Daewen simply bows deeply towards the old dwarf, and upon coming up grins a sheepish grin at him, and then beckons him to come out of the cell and follow them back upstairs. She puts her finger to her mouth, whispering a shhhhhhhhhhh.
Mercy bit her bottom lip, counting them. “There’s four ogres in the next room, a bunch of cultists all over the place, and a lich upstairs. This is going to be...difficult. And dangerous for everyone. You need to be quiet, and you need to be ready to fight to protect each other. Can you manage that?”
The prisoners look weak and tired, but it's better than the life they are living right now. They all agree to be as quiet as they can in your attempted getaway.
Bruldenthar nods. They are ready.
DC10, DC13, DC15. Pass em all. Make it happen. Good luck.
Daewen hands the elder dwarf the crowbar she has in her pack. To another prisoner, she hands him the hammer from her pack. Finally, to the third prisoner, she hands him the bucket she was carrying (collected from upstairs). An expedient club weapon, if anything.
Daewen then turns to Mercy, and gives her a huge hug of admiration, as if to say “I love you, and I’m here to HELP”.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Well done! You manage to quietly backtrack the way you came, in near silence with rolls like that.
Secret DM roll: 2 Not a single cultist or ogre stirred. Very nicely done!
Carrhae, Trini, Zephry, and Strife, you see an incredible sight. Daewen and Strife are leading about 16 prisoners away from the monastery in the quickest, quietest way they can. It's like two impatient schoolteachers trying to wrangle a bunch of hurried preschoolers towards you.
Mercy breathed a sigh of relief as they approached the carriage. "Change of plans, ladies and Zephyr-men. We need to get to civilization with our new friends." She smirks and places a hand on the Dwarf's shoulder. "We found Bruldenthar...and a few others. But we need to get out of here before someone pisses off the lich."
When Daewen and Mercy get to the rest of the party, Carrhae's so filled with relief over her friends that she hugs the both of them, momentarily forgetting that neither the plum colored Tiefling or the silent Shadar-Kai are particularly touchy-feely individuals. "Thank Sune you're both unharmed! Oh, I'm sorry. My emotions got the better of me for a moment. I didn't mean to violate either of your personal spaces. Please forgive me." Carrhae sees the freed prisoners and bows before them, assuming that some, if not all of them are from the delegation. "My name is Carrhae. The Order of the Gauntlet has sent me to assist in rescuing you and it is my honor to help you return safely. You can rest assured knowing that my comrades and I will keep you safe."
Zephyr could only smile at the return of his friends seeing Carrhae taking care of the hugging part. He was quick to help the prisoners, introducing himself as Barry (or Zephyr), healing them (if needed), and using some of his rations to feed them. He would attempt conversation with them if they wanted to share what horrors they had to face down in the dungeons of the keep, and ultimately understood if they didn’t want to speak.
After tending their wounds and making sure all of them were well, Zephyr would go to the group. “We should go before day break, are we all set? I don’t want to be around when the cultists realize their prisoners have been let free.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Aeydof the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm /ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ\
HARPER MISSION: DWARF HISTORIAN: RESCUED. COMPLETE. HARPER MISSION: DWARVEN HISTORICAL RECORDS: FOUND. COMPLETE. REPORT BACK TO WATERDEEP.
Brunldenthar is overjoyed to be freed and relieved to see his historical book have been found! Praise the Harpers and the others..who are in the carriage..getting high. The prisoners are also very thankful to be freed. You all sit around and relax, safe from the eyes of the monastery to enjoy a night of celebration and relaxation.
BRULDENTHAR'S TALE
(The short version:)
- Bruldenthar confirms that earth cultists ambushed the Mirabar delegation south of Beliard, slaying most of their guards. - Earth cultists and their captives were ferried across the Dessarin River by pirates who received the sage’s beloved books as payment. (They ended up with Shoalar, and were found.) - Bandits flying on giant vultures ambushed the earth cultists somewhere in the Sumber Hills. The bandits captured the delegate Deseyna Norvael. - Bruldenthar and the rest were brought to the Sacred Stone Monastery. He was put to work, but delegates Rhundorth and Teresiel were taken below to an unknown fate. They were not among the prisoners you freed.
