8th to 11th day of Palesun 1492
Mission:
Campaign: Saving the Druid Grove of Karion
Location(s): High Forest, Evaliir.
Present: Anor, Aramil, Bandur, Karion, Paskan
8th:
Aerie and Garet informed the group that they would be heading to Axeholme for a while. Garet handed the central pendent to Anor.
As they departed Bandur arrived from Mithral Hall.
The group found themselves standing on an old Elven Road. The road went north and south. In the far distance they could just make out the snowy tops of mountains.
The group made good going and as the sky turned dark, they arrived at a junction. The road went east and west.
After setting up camp for the night and as Anor took the first watch, he heard Aramil moving towards him as he continued his watch in the centre of the camp. At least it wasn’t cold enough to have a fire, he just shrugged his cloak tighter and indicated to Aramil to sit.
Anor: “Heard you when you got up. You’re
not as quiet as you think.”
Aramil couldn’t sleep and began a
conversation with Anor about where he was from, trying to learn a little bit
more about his travelling companion. Anor
thought awhile before answering. ‘Aramil hadn’t been himself for a while,
perhaps a chat would help him.’
Anor: “I was born in a small trading village on the borders
of Luskan, in the foothills of the Spine of the World mountains. My
family were traders and blacksmiths in the small community, here we traded with
groups of Barbarians that travelled the land for furs and exotic pelts and gems
and with southern merchants for supplies and goods favoured by the barbarian
community. One day however my cousin and I were out hunting when I saw smoke
rising from their village we rushed back to hear the sound of screams and the clash of arms. Upon entering the village, it was clear what was
happening, a barbarian band was after plunder , weapons and women. We rallied
the villagers and fought off the band killing all but twenty of their number,
however I lost my parents and brother. So I went after the survivors, tracked them
all down and took my revenge for myself and my two surviving sisters. After this
life was not the same so, I left my sisters with an aunt, and began a new life.
I travelled to Neverwinter and took a job in the town guard before joining a
band of mercenaries. With this band I improved my marshal prowess on land and
occasionally on the water and rose to a position of leadership within the
group. It was during this time I picked up a sleek and well-made longsword
which has the name of ‘Alastor’
the story of how I received the sword is a long one and one best kept for
another time perhaps.
After a couple of years, I left the
mercenaries and decided to set up in business as a bounty hunter, a job I
seemed to excel at. I travelled between the major towns and quickly got a
reputation for tenacity and for getting the job done. I also made sure I always
got my quarry and I never reneged on a promise or job. After two more years my
reputation as a bounty hunter was high, but due to the nature of the business I
was not trusted and in places was shunned and was a name used to scare
children.
This changed however when I came across a village just outside
Waterdeep, at first the village closed its doors and cast scared glances in my
direction as I moved about first to the local smithy, to repair some equipment
and then to the village tavern. I approached the tavern barkeep and ordered food
and ale and asked about a room, apparently there being none available. At this
point the door opened and a burly man entered, followed by five swaggering
thugs. The leader of the gang then ordered the patrons to turn out their
pockets and for the tavern owner to give his men food, money and the barmaids.
Suffice to say I refused their demands and put an end to their depravations. It
was after this I was approached by a stranger who had been present in the inn, he introduced himself and
explained he was a member of an Order dedicated to fighting evil and he would like
to engage my services on a retainer.
I went to work for the Order and after a few months was inducted as a
member, taking bounties for them. A couple of years ago I was on a mission when I was introduced to my companion Karion, who was also a member
and we have become friends and companions and our talents seem to complement one another."
“Ah my young friend, for I hope I may now call you such, Karion and I
were in Waterdeep when we received a message from our Order that one of
our compatriots was in a bit of a tight spot and may need some assistance
tracing a missing Dwarf delegation, so we travelled to Bargewright keeping a
sharp ear for the name Garet Jax. We arrived a couple of days before your party
arrived. There we approached Garet and the rest you know as we have been
included since then.”
Aramil was half listening as his eyes
closed. Anor put his cloak around the young wizard's shoulders and let him rest.
9th:
It was an uneventful night as the group arose.
in the morning light 2 lone mountains could be seen to the west. The tops of a larger range of mountains could be seen to the south. The trail, the old Elven Road, split to the east and west. There was not a defined path to the south. Paskan confirmed that area had very thick thorn bush patches. The same area he had lost his dagger in last night.
Karion went off to one side and asked Paskan to head out of sight with Grymm. Karion began uttering words in Elven and after an hour a hawk settle near him.
After about 8 to 10 minutes the hawk flew away. Karion informed the group that the two roads went around the mountains, but the hawk had indicated that the left-hand trail was the better to use. It also led to an Elf Tree City.
