Characters: Nomin, Tulgar, Anthony, Balin, Samael, Randal, Julian
NPCs: Kynwras Firsul the Watcher of Suzail, Princess Alusair Obarskyr the Steel Regent, Baron Thomdor, Warden of the Eastern Marches, Oversword Dutharr: the sheriff of Arabel, Duke Bhereu Obarskyr, Caladnei the Royal Magician of Cormyr, Lord Winter of Eveningstar, Tsharlura Blackshorne of Eveningstar, Constal Faril Laheralson of Thunderstone, Lord Thond the Mad, Constal Amsden Culver, Lord Partic Thistle the Registrant General of Cormyr, Father Akkul (Ilmater), Daneus Bloodgrace, Father Peter (Tyr), Lionar Dakulbel, Oversword Giorgi Wyvernspur.
L 17 Mirtul 1374 – E 19 Mirtul 1374
4000 XP
Back in Suzail the news of High Horn Keep falling to the orcs ravaged through the Royal Court sending the previously awe-shocked crowd back into commotion. Aluzair screamed for order, but the parliamentarians had already begun to disassemble. Minutes later, the Parliamentarian nobles were riding away from Suzail in their war caravans toward the relative safety of Marsember. The remaining Royalist nobles retreated to the bustling War Room to update their battle plans appropriately. The party was urged to attend.With the Parliamentarians heading out, the Royalists moving down into the lower levels of Castle Obarskyr, and the news of a large orc Corp now stationed at High Horn; the party began to discuss their next moves. Nearly all of them clamored inside with anticipation to descend furiously upon the amassed orcish force and lay it to waste with their epic spell power. They however, also realized that it had been since the 16th of Mirtul that they had slept, they had run low on spells since then, and were exhausted. Even with their low resources the party figured they could deal a devastating blow to Obold. This was until the realization that they had not seen the Eye Rippers since the Battle of Arabel, when they had been struck by surprise by the waiting epic orcs. Shuttering at the thought of another Arabel incident, the party reluctantly turned towards the War Room to at least see of what use they could be there.
Gathered in a great dark hall, beneath the gilded halls of Obarskyr Castle, were a number of familiar Cormyrian military commanders. Kynwras Firsul, Alusair Obarskyr, Baron Thomdor, Oversword Dutharr the sheriff of Arabel, Lady Lord Myrmeen Lhal of Arabel, Lord Winter of Eveningstar, War Wizard Tsharlura Blackshorne, Faril Laheralson of Thunderstone, Lord Partic Thistle the Registrant General of Cormyr, Duke Bhereu Obarskyr, Lord Thond the Mad, and a host of other military leaders were gathered. As the party entered all those in attendance paused briefly, acknowledging their presence, before returning immediately to their conversations around the Grand War Table.
The party focused intently as they had finally made their way to the edge of a great table with a modeled scale replica of Cormyr. Magical overlays hovered over the wood carved structures with detailed information. A number of low ranking officers were busy moving orc units across the Storm Horn Mountains, updating Obold’s most recent move. Heavy smoke billowed from the general’s pipes and cigars and became multicolored emulsions as they drifted over the war table. Duke Bhereu Obarskyr puffed away at his pipe as he led the discussion. Obold had moved his orcish forces over the Storm Horn Mountains, crushing High Horn Keep, and butchering countless mountain villages including Hornshield and Skull Crag as he advanced. His armies were now standing on the foothills of the Storm Horns ready to advance again into the King’s Forest and across the western plain into Suzail.Lord Winter of Eveningstar made it known that he had already begun evacuating his city towards Dhedluk to the south since Arabel was still surrounded by the Red Raven army. War Wizard Tsharlura Blackshorne of Eveningstar also made it clear that they should likewise evacuate the foothill towns of Minroe, Espar, and Tyrluk toward Dhedluk as well. There they could organize a much larger collective resistance and use the protection of the King’s Forest to their advantage. Other military advisors present argued to collect at Dhedluk was foolish because with Lord Woodbrand assassinated; Dhedluk was still without an adequate leader.
