Sarangerel the barbarian princess is leading the other adventurers from the Inn on a quest northeast along the foothills. To deal with some troublesome hatchling Griffins. Who have been troubling local horse breeders?
A horde of refugees has been held up just south of the mining village of Ravvan by the newly employed Mercenaries.
The deserters from the front line, who had pillaged some farms and robbed some peasant's carts have been captured. The Knight of Justice, Lady Landswith has come to pass sentence.
The other 50 strong Mercenaries have headed toward the Fort of Kellesar, to reinforce it from Horse Barbarian attacks.
The Temple of Lathander is in need of ingredients for more healing potions.
The Innkeeper Eryen, has heard and seen.
The Ginger cat showed about a day after Stray left with you all and Backwater into the swamp. Hasn't left since but catches mice and delivers them as gifts to Eryen each morn.
The rude Mercenary leaders were housed inside the walled port of Surbar, in the rich merchant quarters. However, the Baron has not given her any more income to help improve the Inn.
Resources and rations seem to have become rarer. The war is draining the locals of more than they can afford.
The Pirate ship The Shadow Quill has been reported close to the port. Some say they have even seen the dread Captain Esther Blackfeather about the docks along with her 2nd mate Luth Helder.
Whales have been sparse and the demand for oil has grown. Merchants are not happy.
A small cargo ship was wrecked not far south of Surbar near the swamps. Its owners are looking to salvage it. Will pay a reward.
(The names and Info were gathered from the Shining South 2e and 3.5e books or found on Forgotten Realms Fandom Wiki. I have added some history to flesh them out).
Prince Drasna during his early years, though of noble birth Prince Drasna was an adventurer. His companions later became barons, loyal courtiers, advisers, and military generals.
Possessions
His family sword is known as “Fortunius”, a gleaming, blue sapphire encrusted hilt- Longsword -+1 luck blade. Stone of Goodluck. Blue Dragon Scale Armor.
Bardic lore
His first adventure.
-Submission of a renegade barbarian tribe lord.
100s of horse-mounted barbarians of the Stoney waste raided eastern farms, stealing cattle and prize breeding horses. Prince Drasna and his friends tracked them down, challenged the Barbarian chief to a wrestling match, and won. The Barbarians returned the stolen animals, however were also gifted some of their own, cattle, horses, and food in return. Since then PrinceDrasna and the Barbarian chief have become friends and work together defending the kingdom and Stoney waste.
-Fending of the dark fey
Prince Dransa and the half-elf cleric/ warrioress of Tyr Landswith, the half dark elf Warrioress / Bard of the College of Blades, Sinveri Trollkin tracked down and defeated a dark fey portal that had allowed Redcapsto cause a string of murders in the capital. Ultimately a disgusting Hagliving in the marshlands near Kellazzar was found to be summoning these fey and other horrors to usurp King Caladorn, Prince Drasna’s father. She was captured and burned in her hovel by Drasna and his party.
-Sea Devil slavers and the Sea Elves of the Lost Leviathan.
Prince Drasna and his companions befriended the sea elves living in nearby waters. With their aid defeated a nomadic tribe of Sahugan and their allies who had been attacking ships and coastal towns.
- Voznetrath, Black Dragon of the Swamp.
Prince Drasna, Landswith and Sinveri with the aid of Arry and Garry (two adventuring rangers who called themselves the Swamp Brothers). Dove into the swamps to help a tribe of Lizardmen they had befriended. The swamp had become poisoned and many of its inhabitants enslaved. The Black Dragon Voznetrath was slain and the swamps freed of its corruption.
-Slaying of Azurcrys the Blue Dragon.
Prince Drasna was informed by his new friend Khan Chenghiz, of the Barbarian tribe of the Galloping Storm. That a blue dragon had been organizing and intimidating local monsters and Barbarians. His lair 5 days ride along the base of the Southern mountains and hidden by a waterfall along a tributary of the Widows tears river half a days climb south.
After battling many of the Blue Dragons Azurcrys’s minions, Prince Drasna, and his companions were able to slay the dragon. However, his companion Morninglord Rah , a cleric of Lathander was killed. The dragon's hide was made into four suits of armor (2 full plate and 2 scale). The skull is displayed in the king's main hall, over his throne. And hence his title Bluemantle as he wears a Cloak (mantle) made of the dragon's scales.
-Spell Plague, Grey Orc invasions.
During the spell plague, Prince Drasna, his subjects (now Barons) the half elf Cavalier Montar Kaspar and Sir Redinald Rascalin (then known as Ulgarths Trident) with the Ranger Kevin Olwynson (now Baron of Dralpur), Sinveri and Landswith, raised a ragtag force after a crushing defeat of Ulgarths army. In which four of the kingdoms Barons, many Knights, and professional soldiers lost their lives.
Prince Drasna and his companions led into battle thousands of now friendly horse Barbarians, Lizardfolk of the swamp, Seelie Fey including pixies, sprites, Treants, Dryads, Centaur even wild animals of the land joined his charge. With the mighty Bronze Dragon Corriandeazz at the lead.
During this counter-strike against the Grey Orcs, after the main Ulgarth army was routed, Corriandeazz the copper dragon was slain by enemy mountain giants. However, this brought enough time for Prince Drasna, his ragtag force of Treants, Centaur, and Barbarian horsemen to engage, destroying the ranks of Orcs and slaying the giants.
Sadly as this battle unfolded, King Caladorn the wise (Drasna’s father) was killed in the fighting. As he fell, lightning and thunder crashed, rain pelted down as massive gale-force winds blew. A group of Storm Giant including the Storm King of the South appeared from the tops of the surrounding mountains and laid waste to the remaining enemy hoards. Killing every last foe foolish enough not to flee.
Once the battle ended, the Storm Giants disappearing as suddenly as they had arrived, along with the storm.
In the aftermath, the once prince was now handed the role of King. Protector of Ulgarth, taking his father's place.
(The names and Info were gathered from the Shining South 2e and 3.5e books or found on Forgotten Realms Fandom Wiki. I have added some history to flesh them out).
