Lost Mines of Phandelver by kyleh2486

(This is the actions for our new adventurer, Vah'Lhorn, just prior to meeting up with you all. Obviously, none of you would know any of this, but I think it's important to add it here.)

Morpetor, Gramgran and Vah'Lhorn need to at least read the last portion under "Manor" before continuing.

Preface:

Vah'Lhorn took another drink from the tankard set in front of him. "Why... How did I end up here, Bram?" the tiefling turned to address the somewhat stocky human that had accompanied him on the road from Neverwinter. The pair had rode into town earlier that day on behalf of the Lionshield Coster with warnings of recent bandit activity, and missives to pass onto Linene Graywind regarding her recent shipments. Since speaking to Linene the pair found their news too late to be useful, and with little else to do, they had squandered the afternoon in the Stonehill Inn. With evening coming about, and accompanied by more than a few rounds of decidedly average ale, Vah'Lhorn was feeling unusually talkative and somber.

Bram looked at his traveling companion. He didn't really care about engaging the freakish looking tiefling in drunken melancholy, but Bram was a little curious as he had learned very little whilst on the road. This thing, for he still couldn't think of Vah'Lhorn as a 'man', he has traveled with was both vile and pitiable at the same time. "Why, we cam' ere by horsh! Has'n yer ale gotten the better of yer at last?"

"That's not what I meant Bram... I had a good life, I was fighting for a good cause and believed in my soul that what I was doing was right. I cared for my comrades, and they I, despite our 'differences'..." Vah'Lhorn's voice trailed off momentarily, but resumed before Bram could interject,"We were in the reserve line that day, and everyone expected that we'd be called in to reinforce the flanks after the initial clashes in the centre. The general was always bullish in his strategies and favoured breaking through the main body to show his superior strength, even if it cost him a few more men. Well, that day, he'd marched us up to the front knowing the enemy were weakened, but well dug-in. He ordered the charge, throwing away men like sand in the wind, but grinding the defenders down; as he started pulling reserves out, that is when they hit us from behind... a host of cavalry! Cavalry that had been led behind our lines, I know not how, but it tore through us as we started to march. Confusion and cries for help are all I can remember from then on. The army was routed, so I found out afterward, but at the time a good number of our company were separated and made for what cover we could find. We fought, we ran, we fought, hid and ran some more into the night, the pursuit was relentless."

Vah'Lhorn had gone pale with the memory, his voice a little shaky, but clearly not from the alcohol. "We found some sort of ruined sanctum to hunker down in for the night, and my dreams that night were the stuff of true nightmares - and clearly I am no stranger to the hellish." Another pause, another drink, then he continued, "I was woken from that restless half sleep for the watch, and though awake, the images kept coming - I thought myself bereft of sanity. That's when I found the altar. That's when I made the pact. The visions changed, they made sense to me, they showed me the way forwards." Bram was starting to look visibly shaken by the recounting, and his companion's manner changed from melancholy to menace.

"I saved those men, trapped, hunted individuals with no hope left. I gave them hope, for when the enemy came, I met them with the wrath of all the hells, the wrath that had reshaped me. Their hope though... I felt none of it. I felt nothing, for inside me was a war of a different nature." Vah'Lhorn's gaze went blank, inside he saw a red sea of emotion, of hurt, pain, cruelty, and terror, waves threatened to envelope a small child who sat on the shore, a child that was all the hope, happiness, and innocence that Vah'Lhorn no longer felt. He was the rock that broke that wave, and as it broke, he knew he was somewhere he could make a difference. Vah'Lhorn cut himself short as he stood up and moved away from the table, the effects of the ale seemingly eradicated "Take care of yourself Bram, I have things to do here!"

Vah'Lhorn walked out the tavern, his eyes searching for something...

Contact with Sildar:

As you leave, a human contacts you. He seemed somewhat upset and in a little bit of a panic. 

Vah'Lhorn recognises the signs of distress on the man and feels a sense of 'rightness' at this co-incidental meeting. "I am Vah'Lhorn, you look like a man seeking aid... perhaps I may offer some?

The human introduces himself as Sildar Hallwinter, a member of the Lord's Alliance. Sildar tells you he came to this town to instill order, namely from goblin raiders. But it seems a larger threat is brewing. The Redbrands have been instilled to protect to town by the Townmaster, Harbin Wester. But lately, it seems the Redbrands have been taking advantage of the citizens. He also mentions Iarno, a human wizard, also part of the Lord's Alliance. Iarno was sent to the town to investigate the manor, but he has gone missing. 

At the mention of citizen's being taken advantage of by those brought in to protect them, Sildar see's Vah'Lhorn clench his fists and his body goes tense. Vah'Lhorn recalls the see of red, the breaking of the wave before the innocent, between gritted teeth he seems to master an internal struggle, "Please... continue..."

