Before he rests for the evening, Ink, disturbed, or perhaps intrigued, by the talk of his fellows and their plans for Noaner's Hold (held off-line) uses his final use of sending and contacts 'it:'
"It puzzled me how quickly you raised so many, but tonight I remembered something. He will take his wand back - he always does."
Flint's brewing kit seems well-built and ready to receive ingredients!
The telepathic reply comes back to Ink, a haughty air added to the grating mental noise, <You have much to learn, though you have good instincts. Come and learn from me, and together we will unravel mystery after mystery.>
As the sun dawns on the Savage Frontier, you are greeted with swaths of glistening snow on the ground and in the trees far below. A light dusting, from the looks of it, and the coverage is spotty from this vantage point. However, you feel the frozen air as it enters your nostrils on this clear day, making it obvious that winter has come. You find yourself grateful that you have heavy winter clothes from your time in the mountains a couple months ago.
It isn't long before you are approaching familiar farming town of Triboar. The rather small (but iconic), leaning Tower of the Lord Protector still dominates the middle of the town square, and Flint & Ink can tell that there have been some efforts to rebuild after the devastating giant attack. The most notable difference is the new, half-finished, wooden palisade, which looks as if it will eventually enclose a generous portion of the town.
The cultist crew follow your instructions to the letter, bringing the ship to a hovering 50 feet in the air over the large grove of naked trees just to the west of the town. They arrest the ship's momentum and drop the rope ladders. Delsephine nods. "All's in order...we'll pull up the ladders as a precaution; wouldn't do to have just anyone climb aboard. When should we expect you back?"
Flint descends intending to pay a visit to Gheldryn Foehammer and the main store. Looking for any price he thinks is reasonable for the armor and looking for the brewing ingredients.
As Quill and Edgar go hunting, Flint finds Foehammer’s Forge blazing away and very busy! Looking around, you can tell that Foehammer has been doing some upgrades.
Tending the smithy are two dwarves you haven’t yet met, as well as the young human woman you know as Harriet, who owned her own smithy across the way, and whom you saved from the burning building. Her entire place is still a pile of burned debris. She waves happily when she sees Flint enter.
Ghelryn Foehammer himself is inspecting the work of one of the dwarves, and giving him some constructive criticism on the heating of the metal. When he sees Flint enter, he drops everything and welcomes him as an old friend.
“I heard from the Lord Protector that you lot were alive—and glad news it was!” He smacks Flint’s armored back and asks how he can be of service. The ceaseless sounds of smithing fill the air as you converse.
Flint greets Ghelryn and Harriet with a smile. "Good ta see ye rebuildin' an hard at work. Was passin' through ta make good on gettin' yer mail back ta ye. Then it's off ta finish th' work what started 'ere." Flint pulls the mail out and lays it on a workbench. "It's served me well, but ah've needed a heavier sort."
Ink asks the pair of blacksmiths, "In an off chance you all might know, have you ever heard of Darksteel? I've been trying to learn what I can about it, but information has been hard to come by."
He removes the darksteel rapier from the bag of holding and shows them by way of example.
Ghelryn Foehammer answers Flint, “Rebuilding, aye, they’re doing a great work here. We was able to get some funding from the Lords’ Alliance to build a wall, and employ many of our people. Lots of homes were lost, you remember, so it’s great to see them all coming together.”
He then holds up a well forged sword of steel, and hands it to one of his dwarf workers. “But we are making arms, and lots of ‘em! Tripling the guard, Darathra is, and a wise move if you ask me.”
When Ink reveals the darksteel rapier, Foehammer takes it in hand and admires it. He speaks distractedly as he examines. “Good craftsmanship, this... Time was when only they Ironstar clan knew how to work the alloy. Even now, it’s tricky to forge...ah! See this mark, here? That’s from the Underdark,” he says, indicating a pattern on the hilt that previously only looked decorative, but now that he points it out, you see that it could be stylized runic lettering or some kind of discernible pattern.