Sinveri Trollkin is a quarter-drow elf woman who serves as the general of the armed forces of Ulgarth. She hailed originally from the land of Dambrath, but had turned renegade and fled from the oppressive rule. Now seeking justice for her people and those oppressed by evil.
Sinveri is a capable and intelligent leader.
She started her adventuring career as a bard of the college of Swords, however later under the tutelage of Landswith and Prince Drasna became a warrioress. Her bardic abilities allow her orders to be heard across the battlefield, her prowess with blades make her a formidable opponent.
She became one of Prince Drasna's companions a few years into his own adventuring career but her goals to seek justice and bring law to the lawless, soon endeared her to her new companions.
She is rumored to have tamed and now rides a mighty Nightmareas her steed into battle.
Lady Landswith Meilin is the quintessential knight in shining armor—she wanders the kingdom in search of noble quests she can undertake, good deeds to do, and wrongs to right. Lady Landswith is by far the most fearsome, experienced, and well-equipped warrior in Ulgarth.
Personality
Lady Landswith was atypical in her profession as, in Ulgarth, very few women of the kingdom and fewer half-elves became knights, and she was both.
She was also perhaps the only Ulgarthan knight to wear full plate mail armor, in a hot and humid climate that would make this unbearable to the point of being lethal.
Lady Landswith had no desire to receive the kind of concern and chivalry that other Ulgarthan knights had to show to females, hence why she wore armor that completely concealed her gender. Instead, she shows chivalry to all she encounters, except for the wicked.
History
An orphaned child found in a reed raft floating in the River Xon, by fishermen from Sourmpar. She was handed over to the largest temple "The Temple of the Even hand" of the barony's largest town. Here she was raised as an acolyte of the god of Just war Tyr. It is speculated she was abandoned during a Grey orc assault on the Scarlet Jungle just over the river Xon in the realm of Durpar to ensure her safety.
She rose through the ranks of the Kingdoms clergy of Tyr, one of the 5 most revered gods in Ulgarth. Who held much power and influence in the capital Orvyltar. In her later teen years she befriended the Prince of Ulgarth named Drasna. This leads to their adventuring careers starting together, King Drasna's first loyal companion..and some in the realm hint at more...
In her time, Lady Landswith has journeyed far to the south, beyond the borders of Ulgarth and into the Utter East, lands she came to know better than anyone else in her kingdom.
After the coronation of King Drasna as ruler of Ulgarth and the burial ceremonies of his Father King Caladorn the Wise. The common sight of Lady Landswith at his side soon became a rare. The new king was forced into marriage by his family to a princess from Var the Golden and his time spent more in the capital Orvyltar.
Rewarded by the King for her loyal services she was knighted, and given the royal role of Grand Master of Justice. This role leads her to travel the realm, to each town and village, dealing out the king's justice and enforcing his laws.
After the marriage of King Drasna to the Princess of Var, now queen. LadyLandswith partook on a mysterious quest that leads her away for over 8 years. When she returned to her normal duties. She now rode a mighty steed, a stallion Unicorn and alongside her rode again atop another Unicorn her page/ squire. A young girl of maybe 8 years? Who radiated some type of celestial aura.
Keeping up her duties as enforcer of Justice, she and her squire travel all across the realm, however, has not returned to the capital. it's now been 18 years since she has graced the Copper Keep of Orvyltar!
On the 22nd day of the Month of Alturiak, the phase of the half-moon.
After a long day.
Most of you had sat eating breakfast, then one buy one questioned by the mighty Knight, Lady Landswith, with her squire sitting behind her.
Then some trade, crafting, and recreation after the long days in the swamp. Everyone has gathered for Eveningfeast. A fresh catch of river fish, lightly floured, crispy fried, and salted. A bowl of sautéed greens cooked with fresh goat’s butter. Alongside a loaf of freshly cooked rye bread.
Enjoying another hearty meal, cooked, plated, and served by the Inn Keep Eyren. With no other help.
The young polite, however quiet, Innkeeper looks overworked and tired. Still, She, like clockwork delivers food and ale in a well-paced rhythm.
Noticing this brings you to an argument happening about 3 inches from the floor.
Dumph “ hey you! You live here?” he exclaims?
A sleepy-looking fey with a pointed sleeping hat and nightgown appears from a crack in the floorboards.
Viphff yawns sleepily ” ahh eeer yeaahh ahh err… hmm, cousin Dumph. Sorry I didn’t know you were coming to visit?”
Ghelf cuts in before Dumph can respond
“yeahh! Whats going on here? You call this? Your place???, you’re a shame to our family!."
He angrily expresses waving his tiny spear about.
"A cook as good as this houses and plentiful food?! Look at this place! It's filthy!"
Red-faced he carries on.
"Geez, we only been here 1 day and have drunk more wine, eaten more cheese, and supped on sweet cream pastries! "
he then moans..
"I don’t think me and Dumph can go on helping our lady leonette into battle!! Our bellys too fat!”
“You’re a disgrace to our tribe! You know the code of the mousetail clan! :”
Ghelf starts to repeat melodically.
"a home that leaves scraps, our clan will kitchen clean,
a house that leaves sweats our clan will make sheen.
A Home that makes offerings to the clan, our honor bides us to maintain.. higher than any ..hmpf.. human..”
Viphff looks a bit flustered
“Hey hey settle settle… I just woke up” he rubs his eyes.
Viphff looks about
Dumph asks “err Viphff, how long you been asleep?”
Viphff holding up his fingers one at a time, then blushing “ err, hmm well time to wake up my family and get back to work”
Licking his fingers then putting out the tiny bedside candle in an ornate holder with a snap of his fingers.
...Meanwhile, the ginger cat that has taken up residence in the Inn watches intently, hungrily licking its lips....
On the 23nd day of the Month of Alturiak, the phase of three the quarter-moon.
After an early start, Master Rudyard delivers the goods.
Seems the two Elves had cut a deal with him to supply a metal caged sturdy built wagon, along with a mighty, black stallion, Draft horse.