DELEGATES:
Bruldenthar: FOUND Desenyna: MISSING. LOCATION UNKNOWN. Rhondorth: MISSING. LAST SEEN AT SACRED STONE MONASTERY. Teresiel: MISSING. LAST SEEN AT SACRED STONE MONASTERY.
Sitting around the fire, he has a greater overarching tale to tell as well. After all, he is a historian. You gather around and listen.
(The long story.)
ELEMENTAL EVIL. "The threat of Elemental Evil surfaces in different worlds of the multiverse whenever the force known as the Elder Elemental Eye tests its strength. In its current incarnation, Elemental Evil arises in the Sumber Hills, where we are now. The scattered towns and isolated homesteads of this frontier now face a dire threat. If the forces of Elemental Evil can’t be defeated before they grow, madness and destruction could spread unchecked through the North, and eventually all of Faerun."
IT ALL STARTED WITH DROW. OF COURSE. "The presence of Elemental Evil in the Sumber Hills goes back thousands of years, when a sect of renegade drow discovered the extensive caverns beneath the Sumber Hills and claimed it as their territory. These dark elves venerated a terrible god of primordial evil, and they built a shrine to this nameless power. In time, the ancient drow cult faded away (or was wiped out), and the place known as the Temple of the Elder Elemental Eye was forgotten for centuries."
THE DWARVES DISCOVERED IT NEXT. "The dwarves of Besilmer were the next folk to discover the site. Besilmer was a realm of pastures and cropland. The dwarves established an underground stronghold called Tyar-Besil beneath the Sumber Hills to defend against the trolls and giants that plagued the region. The dwarves discovered the ancient drow hold and its temple below their own delvings. They lacked the strength to clean out the ruins, so they abandoned their deeper excavations. Trolls and giants soon broke the realm of Besilmer, and the remaining dwarves abandoned the place altogether."
THE DWARVES LEFT, ADVENTURERS NEXT: THE KNIGHTS OF THE SILVER HORN. "Over the years, adventurers occasionally stumbled across the buried stronghold of Tyar-Besil and the drow vaults below it. Few made any lasting record of their explorations, and their names are forgotten. But about 600 years ago, a band of adventurers called the Knights of the Silver Horn found the place and commenced an exploration of the ruins. The adventurers came back to Tyar-Besil again and again, and when they decided to establish strongholds and tame the territory, they raised their keeps over each of the known access points leading to the ancient dwarven ruins. The adventurers feared something in the deep caves below the Sumber Hills, and they intended to set a permanent watch over the area."
THE ORC HORDES AND THE FOUR HAUNTED KEEPS. "History didn’t cooperate. A generation or two after the Knights of the Silver Horn established their strongholds, an orc horde swept through the North, and the keeps were overrun. For centuries they stood empty. Locals came to know them as the Haunted Keeps, and various monsters occasionally occupied the ruins."
THE DROW VIZERIAN DeVIR AND THE FOUR ELEMENTAL WEAPONS. "The abandoned keeps and the dwarven stronghold beneath them might have been forgotten forever, but a few years ago a drow named Vizeran DeVir returned to the ancient Fane of the Eye. A renegade drow wizard of great power, DeVir was no servant of Lolth; like the forgotten sect that created the temple long ago, he devoted himself to the nameless power of the Elder Elemental Eye. His beliefs led to his exile from drow society, but his faithfulness to this dark power did not go unrewarded. Guided by visions, Vizeran DeVir created four mighty weapons imbued with Elemental Evil: the spear Windvane, the dagger Tinderstrike, the trident Drown, and the war pick Ironfang. He left these weapons on the altar of the Elder Elemental Eye for their fated bearers to discover."
THE FOUR ELEMENTAL PROPHETS. "Within the last few months, four elemental prophets were driven to seek out the ancient altar by dreams or visions. One by one, Aerisi Kalinoth, Vanifer, Gar Shatterkeel, and Marlos Urnrayle claimed their weapons and became the leaders of their respective cults. The four prophets established themselves in the ruins of dwarven Tyar-Besil and occupied the Haunted Keeps that guard access to the vast dungeon. Lunatics, outlaws, power-hungry villains, and monsters of all description began to trickle into the valley, drawn by the dark call of Elemental Evil. Meanwhile, the prophets experimented with their new toys, nurturing the seeds of elemental nodes that grew larger every day and testing their powers to create ever-larger natural disasters."
WHO WILL STOP THEM? "After thousands of years, the seeds of Elemental Evil once again sprout beneath the Sumber Hills. Whether anyone can expose these sinister plots and put a stop to them remains to be seen."
Carrhae listens to Bruldenthar's words intently and gets the feeling that she and her friends just managed to get themselves involved in a fight against an ancient evil that they currently aren't prepared to face. She waits patiently for him to finish speaking before asking a question that's been on her mind for weeks. "Sorry to trouble you again, but there is something I need to know about. The captain of my order informed me that the body of one of my fallen comrades was among your delegation, so that he could be buried with honor at Summit Hall. Do you know what happened to him? "
Seeing Carrhae hug the triumphant duo, and believing it would be easier to obtain forgiveness than permission, Strife also embraced Mercy and Daewen upon their return. She then used her skill to sing a song of rest, and bestowed magical healing to the limits of her ability.
As the group set out, Strife was very keen to interview all of them and discover their unique stories as well as the areas of overlap. She ultimately spoke to everyone who was willing, taking thorough notes. Strife knew the cultists were numerous and had powerful earth magic at their disposal, but she was astounded that Mercy and Daewen had stumbled upon a lich and managed to just walk away! And then Daewen, blessed with The Raven Queen's purpose, had boldly crept past the ogres to find the prisoners in just about the shortest possible time.
Strife was further convinced their group was an instrument in the hands of greater powers. Luck alone couldn't account for their good fortune. Upon hearing the narrative concerning the evil stirring beneath the hills, she reassured herself that the matter would be turned over to the very best and most senior faction members who could mobilize a proper response.
Daewen is enthralled with the dwarf’s story, and has been madly scribbling it down in her journal as fast as she can. The Raven Queen will surely reward her justly for returning with this tale!
All through the evening, she’s been snuggling up to momma Strife, while keeping a watchful eye (of admiration and love) towards her fellow ninja, Mercy.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Upon making their way back to Waterdeep in their overstuffed carriage, Daewen will play pointgirl and lead the procession by a good mile or two. All the while, she’ll try to keep off the road by a short distance - enough that she can see the road, but far enough that she can flank anyone (or anything) that may be lying in wait to jump the carriage.
Perception: 10
Survival: 19
Daewen leads the carriage caravan south across the countryside, bypassing the major towns (Red Larch and Womford are probably not the best placed to be seen right now), until they hit The Long Road. From there, it’s another day and a half ride down the road to Waterdeep.
Carrhae's heart sinks when Bruldenthar tells her that he doesn't know what happened to the corpse of her comrade. She's a little less happy than the rest of her comrades are on the journey back to Waterdeep. When the company arrives in the city, she leaves their company for a brief amount of time. "I must report what's happened so far to my Captain. It won't take long. I'll be at the headquarters of the Order of the Gauntlet should you need to find me." Carrhae returns to headquarters with a more somber mood than she left with. She walks into the central chamber and kneels in front of her Captain like she did when she was assigned her mission.
"I was able to assist the Harpers in successfully recovering the majority of the delegates. They were attacked by Sacred Stone cultists soon after they left Beliard and the majority of them were kept in a monastery. Some of them are still missing at this time. Unfortunately, I was unable to find out what happened to the body of our fallen brother. I also have distressing news. The historian Bruldenthar reports of Elemental Evil resurfacing in the Sumber Hills. If not stopped, this evil could spread throughout Faerun and wreck the continent with natural disasters. I believe that our order should devote itself towards dealing with this threat. But as for me, I have failed my mission. I didn't prove worthy of the rank of Chevall and I'm ready to accept whatever punishment you see fit to give."
The tale of the Elder Elemental Eye all almost seems overwhelming for Trini whose only ever, well, heard tales like this before. Fantastical stories told by other bards of evil and good. She could almost pass it off as such if she hadn't seen some of these cultists for herself, and if they hadn't rescued Bruldenthar who knew far more than they did. She wouldn't let it keep her down for too long, getting to know some of the other rescuees on their journey back. The bells, of course made their reappearence after a day or so and she was happy to entertain the lot of them, often joining up with Strife. Generally she tries to keep everyone's spirits up as they go, especially after such a harrowing ordeal many of them faced.
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"All will become equal now" | "Cause we're going to shout it loud, even if our words seem meaningless. It's like we're carrying the weight of the world"
"... and the part when they go over the bridge at Gethnock, and it talks about the hooves clattering over the cobblestones, on their way to meet the ship docking at Oplund - what about that?"
"I don't recall that."
"It's the part when they go to tell Skirn the Mad they won't accede to his demands. Don't you remember?"
"That was, what... 800 years ago?! Of course I don't remember."
"827, give or take. No, obviously, what I mean is are you familiar with those passages? Because it seemed odd you would hear the hooves if it was raining, and it says it was, and it mentions the river being swollen so they couldn't ford except by the bridge. Isn't that significant?"
"Uh... well I suppose it shows that it was rainy."
"Yeah, but they heard the hooves. Clattering."
"So?"
"So I'm just saying isn't that a bit weird?"
"No, you're a bit weird."
"Well that's just one example of all the water stuff. In each case they put this little hint there, something slightly off so you know it's related, and then you just have to put the pieces together. You see? It's all hiding in plain sight if you know what to look for."
"If you say so."
"As near as I can tell, the recipe is like the master key. I've got strong candidates to tie back each of the ingredients, but I'm a bit shaky on the cinnamon. For this one, the best I have been able to come up with is the nuptial banquet when King Rusvek gets married in Thirweldin-"
"No."
"-and if I have grasped the geography right, that's sort of close to the waterfall at Kragstuppem, which could symbolize the fall of the dynasty due to water-"
"Nope."
"-given what ultimately transpired, and it even says the wedding banquet included apple pie among the desserts, so who's to say if maybe that part is like a warning-"
"Just stop. Please."
"-an omen suggesting the kingdom would slowly but fatally be eroded by water like forces gradually carrying away the nutrients sustaining the institutions of governance-"
"Absolutely not. Nothing of the kind."
"-which then decay and rot leaving only the temptation of the apple pie, which could represent the insurrection, both being associated with the fall harvest, surely not a coincidence-"
"No, sorry, you're insane."
"-and even the later drought and famine, if you think about it, is a kind of catastrophe tied to water, but in that case stemming from the absence thereof, rather than a surfeit, still the connection seems pretty obvious-"
"No, no it doesn't, and I'm quite finished speaking with you. Hello? Hello! Yes, this person is entirely deranged and I shall no longer be conversing with her. About anything. Ever. See that she maintains a respectful distance. Thank you and good day."
Well, either I'm way off or I'm spot on, and he's sworn to secrecy and just upset I have it all nearly figured out. Or maybe he's embarrassed I know his history better than he does. But those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Mercy stayed with Carrhae on the rear guard as their impromptu caravan traveled back to Waterdeep. She occasionally came forward to make rotations, allowing everyone to spend some time in the carriage to rest. She knew it was odd for a thief to be fair minded, but she'd made her life's purpose the flouting of negative stereotypes, so she felt no conflicting impulses. These people were her charges until they were safe, and she would treat them properly.
When they'd reached Waterdeep, she stayed by Bruldenthar, escorting him home to Gerde and reminding her of their agreement.
