Krinix would like to take advantage of this time that they have with Greenwood to ask more questions:
”Forgive my ignorance, but could you tell me more about who was doing the attacking and breaching? And I’d also like to hear more about the mistress of the woods, what manner of creature was she, and how was she able to protect you?
[Krinix may or may not know some details about the second siege, but either way he’s interested in hearing Greenwood’s answer]
Chroma walks, cross-armed, admiring the constructs being built by the bustling town. The amount of smaller folk building homes did not concern her - she had been taught that elegance and precision could hold more weight than brute strength alone, and besides, certain people were renowned for their construction expertise. "I apologize for our questions, but it's difficult to be uninterested in what you have to say. Do you have any clue on what sort of enemies invaded Phlan? My friend's question about the mistress of the woods would also be valuable in our adventures."
Harken first addresses Krinix's questions, tapping the side of his head as he recalls long-undisturbed memories.
"If I recall, the first was a large band of orcs and ogres from Thar, what we call now the grey lands beyond the Quivering Forest, that gathered under a single banner and lead by a black dragon named Vaaskan. The horde decimated the Quivering Forest and marched on Phlan. At that time, the old city was already reeling from the poisoning of the Stojanow river and didn't have the strength to repel such an attack. We were refugees in Hillsfar, back before the gates closed, and the hordes pressed their attack even to its walls but were defeated by Hillsfar's forces. We returned to Phlan and rebuilt for a great number of years before a second attack came, this time composed mainly of dragons from the mountains. Fortunately, they mostly destroyed the uninhabited outer walls and actually killed a number of barbarians and criminals that had taken up residence in the ruins. They more or less figured we weren't worth much effort and took their fury out on Hillsfar. That's... a story for another time." he explains. He looks... deeply wounded bringing up the second attack on Hillsfar.
Harken then turns his attention towards Chroma and Faerieth.
"Ah! The Quivering Forest is across the now purified Stojanow river. Now, I don't know much about the forest as, well, I'm not well suited to hiking... but I did meet the Heroes of New Phlan and as I recall, they had quite a time in there. A creature of terrible power had taken over the Sorcerer's Isle which seemed to cast some sort of spell over the entire forest and turned its guardian mad. When the Heroes defeated it, the guardian was freed. The city council has a grudging respect for the fey witch Sanharen. She allows us to harvest wood only in areas she deems viable. In the past, impatient councilmen tried their luck by crossing her and logging indiscriminately. They promptly were never heard from again. She made her point." Harken says, then pauses, stops, and rubs his chin.
"Oh, right! Jarvo said something about one of the outposts being close to the borders of the Quivering Forest. We've been having some trouble there with the creatures Tyranthraxus drew under his thrall. They didn't return to their lands after his defeat. Since you have first choice about where you'd like to investigate first, I'm sure Jarvo will accommodate you if you want to make that your first assignment."
Krinix reads between the lines of Harken's story and he assumes that Harken's family or love interest must have perished in the refugee camps of Hillsfar. Having just met the gnome, he doesn't feel comfortable exploring this topic further. Instead, he wants to make his desires clear to his teammates, in case it becomes relevant during their meeting with Jarvo.
"I confess that I'm very interested in studying the effects that Tyranthraxus had on the area. If we get a choice, I may want to cast my vote for that area, if it gives me a chance to interact with Tyranthraxus's minions. It depends on what our other options are, of course, but I wanted to let you know."
"You'd best keep your 'interactions' at the point of a spear or the shaft of a crossbow. They may be masterless but they are no less dangerous. Some are merely wild creatures finding easier food, but others are intelligent and bitter at Tyranthraxus' defeat. The only reason our militia hasn't gone into the forest to drive them out is because of our pact with the forest guardian Sanharen... strange that she permits them to stay within her territory, I'm sure they're causing no small chaos there." Harken says, rubbing his chin.
"And because I am similarly curious, yes, there is a way to contact her, but the ritual is very specific and she is most easily offended. If you want to speak to her, you'd better be excellent at apologizing if you're not precise."