Gathering equipment into the new wagon, soon on the way, you come across some women and their young or elderly Men with carts pulled by a horse or Ox, full of sugar cane, coffee, hemp for rope and sails, and heavy 4 axle carts full of stone or lumber. The subtle smells of open farm landfill their noses.
A heavy 4 axel cart pulled by an Oxen team full of fresh-cut lumber slowly makes its way to the port. The teamster says he has traveled from his lords Manor and headed toward Surbar. All is well on the roads.
Others on the flagstone road stop and happily greet, telling of a good harvest and wishing their loved ones’s come home soon from the war.
Looking towards the Northern range of the Galuil Mountains, its foothills you have just now entered.
You see at the top of its peaks the sun rays glisten a golden color as it sets. A Rainbow aura of colors beset a large lake, filled from streams the rainstorms in the mountains feed. The majestic haze truly of mystical beauty and enchanted wonders.
Coming into view is a small riverside village, probably built to serve the local farmers. Just over the farm fields on top of a small hill is the Knight Lord's manor house. The banners show a D Shackle bolt, a Green angled top field and a yellow angled bottom Field.
On the 24th day of the Month of Alturiak, the phase of the tree quarter-moon.
After a tense night of what some could call sleep. The surprisingly keen Elves have awoken all and are quickly on the way north, along the river towards the mountains!.
A full day slowly travelling up the foothills, the mighty new stallion pulls the hefty cart. By dusk, you have come to the end of the road, from what's been told the old farmer Yoseph lives here and his horses have been eaten by Griffin!
Yoseph and his wife take you in for the night and make extra food to feed you. Then headed to bed to await the new dawn.
During the night when the mice tread light across the kitchens floor. Marilla and Berothen snap out of their trances and quickly get to work. gathering their ropes and climbing tools, they snuck out from the old farmer's cottage and headed in the dark towards the mountains.
Berothan had figured by the farmer's gestures and talk the likely sight of the Griffins nest. He leads his companion Marilla deep through the woods as quietly as only an Elf could be. Towards the base of a cliff.
Here the sorcereress Marilla shaped the earth, causing overtime them to raise the ground they stood on, 30 ft higher. Berothan using his pitons, secured a rope for them both so as to save them if they fall. With his new magical gloves of swimming and climbing, he expertly scaled his way close to the nest's edge. Once Marilla was able to join him, they misty stepped across the distance together.
Both husband and wife, standing aloft on the side of a cliff and Griffins nest.
The keen thinking of rubbing the feathers of the dead young griffons they came across at the battle scene where Faroln was so badly wounded. Saved them announcing their arrival as the gentle wind blew over the nest.
Below 2 adult, and 2 adolescent Griffins are in deep sleep. Under the female adult Grifins wing is an egg.
Berothen sneaks into the Griffon's nest...
In a tense situation, Berothan manages to sneak past the sleeping Griffins and steal away the griffon egg.
Misty Stepping away to their pre-planned get-away climb, Berothen fell, luckily his rope saving his sure death from the fall. Luckily he had handed the Griffons egg to Marilla or all would have been in vain!
Again sneaking back through the woods, then starting to walk across the open farm fields towards the cottage.
The Sun starts to rise..
The cry of an enormous eagle's anger echos throughout the hills.
Venres the Red, half-asleep, pants half down, after finishing in the outside privy, looks across the fields.
Lit by a rising sun, the 2 Elves Berothan and Marilla sprint across the open grazing fields. Behind them, the shadows of two massive wingspans of the adult Griffons. speed across the land...
Venres, secures his belt, grabs his chest plate, helm and shield. Then charges off towards the Elves running across the field towards him.
Here a mighty battle took place, The Adult griffins inflicting much damage and nearly retrieve the egg. However, both were slain, with divine thunder, kinetic sorcery, and the magical arrows of Berothen Bowfeather. (formerly known as Bowbreaker).
When thinking all was safe, the Griffins younglings came looking for their parent's call, and yet another life and death struggle took part.
Dispatching with one, Berothen, Venres, and with the aid of Marilla captured and chained the remaining adolescent Griffin. Halling it back to the farmstead, where Stray, the farmer, and his wife sleepily ask?
"I thought we heard thunder and was expecting rain. decided to sleep in a little longer... what been going on out here?"
The blood-covered adventurers now with the aid of Stray maneuver the captured Griffin into the caged wagon.
With the thanks of the farmer and his wife, who packed fresh supplies for the journey home.
The caged cart was laden with a captured Griffin, and without time to waste, the Adventurers headed back to the Defenders Sunset Inn.
Just south of the intersection of the Northern lake road and the East Tower road. Three men hang from the gallows tree, just outside the cemetery.
Arriving late in the eve, to the Inn they now have spent many a night. The surprised patronage gathers outside to view the spectacle.
The Lady Landswith sends her page Leonette and her troop of fey to the town to fetch master Rudyard. Who arrives later with half the town guard to inspect the catch.
After some heated discussion about what do to with such a thing? Plus whos going to guard it?
Some quick deals were made, and the commotion died down.
Soon everyone retiring to the Inn, with some more discussions taking place. Eventually ending late in the night with everyone going to bed..
The night ends illuminated by the full moon, the last night (30th) of the month of Alturiak.
We restart our tale, the morning after the full moon.
The first day of the Month of Ches.
The weather becoming cooler and the heat and humidity becoming a little less oppressive.
The Page girl Leonette along with her troop of fey, lead the Unicorns and her chestnut steed in front of the Inn. The Saddles strapped and bit and bridle in place.
Ready for the knight Landswithand her Squire Eilonwy.
Speaking of whom, both come down the stairs from the Inns loft with saddlebags and bedrolls in hand.
Awkwardly navigating past the tables and benches their arms full.
Lady Landswithas she leaves the Inn, turns to the half-asleep YamiHuangthe Eastern Merchant and asks.
“oh, did you still have one barrel of the rum, my new friend Sir Venres sold you a few day back?”
Yami’seyebrows raise.
“ cough cough”
He scratches his head and walks outside to his Caravan. Soon he returns with a familiar barrel, one that has traveled with the party since their first few days in Ulgarth.