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Daewen simply bows deeply towards the old dwarf, and upon coming up grins a sheepish grin at him, and then beckons him to come out of the cell and follow them back upstairs. She puts her finger to her mouth, whispering a shhhhhhhhhhh.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Mercy bit her bottom lip, counting them. “There’s four ogres in the next room, a bunch of cultists all over the place, and a lich upstairs. This is going to be...difficult. And dangerous for everyone. You need to be quiet, and you need to be ready to fight to protect each other. Can you manage that?”
The prisoners look weak and tired, but it's better than the life they are living right now. They all agree to be as quiet as they can in your attempted getaway.
Bruldenthar nods. They are ready.
DC10, DC13, DC15. Pass em all. Make it happen. Good luck.
Daewen hands the elder dwarf the crowbar she has in her pack. To another prisoner, she hands him the hammer from her pack. Finally, to the third prisoner, she hands him the bucket she was carrying (collected from upstairs). An expedient club weapon, if anything.
Daewen then turns to Mercy, and gives her a huge hug of admiration, as if to say “I love you, and I’m here to HELP”.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
(OOC: I have the higher stealth modifier. Are you going to Help?)
Stealth: 23
Stealth: 22
Stealth: 17
Well done! You manage to quietly backtrack the way you came, in near silence with rolls like that.
Secret DM roll: 2 Not a single cultist or ogre stirred. Very nicely done!
Carrhae, Trini, Zephry, and Strife, you see an incredible sight. Daewen and Strife are leading about 16 prisoners away from the monastery in the quickest, quietest way they can. It's like two impatient schoolteachers trying to wrangle a bunch of hurried preschoolers towards you.
Mercy breathed a sigh of relief as they approached the carriage. "Change of plans, ladies and Zephyr-men. We need to get to civilization with our new friends." She smirks and places a hand on the Dwarf's shoulder. "We found Bruldenthar...and a few others. But we need to get out of here before someone pisses off the lich."
When Daewen and Mercy get to the rest of the party, Carrhae's so filled with relief over her friends that she hugs the both of them, momentarily forgetting that neither the plum colored Tiefling or the silent Shadar-Kai are particularly touchy-feely individuals. "Thank Sune you're both unharmed! Oh, I'm sorry. My emotions got the better of me for a moment. I didn't mean to violate either of your personal spaces. Please forgive me." Carrhae sees the freed prisoners and bows before them, assuming that some, if not all of them are from the delegation. "My name is Carrhae. The Order of the Gauntlet has sent me to assist in rescuing you and it is my honor to help you return safely. You can rest assured knowing that my comrades and I will keep you safe."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Mercy chuckles softly and pats Carrhae's shoulder. "Mask was with us tonight."
(RP path chosen!)
Thank the Traveler.
Zephyr could only smile at the return of his friends seeing Carrhae taking care of the hugging part. He was quick to help the prisoners, introducing himself as Barry (or Zephyr), healing them (if needed), and using some of his rations to feed them. He would attempt conversation with them if they wanted to share what horrors they had to face down in the dungeons of the keep, and ultimately understood if they didn’t want to speak.
After tending their wounds and making sure all of them were well, Zephyr would go to the group. “We should go before day break, are we all set? I don’t want to be around when the cultists realize their prisoners have been let free.”
Aeyd of the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk
Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm
Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid
Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue
Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm
/ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ\
HARPER MISSION: DWARF HISTORIAN: RESCUED. COMPLETE.
HARPER MISSION: DWARVEN HISTORICAL RECORDS: FOUND. COMPLETE.
REPORT BACK TO WATERDEEP.
Brunldenthar is overjoyed to be freed and relieved to see his historical book have been found! Praise the Harpers and the others..who are in the carriage..getting high. The prisoners are also very thankful to be freed. You all sit around and relax, safe from the eyes of the monastery to enjoy a night of celebration and relaxation.
BRULDENTHAR'S TALE
(The short version:)
- Bruldenthar confirms that earth cultists ambushed the Mirabar delegation south of Beliard, slaying most of their guards.
- Earth cultists and their captives were ferried across the Dessarin River by pirates who received the sage’s beloved books as payment. (They ended up with Shoalar, and were found.)