It took the rest of that day for them to reach a river. Across the river was an overgrown Elven bridge. Bandur grunted at the stonework. It was finely made but it wasn't Dwarven made.
They made camp. Anor and Paskan went hunting for food to supplement the groups dry rations. After two hours, Paskan had lost his knife, but Anor had bagged a juicy rabbit and a squirrel. It had cost him several bolts, but he was happy with his catch.
Bandur: "Karion, what is Raer Tasa? It's Elvish I know that but what does it mean?"
Karion: "It means Unicorn Run my friend".
The group sat and watched as Karion prepared the evening meal, Paskan and Armil assisted. It was a case of too many cooks spoiled the broth. The meal was all but inedible. They slept and watched, watched and slept.
10th:
After another uneventful night Karion again moved to one side and put his hands down on the ground and began to hum and chant. The others could see the grass and plants sway this way then towards the bridge. Then away, then back to the bridge again. Three times they did this before Karion stood up and told them, we cross the bridge. After half an hour Karion stood still and looked around him, then up to the trees. He pointed. The others looked up and could see platforms at various heights within the tree canopy. Bridges of rope and wood joining them together.
The group looked towards Karion. He wasn't there. They looked around and then noticed that Aramil wasn't there either. Anor shouted: back-to-back. But only Paskan and Bandur's backs touched. They spun around, Anor was gone too. Bandur drew his battle axe and spun it around his head. As he circled around, he saw that he was alone. He sunk to his knees an uttered a silent prayer. When he opened his eyes, he was surrounded by the others and what's more, the Elf city was alive with Elves. People were walking across abandoned bridges up high.
The group gazed around in wonderment as the tall, brightly dressed Elves passed them by. Not one cast a glance in their direction. Karion offered an Elven greeting to a passer-by. The passer-by stopped, stared at Karion then shook his head and walked off without a backward glance.
The crowd walking past opened up and they could see an elegantly dressed female Elf sitting on a branch wave her hand for them to come over.
As they approached Karion told the others to hold back. He was about to introduce himself when the female elf said:
Female Elf: "Karion, what is your purpose in Evaliir?"
Karion: "We seek the pools of the moon and were guided here by a hawk."
As Karion spoke a blue mist spread from the hand of the female Elf and circled around the group. Anor waited for something bad to happen, but nothing did.
Ternarende: "My name is Ternarende, Seer of the City of Evaliir. You are protected whilst you remain here, as long as you do nothing to provoke my people. You are welcome to stay as long as you wish."
Karion: "Can you tell me how to get to the pools of the moon Ternarende?"
Ternarende: "Travel the road south for 4 days and you will arrive where your question may be answered. However, you may rest awhile and are more than welcome to stay as long as you wish."
Karion: "We have need to press on with all speed, but I thank you for your kind offer."
Karion turned around but he was alone back where he started. It was some time before the others re-joined him 1 by 1, all save Anor.
It was 3 hours later that Anor eventually arrived back. He carried 5 packages, but he was missing his halberd.
Aramil: "What happened Anor, what are the packages and where is your halberd Mage Slayer?"
Anor was surprised to see it night. They had entered Evaliir early in the morning, it was now the dark of night.
Karion: "Don't looked surprised Anor. I fear that Evaliir is Fey and time passes strangely in the Fey. Some 15 minutes have elapsed since we entered Evaliir but some 15 hours have passed."
Anor shook himself then said:
Anor: "These are gifts from Ternarende. I think it is Elven bread. She said it would provide sustenance for our journey and not to kill any more living animals for food. I had to surrender something precious to me, I surrendered Mage Slayer for killing the woodland creatures we ate last night! She also told me the road south wasn't as safe as we might assume"
Paskan: "Was Grymm there, I've lost Grymm. Since I sent him to hunt for food he hasn't returned!"
Anor: "I didn't see him. Perhaps he is still hunting".
Anor shared the Elve bread out and they settled down for another uneventful night.
11th:
The group were up early. A cold breakfast, quickly packing up their small camp and they continued their journey along the old Elf Road.
Late afternoon, as the road approached the mountains, Karion felt a powerful evil presence in the mountains. He advised that the group should push on. Night fall found them in amongst old abandoned Ef ruins. Another city or town of some sort. Overgrown and totally in ruins. They found shelter not far from an enormous statue of an Elf King or Lord or Warrior.
They couldn't make out much detail. Aramil pointed out some walls that gave them shelter on two sides. He told them all to huddle close then he cast a spell.
Player Notes:
Experience up to the end of this session:
Rations used since leaving Silverymoon: Aerie and Garet 4 Anor, Aramil, Bandur and Paskan 8
Coins: No change to anyone's totals.
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