INTRODUCTION

The Drunderry River runs narrow and fast through much of its course before tumbling into the lowlands beneath the Fallow Hills. From there, the river spreads out across fertile plains, labouring slowly to the south before emptying into the Elmarsh Lake. Until recently this area was unsettled. The writ of the King of New Aenochre has changed all this. Several small villages, thorpes and farming communities have been settled in this region since the King’s permission was granted. The village of Malforten, nestled along the banks of the Drunderry River near the Fallow Hills, is just such a place.

The people of Malforten are few in number, but sturdy folk with many a stout heart amongst them. Knowing they were settling at the edges of the kingdoms of New Aenochre and far from help if ever there was need, those who came here were of the uncommon and daring type. Lacking support otherwise, the people of Malforten have banded together and fought off many a wild beast, bandit, and raiding goblin. They even managed to defeat a marauding band of ogres before it lay waste to surrounding farms. They are proud of their independence from the Lords of New Aenochre and their capacity to care for their own. This is why they consider their current position with not a little embarrassment. Malforten lies in the East March. This frontier region is known to be open to raiders, bandits and other nefarious creatures who fear no retribution from the West; so many villainous malcontents and upstarts thus come here to raid and, with each passing success, act with ever more audacity.

Now Malforten has come under a more dire and grievous threat than ever before. A vicious gnoll warrior, Gritznak the Bold, has come to the Fallow Hills and taken up residence in an abandoned temple. From here, his band of raiders has encroached ever more often upon the steads of Malforten, taking cattle, grain stores, and stealing away a few residents for slaves or worse. Though the men of Malforten have attempted to locate, trap or capture Gritznak, they have failed each time. Each failure has emboldened Gritznak to greater depredations, culminating with his coming to Malforten and demanding tribute.

At their wits end, the leaders of Malforten called upon the Lords of New Aenochre for knights and soldiery to help defeat Gritznak the Bold (as they are duty bound to supply). However,
the delegates from Malforten were rebuffed and their request for soldiery denied, as the wars to the west and south have consumed most of New Aenochre’s veteran warriors. However,
to minimally meet their obligations, several Lords of New Aenochre have offered a bounty to any who might bring an end to the depredations of Gritznak the Bold.

The afternoon is wearing on when Cedrik arrives at the borders of Malforten. In the distance he sees two dozen or so wood and stone houses with thatched roofs huddled closely together on the upper banks of the Drunderry River. Large willows and oaks are clustered along the river’s banks and around the town, while fields of grain spread out north, south and west of the village. Cattle graze fretfully even further afield. Amongst the cattle and fields are several herdsmen. Seeing Cedrik approach they call out sharp warnings in the direction of the settlement, while their large cow-dogs howl and bark guardedly. Before reaching the first of the houses, a bell begins to ring in the village alerting the occupants to Cedrik's arrival.

Cedrik spies the largest building toward the north of the village, presuming this to be an inn or tavern he begins to head in toward it.

The Inn bears the name "The Empty Flagon" and it is a single story wood structure with a thatch roof. Much like the other buildings of the village but larger in scale. Cedrik enters into a large common room with a dirt floor, stone fireplace and a single bar. Numerous tables are spaced about the room.

The Empty Flagon is owned by Kerrywyn the Yellow, who is so named because of his bright blonde hair, which flows long and un-braided down his shoulders.

Cedrik sits and orders an ale and rents a room. A bard is playing in the corner though there are currently no other customers.

A man enters flanked by several farmers. He is tall and thin with a thick beard and shoulder length braided hair. He has a slight limp as he approaches and speaks slowly. "Welcome to Malforten stranger, may I ask what business you have here?"

Cedrik introduces himself and explains his mission. Eryl Hoskir is the local militia leader and head of the village council. He resents the Cedrik's arrival, as he requested more substantial reinforcements not a lone errant Paladin. Eryl is confrontational and not a little derisive of Cedrik, and doubts he will be able to accomplish what he has yet to do himself.

Cedrik tries to convince him of his worth : 21

Eventually the old veteran comes around and grudgingly shakes hands with Cedrik, offering to pay his room and board while in town. He urges Cedrik to seek what help he can around the town starting with old Giffry at the shrine of Helm. Cedrik presses for more information. 6

Eryl grows quiet, but invites Cedrik to question his companions. The first being a capable looking fellow named Neffyd. 13

Neffyd shrugs stating that he is sure that some of the locals are tipping off the goblins and warning them of the towns plans. He will not say who he suspects however and is reluctant to offer any further help. . “Taxes to New Aenochre, taxes to Gritznak - what’s the difference?” he mumbles under his breath. At the mention of spies in town Cedrik watches the others to see how they react. (Insight : 17)

Cedrik notes that Eryl nods in agreement and one of the other farmers Gwion flushes red and looks away.

Cedrik questions the man, but makes no accusations. He quizzes him about what he thinks of this spy business trying to find further signs of guilt. (Persuasion : 11)

Gwion is nervous and fumbles his words some, but no other sign presents itself to give Cedrik concern so he turns to the third man.  Kiint wears a hooded cloak to cover a face horribly scared by leprosy, the others appear to be uncomfortable in his presence. Cedrik finds him to be pleasant and well spoken. (Persuasion : 23).

Kint offers to act as a guide for Cedrik and the Paladin gladly agrees. He urges Cedrik to come find him when he is ready to leave town. Then looking increasingly uncomfortable in the tavern as people start to come in from the fields, he takes his leave. 