- Bandits flying on giant vultures ambushed the earth cultists somewhere in the Sumber Hills. The bandits captured the delegate Deseyna Norvael.
- Bruldenthar and the rest were brought to the Sacred Stone Monastery. He was put to work, but delegates Rhundorth and Teresiel were taken below to an unknown fate. They were not among the prisoners you freed.
DELEGATES:
Bruldenthar: FOUND
Desenyna: MISSING. LOCATION UNKNOWN.
Rhondorth: MISSING. LAST SEEN AT SACRED STONE MONASTERY.
Teresiel: MISSING. LAST SEEN AT SACRED STONE MONASTERY.
Sitting around the fire, he has a greater overarching tale to tell as well. After all, he is a historian. You gather around and listen.
(The long story.)
ELEMENTAL EVIL.
"The threat of Elemental Evil surfaces in different worlds of the multiverse whenever the force known as the Elder Elemental Eye tests its strength. In its current incarnation, Elemental Evil arises in the Sumber Hills, where we are now. The scattered towns and isolated homesteads of this frontier now face a dire threat. If the forces of Elemental Evil can’t be defeated before they grow, madness and destruction could spread unchecked through the North, and eventually all of Faerun."
IT ALL STARTED WITH DROW. OF COURSE.
"The presence of Elemental Evil in the Sumber Hills goes back thousands of years, when a sect of renegade drow discovered the extensive caverns beneath the Sumber Hills and claimed it as their territory. These dark elves venerated a terrible god of primordial evil, and they built a shrine to this nameless power. In time, the ancient drow cult faded away (or was wiped out), and the place known as the Temple of the Elder Elemental Eye was forgotten for centuries."
THE DWARVES DISCOVERED IT NEXT.
"The dwarves of Besilmer were the next folk to discover the site. Besilmer was a realm of pastures and cropland. The dwarves established an underground stronghold called Tyar-Besil beneath the Sumber Hills to defend against the trolls and giants that plagued the region. The dwarves discovered the ancient drow hold and its temple below their own delvings. They lacked the strength to clean out the ruins, so they abandoned their deeper excavations. Trolls and giants soon broke the realm of Besilmer, and the remaining dwarves abandoned the place altogether."
THE DWARVES LEFT, ADVENTURERS NEXT: THE KNIGHTS OF THE SILVER HORN.
"Over the years, adventurers occasionally stumbled across the buried stronghold of Tyar-Besil and the drow vaults below it. Few made any lasting record of their explorations, and their names are forgotten. But about 600 years ago, a band of adventurers called the Knights of the Silver Horn found the place and commenced an exploration of the ruins. The adventurers came back to Tyar-Besil again and again, and when they decided to establish strongholds and tame the territory, they raised their keeps over each of the known access points leading to the ancient dwarven ruins. The adventurers feared something in the deep caves below the Sumber Hills, and they intended to set a permanent watch over the area."
THE ORC HORDES AND THE FOUR HAUNTED KEEPS.
"History didn’t cooperate. A generation or two after the Knights of the Silver Horn established their strongholds, an orc horde swept through the North, and the keeps were overrun. For centuries they stood empty. Locals came to know them as the Haunted Keeps, and various monsters occasionally occupied the ruins."
THE DROW VIZERIAN DeVIR AND THE FOUR ELEMENTAL WEAPONS.
"The abandoned keeps and the dwarven stronghold beneath them might have been forgotten forever, but a few years ago a drow named Vizeran DeVir returned to the ancient Fane of the Eye. A renegade drow wizard of great power, DeVir was no servant of Lolth; like the forgotten sect that created the temple long ago, he devoted himself to the nameless power of the Elder Elemental Eye. His beliefs led to his exile from drow society, but his faithfulness to this dark power did not go unrewarded. Guided by visions, Vizeran DeVir created four mighty weapons imbued with Elemental Evil: the spear Windvane, the dagger Tinderstrike, the trident Drown, and the war pick Ironfang. He left these weapons on the altar of the Elder Elemental Eye for their fated bearers to discover."
THE FOUR ELEMENTAL PROPHETS.