“I don’t know the smith personally, but the qualities of the blade and the style of the maker’s mark is definitely Underdark.” He hands the blade back, and smiles curiously. “You didn’t venture down there, did ye?”
"No, we have not ventured down there... yet," Ink responds to Foehammer.
He puts the rapier away and pulls the the two short swords out and asks, "Do these paired blades have the same smith's mark? Also - is the Ironforge clan still around? I'd like to learn more about the metallurgy of this alloy - I'm sure Flint would like to, as well. The runic lettering you pointed out - do you recognize the language? Duegar? Drow?"
Foehammer shrugs. "Pretty sure many dwarves these days have some Ironstar blood in them. Some more than others. Their hold was abandoned and the clan was dispersed oh, over a thousand years ago now, I reckon. I haven’t worked much with darksteel—I do know the formula is well involved, and expensive like you wouldn’t believe. Were I in a true drawfhold, I would doubtless be able to forge it, but being out here means I have limits.”
As he examines the short swords, he nods. “Aye, see here, this is the the same mark on the pommels. I don’t understand Elven scripts as it is...I’m assuming Elf, here...but the style has Underdark written all over it. The dramatic lines that looks like daggers, with these perpendicular slashes—could be duergar, deep gnome, even drow, or something more sinister. Hard to say. Wish I was a linguist so I could be of more help!”
Foehammer turns back to his forge, nodding to Flint. “I thank ye for returning my armor, brother; now I’ll have something better than my breastplate should any more giants come knocking.”
The Lionshield Coster is newly remodeled after the battle with the giants months ago, and looks very much like the one in neighboring Yartar. Its young female proprietor, Alaestra Ulgar, is currently sweeping the doorstep.
// A couple things I forgot to mention on the way in... //
The walled-off mansion where the mage Kolstaag lives, on the bluff overlooking town, now seems to be guarded by a mercenary compliment.
The field outside Triboar Travelers, where the giants originally dug up the massive adamantine ring, has been landscaped and replanted, and even now the grass grows thick and lush for the animals in town.
Although it is now winter—and all the trees should have long lost their leaves—many trees in the large grove to the west of town are, curiously, still in the autumnal state (same as when you first saw them months previous).
Othovir’s shop has moved from its demolished property to a larger building that you might remember as being abandoned when last you were here. Now it’s called “Othovir’s Leatherworks,” a step up from “Othovir’s Harnesses.”
Flint's still has a medium sized steel tub over an enclosed oven with coiled brass tubing to release contents into fermenting and aging barrels.
Matrix will help Flint if he can "the monks of my order had a drink they called 'dragon's breath, I wonder if someday we might recreate it"
Rip Dangerfield- Halfling Bard, Storm Kings Thunder (retired)
Matrix- Human Monk/fighter, Storm Kings Thunder
Before he rests for the evening, Ink, disturbed, or perhaps intrigued, by the talk of his fellows and their plans for Noaner's Hold (held off-line) uses his final use of sending and contacts 'it:'
"It puzzled me how quickly you raised so many, but tonight I remembered something. He will take his wand back - he always does."
Storm King's Thunder - Ink, Elven Bladesinging Wizard
Core City: APbPA - Ormond, Human Twilight Cleric
The Inferno - BG:Dia - DM
They keep me rollin'
Flint's brewing kit seems well-built and ready to receive ingredients!
The telepathic reply comes back to Ink, a haughty air added to the grating mental noise, <You have much to learn, though you have good instincts. Come and learn from me, and together we will unravel mystery after mystery.>
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
Over the course of the journey Don recasts find familiar transforming Edgar from a badger to an owl almost identical to Ink's owl.