Cedrik turns finally to the eldest of the group.  Madith is an older man who once served in the armies of the Lords of New Aenochre. He is greatly interested in the goings on down south and progress made in the wars, though he avoids questions asked of his own military background. (Persuasion : 18).

Before retiring Cedrik makes his way across the village to the shrine of helm. The cleric Giffry answers the door and seeing Cedrik's armour and emblem allows him in gladly. Cedrik seeks the old clerics aid. (Persuasion : 18)

Giffry agrees to join Cedrik, admitting that he had been hiding away here in his home and promising to make amends for his lapse. The pair pray to helm for his blessing and Giffry promises to meet Cedrik the next morning to start their work. (Intelligence : 5).

His days work complete, Cedrik heads back to the  Empty Flagon to sleep.

The next morning Giffry is waiting for him in the common room with two more strangers. The Cleric introduces them as Blodwyn and Menlaus; the local wizard and her apprentice. Blodwyn offers 20 Gold for Cedrik to take the lad off her hands. He too is keen to leave his apprenticeship and put what he has learned to good use as an adventurer. Cedrik agrees!

Neither of the two have been paying much attention to the local troubles. They have been wrapped up in their various studies. Blodwyn also offers to pay a further 10 Gold for any unusual plants that might be found on their travels. She is an expert potion maker and is always looking for new ingredients. Blodwyn takes her leave and the party discuss what to do next. They decide to druids shrine on the edge of town and on the way they drop in to see Mathonway the dog trainer. 

Mathonwy raises dogs. And that is about it. There are a series of large pens in the back of his house where the dogs spend much time barking and howling for food. His dogs are very well trained and sold as cow dogs, hunting dogs, guard dogs and, on occasion, fighting dogs. His dogs are highly prized in town. Mathonwy is also known for his short temper, which he often takes out on his neighbour's, though never his dogs.

The purchase to large hunting mastiffs and Mathonwy insists on spending the better part of the day teaching Cedrik to handle them. (Animal Handling : 16)

By the end of the afternoon Cedrik has started to master some of the basic commands required to control these animals. Mathonwy offers some further lessons in the morning to improve Cedrik's skills further. 

They arrive at the Druids shrine in the early evening and Amanada Rhyan is already waiting for them at the entrance. She smiles warmly as they approach and makes a fuss of the two dogs. Cedrik explains their predicament and asks for help (Persuasion : 16).

Amanda worships Wenafar, the Goddess of Fay. She comes from the north where the worship of Wenafar is more widespread and accepted. She, like many of her order, has come here to help intervene in and smooth relations between the fay and humans, as they are often contentious. As is the manner of those who worship Wenafar, Amanda never proselytizes, rather, she acts. She blesses the locals’ crops and cattle, heals the injured if asked, pays tribute in food and wine to the fay, and tries to attract others to her ways by example.

Amanda explains that she meets with a group of pixies in the forest to the north of Malforten every other full moon. She has never taken anyone with her to meet the pixies, but will do so for you given the importance of your mission. She and the pixies meet for celebrations, and in order to exchange information. Amanda is concerned about Gritznak, and anxiously awaits her next meeting with the pixies the following night in hopes of gleaning information about his doings. 

Cedrik agrees to accompany her.

That night in the empty flagon Cedrik is approached by a shifty fellow named Menez. The fellow has heard of Cedriks grand quest and wants to join, "for fortune and glory."

Insight : 5 vs Deception : 17

After a few ales Cedrik agrees to bring the fellow along. 

The next day Cedrik gathers his party and they make their way to the "Rope and Barrel," the village supply store. Eryl meets them there and covers the cost of their purchases, though he seems very displeased to see Menez amongst them. The two men seemingly hate each other.

On their way out of town they are stopped by the old man Madith. He is carrying a sword wrapped in oiled cloth. He hands it to Cedrik. "Bring honour back to my blade." the old man says with a bow as he hands it over.

It is midday by the time they all head out north. They have agreed to meet Amanda just north of the village at the craggy ridge. This is a high point located about a mile north of Malforten. It offers a decent view of the river valley leading down to Malforten. One can easily see the town from this vantage point. 

Amanda greets them. She too seems unhappy to see Menez and keeps a close eye on him. They have a quick meal and move on to the north.

The Drunderry River runs through the Fallow Hills down into the plains below and then empties into the Elmarsh Lake in the south. It is narrow and fast in the Fallow Hills, rushing and tumbling over rocks and boulders and around sharp bends. Once in the plains, though, the river fans out and slowly courses south. It is a shallow and broad river with many sandbars thick with vegetation. The river valley is mostly populated by normal fauna, and attracts large herds of gazelle and wildebeasts to its banks. There are also giant leopards and crocodiles which pose occasional problems for those who are not careful.

The continue to walk northward through the day with the river on their right.

Kint turns out to be an excellent guide and the day passes without incident. They travel swiftly north and walk through the evening to make the meeting with the Fey. Amanda explains that about 20 miles north of Malforten, a family of twenty pixies and their queen live in the Drunderry River Valley in the bowls and upper limbs of the massive cottonwood trees that grow along the banks of the river.

Amanda arranges the meeting with the queen of the pixies. Things take a turn for the worth when the pixies recognise Menez and move to take him captive. It transpires that Menez has been stealing from both humans and fey alike since moving into the region. Cedrik pleads on the rogues behalf claiming he needs him to stop the greater evil. Amanda urges Cedrik to not get involved as does Giffry. Persuasion : 18