“ahhaarrhhheeerr”
he coughs again
“tis be what you seek mylady?”
Lady Landswithresponds, oh yes, that’s it! The kind I always see in the barons keep! Nothing quite like it!”
She happily nods to Master Rudyard.
“Charge this one to the Baron, a part of my justice fees”
Walking out from the Inn, She readies her gear and barrel of rum onto the back of her mighty Unicorn stallion.
As she hoists herself into her saddle, Squire Eilonwyhands Lady Landswithher shield. The page girl Leonette, hands Lady Landswithher lance.
Circling her companions as they too mount their steeds, Lady Landswithnods her head in regards to you.
“Until we meet again”
she calls as the three of them ride off East, back past the Abrel families Tower to the next Barony. The mountainous Barony of Lord Olwynson. Its Barons fortress is known as Dralpur. A home of craftsmen and a center of trade for miners, mountain men, horse barbarians, and farmers.
Watching them ride off, your attention is brought to a flutter of wings, as black feathers fly all about. You see the Gingercat of the Inn has attempted to catch a large, silky black crow. The crow angrily squawks and flies off over the river towards the walled town.
The Gingercat looks sadly at it as it flies away, a mouth full of black feathers..
For both the elves and the half-fey, a familiar smell from the feathers leaves your skin crawling and your spine tingling.
So the Evermeet Elves, deeply disturbed by the presence they sensed. Managed to convince SirVenres to sneek them into town.
Sir Venres was keen to get into town and explore the markets. So Berothen and Marilla, hired Jin Jarl the half-elf-bards services to disguise them and forge some travel papers.
The trio walked into town, passing through the open East Bridge Gate House.
Entering the town one's vision is taken up by a 3 story, majestic white marble temple. Gold adorns many facets, forming shapes of the sun.
People exercise outside about the temple grounds. The exercise area also has two huge majestic marble, male and female statues that stand over water fountains.
The knight Venres, enquired to the Dawnmaster (High Priest) of the Temple Nathanael. If he and his companions could visit their friend Farlon. Who had been viciously injured by Griffons.
Dawnmaster Nathanael eventually agrees and leads them to the well-equipped and stocked hospice of the temple.
Here the miserable Farlon lies, still wrapped in bandages and legs elevated.
"Ah I heard you got the little shits that got me"
he motions towards his belly.
"Ay," after some small talk he asks "can you do me a favor and get me some drink? this place is driving me nuts and it's been three days without even ale!"
Sir Venres the Red took upon this heroic quest. To find the drunk more alcohol!. During this epic, enduring, matter of life and death, quest to get Farlon an alcoholic beverage.
Sir Venres took his heroics one step further! Leading a conquering force of himself and two elves in disguise. Into the Butchers and Fishmongers quarters.
This area, which hugs the southern walls that face the river.
Shadowed by the barons Keep across the waters banks.
The smell of flesh, blood, fish, salt, and smoke dominates your senses. A gatehouse that leads to the river port rises above the buildings to the Southern area.
The workshop buildings mostly of timber are signed with the marks of a Butcher, Fishmonger, Preserver (Slated and Smoked products) are all situated close to the river gates.
Before them are modest, white plastered Wattle and Daub houses, that the workers live in.
His sidequest to purchase, prime-cut steaks and fresh-caught premium fish to be delivered thrice a Ten-day to the Defenders Sunset Inn. Our heroic Knight gathered a lot of attention from the younger womenfolk of the town. However, during this precession, Berothen noticed in the corner of his eye a familiar black crow, that had been watching intently. That had just flown off a gate keep tower down towards the river docks.
Following the path of the crow, our heroes passed through the Fishermen's gate towards the riverside boardwalks and jetties. Fish Smoking sheds, Boat repair shops, and warehouses. Overlooked by 2 Guard Towers. The delta of the large river that's is feed from the Galuil Mountains, here empties into the Golden Waters. Looking for any clue, the heroes slowly walked up the street. However few folks were about. Some fishermen cleaning their catches but most people out on the boat for many hours yet. Walking past an old Donkey and the cart it was tethered. The 2 elves heard a conversation from inside a building.
A horrid crackling old lady's voice echoes..
“Alright Bernie, jobs done. Everything is delivered and good to go.”
another horrid voice snaps back
” Yeah Gurtie?”
she angrily emphasizes.
“Well if it wasn’t for whoever burned my garden down we could have done all this sooner.”
the voice of Gurtie, hisses
”No one calls me Gurtie you slime-covered, blue *****!, and you ensured me you had captured some mighty guardian to protect the trees.”
the voice of Bernie responds firmly
“You wart covered, fungus foot, keep calling me Bernie and I’ll curse your true name forever to be said as Gurtie. Well, your attempt at subduing the West Tower folk was a fizzer ahh?”
the voice of Gurtie rudely replies.
“you seafood chowder head! If your gardening skills were better. The trees would have been more mature. We only needed an extra month for them to grow into adult size”
Bernie sniffs
“ay, you hear that? Sounds like someone’s snooping about.."
At this point,Sir Venres kicks open the front door of a riverside shed containing bags of flour and two little old ladies enjoying high tea. Who tumble off their seats, with pastry sweets going everywhere.
Getting up and looking at Venres in rage, the dear old darlings twist and transform into 2 horrendous forms.
One tall, green, lanky ugly old sprints forward, pushing past Venres, and tries to lead her donkey away. Warts, fungus, and bark cover parts of her body.
However, nothing prepares you for the sight of the second sister. a grey mud-covered skeletal horror. The sight and smell of it were fear-inspiring.
Also then rushes the door,
The battle dragged onto the street, Marilla calling for the town guard to aid. The crossbowmen on the tower showered the place with one or two randomly shot bolts.
Marilla twisted the earth causing the wheels of the cart to break. The poor old Donkey was stopped in his tracks.
The Green Hag further aggravated casts a mimic illusion on herself turning her appearance to match Marilla and calling again for help from the tower guards pointing towards the real Marilla.
The Sea hag continues to cause fear and spread its filth. However, fleeing and not fighting back.