Marav(Druid/Ranger) -Storm Kings ThunderDontontion(Rogue/Warlock) - Storm Kings Thunder
DM - Stormpoint Mountains :: A Critical Role Adventure ( Map of Trunau )
As the sun dawns on the Savage Frontier, you are greeted with swaths of glistening snow on the ground and in the trees far below. A light dusting, from the looks of it, and the coverage is spotty from this vantage point. However, you feel the frozen air as it enters your nostrils on this clear day, making it obvious that winter has come. You find yourself grateful that you have heavy winter clothes from your time in the mountains a couple months ago.
It isn't long before you are approaching familiar farming town of Triboar. The rather small (but iconic), leaning Tower of the Lord Protector still dominates the middle of the town square, and Flint & Ink can tell that there have been some efforts to rebuild after the devastating giant attack. The most notable difference is the new, half-finished, wooden palisade, which looks as if it will eventually enclose a generous portion of the town.
The cultist crew follow your instructions to the letter, bringing the ship to a hovering 50 feet in the air over the large grove of naked trees just to the west of the town. They arrest the ship's momentum and drop the rope ladders. Delsephine nods. "All's in order...we'll pull up the ladders as a precaution; wouldn't do to have just anyone climb aboard. When should we expect you back?"
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
"By noon ah'd think. Maybe sooner. "
Flint descends intending to pay a visit to Gheldryn Foehammer and the main store. Looking for any price he thinks is reasonable for the armor and looking for the brewing ingredients.
Ink suggests that they should empty out anything unnecessary from the bag of holding...
Dented Silver Jug (20gp, 1lb)
Cracked Hourglass (25gp if mended, 1lb)
Wormblod's Sack of seven gems. 100gp each
Gheldryn Foehammer's splint mail (60 lbs)
Ink lets Quill out of her pocket dimension to stretch and for some hunting.
Ink suggests to Don that he use the rod to see if there are any others about.
Storm King's Thunder - Ink, Elven Bladesinging Wizard
Core City: APbPA - Ormond, Human Twilight Cleric
The Inferno - BG:Dia - DM
They keep me rollin'
Don will use the rod and send Edgar out hunting with Quill.
Marav(Druid/Ranger) -Storm Kings ThunderDontontion(Rogue/Warlock) - Storm Kings Thunder
DM - Stormpoint Mountains :: A Critical Role Adventure ( Map of Trunau )
Don senses no nearby adamantine rods.
As Quill and Edgar go hunting, Flint finds Foehammer’s Forge blazing away and very busy! Looking around, you can tell that Foehammer has been doing some upgrades.
Tending the smithy are two dwarves you haven’t yet met, as well as the young human woman you know as Harriet, who owned her own smithy across the way, and whom you saved from the burning building. Her entire place is still a pile of burned debris. She waves happily when she sees Flint enter.
Ghelryn Foehammer himself is inspecting the work of one of the dwarves, and giving him some constructive criticism on the heating of the metal. When he sees Flint enter, he drops everything and welcomes him as an old friend.
“I heard from the Lord Protector that you lot were alive—and glad news it was!” He smacks Flint’s armored back and asks how he can be of service. The ceaseless sounds of smithing fill the air as you converse.
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
Flint greets Ghelryn and Harriet with a smile. "Good ta see ye rebuildin' an hard at work. Was passin' through ta make good on gettin' yer mail back ta ye. Then it's off ta finish th' work what started 'ere." Flint pulls the mail out and lays it on a workbench. "It's served me well, but ah've needed a heavier sort."
Ink asks the pair of blacksmiths, "In an off chance you all might know, have you ever heard of Darksteel? I've been trying to learn what I can about it, but information has been hard to come by."
He removes the darksteel rapier from the bag of holding and shows them by way of example.
Storm King's Thunder - Ink, Elven Bladesinging Wizard
Core City: APbPA - Ormond, Human Twilight Cleric
The Inferno - BG:Dia - DM
They keep me rollin'
Don looks at that rapier... "That is a nice blade. Haven't seen that before, what else you hiding in there?" He asks with a smirk.
