athalantar, eh? Been awhile since someone asked about the Stag Kingdom. I know our collection has something on it. What is your time frame?" She nods. "We charge ten gold a day for research. You can view the items we find here in this room and take whatever notes you wish, or we can make copies at standard rates. Any questions?"

Lexi and Harun

You leave Daggerford through the northern gate, cross the Delimbiyr River, and then turn east, leaving the trade road. You've been warned that a day's walk north is the Laughing Hollow, a place best avoided, so for the moment you keep about a mile between you and the river.

It's a brisk, clear fall day, the wind whipping about your ankles and bringing a flush to your cheeks. The trees near the river are all in fall colors, and the thigh-high grass you're walking through is golden. You keep your eyes peeled for changes in the terrain, and you quickly start to get a feel for the kinds of plants that make up the area, and the small game that hides and scurries.

Your raptors are not the only birds of prey soaring the air currents. This is hawk country, with perches a plenty in the trees by the river, and plentiful hunting in the grass. Your hawk takes down a succession of ground mice, devouring each of them with happy noises. The hunting is a bit sparser for your falcon, but eventually she manages to take a song bird that strayed too far from the trees and has a tasty meal of her own.

Towards late afternoon you see someone else ahead of you. A single figure making their way more or less toward you. A bit more walking and the figure turns into a man, carrying a thick bundle over his shoulder. He waves at you, smiling. "Hello!" A bit of time passes; he's not moving particularly quickly under his burden's weight. "Good to see a friendly face out here! What takes you from the roads?"

Coming closer, it becomes clear that the man is a trapper. It looks like he's been out in the wilderness for months, and the bundle is a tightly-bound mass of furs. He sets it carefully on the ground and sighs with relief. Rolling his shoulders back and forth, he takes a long drink from his waterskin. You note, however, that he's armed, and his eyes never leave you as he drinks.

"Corym Ildroun.  Charmed, truly.  I'm fully capable of making my own notes--I've only just come from a long period of scholarship at the Seat of Lore in Berdusk. I've also been a research partner to a Chronologian of Labelas Enoreth for quite some time.  As such, might I be permitted to assist in the research in order to hasten the process?  While my time is expansive, my pouch is not."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:06, Thu 08 Nov 2018.

"I'm new in the area.  I come from the Far Hills and know the areas there very well.  I'm going to have the responsibility of helping my company navigate these areas going forward and need to build my familiarity with the woods, winds, and wilds.  The wizard will learn what he will from a map, but I can get a better grip on things from here.  You have the look of one who's walked this way and that for awhile now. Can we share your camp?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:07, Thu 08 Nov 2018.

Harun kept his hands away from his weapons and gave a friendly wave and smile to the trapper.  He did watch the man closely though.  No need to act sketchy but no need to be foolish either. "Hi," he greeted the man. "Looks like hunting's been good."

Estel smiles and gives you a cheerful bow. "Always a pleasure to meet a fellow lover of books and knowledge. But sadly, no.  Only Kryptgarden scribes are allowed access to the collections. We have a duty to future generations to preserve the knowledge of today. We take our guardianship seriously. Now, do you have any other questions or specifics I should provide the scribes?"

"Best trapping season I've had in the last four years," the man says. "I've been surprised every day; this land's been getting a bit hunted out. Many more years like the last two and I'll have to find somewhere else to trap."

He looks at Lexi, impressed. "The Far Hills! That's rough territory, and I don't mean the hills. I hope I won't have to go that far to find good hunting. You have light feet to have survived there."

Glancing down at the bundle, then at the horizon, he chuckles. "Aye. I'll not make Daggerford today. Follow me. I know a good place to make camp."

He swings the furs over his shoulder with a grunt, turns, and heads towards the river. The man clearly knows the area; he leads you down a gentle trail to a fold in the rolling plains. The river twists toward you in a rather lazy turn, and at the top of the arch is a clear area about thirty feet in diameter, hidden from view of the surrounding plains by a roll of the land and several large trees spreading overhead.

Setting the furs down again the man turns to you. "Now then. I'm Reld. How shall I call you?"

"My head always hurts,sometime more sometime less"

"We should see what we can do to eleviate this a little"

Harun placed the palms of his hands together in front of him and offered a slight bow. "I am Harun As-Saif, at your service." He smiles as he straightened back up. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Reld. I'm mostly here because I'm slow." He jerked a thumb at Lexi. "She figures if we tick off a bear or something that she can at least outrun me."