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DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
Noticing the change in Harken's voice, Chroma decides to leave the inquiries about Hillsfar for another time. At the talk of the Quivering Forest's history, she considers what Harken and Krinix have said. "Are you not worried of another army forming in the woods?" she asks, noting the fragility of the fledgling settlement. "I cannot imagine hostility of the creatures has waned in the years since Tyranthraxus's defeat." She turns to Krinix. "I echo the desire to speak with Tyranthraxus's minions. My intentions in Phlan are to maintain balance and peace with the adventurers and wilderness, and I am curious to speak with them before the more determined adventurers arrive," she says, gesturing to the gold-seekers that the party arrived with.
((This isn't a hold request, just letting you know I'm still here. Just been busy with work and the US election. I plan on posting later today but don't wait for me! :) ))
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Attending Academy until November, slowdown in posts continue.
Krinix shrugs, a gesture he had learned from his mentor.
“I don’t doubt it will be dangerous. Can you describe the ritual to contact the forest guardian Sanharen? It may be important for us to contact her, if we are going to be operating on the borders of her realm. It sounds like it could be dangerous to not contact her.”
Harken seems glad to put the topic of Hillsfar behind them. As he walks, he again turns on his heel and paces backwards to speak to the group as they approach Jarvo's office, and he addresses Chroma first.
"We haven't had any reason to suspect that the remnants of Tyranthraxus' forces are amassing or organizing, but I suppose that isn't an impossibility. The ogres of the grey lands are easily impressed by shows of strength and promises of prestige. It wouldn't be too difficult to convince them to unite under a single banner again." the gnome says before he comes to a stop in front of a doorway, and adjusts his glasses to look at Krinix once more.
"I don't know the ritual myself, but you're about to meet someone who does." Harken says and then pokes his head into the doorway.
"Look alive, Jarvo! Captain Duncan sent you some first rate explorers." Harken shouts suddenly, and from within the office a startled yelp comes followed by the fluttering of papers.
"Harken! I hate it when you do that!"
Harken chuckles in an impish way and opens the door for the rest of the group. In a crowded office lined with maps and shelves of scrolls is a gaunt, young-looking elf (even among elves) dressed in ill-fitting council robes. His hair is quite disheveled and falling out of a loose ponytail. Looks like he's been run off his feet all day.
"Come in, come in. Please excuse the mess. Organizing an expedition of this size with a bunch of unruly and impatient mercenaries isn't the easiest thing to do." Jarvo says, before Harken climbs up on the desk and stands the elf up.
"Goodness sakes, Jarvo. YOU'RE a mess. Stand up straight." and the gnome sets about getting the elf's hair into a more presentable neatness and straightens up his robes like an overbearing mother dressing their child for the first day of school. As Harken works, Jarvo continues his introduction.
"Since Captain Duncan has given his recommendation to you, I will be glad to be your New Phlan city council representative. My job is to provide you with relevant supplies and information about the various locations that have been designated as of high importance to reclaim from our survey teams, AND keep track of the discoveries you've made. This expedition has been set up to be as simple and painless as possible, and we have in place channels and policies to handle the more mundane aspects of this operation. Simply put, we want you in the field, not coming back every day to deliver a detailed report that will just end up archived ... well, HERE. You'll be given a compliment of standard equipment, issued banking accounts with our institutions, and a writ permitting you to enter hazardous areas of the city still being excavated." Jarvo says just as Harken finishes tidying up the elf's appearance.
"I imagine you all have a lot of questions, and I will do my best to answer them."
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DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
Krinix is surprised by Jarvo’s appearance. He was expecting something else, perhaps an older and more experienced person. He tries his best to hide his disappointment while mentally he chides himself on the multiple logical fallacies he has just committed.
He raises a clawed hand in greeting and says,
”Councillor Jarvo, thank you for receiving us. Hopefully we can meet your expectations and be worthy of your support. My initial questions are as follows:
“What are our specific objectives when we go out in the field? Is one objective more critical than another?
“What specific dangers can we expect while put in the field? How are other teams successfully handling these dangers - do you know what works and what doesn’t?
“Is there one area that you’re more eager for us to explore than another? Can you give guidance on where we should start?”