//We got the dark steel before he joined//
Marav(Druid/Ranger) -Storm Kings ThunderDontontion(Rogue/Warlock) - Storm Kings Thunder
DM - Stormpoint Mountains :: A Critical Role Adventure ( Map of Trunau )
(Wasn’t the darksteel preciously the curses weapon? If so, you were very intimately acquainted with that, Don!)
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms - The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon - Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland - Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF! - Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
Ghelryn Foehammer answers Flint, “Rebuilding, aye, they’re doing a great work here. We was able to get some funding from the Lords’ Alliance to build a wall, and employ many of our people. Lots of homes were lost, you remember, so it’s great to see them all coming together.”
He then holds up a well forged sword of steel, and hands it to one of his dwarf workers. “But we are making arms, and lots of ‘em! Tripling the guard, Darathra is, and a wise move if you ask me.”
When Ink reveals the darksteel rapier, Foehammer takes it in hand and admires it. He speaks distractedly as he examines. “Good craftsmanship, this... Time was when only they Ironstar clan knew how to work the alloy. Even now, it’s tricky to forge...ah! See this mark, here? That’s from the Underdark,” he says, indicating a pattern on the hilt that previously only looked decorative, but now that he points it out, you see that it could be stylized runic lettering or some kind of discernible pattern.
“I don’t know the smith personally, but the qualities of the blade and the style of the maker’s mark is definitely Underdark.” He hands the blade back, and smiles curiously. “You didn’t venture down there, did ye?”
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
"No, we have not ventured down there... yet," Ink responds to Foehammer.
He puts the rapier away and pulls the the two short swords out and asks, "Do these paired blades have the same smith's mark? Also - is the Ironforge clan still around? I'd like to learn more about the metallurgy of this alloy - I'm sure Flint would like to, as well. The runic lettering you pointed out - do you recognize the language? Duegar? Drow?"
Storm King's Thunder - Ink, Elven Bladesinging Wizard
Core City: APbPA - Ormond, Human Twilight Cleric
The Inferno - BG:Dia - DM
They keep me rollin'
Foehammer shrugs. "Pretty sure many dwarves these days have some Ironstar blood in them. Some more than others. Their hold was abandoned and the clan was dispersed oh, over a thousand years ago now, I reckon. I haven’t worked much with darksteel—I do know the formula is well involved, and expensive like you wouldn’t believe. Were I in a true drawfhold, I would doubtless be able to forge it, but being out here means I have limits.”
As he examines the short swords, he nods. “Aye, see here, this is the the same mark on the pommels. I don’t understand Elven scripts as it is...I’m assuming Elf, here...but the style has Underdark written all over it. The dramatic lines that looks like daggers, with these perpendicular slashes—could be duergar, deep gnome, even drow, or something more sinister. Hard to say. Wish I was a linguist so I could be of more help!”
Foehammer turns back to his forge, nodding to Flint. “I thank ye for returning my armor, brother; now I’ll have something better than my breastplate should any more giants come knocking.”
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
"Aye, that ye will. Fortune be wit' ye me friend."
Flint blesses the smithy then heads for the main store for the brewing supplies.
The Lionshield Coster is newly remodeled after the battle with the giants months ago, and looks very much like the one in neighboring Yartar. Its young female proprietor, Alaestra Ulgar, is currently sweeping the doorstep.
// A couple things I forgot to mention on the way in... //
The walled-off mansion where the mage Kolstaag lives, on the bluff overlooking town, now seems to be guarded by a mercenary compliment.
The field outside Triboar Travelers, where the giants originally dug up the massive adamantine ring, has been landscaped and replanted, and even now the grass grows thick and lush for the animals in town.
Although it is now winter—and all the trees should have long lost their leaves—many trees in the large grove to the west of town are, curiously, still in the autumnal state (same as when you first saw them months previous).
Othovir’s shop has moved from its demolished property to a larger building that you might remember as being abandoned when last you were here. Now it’s called “Othovir’s Leatherworks,” a step up from “Othovir’s Harnesses.”
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM