The Phandalin Chronicles

Krom suddenly recalls that they have Grannoc’s map that showed the location of the circle.  Consulting the map he quickly determines that this location cannot be the Circle of Thunder. 

"You are right Rhogar, this is not the Circle of Thunder." Krom checks the map again to be sure of not making mistakes and says "This way, we have to go this way."

Chip would slowly calm down and collect himself before pulling out his lute and playing a soft tune. "Straaaaange things are happening to me...Sssstttrraaange thingss.." He would sing as he follows behind Krom.

Rhogar breathes a small sigh of relief. "GOOD! I would have hated to have left a job half done." He states, then snaps his fingers as the march began once more. In another swirl of golden mist above his head, Ghorar appears back in existence, hissing and looking around in annoyance. After realizing no threats were abound after a few moments, she lands on the Bronze's shoulder, still seeming mildly annoyed for much of the journey forward.

Kazri takes a last look at the tree before leaving.

As the party make their way to the actual Circle of Thunder. Kazri approaches Rhogar. "Mr. Nimbatuul. I would like to apologize for my moment of weakness at our last encounter. It was not acceptable, and inexcusable. I will be more careful going forward." Kazri gives a low bow to Rhogar and keeps going to their next destination.

Rhogar takes a deep breathe, then lets out a long exhale through the nose. "You are forgiven, Ms. Kazri. But I do believe we are all owed MORE an explanation than apologies." He stated frankly. "What exactly happened back there to make you react so... wildly there? And do not say it was nothing, or brush it off. For we need to be prepared if it should happen again... and to now how better to help you." The last words come out softer, but he kept up a fair pace along with the others. 

Krom listens the conversation between Kazri and Rhogar and after a few minutes he says "Rhogar is right lass, you got us worried. Talk to us, you know you are with friends and friends help each other."

As the party reformed and heads in the direction of the circle Chill moves out ahead of the group staying about 75-100 feet ahead of them and scouting the way.

 (OCC: While the group make their way to their next destination. TBA)

(I am really sorry gents. Working on Kazri’s response. It’s turning out harder than I thought.)

"We can talk as we go. For now we are losing daylight and it could give our enemies time to prepare if they know we are coming for them." Rekuberk remarks as he moves to leave the circle.

(OCC: I am sorry for holding up the story folks. FYI. If you do not wish to spend a whole day going over someone's backstory, please skip to my next post.)

After hearing the concerns from Rhogar and Krom. Kazri stops and let out a heavy sigh. "Very well gentlemen. You are all the closest thing that I am able to call friends for a very long time. It is only appropriate that I explain myself." Kazri thinks for a moment, and starts to walk again. "I was once part of Waterdeep's City Guard, and I always thought that I would be part of it until the day I died. Military life is part of my family you see. One day, I was selected to be part of a special operations with the Gray Hands, a privilege that I was very proud to be part of..."

(Flashback OCC: I thought it would be easier to be told on first person)

A much younger Kazri is standing in front of a very fancy Waterdhavian tavern. “Why is the designated meeting location a tavern?” She is very excited that she will finally have the opportunity to meet an officer that she looks up to. She checks her armor to make sure she was wearing it appropriately, then enters the establishment. Her heart skips a beat when she notices the commanding officer she is to report to. He is actually more handsome than she thought.

Kazri approaches the person, stands in attention, and salutes. “Commander Tharii. Sergeant Kazri of the 3rd...” She’s cut short by the officer. “MASTER Sergeant.” He winks at Kazri. “It is a pleasure to meet you. We have heard many good things about you. I am glad you were able to join us. Please, at ease.” Kazri does not embarrass easily, but she can feel her face is getting beet red. She clears her throat. “Sir, is it correct that the mission is to investigate reports of “unnatural” activities outside of the city limits?” “That would be an affirmative Sergeant.” Kazri does not notice the joking tone. “With all due respect, sir, shouldn’t that be a mission for the City Guard? It is not exactly our jurisdiction, but...” Tharii smiles at Kazri. “Unfortunately, it is above my ranking to ask questions around here. My apologies, I jest. The higher ups think that Team 6 ought to take a look at this. So here we are.”

As the group nears the reported location not far from the town. "OK boys and, ahh girl..." Tharii looks to Kazri. "You all know the drill. I hope to be back in time for a nice dinner. Golamin, scout ahead. Rillem, with me. Kazri, you stay with Romoe to watch our backs." The group arrives at the location. Golamin is inspecting a dead horse in a clearing. "Sir, this dead animal... Something is not right." Kazri, not far, starts to feel very uncomfortable. She reaches her senses around the area, and she freezes in terror. "Si... Sir, I sense several undead presence approaching our location. Fast!!" "What Sergeant? Ohh sh... It's a trap!!"

Kazri’s hand goes to reach the hilt of her sword, and this is where her life would be changed forever. Sickly vines sprout from the ground, and restrain Kazri and Romoe before they knew what was happening. The smell of death emanating from the vines nauseates Kazri. A sword protrudes from Romoe’s chest, a humanoid creature, with large fangs sticking out, appears in from of him, out of nowhere, and rip the hapless man’s head out like he was a ragged doll. The creature looks at Kazri. "Hey Boss!! Look, they even brought a City Guard to tag along!! Stay right there sweety. I will be right back." Too much happening at once, and Kazri can't process the events. There seems to be about five vampires attacking the group. Golamin also goes down without knowing what hit him. Rillem tries to put up a fight, he scores a hit that would have sliced a person in two, but it only badly injures the creature. "You human scum!!" The creature sinks his fangs on Rillem's neck, and in moments, there is only the desiccated remains of his body. Everything goes dark, and Kazri passes out.

Kazri thinks she is dreaming the worst nightmare of her life. "Wake up Kazri!" She hears a melodic voice in her head. "Wake up!!" Kazri’s eyes opens. The headless body of Romoe is next to her. They are no longer entangled by the vines, though the smell of death is still in the air. The desiccated body of Rillem is not far from her, and Golamin's body is on top of the dead horse. However, she sees several vampire bodies laying on the clearing as well. Then she sees Tharii, or more precisely, the angelic figure of the person that was Tharii. Tharii lays on the ground, his body half-turned and twisted. One of his angelic wing has been ripped off entirely, the other bent and torn. Blood and a faint white glow gushes from his side. There are bites and gashes on his arms and torso, and even more blood leaking from his neck. One of the dead vampires has a giant sword through his chest. The angel Tharii turns his head to Kazri, and though every part of him has been ravaged, the medallion that rests on his chest still glows a beautiful, lustrous gold. At the sight of the beautiful angelic figure of Tharii in such a state, Kazri cries like she never had cried before. She gets up, wipes her tears off, and runs to Tharii. "I need to get you to a healer! Are you able to move?" She hears a loving voice coming from Tharii. "I am... I am dying. Might.. days. Help." The angel stares at the sword at Kazri's side, still in its scabbard. "No. No. No!" "More... Soon..." Kazri senses the area and see three incoming vampires. The angel's voice, weak and reedy continues. "They have healers. They will keep me... alive, a... long time. Please. End. Me." The angel gazes once more at Kazri's sword, and then back at Kazri. Their eyes meet, and Kazri behold the pain and the longing there. The longing to be safe from fear and pain. Tharii grimaces, still staring up at her. Blood trickles out of his mouth. "I must warn you. There is a... Steep price. Killing me will cost... you. I am really... sorry. Please... do it." Tears flows freely from Kazri's eyes, as Kazri raises her sword. The angel's medallion glows a candescent white, a blinding, burning glow, and Kazri hears a beautiful voice inside her head, though she cannot make out any of the words. Then the medallion dims, and the glow dies. The voice inside her head abruptly ceases.

The hilt of Kazri's sword become cold to the touch, and she leaves it embedded in the chest of the angel Tharii. There is a small, still smile on his face. The acid and anxiety are gone from Kazri's stomach, but something else is gone too. Something she cannot quite name. She reaches down to take the dull gray medallion from the angel's chest. It parts easily from the corpse. All things beautiful tear so easily. Tazri starts to run, she has no idea where she is going, but she keeps running.

After Kazri tell the group her story, she stops and looks at everyone.

"Thus, gentlemen, in order to save an angel, I willingly killed him with my sword, and I carry the consequences ever since. You are the only souls in this world that knows of what I did, and I thank you for listening. Now, if you do not wish to have an angel killer amongst you, you have all the right to be concerned. However, I would like to know how if that is the case. I shall leave, for I do not wish to sow discord amongst you, whom I call friends."

"Well... I mean... It sounds to me like you were just following the orders of an angel.." Chip would say while looking to Kazri... no longer playing his lute. "I don't see anything wrong with what you did. It wasn't like you could have carried the angel to safety with a bunch of vampires chasing you or anything... and I think he knew that too." The dragonborn would say before pausing.... perhaps thinking of composing a song... 

Krom listens to Kazri's story with a very serious expression, as Kazri finishes her story, the dwarf walks towards to her and gives her a strong hug while saying "It is all right Kazri, it is all right now."

Rhogar said nothing; nor did he look to Kazri for a fair amount of time. It is likely that it isn't until everyone else had their chance to respond prior to the Bronze found the words. ".... Brother Vixix once said that depending on the spark of the divine in... conjuction to its connection to this world, such beings may yet be resurrected upon their home. Or that a god in which they are in service to might do so, so...it could be your angel is still 'alive', but elsewhere, recovering from the ordeal." He turns back to Kazri, and to the greater group as a whole.

"Even if such is not the case this time... it is as Chip says. You had done the honorable thing, rather than leave them to languish, and likely become another blight upon this world through whatever dark torments awaited them. So, take HEART in that, if nothing else." He briefly looks to the Ivory Staff in hand, and then stepped up to place a hand on Kazri's shoulder. "If anything, Kazri. I am all the more honored to walk and fight alongside you. You, who in your darkest hour, stayed true to the light... and if the day ever comes that you wish to seek out those corrupted souls once more. Know that if I should still draw breathe, I will walk with you then too."

As you walk deeper into the forest you listen to Kazri as she relates her history.  (Feel free to discuss further if you wish)

After some time you find Chill standing in the path that you have been following and he relates to you that he believes you have arrived.  You move together as a group.

Ominous storm clouds gather in the sky as you approach a ninety-foot-tall hill with trees spreading across its slopes. Atop the hill is a large ring of standing stones. Two ghastly figures dance within this henge, surrounded by a number of smaller capering creatures.

It does not appear that you have been noticed as you approach from the south.

There is a slight sigh of relief. Kazri feels like a weight that has been on her should for a very long time has been lifted. She pats Krom on his shoulder. “I would like to thank you all for your understanding. May Helm grant me the ability to repay the kindness you have demonstrated today.” She holds her medallion for a moment. “Though hope is a luxury that I no longer possess, your words of wisdom, Mr. Nimbatuul, give me something to look forward to. Perhaps I may meet this angel again.”

As the group arrives at the location. “Chill, what does your keen feline eyes see?”

"This is a good time to use Dust of disappearence for suprise them, please come closer.", says Krom taking out the magical dust. The dwarf waits for the group to gather near him before using the dust.

Invisibly for 5 minutes 

"Let's focus on the half-orcs while they can't see us."

Chip would draw his longsword and his pan flute.. trying to remain quiet.

(OOC: So for the record... Chip is under 50% health... and has hardly any spell slots left since we have only taken a short rest since fighting the orcs / boars / tree)