In desperation, the green Hag now looking like Marilla casts a spell on the old donkey, which is then turned into a huge brown bear! Then flees towards the river.
Giving up her cart.
Marilla slices at the Brown Bear with her single-edged Elven arming sword.
Only to be met with the angry hee-haww of the old shaggy donkey, cutting deeply into its flank. Now standing where the illusion of the Brown bear had been.
Marillas sword now dripping with donkey blood.
The fungus and wart-covered old green Hag sprinted off, looking back in horror to the nasty blow the red-haired Elven sorcerer had just landed on her faithful Donkey. Then dived into the river to escape.
Venres, after being pushed aside, readies himself again and charges after the foul-smelling Mud covered skeletal form. Filling his heart with dread.
As Venres chased the disgusting creature down a narrow ally towards the river. The Skeletal head twisted towards him, the darker then midnight eyes looked deep into his.
To the surprise of Berothan and Marilla , the mighty Knight Venres was stopped in his tracks and dropped face-first into the boardwalk's wooden planks.
The horrendous figure of the Sea hag also dove into the river and vanished.
Marilla rushing to Venres to give aid, as Berothen angrily stomped over the boardwalks looking for any clue. Soon the town guard arrived, Impounding the unregistered bleeding Donkey and defecting the single axle cart that was broken down in the main street of the Boardwalk docks. Sir Venres, eventually nursed back to consciousness by Marilla. Demands to speak directly to the Captain of the guard. The half-drunk-looking rather non-interested guards decided it would be ok to go find him and send off their squad off.
During this time the heroes inspect the warehouse. Where they found the Hags enjoying high tea.
The ornate teacups, with barnacles attached and sea slugs, slither. A cast iron teapot, encrusted in coral. Spoons made of shaped bone. Scattered on the floor.
Many Bags of flour were stacked. A few empty rum barrels. Plus a sweet-smelling quarter of the warehouse smelling of coffee beans. On further investigation, they noticed a yellow hew to the freshly milled flour. A hew of yellow they also noticed that colored some of the guard's eyes. Soon The Captain of the guard Ismael arrived with his own squad of 12 halberdiers.
He listens to SirVenres's plea and agrees to investigate the bags of flour. However, sending him back home as SirVenres looked so sickly. Purchasing a skin of rum from the traveler's Inn, inside the town, Sir Venres bribed the Dawnmaster Nathaneal (High priest of the Temple)to allow him to deliver the goal of his quest. Alcohol to the Drunk.
However even after returning to the Defenders Sunset, its wood frames are all oiled and polished, its lacquered wooden floorboard floor gleaming. Seemingly a new coat of white paint has even started to emerge. Sir Venres still felt horrid. He needed some sleep.
Erynn shaking her head as she delivers another bowl of fish stew to the happy family of 12 Brownies. Vifph, his wife, auntie Millie, Grand pops Vurumph, and their 10 kids. Who entertain themselves by playing hide and seek with the Ginger cat, about the table.
Berothen was still unsettled. He had smelt that sweet musk smell again. So informing the Inn he was going hunting to let off steam, he snuck about the Kasnchil Keeps walls. Looking for any weakness or points to climb into the keep. However not smelling the sweet scent he doubted his theory and climbed down to the river banks.
Illuminated by the glistening rivers reflections of stars and firelight, the elven eyes of Berothen noticed across the river, not far from where hours he had only stood was a small raft or boat, hull deep in the water, instead of a mast, a silhouette of the branches of a tree.
Swimming across the river using his cloves of swimming and climbing he quietly approached the raft. Where upon breaking the surface, the tree let out a pulse of yellow pollen.
Entrancing the Elf into a psychedelic trip of, twisting branches, echoing calls, and total loss of equilibrium. Floating away down the river Berothen snaps out of the trance and before he is swept away into the ocean he swims to the Keeps cliff's sandy banks.
Sir Venres awoke to go and relieve himself and saw down the river a signal light. Rushing to Berothans aid. Then Dragging the tired and burned-out Elf from the river's edge, up the cliff and back towards the Inn.
The Elf's nose incessantly bleeding his face covered in blood and yellow pollen.
Once back at the barn they slept in, both, totally exhausted from the day's dramas collapsed on their beds.
Sir Venres dragging the tired, exhausted, and confused Elf from the river's edge. After regaining some sense, Berothan and Sir Venres climbed back up the cliff and headed towards the Inn. The Elf's nose incessantly bleeding his face covered in blood and yellow pollen.
After tending to Berothan's wounds, everyone collapsed exhausted, in their barnyard rooms. It had been an eventful day and half the night.
Though this unfortunately was not to last long. Awakening from his tormented sleep, Venres heard the tell tail sound, of one heavy iron boot then a step, then the clunk of a heavy iron boot on the stairs up to the second level of the barn. As he investigated opening the bedroom door, he was suddenly overcome with smoke and could see flames, the barn was ablaze
Alerting the rest of the sleeping partons to the fire, Sir Venres was viciously kicked in the shins!
As the barn took up in flame, two Redcap murderers, climbed its stars to ensure all above would die.
Sir Venres attempts to battle the evil fey as Berothan aids with arrows. Many others who had been sleeping awoke, and jumped out the windows to escape the flames. Ozlick, jumped out only to come under attack from a hidden assassin with poison crossbow bolts.
Here the battle for the Defenders Sunset Inn followed.
Awakening to the sounds of commotion and the smell of smoke. Yocaryn, newly arrived in this hot humid land, realises something is amiss. Fleeing down the stairs to the taproom of the Inn’s bar. She witnesses the door of the Inn being ripped off its hinges and thrown aside.
A Giant man, over 8 feet tall, crashes on in, tattoos from head to toe. He spots a helpless, semi-conscious lady slumped on the floor near the bar. Sprints over to her and scoops her up in his massive arms. Kicking open the kitchen door to outside, reveals Yocaryn’spath out.
Yocaryn dodging away from the flames, notices a ginger cat dancing about the floor, pawing at a floorboard, Meowing incessantly. Being a master of urban animal behavior, Yocaryn specializes in knowing and understanding urban animals like rats, mice, dogs, raccoons, moose, kangaroos, possums, and even cats!