"Within the last few months, four elemental prophets were driven to seek out the ancient altar by dreams or visions. One by one, Aerisi Kalinoth, Vanifer, Gar Shatterkeel, and Marlos Urnrayle claimed their weapons and became the leaders of their respective cults. The four prophets established themselves in the ruins of dwarven Tyar-Besil and occupied the Haunted Keeps that guard access to the vast dungeon. Lunatics, outlaws, power-hungry villains, and monsters of all description began to trickle into the valley, drawn by the dark call of Elemental Evil. Meanwhile, the prophets experimented with their new toys, nurturing the seeds of elemental nodes that grew larger every day and testing their powers to create ever-larger natural disasters."
WHO WILL STOP THEM?
"After thousands of years, the seeds of Elemental Evil once again sprout beneath the Sumber Hills. Whether anyone can expose these sinister plots and put a stop to them remains to be seen."
Carrhae listens to Bruldenthar's words intently and gets the feeling that she and her friends just managed to get themselves involved in a fight against an ancient evil that they currently aren't prepared to face. She waits patiently for him to finish speaking before asking a question that's been on her mind for weeks. "Sorry to trouble you again, but there is something I need to know about. The captain of my order informed me that the body of one of my fallen comrades was among your delegation, so that he could be buried with honor at Summit Hall. Do you know what happened to him? "
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Seeing Carrhae hug the triumphant duo, and believing it would be easier to obtain forgiveness than permission, Strife also embraced Mercy and Daewen upon their return. She then used her skill to sing a song of rest, and bestowed magical healing to the limits of her ability.
As the group set out, Strife was very keen to interview all of them and discover their unique stories as well as the areas of overlap. She ultimately spoke to everyone who was willing, taking thorough notes. Strife knew the cultists were numerous and had powerful earth magic at their disposal, but she was astounded that Mercy and Daewen had stumbled upon a lich and managed to just walk away! And then Daewen, blessed with The Raven Queen's purpose, had boldly crept past the ogres to find the prisoners in just about the shortest possible time.
Strife was further convinced their group was an instrument in the hands of greater powers. Luck alone couldn't account for their good fortune. Upon hearing the narrative concerning the evil stirring beneath the hills, she reassured herself that the matter would be turned over to the very best and most senior faction members who could mobilize a proper response.
Daewen is enthralled with the dwarf’s story, and has been madly scribbling it down in her journal as fast as she can. The Raven Queen will surely reward her justly for returning with this tale!
All through the evening, she’s been snuggling up to momma Strife, while keeping a watchful eye (of admiration and love) towards her fellow ninja, Mercy.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Upon making their way back to Waterdeep in their overstuffed carriage, Daewen will play pointgirl and lead the procession by a good mile or two. All the while, she’ll try to keep off the road by a short distance - enough that she can see the road, but far enough that she can flank anyone (or anything) that may be lying in wait to jump the carriage.
Perception: 10
Survival: 19
Daewen leads the carriage caravan south across the countryside, bypassing the major towns (Red Larch and Womford are probably not the best placed to be seen right now), until they hit The Long Road. From there, it’s another day and a half ride down the road to Waterdeep.
Blue route:
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Carrhae's heart sinks when Bruldenthar tells her that he doesn't know what happened to the corpse of her comrade. She's a little less happy than the rest of her comrades are on the journey back to Waterdeep. When the company arrives in the city, she leaves their company for a brief amount of time. "I must report what's happened so far to my Captain. It won't take long. I'll be at the headquarters of the Order of the Gauntlet should you need to find me." Carrhae returns to headquarters with a more somber mood than she left with. She walks into the central chamber and kneels in front of her Captain like she did when she was assigned her mission.