The question of then whether to also evacuate Waymoot and Gray Oak within the King’s Forest was also raised. Should they be sent to Dhedluk as well or to Suzail being that they were further south and could most likely make it before Obold inevitably arrived at Suzail. Dhedluk would need all the military help it could get however, and the extra soldiers from the south and eastern King’s Forest towns was vital to its success. Still, others in the room thought that to make a stand a Dhedluk first would be suicide. Why not continue to pull back and make one great stand at Suzail?
The parliamentarians had already evacuated the town of Stag’s Stead within the King’s Forest to Immersea, the western-most parliamentarian holding. It was now clear that the parliamentarians planned to sack Arabel quickly, reinforce it before Obold’s armies arrived, and battle back the orcs to the north with reinforcements from Castle Crag, Hullmarch, Bospir, and Yeoman Bridge. To the west it seemed the parliamentarians planned to pull back their towns to Immersea and make a stand there. Finally, to the south, the Parliamentarians were busy reinforcing Marsember, just some 150 miles east of Suzail. This would give the parliamentarians a clean battle front against the orcs stretching from Arabel, through Immersea, and down into Marsember.
There was but one catch however; they must take Calantar Keep. Without it, they would be unable to reinforce Marsember from the north as the Hermit’s Wood swamp would block all attempts from the eastern holdings. Anthony Manton smiled, it was clear why Oversword Wyvernspur was so intent now on capturing Calantar Keep. Even with the hopes of holding Calantar Keep from the Parliamentarians, it was clear that Obold would first ravage through the Royalist holdings to the west. The royalists would have to first fight off preemptive parliamentarian attacks to capture key holdings. Then they would need to deal with Obold’s 6 Corp of orcs and monstrous creatures which were estimated to be nearly half a million soldiers strong. Finally, if any of them were left, they would need to once again outlast the Parliamentarian counterattack to recapture the western lands.With the Cormyrian military divided in half, the royalists were outnumbered at roughly 100:1 by Obold’s forces. Even with the greatest tactics, courage, and luck it seemed nearly impossible to win this fight. Nomin, who had just hours earlier killed James Cormaeril upon the Court floor, realized how important a union would be. The party listened intently, unfazed by the waning hopes of victory, thinking of the many devoted followers whom had sworn service to them through their epic travels across Ferun.
Before they could speak however, Lord Partic Thistle the Registrant General of Cormyr rose and asked the room that the Heroes of the Forgotten Forest be given honorary commissions as officers in the Purple Dragon army for the upcoming battle. Despite their reflexive thoughts that Lord Thistle would be battered down by a host of traditionalist generals, the room warmly welcomed the request. One by one, each member of the party was commissioned as Lionars in a brief ceremony by Lord Thistle and Duke Bhereu. After their commission the party addressed those in attendance, swearing their loyalty to the crown once again and stating their current plans to assist in the fight.
Tulgar stated that his Black Ravens, and Gray wolves would make haste for the King’s Forest, assist in the evacuations, and engage in guerilla strikes against the orcs as they marched through the King’s Forest. He also planned to bring the Uthgart Tree Ghost tribesmen of the Hullack Forest to their aid. Anthony Manton announced his plan to defend Calantar Keep with the Knights of the Cleansing Flame. In addition, he would pray to Tyr and ask assistance from the Fortress of the Faithful. Balin quietly let it be know that he had already been working for days on and off; awakening the great Tree Spirits of the King’s Forest. Samael promised he would return to the High Forest, and speak with the elders there whom had already been victorious in shunting Obold’s army away and to the south. He would ask for additional allied troops from the North to descend upon Obold’s army. Randal announced that he would bring all of the available acolyte monks and clerics of the Ilmaterian faith whom had been building and training at his Mountain Monastary in Tethyr. He would also pray to Ilmater to alleviate the suffering from the royalist defenders in the upcoming war.
The Duke of the Eastern Marches then turned the floor over to Constal Amsden Culver, the current leader of the Royalist Navy since the departure of Hector Dauntinghorn and Admiril Ayesunder Truesilver. Constal Amsden Culver spoke gravely of the situation currently underway in the Lake of Dragons. Admiril Truesilver was sending nearly the entire parliamentarian fleet, some 20 ships strong, toward Suzail from Marsember. Included in the attacking force were a number of notable vessels: The Sea Snake, Thomdor’s Fist, and Ansiber’s Wrath.
The Sea Snake and Thomdor’s Fist were two large, well-armed war caravels; and Ansiber’s Wrath the most feared ship in the Sea of Fallen Stars, even among pirates. Large and fast, Ansiber’s Wrath was known for its great ramming capability and has capsized quite a number of ships. In Suzail’s defence were a total of 10 ships including Constal Culver’s own, The Dragon: the largest and most sophisticated vessel and flagship of the royalist fleet. In addition, the royalists had The Blade of Espar, and the Lance of Wheloon, two small but fast anti-pirating ships.
Nomin suggested chaining off the waters such that even in the event of a complete victory the Parliamentarians would be unable to dock at Suzail. Constal Culver was unable to reassure the other military leaders of Truesilver’s threat that he would lay the guns of his fleet against Suzail and lay it to waste. Just as the naval efforts seemed not worth their time in planning Lord Thond the Mad spoke up from a corner of the room, the heavy smoke obscuring the detail in his figure. “But what of Galaghard’s Harpoon?” he exclaimed, sending a splash of red wine into a lieutenant’s coat. There was a pause in the war room for seconds as those in attendance realized the ridiculousness of his recent outburst. For the others such as the party, Constal Culver responded by stating the history of the Harpoon.
Galaghard’s Harpoon is a 100 year old Cormyrian corvette currently stationed in Suzail’s illustrious Museum of History. Originally commissioned by King Galaghard III Obarskyr for the Cormyian navy in 1232 DR., it was specifically designed to run down the fastest pirate ship in the Sea of Shining Stars, the Devil’s Cutlass; captained by none other than the feared pirate lord Marco Quintero. While its first captain never had luck capturing the Devil’s Cutlass, Galaghard’s Harpoon did manage to run down a record 11 pirate ships in its life, and still holds the record for the fastest run between Suzail and Marsember. Currently however, Galaghard’s Harpoon is more museum piece than warship. Its boards are dusty and splintered, the mast saggy, and the cannons rusted.At that point a second not so loony member of the navy stated “But it still remains the best chance we have of fielding another ship on the Dragon Lake. If Galaghard’s Harpoon can draw fire and survive it will lessen the firepower the Parliamentarians can muster against the royalist’s other ships.” Constal Culver agreed to the wine stained lieutenant stating however that the captain and crew of such a ship would have to be more psychotic as Lord Thond himself. Julian rose as if Tymora’s hand had just swept him from his seat. “I am that mad man sir!” The room shifted about to the wily rouge whom was now standing with one foot upon the war table. “Very well then Lionar Bailer, you shall captain the Harpoon. Given of course that you can get her sea–worthy within the day” responded Constal Culver with a smirk.
Julian bolted out of the room as if shot from a cannon and headed off towards the Museum of Suzail. He arrived to find the Museum closed and locked until the recent turmoil had resolved. Julian barged in through the great door and made his way to the Galaghard’s Harpoon. It stood strong and tall, the center piece of Cormyr’s naval history section, but before Julian examined it he smashed open the glass case containing the original captain’s uniform, donned the dusty purple cap and coat and flew up to the deck. As he set the first of his weight down into the deck an ancient wood board below him shattered. Every inch of the ship was dust bitten, its cannons sealed, and the wood weak and cracked. Purple Dragon Knights rushed into the naval history room where Julian now sat as alarms from all over the Museum were still going off. Julian however announced his presence boldy and displayed his new Lionar badge. The Purple Dragon Knights stood down recognizing the adventurer. Julian then ordered them to find the finest wood, cloth, steel, and other building provisions at once. As the Purple Dragons ran off Julian drew his Liar of Building.
Back at the War Room, the tactical meetings were drawing to a close. Baron Thomdor, Oversword Dutharr and Lord Myrmeen Lhal Teleported back to Arabel to ready the city against an almost certain Parliamentarian strike. Lionar Nomin Ohtar was offered the command of the Calvary of Suzail, roughly 300 highly trained and well-equipped heavy horsemen. Nomin gladly accepted the commission and went off at once to visit them as they arose for morning formations in Suzail Arena. As Nomin arrived he found that the Arena had been turned into a practice ground for large-scale military operations: shield walls, counter-charged, archer formations, cavalry charges, and many other operations were being practiced around the clock. Nomin watched with approval as his horsemen went through their daily maneuvers.