As Chroma views the cramped office, she momentarily ponders if she should perhaps wait at the doorframe until the conversation has concluded. Nevertheless, Chroma ducks her head underneath the doorstep and enters the room, nodding her head at the excellent questions asked by Krinix. Jarvo's young appearance did not affect her - looks can be deceiving, especially with elves. The corner of her mouth lifts ever so slightly at the spectacle of the diminutive Harken attending to Jarvo's appearance. Otherwise, she remains silent, awaiting Jarvo's response. She was glad the paperwork was being reduced to a minimum.
Qiran had not been pleased with Harken’s dismissal of his observation. Thralls and slaves had been the backbone of many great civilizations, but refusing to call them such could lead to confusion and conflict. He had a hard time accepting that the smallfolk were the best or cheapest labor for the work, assuming they were hirelings. He understood that gnomes and halflings were generally considered two different species, despite their similarities. Perhaps one was a subservient cousin race to the other?
He perks up at the mention of dragons. Though they were dangerous creatures, the dragons here (if any still lived) wouldn’t be part of the ancient pact of his people. One might be receptive to a less-conventional partnership. Black dragons, while not as mighty as the red, were still dragons. When the subject of the Quivering Forest arises, he glances towards Faerieth. She was speaking and reacting as if she worshipped nature. It was an alien concept. All things died – people, trees, even gods. This ‘Quivering Forest’ was so inconsequential in the larger span of history - ‘Sanharen’ must be as dangerous as Harken warned if she was able to protect it so completely.
Qiran follows the ensemble in, keenly watching the young elf’s mannerisms. Jarvo had been highly-spoken of by both the captain and Harken Greenwood. But this boy seemed just out of the creche. He tries not to let his skepticism show before addressing the councilor.
“I am . . . not local to the area, and have been learning many things from the others. I do not know the correct questions. But in speaking of preparations, I am gladdened. I was not able to bring my armaments with me. I have food, water, sundries many, but would appreciate that which you might give to a knight or reputed man-at-arms.”
He then falls back to a corner of the room, preparing himself to absorb the information that might pass between his companions and this ‘Jarvo.’
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Jarvo and Harken exchange a look between themselves for a moment at Krinix's questions before Jarvo nods and then retrieves some documents.
"If we're talking about necessities, certainly there's a target that would help the city at large. When Phlan was first founded, there was an enchantment upon the soil just outside the old city walls that made the farmland uncannily rich and bountiful. Over time, that enchantment seemed to fade and was replaced by a pestilence that killed most of the crops and blighted the land for years. Some believe that it was the work of the Pool of Radiance but I believe it was the work of something else. When the Stojanow river was poisoned, the effect was very similar to the pestilence that ended the golden years of Phlan's ancient past. I believe there's something upstream where the river branches off into the old farm lands that first made the waters more nourishing originally, but was then tampered with to produce the opposite effect."
Jarvo flips through an old book and browses past several entries with illustrations of different mystic items and diagrams of ritual practices.
"A relic or maybe even some kind of machinery or perhaps a ceremony long forgotten that hasn't been performed to appease whatever spirits inhabit the area. Whatever the case, if we can restore Phlan's healthy farmland, we can support a much larger population." Jarvo continues, opening an old map that shows an estimation of Phlan's original size and the farmlands surrounding it which stretched out and all but butted up against the Quivering Forest.
"Now, as far as objectives go, that is a much simpler question to answer. You'll be supplied with a surveyor's spyglass to help you uncover Phlanar artifacts and old city infrastructure. Most of it will have been left undisturbed for centuries, but the original engineers and builders were dwarves, so there's a good chance that they may still be intact, even if massively overgrown. Investigate your discoveries, make a brief report, and your appointed assistant will deliver it to us so you can stay in the field and continue your work. Your assistant will return with a writ validating your discovery and securing your salvage rights." Jarvo explains, then stands.
"Ah! But here's where it gets interesting. There will be no doubt some items out there of mystical nature. Old magicks and enchanted items... now naturally, whatever you find is yours to keep, but our scholars are very interested in keeping and studying just about anything you can confirm has been imbued with spell energy and should you bring them here, they can be exchanged for writs entitling you to higher-end equipment or accommodations or bank credit, depending on the quality and usefulness of the objects you recover." he says.
"Finally, as for dangers, that will largely depend on where you venture out to first. Other expedition members and our own scouts have reported different hostile presences in different areas. Since this is your first time out, I would suggest avoiding the more unfriendly locations. Let me get your expedition papers, and then we'll move next door and I'll show you your equipment."
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DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
Faerieth takes all the information in, and is about to ask for the ritual when Krinix speaks up. She remains silent, watching the conversation and intending to keep the ritual to memory.
"You... want to contact Sanharen?" he asks, then looks to Harken and then back to the group. "Are you certain? It's not for..." he begins before Harken pipes in and explains that he already warned them of Sanharen's predispositions.
"Well, if you already know the risks... contacting Sanharen requires a gift offering first. She often guards the innermost sanctums of her domain with what are known as blood roses, carnivorous plants. You have to allow her to place a blood rose seed on your arm and let it grow without flinching or giving into pain until it sprouts its first bloom. I have been through it myself. Near the end of it, I could scarcely stand, I felt so weak. Granted, as you see there's not much of me to go around as it is, but the pain was quite intense. Those who make a noise or ask for it to be taken off or worse, attempt to remove it themselves are driven from the forest and she will NOT welcome those who have offended her back for a second audience. That's the FIRST part of the ritual. Once you are weakened by the blood rose, she will then have you walk through her personal garden without disturbing anything to prove your devotion to preserving the forest. You must move carefully through dangerous plants in a sadistic dance until you stand before her, then address her by her full name, Sanharen de Salana-Heiss d'Anovo while looking her directly in the eyes." Jarvo explains, but then looks at the group of four.
"Though when she came up with the ritual, I don't think she had giant-kin or dragonborn or gith in mind." he says, and then brings out a few old documents.
"Now, as far as locations of interest are concerned, if you are headed to the Quivering Forest, there's three opportunities you may be able to claim. We believe that this area outside the old walls is where some, if not all, of the parts of the great monument you no doubt saw on your way in may be. Near the old walls was also a structure that, according to ancient records, was known as 'the luminous chamber'. We're not sure what it could be exactly, but it was apparently one of the great jewels of ancient Phlan. Finally, and this is a request from our most senior city councilman, the old city stables have been infested with stirges. If they can be cleared out without damaging the structure, it will definitely win you some favor with the council. It's not exactly important... more of a vanity project."
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DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
”I don’t know about wanting to contact her. I was just under the impression that it might be important, if we are going to be working in or near the Quivering Forest. That ritual sounds downright perilous. I don’t see myself undertaking it any time soon.”
“As for where we should start working, I will defer to your wisdom, and my companions’ reckonings.”
"Certainly it WOULD make investigating around the Quivering Forest much easier if you had Sanharen's blessing. I don't, however, think she would do much to keep any of the natural inhabitants of the forest from hunting you outside of those directly under her control. You'd best be on your guard. The forest isn't too dangerous if you stay on the traveled paths and don't stay within its borders after nightfall. Most of the more aggressive animals shun the light, and the ones you may encounter during the day for the most part avoid people who travel in groups, save for the creatures drawn by the Pool of Radiance." Jarvo says, taking out four scrolls from a satchel and placing them on the table.
"When Tyranthraxus was defeated, he implanted a number of ettercaps into the forest who are probably still there, and with ettercaps come all manner of huge insect beasts, though our scouting parties haven't reported seeing any in large numbers just yet. It's not an impossibility, so you must be careful. These are your salvage writs, but they also double as official documents granting you access to investigate the surrounding lands. If any city patrols stop you, this lets them know you're not brigands."
(Add 'Phlanar expedition writ' to your inventories)
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DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
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Krinix would like to take advantage of this time that they have with Greenwood to ask more questions:
”Forgive my ignorance, but could you tell me more about who was doing the attacking and breaching? And I’d also like to hear more about the mistress of the woods, what manner of creature was she, and how was she able to protect you?
[Krinix may or may not know some details about the second siege, but either way he’s interested in hearing Greenwood’s answer]
Chroma walks, cross-armed, admiring the constructs being built by the bustling town. The amount of smaller folk building homes did not concern her - she had been taught that elegance and precision could hold more weight than brute strength alone, and besides, certain people were renowned for their construction expertise. "I apologize for our questions, but it's difficult to be uninterested in what you have to say. Do you have any clue on what sort of enemies invaded Phlan? My friend's question about the mistress of the woods would also be valuable in our adventures."
Faerieth perks up at the mention of the Quivering Forest and it's mistress, "And... in what direction... is the Forest?"
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
Harken first addresses Krinix's questions, tapping the side of his head as he recalls long-undisturbed memories.
"If I recall, the first was a large band of orcs and ogres from Thar, what we call now the grey lands beyond the Quivering Forest, that gathered under a single banner and lead by a black dragon named Vaaskan. The horde decimated the Quivering Forest and marched on Phlan. At that time, the old city was already reeling from the poisoning of the Stojanow river and didn't have the strength to repel such an attack. We were refugees in Hillsfar, back before the gates closed, and the hordes pressed their attack even to its walls but were defeated by Hillsfar's forces. We returned to Phlan and rebuilt for a great number of years before a second attack came, this time composed mainly of dragons from the mountains. Fortunately, they mostly destroyed the uninhabited outer walls and actually killed a number of barbarians and criminals that had taken up residence in the ruins. They more or less figured we weren't worth much effort and took their fury out on Hillsfar. That's... a story for another time." he explains. He looks... deeply wounded bringing up the second attack on Hillsfar.
Harken then turns his attention towards Chroma and Faerieth.
"Ah! The Quivering Forest is across the now purified Stojanow river. Now, I don't know much about the forest as, well, I'm not well suited to hiking... but I did meet the Heroes of New Phlan and as I recall, they had quite a time in there. A creature of terrible power had taken over the Sorcerer's Isle which seemed to cast some sort of spell over the entire forest and turned its guardian mad. When the Heroes defeated it, the guardian was freed. The city council has a grudging respect for the fey witch Sanharen. She allows us to harvest wood only in areas she deems viable. In the past, impatient councilmen tried their luck by crossing her and logging indiscriminately. They promptly were never heard from again. She made her point." Harken says, then pauses, stops, and rubs his chin.
"Oh, right! Jarvo said something about one of the outposts being close to the borders of the Quivering Forest. We've been having some trouble there with the creatures Tyranthraxus drew under his thrall. They didn't return to their lands after his defeat. Since you have first choice about where you'd like to investigate first, I'm sure Jarvo will accommodate you if you want to make that your first assignment."
DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
Krinix reads between the lines of Harken's story and he assumes that Harken's family or love interest must have perished in the refugee camps of Hillsfar. Having just met the gnome, he doesn't feel comfortable exploring this topic further. Instead, he wants to make his desires clear to his teammates, in case it becomes relevant during their meeting with Jarvo.
"I confess that I'm very interested in studying the effects that Tyranthraxus had on the area. If we get a choice, I may want to cast my vote for that area, if it gives me a chance to interact with Tyranthraxus's minions. It depends on what our other options are, of course, but I wanted to let you know."
Harken looks to Krinix with surprise.
"You'd best keep your 'interactions' at the point of a spear or the shaft of a crossbow. They may be masterless but they are no less dangerous. Some are merely wild creatures finding easier food, but others are intelligent and bitter at Tyranthraxus' defeat. The only reason our militia hasn't gone into the forest to drive them out is because of our pact with the forest guardian Sanharen... strange that she permits them to stay within her territory, I'm sure they're causing no small chaos there." Harken says, rubbing his chin.
"And because I am similarly curious, yes, there is a way to contact her, but the ritual is very specific and she is most easily offended. If you want to speak to her, you'd better be excellent at apologizing if you're not precise."
DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
"Precision... in rituals... is very important," Faerieth says.
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
Noticing the change in Harken's voice, Chroma decides to leave the inquiries about Hillsfar for another time. At the talk of the Quivering Forest's history, she considers what Harken and Krinix have said. "Are you not worried of another army forming in the woods?" she asks, noting the fragility of the fledgling settlement. "I cannot imagine hostility of the creatures has waned in the years since Tyranthraxus's defeat." She turns to Krinix. "I echo the desire to speak with Tyranthraxus's minions. My intentions in Phlan are to maintain balance and peace with the adventurers and wilderness, and I am curious to speak with them before the more determined adventurers arrive," she says, gesturing to the gold-seekers that the party arrived with.
((This isn't a hold request, just letting you know I'm still here. Just been busy with work and the US election. I plan on posting later today but don't wait for me! :) ))
Attending Academy until November, slowdown in posts continue.
Krinix shrugs, a gesture he had learned from his mentor.
“I don’t doubt it will be dangerous. Can you describe the ritual to contact the forest guardian Sanharen? It may be important for us to contact her, if we are going to be operating on the borders of her realm. It sounds like it could be dangerous to not contact her.”
Harken seems glad to put the topic of Hillsfar behind them. As he walks, he again turns on his heel and paces backwards to speak to the group as they approach Jarvo's office, and he addresses Chroma first.
"We haven't had any reason to suspect that the remnants of Tyranthraxus' forces are amassing or organizing, but I suppose that isn't an impossibility. The ogres of the grey lands are easily impressed by shows of strength and promises of prestige. It wouldn't be too difficult to convince them to unite under a single banner again." the gnome says before he comes to a stop in front of a doorway, and adjusts his glasses to look at Krinix once more.
"I don't know the ritual myself, but you're about to meet someone who does." Harken says and then pokes his head into the doorway.
"Look alive, Jarvo! Captain Duncan sent you some first rate explorers." Harken shouts suddenly, and from within the office a startled yelp comes followed by the fluttering of papers.
"Harken! I hate it when you do that!"
Harken chuckles in an impish way and opens the door for the rest of the group. In a crowded office lined with maps and shelves of scrolls is a gaunt, young-looking elf (even among elves) dressed in ill-fitting council robes. His hair is quite disheveled and falling out of a loose ponytail. Looks like he's been run off his feet all day.
"Come in, come in. Please excuse the mess. Organizing an expedition of this size with a bunch of unruly and impatient mercenaries isn't the easiest thing to do." Jarvo says, before Harken climbs up on the desk and stands the elf up.
"Goodness sakes, Jarvo. YOU'RE a mess. Stand up straight." and the gnome sets about getting the elf's hair into a more presentable neatness and straightens up his robes like an overbearing mother dressing their child for the first day of school. As Harken works, Jarvo continues his introduction.
"Since Captain Duncan has given his recommendation to you, I will be glad to be your New Phlan city council representative. My job is to provide you with relevant supplies and information about the various locations that have been designated as of high importance to reclaim from our survey teams, AND keep track of the discoveries you've made. This expedition has been set up to be as simple and painless as possible, and we have in place channels and policies to handle the more mundane aspects of this operation. Simply put, we want you in the field, not coming back every day to deliver a detailed report that will just end up archived ... well, HERE. You'll be given a compliment of standard equipment, issued banking accounts with our institutions, and a writ permitting you to enter hazardous areas of the city still being excavated." Jarvo says just as Harken finishes tidying up the elf's appearance.
"I imagine you all have a lot of questions, and I will do my best to answer them."
DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
Krinix is surprised by Jarvo’s appearance. He was expecting something else, perhaps an older and more experienced person. He tries his best to hide his disappointment while mentally he chides himself on the multiple logical fallacies he has just committed.
He raises a clawed hand in greeting and says,
”Councillor Jarvo, thank you for receiving us. Hopefully we can meet your expectations and be worthy of your support. My initial questions are as follows:
“What are our specific objectives when we go out in the field? Is one objective more critical than another?
“What specific dangers can we expect while put in the field? How are other teams successfully handling these dangers - do you know what works and what doesn’t?
“Is there one area that you’re more eager for us to explore than another? Can you give guidance on where we should start?”