"I wouldn't worry too much about the bears," Reld says with a grin as he gets a fire going. "They're too worried putting the last few pounds on to want to chase someone as stringy as you."

DMPC'ed

"I agree, Krackor," Karilla says, falling in with the two dwarves. She grins at you. "Headaches are terrible things. They make it harder to drink."

In reply to Karilla Silveroak (msg # 218):

Uummm, thought Krackor then his grin grew and he laughed loud. "Excellent idea, lets see if we can find a cure for your head ache Obar"

"Drinking helps, bout the only way I've found to help chase away the spirits.  You know spirits to fight spirits."

Obar is willing to give what Krackor has to offer a try.

Athalantan settlements other than Hastarl.  Names and reputations of Magelords and bases of operation.

But I do have a question about the nature of this library.  I don't know that I've ever seen a library not affiliated directly with Oghma, or Deneir, or a brotherhood of Mages.  How did Kryptgarden come to be?  Is it totally without ties to either the arcane or the divine?

Lexi, she responds.  I'm happy to share your camp.  What creatures do you trap?  You mention that you range across the North--what can you tell me of these lands?

Krackor and Obar

The day is relatively early, but that doesn't mean all of the taverns are closed. You return to the Lady Luck and find that while it's mostly empty, the taps are open and there's warm bread fresh from the oven to go with them. A smiling young man of about sixteen leads you to a table near the center of the taproom and brings you bread and beer. A little while later he brings you all a second round.

After he leaves, you notice a couple of greybeards at a table further toward the wall are leaning towards each other. "You know what I hear?" one of them asks in a conspiratorial tone you're just barely able to hear. "I hear the Zhentarim are planning on setting up a secret school of magic here in town. Looking to spread their web all up and down the coast, and they paid the duke a pretty gold coin for the honor."

His companions mutter amongst themselves, shaking their heads and scratching their beards.

Lexi and Harun

"Lexi. A pretty name. Of course, just about any name would be pretty this time of year. I don't see much of anybody, save the occasional orc."

Between the three of you, the camp comes together quickly. There's enough dried wood along the river to make a decent fire, and you share the fresh food you've brought from Daggerford.

"Ah, real bread," Reld sighs. "I could do without most of so-called civilization, but bread is a gift from the gods and there's no arguing. Now, what were you asking? Right. I don't really wander very far. I follow the game north of the river. Up to the edge of Ardeep Forest, east until Secomber eats all the game. I stay out of the Laughing Hollow; far too fey for my taste. They'd probably object to a little honest trapping. Saw the Crumbling Stair, once. But that was too creepy. And too far north. Too long walk with furs on my back from there."

Corym

You return after several days of identifying the magical items you took from the gnome adventurer ((ooc: More on that later.)) to be greeted by the same woman at the library. "You're in luck. The scribes were able to find a travel guide written originally in Calimshan about Athalantar, as well as a diary. They should be of help to you."

Over the next two days of detailed reading and note taking you learn a great deal of generalities about the long-vanished Realm of the Stag.

((ooc: The travel guide was written in 235 DR, the diary in 237 DR. You learn general overview of the realm up to those dates from the Dragon Magazine article on Athalantar. You also learn:

* Names of the seven "warring princes"
* Shandrath "Wyrmhumbler" was the realm's chief mage from before the days of the magelords. You learn the location of his tower "Wyrm Tower," four miles northwest of Secomber
* The following information about the magelords (all of it from the diary, most of it sketchy; it's clear the writer, a sometime farmer and forester, was terrified of them)
-- Undarl: leader, very powerful, do not cross
-- Ithboltar "The Old One": very powerful, never left Hastarl and gods be thanked for it
-- Taraj Hurlymm: lived way up the Unicorn Run, liked to grab locals and do terrible things to them, avoid like the plague (you learn the location of his compound)
-- Briost Elthauryn: wandered the realm talking to people, seemed far too friendly, go in the other direction when seen
-- Eth Junster: never shut up about killing an umber hulk (whatever that is, if it even exists), was killed three years ago, good riddance))

In reply to DM (msg # 223):

Listening hilst drinking, Krackor, as usual, doesn't always know when to stay quiet, this was one of those times, wise enough to wait though.

Leaning back "Hello, couldn't help but hear you mention the Black Network, did you know they've been kicked out of a few places lately? You'd see no tears from me though.
You say the Duke is involved!" Krackor hoped that the greybeards could see from his words he wasn't a fan but because they had intoned the words, they couldn't spread his words without giving themselves up too.

Krackor then raised his tankard and asked the group to join them. "Pull your seats around, next few rounds are on me, share your stories, we are interested as long as you can keep up" he then winked conspiractorily with his big cheery grin.

At the conclusion of the week's research, Corym was ecstatic.  Not one but two potential sites!  The Wyrm Tower and a Wizard's compound in Unicorn Run.  The fact that the librarian avoided his questions regarding the nature of the library bothered him less in the light of these findings.

He hurried back to the inn to speak with Krackor, Karilla, and Obar.  He pulls them into a room apart from the others.

"Shandrath the Wyrmhumbler was a reclusive and powerful sorcerer that erected "The Wyrmtower" seemingly overnight and was a prolific meddler in Athalantar's affairs.  His tower was "shattered" by the Magelords that came to rule Athalantar.  Of the upper levels, certainly there will be nothing left to consider, but the lower levels ought to still exist.  He seemed to have extensive scrying magics, including a glass dedicated to these purposes, some sort of construction magic (else how could he have so rapidly raised his tower), and then his 'wyrm-humbling' magicks for which he achieved his notoriety.  Probably the project will require some excavation after the location is surmised, but I have a very definite understanding of where it ought to be, and we have a period map to help contextualize what I learned in research.

"The second is a compound of one of the Magelords, Taraj Hurlymm.  Taraj ruled a settlement called Dalnir on behalf of Athalantar up in Unicorn Run.  Again, I'm very certain of the location.

"There are pages of more leads, but these are the only two that I could take us directly to."
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:36, Tue 04 Dec 2018.

Corym

While the scribes are researching, you spend your time in your room, carefully and methodically identifying the magical items you took from the gnome thief in Castle Dragonspear. In the end you're pleased. Really pleased. Which is only to be expected, since you're a thief robbing a thief.

((ooc: The four items are:
Dagger +2
Gloves of the Feline (NG)
Wand of Fog
Oil of Unlocking))

The young woman giggled a little, but her eyes widened in curiosity. "You stay out here for that long at a time? You're either very good at protecting yourself or very knowledgeable in escaping the notice of the dangers in these parts.  What does a traveler have to be wary of out here?  I've heard tales of Uthgardt barbarians and Orc Hordes, but you make your living out here.  How? This is the 'savage north' after all!"
This message was last updated by the player at 03:28, Sat 24 Nov 2018.

Krackor

"Kicked out?" the old man demands, turning to you. "The Black Network is spreading everywhere! Their caravans are in Waterdeep. Their flag is is over Llorkh and Mintarn and their people are trying to take over Red Larch and Amphail. Now our Duke's involved! They're like a kracken, spreading their tentacles around us until they crush us."

"Settle down, Iltarse," one of the other greybeards says. "Take the dwarf up on his offer and drink some more beer. Things'll look better."

"They'll look double," Iltarse mutters. He takes the offered mug, however, and drinks deeply. "The Zhentarim are coming. Mark my words. Everything we've done, everything we've fought for, is being undone. And we're too old and weak to do anything about it."

Drinking with the greybeards, "Yes, kicked out, I saw it with my own eyes, trying to be underhanded and get others into trouble, it backfired on them." Nodding at the pain in the old mans voice and expression... "You say the Duke is involved, any other influential?  My manners, forgive me, I am Krackor Steelfist, at your service"

A few days after talking with the Greybeards and looking around (usually from behind a tankard since most people seem to talk near a Dwarf when they think him non-threatening and with drink), Krackor listens to Corym.

"Interesting Corym, I have a feeling that the Mage-Tower may be full of traps but something that the Black Network are likely to use as a base if they find it.  They appear to be gaining a hold in this place and the lands around, even the Duke is supposed to be involved."  The priest hoped that this would encourage the company captain to possibly look at exposing the Zhentarim here too.

Lexi

"'The Savage North.' Good one." Reld snorts. "That's Luskan, not the backlands around Daggerford. The Uthgardt haven't been this south since their maiden queen got herself buried under the tor. Orcs the same. Oh, we've got some here, never doubt, but it's all small tribes in the hills, or fighting each other in the moor.

"Around here, you never know what you'll find. I saw a unicorn over in the Laughing Hollow, once, and another up in Ardeep. I've seen wyverns on the wing, and you better believe I hid until they were gone. I've been bitten by furry snakes and killed kobolds trying to steal from my traps. And I know there's a dragon in the moor, but I haven't gone looking for it."

He tosses some more wood on the fire and smiles as sparks leap into the air. "That's the joy of the Western Heartlands."

Krackor

You hang out with Daggerford's greybeards and their wives for several days. They're happy to pass along the latest chant as long as you keep buying.

Most of them seem to think Iltarse is a paranoid crank. The man is downright hilarious when he's not fixated on the Zhents, so you can understand why they keep him around. There's definitely some worry about the Black Network. The capture of Llorkh to the east means they've seen an increase in Zhent-flagged barges coming down the river, though interestingly not all of them seem to make it through the Laughing Hollow.

They're more worried about bandits making the trade road difficult. It seems that they were more of a problem this year than last, and there's always a worry that like starving wolves they'll band together and raid the town when winter faces them with starvation.

Iltarse, of course, insists that the Zhentarim are funding the brigands. The others don't entirely discount the idea.

((ooc: I don't want to have things drag any more than they already have what with the break. Please everyone consider yourselves gathered back in Daggerford, so you can decide where you go next.

Krackor and Lexi, if you want to continue your conversations with the locals/fur trapper, you're welcome to. We'll double-track the conversation.))

As long as I’ve established sufficient basis IC for developed a knowledge of the highways and byways in the region, I’m good.

“Now there’s a bit of business we’re best steering clear of.  We’ve done our part and doubtless there’s prices on our heads now. Don’t forget that it’s partly to escape their reach after Hill’s Edge that we now find ourselves here. Start looking for Zhent’s behind every stone and eventually you’ll find them—and be found BY them too!  That being said—I find the ruins of the tower to be the more intriguing of the two prospects. Greater Art in the tower, but perhaps more remains of the compound given how far removed it was from Hastarl. “

Corym reveals the four items plundered from the fallen gnome:

Dagger +2--Who wants?  Or just keep for barter?

Gloves of the Feline (NG)--The wearer can climb walls (80%), minimize damage from falling, attack with the claws, and jump great heights once per day.  Restricted to use by NG characters.  Full disclosure, I'm NG.  If anyone else is NG and wants them we can vote on it, but this is very much in my wheel house.

Wand of Fog--can be used by any class (nice!)  basically summon some fog.  It's a decent take for Kora, who doesn't always have good options right now, or me if I'm robbing someone, but I can borrow it in that case.

Oil of Unlocking--If I can't unlock it, we have a problem.  I tend to think that someone else should carry this in case we're separated you'll have some unlocking capabilities without me

The charter says that it all belongs (is owned by) to the company, but the Captain can distribute possession (is borrowed by) individuals.

If you'd like one of these, let me know.  .

In reply to Corym Ildroun (msg # 235):
Krackor enjoys the company of Obar, Karilla and occasionally Corym and Kora at the Tavern.  The Greycloaks and they wives just makes it even more interesting and makes the group 'appear' one of the Daggerford Regulars, he hopes.
Corym, I understand about the possible price and your concerns, I too have concerns after the ambush at the Castle.  However, my guess and it's only a guess, is that the Tower is just that, a Tower with a chance of an out building or two.  I will go with your vote though.

Krackor has a magical Dagger and would rather those who don't, to have it.
He would concur that Kora and the Wand of Fog would be a good match however, I'd also wonder if Obar would be able to use it should his mind magic not be able to help.  A Torchbearer and Wall of Fog may be counter! just a thought.
'Gloves', unless there is someone else in the party that can use them, Krackor is LG so not him, he don't mind who has them.


The priest looks over his companions as they gather once more and sees how they are so well bonded, even Harun appears to have become a secure member of the group.
* DM, I'm fine with moving it on.
* Corym, can the GoogleDoc be updated with who is a member of the Company please, I couldn't spot it anywhere
This message was last edited by the player at 23:04, Tue 04 Dec 2018.

Counting the rest as abstentions, we’ll distribute as I’ve indicated, and proceed to Secomber and from there to the tower of the Wyrmhumbler.

The priest approved of Corym's decision and poured him a large drink from the jug at the Tavern table they seem to have made their own over the last week. May Gorm grant us a passage that we can handle  Then grinned at his own words in the knowledge that this could mean a good scrap for those who needed it.

Obar, takes the first mug and quickly gulps it down and slams his mug down. "Mine seems to be empty."

He will pour himself another drink and top off the drinks of the others before slamming down his second.  He looked over at Krackor and Karilla, offering a slight grin, "Starting to feel a bit better now"   He let out a burp.  "Needed to make some room"

In reply to Obar (msg # 240):

Obar's actions raises a laugh out of Krackor who quickly refills all the mugs and raises his "To friends and finding trouble" the rye look in his eyes having a twinkle in them.

After finishing his drinks and seeing a few people slip under the table, the priest leans forward to his friends, those of his company "When do we leave?"

“I see no reason to remain beyond the time needed to supply our travel to Secomber!”

Harun and I talked with an old trapper in the woods. I feel like I’ve got a good lay of the land.

In reply to Lexanna Riggin (msg # 243):

Excellent, where are we off to then?

Group

After taking a day to restock supplies and buy some warmer clothing, you set out from Daggerford heading northeast. Lexi leads the way, keeping well north of the Laughing Hollow. Winter is starting to settle; there is frost on the grass in the morning, the skies are more grey than blue, and you can see your breath for several bells each morning.

Guided by Corym's research and map, you are eventually able to find the ruins of Wyrm Tower. There isn't much left, at first glance. Just a few low, broken walls and shattered masonry hither and yon. It takes Corym, with the group's help, several days to piece things together.

The tower is here, alright. But it was shattered in a massive magical battle. You find pieces of the walls hurled more than four hundred feet away from the foundations. The bumps in the rough ground that have been trying to break your ankles are actually pieces of the tower, dirt-covered and grassy after more than a thousand years. You dig a few up out of curiosity, and find scorch marks and acid pitting; remnants of a long ago battle.

With the tower itself lost, your attentions turn to its cellars. Guided by Corym, and working quickly before the weather turns any further and the ground starts to free, you dig away in what was once Wyrm Tower's kitchen. Towards evening, you find a staircase leading down into the earth.

It's packed with rubble, thick blocks of masonry that have been filled in between with wind-blown dirt. That might have been the end of the expedition, if it were not for Krackor. After studying the problem, the barakor shifts his spells and the next morning is able to shape a passage through the stone.

You descend into the earth. Krackor and Lexi lead the way, Kora walking beside Harun holding the light high. It's a bit of an effort for her to get her massive sword through the tunnel, but she refuses to leave it behind. The rest of you follow.

The stairs go down about fifteen feet and end in what was obviously once a pantry. There are still ceramic jars piled along the sides of the walls. Large ones seem mostly intact, smaller ones are shattered from where they fell when the shelves they were on succumbed to rot. The air is still, a thick layer of dirt and dust cover the floor, and a wooden door bound in rust-caked iron stands at the far end.

Corym checks the door carefully for traps and doesn't find any. He steps back, and Harun struggles to pull the door open. The wood has both swollen and rotted over the centuries, and after a final yank the entire door comes apart.

As its pieces rain down around Harun, an elderly male voice speaks from the air around you. "I... think..." It stops, stutters. "not... think... kniht... I."

Time around you slows. The door's timbers hang in the air, the dust shines in Kora's light. You can see yourselves, your perceptions both behind your eyes and in the room at large, watching as your heads slowly turn towards the noise.

Ribbons of light burst from the ceiling. They shimmer and sinuously snake through the air, each moment a different color. They are generally reaching towards you, but they stagger and sway, as though a cobra had spent far too long at the tavern and now wasn't entirely certain where the mouse was.

Your thoughts clear and fast but your bodies slowed like molasses on a winter morning, you're unable to move as the ribbons reach out for you. One leans through the air toward Krackor but sails over his head by more than a foot. It wraps around one of the large ceramic jars on the floor, then thickens and pulses. Both ribbon and jar wink out at the same time.

Frantic now, you try to run, but barely manage to lift a foot before more ribbons are upon you. All of the are flailing like blind eels, but there are too many for them to avoid you entirely.

Lexi is the first to disappear. A black ribbon edged in green wraps around her arm. It tightens and seems to suck light from the surrounding air. Then both it and her are gone.

Harun and Obar are grabbed around the ankles by a blue ribbon and disappear together. Karilla isn't grabbed so much as she is hit over the head by a red ribbon. She vanishes, cross-eyed.

Another ribbon flails towards Corym. It seems to want to wrap around his torso, but all it manages to do is slam into his stomach, while doing the same to Krackor and Kora.

Ice spreads out from the impact. Your mind tries to process while your body still hasn't figured out whether it's going to crumple. Then the ice flashes hot, and your vision goes black.

You're in a void, with nothing save an impression of flying and flipping. A scent of wet forest dirt an dry stone fills your nostrils. And then you are standing somewhere completely different.