Tulgar left the War Room as well and with the assistance of a War Wizard was Teleported to the Hullack Forest; he intended to meet again with the Tree Ghost Uthgart barbarians as win their help in the upcoming fight. Far from the early down light above, Tulgar appeared underneath the boggy dark tree-line of the Hullack Forest. He then met with the Ghostfather Tree, a petrified hollow infested with the stirring pale spirits of hundreds of owls. It was clear the Ghostfather tree wished that the Hullack Forest be extended back north to reconnect with the King’s Wood. He wished the destruction of the towns of Nesmyth and Gladehap which the tribe frequently raided.While the Ghostfather tree questioned Tulgar’s loyalty to the Crown of Cormyr, he could not doubt Tulgar’s favor within the eyes of Tempest. He was truly the greatest Uthgart warrior there had been in ages. Tulgar swore that he would make the Tree Ghosts strong again, and with that the Ghostfather Tree reached out a spirit arm into Tulgar’s soul. For a second Tulgar felt his connection to the living plane slip as if he would die. But he held on and pulled strongly back with the spirit of Gar helping him and pulled the Ghostfather Tree Spirit inside of him. The owls stormed about within the hollows of the tree and then were finally released. The pale petrified wood of many ages lost its dull glow as the Ghostfather’s energy was now one with Tulgar. The Treeghost tribe was now his command.
Tulgar ordered them at once to make their way to the King’s Forest at help in the defense of Dhedluk, there were too many orcs to kill to waste but a seconds time more here in Hullack. The Tree Ghost Tribesmen were unique in that they were more than just fierce barbarians contained for too long within a forest turned swamp; they were spellcasters. The Tree Ghosts though brute, were far wiser and patient than their Uthgart brethren. Their spellpower would be much needed and quite well-suited for the upcoming King’s Forest battle. Tulgar felt the voices of Gar his Sky Pony ancestor, Ratharg the Werewolf Chieftain, Grezalgog the Black, and the Ghostfather Tree swarming within his mind as he returned to the gardens of Suzail. The War Wizard whom had come with him noticed a change in Tulgar’s skin as it had hardened and become tinted with a pale-gray hue; but he did not speak of it.
As the meeting adjourned, Balin returned to the King’s Forest and resumed The Awakening. Obold had what he thought was a nearly endless tide of orcs, and many powerful magicians to protect them. Balin remembered back to his many years within the High Forest and knew why Obold had not made any fierce attempts to destroy it before descending upon Cormyr. In times of great trouble, the elders would Awaken the forest, and aside from dealing with the many elven defenders, the attackers would find themselves battling the forest itself. Balin intended on making this a fight Obold would have never expected the Cormyrians could muster.
Samael chose to return to the High Forest to ask his noble family if there was any assistance the elves could give to Cormyr. With the help of a War Wizard, Samael was back in the High Forest under the great Moonbark treeline. He was warmly welcomed into the house of his youth and after much catching-up wit his family and elders he spoke of Cormyr’s need. The High Elves, whom had dealt with Obold already and considered themselves lucky not to have been tested by the full might of Obold Manyarrows, agreed to give Samael assistance. He had returned a powerful swordsman, with many epic deeds in his name already. Furthermore, the High Elves realized the importance of defeating Obold early before he could settle the southern lands and launch attacks north and west. Samael’s family commissioned him with their House Wing Fleet, a large group of highly skilled hippogriff riders (mages and bowmen). Further, they promised Samael they would relay the message to the Elven Court with the possibility of even larger forces from the north at a later date. Samael returned to Cormyr later that night with the help of the War Wizard.