As Chroma views the cramped office, she momentarily ponders if she should perhaps wait at the doorframe until the conversation has concluded. Nevertheless, Chroma ducks her head underneath the doorstep and enters the room, nodding her head at the excellent questions asked by Krinix. Jarvo's young appearance did not affect her - looks can be deceiving, especially with elves. The corner of her mouth lifts ever so slightly at the spectacle of the diminutive Harken attending to Jarvo's appearance. Otherwise, she remains silent, awaiting Jarvo's response. She was glad the paperwork was being reduced to a minimum.
Qiran had not been pleased with Harken’s dismissal of his observation. Thralls and slaves had been the backbone of many great civilizations, but refusing to call them such could lead to confusion and conflict. He had a hard time accepting that the smallfolk were the best or cheapest labor for the work, assuming they were hirelings. He understood that gnomes and halflings were generally considered two different species, despite their similarities. Perhaps one was a subservient cousin race to the other?
He perks up at the mention of dragons. Though they were dangerous creatures, the dragons here (if any still lived) wouldn’t be part of the ancient pact of his people. One might be receptive to a less-conventional partnership. Black dragons, while not as mighty as the red, were still dragons. When the subject of the Quivering Forest arises, he glances towards Faerieth. She was speaking and reacting as if she worshipped nature. It was an alien concept. All things died – people, trees, even gods. This ‘Quivering Forest’ was so inconsequential in the larger span of history - ‘Sanharen’ must be as dangerous as Harken warned if she was able to protect it so completely.
Qiran follows the ensemble in, keenly watching the young elf’s mannerisms. Jarvo had been highly-spoken of by both the captain and Harken Greenwood. But this boy seemed just out of the creche. He tries not to let his skepticism show before addressing the councilor.
“I am . . . not local to the area, and have been learning many things from the others. I do not know the correct questions. But in speaking of preparations, I am gladdened. I was not able to bring my armaments with me. I have food, water, sundries many, but would appreciate that which you might give to a knight or reputed man-at-arms.”
He then falls back to a corner of the room, preparing himself to absorb the information that might pass between his companions and this ‘Jarvo.’
Attending Academy until November, slowdown in posts continue.
Jarvo and Harken exchange a look between themselves for a moment at Krinix's questions before Jarvo nods and then retrieves some documents.
"If we're talking about necessities, certainly there's a target that would help the city at large. When Phlan was first founded, there was an enchantment upon the soil just outside the old city walls that made the farmland uncannily rich and bountiful. Over time, that enchantment seemed to fade and was replaced by a pestilence that killed most of the crops and blighted the land for years. Some believe that it was the work of the Pool of Radiance but I believe it was the work of something else. When the Stojanow river was poisoned, the effect was very similar to the pestilence that ended the golden years of Phlan's ancient past. I believe there's something upstream where the river branches off into the old farm lands that first made the waters more nourishing originally, but was then tampered with to produce the opposite effect."
Jarvo flips through an old book and browses past several entries with illustrations of different mystic items and diagrams of ritual practices.
"A relic or maybe even some kind of machinery or perhaps a ceremony long forgotten that hasn't been performed to appease whatever spirits inhabit the area. Whatever the case, if we can restore Phlan's healthy farmland, we can support a much larger population." Jarvo continues, opening an old map that shows an estimation of Phlan's original size and the farmlands surrounding it which stretched out and all but butted up against the Quivering Forest.
"Now, as far as objectives go, that is a much simpler question to answer. You'll be supplied with a surveyor's spyglass to help you uncover Phlanar artifacts and old city infrastructure. Most of it will have been left undisturbed for centuries, but the original engineers and builders were dwarves, so there's a good chance that they may still be intact, even if massively overgrown. Investigate your discoveries, make a brief report, and your appointed assistant will deliver it to us so you can stay in the field and continue your work. Your assistant will return with a writ validating your discovery and securing your salvage rights." Jarvo explains, then stands.
"Ah! But here's where it gets interesting. There will be no doubt some items out there of mystical nature. Old magicks and enchanted items... now naturally, whatever you find is yours to keep, but our scholars are very interested in keeping and studying just about anything you can confirm has been imbued with spell energy and should you bring them here, they can be exchanged for writs entitling you to higher-end equipment or accommodations or bank credit, depending on the quality and usefulness of the objects you recover." he says.