Sildar was trying to buy time while he gathered information on the manor, Iarno's disappearance and the Redbrands, but then the group left. Sildar tells you a group of adventurers had already left the city to investigate the manor. Sildar's is concerned the group is most likely outnumbered and underpowered to deal with the Redbrands alone. He explains that he has talked with multiple other citizens, but none wish to cross the Redbrands. He notes that you appear to be new to this town. "I would go, but I need to continue my investigation here in the city. I can feel there is more going on than what appears on the surface. I can get you gold if that would convince you to go." Sildar pleads for the help. 

"Your gold is not required, you have found my purpose. I cannot know of these actions without demonstrating their consequences to these 'Redbrands'." Vah'Lhorn recalls the see of red almost spits the last out. "Retribution comes to all..." In a mildly lighter tone, he enquirers "You mention the missing wizard Larno, and this adventuring group, could the Redbrands have gone seeking them? I think perhaps I should make haste towards this manor."

He knows the group is the best chance he has right now to deal with the issue. By the time reinforcements arrive it could be too late. He tells you of a secret entrance to the manor in the forest found by a local kid. He marks it on a hand-drawn map and gives you the slip of parchment. 

Vah'Lhorn bows deeply, and as he rises his eyes meet Sildar's briefly, then slings his pack over his shoulder, strokes the haft of his axe, then sets off to follow the map.

In the meeting of their eyes, Sildar felt a chill and knew that this creature was set on bloody murder, and he wondered if he had made a grave mistake.

Manor:

Vah'Lhorn follows the map to the secret entrance, but something Must have happened lately. There are three guards waiting near the entrance. This seems excessive to you. Possibly the kid finding the entrance may have put them on heightened security. Van'Lhorn makes his way quietly off the to find another way into the manor. From a distance, Van'Lhorn sees a door on the ground level wide open. He waits for a moment and does not hear any movement. A beaten path can easily be seen headed toward the door. Van'Lhorn begins to enter the room (room 1). Standing in the room are two figures, one is a very tall elven man and the other an elderly elven female of small stature. Redbrands, who you are somewhat familiar with, litter the room in varies states of completeness.  

Vah'Lhorn looks at the carnage strewn out before him, the broken bodies, the severed limbs from the bodies, and then to the two individuals standing amidst it all. His dominant right-hand drops to the haft of his battle-axe, hanging from his belt; his left hand raised, palm out in a placating gesture. "Ho there Elven-kin who be you, and what have you done here? For it is bloody work indeed" Vah'Lhorn's tone is flat and business-like in his brief appraisal of the scene.

Noting he has the high ground, Vah'Lhorn will hold his position at the top of the stairs to see how this plays out.

(Does Vah'Lhorn see any signs of blood from this slaughter on the elves weapons or clothes? Perception: 11)

When touching his axe, Vah'Lhorn uses:

The elven male seems to be in a state of shock. It appears he had been frightened by something recently. There is no blood on their weapons and they’re appearance is clean. Who ever did this must look like a bloody mess, but it is not these two. 

Vah'Lhorn relaxes a little, convincing himself that these elves are not responsible for the massacre in front of him.

“We are trying to protect our friend, I’m sorry I don’t have time to explain, but we are needing to drag two of these bodies back into the room behind us.”

Morpetor begins dragging one of the bodies back to the other room. 

Strength 20

They’re a bit lighter with the missing pieces. They’re easily dragged by a single person. 

"This might be one of those instances where spending an extra moment to explain yourself further could save you time in the greater scope of things... I ask again, who be you?" Vah'Lhorn's tone has some grit to it.

Morpetor throws a body down the crevasse, barely missing Kim, and heads back to get another. Upon entering the outer room, he stops, and with a frantic look, stops and acknowledges this guest, “My apologies, my name is Morpetor, and I am currently trying to save the life of a friend. Won’t you join us?” And he grabs another body and begins dragging it to the crevasse. 

"STOP where you stand Morpetor." 

Insight: 2

Vah'Lhorn looks at back and forth between the two figures, not having a clue as to whether this elf's desperate speaking is speaking from care for his friend, or straight up insanity, "You plan to save your friend with dead bodies? How ludicrous be this? I have come here to find an adventuring band and a wizard, that wizard is not you, but tell me the name of the person who sent you here, and maybe we can delay the explanations a little while."

Seeing Morpetor drag a corpse into the room, Yuri notes the tell tale signs of Renvalm's grim work upon it. As it is flung into the hole, he begins pulling on the rope, hand over hand, dragging Kim out.

Strength - 18

Grunting with the effort, Yuri speaks in clipped, terse words.

"How...do we...know...this thing isn't...using us? How can...we know...it will...release Kim?"