Randal left the War Room and made his way to the temple of Ilmater in Suzail just outside the Garden District. His body ached with the pain of his recent battles and lack of sleep. More however, was the ache in his soul from having been away from formal prayer for that period. He rested his bruised knees upon the stone altar of Ilmater and prayed. During his ritual cleansing he prayed that Ilmater assist the people of Cormyr during this time of strife. Further, he asked for strength, and assistance from the heavens in the Great War ahead. Some time during his prayers the exhaustion overtook Randal and he lost consciousness.When Randal woke up he was attended to by the gracious servants of the temple. Randal spoke with the head priest of Ilmater whom opened a divine communication with the Fortress of the Faithful on his behalf. Randal spoke with Father Akkul of the Fortress whom promised he would do all he could in contacting the Heavens for assistance. Finally, Randal spoke with his loyal cohort Daneus Bloodgrace whom began to immediately ready his acolytes for war. Later that evening Bloodgrace opened a Gate into the Cormyr according to Randal’s request and led many of the newly trained monks and clerics through.
Anthony Manton also contacted the Fortress of the Faithful, speaking to Father Peter of Tyr whom promised he would also do his best in contacting the Heavens on Anthony’s behalf. After much prayer at the Academy of the Consecrated Sword, where Anthony first learned the holy word, he returned with a newfound vigor to Calantar Keep. Lionar Dakulbel updated Constol Manton on the situation regarding Wyvernspur’s northern Parliamentarian army. Wyvernspur’s force had remained north, however it was far from idle. In the meantime, they had begun logging operations in the King’s Forest just 1 mile west. They were using the lumber to build great siege engines, and reinforce their position to the south, west, and north in the event the orcs broke through the King’s Forest before they could overtake Calantar Keep. Oversword Wyvernspur was a crafty seigemaster and had proved it yet again by creating a fortress all his own from the nearby landscape. Many of the siege weapons were now aimed directly at Calantar Keep. Lionar Dakulbel dryly joked that with one snap of his finger, Wyvernspur could topple Calantar Keep.During their conversation, the two commanders noticed a familiar figure appear on the northern shore of the Wyvernwater River, Nomin Ohtar. Mounted on his epic horse, Nomin galloped toward Wyvernspur’s battlements unarmed and flying the heraldry of a diplomat. Anthony blinked down in an instant to investigate this unusual circumstance and after speaking with Nomin about his plans to befriend Wyvernspur and unite Cormyr in the face of the orcish onslaught; Anthony decided to also attend. The two were met by a number of well-armed Red Dragon Knights whom didn’t find any humor in Nomin’s attempts at diplomacy. Nonetheless, Nomin was allowed a council with Oversword Wyvernspur and the two made their way into the well-organized encampment.
They entered into Wyvernspur’s noble war tent finding him partaking in a large lunch of mutton, puddings and some of Cormyr’s famous black bottom ale. Nomin cut through the pleasantries and asked bluntly that Oversword Wyvernspur re-assess his desires for separation from the Crown. He stated that divided Cormyr would certainly be crushed; first the royalists, and then inevitably the parliamentarians. They could only succeed if united against the common foe.
Wyvernspur explained that he did not at all take pleasure in the thought of killing fellow Cormyrians with the orcs so close. However, it had been too long a time with a corrupt royalist lineage controlling the country. He asked that the royalists evacuate their citizens east of the river and make a stand with them under the Parliamentarian flags at Immersea. After much debate it was clear that Wyvernspur would not back down from his challenge. Nomin boiled with anger, but contained himself as he stormed out of the tent and rode away toward Calantar Keep. Later that day Nomin and Anthony would Teleport back to Suzail to seek shelter and sleep in Lord Thond’s dusty mansion.
The rest of the party also gradually returned to Lord Thond’s manor as the 3rd moon began to rise since they had last slept. They slept deeply, collapsed upon the white canvas sheets covering Thond’s old furniture. At midnight none of the party awoke to the calamity of ringing bells as Lord Thond’s large collection of grandfather clocks went off in unison. The next morning of the 18th, the party gradually awoke and took breakfast before returning to the War Room to update the generals as to the additional assistance they had all found. Unfortunately, when they arrived, the party found the War Room in a new state of panic. A lieutenant informed the party that the Parliamentarian force led by Roseanna Rosehelm, Blastum Bladeweaver, and Isidar Fianche had assaulted Arabel.