Realizes the cat is signaling something, so Yocaryn easily lifts the floorboard and finds a slightly open cigar box, in which a family? Of 8 tiny fey (fairy) like creatures sleep. Scooping up the cigar box and Ginger cat, Yocaryn also flees outside following the path of the giant, muscular hero who just saved.. some chic?
Batu (Mongolian for Strong). With a maiden in one arm, battle-axe in the other escapes from the burning Inn through the kitchen. Then facing a burning barn, gathers the reigns of a panicking horse and leads it, as well as the semi-conscious Innkeeper lady Eyren into an open field and lay both to rest. Then psyching up his rage, the world spun, red now was his vision. He saw a target and charged! Sadly, those tiny folks have an advantage against giant folk, trying to hit them! His mighty battle axe cleaving more tree branches than limbs!
Yocaryn seeing the wounded Elf battling an angry little Gnome, tossed the Ginger cat she had in one hand, at the little monster!. Well aimed the cat struck the blind Gnome and dug into it with its claws!
In frustration, Batu simply reached in grabbed the blind ugly gnome thing. Tied it up, to hang upside down from a tree branch. Then charged uphill to aid a valiant knight who was engaged with an assassin. Slipping in the soft dirt on the hill, Batu launched his battle-axe, missing his target and hitting the valiant knight, SirVenres, he had hoped to aid, square in the chest!
Sir Venres had just struck the head off the fleeing wounded assassin. Kicking the head downhill towards the now charging, injured Redcap who had kicked him in the shins earlier.
Striking horrific blows, blessed by his gods, again Venres drove off the evil fey murderer. Only to be met with the sight, along with all others, of a Frost Giant rising up out of the fast-flowing streams waters. Then smacked in the chest by a huge axe.
Batu charged up the hill towards Venres and snatched up his axe again. This time launching it down the hill towards the emerging Frost Giant. What would have been a perfect strike, passed right through the illusion of the Giant. Noticing the glitches in the light, the low-grade resolution. The bluff of the giant foe was simply overcome.
From the waters, illuminated by the slowly rising first sun rays. Is a fat, brimmed hat-wearing, with a long cloak figure. This new assailant raises a skull mace, smoke and horrific screams emit from inside it.
He lifts the mace, then strikes the ground.
Grey ghostly forms rush from the mace towards the heroes. Screaming, crying, and bellowing, the tingling feeling down your spine consumes everyone as all start to run in fear.
Then the large bellied, cloaked with a brimmed hat humanoid jumps into the stream and vanishes.
After hours milling about the burnt wreckage, the miserable and tired heroes gather.
Coming down the road, from the east this morning is a lone horseman.
As he approaches, you notice the silhouette is of a mounted horned man with a longbow, slung across his back, clutching a spear.
The Majestic horse, its colour a metallic grey, the morning light sparkles like a rainbow through its hair and Maine, arrives quickly carrying its master.
Hurriedly Master Rudyard moves away from the burning embers, As he stumbles towards the loan rider, calling out
“Your majesty, you are expected inside the gates”,
the loan horseman gracefully dismounts, and just as if in one motion, hands Master Rudyard his mount's reigns and starts walking towards the burnt Inn.
“No my good scribe, I wish to speak with these good fellows"
he scoffs boldly striding towards the congregated inhabitants of the burned-out Inn.
Filling your nostrils now over the smoke of the burnt inn, are the fumes of brimstone. Whisps of smoke drift about this young man's body, a pair of thick goat’s horns twist downwards from his head amongst his dark long hair, blue tattoos cover his grey skinned face. His Lavender eyes deep as the oceans.
He swings his ebony wood bow from his back and leans on it.
Then bows, just as Master Rudyard attempts to speak
“Introducing the Prince of Ulgarth, son of King DrasnaBluemantle, a decedent of King Caladorn the wise"
"and blah blah balh,” Tarran interjects.
Then in a witty but friendly way, he speaks to the heroes.
“I’m Tarran, please to meet you all, how do I go about talking to a Knight from the Order of the Red Falcon? , he smiles towards the young Innkeeper,
“seems you’ve had some back luck.”
He solemnly smiles
“LadyLandswith sent the king a message, of a dire plot, the King has sent me. I was the closest”
he laughs.
“to come and investigate”..
He looks about at you all,
“quiet folk I see, well, Arry and Garry send their regards and tell me to give Barry the bestest dog a scratch and pat with this shadow treat?. They have heard about your Griffon hunt! they seem pretty excited about it!”
he looks at Berothan and his newborn.
“anyhows, daddy sent me here because Landswith apparently got a message from you. Some plants or something? Landswith doesn’t do plants, she deals justice. I do plants apparently though.”
Behind him, his horse disappears in a puff of fairy dust. A cat-sized, draconic figure, with fairy wings and dark rainbow shimmering scales flaps about in its place.
-MinMin the Fairy Dragon-
“Sorry my prince, my spell has worn out”
The Fairy dragon flies over to the prince and rests on his shoulder.
The prince responds,
“no need to be sorry my friend, we have ridden hard to be here so fast. You deserve a rest”
He scratches the tiny dragon under its chin.
Prince Tarran and his companion MinMin have been in the swamps investigating the stories received about the Ettercap spider nest at a sacred sight and investigating other reports the hero's have sent. They have spent a few days with White Scales now thriving village and were visiting Arry and Garry the Swamp Brothers, when he got news from Lady Landswith.
Since then he had Arry and Garry boat himself out of the swamp near the Pete mines, then has ridden from there nonstop.
Some lore I wrote about the now-aging
King Drasna Bluemantle
(The names and Info were gathered from the Shining South 2e and 3.5e books or found on Forgotten Realms Fandom Wiki. I have added some history to flesh them out).
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Lsh1fVXexREmE4fu7
Paladin of Torm, 12th level.
Basic Information
Titles: King of Ulgarth
Nicknames the Fortunate
Home Orvyltar, Ulgarth
Gender Male, Human
Occupation Adventurer, Ruler
Patron deity Torm
Predecessor Caladorn the wise
Alignment Lawful Good
Prince Drasna during his early years, though of noble birth Prince Drasna was an adventurer. His companions later became barons, loyal courtiers, advisers, and military generals.
Possessions
His family sword is known as “Fortunius”, a gleaming, blue sapphire encrusted hilt- Longsword -+1 luck blade. Stone of Goodluck. Blue Dragon Scale Armor.
Bardic lore
His first adventure.
-Submission of a renegade barbarian tribe lord.
100s of horse-mounted barbarians of the Stoney waste raided eastern farms, stealing cattle and prize breeding horses. Prince Drasna and his friends tracked them down, challenged the Barbarian chief to a wrestling match, and won. The Barbarians returned the stolen animals, however were also gifted some of their own, cattle, horses, and food in return. Since then Prince Drasna and the Barbarian chief have become friends and work together defending the kingdom and Stoney waste.
-Fending of the dark fey
Prince Dransa and the half-elf cleric/ warrioress of Tyr Landswith, the half dark elf Warrioress / Bard of the College of Blades, Sinveri Trollkin tracked down and defeated a dark fey portal that had allowed Redcaps to cause a string of murders in the capital. Ultimately a disgusting Hag living in the marshlands near Kellazzar was found to be summoning these fey and other horrors to usurp King Caladorn, Prince Drasna’s father. She was captured and burned in her hovel by Drasna and his party.
-Sea Devil slavers and the Sea Elves of the Lost Leviathan.
Prince Drasna and his companions befriended the sea elves living in nearby waters. With their aid defeated a nomadic tribe of Sahugan and their allies who had been attacking ships and coastal towns.
- Voznetrath, Black Dragon of the Swamp.
Prince Drasna, Landswith and Sinveri with the aid of Arry and Garry (two adventuring rangers who called themselves the Swamp Brothers). Dove into the swamps to help a tribe of Lizardmen they had befriended. The swamp had become poisoned and many of its inhabitants enslaved. The Black Dragon Voznetrath was slain and the swamps freed of its corruption.
-Slaying of Azurcrys the Blue Dragon.
Prince Drasna was informed by his new friend Khan Chenghiz, of the Barbarian tribe of the Galloping Storm. That a blue dragon had been organizing and intimidating local monsters and Barbarians. His lair 5 days ride along the base of the Southern mountains and hidden by a waterfall along a tributary of the Widows tears river half a days climb south.
After battling many of the Blue Dragons Azurcrys’s minions, Prince Drasna, and his companions were able to slay the dragon. However, his companion Morninglord Rah , a cleric of Lathander was killed. The dragon's hide was made into four suits of armor (2 full plate and 2 scale). The skull is displayed in the king's main hall, over his throne. And hence his title Bluemantle as he wears a Cloak (mantle) made of the dragon's scales.
-Spell Plague, Grey Orc invasions.
During the spell plague, Prince Drasna, his subjects (now Barons) the half elf Cavalier Montar Kaspar and Sir Redinald Rascalin (then known as Ulgarths Trident) with the Ranger Kevin Olwynson (now Baron of Dralpur), Sinveri and Landswith, raised a ragtag force after a crushing defeat of Ulgarths army. In which four of the kingdoms Barons, many Knights, and professional soldiers lost their lives.
Prince Drasna and his companions led into battle thousands of now friendly horse Barbarians, Lizardfolk of the swamp, Seelie Fey including pixies, sprites, Treants, Dryads, Centaur even wild animals of the land joined his charge. With the mighty Bronze Dragon Corriandeazz at the lead.
During this counter-strike against the Grey Orcs, after the main Ulgarth army was routed, Corriandeazz the copper dragon was slain by enemy mountain giants. However, this brought enough time for Prince Drasna, his ragtag force of Treants, Centaur, and Barbarian horsemen to engage, destroying the ranks of Orcs and slaying the giants.
Sadly as this battle unfolded, King Caladorn the wise (Drasna’s father) was killed in the fighting. As he fell, lightning and thunder crashed, rain pelted down as massive gale-force winds blew. A group of Storm Giant including the Storm King of the South appeared from the tops of the surrounding mountains and laid waste to the remaining enemy hoards. Killing every last foe foolish enough not to flee.
Once the battle ended, the Storm Giants disappearing as suddenly as they had arrived, along with the storm.
In the aftermath, the once prince was now handed the role of King. Protector of Ulgarth, taking his father's place.
Knight Grand Master, Lady Sinveri Trollkin
(The names and Info were gathered from the Shining South 2e and 3.5e books or found on Forgotten Realms Fandom Wiki. I have added some history to flesh them out).
https://photos.app.goo.gl/fbF2XDUUcui7TutX7
Knight General of Ulgarths Army.
Bard 6/ Fighter 9.
Basic Information
Home Ulgarth, Southeast Faerûn
Former home: Dambrath
Gender Female
Race Half-elf (quarter drow)
Ethnicity Crinti
Occupation Knight General of Ulgarths Military
Patron deity Tyr
Sinveri Trollkin is a quarter-drow elf woman who serves as the general of the armed forces of Ulgarth. She hailed originally from the land of Dambrath, but had turned renegade and fled from the oppressive rule. Now seeking justice for her people and those oppressed by evil.
Sinveri is a capable and intelligent leader.
She started her adventuring career as a bard of the college of Swords, however later under the tutelage of Landswith and Prince Drasna became a warrioress. Her bardic abilities allow her orders to be heard across the battlefield, her prowess with blades make her a formidable opponent.
She became one of Prince Drasna's companions a few years into his own adventuring career but her goals to seek justice and bring law to the lawless, soon endeared her to her new companions.
She is rumored to have tamed and now rides a mighty Nightmare as her steed into battle.