"Finally, as for dangers, that will largely depend on where you venture out to first. Other expedition members and our own scouts have reported different hostile presences in different areas. Since this is your first time out, I would suggest avoiding the more unfriendly locations. Let me get your expedition papers, and then we'll move next door and I'll show you your equipment."
DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
Krinix is very interested in that book, but he's also been reminded of something.
"Jarvo, do you know the ritual to contact the forest guardian Sanharen? Is that something we should know about, if we work near the Quivering Forest?"
Faerieth takes all the information in, and is about to ask for the ritual when Krinix speaks up. She remains silent, watching the conversation and intending to keep the ritual to memory.
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
Jarvo needs a moment to take that in.
"You... want to contact Sanharen?" he asks, then looks to Harken and then back to the group. "Are you certain? It's not for..." he begins before Harken pipes in and explains that he already warned them of Sanharen's predispositions.
"Well, if you already know the risks... contacting Sanharen requires a gift offering first. She often guards the innermost sanctums of her domain with what are known as blood roses, carnivorous plants. You have to allow her to place a blood rose seed on your arm and let it grow without flinching or giving into pain until it sprouts its first bloom. I have been through it myself. Near the end of it, I could scarcely stand, I felt so weak. Granted, as you see there's not much of me to go around as it is, but the pain was quite intense. Those who make a noise or ask for it to be taken off or worse, attempt to remove it themselves are driven from the forest and she will NOT welcome those who have offended her back for a second audience. That's the FIRST part of the ritual. Once you are weakened by the blood rose, she will then have you walk through her personal garden without disturbing anything to prove your devotion to preserving the forest. You must move carefully through dangerous plants in a sadistic dance until you stand before her, then address her by her full name, Sanharen de Salana-Heiss d'Anovo while looking her directly in the eyes." Jarvo explains, but then looks at the group of four.
"Though when she came up with the ritual, I don't think she had giant-kin or dragonborn or gith in mind." he says, and then brings out a few old documents.
"Now, as far as locations of interest are concerned, if you are headed to the Quivering Forest, there's three opportunities you may be able to claim. We believe that this area outside the old walls is where some, if not all, of the parts of the great monument you no doubt saw on your way in may be. Near the old walls was also a structure that, according to ancient records, was known as 'the luminous chamber'. We're not sure what it could be exactly, but it was apparently one of the great jewels of ancient Phlan. Finally, and this is a request from our most senior city councilman, the old city stables have been infested with stirges. If they can be cleared out without damaging the structure, it will definitely win you some favor with the council. It's not exactly important... more of a vanity project."
DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
Krinix:
”I don’t know about wanting to contact her. I was just under the impression that it might be important, if we are going to be working in or near the Quivering Forest. That ritual sounds downright perilous. I don’t see myself undertaking it any time soon.”
“As for where we should start working, I will defer to your wisdom, and my companions’ reckonings.”
Jarvo hmmms and rubs his chin.
"Certainly it WOULD make investigating around the Quivering Forest much easier if you had Sanharen's blessing. I don't, however, think she would do much to keep any of the natural inhabitants of the forest from hunting you outside of those directly under her control. You'd best be on your guard. The forest isn't too dangerous if you stay on the traveled paths and don't stay within its borders after nightfall. Most of the more aggressive animals shun the light, and the ones you may encounter during the day for the most part avoid people who travel in groups, save for the creatures drawn by the Pool of Radiance." Jarvo says, taking out four scrolls from a satchel and placing them on the table.
"When Tyranthraxus was defeated, he implanted a number of ettercaps into the forest who are probably still there, and with ettercaps come all manner of huge insect beasts, though our scouting parties haven't reported seeing any in large numbers just yet. It's not an impossibility, so you must be careful. These are your salvage writs, but they also double as official documents granting you access to investigate the surrounding lands. If any city patrols stop you, this lets them know you're not brigands."
(Add 'Phlanar expedition writ' to your inventories)
DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.