Van’Lhorn looks over Morpetor unsure if he’s frantic or actually crazy. He does seem determined to move the bodies either way. As Morpetor returns with a single body the creature peers out from behind the column watching the group work. The body lands hard with a thud at the bottom of the crevasse. Yuri begins to pull Kim up the side of the crevasse face. The second body Morpetor drags has a few more holes than the first. A bloody trail follows Morpetor as the second body is dragged to the crevasse. Exhausted, Morpetor is not able to throw the second body. The body is pushed over the side and rolls down the side of the steep crevasse face, past Kim on her way up. 

The creature moves out into the view of everyone and speaks into Morpetor’s head 

Falling to his knees, “It worked, he has released us!  He says he will leave us alone!  Get her out of there!” Morpetor points at Kim, and then motions to the outer room, “we have company...”

Gramgran 

Turning to the newcomer after Kim is safe, she’ll say, “You said you’re looking for adventurers? Well that might mean us then. Why did you come here?”

Vah'Lhorn looks down at the female elf, uneasy with Morpetor's actions but conscious of how desperate circumstances can force unlikely situations on the best of folk. "As was said lady, I was sent to find a group of adventurers and hopefully a lone wizard. led to believe that both may be in need of assistance..." Vah'Lhorn motions to the carnage, and then nudges the body by his feet.with the toe of his boot, "By the vista here, I find there be some truth to that." 

Vah'Lhorn's manner hardens a little, "Now, I feel I have extended you more than a courtesy by not yet baring steel, all things considered, and would appreciate some answers to my questions!" He finished with a slight nod of his head, and a cold, flat stare.

Gramgran 

Despite the cold demeanor of this devil-like being, Gramgran smiles at him and says, “Oh where are my manners! You can call me Gramgran. I don’t know much about it, but apparently there’s a being in that crevasse over there that will let us pass for two bodies, or our friend Kim. Obviously we’d pick the bodies. What’s your name dearie?” The small elven woman seems disarmingly sweet.

"Well met Gramgran, my name if Vah'Lhorn. Tell me what being you speak of that would trade the living for the dead. Firstly though, what is your purpose in this place that reeks of death?"

With Kim out of the crevice, Yuri follows to the first room, winding Gramgran's rope about his arm ready for it to be stowed away.

On entering, just in time for Vah'Lhorn's introduction, he sees the tiefling with his hand on the haft of his axe, not a threatening gesture in itself, but certainly a wary one. Yuri subconsciously mirrors the newcomer's pose. His own hand resting on the pommel of his longsword.

"We can show you the beast, although the less time spent around it the better. It is an abomination of nature, one enormous eye and feasting on the dead."

Passing Gramgran her rope back, Yuri steps forward, interposing himself between the tiefling and the elf.

"We seek a mage named Iarno, we were told he was last spotted in the grounds of this manor but a few days ago then nothing since. What brings you here? New recruit for the Redbrands?"

Kim once up, she rushes out of the room, still frightened. Upon entering the room with the new comer and all the gore she falls to the ground, slides against a wall in a panic, with her right hand clutching her amulet as it starts glowing very bright green and holding her left hand towards the new comer with ice forming around it.

Vah'Lhorn | Tiefling | Warlock (Hexblade)

At the mention of Iarno's name, Vah'Lorn's attention snaps away from the grandmother to the capable looking half-elf "Ho there half-breed, you finally answer something that your full blooded friends seemed to neglect." Now just to work out if they are searching to help or hinder, the wizard. These aren't good odds for an engagement, especially against two mages but at least the terrain favours me should I need to retreat. 

Seeing a pale faced, robed girl stumble into the room after the half-elf, Vah'Lorn concludes this must have been the friend that Morpetor and Gramgran spoke of. It warms his attitude toward the strange group to see they were telling the truth, and by the frightened look on her face, she must be relatively new to this business. 

"Lower your hand girl, I too seek Iarno, and for his name I shall trade you another. Sildar recruited me, fearing the band of adventurers he sent out would need additional numbers after the Redbrands up and disappeared from Phandalin. That should answer your last jibe too." A smile finds it's way onto Vah'Lhorn's features. "I am not unfamiliar with abominations. Perhaps I could have assisted had someone thought to ask..."

<<Edit: Hadn't seen Holyblade's post, so just amended to fix for that.>>

Eying Kim, Yuri notes her wild gaze and the ice crystals circling her outstretched fist. Kim is terrified and Morpetor is manic, rushing around like a spinning top. If the group is heading back into that room, they need to go in with strength. Yuri knows neither shirk when needed, but that...thing... He shudders.

Angling his body to protect the tiefling from any flying icicles reckoning it not being the introduction Sildar would want, Yuri lets his hand wander away from his sword towards Vah'Lhorn.

"Well met then, we could use another strong arm. I am Yuri. Sildar sent us too."