Knight Justicar of Ulgarth, Lady Landswith Meilin
https://photos.app.goo.gl/mS5QA5zB7WMupnRt9
Basic Information
Home Ulgarth, southeast Faerûn
Sex Female
Race Half- Wood elf
Occupation Adventuress, Knight
Patron deity Tyr
Alignment Lawful good
Class Fighter 10, Cleric 8
Lady Landswith Meilin is the quintessential knight in shining armor—she wanders the kingdom in search of noble quests she can undertake, good deeds to do, and wrongs to right. Lady Landswith is by far the most fearsome, experienced, and well-equipped warrior in Ulgarth.
Personality
Lady Landswith was atypical in her profession as, in Ulgarth, very few women of the kingdom and fewer half-elves became knights, and she was both.
She was also perhaps the only Ulgarthan knight to wear full plate mail armor, in a hot and humid climate that would make this unbearable to the point of being lethal.
Lady Landswith had no desire to receive the kind of concern and chivalry that other Ulgarthan knights had to show to females, hence why she wore armor that completely concealed her gender. Instead, she shows chivalry to all she encounters, except for the wicked.
History
An orphaned child found in a reed raft floating in the River Xon, by fishermen from Sourmpar. She was handed over to the largest temple "The Temple of the Even hand" of the barony's largest town. Here she was raised as an acolyte of the god of Just war Tyr. It is speculated she was abandoned during a Grey orc assault on the Scarlet Jungle just over the river Xon in the realm of Durpar to ensure her safety.
She rose through the ranks of the Kingdoms clergy of Tyr, one of the 5 most revered gods in Ulgarth. Who held much power and influence in the capital Orvyltar. In her later teen years she befriended the Prince of Ulgarth named Drasna. This leads to their adventuring careers starting together, King Drasna's first loyal companion..and some in the realm hint at more...
In her time, Lady Landswith has journeyed far to the south, beyond the borders of Ulgarth and into the Utter East, lands she came to know better than anyone else in her kingdom.
She fought the Horde barbarians of the east (Mongolian style nomads from Kara-Tur) in their most recent big raid on Kaspar by 1367 DR.
In 1367 DR, she made her way north to Suormpar, expecting to fight in the coming war against the gray orcs of the Dustwall Mountains.
After the coronation of King Drasna as ruler of Ulgarth and the burial ceremonies of his Father King Caladorn the Wise. The common sight of Lady Landswith at his side soon became a rare. The new king was forced into marriage by his family to a princess from Var the Golden and his time spent more in the capital Orvyltar.
Rewarded by the King for her loyal services she was knighted, and given the royal role of Grand Master of Justice. This role leads her to travel the realm, to each town and village, dealing out the king's justice and enforcing his laws.
After the marriage of King Drasna to the Princess of Var, now queen. Lady Landswith partook on a mysterious quest that leads her away for over 8 years. When she returned to her normal duties. She now rode a mighty steed, a stallion Unicorn and alongside her rode again atop another Unicorn her page/ squire. A young girl of maybe 8 years? Who radiated some type of celestial aura.
Keeping up her duties as enforcer of Justice, she and her squire travel all across the realm, however, has not returned to the capital. it's now been 18 years since she has graced the Copper Keep of Orvyltar!
Batu and Yocaryn are new PC's. Goliath Barbarian and Tiefling Gloomstalker Ranger.
After hours milling about the burnt wreckage, the miserable and tired heroes gather.
Coming down the road, from the east this morning is a lone horseman.
As he approaches, you notice the silhouette is of a mounted horned man with a longbow, slung across his back, clutching a spear.
The Majestic horse, its colour a metallic grey, the morning light sparkles like a rainbow through its hair and Maine, arrives quickly carrying its master.
Hurriedly Master Rudyard moves away from the burning embers, As he stumbles towards the loan rider, calling out
“Your majesty, you are expected inside the gates”,
the loan horseman gracefully dismounts, and just as if in one motion, hands Master Rudyard his mount's reigns and starts walking towards the burnt Inn.
“No my good scribe, I wish to speak with these good fellows"
he scoffs boldly striding towards the congregated inhabitants of the burned-out Inn.
Filling your nostrils now over the smoke of the burnt inn, are the fumes of brimstone. Whisps of smoke drift about this young man's body, a pair of thick goat’s horns twist downwards from his head amongst his dark long hair, blue tattoos cover his grey skinned face. His Lavender eyes deep as the oceans.
He swings his ebony wood bow from his back and leans on it.
Then bows, just as Master Rudyard attempts to speak
“Introducing the Prince of Ulgarth, son of King Drasna Bluemantle, a decedent of King Caladorn the wise"
"and blah blah balh,” Tarran interjects.
Then in a witty but friendly way, he speaks to the heroes.
“I’m Tarran, please to meet you all, how do I go about talking to a Knight from the Order of the Red Falcon? , he smiles towards the young Innkeeper,
“seems you’ve had some back luck.”
He solemnly smiles
“Lady Landswith sent the king a message, of a dire plot, the King has sent me. I was the closest”
he laughs.
“to come and investigate”..
He looks about at you all,
“quiet folk I see, well, Arry and Garry send their regards and tell me to give Barry the bestest dog a scratch and pat with this shadow treat?. They have heard about your Griffon hunt! they seem pretty excited about it!”
he looks at Berothan and his newborn.
“anyhows, daddy sent me here because Landswith apparently got a message from you. Some plants or something? Landswith doesn’t do plants, she deals justice. I do plants apparently though.”
Behind him, his horse disappears in a puff of fairy dust. A cat-sized, draconic figure, with fairy wings and dark rainbow shimmering scales flaps about in its place.
-MinMin the Fairy Dragon-
“Sorry my prince, my spell has worn out”
The Fairy dragon flies over to the prince and rests on his shoulder.
The prince responds,
“no need to be sorry my friend, we have ridden hard to be here so fast. You deserve a rest”
He scratches the tiny dragon under its chin.
Prince Tarran and his companion MinMin have been in the swamps investigating the stories received about the Ettercap spider nest at a sacred sight and investigating other reports the hero's have sent. They have spent a few days with White Scales now thriving village and were visiting Arry and Garry the Swamp Brothers, when he got news from Lady Landswith.
Since then he had Arry and Garry boat himself out of the swamp near the Pete mines, then has ridden from there nonstop.