"I was able to assist the Harpers in successfully recovering the majority of the delegates. They were attacked by Sacred Stone cultists soon after they left Beliard and the majority of them were kept in a monastery. Some of them are still missing at this time. Unfortunately, I was unable to find out what happened to the body of our fallen brother. I also have distressing news. The historian Bruldenthar reports of Elemental Evil resurfacing in the Sumber Hills. If not stopped, this evil could spread throughout Faerun and wreck the continent with natural disasters. I believe that our order should devote itself towards dealing with this threat. But as for me, I have failed my mission. I didn't prove worthy of the rank of Chevall and I'm ready to accept whatever punishment you see fit to give."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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The tale of the Elder Elemental Eye all almost seems overwhelming for Trini whose only ever, well, heard tales like this before. Fantastical stories told by other bards of evil and good. She could almost pass it off as such if she hadn't seen some of these cultists for herself, and if they hadn't rescued Bruldenthar who knew far more than they did. She wouldn't let it keep her down for too long, getting to know some of the other rescuees on their journey back. The bells, of course made their reappearence after a day or so and she was happy to entertain the lot of them, often joining up with Strife. Generally she tries to keep everyone's spirits up as they go, especially after such a harrowing ordeal many of them faced.
"All will become equal now" | "Cause we're going to shout it loud, even if our words seem meaningless. It's like we're carrying the weight of the world"
"... and the part when they go over the bridge at Gethnock, and it talks about the hooves clattering over the cobblestones, on their way to meet the ship docking at Oplund - what about that?"
"I don't recall that."
"It's the part when they go to tell Skirn the Mad they won't accede to his demands. Don't you remember?"
"That was, what... 800 years ago?! Of course I don't remember."
"827, give or take. No, obviously, what I mean is are you familiar with those passages? Because it seemed odd you would hear the hooves if it was raining, and it says it was, and it mentions the river being swollen so they couldn't ford except by the bridge. Isn't that significant?"
"Uh... well I suppose it shows that it was rainy."
"Yeah, but they heard the hooves. Clattering."
"So?"
"So I'm just saying isn't that a bit weird?"
"No, you're a bit weird."
"Well that's just one example of all the water stuff. In each case they put this little hint there, something slightly off so you know it's related, and then you just have to put the pieces together. You see? It's all hiding in plain sight if you know what to look for."
"If you say so."
"As near as I can tell, the recipe is like the master key. I've got strong candidates to tie back each of the ingredients, but I'm a bit shaky on the cinnamon. For this one, the best I have been able to come up with is the nuptial banquet when King Rusvek gets married in Thirweldin-"
"No."
"-and if I have grasped the geography right, that's sort of close to the waterfall at Kragstuppem, which could symbolize the fall of the dynasty due to water-"
"Nope."
"-given what ultimately transpired, and it even says the wedding banquet included apple pie among the desserts, so who's to say if maybe that part is like a warning-"
"Just stop. Please."
"-an omen suggesting the kingdom would slowly but fatally be eroded by water like forces gradually carrying away the nutrients sustaining the institutions of governance-"
"Absolutely not. Nothing of the kind."
"-which then decay and rot leaving only the temptation of the apple pie, which could represent the insurrection, both being associated with the fall harvest, surely not a coincidence-"
"No, sorry, you're insane."
"-and even the later drought and famine, if you think about it, is a kind of catastrophe tied to water, but in that case stemming from the absence thereof, rather than a surfeit, still the connection seems pretty obvious-"
"No, no it doesn't, and I'm quite finished speaking with you. Hello? Hello! Yes, this person is entirely deranged and I shall no longer be conversing with her. About anything. Ever. See that she maintains a respectful distance. Thank you and good day."
Well, either I'm way off or I'm spot on, and he's sworn to secrecy and just upset I have it all nearly figured out. Or maybe he's embarrassed I know his history better than he does. But those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Mercy stayed with Carrhae on the rear guard as their impromptu caravan traveled back to Waterdeep. She occasionally came forward to make rotations, allowing everyone to spend some time in the carriage to rest. She knew it was odd for a thief to be fair minded, but she'd made her life's purpose the flouting of negative stereotypes, so she felt no conflicting impulses. These people were her charges until they were safe, and she would treat them properly.
When they'd reached Waterdeep, she stayed by Bruldenthar, escorting him home to Gerde and reminding her of their agreement.